With regard to four of the Amendments on the Paper to Standing Orders, the Chairman of Ways and Means has very kindly consented to allow them to stand ever till the Autumn. I do not object to the others.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the grants made by the Special Grants Committee for the education of children of men who were killed in the War are to be terminated on the grounds that such grants are now considered to be outside the scope of the Ministry?

No, Sir. The powers of the Special Grants Committee to make grants in aid of the education of such children remain intact, subject to their approved rules of working.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he had any additional evidence of death being due to alcoholic excess in W case, No. 10646, Royal Engineers, beyond the fact, disclosed by the post-mortem examination, that the organs smelt of alcohol; and, if so, whether he will state the nature and source of such evidence?

I regret that I have, nothing to add to the answer I gave my hon. and gallant Friend regarding this case on the 6th July, except to refer him for additional facts to the letter sent to him by the Scottish Regional Director on 17th November, 1920.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are additional facts given there?

I read the letter this morning, and if my hon. and gallant Friend will care to come to see me, I will show him one very important addition.

May I have a copy of it?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what provision is now being made for members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who retired from the force before the recent disbandment and who have been driven from their homes in Ireland and forced to take refuge in England or Northern Ireland or elsewhere?

Any such pensioner may apply for assistance to the Committee presided over by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) with the assurance, that his application will be sympathetically considered. If he is still in Ireland, and requires assistance to leave that country, he should apply to the Assistant Under-Secretary in Dublin Castle, who will provide him with warrants for himself and his dependants and will advance him a sum of money and the Committee has informed the Assistant Under-Secretary that they will refund the cost of such warrants, and any advance up to £20. This is, of course, in addition to any assistance which the Committee may deem right to afford after the pensioner's arrival in this country.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken steps to have these facts made known to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

The Noble Lord knows that this refers only to Ireland and to ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and if the facts are not already known, I shall deem it my duty to make them known.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Irish Office have reconatnended the Treasury to grant a pension of £140 per annum to Patrick Taylor, ex-Royal Irish Constabulary, on the basis of 22 years' service in the Royal Irish Constabulary whether, at the same time, they recommend the deduction of £126 per annum of this pension on the ground that he has been granted a wound pension from the War Office; and whether, if this be so, he can state the reason for not paying these two pensions which Patrick Taylor has earned in two capacities?

No definite recommendation has yet been made in this ease, but I am most anxious to secure the highest possible pension for Mr. Taylor payable under the enactments applying to his case, and am in communication with the Treasury on the subject.

If a man has been wounded while in the Army and got a pension, will the right hon. Gentleman take care that his Army pension is not deducted from his Royal Irish Constabulary pension?

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that men have been waiting for many months, and have had no answer whatever?

I am not aware of that. The first I heard of this was yesterday. I will naturally see that Mr. Taylor gets the very maximum pension which by law he can possibly receive.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to Article 3 of the constitution of the Irish Free State, the provisions of which run directly counter to the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Acts, 1014 to 1918 whether a person naturalised as a citizen of the Irish Free State will become ipso facto a British subject whether a person who is a British subject, but not a citizen of the Irish Free State, will have exactly the same rights and privileges as a citizen of the Irish free State in Ireland; and whether, in the opinion of the legal advisers of the Government, this is in accordance with the Treaty, which specifically states in Article 2 that the position of the Irish Free State shall be analogous to the position of the Dominion of Canada, in which there is no duality of citizenship?

The definition of Irish Free State citizenship in Article 3 of the draft constitution is not the definition of a national status, and therefore cannot run counter to the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Acts, 1914 to 1918. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative, and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for St. Rollox (Mr. G. Murray) on the 3rd and 20th July. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that the arrangement proposed is not inconsistent with the position in the Dominion of Canada.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was stated on the 6th July, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for St. Rollox, that one of the advantages of Irish citizenship was free elementary education, and can he say why British citizens are not to be given the right of free education, whereas Irish citizens are allowed it in this country?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that, as far as I know, there is no intention of debarring children of any nationality in Ireland now or in the future from elementary education.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Irish citizenship means that a person who acquires Irish citizenship becomes a British subject, as in the case of Canada, as Ireland is supposed to be treated equal with Canada in this matter?

This is a technical question of domicile and nationality. Several questions have been answered, and I must decline to reply further than the answers I have already given.

What will be the position of Irish citizens in Great Britain? Will they be British subjects, and will Irish citizens be treated as British subjects, or will the position be reciprocal?

Is this not a most dangerous extension of this empirical experiment of Empire decentralisation?

I think that these legal questions should be put on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many divisions of the Irish Republican Army are now in Northern Ireland; and whether they are under the authority of the Free State Government?

I have no information as to how many divisions of this organisation exist in Northern Ireland. They are not under the authority of the Free State Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that he informed the House a little while ago that there were two divisions of the Irish Republican Army in Belfast alone? Will he say why they are there at all, and will he make representations to whoever is responsible to clear them out?

There is nothing new in this. I said there were two divisions in the Northern Counties. It is possible there may me three, but the use of the word "division" is far-fetched, as only a few hundred people belong to these unlawful associations, which are not countenanced by the Free State Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the reason why they are there?

They are there because they ought not to be there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, when he visits Southern Ireland on public occasions, is guarded by soldiers bearing the letters I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) on their badges?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that the receiver of a letter posted in Belfast for Dublin, with the proper British stamp, is surcharged by the authorities in Dublin as if the letter were unstamped; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am informed by the Provisional Government that no surcharge is made on letters posted with British stamps in Belfast, and addressed to any place in Southern Ireland. If a case has arisen, it is a mistake, and refund of the amount charged will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the approximate amount of money advanced, and price of goods sold, to the Irish Free State Government since it has been established, and what the total expenditure has been by Great Britain upon Ireland since the same date?

No money has been advanced from the Exchequer to the Provisional Government since its establishment, nor have any goods been sold; but, as I have previously explained, a considerable quantity of goods have been handed over subject to a subsequent valuation, which has not yet taken place. No expenditure has been incurred upon Ireland outside the six Northern Counties other than expenditure upon Imperial services, such as, for example, ex-service men and the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give any idea as to the value of the goods so handed over, and was he informed that I raised this question on the Irish Vote the other night—when no Member of the Government was present—and told that a promise was made that the information should be given to me if I put a question down?

The goods handed over to the Irish Government, in overwhelming quantity, take the form of buildings and equipment, and furniture which has been used in the Government buildings by the Royal Irish Constabulary, and in the barracks by th0 military, as these forces have been disbanded or withdrawn. It would be a, matter of enormous labour at the present moment to produce a complete schedule of all these articles, with their valuation, but all the materials are in being, out of which can be produced such a schedule and valuation, which will be entered in the final account.

Are we to understand that all these buildings and munitions were handed over to the Provisional Government without a valuation being kept, and, if so, what about the buildings that have been blown up? Surely, also, particulars have been kept of the valuation of the motor cars, armoured cars, and ammunition that have been handed over?

I have not got the materials at present, but a valuation has been made on the spot by the persons who have been concerned. A record is kept of the property that has been handed over, and a valuation can be made of that property. With regard to property that has been destroyed, the Irish Provisional Government take the position that compensation will be paid for the property that has been destroyed, and therefore the barracks that have been burnt down which were handed over will come into the general valuation.

How can they be valued if they have been destroyed.

People know what these barracks were. There are plans and so on.

I did not ask any questions about barracks, but about goods supplied. Does the right hon. Gentleman tell me that no sort of estimate has been kept by the Government as to the amount of arms and the value of the arms and of the goods that have been handed over, probably in millions?

As to the arms, strict details are kept. In the case of everything of a lethal or military nature that has been handed over, a most strict account has been kept of every article that can be taken into account.

What is the value?

I have not the value at the present moment, but there is no difficulty in arriving at the value of these articles for disposal purposes. They will be of the same value as if they were disposed of by the Disposal Board. It will be a small value, considering the great slump in these articles. As far as the other goods are concerned, those also are accurately known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as the British Government are not liable for trust funds held by the Public Trustee in Ireland, beneficiaries will have an opportunity of transferring their funds from the Public Trustee in Ireland to the custody of the Public Trustee in London?

I fear I can add nothing for the present to the answer which I gave my hon. and learned Friend on the 12th April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the.12th April I was promised that an opportunity should be taken, before the Free State Government was set up, to have this matter looked into? When will it be looked into, and can the beneficiaries withdraw their money now?

It is receiving consideration at the present time. It is a matter in which rather complicated adjustments have to be made. In the meantime, I repeat my assurance to the hon. and learned Member that the obligation to make satisfactory arrangements to protect the interests of the beneficiaries is fully recognised.

Can they withdraw at the present time?

I imagine that they can.

In view of the destruction of property that is going on in Ireland, will a speedy decision be arrived at?

Every effort will be made to arrange this matter without any avoidable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the 'Colonies if he is aware that, under Article 48 of the Constitution of the Irish Free State, the consent of the Free State Parliament is necessary before active participation in a war; and will he state whether, in the opinion of the legal advisers of the Government, this is in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty, which provides that in time of war and strained relations the British nation shall be afforded harbour and other facilities for defence in Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This Article must be read in conjunction with the preliminary words of the draft Constitution, which provide that the Constitution shall be construed with reference to the Treaty, and that, if any provision of the Constitution is in any respect repugnant to any pro visions of the Treaty, it shall, to the extent of such repugnancy, be absolutely void and inoperative.

Is it not a fact that Article 48 is entirely repugnant to the Treaty, in view of the fact that Article 7 of the Treaty says that we shall have these harbour facilities, which, ipso facto, brings Ireland into any war? Supposing that the Trish Parliament refuse to allow their country to go into war, does that mean that Article 7 is going to be torn up? Otherwise, what is the position of Ireland?

When the King declares war, all subjects of the British Empire and all the Dominions of the Crown are from that moment at war. As to the degree of active participation in the war, that is a matter for the self-governing Dominions to decide for themselves, and they have always been very jealous of their powers to decide.

Is not this an entirely different case from that of the other Dominions? Was it not specially laid down in the Treaty that we should have these harbour facilities, and if we go to war, does not that mean that Ireland is brought into the war whether she wants to be or not?

So are Canada, Australia, and other parts of the British Empire brought into war by the act of declaring war, and an enemy may attack them, may attack their ships, or may imprison their citizens if he can capture them. As to the degree of active participation, that is for them.

Is such an Article as Article 48 to be found in the Constitutions of any other Dominions of the Crown?

Not in their Constitutions, but it is their constitutional practice.

In the event of a, dispute as to the interpretation of the Treaty and Constitution, is the Privy Council to decide, or what tribunal does decide?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what will be the effect of the redistribution of duties of the Air Council on the Department of Civil Aviation?

So far as Civil Aviation is concerned, the recent Order in Council redistributing the duties of the Air Council merely confirms the arrangement forecasted by me when introducing the Air Estimates, and actually in force for some months past. This is that Civil Aviation business is conducted by a Director of Civil Aviation, who is responsible to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. The Under-Secretary of State is, of course, like other members of the Air Council, generally responsible to me, but, as a Minister of the Crown, he can deal authoritatively with matters of Civil Aviation policy with the advice and executive assistance of the Director of Civil Aviation and his staff.

May I ask whether this means that something is really going to be done for civil aviation, and to save this industry for the country?

The industries of the country do not depend—

I did not say "industries," but "to save this industry for the country."

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether previously civil aviation was directly represented by its Chief on the Air Council?

Yes, Sir, that is so. The appointment of the late Controller-General of Civil Aviation was peculiar to himself about three and a-half years ago, and was not necessarily regarded as a precedent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Committee for considering the question of the education of Chinese have handed in their Report; whether it will be published as a Parliamentary Paper; and whether he can give now the gist of these recommendations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of publication will be considered, and meanwhile I think it undesirable to give the gist of the recommendations until the question, which is now under consideration, of the attitude to be adopted towards the resumption of the Boxer Indemnity payments due next December has been decided by His Majesty's Government and the other Powers concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is to be an election in Egypt this year; and whether the political leaders of the Nationalist movement who have not been found guilty of any offence will be at liberty to take part in it?

As I informed the hon. Member for Dartford on the 22nd June, the election of an Egyptian Parliament is a matter which solely concerns the Egyptian Government with whose intentions I am not acquainted. The electoral law of Egypt which has not yet been enacted will presumably determine the rights to be exercised by Egyptians.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the independence of Egypt, the support of the Cabinet of Sarwat Pasha, the deportation of Zaghlul Pasha, the holding of an election, and the relaxation of martial law, as announced on 14th March, is still the policy of His Majesty's Government; whether he has evidence that it has so far succeeded; and whether the recent arrest of the members of the Egyptian delegation and the rigid continuance of martial law are features of it?

The policy of His Majesty's Government as announced on the 14th March remains unchanged. The peaceable and orderly Government of Egypt by Egyptians, which the recent action taken under martial law was designed to facilitate, will furnish the best proof of the success of that policy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the water supply of Tangier is now in the hands of a new French company; whether he is aware that the company have recently seized the lands of a British subject in pursuance of their operations; and, if so, whether he will use his influence to protect the property and interest of British subjects resident in Tangier from unnecessary and illegal interference?

The concession for the supply of water to Tangier was granted in May, 1919, to a French company. His Majesty's Government have received no information of the seizure by this company of land belonging to a British subject. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me further particulars of the ease to which he refers I will cause inquiries to be made into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, notwithstanding a loan of £3,000,000 from this country to Portugal, the Portuguese Government has repudiated without redress a contract with a British firm of up to 36,000 tons of Welsh coal per month over 12 months, involving a credit of £540,000, approved for this purpose under the Trade Facilities Act, 1921; whether the injury done to this firm will receive his immediate attention; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware that a credit in respect of a contract for the supply of Welsh coal to the Portuguese Government was granted last autumn under the Overseas Trade Acts to a British firm, and that the Portuguese Government has since cancelled the contract. Strong representations have been addressed to the Portuguese Government on the matter, but unfortunately without effect. I should add that no loan has been granted to Portugal, as stated by my hon. Friend, but a credit of £3,000,000 for exports to that country has been negotiated with the Export Credits Department by the Banco Nacionale Ultramarino, and has been sanctioned with the approval of the Advisory Committee to the Department.

Was not £1,000,000 of that credit allocated to coal purchases abroad, and was not the contract in question approved by the Minister of Commerce of Portugal, and subsequently by the Council of Ministers; and this is the contract now being cancelled?

The hon. Gentleman has put two points. The transactions under the £3,000,000 credit will be approved as they are brought forward. This is not a credit to the Portuguese Government. In regard to the second point, the contract was certainly entered into by the appropriate Minister on behalf of the Portuguese Government. I believe it is alleged that the contract was not approved by the Council of Ministers; but this is challenged. In any case, it was a contract definitely made by the Minister on behalf of his Government. It was on those grounds that strong representations were made.

Will my hon. Friend use what diplomatic influence he can to impress upon Portugal the necessity of keeping contracts made?

That is exactly what I have been doing.

How many times has the Portuguese Government been changed since this contract was signed?

I should like notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department. whether any steps can he taken to avoid convicts conveyed from one prison to another being exposed to the public gaze for long periods of time in public places like railway stations chained together and dressed in convict clothes; and whether a less conspicuous and more humane method can be adopted in future arrangements?

Prisoners are now taken from one prison to another in ordinary clothes, not in prison garb. It has not been found possible to dispense with the connecting chain in all cases, but care is taken to avoid exposure to the public gaze so far as circumstances allow.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the large number of fatal accidents to pillion-seat riders of motor cycles, and especially to the recommendation of the jury who returned a verdict of accidental death on a 17-year-old girl, at Deptford, that legislation should be formulated to prohibit pillion riding; and whether he intends to take any steps to lessen the number of such accidents?

I have been asked to answer this question. My attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the jury in the case referred to, and a representative of the Ministry of Transport was present at the inquest. From the evidence given before the coroner, it would appear that the accident was due to an error of judgment on the part of the motor cyclist. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 1st August to the hon. Member for East Aberdeen, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the very heavy tax on the side-car makes it impossible for many of these men to afford them, and, therefore., they have to carry their friends on the pillion, and will he represent that to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

There is no foundation for that, because they do purchase side-cars.

They carry them on the pillion as well as in the side-car, and why not?

Certainly! [HON. MEMBERS "Why not!"]

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the question of setting up a. Committee to inquire into the advisability of introducing legislation to make a statutory rule of the road for pedestrians, and as to whether that rule should differ in towns and in the country roads where there are no pavements or footpaths?

The answer is in the negative.

In order to remove doubts, would the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is right. to keep to the right or right to keep to the left, and therefore wrong to keep to the right; may I also ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take steps to alter the law to make all vehicles keep to the right, so that everybody would keep to the right, and everything would be all right?

That sounds like a Civil Service examination.

asked the Prime Minister whether any further steps have been taken to bring about a peace between Greece and Turkey; whether a conference or armistice, or both, has been arranged between the belligerents; and whether His Majesty's Government has made it clear to the Greek Government that a continuance of hostilities in Asia Minor will be looked upon with disfavour?

In regard to the first part of the question, negotiations tie still proceeding between His Majesty s Government and their Allies, and I can add nothing to the statements which have recently been made. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. In regard to the third part of the question, the views of His Majesty's Government on this subject are perfectly well known to both 'belligerents, but, since the armistice proposed by the Allies last March was accepted by the Greeks and not by the Turks, further representa- tions to the former in the sense suggested would appear to be somewhat out of place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this may be known to the two belligerents, but it is certainly not known in this country?

indicated dissent.

Did not Greece many months ago declare her readiness to accept terms of peace, and has not the delay come from the recalcitrance of the Angora Government?

I cannot deal with a controversial subject like this in the course of question and answer, but if the subject were raised in Debate I should state my views.

Did not the Turks wish to discuss the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information of an attempt to set up an independent Greek State in Smyrna and district, under the protection of the Greek army; and whether it has been made clear to the Greek Government that any such action will receive the disapproval of His Majesty's Government?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask whether the papers have not contained reports of deputations representing all the different communities in Smyrna, Jewish, Mahommedan, Armenian and Greek, approving of the administration of the present High Commissioner, and begging that it should be continued and will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government contemplate handing back the country to the Turks, with the risk of plunder and massacre to the population there, which is now satisfied and well governed under the present rule?

We have no official information with regard to the first part of the question put by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division (Mr. O'Connor), but. I understand that a memorial of that kind has been received. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, I could not give an answer which would not be of a highly controversial nature, and it is a subject which is not suitable for question and answer across the Floor of the House. If the question is raised in debate, a reply will be given to it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a movement is on foot to imitate the example of d' Annunzio and Zilagowski and set up an independent Greek State in Smyrna backed by the Greek Army? Have we made it clear that we shall use all the means at our disposal to bring pressure to bear on the Greek Government in such an event? As no satisfactory answer has been given, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question again on the Motion for the Adjournment?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House as to whether the Greek Army has continued to advance on Constantinople since the Allied Notes were addressed to the Greek Government; and whether, in view of the serious consequences which a Greek occupation of Constantinople would have, he will give the House an assurance that the Government will take measures to prevent the Greeks from occupying Constantinople while Parliament is in Recess?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Reparations Commission have had their attention drawn to Annex II, 12 (b), of the Treaty of Versailles, which provides that the Commission shall examine the German system of taxation, first to the end that sums for reparation which Germany is required to pay shall become a charge on all her revenues prior to that for the discharge or service of any domestic loan, and secondly so as to satisfy itself that in general the German system of taxation is fully as heavy, proportionately, as that of any of the Powers represented on the Commission; what, if any, is the result of the examination of the Commission into these two points; and whether the Supreme Council will insist on the immediate observance of this Clause of the Treaty?

The matters referred to in the first part of the question are continually engaging the attention of the Reparation Commission. In reply to the second and third parts of the question, I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement that will be made during the Debate on the Appropriation Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the taxes in the part of Germany occupied by the British forces are collected by the German authorities or by the British; and whether the money collected by either is applied in reduction of the cost of the Army of Occupation?

The taxes are collected by the German authorities. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prune Minister whether the Polish Diet has included Eastern Galicia in the Electoral Bill recently introduced; and, if so, whether representations will be made concerning this violation of Article 91 of the Treaty of St. Germains?

I have no information to show whether Eastern Galicia has been included in the Electoral Bill recently introduced into the Polish Diet. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

has the hon. Gentleman made any inquiries about the reports in the Polish Press?

Yes. I stated yesterday that we wore making inquiries.

When will the hon. Gentleman he able to give me an answer?

I cannot say.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangement has yet been arrived at with the German Government in connection with their indebtedness to this country to furnish a substantial part of the raw timber annually imported into this country from abroad, amounting during the past three years to the value of about £170,000,000, having regard to the large area of Germany which is under scientifically planted forests which were practically untouched during the War?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements were made early this year for timber to be delivered in payment of reparation to this country. The maximum figure fixed for 1922 deliveries to this country is 2,000 standards of the value of about, £3½ millions, but owing to delays and other causes it is not expected that more than about one quarter of this will be delivered within the year. The amount for 1923 is under discussion, but will be much larger than in 1922.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any explanation as to why such a very paltry amount of timber is being delivered by Germany, seeing that one-fourth of the German Empire is under scientifically planted forests?

I will make inquiries and let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any request has been addressed to the German Government that they would obtain from their nationals, as was done in this country during the War, the scrip and other securities in respect of the large investments made by Germans in the United States and other foreign countries before, during, and subsequent to the War, whereby Germany is evading payment of her debts, so that the said securities can be deposited with the Allied Governments as some security in respect of German indebtedness, and especially to assist the Allies in meeting their heavy debt to America?

The answer is in the negative.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why the Treasury thought it proper to make a demand of this kind when this country was in urgent need of money during the War and they do not think it proper to make a similar demand on Germany who owes us so much money?

This again raises a delicate question, and I would rather the hon. Member put it down on the Paper.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have raised this question with the Chancellor of the Exchequer for months past? It is a matter of very great importance, whereby this country can get millions out of Germany. Germany is avoiding her debts in this way.

I am perfectly convinced that any relevant suggestion made by the hon. Member will receive the most careful consideration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Will the hon. Gentleman give it further consideration and advise me during the recess what his decision is so that it can be made public?

I will certainly draw the further attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member's view.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce the names of the Royal Commissioners on the distribution of honours; what is to be their reference; and, particularly, whether the reference will permit them to inquire what donations, if any, recipients of honours have made to party funds?

Although the composition of the Royal Commission is not yet complete, as the House is adjourning to-morrow, I will give the names of those who have already promised to serve:—

• Lord Dunedin (Chairman).
• Lord Denman.
• My right hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. Arthur Henderson).
• My right hon. Friend the Member for Aston (Sir Evelyn Cecil).
• My hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelsea (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Samuel Hoare).

"To advise on the procedure to he adopted in future to assist the Prime Minister in making recommendations to His Majesty of names of persons deserving special honour."

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question as to whether the reference will permit them to inquire what donations, if any, recipients of honours have made to party funds?

Of course it is not for me to interpret the terms of reference. That is the duty of the Chairman of the Committee. I should have thought that was obvious.

Does that mean that there is to be no retrospective inquiry?

What powers will the Commission have? Will they have power to take evidence on oath and to send for witnesses?

asked the Prime Minister what is the present situation of Enver Pasha and his adherents in Bokhara and Turkestan; whether His Majesty's Government or the Government of India is in communication with Enver, either directly or indirectly, officially or unofficially; and whether there is any understanding or arrangement of any sort between him and the agents of either Government?

His Majesty's Government have little recent information of any value on this subject, and I can add nothing useful to the reports which have appeared in the Press. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the fact that the British Legion are supplying men to the manager of the White City Exhibition, London, on stand-fitting work at a less rate of wages than that laid down in the agreement between the management and the Exhibition Stand Fitters' Association and the trades unions representing the various classes of workmen employed, and that in some cases men are employed there to do carpenters' work at 18s. per week less than the carpenters' rate of wages; that unions and the association concerned, failing to get an understanding on this matter with the directors of the White City, have refused to allow their members to continue at work; and, having regard to the circumstances of the times and the discontent that such action is creating, will he take steps to bring this state of affairs to a. conclusion satisfactory to both the ex-service men and the trade unionists affected?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed by the British Legion that they have not supplied men to the manager of the White City Exhibition for stand fitting work; that, the Legion supply men only on condition that the proper rates of wages are paid; and that the Legion have discussed the position with trade unions concerned and satisfied them as to their action. However, in view of the statements made in the last part of the question, I will see whether I can properly make any further inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister (1), whether, at the forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister of the French Republic, the question of reparations alone will be discussed or whether the Government will, at the same time, endeavour to reach some understanding on the question of Allied indebtedness;

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement that will be made during the Debate on the Appropriation Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Canadian representatives at the Imperial Conference of 1909 sought the advice of' the Admiralty in order to carry out the Resolution of the Canadian Parliament of 29th March, 1909, on the basis of an annual naval expenditure of £400,000 or £1600,000 per annum, including the maintenance of Esquimalt and Halifax dockyards; whether the Admiralty supplied them with two plans for building and maintaining cruisers and destroyers; whether this contribution was ever made in the way the Imperial Government were led to believe it would be made; and what is the naval expenditure of Canada to-day?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Admiralty supplied plans and specifications of cruisers and destroyers. I understand that the, Dominion Government did not build the cruisers or destroyers, but have maintained the Esquimalt and Halifax dockyards. The naval expenditure of the Dominion for the 11 months ended 25th February, 1922, was 1,791,129 dollars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why it has been considered necessary to include the name of one woman among the 12 persons invited to serve on the Departmental Committee to consider the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918; and can he state the number of men teachers and the number of women teachers whose pensions will come under review?

With regard to the first part of the question, appointments to the Committee have been made on the ground of personal qualification and without regard to sex. As regards the latter part, I estimate that the numbers are approximately 52,500 men and 143,500 women.

Can an answer be given as to whether there is a woman or women amongst those who have been appointed?

I am afraid that I have not got the actual name before me at the moment.

Does the hon. Gentleman think it proper that a Committee so much concerned with the interests of women should be without an adequate representation of women?

That is a question for the Prime Minister.

I have asked whether there are any women on the Committee, and I think that an answer ought to be forthcoming to my question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the effect of Circular 1259, referring to secondary school grants, will be to transfer expenditure from the taxes to the rates, he will suspend the operation of the circular until the basis of the grant and rate-aid has been reconsidered?

I may refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 14th June last to the hon. Member for the Thornhury Division of Gloucestershire (Mr. A. Kendall).

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that this Order is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction to many county and municipal authorities?

I am completely aware of that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the nature of the steps proposed or now being taken for the revaluation of property for the purposes of taxation?

Under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1922, steps are now being taken to revalue all properties in England and Wales, except properties in the Administrative County of London, with respect to which the valuation list for rating purposes is made conclusive for the purposes of Income Tax. Forms of return will shortly he issued by the assessors of Income Tax, and the General Commissioners will, in due course, issue notices of assessment and will hear and determine appeals against the annual values assessed.

What will be the cost of the revaluation?

I cannot say.

Has no estimate of the cost been made?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Treasury proposals for the future payment of temporary staffs give a basic minimum to Grade 4 women clerks which is lower than the factory workers' minimum laid down by Mr. Seebohm Rowntree after prolonged investigations as the lowest standard wage upon which health could be maintained by an individual woman without dependants: that the majority of Grade 4 temporary women clerks have others wholly or partly dependent upon them and in London considerably higher fares than are usual for the women with regard to whom Mr. Rowntree's investigations were made; and whether he will cause the proposals o be reviewed in view of the fact that they would bring the w omen clerks concerned below the figure laid down for certain sweated trades as trades boards' minima or will consent to the women's case being investigated by the Industrial Court?

The large majority of temporary women clerks are in Grade 3. Women in Grade 4 are for the most part under 21 years of age, and are engaged on semi-manipulative duties. In cases where adult women are employed in Grade 4, the minimum rate which is now, in London 40s. or 43s. a week (varying with the normal weekly attendance required), would, under the Treasury proposals, be reduced to 36s. 1d. or 38s. 10d. a week. These amounts do not, so far as I am aware, conflict with any minimum rate laid down by Mr. Seebohm Rowntree, and they are certainly in excess of the general level of minimum rates prescribed by Trade Boards for adult women in various industries. In these circumstances the remainder of the question does not arise.

Can the hon. Gentleman agree to either of the two alternatives contained in the latter part of the question?

No. I think, in view of the facts set forth in the first part of my answer, it is not possible to agree to either of the suggestions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, as a result of representations, it was laid down that junior postmasters in Kenya Colony should be entitled to first-class travelling facilities between Kenya Colony and Great Britain; that. this decision was confirmed by Colonial Office despatch of 9th September, 1920; is he aware that without notice to the officers concerned this privilege has been withdrawn by Colonial Office Despatch 744, of the. 18th May, 1922; and, having regard to the inequalities created by the recent decision, will he restore the privilege which the men have enjoyed for the last two years?

The expectation of first-class passages for junior postmasters was held out at a time when it was believed to be the desire of the local Government to grant that privilege. When it was found that a misunderstanding had occurred, the privilege was confined to those who had definitely been promised it as a condition of their appointment. I have had no previous indication that the decision was not fully accepted by the officials concerned, and, while I am reluctant, in the interests of economy, to reverse the intentions of the local Government, I will go into the matter further with the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Governor of the Gold Coast is employing nearly 1,000 white officials for an area of less than 90,000 square miles and a population of less than 2,000,000 of people; that the Governor of Nigeria is employing about 600 white officials for an area of 300,000 square miles and a population of over 15,000,000 of people; and if he can explain the reason for this anomalous situation?

The hon. Member is misinformed. The number of white officials in the Gold Coast on the 31st December, 1921, was 946, and in Nigeria on the same date, 2,009, and these numbers have not materially altered. The higher proportion of white officials in the Gold Coast no doubt indicates that in proportion to area and population the construction of new works is being undertaken in that Colony on a larger scale than in Nigeria. It is also the case that the system of indirect government through the native administrations is more fully developed in Nigeria where it is therefore unnecessary to retain as many European politiical officers in proportion to area and population as are required in the Gold Coast.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to give an undertaking that, when the harbour works of Takoradi are completed, no steps will be taken to force shipping companies or merchants to load export cargoes only from that port in the Gold Coast Colony, and that shipping lines' and merchants' chartered vessels will be as free from administrative pressure in future as heretofore to load from any or all other ports in the Gold Coast Colony?

I am not clear what the hon. Gentleman has in mind. As far as I am aware, there has never been any suggestion of any compulsion being applied to shippers to use Takoradi in preference to other ports, though it is probable that the greater facilities which will be available when the Takoradi harbour works are completed will induce them to use that port as far as possible. As a matter of fact, the Gold Coast Government is at present spending at least £100,000 upon the improvement of the harbour at Accra.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government, in authorising the expenditure on Takoradi harbour and railway works, has stated that the capital expenditure must he limited to £1,600,000, and that the present Estimates of the Gold Coast Colony include a sum of £30,000 for the survey alone of a prospective railway from Takoradi to Kotoku, he will say whether this survey has been sanctioned by His Majesty's Government: and, if so, for what purpose?

A sum of £6,000 has been provided in the current year's Estimates of the Gold Coast, as a first instalment of the cost of the survey of a proposed new railway in the Central Province of the colony. The total cost is estimated at £30,000. The purpose of the projected railway is to provide transport facilities in this part of the colony, especially with a view to the development of cocoa districts which have not hitherto been opened up. Such improvement of transport facilities is recognised as necessary in itself, apart from the relation of the proposed new railway to the harbour now under construction at Takoradi.

Are we to understand that there has been any pressure from traders for this railway or was this authorised solely on the advice of the Colonial Office?

Is it not the fact that this port opens great possibilities—greater than ever existed before, for the development of this very rich colony, and has it not been approved by public opinion in tile colony itself?

Yes, Sir, it opens up great possibilities. Of course, it is a very serious undertaking. The colony will be vastly richer and more efficient when it is completed than it at the present moment. I really do not understand the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

Has the undertaking the approval of the people on the spot? Do they want to incur expenditure on this port and railway?

The hon. and gallant. Gentleman knows exactly what are the methods by which these different colonies are governed. The usual procedure has been followed here. If he is not aware of that, I can understand why he asks so many questions on the subject.

It is almost impossible to ask question of the Minister for the Colonies because one is habitually insulted. In this case may I ask whether the Chamber of Commerce on the Cold Coast have or have not approved of his spending this money on this public works scheme?

I must have notice of that question.

Why?

The hon. and gallant Member, in asking his original question, put, it in a form which carried an implication, whether it was intended or not. He had better place any further questions on the Paper.

But may I ask—

The hon. and gallant Member had better put his question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that some 20,000 tons of cocoa, valued at nearly £1,000,000 sterling, were left last year ungathered on the trees of the Gold Coast Colony: and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a repetition of this loss during the forthcoming harvest?

I have no information as to the actual amount of cocoa left ungathered in the Gold Coast last year. There is little doubt that a portion of the crop was left ungathered; and the greater part of this would probably be in the less accessible districts, in which, owing to the lack of transport facilities and to the poor price which the product commanded, it did not pay the farmer to market his crop. It is realised that the low price was in part due to the poor quality of the cocoa; and the Gold Coast Government is endeavouring to prevail on the farmers to adopt better methods of cultivation with a view to improving the quality of the crop. It is also part of the general policy of the Government to improve communications throughout the Colony, thereby opening up the more remote cocoa-bearing districts.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is giving his personal attention to this cocoa question?

I take a great interest in it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information regarding the extent of, and damage done by, the recent fire in Jamaica?

No report has yet been received from the Governor of Jamaica with regard to the fires in the parish of Clarendon, and I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press. Inquiry has been made of the Governor by telegraph.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the expenditure in the Tanganyika Territory shows an increase entirely disproportionate to that resultant on the conversion of the 1s. 4d. rupee to the 2s. florin; and what measures he is taking to effect reductions?

The change in the East African currency affected the actual expenditure of the Tanganyika Territory in 1921–22 only in so far as money had to be supplied from outside the territory for purposes of local payments. Every effort has been made during the last few years to reduce the ordinary expenditure of the territory to the smallest possible limit, but the special circumstances of the territory, which during the War was almost continuously the theatre of active military operations, make it essential that substantial sums should now be devoted to capital expenditure upon the repair and improvement of railways and public works, in order that the territory may develop its trade with a view to paying its way.

Is that the cause, of the increase?