asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the intention of the Legislature, to which Clause 3 of Section 67A of the Government of India Act of 1919 gives, or should give, expression, any, and if so what, action will, or can, be taken upon the vote of the Legislative Assembly in favour of submitting the whole of the Budget in March to the vote of that Assembly?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave on 14th February to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton.

asked the Secretary of State for India what had been the decision of the Esher Committee on the question asked by the hon. Member for Gloucester (Thornbury Division) on 7th June last; and whether the Indian Military Service Family Pension Fund Rules will be so amended as to permit of a divorced officer continuing, if he so desires, his subscriptions to the fund in question so that the wife who divorced him may not lose the benefits thereof?

The Esher Committee in their Report dated 22nd June, 1920, Part V., paragraph 19, suggested that the Indian Military Service Family Pension Regulations should be amended to provide that, where a wife divorces her husband, the surrender value of her pension should be paid to her. After careful consideration, it has been decided that no alteration of the regulations on this point is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether proceedings have been instituted against any person or persons arising out of the death by suffocation of the 64 Moplah prisoners on 19th November last; and whether the type of railway van used on that occasion is being used for the conveyance of prisoners?

I have not yet received the orders passed by the Madras Government. I am confident that every precaution is being taken against a repetition of the disaster.

If I put a question down in about a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman have any further information to give on this question?

I will let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know when I get the telegram announcing the decision of the Madras Government. I am expecting it every moment.

Is it not already known that there is no objection to the type of wagon used on that occasion, but that the ventilator was unfortunately choked with paint?

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend's anxiety is that there should be no repetition of this incident, and I am anxious to assure him that every step is being taken to prevent a repetition of this occurrence.

Has he read the strictures passed upon this class of wagon by the traffic superintendent of the line? Has he read the report containing the criticisms of the traffic superintendent upon the action of those Army officials who determined that the prisoners were to be carried in those particular wagons?

I have only seen up to the present a telegraphic summary

asked the Secretary of State for India what measures are being taken to preserve law and order in the affected portions of the Malabar district in view of the fact that martial law ceases automatically upon the 26th instant; and whether he has any statement to make as to the manner in which martial law has been enforced by the Government of Madras?

The latest reports I have received indicate that when the operation of martial law ceases there should be no difficulty in preserving order by the enforcement of the ordinary law. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the particulars of operations and statistics of judicial action which have already been published.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the pensions of uncovenanted civil servants, e.g., Indian forest officials, heads of colleges, etc., who have an agreement with the Secretary of State are permanently guaranteed by the British Government, or whether the responsibility of the British Government is intended to be put an end to by the granting of a measure of Home Rule?

The pensions of members of all Civil Services in India have been for many years a statutory charge on the revenues of India, and no change in this respect was made by the Act of 1919. For an explanation of what may be the position under future legislation, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Twickenham on the 14th February, of which I will send him a copy, and to the despatch which I intend shortly to present to Parliament.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a permanent charge, in order that those on whose behalf I am asking this question need not insure their pensions?

Yes, it is a permanent charge.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the number of applications for premature retirement which have up to the present been received from members of the Indian Civil Service; and what was the number of applications for posts in the Indian Service received from British subjects in the years 1913, 1914, 1919, 1920, and 1921, respectively?

I have so far received 16 applications for premature retirement, but cannot yet say how many more have been received by, or are on their way to, me from, the local Governments in India, to whom applications have to be addressed in the first instance. Except for a special provision under which subjects of native States in India may become eligible, all candidates for the Indian Civil Service are necessarily British subjects, but I have assumed that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind European candidates. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the number of unsuccessful Bolshevist agents who are known to have been recalled from India by the Moscow Government; why these persons were allowed to carry on their propaganda in defiance of the terms of the Anglo-Russian trade agreement until voluntarily withdrawn by the Bolshevists themselves; and if he is in a position to give approximately the number of agents who are considered by the Soviet Government to be sufficiently successful to justify their retention in India?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to base his question on the assumption that the reference which I made to Bolshevist agents in my statement last Tuesday was a reference to Bolshevist agents in India. That assumption is not correct. As regards the particulars for which he asks, I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will agree with me that to make public any specific information that we may possess on this subject would be highly inexpedient.

Am I to understand that my right hon. Friend does not attribute arty of the trouble at all to the Bolshevik propaganda in India?

My hon. and gallant Friend must distinguish between Bolshevik propaganda by agents in India and Bolshevik propaganda aimed at India from outside its frontiers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that, because a man holds extreme views in carrying out propaganda in India, he is a Bolshevik?

No, Sir; I understand that there are people holding extreme views on one side and the other side who are not Bolshevists.

What is the definition of a Bolshevist?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any evidence to show that the proposal to grant credits to Greece under the Trade Facilities Act with British guarantees, which will enable the Greeks to continue their attacks on Turkey, is reacting most unfavourably on Moslem sentiments and militating against the restoration of calm in India; and, if so, will he use his influence to defer granting these credits until peaceful relations are established between Greece and Turkey?

It ought to be widely known in India that the facilities which are open to Greece are open to all foreign countries, including Turkey, and this knowledge should remove any apprehensions that may have been aroused.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men of the fighting services are under present regulations nut entitled to any war medals; and whether, in view of the decision of the Government to issue medals to special constables, he will reconsider this matter so that ex-service men shall not be placed in an inferior position to civilians?

The first part of the question could not be answered accurately without much research, but the number is in the neighbourhood of 1,500,000. In regard to the last part, the award of a medal for home services is under reconsideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the method of recruitment of labour in Woolwich Arsenal operates through the employ- ment exchanges of the district; and what proportion of Woolwich residents discharged since the Armistice on reduction as distinct from those discharged for inefficiency have been re-employed?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of long service in the ordnance factories are being discharged, adding to the already heavy burden of the local authorities, while other men are brought from Bournemouth, Devonshire, Durham, and other places outside the area of London at a time of acute housing shortage; and will he inquire into this matter?

The local Employment Exchanges are used for the engagement of labour at the ordnance factories, and preference is always given to Woolwich residents, unless no suitable local labour is available. Out of about 3,293 men engaged since the Armistice, 866 have been men living outside Woolwich Borough. These men were mainly bricklayers, carpenters, and men of other skilled trades, who were not available locally. Nearly all of them, however, have had previous service in the ordnance factories. Very few men are being engaged at the present time, but the rule of preferring local labour when it is available holds good, and the Employment Exchanges have instructions accordingly. In regard to the last part of Question No. 11. I regret that statistics as to the place of residence of the large numbers of employés (over 50,000) discharged from the factories since the Armistice are not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Woolwich statements are freely made by all sections of the population that Woolwich residents are excluded in favour of people brought in from all parts of the country who have to find house room in an already congested district, whilst there are thousands of local people unemployed?

I hope that the hon. Member, now that I have given him the true facts, will aid me in contradicting those statements which are not correct.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can furnish the respective ratio of officials with salaries of £500 and over in the central adminis- tration of the ordnance factories in January, 1918, January, 1919, and January, 1922?

The number of posts at a basic salary of £500 or over was 10, 12 and 10 in the three years respectively.

Having regard to the fact that the proportion in 1918 of the staff of 90,000 is proportionately the same, and probably the same number of officials are functioning with a staff less than 10,000, surely the right hon. Gentleman sees some room for economy at the top as well as at the bottom.

Every economy that is possible is being made, but it does not follow that these 10 officials having a basic salary of over £500 can be reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has examined the records of the famous Irish regiments now about to be disbanded; and will he, in proof of the gratitude of Great Britain for their glorious deeds, give the flags and other trophies of the regiments, if deposited with him, an honoured place among the treasured possessions of the nation?

Yes, Sir. The Army Council fully appreciate the distinguished services of the regiments in question, and if their flags and other trophies are deposited with them they will charge themselves with the duty of disposing of them honourably.

Will it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to incorporate those regiments in a composite regiment? One of those regiments—the Royal Irish—served under the famous Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of the right hon. Gentleman the Colonial Secretary.

What steps will the right hon. Gentleman take to make provision for those officers who are compulsorily retired?

Although both these supplementary questions are important neither of them has anything to do with the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to make any reduction in the staff at Sandhurst for the training of cadets?

I do not think any immediate reduction in the instructional staff of 62 persons for 700 cadets is practicable but I am reviewing the whole position.

May I ask whether at the present moment there is a staff of 562 persons to look after 700 cadets?

The instructional staff number not 562 but 62.

I referred to the whole staff.

I have said I am looking into the whole question.

How is it that 12 cadets are considered sufficient for an instructor at the Royal Military College, while under the Education Department a teacher has to instruct 50 pupils?

That question should not be addressed to me.

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers of the British and Indian forces in Mesopotamia and Palestine, respectively, and what is the approximate monthly cost of each force; and whether there have been any recent casualties caused by hostile action.

It would be misleading to give actual figures at this stage, since reduction is steadily proceeding on the lines of the programme explained by me last year. As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull on 16th February, I hope to make a full statement when introducing the Middle East Estimates. If the hon. Member will specify the exact period over which he desires information as to casualties, I shall be happy to supply it.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman find it inconvenient to give the figures for the information of the taxpayer and of the House of Commons?

I think it would be more convenient to the House, and more in accordance with whet is usual, if I made a general full statement on the subject, which I am ready and anxious to do.

Is it a fact that the House of Commons may not have the number of troops in the Middle East for which the taxpayer is paying?

Full information will be made available.

When?

At the proper time.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the old headquarters house of the Portsmouth command in High Street. has been vacated and at what date; if it has been let, and for what amount; if Government House has been or is being converted into Government offices, and at what cost; why this change has been made; if he can give the contemplated saving over the old arrangement; if new buildings are being erected near Government House for the ordnance department and at Lumps Fort for officers' quarters; and if he can give the pre-War strength of the garrison at Portsmouth and the present. strength?

The old headquarters house in High Street was formally handed over to the Royal Engineers for sale or letting on the 17th instant: it has not yet been disposed of, and until it is, I am unable to state the amount of the saving which will accrue from the new arrangements. The cost of converting Government House offices was £426. No new buildings for the ordnance department are being erected near Government House, nor for officers' quarters at Lumps Fort, but two existing huts at the latter place are being converted with a view to their being let to married officers. The pre-War strength of the garrison of Portsmouth was 2,431, all ranks, and the present strength is 1,487.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what buildings are being erected?

I have said two existing huts are being converted with a view to them being used as married quarters.

But is there not a new building being put up?

No new buildings for the Ordnance Department are being erected near Government House.

Then what is the new building that is being put up there?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down another question, and if there is such a building being put up, I will tell him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will set up a special committee to investigate and report upon the trading of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, with an independent chairman, and with adequate representation of the trading and commercial interests in the country?

I do not think any further inquiry necessary. A Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield reported that they were "convinced that the maintenance of a permanent organisation of the kind is most desirable as a matter of policy, both because of the amenities which it affords to members of the forces, and more particularly because it provides the nucleus of a service capable of immediate expansion on mobilisation."

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officials are employed in the offices of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes in Fisherton Street, Salisbury; what is the annual cost of their salaries; and how many are ex-service men?

Ten females and 27 males are employed in the office of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes at Salisbury. As these, institutes are not chargeable to Army Votes I am not in a position to say what is the annual cost of the salaries in question. Of the male employés, 11 are ex-service men, nine were under age during the War, one was unfit, and six were exempted. I am drawing the attention of the board of management of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes to the low proportion of ex-service men employee at Salisbury.

Is it not a fact that the Board of Management is under the control of the Army Council, the Admiralty and the Air Ministry, and are not those Departments responsible for the expenditure incurred by the Board of Management?

On what Vote does this expenditure appear?

It is not borne on any Vote. No public funds are involved. It is not true to say that the institutes are under the control of the three Departments concerned. Those Departments are represented on the Board of Management, but in no sense do they control the Board. The most I can do is to call the attention of the Board to the very low proportion of ex-service men employed.

Is it possible for the Board of Management to pursue a policy directly contrary to the policy of His Majesty's Government?

I think the Noble Lord should give me a specific question: then I will tell him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to issue any memorandum commenting on the findings of the Geddes Committee?

I have no present intention of issuing such a memorandum.

Is such a memorandum being prepared?

I have said I have no present intention of issuing such a memorandum.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman accepts the findings of the Geddes Committee?

It means exactly what I have said—that I have no present intention of issuing such a memorandum.

What about future intentions?

As to that we must wait and see.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the event of a percentage reduction on salaries being agreed upon in the case of certain sections of the community, as suggested in the Report of the Geddes Committee, what would be the approximate saving to the State were a 5 per cent. reduction made universal upon all persons receiving money raised from taxes, as the whole or a portion of their income, including Ministers of the Crown, Members of this House, civil servants, judges, postal and police officers, &c.?

I am not aware that the Geddes Committee have suggested a percentage reduction of the salaries of certain sections of the community. If 5 per cent. of the salaries and wages of all persons receiving money raised from taxes as the whole or a portion of their income were deducted, it would represent something under £10,000,000 per annum on the basis of present numbers.

Does that include the pay of the soldier, on which the hon. and gallant Gentleman is proposing a 5 per cent. reduction?

It would include the pay of the soldier.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the issue of their final Report, the Committee on National Expenditure have asked for information as regards the policy of the Government with respect to the revision of the Navy Estimates, as the result of the Washington Conference, oil stocks and oil storage, and the maintenance of permanent military garrisons abroad; and whether this information has been furnished to the Committee in such a form as to enable them satisfactorily to frame their final recommendations?

The Committee on National Expenditure has made no communication to the Government except what is contained in their Report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the letter which I read in the House last Thursday.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is his intention to issue any memorandum commenting on the findings of the Geddes Committee?

The matter is under my consideration.

How long does the right hon. Gentleman expect to consider it and when will he be able to announce his intentions?

As far as I am concerned I shall be very glad to do so.

Is it not a fact that if my right hon. Friend carries out the regulations of the Select. Committee on Pensions he will save a great deal more money than the Geddes Committee suggested?

That is exactly what I am doing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have yet been taken to call a constituent assembly together in Iraq; and what is the Government's present policy on this subject?

It is hoped that a representative assembly will meet in Bagdad very shortly. The electoral law has been completed; elections are now being held for the municipal bodies, whose business it will be to carry out the provisions of the electoral law in the towns; and it is anticipated that the elections for the assembly itself will be held almost at once.

Is the franchise given to the voters in the Iraq as liberal as that given to voters of a similar character in Palestine?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet decided to appoint a Committee to inquire into the system of land tenure desirable in Tanganyika?

As stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on 16th December, this question is to be discussed with the Governor on his return to England. The Governor has not yet left Tanganyika, but he will do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in connection with the new Palestinian constitution, whether he will give an estimate of the number of persons likely to be enfranchised as primary electors, and the proportion borne by their number to the population of Palestine?

The details of the new electoral system proposed for Palestine are still under discussion, and I cannot give accurate figures at the present stage. The proposal is to enfranchise all male Palestinians of the age of 25 years and over, unless otherwise disqualified. Assuming there to be 300,000 males of all ages in Palestine, it may perhaps be estimated that about half that number would be entitled to a primary vote.

Are we to understand there is no educational test in this case?

Is there any question of giving the women a vote?

Things must be done gradually in regard to the Holy Land.

Is there any educational test?

No, Sir. I do not think there is for the primary election.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Costaki Saba, late public prosecutor in Palestine, has been ordered to leave the country; and why he was refused a written order of deportation?

I have no information on the subject, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what control the proposed Legislative Assembly in Palestine will exercise on emigration?

The exact scope of the functions to be exercised by the proposed Legislative Council for Palestine is still a matter of discussion. I should prefer to make no statement on the subject for the present.

May I ask if, at the present time, it is a fact that the majority of the residents in Palestine have no control whatsoever over emigration into their own country?

It certainly is the fact, and if the hon. Gentleman had followed the many Debates and discussions on this subject, he would hardly think it necessary to put forward such a query.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Mr. Rosenberg, to whom the arms recently smuggled into Palestine through Haifa were consigned, has been released on £2,500 bail; and what are Mr. Rosenberg's present whereabouts.

As I informed the hon. Member last Wednesday, I am awaiting a full Report on the incident from the High Commissioner for Palestine. I have no doubt that this Report will cover the points raised in the question.

Has the Report been received?

I do not know, I will ask.

This question is postponed, by request, until a week to-day.

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for postponing this question. I wish to have some correspondence with the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject. I am not entirely satisfied with the drift of the questions and answers on the subject.

I am very pleased to hear the right hon. Gentleman —[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the amending Ordinance upon compulsory labour in Kenya Colony has yet received his approval; and, if so, whether a copy will be placed upon the Table of the House?

I have not yet received the Ordinance referred to, but am calling the Governor's attention to the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Kenya Colony has recently borrowed largely in London on the security of the colonial revenues of that Colony; that it is freely suggested that His Majesty's Government, being responsible for the imposition of taxation in Kenya, is thereby made responsible for the payment of the interest on the loan; and whether he will make it clear that in all such cases His Majesty's Government will not hold this country responsible for making any grant-in-aid to such Crown Colonies in order to enable the Colony to meet its liabilities?

This question should have been put down to me, and not to the Prime Minister. I was not aware that the suggestion in question had been made. The prospectus of the Kenya Loan, as in all similar cases, contained a definite statement that—

"The Revenues of the Colony of Kenya alone are liable in respect of the stock and dividends thereon, and the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom and the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury are not directly or indirectly liable or responsible for the payment of the stock or of the dividends thereon, or for any matter relating thereto."

I see no reason for supplementing this explicit statement.

Then it is clear that, even where the Colonial Office is primarily responsible for taxation levied in the Colony, this country will not be liable to pay the interest on this loan?

I have stated what is clearly notified upon the prospectus of the loan. It is very gratifying indeed to see that this small Colony should have been able, on its own resources, to raise a loan on terms which are so favourable to the Colony, and which at the present time stands at a substantial premium.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the 35,000 Rhodesian natives referred to in White Book (Cmd. 547) have been removed from their reserves; and whether any compensation has been made to them to cover the costs of removal?

I have not received recent figures of such voluntary removals as may have taken place, but the hon. Member will observe from the despatch published in the White Book of December, 1920 (Cmd. 1042), that no question of compulsory removal could arise until after the 15th of this month. As regards the question of compensation, I would refer to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 27th July last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the attitude of the Portsmouth police towards whist drives; why should they be banned in Portsmouth and not everywhere else; why the magistrate of the same town will not allow dancing after I a.m. under any circumstances when dances are permitted up to a much later hour on special occasions at hunt balls, etc., all over the country; and will he consider the advisability of initiating legislation to amend and to consolidate the law relating to such harmless recreations with a view to removing such anomalies in administration?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave him on 1st November last. My attention has not been drawn to the matters referred to. No doubt any action of the magistrates has been taken in the light of local circumstances. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the police in taking proceedings against certain persons for annoying or insulting behaviour in Hyde Park; whether action has in all cases only been taken on police evidence; whether the police have in any case been able to produce as witnesses any persons who have been so annoyed or insulted; and whether, in view of the fact that nearly all of these cases have been unsuccessful either in court or on appeal, and considering the very grave effect which may be produced upon the career and life of an individual by an unjust or unsubstantiated charge of this nature being made against him, he can assure the House that the best possible use is being made of the police in this connection, and that the greatest possible care is exercised before such charges are made?

I find that since 1st January, 1921, 318 persons (154 males and 164 females) have been charged by the police with misbehaviour of this kind in Hyde Park. Of these, only seven (three males and four females) were discharged by the magistrate, and these were, I believe, discharged under the Probation of Offenders Act. In three cases of males the convictions were quashed on appeal. In only seven cases members of the public consented to come forward and give evidence. These figures show how little foundation there is for the insinuation contained in the question. I see no reason whatever to doubt that the police generally use very great discretion in bringing charges of this nature.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given consideration to the last part of my question, and can he assure us that the greatest possible care will be exercised before bringing a charge, which may or may not be true, against an individual which is certain to ruin his whole future life and career?

Yes, Sir. I have already said that I am quite satisfied that that is being done, and I think the fact that only seven cases out of 318—and those under the Probation of Offenders Act—were discharged, shows very clearly that the police must have been most careful in bringing charges.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of changing the name to "Hide-and-Seek Park"?

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it advisable that charges of that nature should be brought on the uncorroborated testimony of one policeman, without the evidence of a superior officer or some member of the public?

I am sure my hon. and learned Friend will agree with me in thinking that we can trust the Courts of this country.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the present acute poverty arising from low wages and unemployment, especially in South Wales and Monmouthshire, if he will take steps to prevent the arrest and imprisonment of workmen who are unable from the foregoing causes to pay their Income Tax arrears?

I have no power to interfere in the case of persons committed by the Courts to prison for non-payment of Income Tax. I would, however, call the hon. Member's attention to the reply given on the 13th by the Financial Secretary of the Treasury, in which he pointed out that no defaulter can be imprisoned unless it is proved that he has had means in his possession sufficient to enable him to pay the arrears due.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Income Tax, in the case of the casual labourer, is levied on one particular quarter of the year, irrespectively of what he may have earned in the lean quarters, and would he, in the circumstances, be willing to enforce a warrant on a man for one quarter of a year as against the other three quarters?

I am afraid I must either have notice of that question, or get the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to answer it for me.

I will put it to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what balances remain unexpended of the various funds to provide work for the unemployed; and what further financial provision the Government intend making so as to ensure a continuation of public works by local authorities during the next six months?

I understand that the hon. Member is interested in allocation rather than expenditure. Of the £2,540,000 set aside for land improvement and drainage, forestry, roads and light railways, I am informed that £1,313,500 has been provisionally allocated. In addition, the whole of the £2,000,000 for arterial roads and other road works has been allocated. The whole of the £2,630,000 set aside for the scheme administered by the Unemployment Grants Committee whereby the State bears 60 per cent. of the wages bill of works defrayed by local authorities out of revenue has been allocated.

As regards the second part of the question, works under the schemes I have mentioned will be in operation for some time. Furthermore the Government has decided that the Unemployment Grants Committee may approve schemes up to a total capital value of £18,000,000, an increase of £8,000,000 on the original pro, vision in respect of schemes for which the State assumes a share of the loan charges. Under this head £13,500,000 has already been allocated.

Will the hon. Member say whether the increased capital sum is immediately available so that schemes held up by local authorities may be proceeded with at once?

It will be available in such a manner that the administration of these schemes, and their approval, may be continuous.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the deep-rooted discontent in the minds of a very large number of casual labourers in all parts of the country on account of the waiting period before they can receive their unemployment pay; if he is aware that great hardships occur to the building trade workers and other workmen on account of their employment being casual and subject to weather conditions, seldom being able to claim benefit, only being at work one or two days, which are not consecutive; and it he will take action in the matter?

The rules with regard to the waiting period are laid down by the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and I have no power to alter them. I am aware that in certain cases they reduce considerably the amount of benefit payable where unemployment is not consecutive, but as the workmen in such cases are obviously not wholly unemployed, and as the resources of the Unemployment Fund are already very severely strained, I cannot recommend any alteration in these rules.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Frederick Benton, now serving a sentence of imprisonment; whether he has received a petition for the man's release on the grounds that evidence in another case established Benton's innocence; and whether he will request the Chief Commissioner to hold an inquiry as to the conduct of the police in the matter?

My attention has been called to this case. In view of the acquittal of Benton's companion, Dearman, at Quarter Sessions, I have recommended the remission of Benton's sentence, and he has been released. The facts which have come to my notice give no ground for suggesting that the police were guilty of any misconduct.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of awarding some compensation to this innocent man, who was imprisoned for a certain time?

No, Sir. He was found guilty by the Court, and I have done the most that I can.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the remarks made by the learned judge on Saturday, when charging the grand jury at Hereford, as to the unnecessary duplication of proceedings in coroners' and magistrates' courts in certain cases; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to give effect to the learned judge's recommendations?

The suggested amendment in the law will be considered in connection with a Bill which is now being drafted.

When may we expect the Bill?

I regret that I cannot give the assurance asked for.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has completed his investigations into the activities, etc., of the Mormon missionaries in this country; and whether he is yet in a position to make any statement?

Inquiries are still proceeding, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the remarks made by the Chairman of the London Sessions on 15th February, when allowing the appeal of Oliver Gwynne Wyatt, as to the evidence given by two police officers; and whether, in view of the fact that it is essential in the interests of justice for police evidence to be given with the most scrupulous accuracy and fairness, he will ask the Chief Commissioner of Police to hold an inquiry?

The case is now under the Commissioner's consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in consultation with the Metropolitan Police authorities, he will consider in what way a better class of motor taxi-cab hackney carriages can be encouraged to ply for hire by allowing a lower legal minimum scale of fares to be charged by cabs over a certain age, and of only a limited horse power; and whether, since such a system operates with success in Paris and elsewhere, and since the cost of petrol, oils, etc., has fallen, he can take steps to prevent a vehicle using small quantities of spirit and proceeding at slower speeds having the advantage of superior vehicles?

The question is under consideration, and I am making inquiries as to the operation of this system in some foreign capitals.

asked the Home Secretary the number of applications for naturalisation which have been in his Department for more than 12 months: and is he prepared to consider the advisability of increasing the staff in order to deal forthwith with cases where the applicants are heads of families, clergymen, or doctors, where it is shown that they have been in this country for 20 years or more and are of good repute?

I would refer the hon. Member to the figures contained in my reply to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. M. Jones) on the 13th instant. I do not feel justified, in existing circumstances, in increasing the staff of my Department for the purpose of dealing with this work.

Is there any special reason why people who have lived in this country for 20 years cannot have their applications considered?

They are being considered as rapidly as possible with the limited staff at our disposal.

Do not these people pay a large sum of money for their naturalisation, which more than covers the expense, and could not a staff be engaged?

It does not cover the expense at all.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of his statement made in the House on 25th October concerning the great value of police women, he can give an assurance that he will oppose the recommendations of the Geddes Committee to abolish the Metropolitan women patrols?

I regret that I cannot give the assurance asked for.

Are not these women patrols of great value in protecting the young?

That is not the question on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the tax on matches is being largely used by dealers as a desire to further profiteering; and whether, in preparing the Estimates for the forthcoming Budget, he will so arrange the incidence of the tax as to give the Exchequer the benefit of any added charges?

I have no information in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since all questions concerning the development of Crown Colonies and Protectorates by private enterprise are passed, on the advice of the Colonial Office, to the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee for consideration, by whom is the final approval for such schemes given, and how far is the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee, already overburdened with trade questions concerning foreign countries, able to consider these colonial schemes which are often matters of urgency and supported by the Crown agents and local governments concerned; and whether it, is possible to set up, without expense to the taxpayer, an advisory committee which will include representations of the Dominions, as well as the Crown agents, with independent financial and commercial advisers?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under some misapprehension. The Advisory Committee under the Trade Facilities Act is concerned only with applications for guarantees under that Act. It is in no way concerned with development schemes in general whether in the Colonies or elsewhere. The Committee has nine applications before it relating to Dominion or Colonial matters, and I am aware of no reason why they should not be dealt with in the usual way. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not possible for a special Committee to be set up by the Treasury in order to hasten these returns?

That certainly does not lie with me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been realised to the latest available date of the £120,000,000 estimated for Excess Profits Duty and £158,500,000 estimated for war assets in the financial statement for 1921–22?

Down to the 18th February the Exchequer receipts, as stated in the published weekly Returns, were for Excess Profits Duty £29,714,000, and for Special Miscellaneous Revenue £127,233,314.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in 1844 the Chancellor of the Exchequer reduced the rate of interest of Consols from 3½1 per cent. to 3 per cent.; that in 1888 the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Goschen, reduced the rate of interest from 3 per cent to 2¾4 per cent., and later to 2½1 per cent.; that Mr. Goschen's reduction effected a saving of £1,400,000 in the first year and £2,800,000 in later years; whether, in view of the fact that the bank rate has now fallen to 4½ per cent., he is prepared to adopt those predecents, and reduce the rate of interest by a rate equal to the fall in the bank rate; and, if not, whether he is prepared to consider a reduction by a smaller amount?

The operations to which the hon. Member refers were conversion operations, the essence of which was that holders of the outstanding Government Stocks were offered payment in cash at par as an alternative to conversion of their holdings into the new stocks. At the present moment such an operation, even if monetary conditions permitted, is not possible in the case of any of the larger issues of War Loans for the reason that it is part of the contract between the Government and the subscriber that the loans shall not be paid off before a fixed date. For example, the 5 per cent. War Loan cannot be paid off (except by purchase at the market price) before 1929.

Is it not a fact that the Government can borrow money from the banks at 3½ per cent. or 4½2 per cent. and pay off at par the money on which they are paying 5 per cent. to the present holders of capital?

The hon. Member is under a mistake. We can only borrow at the rate he mentions at short notice. You could not pay off long term debt with money borrowed at short notice.

Is it snot a fact that the Government had the benefit of loans at 5 per cent. while the bank rate was at 7 per cent.?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the estimate of the total amount in sterling or gold marks which this country will have received from Germany by way of reparation at the close of the current financial year?

The amount received by the British Empire from Germany by the close of the current financial year will probably be insufficient to cover the cost of the British Army of Occupation. Nothing will accordingly have been received on account of reparation.

Is that taking into account payments we have made to Germany for extra food for miners and that sort of thing, and if not does not that show an actual loss?

I am leaving out of account entirely what we have paid to Germany in connection with food supply of the miners.

Then there is an actual loss shown so far?

Certainly, because the Army of Occupation has not yet been paid for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the question of the amount which Germany shall be required to pay by way of reparation to this and other countries has been and is still under discussion; and can he say whether those who are engaged in the discussion are likely to come to an early decision?

The total reparation liability of Germany was fixed by the Reparation Commission in May, 1921. As regards the amount payable in 1922 the answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in consequence of the abnormal losses of the last two seasons, the continuance of the two experimental sugar-beet factories is threatened unless some relief is given immediately in the form of Excise rebate; and whether, in view of the opinion that the development of the sugar-beet industry in this country would be of benefit and would bring prosperity to the industry of agriculture, he will consider, in connection with the forthcoming Budget, the possibility of agreeing to the petition presented to the Government for the removal or reduction of the Excise Duty on Home-grown sugar?

The present position of the sugar-beet industry in this country is now being carefully considered. Meantime, I am not in a position to make any statement.

Does the right hon Gentleman realise the urgency of this question, and in view of the fact that representatives of the Labour party as well as other quarters of the House feel that this matter is very serious can he take an immediate decision on the subject?

The Budget is also a very urgent question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the total yearly cost of the Scottish Education Department in London and in Edinburgh, including all officials that are under its direct control?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the detailed information given in Subheads A, B, G, and H of the Estimate for Publication Education (Scotland), and in Subheads A and B of the Estimate for Reformatory and Industrial Schools (Scotland) for the current financial year

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the handicap to agriculture in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland owing to the high steamer freights; and whether he will appoint a committee to inquire into the whole question?

I am aware that the steamer freights referred to have risen considerably in recent years, and that the increase in the cost of exporting live stock and of importing seed, fertilisers, and other materials must necessarily react adversely on agriculture in the districts concerned. Increases in transport charges due to the prevailing economic conditions are of general occurrence at the present time, and on the facts before me I do not see that inquiry by a committee could serve any useful purpose

Is it not a fact that in most cases the increase has been from 300 per cent. to 500 per cent. and costs have gone down enormously in the last few months?

I am not able do give the precise figures without notice.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many smallholders were settled by the Scottish Board of Agriculture in the years 1919, 1920, and 1921, respectively, and also during any period of this year for which figures are available; and how many applicants for holdings remain unsatisfied?

The numbers of applicants settled by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in the years 1919, 1920, and 1921, were 396, 317, and 722 respectively. No figures are as yet available in respect of the current year. The number of applications outstanding at present is 11,463, comprising 6,857 for new holdings and 4,006 for enlargements.

Did nor my right hon. Friend say he expected to settle 950 last year when speaking on the Scottish Estimates? What has prevented his expectations being realised?

Frankly, I do not remember the precise figure I used. If my hon. Friend will put down a question I will deal with it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to lay telegraph and telephone wires from New Romney Post Office to St. Mary's, a distance of about 2½ smiles, for private use only; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that the public will have to bear the expense, he will consider the possibility of establishing an office in St. Mary's for the use of the general public?

A two-party telephone exchange line is being provided on rental terms from the New Romney Exchange to premises at St. Mary's. There is no post office at St. Mary's, but I will ascertain whether arrangements can be made for a call office on private premises. A separate pair of wires would be necessary for a call office, and a guarantee would probably be required.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, contrary to the recommendations of the Lytton Committee, a lady with private means is being retained in the Money Order Department, Postal Order Branch, while many girls entirely dependent on their earnings, equally efficient and with several years' service, are being dismissed; and why the single girls under notice in this and the Savings Bank Department have not been allowed to have their appeals heard by their substitution committee?