asked the Under Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the final recommendations of the Government of India have now been received, and that more than two years have elapsed since the question was first raised, he can state what decision has been arrived at on the question of the application to the Indian Army of the Royal Warrant of August, 1920, regarding the adjustment of the pay of retired officers of the Indian Army retained in the Army during the War beyond the date on which they became eligible for retirement?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant. Member on 28th November.

Is it in the power of the Government of India to delay the application of a Royal Warrant for more than two years?

The answer which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on the date in question, 28th November, was that this question was under consideration. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every step is being taken to accelerate the decision on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the All-India Congress Committee is about equally divided now as to the propriety of so far modifying the non-co-operation policy as to sanction election to the Legislative Councils, and that the chief obstacle to this change of policy is that nearly all the Congress leaders have been in gaol, whereby they are debarred from standing for election unless some individual pardons or a general amnesty is declared; and, with a view to ending the present unsatisfactory position, will he consult with the Viceroy as to the best method of getting round the difficulty so that these leaders may have the chance to stand for the councils?

I do not know how opinion stands in the Congress Committee. The members of the Civil Disobedience Inquiry Committee were' equally divided on the point, and it appears to be the case that one section among them put forward the view that so long as there was a rule disqualifying persons who had been con- victed it would be inconsistent with their self-respect and dignity to lift the ban upon the Legislatures. I am not prepared to recommend the Secretary of State to suggest to the Viceroy that he should, or to consult him as to how he can, remove the scruples of these gentlemen.

Perhaps the Noble Lord would not like their scruples to be removed?

I said that I am not prepared to recommend that action should be taken to remove them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that it is the want of protection from vilification by the non-cooperation Press in India that, amongst other reasons, is driving many officers of the Civil Services and police in India to apply for proportionate pensions before completing their service, the Secretary of State will consider the question of bringing into force some more effective method of putting a stop to this abuse of its servants, both British and Indian, than exists at present?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer to his question last week regarding actions for defamation against newspapers. These actions appear to be having some effect, but I am sure that the Government of India would willingly consider any more effective method that my hon. and gallant Friend can suggest. According to the latest information that has reached me, there has been appreciable improvement, and conditions may fairly be said to be more hopeful than they were 18 months ago.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steps were taken between 6th October, when McGrigor's intimated to the War Office they were in difficulties, and 13th October, when the Paymaster-General made them large payments, to warn the Paymaster-General of the in-advisability of making such payments?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Holborn (Sir J. Remnant) on 28th November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what was the last date prior to the 6th October on which the accounts of McGrigor's Bank were submitted to the War Office; and whether such accounts had been audited?

The accounts of McGrigor's Bank were never submitted to the War Office, but accounts for the receipt and disbursement of the public money entrusted to the firm in their capacity as Army agents for certain corps and Departments were rendered quarterly and were audited at the War Office. The last account, for the June quarter, was received on 8th August.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many Special Reserve, Militia, Territorial, temporary and retired officers are still being employed?

The number on 1st November was 749. These officers are practically all "Specialists," for example, Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Military Accountants, Chaplains, for whom no qualified regular officers can be provided as replacements. Reductions are being effected as rapidly as circumstances permit, and the present strength will be considered reduced by 1st April next.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lance-corporal Andrew Hatton, No. 201,207, 2/4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was reported on 8th November, 1917, as wounded and on 1st December as missing from 26th October, 1917, and that on 3rd October, 1918, he was definitely presumed to be dead from 26th October, 1917; whether there was any pay and other allowances due to this soldier on that date; and, if so, to whom were they paid?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The sum of £4 5s. 6d. due to the estate of the late soldier on 26th October, 1917, the date on which he was subsequently presumed to have died, was paid to his mother, Mrs. Sarah Ann Hatton, on the 30th September, 1919. A further sum of £13, balance of War gratuity, was paid to her on the 1st December, 1919.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of officers employed in England in discharge of military duties and not on the strength of any regimental unit; and the number so employed in July, 1914?

I am not in a position to give the figures for England separately, but the number of officers so employed in the United Kingdom in 1914 was approximately 1850, compared with some 1,980 at the present time. Owing to the withdrawal of troops from Ireland and other causes there will be a considerable decrease by the end of the present financial year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to an advertisement inviting tenders for the supply of frozen meat to Chichester Barracks; and whether this policy of excluding home produce is in future to be applied to other commodities such as rifles, equipment, and clothing required for the Army?

At Chichester, as at all stations in Great Britain, frozen meat is supplied to the troops on grounds of economy. There is no intention of adopting a similar course in the case of the other supplies mentioned.

Having regard to the serious condition of British agriculture, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman get into touch with the Minister of Agriculture and see whether he cannot arrange for British meat to be supplied to British soldiers in this country?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the price paid to the British producer is considerably below the price at which foreign meat can be bought, and will he, therefore, consider buying direct from the British producer?

Is it not an injustice to the British soldier that he should be deprived of the right of having British meat?

I will certainly get into touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on the supplementary question put by my hon. Friend. The policy of the War Office, undoubtedly, is to give preference, wherever they possibly can, to homegrown produce, but cost has to be taken into account. I am informed that to supply the Army with home-grown meat to the exclusion of chilled beef would double the cost, and I am afraid that is what we cannot face.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the precise nature of the work at the War Office which now necessitates the employment of an increased number of officers from 174 to 325, and which he anticipates will justify the employment of 297 as against 174 after the 1st April, 1923?

The additional work may be broadly divided as follows:

First: Outstanding questions and claims arising directly out of the events and circumstances of the War.

Second: Questions connected with the post-War settlement, for instance, the garrisoning of the new territories and the occupation of the Rhine provinces.

Third: The reduction of the Army, its reorganisation in the light of war experience, and the consequential revision of all training and other manuals, books of regulations, etc.

Fourth: Permanent new work—for instance, the extended employment of mechanical transport and the introduction of new types of munitions and war matériel, and new services, such as signals, education, tanks, and cost accounting.

Fifth: The general increase in the volume of correspondence to be handled.

further asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of separate premises now occupied in England by persons under the control of his office, and the number of premises so occupied in July, 1914?

Excluding War Department property, the number of separate premises occupied by the War Department in England at present is about 330, and the corresponding number in 1914 was 525. I am not in a position to give similar figures for the Territorial Army, but there has been a decrease.

asked the Prime Minister what were the respective positions in the Cabinet Secretariat staff held by the 19 members thereof who have been transferred to other Departments, and what were their salaries before they were so transferred; and if he will state to what Departments the said 19 members have respectively been transferred, and what their salaries are in their new Departments?

Twelve permanent clerks on the scale of £60 to £250 per annum plus bonus and seven temporary clerks on the scales of 66s. 10d. to 73s. 7d. and 74s. to 87s. 7d. inclusive a week, all of whom performed clerical duties in the Cabinet Secretariat, have been transferred to the Departments enumerated in my reply to the hon. Member for the South Molton Division on the 30th November, their respective rates of salary either remaining unchanged or being reduced on transfer to Departments in which the prescribed hours of attendance are not so long.

If there was any need for the transfer of these several clerks, was there a shortage in the other Departments? If so, why was not the shortage met before then?

I think that the hon. Member has a question on the subject-later on.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the anticipated saving of £20,000 in the Cabinet Secretariat Vote is a net saving to the Treasury, or whether this sum represents only the anticipated reduction on the Cabinet Secretariat Vote?

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member on the 7th instant, a saving of approximately £20,000 will be effected on the Vote for the Cabinet Secretariat. This amount also represents the ultimate net saving to the Treasury, as the staff transferred fill existing vacancies in other Departments for which staff must in any case be provided.

Seeing that the total annual cost of the Cabinet Secretariat was returned at £32,000, how can the right hon. Gentleman explain a saving of £20,000, inasmuch as only the smaller part of the Cabinet Secretariat has been dealt with?

I would like notice of that question, as it would involve going through all the details concerning the people who have been removed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of the Civil Service Commission?

Provision of £87,434 is taken in the Civil Service Commission Estimate (Class II, 20) for the current year for expenditure on this service. Receipts from examination fees were estimated at £31,000. It is, however, now anticipated that the expenditure will be £61,634 and the receipts £19,000, giving net cost £42,634. The expenditure figures given do not include amounts (total, £24,687) provided for this service in other Estimates, as detailed in the note to the Civil Service Commission Estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reconsider his attitude towards the Temporary Staff Confederation and adopt towards them what the Government always advise in other trade disputes, namely, the setting up of some conciliation machinery to deal with the disputes or to adopt the system of arbitration?

I should remind the hon. Member that conciliation machinery already exists in the Civil Service and that the matter to which he refers was discussed through Whitley machinery for two months before executive action was taken. As regards the alternative suggestion of arbitration in this matter, I have nothing to add to my reply to a similar question put by the hon. Member on the 29th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that according to Cd. 1,665 the pre-War naval personnel was 145,600, with an Admiralty staff of 4,400, while on the 1st April last the naval personnel was 121,400, with an Admiralty staff of 9,100; whether he is satisfied that it requires a doubled Admiralty staff to deal with a personnel reduced by 24,200 officers and men; if so, can he give reasons for his satisfaction; and, if not, will he effect reductions in the non-fighting forces borne oh naval Votes?

I have been asked to reply. If the right hon. Member would refer to the answer which I gave to the late Member for Pontefract on 16th June of last year he will see that the figures of Admiralty staff given at the two dates are not comparable. The comparable pre-War figure, which includes outport establishments, should be 5,321 and not 4,400. The figure for 1st November last is 8,546. As regards the justification for the numbers at present employed, I would call the right hon. Member's attention both to the reply referred to and to the late First Lord's remarks on this subject in the statement accompanying the Navy Estimates. The numbers of staff employed are under continuous scrutiny, and the numbers are kept at the lowest possible limit compatible with the efficient conduct of the work. A reduction of 1,655 has been made during the past 12 months, and the numbers will be further reduced continuously throughout the financial year.

How is it that with a much reduced naval personnel it is necessary to have such a largely increased staff at the Admiralty?

I hope to give the right hon. Member details on that point when he raises it in Debate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to the military manœuvres which have recently taken place in Posen under the supervision of French generals co-operating with the Polish general staff; whether he is aware that Poland is fortifying the Hela peninsula and connecting the harbour of Gdingen by strategic railways linked up with the Free State of Danzig; that large quantities of munitions and petrol are being accumulated in the free port of Danzig for the use of the French fleet; and that the sums expended on these military preparations are derived from the reparation payments supposedly earmarked for the reconstruction of the devastated areas of France?

The manœuvres of July, 1922, which I presume are referred to, were conducted entirely under Polish supervision. The only senior French officer present attended as a spectator, in compliance with the customary invitation extended to all foreign military attaches. No foundation can be traced for the remainder of the; suggestions made in the question.

Is the Department in receipt regularly of Polish newspapers, in which some very remarkable disclosures have been made?

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Govan parish council are finding it very difficult to meet the heavy expenditure owing to payment of relief to able-bodied unemployed; whether he is aware that the present rate in Govan parish is 15s. 10d. per head of the population, while in the neighbouring parish of Cathcart the rate is only 5¾d. per head; and what action can he take to equalise the burden?

My Noble Friend is aware that many parishes in the industrial areas in Scotland, including the parish of Govan, are incurring heavy expenditure on account of the payment of relief to the able-bodied unemployed. The amounts expended to date in the parishes of Govan and Gathcart per head of the population are substantially as stated in the question. Provision was made in the Poor Law Emergency Provisions (Scotland) Act, 1921, to enable parish councils to spread the burden over a number of years. The whole position of parish councils in relation to the relief of the able-bodied unemployed is at present being examined.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, what is the total sum paid by parish councils in Scotland to unemployed; and what is the increase in the poor rate consequent on the payment made to able-bodied men and women?

The amount of expenditure incurred by parish councils in Scotland in affording relief to destitute able-bodied unemployed persons up to the 2nd instant was approximately £1,650,000. This amount, if distributed equally over the industrial parishes affected, would represent a rate of approximately 1s. 3d. in the £ on the aggregate gross rental of these parishes. It is not, however, possible to state what is the actual increase over all in the poor rate consequent on this expenditure, as this rate is levied not on gross rental, but on a figure arrived at after making deductions, the amount of which varies in the different parishes. It should, however, be kept in view, that parish councils will not require to assess for the whole of this expenditure during the current year as the greater part of the expenditure is being met by loans repayable over a term of years raised under the Poor Law Emergency Provisions (Scotland) Act, 1921. The burden will therefore be spread over a number of years.

Does the right hon. Baronet consider it fair that one parish should be paying 1d. or 2d. in the £ a year, while another is paying 15s.?

Will the Government take steps to see that the burden placed on the poorer areas, as against well-to-do areas, is put on something like an equality?

I want an answer to my question.

I gave the hon. Member a very full answer to his question. As regards the other point, it is a very much larger question than is raised by the question on the Paper.

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that people drawing unemployment insurance benefit, when they are compelled to go wholly on the parish, fall out of benefit?

Surely that is a much wider question than the question down on the Paper? If the hon. Member will put it on the Paper, I will endeavour to answer him.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether, in view of the urgent need of employment in Scotland, and of the post-War evidence of the strategic and commercial value of a mid-Scotland ship canal, he will take steps to set up a committee, consisting of representatives of the Admiralty, the Board of Trade, the local authorities, and the shipping interests, to inquire into the advisability of pro ceeding with this national enterprise?

My Noble Friend has consulted the Departments concerned as to their views on the proposal to set up a committee such as the hon. Member suggests. As the result, he doubts whether any good purpose would be served by further inquiry into this matter, which has been considered on several occasions in recent years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that in normal times the Treasury sanctioned a grant of 50 per cent. of the cost of approved road work undertaken by local authorities, he can see his way to increase the percentage rate of grant in order to give them some inducement to expedite and anticipate work which they otherwise would not put in hand and in this way further reduce the amount of unemployment?

I have been asked to reply. The sum at present available for distribution from the Road Fund will not permit of any general increase above the normal grant of 50 per cent, of the approved expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of Class I roads and on other road works of importance. Facilities are being given to highway authorities by the Ministry of Transport to expedite and anticipate work with a view to mitigating unemployment, and in addition, as the hon. Member is aware, assistance is given from the funds at the disposal of the Unemployment Grants Committee towards road works among other works of public utility.

Can the supplementary grants from the Unemployed Grants Committee be given for the same work as that for which the Road Board are giving the 50 per cent., so as to give an inducement to the local authorities to have useful work carried out?

No. The grants by the Unemployed Grants Committee are for third-class roads and not for first and second roads.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sums paid during the last three years by the Treasury into the Unemployment Insurance Funds; and whether such payments are grants or loans?

I have been asked to reply. The total sums paid by way of State grant to the Unemployment Fund (including the Unemployed Workers' Dependants Funds during the last three years are:—

	£
For the financial year 1920–21	2,168,640
For the financial year 1921–22	8,123,430
For the financial year 1922–23 (8½ months)	8,273,350
	£18,565,420

In addition to this, repayable advances have been made out of the Consolidated Fund during the last 18 months totalling £14,980,000.

Does this not compare very unfavourably with the amount of the subsidies—£167,000,000 as compared with £18,000,000 subsidy and £14,000,000 loan to the unemployed?

That is a matter of opinion. I do not think it arises out of the answer.

It is a matter very largely of fact.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether grants under the Grants Committee of the Scottish Education Department for courses of study by students who had served in the War, and had accepted terms and conditions imposed upon them, have been withheld because of changes and difficulties in practical training over which these students had no control; and will he take steps to have these grants renewed?

So far as the Department are aware, the reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, and therefore the second part does not arise. If, however, the hon. Member has any specific case or cases in his mind, perhaps he will be good enough to communicate details to my Noble Friend, when full inquiry will be made.

asked how many schemes for the settlement of ex-service men initiated prior to 1922 were abandoned by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in 1922; how many continued schemes have been converted into Part II purchase schemes in 1922; how many Part I and Part II schemes for settlement have been intiated in 1922; and how many men have been placed on such schemes?

The reply to the first part of the question is 15; to the second part, 4; to the third part, one Part I scheme and 15 Part II schemes; and to the last part, 85.

What was the reason for the abandonment of all those schemes?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question, I will get an answer.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as re-presenting the Secretary for Scotland, the number of applicants for land, distinguishing ex-service men, who have been settled on the land in Orkney and Shetland, respectively, since the Armistice, and the number of applications still remaining to be dealt with?

In Orkney the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have settled since the Armistice 10 civilian and nine ex-service applicants, the numbers remaining to be dealt with being 143 civilians and 113 ex-service applicants. In Shetland the corresponding figures are 64 and 89 settled and 462 and 153 outstanding.

Can nothing be done to expedite this matter?

He does not know.

I know everything is being done that can be done.

asked the First Commissioners of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, how many men who have been given holdings under land settlement schemes instituted by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have not yet had their rents fixed; and whether, in view of the unfairness of placing men in holdings without informing them of the financial liability they are incurring, he will take steps to put an end to this anomaly?

In reply to the first part of the question, rents have been intimated in all but 29 cases. The second part of the question presumably refers to the total annual burdens, including building loan repayments. Holders are informed of approximate burden before entry, but the final figures cannot be notified till the completion of buildings. The position is at present complicated by the fall in building values, concerning which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 28th ultimo to the hon. Member for East Fife.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can explain why the Report of the Select Committee on the Training and Employment of Disabled Ex-Service Men, printed on poor paper and with only a paper cover, is priced at 12s. 6d.; is he aware that this price puts it out of the reach of a large number of disabled men and others who are greatly interested in the subject; and can he arrange for the supply of copies at a greatly reduced rate to organisations such as the British Legion?

This publication consists of 493 pages of closely printed letterpress and table matter, and the paper on which it is printed is that generally used for Parliamentary Reports. It was priced according to the current scale for Parliamentary Papers, which represents no more than the cost of printing and publishing.

Does that not mean that only 800 copies published at 12s. 6d. would cover the entire cost of printing and publishing?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if he will inquire into the actions of the Scottish Mineowners' Defence and Mutual Insurance Association re its methods of withholding and making payment under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and if, as the result of that investigation, it is found that undue pressure has been put upon injured miners to accept less than they are legally entitled to, what action does he propose taking to enforce the provisions of the Compensation Acts on the above association?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I have no authority under the Act to intervene in regard to disputes between employers and workers as to the amount of compensation to which a workman is legally entitled or the withholding of the payment of compensation. These are matters which can only be determined by a judicial tribunal. I understand, however, that an offer has recently been made by the directors of the association to meet the workmen's representatives and go into the allegations, and I hope that in this way it may be possible to arrive at a satisfactory understanding.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that attempts are being made to expose for sale in Glasgow portions of cattle infected with tuberculosis; and if he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

My Noble Friend is not aware that attempts are being made to expose for sale in Glasgow portions of cattle infected with tuberculosis. If the hon. Member has reason to believe that any such attempts are being made and will be so good as to furnish particulars to my Noble Friend he will cause immediate inquiry to be made.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he proposes to withdraw Circular 51 of the Scottish Education Department, in view of the unfortunate position in which it has placed education authorities and parish councils with regard to the feeding of necessitous children?

As Circular 51 simply conveys the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown for Scotland as to the legal position in regard to the feeding of necessitous children, my Noble Friend does not see that any practical advantage could be gained from its withdrawal.

Will the right hon. Baronet make inquiries as to the condition of the children in the industrial areas, owing to the parish councils and the education authorities trying to shift the burden of providing for these children on to other shoulders?

Will the hon. Member please put down a question.

Will the right hon. Baronet state what the Government are prepared to do if it is proved that the circular is really withholding certain rights of education authorities who are desirous of feeding necessitous children?

The circular, as stated in the question, simply contains the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legal position, in order that the legal opinion may be known by the authorities.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether the Government proposes to introduce a Measure of Home Rule for Scotland at an early date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister yesterday to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Western Derbyshire (Mr. C. White).

Has that answer been dictated by the fact that the people of Scotland are so opposed to the Government whom he represents?

We are of opposite opinions as to what the people of Scotland think.

I do not think so. I represent the majority.

Will the Government be prepared to give facilities for such a Measure if introduced by a private Member?

That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if he will make arrangements for the continued education and training of unemployed boys and girls of 14 to 18 years of age, under the auspices of education authorities in conjunction with the juvenile advisory committees of the Labour Exchanges?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Peebles and Southern Midlothian (Mr. Westwood).

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if he will give consideration to the establishment of a first division in Scottish prisons, in which prisoners for certain offences would receive the same treatment as similar offenders in English prisons; and if he will proceed to revise the dietary of all prisoners?

The suggestion contained in the first part of the question has frequently been considered, but it is not thought desirable to introduce such a differentiation of treatment between classes of prisoners as is suggested by the hon. Member. Diets have been recently revised, and are subject to constant revision under the existing rules.

Is it not the case that such differentiation exists, but is in the hands of the Prison Commissioners in Scotland, who have neither legal nor judicial experience, whereas in England the differentiation rests in the discretion of the Judge on the Bench?

I would rather not answer that question without notice.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether, in view of the expenditure involved in sending deputations from Scottish local authorities to London in connection with Parliamentary business, he can arrange so that all such business can be trans acted through the Scottish Office at Edinburgh?

My Noble Friend is in sympathy with the hon. Member's desire to limit the expenditure by Scottish local authorities on deputations, and, so far as he is concerned, he will endeavour to arrange, whenever possible, to receive such deputations in Edinburgh.

Will my right hon. Friend's Noble Friend communicate with the Scottish local authorities, in order to get business again transacted through Edinburgh.

The object of putting a question and receiving an answer in the House of Commons is to make the facts public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a proposal which would be very unpopular with the deputations?

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if he is aware that the city of Glasgow requires 57,000 new houses, and in that city the number of houses condemned as unfit for habitation is 13,000; and what steps will he take to both urge and help the local authority to solve both of those problems?

My Noble Friend is aware of the estimates on which the figures given are based. As regards the last part of the question, the provision to be made under the State-aided housing scheme includes the building of 4,854 houses by the corporation, 102 houses by public utility societies, and 142 houses by private enterprise. It is understood that the corporation are also preparing a slum clearance scheme in respect of which, if approved, they will be entitled to participate in the annual State grant of £30,000 earmarked for this purpose. The question of further assistance being given by the State to enable local authorities to deal with the housing problem is at present engaging the attention of the Government.

In regard to the slum clearances, which only apply to 400 houses of 13,000, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have it applied to the whole 13,000?

I will communicate with my right hon. Friend.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that house factors in Glasgow and the West of Scotland have issued letters to tenants stating that the present Government, through the Prime Minister, has given to the country indication that proprietors will not be called upon to refund rents under the Kerr v. Bryde decision, and demanding continued payment of the increase of rent decreed to be illegal; and whether he will take steps to have the confusion in this matter cleared up?

My Noble Friend has had his attention drawn to a case in which a Glasgow house factor has issued a letter of the kind referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his question on this subject yesterday.

As the answer given yesterday conveyed nothing, may I ask if the communication referred to has not caused more confusion in Scotland than the original scheme of the Prime-Minister's indication?

I think everybody can form their own opinion upon it.

In view of the answers given to these questions, will the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear upon the Prime Minister to have somebody on the Treasury Bench who understands something about Scottish affairs?

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if his attention has been drawn to the high death rate among children below the age of 12 months in the Gorbals Division as against the low death rate in the Cathcart Division; will he state what is the reason for this; and what steps will he take to save child life in the Gorbals Division?

My Noble Friend is informed that in 1921 the death rate among infants was higher in Gorbals municipal ward than in Cathcart municipal ward. It is not possible within the scope of an answer to a question to discuss the possible explanations of this difference. With regard to the last part of the question the Glasgow Corporation, assisted by a grant from public funds, have in operation a maternity service and child welfare scheme one of the objects of which is to save child life. Special attention is given under this scheme to the needs of the Gorbals Division.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the action of the State in issuing Circular 51, that scheme is largely in abeyance and that children are dying, and can he say what steps will be taken to withdraw the circular?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government have withdrawn the money that was being spent, and left the local authorities in a position in which they are not able to do it?

A sum of money has been withdrawn.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the ordinance amending the forced labour ordinance of Kenya Colony has yet been passed through the legislative council of Kenya; and, if not, can he say to what this delay is due?

The ordinance has passed through the Legislative Council, but in order to provide for certain Amendments considered necessary by the Secretary of State it will be necessary for it to be re-committed. The delay in completing this legislation is due to the necessity for obtaining drafts of the proposed law from Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar, and for considering and collating the drafts when received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonics on what grounds the question of suspending operations on the deep-water pier in Kilindini Harbour has been raised locally; and whether the original estimate of a probable total revenue of £120,000 a year still holds good?

My information is obtained from Press reports, which indicate that it was thought by acquiring the wharf which has been constructed by private enterprise at another point on Mombasa Island, the requirements of the next few years would be sufficiently met. It has also been stated in the Press that it has been decided to proceed with the Government scheme. I have no information as to whether the estimate of revenue from the Government wharf still holds good, and the matter must depend on the progress of trade in the interval before the wharf is complete.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this local representation to see whether economy cannot be effected?

It has been considered, and I gather that the privately-constructed wharf is not sufficiently good to be regarded as of permanent value to the Colony.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how soon it will be possible for the 500 members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force who have applied for superannuation or retirement under Article 10 of the Treaty to be released?

I understand that the applications of members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police who desire to retire under Article 10 of the Treaty are under consideration by the Free State Government, but I am unable at present to say when their decisions will be announced.

Is there any tribunal which deals with' questions of this sort?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can assure the House that the verbal guarantee given by the former Leader of the House on 19th December, 1921, and repeated by the former Colonial Secretary on 13th March, 1922, that His Majesty's Government will be the guarantor of the pensions and compensation granted under Article 10 of the Treaty, is as valid and effectual as if such guarantee were embodied in a Statute; and, if he is unable to give such assurance, whether he will state the reasons, if any, why such verbal guarantee should not be embodied in a Statute?

I can add nothing to the answer I have already given to my hon. and learned Friend on the 5th December, and to the assurances and explanations which were given by the Government both here and in another place during the Debates on the Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this question, which affects a very large number of loyal public servants in Ireland, has never yet been answered I Can he give any reason for not answering it?

I do not agree with my hon and learned Friend. They are protected by statute under the Treaty.

Was a verbal guarantee given, to be embodied in a statutory guarantee, or not?

Certainly not. I can see no reason for embodying it in a statutory guarantee, on the assumption that people already affected by the guarantee are going to break their word.

In view of the unsatisfactory character of the answer, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to whom British subjects, whose firearms were, given up to the late Royal Irish Constabulary, should now make application, with a view to the possible restoration to them of their property?

Applications for the return of arms to owners resident in the area of the Free State cannot be entertained unless accompanied by a permit from the Free State authorities authorising the owner to have such arms in his possession. All such applications and all applications for the return of arms to owners resident in England should be addressed to the War Office.

Is it the War Office here, or the Irish War Office?

The War Office here.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will say of the compensation already paid by the British Government in respect of pre-truce awards how much has been paid in respect of personal injury, and how much for damage or destruction of property?

The amount of compensation paid in respect of pre-truce awards in personal injury cases is approximately £2,240,000. As regards property cases, the responsibility for payment, in the first place, rests with the Irish Government and the amounts paid from Imperial funds are in the nature of recoverable advances. These payments, which include payments made in a limited number of post-truce cases, amount approximately to £137,000.

Does the hon. Gentleman think there is any chance of recovering this money?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will inform the House as to the procedure which should be adopted by persons who have suffered injury or loss in Ireland since the Truce and who have so far been unable to obtain a decree for compensation?

A reply to this question is given in the Public Notice No. 20, published in the "Dublin Gazette" of November 21st. As it is a long one I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a copy of the Notice in the OFFICIAL KEPORT, and as it provides for a new procedure in claiming compensation, I am also circulating it to the Press in order that it may have the maximum publicity possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can say when the final settlement will be taken as between the British and Free State Governments in respect of the vice-regal lodge and other buildings and lands, the property of the Crown, lands, barracks, and buildings, the property of the British War Office or other British Government Departments, and for pieces of artillery, small arms, ammunition, and military equipment supplied to the late Provisional Government of the South of Ireland?

Negotiations with a view to the settlement of these questions are in progress, but owing to the. preoccupation of the Free State Government with other urgent matters, I regret that I cannot indicate when a filial settlement may be expected.

Will legislation by this House be necessary to ratify this final settlement?

I do not think so, I could not say positively without looking into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the reported irrigation scheme, subsidised by the French Government, to promote cotton growing on the Niger, His Majesty's Government will consider the initiation of a similar scheme in British territories?

I do not think that any scheme for irrigating land in that portion of the Valley of the Niger which falls within the Protectorate of Nigeria is required, in view of the ample rainfall of most of the parts of Nigeria through which the river runs. But the Government of Nigeria is alive to the possibilities of works for water storage and irrigation in the drier districts in the north of Nigeria; and has recently asked that an irrigation engineer should be engaged to report on such schemes in Sokoto Province. The area in Nigeria in which cotton can be grown without irrigation and within easy reach of the railway is, however, so large that I doubt if any irrigation scheme would be justified if it were carried out solely in order to increase the production of cotton.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount expended since the Armistice upon the repair and improvement of railway and public works in the Tanganyika Territory; and whether the trade returns for the territory show any prospect of the Territory ever paying its own way?

The special expenditure incurred by the civil administration of the Tanganyika Territory upon the repair and improvement of railways and public works in the Territory for the three years 1918 to 1921 is as follows:—

1918–1919	…	…	…	£3,543
1919–1920	…	…	…	£31,446
1920–1921	…	…	…	£90,775

For the year 1921–1922, £287,738 was provided on this account, and for the year 1922–1923, £479,967. When the Territory was under German administration it was in receipt of an annual grant-in-aid, but the grant-in-aid had been steadily decreasing in the years preceding the War, and in 1914 the Territory had reached a point when it almost paid its way. There is every reason to hope that when trade revives and the repair of the damage resulting from the years of War is completed, the development of the resources of the Territory will enable it to become self-supporting.

Would it not be possible to save a great deal of time if Ministers would shorten their replies?

Hon. Members can help in that matter. The suggestion I would make is that hon. Members shall put unstarred questions when detailed information is wanted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if His Majesty's Government will make representations to the Legislature of Trinidad, drawing its attention to the inequitable effect on British industrial interests of its recent Ordinance rendering firms and companies non-resident in the island, but doing business there through resident agents, liable to Income Tax on the profits earned in the island?

An Interdepartmental Committee was appointed at the beginning of this year to investigate all problems in connection with the Income Tax Laws of the Colonies and Protectorates, including the provisions of the Ordinance to which the hon. Member refers. Their Report has been received and will shortly be laid before the House. The Report contains certain recommendations on the subject of the taxation of agents, and the Government of Trinidad will be asked to take these recommendations into consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, during the consideration of the Chartered Company's claim to the commercial ownership of the lands of Northern Rhodesia before Earl Buxton's Committee, the representatives of this company strongly urged that they should be allowed to come to some arrangement with the Colonial Office instead of the question being submitted to a legal decision by the Privy Council; whether Earl Buxton's Committee reached the unanimous conclusion that a private arrangement would be unsatisfactory, and that any solution reached must be in a legal form which would not be open to challenge by any of the parties affected in Northern Rhodesia; and whether the Secretary of State is prepared to renew the promise of his predecessor to accept the findings of Earl Buxton's Committee and refer the case to the Privy Council?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that nearly two years have elapsed since the Secretary of State appointed a Committee under Earl Buxton to consider the land question of Northern Rhodesia, and that this Committee reported that the only satisfactory method of dealing with the land titles of Northern Rhodesia would be to obtain a legal decision which would not be open to challenge, and recommended that the whole matter should be referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; whether he will take into consideration the great inconvenience caused by these delays; and if he will take action which will secure the early submission of a reference to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council1?

As regards the first two parts of the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood), the position is explained in paragraphs 8–14 of the Second Report of Lord Buxton's Committee (Cmd. 1471). As regards the third part, the Secretary of State has not yet had time fully to examine the issues involved, and I am, therefore, not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that any statement should be made by the Government on the subject of German reparations or of the application of sanctions to Germany by the French Government before the rising of the House?

As the House is aware, the conversations which have been taking place in London are to be resumed in Paris at the beginning of January. In these circumstances, it would not be possible for me to refer to the discussions which have already taken place. There is, however, one subject, the question of European Allied Debts, which has been referred to in the Press, and as it may be regarded as, to a certain extent, a departure from our previous policy, I think it better to give, as far as I can recall them, the exact words used by me in connection with it. I said that it would not be right that the settlement should be fixed in such a way that we only, of all the Allied countries, would be virtually paying an indemnity. What did seem fair was to consider the whole amount that would be obtained from Germany and to say—as you are not getting all you expect from Germany—we must reduce our claim. For that reason, and I thought this was an important statement, if we saw some chance of a complete settlement with a prospect of finality, we would be willing to run a certain risk in the end of having to pay more to the United States of America than Great Britain would receive from the Allies and Germany combined. But I was sure that all would agree that it would be foolish to make such a concession if the whole question were going to be re-opened.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his statement, do I understand him to say that we are to have no statement on Government policy with regard to the question of German reparations apart from inter-Allied debts, and particularly as to whether there is a possibility of France applying sanctions before this House assembles again and without the possibility of discussion?

There is no doubt that questions on this subject will be put to me in the Debate on Thursday, when I shall do my best to answer them to whatever extent I can without endangering the success of the subsequent conferences.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in fixing the date for opening the new Session, bear in mind the great desirability of making a statement to this House at the earliest possible moment?

If the hon. Member means that we should meet earlier, it is obvious that, if any situation arose in which it seemed essential that the House of Commons should be consulted, we should have to call the House together earlier, but the hon. Member knows that, apart from other questions, it is impossible to get the business for next Session arranged by the officials in the Departments unless there is a reasonable interval.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a committee to continue the deliberations commenced by the late Government on the subject of equal guardianship of infants, with a view to introducing satisfactory legislation thereon?

No, Sir, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by appointing such a committee at the present moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent disclosures, the Government will consider the desirability of strengthening the law as regards the responsibility of directors of public companies?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation next year to diminish the opportunities which the present law allows for the misapplication of funds of public companies by directors of those companies, and also to provide effective penalties for negligence on the part of directors who, by failure to carry out their duties to the shareholders, allow such frauds to go undetected?

I have been asked to reply. The question of the responsibility of company directors was considered by a Company Law Amendment Committee which reported in 1906 and did not recommend any alteration of the law such as is suggested. The President of the Board of Trade is not at present satisfied that any amendment is necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the grave constitutional issues involved and the necessity, in the public interest, of increasing the general interest in, and knowledge of, the proceedings of Parliament, which are no longer reported in the public Press as they formerly were, he will consider the expediency of making the experiment, for one year, of publishing the daily OFFICIAL REPORT at a lower rate so as to test how far the expense might be met by a larger circulation?

While I do not share the expectations of hon. Members that a reduction in price will be advantageous to the Exchequer, I am willing to make the experiment and I am giving instructions that the OFFICIAL REPORTS shall be priced at 6d. a copy for next Session, after which the question will be reconsidered in the light of the results obtained.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has any present complaint against the Russian Government on the ground of subsidies paid by that Government to persons in this country for the purpose of spreading disaffection; whether any complaint on this subject has been laid during the present year by His Majesty's Government to the Russian Government; and what were the circumstances?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Home Secretary to a question by him on the 5th December. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer said that no statement could be made. May I be informed, yes or no, have the Government any complaint about propaganda by the Russian Government in this country?

The answer to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has been referred said that no statement could be made.

May I call for some answer, Mr. Speaker, to my question?

The answer was precise and complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, now that the Irish Free State Constitution Act has been passed, he proposes to continue issuing Treasury notes headed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or whether this practice will discontinue?

It is not proposed to make any change at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, in regard to the National Debt, the total amount borrowed by the State since the commencement of the debt, the total amount repaid up to last year, and the total added to the debt in respect of the Napoleonic wars, the Crimean war, the South African war, the European war, and other wars; and, if the debt reduction is effected at the same rate as during the 10 years ending 31st March, 1914, what is the approximate date when the pre-War debt and the post-War debt, respectively, will be discharged?

The hon. Member will find particulars of the National Debt back to 1835 in Command Paper 7994 of 1915 and 1438 of 1922. The approximate additions to the nominal amount of the National Debt were £622 million for the Napoleonic wars; £34 million for the Crimean war; £150 millions for the South African war. At the end of March, 1920, the debt had been increased by £7,170 millions over the pre-War figure. Since then it has been effectively reduced by over £300 millions, though conversions have altered the resulting nominal total. In the 10 years prior to 31st March, 1914, debt was reduced at a rate equivalent to nearly 1 per cent, per annum. A ½ per cent, sinking fund would extinguish the present total debt in about 50 years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether we have sustained a loss through our Australian contracts of zinc concentrates; and, if so, what amount was shown in the trading results of the last financial year?

I anticipate, in view of the recent considerable improvement in the market price of spelter, that it will be found that no appreciable loss has so far resulted through the operations of the Australian zinc concentrates contract. The accounts of the trading of the last financial year will be laid before Parliament in due course.

Has any attempt been made to terminate the contracts, as promised in the Debate last year?

I do not think that a promise of that sort was given.

It was.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of tithes paid by occupiers of agricultural land for the latest period for which figures are available, and what charge per acre of agricultural land the payment of the tithes involved?

I have been asked to reply. Under Section 1 of the Tithe Act, 1891, tithe rent-charge is payable by the owner of the land and not by the occupier as such. The total amount of tithe rent-charge now arising from lands in England and Wales is £3,400,000. Most of this amount is charged on agricultural lands, but it is impossible to state separately the exact amounts payable by rural and urban landowners, respectively. The rate at which different lands in different parishes, or even in the same parish, are charged with tithe rent-charge varies greatly, but the average for the whole country may roughly be estimated at 3s. 6d. per acre.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that owner-drivers of motor lorries competing with firms owning fleets of lorries are heavily penalised in the payment of licence duty owing to the fact that they are unable to pay the duty yearly and, in paying it quarterly, have to pay £6 a year more; and that firms owning fleets of lorries are able to pay yearly and, in addition, are able to work their lorries night and day for seven days a week, whereas the owner-driver can only work his lorry, at the best of times, eight or nine hours a day; and whether, in connection with the next Budget, he will consider the possibility of altering the incidence of the duty so that owner-drivers will be placed on a more equal footing with competing companies?

I have been asked to reply, and would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 5th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the total amount of British capital invested abroad during the year 1921, and for the year 1922 up to date?

No official statistics are available. The statistics compiled by the "Economist" show that the new issues of capital in this country for overseas investment amounted to £112,802,000 in 1921, and £126,880,000 in the first eleven months of 1922, but, of course, these figures take no account of the bu5dng and selling of Dominion, Colonial or foreign securities, nor of investments of British capital abroad otherwise than through the medium of issues in the market.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contemplates the reintroduction of the Revenue Bill, 1921, in time for its provisions to be operative for the financial year commencing 6th April, 1923; and whether he proposes, and, if so, when, to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax so far as they affect collectors of taxes?

The provisions to which my hon. Friend refers could not be enacted in time to be operative for the ensuing financial year. The proposals affecting collectors demand legislative authority, and cannot suitably be dealt with apart from other reforms in Income Tax administration, for which legislation is also necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this very hardworking and much maligned section of the community suffers from many disabilities at the present moment?

We on this bench are also a hard-working and much-maligned section of the community at the present moment.

Ts the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a. small deputation of tax collectors on the subject?