asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a Committee has been appointed by the Government of India to report upon the position of the frontier province and its relation, present and future, with the Punjab; and, if so, what are the terms of the reference?

I have seen reports of debates in the Legislative Assembly which indicate an intention to appoint a Committee to inquire into various matters connected with the administration of the North-West Frontier Province, including its relations with the Punjab, but, so far as I am aware, the Committee has not yet been appointed, nor have the terms of reference to it been settled.

Is the Noble Lord aware that at the present time the North-West Frontier Province is the only province where there is no sort of constitution and no self-government? Will he take steps to see that an end is put to that anomaly?

I have said that a Committee has been appointed to inquire into that matter.

Will the Noble Lord impress on his advisers the necessity for insisting that there shall be no interference with the settlement of frontier disputes by Jirga and also the inadvisa- bility of inflicting a Legislative Council on the Province, for which it is at present unsuited.

My hon. and gallant Friend had better wait until the Committee dealing with the matter has reported.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if a Retrenchment Committee, as agreed to between the Government of India and the Legislative Assembly, has been constituted; if not, will he state the reason for delay; and whether the terms of the reference have been drawn up?

Steps are being-taken to establish the Committee as rapidly as possible, but neither its constitution nor its terms of reference have yet been finally settled. My hon. Friend will appreciate the importance of securing the services of the best available personnel, and the fact that this may necessitate a little delay in completing the formation of the Committee.

Will the Noble Lord take steps to see that the superfluous officers brought in on account of the Reform scheme are now retrenched?

The matter will be considered by the Committee which, I have stated, is being set up.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will submit a statement showing the number of Hindus elected to the Legislative Assembly and the respective provincial legislative councils and the number of Brahmins elected to each?

I have not the material for such a statement, but will ask the Government of India to supply me with it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if two offers, one by a British and the other by an Indian firm, have been received to construct and work a direct wireless service between India and Great Britain under licence and in accordance with Government requirements as outlined by the British Post Office authorities; and whether a decision on these offers will be arrived at without undue delay?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The precise form in which wireless communication between India and this country is to be established is still under consideration by the Government, and until that has been settled no decision in regard to the offers referred to by my hon. Friend can be arrived at.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state the circumstances which led to the mutiny of Indian troops and the dismissal of 350 men of the 1st Imperial Service Lancers?

The troops in question did not belong to the Indian Army, but to the forces of His Exalted Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Hyderabad Government have assured the Government of India there is no likelihood of violence or cause for anxiety. The accounts of the incident that have appeared in the Press are understood to be substantially correct.

Are they Mussulmans or Hindus?

I must have notice of that question. It is a matter which concerns His Highness's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India to what the outbreak in the Calcutta gaol was due; did the trouble begin among the politicals; were they being treated as politicals; and how many politicals were killed and wounded?

I have not received any message ascribing any definite cause to the outbreak. But there are no political prisoners in the gaol.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any details as to the reported rising in an Indian prison near Calcutta; and whether he can state how the prisoners in the prison secured arms and ammunition?

As the answer is rather lengthy, I propose, should the Noble Lord see no objection, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the answer cover the last point raised in the question?

Yes, the telegraphed reports do not seem to suggest that the prisoners were in possession of arms and ammunition. We expect fuller details by the next mail.

Following is the answer:

The reports received are to the effect that a serious mutiny broke out in the Presidency Jail, Calcutta, at 11 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday the 26th. Prisoners attempted to break through the gate of the jail and this necessitated the use of firearms by warders under the orders of the superintendent of the jail. Armed police and troops were sent, but the civil authorities resumed charge of the jail at 2 o'clock on the same day and all troops were withdrawn. Five prisoners are reported to have been killed and 35 wounded; these casualties apparently occurred before the additional police and troops arrived which were sent to render assistance. A few warders and jailers were slightly injured. Three large sheds were set on fire by the prisoners and destroyed and damage estimated at about £20,000 was caused. The telegraphic reports do not suggest that the prisoners in the prison secured arms and ammunition, but fuller details are expected by mail. I would mention that no political prisoners were confined in this jail.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has recently arranged contracts for locomotives for the Indian railways; what is the number of engines required by the terms of these contracts; how they have been allocated in this country; and whether any have been placed with firms abroad?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The other parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether any, and, if so, what, progress has been made in respect of the equal status question in Kenya and Fiji?

The position of Indians in Kenya is under active consideration between the India Office and the Colonial Office. I am not able to make any statement at present. As regards Fiji, I do not anticipate that any further action will be taken until a report by the deputation from India to Fiji has been received and considered.

Has that report not been received?

It has not reached my hands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can yet give a date for the initiation of the Burma Constitution; and, if not, whether the delay arises from a change of attitude towards the constitutional reform?

The new Constitution will be initiated as soon as possible after the rules required for the purpose are approved. The Secretary of State hopes to bring the draft rules, with his proposals, before the Standing Joint Committee at a very early date, and is anxious that they should be settled without delay.

Do I understand that the fixing of these rules by the Standing Joint Committee will be the last stage before the enactment of this Constitution, and that the Constitution is at present awaiting the decision of the Joint Committee?

No, Sir. The procedure, as my hon. and gallant Friend will recollect, is that they will have to be approved by this House. That will be the next step after the Standing Joint Committee has reported. These rules, it is hoped, will be put in operation this year.

The Noble Lord does not intend to introduce a Bill to establish this Constitution, but merely by an executive Act to include Burma in the original Bill?

It is not necessary to introduce a Bill, but there will have to be a Resolution by both Houses, either affirmative or otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the technical qualification upon which depends the issue of corps pay to officers of the Royal Army Service Corps, under Army Order 324, of 1919, has not yet been completely defined by the Army Council in accordance with the promise contained in the Order, and that in consequence many officers in the Royal Army Service Corps are unable to draw corps pay for which they may hold sufficient qualifications; and whether the necessary instructions will be issued at an early date?

The Army Council have not decided upon any extension of the qualification for corps pay provided in Army Order 324 of 1919, namely, qualification in the examination for Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The question is under their consideration and further instructions in the matter will be issued as early as practicable.

Will there be very much delay?

I hope not.

asked the Secretary of State for War what would be the approximate cost of issuing War medals to those members of the Territorial forces who volunteered for overseas service but who were kept at Home by the orders of the War Office; whether the expense of issuing these medals is the only reason for their not being issued; and, if not, will he say what are the other reasons?

I regret that I am not in a position to answer the first part of this question, as the number of those concerned is not available. The answer to the second part is in the negative. With regard to the third part, I have nothing to add to previous answers given to numerous similar questions asked by the hon. Member.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how it is that the Government can find money to provide medals for Home Service Special Constables but not for Home Service Territorials?

It is a very painful subject. If the hon. Gentleman wants to discuss it, his best way will be to raise it on the Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of British troops still stationed in Silesia; what is the expenditure involved; and if he will state the purpose for which this force is retained there?

The number is 4,500 all ranks. In regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies respectively given yesterday by myself to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull and on 15th March last, on behalf of the Prime Minister, to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Fife.

Do the replies to which the hon. Gentleman refer cover the last part of my question—for what purpose these forces are still being retained there?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read the answer I think he will see.

But does the answer contain that information?

I think it does.

Who pays for these troops? Are we paying for them up till now?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the answer given yesterday I think he will see that.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, without making any charge against the British troops, it is the case so long as they are in Upper Silesia there will be trouble; will the War Office use its best endeavours to bring these troops back?

My information is exactly the opposite. Their presence there makes for peace.

Are there not other parts of the world in which these men could be much more usefully employed?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any action has been decided upon with regard to the claim of the Government of the United States of America for the payment of the costs of the American Army of Occupation; what has been done with the payments received to date from Germany for the Armies of Occupation; whether any sums on this account have been received by His Majesty's Government; and whether any payments have been made to the United States Government out of the sums received to date from Germany for reparations or for the costs of the Armies of Occupation?

No payment has been made to the United States Government for the cost of Armies of Occupation out of the sums collected by the Reparation Commission, and their claim in this respect is now being considered by the Allied Governments. The amounts received by His Majesty's Government have been paid into the Exchequer except in so far as they have been appropriated by Parliament in aid of advances to Germany for coal.

As to the first part of the question, would the hon. Gentleman state whether any action has been decided on with reference to the Allies at all?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will observe in my reply that it is now being considered by the Allied Governments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that up till September last the painters employed in the Gretna factory were classed as skilled workmen and received the Carlisle painters' rate of wages; that now the painters are the only class of skilled workmen in Gretna factory who are not receiving the skilled rate for the district; and whether he will take steps to rectify this matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. The wages of painters and Various other employés at Gretna were altered in September last to bring them into accord with the rates understood to obtain for the nearest comparable employé in private engineering establishments in the Carlisle district, and the change in the case of painters was approximately the same as in the case of other employés at the factory. I am not aware that the men in question have ever been treated as fully skilled workmen entitled to the rates of wages obtaining for skilled workmen employed under building trade conditions. If the hon. Member has any reason for thinking that the rates of any of the men concerned are less than "fair" within the meaning of the "Fair Wages Resolution," I should be glad to make further enquiries if he will acquaint me with the details of any case that he may have in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the vacant portfolios in the Government of Iraq have yet been filled?

The post of Minister of Public Works has been filled. Whether the other vacant offices have been filled or not has not been reported by the High Commissioner.

Are these Ministers nominated by the British representative, and have they to contest a bye-election as in this country?

I cannot answer as to bye-elections. With regard to the first part of the question, Ministers are selected by His Majesty King Feisal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information with regard to the recent raids into the territories of the King of Iraq by adherents of Ibn Saud; whether His Majesty's Government or the Government of King Feisal is represented at the Court of Ibn Saud; whether satisfactory explanations of the recent raids have been forthcoming; and whether the payment of the monthly subsidy to Ibn Saud has been suspended or retarded?

As to the first part of the question, there has been no further trouble, and recent information tends to show that the attack was perhaps mainly due to a sheikh belonging to one of the border tribes of Iraq, and that in any case the raid was carried out without the approval or even cognisance of Ibn Saud. As to the second part, a representative of the High Commissioner for Iraq has been with Ibn Saud recently, and a representative of Ibn Saud has been in Iraq on two or three occasions to discuss pending questions with the High Commissioner; but neither His Majesty's Government or Ibn Saud has at present a regular arrangement for the appointment of diplomatic representatives, nor is either King Feisal or Ibn Saud represented at the Court of the other. The reply to the fourth part of the question is in the negative.

Is not this money paid in arrear, subject to good order being kept amongst these very outlying sheikhs, who seem to be making trouble, and ought not we to stop some of the money as a lesson for the future?

The hon. and gallant Member is quite correct in stating that the subsidy is paid in arrear. There would have been, however, no justification for withholding payment to Ibn Saud unless my right hon. Friend had cause to believe that he was responsible for these disturbances. As a matter of fact, the full information, when he received it, and the extremely frank ex- planation afforded by Ibn Saud, were sufficiently strong to convince him that there was no justification for withholding it.

If Ibn Saud cannot control the tribes within his nominal territory, what is the use of paying him a subsidy?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Mr. Cope is still in Dublin; if so, what position he holds, whether under the Provisional or British Government; and by which Government is he paid?

Mr. Cope is still in Dublin. He holds the position of Assistant Under-Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, and is in the service of and is paid by the Imperial Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what duties Mr. Cope is performing, seeing that the administration of Southern Ireland has been handed over to the Provisional Government?

Mr. Cope and other Imperial servants are engaged in winding-up various Imperial services. They are all doing their duties under great difficulties. They are all amenable to this House, and their conduct can be raised on the Irish Estimates. I do not think it helpful to these gentlemen in their difficult situation that the policy adopted by the House should be criticised from day to day.

Can these gentlemen do something to save the lives of the Protestants in Cork?

What about the Catholics in the North of Ireland?

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us will they go when they are wound-up?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position which Lord FitzAlan now holds in Ireland; is he still acting as Lord Lieutenant; and, if so, what are his duties and his powers?

Yes, Sir, Lord FitzAIan is still Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His duties and powers are as stated in the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on the 13th February last.

Are the Lord Lieutenant and his staff making any efforts to protect these loyalists who are being murdered every day?

Surely the hon. Member knows that the position of the Lord Lieutenant in Ireland is very similar to that of a Governor-General in Australia or in Canada. He acts under the advice of his constitutional advisers, and he cannot act in any other way.

Cannot something be done to get back the Lord Lieutenant's motor car, which has been stolen by the Provisional Government?

As the right hon. Gentleman mentioned the Dominions, may I ask whether Ireland is not in the United Kingdom, and, as such, in a different position from the Dominions?

Who are the constitutional advisers of the Lord Lieutenant?

The Governments of Ireland.

Which part?

The two Irish Governments.

Is not Dail Eireann the Government of Ireland?

That is an argument, and not a question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state definitely what are the exact terms to which Irish civil servants are entitled who may voluntarily retire in consequence of the change of Government; whether, in addition to the transitional period, they are entitled to have abolition years added in accordance with the Superannuation Act, 1859; and, if so, what are the exact number of years which should be so added?

Irish civil servants who may voluntarily retire in consequence of the change of Government are entitled to terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Act of 1920. That Act provides that the years of service of such a civil servant shall be reckoned 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, and that there shall be added any additional years which he may be entitled to reckon under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1859.

If a man decides to continue under the Provisional Government of Southern Ireland, will the years that he has served under the British Government be counted in his time?

I must ask the hon. Member to put down that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many civil servants in Ireland who will have-to retire, and for whose case there is no provision under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920; and can he state the conditions under which those men will be entitled to retire?

I must ask hon. Members to put questions of that kind down. I cannot answer a technical question like that without notice.

Is not the question perfectly general as to civil servants in Ireland who have to retire, whether under the Act of 1920 or not?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state definitely whether Irish prison officers who may voluntarily retire in consequence of the change of Government, and who have served, say, 23 years, would, on having the transitional years added to their service, be entitled to receive their full pension as though they had actually served 30 years in accordance with Section 1, Sub-section (1, b ), of the Superannuation (Prison Officers) Act, 1919?

Yes, Sir. A prison officer of 23 years' service to whom the Superannuation (Prison Officers) Act, 1919, applies, who may voluntarily retire in consequence of the change of Government, will be entitled to compensation not less favourable than that accorded by the Act of 1920, namely, an annual allowance calculated in accordance with the Act of 1919 as though he had actually served 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.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the elections in Southern Ireland will take place; and what measures have been taken to ensure that those with a right to vote will be allowed to do so without coercion of any kind?

I understand that the Provisional Government hope to be in a position to arrange for the holding of an election next month. It is for that Government to take such steps as may seem to them most efficacious to prevent intimidation or coercion, and I cannot make any statement on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the Southern Government and ask them to take necessary steps in order that those people who are desirous of showing what their will is may be protected?

In view of the disturbance that took place last night in St. George's, Hanover Square, at a meeting in support of one of the Government's candidates, will due and adequate steps be taken to protect the electors of Westminster?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken to recover possession of the Four Courts, in Dublin, which have been recently seized by armed rebels; whether he can state in whose custody are the books and papers relating to the £5,000,000 trust funds, or there-abouts, now being administered by the Irish Courts; whether these books and papers are the property of the British Government, or of some Department of that Government; and whether it is possible, failing access to these books and papers, to make the usual payments to the numerous persons interested, many of whom are poor, and are solely or mainly dependent on these payments for their maintenance?

The question of the steps to be taken for the recovery of possession of the Four Courts is one for the Provisional Government, and I cannot make any pronouncement on the subject. The documents referred to are the property of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Southern Ireland, for which the British Government's responsibility ceased on the 1st ultimo. I understand that duplicates of some of these documents exist outside the Four Courts, and that, while hardship will undoubtedly be inflicted upon a large number of innocent beneficiaries of the trust funds, it will probably be possible to proceed with many of the payments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps, by representation to the Provisional Government or otherwise, to prevent the infliction, to which he refers, of gross hardships upon these, innocent persons, who, after all, are British subjects?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the Provisional Government, which cannot retain possession of its own principal law courts, will be in a position to offer protection to voters at an election?

With reference to the question of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Scottish Universities (Sir H. Craik), each Member of the House must draw his own conclusions. With reference to the question put by the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher), the Provisional Government is responsible for the administration of law and order in Dublin and Southern Ireland, and it is not possible for His Majesty's Government to intervene otherwise than by way of suggestion in a case like this.

Can the right hon. Baronet give any information as to the seizure of money from the banks?

That does not arise here.

Is the Government quite satisfied with the result of its policy?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now give particulars to the House as to the kidnapping and removal of two ex-Royal Irish Constabulary men on their way to England from the Holyhead boat, a British vessel, just before she sailed from Kingstown during the Easter recess; what has happened to these men; what action is being taken by the British Government for the protection of demobilised men of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and what, if any, arrangements have been made with the Provisional Government to secure the protection of demobilised soldiers and other persons who have been in the employ of the British Government from the serious danger to their lives and property with which they are daily threatened?

In reply to the first part of the question, as soon as the report of this alleged outrage was brought to my notice I made inquiry from the officers of the ship, from the Dublin Metropolitan Police on duty at the quay, and from the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities in Dublin, but could obtain no confirmation of the report. I was further informed that a certain sergeant whose name was given to me was a member of the party upon whom this outrage was committed, and this sergeant has been interviewed, but states that no molestation or interference of any kind between Gormanstown and Kingstown or elsewhere was experienced by the party of which he was a member. I have therefore at present no information leading me to suppose that any such outrage has in fact occurred, but I should welcome and would immediately investigate any further information which may be in the possession of the hon. Member. The second part of the question does not arise. In reply to the remainder of the question, the public discussion of such arrangements as are possible for the protection of persons and property would clearly serve no useful purpose.

I did not ask what arrangements have been made, but if any arrangements have been made which the British Government consider adequate for the protection of the life and property of ex-service men and others in Southern Ireland.

Have any of those who have committed murders in the North of Ireland on Roman Catholic subjects of His Majesty yet been discovered and tried?

That does not arise upon this question. In reply to my hon. Friend (Sir W. Davison) every step that can be taken has been and is being taken to protect the lives and property of people in Ireland as well as people who leave Ireland and come to this country. It is a most distressing and difficult position, I agree, and I regret that more effective steps, both financially and legally, cannot be taken.

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that last week the Ross-lare boat was crowded with refugees flying for their lives from Southern Ireland?

No, I am not aware of that fact, and I do not believe it.

On a point of Order. Are Members of this House entitled, in asking questions about a country which you have ruled they cannot ask questions about, to make charges of this character?

Has not the right hon. Baronet already admitted the responsibility of His Majesty's Government, when their old servants come home after their disbandment, to protect their families from being murdered?

This is a point on which I have allowed questions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to the effect of the passing of the Irish Free State Act on the question of the importation into Great Britain of store cattle; if so, what is their opinion; and whether he proposes taking any further action in the matter?

I am advised that the expression "United Kingdom" in the definition of the word "foreign" in the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, means the territory comprised in what was the United Kingdom at the time of the passing of the Act and that consequently animals from the Irish Free State are not foreign animals for the purposes of the Act. It will probably be desirable, however, to remove any possible doubt by including a provision on the subject in a Bill dealing with the Irish question

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the proposed issue of a public loan for the development of Tanganyika Territory; and whether our mandate in respect of that country contains any provision for the raising of such loan on the credit of the district?

It is not proposed to issue a public loan for the development of Tanganyika Territory. The second portion of the question, consequently, does not arise.

Are we not charging against Tanganyika Territory, which is a mandated territory, the Grant-in-Aid that we were forced to make to that territory, either last year or this year, in order to make both ends meet?

If my hon. and gallant Friend means by that the Treasury Grant-in-Aid, the interest upon which is chargeable against Tanganyika Territory, that is so.

Is it within the scope of our Mandate to make this mandated territory accept a loan from the British Government?

I think it is evidently within the scope of the Mandate to invite the mandated territory to charge its revenue with something which is obviously in the interest of the mandated territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he received several months ago a petition from the Kingston penitentiary staff, Jamaica, relating to their conditions of service; and, if so, what action does he propose taking in the matter?

I have to refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 17th March on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Westminster (Brigadier-General Nicholson).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that at Tottenham Police Court on Thursday, 20th April, a man named Charles Whybrow and his wife were sentenced to a month's imprisonment on a charge of cruelty to children; and that the police-inspector in the case gave evidence that the children were well fed and clothed and that the best that could have been done for the children under the circumstances had been done; and, in view of the great difficulty people have in obtaining suitable house accommodation at the present time, will he take this case into his sympathetic consideration with a view to the remission of the rest of the sentence?

I have made inquiries. The case was adjourned from time to time to enable Mr. Whybrow to obtain other accommodation, which he said he could do, and he was told that if he failed he must apply to the guardians. The court came to the conclusion that Mr. and Mrs. Whybrow were wilfully defying the law. I regret I cannot therefore interfere.

Is it advisable for men who do not want to go on the Poor Law relief to be forced to accept it?

That may not be so, but you will have to consider the interest of the small children.

Is it not true that that is the evidence given by the police inspector, yet we are told the only remedy is that they must go into the workhouse to be kept by the ratepayers?

No. According to my information that was not the evidence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take further steps, by investigation, to see whether the statements in the question are true?

I have made the fullest inquiries and had a full account from the Clerk of the Court of all the evidence.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state, in connection with the State management districts, the total amount actually paid into the Exchequer up to the 31st of March, 1922, in replacement of capital cost; the total amount of interest actually paid into the Exchequer in respect of Exchequer advances up to the 31st March, 1922; and the amount still outstanding in respect of compensation on account of licensed properties acquired by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic)?

The total amount paid into the Exchequer up to the 31st March, 1922, in connection with the State management districts, was £477,102 6s. 7d., but none of the actual payments which together made up this total were earmarked as being so much for replacement of capital cost or initial advances, and so much for interest. In reply to the last part of the question, the capital liability in respect of properties which have been acquired, but for which the compensation has not yet been paid, is approximately £18,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government have under consideration the question of extending the liquor control experiment which is in force at Carlisle; and whether, in view of the strong condemnation by the Geddes Committee of the Carlisle arrangements on financial and other grounds, he will appoint a Committee to conduct an impartial inquiry into the matter?

The question of extending the Carlisle system to other districts is not at the present moment under the consideration of the Government, and I do not find in the Report of the Geddes Committee any condemnation, strong or otherwise, of the Carlisle arrangements, or any ground for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into them.

Has the result of these operations been a financial success?

Yes, I think it has been. That we shall be able to deal with in debate.

Before arriving at that surplus, has interest been charged on capital and Income Tax and Corporation Profits Tax been paid, the same as in a private concern?

I have explained over and over again that the surplus money is paid into the Treasury and we do not go into the question.

Then it is impossible to find out whether it is a success or not.

That does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a very serious accident to a public service motor vehicle in Knightsbridge recently, apparently due to the failure of the steering gear, which resulted in several casualties; whether he can state what steps, if any, are taken to ensure that public service vehicles in the Metropolitan Police area are kept in an efficient condition; whether the police have any power to compel the withdrawal of any vehicle which is observed to be plying for hire in an unsafe condition; and whether any penalty can be inflicted upon those responsible?

As far as information goes at present there is no evidence to show that the collision was due to the failure of the steering gear. The inspecting staff are engaged daily in inspecting public carriages at garages and in the streets with a view to their being kept in an efficient condition. During the year ended 31st December last 18,489 reports of unfitness (some of which were of minor importance) were dealt with. When a vehicle, upon inspection, is found to be in a condition unsafe for public use, steps are taken for its immediate withdrawal from the streets. Under the London Hackney Carriage Act, 1853, Section 17 (3), the driver of a public carriage who plies for hire with any carriage which is at the time unfit for public use is liable to a penalty of 40s.

Are we to understand from that answer that if the inspectors observe an unsafe vehicle in the street they can withdraw it?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Home Secretary how many industrial and reformatory schools have been closed during the past two years; and what reduction of staff, if any, has accrued in his Department as a consequence?

Thirty-two schools have been closed. The Chief Inspector's clerical staff has been reduced by two clerks and a vacancy for an inspector has not been filled.

Have the children been removed from these schools to other schools?

Yes, when a school is closed the children are transferred to vacant places in equally good schools.

Why has not the number of inspectors been reduced?

Owing to the very largely increased amount of work in the schools, an increase of staff would have been necessary but for the closing of some schools.

asked the Home Secretary whether any reductions have recently been made in the annual clothing and boot allowances made to the members of the Metropolitan Police force; if so, can he state approximately what the annual value of the reduction will be to an officer and constable of this force; and will he state what is the total estimated annual saving to be made in these reductions on the whole force?

The boot allowance has been reduced by £2 12s. per annum (from 2s. to 1s. weekly) for all ranks. The anticipated saving amounts to £50,000 for the year. The reductions in the plain clothes allowances amount to £6 per annum (£16 as against £22) in the case of inspectors and £5 4s. per annum (5s. weekly as against 7s. weekly) in the ease of sergeants and constables. Only a small proportion of the force is affected by these reductions. The anticipated saving amounts to £6,000 for the year.

asked the Home Secretary what are the regulations with regard to Metropolitan Police on point duty wearing white gloves; whether he is aware of the experiments being carried out in provincial towns with white overalls and of the difficulty of distinguishing the signals of the officers in blue at badly-lighted points in the Metropolis; and whether he will consider experimenting with light-coloured overalls in the interests of the safety of the police and the public generally?

White gloves are supplied for each permanent traffic point. The question of supplying white overalls has been considered, but the Commissioner is of opinion that they would not be suitable for point duty under the conditions of London traffic.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of providing white sheets for people who continuously furiously drive?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these gloves are supplied free?

I expect so; but I can ascertain.

Is there not the danger of people mistaking these men for ghosts at night?

That depends upon the condition of the person.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the sum of £2,000 included in the Estimates for 1922–23, in aid of the upkeep of the Advocate's Library, Edinburgh, represents the final decision of the Government at the present time; whether his attention has been called to the fact that this allowance is inadequate in present conditions, and is very much less than the sums which have been voted for some time to similar institutions in Wales and Ireland; and whether, in these circumstances, he is prepared to press for reconsideration of this matter with a view to a more substantial grant being given?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am aware that larger sums have been voted to the National Libraries of Wales and Ireland, but, under existing financial conditions, I am not prepared to take action on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. The grant of £2,000 is intended to enable the Faculty of Advocates to tide over the financial difficulties in connection with their library, and I have received no representation to the effect that it is inadequate for this limited purpose.

Having regard to the circumstances of this library in Edinburgh, may we hope for a readjustment of the grant, having regard to the fact that, other countries have had grants a long time, and nothing whatever has so far been allowed to what is becoming a Scottish national institution?

The question of its being a Scottish national institution will arise at a later date. I would ask my hon. Friend to recognise the generosity rather than the frugality of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a communication received by the court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh from the Lord Chamberlain's office in London intimating that the Scottish Lion flag is to be hoisted on Holyrood Palace on certain days, but that this does not give any official sanction to the flying of this flag by private persons; whether the flag referred to in the communication is the flag with the device Or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counterflory, gules; and, if so, having regard to the fact that this flag has ceased since the union to be used as the personal flag of the Sovereign, will he make it clear that, in the terms of the Scottish Office circular of 18th June, 1907, there is no necessity to discourage its display?

I am informed that the communication issued from the Office of the Lord Chamberlain on the subject of the flying of the Scottish Lion flag over Holyrood Palace did not contain any reference to the flying of this flag by private persons. The flag referred to in the communication is that described by my hon. and gallant Friend. The Scottish Office circular of 18th June, 1907, is still in force, and, in point of fact, it is desired to encourage the display of this flag by private individuals.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that a large number of houses in Thurso have been reported by the local sanitary inspector as unfit for occupation; that 52 tenants have appealed to the local council to put in operation their powers to compel the property owners to put the houses in a reasonable condition for occupancy; that the council has declined to interfere; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction that prevails among a large number of tenants, he will call for the reports of the sanitary inspector to be submitted to the Scottish Office for investigation?

I think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The report in question was not a report that the houses were unfit for occupation, but a report for the purposes of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, to the effect that the houses were not in such a state of repair as to entitle the owners to the increase in rent permitted by the Act. The Town Council took the action appropriate upon such a report, and issued the necessary certificates. I see no reason to take any further steps in the matter.

Is it not a fact that some of these houses, particularly the ones referred to in the question, were included in the report, and that increases of rent are being taken from those occupying the houses, and the Town Council of Thurso are not taking any action in the matter?

I have covered that question in my answer.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the estimated Post Office surplus will be devoted to the reduction of postal and telegraphic rates?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in introducing the Budget yesterday. I propose to deal fully with the question of Post Office finance when I introduce the Post Office Estimates on Thursday next.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that the charge for sending half-a-pound of Devonshire clotted cream by parcels post now amounts to 9d., or three times as much as was charged prior to the War, the consequence being that the charge has become practically prohibitive and seriously handicaps an important branch of the agricultural industry in Devonshire, which, in view of the plentiful supply of milk, is of increasing importance to the farmers and dairymen of that county; and can steps be taken to reduce these charges?

The parcel post rates are not remunerative and I regret I cannot at present reduce them. The initial charge of 9d. covers a parcel weighing up to 2 lbs., and for parcels of light weight, such as those to which my hon. Friend refers, the letter post is available at a lower cost.

asked the Postmaster-General whether listening-in in respect to telephone conversations is still continued in any official Department or in the office of any Minister of the Crown; and whether the record of any such conversations is kept?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answers to the hon. Member for Stratford on the 4th of this month, and the Noble Lord the Member for Battersea on the 21st March, which both relate to this subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any machine or instrument for recording such conversations?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have never asked any question relating to Ministers of the Crown?

I do not quite understand what my hon. and gallant Friend means by instruments for recording conversations.

Are there any automatic instruments for recording these conversations, or have they to be listened in by the persons?

I have never in any answer said that the system of listening-in has been adopted in Government Departments. There is no recording instrument, 60 far as I am aware, which will record this or any other conversation.

IS the practice of listening-in adopted or not?

I have said repeatedly that, except where we are asked to do so by the police, there is no listening-in. Even then it would not be done except by my personal sanction.

There is no such instrument installed in Downing Street, that is certain?

asked the Postmaster-General in how many post offices in London it is possible to send telegrams during all hours of the night; whether any night offices have recently been closed in London; what is the latest hour one can send telegrams from the head and sub-district post offices in the London district; whether these hours have recently been curtailed; and, if so, for what reason?

The number of telegraph offices in London (including railway stations) open throughout the night is seven. The latest hour at which telegrams can be handed in at head offices and the principal branch offices in London is normally 8 p.m. There has been no recent curtailment of these hours. Telephone subscribers in London can dictate telegrams at any time to the Central Telegraph Office for onward transmission, and non-subscribers can also do so from call offices at telephone exchanges which are open always ( i.e., the majority of telephone exchanges in London) upon payment of the usual call office fee in addition to the charge for the telegram.

asked the Postmaster-General if the adding of district postal numbers on London letters has been of great assistance in the sorting and delivery of London letters; whether, if letters are posted without the district number, it means any delay in the delivery of such letters; and, if this be the case, will Re have public notices to this affect displayed in all post offices and outside all London letter boxes which exist in London or at other chief post offices?

The addition to the London postal district initials of the number of the office of delivery in the address of a letter is, as the hon. Member suggests, of great assistance to the Post Office. I am glad to say that the practice is now generally adopted. According to returns recently taken, 85 per cent, of the letters delivered in the south-western district bore the number of the office of delivery. In these circumstances I do not think it necessary to incur at present the cost of further special advertisement. Letters not bearing the number of the office are delivery are sorted with other letters, but the presence of the number in the address simplifies the procedure and thus lessens any risk of delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider conceding to Members of Parliament the great facility in their work of allowing them to know how soon or how late they can post to various constituencies in and around London?

That is a question which can be raised in the Debate on Thursday.