asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in qualifying for the Territorial decoration, an officer's active service in the recent War counts more than service in peace time towards making the necessary 20 years' service that qualifies him for the decoration; and whether the same privilege extends to service in the South African War?

Yes, Sir; under certain conditions such service in the recent War counts double, but this does not apply to service in the South African War.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the total strength of the camelry corps in various parts of the Empire; and whether the question has been considered of modernising camel equipment with a view especially to reducing the weight of the present camel pack-saddle?

The following is the strength of the various camel corps:

Somaliland: 15 officers, 395 other ranks, reserve 127.

Sudan: 7 British and 31 other officers, 938 other ranks.

India (including Aden): 35 British officers, 1,789 Indian officers and other ranks, 6,925 followers.

The question of standardising camel pack equipment and of reducing the weight is now under consideration; trials have already been carried out and investigations are still proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that certain brigade majors of Territorial brigades received in writing on their appointment about two years ago a promise that they were to hold their appointments for four years; and if it is intended to keep faith with these officers, who are now being warned that their appointments are to terminate?

I am aware that certain Brigade Majors of Territorial Brigades were told that their appointments would be "permanent appointments," i.e., appointments the normal tenure of which is for four years. I regret that it has been necessary to abolish the majority of these appointments in the interests of economy. The officers effected will be dealt with under Article 206 of the Royal Warrant, which provides that on the abolition of a staff appointment of which the ordinary tenure is four years the officer holding it may, provided he has not served the full period for which he was appointed, receive his staff pay for a period of 61 days beyond the date of ceasing to do duty.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of these officers, including the A.D.M.S., were civilians who gave up large and lucrative practices in order to fulfil these engagements, which have been broken?

I am aware that there are certain cases of hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the rank of G.S.O.3(E) has been abolished, he will state what pay the officers who now perform these duties are drawing?

Officers at Command Headquarters, whose duties were formerly carried out by the General Staff Officers, Grade 3 (E), now draw the pay of their rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that photographing of war graves undertaken by the War Office out of funds provided by the British Red Cross Society has now ceased and that the Imperial War Graves Commission has not undertaken the work, declaring that it has no power under its charter and is unable to assist persons desirous of having photographs of graves; and whether, in view of the disappointment, particularly to poor relatives, he will consider the possibility of enabling this work to be undertaken by the Imperial War Graves Commission or, alternatively, of giving them power to make arrangements with private photographers to supply the photographs which are required?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to and the question of arranging for the photographs in question is being 'carefully and sympathetically considered.

If I put down a question at a later date, may I get an answer?

I hope so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the approximate number and present disposition of the land forces and air forces operating with the Army in Ireland?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to publish this information.

Is it true, as stated in the Press, that the evacuation of Ireland by the Army has been stopped?

That does not arise out of the original question.

There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that any change has taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state when the Irish Indemnity Bill will be introduced; and whether the proposed Commission to inquire into the claims for compensation in respect of damage to property has yet been appointed?

I regret that I am still unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 28th March.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to state a date for the introduction of this Bill, seeing that we have had the question down for three weeks, and will he reply to the latter portion of the question, as to the proposed Commission, and the names of the Commissioners?

The Commission will be set up almost immediately, and the Bill will be introduced after Easter. I cannot say exactly when.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Southern Irish civil servants are at liberty to voluntarily retire without the permission of the Civil Service Committee under the statutory conditions laid down in Schedule 8 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920; if so, are they entitled to have the seven years' transitionary period added to their service; and whether Irish prison officers, who may retire under the said Act either with or without the permission of the Civil Service Committee, or who may be compelled to retire, are entitled to have every year which may be added over 30 to count as two in accordance with the provisions of the Prison Officers Superannuation Act, 1919?

The Government of Ireland Act, 1920, provides that Irish officers may retire voluntarily under the statutory conditions of retirement without the permission of the Civil Service Committee, and that any officer who may so retire may reckon his years of service for the purpose of calculating his compensation allowances as if he had served up to the end of the transitional period, or to the time when he would have reached the age of 65, whichever may be the earlier. I am advised that the provisions of the Prison Officers Superannuation Act, 1919, would apply to any prison officer retiring under these conditions. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, Article 10 of the Treaty provides that any public servant who may retire in consequence of the change of Government shall receive compensation on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Act of 1920.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the negotiations and discussions which were stated by him on 27th February last to be proceeding between the representatives of His Majesty's Government and of the Provisional Government as to the terms on which the public servants mentioned in Article 10 of the Treaty are to retire on pension or be discharged, have now been concluded; whether he will state the result, and say whether those persons have the option of retiring on a pension; with what period that option must be exercised; and whether the Irish Free State Government will be entitled to discharge all or any of such persons without cause assigned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Subject to the qualification clearly laid down in Article 10 of the Treaty that the public servants therein referred to who may be discharged by the Free State Government, or who may retire in consequence of the change of Government shall be entitled to fair compensation on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Act of 1920, and to the provisions of Article 7 (ii) and 8 of the Provisional Government (Transfer of Functions) Order, 1922, which apply this qualification to the period during which the Provisional Government remains in office and secure during that period to officers transferred to that Government their existing tenure. The matters referred to by the hon. and learned Member in the second, third and fourth parts of the question are matters which can properly be dealt with in the Free State Constitution, or in the Act confirming that Constitution and will be discussed with the Provisional Government prior to the publication of the Constitution. In the meantime I am not in a position to give a more definite reply on those points.

In view of the great importance of this question to a very large number of public servants in Ireland, will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the matters referred to in this question are to be mentioned in the House, and the terms announced to the House, before being finally settled in the Bill embodying the Constitution of the Free State?

I would like to have notice of that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that we have been told we cannot alter the Bill dealing with the Constitution of the Free State, and unless we have an opportunity beforehand of discussing those matters, it may be too late to do so at all?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies the first part of Question No. 24.

In reply to the first part of the question, the hon. and gallant Member will, I am sure, recognise that the existing conditions in County Cork render the holding of such an inquiry impracticable at the present moment; but I still hope that it may be possible to arrange for an inquiry at an early date.

In reply to the remainder of the question, which my hon. and gallant Friend omitted to put, I am glad to be able to inform the House that these men were released yesterday and have, I understand, returned to their homes.

Will any compensation be paid to these men who have now been under duress for two months?

That is a question of which I should have notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that trains arriving at Dundalk and other stations from Northern Ireland are continually being searched by armed men and goods from Northern Ireland removed and burnt; whether any steps have been taken by the Provisional Government to arrest and bring to justice persons committing these and similar crimes elsewhere; whether any persons have so far been arrested and punished and, if so, how many; if the Provisional Government are unwilling or unable to secure life and property; and what action the British Government propose to take in the matter?

My attention has been drawn to these outrages which, as the hon. Member must be aware, are committed as much for the purpose of embarrassing the Provisional Government as of injuring the trade of Belfast. I am assured that the Provisional Government are fully alive to the necessity of taking adequate measures for the restoration of order in the territory within their jurisdiction, but they are confronted with many difficulties which cannot be overcome in a day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not a question of difficulties being overcome in a day, but that these occurrences have been going on for months, and will he answer the second part of the question as to whether any persons so far have been arrested or punished?

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, at any rate, the British taxpayer will not have to pay compensation in these cases?

The Provisional Government accept the position entirely that the local authorities are responsible for malicious injuries in Ireland as from the date of the signing of the Treaty.

Have any persons been arrested or punished?

Have any Orders in Council yet been issued transferring powers?

The main, essential important Order in Council has already been issued. With regard to the question put by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison), I think it is very unlikely that anybody has been arrested or punished for these nefarious acts, but my hon. Friend is aware of the state of affairs in Ireland at the present moment. I have no doubt in the long run persons will be fully and thoroughly punished for these acts.

Will it be practicable for the owners of these goods to recover their value from the county councils in whose areas these outrages occur, or to whom must they look for compensation?

Matters are, to a considerable extent, in a state of flux at the present time, and I should hesitate to attempt to give any practical guidance at the moment. I am confident in the long run these matters will be settled satisfactorily.

Is the number of these outrages tending to increase?

No, I think they have been maintaining a fairly even level during the last few weeks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Income Tax which has not been assessed or in any way verified is being deducted from the pensions granted to disbanded men of the Royal Irish Constabulary, with a promise that, if it is found later that the amount has been wrongly deducted, it will be readjusted; whether he is aware that this deduction is causing great distress to these men, whose pension is already insufficient to enable them to maintain themselves and their families and who are unable to obtain work; and whether he will give directions that this practice of deducting Income Tax before assessment shall be at once discontinued and that no Income Tax shall be deducted from the pension until it has been properly assessed?

The hon. and learned Member's question presumably refers to the case of men recruited in Great Britain and disbanded before the end of the last financial year. The Income Tax assessments in these cases were made on the footing of the men being on full pay for the whole year, and were, therefore, excessive to the extent of the difference between full pay and pension as from the date of disbandment, which would be on or after the 1st February last. Arrears of Income Tax for the past year are being deducted by monthly instalments from pension, the amount of each instalment being £1. The final assessments will be adjusted in every case with as little delay as possible. I would point out that this tax is long overdue, and that it was incumbent on the men themselves, who were aware, or ought to have been aware, of the approximate amount of their liability, to make provisions for its payment before the end of the financial year.

Will my hon. Friend consider the case of men, of whom there are many, for whom Income Tax has not been definitely assessed, who are only provisionally assessed, and who get amounts deducted from their pay which cause very great hardship and distress?

I do not understand the matter referred to in the hon. and learned Member's question to fall within that category.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the British Government will continue to be responsible for the payment of the pensions of officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary who retired on pension before the signature of the Treaty and will undertake not to transfer their responsibility for these pensions to the Irish Free State Government?

Subject to any necessary financial adjustments between the two Governments and to such arrangements as may be found convenient for the actual issue of pensions, His Majesty's Government is, and will remain, responsible for the due payment of these pensions.

"Subject to readjustment"—what does the right hon. Gentleman mean? Does he mean that the British Government are going to continue to pay their just debts, or not?

The qualification is necessary for dealing with very large sums of public money, but the essentials are embodied in the answer, namely, that His Majesty's Government is, and will remain responsible for the due payment of these pensions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can give any estimate of the extra expenditure that has been entailed upon the Government of India owing to the non-co-operation movement which has been allowed to run on so long unchecked?

It is not possible to give any estimate of this expenditure. Most of it must have fallen hot on the Government of India but on local governments. My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that the Commander-in-Chief impressed upon the Legislative Assembly the seriousness of the expenditure which had been entailed by moving troops to aid the civil powers.

Is it a fact, as stated in the Press, that this movement is now dying?

That does not arise out of the original question, which inquired as to the expenditure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the extremists in Bombay are arranging for a sedition campaign to conclude with an All-India hartal; and will he state whether any action is contemplated by the Indian Government?

I have seen reports in the Press of this subject, but the Secretary of State has not received any official information of it, and it may therefore be presumed that the Government of India attach no special importance to the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will supplement the conviction expressed in the late Secretary of State's despatch to the Government of India regarding the pensions of officers of the Civil Services in India by making arrangements with insurance companies in the United Kingdom by which both civil and military officers serving under the Government of India will be enabled to insure at a reasonable rate the payment of the pension accruing to them despite any change that may be brought about in the Government of India in the future?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will confer with me and explain the nature of the arrangements he has in mind as being possible for the Secretary of State to make.

Is the Noble Lord not aware that in this despatch the late Secretary of State said that he had a conviction that no future Secretary of State would be found wanting in his duty in insuring this obligation. Cannot the Noble Lord give any more definite assurance to the civil servants of India?

That is not the question asked. My hon. and gallant Friend wanted to know whether it was possible to make any pension insurance arrangements. If he will confer with me and tell me what his proposals are I will consider them carefully.

In my question I suggest that the officers should be able to insure the payment of these pensions. Can the Noble Lord make arrangements accordingly?

It is not part of the business of any Government to insure pensions to civil servants. But if my hon. and gallant Friend will com- municate with me and say what he proposes, I will see whether it is possible to help in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now give the result of his inquiry into the statements contained in the letter of Sir Michael O'Dwyer, in the Press of the 7th November, 1921, exposing the unfair treatment of officers, civil and military, who took an active part in suppressing the Punjab rebellion of 1919; and, in view of the additional facts brought out in that letter, if he can state what steps the Government intend to take to safeguard the future prospects and to prevent the further persecution of those officers, British and Indian, who have been and are so seriously affected by the orders issued, as shown on page 50 of the Government's Review of India in 1920?

I have seen the letter referred to. So far as the actual events of 1919 are concerned, no additional facts are brought to light. His Majesty's Government, after careful consideration of the Hunter Committee's Reports and the views of the Government of India, found it necessary to express disapproval of certain officers' errors of judgment, which in most, though not all, cases had taken the form of undue severity. In some instances officers, who did very good work in a position of great difficulty, had to be censured for particular actions which were ill-advised; and it should not be supposed that their good record is cancelled by the fact that they made mistakes. In such instances the officer's future is in his own hands, and many officers, civil and military, who have in difficult circumstances shown error of judgment, have successfully vindicated their reputations by subsequent good work. His Majesty's Government is unable to reopen the inquiry in the case of these officers. It is unfortunately true that, in spite of all that has been said and done to promote better feeling, a residuum of bitterness remains in the Punjab, which results in manifestations of social and personal enmity against those who took part or aided in restoring order in 1919. Indians, whether Government servants or not, are more exposed to suffer from such manifestations than British, and it is impossible for any Government completely to neutralise the effects, but I know that the Viceroy regards the protection of those who have deserved well of the State as a paramount duty, and he will be equally ready to attach full weight to good service rendered, both before and since 1919, by officers who then incurred any measure of blame.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the Viceroy and ask him to put a stop to these officers being held up to opprobrium as having been censured for acts in connection with the Punjab rebellion?

That is really covered by the answer I have already given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any letter has been recently circulated by the Indian Government to all British officers in the Indian Army stating that, as two-thirds of the total establishment are surplus, it is proposed to make an offer to all surplus officers of a sum of money on the condition that they resign their commissions; if this is so, whether any such offer has yet been made and how much it is proposed to pay by way of compensation to the officers concerned for the sudden termination of their military career; and if such offer will take into account that in the majority of cases these officers have had no training whatever for any appointment in civil life and provide adequate compensation to ensure that all officers concerned will be able to fit themselves for civilian appointments free from undue financial embarrassment?

I have no official information as to the circulation of such a letter, but am sure that the surplus cannot have been stated at a figure so wide of the mark. It is the case that a large number of retirements will shortly be carried out to eliminate an excess existing almost entirely in the junior ranks. Compensation will be on the same general basis as that to be given to surplus officers of the British Service, to whom the same considerations apply. But in fixing it the fact will be taken into account that pay and pensions are higher in the Indian Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the serious loss in the raw cotton crops in America, Egypt, and elsewhere by insect pests, what help has been rendered by the Colonial Office to growers in various parts of the British Empire to counteract the ravages of such pests; what steps are being taken to materially assist the growth of raw cotton in the Australian Commonwealth and other parts of the Empire; and if he will give the sums spent during the past 12 months for this purpose?

I am glad to say that most of the Colonies and Protectorates have escaped the worst ravages of the pests which have done harm in America and Egypt. All imported cotton seed is carefully examined, and insect pests have up to date been kept in check by the efforts of the various Colonial Agricultural Departments. The need for strengthening these Departments, especially on the entomological side, has been appreciated and met to the fullest extent possible, compatible with due economy in administration. The efforts made by His Majesty's Government to foster the production of cotton within the Empire have recently culminated in the gift of £978,215 to the funds of the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation upon certain conditions. When these conditions are fulfilled, the corporation will undertake active measures to promote the cultivation of cotton in the Empire, but I am quite unable to say to what extent its operations will apply to any particular territory.

Is that Government money?

It is money made out of a deal which we did in Egypt in regard to the sale of cotton during the War.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any natives of Nairobi were shot down before any hostile act against the police was made; and whether at any time a single policeman, soldier, or white man was in any way injured by those who were demanding the release of Harry Thuku?

I am afraid that I am still unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Gentleman on the 29th March, as no despatch has yet been received from the Governor of Kenya.

Shall I repeat the question?

After Easter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that it is now five months since a Return was requested of the total area of land alienated in Kenya Colony since 1914, and over seven months since he requested the Governor to submit a draft amendment to the Compulsory Labour Ordinance; and whether he can say to what cause this delay is due?

I have already drawn the attention of the Governor of Kenya by telegram to the long delay in the receipt of the draft amendment to the Native Authority Ordinance which, I have ascertained, is being sent home by the next mail. I will also communicate with the Governor in regard to the other matter dealt with in the hon. Member's question, but I may observe that his description of the subject is not in accordance with that in the question put by the hon. Member for Leigh on the 26th of October, which gave rise to the inquiry now outstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any suggestion has reached him from the Colonies with regard to the desirability of the appointments of secretaries to Colonial Governors being held in future by officials of the Colonial Office; if so, whether he has considered the matter; and whether, seeing that such officials would thereby acquire a first-hand knowledge of Colonial conditions, which would, on their return to the Colonial Office in London, be of the greatest value to the State and to our Colonial administration, and would tend to facilitate relations between the Crown Colonies and this House, he will consider the adoption of this suggestion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second part therefore does not arise. Secretaries to Governors are members of the Governor's personal staff and it would be difficult to second an officer from the Colonial Office to serve in such a capacity. My predecessors and I fully realise the advantage gained by making arrangements whenever possible for officials from the Colonial Office to visit Colonies, and no reasonable opportunity for such visits is missed, but there are serious difficulties in the way of laying down any stereotyped rules as suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information regarding the nature and extent of the fire at Nassau, Bahamas; what is the estimated damage; whether the Bahamas Government have decided to close the court of Bimini; and for what reasons?

I have seen a Press telegram on the subject of the fire, but have not received any official report from the Governor about it. I will make inquiry as to the court at Bimini and inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now say when the Bill will be introduced dealing with legitimation by subsequent marriage?

I hope a Bill will be introduced shortly after the Easter Recess.

asked the Home Secretary what will be the approximate saving to local authorities, apart from the saving to the national Exchequer, if one register, instead of two, was made annually?

As I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member on the 1st March, the yearly saving which would result on having an annual register only is estimated approximately at £250,000 in all. As the expense of registration is shared equally by the Exchequer and the rates, the approximate saving to local authorities would accordingly be £125,000 per annum.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if we have only one register per annum, it will mean the disfranchisement of very large numbers of men and women?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the very bad accommodation that exists at the Fyfield Industrial School, near Ongar, which is under the control of the West Ham Corporation; that, so far as bathing arrangements are concerned, there is an omnibus bath at present in vogue, and that the boys bathe in batches of 20 at a time, the same water being used by the whole of the boys; if he is aware of the sick room and lavatory accommodation and the bad arrangements for cooking; that the West Ham Corporation have applied for a loan to make the necessary alterations to the school and make it sanitary in every particular; and that a letter has been sent to the town clerk to the West Ham Corporation to the effect that the Secretary of State regrets that he would not be justified in approving the proposed expenditure for the purpose of any Government grants; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am aware that the conditions at this school in certain respects are far from satisfactory. The necessary alteration of the buildings would, however, require the expenditure of a large sum, and as adequate accommodation of a suitable kind in other industrial schools is available for the children I should not feel justified in approving the proposed capital expenditure, half of which would fall upon the Exchequer.

Were not these recommendations brought before the notice of the West Ham authority by one of His Majesty's inspectors as far back as 1914; and were not plans submitted by the local authority to the Home Office in March, 1921, and were not the plans sanctioned by the Home Office?

That may be so, but at the present time there is ample suitable accommodation.

asked the Home Secretary whether the sums given in column 3 in the table relating to State management of the liquor trade, published on the 28th March, 1922, amounting in the aggregate to about £489,129, have been repaid to the Exchequer in replacement of capital cost; and will he state what sums were accumulated out of profits in each year, previous to the period covered by the table, and the amounts repaid to the Exchequer out of such profits towards the replacement of capital cost?

As the answer is rather long, perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The amounts accruing to the Exchequer towards replacement of capital cost, both in respect of the three years covered by the table given in my previous answer and in respect of the previous period, are as follows:

£ s. d. For the period to 31st March, 1918 164,733 12 8 For the next three years 377,101 4 8* Total, to 31st March, 1921 541,834 17 4

* Namely: £489,129, the figure quoted in the question from the table given in the previous answer, less £112,028, the total of the figures given for interest in that table.

The hon. and gallant Member will notice that in this and my previous answer, as well as in the published accounts, the phrase used is not "repaid to the Exchequer," but "accruing to the Exchequer"—the reason being that the undertakings are financed by the Exchequer, and that the surplus takings accumulated at the end of a year or other period, after the charges and expenses up to date have been met, are used to reduce the amounts advanced or payable by the Exchequer either by being applied to purposes for which Exchequer advances would otherwise have to be made, or by being actually paid into the Exchequer in repayment of the net outstanding-Exchequer advances.

I do not mean to imply that there is any substantial inaccuracy in the hon. and gallant Member's phrase "repaid to the Exchequer," but I have thought it advisable to set out the position in technically correct language.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision to deport Joseph Ponorofsky, who was fined £20 for frequenting a gambling house and sentenced to one month's imprisonment for failing to notify his change of address, in view of the fact that he has been in this country since the age of three, is married to an English-born wife, and has four children, and also in view of the good character received on behalf of this man from his former employers, provided a guarantee is given of future good conduct; and, if not, what provision does he propose to make to prevent his wife and four young children from becoming a burden upon the rates of East London?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The man was recommended for deportation by the Court which was no doubt aware of all material circumstances, and after further inquiry into the man's record in this country I can find no grounds for setting the recommendation aside. Unfortunately when a man renders himself liable to imprisonment or deportation it is a frequent consequence that his family are deprived of his support, but this is not a reason for refraining from administering the law.

In view of the severity of these punishments for technical offences, would the Home Secretary consider the advisability of setting up a tribunal of some kind to consider these cases and advise him on what action should be taken, rather than continuing the terrible sentences now inflicted?

My hon. Friend is entirely misinformed. These were not technical offences; these were serious crimes.

What, these! They are committed every day in the week.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has received the Report of the Deer Forests Committee; and, if so, when will it be published?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Report is at present in the hands of the printers and will, I hope, be published within a few days.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view to popularising the trunk system and assuring the Subscribers full time allowance for conversation, he is prepared to give instructions for time to commence to run when communication has been established with the individual required, and not, as at present, when the number asked for has been obtained?

I regret that I am unable to entertain this proposal, which would involve a considerable increase in the num- ber of trunk lines and operators and would virtually convert all trunk calls into what are known in the United States as "particular person" calls, where an extra charge of 25 per cent, or 50 per cent, is made for this service.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that in many instances it is impossible for a tenant to obtain a lease for a full period of 12 months; whether he is aware that a telephone contract must be undertaken for the minimum period of one year; and whether he can see his way to modify such a contract in the case of those desiring a telephone service, but whose tenancy does not hold good for that length of time?

Where service is required for a short period, it can be provided on payment of a proportionate rental plus the cost of providing and recovering the necessary wires and apparatus or at a year's rental, whichever is the less.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are many complaints by telephone subscribers of being overcharged on their telephone accounts; and, if so, whether he will take such steps as will establish an improved system of checking calls, and so give confidence to subscribers and ensure accuracy?

The Post Office system of recording telephone calls is the most efficient which has yet been devised, and is in use in all countries where the telephone is extensively developed, including the United States of America; but every new suggestion is explored with a view to improvements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the complaints of being overcharged in the United States of America are nothing like what they are here?

I should advise my hon. and gallant Friend to read some of the American humorous papers, and he would not then come to that conclusion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have had extensive experience of what goes on in the United States and also here, and that there is no question about the difference?

Has the right hon. Gentleman not assured the House that it is impossible for us to do what they do in the United States of America in regard to trunk calls, as he last week assured us it was impossible for us to do what they do in Spain?

On the contrary, I said it was impossible for us to do it in this country unless we made a charge equivalent to that which is made in the United States.

But surely what is good enough to pay a private concern in America is good enough in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General the approximate extra cost, in addition to the cost of the ordinary daily post delivery, of the distribution of a candidate's election address, or other election propaganda, to 25,000 voters in one district, in envelopes directed from the voting lists and de livered to the post office in separate packets for each street, and in numerical order; whether such extra cost would amount to as much as £10, as compared with the present postage charge of more than £100; and will he consider the advisability of charging rates for this special service compatible with the cost of a house-to-house delivery, privately undertaken?

In view of the different conditions prevailing in different areas, I doubt if any estimate of cost could be made, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that the printing and allied trades, which recently sent a deputation to him on the question of the adverse effect on their industry of the present postal rates, are anxious to know the decision of the Cabinet on the proposed revision of rates; and whether he will announce that decision before Parliament rises for the Easter Recess?

I am aware of the anxiety of the printing and allied trades in this matter. The question of the re- duction of rates is under consideration by the Government, and I am not in a position to make an announcement on the subject.

In view of that answer, I beg to give the right hon. Gentleman notice that I will call attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Peter Gibbons, No. 390,334, Labour Corps, served in the Connaught Rangers and in the Royal Irish Fusiliers before transference to the Labour Corps; that he enlisted as an A 1 man and was discharged, after several attacks of malaria, as B 3, with the result that he can no longer follow his occupation as a pit worker; that he received a pension of 20s. per week and later a pension of 7s. 6d. for 104 weeks, but of which only £5 have been paid as final settlement; that he appealed and was successful, but no payment has yet been made; and whether he will inquire into the full service record of this man and his physical condition when he enlisted in November, 1914?

This man's disablement from malaria being less than 20 per cent., he is not entitled to compensation other than by way of gratuity or final weekly allowance for a limited period. He has never received pension, but he has been paid £39, mostly in weekly sums, on the basis of his condition as found by three Medical Boards, including a Medical Appeal Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now given further consideration to the serious injustice suffered by children of deceased officers by reason of the fact that the allowances granted to them by Royal Warrants have been included with the income of their mothers, thereby rendering the said allowances subject to Income Tax; and whether, seeing that it is specifically provided in the Royal Warrant of 1914 that the allowance is an allowance to the children and not to the mother, and that in subsequent warrants the allowances were paid to the children through the mothers only for the administrative convenience of the Government, and not with the object of providing an additional income for the widow or revenue for the Exchequer, he will remove this anomaly?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 21st March. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue are advised that when re-assessed under the Royal Warrants of 1917 and 1920, allowances in respect of children of deceased officers, originally granted under the Royal Warrant of 1914, fall for Income Tax purposes into the same category as allowances granted under the later Warrants, as being allowances by way of increased pension to the mothers. No distinction falls to be made, therefore, between the two classes of case.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, even in the Royal Warrant of 1st July, 1920, it is provided that if, in the opinion of the Ministry of Pensions, it becomes necessary to secure the proper care of a child on behalf of whom the allowance is payable, the allowance, instead of being paid to the widow, may be administered under such conditions as the Ministry may determine? Is it not clear from this that, if the allowance is payable to the widow, it is on behalf of the child?

My memory does not hold the particular circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. I take it from him that it is so. But, even so, I do not think that the legal consequences can be drawn from that Clause which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Agenda for the Genoa Conference has yet been settled; and if it will be published to the House?

The outline Agenda which will form the basis of the discussions at Genoa was included in the Cannes Resolutions which were recently presented in the form of a Command Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether a note has been presented to France asking for payment of the interest on the French debt to this country; if so, whether a similar note has been presented to our other Allies in the late War; and whether he will lay the note upon the Table?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House any information regarding the Government's note to the Allies on the subject of the payment of interest on Inter-Allied War debts; whether any reply has been received from any of the Allies; and what is the nature of their replies?

A communication has been addressed to all the Allied Governments owing War debts to this country giving formal notice that in view of the obligation of this country to pay interest to the United States Government in October next His Majesty's Government must reserve the right as from that date to ask for payment in cash of interest on Allied debts to this country. No replies have yet been received. I see no need to lay the text of the communication, the substance of which I have given.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether it is not quite usual to lay a Note of this importance on the Table of the House, and if there is any reason why it should not be laid?

The only reason for not laying the communication is that I have, I think, given the whole substance of it in my reply, but if any special importance is attached to the communication, I will certainly see that it is laid, if the Noble Lord will move for it in the ordinary way.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, with a view to securing a practical and consistent policy of economy in the public service, the Government will consider the advisability of appointing a permanent Committee on administration which would have the power of supervising the administrative systems of all public Departments, of suggesting labour-saving methods, and of preventing overlapping, such Committee to have authority equal to that of the Auditor-General, but exercising its check before, and not after, expenditure, is incurred?

Effective machinery for all the purposes referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend already exists, and I do not consider that the creation of a. separate body of the kind indicated is either necessary or desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information as to the working of the Standing Committee on Administration which was set up in the United States when Mr. Taft was President; is he aware that this Standing Committee was able to effect some very great economies, because of its power to supervise the work of all Departments and to point out where there was overlapping of functions and where more economical methods could be adopted; and will he consider the advisability of setting up a Committee on the same lines in this country?

The financial and administrative system of the United States differs so widely from that of the United Kingdom that it is not possible to make a comparison between isolated elements in either system. I am in no sense suggesting any criticism of the American system when I say that the machinery in existence in this country is fully effective for the purposes referred to.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a letter has recently been addressed to Departments with regard to reduction of pay of temporary officials, other than graded clerks, at present in receipt of inclusive salaries; and, if so, what are the precise terms of such letter?

The answer is in the negative. The remuneration of such officials is being reviewed individually by the Departments concerned, in consultation with the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any alterations may be anticipated in the methods of Income Tax collection, which will tend to reduce either the expenses of collection or the number of officials employed, having regard to the Economy Report and also to the favourable opinions aroused by the provisions, of the Revenue Bill of 1921?

The alterations to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers cannot be carried out without legislative authority. Such authority was sought in the Revenue Bill, which, owing to lack of Parliamentary time and to opposition in this House, was not proceeded with last year.

Will my hon. Friend consent to receive a deputation to discuss this matter with him?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will be so kind as to confer with me I shall be very glad to have the benefit of his views.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a statement showing the cost of collecting the Income Tax for each year during the last 10 years?

The Income Tax is one of several duties collected by the Board of Inland Revenue, and it is not possible to apportion the total cost of collection between the various items. The cost of collection of Inland Revenue duties for each of the years from 1911–12 to 1919–20 is shown in Table 4 (page 8) of the 63rd Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmd. 1083). For the year 1920–21 the cost was approximately £7,927,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to assure the House that steps will be taken in the forthcoming Finance Bill to remove the anomalous differentiation which at present exists under the Income Tax Acts between the employE9 of a public company and the employé of a firm, whereby the former is assessed for his remuneration on the basis of the income of the current year while the income of the latter is assessed on the basis of the three preceding years; and whether, with a view to saving expense, and securing simplicity, he will consider as to assessing all individuals to Income Tax on the actual income of the preceding year, following the practice already introduced in the assessment to Super-tax whereby separate assessments for Income Tax and Super-tax would be obviated and a large reduction in stationery and costs of administration effected?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply (a copy of which I am sending him) given to the right hon. Member for Aston (Sir Evelyn Cecil) on the 7th instant.

Is it not the duty of the Treasury to see that a like burden is imposed upon people in one particular class?

The duty of the Treasury, I imagine, in these matters is to administer the law.

Surely it is the duty of the Treasury to see that the law is fair to a particular class, and that the Income Tax is not assessed on one basis for one section, and on another basis for another section?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any resolutions or recommendations of British chambers of commerce, and similar institutions, with reference to the placing of our war commitments, in the nature of pensions, etc., upon a funding basis; and, if so, what his reply has been?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is unable to add to the answer he gave the hon. and gallant Member on the 28th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to introduce a Revenue Bill this year?

I am not aware of any such intention.

Are we to understand from that answer that the administrative recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax are not going to be carried out this year?

The intention, as to which my right hon. Friend has no knowledge, applies to that sphere of legislation also.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that Circular 1245 of the Board of Education was not a decision to limit the expenditure on the education of blind and deaf children to the exclusion of any such children from attendance at suitable schools, but was intended merely as a warning that it might become necessary to do so, and in view of the fact that already certain education committees have accepted the circular as a decision of the Board, and are actually keeping blind and deaf children from instruction, he will either withdraw the circular or inform local education authorities that their duties under the Act of 1893, and the Education Acts generally affecting these children, remain as heretofore, and that the Board, until Parliament enacts otherwise, will continue to bear their present proportion of the expense of the education of all blind or deaf children needing such education?

I do not think that there is any such general misapprehension of the position as the hon. and gallant Member suggests. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that the Board's ability to pay grant in respect of the education of blind and deaf children depends upon the provision made by Parliament for the purpose. I have every hope that means may be found to prevent any diminution of the numbers of children in attendance at schools for the blind and deaf.

asked the President of the Board of Education the result of the further inquiry into the proposed closing of the elementary school at Chalton Horndean, Hants, which on 30th March he promised to make; whether he will arrange for a public inquiry to be held locally, under Section 31 of the Education Act, 1918, as to the proposed closing of the school; and whether he is aware that the managers are anxious that the public inquiry should be held?

I have now received a copy of a resolution passed on the 6th April at a meeting of the managers of the school, consenting to its closure. I understand that the managers asked that a, public inquiry should be held, but as I have no authority to require the managers to continue to provide the school, I do not think that an inquiry would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has now ascertained if the Somerset County Education Committee has decided to discontinue the maintenance of voluntary evening continuation schools, many of which have been in existence for 30 years; whether, since this decision will mean that young persons desiring further education in hundreds of parishes in Somerset will be deprived of any facilities for such further education, he will say what steps he proposes to take to secure that, where a reasonable number of students in any parish desire continued education, proper facilities will be provided?

I am informed that the Committee have not decided to discontinue the maintenance of evening continuation schools in the county. They have, however, decided to insert in their regulations a clause to the effect that during the session 1922–23 no evening continuation school shall be allowed to continue unless a minimum attendance of at least 12 students is maintained, and that in parishes where the population exceeds 1,500 this minimum shall be raised to 15.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, under the scheme for the education of ex-officers, fresh applicants for assistance are still being sent to the universities at the public expense; how many have been admitted on a public assistance basis up to date; when admissions will finally cease; when the last admissions were sanctioned; and whether a Supplementary Vote was taken for the extra two millions of expense now incurred in addition to the six millions for which sanction has previously been obtained?

The latest date pre scribed for the lodging of applications under the ex-service students' scheme was the 30th June, 1920. Applications after that date have, however, been exceptionally entertained where the lodging of an application was prevented by retention in the forces in a remote theatre of the War, or by retention in hospital. Apart from these exceptional cases all fresh awards have ceased. The total number of students who have been admitted to the benefits of the scheme is 26,470. The last award was made on the 7th March, 1922. The sum of six millions was a provisional anticipation of the total cost of the scheme made when the scheme was first put forward. The excess of two millions falls over the total period of the operation of the scheme. The expenditure in each year has been within the amount contained in the Estimates for that year (Class IV, N. 1, 2 and 3), except in 1919–20, the first full year of the scheme, when a Supplementary Vote became necessary.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that anything so far removed from elementary education is consistent with elementary economy at the present time?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a result of recent decisions taken by the Allied Governments, any revision has been made in the sum paid into the Exchequer as against the cost of the British Army of Occupation?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received the resolution passed at the meeting of the fancy goods section of the London Chamber of Commerce, to the effect that representations should be again made to him urging that the time has now arrived when the import duty on musical instruments, clocks, watches, and motor accessories should be removed, having regard to the fact that this was a Wartime measure; and what action does he propose to take?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part of the question, I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is not a fact that the right hon. Member for Central Glasgow (Mr. Bonar Law), when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that after the War this particular tax would be removed?

Was it not debated in the House, and understood, that a wider scope would be given for its retention in the interest of trade and industry in this country?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the action of His Majesty's Board of Customs in refusing to release some articles for the reason that they might be used for the purpose of attaching a clock, a barometer, or other such article thereto, on the ground that if a clock were attached thereto the article would then become part of a clock and as such liable to duty under the Import Restriction Act of 1915, which authorised His Majesty's Customs to obtain a duty of 33⅓ per cent, on clocks; and whether, since it is stretching the Act beyond reasonable limits to levy the duty upon any article to which a clock movement could be attached, he will reconsider this decision?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the case in question, I will cause inquiry to be made and communicate the result to him.

Would it not be possible for the Department to issue instructions that when a duty is levied on an article it should be levied on that article and not on furniture appertaining to it?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that certain industries, such as the motor car industry, the motor-accessories industry, and the musical instrument industry, etc., are enjoying the protection of a 33⅓ per cent, duty, which was imposed on the import of articles with which they are in competition, under necessity created by shortage of cargo space in the middle of the War; that his predecessors in office pledged their words to the House of Commons that the duties in question were not imposed for protective purposes and would be removed directly the conditions which required them ceased to exist; and whether steps will immediately be taken to remove the duties in question in order that the industries referred to may in principle be placed on the same footing as the other industries of the country, so that if they can substantiate a claim to a duty it will be open to them to make out their claim under similar conditions to those imposed upon other industries by the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The reasons for the imposition and subsequent continuance of the duties in question have been fully given from time to time in the House in connection with the various Budget statements, to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member. As regards the latter part of the question, I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

May we hope that the tax will be increased to 50 per cent.?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a great deal of the unrest amongst the working classes is due to falling wages and the exorbitant price of beer; and whether he will seriously consider in his Budget proposals the advisability of reducing the duty on the barrel of beer by 50 per cent.?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware of representations in the sense mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, but he is unable to anticipate the Budget proposals on this matter.

Am I to understand from the answer that the Government are really trying to bring about prohibition in an indirect way?

I do not think any word could have fallen from me that could give rise to such a suggestion.

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantities of coal and coke sent from this country into France, Italy, and Germany in 1913 and 1921, and the quantity of coal and coke sent from Germany in 1913 and 1921 into France?

I have been asked to reply. As the answer involves a statistical

Exports from the United Kingdom. Destination. Coal. Coke. 1913. 1921 ( a ). 1913. 1921 ( a ). Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. France … … … … 12,775,909 6,395,651 5,785 4,265 Italy … … … … 9,647,161 3,383,083 70,327 31,179 Germany … … … … 8,952,328 817,877 20,455 1,205 Exports from Germany. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. France … … … … 2,413,618 ( b ) 6,243,521 ( c ) 2,338,313 2,907,940 ( c )

( a ) In 1921 there was a general stoppage of three months' duration in the British coalfields, so that the export figures shown above correspond roughly to a working period of only nine months. Calculated on the basis of the figures for the last quarter of 1921, the annual export of coal and coke would be: 12,588,512 tons of coal and 1,228 tons of coke to France, 5,862,400 tons of coal and 60,916 tons of coke to Italy, and 1,489,280 tons of coal to Germany. No coke was exported to Germany during the last quarter of 1921.

( b ) Not including coal exported to France from the Sarre.

( c ) All this was reparation coal and coke.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he can issue regulations as to the prompt conveyance by rail of perishable vegetable produce and fruit; and whether he can take any action with reference to a proposal made by the

statement I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that the quantity of coal supplied by Germany to France as indemnity coal is equal to twice the quantity produced by the county of Northumberland?

I am not aware of that. I think if the hon. Member will look at the answer as it appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will see that it gives the information he requires.

Is it the hon. Gentleman's intention to lay the pits idle, as they are getting only two and three days per fortnight?

Following is the statement:

London and South Western Railway Company not to run carriages fitted with shelves for conveyance of strawberries over their system, as this change will result in great damage to the fruit and materially lessen its value?

I am advised that the Minister has no power to issue regulations as sug- gested. As regards the latter part of the question, I have been informed by the railway company that, following upon experiments which took place last year, an improved type of basket has been standardised by the growers, and that the experiments showed that the provision of shelves in the vans was not necessary. I am always prepared to consider, and to lay before the railway companies, any well-founded representations from interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount of contributions paid by the employers, the total amount paid by the workers, and the total amount paid by the State in accordance with the various Unemployment Insurance Acts since their commencement; what has been the total amount paid out by the Government for administration during the same period; and what has been the total amount deducted from the employers' and workmen's contributions on the 10 per cent, reduction for administration?

As the reply is necessarily somewhat lengthy, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The answer is as follows;

The total amount of contributions paid under the Unemployment Insurance Acts (including the Unemployed Workers' Dependants (Temporary Provision) Act), between July, 1912, and the present date, is as follows:—

Employers … … £26,300,000 Employed … … £25,000,000 State … … £16,200,000 £67,500,000

The total cost of administration for the period of nearly 10 years has been approximately £14,000,000. Of this sum about £7,200,000 represents the Appropriation-in-Aid of 10 per cent., which is based on the total income of the Fund (including interest) and not merely on the contributions of employers and employed.

I have not included in these figures, of course, any reference to the Out-of-Work Donation Scheme which ran from Armistice to 31st March, 1921, and involved a State charge of 62 millions.

asked the Minister of Health if it has been brought to his notice that the foreign milk now being imported in various forms is often produced under sanitary conditions which would not be tolerated on British farms; and whether he will safeguard the health of the British consumer, and especially the child population, by instituting a standard for imported milk, whether liquid, dry, or condensed?

So far as I am aware, the conditions of production of foreign milk which is imported into this country are not worse than those which exist on many British farms. The amount of fresh milk which is imported is insignificant, and the processes to which sterilised, dried and condensed milks are submitted are necessarily such as to minimise the risk of danger to health. All consignments of imported milk or milk products are liable to be inspected at the port of entry and those which are found to be unfit for human consumption are condemned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any record of recent analyses of these goods to see if they really do come up to the British standard?

I should want notice of that question.