asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any effort has been made, or will be made, by the Department to remedy the bad transport conditions existing between this country and Mexico, chiefly in the service with the port of Vera Cruz; and whether any British shipping companies have been approached in the matter?

I have not received any specific complaints as to difficulties of transport between the United Kingdom and Mexico; but I am aware that labour conditions and shortage of transport have created difficulties in the discharge of cargoes, and have added to the difficulty of maintaining regular sailings. If my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any particular cases, I will go into the matter with the shipping companies.

further asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that German commercial travellers in Mexico outnumber British agents in that country by five to one; that the efforts of British firms who are desirous of selling in Mexican markets are hampered by the non-recognition by Britain of the Mexican Government; and that British goods possess the highest reputation in Mexico; whether any steps have been taken, or are contemplated by his Department, to bring the Mexican market before the eyes of British traders; and whether it is, or will be in the near future, possible to have a trade agreement, or agreements, with Mexico whereby British commerce may benefit?

I am aware that German commercial travellers are active in Mexico. British goods have a high reputation in Mexico, and the Department of Overseas Trade takes every opportunity which may occur to bring to the attention of traders any openings in the Mexican market of which the Department receives information. There is already a commercial Treaty in existence between Mexico and this country, under which this country is entitled to "most favoured nation" rights. As regards the question of recognition of the Mexican Government, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which has been given to day by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to a question of the same subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Cumberland North (Major C. Lowther).

asked, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether there is a demand in Mexico for such British manufactured goods as agricultural machinery and implements, general mining machinery, heavy chemicals, brass and iron bedsteads, china and glassware, tinplate, woollen, linen, and flannel goods, boots and shoes, soaps, and patent medicines; if so, whether British traders are taking advantage of such demand; whether the Overseas Trade Department have taken any steps to assist in the development of British trade with Mexico: and, if so, what steps?

There is a good demand in Mexico for the classes of manufactures indicated. Local production practically satisfies the demand for some of them; but British trade with Mexico has been maintained. The value of British exports to Mexico in 1921 was £4,721,000 as compared with nearly £2,500,000 in 1913, which, after allowance has been made for the general increase in prices, indicates that there has been no great falling off in the volume of exports to that country since before the War. The Department of Overseas Trade is constantly furnishing information in regard to the market possibilities in Mexico for various British products.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the referee in regard to a certain calculating machine held by him to have been properly included by the Board of Trade in the key industry list as being a scientific instrument; and whether, in view of the terms of that judgment, he can say why such a machine should have been included by the Department, whereas calculating apparatus attached to typewriters is not held to be dutiable?

The referee has recently decided that "calculating cylinders" are properly included in the list of scientific instruments issued by the Board of Trade under Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. I am not aware of any calculating apparatus attached to typewriters which could properly be included in that list, but if my right hon. Friend will send me a description of the apparatus which he has in mind I shall be glad to consider the matter.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints, under Parts II and III of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, have been received by him as to the importing of goods at prices below those at which similar goods can be produced in Great Britain; how many of these complaints have been dealt with during the six months that the Act has been in operation; and what length of time will be required to deal with complaints not already dealt with?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Members for Whitechapel (Mr. Kiley) and Spennymoor (Mr. Galbraith) on the 6th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the countries over which he has control show in their trade statistics whether so-called British imports always come from Great Britain, or whether there is much trans-shipment; whether these reports show what proportion of the suppliesfrom Holland, Italy and Denmark originated in those countries, and whether any proportion came from Central Europe: and, if not, whether he can give instructions that a more accurate designation of the places of origin should be published?

Where the country of origin is known, goods are shown- in trade statistics as imported thence, but it is not possible to obtain this information in all cases, and goods are then shown according to the countries whence consigned. I am unable to say whether there is much trans-shipment in this country or not. The same remarks apply to imports from Holland, Italy and Denmark. With regard to the last part of the inquiry, the whole question of the form of these statistics was recently reviewed, and I am advised that the present form is the most convenient and that an attempt at any greater accuracy would only cause, in regard to goods not entitled to preferential rates of duty, trouble to traders without securing its desired object.

asked the. President of the Board of Trade whether any, and, if so, what sums are due to be repaid to the Board of Trade from the British-Italian Corporation in respect of the corporation's trading in 1920?

No sums are due to be repaid to the Board of Trade by the British-Italian Corporation, since an arrangement has been concluded whereby the corporation has been relieved from any obligation to make repayments in respect of the subsidies received from the Government, in consideration of the corporation waiving the right to future subsidies amounting to £200,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a result of his consideration, it is proposed to publish an interim Report of the work of the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee up to date?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not propose to ask the Committee, which is very busily engaged from day to day in examining and deciding upon applications for guarantees, to undertake the preparation of a special report.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the Civil Service Commissioners were consulted with reference to the transfer from the temporary staff to the establishment of Lieut.-Colonel Sir T. Duncan Rhind; and whether, in that case, he will state what their views on the subject were?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Before issuing in Sir Duncan Rhind's favour a certificate of qualification as Museum, and the Imperial Institute, respectively; and what amount is received from admission charges or otherwise in the form of annual revenue at each of these institutions?

The total cost of maintaining the national museums at South Kensington (apart from certain charges of a minor character for stationery and postal services and superannuation) for the last complete financial year (1920–21) was as follows:—Director of Statistics in the Ministry of Pensions, the Civil Service Commissioners satisfied themselves that he was fully qualified for the appointment.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether representations have been made to him in reference to the retention of the permanent pensions office at Caerphilly; and whether, having regard to the convenience of Caerphilly as a centre for the adjacent villages within the Caerphilly Urban District Council area, and to the delay and inconvenience which must be occasioned by the removal of the pensions office from Caerphilly, he will give effect to these representations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend will give full consideration to the representations in favour of retaining the office referred to as a whole-time office, if this course should be found compatible with economical administration.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether all hotels commandeered by the Government have now been surrendered; and, if not, will he give the names of those that are still retained?

As far as this Department is concerned, all the London hotels requisitioned under the Defence of the Realm Regulations have been surrendered. In the provinces, however, five commandeered hotels occupied by the Ministry of Pensions are being retained pending the provision of alternative accommodation. These are as follows:—

• Bristol.—Clifton Down Hotel.
• Cardiff.—Angel Hotel.
• Newcastle—Clarendon Hotel.
• Portsmouth.—Millers Hotel.
• Sheffield.—Imperial Hotel.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of ex-service men in mental institutions, the Ministry will recommend that, whore possible, a representative of the British Legion shall be added to the visiting board of such institutions?

I have been asked to reply. There is no power to add to the Visiting Committee persons who are not members of the appointing authority, but visits of representative bodies who are interested in the welfare of patients are always welcomed by medical superintendents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can report progress in the introduction and the bringing into law of the Bill to give effect to the policy of co-operation in Government settlement and emigration promised in the King's Speech at the opening of this Session; and if he is aware of the urgency of this measure, in view of the presence in this country of responsible Australian statesmen who are desirous of co-operating with the home Government in large settlement and emigration schemes, which are of great national importance?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, I am unable to add anything to the answer given by the Leader of the House on the 7th March. I fully appreciate the importance of the considerations referred to in the second part.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of the Air Ministry to replace approximately 50 per cent. of the present clerical staff, all ex-service men, at the Air Ministry out-stations by junior female clerks; whether this alteration is to be carried out for the purpose of effecting economies in cost; and whether the Whitley Council have made any representations to him on this matter?

There is no intention of discharging ex-service men to make room for women, but gradually, and as vacancies occur through resignation or other causes, women are to be taken on for work which is regarded as appropriate to them, and which they can do efficiently and economically; so that eventually something less than 40 per cent., roughly, of all the clerical posts at the out-stations will be held by women. Representations have been made by some of the branch Whitley Committees, but it has been explained to them that no deliberate creation of vacancies for women is intended.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present annual cost of the Pensions payable to secondary school teachers, and what amount a five per cent. contribution, as proposed by the Geddes Committee, would bring in?

I am unable to state what is the present annual cost of pensions payable to secondary school teachers as distinct from teachers of other schools. Many teachers who at the date of retirement are serving in secondary schools have had service in other schools which counts in the assessment of their pensions. Up to the 31st December, 1921, the amounts of the annual allowances under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, granted to teachers who at the date of retirement were serving in secondary schools were £34,883 on account of age, and £4,157 on account of infirmity. On the basis of the salaries current in secondary schools on the 31st March, 1921, a 5 per cent. contribution would produce, approximately, £310,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the existing conditions with reference to teachers' pensions were known to the Burnham Committee and considered by them when they drew up the present scales of pay, and that the proposed deduction of 5 per cent. from teachers' salaries is a direct reduction and breach of faith, he will take steps to have this matter reconsidered before such deduction becomes operative?

The intention of the Government to introduce legislation on this matter has already been announced, and the point raised by the hon. Member may perhaps be more conveniently argued on the provisions of the Bill than by way of question and answer.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will issue the Regulations for Secondary Schools at an early date in order that the governing bodies may know where they stand; and whether he proposes to discontinue the advance course system or to diminish the present grant of £400 per course?

I hope to issue shortly a statement of the changes which I propose to make in the Regulations for Secondary Schools. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if representations have been made by members of the Indian Civil Service protesting against the terms of the certificate in which members who wish to retire on a proportionate pension are to apply for leave to do so as humiliating and calculated to embarrass them in their after career; whether the limitation to two years of the period within which the application must be made has been protested against as conveying a menace to officers who are contemplating retirement but have not yet sent in their applications; whether the Government of India Act has been interpreted in such a way as to make all emoluments of officers, other than the actual pay, subject to the vote of the legislative councils, thereby jeopardising such emoluments and creating uncertainty and misgiving; and whether the Secretary of State will endeavour to remove these carious causes of grievance and anxiety ho members of the Service?

The Secretary of State's predecessor consulted the Government of India on the first two points noticed in my hon. Friend's question, and as soon as their reply to his despatch is received decisions will be taken which I hope will give satisfaction. The third point would involve amendment of the Government of India Act, and my Noble Friend has not so far received any representation to the effect that amendment is necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India for what reasons the Government of India have recently suggested to the Local Governments that persons sentenced to rigorous imprisonment under Act XIV of 1908, or under the Seditious Meetings Act, should receive differential treatment in gaol in the matter of diet, clothing, labour, etc.; and will he take steps to see that those who incite to revolution receive the same treatment in gaol as those convicted of actual revolution?

The whole question has been under discussion with the Government of India. The general principle underlying the distinctions made is that while a person who deliberately incites to violent crime deserves no lees severe treatment than the person who actually commits such crime, there is a large class of cases in which a man who, presumably from honest motives, expresses political views the public expression of which is an offence under the law, should not be subjected to humiliating treatment or classed with criminals whose offences show moral obliquity.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what protection will be given to men of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and their families, if disbanded in hostile districts; and if arrangements are being made to remove them to places of safety?

Any member of the Royal Irish Constabulary who desires to remove his home, whether from fear of molestation or for any other reason, will be entitled to receive, on disbandment, the reasonable costs of so doing up to a maximum, in the case of unmarried men, of one month's pay, in the case of married men with less than three children, of two months' pay, and in the case of married men with three or more children, of three months' pay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to furnish the House with information in regard to the number of persons killed and wounded during the past month in the course of the disturbances in Belfast, and in particular the numbers of Protestants and Catholics, respectively, who have been killed or wounded during that period?

There appears to be some dispute about the figures, and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will repeat his question in two or three days' time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that the termini of the London and North Western and Great Western Railway Companies at Blaenau-Festiniog are about 150 yards apart; whether representations have been made by local authorities and trading companies that the joining up of the termini is essential in the interests of trade; and whether, in view of such representations, he will use his good offices to urge the railway companies to join up their systems and thus prevent local traffic from being carried unnecessarily for upwards of 100 miles?

I have urged the two railway companies concerned to consider as favourably as they possibly could the construction of a junction between their lines at Blaenau-Festiniog, but, as I have informed the hon. Member, they cannot see their way to carry out the work, as they are of the opinion that the considerable expenditure involved cannot be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of interest covered by the guarantee of the Government under the Trade Facilities Act to the London Electric Railway Company in respect of the capital to be raised to carry out the extension works proposed to be executed by the company?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for the Central Division of Southwark (Mr. Gilbert) on the 22nd instant, details of the Agreement which is yet to be completed between the Treasury and the London Electric Railway cannot yet be published. The capital needed by the company will be raised by a public issue of debentures, and the rate of interest to be covered by the Treasury's guarantee depends on the terms on which that issue can be made.