asked the Secretary of State for War whether he was consulted by the Belfast military authorities when they were requested by the Belfast executive to reinforce the seizure of the property of the Catholic Bishop of Clogher more than a week after the 120 Ulster special police had entered same on 8th February; what was the military necessity for this course; what was the date of the military order for the acquisition or occupation of this ecclesiastical property by His Majesty's troops; whether the Imperial Government intend to pay compensation to his Lordship; can he explain why no military action was taken until the most Rev. Dr. McKenna had complained to the Lord Lieutenant that the police seizure was illegal; why no notice of the order was served on his Lordship; and will the cutting or destruction of the trees be put an end to?

My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of the facts alleged, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Prime Minister whether members of the Irish Republican Army who were arrested at Dromore, county Tyrone, have been released recently from Londonderry gaol; whether they were released without, the consent or approval of the Government of Northern Ireland; and on whose instructions and under what authority the prisoners were released?

The Attorney-General for Northern Ireland having informed the Crown Solicitor for the County of Tyrone that it was not intended to prosecute these prisoners, and the said prisoners refusing to apply for bail in the ordinary course, the Lord Lieutenant was pleased to direct their release.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the comfort of the troops that have been detained in Ireland in consequence of the political situation, many regiments having left their quarters and now awaiting instructions?

It is impossible, within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question, to detail the arrangements made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability, in the case of the postponement of the evacuation of troops from Ireland, to draft other regiments to take place of troops which have served there in some cases since last June?

All the available infantry battalions at home have recently been stationed in Ireland for considerable periods. It would not be practicable, therefore, to put my hon. Friend's proposal into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to give any information in regard to the evacuation of troops in Ireland?

As I stated on Monday, the evacuation is proceeding stage by stage, having regard to the provision of transport, the availability of accommodation in Great Britain for the troops evacuated, and other considerations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will endeavour to include a reduction of at least 1s. in the £ off Income Tax in the following Budget, as one of the first charges on the National Exchequer, in order to partially relieve the heavy burden borne by all taxpayers?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not in a position to anticipate his Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the now generally accepted equality of the sexes, he will apply this principle to the incomes of husbands and wives and take steps to tax each separately according to their individual means?

I would remind my hon. Friend that in the Income Tax Acts full recognition of the principle of equality as between husband and wife is accorded by the provisions under which either spouse may elect for separate assessment. As regards the rate of tax to be borne by each of the spouses, I would remind my hon. Friend that as was pointed out by the Commission on the Income Tax the adoption of the course which he proposes would result in a shifting of burdens from the rich to the poor, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not prepared to introduce legislation on such lines.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Reparation Committee has a lien on all the gold or bullion deposited with the German Republic; and if the German Republic has sent any gold or bullion recently to the Bank of England?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, except in so far as the gold or bullion referred to is an asset of the German Empire. Under Article 248 of the Treaty of Versailles the cost of reparation and other costs under the Treaty are a first charge upon all assets and revenues of the German Empire, subject to such exceptions as the Reparation Commission may approve. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to a similar question asked by him on the 24th ultimo.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount collected by His Majesty's Customs on goods arriving from Germany under the heading of reparation duty for the year ending 31st December; can he give any idea as to the cost entailed to his Department by this collection; and is he aware that in order to effect the payment and clearance of many small consignments, involving a payment of a few shillings, agents have to be employed whose charges are often much in excess of the reparation duty?

The total amount collected under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act from the 1st April, 1921 (when the Act came into force), to the 31st December, 1921, inclusive, was £2,241,098. The general work of collecting the levy is merged in the ordinary-duties of the Customs and Excise staff, and it would not be possible to frame an estimate of the cost to the Department of this particular item of work. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member will understand that I have no control over the charges made by shipping agents to importers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the consideration of the financial business of the House would be greatly facilitated by the issue to Members in advance of memoranda dealing with the various Votes; and whether, since it would facilitate the progress of public business and avoid delays, he will consider the practicability of adopting this course?

I do not think this is a necessary course. A memorandum is always prefixed to the Civil Service Estimates which gives the information required for the purposes indicated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received a deputation from the Advisory Committee of the Overseas Trade Department in order that they might explain the serious effect on industry which would result in the adoption of the Geddes proposals; and whether, in view of the fact that the whole of the members of this Advisory Committee are independent business men, capable of expressing opinions on behalf of the commercial community as a whole, he will state what reply he was able to give?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not able to arrange an interview with the four members of the Advisory Committee selected to wait upon him on this matter, but he was able to see two of these gentlemen who placed the views of the Committee before him. As regards the latter part of the question, I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement which my right hon. Friend is making this afternoon.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Belgium, France, Germany, Finland, America, and Japan are all increasing the educational facilities for their children, i.e., by improving the public educational service with the specific objective of better equipping their people in the race of civilisation; and how we compare with these countries in educational schemes?

It is, I believe, true that each of the countries named is spending more upon education than before the War. I am not in a position to say to what extent educational facilities have been actually increased, but I. have every reason to believe that the countries named are endeavouring to improve their public educational service. The information at my disposal is, however, insufficient to afford a reliable basis for any useful comparison between those countries and our own in respect of educational schemes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that ejectment notices have been served on 50 Catholic ex-soldiers suffering from shell-shock who were patients in the hospital at Craigavon; whether the ejectment notices were accompanied by threats; whether the men threatened attended in a body before the board of medical advisers and placed their case before the members of that body; what steps have the medical board taken to protect these stricken ex-soldiers from the treatment with which they are threatened; what report he has to make on the mutter; and what provision he is making to treat these ex-soldiers in institutions where safety can be secured?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that 10 of the men under treatment at Craigavon were discharged at their own request because of certain threatening and anonymous letters which they had received from outside sources. A deputation was received at regional headquarters, following which the Ministry approached the Government of Northern Ireland. That Government at once undertook to ensure adequate protection for all men receiving treatment at Craigavon, The men have been so informed, and those for whom further treatment is recommended have been advised that they may safely return to Craigavon. In the meantime, arrangements have been made to continue their treatment without interruption.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that a number of ex-service men pensioners have to lose time to attend at hospitals and other institutions for medical treatment; that in the case of the casual dock workers in London they have to be at a place of call for employment every morning; that to obtain an allowance for expenses and loss of remunerative time and to qualify for the recovery of any loss in connection with remunerative time it is necessary for the applicant to obtain a certificate signed by his employer that he lost a certain amount of time at a certain rate of wage per hour on a certain day; and that it is almost impossible for a casual worker to obtain such a certificate, which inflicts great hardship upon the casual worker; and if he is prepared to receive a deputation concerning the matter?

The difficulty which arises in these cases has received very careful consideration, and I am pre- pared to meet the exceptional position by accepting the required certificate from the pensioner's usual employer, instead of, as in other cases, from the actual employer. A further relaxation of the regulations is not regarded as practicable.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that F. A. W. Smith, late Private No. 418,139 Labour Corps (Reference No. Pension Paper S.F.O. 87,933) was sent, as a result of his appeal against reduction of disability from 50 per cent, to 30 per cent, by a Board in Canterbury, to a London hospital to undergo an operation, and that he has derived no benefit from the operation and is unable to earn nearly as much as before his military service, when his wages amounted to £3 per week and upwards; and, in view of the fact that Smith is a married man with a family, whether the reduction made in his disability percentage can now be reconsidered?

This man was first awarded pension for eight months at the rate of 50 per cent, in respect of a gunshot wound of the knee. The award was renewed at 40 per cent., and remained at that rate until last November when, as a result of resurvey, it was reduced to 30 per cent, for six months. Treatment (with allowances), consisting of movement of the knee joint under an anæsthetic, was provided, terminating in December, 1921, when the condition of the disability was found to have improved. As the current award will expire in May, a further Board is being arranged with a view to a renewal of pension in accordance with the existing degree of disablement.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the desirability of granting full disability pensions to all ex-service men with a disability while they are unemployed, in view of the fact that they are doubly handicapped in an overcrowded labour market by reason of their disability arising from War service?

I would refer my hon. hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. G. Barker) on the 9th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of weekly payments now being made to war pensioners through the Post Office; whether, as more than one-fifth of these pensioners change their address every year, there is any delay in payments; and what is the total of pensions per month on a rough average which lapse from any cause whatever?

The number of weekly payments being made to pensioners through the Post Office is estimated at approximately 1¼ millions. The changes of address are not so numerous as my hon. Friend states, and generally no delay in payment arises from this reason. The total number of pensions which terminate from all causes is approximately 20,000 per month.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of appeals finally rejected by the highest appeal tribunal in each of the last four periods of three months; and what percentage do they form of the appeals actually heard?

The number of appeals finally rejected by the Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales, and the percentage they represent, in each of the last four periods of three months are as follow:

Period. Number. Percentage. February-April, 1921 3,981 71.5 May-July, 1921 7,351 72.0 August-October, 1921 7,943 72.2 November, 1921 - January, 1922 8,173 72.4

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the official statement that on 31st March, 1921, there were 125,000 officers and men under treatment at the hands of the Ministry, he can state the latest total available; what is the percentage discharged as sufficiently cured to be in no need of institutional treatment; and what percentage of this number is regarded as incurable?

At the end of last year there were approximately 143,000 officers and men receiving treatment from the Ministry and the corresponding number for the 31st March, 1921, was approximately 164,000. I regret that I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether war widows are being dismissed from the Stores Department whilst single women are still employed?

War widows are not being discharged from the Stores Department. The question is understood to refer to the case of a needlewoman, who is in receipt of a War pension and has been employed in the Stores Department since July, 1918. Owing to reduction of work her services as needlewoman are no longer required, and as an alternative to her discharge she has been offered work as a charwoman, but preferred to leave. With the exception of two other widows, who are physically unfitted to perform charwomen's duties, she is the junior officer on her class.

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to recommence Sunday collections of letters; and whether there is any prospect of the resumption of Sunday deliveries?

I am not yet able to make a statement as to the resumption of Sunday collection of letters, but my right hon. Friend will do so as soon as a decision is come to by the Government. He does not propose to resume the delivery of letters on Sundays.

asked the Postmaster-General whether direct telephonic communication has been established between London and Genoa for the purpose of the proposed Genoa Conference; and, if so, what charges, if any, will be incurred by the British Post Office in respect of this service?

Telephonic communication between London and Genoa for official purposes will be established during the session of the proposed Genoa Conference by extension to Genoa of the ordinary Anglo-French telephone lines. No additional charges will be incurred by the British Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the large number of printed circulars of British firms which are now being printed and posted in Germany: what steps he proposes to take in this matter; and whether, in view of the estimated surplus on the postal revenue for the forthcoming year, he proposes to reduce the charge on printed matter to the former ½d. rate?

I would refer the hon. Member to answers given in the House recently to a number of similar questions. The question of a reduction in charges is under the consideration of the Government.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the number of catalogues and circulars of English firms which are sent to Germany to be printed and posted there because it can be done cheaper in that country than here; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the printing trade of this country and prevent the loss of revenue suffered by reason of this practice?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Messrs. Ryder and Sons, seed specialists, of St. Albans, have published a seed catalogue, known as their Little List for 1922, on which a notice is prominently printed that the list has been posted abroad as an active and practical protest against the postal rates at present in force in this country; that this firm spent £11,871 last year with the St. Albans post office, and this year have printed 100,000 more catalogues than last year; and whether, in view of the ill effects on industry generally, and on the printing trade in particular, of the said postal rates, he can indicate when and to what extent they will be reduced?

There is nothing that I can usefully add to the answer I gave yesterday to a question on the same subject which was put to me by the hon. Member for East Grinstead (Mr. Cautley) except to point out that the firm referred to in question No. 5 appeared to have raised their charges to the same extent as the Post Office has raised the postage for letters and printed papers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the statement by a firm of seed specialists that had they posted and printed their catalogues in Germany they would have saved £12,000; is he aware that the same firm has printed and posted at Leipzig some hundreds of thousands of their lists to people in this country as a protest against the present Post Office regulations; whether such action is seriously injuring printing establishments in this country, as it is being widely adopted by other firms; and is he aware that that action is being taken, not because the cost of printing in Great Britain is too high, but because the cost of posting is prohibitive?

I cannot usefully add anything to the answer to a question on the same subject put to me by the hon. Member for East Grinstead (Mr. Cautley), except to point out that the firm in question appears to have increased their charges to the same extent as the Post Office has raised the cost of postage for letters and printed papers.

asked the Postmaster-General if ho will give improved facilities for the delivery of letters in Austruther Eastern, the railway company having given some improved service of trains, but in spite of this letters are not delivered to many members of the business community until half-past ten or eleven o'clock?

I will have inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Australian zinc mining companies are able to pay a dividend as a result of the Government's undertaking to buy large quantities of Australian zinc concentrates for a period of 10 years following the conclusion of the War; and whether, owing to the same cause, all British zinc mines have been compelled to shut down?

So far as I am aware, out of 11 Australian zinc mining companies only three paid a dividend on their ordinary shares in 1921. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the excessive freights now charged on livestock exported from this country to foreign ports; that the rates of freights on livestock exported from Great Britain to Buenos Aires and Monte Video have been trebled since 1913; and whether it is possible that any steps can be taken to obtain a substantial reduction in the present rates in order to assist in restoring to some extent the export livestock trade, which at present is practically at a standstill?

Representations as to the freights charged on live stock exported from this country have been made to the Board of Trade, and the matter has been inquired into. Since this inquiry was instituted rates of freight to Buenos Ayres and Monte Video have been reduced in the most important cases by amounts varying from 6 to 12 per cent., and only in the case of poultry is the freight as much as treble the 1913 figure. The shipment of cattle carries contingent liabilities on the ship, which are very heavy in proportion to the freight earned owing to the small number of cattle usually shipped in each vessel. The Board have suggested that shippers should work together to concentrate their shipment and guarantee full deck loads on a small number of vessels, in which case they are satisfied that the rates of freight could be further reduced.

asked the Prime Minister whether export credits are available for Russia on the same terms as in the case of other countries; and whether, if private traders or co-operative societies apply for credits to finance trade with Russia, this will be given to them from the £26,000,000 already voted for the purpose of export credits?

No, Sir. Credits are not at present granted for goods destined for Russia.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why a toy bagpipe, imported from France and costing 2s., is defined as a musical instrument subject to tax by the Customs authorities, whereas a mouth organ, imported from Germany and also costing 2s., is admitted free of tax?

Mouth organs are expressly exempted from the Customs Duty on musical instruments by a Treasury Order made under Section 13 (5) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915. This Order also covers all complete musical instruments the value of which does not exceed 1s. (one shilling). A bagpipe valued at 2s. would not therefore be exempt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the crew of the steamer "Lancastrian," of Liverpool, signed on at Hamburg by articles which laid it down that the voyage should terminate in a United Kingdom port; that this vessel was sold at Philadelphia to American owners; whether he has received a report from the Consul-General at Philadelphia that, although under the terms of their articles the crew were entitled to wages up to the time of their arrival in the United Kingdom, 14th February, 1922, they only received wages up to 31st December, 1921; whether His Majesty's Consul-General has been instructed to appeal against the decision of the American Court on this point; and whether he will take steps to approach the owners with a view to these men receiving their wages?

I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the question. The vessel was sold by order of a court in the United States, and at a preliminary hearing wages were allowed up to 31st December last. Further proceedings are contemplated, and the Consul-General has undertaken to protect the men's interests. It is not proposed to approach the owners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of the property at Yate, Gloucestershire, in their hands for disposal; how many acres of land they still hold; what the value of the wood, brick, and other buildings, including the slab factory, is estimated to be; what is the value of the machinery in these buildings; and what has been sold since the Armistice, and for what sums?

The slab factory and part of the aerodrome' have been advertised for sale by private treaty, but up to the present no satisfactory offers have been received. The Disposal Board have offered to accept £13,000 for the factory. The remaining aerodrome buildings form the subject of a contract, at present disputed, but which I am advised is binding upon the purchasers. The Government still own about 170 acres. Two acres have been sold to the Sodbury Urban District Council for a housing site and negotiations are in progress for the sale of a further piece for a similar purpose. The value to be placed upon the buildings and machinery depends upon the performance or otherwise of the contract now sub judice and also upon whether or not it may be possible to sell the remainder of the property in situ. Any estimates given now might therefore prejudice the course of negotiations. The stocks of concrete slabs, together with certain miscellaneous material and certain plant at the factory and aerodrome and the land above referred to, have been sold for approximately £21,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed now to sell the furniture hired from the Government by householders at Gretna; whether the furniture in question has been hired for a number of years past at weekly rates, so that the cost thereof has, in great part, been repaid to the Government; and whether, in view of the above, he will give opportunities to the householders referred to to purchase their furniture at a reduced figure on the hire-purchase system?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am unable to state what proportion of the original cost of furniture hired from the Government by householders at Gretna has up to the present time been repaid to the Government, but the whole question of the acquisition of such furniture on a hire-purchase system is now under consideration, and as soon as a decision is reached I will see that my hon. and gallant Friend is informed thereof.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government propose to abolish the Civil Service Arbitration Board; whether the Whitley Council system will be made applicable to civil servants whose basic salaries exceed £500 a year; and whether the Government propose to institute an inquiry, as recommended in the Fourth Report of the Macdonnell Commission on the Civil Service of 2nd April, 1914, in regard to the rights and duties of civil servants?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Betterton) on the 22nd ultimo As regards the second part, it has already been decided that the grading and remuneration of posts carrying salaries in excess of £500 a year cannot be made the subject of discussion at the National Whitley Council; and it is not proposed to vary this arrangement. As regards the third part, the position since the Macdonnell Commission made the recommendation in para. 25 of Chapter XI of their Fourth Report has been entirely changed by the institution of Whitley Councils in the Civil Service, and in the circumstances it is not proposed to hold the comprehensive inquiry which the Commission suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the principle upon which he proposes to add certain Members of Parliament to the official side of the National Whitley Council; and whether this council will take over the work of the Civil Service Arbitration Board?

Under the proposal in question the Members of Parliament who agree to serve on the official side of the National Whitley Council will definitely accept the position of forming part of that side. The official side is responsible to Ministers, and exercises such authority and responsibility as may be delegated to it by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at his discretion. As to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer given to a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Betterton) on the 22nd February last.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before deciding upon any remodelling of the activities of the Department of Overseas Trade, he will ascertain the views of the Dominion authorities as to the value of trade commissioners in promoting Imperial trade?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not think it would be practicable for him to take the specific action suggested by my hon. Friend, but the Imperial aspect of the question must obviously be considered. He is satisfied that the work of trade commissioners in promoting Imperial trade is of great value.

asked the Minister of Health how many ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class; how many passed, qualified, or failed; what number of those who failed applied to appear before the Investigating Board under paragraphs 36 to 39 of the Lytton Committee's third interim Report; and how many were recommended?

The number of ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity in the Ministry of Health who competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class was 771. Of these 75 passed, 105 qualified, and 591 failed. 472 of those who failed applied to appear before the Investigating Board suggested in the Lytton Committee's third Interim Report, and 154 of them were recommended for consideration to the Investigating Board.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of those civil servants to be dismissed from his Department on account of necessary economy are men who have fought in the War, and how many are men who have not served in the forces; and how many posts with salary or bonus of over £300 a year are now held by civil servants who did not serve in the forces, promoted to the first division during or since the War?

The question of the staff of the Ministry of Labour has been, and is, receiving my unceasing personal attention. As regards permanent staff, the consideration of future possible reductions must, in the main, I think, await the reports of the Committee on Trade Boards, and the interdepartmental Committee on the relation of health and unemployment insurance. The temporary and casual staff of the Ministry is mainly employed in the employment exchange service, and its numbers necessarily fluctuate with the rate of unemployment. Of the total temporary male staff 98'9 per cent, are ex-service men, and reductions, therefore, involve of necessity the dismissal of ex-service personnel. Eighteen permanent officers who did not serve in His Majesty's forces have been promoted or transferred to administrative posts during or since the War. The total number of such posts is 57.

asked the Minister of Labour how many secretaries and assistant secretaries there are in his Department; and what are their total emoluments including bonus?

There is one secretary, a second secretary, and 12 assistant secretaries (three holding acting appointments only), all in charge of separate divisions or branches of the Ministry's work and responsible for the administrative action involved in duties upon which a staff of over 25,000 is engaged. The second secretary is shortly leaving on transfer, and the post vacated will not be filled. In addition, two assistant secretaries are seconded for special duty elsewhere (one with the International Labour Office at Geneva, and one with the Committee on Grants for the Relief of Unemployment. The salary of the first of these is not paid by the Department, but by the International Labour Office). The emoluments of the remaining 15 officers (including bonus) are at present £22,683.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to abolish the war-time regulation compelling cyclists to carry a rear lamp, and thus remove an unnecessary and irritating obligation?

I have been asked to answer this question. The war-time regulation referred to is no longer operative, but its re-enactment is under consideration in connection with the question of the lighting of vehicles generally.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the present conditions of transport give a substantial preference to the foreign producer of fruit and vegetables; and is he prepared to take action with the railway companies to reduce them?

It is understood that in certain instances special rates charged by the railway companies for traffic from the ports are in force, and that these are held by them to be justified by economic circumstances. I would remind the hon. Member that the Minister has no jurisdiction over railway rates and I would refer him to the provisions of the Railways Act, 1921, which enables any trader desiring a reduction of an existing rate, and failing to obtain satisfaction from the company, to appeal to the Rates Tribunal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport why the claim of the Hinckley Urban District Council for compensation for the requisitioning by the Government of two of their gas department coal wagons has been refused; whether he is aware that certain wagons were taken from the Hinckley Urban District Council's service at a time when they were urgently required by the Hinckley Urban District Council for the transport of coal in the year 1919, and when it was extremely difficult to obtain coal; that such wagons, although diverted from the council's service, were untraceable for several months, and were allowed to remain unused in sidings during practically the whole of the time they were under the control of the Government; and whether the Government will reconsider the matter and pay the compensation asked for the loss of the use of the wagons during the time they were taken out of the service of the council?

I have been asked to reply. Owing to an acute shortage of coal in the Metropolitan area caused by a coal strike in the Midlands in March, 1919, 2,000 wagons were requisitioned by the Controller of Coal Mines to transport emergency supplies. Two of the wagons were the property of the Hinckley Urban District Council. Payment was made for all the wagons on a uniform basis. It is true that there was delay in returning some of the wagons to their owners owing to the congestion then existing on the railways, but every reasonable precaution was taken by the Coal Controller to expedite their return, and I regret that I cannot admit the claim of the Hinckley Urban District Council for any further payment than has already been made to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the National Conference of Assessment Committees have come to an agreement with the railway companies on the methods of railway assessment; in that case, what are the terms of the agreement; and whether, since a Bill on the subject is being brought before the House, the Government will state their policy with respect to it?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular which has been issued by the National Conference of Assessment Committees describing the details of the arrangement, and a copy of a circular which I have issued commending the agreement which has been arrived at.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been called to the case of a man who was fined £l at Hamilton Sheriff Court on the 20th of this month for obtaining unemployed benefit when in receipt of £6 a week; and whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure adequate punishment for such offences?

I have made inquiries into the case referred to by my right hon. Friend. I am informed that the man in question was a miner and professional football player. In the former capacity he had fallen into unemployment. He consulted a justice of the peace as to his right to unemployment benefit and was advised that be was entitled to draw it. The judge who tried the case considered that, although the man was culpable in respect that his view of the law was unwarranted, he had not been consciously dishonest. I may add that an undertaking was given to refund the money wrongly drawn. In these circumstances the judge felt warranted in limiting the fine to £1. I have no reason to suppose that it is necessary to take any action on the lines suggested in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been deprived of employment as a result of the closing down of the lead and zinc mines in this country?

In September, 1921, the latest date for which complete figures are available, about 800 persons were employed at lead and zinc mines as compared with about 2,700 at September, 1920, a decrease of 1,900. I cannot say how many of the 1,900 are still unemployed, but the number of lead miners on the Live Register of the Employment Exchanges at 10th January, 1922, was 440.

asked the Minister of Health if the urban district council of Sheringham are only paying 75 per cent, of the local rate for relief work instead of 75 per cent, of the district rate; and if he will take action in the matter?

I have no information with regard to the wages actually paid on this scheme, but as it is a direct labour scheme, the local authority are required by the conditions of the grant to pay to the men employed, during the probationary period, a rate of wages not exceeding 75 per cent, of the local authority's rate for unskilled labour.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the recent illegal seizure by a gunboat of the Soviet Government upon the high seas, outside the territorial limits, off the Murmansky coast of North Russia, of a British trawler, which resulted in the vessel being driven ashore with the loss of the lives of 10 of her crew; whether other arrests were contemplated; and whether he proposes to arrange to send a British warship to these waters, or to take other effective steps for the protection of the numerous British vessels now lawfully fishing in these regions from outrages of this kind?

On receipt of full particulars from the two survivors who have just arrived in this country as to the exact whereabouts of the British trawler when seized by the Soviet authorities His Majesty's Government will decide what steps should be taken. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the Powers who have been invited to participate in the Genoa Conference; by whom have the invitations been issued and on what principle; and I whether, considering their relations with Far Eastern Russia, any of the Far Eastern nations, and, if so, which, have been invited to attend?

The following is the list of countries invited to attend the Genoa Conference:—

Great Britain and the British Dominions, France, Italy, Belgium and Japan, the United States of America, Germany, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Esthonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Jugo-Slavia, Greece, Bulgaria, Holland, Luxemburg and Albania.

The invitations were issued by the Italian Government, in accordance with the decision of the Inter-Allied Conference at Cannes to invite, in addition to European countries, only those Powers whose representatives took part in the Cannes Resolutions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mustapha Kemal Pasha has announced that his Government of Angora will not accept any decisions of the Genoa Conference unless the Turkish delegation is admitted?

A report to this effect has appeared in the Press. I have no other information.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions in England and Wales for bigamy in 1919 and 1920, showing in what number of such cases the evidence proved neither deception nor cupidity; and in what proportion of cases the offence of bigamy was committed after long periods of separation from legal spouses?

The number of convictions in 1919 was 849: in 1920 the number was 670. I am unable to afford any information about the individual cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to recent prosecutions under the Gaming Act, 1854, of the promoters of whist drives at which prizes in kind were awarded to successful competitors; and whether he will consider legislation exempting whist drives from the provisions of the Act?

One or two cases of prosecutions under this Act have been brought to my notice. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary what is the salary and value of the emoluments attaching to the office of Commissioner of the City of London Police, who has jurisdiction over one square mile and 1,100 men under his command; what is the salary and emoluments of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who has jurisdiction over 116 square miles and 62,000 men under his command; is he aware that the present occupant of the former position is upwards of 72 years of age; that he draws a pension from the Liverpool Police and in six years will draw a pension from the City of London; and that, having regard to the fact that the Treasury pays half his salary, will the terms and conditions under which the position is at present held be now reviewed in the interests of economy?

The salary of the Commissioner of the City of London Police is £1,700 per annum, and that of the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police £3,000 per annum. Neither of them is receiving any bonus or other emoluments. The area of the Metropolitan Police District is 700 (not 116) square miles, and the total strength of the force is about 21,000 (not 62,000) men. Any question of the revision of the salary of the Commissioner of the City Police is a matter for the City authorities.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions for drunkenness in the Metropolitan Police area, month by month, for the year 1921?

The convictions for drunkenness in the Metropolitan Police District in each month of the year 1921 were: In January, 2,304; in February, 2,073; in March, 2,357; in April, 1,961; in May, 2,163; in June, 1,878; in July, 1,804; in August, 1,962; in September, 2,751; in October, 2,615; in November, 2,502; in December, 3,040; total, 27,410.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has recently been directed to the suggestion of Lord Northcliffe that the situation in Palestine should be exhaustively reviewed by a competent and impartial authority; whether the Zionist organisation in this country is entirely favourable to such a course; and what steps, if any, it is proposed to take?

I have seen the newspaper article in which the suggestion was made. I am not aware how it is viewed by the Zionist organisation. With regard to the last part of the question, I have no statement to make.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Committee of Inquiry into the conduct of mental hospitals includes any member of the National Asylum Workers' Union; and, if not, whether he will appoint a member of that union to serve on the Committee, in view of the fact that the members of the union are in daily contact with the patients and have special knowledge of the facts to be elucidated by the inquiry?

The answer to the first question is in the negative; as regards the second question I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. A. Short) on the 14th February.

asked the Minister of Health what grants are at present being paid to the National Council for Combating Venereal Disease direct; and, through the local authorities, as the 75 per cent, proportion of sums expended by them?

The grants paid up to date to the National Council for Combating Venereal Disease during the current financial year amount to £9,500. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the concluding part of the reply given to him on the 23rd March last, in which it was stated that no grants are made direct by local authorities to the National Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that 37 cows from one cowshed in the East of London have recently had to be destroyed because they were suffering from foot-and-mouth disease; what steps have been taken to trace the origin of the outbreak of the disease in this district; and what is the result of such investigations?

I have been asked to reply. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Inquiries, which were made by the Ministry's inspector who dealt with this outbreak, failed to discover a definite origin of infection. The outbreak can only be explained at present on the supposition that someone who tended the cattle in question had unwittingly been in contact with infection at one of the markets through which diseased cattle had passed, and thus had transferred the virus.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of cows in East London were recently found to be suffering from foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he has caused any inquiries to be made to ascertain whether any injurious effect to human beings has followed the drinking of the milk of those cows?

Yes, Sir. My attention was drawn to this matter at the time of the outbreak, and inquiries were at once made by an officer of my Department, in conjunction with the medical officer of health of the district. The supply of milk was stopped as soon as the outbreak was discovered, and the medical officer of health reports that though he has made careful inquiries there is no evidence that any ill-effects have been caused by the consumption of milk previously given by the herd in question.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in order to secure the right of appeal granted by the Indemnity Act on a point of law to any person aggrieved by any direction or determination of the War Compensation Court, and in view of the practice of the Court in refusing either to allocate compensation between the separate items of claim or to give reasons for its judgment in effect deprives applicants to this right of appeal, he will make rules requiring compensation to be so allocated and reasons given?

The principles upon which compensation is assessed by the War Compensation Court are set out in the Indemnity Act, 1920, and it is not proposed to make rules as suggested by the hon. Member. I am informed that where the claimant has indicated that he would wish for a reasoned judgment in view of questions of law raised by the claim, the Court has acceded to the request. I cannot, therefore, accept the allegations contained in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the decision of the Vilna Diet, elected under the surveillance of Polish Armies, to amalgamate with Poland, has been followed by the acceptance of the annexation by the Polish Ministers; and whether, since this annexation disregards the decisions of the boundaries laid down by the League of Nations, what steps the League proposes to take?

His Majesty's Government have no information to show that the Polish Government has taken any action of the kind suggested. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.