asked the Minister of Pensions whether negotiations with the Hammersmith board of guardians has resulted in arrangements being made which will enable the Ministry of Pensions hospital for wounded soldiers, at Ducane Road, Shepherd's Bush, to be carried on as heretofore?

My hon. Friend will be glad to learn that the answer is in the affirmative.

Does that mean definitely that the hospital will not be removed to Roehampton?

That is so.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. S. H. Slack, of Calton Lees, near Bakewell, ex-private of the Notts and Derby Regiment, regimental No. 202,583, whose right hand is practically useless owing to a compound fracture sustained on military service, who served 4½ years during the War, and who has now had notice that his pension is to be reduced from 50 per cent. to 30 per cent.; and whether, under the circumstances, he will reconsider the decision which has been arrived at, looking to the fact that there is no chance of the disability becoming less, the hand being practically and permanently useless?

The award at the rate of 30 per cent. corresponds with the assessment of the medical board which examined this man on the 28th February; and if he is dissatisfied with his assessment he can appeal on that ground to a medical appeal board. It is clear that the reduced assessment represents an improvement in his condition, and I am glad to say that the medical report holds out hope of still further improvement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the case of existing Irish civil servants who elect to continue to serve under the Free State Government, the Imperial Government will be the guarantor of their tenure of office, salaries, superannuation, and conditions generally; and whether the Civil Service Committee will be set up in accordance with Section 56 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920?

I have been asked by the Colonial Secretary to answer this question. As I informed the hon. Member for Pontypool on the 13th instant, it is proposed to discuss this question with representatives of the Provisional Government prior to the establishment of the Free State. I regret that I cannot at the moment give a more definite answer to the hon. Member's question, but I can assure him that His Majesty's Government will not be unmindful of the interests of those members of the Civil Service to whom he refers.

asked the Chief Secretary how many lapsed subscribers to the Constabulary Force Fund are still alive; and if he will undertake that these men who ceased to subscribe through inability to pay will be considered when the above fund is under consideration on 31st instant, as most of these men could not pay on account of their small pensions?

I am not aware of any cases in which subscribers to the Constabulary Force Fund have ceased to subscribe through inability to pay. The subscription of a pensioner is made by the deduction of 1 per cent. from his pension. The usual ground upon which a subscriber has this deduction discontinued is that he has survived until he has no dependants who could benefit from the fund. The man himself has no claim upon the fund which is designed to assist his dependants in the event of his death.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the impartial Liaison Commissions, including British officers, proposed by him on 14th February last, which received the prompt and unqualified acceptance of the Northern Government, and with which Mr. Collins fully agreed, have been set up, and have operated satisfactorily on both sides of the boundary between Northern and Southern Ireland; and, if not, will he state the reasons?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts, I regret to state that, owing to the intense bitterness of feeling which still prevails on the Border, the results which have attended the labours of these Commissions have not yet been satisfactory. I am at present in communication with the Provisional and Northern Governments on the subject.

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House whether it is the case that those on the Northern side of the boundary are showing exemplary patience and self-restraint in the face of almost continuous provocation from the other side?

Are there no British officers on this frontier who can be relied on to give impartial accounts in view of the conflict of the evidence?

That is exactly what has been done. British officers were sent to the border and this question deals with them.

Have any reports come in from them, and cannot they be given to the House?

The right hon. Gentleman has ignored my question.

I certainly have not done so intentionally. The hon. Gentleman has asked me a question involving matters of fact and of opinion, and I must ask for notice of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of granting an amnesty to political prisoners in England—Irishmen and Irishwomen?

That does not arise here.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the draft Bills embodying Constitutions for the Commonwealth of Australia and the Union of South Africa were brought from those Dominions and submitted by the Government for the consideration of Parliament, the same procedure will be followed in the case of the Constitution for the Irish Free State before His Majesty's Government either assents to or dissents from the terms of the draft Constitution?

I do not understand the comparison which the hon. and gallant Member suggests in his question. It is true that the Draft Bills embodying the Australian and South African Constitutions were submitted by the Government of the day for the consideration of Parliament, and exactly the same procedure will be followed in the case of the Irish Bill. Inasmuch, however, as the Australian and South African Bills were Government Bills, it cannot be suggested that they were submitted to Parliament before the Government had assented or dissented from the terms of the Constitutions which they embodied, nor would such a course be practicable in the present instance.

Were not these Bills, when they came before Parliament, modified by this Parliament in certain particulars?

Is it not the case that in the Union of South Africa Bill a modification was actually made as to control of natives on the Rand?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what, having regard to the relative populations of Great Britain and Ireland, and to the existing military establishments in Great Britain, is the maximum number of the military defence force of the Irish Free State authorised by Clause 8 of the Treaty; what is the present number of the military defence force of the Irish Free State; what is the present number of armed volunteers and police respectively in Southern Ireland; and whether either armed volunteers and police, or both, are to be taken into account in estimating the maximum number of the military defence force permissible under Clause 8 of the Treaty?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Debate on the 8th instant, when this matter was fully discussed on the Report stage of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill, and to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Burton on the 16th instant. I regret that I am unable to add anything to these statements.

Can a man be a member of this Defence Force who is not in uniform?

I am afraid I cannot answer that without notice.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to sniping by Sinn Feiners on the Monaghan-Tyrone frontier, in the neighbourhood of Ballagh Bridge, which is making it impossible for local farmers on the Tyrone side to till their land or to tend their horses and cattle; whether this sniping has been located in houses within the Free State garrisoned by armed men, whose supplies of food and ammunition are observed to be replenished by women from outside; and, in view of the fact that the Government of Northern Ireland have no authority to cross their frontier to deal with these attacks, whether he proposes to order the demolition of these snipers' nests by artillery; or, if not, what other steps he proposes to take to protect life and property?

I regret the absence of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The question was not received until after the House opened, and therefore I cannot be expected to give a full reply to a long question involving matters of fact and opinion. I have sent for an answer to the question, and I hope that at some later time I shall be able to answer my hon. Friend.

May I put the question on the adjournment of the House?

Why should they have the adjournment every time they ask for it?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give an answer to the general question put, namely, whether, if these snipings go on in the Free State the Government intend to take action to put an end to it?

I myself saw the question only when I reached the Chair, and I ought to have struck out the latter part of it. The question asked by the right hon. Baronet does not raise a special matter appropriate to the occasion, but is a general question suitable for placing on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to reports in the Italian Press of the renewed activities of Generals Denikin and Wrangel in raising forces for attacks on Russia; whether he has yet definite information as to the truth or otherwise of these statements; and can he state the present whereabouts of these two generals?

I have not seen the reports referred to. They are not borne out by our own information. General Wrangel was recently at Belgrade, but was expected to leave for Sofia. General Denikin is understood to be living in Brussels.

Am I to understand the Foreign Office has definite information that these activities have not been undertaken?

According to our information that is so.

Did the hon. Gentleman say he had not seen these allegations in the Press?

In the Italian Press.

Are we in any way responsible, financially or otherwise, for the maintenance of the activities of either of these two generals?

Certainly not.

(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give the House any information concerning reported mobilisation and massing of troops, and rumours of a new war, by the Soviet Government, and in view of our grant of money to feed starving Russians, could he represent to the Soviet Government that by pursuing a policy of peace it would be promoting those friendly relationships, between their Government and ours, which we are anxious to see?

Nothing is known of any intention on the part of the Soviet Government to embark on any new war. A slight increase of troops in the West of Russia is believed to have taken place since the beginning of the year. Reports have been received of the partial mobilisation of one class in the Western districts, but this, even if confirmed, would not necessarily signify a warlike measure, as this class is due to be called up in the spring.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total amount already paid to this country by China in respect of the Boxer indemnity; what is the amount still owing; how much China has paid to France; how much is still owing; how much has been paid to other European countries; and how much is still owing to them?

The amount paid into the Exchequer, as shown in the Annual Finance Accounts for the years 1906–07 to 1919–20, amounts to £4,284,799 1s. In addition, £1,238,894 was paid in respect of British claims other than that of His Majesty's Government. The amount remaining to be paid by China is £11,186,547 12s. 8d. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the amounts paid by China to other countries in respect of the indemnity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take, whether by new legislation or otherwise, in order to protect pedestrians using country roads where there are no footpaths from those dangers against which he considers pedal cyclists are protected by carrying rear lights?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I do not propose to take any steps in the matter, as I do not consider that the cases of a pedestrian and of a pedal cyclist are comparable.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the risks to pedestrians from motorists are quite as great as the risks to cyclists?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman suggests that pedestrians should carry rear lights?

Hear, hear.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that J. McDonald Robertson, late Army Service Corps, after three years' War service and retirement from the Army on a 30 per cent. pension, and after six weeks' training in motor driving under the Ministry of Labour, has been refused a driver's licence by the authorities at New Scotland Yard; is he aware that the reason given for that refusal was that Robertson was a man of colour, although a British subject, and resident in this country for 20 years; and will he reconsider this decision?

The Commissioner had already submitted this question to me, and after consultation with him I have decided that Robertson shall be given a licence, subject, of course, to the usual tests as to character, knowledge, and technical skill.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether, seeing that 340 non-service men and 554 women are employed in his Department, he will consider the substitution, where possible, of ex-service men who are being dismissed from other Departments and are qualified for the duties?

The numbers given are those employed as at 1st January, 1922. The numbers as at 1st March employed in a temporary capacity are 273 non-service men, and 527 women. Steps are being taken to substitute, where possible, ex-service for non-service men, provided candidates with the experience and standard of qualifications required can be obtained, but I should like to point out that the percentage of ex-service men already employed is high, namely, 80 per cent. Of the 527 women employés, seven are ex-service, 508 are typists, shorthand typists, charwomen, etc., engaged on work specially appropriate to women, four are retained owing to the non-availability of ex-service men possessing qualifications as comptometer operators, three are retained on compassionate grounds (two of these are about to leave), three are employed on work which will terminate shortly. The substitution of the remaining two will be undertaken as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the case of Mr. R. G. Laidlaw, who has been refused a pension because he is physically fit and who, though he has passed an examination, has been refused an appointment as officer of Customs and Excise by the Civil Service Commissioners on the ground that he is not physically fit; and how it is proposed that these divergent views should be reconciled without injury to a man who has served his country faithfully?

I have no information as to whether Mr. Laidlaw has been refused a pension by the Ministry of Pensions, or, if so, for what reason. Any inquiry on that point should be addressed to that Department. As regards his rejection for appointment under the Board of Customs and Excise, I am informed that he passed a qualifying examination under the Reconstruction Scheme for the post of officer of Customs and Excise and became a selected candidate in January, 1921. He was then medically examined on behalf of the Civil Service Commissioners by two Edinburgh physicians who severally advised his rejection, and the same advice was given by the Commissioners' referee in London, to whom the evidence obtained was submitted. I understand that he served in the Army from 1914 to January, 1919, when he was demobilised in medical category A1. The Civil Service Commissioners have no reason to suppose that the physical defect on account of which they were unable to admit him to the established Customs service two years after demobilisation was either due to or aggravated by his military service.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the impossibility of keeping burning on a windy night on a bumpy road even the best rear-light lamp on a pedal bicycle, he will further consider whether a good reflector would be a more effective method of protection to the cylists?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am afraid I can add nothing to the previous answers which I have given on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to disband the women police before the opinion of the House has been taken on the matter?

As I have already explained, the disbandment will take place gradually, as from the 31st instant, as the engagements of the patrols expire. The matter can be raised if an opportunity occurs, but if the required savings are to be effected the process of disbandment must be commenced as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary how many police matrons there are in the Metropolitan police area; what is their pay; and whether any allowances are made to them for uniform, meals, or for any other purposes?

There are 18 police matrons permanently attached to stations who receive a salary of £1 1s. a week, and six van matrons, who accompany female prisoners to Holloway, two of whom are paid 18s. a week, while four, who are employed part-time, receive 10s. a week. At any station where there is no permanent matron, women are employed as and when required, and they are paid according to the period for which they are employed up to a maximum of 10s. for any one day. None of the matrons receives any other allowance.

Will the matrons here referred to be engaged to assist men police in bringing female prisoners from one part of the country to another?

Yes, women are always employed on that duty.

asked the Home Secretary whether, for the convenience of all persons to whom the Workmen's Compensation Act applies, he will have the list of certifying surgeons and appointed surgeons, which was printed in 1914, corrected and brought up to date?

A revised list is in course of preparation, and will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information as to the reasons for the arrest of Thuku, in Kenya Colony, and as to the circumstances which occurred in connection with that arrest?

I have no information beyond what has been published. The Governor has promised a despatch, and when I have received it I will consider what further announcement can be made.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of asking the Governor what it was Thuku was advocating which brought him into trouble with the police?

We have asked the Governor for a very full report of the whole proceedings, and obviously that will include the reasons which led to the trouble.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider as to appointing a Committee to inquire into the whole question of native unrest in Kenya?

I have no reason to think that that is necessary. The Noble Lord will be quite mistaken if he infers from this unfortunate episode that there is any native unrest in Kenya.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very serious unrest, and, moreover, well-grounded unrest, because no native can have a legal title to land in Kenya Colony?

Was any damage done to the police or was it only the natives who suffered?

As far as my information goes, there were no casualties to Government employés. With regard to the question of the Noble Lord, I have no knowledge of the fact he alleges, and I strongly deprecate any suggestion that there is any such discontent as he suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the draft amending ordinance to the Forced Labour Ordinance issued by the Kenya Government in East Africa; and, if so, whether he will lay a copy of this draft upon the Table of the House?

The draft amending Ordinance has not yet been received, and the Governor's attention has been drawn to the matter by telegram.

Does that mean that there has been no alteration of the Labour Ordinance, although six months ago we were told it was going to be altered?

The original Ordinance stands until it has been replaced by the new Ordinance, which is being considered by the Governor.

It was six months ago that we were told it would be altered, and no action has been taken in the matter.

My hon. and gallant Friend has no right to say that no action has been taken, because the matter has been under the immediate and continuous consideration of the Governor since his return to Nairobi. The hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do that the Governor's time has been taken up with a great many other matters, which has made it impossible for him to devote continuous attention to this particular question, but there has been no avoidable delay.

asked the Prime Minister which Department appoints the directors to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and is responsible for the instructions given to the representatives of the Government; and which Department do the directors consult when they require instructions on any particular policy?

The agreement and the articles of association of the company provide for the appointment of two ex-officio directors by the Treasury, one of whom is chosen to represent the Admiralty directly. The ex-officio directors consult the Admiralty or the Treasury, as the case may be, when they require instructions.

Who generally gives instructions to the directors? Do they consult the Admiralty, or the Treasury, or both?

They consult both, according to the particular question which arises.

asked the Prime Minister whether the cost of living is falling in ratio with the demands made in some trades for wage reductions; and whether, in the public interest and to lessen industrial unrest, the Government is prepared to set up a commission of inquiry to ascertain the facts?

I have been asked to reply. In a great many cases wages are on a sliding scale related to the movement of the cost of living index figure. In a great many other cases this is not so, though in these latter cases agreements have been arrived at during recent months in a very large number of cases involving reductions in scales of wages. No doubt the cost of living has an important bearing upon wage adjustments. But it is not the only factor. The question of arriving at selling prices for our goods which shall find acceptance in foreign markets must always be one of the main considerations before those who have the duty of making adjustments in the several factors of the cost of production. These things being so, I do not think that the inquiry suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether the subjects which were originally arranged to be discussed at Genoa were in any way circumscribed or limited by subsequent agreements made recently with M. Poincaré; and whether any question of the revision of the financial Clauses of the Versailles Treaty or the curtailment of the land forces of the nations represented at the Conference are ruled out from discussion or resolution at the Genoa Conference?

asked the Prime Minister the specific objects for which he is going to the Genoa Conference?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member and my Noble Friend will await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister proposes to make on the 3rd April.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to explain the policy to be put forward at Genoa on behalf of His Majesty's Government by the British representatives when he asks for the confidence of this House on 3rd April next; and whether an opportunity will be given to debate that policy before a vote is taken?

The answer to both parts of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the affirmative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman now state whether the Vote on 3rd April will be on that policy, or will be simply one of confidence in the Government's being able to carry it out?

I think I have already said, and, if not, I say it at once, that we will give due notice of the Resolution we propose to move, and the hon. and gallant Member will be able to see its exact terms when it appears on the Paper.

When will it be put on the Paper? The Debate being on Monday week, will it be put on the Paper on the Thursday?

Oh, yes, I hope to give notice of that kind, putting it on the Paper on the Thursday.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what are the specific economic questions which it is proposed should be discussed by the forthcoming Conference at Genoa?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the various countries concerned are considering what proposals to put forward. I am not in a position to state what their decisions may be.

Could the right hon. Gentleman state at an early period the proposals of an economic character which His Majesty's Government intend to put forward?

The proper time for explaining the policy of His Majesty's Government will be in the Debate on 3rd April.

While agreeing with that, might I suggest that it would be rather hard lines to ask the faithful Commons to debate a matter about which they only hear at the moment before they are called upon to debate it? In a matter of this importance, might we not have some outline of the proposals a little in advance of the Debate?

The object of the Debate is to give the opportunity of hearing the policy of the Government and expressing an opinion upon it. I do not notice that my hon. Friend, or hon. Members generally, ever consider that notice is required before Ministers are expected to give replies upon the most abstruse questions.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what are the terms of the Vote of confidence which it is proposed to move on 3rd April?

As I have already said, in answer to a supplementary question, I will take care that proper notice is given of the terms of Motion, but I cannot state them at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to two pamphlets which are being sent to this country, entitled "England's War Guilt and the Monstrous Lie," written by the Rev. O. Hartwich, minister at the Bremen Cathedral, and president of the German Save-the-Honour League, and distributed free of charge by the Volks-bund Rettet die Ehre, 13, Wielandstrasse, Bremen; and will he make representations to the German Government on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is no evidence to show that the German Government are responsible for the free distribution of these pamphlets. Should any evidence to that effect be forthcoming, the advisability of making representations to the German Government on the subject will be considered.

Is it not the fact that, while no part of this question alleges that the German Government are doing this, they are the lever for doing it, and could not the right hon. Gentleman drop a hint in the proper quarter that these pamphlets are creating bad feeling in this country?

I could not hear what the hon. and gallant Member said.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can yet name a day for the introduction of a Bill to deal with allotments; is he aware of the widespread interest in the question, not only on the part of allotment holders, but by those concerned with public health and the increase of home-grown food; and will he make a statement of the Government's intentions before Easter?

I cannot speak definitely, but I hope that the Bill will be introduced before Easter, either here or in another place.

Has any decision been come to as to a separate Bill for Scotland?

That is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that most of the industrial trouble, such as strikes and rising prices, lockouts, unemployment, and trade depression is caused through the fluctuating value of currency, he has ever considered the advisability of basing the currency on an article of real and constant value like wheat, instead of, as at present, having it remotely connected to an article of no value like gold; and, seeing the gain to the nation a stable internal currency would bring, will he take immediate steps to effect this reform?

Economists have frequently speculated on the possibility of a standard based, not on gold or silver, but on the purchasing power of some particular commodity or of commodities generally as measured by a representative index number. Such a refinement of currency policy may be theoretically sound, but has never yet been practically tested. In any case, before embarking on so ambitious an experiment, it is surely desirable for us first to get back to that approximation to stability which the gold standard supplies, and to which the world before 1914 was thoroughly accustomed. I must demur to my hon. Friend's statement that gold has no value. It is because of its value that it has been chosen as a standard.

In view of the fact that the trouble may be intensified by a further reduction in the price of commodities, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing some sort of Commission to go thoroughly into this question?

There have been very many Commissions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to support the proposal of the organised workers that an inquiry should be held into the whole situation in connection with the present industrial disputes?

asked the Prime Minister whether the South African Government are setting up an inquiry into the origin and causes of the recent disorders in and about Johannesburg; whether a request will be made that His Majesty's Government may be supplied with a full Report of such inquiry; and whether, if it is ascertained that the recent disorders were directly traceable to Bolshevist organisation and incitement, this House may be informed at the earliest possible opportunity?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the Government of the Union of South Africa proposes to set up a Commission of Inquiry to deal with the issues raised by the recent disturbances. Copies of its Report, when published, will, no doubt, be supplied to His Majesty's Government.

Will it be in accordance with precedent to congratulate General Smuts upon his firm handling of the outbreak?

I am not familiar with the precedents on the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question?

I thought I had answered the last part implicitly, by the suggestion that when my hon. and gallant Friend had the Report before him he would be able to form his own conclusions, which might carry more weight than anything coming from myself.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any protest from the advisory county cricket committee against the proposal to tax the subscriptions of members of county cricket clubs for the purposes of the Entertainments Duty; and whether he will reconsider such proposal, in view of the fact that the clubs are run for cricket and not for profit, and that those who subscribe to county clubs do so to support cricket and not to obtain any personal advantage?

I have received the protest referred to. Entertainments Duty is chargeable on such part of the membership subscriptions of any club as represents payment for the right of admission to entertainments in respect of which Entertainments Duty is payable. It is not, as suggested, a new departure to levy the duty on the membership subscriptions of county cricket clubs; and the Courts have recently decided that in fact such subscriptions do in part represent payment for the right of admission to taxable entertainments and have therefore been properly charged with duty under the law. It would be impracticable, for the purpose of charging Entertainments Duty, to differentiate between the subscriptions of county cricket clubs and the subscriptions of other clubs, or between payments for admission to entertainments run for profit and payments for admission to entertainments not run for profit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of members of cricket clubs do not attend matches, but simply subscribe to support cricket?

That is so, and, of course, allowance is made for that.

Why do the poorest people who pay for admission to entertainments have to pay the highest contribution in tax?

That does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a memorandum from the Whisky Association drawing attention to the fact that the Spirits Duty, which is now 72s. 6d., was in 1913 14s. 9d per proof gallon, and is now, therefore, 18 times the average selling price of new whisky, a rate of taxation borne by no other article subject to Excise duty, and that this prohibitive duty of 72s. 6d. was responsible for the fall in consumption in 1920, resulting in the revenue from the Spirits Duty falling some £15,000,000 short of the revenue anticipated in the 1920 Budget; whether, in view of the foregoing Considerations, it will be possible to reduce the Spirits Duty from the present high level of 72s. 6d. per proof gallon to at least 50s. per proof gallon;

(2) whether he has received a memorandum from the Distillers Company, Limited, and the United Distillery, Limited, drawing attention to the fact that the diminished output of spirits consequent upon the present high taxes results in the diminished output of yeast, thereby rendering necessary the importation of foreign yeast, and that the production of spirits and yeast in January, 1920, 1921, and 1922 was respectively as follows: 1920, spirits 1,817,979 gallons, yeast 2,538 tons; 1921, spirits 1,942,636 gallons, yeast 2,115 tons; 1922, spirits 1,408,578 gallons, yeast 1,966 tons; whilst yeast imported from abroad during the same months was: 1920, 161 tons; 1921, 320 tons; and 1922, 566 tons; and whether, in view of the menace to the British yeast trade, he will consider the reduction of the Spirits Duty from 72s. 6d. per proof gallon to at least to 50s. per proof gallon?

I can add nothing to the reply given on this subject to my hon. Friend yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the extraordinary burden of national expenditure, and to the fact that over one-third of this expenditure consists of interest and other charges on the National Debt, of which six-sevenths is internal debt, he will consider the possibility of easing the national burden by reducing the interest on internal debt pari passu with the fall in the cost of living, thus regulating payments to War bondholders on the same principle on which payments to salary and wage-earners and to Civil Service pensioners are now being reduced, and War pensions under the Royal Warrants are to be reduced in April, 1923, in proportion to the fall in the cost of living between 1919 and 1922?

The answer is in the negative. The analogy which the hon. Member seeks to establish is, I think, entirely unsound.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the method to be adopted in appointing a number of Members of Parliament to serve on the Civil Service Whitley Council; how many are to be appointed; and whether they are to be drawn from the various sections of the House?

The official side of the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service is nominated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I propose accordingly to invite three Members of Parliament to serve on the Council. It has already been explained to the House that Members of Parliament so appointed will form part of the side which is responsible to Ministers and exercises such authority and responsibility as may be delegated to it by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and under these conditions nomination would naturally be confined to supporters of the Government of the time.

If, as was mentioned during the Debate on this subject, there should be direct representation from the House, surely it is only fair and reasonable that the representation from the House itself ought to be drawn from the various parties, and not particularly from those immediately under the control of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Department?

That is a matter for debate. I can only say I entirely disagree.

Who will be committed by the action of its members other than the members themselves, and does not the hon. Member's question show how undesirable it is to appoint them?

If the Whitley Council is to be representative, as was the intention of the House, of the civil servants' side and those nominated from the Department by the right hon. Gentleman, surely it can only be carried out by representation directly responsible to the House, and not acting under the direction or authority of any particular Minister?

I am afraid the situation is quite the contrary to what the hon. Member describes. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the person who is responsible for the official side of the Whitley Council, and accordingly the responsibility lies upon him and not with the House. It is for him to select those members whom he delegates for the purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider keeping in being the Civil Service Arbitration Board complementary to the Whitley Council?

No; on the contrary, the reason why the Arbitration Board has been cancelled is because it so interrupts and interferes with the acts of the Whitley Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what respect does industrial-grade arsenic differ from the dutiable article as included in the Board of Trade list?

Industrial-grade arsenic differs from the dutiable article in that it is produced and refined on a large scale by processes which cannot be regarded as fine-chemical processes, but are in the nature of metallurgical processes, whilst the dutiable article is produced by typically fine-chemical processes for use, for instance, as an analytical reagent. The standard of purity required for the reagent is higher than that of the ordinary industrial grades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any complaint that arsenious acid is being imported into this country under the name of arsenic or powdered white arsenic, which corresponds with the definition of the arsenious acid which is dutiable according to the list of the Board of Trade drawn up under the provisions of the Safeguarding of Industries Act (List H), and that such imports are not bearing the duty imposed by the Act?

A complaint has been made that arsenious acid which is being imported under the names mentioned by my hon. Friend is, in fact, of the grade included in the Board of Trade list, and is therefore chargeable with duty. I am, however, unable to agree that the heading in question covers ordinary refined white arsenic of the grades generally used in industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the seriousness of this arsenic matter to the Cornish miner, and that this other arsenic is allowed to come in duty free while they are starving?

I am quite aware of the serious state of that industry, and I think I have told my hon. Friend by letter that it is open to anyone who thinks I am taking a wrong course to appeal to the referee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the judgment given by the referee under the Safeguarding of Industries Act in regard to the complaint that his Department had improperly included cream of tartar and citric acid in the list of commodities to be taxed under the key industries schedule; whether he has noted that a period of seven days has been allowed by the referee before the judgment is signed, with a view to giving the Department an opportunity of notifying if it is its desire that judgment should be stated in the form of a case which can be decided in the High Court; and what action he proposes to take in the matter, in view of the provision of the Act that in the event of any dispute the question of whether a commodity is taxable should be remitted to a referee whose decision would be final?

I am aware of the decisions in question. The referee decided to allow a period of seven days before signing his award, for the reason stated by the hon. Member, and the matter is under consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out the provisions of the Arbitration Act, 1889, apply to these references to the referee under Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the state of confusion and indeed chaos that has resulted in all these industries by this ever-changing list, and will it be possible to revise the present list and remove these commodities from it, so as to save an enormous amount of time, expense and chaos?

I am always willing to revise if the revision leads to improvement, but I cannot agree that the state of chaos is as great as my hon. Friend desires to see it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary for Scotland is reported to have said that he had no extravagant enthusiasm for the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

I am quite aware of that without referring to the newspapers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the situation arising out of the fact that the referee has given judgment, under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, against the Board of Trade in respect of santonine, gas mantles, cream of tartar and citric acid, and sugar milk; and whether, in view of the fact that these decisions involve principles affecting a considerable number of other commodities in the key industries list as denned by the Board of Trade, and in view of the considerable expenditure of public and of other money involved in contesting these cases, he is prepared to take action to delete from the list commodities whose deletion is logically involved in the judgments already given, and thus save the enormous expense involved in obtaining individual decisions?

I am aware of the decisions mentioned, but I am not satisfied that the principles underlying them are so definite and of so general application as the hon. Member appears to suggest, or were intended to be so by the referee. The whole question will, however, be considered in the light of these decisions, and of the decisions in other cases which will be taken very shortly.

Will that be in the next week or two?

I should not like to say that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any efforts have been made to induce the Brazilian Government to extend preference to this country in the way of tariffs on British goods, having regard to the fact that goods from Belgium and the United States are so treated, and having regard also to the part that the large investments of British capital in Brazil have played in the development of Brazil's natural resources?

Repeated efforts have been made in the past to secure for United Kingdom goods the reduced rates of duty accorded by Brazil to various goods of United States origin, and, more recently, also to some of these articles, the produce of Belgium. I regret that these efforts have proved unsuccessful, but no opportunity will be lost of pressing the just claims of this country upon the attention of the Brazilian Government.

Is it quite recently that that Report has been made?

No, my information is that it goes back many years.

Will my right hon. Friend press the matter again in the interests of British trade?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the necessity for developing every opportunity of Foreign trade, and in view of the commemoration of the centenary of Brazil's independence in September, 1922, by the holding of an exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, whether the Department of Overseas Trade contemplates any steps to bring the advantages of such an exhibition before British traders; whether the Department contemplates exhibiting articles of British produce and manufacture at the public expense in order to foster trade relations between this country and Brazil; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of having some national exhibit of this kind at the exhibition in view of the ever-increasing competition with which British goods are meeting in Brazilian markets?

The advantages of participation in the Brazilian Centenary Exhibition have been brought to the notice of British traders by correspondence, and, so far as possible, by personal interviews, with a view to obtaining a thoroughly representative British section. The greater part of the funds available, consisting of the grant from public funds and of the sum raised by the Anglo-Brazilian Committee, will be absorbed in connection with the erection of the British pavilion, and the provision and display of models and other pictorial exhibits illustrating the extent and resources of the British Empire, and the part which British industry, shipping and finance have played in the development of Brazil. For other British exhibits, the usual practice will be followed of making a charge for space occupied to cover the cost of the accommodation required.

In the event of British manufacturers wishing assistance, will it be available from my hon. Friend's Department?

Most certainly. The whole exhibition will be run in consultation with the Anglo-Brazilian Committee, and the Department will be at the service of the exhibitors in preparation for the exhibition and during its progress.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to ascertain approximately the relative industrial activity of Germany and Great Britain, respectively, in terms of units of heat, he will state the tonnage of coal and lignite exported by Germany in 1913 and 1921, respectively; will he also state the approximate tonnage of coal and lignite, respectively, used for German home consumption in 1913 and 1921, respectively, and also the tonnage of coal used for home purposes in the United Kingdom during the above-named years, showing the tonnage of coal used in each of those years for domestic and industrial purposes, and bunker coal, separately?

As the answer involves a statistical statement, I will, with the permission of the House, circulate it in the OFFICIAL BEPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty that English companies have experienced for some months in obtaining quotations for electrical plant from German firms; and can he state whether this condition is due to electrical firms in Germany being too heavily engaged owing to the urgent demand for German home purposes, and also for the needs of neutral countries?

My attention had not previously been drawn to the particular matter mentioned by my hon. Friend. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that many branches of the electrical industry are actively engaged on home and also, to some extent, foreign orders.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, prior to the War, the Board of Education threatened the governors of the Roan School, Greenwich, with loss of grant if better and more suitable premises were not built; and will he state why, although in 1918 a site was obtained, the rebuilding of the school was forbidden, seeing that the school is now overcrowded and that the stone-floored washing lavatory is now used for classes and meals?

Prior to the War, the Board urged the removal of the school, but they did not threaten loss of grant. No proposals have been received for the erection of buildings on the site purchased in 1921. I understand that the room referred to is no longer used as a class room, and that it is not unfit for temporary use as an overflow dining room.

Will no objection be taken to their proceeding with this new building if they desire to go forward on the land they have acquired?

I think that is so.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is really taught in the day continuation schools in London; and whether he is satisfied as to the discipline and that the result is really worth the cost?

In the London day continuation schools the subjects of instruction are: For boys, calculations, drawing, English subjects (including history and geography), practical work and physical exercises; for girls, the same subjects, with the addition of singing, less time being given for calculations. I am assured that distinct progress has been made towards the solution of the problems of discipline, and I believe that those who are best acquainted with the schools are satisfied that, notwithstanding the unavoidable difficulties with which the teachers have been faced, the moral and intellectual benefit obtained by the young persons in attendance is substantial.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that in the financial condition of the country the moral and intellectual benefits received by the children are equal to the financial responsibility incurred by the nation?

The hon. Member is putting to me a very difficult question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if in the calculation classes the boys ever calculate what they cost per head to the taxpayer?

That is a mathematical problem. [Interruption.]

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Cannot something be done to stop the chatter of the hon. Member for Silvertown (Mr. J. Jones)?

Cannot something be done to stop the motoring of the Noble Lord?

I have before recommended the Noble Lord and the hon. Member to take conference together.

I have never run over a child anyhow.

The hon. Member's interruptions are very rude.

Yours are very crude.

It is on that point of mutual courtesy that I suggest that the hon. Members should take conference together.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he intends to introduce legislation embodying the proposals of the Geddes Committee regarding education which the Government have adopted; and, if so, will he state when the Bill will be introduced?

Legislation will be introduced to give effect to the Government's decisions on the Committee's recommendations so far as legislation is required for the purpose. I cannot name a date for its introduction.

Will that be before the House adjourns for Easter?

I cannot name a date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, rice and maize, sugar, glucose, etc., and hops used in the brewing of beer during the year ending 30th September, 1921; and the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, rice and maize, sugar, and molasses, used in distilling during the same year?

As the information asked for is in tabular form, I would ask the hon. Member's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.