asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Lord Ash-field's scheme for the improvement and extension of the Underground and Tube railway system has been finally rejected?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers, respectively, of bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, and slaters out of employment at the latest date for which information is available?

At 21st February there were 8,972 bricklayers, 14,846 carpenters, 777 plasterers and 692 slaters registered at Employment Exchanges as unemployed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any blast furnaces have been restarted in South Yorkshire during February; and what percentage of the blast furnaces in that area are now idle?

I am making inquiries, and will send to my hon. and gallant Friend, as soon as possible, the information he asks for.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the statement that there are 40,000 toymakers out of work; and, if so, how many are drawing unemployment grants and the amount for the three months ending 31st December, 1921?

I am not aware that 40,000 toymakers are out of work. At 14th February the number registered as unemployed in the group classified as the toy, game, apparatus, and fishing tackle industry was 2,444, and, in addition, 254 were claiming insurance benefit in respect of systematic short time. The amount paid to persons unemployed in this industry during the three months ending 31st December, 1921, by way of unemployment benefit and unemployed workers' dependants' grants is estimated at about £13,000. These figures must be read in the light of the fact that toy-making is carried on largely by persons working as out-workers, who are not within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance scheme, and do not, save in a small proportion of cases, register at the Employment Exchanges when short of work.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of schemes of co-partnership or profit-sharing which were in existence at the end of 1919; the number which have been started since; and the number now in existence?

The number of schemes of co-partnership or profit sharing in ordinary businesses (apart from co-operative societies) known to have been in existence at the end of 1919 was 200, including five schemes described as suspended, but not abandoned. Since that date 47 further schemes are known to have been started. On the other hand, 13 have been abandoned, including two of those which were suspended at the end of 1919. The number of schemes now in existence, according to the latest information available, is 234, including three schemes suspended but not abandoned. It should be observed, however, that the latest general inquiry made by the Department on this subject was undertaken in the summer of 1921, and that notification of new schemes or of the suspension or abandonment of old schemes is not compulsory. The figures given, therefore, may be subject to revision when later information is available. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the "Labour Gazette" for September, 1921, giving the latest statistics prepared by the Department with reference to co-partnership and profit-sharing.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the selling price of bread has been increased 1d. per loaf; that the selling price of bread varies in the different districts; upon what basis of calculation the selling price of foodstuffs is made as appears in the monthly "Labour Gazette"; and how many points the cost of living goes up or down when the selling price of bread is increased 1d. per loaf or decreased 1d. per loaf?

I am aware that the retail price of bread has recently been increased in London and some other districts, and that the price Varies in different places. The prices of foodstuffs stated in the "Labour Gazette" are average prices based on returns collected at the beginning of each month in all the large towns and a representative selection of small places. For further particulars of the method of calculation, I would refer my hon. Friend to the account given in the "Labour Gazette" for February, 1921, of the scope and method of compilation of the official statistics of retail prices, a copy of which I am sending him. An average movement of 1d. per 4 lbs. of bread, unaccompanied by any changes in the prices of other commodities, would change the cost of living index number by approximately 1½ points; a corresponding movement of 1d. per quartern in the price of flour would change the index number by approximately two-thirds of a point.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will grant the claim for full pension made by an ex-service man, Private John Godwin, No. 20288, 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, at present residing at 64, Railway Street, Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, who is a cripple on only 20 per cent, pension, though totally unable to follow his employment, and whose disability has been certified to be due to war service?

Pension has been awarded for rheumatism, which has been accepted as aggravated by service, the rate being in accordance with the degree of disablement assessed by a Survey Board and recently confirmed by a Medical Appeal Board. In these circumstances there are no grounds for increasing the present award.

asked the Minister of Pensions why pension has been discontinued in the case of Private William Brearley, 174th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, who was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service, and is now unable to work as the result of such war service; and whether a grant can be made in this case to enable the man to go into a little business with a view to obtaining a living for himself, his wife, and three young children?

It was decided by the Ministry and confirmed by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal that the disability in this case is unconnected with service, and the man is not therefore entitled to any compensation in addition to the pension granted to him in 1916 for 18 months. I regret that a grant to enable the man to start a business cannot be made from funds at my disposal.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the complaint of Sergeant Thomas Morgan Price, No. 376,792, 760th Labour Battalion, at present residing at No. 42, Railway Street, Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, who states he is unable to obtain proper treatment for rheumatism; will he see that this treatment is afforded him; and will he give instructions to the Local Pensions Committee to pay to Price the treatment allowance due to him if he is satisfied with the bona fides of the claim made?

This man was carefully examined by a Special Medical Board in December last and was recommended occasional home treatment for the slight incapacity arising from his rheumatism. This treatment does not interfere with the man's working capacity and accordingly treatment allowances are not admissible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make inquiries into the case of Private Walter Powers, No. 58,255, 54, Railway Street, Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, who was discharged from the 17th Battalion Hants Regiment and certified to be unable to follow his employment by his panel doctor because of myalgia and who, in consequence of this infirmity, claims eight weeks' treatment allowance at £1 8s. and two weeks' treatment allowance at £1 12s.; and will he see that these sums are paid to Powers if he is satisfied that the claim is a genuine one?

The special Medical Board which examined this man last month recommended occasional home treatment, and as this treatment does not prevent the man from working, payment of treatment allowances cannot be sanctioned.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the grant of 1s. 3d. allowed for the provision of leather pads to be fitted to pensioners' coat sleeves, whilst artificial limbs are being repaired, is inadequate; if he is aware that the extra grant of 3d. allowed to local committees for labour to stitch on these leather pads is inadequate; and if he will increase the grant?

It has been found that in some areas this allowance of 1s. 6d. has proved insufficient, and whore that situation obtains the increase necessary has been authorised.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can state the results of inquiries made into the management of the canteen at Cornwall House; and whether the representative spokesmen of the Government Departments making use of Cornwall House have expressed their unanimous approval of the arrangements now made?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that at one time there were certain irregularities in the management of this canteen, but that at the date of my hon. and gallant Friend's inquiry in July last steps were already being taken to remedy these defects. I am informed that the staff generally are satisfied with the present arrangements.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the Select Committee on Conscientious Objectors will be set up; who will be members; whether it will report during the present Session; and whether it will deal with those young men who evaded military service on other pretexts than that of conscience?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 24th February for a statement as to the appointment of the Committee and the Members nominated to serve on it. Whether the Committee, whose inquiry is limited to the case of conscientious objectors, will report this Session or not depends on the progress made. I fear that I do not understand to whom the last part of the question refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury which Departments employing permanent women above the typist grade still have separate establishment lists, and which Departments have abolished them as a result of Clause 2 of the Resolution of the House on 5th August, 1921.

At present the practice of keeping separate establishment lists of men and women still obtains generally. I should, however, add that the Government has decided to give immediate consideration to the question of instituting common seniority lists for men and women, and that it is proposed to move for the appointment of a committee, or committees, on which the various grades would be duly represented, to examine and report on the detailed application of this general principle.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has issued any instructions to heads of Departments as to their obligations to see that their women staff has the same classification, status, and authority as their men staff; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay, seeing that Clause 2 of the Resolutions of the House of 5th August, 1921, became immediately operative?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer given to-day to a question asked by the hon. Member for the Lanark Division (Capt. Elliot).

asked the Minister of Labour whether women accountants are employed in the Claims and Records Office and other Departments of the Ministry on work of an inferior nature at salaries in excess of those paid to other officers for more important work?

Women accountants are employed in the Finance Department of the Ministry, which includes the Claims and Records Office, on duties analogous and not inferior to those performed by male accountants and other officers on similar scales of salary. There is no foundation for the suggestion made in the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the cost to the Treasury per annum of a reduction in the Beer Tax of a 1d. a pint, in the Tea Duty of a 1d. a pound, and a 1d. a pound on sugar?

The estimated cost to the revenue of a reduction of 1d. per pint in the duty on beer as now sold would be approximately £26 million. A reduction of 1d. per lb. in the duties on tea and sugar would cost approximately £1½ million and £11 million respectively.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received any communications from local authorities protesting against the Audit Stamp Duty (Local Authorities) Order, 1921; and whether, having regard to the heavy financial obligations in which these local authorities are already involved and to the necessity for economy in expenditure, he will consider the revocation of this Order until the financial condition of local authorities generally has improved?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on this subject on the 13th February last. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of these answers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of basing the assessment for Income Tax purposes on the current year's valuation roll in Scotland and arranging that the allowance for rates shall be the sum actually paid for that year?

The suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend is one which will call for careful consideration if and when it is found possible to deal with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax with regard to the valuation of property in the United Kingdom. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that on the 22nd March, 1921, he asked a question on this subject, from the terms of which it would appear that he then regarded as unfair to Scotland the basis of assessment which he now suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the length of term of the loan of £2,000,000 recently advanced by this country to Austria; and when Austria will pay back the first instalment?

The advance is for a period of one year, renewable for a further period of one year, and is repayable out of the proceeds of the loan or loans which Austria will, it is hoped, be able to raise in the markets of the world on her own security as soon as the liens on her assets now held by various Governments in respect of reparation and relief loans are released.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the securities for the £12,000,000 loaned by this country to Austria since the Armistice?

The British Government, in common with other allied and associated Governments and certain neutral Governments, has at present a lien on the whole of Austria's assets in respect of Austria's debt for reparation and relief loans in our case amounting to £10,000,000. It is hoped that at an early date the negotiations for releasing these liens and postponing these claims will be completed, so that Austria may be in a position to raise on her own security in the markets of the world the foreign credits which she requires in order to carry through the reform of her finances on which she has embarked. The British Government nearly a year ago expressed its readiness to release these liens provided all other Powers concerned released their liens. In the case of the last advance of £2,000,000 the Austrian Government has agreed to give certain Government tapestries as security.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in order to allay the anxiety at present existing, he will state whether the Government have come to any decision with regard to the recommendations made in the Geddes Report in so far as they affect the rates of pensions payable under the existing warrant to disabled officers and men, the medical treatment of the disabled, and the pensions given to parents and dependants of those men who died in consequence of War service; and whether he is able to state that the rates payable under the existing warrant will not be interfered with?

I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that the rates of pension and of allowance during treatment payable under the Royal Warrants to disabled officers and men will not be reduced except in accordance with the terms of the Warrants which provide for review in 1923. I made a full statement on parents' pensions in a reply which I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Inskip) on the 23rd February. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the importance of economy, he proposes to make the decisions of the Cabinet with regard to the recommendations of the Geddes Report a matter of confidence in every case; and whether, in order to elicit the real opinion of the House, he will consider the advisability of allowing a free vote on these questions?

I propose to follow the ordinary practice. It would be improper as well as impossible for the Government to disclaim responsibility for the Estimates that it presents to Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour what economy, if any, has been effected in the Finance Department of the Ministry of Labour as a result of the recommendations of the Barnes Committee?

The Committee made a number of recommendations which indirectly affected the Finance Department, and a specific recommendation that the Central Claims and Record Office at Kew, which is attached to the Finance Department, should be immediately overhauled with a view to curtailment, simplification, and economy. Following upon this recommendation, an Inter-Departmental Committee, presided over by the Director of Establishments of the Ministry of Labour, was set up to consider the possibility of modifying and simplifying the work of the Claims and Record Office. Some of the recommendations of that Committee were immediately adopted and others were under consideration when the Geddes Committee was appointed. The Geddes Committee, who saw the report, endorsed and adopted practically all the outstanding recommendations made by the Inter-Departmental Committee and included them in their Report. The Geddes Committee also recommended that steps should be taken to consider the relations of Unemployment and Health Insurance, with particular reference to a joint contribution card—a matter which had already been under discussion between the Minister of Health and myself—and a representative Committee of the two Departments presided over by the Government Actuary is now meeting to consider the possibilities of action. With regard to economies, I may point out that the staff of the Finance Department (Headquarters) of the Ministry of Labour has declined by 33 per cent, since the date of the Barnes Committee Report. The staff of the Claims and Record Office at Kew, however, has had to be increased because of the growing pressure of unemployment and the widely extended provision for meeting it by Unemployment Insurance.

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?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Any estimate of the amount by which local rates would be increased would be so conjectural and involve so many hypotheses that it would have little, if any, value.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many classes in public elementary schools in England and Wales contain 40, 50, and 60, or more scholars respectively; and whether the educational results obtained are as satisfactory as those obtained where the classes contain less than 40 scholars?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the 24th February to the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor). It is impossible to give any general reply to the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the cost to the State for the employment of His Majesty's inspectors of elementary and secondary schools; and how many persons are so employed?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to all grades of the Board's Inspectorate, and not merely to the particular grade, the members of which are entitled "His Majesty's Inspectors." On this assumption, the annual cost of the inspection by the Board of Education of elementary and secondary schools in England is at present rates £251,457. I am unable to state separately what is the cost of the Board's inspection of elementary and secondary schools in Wales. The staff engaged on this work is also responsible for the inspection of technical schools, etc., in Wales. The total annual cost of the inspection of all grades of education in Wales is at present rates £22,954. The number of full-time inspectors at present employed on the inspection of elementary and secondary schools in England is 277, of whom 260 give their whole time and 17 part of their time to such inspections. Occasional inspectors are also employed at a fee per day. The number of full-time inspectors of all grades of education in Wales is 27.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether Irish trained elementary teachers, recognised certificated by the Board of Education without further academic or professional qualifications than those they possessed in Ireland, are denied, for salary purposes, their previous Irish teaching services, which must necessarily have been equivalent to certificated service in England; whether, in consequence, an Irish trained teacher in certificated service in Manchester, and who has a total of 11 years' teaching experience, is obliged to accept a salary of £178 8s. 6d. for the current year; and whether, in view of such apparently unjust treatment, the Board are prepared to consider the salary claims of teachers with Irish service?

For the purposes of Section 9 of their Report upon standard scales of salary for teachers within the elementary school system in England and Wales, the Burnham Committee have not recommended the acceptance of any service outside England and Wales and, for special reasons, Scotland. In present circumstances, I cannot undertake a revision of the recommendations of the Burnham Committee in a direction which would involve increased expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Madras Presidency has contributed in two years £3,480,000 to the Central Government, and has now a Budget deficit of £1,440,000 to face, which is due to no act or extravagance on its own part; and whether the scale of the Madras contribution will now be reconsidered?

In accordance with the Devolution Rules framed under the Government of India Act, the Government of Madras have contributed to the Government of India during the financial year 1921–22 a sum of 348 lakhs of rupees (equivalent to about £2,200,000 at the current rate of exchange). The Government of India have budgeted for a like contribution during the financial year 1922–23. I understand that the Madras Government have made representations to the Government of India on the subject of their contribution. It is the declared policy of the Government to reduce these provincial contributions as circumstances allow, but the Finance Member in his Budget statement for the coming year has explained that the financial position of the Central Government, necessitating, as it has, heavy new taxation, renders a general reduction of provincial contributions impossible at the moment. I have not yet received the Madras Government's Budget estimates for 1922–23. The provinces have actually had large additions to their revenues placed at their disposal under the Reform Scheme, though this addition has, unfortunately, been set off by the great universal rise in prices which has occurred everywhere in the last few years.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the East Indian Railway strike?

I have, I think, very little beyond what has already appeared in the Press. Immediate measures were taken at all important points to safeguard the line and its working. At its greatest extent it covered almost the whole Indian staff of the Locomotive Department and a majority of that staff in the Traffic Department and the Carriage and Wagon Department at practically all large stations. Nevertheless essential passenger, coal and goods traffic was maintained. The Government of India consider that the situation is improving, that the men are beginning to return to work and that traffic conditions are becoming easier.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the increase in the maximum pensions granted to lieut.-colonels and brevet-colonels of the Indian Army who were induced or required to serve their full period of 32 years before the introduction of the new scale of pensions amounts only of 14.3 per cent, on the pensions they had already earned under the old regulations, and having regard to the statement of the Secretary to the Treasury that the average increase in the pensions granted to civil servants of corresponding grades to enable them to meet the present increased cost of living amounts to 54 per cent., he will consider the justice of allowing lieut.-colonels and brevet-colonels of the Indian Army, many of whom have served in the field during the recent War, to count for pension the Indian and service elements for the full period up to 32 years, they were induced or required to serve, seeing that the addition of these elements will not increase the pensions of these officers beyond 27 per cent, on the pre-War rates, or one-half the increase granted to civil servants who did not necessarily serve out of England?

The pensions of officers of the Indian Army are based, not upon the pensions of civil servants, but upon the pensions in the British Army. The maximum pension for a lieut.-colonel in the British Army is £600, and I see no ground for raising the maximum of a lieut.-colonel in the Indian Army beyond £800.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Saddler F. M. Tone, Royal Field Artillery; what was the date of this man's discharge; and whether he has any claim for pay on the War Office?

Mr. F. M. Tone, late Saddler, Royal Field Artillery, was discharged with effect from 25th September, 1917. He has no claim for pay on the War Office. The hon. and gallant Member was informed in September last that this man's credit balance at the date of his desertion was forfeited at the expiration of three years from that date as prescribed by the Regulations under the Regimental Debts Act, 1893.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that on the 15th instant, after the police had been informed verbally and in writing by his solicitors that he was lawfully at home by permission of the military authorities, Mr. Daniel Rappaport was arrested at his residence shortly before midnight by officers of the Metropolitan police on a charge of alleged desertion from the Royal Army Service Corps in 1917, taken away from his wife and family to Upper Street station, refused bail, imprisoned in a cell all night, brought up at Clerkenwell police court next day, and ultimately discharged by the magistrate without any evidence being offered against him; and if steps will be taken to prevent other cases of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment under war-time procedure?

The police having received notice that Mr. Rappaport was a deserter from the Royal Army Service Corps, it was their duty to arrest him and bring him before a magistrate at the first opportunity. Any inquiry as to the justice of the charge or the reasons for withdrawing it should be addressed to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give permission for the removal of the remains of soldiers buried in France to this country when desired by the relatives of such soldiers, and when the removal will be carried out free of expense to the Imperial War Graves Commission; in reconsidering this matter will he have regard to the heavy recurring expense which relatives incur in journeys to France; and is he aware that recent visits to certain war cemeteries in France have caused distress to relatives, who have found considerable deterioration in the upkeep of the cemeteries?

In view of the large number of applications of this character which were received, the Imperial War Graves Commission some time ago gave the matter careful and sympathetic consideration, but came to the conclusion that the removal of remains of soldiers from their resting places in the war theatres was opposed to the policy of equality of treatment of the fallen which has been unanimously adopted, and which has received such strong support from the public. For this reason, and in view also of the practical difficulties involved in carrying out such removals, especially from the more distant theatres, the Commission, though with natural reluctance, decided that all such applications must be refused. With regard to the last part of the question, I shall be glad to draw the attention of the Commission to any individual cases of deterio- ration of which I am given particulars. The general condition of the cemeteries is, I am assured, better than it has been at any time since the Commission assumed control.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, inasmuch as the percentages of headmasters and senior masters, respectively, are still below the proper normal for the present strength of the officers of the schoolmaster branch, Royal Navy, he will recommend that promotions to these ranks be made forthwith in order to bring the percentages up to the correct normal?

Further promotions in the schoolmaster branch are under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the Taff Vale Railway Company has recently made a drastic alteration in their time-table of trains running on the branch line from Pontypridd to Nelson; that, as a consequence of such alteration, great inconvenience has been occasioned to the general public; that a large number of secondary school pupils travelling to the Pontypridd county school from Nelson have to leave at 7.30 a.m., and having arrived at their destination have to wander about the streets until the school opens; and whether he will make representations to the company with a view to secure the restoration of the 8.30 a.m. train?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but I am having inquiries made to the railway company, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the numbers of motor cars of the following classes that were licensed during 1921, namely: 119, 15.9, 26, 33, 40 horse-power, and over; the number of commercial cars classified according to unladen weights; and how many are of foreign manufacture?

The statistics available have already been supplied to the Press, and I am forwarding a copy to my hon. Friend. In these statistics details are given of the licences issued according to the classes under which the vehicles are taxable. A sub-division of the classes into various horse-powers and unladen weights, such as those asked for in the question, would entail a vast amount of clerical labour, the imposition of which upon local registration authorities could not be justified at the present time. I have no information as to the number of cars of foreign manufacture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any trade agreement has been concluded with Czecho-Slovakia; if so, upon what terms; and, if not, whether negotiations are proceeding with a view to concluding such an agreement or the granting of any loan to the Czech Government?

Proposals have been made for the conclusion of a commercial convention with Czecho-Slovakia Negotiations are still in progress, and the terms of the convention are not yet determined. As regards a loan to Czecho-Slovakia, I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 27th February to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Grant).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value and total volume of British imports and exports for the years 1913, 1920, and 1921; what was the estimated amount of the invisible exports, specifying the chief items; and what was the approximate net trade balance for each year, respectively?

The following table shows the total value of the imports into, and exports from, the United Kingdom in the years specified in the question, and also the estimated value of the goods imported and exported in 1920 and 1921, calculated at the average values recorded for goods of the same class in 1913: Year. Imports of Merchandise. Exports of Merchandise. British. Foreign and Colonial. Thousand Thousand Thousand £ £ £ 1913 768,736 525,254 109,567 1920( a ) 1,932,649 1,334,463 222,753 ( b ) 679,274 372,476 98,909 1921( a ) 1,086,687 703,196 107,052 ( b ) 570,912 261,647 86,127 ( a ) Values as declared. ( b ) Values on the basis of 1913 prices.

The imports and exports of bullion and specie as recorded for the three years were: — Imports. Exports. Excess of Imports (+) or of Exports (-). £ £ £ 1913 74,029,000 62,142,000 (+)11,887,000 1920 60,601,000 104,058,000 (-)43,457,000 1921 59,959,000 71,394,000 (-)11,435,000

Rough estimates have been prepared by my Department of the net balance of other payments due to, or by, the United Kingdom, such as interest on investments, earnings of shipping, etc., etc., in the years 1913 and 1920. The resulting figures are £340,000,000 for 1913, and £500,000,000 for 1920. I am not prepared to furnish a corresponding estimate for 1921, the data available being too uncertain to justify even an approximate estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the statement of the Official Receiver that the last balance sheet of the City Equitable Fire Insurance Company as at 28th February, 1921, did not disclose the true position of that company's affairs at that date; who was responsible for the certification of that balance sheet; and what action is the Board of Trade proposing to take in the matter with a view to protecting shareholders in other companies against false, inaccurate, or misleading balance sheets certified by responsible accountants?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The balance sheet was signed by three of the directors of the company and the general manager. It was certified by the company's auditor. The Official Receiver anticipates that the meetings of creditors and shareholders in the winding-up of the company will be held about the first week in April, by which date he hopes to be able to give information as to the result of his investigation. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that large quantities of goods, imported by the Navy, Army, and Air Force institutes into Iraq, have recently been sold there to the general public without payment of customs duty; and whether, seeing that this constitutes a breach of the undertaking given by the Under-Secretary of State for War on 8th November last, to the effect that sales by these institutes are restricted to members of the garrison, and since such sales involve a serious loss to the Iraq customs, he will withdraw from the institutes the privilege of importing goods free of customs duty in view of the abuse of the privilege and of the fact that a like concession is not enjoyed by similar institutes in England or India?

I have been asked to answer this question. My Noble Friend has been misinformed. In order not to flood the local markets, practically all Navy, Army, and Air Force institutes' stocks rendered surplus owing to the reduction of the garrison in Iraq have been evacuated to this country. It is understood that certain small quantities of goods have been or are being sold by auction locally, but the condition of such sales is that customs duty is paid on the articles sold.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether approximately £5,500,000 is due to the Treasury from Nigeria and that Nigeria is now a paying and prosperous country and of good credit; and, seeing that its present position has been built up largely on loans advanced by the Treasury and that interest has not been charged on such loans, will he see that this national asset and Nigerian debt is at once collected?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is misinformed. The Grants-in-Aid voted by this House towards the cost of the administration of Northern Nigeria up to 1914 and of Nigeria from 1914 to 1918 were free grants and not loans; and neither the capital sums nor interest upon them can be claimed from the Nigerian Government.

asked the Home Secretary when the Criminal Law Amendment Bill will be in print and available for Members?

Copies of the Bill will be available for Members to-morrow, I hope.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes any alteration this Session of the legislation regulating the hours of shops?

No, Sir, I do not contemplate introducing any amending legislation this Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes any further legislation or orders to guard against factory fires caused by ignition of celluloid or celluloid dust in the manufacture of cutlery or other articles?

Regulations dealing with the use of celluloid in the manufacture of cutlery and other articles have been recently issued, and no extension of them is at present proposed. They are based on the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Celluloid, which went fully into the question. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether ex-Inspector John Syme is at present released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health Act), 1913; and whether it is the intention of the Government to re-arrest him when he recovers from the effects of hunger strike?

If Syme does not return to prison in accordance with the conditions of his release, steps will have to be taken to enforce the remainder of his sentence, unless he finds the sureties to keep the peace required by the Court.

asked the Home Secretary whether the foremen of works and engineers in the English Prisons Service are supplied with uniforms distinct from all other ranks; whether they are permitted to wear plain clothes; if so, what cash allowance in lieu of uniform do they receive; and the amount of annual leave to which they are entitled?

Foremen of works do not wear uniform, but receive an allowance in lieu, which at present is 5s. 6d. a week. Engineers are supplied with uniforms distinct from other ranks and are not allowed to wear plain clothes while on duty. Foremen of works and Class I engineers are allowed 21 days' leave a year, Class II engineers, 18 days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the position with reference to the recognition of the Mexican Government at an early date?

There has been no change in the position.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Argentine Government have considered the representations made by him with reference to fair treatment for British-owned railways: and, if so, with what result?

A special commission has been considering the question of railway tariffs in the Argentine, and, after consultation with the various interests concerned, has recommended increases on certain classes of traffic. These recommendations are at present under consideration by the Argentine Government.

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?

As indicated in my reply of the 30th February, opportunities will be taken to extend the scope of employment of women in the higher accounting duties of the Post Office. The last part of the question involves considerations which I cannot deal with within the limits of the reply to a question

asked the Prime Minister whether, since the Turkish policy of His Majesty's Government has been the cause of trouble throughout the East, he proposes to allow the House a day to discuss it?

As I stated on the 9th February last, in reply to a similar question, an opportunity for such a discussion will be afforded by the Estimates.