asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now come to any conclusion respecting the case of Mrs. G. G. Wood, which he promised to investigate; and whether he has considered the desirability of extending the time limit under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant?

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to recommend an alteration of the Royal Warrant on the lines suggested. As he has already stated in the House, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider on their merits individual eases where hardship can be shown to have resulted from the operation of the time limit in Article 11 of the Royal Warrant, and he is considering the case of Mrs. Wood from that point of view. My hon. Friend will be informed as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of naval pensioners have been served with a notice to the effect that, the revision of the percentage increase of their pen- sions not yet having been completed, their pensions for the June quarter are to be paid at the old rate, and that any arrears which may be due on account of percentage increase will be forwarded later; whether an annual revision is necessary; and, if so, whether arrangements can be made to obviate the delay in payment and thereby remove the hardship which, under the present arrangement, is being caused?

Out of about 10,000 cases of naval pensioners arising for consideration for percentage increase of pension during the past quarter, some 9,300 have been disposed of and paid, notwithstanding difficulties arising from a depleted staff. The remaining 700 are not yet completed, as further investigation has been necessary as to items of income, incompleteness or irregularities in declarations of income, and other causes which have made it doubtful whether the applicants are entitled to any increase. It is hoped, however, that all will be settled by an early date. The annual revision is necessary under the Regulations laid down by the Treasury under the Act granting the percentage increase.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, in case of reductions at dockyards, he will recommend that the individuals selected as redundant should be given the opportunity of transfer, if on the established staff, irrespective of age, and that no man on the established staff shall be retrenched so long as any hired workman is retained; and whether he will further consider making this rule universal at all dockyards?

In carrying out the necessary reductions at the dockyards, it is the general practice before regarding any established man as redundant first to dispense with the services of hired men of the same class; but there are special exceptions in cases where the interests of efficiency are materially served by retaining the services of particular hired men, and it is not proposed to make it an absolute rule that the services of every hired man should be dispensed with before any established man is deemed redundant. At Pembroke Dock and Rosyth, where a number of established men are redundant, those under 50 years of age are given the option of transfer to other yards or discharge with superannuation allowances; those over 50 years of age are discharged to pension without option of transfer.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the purchase of frozen meat for the Royal Navy, preference is given to supplies produced within the Empire?

The bulk of the frozen beef Used in the Navy is drawn from the Government controlled stocks in the hands of the Board of Trade. It is understood that these stocks have been mainly imported from South America. In all direct purchases of frozen beef or mutton by the Admiralty, it is the practice to stipulate for Australian or New Zealand meat.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the desirability of arranging with the Admiralty for the appointment of a junior admiral, with knowledge of fleet work, submarines, and aircraft, to the Air Council to give advice on naval matters connected with the air?

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the question of how best to co-ordinate the Services is under active consideration by the Government, and I have no doubt that, in the course of the thorough examination of the subject, his suggestion will come under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department received representations from the London Chamber of Commerce on the 30th March and on the 1st April relative to the import; of a consignment of a well known brand of pills; whether these consignments are now being held dutiable, not only in respect of the glass tubes in which they are packed, which are of trifling value, but also in respect of a small amount of sugar-coating, and the importers are being asked to furnish particulars as to the other ingredients of the pills; whether manufacturers naturally refuse to disclose the formula on which such goods are manufactured; and whether he is prepared to modify the requirements of his Department in such a connection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Inquiries are being made as to the liability to duty of the particular form of containers used. As regards the question of sugar duty, any article containing a dutiable ingredient is chargeable with duty under Section 7 (1) of the Finance Act, 1901. With reference to the request for particulars as to other ingredients, I am informed that this is in accordance with the practice of the Government Laboratory, which, in order to facilitate the analysis and expedite the decision as to liability to duty in any case submitted to it, invites the importer to furnish confidential information as to the ingredients, if he is able and willing to do so. I see no reason to suggest any modification of that practice, which is in the importer's own interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of objections received by his Department to the items printed in the list issued by his Department as being liable to duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act from September, 1921, to 1st April, 1922; and how many have been dealt with?

As I have previously stated in this House, the total number of formal complaints under Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, received up to the 17th December, the latest date by which complaints could be made, was 540, this number including complaints as to both inclusions in and exclusion from the lists issued by the Board of Trade. A large proportion of these are, however, not likely to be proceeded with, and a number have already been withdrawn. In only 12 cases have statements of the grounds of complaint been furnished, in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Referee; in nine cases decisions have been given, and one case is in course of hearing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department briefed counsel to oppose before the Referee the application made by the British Xylonite Company, Limited, for the exclusion of artificial camphor from the Board of Trade list under the Safeguarding of Industries Act on the grounds that this substance is the raw material used by them for the manufacture of celluloid goods, and that this duty of 33⅓ per cent, increases the cost of their productions; if so, what is the amount of expenses incurred to date by his Department in this matter; whether he realises the hardship inflicted upon this firm in not only having to provide their own counsel to assist in obtaining the raw material for their products, but, in addition, as taxpayers, being compelled to furnish their quota towards the counsel and the other expenses which the Board of Trade are incurring; and how the imposition of this duty safeguards the British manufacturers of celluloid, seeing that their raw materials are unobtainable in Great Britain, but that when the substance is imported in the shape of manufactured celluloid it is admitted free?

The Board of Trade have briefed one junior counsel in the case mentioned by the hon. Member, which relates to the inclusion of synthetic camphor in one of the lists issued under Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. Inasmuch as the case is proceeding, I am unable to make any statement as to the costs incurred by the Board of Trade, but I understand they will probably be small. As regards the third part of the question, I may point out that the Board do not employ counsel in these cases unless the complainants first decide to do so, and that a number of cases have in fact been heard without counsel. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it would be proper for me to express any opinion on the merits of an issue which is still before the Referee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the resolution passed at a meeting of chemical merchants and users, at a meeting in London on 4th April, affirming that the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act and the Safeguarding of Industries Act have not only failed to achieve the results the promoters anticipated, but have caused grievous inconvenience, great uncertainty, vexatious delays, and much loss of time, money, and prestige, and, as the continuance of these Acts threatens to jeopardise and divert trade vital to national interests and increase rather than lessen unemployment the early repeal of both Acts is demanded; and, if so, what actian he proposes to take?

I understand that a resolution to the effect stated by the hon. Member was recently passed by a body called the Chemical Merchants' and Users' National Vigilance Committee, but as I do not accept any of the propositions laid down in the resolution, I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Western Counties Shipping Company neglected to hold their annual meeting on or before the 20th January last as directed by the Companies Act; whether he has been appealed to by shareholders to put into operation powers conferred upon him under Section 64 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, to enforce penalties for such default; whether evidence has been submitted to him of alleged misrepresentation in the prospectuses, breach of trust by the directors to shareholders and debenture trustees, and as to alleged reckless sales of assets to such an extent as to form a breach of trust by a mortgagee; and whether he will now use his power to enforce a public inquiry, not only for the sake of the shareholders, many of whom were comparatively poor people and have lost all they possessed, but by exposure through public inquiry to prevent these alleged frauds on the general public?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that on the evidence at present available it is doubtful whether proceedings to recover penalties under Section 64 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, can be taken with success, and such proceedings would not result in a meeting being held. Provision is made in the Act for a full investigation by the Official Receiver on an order being made by the Court for the winding-up of a company. Such an order can be made on the petition of a creditor or shareholder of the company, and that would be the proper course in order to obtain a full investigation into the allegations which have been made and generally into the company's affairs,

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the s.s. "Rowan" was sunk in a collision in the Firth of Clyde by the s.s. "Clan Malcolm," after being in collision with the s.s. "West Camak," on the 9th October, 1921; and whether it is the intention of the Board of Trade to institute an inquiry into the circumstances of the disaster so that all facts may be brought out and the cause ascertained?

An inquiry was ordered in the case of the "Rowan," but, as civil proceedings were instituted, it was, in accordance with the usual practice, suspended pending the result of these proceedings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that one of the captains concerned in the "Rowan" disaster has been fined for failing to have an operator or watcher in the wireless room; and whether the Board of Trade is now prepared to reopen the question of having only experienced wireless telegraphists on board all ships rated to carry wireless telegraphy apparatus?

I am aware of the result of the prosecution to which the hon. Member refers. The question of wireless watchers has recently been investigated by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, whose report is now being considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Abertillery local pension com- mittee has informed Elizabeth Rigby, No. 1719 in the pension officer's register, that the committee has allowed her claim to a pension at the weekly rate of 10s, payment in respect of which will be made as from Friday, 12th August, 1921, inclusive; that the claimant was born on 23rd September, 1851, in the sub-district of Aberystwith, in the County of Monmouth; and that up to the present this pension has not been granted and no reason given for the delay in paying it; and will he therefore see that this old lady is paid her pension without further delay from the date stated by the local pension committee?

An appeal against the decision of the local pension committee has been made by the pension officer. There is at present therefore no authority for payment of pension.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any part of the Excise Duty on sugar-beet has been remitted for the last financial year or any notification made to sugar-beet growers in this country that the duty will not be collected; and, if so, by what authority?

The Excise Duty is on sugar, not on sugar-beet. No duty due in the last financial year has been remitted, nor has any announcement to that effect been made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the appearance of the Attorney-General as leading counsel in the murder case at Hereford entails additional expenditure on the Treasury; and what is the nature of such charges, as apart from the salary of the Attorney-General?

Costs of criminal prosecutions fall primarily to be borne on county funds, and it is unlikely that the Treasury will have to meet any charges in connection with the case referred to in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Govern- ment have any and, if so, what financial interest in the National Smelting Corporation; the capital of this company; what dividends they are paying on their shares; what contracts the Government have made with this company for the sale to them of Australian zinc concentrates; and what profits or losses have been made up to the present time on the sales to this company?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 28th February last. The capital of the company is made up of 500,000 shares of £l each. Dividends are not being paid. The Government is under contract to supply the company with 25,000 tons per annum of Australian concentrates for a period of 10 years from 1st January, 1913, on the same terms and conditions as those on which the Board of Trade have agreed to acquire a larger amount of concentrates from the Zinc Producers Association Proprietary, Limited. No profits or losses have been made as no deliveries have yet been affected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the particulars of the contracts made by the Government for the purchase of Australian zinc concentrates, giving the quantities and prices; whether the Government have appointed the British Metals Corporation as their sole agents for the sale of these concentrates; and at what rate of commission?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade during the Debate on the Supplementary Estimates on the 21st February. The British Metal Corporation have been appointed sole agents for the sale of these concentrates in markets west of Suez at a commission of 1 per cent, with a minimum of 2s. per ton. They are also the appointed agents for conducting assays at varying rates of 1s. 3d. and 1s. 4d. a ton.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate deficit of the German railways?

The deficit for the year to 31st March, 1922, is, I understand, according to the latest estimates 35,631 millions of marks, but this sum appears to include certain large items of a capital character.

asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer how much of the debt owed by Great Britain to the United States was incurred on behalf of her Allies?

The debt due by His Majesty's Government to the United States Government (exclusive of arrears of interest) is approximately $4,166,318,000 or at par of exchange,£856,093,000. After the entry of the United State of America into the War this country borrowed from the United States Government $4,277,000,000 £876,000,000 at par), and during the period in which this country was borrowing from the United States Government, His Majesty's Government advanced to its Allies £897,000,000. If we had not had to meet the claims of our Allies, it would not have been necessary for us to ask assistance from the United States Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what countries and what amounts are owed to Great Britain by war debts to 31st March, 1922; what countries are paying interest on these debts; what the rate of interest is; and if we have claimed any interest on these debts?

The approximate amount due in respect of war debt from Allied countries is £1,838,000,000, of which £584,000,000 is due from France, £503,000,000 from Italy, £655,000,000 from Russia, and the balance from minor Allies. As has been frequently explained, interest is not actually paid on these debts (with a few minor exceptions), but the amounts due have been added to the principal sums and are included in the figures I have just given. The rates of interest vary according to the different agreements made, but the usual rate is 5 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the authorities at Somerset House and the Treasury have admitted the liability of contra accounts to Stamp Duty; and whether he will have further inquiries made into the matter?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to contra accounts of the kind described in his question of the 28th March. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue are now advised that these accounts, which contain no words of discharge, are not liable to Receipt Stamp Duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in forming an established class of women pension officers employed in the Customs and Excise Department and giving consideration to the claims of the temporary officers who may be transferred to the permanent staff, it is intended to take into account the period of such temporary service in fixing the new commencing basic salary?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what increased charge on the national Exchequer, by reason of superannuation charges, will be entailed by the transfer of Lieut.-Colonel Sir T. Duncan Rhind from the temporary to the established staff; and whether a similar policy is being carried out in other Civil Service Departments?

If Sir Duncan Rhind were to retire at the end of 10 years' service while in receipt of a salary of £850 per annum without bonus, he would become entitled to a pension of £106 5s-per annum, together with an additional allowance ( i.e., a lump sum) of £283 6s. 8d. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 28th March to a question from the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. Forrest), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the names of the two temporary civil servants on the higher staff who have, within the last six months, been transferred to the established staff; and whether he will give the reasons for their transfer in the case other than Sir Duncan Rhind?

The two temporary civil servants who were certificated for appointment to permanent posts carrying salaries over £500 in the last six months are Sir T. Duncan Rhind and Mr. E. A. Lumley. The latter was certificated as Finance and Establishment Officer at the National Physical Laboratory, in view of his special qualifications for the post.

asked the Prime Minister when work began upon the military portion of the history of the War; what is the total expenditure since the work began, including pay of staff, of authors engaged to write the history, and office accommodation and establishment charges; what is the present annual cost; and whether any portion of the military history has yet been published?

Work began on the military portion of the History of the War on 17th February, 1916. The total cost of the staff and authors, after making allowance for the other duties performed by the staff, to 31st March, 1922, is about £11,000. The present annual cost on the same basis is about £2,200. Staff and papers (War Office and Air Ministry documents) of the Military and Air Branches of the Historical Section are housed in one building (2, Cavendish Square), the rental of which is £1,500 a year, and the establishment charges for the present financial year for these branches amount to about £500. No portion of the Military History has yet been published. The first volume is in the press and will be published shortly. Another volume of the Military History will also be published this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate number of men actually employed consequent upon capital raised and guaranteed under the Trade Facilities. Act, 1921?

It is not possible to give any figures of the number of men employed as the result of the guarantees for nearly £15,000,000 at present arranged.

asked the Minister of Health if he has issued an Order to boards of guardians giving a scale of payments that should be made to unemployed persons applying for relief; whether the country is divided into areas; and, if so, what is the scale for the north-western and south-western areas, respectively?

No, Sir. I have made Regulations limiting the charge that may be made on the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund in respect of out-door relief, but no general Order prescribing a scale of payments has been issued. The last two parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Martin Hastings, 25, Lime Street, Wigan, who was in receipt of unemployment benefits up to 25th February, 1922, owing to the colliery where he was employed closing down, and that on the above date he filled up a form claiming an extension of benefits, which was rejected by the Committee; and whether, in view of the facts that the colliery is still closed down and that this man has a wife and two children dependent upon him, he will have inquiries made into this case at once and an extension of benefits made?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware, that a workman, who was discharged from his employment in Torrington, North Devon, in January, was informed at the Employment Exchange, after a lapse of seven weeks, during which he had received no unemployment benefit, that he was suspended for six weeks for misconduct; that on appeal the local committee found in favour of the man; and that, although two weeks have since elapsed, he has not yet received benefit; and whether he will inquire into the causes of the delay?

I am having inquiries made in the case of the workman referred to, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minis Labour if stable boys employed in England are required to contribute to unemployment insurance?

Grooms and stable boys in the stables attached to private residences and grooms employed in hunt stables are excepted. Stable boys employed by trainers who carry on racing stables for profit are, however, required to be insured.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, arising out of a recent demonstration of unemployed at an engineering works in Camberwell, two men, one a cripple, were arrested on a charge of assaulting the police, and have since been placed on remand; and whether he will inquire into the allegation that after arrest these men were assaulted in the cells by the police?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that two men were arrested on the 29th March in the circumstances indicated in the first part of the question, and that they have been remanded after appearing twice before the magistrate. I have made inquiry, and cannot find any reason for thinking that the men have been roughly handled by the police, either at the police station or elsewhere. No complaint has been made by the men concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that during the War the United States of America built a great number of sugar factories in Cuba, where there is now over-production, resulting in these factories falling into the hands of creditors for machinery, and thence into the American sugar refiners' combine, who have diverted the whole of the making of machinery for Cuba away from Britain, resulting in great unemployment of British machinery makers in Glasgow and elsewhere in Britain, who are now also threatened with the loss of the making of machinery for the West Indies owing to the dumping of the Cuban surplus destroying the growing of sugar in the West Indies; and what steps does he propose to remedy this matter?

The effects of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers upon the West Indies have been engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government, but I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the death of a 14-year old girl in Wales, who was married at 12; and whether, if such a marriage is legal, he can see his way to amend the law?

I have seen a newspaper report of the case referred to. According to the law of England 12 is the age at which a girl becomes capable of marriage, and I think there would be general agreement that the age is much too low and ought to be raised. The question will be considered in the event of any revision of the law of marriage; but I do not think I can undertake to introduce special legislation for the purpose of dealing with this point alone.

asked the Home Secretary what was the amount of profit or loss on the State liquor trade operations at Enfield Lock for each of the last three years, and in the town of Maryport for each of the last three years?

The town of Maryport is a part of the Carlyle State management district, and no accounts are available except for the district as a whole. The accounts for the Enfield Lock district have not been separately published in past years, and although I shall be ready to publish a full statement of accounts when I have further considered the question of the future of this undertaking, I should in the meantime deprecate the publication of a partial statement.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when legislation will be introduced dealing with the recommendations of the Game and Heather Burning (Scotland) Committee?

I am not yet in a position to state when legislation on this subject will be introduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the memorandum on the burden of taxation borne by agricultural industry, which was being prepared by his Department, has been completed; and, if so, when it is proposed to circulate it?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the memorandum which I promised during the Debate on the Address to prepare and circulate to the Cabinet. That memorandum was completed some time ago and it is now under the consideration of the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has information to the effect that the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board has secured reductions in freezing and freight charges, including concessions by the New Zealand railway companies of 5s. per 100 lbs. weight; and whether any corresponding reductions of charges have been made by the English railway companies in the interests of home production?

I have been asked to reply. Upon the first part of the question I have no information. As regards the second part, the railway companies in Great Britain have not yet seen their way to make a general reduction in rates for merchandise traffic, but, I understand, have the matter still under consideration. If their decision be unsatisfactory, it is open to the traders affected to avail themselves of the provisions of the Railways Act, 1921.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is his intention to allot by public or private tender spaces on or in public buildings under his control for purposes of private advertising; whether he proposes to allocate any, or all, such spaces to any specific firm of advertisement agents or to private individuate desirous of utilising such facilities; whether it his intention to enter into definite forms of contract with such firms or individuals, and for what periods; whether he can state the approximate annual revenue he anticipates deriving from such proceedings, and if it is suggested that postal-counter services shall be of sufficiently leisurely a nature as will afford the public ample time in which to peruse the advertisements in addition to the numerous official announcements constantly displayed; whether any control and, if so, what, and by whom, will be exercised over the quality, size and character of the private advertisements; and will he embody in his contracts connected therewith a Clause enabling any succeeding holder of his office who may object to such disfigurement of public property to terminate any contract without compensation if and when he feels so disposed?

I have invited and received tenders for the allocation of space for advertising purposes in post offices. The contract will be made with advertising agents who will pay over to the post office a specified percentage of gross receipts, but I cannot give an estimate of what those receipts will amount to. The contract will be for a definite period, but it would obviously be impracticable to include provision for termination at any time. Control will be retained by the post office over the size and quality and character of the advertisements exhibited. No change is proposed in the counter-services.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the four battalions territorially associated with Ulster, which will be all that are left after disbandment of the 2nd battalions of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, bear a less proportion to the population of Ulster than do the number of Scottish battalions to the population of Scotland; and, if this be so, will he say whether he will consider the disbandment of two battalions of Scottish regiments, for which it is difficult to obtain recruits territorially, and so, while retaining the same total number of battalions, properly adjust the proportions and facilitate recruitment?

The male population in Ulster approximately amounts to 135,000 for each of the four infantry battalions to be territorially associated with that area. The proportion in Scotland is approximately 117,000 to each battalion. The difference is too small to justify the adoption of the proposal made by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that during the last two weeks overtime has been worked each night at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, in the wharf section, Army Ordnance Department; that on Friday, 24th March, between 50 and 60 men worked all night; and that there are some thousands of men out of employment in Woolwich; if he can see his way clear to prevent overtime being worked, with a view of finding work for those who are out of employment; and if he will take action in the matter?

The overtime in question was necessarily worked in order to avoid heavy charges for demurrage on certain vessels which arrived at short notice, mostly from Ireland. It was not practicable to take on fresh hands, as it was essential to employ men available on the spot and accustomed to such work. The circumstances were quite abnormal; the records of the Department show that the amount of overtime ordinarily worked under present conditions is negligible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of officials and workpeople at present employed at the premises formerly known as the Deptford Cattle Market; the nature of the work carried on there, and the total sum expended to adapt the yards and sheds to their present purposes; whether the property is held under a yearly tenancy or on lease, and, if the latter, for how long and at what rental; and when it is proposed to transfer the work elsewhere in order that the buildings may be restored to the purposes for which they were originally erected?

The answer to the first part of the right hon. Member's question is 710 persons; to the second, for the dual purpose of a depot for food, forage, and other consumable supplies, and a depot for mechanical transport stores—both depots serve the whole Army, both at home and overseas; to the third part, £280,000; to the fourth, on a lease at £10,000 a year for five years from the termination of the War; to the fifth part, endeavours are being made to find a suitable alternative site for the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot, but in any case it is not proposed to remove the Supply Reserve Depot from Deptford.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the arrangements that are being made for the employés of the War Department in Southern Ireland at the present time when the closing of the various services are in contemplation; what additions are being made to the services of employés who have to retire; what efforts have been made to transfer the employés to other public departments; and on what date is it proposed to promulgate the result of the reorganisation of the staffs and the assimilation of the various classes in the department referred to in Southern Ireland?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 5th instant to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy), to which I regret that I have nothing at present to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disappointment regarding the announcement that all further applications for the removal of the remains of soldiers from the war theatres are to be refused; and whether he will reconsider the possibility of granting to British families the facilities which have been extended to people of other nations and the Dominions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 2nd ultimo to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Waddington). The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that facilities in this respect have been given to the Dominions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now able to give the House the result of the investigations that have been made into allegations of Bolshevist intervention in the recent disturbances on the Rand?

I have no information as to any investigations that may have been made into these allegations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the steps taken at Athens in the interests of the proprietors of the Smyrna-Aidan Railway; and whether His Majesty's Government have taken, or propose to take, similar steps at Peking or at Canton in connection with the unexplained default on the Chinese bonds known as Marconi and Vickers issues?

In consequence of the hardship inflicted on the Smyrna-Aidan Railway Company by the non-payment by the Greek authorities in Smyrna of the outstanding debt due to the company for services rendered, His Majesty's Minister at Athens was recently instructed to make representations to the Greek Government for the early settlement of that debt and for the issue of instructions to the Greek authorities at Smyrna for the prompt settlement of liabilities to the company as soon as they are incurred. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply of 16th March on the subject of the Chinese Marconi loan. His Majesty's Minister at Peking has been making similar efforts to secure the payment of interest on the Vickers issue.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that it is now over a month since the trawler "St. Hubert" was arrested and confiscated by the Russian authorities, and that the Soviet Government have admitted that the confiscation was in excess of authority; and whether, in view of the uncertain position in which the owners are placed and the great loss they are suffering, the British Government will take steps to expedite the release of the vessel?

The arrest of the "St. Hubert" took place on 3rd March. The Soviet Government adheres to its view as to the 12-mile limit for territorial waters, but there is now evidence to show that the capture took place 14 miles from tin Russian coast, and His Majesty's Agent at Moscow has been asked to renew his representations, mentioning this new factor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the Memorandum, dated 18th December, issued by M. Kushnariov, Envoy Plenipotentiary of the Far Eastern Republic at Moscow, containing grave charges against the conduct of the Japanese troops in Siberia, he will make representations to the Japanese Government to withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally so as to ensure that such acts will not be repeated?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Platting (Mr. Clynes) on 6th March. There is no occasion for representations by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether any reply has now been received from the rural district council of the Isle of Wight with respect to a complaint by four householders relating to the housing of the working classes in that district; how long has elapsed since the complaint was forwarded by him to the rural district council for their observations; and what steps has he decided to take in the matter?

I am informed by the rural district council that they have received a report from their medical officer of health, from which it appears that the enforcement of repairing notices under Section 28 of the Housing Act is being pushed forward as far as it is reasonable to do so, and that inspection of the district under the Housing Act is being carried out regularly. I am instructing an inspector to make a local investigation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the terms to be offered to surplus officers of the Indian Army have been settled with the War Office; and whether he can now make a statement on the subject?

I regret that it is not yet possible to make a statement in regard to the terms for surplus Indian Army officers, which are now being considered along with proposals in regard to personnel affected by reductions in other fighting services.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the superannuation of teachers formed part of the arrangement come to under the Burnham award on teachers' salaries; and, if not, at what date and by what authority it was set up?

The existing system of superannuation for teachers was established by the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918, which became operative on 1st April, 1919. The first Burnham Committee was constituted in pursuance of resolutions passed by representatives of associations of local education authorities and the National Union of Teachers on 12th August, 1919, and held its first meeting on the 12th September, 1919.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Frederick Tyler, 44 years of age, married and with family, ex-service noncommissioned officer, two years in France, Ypres sector, recently employed at the certified school, Everton Terrace, Liverpool, as instructor and master in the department of shoemaker and tailor; whether he is aware that on Wednesday, 15th March, the governor of this school informed Tyler that the school would close in three months' time, and that he must terminate his service by the 1st April; that such a man, being recognised as a teacher, is debarred from unemployment benefit, and that such a short notice precludes him from obtaining fresh employment in view of the state of the industrial market, although he is a thoroughly efficient officer and teacher; and why this man was not given the notice to terminate his engagement to which he was entitled, namely, at least one calendar month?

The managers of this school were asked last month to resign their certificate for reasons of economy and agreed to do so. It was arranged that the school should close on the 30th June and that the usual grants should be continued until then. I understand, however, that the managers decided to reduce their staff at once and gave the officer referred to a fortnight's notice. Under the terms of his employment his services were terminable at a week's notice. The matter is entirely one for the managers of the school.

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been called to the report of the remarks in the King's Bench Division on 30th March by Mr. Justice McCardie, who stated there was a case in which a sum to be administered by the Public Trustee for an infant was £300, and of that the Public Trustee was entitled to take £45 at once in respect of fees for duties obviously of the most slender character; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made?

The maximum fee which can be taken by the Public Trustee in such cases as are presumably referred to by the hon. Member is 15 per cent. Where it appears that the trust is likely to be short in duration and the duties are exceedingly light, the fee will be reduced in proportion, subject to a minimum of 7½ per cent. I do not see any ground upon which inquiries are necessary. The Public Trustee Act requires a fee to be fixed sufficient to cover the expense of administering the trust, and experience has shown that the expense of adminstering trusts of this nature is relatively exceedingly heavy. I am not aware of the grounds on which Mr. Justice McCardie suggested that the duties would obviously be of the most slender character.