asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Clauses of the recently-agreed political and economic pact between Italy and Turkey have been received by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; what is the nature of these Clauses; and what action has been taken in regard to them by the Government and the Allies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The remainder of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay upon the Table of the House a White Paper showing the various instances in which ahe Brazilian Government or authorities have defaulted in their obligations to British investors?

It would serve no useful purpose to publish such a return as is suggested by the hon. Member, all the facts being already well known to the persons interested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that a public meeting took place at Ghiza on 26th April; that this meeting was attended by members of the Wafd; and that the proceedings were orderly and peaceful; whether the policy of prohibiting such meetings under martial law will be reversed;

(2) whether he is aware that the authorities prohibited a meeting at Tanta on 21st April last, for which 2,000 invitations were sent out to princes, notables, and representative people, Egyptians and foreigners, irrespective of their political views, from all over Egypt; whether this was done in the name of martial law, for which His Majesty's Government is responsible; and, if so, will His Majesty's Government consider the abolition of martial law or advise the responsible British authorities in Egypt to put an end to such actions immediately?

With regard to the first question, I have no information as to what occurred at the meeting referred to by the hon. Member. As regards the last part of the question, the meetings at Shebin el Kom and Tanta, which the hon. Member probably has in mind, were prohibited by the Provincial Governors under instructions from the Egyptian Government. The last part of the hon. Member's second question does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at a meeting of the Handicraft Workers' Trade Union held in Cairo on 29th April last, and attended by 7,000 people, a resolution was passed protesting against the continued exile of Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues in spite of the unanimity of the nation in demanding his repatriation, especially in view of his health; that this resolution was submitted to His Majesty King Fouad by the president of the union; and whether, in view of the unanimity of the opinion in Egypt in demanding Zaghloul Pasha's repatriation, His Majesty's Government will advise this course?

I have no information regarding the meeting referred to. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement of the Leader of the House on 14th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether detachments of Red sailors are being organised at Archangel for vessels intended to protect the Russian territorial waters in the Murmansk district against British fishermen up to a limit of 12 miles and two transports armed with guns of small calibre and munitions been dispatched from Petrograd for this purpose; and, if so, what steps the British Government propose to take in the matter?

His Majesty's Government have no confirmation of the report referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. The latter part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether any scheme Has been submitted to the Government for the bringing to British homes of about 250 children from the Russian famine area; whether under this scheme the Governments of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia are willing to co-operate in sharing the cost and service of conveying these children free of expense to England, and of arranging for the necessary quarantine; whether this proposal has been declined; and, if so, the reasons for doing so?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the reasons for which the proposal was declined, I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Foot), on the 20th March last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the details of the estimated expenditure on National Debt services, amounting to £335,000,000 for the year to 31st March, 1923, specifying separately the interest and other charges relating to each class of Exchequer Bonds, National War Bonds, War Loan, Consols, and other loans and annuities; and what are the comparative figures for the year to 31st March, 1922?

In view of the variations which take place during the year in the nature of the Debt, it is not possible to give a detailed Estimate for 1922–23 under the different heads within the total. For the figures for 1921–22, I would ask the hon. Member to await the Annual Finance Accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increased liability incurred by the conversion of matured debt into 3½ per cent. Conversion Loan; what is estimated to be the increased liability due to the conversion of 5 per cent. National War Bonds maturing in October, 1922, into War Loan 5 per cent.; whether it is intended to convert any other debt maturing during the year to 31st March, 1923; and, if so, what will be the estimated increased liability due to conversion?

Apart from conversions which have taken place or are taking place under the offer to holders of certain National War Bonds announced on 21st April and open until the evening of Monday next, 15th May, the total amount of 3½ per cent. Conversion Loan thus far created is approximately £387,000,000. This stock has been issued in exchange for National War Bonds, Exchequer Bonds, and 5 per cent. Treasury Bonds of an aggregate nominal value (leaving out of account redemption premiums on National War Bonds) of approximately £248,000,000. There has thus been an addition of about £139,000,000 to the nominal total of the debt in respect of Conversion Loan issues, £26,350,000 (nominal value) 5 per cent. National War Bonds due in October, 1922, were converted into 5 per cent. War Loan in April, 1922, resulting in a nominal increase in the debt of £1,385,000. Certain conversion options, in addition to the offer already mentioned at the beginning of this answer, remain open, so I cannot at present give a reply to the rest of the question. I hope to be in a position before long to issue a White Paper showing the results of recent debt operations and the state of the National Debt at their close.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of £25,000,000, estimated to be expended under Supplementary Estimates for the year to 31st March, 1923, is in addition to the estimated expenditure of the new unemployment scheme, the grant to Northern Ireland for unemployment, and the estimated expenditure on overseas settlements, or whether, out of this sum of £25,000,000, liabilities under Supplementary Estimates amounting to about £5,000,000 have already been incurred, so as to leave only £20,000,000 for further contingencies?

The £25,000,000 is inclusive of the Supplementary Estimates presented since 1st April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the details of the actual revenue for the year to the 31st March, 1922, and of the estimated revenue for the year to 31st March, 1923, from Income Tax and Super-tax, specifying the separate revenue under each of the schedules for Income Tax?

The actual and estimated Exchequer Receipts of Income Tax and Super-tax in the years 1921–22 and 1922–23 are as follow: — 1921–22. United Kingdom. Actual Receipt. 1922–23. Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Estimated Receipt. £ £ Income Tax … 337,027,000 277,000,000 Super-tax … 61,730,000 52,000,000

I am unable, at such short notice, to divide the Income Tax figures between the separate schedules of the Income Tax Acts, but I will communicate these Estimates to the hon. Member in a short time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to introduce a Revenue Bill during the present Session on the lines of the Report of the Royal Commission on Income Tax; and whether, in order to simplify the

£ Army, Navy and Air Votes. War Remanets 8,409,000 Civil Votes (as set out on page 1 (iv.) of my Memorandum on the Estimates) namely:— 52,814,000 £ 61,223,000 Railway and Canal (War) Agreements Liquidation 33,485,000 Disposal atid Liquidation Commission (excluding Administration) 4,000,000 Shipping Liquidation (excluding Administration) 2,803,000 Coal Mines Deficiency 5,000,000 Compensation for Damage by Enemy Action 4,900,000 Purchases and Advances (zinc concentrates, cotton, etc.) 1,116,000 Works and Public Buildings (War Liquidation Departments, Reinstatements) 523,000 Miscellaneous: (Property Losses (Ireland), Compensation, Treasury Securities Deposit Scheme, Legal Proceedings, Stationery, etc.) 290,000 Administration Expenses (Salaries, Travelling, etc.) 697,000 £52,814,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the details of the actual revenue for the year to 31st March, 1922, and of the estimated revenue for the year to 31st March, 1923, from Customs and Excise Duties, specifying the separate Customs and Excise revenues from

collection of Income Tax, he will base all assessments upon the income of the preceding year, as is done in most of the Colonies of the British Empire?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech his intention to introduce in this year's Finance Bill several Amendments of law in the direction recommended by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax. He does not think that I time can be found in the present Session for dealing with further matters—many of which might be controversial—beyond those which he has announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the main items of the £90,000,000 special revenue and the £61,223,000 special expenditure included in the Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for 1922–23?

In regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to-day to a question by the hon. Member for East Leicester (Mr. Banton). The special expenditure items are as follow:

tobacco, tea, wines, spirits, beer, dried fruits, coffee, cocoa, sugar, medicines, and other articles?

The following table gives the Customs and Excise Revenue receipts for 1921–22 and the estimated receipts for 1922–23: Customs AND Excise Revenue, Receipts, 1921–22, and Estimates, 1922–23. Head of Duty. 1921–22. 1922–23. Approximate receipts for United Kingdom. Budget Estimates for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. £1,000 £1,000 Spirits, Imported … C 11,541 10,300 Home made … E 51,112 46,700 Total Spirits … 62,653 57,000 Beer, Imported … C 20 20 Home-made … E 121,865 94,480 Total Beer … 121,885 94,500 Wine … C 2,751 2,650 Table Waters and Cider, Imported … C 16 20 Home-made … E 1,247 1,150 Total Table Waters, etc. … 1,263 1,170 Tea … C 17,581 11,800 Cocoa … C 1,865 1,310 Coffee … C 597 440 Chicory … C 86 60 Sugar, Molasses, etc … 35,947 34,850 E 811 650 Total Sugar, etc. … 36,758 35,500 Dried Fruits … C 773 700 Tobacco, Imported … C 55,199 47,295 Home-Grown … E 12 5 Total Tobacco … 55,211 47,300 Matches, Imported … C 1,101 1,030 Home-made … E 2,122 1,770 Total Matches … 3,223 2,800 Motor Spirit Imported …C 169 (repaid). Cinematograph Films … C 254 230 Clocks and Watches … C 450 370 Motor Cars, Motor Cycles, etc. … C 764 650 Musical Instruments … C 230 230 Entertainments … E 10,285 9,300 Liquor Licences … E 4,546 4,300 (Monopoly Value) … E 35 30 Other Licences … E 484 450 Railway Duty … E 190 500 Key Industries … C 140 230 Medicines … E 1,366 1,365 Other Articles … C 906* 65 and Deposits … E 216* 50 TOTAL REVENUE … C 130,052 112,250 E 194,291 160,750 Total … 324,343 273,000 * Items adjusted to make receipts add up to total payments into the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the loss of Corporation Profits Tax due to the extension of the exemption from the provisions relating to that tax of statutory companies such as railway companies and other public utility undertakings?

The estimated cost per annum of the proposed extension for a further period of the exemption from Corporation Profits Tax at present accorded to public utility undertakings is £2,750,000. Under any circumstances, no revenue from this source could have been received in the current year as the existing exemption does not expire until 31st December next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that during the seven days ending 4th May instant, approximately £16,000,000 new credit was created at the Bank of England for His Majesty's Government, he will state why the Treasury did not issue enough Treasury bills to avoid that temporary inflation?

The recent temporary increase in the amount of Ways and Means advances from the Bank of England is explainable mainly by the necessity which existed to spread the maturities of the volume of the outstanding Treasury Bills more evenly over the quarter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the administration, civil and military, of Palestine and Iraq for 1922–23; and whether such sums are included in the fighting or Civil Service Estimates?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the Army and Air Estimates and also to Class V Vote of the Estimates for Civil Services, 1922–23. He will see from the latter Vote (Middle East Services) that the cost of the defence of Iraq by the Imperial Forces (British Army, Indian Army and Air Force) is put at £7,372,000, while that of Palestine is £1,724,000. In addition, a grant of £600,000 is made towards the cost of native levies in Mesopotamia and of £300,000 towards the Gendarmerie in Palestine. As regards civil expenditure, Palestine is self-supporting, though a grant of £100,000 is made for the adjacent territory of Transjordania. In Iraq a contribution of £40,000 is made towards the salaries, etc, of the High Commissioner and his personal and political staff, and a grant of £23,000 for the provision and maintenance of their quarters. This year, further, there appears on the Estimates a sum of £70,000, which was required on part of a sum, authorised last year, to place the railways in a proper condition after the War. Apart from these charges, it is hoped that Iraq will be self-supporting; further, that some of the charges will not recur in future years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the Vote of Credit assets that since the Armistice have been, or are, estimated to be paid into the Exchequer to the 31st March, 1923?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to-day to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the estimated revenue for 1922–23 from Excess Profits Duty, amounting to £29,800,000, is arrived at; what is the estimated gross revenue from Excess Profits Duty in 1922–23: and what is the estimated amount to be repaid in respect of claims for recovery of Excess Profits Duty in 1922–23?

The estimated Exchequer receipt in 1922–23 of Excess Profits Duty is £27,800,000. This estimate has been prepared upon the assumption that the proposal for payment by instalments in suitable cases and for charging interest on outstanding arrears, as outlined in the Budget statement, will be accepted by Parliament. The figure in question represents the net receipt after allowing for repayments which are estimated at £47,000,000 to include the sum of £2,000,000 resulting from the proposed concession in certain cases of change of proprietorship.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of Members of this House that are receiving pensions from the State; and what is the total amount paid per annum from the Treasury in payment of such pensions?

Exclusive of officers receiving half-pay under Army Regulations, the number of Members in receipt of pensions in respect of past service in the Forces or in the Civil Service is 32, and the total amount is £14,447 per annum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the large sums of money going out of this country by way of loan, even to countries like Brazil, which has often defaulted in its undertakings; and whether some official announcement can be made for the benefit of small investors, who cannot afford to lose their savings, that they are running considerable risk in these doubtful cases?

I think it would be highly undesirable that the Government should undertake to pass judgment on the quality of new capital issues offered to the public. I must not be taken as in any way agreeing with the implication in the question that particular issues recently made are of doubtful security.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that an old age pensioner receiving a pension from a superannuation fund, to which he has himself contributed, of £32 16s. per annum is only entitled to receive an old age pension of 6s. per week, and that if by less thrift he is only entitled to a pension of £26 per annum he can then receive an old age pension of 10s. per week, making a total income of £52 a year instead of £48 8s.; and what steps the Government propose to take to remedy this hindrance to thrift?

I am aware that the facts as to the various rates of pension are as stated by my hon. Friend. The Government are not prepared to re-open the settlement embodied in the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Disposal Board has recently entered into a contract for the sale of textile goods; and, if so, whether he will give details of the contract; with whom it is made; and the amount of goods and money involved?

A contract was entered into by the Disposal Board with Textile Surplus, Limited, in September last, under which the company acquired, for approximately £3.000,000, the entire stock of textiles in the hands of the Board for sale. The contract also provides for the transfer to the purchasing company, at prices to be fixed by agreement, or, failing agreement, by arbitration, of any additional stocks of similar articles which the Board may have for disposal prior to the 31st March, 1923.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to schoolmasters of the Royal Navy?

I regret I am not yet in a position to add anything to my reply of the 12th April to the hon. Member for Portsmouth (Sir T. Bramsdon).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what decisions have been arrived at with regard to the assistance to be given by the Dominions to the Royal Navy?

This is a matter for the Prime Minister, and perhaps my hon. Friend would, therefore, address the question to him on his return.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what percentage of contracts for the Air Ministry has been referred to the Technical Costs Branch during the period March, 1921—March, 1922; and what was the saving effected and the total amount of the original quotations on which the savings were effected?

Three classes of contracts are placed by the Air Ministry, namely, general stores, aeronautical stores, and works services, and by far the greater percentage of them are placed after open competition, which, of itself, affords a sufficient check on prices and makes costing unnecessary.

As regards general stores, quotations, totalling £176,500, or 22 per cent, of the value of all the contracts for such stores placed, were referred for costing in the, financial year 1921–22, and a saving of nearly £29,000, or 16 per cent, of the amount of the quotations was effected. During the financial year 1921–22 it has not been found necessary to refer quotations for aeronautical stores or works to the Costs Branch.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing the disadvantages under which the commissioned officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services are suffering, and that the War Office has stated that the Secretary of State and his military advisers are in sympathy with the principles advanced by the Surveyors' Institution regarding these officers, and seeing also that satisfactory conditions for the rest of the Army were settled as long ago as July, 1919, he will now stale the date upon which he proposes to bring into force the new conditions of service for these officers as submitted to him by the Surveyors' Institution and the Royal Institute of British Architects, thereby remedying the present; position of comparative poverty in which the staff for Royal Engineer services officers are now placed and conceding to them such recognition, rewards, and compensations for Army service as is already given to all other Army officers of similar professional standing?

I regret that a definite reply cannot be given at present. The matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the object of raising the fuel and light allowance last year was to benefit the officer promoted from the ranks, that this has now been made to apply to all officers, and that those in Class I actually receive as much as 10s. per day for fuel and light in addition to their pay, he will consider whether now the price of both fuel and light has fallen, economy could be effected in this direction?

The rates of fuel and light allowance for officers and other ranks have been revised this year and a substantial economy effected. A further revision will take place at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the fact that children under six years of age may now be withdrawn from school, he will reconsider the need of sanctioning the building of more houses by local authorities under the Housing Act of 1919, so that the state of affairs disclosed by the Census of 1911, and since aggravated, when 254,000 families occupied one room, may be remedied and children under six years kept from school may have more healthful surroundings than are possible in one-roomed tenements?

As regards further Government housing I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 3rd instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government has now definitely adopted the policy of the sale, where possible, of houses built with a State subsidy; whether, in that case, he can state the conditions under which such sale is being carried out; and whether, in connection with such a policy, the maximum of sympathetic treatment will be given to all existing tenants?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for the Wandsworth Central Division (Sir J. Norton-Griffiths) on the 16th March last, a copy of which I am sending to him. As regards the last part of the question, the position of the tenants will receive the fullest protection in connection with any proposals for sale.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received a petition from the ratepayers and citizens of Aberdare, South Wales, signed by the high constable of Miskin Higher, demanding an inquiry into the Aberdare Urban District housing scheme with a view of fixing the responsibility for the grave situation to which attention has been called from time to time by the Ministry of Health; and will he, in conjunction with the inquiry into the housing scheme, make a thorough investigation into the administration and working of every department under the council's control to protect the interests of the citizens and ratepayers?

I think that this matter can best be dealt with at the audit of the accounts of this council, which will be commenced on the 22nd instant. This audit will embrace the whole of the accounts of the council for the year ended the 31st March last, and the district auditor will make a full investigation, giving special attention to the question of financial control. He will be assisted in connection with his inquiries into the housing scheme by a technical assessor. It will be open to any ratepayer or owner of property in the district to appear before the auditor.

asked the Minister of Health how he proposes to dispose of the Rockefeller gift of $2,000,000 and the additional Government grant of £25.000 for five years; and what part of this large sum is to be devoted to promoting hygiene and the health of the people?

asked the Minister of Health whether the Rockefeller gift of two million dollars to establish an institute of hygiene in this country is to be allocated to the already existing institute of hygiene, or other and like institutions, for the development of their work; if not, how this sum is to be disposed of; and what part, if any, is to be devoted to promoting hygiene and the health of the people?

The gift from the Rockefeller Foundation of two million dollars will be applied to the express purpose for which it was made, in providing and equipping a school of hygiene. The Government grant will be applied to staffing and maintenance, as required by the Rockefeller Foundation as a condition of their gift. The hon. Member may be aware that the Rockefeller Foundation have, recently acquired an admirable site for the purpose in Bloomsbury. The whole object of the scheme is to promote the hygiene and health of the people by providing facilities for the education of the medical practitioner, and for research, in preventive medicine. It will be an essential point in settling the organisation of the school to secure that its work is fitted in with the admirable work in this sphere which is now being done by existing institutions.

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, are being taken by the Poor Law authorities to administer adequate relief to those unemployed workers who, during the five weeks waiting or suspension period, will be unable to draw unemployment benefit; and the estimated cost to the ratepayers in those localities where unemployment is prevalent?

Poor Law relief is granted to unemployed persons when necessary during the waiting period, but I have not at present sufficient material to enable me to form an estimate of the cost to the rates.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a number of members of the Amalgamated Engineering Union in Smethwick, although discharged prior to the commencement of the engineering lock-out, have been refused unemployment benefit; the reason for refusing benefits for which workmen have paid; and whether any action will be taken to restore to these men their legitimate rights?

I am not aware that benefit has been stopped, on account of the dispute, in the case of men discharged before it commenced. My hon. Friend may have in mind cases of men who were on short time but not discharged, and in that event I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. H. Young) on 3rd May, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 75 girls were dismissed from Messrs. Davis and Timmins on 14th March, 1922; that these girls have been refused unemployment benefit by the local unemployment exchange; that the reason given for this refusal is that the foreman who had charge of their work was withdrawn by the Amalgamated Engineers' Union, and that the girls lost their employment owing to a trade dispute; and whether, in view of the hardship to these girls, that 75 of them should lose employment and then be refused benefits for which they have been paying because of the withdrawal of one man owing to a dispute in which they have no voice, what steps he proposes to take to remedy this grievance?

The Insurance Officer has decided in this case that the girls are disqualified for benefit under Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, on the ground as specified in that Section, that they had lost their employment by reason of a stoppage of work which was due to a trade dispute at the factory at which they were employed. His decision has been upheld on appeal by the Court of Referees, and I have no power to modify it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether "he has yet appointed the ad hoc committee which, on the Report stage of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1922, he promised to set up to inquire into the possibility of framing amending legislation whereby the innocent victims of a trade dispute should not be debarred from receiving the unemployed pay to which they had been compelled to contribute when at work?

I am taking steps in accordance with my undertaking, to set up a representative committee to go into this matter. But I am not yet in a position to make any announcement with regard to its composition or precise terms of reference.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the importance of diminishing exceptional local unemployment and of reducing the sums paid out in unemployment donation, his advice is solicited by or offered to the Trade Facilities Committee in connection with any scheme put forward for their consideration and help: and, if this be so, whether he can state the measure of practical attention paid to his recommendations?

The committee are furnished periodically with information regarding unemployment in various areas, and I have no doubt this information is taken into account by the committee.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of skilled men in the building trade who are registered at the Employment Exchanges in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley as unemployed up to 8th May?

The number of skilled men in the building trades registered at the Employment Exchanges as unemployed at 24th April, the latest date for which figures are available, were 567 at Sheffield, 37 at Rotherham, and 46 at Barnsley?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Patrick Halfpenny, 37, Albert Street, Govan, was employed with the Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway Company at Govan for 11 years; that he was suspended on 18th March, 1922, and commenced signing the vacant book at Govan Employment Exchange on 27th March; that his first payment was made on 28th April, when ho received £1 3s., and the second payment made on 5th May, when he again received £1 3s.; and whether he will take steps to expedite payment of all arrears in this case?

I am making inquiries locally, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether women have been removed from the Army and Navy branch or any other branch of the Ministry hitherto staffed by men and women and transferred to work of a lower grade; and what is the reason of this transference, in view of the terms of Clause 2 of the Resolution of this House on the 5th August, 1921, and the pledge of the Chancellor on that day that, during the three years before conditions of equal entry are initiated, the position of women shall not be prejudiced?

In order to provide for the efficient discharge of the duties of the Ministry, it has been necessary to transfer men and women from one branch of the Ministry to another, but in no case have they been transferred to a lower grade. Where marked ability has been displayed by the officers in question, recognition will be given in the impending reorganisation of the Ministry. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the late Mr. E. E. Webb, of the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, who was stated to have been discharged on account of being one of the least efficient officers, had been recently specially promoted by the Director-General and also favourably reported on by the departmental officer; how much sick leave had been granted to Mr. Webb; whether the regulation amount of sick leave had been exceeded in his case; if not, whether it is in accordance with the customs of the Service to issue notice of discharge to an officer absent from duty on account of critical illness; and whether, in view of the sad ending of this man's life, he will give instructions that in similar cases in future the state of the man's health will receive sympathetic consideration?

The late Mr. E. E. Webb had not been recently promoted, nor had he been favourably reported on by his departmental officer. At the age of 57 he was still at the lowest point of his grade, and when this fact was brought to the notice of the Director-General, he decided, on account of Mr. Webb's long service, to award a slight advancement in grade in October, 1920. During the period June, 1918, to March, 1922, Mr. Webb had received paid sick leave for 65 days which is not in excess of the maximum permissible. It is not the custom of the Service to issue notices of discharge to men absent from duty on account of critical illness. When reductions of staff have unfortunately become necessary, the fullest and sympathetic consideration is always given to all the circumstances of a man's health as affecting his degree of efficiency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the inaccurate statement made in the Agricultural Market Report, which is stated to have been prepared and edited by him, in relation to the importation of condensed milk into this country; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

The article on milk imports in the Agricultural Market Report was directed mainly to setting out the statistics of the imports of milk into the United Kingdom, and the changes in recent years in the principal sources of these imports. There is no inaccuracy in the statements made in the article, but I am aware that it has been criticised on the ground that the causes of the changes referred to were not fully explained, more particularly in relation to the position as regards the production of condensed milk in and its export from the United Kingdom, and the effect of war conditions on the direction of the trade. These points, however, were outside the scope of the article.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of persons in India imprisoned for political offences since the riots which occurred in Bombay in November last?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 22nd February to a question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what will be the additional charge, present and recurrent, on the Indian Treasury, if the refund of the 4 per cent, contribution by members of the Indian Civil Service be antedated from 1st April, 1019, to 1st April, 1900; and what would be the cost of increasing the pensions of those members of the service who retired after the War by £100 for each five years' active service completed after the present fixed pension had been earned?

The preparation of the figures desired would entail laborious examination of records and conjectural calculations which would not, in my opinion, serve any useful purpose. I regret therefore that I cannot accede to the hon. Member's request.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as railway fares for passengers were greatly increased during the period of the War by the Government and are practically still maintained, representations may be made to the Association of Railway Managers or to the responsible authority for a reduction of such passenger fares at an early date; and, if not, for what reason are such fares maintained at their present level, considering the recent reduction in the wages of railway employés and the price of coal?

I have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member is aware, the Government has now no control over the fares charged. I have no information which would lead me to believe that any general revision of passenger fares is in early contemplation, but I would direct my hon. Friend's attention to the public announcements made to-day as to holiday and excursion arrangements. The public are at liberty to make such representations as they think fit to the railway managers or to avail themselves of the statutory rights given by the Railways Act, 1921.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the result of the friendly consideration given to the views of the members of the advisory council of Swaziland on the proposed expenditure of public money both in respect to salaries of civil servants and public works; whether the members aforesaid are satisfied;

(2) whether it is proposed to increase the salaries of officials in Swaziland by 18 per cent.; if not, by what amount; whether it is simultancously proposed to decrease the expenditure on essential public works by 64 per cent.; if not, what is the actual figure of decrease; and whether he will in each case give the facts justifying the policy prescribed?

The Swaziland Estimates for 1922–23 have not yet been definitely settled, but the latest figures which have reached mc show that it is proposed to reduce the Estimate for Public Works Extraordinary from £4,100 in 1921–22 to £1,480 in 1922–23. The decrease is mainly due to the postponement of expenditure on roads. The salaries of the Civil Service in Swaziland, Basutoland and the Bechuanaland Protectorate have recently been the subject of investigation by a Commission appointed by the High Commissioner for South Africa. The recommendation of the Commission in respect of all three territories was to the general effect that, owing to the increased cost of living in South Africa, the remainder of the special War allowance still being drawn should in future be included in permanent salary. The amount involved in the case of Swaziland is about £4,400. The Report of the Commission has not yet been finally approved. It is hardly possible to answer the inquiry whether the members of the Advisory Council are satisfied, but I may add that the High Commissioner for South Africa has expressed his readiness always to give full consideration to their suggestions or observations on matters affecting their interests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the man Harry Thuku is still under arrest in Kenya Colony; whether he has been brought to trial; and, if so, upon what charge?

I have no information beyond that which I have already given to the House. I am expecting the Governor's despatch very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position with regard to the moneys still due under the Wyndham Irish Land Purchase Act upon which the landowners have only-been receiving 3½ per cent, on the purchase price; and whether he will give an assurance that the payments of the purchase moneys and interest will continue to be made as in the past?

The administration of land purchase has not at present been transferred to the Provisional Government. Arrangements for the carrying out of pending transactions and the general completion of land purchase have been the subject of conference between representatives of the parties concerned and of the Provisional Government. I am not yet in a position to state the result of these conferences. It may be assumed, however, that all pending transactions will be completed.

asked the Home Secretary what public moneys have been expended in the State Management (Liquor) Carlisle and District Area on account of purchase of new premises or alteration of premises already held since 1st January, 1922?

No new premises in the Carlisle District have been purchased since 1st January last. Payments in respect of alterations of premises previously acquired have been made between that date and 30th April to an amount of about £9,200.

asked the Home Secretary what is the composition of the Local Advisory Board, State Management (Liquor) Scheme, Carlisle and District?

The composition of the Carlisle and District Local Advisory Committee is: the Earl of Lonsdale (President), Sir F. W. Chance (Chairman), Mr. W. Waters Butler, Sir W. Towle, Mr. W. P. Gibbings, Mr. G. White, Sir R. Allison, Mrs. Sewell, Miss Creighton, the Mayor of Carlisle (Mr. A. Creighton), ex officio, and the following members nominated by the public bodies specified, namely, Mr. C. Kidd and Mr. D. Losh Thorpe (Carlisle City Council), Mr. Bertram Carr (Carlisle Watch Committee), Mr. J. C. Dove and Mr. J. P. Buck (Carlisle Licensing Committee), Mrs. Fyfe and Mr. T, Winder (Carlisle Trades and Labour Council), Mr. G. A. Rimington (Cumberland Licensing Committee), Major Carleton Salkeld (Cumberland Standing Joint Committee). Mr. T. Hardy (Maryport Urban District Council), Mr. T. Carey (Maryport Licensing Justices), and Mr. W. Parkin-Moore (Wigton Division Licensing Justices), with Mr. H. S. Cartmell, Honorary Secretary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the post office at Watlington, Oxfordshire, was on and from 1st May closed for receipt of parcels at 6.15 p.m. instead of 7.0 p.m., and the letter box cleared at 6.20 p.m. instead of 7.45 p.m., and that such earlier times of closing and despatch is causing much inconvenience and dissatisfaction: and the reasons for this curtailment of the public convenience?

The recent change in the time of posting for the night mail at Watlington, Oxfordshire, is connected with an extensive re-arrangement of the postal services in the district, which has made it possible to introduce desirable improvements, and at the same time to secure a substantial reduction of expenditure. The latest time of posting is now 6.30 p.m. (not 6.15 p.m.), about 15 minutes earlier than before the War, and is approximately the time adopted for other places of similar importance in the district. The post office remains open until 7.0 p.m