asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the memorial submitted by the Indian Imperial Forest Service Association regarding the pensions attainable after 20 and 25 years' service which were fixed so long as 56 years ago; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?

I have received memorials from a number of officers of the Indian Forest Service, but do not think I have seen the particular memorial referred to. I am afraid that in the present financial conditions I cannot hold out any hope of further improvement in the rates of pension, but final orders have not yet been passed.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it has been decided to remove the limitation of date, 31st March, 1924, now applying to the case of retirement on proportionate pen- sions of officers of the Indian Civil Service who are not prepared, or who are not disposed, or who feel unable, to continue to serve under present and prospective conditions in India?

As I stated in reply to a similar question on 14th February, I am considering this matter in consultation with the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received the views of the Government of India relative to the questions of the pension and remuneration in the Bengal Pilot Service; and what decision has been arrived at in the matter?

The Bengal Pilot Service was placed on the ordinary pension scale applying to other Indian services towards the end of 1920. An increase was made in the guaranteed minimum rates of pay of most grades of the service towards the end of 1921. I have not received any further proposals from the Government of India. The question of applying the increased pension rates to the case of officers who retired before they were sanctioned has recently been referred to the Government of India; their views on it have not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has official confirmation of the reported opinion of the Government Law Officers to the effect that it is not within the competence of the Governor-General to place on Vote subjects reserved by Statute from that Vote?

The opinion which the hon. Baronet apparently has in mind was that of the Law Officers of the Crown, to whom I referred the matter at the request of the Government of India. The opinion was in the sense indicated in the question, and I informed the Government of India accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken by the Government of India to give effect to the recommendations of the Esher Committee in paragraph 10, Part V., Section 1 of their Report, regarding the provision of house accommodation at reasonable rates for officers of the Army in India.

The provision of house accommodation is being taken in hand, as far as the financial position permits, at stations where there is a definite shortage. The Esher Committee's recommendation as to maxima for the assessment of rent has been accepted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can make a statement as to the present assets and liabilities of the Irish Constabulary Force Fund and the Queen's Jubilee Fund, and the persons entitled to share in those funds; and whether he will take immediate steps for the winding up of these funds and the distribution amongst the parties entitled, reserving, if necessary, a portion of the funds to meet future liabilities?

The present assets of the Constabulary Force Fund (Benefit Branch) are as follow:— Securities, present value about £180,000. Cash balance about £8,000. Subscriptions about £3,700 per annum. The liabilities consist of contributions to the families of deceased subscribers. About £13,000 per annum.

The number of subscribers is about 4,100. The parties entitled under Statute to benefit from the fund are the widows and children of deceased subscribers. It is therefore impossible to tell at present who may ultimately become entitled to benefit from the fund. No new subscribers have been admitted since 1883.

The assets of the Queen's Jubilee Fund are as follow:— Securities, present value about £12,000. Cash balance about £800.

397 orphans of members of the Force and 10 aged women are benefiting from the fund. Proposals for the winding up of this fund by final grants to the persons now benefiting, and for the creation of a fund from which relief may be given in cases arising after disbandment are now under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the estimated amounts which will be contributed to, or paid from, the Imperial Exchequer in respect of public services in the case of Ulster and Southern Ireland, respectively, during the three months ending the 30th June, 1922?

I regret that the information for this period is not available.

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by the Government to mitigate the lot of the Catholic workers in Belfast who were expelled from their employment during the troubles in that city and who are still out of work?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar question which I gave on the 22nd February last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Private William Ross, No. 3578, 1st Garrison Battalion Highland Light Infantry, was compulsorily enlisted under the Military Service Act in January, 1917, and discharged from the military hospital, Fort George, in April of the same year suffering from tuberculosis; that the Pensions Appeal Tribunal for Scotland at Dundee, on 10th December, 1919, allowed his appeal and decided that he was suffering from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis aggravated by service, but that the aggravation passed away three months after discharge; that Dr. William Hunter, chief tuberculosis officer, Dundee, certified on 28th September, 1920, that aggravation had not passed away and that he was still suffering from progressive disease; that Ross has been a patient in King's Cross Hospital, Dundee, certified by Dr. Walter Alexander, resident medical superintendent, to be suffering from advanced pulmonary tuberculosis; and whether, in view of this definite medical evidence, he will con- sider whether the soldier's claim to pension can be reconsidered?

In view of the decision of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, which is by law final, I have no power to re-open this case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that late Private J. J. Harrison, No. 22,489, 174, Atherton Road, Hindley (Reference North - Western Regional Director 3/MH/19,222), is in receipt of a pension 20 per cent, below the Royal Warrant rates consequent upon the assumption that his incapacity was caused in part by his own negligence; that the man denies this assumption; and whether he will cause the case to be reopened in order that the man may have a proper opportunity of rebutting this charge?

In the opinion of the Ministry the disability is the result of the man's own serious negligence, and consequently he is not entitled to pension under the Royal Warrant. The award which he is at present receiving was granted as an act of grace. If the man contests the decision of the Ministry it is open to him to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that competent adult male clerks are employed in certain Employment Exchanges at a rate of wages of 61s. per week of 46 hours; that some of these men are responsible for handling £1,000 per week each; that a deduction in case of cash deficiency is made from their wages of 5 per cent.; and that these conditions compare unfavourably with similar occupations in the commercial world?

The rates paid to Employment Exchange clerks are governed by decisions and agreements covering similar classes in the public service generally, and a rate of 61s. is payable to the lowest grade clerks in the smaller provincial towns. Benefit is normally paid out by permanent officers, but during the present pressure, it is unavoidable that, in some places, temporary clerks have to undertake the work. Only in very exceptional circumstances is the work entrusted to clerks remunerated at the rate referred to above. The normal hours of duty are 44 weekly and not 46.

In a busy Exchange it is possible that in the exceptional circumstances now prevailing as much as £l,000 would be paid out as unemployment benefit by one clerk in the course of a week. Under Departmental Regulations cash shortages arising at Employment Exchanges must be made good by the officer responsible, subject to the proviso that the refund shall not ordinarily exceed 5 per cent, of his normal week's pay. In every instance the officer concerned has a right to appeal for relief, and to urge the exceptional circumstances of any particular case. I am not aware that these conditions compare unfavourably with those in the commercial world.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a Major Meakin, who, prior to the War and up to a short time ago was a partner in a firm of tea merchants, is employed in his Department in a technical post; what are the precise qualifications which fit him for this post; whether he is aware that any such qualifications as he possesses have been obtained since he joined the Air Ministry; that this gentleman was possessed of considerable private means and, in order to evade substitution under the Lytton Report, recently transferred substantial property to his wife; and why a technical ex-service man who has served overseas cannot be given this appointment?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative; to the second, that Major Meakin has a special knowledge of contract work in relation to aeroplanes and seaplanes; to the third, in the negative: to the fourth, that his means are very small, and that I have no information as to the alleged transfer of property. The fifth question consequently does not arise. The case will, however, be reviewed in conjunction with others when determining the priority of discharge of ex-service men.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether competent ex-service shorthand typists are being dismissed from his Department; and what are the reasons for this procedure whilst female typists who have not passed any examination are retained?

Under the approved arrangements, there is no grade of male shorthand typists in the Air Ministry. The knowledge of shorthand possessed by some of the graded clerks has, however, in certain cases been utilised as a temporary measure. The names of these clerks who are now being discharged owing to the reduction in staff have been sent to the Joint Substitution Board, by whom an effort will be made to obtain for them further employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether two separate investigation committees were set up under Clauses 36 to 39 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee, the first committee to investigate the claims of officers as to exceptional circumstances which militated against the possibility of their passing or qualifying in the examination and the second committee to investigate the claims on the grounds of special competency; by whom were the terms of reference of the first committee set up; what were the terms of reference and did they place any limit on the considerations that were to be regarded by the committee as exceptional circumstances; was the member said to represent ex-service men in the body which prepared the terms of reference selected from an association catering for other interests besides those of ex-service men; what was the constitution of the first investigation committee; did the chairman of the Ex-Service Men's Association send a written protest against the constitution of the committee and the limitations imposed; what was the constitution of the committee dealing with special competency; was there an ex-service representative on this committee; if he is aware that several candidates recommended as specially competent by their chiefs were rejected by this committee and that the chiefs concerned have protested in writing that their evidence before the committee was misrepresented; and, in view of this obvious injustice, why have no steps been taken to review all the applications by candidates for retention under Clauses 36 to 39 of the third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee?

Only one Committee of Investigation was set up. The terms of reference were those mentioned in the Lytton Report. No limit was placed on the considerations to be regarded as exceptional circumstances. The Committee consisted of three permanent officials (of whom two were ex-service), and, in addition, the Chairman of the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council, a representative deputed by the Chairman of the Ex-Service Men's Association and another ex-service man were specially invited to assist the Committee in considering claims to the existence of "exceptional circumstances." It is the case that a protest was made, but as against this I would point out that all the decisions of the Committee, which, as I have said, was assisted by a representative deputed by the gentleman who protested, were unanimous and that, after all the claims to "exceptional circumstances" had been considered, the ex-service representatives requested that their appreciation of the fair manner in which the appeals had been dealt with should be placed on record. In reply to the last two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave, to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. Raper) on the 23rd February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the imports of articles, wholly or mainly manufactured, into this country from Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway in 1920 were nearly four times the value in sterling than they were in 1913; and whether he has information to the effect that a portion of such imports are of German manufacture?

I am aware that the declared value of imports into this country of articles classed as "wholly or mainly manufactured" from Switzerland, Sweden and Norway in 1920 was, in each case, between three and a half and four times the declared value of such imports in 1913. The differences in the total values are due, in part, to changes in price levels as between the two years. I have no information to the effect that a portion of the imports in question were of German manufacture, and an examination of the detailed tables leads me to the view that the value of German manufactures included, if any, must have been inconsiderable.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that British manufacturers are being held up in the execution of Russian orders, work thereon stopped, and workmen sent home, because certain Government Departments are refusing to allow Russian inspectors to come to this country to inspect their orders during process of manufacture; and is he prepared to take any action in the matter?

I am not aware of cases such as those referred to, but if my hon. Friend will send particulars to the Home Secretary or to me, they shall be looked into.

asked the Prime Minister when legislation may be expected to be introduced to give effect to the recommendation of the Paris Economic Conference of the Allies that agriculture should be defended against economic aggression resulting from dumping or any other mode of unfair competition?

In present circumstances no special legislation appears to be necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts) has in very many cases failed to obtain settlement of claims under Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles, although the German Government has received the proceeds of the debts or the liquidation of the businesses concerned, the Board of Trade advises British traders to have direct recourse to the mixed Arbitral Tribunal?

Yes, Sir. I should certainly advise British traders to avail themselves of the right accorded to them by the Treaty to bring their claims direct before the mixed Arbitral Tribunal in those cases where, in spite of the constant pressure exercised by the British Clearing Office, the German authorities have unduly delayed their admission. Any amount awarded by the mixed Arbitral Tribunal to claimants as proceeds of liquidation of their property in Germany will be immediately paid to them by the Clearing Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inform the House as to the exact method adopted by his Department in ascertaining the cost of living as published from time to time; and is he prepared to suggest any improvement on the present system?

I have been asked to reply. The official figures relating to the changes in the cost of living are prepared in the Ministry of Labour, and a full account of the method by which they are compiled was given in the "Labour Gazette" for February, 1921. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the desirability of introducing this Session a short Bill to create trustees in connection with slate and kindred clubs so as to avoid the frequent recurrence of defalcations about Christmas time?

I have been asked to reply. I fear that legislation on the lines suggested would not, in fact, be effective. The obvious remedy is that persons should be persuaded to invest their savings sensibly, for instance, in National Savings Certificates, or to place them in the Savings Bank.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of Chinese, Asiatics, and Africans sailing in British ships during the years 1920 and 1921; and the number of Chinese, Asiatics, and Africans who are sailing in British ships trading to the United Kingdom and who have been signed on abroad, giving each item separately?

The numbers of "Lascars" and of foreigners (other than "Lascars") employed in 1920 on vessels belonging to the United Kingdom were 50,273 and 15,440 respectively. Under the description "Lascars" are included Asiatics and East Africans, whether British subjects or foreigners, employed on vessels trading between India and this country, or entirely in Asiatic or Australian waters, and serving under agreements which terminate in Asia. It is regretted that the details required for a full reply to the question are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in consideration of the fact of the very small stipend received by so many of the clergy, he could see his way to exempt taxation upon the Easter offerings?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot see his way to propose relief from the ordinary operation of the Income Tax law in favour of income which a clergyman re-

— Year 1919–20. Year 1920–21. £ £ (Estimated.) Gross Income brought under review 2,566,878,147 2,590,000,000 Deductions for exemptions, repairs to property, wear and tear, etc. 350,183,094 415,000,000 Actual Income liable to tax before deduction of personal allowances, etc. 2,216,695,053 2,175,000,000

My hon. Friend will see that the gross income brought under review is subject to considerable deductions of the nature stated in order to arrive at the actual income assessed. It will be appreciated also that owing to changes in Income Tax laws the basis of computation of the actual income is not the same in both years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Board of Inland Revenue, in the case of a company which makes up its accounts half-yearly to 30th June and 31st December, respectively, is interpreting Section 54 of the Finance Act, 1920, as meaning that the first accounting period of such company for Corporation Profits Tax is a period of 12 months ending 30th June, 1920, and that Corporation Profits Tax must be paid upon half of the profits for that

ceives in the form of Easter offerings. The Royal Commission on the Income Tax had under consideration the question of relief from taxation in respect of Easter offerings, but were unable to recommend any concession in the matter. On the contrary, the Royal Commission were clearly of opinion that any attempt to measure taxable capacity by a system based otherwise than upon the amount of the income would cause great injustice as between one taxpayer and another, and would lead to indefensible results.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total income brought under review for Income Tax purposes in England and Wales in the years 1920 and 1921?

The income assessed in England and Wales for Income Tax purposes was as follows:

period; and why the first assessment is not made upon the profits for the 12 months ending 31st December, 1920?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with the name and address of any particular company which he has in mind, I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of clubs registered in England and Wales; how many of these supply intoxicants all the year round; how many only seasonally; and how many do not supply intoxicating liquor at all?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The number of clubs registered under the Licensing Acts in England and Wales on 1st January, 1921, was 9,924. I have no information as to the other parts of the question, but, as clubs do not require to be registered unless they supply intoxicating liquor, it is to be presumed that there are few, if any, registered clubs which do not supply it.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce this Session any legislation on the subject of early closing?

As I stated in reply to a question last week by the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherham (Major Kelley), I do not contemplate introducing any amending legislation on this subject during the present Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that when three men, named Hogan, Cooley, and Roche, were recently found guilty of stealing machine guns, etc., from Chelsea and Windsor barracks, Mr. Justice Coleridge, who tried the case, in referring to another man called Fitzgerald, is reported to have said that the magistrate had let Fitzgerald off for some reason, yet he seemed to be the organiser of the whole affair; whether this man Fitzgerald is the brother of Desmond Fitzgerald, who was chief of propaganda to the Irish rebel delegates; and what was the reason for Fitzgerald being withdrawn from the case?

Yes, but as I have just said in reply to another question, the learned judge subsequently expressed the view that, having regard to the evidence available, the discharge of Fitzgerald at the police court was perfectly proper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a Tamil named Sinivisan, charged with robbing rikisha pullers in Singapore, involving a sum of a few shillings only, and to the fact that the prisoner was sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprison- ment; and whether he proposes taking any action in the matter?

I have seen a Press report of this case, from which it appears that the prisoner committed three robberies, of which two were accompanied by assaults upon his victims. I will ask the Governor for a report on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Mixed Council of the Greek Orthodox Community in Palestine will be re-instituted; and if it will co-operate with the Commission of Financial Control in the sale of church property?

I understand that the Mixed Council of the Orthodox Community in Palestine is likely to be summoned during the coming summer. It is not proposed that the Mixed Council should be associated with the Commission of Financial Control. The task of the latter body has already been rendered difficult by the increase of its membership at the instance of the Advisory Council. Any further addition to its numbers would seriously hamper its efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that it has not yet been found practicable to allow residence in the British Dominions to qualify a British subject to receive an old age pension, he will draw up a scheme whereby residence in any British Dominion whose Government would be prepared to enter into such a scheme should qualify British subjects for an old age pension, with reciprocity between such a Dominion and the United Kingdom; and whether, if this is not possible, and as a first step, he will try and get an agreement with our Dominions on the lines that 25 per cent, or 50 per cent, of the qualifying time of residence should have been spent within the Empire?

Legislation would be required to give effect to either of these alternative proposals, and His Majesty's Government do not see their way to introduce such legislation at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that work people travelling from Hindley Green Station to Manchester, on the London and North Western Railway, are unable to secure through workmen's tickets, whilst they are able to do so on the return journey on exactly the same route; and whether he will bring pressure to bear on the company concerned to remove this anomaly?

I am informed that no record can be found of any application having been received at Hindley Green Station for workmen's tickets to Manchester. The London and North Western Company state that, in the event of an application being made, and if it is found that there is a real need for the issue of workmen's tickets between the points, they would be prepared to supply them.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, following upon the recommendations of the Geddes Committee, the Government propose any modification of their land settlement scheme for Scotland or any diminution of the amount of money immediately or ultimately available, for that purpose?

No decision has been reached to reduce the funds available under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Acts, 1919 and 1921, but the position is to be reviewed before Martinmas, 1922. There will be no restriction of land settlement operations during this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Admiralty if he is aware that Mr. E. T. Stephenson, an examiner in the Naval Ordnance Department at Woolwich, is still awaiting payment of subsistence allowance for the period 12th April to 8th September, 1919; and when the settlement will be effected?

The conditions under which Mr. Stephenson was serving during the period in question did not entitle him to payment of subsistence allowance, and he has already been informed that his claim cannot be conceded.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the final balance sheet of the Expeditionary Force Canteens, and the balance sheet of the Army and Navy Canteen Board to 31st December, 1920; and what are the ratios of apportionment of the assets of the latter concern amongst the various services?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 13th February to my hon. Friends the Members for Carmarthen (Mr. Hinde) and Drake Division of Plymouth (Sir A. Shirley Benn).

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the Employment Exchange at Chapeltown, near Sheffield, numbers of men and women are kept waiting in the street for long periods before being able to receive attention; whether ample room exists at this Exchange to accommodate these people under cover; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter with a view of this accommodation being used, and so prevent them having to wait in the streets in the present inclement weather?

I understand that queues have occasionally formed outside the Branch Employment Office at Chapeltown, but this has been more especially the case before 9 a.m.—that is to say, before the office is opened to the public. Arrangements have now been made for a timing system to be put in operation which, if adhered to by the applicants, will render queues unnecessary.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the rates of wages fixed by the Boot and Floor Polish Trade Board on 10th January with the request that these should be confirmed so as to operate as from 24th January; what further objections, if any, have been received to the confirmation of these rates; and whether he is now prepared to confirm them and to explain the reasons which have led to their being delayed?

My right hon. Friend has decided to confirm the rates in question. No objections to the rates were addressed to him after they had been fixed by the Trade Board. These rates are the first rates fixed by the Boot and Floor Polish Trade Board, and it was not possible in the very short time available under the suggestion made by the Board to arrive at the conclusion that they should be confirmed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether fresh outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported during the past week; to what are these attributed: what markets and auctions in England and Wales are now closed as a result of this epidemic; and whether further preventive measures are contemplated?

During the seven days up to and including the 6th instant, 93 eases of suspected foot-and-mouth disease were reported to the Ministry and 69 outbreaks were confirmed. With one exception these outbreaks occurred at or near existing infected centres. The only new centre was at Buckingham, where an outbreak was confirmed on the 1st instant. Careful inquiries have failed to establish the origin of this outbreak. The other outbreaks during the week are attributable to the close proximity of premises already infected. All markets and auctions of animals other than of fat stock intended for immediate slaughter are closed throughout England and Wales except in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Glamorgan, Breconshire, Radnorshire, Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire which are free from restrictions. No further preventive measures are contemplated other than the making of some additional rules to be observed on foot-and-mouth disease infected places, the object of which will be to prevent the spread of infection by persons entering and leaving infected farms.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state exactly the composition of the test solution used in the Schick test for diphtheria, and of the immunising solution known as toxin-antitoxin?

I am sending the hon. Member particulars of the composition of the solution referred to.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the great interest taken in this country in the question of allotments; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation on the subject at an early date?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to proceed with the Bill increasing national health contributions?

In view of the objection to increasing National Health contributions in present circumstances, I have obtained the concurrence of the Consultative Council on National Health Insurance in securing the economies in State expenditure on National Health Insurance recommended by the Geddes Committee, with certain other economies, on lines different from those suggested by the Committee. The proposal is that all State expenditure on National Health Insurance with certain exceptions, such as the cost of the central administration, the cost of audit and the statutory two-ninths contribution, would be defrayed until the 31st of December, 1923, from the accumulated surpluses of approved societies. This proposal has been accepted by the Government, and legislation to give effect to it is being drafted. Between the present date and the 31st of December, 1923, the whole position will be reviewed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the administration of the Sudan is still carried out under the terms of the convention with Egypt of 1899, whereby the Governor-General of the Sudan is appointed by the Egyptian Government subject to the assent of the British Government; and whether the present policy of the British Government is to continue, modify, or end the above-named Convention?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on the 28th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to the movements or intentions of General Wrangel?

I have no information regarding the movements or intentions of General Wrangel.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to give any information relative to the recent sequestration by the Uruguayan Government or municipality of Montevideo of the funds of a British-owned tramway undertaking in Montevideo; and if the Uruguayan Gov- ernment is a member of the League of Nations?

A strike for increased wages has stopped the working of the tramways of Montevideo for three weeks. The company was unable to pay the increased wages demanded by the men unless permission were granted to them by the Government to raise their tariff. A Bill to authorise this increase was for some time before Congress, but was not passed. It will come up again at the meeting of Congress on 15th March. On 28th January the municipality assumed control of the tramway company. The British manager was invited to remain at his post and the municipality appointed an "interventor" to control gross receipts. Two accounts are now to be opened. One will provide for payment by the company of wages on the old scale. The other for the increased wages, which the men demand. These are to be paid by the municipality from the company's gross receipts. The company has protested and it is understood that they are now taking legal action against the municipality. Uruguay is a member of the League of Nations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir Paul Dukes is, or within the last six months has been, in the service of the Foreign Office; if so, on what work or mission he has been engaged; what is his present position, salary, or other emolument; and whether it is intended to continue to employ him further?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.