asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a Bill has been introduced into the Legislative Assembly for safeguarding pure cotton; and, if so, what stage it has reached?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly on the 8th March. No further progress had been made up to the date of the latest reports of the Assembly received here.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if it is the intention of the India Office, or those responsible, to seek tenders from Germany and other continental countries for the supply of their requirements in road rollers and other classes of machinery?

The High Commissioner for India is responsible for making purchases of stores for the Government of India. The instructions issued for his guidance require purchases to be made in the most favourable market on a commercial basis. Important requirements are, as a rule, advertised, and tenders from Germany and other continental countries are considered on their merits, together with tenders from British, Dominion and American sources of supply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether open indenting for salt is the rule throughout India; and whether, seeing that such indenting has led in Rajputana to unfortunate profiteering, the system under which district officers nominate trustworthy agents for their districts, who are allowed to indent on condition that they sell wholesale at a fixed rate, can be made of general application?

The system of open indenting is generally followed in India, but in some localities other systems are followed. My hon. Friend's suggestion will be communicated to the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Madras Government has passed an Act authorising local bodies to make primary education compulsory; and, if so, whether similar action has been taken by any other provincial legislature?

Yes, Sir. Six other provinces have passed similar Acts. But the conditions under which the local authorities may introduce compulsory education, if by a two-thirds majority they desire to do so, entail adequate provision in each case for finance, school accommodation, and the training of teachers.

Can the Noble Lord arrange for some of these enlightened statesmen to be sent to Nottingham, where, apparently, there are those who do not believe in any education?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any decision has yet been reached as to the permanent increase in the pensions of retired Indian officers who served in the recent War, in accordance with the promise made by the Indian Government?

An Army Instruction was issued by the Government of India, dated 15th March last, notifying that the revised rates of pension sanctioned in 1920 for Indian officers and non-commissioned officers ranking as Havildar would be applicable to pensioners who had rendered satisfactory paid military service during the War, the re-assessed rate to be drawn from 1st April, 1919, or from date of release from re-employed service, whichever is later.

Is the Noble Lord dealing only with native troops? The class to which my question referred are the European officers who served with the native Army.

I will get that information for my hon. and gallant Friend. I was under the impression that the question referred to Indian officers.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the promise of increased pensions was made directly after the War, and will he take steps with a view of getting an early settlement?

I will look into the whole matter and let my hon. and gallant Friend know.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if consideration is being given to the fact that British manufacturers are unable to compete with German and other Continental firms owing to the collapsed exchanges; and can any steps be taken to ensure that all moneys loaned to the Indian Government for the development of the country be spent with English firms, to enable them to reduce the amount of unemployment that exists to-day?

When the East India Loans Bill was recently before the House, I fully explained the policy to be followed in this matter and the reasons for its adoption. I am glad to say that the facts do not bear out the assumption in the first part of the question. As I previously stated, I can give no undertaking that all orders for supplies for Indian railways bought out of the proceeds of sterling loans will be placed in the United Kingdom, but I confidently hope that, as in the past, British manufacturers will be able to secure the great bulk of the orders.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state what powers remain with the Government of India now that the Press Act Repeal Bill has been passed by the Indian Legislature to repress the dissemination of seditious matter in India and the vilification of Government servants, both British and Indian; whether these powers are considered sufficient; and, if not, what steps are to be taken in the matter?

It is difficult to explain so complicated a matter as the exact effect of the repealing Act by means of an answer to a question. With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission I will send him a copy of the Act, which will answer the first part of his question. It is hoped that the powers that remain will prove sufficient. If they do not, it will of course be necessary to consider further action.

When you are able to put your opponents into gaol, are any further powers necessary?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the serious discontent that has been created in cones- quence of the delay that has been incurred in the publication of the terms under which the surplus officers of the Indian Army are to be compulsorily retired; and whether he can now state what these terms are, so that the officers who are to be compelled to take up a new career may be able to make their fresh start in life with as little delay as possible?

The delay, which no one regrets more than the Secretary of State in Council and the Government of India, is due to the fact that when the Indian scheme was ready for application a similar problem arose in regard to the British Army and the Navy. It was decided that the compensation terms for all three Services must be considered comprehensively, and the results of that consideration are now awaiting final confirmation.

Can the Noble Lord say when he will be able to make a statement on the subject?

I hope very shortly indeed; possibly in the course of next-week or so.

This week?

This week or next week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will, when apportioning orders for locomotives for the Indian state railways, take into consideration the products of the State factory at Woolwich which has been reconstructed at enormous expense for the manufacture of locomotives, and possesses a number finished and ready for delivery?

The suggestion will be brought to the attention of the High Commissioner for India and of the railway companies which deal with the requirements of the State-managed and of the company-managed State railways respectively.

Will special consideration be given to the fact that the Prime Minister assured a deputation that the Secretary of State for India would be consulted to see whether it was possible to take the locomotives under construction at Woolwich?

Yes, Sir. The procedure is, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, that under the present system the High Commissioner is the agent for the Government of India in making these purchases.

What is the gauge of the Indian railways, and what the gauge of these locomotives?

I was looking into that question only this morning. I do not think the locomotives will be suitable for the Indian railways, but I do not yet know what Woolwich has available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has advised His Majesty to deprive officers of honorary rank and decoration for gallant service who have joined the rebel army in Ireland and taken up arms against the forces of the Crown?

I have no record that any such cases have been reported to the War Office.

If I give instances, will my hon. and gallant Friend take up the matter with a view to seeing that the officers concerned are deprived of their honours?

Yes, certainly.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see that officers in receipt of retired pay who are fighting in the rebel army may be dealt with in a similar way?

If I get specific instances, I will have them looked into, most certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, if any, the Government are taking, or are prepared to take, in order to reconquer Southern Ireland; and what force would be available for this purpose?

No, Sir, I have no statement to make on such a subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend not to move in the matter until compelled by an indignant public opinion?

The hon. Member is giving his own opinions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can inform the House as to the present position in Southern Ireland; whether the Government are satisfied that adequate protection is being provided for ex-service men, Protestant farmers, and other loyalists in that area; and whether there are any isolated detachments of British troops who are in danger of capture or outrage?

The responsibility for maintenance of law and order in Ireland outside the Northern area has, with the approval of Parliament, now been transferred to the Provisional Government, who are doing their best in exceedingly difficult circumstances to afford protection against outrage to all classes. As the House is aware, the authority of the Provisional Government has been challenged in some parts of the area within their jurisdiction; but the grave situation resulting from that challenge could only, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, be aggravated by any interference or action on their part. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Are we to understand that the British Government has abandoned the loyalists in Southern Ireland to their fate, except in so far as they make representations to the Provisional Government?

The hon. Member is really criticising the Act now on the Statute Book.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any of the former Government Departments in Dublin Castle have been wound up; if so, which of them; how many persons are now in employment in the former Government Departments and offices in Dublin Castle; and if there, has been any reduction of the numbers?

With the exception of the Chief Secretary's Office and the Office of the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, all the former Departments in Dublin Castle have now been taken over by the Provisional Government. The staff of the former office now consists of two British officials, who are engaged on matters arising out of the transfer of services to the Provisional Government and on matters connected with the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very large number of employés in Dublin Castle and can he assure the House that with the exception of those mentioned, these are now struck off the pay list of this country?

I thought my answer was perfectly clear. There is a large number of employés, partly employés of the Provisional Government and partly policemen themselves who are engaged in disbanding the force, and, as far as British officials are concerned, there are two.

When does the right hon. Gentleman himself expect to lay down the burden of his office?

At the earliest possible moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the two officials?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the reductions and alterations in taxation that may be included in the forthcoming Finance Bill will apply automatically to that portion of Ireland known as the Irish Free State; and, if not, what arrangement he has made with the Minister in charge of Irish finance to meet the difficulties that will arise?

As matters stand at present, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and I am in communication with the Finance Minister of the Provisional Government on the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether paper money now in circulation in Ireland or which may be issued on behalf of or by an Irish bank, has behind it the same guarantee as paper money issued by the Bank of England; and, if not, will he say what value is possessed by a £1 note of the Bank of Ireland for purposes of legal tender in Great Britain?

Irish bank notes are not legal tender in Great Britain, and have never been. The Irish note issues are private issues, and their position is in no way altered by the changed constitutional position.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any men of the British Navy were kidnapped in Ireland on Sunday night or yesterday morning; and, if so, how many; and what action the Admiralty propose to take?

I have no information that any men of the British Navy have been kidnapped in Ireland.

Does the hon. Gentleman's answer cover the case of pensioners and coastgaurds who are ex-naval men?

I made inquiries from the Admiral at Queenstown upon receipt of the question as to whether any men of the British Navy had been kidnapped, and he said they had no information. If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a further question I will inquire into that point.

May I ask whether the Admiral at Queenstown is in a position to know?

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his position in the House for the purpose of refuting statements of those Members of the House who put these malevolent question and spread false information, or is it his idea that it all depends in whose interests the information is given?

That is a matter for me. I asked the hon. Member, and he assured me that he had adequate information, whether correct or not, upon which to base this question, and the responsibility is mine.

In view of certain rulings which you, Mr. Speaker, have given in the House in regard to questions about Ireland, may I ask whether there is any power resting with you or with the Government to prevent these continuous misrepresentations from being given publicity in the House of Commons? Denials come from Ministers, and there is no repudiation of these lies——

The hon. Gentleman is using quite unnecessary adjectives. I take full responsibility for the question, and I think it is quite a proper one, as, if correct, it affected naval men in the employ of this House.

Is it permissible for hon. Members of this House to bring charges of misrepresentation and lies and things of that kind against another hon. Member who simply asks a question based upon a telegram which he has received to the effect that a certain incident has taken place? Would not that prevent every Member of this House from asking any question based upon information which he has received?

I have already said that I think the hon. Member was justified in his question. That was why I accepted it in the special form of a Private Notice question.

Why should he be called a liar?

I am afraid that Irishmen, from whatever part of Ireland they come, are apt to put superlatives into their speech.

May I ask your ruling on this very definite question: Is it in order for a Member of this House to attribute malevolent, false and malicious motives in putting a question?

Any attribution of motives is against the rules of the House, and I hope that the hon. and learned Member will support me in preventing it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that coast battery men during the war are entitled to the war medal, whilst men who were mobilised in 1914 and guarded the railways and afterwards did duty on the coast are not entitled, he will explain this discrimination?

The hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. The medal is not given to all coast battery men, but only to those who were actually engaged with hostile vessels. The performance of general military duty on the coast, whether in a battery or elsewhere, does not entitle a man to the medal.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give particulars of the British troops now in Palestine and the periods for which they have been stationed there; and if he will state whether they are quartered in barracks or under canvas?

The British Army Garrison in Palestine consists at present, besides ancillary services, of the following units, which arrived in the country at various dates in 1920 and 1921: The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons). 13th Pack Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. 2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire). 20th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. 4th Armoured Car Company. Nearly the whole of these troops are accommodated in huts and the remainder are under canvas.

What is the object of these men being there? What have they to do?

That is a big question of policy.

What is the policy of the Government with regard to Palestine?

That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received from Jamaica any complaints as to the action of the present Governor; and, in view of the statements in the Press, is any inquiry taking place as to the strained situation in that Colony, and the cause thereof?

My right hon. Friend has seen the statements referred to in the newspapers. Various matters arousing local discussion and controversy were brought to my notice when I was in Jamaica, and these are dealt with in the report of my visit to the West Indies, which I hope to lay upon the Table of the House at an early date. I may, however, say at once, that while in the Colony I saw and heard nothing which would justify the description, of the situation then prevailing as strained.

Are these strained relations due to any extent to the policy of the Governor in settling people upon the land in Jamaica?

I should hesitate to go as far as that. It is no doubt true that land settlement in Jamaica, as elsewhere, has been a matter of controversy.

Has this matter been referred to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, who looks after questions of Empire land settlement?

Seeing how many of these questions affecting the West Indies are now held up in view of the hon. Gentleman's report, will he press upon the Colonial Secretary the desirability of placing the report before the public as soon as possible?

Yes, I am very glad to say that the report has been through the hands of my right hon. Friend and I expect to send it out to the Governors one day this week, whichever day the mail goes. As soon as we have heard that it has reached them it will be placed before this House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether there is a Court of Appeal for the hearing of civil cases in Sierra Leone, and no Court of Appeal in criminal cases; whether a person convicted on the findings of a judge alone has no right of appeal;

(2) whether, by an ordinance in force in the Colony of Sierra Leone, the Attorney-General, without stating any reason, has the right to demand that a person charged with an offence be tried by the aid of assessors instead of by jury; and whether, in such cases, the unanimous opinion of the assessors is binding on the Court or is the sole right of decision vested in the judge alone?

There is a Court of Appeal for civil cases, but none for criminal cases in Sierra Leone—the Attorney-General may, except in capital cases, demand that a person shall be tried by a judge with assessors instead of with a jury; the opinion of the assessors is not binding on the judge; it follows that a person may be convicted on other than capital charges, on the findings of a judge without having a right to appeal. It is always open to a person so convicted to petition the Governor for pardon or remission of sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any oil fields have yet been discovered in the mandated territories of Iraq; whether exploration is in progress; what private company or companies are carrying out this work; whether drilling has commenced and, if so, with what results; whether any royalties on oil will be paid to the native government of Iraq; and what steps are being taken to see that the natives of the country benefit from any exploitation of their oil lands, and that in the granting of licences to win oil there is no special preference given to favoured companies or individuals?

There are signs of oil in various parts of Iraq, but how far the deposits are worth working or not is not yet known. No exploration work or drilling is being carried out in any part of Iraq, except in the narrow strip of territory transferred from Persia to Turkey under the Turco-Persian Frontier Protocol of 17th November, 1913, which is covered by the concession granted to Mr. D'Arcy in 1901 by the Persian Government, and which the Turkish Government agreed to recognise in the Protocol referred to. The Iraq Government as the inheritor of the rights of the Turkish Government will receive a royalty of 16 per cent. of the net profits on any oil which may be obtained in that territory. The form of government which has been set up in Iraq affords ample guarantee of the rights of the natives of the country in the matter of concessions as in other respects, while the rights of other nations are safeguarded by Article 11 of the Draft Mandate. There is no reason to fear that special preference will be shown to any particular company or individuals.

How does it come about that the Prime Minister in this House two years ago stated that there were considerable oil deposits in Iraq, and held that out as a reason for the vast expenditure?

I am very glad to find I am in entire agreement with my right hon. Friend. As I have said, there are signs of oil in various parts of Iraq.

In the event of this oil being exploited by us, has consideration been given to the extent of the standing army which will be necessary, or as to what the cost will be?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inspectors are employed at Scotland Yard and on the streets, respectively, in the inspection of public service vehicles; what qualifications are insisted upon as a condition of appointment; and upon what Vote they are shown?

The inspecting staff has a strength of 45 officers, of whom four are attached to headquarters and 41 outside. They are not, of course, all of inspector's rank. All men appointed to the inspecting staff are selected by reason of their former experience of engineering matters, and no man is appointed to the higher grades unless he possesses a certificate of competency in motor-car engineering and mechanics. They form part of the Metropolitan Police, and the cost is borne by the Metropolitan Police Fund, the Exchequer contribution to which is contained in the Police Vote.

asked the Home Secretary if the Government will support legislation introduced to authorise flogging and imprisonment without the option of a fine in the case of individuals convicted of carrying on the illicit drug traffic in this country, and deportation, in addition, if the offender is an alien?

The question of taking further powers and strengthening the law is under consideration. The power to deport already exists, and is used whenever possible.

Is it possible to inflict the punishment of flogging on aliens who commit this crime?

No, Sir, not under the present law.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is put into the law?

It is a matter of considerable difficulty. It is not so simple as my hon. Friend seems to think.

These aliens are frightened by nothing else. If you flog them, you will stop them from carrying on this traffic.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the opinion of the police authorities, the law under which no conviction can take place under the Dangerous Drugs Act unless a forbidden drug is actually found on the person of the arrested man or woman requires alteration; and whether he proposes, in that case, to ask the House for the extra powers?

So far as I am aware, there is no such law. Perhaps the hon. Member will communicate with me and let me know what he has in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to state the position of the negotiations with the Dominions on the Amendments to the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, with regard to the grandsons born abroad of British parents; and when an amending Bill will be introduced?

The negotiations are, as I stated last week, complete and immediate steps are being taken with a view to the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary if he is now able to hold out any hope of a reduction in taxi-cab fares; is he aware that this step is desired by the majority of the drivers themselves; and what is the reason for postponement of the official permission?

I have no information that a reduction is desired by the majority of drivers, but any representation they may make to me will receive my immediate consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question as to whether the reason for postponing the official permission? Is he aware he gave the same reply six months ago, but the prices of petrol and oil and wages have all gone down?

The Commissioner of Police is advised by all his advisers that the time has not yet come for it, and we have had no representations from any body of persons.

I have had this reply given to me every time I have asked this question. What is the reason for the postponement of the official decision? The right hon. Gentleman will never give me that.

I have just given it.

The right hon. Gentleman says he has not had the application referred to in the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether, under existing Re- gulations, it is an offence to sell sweets after 8 p.m. in a restaurant and confectioner's shop?

Under the Shops (Early Closing) Act, 1920, as modified by the amending Act of 1921, the general closing hours for the sale of sweets are 8 p.m. on Sundays, 9.30 p.m. on week-days other than Saturdays, and 10 p.m. on Saturdays, but earlier hours may be fixed in particular districts by orders made by the local authorities under the Shops Act, 1912. After these hours no sweets may be sold in any class of premises except only when supplied as part of a meal for consumption on the premises.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that an order has been conveyed from Scotland Yard that in future no more special permits for the extension of hours for the sale of drink in hotels and restaurants will be granted in the West End of London; whether this order has been issued with his authority; whether any cases of abuse of the special extensions hitherto granted have been brought to his notice; if he will state what are the reasons for the issue of such an order; and will he undertake to have the order reconsidered forthwith?

No such order has been issued. The Commissioner, however, has been advised that the law confines such permits to special occasions.

Am I to understand that no further applications from hotels or restaurants in the West End will be considered?

The Noble Lord is not to understand anything of the sort. Any application for an extension for a special occasion will, of course, be considered.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can specify the farms in North Uist and South Uist, respectively, for which application has been made for purposes of land settlement for ex-service men and others, and on which no settlement has been made; how many applicants there are in these cases, and whether the Board of Agriculture have definitely refused the applications?

As the answer to the question is necessarily lengthy, and involves considerable detail, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer:

The farms in North Uist for which application has been made and on which no settlement has yet been effected are as follows: Newton and Cheesebay, Clachan and Vallaquie, Cleat and Ormsay, and Trumisgarry. Negotiations in respect of schemes of settlement on these farms have reached an advanced stage. Eval and Lurinish, and Vallay and Griminish. These farms are not available for settlement under the Small Landholders Act, 1911, except by agreement. Sixty-eight applications for new holdings on these farms, including 33 from ex-service men, and 26 applications for enlargements of existing holdings, have been received by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland.

In South Uist holdings have been applied for, but settlements have not been effected, on the following farms: Nunton, Nunton Hill, Drimsdale and Drimore. The lease of Nunton does not expire until Whitsunday, 1927, and Nunton Hill, is not available for settlement under the Act of 1911 except by agreement. Drimsdale and Drimore have been taken over by the Board and a scheme of settlement which will give early entry to holders is now in preparation. In respect of these farms 69 applications for new holdings, including 55 from ex-service men, and 77 applications for enlargements of existing holdings have been received by the Board. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he proposes to adopt the recommendations of the Committee on Deer Forests which reported some time ago; and, in particular, what action, if any, he intends to take in regard to that part of the Committee's Report which, in the opinion of the Committee, requires immediate action?

The Report of the Committee on Deer Forests is receiving my consideration, but I have not yet reached a decision upon the various recommendations. Legislation would be required to give effect to the proposals referred to in the last part of the question. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that I shall keep in view the Committee's representation as to urgency.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the extension of these forest areas is in prospect and that legislation is necessary at an early moment?

I have just stated I am carefully keeping in mind the urgency of the matter. If my hon. Friend has read the report, he will be the first to deprecate unduly hasty and precipitate legislation.

Seeing that the Committee in the commencement of its report decides that the most barren parts of the Highlands cannot, without prohibitive expense, be made cultivable and that the Highlands cannot afford to lose the rating, is there any use in proceeding with their other recommendations?

I think my hon. Friend attaches too much importance to the preamble of the report. I certainly think the report is a very valuable one, and I propose to introduce legislation.

Will legislation on this report be taken before legislation on the report of the Rural Transport Committee?

That does not arise here.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the decision of the Government that the cost of the feeding of school children, in excess of £300,000 during the current year, must not be borne by the Board of Education, but by the boards of guardians, will involve a charge on local rates which has hitherto been borne to the extent of 5 per cent, by the Treasury, and that, if the necessity for school feeding is no greater this year than last, this will mean an additional cost of £365,000 on already overburdened ratepayers; and, under these circumstances, will the Government make a contribution from the National Exchequer to local authorities equivalent to the amount which would have been paid by the Treasury had this responsibility remained with the local education authorities as has been the case since 1906?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the decision of the Board of Education to cease feeding certain children will lead to still further burdens being placed on local ratepayers throughout the realm; and what steps, if any, are proposed to ensure that Governmental economies do not divert expenditure in this manner?

Provision has been made in the Board of Education Estimates for aiding such expenditure as the Government consider can properly be incurred under the Provision of Meals Act, and the Government are not prepared to make any further contribution from the Exchequer towards the expenditure of local authorities for this purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this will mean an added burden of over £350,000 to the ratepayers this year which was borne by the Treasury last year, and by what means are they to raise that money?

That is an assertion which the hon. Gentleman has made more than once. Indeed, he has put his question more than once, and I hope I am now answering it for the last time, but I do not agree with the assertion. The expenditure last year was wholly abnormal, and the sum provided this year is equal to the expenditure in, I think, each of the three preceding years. It is clearly not proper to charge the education rates with large sums in relief of the poor rates, and though that was done last year it is not a thing that in fairness to the taxpayer should be repeated.

Is it suggested that the unemployment will be less this year than it was last year and that therefore there will be less likelihood of children requiring food?

There were peculiar circumstances last year, which have often been referred to, which led to an immense increase—I think, a larger increase than there should have been.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the case of local educational authorities reducing their expenditure during the current year on special services and administration and other expenditure in connection with elementary education within the limits specified in Command Paper 1,638, their elementary substantive grant will be based on the same formula as last year, even though the increases involved by the carry-over agreement for teachers' salaries under the Burnham scale, as approved by the Board, will make their total net expenditure more than last year?

Subject to the over-riding limit on the total expenditure of local education authorities which can be recognised for grant, and subject to observance of the interior limits on expenditure for special services and for administration and other expenditure, respectively, the existing formula for the calculation of grant will still be applied to expenditure which is not disallowed as extravagant and improper. It will, of course, be understood that the conditions of the Board's Regulations must be observed.

What is the basis on which reductions, which the right hon. Gentleman has foreshadowed, will be made?

I have not foreshadowed any reductions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Reparations Commission has sent a Note to the German Government on the subject of the Treaty of Rapallo between the Russian and German Governments; whether there is any co-ordination between the actions of the Reparations Commission, the Allied Representatives at Genoa, and the League of Nations; or whether these three bodies all communicate with the German Government on different phases of the same subject without reference to each other?

The Reparation Commission's Note to the German Government on the subject of the Treaty of Rapallo (which was published in the Press on the 5th instant) states that the Commission has in the Note confined its observations to the questions with which it is immediately concerned. There is, so far as I am aware, no reason to apprehend any danger of confusion arising between the Reparation Commission and the Allied Governments. I have no information that the League of Nations propose to take any action as regards the Treaty of Rapallo.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the channel of communication for co-ordinating the operations of these bodies?

I never thought of inquiring into that question. If they want to communicate with one another, they can, and as long as each minds its own business, they are not likely to come into conflict.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consent to lay all official papers relating to the inclusion in the reparations claim of charges for pensions?

No, Sir. I do not see how it would be possible to meet the hon. and gallant Member's wish without publishing practically the whole of the proceedings of the Peace Conference in regard to reparation. This could not be done without the consent of all the States which took part, and is, in my opinion, contrary to public interest at present.

Does the right hon. Gentleman hold that the inclusion of these claims was within the pre-Armistice terms?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Shell Oil Company entered into negotiations with representatives of the Russian Government last November with a view to obtaining a monopoly of petroleum rights in Russia, and that an agreement was signed by both parties during February, 1922, and is now waiting ratification by Moscow; whether these negotiations were carried out with the knowledge and/or consent of His Majesty's Government; whether, in view of the statements in the French Press to the effect that French and Belgian opposition to the Russian policy at Genoa arises from the fact that some of the oil now being contracted for formerly belonged to French and Belgian interests, he will state what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to prevent the settlement of Europe being wrecked by the rivalries of apparently competing oil interests?

I am informed that no negotiations with the objects stated have been entered into, and that no such agreement has been signed. The remaining parts of the question do not therefore arise.

Is the Anglo-French oil agreement, signed at San Remo on the 24th April, 1920, still in force?

That does not arise, and I must have notice of that.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the delay in the presentation in another place of the Resolutions for constitutional reform, he would consent to lay a White Paper giving the terms of those Resolutions?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to take this course.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to expend £9,500,000 during the current financial year on the development and extension of the telephone system in Great Britain; and, if so, can he say what proportion of this sum will be devoted to extending and improving telephonic facilities in rural agricultural areas?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The amount of monye spent on rural extensions will depend upon the extent to which the con- cessions in respect of charges which were announced on Thursday last meet with response from rural residents. I am hopeful that, with the liberal terms now offered, great extensions of the telephone service will take place in rural as well as urban areas.

asked the Postmaster-General when the extension of the telephone service is likely to be made from Middlesbrough to the neighbouring villages of Marton and Nunthorpe, for which application was made over eight years ago by professional and business people resident in these villages who have businesses in Middlesbrough?

I hope an exchange will be opened at Marton about six months hence. The original scheme was for a manual exchange, but the cost of providing accommodation was prohibitive, and it was decided to instal an automatic exchange. A site is being acquired, and a building will have to be erected. I much regret the delay that has taken place, but unexpected obstacles have been encountered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the admitted necessity of increasing telephone facilities in rural areas, he will allow individual farmers to establish their own telephone connection with the nearest exchanges in cases where the farmer is prepared to shoulder full responsibility in respect of the maintenance of the line and instrument?

The concessions announced last Thursday enable me to quote in most cases much more favourable terms for exchange lines than has been possible of recent years. I would, however, give careful consideration to an arrangement of the nature suggested in any cases where it is reasonably workable and where the Post Office cannot carry out an extension except at abnormal cost.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of times during the past 18 months on which the mailboat plying between Stornoway and Kyle of Lochalsh failed to fulfil the terms of contract by not arriving at Stornoway at the scheduled time, and the number of times the failure was due to breakdowns?

The times of arrival and departure scheduled in the contract for the Stornoway steamer service are approximate only. The essential requirement is that a steamer shall leave Kyle as soon as possible after the arrival of the afternoon train, proceed to Stornoway, and return in time to connect with the 11 a.m. train of the following day from Kyle to the south. During the past 18 months failures to maintain the train connection from Kyle to the south have occurred on 12 occasions. On two of these occasions the failures were reported to be due to breakdown.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the frequent breakdown of the cable communication between the Island of Lewis and the mainland, and the long delays in repairing the same, and also the advisability of wireless contact with ships in danger at sea, he will take steps to reopen the wireless station at Stornoway which was set up by the Admiralty during the War?

Communication between the Outer Hebrides and the mainland is maintained during cable interruptions by means of the wireless stations at Lochboisdale and Tobermory. The ship and shore stations at Wick and at Malin Head are available for communication with ships on the north-west coast of Scotland, and in the circumstances the re-establishment of the wireless station at Stornoway for the purpose indicated by my hon. Friend would not be justified.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the mail boat broke down in a gale recently some wireless messages were sent, but they were not received at Stornoway, and consequently a number of women and children were kept waiting there on the pier all night?

I am sorry to hear that, and I was not aware of the fact, but the matter has been considered, and it is not thought that we should be justified in giving the extra facilities which the hon. Member desires.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters sent to Odessa by way of London are not delivered, and therefore not answered, and that letters sent from Berlin by way of Moscow to Odessa are carried with regularity and safety, and receive answers without any undue delay; whether, under these circumstances, he can re-model the whole of our postal arrangements with Southern Russia; and can he state the reasons for this postal handicap to British traders?

In accordance with the requirement of the Russian Postal Administration, letter mails for all parts of Soviet Russia despatched from this country are sent to the Office of Exchange of Moscow; and I have no information that correspondence for Odessa is treated differently from correspondence for other parts of Russia. If, however, my hon. Friend can supply me with specific particulars of any cases in which letters for Odessa have been delayed in delivery, or have not been delivered, I will cause enquiries to be made.

asked the Prime Minister what are the exact duties carried out by the Department of Mines; what is its staff; what is its cost; and whether it is to be regarded as a permanent part of the official machinery?

I have been asked to reply. The staff of the Mines Department, including the Inspectors of Mines and the temporary staff engaged on winding up financial control, numbers 360. The cost, which is limited by Statute to £250,000 a year, is at present £170,284 a year.

As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. E. Harmsworth) on the 26th July last, and to the statement made on the subject by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his speech on the 1st March last, on the recommendations of the Committee on Public Expenditure.

asked the Prime Minister the amount of money that has now been voted by the Trade Facilities Committee, under order of this House, for the promotion of industrial and commercial schemes calculated to stimulate employment; whether it is intended, since unemployment is still acute, to expedite the expenditure of the complete sum during the next few months; and whether he can assure the House that the Committee, being an ad hoc appointment, will not be allowed to become part of permanent Government machinery unless by specific approval of Parliament?

The guarantees recommended by the Trade Facilities Act Advisory Committee, up to the present date, represent a capital sum of £15,693,145, and the Committee is doing everything in its power to hasten the completion of its operations. They have laid down the conditions on which they would be prepared to recommend guarantees for further sums up to the full amount available, and are doing their best to expedite the necessary action on the part of the applicants. The Committee, the Members of which are unpaid, was set up in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and must naturally remain in being so long as applications have to be considered. There is no intention to set up any permanent Committee of this kind.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Agreement recently come to between Germany and Russia provides, among other things, that Krupps shall be allowed to establish armament works in Russia, and that Germany shall prohibit the transport of munitions or troops through her territory for the assistance of Poland and the other Russian border States should they need military assistance to maintain their independence; and if, in view of the menace which these arrangements would involve to the maintenance of a free Poland, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, he will state whether the Allied Governments propose to take steps to secure their effective annulment?

I have no information of any such arrangement. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to statements on the part of those opposed to the raising of the embargo on Canadian cattle that such action will involve the repeal of the Diseases of Animals Act of 1896; and whether he can assure the House that, in case it be decided to admit Canadian store cattle, there is no intention of allowing the importation of Continental cattle without effective measures to prevent the danger of imported disease?

I have seen statements suggesting that the raising of the embargo on Canadian cattle would involve the repeal of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1896. Such action would, no doubt, involve an amendment of the Act of 1896, but not necessarily its repeal, as it applies, and should continue to apply, to other foreign animals, even if the Canadian cattle are exempt from its operation.

May we take it that, in the event of the House deciding in favour of the removal of the embargo, the Government will take steps to give legislative effect to that decision?

That is hypothetical. The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better wait to see what happens.

May I ask whether, as a matter of fact, Mr. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, did not intimate at the Imperial Conference that if Canada were exempted from this, Australia would also claim exemption?

I think that is so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of unpaid interest had accrued at the 31st March, 1922, upon United States of America Government loans bonds and notes as shown in the Return of External Debt (Cmd. 1,648)?

The figure as on 31st March, 1922, was $598,373,000?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a statement giving the details of the loans from certain Allied Governments, amounting to £128,000,000, set forth in the Return of External Debt, 1922, and also a statement of the debts owed by the same Governments to this country against which this part of the external debt may be set off; and what steps are being taken to effect reciprocal cancellation as between Allied Governments and this country?

The details for which the hon. Member asks are as follow: —— Loans to His Majesty's Government. Loans by His Majesty's Government. £ £ France … 53,500,000 584,000,000 Russia … 60,000,000 655,000,000 Italy … 14,500,000 503,000,000 Total … 128,000,000 1,742,000,000 In the cases of France and Italy, it has been agreed that the loans to His Majesty's Government shall be regarded as available to be set off against the loans made by His Majesty's Government to these countries, and it is not proposed to take any further steps in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that ex-service men, married or single, who passed or qualified at the recent competitive examinations for the Civil Service are offered £80 per year plus bonus upon entering, irrespective of age, whilst permanent civil servants receive the same remuneration at the age of 18, he will, in view of the fact that many of these ex-service men have families to support, reconsider this matter and put them on a scale more appropriate to their age and responsibilities?

I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 3rd instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Captain Bowyer).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what salary would be paid to established clerical workers entering the Civil Service at the age of 18; what salary, in the ordinary course of events, would such officers be receiving at the age of 25; and what salary is paid to ex-service men, whether married or single who gained admission to the permanent clerical class at the age of 25 by the competitive examination which recently took place?

I would refer to the answers given on the 4th ultimo to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. Raper) and on the 3rd instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Captain Bowyer).

Is it true that an ex-service man of 25, after having passed his examination, will be paid the same as a boy of 18, who has just passed his examination?

That would depend on the salary he was receiving formerly in his temporary capacity.

Then it is not true that he would only get the same salary as a boy of 18?

It would depend entirely on the circumstances of the case as to the nature of his previous employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the arrears of Income Tax unpaid on the following dates, respectively; 31st March, 1919, 31st March, 1920, 31st March, 1921, and 31st March, 1922?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Peebles (Sir D. Maclean) on the 1st May. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made with the afforestation programme; how many trees cut for war purposes have been replaced by seedlings; and how-many of the areas suitable for planting have been utilised, particularly in the area of Kent?

I have been asked to take over this question. Since the Forestry Commissioners were appointed on 29th November, 1919, 9,801 acres have been planted by them in England and Wales, 6,580 acres in Scotland and to 31st March last, when the Commissioners discontinued forestry operations in Ireland, 1,472 acres had been planted in that country. Approximately 3,300 acres have also been replanted in the Crown woods. The Commissioners have no information as to the number of trees cut for war purposes in privately-owned woods, but their general information is to the effect that replanting is proceeding very slowly. Applications for planting grants under the Forestry Act, 1921, to private individuals and corporate bodies in respect of 12,312 acres have been approved by the Commissioners, but until inspections are completed, it is not possible to say what proportion of that area has actually been planted. Of this area 10 acres are situated in Kent, but the Commissioners are unable to give exact information as to the general progress of re-afforestation in that county.

Could the hon. Gentleman state whether the subsidy which has been paid, or which is owing, to private owners for replanting this last winter, will be available for private owners to replant during the coming winter? I want to know, so that they can make their plans.