asked the Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that in the attack on the police post at Chauri Chaura on 4th February, when 22 policemen were murdered, soaked with oil, and burnt, by a mob led by Gandhi volunteers, the police when first attacked fired in the air, the only effect of which was to infuriate the mob, who at once closed in with lathis and spears; and, if so, will he give orders that all firing in the air is to be prohibited in future?

I am aware of the fact. The standing orders for the conduct of the police throughout India strictly prohibit firing in the air, and the Government of India have called the attention of local governments to these orders.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering the present state of India, it is his intention to sanction the Bills about to be introduced into the Indian Legislature for the repeal of what are denominated by the agitators and rebels in India as repressive laws?

The two Bills referred to have already been introduced, with the approval of the Secretary of State, and, as I understand from reports in the Press, have beer-passed by both the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly; but copies of the Bills as passed have not yet reached me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when they come, consider the inadvisability of weakening the power of the Central Government?

They have not yet reached me, and, therefore, I have not been able yet to consider the matter, but I will when I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for India in what respects, if any, the status of the officials in the Public Works Department has been altered or modified by recent administrative action; and, in particular, whether there has been any alteration in the terms of service as regards pay, pension, and promotion?

In 1920 approval was given to the amalgamation of the Imperial and Provincial Services of the Public Works Department into a single Indian service of engineers; the effect of this amalgamation was to improve the status of the provincial service. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question, the scales of pay and pension for this service have recently been improved, and, if he desires, a detailed statement of the old and new scales will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The only recent alteration in promotion is that an assistant executive engineer now qualifies for substantive promotion to the rank of executive engineer after nine, instead of 10 years' service.

asked the Secretary pf State for India when an announce- ment will be made regarding the successor to Lord Sinha as Governor of Behar and Orissa?

Shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disappointment caused by the delay in granting a home service medal; and, having regard to the fact that medals have already been issued to special constables for less onerous services, can he now say how soon he will be able to make a definite pronouncement on this matter?

I regret to say that, after careful reconsideration of the question by the Army Council, the decision not to grant any home service medals must be adhered to.

Does not the fact that medals have been issued to special constables affect the question?

Medals to special constables are not Army medals. Every consideration has been given to this question from every angle, and the decision is as stated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is prepared to state the considerations that led to the imposition upon the issue of the Territorial war medal of conditions other than the one that the recipient should have mobilised with his Territorial unit on 4th August, 1914; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the conditions now imposed upon the issue of this medal, he is prepared to vary the conditions, so that it shall be issuable to all members of the Territorial Force who were members of the Force on 4th August, 1914, and mobilised with their units upon that date?

It is impossible, within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question, to reply fully to the first point raised, but the proposal suggested would have the effect that some Territorial soldiers would earn as many as four medals for the War, which is one more than the maximum that can be earned by any regular soldier. One of the main reasons for laying down the present conditions was to obviate this result. The conditions governing the grant of this medal have been the subject of very full consideration, and I do not think that a case for now varying them in the manner proposed can be made out.

asked the Secretary of State for War what men, classified either by date of enlistment or discharge, should have now received their war medals; and, if any such recipients have not received their medals, can they have them on application direct to the War Office?

It is not desirable to classify men, whether by date of enlistment or discharge or otherwise, so as to endeavour to secure for any given category priority of issue of their medals. Any attempt to do this would slow up the whole distribution. In regard to the last part of the question, the medals, except in the case of officers, are distributed not by the War Office but by Record Offices, to which application should be made by any man entitled to a medal who has reason to think that his address is not already known.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many temporary officers are at present employed in His Majesty's Army?

The number chargeable to Army funds is at present 1,767.

Before regular officers are disbanded, will these temporary officers be got rid of?

Obviously we shall endeavour to get rid of all temporary officers before the regular officers are dealt with. There may be some cases in which the technical knowledge of temporary officers will be a convenience.

Has not a circular been sent to Aldershot that a very large number of artillery officers will be disbanded, and why will temporary officers remain?

It does not follow that these temporary officers are artillery officers at all.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total strength of the National Reserve before the War; what was their annual cost; and how many were re-enlisted for the War?

The strength of the National Reserve on 1st January, 1914, was 217,680 and the Estimates for 1914–15 provided £43,500 for 250,000. No figures are available at the War Office as to the actual number of re-enlistments for the War, but the number who had previously registered as undertaking to enlist on emergency either in the Regular Army or Territorial Force was about 150,000, and these men, in general, carried out their undertaking.

Is there any intention of re-constituting the National Reserve?

I think that we had better deal with that tomorrow on the Estimates rather than today.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present establishment of the Royal Army Medical Corps?

The present strength of the Royal Army Medical Corps is 1,321 officers and 4,990 other ranks. The establishment estimated as being required for 1st April, 1923, is 1,045 officers and 4,516 other ranks.

Why is it necessary to have so very much larger an establishment than before the War?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will raise the question to-morrow so that I may have an opportunity of dealing with it in debate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Debate will last only from four o'clock until a quarter past eight, and that therefore a great number of Members will not have the opportunity of speaking? Will he answer some of the questions now?

Will the establishment figures be affected by the proposals of the Geddes Committee, which is accepted by the Government, for the amalgamation of the Army, Navy and Air Force medical services?

That proposal has not been accepted. It is the subject of an inquiry which is about to be commenced. Of course, I am very sorry that we shall not have more time tomorrow, but I understand that we can go on after eleven o'clock if the House so desires, and I shall not shirk my part.

Is it not all the more important when the time of Debate is curtailed that the right hon. Gentleman should give answers to questions now.

May I point out to the hon. Member that the right hon. Gentleman has answered definitely the question put on the Paper. He has given the exact figures which were asked for in the question. It is only the arguments on the question that he has declined to answer to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to retain the Army hospital ship which costs £172,000 a year.

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War what brigades of field artillery and batteries of horse artillery have been selected for disbandment; if consideration is being shown to the seniority of brigades and batteries; and what steps are being taken to maintain the traditions of the brigades and batteries being disbanded?

It has not yet been decided what brigades of field artillery and batteries of horse artillery will be selected for disbandment. Consideration will be shown to the seniority of brigades and batteries.

asked the Secretary of State for War what inducements, if any, will be offered to officers to retire, in view of the proposed large reduction in establishments; and, in cases of compulsory retirement, how these officers will be selected?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the same subject on 8th March to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Fife. As I then stated, I cannot deal with the subject within the limits of a Parliamentary Answer, but I propose to do so in the course of my statement on Army Estimates to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether time-expired soldiers returning from foreign service are entitled to any leave or bonus in lieu irrespective of whether they are retained beyond their time or not; and whether soldiers are given the opportunity to purchase or retain their warm clothing, if necessary?

Under present rules a soldier returning from foreign service for discharge is entitled to leave only if it can be granted within the period of his engagement. He is not entitled to bonus in lieu of leave. The question whether any change should be made in these rules is at present under consideration. In reply to the second part of the question, a soldier on discharge is entitled to keep all his personal clothing, e.g., boots, service dress trousers, underclothing, etc., but he cannot take away with him any article of public clothing, such as a uniform, greatcoat or foreign service helmet. He may, however, purchase a civilian suit (including a civilian greatcoat) from the Government or elsewhere, and he receives a money allowance towards the cost of this.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that soldiers returning from tropical countries will not be discharged minus a greatcoat and without money to purchase one?

That is exactly the question I have answered. The discharged soldier is entitled to purchase civilian clothes, including a greatcoat, either from the Government or from other sources, and he receives an allowance towards the cost of it.

What is a soldier to do if he has no money? Cases have actually happened this winter where soldiers have been discharged without greatcoats.

I am not aware of it, and I would be much obliged if the Noble Lord would give me information that would enable me to identify any cases in which that has happened. It ought not to have happened.

What is meant by "an allowance"?

Without notice, I cannot tell the hon. Member the exact figure in shillings and pence, but it is an allowance towards the cost.

asked the Secretary of State for War in which countries British Military Missions are now employed; when they will be withdrawn; what is the total number of officers and other ranks, respectively,

LIST OF BRITISH MILITARY MISSIONS IN MARCH, 1922. Establishment on 1st April, 1922. Description. Officers. Other Ranks. Annual cost. £ British Military Mission in Poland 3 5 8,000 British Military Mission in Chile 2 Nil 2,400 British Military Mission in Baltic 1 1 2,000 British Section of Allied Military Committee at Paris. 5 9 9,800 Commission of Control for Germany* 95 211 96,000 Commission of Control for Hungary* 13 25 8,000 Organ of Liquidation in Austria 1 Nil 1,400 Organ of Liquidation in Austria Bulgaria* 1 5 1,600 Commission of Organisation in Turkey 8 2 7,100

Duration of Missions. —The Mission in Chile is for a period of 12 months which will terminate in July, 1922.

No date can be fixed for the termination of the other Missions. The reduction of their establishments and their complete withdrawal depend on circumstances which cannot be foreseen at present.

* The cost of these is recoverable from the countries in which they function.

employed in these Missions; and what is the total annual cost of the Missions?

The answer to this question can be most conveniently given in the form of a tabular statement, which, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question—when will they be withdrawn?

No. I cannot promise when they will be withdrawn. If the hon. Member will look at the Paper he will find all the information which I can give him as to the facts.

Is it not a fact that in some cases you do not keep the cost?

In the Paper which I am about to circulate the hon. Member will find a description of the missions, the number of officers and other ranks, and the full cost.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman tell me a fortnight ago that he-did not keep the cost of the men in Egypt?

That is a totally different question.

Following is the statement promised:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many English and/or French and/or American Jews have emigrated to settle in Palestine during the last 12 months; and if he is aware that the large majority of the Jewish emigrants to Palestine have been released from the ghettos of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and are saturated with Bolshevist ideas?

The information at my disposal shows the following distribution of nationalities among immigrants into Palestine for a period September, 1920, to December, 1921:—

I do not think that the bulk of Jewish immigrants from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe are saturated with Bolshevist ideas, which are quite foreign to Zionism.

Are we to understand that we are undertaking this enormous expenditure in Palestine for 3½ per cent, of Jews from this country?

I do not admit that the expenditure is enormous, though it is serious. The object of the Zionist colony is certainly not limited to providing entirely for Jews from this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what pay and allowances are being offered to the various ranks of the new constabulary for the Middle East; whether this force is to be mounted or unmounted; whether motor transport is to be provided; if so, to what extent; and whether it has yet been decided who is to pay the cost of this force?

The force to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is, I presume, the British section of the Palestine Gendarmerie, which is being formed at present. The proposed rates of pay of this force are as follow:

with free rations, quarters, arms, equipment, and clothing or an allowance in lieu thereof. In addition, there is a commandant with salary at the rate of £1,000 a year and one or two headquarters officers with pay at appropriate rates. The force will he unmounted, motor transport will be provided on the scale, two light lorries and two box cars for each platoon. The incidence of cost is still under consideration.

Is this Middle East Constabulary to be employed only in Palestine or is it to be used elsewhere?

Only in Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make an investigation as to whether, under the mui tsai system of Hong Kong, the mui tsai girls of any household do, upon the death of the owner, become the property of concubines in the household, and are disposed of by them for cash, with other elements in the estate of the deceased owner?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the records of the Colonial Office show that mui tsai of Hong Kong, of quite tender years, are frequently compelled to labour over 12 hours a day, and that cases have been established in the open court where these children have been forced to work up to as long as 18 and 20 hours in one day?

I am glad to say that the industrial situation in Hong Kong has greatly improved since last week, but the Governor has not yet been able to answer my inquiries owing no doubt to continued pressure on the Chinese Secretariat and himself. In these circumstances I fear I must again defer the statement I had hoped to make, but hon. Members may rest assured that there will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that during divine service on Sunday evening last, 5th March, Kilmanaheen Rectory, Ennistymon, county Clare, was entered by a gang of robbers and property to the extent of £200 stolen; and whether the Irish Free State have made any arrests or restored any of the property to the rector?

This matter has been brought to the notice of the Provisional Government, but I have not yet received a report regarding it

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing anything to protect these unfortunate loyalists beyond bringing cases to the notice of the Provisional Government?

No, Sir; I am not doing anything beyond bringing it to the notice of the Provisional Government. I think that that is the best thing I can do, and I am not sure that the situation has not improved.

Is the Provisional Government doing anything, or having anything done?

I think that they are doing their best, and that they are gradually succeeding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a Royal Irish Constabulary convoy consisting of several motor cars and motor lorries with Government stores and private luggage, when on their way from Cork to Gormanston Camp on or about the, 25th or 26th February, were taken possession of and looted by officials of the Provisional Government at Maryborough; what is the value of the cars and Government stores taken, as well as of the private belongings of the Royal Irish Constabulary officers and men; whether compensation has been paid to the latter in respect of the losses which they have sustained; and what action the Government are taking in the matter?

The facts of the incident referred to are that at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, 25th February, a convoy of Royal Irish Constabulary en route from Cork to Gormanston Camp halted at Maryborough for the night, and the officer in charge, by arrangement with the local representative of the Provisional Government, placed certain stores, including the boxes and kit bags containing the personal property of the men, in the military barracks of the town which had recently been taken over by the forces of the Provisional Government. On the following morning it was found that the men's boxes and kit bags had been opened and that a considerable quantity of their personal property was missing. The local representative of the Provisional Government was at once communicated with and a search was made with the result that some of the missing property was found at the back of the barracks. No articles of public property were missing, and the convoy proceeded on its journey and arrived safely at Gormanston on 26th February. The Provisional Government have promised a full investigation into the matter and inquiries are now proceeding.

Will these unfortunate men, who were not men of any means, and many of whom have lost the whole of their personal belongings, be compensated by someone?

I have said that inquiry is proceeding, and I am certain that it will be pressed with all their power by the Provisional Government. Obviously, this is a very petty and disreputable affair. As to compensation, I prefer to know a little more about the facts first, but in principle I am inclined to think that they should receive compensation.

Surely the House is entitled to know that the right hon. Gentleman is doing something more for the protection of life and property than merely making representations to the Provisional Government, while nothing is being done from day to day.

No, no.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the Royal Irish Constabulary at present isolated in Ireland are to be immediately withdrawn from that part of Ireland, in order that these attacks—

That does not arise from the original question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the assurances given by His Majesty's Government as to guaranteeing the pensions and compensation of the officials, members of police forces, and other public servants in Ireland, who are discharged or retire in consequence of the change of Government effected by the Treaty, extends to the pensions and compensation for officials employed in services which were reserved by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920; whether the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the representatives of the Irish Free State, as to the terms on which the persons mentioned in Clause 10 of the Treaty may retire or be discharged, are now concluded; and what those terms are?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second and third parts, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave to a question addressed to me yesterday by the hon. Member for Pontypool.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to make a statement?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any of the persons kidnapped by the forces of the Irish Free State are yet unaccounted for or have not yet been released, including special constables; and, if so, for what reason; and whether he has yet reached any decision with reference to the suggestion by the Irish Free State Government that a joint inquiry should be instituted into the murders of Lieutenant Genochio, Captain Meade, and Sergeant Cunliffe?

In reply to the first part of the question I am informed that with the exception of the special constables arrested at Clones railway station on the 11th February, all the persons kidnapped by the Irish Republican Army during the recent border disturbances have now been released and have returned safely to their homes. I am not yet in a position to make any statement in regard to the ease of the Clones special constables whose continued detention is still the subject of correspondence between His Majesty's Government and the Provisional and Northern Governments. In reply to the second part I would point out to the Noble Lord that in my reply to his question of the 7th instant I stated that the Provisional Government had suggested a joint inquiry into the case of Lieutenant Genochio there has never been any such suggestion in the other two cases referred to by him. I am waiting a further communication from the Provisional Government regarding the former case; regarding the two latter I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on the 7th instant.

As regards the special constables captured at Clones, does His Majesty's Government recognise the capture as legal or illegal?

No, Sir. The position in which these men are placed at the present time cannot, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, be justified, because they have been apprehended, but have not, so far as I am aware, been brought up before the magistrates, or brought to trial in the ordinary way. They are merely being detained.

Were these men still alive, when last heard of?

I have never heard any suggestion to the contrary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the surcharged stamps issued by the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State were first submitted to the bureau of the International Postal Union at Berne, Switzerland; whether the script and character of the surcharge or inscription is in accordance with the regulations of the International Postal Union; whether Continental countries have agreed to recognise these surcharged provisional stamps in prepayment of postage; and whether these stamps can be used for the postage of letters from England to Ireland?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The international regulations do not require that the designs or overprints of postage stamps should be submitted to the International Postal Bureau at Berne; but the rule that specimens of new issues should be sent to Berne for distribution to other postal administrations has been complied with. The Convention of the Universal Postal Union prescribes that prepayment of postage on every description of article transmissible by post can be effected by means of postage stamps valid in the country of origin. In these circumstances there would be no ground for objection on the part of other postal administrations. The stamps in question are intended for use in Southern Ireland; but, as the Post Office revenue in Southern Ireland is still part of the general revenue of the Post Office, no instructions have been issued that these stamps should be surcharged when used on correspondence posted outside Southern Ireland.

Are these stamps available for replying from this country to Southern Ireland? I understand they have been refused at several post offices.

That is so. If my hon. Friend will let me know cases where they have been refused, I will inquire into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information as to the recent events in Somaliland; and can he state what is the present position?

On 25th February the Governor of Somaliland telegraphed that an affray between tribesmen had taken place at Burao on the previous day, in the course of which Captain Allan Gibb, D.S.O., D.C.M., the District Commissioner at Burao, had been shot dead. Captain Gibb had advanced with his interpreter to quell the disturbance, when fire was opened upon him by some riflemen, and he was instantly killed. The murderers escaped under cover of falling darkness.

Captain Gibb was an officer of long and valued service in Somaliland, whose loss I deeply regret. From the information available, his murder does not appear to have been premeditated, but it inevitably had a disturbing effect upon the surrounding tribes, and immediate dispositions of troops became necessary in order to ensure the apprehension and punishment of those responsible for the murder. On 27th February the Governor telegraphed that, in order to meet the situation which had arisen, he required two aeroplanes for purposes of demonstration, and suggested that two aeroplanes from the Royal Air Force Detachment at Aden should fly over to Berber a from Aden. He also telegraphed that in certain circumstances it might become necessary to ask for reinforcements of troops to be sent to the Protectorate.

The Air Ministry entertained some doubt whether this flight from Aden to Berbera could be accomplished, as, having regard to the range of the aeroplanes at Aden, the risk involved was considerable, but on 2nd March a further telegram was received from Somaliland, stating that the flight had been successfully made and that the aeroplanes had arrived at Berbera on that day. Telegrams since received from Somaliland report that the arrival of the aeroplanes and a demonstration which they made on the following day have had a profoundly satisfactory effect upon the local situation. The Governor now considers that the despatch of troops to the Protectorate will be unnecessary. The leaders of all the tribes concerned have come in and undertaken to carry out the terms imposed upon them, and the situation is well in hand.

Have these aeroplanes actually dropped bombs, or have they not?

No; they did not drop any bombs.

Have any of these rebels any connection with the party of the late Mullah—the "Mad Mullah—the methodically Mad Mullah"?

No, Sir—it is an entirely new firm.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the reported statements of Mr. Hughes, the Prime Minister of Australia, that no scheme of immigration can succeed unless there is co-operation between Great Britain and Australia, he will take an early opportunity of informing the House of the policy of the Government on this important question?

I have been asked to reply. I hope to be able to announce the policy of the Government at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Guy Aldred is not to be released till 21st June although, owing to his confinement awaiting trial, his imprisonment will then have lasted 16 months instead of the 12 months to which he was sentenced, the maximum to which he could be sentenced; and whether, seeing that the fear of Communism has declined, Guy Aldred will now be set at liberty?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that 12 months' imprisonment is the maximum sentence for the offence of which Aldred was convicted. I have ascertained that, in determining the sentence to be pronounced, the judge took into account the time which Aldred had spent in prison before trial. I see no ground on which I would be justified in advising any interference with the sentence.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to give special consideration to an application for naturalisation made by Mr. J Goldstein, of 8, St. Thomas's Road, Hackney, who has been in this country 37 years, whose wife and children are British-born, and whose children are not allowed to take up scholarships under the London County Council although their father has lost his original nationality, having come to this country when a child?

I regret that the circumstances of this case would not justify me in giving the applicant preference over others, many of whom have prior claims.

In view of the fact that the Home Secretary has in his office applications extending over several years, and that the staff is inadequate, can he not have these applications dealt with and the additional expenditure involved debited to the applicants?

I am afraid that an application for additional staff in these circumstances would not be well received.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Barnett Bonzer, who was born in Poland, but who came to this country as a youth and whose wife and children are British-born, made an application for naturalisation which has been in the possession of his Department for nearly a year; and can he give any prospect of this case being dealt with in the near future even if any additional expenses over and above the usual £10 are entailed would be paid by the applicant?

Barnett Bonzer applied for a certificate of naturalisation in 1912 and was refused. He applied again in August, 1914, and this is no doubt the application referred to. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has arranged for an inquiry into the feasibility of abolishing the per-centage giant system at an early date?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to set up a Departmental Committee or a Committee of the House of Commons to inquire into and report upon the advisability of altering the system of making grants to local authorities from the per-centage to a block basis; whether the terms of reference will include an inquiry into the methods of making grants for education purposes; whether it is proposed to reach a decision so that it may operate for the year 1922–23; and whether local authorities will be represented on the Committee or will be heard by the Committee?

It is proposed to set up a Departmental Committee, on which some Members of this House will be invited to serve. The necessary steps are now being taken, and I hope to be in a position to announce the appointment of the Committee shortly. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative. It would be obviously impossible to apply a new system to the Votes of the financial year which begins in three weeks, but the course adopted by the Government, on consideration of the Geddes Report, puts an effective limit to expenditure on many grants. As regards the last part, it is not the intention that persons taking an active or prominent part in local government should be included on the Committee, but it will be competent to the Committee to take evidence from local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the sum of £2,679,937 required for stationery and printing for 1922–23 is distributed among the several public Departments?

Provision for the stationery and printing requirements of all public Departments is contained in the Vote for stationery and printing 1922–23, and a statement showing in detail the distribution of the Vote among all these Departments would probably take up several pages of printed matter in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With the hon. Member's permission, I will, therefore, have the statement communicated to him privately in the course of the next two or three days.

May I expect that statement quite soon?

In the course of the next two or three days.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a paper supplementary to Paper No. 33 (Estimates for Civil Services and Revenue Departments) showing, under each item, the total net Estimate for 1913–14?

The hon. Member will find the figures of audited expenditure 1913–14 prefixed to the full Civil Service Estimates of any recent year, and they will be repeated in due course in the Estimates volume for 1922–23.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that large numbers of ex-service men have invested all their available savings and earnings in buying motor lorries and similar vehicles, and now find that, owing to the heavy tax on such care, coupled with the high duties on petrol, they are unable to earn a living, whether he will consider the advisability of granting them some relief before introducing his next Budget?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I think my hon. Friend's question is based on a misapprehension. The present system of taxing vehicles is in substitution for, and not in addition to, the petrol tax, which was abolished in 1920.

Will it not be possible to review the whole system of motor taxation before the next Budget?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the regularity with which Great Britain is paying the interest on her war debt to the United States and the declaration of France that she is not prepared to follow this country's example, and also con- sidering the abnormal burden of taxation imposed on British taxpayers to the manifest injury of trade, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to induce Russia and the other States of Europe to pay the interest, if not the principal, of their debts to this country?

The supposition on which the hon. Member bases his question, i.e., that Great Britain has already been regularly paying interest on her war debt to the United States Government, is incorrect, and the rest of the question is therefore hypothetical.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make any statement as to the Paris Conference?

The hon. Member should put that question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in cases where the widow of a soldier killed in the War can prove that she spends all the allowances for children upon the actual maintenance of those children, such allowances are free from Income Tax?

The answer is in the negative. At the same time I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to previous replies which have been given on the question of the liability to Income Tax in respect of the increase of pension which an officer's widow receives by reason of the fact that she has children, and I would remind him that the Income Tax allowances in respect of children—£36 in respect of one child, and £27 in respect of each additional child, for whom the relief is due—apply equally in these cases as in the case of other taxpayers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the intention of the Government to charge 10s. for registering the annual Return each year for friendly societies and for the quinquennial Report of the committee, for which a charge is made of 10s.; and is he aware that this is the first time a charge has been made and that such a society as the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows would have to pay over £2,000?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the Question put by the hon. Member for West Houghton on the 9th instant, and as regards the second part, to the reply to the Question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Hulme on the 13th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling which exists in the country against this change?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered that in the case of societies like the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, having numerous branches, this charge will impose a very heavy burden?

All these matters will be taken into consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of Victory Bonds or other Government stocks held until drawn or paid off by the National Debt Commissioners in respect of payments for death duties; and how much has been drawn or paid off?

The nominal amount of securities tendered for Death Duties and transferred to the National Debt Commissioners is £19,730,975 4 per cent. Victory Bonds, and £1,510,357 4 per cent. Funding Loan, of which £109,795 Victory Bonds have been drawn. The balance is held by the Commissioners in accordance with the terms of the prospectus.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the decree, signed by the French Minister of Finance, in which it is announced that on and after 10th March the rate of interest on all categories of Bons de la Dèfense Nationale and Bons de Trévor will be reduced by ½ per cent.; and whether he is now pre- pared to give consideration to a similar or larger reduction in British Treasury bonds?

The securities to which the hon. Member refers are comparable to British Treasury Bills, the discount on which already varies with market conditions. The decree, of course, only refers to the rate of interest for bonds issued in future, and not to existing securities not yet matured for payment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount the Government has gained or lost owing to money exchange in the years 1918–19, 1919–20, 1920–21, and 1921–22?

It is impossible to give figures on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the various categories of the War Loan; the rates of interest paid on each; and the price at which they have to be redeemed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Annual Finance Accounts and also to Command Paper 1438 and House of Commons Papers 142 and 249 of 1921.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer was aware that an Act was passed in 1749 authorising the Government to reduce the rate of interest from 4 per cent, to 3½ per cent., and later to 3 per cent.; that a time limit was fixed in the Act for the holders of 4 per cent, stock to subscribe their consent to accept the reduced rate; that an Act was passed in the following year extending the time limit, and giving the Government power to borrow money at the reduced rate of pay off those holders of stock who would not consent; that the scheme was so successful that only £3,000,000 of stock had to be paid off; and that a reduction of the interest on the present War Loan by one per cent, would effect a saving equal to the amount proposed in the Geddes cuts; and whether he is prepared to bring in legislation in this Session on the lines of Pelham's precedent?

I am fully aware of the conversion scheme to which the hon. Member refers. The advantages of conversion are obvious; but its practicability at any particular moment depends not on Acts of Parliament but on market conditions and on the terms of the contracts made with subscribers to outstanding Government loans.

Considering that the Bank rate has now fallen by 3½ per cent., is the right hon. Gentleman now prepared to put this particular scheme into operation to-day, as it worked so successfully 150 years ago?

I shall attempt a conversion scheme when I think the moment favourable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the amount of the indebtedness of the Russian Government upon the outbreak of War in August, 1914, to British investors in Russian guaranteed bonds?

The answer is in the negative. There is no available information which could be furnished to the hon. Member on this subject.

Is not the amount about £180,000,000 owing to British investors in Russian Government loans?

I cannot get any figures which are reliable on the subject.

Might I have the privilege of sending some particulars to the right hon. Gentleman?

I am always glad of information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a request from the Thetford Board of Guardians for a refund of duty paid on tobacco consumed by the workhouse inmates; and whether, in view of the fact that if there are 50,000 inhabitants of the workhouses who consume one ounce of tobacco each per week, this means that it costs the ratepayers £82,600 to provide £28,500 worth of tobacco for the comfort of the destitute poor, he will consider the advisability of allowing in future a total remission or a substantial reduction of the duty on all tobacco grown in this country and supplied to boards of guardians, and thus encourage the development of the industry in this country and at the same time bring some relief to the already overburdened rates?

There is no provision in the law under which this request could be granted, and I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the concluding part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of the legal fees payable to the legal profession by the public in order to carry out the provisions of Section 4 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, amended by the Finance Act, 1920, under which particulars of sales and leases have still to be delivered to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue?

The delivery of the particulars referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend does not necessarily involve expenditure on legal assistance: and I have no information as to the amount of fees which may be paid in cases where such assistance is sought.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is estimated that £500,000 per annum is paid in this way?

I cannot say whether that is a reasonable figure or not.

Is not it great tyranny on the public, keeping this on, and quite unnecessary?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of documents stamped with the particulars-delivered stamp in the first 11 months of the financial year ending 31st March, 1922; and what is the annual cost of the Inland Revenue staff in connection with Section 4 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, as amended by the Finance Act, 1920?

Exclusive of Scotland and Ireland the number of document? stamped in the 11 months referred to was 320,000. The annual cost of the staff employed in the work in question is approximately £6,000.

Is it absolutely essential that these 320,000 documents should be stamped in this way?

I should think so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the German Government is proposing to raise a loan with a view to stabilising its country's finances; will this loan be an internal or a foreign one; and, if the latter, will it be issued under the auspices of, or guaranteed in any way by, the Allied Powers?

I have no information as to German plans in this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the scheme for placing Germany on a sound economic basis, submitted to his Government by the Chancellor of the German Republic, has been considered by the Government of this country; if so, has the scheme their approval; and, in the event of it proving unsuccessful or abortive, is it his intention to urge the Allied Powers that, in the interests of Germany herself, a temporary joint control and direction of German finance and taxation by Great Britain, France, and, if possible, the United States, is the only solution?

The Chancellor of the German Republic addressed to the Reparation Commission, on 28th January, a Note containing the proposals of the German Government for reform of the Budget and of the paper circulation, and I presume it is to this Note which the hon. and gallant Members refers. The Allied Governments have decided that this Note shall be dealt with by the Reparation Commission. Accordingly, the second part of the question does not arise. The third part of the question is hypothetical.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since the fall in the value of the mark from 6d. at the time of the Armistice to less than ¼d. has had the effect of enormously reducing the real amount of taxation paid to-day by the successful German trader, who is paying taxation not at the rate of 38 per cent, of his profits as laid down but at the rate of 12 per cent, only, while the taxation borne by fixed incomes in Germany is proportionately the more crushing; and is this being taken into consideration in fixing the amount which Germany can pay?

I am unable to verify the percentages quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I entirely agree with him that depreciation of the currency is a form of taxation which crushes that part of the community which depends on fixed incomes while letting off the trader (so long as the process of inflation can be continued) much too lightly. The Reparation Commission is giving full consideration to this aspect of the problem of German taxation in assessing Germany's capacity to pay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the next financial year all that Germany will raise in the way of taxation is just over £100,000,000?

That is a matter to be dealt with when the Reparation Commission examines the figures.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the failure to settle the claims of Scottish fish curers whose stocks were seized in Germany during the War; and whether it is possible to take any action in this matter?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to him on the 17th February with regard to the claims of Messrs. D. Davidson, Gray and Company, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Linney, the deaf labourer from Hancastle, who was acquitted of murder after being 11 weeks in gaol; and whether, in view of the fact that the man's wife, with her baby, suffered both financially and mentally during those 11 weeks and that the man is now free but without his job, there is any fund from which such eases can be compensated?

My attention has been drawn to the case, but I regret there is no fund out of which compensation can be paid to persons charged with offences and subsequently acquitted.

asked the Home Secretary what cause is to be assigned to the women of the Metropolitan police women patrols for their dismissal; and whether any compensation, and, if so, what amount, is to be paid to them?

As I have already stated, the disbandment of the Metropolitan police women patrols has been decided upon as a measure of economy. Their engagements are terminable at any time by one month's notice, and no question of compensation arises.

Is it not a fact that the Metropolitan women police patrols were made pensionable by Act of Parliament in the Police Pensions Act; is the Home Secretary aware that his statement in this House last week that they were not entitled to pensions has been challenged by legal authority; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we all know perfectly well that it is not economy getting rid of these women? I should like an answer to these questions.

Are these ladies entitled to pensions as well as pay, allowances and unbecoming uniforms?

As far as pensions are concerned, I gather I must wait for a decision of the Courts before replying; but undoubtedly it will save a very large sum of money to disband these women.

What about your promise? What about the House of Commons having passed a law?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that the Irish Constabulary, with less than one year's service, are to receive pensions, and these women, who have got longer service, are not to receive pensions?

When these women were engaged, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether they understood that their terms were to be comparable to the engagement of ordinary men constables?

Certainly not; quite the contrary.

Oh, oh!

asked the Home Secretary the wages paid to those employed in the department of a Tipton factory where an explosion recently took place resulting in the loss of many lives?

I have no definite information on the subject at present, but the particulars will no doubt be brought out in the course of the investigation.

asked the Home Secretary the number and ages of those employed in the department of the factory at which an explosion recently took place resulting in the loss of many lives?

According to my present information, there were 23 girls employed in the shop on the day of the explosion and one man. Four of the girls were aged 13, 18 were between 14 and 16, and one was 16.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to institute an inquiry into the recent explosion at Tipton, when 15 girls lost their lives and others were seriously injured?

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to institute an inquiry into the recent explosion at Tipton, when 15 girls lost their lives, and others were seriously injured?

In addition to the investigation which will take place at the coroner's inquest, and at which the Home Office will be represented, I have directed His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Explosives to make an inquiry into, and to report to me upon, the circumstances attending this explosion, as provided in Section 66 of the Explosives Act.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this inquiry will be public?

It is a preliminary inquiry by the Chief Inspector for the purposes of the Act, and for the moment I forget whether it is public or not. It will be absolutely in accordance with the Act of Parliament.