asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been drawn to the case of the children of the late Private H. D. Phillips, No. 2617, King's Liverpool Regiment, who for the past three years have been receiving an educational grant from the Special Grants Committee; whether he is aware that this grant was stopped last September and that, despite repeated letters on the matter, the mother of the children has only just been informed that, in view of altered circumstances owing to remarriage, the Special Grants Committee are unable to sanction any further grant for the two eldest children or to award any grant to the youngest child; and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Cresswell re-married three years ago and that her circumstances have not altered in any respect during this period, he will have inquiries made into the case?

I am inquiring into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the desirability of granting full disability pensions to all men with a war disability while they are unemployed, in view of the number of disabled ex-service men among the applicants for Poor Law relief, thus relieving the local rates, which otherwise help to maintain them?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. G. Barker) on the 9th February.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has been able to give further consideration to the case of Mrs. M. Hamber, of 76, Sutherland Avenue, Maida Vale, widow of Sergeant Marsh Hamber, No. 5,751, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who died on active service in the Tirah campaign, 1897, and to the ruling of the Ministry of Pensions on 6th November, 1920, that she is not eligible for an Army pension on the present scale on the ground that her husband died in action prior to the South African War; whether it is the intention of the Ministry of Pensions to distinguish between the widows of soldiers killed in one war and of those killed in another; if not, whether he will take steps to secure that the regulations are amended so that the widows of soldiers in all wars are equally treated; and whether he is aware that the inequality of treatment inflicts a great hardship on an exceedingly small class of persons whose grievance could be redressed without great expense to the State?

The position of widows of this class has been very carefully considered, but I regret that it has not been found possible to bring within the terms of the Ministry's former war warrants those widows who had no title to pension under pre-Ministry warrants. My Noble Friend is no doubt aware that Mrs. Hamber is in receipt of an allowance of 21s. a week from the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this class of person is an exceedingly limited class and that they have suffered exactly the same injury as the widows whose husbands fell in the late War, and on what ground of equity can the Government refuse to treat them in the same way as widows of the late War?

This matter was very carefully considered, and it was found impossible to act in the way suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Regular officers retired on reduced pensions on account of disability due to service in wars prior to 1914 have been informed that there is no authority for their pensions being regarded as disability pensions for assessment of Income Tax; and whether it is the intention of the Government in this respect to make any differentiation between officers wounded in former wars and officers wounded in the late War?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The exemption from Income Tax in respect of wounds and disability pensions granted under Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1919, applies to the various pensions, etc., enumerated in the Section, whether granted in respect of the late War or of previous wars. If the Noble Lord has in mind a case of a pension which is considered to fall within the terms of the Section and to which the exemption from tax has not been accorded, and will let me have the necessary particulars, I will gladly have the matter investigated and communicate to him the result.

asked the Minister of Pensions, if Regulation 4 of the Special Grants Committee Regulations, as applicable to disabled officers, has been cancelled; and, if so, on what he based his assumption that the need for such emergency grants had ceased?

This Regulation has been revised, and the power to make emergency grants to disabled officers has been withdrawn. These grants were introduced as a purely temporary measure to meet circumstances arising immediately out of war conditions, and their continuance at the present time can no longer be justified.

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman will see that ex-service men will not lose any benefits they have been promised or are entitled to, on the grounds of economy, whilst doles are given to those who did not serve during the War?

I have already stated that so long as I am Minister of Pensions ex-service men shall not suffer in the way suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the arrears of pension due to William Victor Airey, No. 316905, late private Labour Corps, Identity No. 2/M.A./2409 from 27th July, 1921, to 11th February, 1922, amounting to £33 12s., have not been paid, in spite of many letters addressed to the Ministry of Pensions requesting payment of the same; and why none of those letters have received any answer?

There were peculiar circumstances in this case which accounted for the delay, and I am communicating with my hon. Friend regarding these. In the meantime, I am glad to say that the arrears owing have been paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) how many reserve pilots in all are available for service as trained naval and military pilots respectively in case of emergency, how many naval and military officers on the regular establishment of those two services are trained pilots able to fly at the present time; how far have the pilots recently trained by the Air Ministry been able to satisfy the requirements of the Navy and Army when attached for duty;

(2) how many fully-trained pilots are available for service with the Army and the Navy, respectively; whether the proportion of trained pilots for artillery work, both naval and military, is adequate to the demand, irrespective of trained executive officers of the Navy and Army being lent for the purpose; and whether the Board of Admiralty and the General Staff have expressed their entire satisfaction with the facilities offered by the Air Ministry?

All the 1,862 qualified flying officers now serving in the General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force are available for service, either with the Navy or Army, or independently. The majority have had experience of working with one or both of the two other Services, but they are not allocated in distinct classes to Navy cooperation and Army co-operation work, nor to artillery work, as a sub-division of either class, the policy of the Air Council being to give all officers the widest possible training and experience. The importance of having a nucleus of officers with highly-specialised qualifications for this kind of work is, however, fully recognised, and two schools, one for Army and one for Naval co-operation, exist for the purpose. Reserve pilots for an emergency will be found, in due course, from the present short service commission officers who pass to the reserve. I have no information as to the number of trained pilots who are still on the active list of the Navy and Army, to which they returned after service with the Royal Air Force in the War. The allocation of air forces for co-operation duties with the Navy and Army is agreed annually between the Air Council and the Board of Admiralty and Army Council when the annual Estimates of the Air Ministry are under consideration. Though the Navy and the Army are satisfied with the qualifications of the pilots when trained, I fear that, in these days of strict economy, it is hardly in the power of any Government Department, for the moment, entirely to satisfy the demands made upon it, whether from within or from without.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many machines in all are at present in daily use at home and overseas, respectively; how many other machines could be used in case of emergency complete with trained pilots within a period of 15 days from such emergency arising; and what is the total cost for maintaining each aeroplane in service compared with the general cost of administration of the unit?

The answer to the first part of this question is given in the answer to the hon. Member for East Leyton (Mr. L. Malone) on the 24th February. This includes training machines. I do not consider it advisable, in the public interests, to answer the second part of the question. As regards the third part of the question, it is not practicable to separate the cost of maintenance and administration in the manner suggested.

Is it not a fact that the cost of administration amounts to about eight times the cost of operating one machine?

No. That is a statement which I challenge, and will deal with when the proper time comes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received particulars of a secret agreement recently arrived at by the various oil interests in Mexico; whether this agreement was approved by His Majesty's Government; and whether it is now proposed to recognise fully the present Mexican Government?

Various reports have reached me with regard to this agreement, but I have no definite particulars on the subject. The reply to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative.

Is it not the duty of this Department to know about these agreements, and will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

Yes, I will make inquiries, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be able to assist me in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information concerning the proposals put forward by Greece for the reconstruction of Salonika; whether the British Government have offered any assistance in this matter; and what is the extent of our commitments?

I understand that the Greek Government are inviting tenders for the reconstruction of Salonika, but His Majesty's Government are in no way committed to the scheme, nor have they offered any Governmental assistance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the numerical strength of the standing army that is being maintained by the Russian Government?

As far as His Majesty's Government are aware, the numerical strength of the Russian standing army was on the 1st of January last about 1,200,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has reconsidered its decision to refuse relief to the sufferers from famine in Russia?

asked the Prime Minister if he has received the resolutions, among others, unanimously adopted by the Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Trade Council, urging the Government to grant relief to the non-Bolshevist Russian people stricken by famine; has his attention been called to the statements made by Sir Benjamin Robertson and Dr. Nansen to the effect that money is required for seed for next harvest which cannot be procured in time by voluntary agency; and whether, having regard to the urgency of the matter, he can now reconsider the whole question with a view to making a grant, and thereby possibly stimulate other Governments to do likewise, so as to help in averting even a greater calamity next year?

I regret that it has not yet been possible to come to a final decision in this matter. Perhaps my hon. Friends will repeat their questions on Monday next, when I hope to be in a position to reply to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every week's delay means thousands more deaths?

I am painfully aware of that, and the terrible condition of things.

Is the responsible authority in Russia in a position to give guarantees that the relief will not reach the Russian Soviet army, which, we have just heard, consists of 1,200,000 men?

As a matter of fact, we have just received a report from a very distinguished Indian officer, who went there for the Red Cross, and he said there is no doubt at all that such relief entering there does go straight to the sufferers.

Is that report not confirmed by everyone who has been out there, and seen the actual work of relief?

That, I believe, is the report brought to us from the American Government. They have distributed very considerable sums in relief, and there is no doubt that it goes straight to the sufferers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will have inquiries made in Hungary as to the number and condition of Socialists and others in that country interned without any charge being laid; how many have been amnestied; and when it is expected to amnesty the rest of the political internees?

The treatment of so-called Socialists and the administration of justice in a foreign country are purely matters of the internal policy of the State concerned. So long as no rights or interests of British subjects are involved, it would be altogether improper for His Majesty's Government to intervene in the domestic affairs of another independent State as they would be doing by instituting official inquiries such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consult the teachers' organisations with a view to eliciting suggestions from them as to possible economies in the educational services?

My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any suggestions which the responsible organisations of teachers may desire to put forward, and, if occasion offer, he will not be backward in consulting them himself.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the greatly increased salaries now paid to teachers, steps can now be taken to withdraw the grants-in-aid now given to teachers attending evening classes, especially in rural areas, and also for holiday courses?

Special classes and courses designed to improve the professional equipment of teachers and to enable them to bring to the teaching of particular subjects of the curriculum fresh knowledge and new methods are, in my opinion, very fruitful in securing the best return for the public money spent on the schools. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to say that it would be in the public interest to withdraw all grants-in-aid of such classes and courses and say that the whole of them, especially in rural areas where travelling expenses must be considered, must be defrayed either out of the rates or by the teachers themselves.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give the minimum ages at which children are obliged to attend the elementary schools in America, France, Switzerland, and Germany; the ages at which they can leave such schools; and the educational cost per head to the respective governments of the children attending such schools?

In France attendance is obligatory from 6 to 13. In Germany, the United States and Switzerland there is considerable variety of practice as between one State or Canton and another, but I will send the hon. Member such information as I have. I regret that I have no up-to-date material enabling me to give the cost per head to the respective governments of the education of children attending elementary schools.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman indicate approximately the cost per head?

No, I am afraid it would be impossible for me with the material at my disposal to state the cost per head in foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he realises the unequal and differential treatment disclosed by the operation of the new Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918, inasmuch as all teachers who have retired, or who will retire, during the 20 years commencing 1st April, 1919, are teachers who have been rendered eligible under this Act for pensions ranging from three times to eight times the pension for which they contracted and were eligible under the Acts of 1898 and 1912, whilst their colleagues who were retired prior to 1st April, 1919, have been excluded from the benefits of the new Act and left to subsist on pensions under the Acts of 1898 and 1912 of about £40, average amount; and what steps does he propose to take to remove this harsh and inequitable treatment of these pioneer teachers?

A suggestion that teachers who retired on pensions before the Act of 1918 became operative should have their pensions recalculated on the basis of the latter Act was considered and rejected by the House of Commons during the Debates preceding the passing of the Act. My right hon. Friend does not propose to introduce fresh legislation for the purpose suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Education what effect the passing of the Teachers (Super- annuation) Act of 1918 has had on local pension schemes under which many teachers had been for years contributing to the cost of their superannuation on retirement; how many teachers were so contributing at the time the 1918 Act was passed; and what is the total amount of the contributions returned to these teachers on their being withdrawn from the local pension schemes and transferred to the new Government scheme under which no contributions are required from them?

The School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, gave teachers an option to continue under any local pensions scheme, to which they may have been subject, or to withdraw there-from and so become entitled to the benefits of the Act. Upon withdrawal a teacher was entitled to be recouped in respect of his past contributions under the scheme in such manner and upon such terms as might, subject to the approval of the Treasury, be agreed upon between him and the persons having the management of the scheme, or, in default of agreement, be determined by the Treasury. The number of teachers who appear to have been contributing to local pensions schemes at the commencement to the Act was about 31,000. I am unable to state the total amount of money returned to the teachers who have withdrawn. I understand that, although the terms of recoupment were submitted to and approved or determined by the Treasury in each case, that Department did not settle the sums actually returned to individual teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in drafting the Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918, he was aware that teachers who had left the profession some years previously for more lucrative employment or some other advantage, thereby relinquishing in part the small benefits due to them at 65 under the 1912 Act, became eligible at the age of 60 for the much larger benefits of the 1918 Act, while teachers of over 40 years' service, and still serving in 1918, were debarred from the benefits of the 1918 Act; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to remove such inequitable treatment?

The general principle of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, was that teachers should not benefit under that Act unless they had served for a prescribed period after the commencement of the Act. The exception to this principle is, that certificated teachers who, at the commencement of the Act of 1918, had acquired by length of service vested rights to pensions on retirement under the Superannuation Acts of 1898 and 1912, are pensioned under the Act of 1918 instead of under the Acts of 1898 and 1912, even though they have not served after the commencement of the Act of 1918. My right hon. Friend cannot accept the contention that either the principle or the exception to it, which I have mentioned, is inequitable.

asked the President of the Board of Education on what grounds were some teachers approaching the retiring age of 65 granted an extension of their certificate, thereby qualifying them for the benefits of the 1918 Act, while in other cases, to teachers similarly circumstanced, no extension was granted?

It is provided by Section 1 (2) ( a ) of the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, that a teacher's certificate shall expire on his attaining the age of 65 years, or if the Board, on account of his special fitness, allow his service to continue for a further limited time, then on the expiration of that time. No extension was given unless application was made, and applications in cases in which the Board were not satisfied of special fitness were refused. As regards certificated teachers who attained the age of 65 after 21st November, 1918, the provisions of Section 13 (2) of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, would apply.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many teachers who were retirable at 65 under the Acts of 1898 and 1912 have retired before reaching 65 under the 1918 Act; what was the average age at which those teachers retired; what is the gross annual amount of their pensions under the 1918 Act; and what would have been the gross annual amount of their pensions at 65 under the Acts of 1898 and 1912?

The total number and amount of annual superannuation allowances awarded from the 1st April, 1919, to the 31st December, 1921, under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, to teachers who retired before the age of 65 (the great majority of whom were teachers subject to the Act of 1898) were: £ Men 1,234 143,641 Women 1,879 145,253 3,113 £288,894

The average age of these pensioners was: Men 61.9 years Women 61.6 years

It is impossible, without a disproportionate expenditure of labour, to ascertain the amount which would have been payable to these persons if their pensions had been awarded at the age of 65 under the Acts of 1898 and 1912.

I would suggest to Ministers that answers of that length should be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of teachers under the London County Council scheme to whom, during the two years ended 31st March, 1918, extension of service was granted; and the number under the same authority to whom, during the same period, extension was refused?

My fight hon. Friend docs not understand what is intended by the reference to the London County Council scheme. The number of certificated teachers whose certificates were extended by the Board on the application of the London County Council during the two years ended the 31st March, 1918, was 109. No application by the London County Council for such extension was refused.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many ordinary elementary class teachers in England and in Nottingham, respectively, have more than 50 on the roll of their classes?

The number of teachers taking classes containing 50 or more pupils in public elementary schools in England and in Nottingham were, for the year ended the 31st March, 1920, 36,012 and 464, respectively. The total number of classes was 137,346 in England and 863 in Nottingham.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the further overcrowding of these classes will be a sad waste of public money? May I have a reply to that question?

The question of what is waste is a matter of personal opinion. The Noble Lord has his own opinion, no doubt.

asked the President of the Board of Education what items are included in administrative and other expenditure forecasted for 1922–23 to amount in all to £14,844,000; and what is the amount expended in each item?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the figure in Section 6 on page 111 of the First Interim Report of the Committee on National Expenditure (Cmd. 1581). The figure of £14,844,000 for administration and other expenditure includes administration and expenditure in connection with elementary schools for rent, rates, taxes, insurance, fuel, light, cleaning, caretakers' wages, books, apparatus and stationery, repairs to buildings and furniture, and expenditure of a capital nature charged to revenue and miscellaneous charges. The amount of each item cannot be separately stated.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of children under six years of age at present attending elementary schools in England and Wales and the total number of teachers occupied in giving tuition to these children?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the 23rd February to the hon. Members for Middlesbrough West (Mr. Trevelyan Thomson) and Lambeth North (Mr. F. Briant).

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the outstanding claims on the part of British subjects to reparation from Turkey in respect of injuries sustained by them in the late War, it is proposed to substitute any, and what, provision in the Peace Treaty with that country for those under the Peace Treaties with Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria, rendering the private movable property of their nationals liable to expropriation?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisions dealing with this matter in the Treaty of Sèvres, under Article 291 of which Turkish property in Allied territory may be charged with claims by Allied nationals in respect of their property in Turkey.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Syrians were enrolled in the French army in the late War, and as such were under French protection; what was the political status of Syrians during the War; and whether it is now proposed to expropriate their private movable property in this country as Turkish subjects?

I am not aware of the extent to which Syrians may have been enrolled in the French army. As Turkish subjects, their status during the War was that of enemies. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. Under the provisions of the Treaty of Sèvres the property of persons who show that they will acquire Syrian nationality under the nationality clauses of the Treaty of Sèvres is being released to them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the whole or any part of the £5,000,000 to be provided by Germany as compensation for suffering and damage by enemy action in the late War has yet been received; whether the Royal Commission appointed to make recommendations as to the distribution of this sum has yet begun its work; and what steps are being taken to hasten a settlement of these claims?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given in reply to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Hexham Division (Major D. C. Brown) on the 14th February last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if no compensation will be granted for enemy damage until the £5,000,000 has been received?

We have taken into consideration the anticipation of payments in the course of the next financial year.

asked the Prime Minister if he has abandoned all hope or intention of carrying out his oft-repeated intention of bringing the ex-Kaiser and the more highly placed war criminals of Germany and her Allies to trial; and if he will give the date (with the answer) when last the Allies made representation to the Dutch Government on the subject?

I have been asked to reply. With reference to the ex-Kaiser there is nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on the 13th of last month, except to say that the date asked for is 24th March, 1920. To the Note sent on that date no reply was received. With reference to the other persons mentioned, the matter is one for the Supreme Council, who have lately received a report from the committee of lawyers referred to in more than one recent answer.

In view of the fact that this was a very important question at the last election and that a number of the supporters of the Government pledged themselves as candidates to secure the apprehension and trial of the arch criminal, cannot something be done before the next election comes?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Members regard the carrying out of this pledge as vital to their chance of returning to this House?

The answer to the first question is, I hope so. The answer to the second is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total number of officers and men of the Army who were kidnapped by Sinn Fein in Ireland between 1st July, 1919, and the date of the truce, specifying those who were subsequently released and those who are presumed to have been murdered?

I have been asked to answer this question. The numbers are seven officers and two other ranks, of whom one officer was subsequently released. The others are presumed to be dead.

asked the Chief Secretary the conditions of disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether the conditions of disbandment will prevent any man from enlisting in the new force or entering the employment of either Government?

The conditions of disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary provide that every man shall receive the pension corresponding to his actual service, with an addition to that service of 12 years, or 10 years if his pension be computed on a basis of fiftieths. This pension will be liable to suspension during the period of the pensioner's service in any other police force. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister what is the position of those whose interests are vitally affected by the question of land purchase in Ireland; whether this matter will be finally dealt with by the British Government or the Government of the Irish Free State; and if he is aware that the suspense and financial uncertainty of the present position is a source of great hardship to those interested?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to the replies to questions on this subject which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on the 9th February last and to the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher) on the 16th February.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the fact that debts incurred by members of A Company, Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, while stationed at Woodstock, County Kilkenny, with Messrs. James Bourke and Sons, amounting to £128 1s. 9d., have not yet been paid, in spite of the accounts having been rendered in due time in accordance with a circular issued by the officer in command; if he is aware that this circular clearly implied that accounts would be paid if rendered before a certain date and that the officer commanding would accept responsibility up to that date; and what action it is proposed to take now that the company has been disbanded, in view of the fact that the chief of police, Dublin Castle, to whom the matter has been referred, disclaims all responsibility, and will do no more than furnish the addresses of the individual debtors, not all of which are known?

If, as appears to be the case, these are private debts contracted by members of this company it is impossible for the Government to accept any responsibility in regard to them any more than they would in regard to private debts contracted by members of any other branch of His Majesty's Service. If, however, these are public debts, the question would be different. I am making inquiries in regard to the latter point.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Postmaster-General whether the Postmaster-General of the Irish Administration has asked him to supply a list of Irishmen in the English service who are prepared to transfer their services to the Irish Post Office in the event of a strike occurring, and whether, having regard to the separate Administration which has been created, he will give an assurance that no such transfer of staff will be arranged by his Department?

I have been asked by the Postmaster-General of the Provisional Government to ascertain what Irishmen serving in Great Britain desire transfer to the Post Office of Southern Ireland, and I have informed him that I cannot take any active steps pending the receipt of further particulars as to the vacancies to be filled and the terms of transfer, but that applications to be transferred will be sympathetically considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make himself well acquainted with the whole of the conditions, and, if those conditions are such as I have mentioned in the question, will he decline to allow his Department to be used as an agency for supplying men in those circumstances?

I do not think I can add anything to the answer I have given.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Government regarding their reconsideration of the claims of Army and Air Service men who were prevented from going overseas to receive a Home service medal, in view of the fact that special constables who rendered much less arduous services are now receiving medals?

I have been asked to answer this question. I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce any decision on this subject.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how soon they will be able to come to a decision?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider legislation to provide that benefit payments made by friendly societies to their members shall not deprive those members of any proportion of their old age pensions to which they become entitled on reaching the age of 70 years, and shall not, as at present, penalise them for having endeavoured by their thrift to avoid becoming a burden upon the rates?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Consett Division of Durham (Mr. A. Williams) on the 13th ultimo.

asked the Prime Minister whether the independence of Georgia has been recognised de facto by the British Government; whether the Georgian Government which obtained this recognition was overthrown by the military forces of the Russian Soviet Government; whether the late Government of Georgia has applied for admission to the International Conference of Genoa; whether this admission has been refused; and whether the British Government will endeavour to bring about a solution of the Georgian question at the Genoa Conference on the basis of the withdrawal of the Russian army of occupation and the freely expressed wishes of the Georgian people?

The Georgian Republic was accorded de facto recognition in January, 1920; in March, 1921, Bolshevik Armenian and Russian troops invaded Georgia, which accepted the Soviet form of Government; all applications for admission to the Genoa Conference from persons purporting to represent the Georgian Republic have been refused, as it has been decided to limit representation at the Conference to European States. In reply to the last part of the question, I can only state that it has been the consistent policy of His Majesty's Government not to interfere in the internal politics of the Russian Border States.

Is it not in the information of the Foreign Office that this Georgian Government has been imposed upon Georgia entirely in contradiction to the overwhelming majority opinion?

Yes, I think my hon. Friend is correct in his statement.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the allegations that he is prepared to pledge this country to defend the French frontier from Germany, whether he will ensure to this House the opportunity to discuss this question before any definite agreement is signed?

I have already informed the House, in answer to a similar question, that Parliament will have an opportunity of discussing the terms of the Anglo-French Pact before any obligations are incurred in connection with it.

Shall we have an opportunity at the same time to discuss a similar pact with Belgium?

Shall we have that opportunity before the Prime Minister resigns?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum paid by this country to France from 1914 to 1920, inclusive, for railway services, dock and harbour dues, billeting, rent of houses, hotels, and public buildings, rent of trenches, compensation for damage and disturbance, in short, all services connected with the War?

A very rough calculation shows the amount in question to be approximately £32,000,000. It would not be possible to give exact figures under the various heads without a disproportionate amount of labour and expense. I ought, however, to point out that compensation was not paid in respect of trenches dug in forward areas in France.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials connected with the deceased Land Valuation Department are still retained in Govern- ment service; what are they doing; and what is the amount represented by their salaries, offices, and all other incidental expenditure?

The Valuation Office has wide and important Exchequer functions both for Revenue and other Government purposes; these functions are detailed in Command Paper 918 of 1920. The number of officials now employed, including clerks, is 889, or less than one-fifth of the pre-War complement. The cost for the current year is £550,000, but there will be a substantial reduction in 1922–23.

Is this all that is left of the Land Campaign of 1910?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the revised regrading scheme of the Scottish Board of Health provides for one establishment list for men and women; whether any other regrading scheme now with the Treasury abolishes separate establishment lists; and, if not, why has it not been possible to carry out the provisions of Clause 2 of the Resolutions passed by the House of Commons on 5th August, 1921, in English Departments as well as in a Scottish Department?

The regrading schemes laid before the Treasury, for the Scottish Board of Health as for other Departments, do not distinguish posts according to sex. On the general question of common establishment lists, I would refer to the reply which I am giving to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Lanark.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will give the number of male and female motor drivers at present employed by the Stationery Department; what are the rate of wages earned and hours worked in the various grades of such drivers; how many employés have been dispensed with during the past six months; and how many are under notice at the present moment?

As the statement is somewhat lengthy, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement: Number of Employés. Grade. Weekly wage. Hours worked. Male. Female. £ s. d. 10 — Heavy lorry drivers … 3 16 0 48 1 — Steam lorry driver … 3 16 0 48 1 — Steam lorry stoker … 3 9 0 48 12* — Small motor driver-deliverymen … 3 11 0 48 8 — Motor tricar driver-messengers … 3 1 0 48 Manchester. 1 — Steam lorry driver … 3 13 0 48 1 — Steam lorry stoker … 3 2 0 48 1 — Motor driver-deliveryman … 3 3 0 48 * Two of these drivers are employed on vans maintained by the Stationery Office on a repayment basis in the service of other Departments. No employé has been discharged during the past six months and none is under notice at the present moment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the Postmaster-General's statement, on 20th February, that there was no woman in the Post Office who possessed the necessary qualifications for the Controllership of the Money Order Department, he can state what provision it is proposed to make to give the women the necessary training for such posts; and why, in view of the facts that 90 per cent. of the staff are women and that women have been employed in the Department for 25 years, no opportunities have hitherto occurred for them to qualify for higher posts?

This question was referred to the Postmaster - General's Department, and I fear that it did not arrive in time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in the months of May and July last the work of the surveyor of Customs and Excise was, notwithstanding two permitted absences from Portobello of seven days in May and five in July, performed in its entirety by weeks of continual overwork with complete satisfaction by Mr. R. G. Norton; and, in these circumstances, will the payment of £32 1s. 3d. withheld for such work be now paid?

The recognised conditions of service of Customs and Excise officials provide that their leave in the year in which they retire from the public service must be proportionate to the length of service given in that year, and that during short absences on leave, such as those referred to in the question, they cannot be provided with a substitute. Mr. Norton voluntarily retired from the service on the 31st August last in order to suit his own convenience. By that date he had exceeded the leave to which he was entitled by 16 days, and the Board of Customs and Excise, following the usual procedure, surcharged him in respect of the excess leave. I am not prepared to ask the Board to re-open this case.

This man did the work; why should he not have the money?

Mr. Norton took advantage of the position in which he found himself with bonus and salary to retire, and he must suffer the consequences of his own act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed shortly gradually to re-introduce the circulation of gold coinage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question on the 9th February asked by the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. N. Maclean). I should not care to prophesy how soon the state of the exchanges will permit of a full restoration of the gold standard in this country, but in any case I hope that, when that time comes, the community will recognise both the superior convenience of paper money over gold coin and the desirability in the general interest of economising in the use of gold as currency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to withdraw the present silver coinage and to return to the pre-War standard of silver coinage, in view of the great reduction in the price of silver; and when it is possible for such a change to come into effect?

The answer to the first part is in the negative, and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to give a decision shortly as regards the contributions in lieu of rates in respect of Government property at Gretna, which have been claimed by local authorities in Dumfriesshire; and whether he is aware that delay in this matter is retarding the sale of the Gretna property and factory?

Following on my letter to my hon. and gallant Friend of the 6th October last, negotiations have been taking place with the County Council on the various matters affecting them which arose in connection with Gretna. I understand the present position to be that the Disposal and Liquidation Commission are still awaiting a reply to a letter to the County Council of the 17th January last. While I extremely regret the delay in disposing of these questions, I am not aware that the sale of the property has been in any way prejudiced thereby.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that at the end of December, 1921, the 5 per cent. War Loan was quoted at 91½ and now it is about 96; that there is nearly £2,000,000,000 of this loan in existence and that the rise in price represents an increase of value of £90,000,000; that some section of the community benefit by the rise in stock prices, whilst the community as a whole tends to lose in so far as it represents inflation and tends to a higher cost of living; and does he intend converting some of the floating indebtedness into a long-dated debt bearing a lower rate of interest?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the third, the hon. Member does not, I hope, begrudge to those who subscribed to War loans during the War the advantage which, after long patience and discouragement, the recent rise in the price of Government stocks has brought, especially as this rise has been accompanied by, and is, indeed, a sign of a certain amount of deflation, and a fall in the cost of living, just the opposite of what the hon. Member seems to suggest. I can assure the hon. Member that the question of converting the floating debt into long-term debt on terms satisfactory to the taxpayer has my constant attention, and no suitable opportunity of so doing will be neglected.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in consequence of the reduction in the cost of living, those who have invested money in days gone by will have a great advantage now?

What about those who sold at 86?

Is it not a fact that the holders of these securities have lost far more by depreciation?

asked the President of the Board of Education 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 36–39 of the Lytton Committee's third interim Report; and how many were recommended?

Eighty-one ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity in the Board of Education competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class. Of these, four passed, eight qualified, and 69 failed. Of those who failed, 62 applied for reconsideration, and 14 of these were recommended by the Board for reconsideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many non-service men, and how many women, are employed in the Royal Commission on Sugar Supplies in a temporary capacity; and what steps he is taking to secure that the posts held by such personnel shall be filled by ex-service men who have been discharged from Government Departments and are now awaiting reallocation?

Fifteen non-service men and one woman are employed in a temporary capacity in the Royal Commission on Sugar Supplies. The present staff will be considerably reduced as from the 25th instant, and thereafter only a few officers with special qualifications and experience will be retained in order to complete the liquidation of the Commission's accounts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in considering economies in the Government service, ex-service men will be kept on in preference to the 230 conscientious objectors now employed?

It would not be proper for me to anticipate the findings of the Select Committee on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the names of the Arab rulers in Asia to whom subsidies are paid out of British taxes; and what amounts are paid to each?

The position as regards the payment of subsidies to Arab rulers is as follows: The sum of £150,000 was provided in the Estimates for the current year to meet probable payments to the following rulers:

The Sultan of Nejd is the only one of these rulers to whom the full amount provided in the Estimates is actually being paid. As regards King Hussein, the conditions on which the monthly subsidy was to become payable have not yet been fulfilled, and consequently no payment has yet been made on this account. Certain advances have, however, been made to the King on account of the lump sum of £20,000. The sums so advanced amount in all to about £18,000. With regard to the other rulers mentioned above, no agreements have yet been concluded with these persons and consequently no subsidies have yet become payable. No other subsidies of any kind are being paid from British revenues to Arab rulers in Asia.

What are these rulers doing for all these large sums of money?

It is rather a question of what they are not doing! As a matter of fact this sum of £150,000 is less than the cost of a single battalion of native infantry for the year. During the period this policy has been in force nearly 50 battalions have been withdrawn, with the consequent saving.

Would it not then be better if we withdrew all the battalions and came away altogether?

My right hon. Friend asks rather too much.

Is it not the fact that the subvention paid to Ibn Saud is being used for the purpose of fighting the King of the Hedjaz, another ruler who is also paid a subvention to fight Ibn Saud?

I am assured that the hostilities between these two potentates would be on a much more devastating scale were it not for the mollifying influence that the subventions exercise.

Are these subventions paid once only, or continuously, and will the payments go on indefinitely?

Of course, I will present the proposals yearly to Parliament as long as I am responsible. The subventions are paid monthly—in arrear—and consequently we only pay for value received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the law costs of the defendants in the recent action of R. E. Pratt, Limited, versus the British Farina Mills, were borne by the Crown; and, if so, what is the amount of the charge falling on the taxpayer?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

How is it that a bankrupt company in liquidation can afford the very heavy costs, and the engaging of expensive counsel?

The charges are paid by the liquidator.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in the recent action of R. E. Pratt, Limited, versus the British Farina Mills, judgment was given for the plaintiff for £4,500 and costs, and that the defendants' solicitors have now stated that there is no chance of this sum or of the costs being paid; whether the Government, as debenture holders in the British Farina Mills, admit their liability under this judgment; and, if so, how they propose to discharge it?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the decision in this action, but I have no information as to the statement referred to. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative; the third part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the attempt to float a Greek loan of £15,000,000 in London is greatly resented by Moslems alike in the Near and Far East, and is taken to indicate sympathy with the Greek Government in its crusade against Turkey and Mahommedanism; and will he reconsider the policy of this loan?

In accordance with the general policy of His Majesty's Government not to intervene in the matter of issues of loans in the London market, it is open either to Greece or to Turkey (including the Angora Government) to raise loans in London if the market is willing to lend, and no question of the political sympathies of His Majesty's Government arises.

May I have an answer to the latter part of the question?

May I ask my right hon. Friend a supplementary question? In this question to-day, the statement is made that to indicate sympathy with the Greek Government is crusading against the Turks and the Mahommedans. Is it not the fact that the Greek Government has placed itself entirely in the hands of the British Government as a mediator for the purpose of bringing to an end the struggle between themselves and the Turkish forces?

I am afraid that does not arise on a question relating to a financial loan.

That question is not one that should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

But, Mr. Speaker, may I—

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put his question down.

Yes, I will put it down; but may I explain that I only intervened for the purpose of challenging what I thought was an entire misrepresentation of the facts. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

I see the Attorney-General present. May I have an answer from him. [HON. MEMBEUS: "Order, order!"]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will circularise all industrial manufacturers giving details of the expert literature issued by his office bearing upon welfare supervision in factories and workshops, first-aid and ambulance at factories and workshops, mess rooms and canteens at small factories, ventilation of factories and workshops, Reports of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board, lighting in factories and workshops, protective clothing for women and girl workers, and women and children in industry, and issue instructions to his inspectors that they require all welfare workers in such workshops to peruse and consider such publications, and by examination and test afterwards apply such methods as are essential for the health of employés?

A printed list of Home Office publications on factory questions is issued to every new occupier of a factory or workshop. It is also supplied to any occupier on application, and has a wide distribution. Further, the publications themselves are widely distributed among the employers' and workers' associations concerned and to the Press, and the inspectors take every opportunity at their inspections to bring them to the notice of the individual firms. I will consider, however, whether any further steps can be taken to extend their circulation. There is no power under the Acts to require welfare workers employed in factories to read these publications, but I have no doubt that they are largely read and acted on by these workers, many of whom are rendering zealous and valuable service.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the police force in rural districts draw the same scale of pay as in the Metropolitan area, where the cost of living is much higher, he will take steps to have a similar differentiation made to what there is in other branches of the public service?

The recommendation of the Geddes Committee is under considera- tion, and I am not in a position to make any statement at present. As to the grounds for the adoption of uniform scales of pay for the lower ranks in all forces, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to paragraphs 19–23 of the Report of the Desborough Committee.

asked the Home Secretary the amount of savings that it is estimated the closing of Carmarthen Prison will effect; how it is proposed to deal with remand cases, and, if this prison is closed, how is it proposed to deal with prisoners from West Wales; and whether he will consult with the chief magistrates and the police in the counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke before arriving at a final decision?

It is anticipated that the net saving will be £2,525 a year. Remand and other prisoners from West Wales will go to Swansea Prison, except where there are suitable police cells which can be used for remand purposes. A few cells will also be kept ready in Carmarthen Prison for use, if necessary, during a trial. The female wing of Carmarthen Prison was closed some years ago, and no difficulty has been experienced, and, in view of the imperative need for economy, I see no reason for altering the decision.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the import duty on British fish entering France has been or is about to be increased from 20 francs to 55 francs per 100 kilos and that the result will be the closing of the French markets to the British fishing industry, with consequent unemployment in the same; and what steps the Government has taken or propose to take to protect the fishing industry in this matter?

This question will be answered by the Minister of Agriculture. As the replies have not yet come from France, the hon. and gallant Gentleman in whose name the question stands has been asked to postpone it.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British representatives at the forthcoming conference on Near Eastern problems will be instructed to carry out the pledge of the Allies, endorsed by the Assembly of the League of Nations, that a national home for the Armenians, entirely independent of Turkish rule, shall be established in the territory in North-East Asia Minor, known as Turkish Armenia?

The hon. Member doubtless refers to the Allied proposal of March last, which contemplated the allocation to the existing Armenian state of territory on the Eastern frontiers of Turkey as a national home for Turkish Armenians. The feasibility of this proposal will be discussed at the forthcoming Allied Conference, when the best means of satisfying legitimate Armenian aspirations will be carefully considered.

Will the Prime Minister consent to receive a deputation from the Labour party on this question in order that we may try to get justice done to the Armenians?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will communicate directly with the Prime Minister. I cannot speak in his name on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that thousands of refugees from Turkish Armenia are now in the Caucasus waiting to get back to their land as soon as the Turks have left?

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of an early discussion of the policy of the Government in regard to this question?

I cannot hold out any hope of affording special facilities for a discussion.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increase in mortality from cancer, and the urgent necessity for investigating the origin of this disease, and the best form of treatment, he will consider the advisability of the appointment of a Royal Commission on this question?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that a Royal Commission would not be a suitable body to undertake an investigation of this kind. Extensive research into the cause and treatment of the disease has for some time past been undertaken by various competent medical bodies in this and other countries.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to reduce Sunday labour to a minimum and in the interests of the observance of Sunday, he is prepared to use his influence to avoid the holding of Cabinet conferences, negotiations with non-Governmental persons or with foreign representatives, and similar work and meetings on Sundays, however necessary these may have been during the period of the War?

The Peace Conference had no Sunday sittings—neither had the Cannes Conference—and Cabinet conferences are not held on Sunday except in case of urgent public necessity. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no one welcomes more gladly than my colleagues and I an opportunity for one day of comparative rest in the week.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can now state whether a separate Bill relating to allotment holders will be introduced for Scotland?

No, Sir. As I stated on Tuesday last, the matter is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the allotment holders are unanimous in their desire to have a settlement?

I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman had better make his representations on the subject to the Secretary for Scotland, who, I am sure, will give them all the attention which they deserve.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the approximate saving in the Estimates for the forthcoming Financial Year to be effected in consequence of the decisions of the Washington Conference?

Approximately £10,000,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that some of the economies proposed by the Committee on National Expenditure are in the nature of a transfer of charge from the National Exchequer to the local rates; and whether he will supply an estimate of the amount by which the local rates will be increased if such proposals were adopted?

May I ask the hon. Member if he has had the personal request of the hon. Member in whose name the question stands to ask the question on his behalf?

It is a standing arrangement of Members with Whips of all parties to ask questions on their behalf when the Members who have put down the questions are not present.

That is just what I was afraid of. This is against the Rules.