asked the Prime Minister why the existence and interests of Bulgaria were ignored in the proposed resettlement of the provisions of the Treaty of Sevres regarding Eastern Thrace?

The agreement reached in Paris did not include questions affecting Bulgaria for the, reason that Bulgarian interests are in no way affected by the Treaty of Sèvres or the question of Eastern Thrace. My hon. Friend is, of course, aware that it is Western and not Eastern Thrace, and the Treaty of Neuilly, not the Treaty of Sèvres, with which Bulgaria is concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of asking the Australian Government to provide a quota of Australian troops in the future Allied garrison to be retained in the Gallipoli Peninsula under the proposed revised Treaty of Peace with Turkey?

His Majesty's Government fully recognise the special interest of Australia, and, I may add, of New Zealand, in the Gallipoli Peninsula, but it would be premature to consider detailed arrangements until the proposed Treaty has been signed and ratified.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War office why the publicity officer appointed by him was not engaged through the Joint Substitution Board, according to Treasury instructions; why a non-service man was selected; what efforts were made to secure a qualified ex-service man; whether the post was advertised; if not, how was this official obtained; whether, at the present time, numerous trained journalists, fully qualified for this post, who have served with His Majesty's Forces, are at present unemployed; and will he undertake to make inquiries through the Joint Substitution Board, with a view to obtaining an ex-service man for this post?

The present head of the Information Section of the War Office was appointed as long ago as April, 1919, i.e., 18 months before the Joint Substitution Board was set up. He was over age for military service during the War, and in view of his very special qualifications for his present duties, I do not think it would be in the public interest to replace him.

asked the President of the Board of Education under what head in Command Paper 189, of 1921, is included the expenditure upon the education of ex-officers at the universities; what is the amount spent under this head to the end of 1920–21; and what sum remains to be spent before this scheme is brought to a conclusion?

So far as I am aware, the expenditure of the Board on the scheme is question is not included in the Return. I would refer the hon. Baronet to the note (e) on page 7 of the Return. The grants made by the Board of Education under the scheme in question up to the 31st March, 1921, amounted to £4,626,000. The estimated expenditure in the year 1921–22 is £1,925,000, and the cost of the scheme after the end of the current financial year is estimated at, approximately, £1,450,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether men undergoing a year's training at the forestry school for disabled men, Brockenhurst, who are put through a course of botany, sylviculture, forest protection, mensuration, elementary surveying, planting, fencing, ditching, felling, and chemistry are, after this course of training, provided with employment as more or less skilled labourers at 40s. per week, with deductions from pay in cases of stoppage due to weather conditions: the amount of public money spent in each individual course; and whether, since, when this training school was established, it was the intention that the trainees should be put to work at good wages, hp will endeavour to provide employment more in keeping with the training given?

I have been asked to take over this question. The forestry school for disabled men, Brockenhurst, is under the control of the Forestry Commissioners, who provide an Instructor at a salary of £300 per annum. Other expenditure on the school is met from the Ministry of Labour Vote. The course aims at enabling the men to become useful woodmen, nurserymen or the like, but is not sufficiently complete to enable men who have had no previous training in forestry to obtain at once employment as foremen or foresters. Some of the men have been engaged by the Forestry Commission at a weekly wage 2s. above the local agricultural wage of the area where they are employed; it was recently decided that no deductions from the pay of these men should be made in cases of stoppage due to weather conditions; their wages will be raised as they become more efficient and skilled. Opportunities will arise for the men who become thoroughly efficient to secure promotion as foremen and to undergo a further course of training.

asked the Secretary of State for Air who is the officer in charge at No. 1 Stores Department, Kidbrooke; whether this officer has seen any overseas or combatant service; upon what grounds he was granted a permanent commission; and whether complaints have been made by ex-service men under his control of his unsympathetic attitude towards their claims?

The officer in question, is Wing Commander Malcolm Spicer. He has had 3½ years' overseas service, of which 2¾ years' service was in France during the War. I am not prepared to state the grounds upon which the grant of a commission was recommended to and approved by His Majesty. Certain employés who were unavoidably discharged have represented their grievances, but no direct complaint has been made as to the officer being unsympathetic to ex-service men, who constitute, in fact, practically the entire staff at Kidbrooke, and I am satisfied that no ground for any such complaint exists.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a Colonel J. Waley Cohen, employed in a civilian post in his Department, is possessed of private income and an estate; and whether, in view of the pending discharge of large numbers of technical ex-service men with no means, this gentleman's appointment will be terminated in accordance with the recommendation of the Lytton Report?

I am aware, that Colonel Cohen has private means, but, in view of the very responsible nature of his duties, for which his previous training in the Army and Air Force render him peculiarly fitted, his case is regarded as falling under the last part of paragraph 14 (1) of the Lytton Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a non-service man, Mr. Wolbrom, is retained under Clause (a), pivotal, or Clause (b), hardship, of paragraph 9 of the Lytton Report; if under Clause (a) what are the special qualifications which render him pivotal; whether any efforts have been made to secure an ex-service man with similar qualifications; and what is the salary paid to this gentleman?

If Mr. Wolbrom's services were dispensed with, the post he occupies, which forms part of the permanent establishment, would not be filled by a temporary ex-service man but by a permanent civil servant. In regard to this post I have taken into account the considerations I referred to in the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for the Royton division of Lancashire, on the 9th instant, and it is on the basis there explained that Mr. Wolbrom is retained. His salary is £510 plus an allowance of £100.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the case of ex-service men out of employment for whom work can be secured and homes found in our overseas Dominions, the facilities given by the Overseas Settlement Committee up to the end of 1921 will be again renewed, in view of the fact that many ex-service men are now applying for Poor Law relief who could by this means be enabled to support themselves and their families?

It is not intended to extend the Government free passage scheme for ex-service men, but if and when the Empire Settlement Bill, promised in the Gracious Speech from the Throne, becomes law, it is hoped that new schemes will be arranged under which in suitable cases assistance may be given for purposes of settlement in other parts of the Empire.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the ease of a lance-sergeant in the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, reported missing in Iraq on the 24th July, 1920 (reference E/795132/1, Accounts 4), his next-of-kin are entitled to pay down to that date, or to the date when the War Office presumed his death, namely, the 18th January, 1921?

Pay ceases to be credited to a oldier after the date on which he is reported missing unless later evidence is forthcoming that he was alive after that date. In the absence of such evidence the soldier is presumed to have died on the date on which he was reported missing, and no further pay is credited to him. The lance-sergeant referred to was reported missing from the 24th July, 1920. No further news of him was received. He was therefore presumed to have died on the 24th July, 1920, and pay is issuable only to that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many laundries have been installed at military centres; whether he is able to give any statement showing the financial result of the working of these laundries; and whether he is aware that the laundry set up in Bulford Barracks has not only proved unsatisfactory as regards the nature of the work performed, but that it is calculated that the loss on its working amounts to £100 per month, apart from the cost of military transport employed in collection and distribution?

Eight War Department laundries have been installed in the United Kingdom. Two of these are in the Irish command and will be closed down in the near future. The working of these laundries resulted in a saving during the financial year 1920–21 of, approximately, £30,000 as compared with contract work. I do not know on what basis the alleged loss of £100 per month at the Bulford laundry has been calculated, but I am aware that this laundry, which has been only recently established and which cannot yet be run at its full capacity owing to the temporary withdrawal of troops, did not work economically at first. Better results are now being obtained, and it is anticipated that this laundry, like, others, will prove a financial success.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the names of the county Territorial associations which are not members of the council of county associations; and what proportion of the total Territorial Army is administered by these associations?

The Territorial associations referred to are those of the County of London, the City of London, East Lancashire, West Lancashire and Cardigan. The proportion of the total establishment of the Territorial Army administered by these five associations is, approximately, 24 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total reduction of staff to be made and the number in training at the engine-room artificer apprentices' training establishment and at the mechanicians' training establishment?

I assume the hon. Member refers to His Majesty's ships "Fisgard" and "Indus," but I must point out that these establishments do not exist merely for the purpose of training engine-room artificer apprentices. Instruction is provided for all branches of artificer apprentices and for many officers and men from the Fleet. It is the intention to close His Majesty's ship "Indus" as an artificer apprentice training establishment in a few months' time, but a portion of the establishment will continue to exist for the other services mentioned. The complements which will be required eventually have not been completely settled and it is not possible at the present moment to say what will be the total reduction of staff. The number of artificer apprentices in training at the present time is 910. As regards the mechanical training establishment at Chatham, the number of mechanician candidates under training in 1914 was over 250. The number now under training is 56, of whom 8 are Royal Australian Navy ratings. In view of the reduced numbers now under training, reductions in the instructional staff of the mechanical training establishment, Chatham, are being effected. It is not, however, possible at present to say what the total reduction will be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the mechanical training of stokers for the Royal Navy is now no longer necessary; and, since the continuance of training at Government expense will result in flooding the labour market as the period of service expires, thus throwing these men on the unemployment fund of the country, will he look into this question?

The Admiralty propose to continue the training of a limited number of stokers as mechanicians. Mechanicians have proved most useful in the engine-room department and the rating provides an avenue of advancement for a deserving class.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Sands, of 32, Cartside Street, Glasgow, has had her claim for increase of mother's pension (4s. 10d.) refused; that the circumstances of the household have changed since this pension was granted; that her husband has lost a leg, which impairs his earning capacity and reduces the weekly income; and that the son for whom she draws this pension was called up when 18 years of age, started his training in Janu- ary, 1918, was sent to France in June, 1918, and was killed in July of the same year; and whether, in view of the fact that pledges were made that no one would be sent to the trenches under 19 years of age and that, if this promise had been kept, Mrs. Sands' son would be alive to-day, he can see his way to reconsider this case?

I understand that there has been no application for an increase of pension in this case since November, 1920. I am, however, having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education, having regard to the proposal to levy 5 per cent. on salaries for the superannuation scheme for teachers, whether the following classes, namely, civil servants, police, and Board of Education officials and inspectors receive superannuation without contribution; whether there are any other classes and, if so, what, who receive superannuation without contribution; and whether he proposes to consult the representatives of the teachers before inaugurating the scheme of contribution?

No specific deductions are made from the salaries of civil servants towards the cost of the Civil Service pension system and the Board's officers, being civil servants, are subject to that system. I am informed that the Police pension system is contributory. I am unable to answer the second part of the question definitely, but, so far as I am aware, such general or particular pension systems as exist for the employés of local authorities are contributory systems. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 27th March to the hon. Members for North-East Leeds (Major Birchall) and Caerphilly (Mr. M. Jones).

asked the President of the Board of Education if, before the Geddes recommendations on education are put into force, he will seek to get a Select Commission before whom the teachers may be allowed to appear and state their case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 27th March to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Wignall) and Pontypool (Mr. T. Griffiths).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Department of Agriculture in Ireland have addressed a communication to hint in which the Department affirms that Ireland is free from foot-and-mouth disease; and, if so, whether he has any information to show that all parts of the South and West of Ireland have been visited by competent inspectors to confirm this statement made by the Irish Department of Agriculture?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have no reason to doubt the statements made by the Irish Department of Agriculture.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were discharged before 1st January, 1917, as unfit for further service are receiving pensions which are considerably lower than those of uninjured men discharged since; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of correcting this injustice?

It is true that since the 1st April, 1919, members of the Royal Irish Constabulary retiring voluntarily after pensionable service have received larger pensions than those of injured men discharged before the 1st January, 1917. This is due to the substantial increases of pay subsequently granted to the force. Men pensioned on the lower rates of pay have had the advantage of the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920. When that Act was introduced it was carefully considered whether special treatment could be accorded to Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners, and it was decided that discrimination between them and other pensioners could not be justified.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state the figures in gold roubles of the Russian Budget for the first nine months of the current year; and what are the estimates in millions of gold roubles allotted to the Commissariat for War and the Commissariat for Health respectively?

A forecast of the Russian Budget was published in the "Izvestia" in December last, and forwarded to the Foreign Office by His Majesty's Agent in Moscow. The following is a copy of this despatch, which contains all the information I have:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire as to whether there are any judges in Russia and by whom appointed; is there any tribunal in existence for commercial cases; and can ho inform the House whether, in the event of a British subject doing business with Russia, he could recover by process of law any debts owing to him?

Generally speaking, the Russian constitution as at present framed offers no judicial protection, in the sense usually understood, for the rights or property of British subjects.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any British consular or diplomatic officials are now stationed in Russia; and where British consuls are to be found nearest to Moscow, Petrograd, Kiev, and Sebastopol, respectively?

There is a British Commercial Mission at Moscow, and it is hoped shortly to send a British commercial agent to Petrograd. There is at present no British representation elsewhere in Russia.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the existence of the safety-scotch for runaway colliery tubs (Patent No. 617,718); and, if so, will he state whether he is prepared to recommend its universal adoption with the view of greater safety in the coalmining industry?

The invention in question is known to the Mines Department. But the hon. Member will understand that, while I am very anxious to do everything possible to increase safety in mining, it is impossible for me to single out particular inventions for recommendation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will initiate legislation to take over the coal royalties, and incorporate in such legislation powers for local authorities to have claims on such royalty rents, or part of same, so as to meet the liabilities, especially of Poor Law guardians, to enable them to cope with the distress arising from unemployment?

I have been asked to reply. In the present condition of the country's finances the Government are not prepared to introduce legislation for the State acquisition of coal royalties.

asked the Minister of Health what expenditure was incurred in 1920–21, and what is expected in 1921–22, under the Unemployed Workers' Dependants (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1921?

I have been asked to reply. The Unemployed Workers' Dependants (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1921, came into force early in November last, and no expenditure was, of course, incurred in 1920–21. The amount of the State grant during the latter part of 1921–22, namely, from November, 1921, to 31st March, 1922, is, approximately, £2,100,000.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the miners of Woodland colliery, County Durham, have not worked since 31st March, 1921, and the only assistance, apart from an occasional donation of the union and help from the guardians, has been the unemployment payment, which has been inadequate, as many have large families: that where the head of a house had a son or two they have been called before a committee, and in most cases the dole has been stopped, on the ground that they are not genuinely seeking work: that it is impossible for these men to get work; that in a family of nine, one son had his dole stopped on the grounds that £1 18s. was enough to keep the family; and will he see what help can be given to these people, since, otherwise, many will be compelled to go to the workhouse?

I presume that the benefit referred to is the six weeks' exten- sion, and that the disallowance is in consequence of the condition that the extension is not to be granted to single men and women who are maintained wholly or mainly by their relatives. If my hon. Friend considers that the facts in the cases he has in mind do not justify disallowance on this ground, I shall be glad to look into them on receiving particulars.