asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has any information controverting the reports of the activities of General Baron Wrangel in organising a force among the Russian emigrés and refugees in the Balkans and elsewhere, and especially upon Serbian soil; has he any information of the objects of such a force; and whether he can state the present whereabouts of Baron Wrangel?

I have no information regarding General Wrangel's activities in the Balkans or elsewhere. The second part of the question therefore does not arise. General Wrangel was reported to have arrived in Sofia on 27th February.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen a telegram in the newspapers stating that there were 20,000 troops organised?

No, I have not.

Is this a question to be raised in this country?

When a question is addressed to the Foreign Office, why is no explanation given when the Under-Secretary does not reply?

I am an Under-Secretary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply, if any, has been sent by the Foreign Office with regard to the refusal of Russia to make any reparation for the outrageous treatment of Mrs. Stan Harding on the plea that similar treatment has been meted out to Russians in this country; and whether, seeing the false impression created in this country by this statement, he will take steps to make the denial equally public?

His Majesty's Government do not consider that any useful object would be attained by pursuing this matter further with the Soviet Government. Mrs. Stan Harding's claim for compensation, together with the claims of other British subjects, will, of course, be pressed when the time comes for a full and final settlement of private claims. With regard to the second part of the question, surely the hon. Member does not consider it necessary to publish a statement that the treatment of persons arrested by His Majesty's Government is not in any way similar to that practised by the Soviet Government.

This case was taken up by the Government as a case of outrageous treatment of a woman. Are the Government going to allow the matter to rest where it is? They took it into their hands because it was a special case.

I cannot accept that presentation of the case. I think it is a very serious case, and strong representations have been made. My hon. Friend knows that there are other people who have suffered at the hands of the Soviet Government very seriously, and all these cases have to be pressed at the appropriate time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Soviet Republic of Russia have established a headquarter office at 43 to 47, Moorgate Street, in the City of London; whether he can state for what purposes this headquarters has been set up; whether the many occupants have intentions other than that of trading under the agreement of 1921; and whether he will cause full inquiries and a report to be made and so allay the growing feeling of disquiet on this matter?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the British Government have received any information with regard to the purchase by the Soviet Government of extensive offices in Moorgate Street for the sum of £350,000; if so, for what purposes these offices have been acquired; and is it or is it not to be the official Soviet headquarters where British investors can apply for information regarding pre-War investments?

I understand that these premises have been acquired for the use of the Russian Trade Delegates who have been admitted to this country for the purpose of facilitating trade with Russia. The acquisition of office premises is not inconsistent with the objects or conditions of their admission, and on the information at present before me, I see no reason for any action by His Majesty's Government.

Will my right hon. Friend kindly give me a reply to the latter part of my question?

I do not know what is the extent of the business to be done by these people, or the extent of these offices. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the office itself.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he considers that there is any chance of the doctrines of the Soviet Republic being accepted in the most enlightened constituency in the country?

The right hon. Gentleman can better answer that question himself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what the position is now in regard to Wei-hai-wei; whether it is to be handed back to China and become a closed port; and, if so, whether some compensation will be awarded to the British owners of property, which such a course will materially reduce in value, or whether Wei-hai-wei will become an open port and free to all comers for the purposes of trade and residence?

On 1st February, at a plenary session of the Washington Conference, the Lord President of the Council announced that the rest of the Shantung Province having been restored to the complete sovereignty of China under suitable conditions, Great Britain proposed to hand back Wei-hai-wei under like suitable conditions. At the same time, he said that he had no doubt arrangements could be made for the continued use of the place as a sanatorium or summer rest of ships of war, and that His Majesty's Government would be largely guided in the necessary arrangements by the example of the Sino-Japanese negotiations regarding the Kiaochow leased territory. Subsequently in a letter of 3rd February to the chief Chinese delegate, the Lord President mentioned certain matters of detail which must be settled to the satisfaction of both His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government before the transfer could be effected. The matters referred to in the hon. Member's question, the precise status of the port and the safeguarding of property rights were amongst those mentioned in the Lord President's letter.

The transfer has not yet taken place.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that all claims for losses suffered by individuals since 1910 in Mexico were by a decree of that Government to be lodged by 31st January last; that all foreign claims were to be examined by mixed commissions; that, in view of the fact that the Mexican Govern—ment has agreed to the conditions stipulated in this respect by the Foreign Office, there is no reason why British claims should not be at once examined; and why there has been no appointment of British commissioners?

Negotiations have been in progress with the Mexican representative in London for the conclusion of an agreement for the submission to an arbitral tribunal of all British claims against the Government of Mexico, and I hope shortly to communicate to the Mexican representative a draft of the agreement containing certain modifications of the original proposal of the Mexican Government.

In view of the fact that the Mexican Government agreed to all the stipulations made by His Majesty's Government so long ago as last October, why has there been this enormous delay?

I should like notice of any specific point. The whole of the delay has been caused in order to arrive at agreement.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment to-morrow night.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the chargé des archives in Mexico City receives £3,000 per annum free of tax; whether any other chargés des archives receive similar salaries; whether this gentleman's salary was brought to the notice of the Geddes Committee; and what are the reasons which actuate His Majesty's Government in continuing to employ this gentleman in such a capacity, in view of the fact that the Mexican Government have requested his recall on the grounds that he is hindering the re-establishment of friendly relations between the two Governments?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affrmative. No other officer is employed by His Majesty's Government in an analogous position. Information as to all salaries paid by the Foreign Office was available to the Geddes Committee, but, so far as I am aware, their attention was not specially drawn to this one The Mexican Government have apparently been under the impression that the officer in question was opposed to the establishment of more cordial relations between the two countries, but there is no foundation for this belief, and it has not been thought advisable for His Majesty's Government to replace an officer who has done valuable work under very difficult conditions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Foreign Office list there appear at least two or three other charges des archives? How does the hon. Gentleman reconcile that with his answer?

I am not aware of that, and I understand that the position of this officer is quite different from that of many others.

What possible justification can there be for paying £3,000 free of tax to an officer like this, in view of the financial position of the nation?

The payment made to these officers must depend upon the work which they have to perform. The cost of living has been very high in these cases and countries.

Is the work that this gentleman does more important than that done by many important Members of the Government, who receive a good deal less?

I beg to give notice that I shall at an early date raise this question on the adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet republics of Azer- baijan and Georgia are officially represented in this country; whether it is proposed that they shall be represented at the Genoa Conference; and, if so, by whom?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. The third does not therefore arise.

Has our recognition of the Georgian Government been terminated owing to the change of Government in that country?

That does not arise out of the original question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any decree has been promulgated by the French Government in Dahomey, French Togoland, or French Occidental Africa to give effect to the prohibition or control of the importation of trade spirits into Africa, in accordance with the Convention of St. Germain, dated 10th September, 1919; whether any representations have recently been made to the French Government that the differential treatment of this subject by the British and French Authorities in the Gold Coast and French Togoland, respectively, has not only resulted in serious loss of revenue to the British Colony and British mandated territory, but has led to smuggling and other abuses; whether steps will be taken forthwith to ensure that British and French action in this matter are on all fours; and what quantity of spirits, trade and other, are known to have been imported into Lome during the year 1921?

A decree for this purpose, dated 15th May, 1921, was promulgated by the Governor-General of French West Africa on 24th December, 1921. Inquiries are being made as to the applicability of the Regulations laid down by this decree to Togoland. Representations have been made to the French Government with the object of securing that the obligations imposed upon the local administrations by the Treaty of 1919 shall be inter- preted on similar lines in the British and French Colonies. The particulars asked for in the last part of the question have not reached me, but I will endeavour to obtain them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent report on the financial condition of the British African Colonies this is singled out as an example of the unsatisfactory fiscal arrangements that obtain in the Gold Coast?

It is most important that this matter should be settled, and settled on the same lines.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been any recent improvement, and, if so, to what extent, in the transit of privately-owned goods wagons across the frontiers of the Central European and Balkan States?

I have no information, but will make inquiries of Sir Francis Dent, the President of the Commission for the distribution of the rolling-stock of the former Austro-Hun-garian monarchy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the administration of the Ottoman public debt should have priority and a privileged position over and above civilians with respect to the question of claims?

I would refer the hon. Member to Article 236 of the Treaty of Sèvres, from which he will see that the suggestion conveyed by the question is not justified by the terms of that Treaty, to which he is presumably referring.

Are we to understand that the Government are now carrying out the Treaty of Sèvres, although not yet signed?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that, owing to the crippled financial condition of British claimants, and the refusal of His Majesty's Government to make an advance, the effect on our trade is disastrous, as indicated by Constantinople Customs returns, which show that whereas before the War our share of the import trade into Turkey was from 38 to 40 per cent., the percentage of 1919–20 came down to 29 per cent., and during 1921 has steadily declined for the port of Constantinople, at all events, to under 20 per cent., until in August last the total of American imports into Turkey cleared at the Constantinople Custom house exceeded ours, we taking second place; and will His Majesty's Government agree to make an advance to British civilian claimants?

While I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the hon. Member's figures as given in the first part of the question, the matter is being investigated by the Board of Trade. As regards the last part of the question, the decision can only rest with the Treasury, whose attention I will not fail to call to this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in making the distribution of prize money in April next, he can see his way to begin the distribution with the ex-naval ratings so as to alleviate the distress these men, in many cases, are suffering owing to unemployment?

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth on 1st March, arrangements will be made to begin distribution to ex-naval officers and men at the same time as to those still serving. Having regard to the very large number of individuals to be paid—over 400,000—it will obviously be possible to deal with only a section of the claimants at a time, and the order in which applications from ex-service ranks and ratings can be received will be announced in the Press as soon as practicable.

Do I understand that the Admiralty decline to accept the suggestion in the question, namely, to begin the distribution with ex-naval rating?

It will take a very long time, as it is—about nine months—to distribute all this money, and if it is not done in the way most acceptable to the accounting branch, it will take a great deal longer. It cannot be done as suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wire attachment in connection with the hydrophone station which was established at Rame Head during the War, on being disconnected, was not recovered or only partially so, and that in consequence the hook-and-line fishermen frequently fouled the wire with their mooring warp and grapnel, which are thereby lost; whether he is aware that this causes serious loss to the fisher men; and whether the Admiralty is prepared to remove the wire and compensate the fishermen for the losses they have sustained?

Inquiries are being made into this question, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible. I may add that no claims or complaints in connection with this alleged obstruction have been received at the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many workmen and officials, respectively, were employed in the Royal dockyards at home and abroad in March, 1914; how many are employed now; how many of the workmen are established men; and how many of the officials are permanent?

The numbers of workmen and officials employed at the dockyards at home and abroad were:— Workman. Officials. March, 1914 51,970 2,304 25th February, 1922 56,327 3,555 Of these numbers, 14,500 workmen are borne on the established list and 2,547 of the officials are permanent. These figures relate only to the numbers employed in Vote 8 departments. It will be appreciated that the number of officials is not entirely dependent upon the number of workpeople employed in the dockyards, but is also to a large extent dependent upon the amount of material in the yards (which is now two or three times as large as it was in 1914) and other factors.

In view of the fact that these figures show there are more than twice as many employed although we have a smaller Navy, can the hon. Gentleman say what is being done to reduce the number?

These figures are in course of being reduced and this does not represent the number at the present moment. A census of the numbers in the dockyards is being taken on 3rd April, and the possibility of making further reductions will be kept in view.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of naval and marine officers, including retired officers, in all Departments of the Admiralty in April, 1914, who received £2,000 per annum or over, inclusive of allowances; the number to-day and how many of them receive over £3,000 per annum; the corresponding figures in the case of civil servants, including technical and professional appointments, such as the Director of Naval Construction and the Civil Engineer-in-Chief, and reckoning cost-of-living bonus in all cases; the amount by which the remuneration of the First Sea Lord exceeded that of the Secretary to the Admiralty in 1914; and the corresponding amount to-day?

As the reply is somewhat long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply: April,1914. At present. Number of naval and marine officers (including retired officers) in receipt of £2,000 or over, inclusive of allowances (not exceeding £3,000) 3 17 Ditto over £3,000 1 3 4 20

In April, 1914, the First Sea Lord received: salary, £1,500 and a furnished residence, and the Secretary received a salary (including house allowance) of £2,000. At present the First Sea Lord receives: salary, £3,000 and a furnished residence, and the Secretary receives a salary of £3,000. Naval members of the Board also receive the half pay of their rank to which they are entitled, whether they are serving or not.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a decision has yet been reached regarding the transfer of a portion of the established men at Rosyth to southern dockyards?

It has been decided that in cases where established men are redundant at Rosyth, those under 50 years of age are to be given the option of re-transfer to southern yards or discharge with any allowances for which they may be eligible under the Superannuation Acts; those over 50 years of age who are redundant will be discharged—also with superannuation allowances. It is already certain that a number of established men will be redundant, but that number depends upon questions not yet settled.

Does this mean that the established men at Rosyth are coming to Devonport, although the number of the establishment there is going to be reduced?

It might mean that in the end.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men have been discharged from Rosyth naval base since 1st February; and how many dismissals have taken place at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport during the same period?

1,043 workmen have been discharged from Rosyth Dockyard since 1st February. The numbers discharged during the same period at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport are, respectively, 148, 369, 250; the rate of discharge at these three yards will be considerably increased as from the 18th instant. These figures relate only to Vote 8.

Is the present rate of discharges at Rosyth, which has been going on since 18th February, to be continued, and is the same rate of discharges being observed at Devonport and other yards?

All the discharges are to be continued, until we get down to the proper number.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very serious conditions arising at Rosyth on account of these discharges and the number of evictions that are taking place, and will he not take into, account the idea of proceeding at a slower rate?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many vessels of the Strath, Castle, and Mersey type steam trawlers respectively, and how many steel and wooden built drifters the Government have on hand for sale either at the present time or in the future; and how many of such vessels they have on hand which are not to be sold?

Is it not true that Rosyth is a mushroom dockyard?

No.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many admirals-of-the-fleet, admirals, vice - admirals,' rear -admirals, commodores, and captains, respectively, were employed on shore, including service in the Admiralty, in March, 1914; and if he will state the corresponding figures for March of this year?

As the reply is in tabular form, I propose, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, to circulate it in the OPFICIAI, REPORT. I may add that the figures for March, 1922, are not yet available. The figures for 18th February, 1922, the latest available date, have therefore been given.

The following is the reply:

As regards the first part of the question, the following remain for sale by the Admiralty: "Strath" type trawlers … 8 "Castle" type trawlers … 61 "Mersey" type trawlers … 34 Steel drifters … 11 Wood … 33 As regards the second part, 23 trawlers and 45 drifters are, for the time being, retained for naval service, but it is in contemplation to reduce this number. I may add that the sale of these trawlers and drifters is progressing satisfactorily considering the present market conditions.

Have not announcements been made by the Government from time to time that certain ships were not for sale, and, in breach of these announcements, have not these ships been put up for sale, to the considerable disadvantage of trade, and involving considerable cost and damage?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have come to any decision with reference to the recommendation of the Geddes Committee relating to His Majesty's Yacht "Enchantress"?

I would refer my noble and gallant Friend to the reply of the 22nd February to the hon. Member for Central Hull.

Does not that reply, in fact, mean that the Admiralty have decided to dispense with the services of this vessel?

She is being paid off at the end of this month and laid up, in accordance with the terms of the previous reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the very great anxiety felt by all naval officers with regard to their future, he can make any announcement as to what special scheme for the retirement of officers surplus to requirements which may be necessary, and also as to the promotion of officers of the rank of lieut.-commander.

I regret I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

Is it not the case that these promotions are now three months overdue and is it not high time something was done?

That is the case, and nobody regrets more than myself that the matter has not yet been settled.

Is the hon. Gentle man aware—

Sir Thomas Bramsdon.

Am I not entitled to put a question?

The Noble Lord seems to think that a question is not complete without two supplementaries. It is very unfair to other hon. Members, whose questions are later on the Paper.

On a point of Order—

Sir Thomas Bramsdon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the official interpreta-Section II, paragraph 6, or Article 1338 welfare requests, Goanese or Seedies of the East Indies station are considered eligible for the grant of commissions as officers in His Majesty's Navy on that station; and, if not, why they are permitted to hold the ratings of chief and petty officers, Royal Navy, observing that whilst serving in these ratings they are, under the powers of the Naval Discipline Act, the King's Regulations, and Admiralty Instructions, Appendix XV and Article 218, classified as the superior officers of all white naval ratings of leading-seaman rank and below?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, it is desirable to provide a certain number of higher billets for native ratings in order to encourage efficiency. No difficulty ever arises in practice as native ratings are never put in charge of white ratings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, in view of the directions contained in Section II, paragraph 6, of Article 1338 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, Volume II, 1921, a paymaster-commander is borne for duty in the drafting office at Portsmouth, in addition to an executive-commander and a lieutenant-commander; whether in view of the urgent need for economy, this is justifiable; and whether the same applies at the other two port drafting offices?

A paymaster-commander is borne for duty in the drafting office at Portsmouth, and paymaster lieutenant-commanders in the drafting offices at Chatham and Devonport; the officer at Portsmouth was only recently promoted to his present rank. The appointments have been made subsequent to the promulgation of the instructions contained in Section II, Clause 6, Article 1338, King's Regulations, and they are considered necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour the present weekly expenditure upon unemployment insurance and the total weekly expenditure of boards of guardians on unemployment relief?

The average weekly amount paid in unemployment benefit and dependants' grants in Great Britain and Southern Ireland for the four weeks ending 22nd February was £1,298,000, between a fourth and a fifth of which falls upon the Exchequer. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that figures are not available showing the weekly expenditure of the boards of guardians on relief of unemployment as distinct from the total expenditure on relief of the poor.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount which has been paid out of funds administered by his Department by way of unemployment relief and benefit to the Cornish miners?

Precise figures are not available, but I am having an estimate prepared, which I will send to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health the amount which has been expended out of local funds, and out of national funds, for which his Department is responsible in relief of the unemployed Cornish miners?

It is estimated that some £5,000 has been expended by the Redruth Guardians in the relief of miners. There has also been an increase of expenditure in the Penzance Union of £600 in 11 months, most of which is for the relief of the miners. It is understood that a more substantial sum has also been expended in relief by voluntary agencies. Grants are being made by the Unemployment Grants Committee in respect of works of a total capital value of over £26,000 which are being carried out by the local authorities in areas where there are large numbers of unemployed Cornish miners.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government is going to introduce legislation to extend the periods for which benefits are payable under The Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, in time for their new proposals to be operative by the 5th April next, when existing benefits begin to expire?

As I told my hon. and gallant Friend a week ago, the whole matter is now receiving the careful and anxious consideration of the Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that within three weeks of Parliamentary time, these benefits expire and is it not possible to do something within that period?

Of course I realise that in three weeks the extension of benefit may first begin to be exhausted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to the long holidays now in vogue on account of slackness of work, workmen covered by the Unemployment Insurance Act are being penalised with regard to payment of benefit; whether arrangements have been made that in estimating the holidays for which a man shall not be paid benefit the average holidays during the previous three years is taken as the criterion; whether he is aware that on this method, where it is shown that the average holidays amount to five days and during this year they actually amount to nine days, the man cannot receive benefit for the balance of four days on account of the waiting period of a week; whether he has received a resolution from the Sheffield Local Employment Committee and from any other committees to the effect that benefit should be paid for all unemployed days other than statutory holidays; and whether, in order to secure fair play all round, he will consider the advisability of adopting this principle?

I have received representations in the sense of the question put by my hon. Friend The authoritative decision in this matter rests with the Umpire, who has decided that, in the case of workpeople suspended from work over a holiday period, benefit is not payable for the holidays customary at the particular establishment at which they are employed, unless the period of suspension lasts for at least 12 consecutive week-days in addition to the holidays. The length of the customary holiday is a question to be determined by the facts in each particular case, subject to an appeal to the Courts of Referees and if necessary to the Umpire.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information to give the House with regard to the scheme which has been in operation for some time past for the training and, when trained, the providing with outfits, as domestic helpers, of women who have been thrown out of industrial employment; how is the scheme financed, by public or private funds; how many women have been found employment; and are any conditions laid down as to wages and hours of work of women for whom employment is found?

The Home-craft Training Scheme for unemployed women is conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, who have allocated to this work £100,000, from heir grant from the National Relief Fund. In addition, the Ministry of Labour have contributed a grant of £50,000. Needlework is among the subjects taught and the women make outfits which they may buy at cost price at the end of training. Seven thousand women have been, or are being, trained under the scheme. All new entrants have for some time past been required to undertake to enter domestic service at the end of training, and the great majority are known to do so. The Committee have laid down no conditions as to wages or hours of employment.

Has a mistress who wants to obtain the services of one of these domestic helpers to go to the Employment Exchange to get a domestic helper?

If the vacancy is notified at the Employment Exchange, she would go there to get an applicant, and I confess I do not see why she should not.

asked the Minister of Labour whether juveniles who attend continuation schools in London have to attend at Employment Exchanges in order to register for employment; and whether his Department can arrange that the registration shall be done in the schools, so that the juveniles can get employment while they are in attendance at school?

Since August last arrangements have been in operation under which juveniles attending day continuation schools in London register for employment at the schools, and do not attend the Employment Exchanges for this purpose. The reply given to my hon. Friend on 22nd February stating that these juveniles register at the Exchanges was, I regret to say, inaccurate.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed registered for the borough of Southwark for January and February of this year, giving the figures for males and females; and can he give the trades which the greatest number of unemployment applies to?

In the area of the Borough Exchange, which is that which most nearly coincides with The Borough of Southwark, there were 11,360 males and 4,291 females registered as unemployed at 31st January, compared with 11,058 males and 3,859 females at 28th February. The principal trades affected in the case of men were building, engineering and ironfounding; printing, bookbinding; transport service, including dock labour. In the case of women, the trades principally affected were printing and bookbinding; hotel, lodging-house and domestic service; manufacture of food and drink.

asked the Minister of Labour whether those applying for an extension of unemployed benefit are required to sign a document undertaking to accept work, other than that to which they have been accustomed, on fair terms and conditions; and whether such an undertaking nullifies the conditions laid down in Circular U.I.A. 518, Clause 9 ( a ), ( b ) and ( c ) wherein unemployed persons are not expected to accept work offered to them where a stoppage of work exists or at a lower wage or less favourable conditions than that which habitually obtains in the localities in which work may be offered to them, etc.?

As already stated in the House on 17th February, the six week's extension of unemployment benefit is not to be granted to persons who are not prepared to accept on fair terms and conditions work other than that to which they have been accustomed but which they are reasonably capable of performing. This special condition does not apply to "covenanted" benefit under the permanent provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, which remains governed by Section 7 of the 1920 Act, quoted in Clause 9 of the Circular U.I.A. 518 referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the very high percentage of total expenditure included under expenses and management in the balance sheets of certain important trade unions; and whether, in the interests of trades unionists themselves, arrangements can be made whereby fully itemised balance sheets should be issued?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member does not state to which trade unions he refers, but in any ease there can be no general answer to the question whether the percentage of expenditure on management is high or not; that must depend on the particular circumstances of each union. As regards the second part of the question, it is for trade unionists themselves to consider whether arrangements of the kind indicated are practicable or desirable.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the question of extending until 1924 the period during which the housing subsidy for new houses will be given to local authorities, thus placing England and Wales on exactly the same terms as Scotland?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on this subject on 1st March, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that the total number of men employed on State-assisted housing schemes fell from 138,334 in October to 101,235 in February; what further steps he proposes taking so that all available unemployed labour may be fully utilised in building houses which are still most urgently required;

(2) whether, having regard to the fall in the cost of houses to about £400, he will now sanction the requests of local authorities to build more houses where both labour and materials are available, even though this involves the erection of more than the limited number of 176,000 houses fixed last year?

These questions raise issues with which I dealt fully in the course of the Debate on Monday evening, and, as I then explained, I do not propose, in view of the large amount of work in hand, to ask the House to agree to any general extension of the housing scheme. There is, however, a small margin of the 176,000 houses in hand which I am using to sanction the erection of further houses by local authorities in special cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of Question 39, where I specifically ask if he will see that houses are sanctioned to employ fully all available labour in the building trade?

I observe that the hon. Member himself took several pages of the OFFICIAL REPORT a day or two ago to put that very question.

I did not get a satisfactory answer.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to cases in which landlords of housing property in towns have intimated to their tenants their intention to evict them on the expiration of the Rent Restriction Act, 1920, unless a very substantial increase in the existing rents is agreed to; and whether, in view of the continued depression in trade and the difficulties which still attach to the housing problem, he will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill to extend the Rent Restriction Act for a further period of one or two years?

I have not heard of any cases of the kind referred to in the first part of the question. As the Act does not expire until June, 1923, the question of its continuance or otherwise has not yet arisen.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the approved societies are proposing to undertake the cost of medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts out of the surpluses accumulated during the past years; and what changes in the control of medical benefit this will entail?

I am proposing to introduce at an early date a Bill under which the cost of medical benefit which has hitherto been met by a direct Exchequer grant over and above the normal statutory proportion will be transferred to approved societies in respect of the period ending on 31st December, 1923, and will be met out of their accumulated funds, in which are included the surpluses disclosed at the first valuation and not used for the provision of additional benefits. The Bill will not entail any changes in the control of medical benefit.

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount standing to the credit of the National Health Insurance Funds Investment Account; and whether such moneys can be used to meet the economies suggested in the Geddes Report, rather than make additional financial demands on individual societies, some of which are less fortunately placed than others?

I assume that the question refers to the total investments of National Health Insurance Fund moneys made by the National Debt Commissioners, in accordance with Section 54 of the 1911 Act. The amount in question is, approximately, £61,000,000. The hon. Member is doubtless aware that these moneys are held in trust on behalf of the individual approved societies and the various subsidiary funds and accounts of which the National Health Insurance Fund is constituted. There are no moneys in the fund which can be used for any other purposes than those of the individual societies and accounts of whose credits the fund is made up.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average rate of interest received by the Ministry on the National Health Insurance Funds Investment Account; and to what fund is the balance credited as the outcome of such investment?

The average rate of interest earned on the investments of National Health Insurance Funds is at present, approximately, 5 per cent. Under the Regulations as to the investment of funds by the National Debt Commissioners under the National Health Insurance Acts, the balance of the interest earned on any securities held by them, over and above the sums required to be credited by way of interest allowed by the insurance departments to approved societies, the Deposit Contributors Fund, the Navy and Army Insurance Fund, and other funds and accounts, remains credited to the Income Account (in the books of the National Debt Commissioners) constituted under these Regulations, and is used to make good losses realised when any holding or part of a holding in any security purchased on account of National Health Insurance Funds by the National Debt Commissioners is sold or paid off.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total collective sum standing to the credit of approved societies in the National Health Insurance Fund Investment Account bearing interest credited to societies at the prescribed rate of 4 per cent, per annum?

The total collective sum standing to the credit of approved societies in the National Health Insurance Fund Investment Account, bearing interest at the prescribed rate of 4 per cent, per annum at 31st December, 1921, was, approximately, £32,000,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that a member who entered insurance on or before 1st July, 1918, is required to make 80 contributions between that date and the 4th July, 1920, before he becomes entitled to benefit under the Act, and whereas the maximum number of contributions possible is 79, he proposes to amend the Prolongation of Insurance Act in order to provide that an insured person who has paid the maximum number of contributions possible between the said dates shall become entitled to benefit?

The maximum number of contributions possible in respect of the period between 1st July, 1918, and 4th July, 1920, was 105, and not 79 as stated by the hon. Member. It is true that the maximum number would be less in the case of a person who ceased employment before the 4th July, 1920, but it is only in the extreme case of a person whose insurance would have ceased during the first week of the operation of the Prolongation of Insurance Act that the requirement of the payment of 80 contributions could not have been satisfied. No such case has yet been brought to my notice, but if the hon. Member can send me particulars of such a case, I shall be pleased to consider whether any action is possible.

asked the Prime Minister why British troops are still retained in Silesia; and when they are to be withdrawn?

Under the Treaty of Versailles (Section 6 of the Annex to Article 88) the powers of the Plebiscite Commission in Upper Silesia terminate when the parts of the area allotted to Germany and Poland have been placed under German and Polish administration. This cannot be done until the economic convention for the administration of the industrial area, now being negotiated between Germany and Poland under a chairman appointed by the League of Nations, has been concluded. It is hoped that those negotiations will be completed shortly. It will then be possible to withdraw the Plebiscite Commission, and with it the allied troops, including the British contingent.

asked the Prime Minister whether this country is committed to any guarantee securing the frontiers of Poland beyond the provisions of the Versailles Treaty?

The answer is in the negative.

May we take it that no such provision will be inserted in the Anglo-French Pact? May I have an answer?

asked the Prime Minister whether the United States. Government have demanded from the reparations pool the cost of maintaining, their troops in Germany; and whether His Majesty's Government are in agreement with this demand, seeing that it will tend to hasten the evacuation of the Rhineland by Allied troops and the reconstruction of Germany?

The Allied Finance Ministers, during the recent Conference in Paris, received a memorandum on this-question from the unofficial representative of the United States Government on the Reparation Commission. They replied that, in their opinion, it would be desirable that the question should be dealt with by means of communications-addressed to the Allied Governments by the United States Government through diplomatic channels. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the American memorandum, and the reply of the Finance Ministers.

In this matter, are we working in collaboration with the American Government in making this demand?

I do not follow the question.

Are we supporting the American Government in this demand?

A question of that character will certainly require notice.

Is the cost of the American troops greater than that of the French and English troops?

Notice should be given of that question.

The memorandum and reply mentioned are as follow:

16, Rue de Tillsitt,

Paris.

10th March, 1922.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE FINANCE MINISTERS OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, ITALY AND BELGIUM.

I have this morning received a cable from Washington instructing me to point out to you that the United States Army costs up to 1st May, 1921, amount to approximately $241,000,000. The Allied Governments, with the possible exception of Great Britain, have received their Army costs in full up to 1st May, 1921, and the English Army costs are apparently to be met in full in connection with the present arrangements. In view of the foregoing, the Government of the United States expects to obtain full payment of the costs of its Army of Occupation, with interest from 1st May, 1921, before any part of German payments is distributed for reparations or other purposes.

With reference to current costs I am requested to state that the Government of the United States will insist upon full payment, but that, if assurance of payment is received, it anticipates no difficulty in arranging the practical details of making the payment.

(Signed) R. W. BOYDEN,

United States Unofficial Delegate,

Reparation Commission.

LETTER TO MR. BOYDEN.

The Finance Ministers of Belgium, Great Britain, France and Italy to Mr. R. W. Boyden, the Unofficial Delegate of the United States of America on the Reparation Commission.

11th March, 1922.

SIR,—We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Memorandum placed before us by yourself under date of 10th March, regarding the payment of the costs of the American Army of Occupation.

Your communication has received our most serious consideration. You will find enclosed te text of the arrangement signed at Paris to-day. A special article has been added to this document in order to meet the points with which the Memorandum is concerned. While we have thus safeguarded all rights of the United States of America, whatever they may prove to be, we are of opinion that inasmuch as we are acting under the Treaty of Versailles, to which the Government of the United States of America are not a party, the question is one which concerns our respective Governments, and should be raised directly through diplomatic representations made by the Government of the United States of America to the Allied Governments.

We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servants,

asked the Prime Minister in what form the Viceroy published in India the recommendations of the Government of India regarding the revision of the Treaty of Sèvres and the settlement of the Turkish peace; whether it was in the form of a viceregal Proclamation or a Press communication; and, if the former, whether he will, as soon as possible, have a copy laid upon the Table of the House?

The Government of India published the text of their telegram to the Secretary of State as a Press communiqué .

asked the Minister of Labour if, in making reductions in the ex-service temporary staff of the Ministry, he will take into consideration the claims to retention of disabled men and men with good Army records?

It is the practice in all cases in the Ministry of Labour, when making reductions in the temporary ex-service staff, to give preference, in the matter of retention, to disabled men over non-disabled, and to men with overseas service over those who only served at home, subject always, of course, to the primary consideration of efficiency. Due regard is also had to service records.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the case of the Controller of the Appointments Department, to see whether that is in accordance with the principle which he has laid down?

The Controller of the Appointments Department was appointed some time, and I should say he is fully covered by what I have said.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has further considered the question of the abolition of trade boards in view of the widespread opinion in the country that the stringency of their regulations tends towards increasing unemployment; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that last autumn I appointed a Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Cave, to inquire into the working and effects of the Trade Boards Acts and to report what changes, if any, are desirable. This Committee has taken evidence from a great number of employers and workers and I expect shortly to receive its report.

asked the Prime Minister whether the scheme of House of Lords reform promised by the Government includes any proposal likely to meet the need for responsible representation of the Dominions at Debates on Imperial and Dominion affairs; and whether, in view of the many disruptive elements now existing in the Empire, he will consider the desirability of such representation in a reformed Second Chamber;

I must ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the introduction of the Government's proposals.

asked the Prime Minister if he will assure the House that the Constitution of the Irish Free State when drafted by the Provisional Government will at once be submitted to Parliament, so that the said Constitution may be approved by Parliament and, if necessary, amended before being submitted to the Irish electorate for acceptance?

No, Sir. The Constitution must necessarily be submitted to Parliament before the Free State is established, but I cannot undertake that it will be so submitted before it is submitted to the Irish electorate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how the full freedom of Parliament to deal with the Irish Constitution, promised by the Prime Minister, will be secured if the Constitution is first submitted to the Irish electorate? It is a very important matter, and I think we ought to know.

It has been repeatedly said that the Constitution will be drafted in Ireland by the Irish, just as the Canadian Constitution was prepared over there, but the ultimate Bill ratifying that Constitution will have to receive the assent of Parliament.

But is it not an outrage on the freedom of Parliament if it is not asked to approve the Constitution before having it submitted to the Irish electorate, after which it will have no control, except to take it or leave it?

Does this not really mean that this Constitution will be arranged by Sinn Feiners and rammed down the throats of this House in the same way as the Treaty Bill?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has had under consideration the cases of men who have served in the Royal Irish Constabulary and have been disbanded, some of whom are Irishmen with families; and whether, in view of the fact that these men are in some cases starving and unable to obtain employment or assistance, special steps may be taken to bring them to England, and, if possible, to settle them overseas where they so desire?

The only classes of men serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary who have as yet been disbanded are the Auxiliary Division, all of whom are being paid in full up to the end of this month, and in many cases to a much later date, the British recruits, all of whom have been sent back to this country and are in receipt of a pension of not less than £46 16s. per annum, and the Veterans Division and other temporary classes, all of whom were given free warrants to their homes and a gratuity of not less than £10. I am informed that 75 of the latter class were, at their own request, given travelling warrants to places in Ireland, and I assume that it is to some of these the hon. and gallant Member's question refers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are several of these men, Irishmen, in Dublin who are unable to get any public assistance, or unable to get employment, and does he consider that this is a generous way to treat these loyal servants of the Crown? Cannot he take some steps to get them over to this country?

I am not sure that bringing them over to this country would help them. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will submit any particular case to me I will see what can be done, but I have no public money to assist cases, however hard.

Is it not the duty of the right hon. Gentleman to get public money for this class of case? Is he aware that these men are only debarred from getting employment in Ireland because of their loyal service?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some members of the permanent Royal Irish Constabulary have been discharged; and— referring to the present question—would he give special consideration to those who have given evidence against criminals and secured their conviction, and now go in fear of their lives?

As to that, every member of the regular Royal Irish-Constabulary in Ireland will, I hope, be disbanded this month, and special preparations are being made to provide for those men whose lives are in danger and whose families are boycotted.

Can I send the right hon. Gentleman cases?

Yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take immediate and urgent steps to get money from this House with which to remove these men out of danger? Their lives are in danger, and they are also starving.

asked the Chief Secretary if it is the intention of the Government, on the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary, to wind up the constabulary force fund and distribute it amongst the subscribers, or, alternatively, is the Government prepared to return to each subscriber the amount actually paid by him into the fund?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for York on the 7th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information in the case of Charles Herbert Burns, who was shot dead by the Irish Republican Army at Milford, County Donegal; whether he is aware that the murder of this ex-soldier has been justified on the part of the Irish Republican Army on the ground that it was by lawful authority; and if he can say whether any representations have been made to the Provisional Government; and whether any arrests have been made by their authority in connection with this matter?

According to the evidence given at the coroner's inquest in this case, Burns was challenged and ordered to put up his hands by a picket of the so-called Irish Republican Army consisting of four men, who were under orders to attend at Milford Fair and to hold up and disarm all unauthorised persons found in the possession of firearms, and when challenged he put his hand to his pocket and drew a revolver, whereupon one of the four men fired and wounded him fatally. I am not aware that the so-called Irish Republican Army has made any statement in the matter; but the coroner's jury, consisting of six Protestants and six Catholics, none of whom, I understand, is a member of the Irish Republican Army, found that the man who fired did so in the execution of his duty. In view of the peculiar circumstances existing at the time and in the area where this unfortunate and regrettable event occurred, and in view of the finding of the coroner's jury, His Majesty's Government do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, when and if the Irish Treaty (Agreement) Bill becomes law, the cost of such Irish services as education, health, out-of-work donation, and police will be automatically transferred to the Provisional Government or will there be an appointed day for the transfer of any or all of such services; and which Government is finding the pay, at £3 10s. per week, of the members of the Irish Rpublican Army and from what sources are the necessary funds drawn?

In reply to the first part of the question, it is proposed to provide by Order in Council under Clause I (2) of the Bill for the transfer of the various Irish services on dates to be agreed with the Provisional Government. I hope that, in the case of the great majority of the services, the transfer will be effected at the beginning of next financial year. As from the date of transfer, responsibility for the cost of the transferred service will automatically pass to the Provisional Government. In reply to the second part, I have no information as to the rate of pay of members of the so-called Irish Republican Army, nor as to the sources from which the necessary funds are drawn, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no part of such expenditure will be met out of moneys provided by Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health whether he knows anything of an unofficial and informal Conference called by his Department to consider the Schick test; whether his Department offered to bear the cost of the test and treatment, and suggested to the medical officers present that they should test the children in the institutions under their care; whether the children in the Holborn workhouse schools have already been inoculated; whether the Lambeth guardians are now contemplating the same; and under what authority is he carrying out these experiments on children?

The answer to the first, third, and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative. At the conference referred to it was stated that, in order to assist local authorities desiring to use the test to secure reliable material, my Department would be willing to bear a portion of the cost in a limited number of cases. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Dartford Division (Mr. Mills).

Are the Ministry of Health pursuing these inquiries at the expense of the children of the workhouse?

We are not pursuing any inquiry at all. We are assisting local authorities, who desire to use a method of diagnosis which has proved of the highest value in this country and other countries, and to adopt the best and most reliable methods of doing so.

Therefore you are inoculating the children—

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the children attending the Norwood schools of the Lambeth board of guardians have been treated with the Schick cure for diphtheria; that such treatment was given without the consent of the guardians; will he state if such treatment has the approval of his Department; and also will he state of what the treatment consists and from what country it originates?

I understand that in the presence of an outbreak of diphtheria in these schools the medical officer thought it necessary to ascertain, by the application of the Schick test, the extent to which the children in the schools were liable to infection, and that this was done as a matter of urgency without the consent of the board of guardians. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I will send my hon. Friend a description of this treatment and of its origin.

Is it to be understood that the helpless children of the poor are being used to experiment upon?

Not at all; there is no question of experiment! It is no more a question of experiment than if the hon. Gentleman went to his doctor and got a prescription. It is a question of applying an approved method of diagnosis for a very serious outbreak of diphtheria, a method which has proved of infinite value in other countries and in this country where it has been tried by the medical officers of health.

Why is the Labour party always against medical progress?

We are against being experimented upon!