asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the war bonus was given to civil servants at home and later extended to those who served during the War, he will consider applying the same principle to railway servants who served under similar conditions whilst the railways were in the hands of the State; if he will give the amount necessary to cover this claim by civil servants and the estimated cost if applied to railway servants; and will he state whether any sum was handed over to railway companies to be used for this purpose?

I have been asked to reply. Any question as to the position of civil servants in this matter should be addressed to my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. So far as railway servants are concerned, the control arrangements did not alter their status, or put them in the position of civil servants. I am unable to furnish the estimates for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that there is no representation of the men concerned in the road transport industry on the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles; and will he take the necessary steps to secure that the Committee shall be made fully representative of the whole of the parties concerned?

The Committee has gone so far with its inquiries into the matters which have been referred to it, that I do not think it advisable to make any additions to the personnel at the present stage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the names of the rifle manufacturing firms which, at any time since 1912, have supplied the War Department with rifles, and the amount expended in these purchases for each year since then?

In 1912–13 orders to the value of about £40,000 were placed on behalf of the War Department with the Birmingham Small Arms Company and the London Small Arms Company. In 1913–14 no orders were placed on behalf of the War Department with the trade. During the War, responsibility for purchase of rifles was transferred from the War Office to the Ministry of Munitions, and I have no information as to the value of the orders placed. Since the Armistice, no orders for rifles have been placed with the trade.

asked the Prime Minister whether the contractual arrangements for the construction of the British cemeteries in France have now been made whereby the balance of the work will be in British bands, to the benefit of British labour?

I have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member was informed in reply to his question of the 9th April, the matter is not free from difficulty. It is being carefully considered with a view to carrying out, as far as may be possible, the object the hon. Member desires, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the recommendations made for the improvement in the procedure of courts-martial by the Committee of Inquiry in 1919 are now operative in the Royal Air Force; and, if so, will he take action to ensure that the reformed procedure is observed in the Army?

I am aware that the recommendations in question are in the main now operative in the Royal Air Force. They have been adopted in the Army to the same extent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is now placed on the wall of every guardroom a printed card explaining in simple language the rights of a soldier when brought up on a charge and when remanded for trial by court-martial, as recommended in the Report of the Committee of inquiry into the law and rules of procedure regulating military courts-martial?

The answer is in the negative, but a new rule has been inserted in the Rules of Procedure providing that an officer shall explain to the accused his rights as to preparing his defence and as to being assisted or represented at his trial. The rule also provides that the accused shall be furnished gratis with a copy of the summary of evidence and shall state in writing whether he wishes an officer to be assigned to assist him at his trial.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, since the Government is now considering an increase in the scale of increases of pensions under the Act of 1920, it will consider further increases in the class of pensioners who, having served at least 21 years with the Colours, had attained the age of 60 years prior to the 4th August, 1914; and whether, seeing that these old pensioners are almost the only class who are debarred from receiving an Army age pension, and since the sum of money involved would not be large, he will consider whether these men could be granted the benefit of the age pension under the Army Order 325/19?

Soldier pensioners received the same benefits as were conferred on civilian pensioners by the Act of 1920, and the consideration now being given by the Government to possible further action on similar lines also embraces them. If my hon. and gallant Friend suggests that, over and above this, additions for age made in 1919 to the pensions of those who served in the Great War should now be extended to those who did not serve, the cost of this would be considerable, and I am afraid the suggestion would not come within the scope of the present proposals.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the decision to reimburse voluntary workers of the Ministry their travelling expenses has been put into operation; and, if not, whether it is proposed to issue instructions on the matter to war pensions committees?

The instructions necessary to give effect to this decision have been issued.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Pension Issue Office states that persons whose signatures may be accepted in attestation of pensioners' life certificates include registered friendly society secretaries but not secretaries of trade unions; and will he take the necessary steps to secure an alteration of the Regulation so that trade union secretaries may be included in the list of competent persons?

Since the secretaries of registered friendly societies were admitted to the list of persons entitled to attest pensioners' life certificates, the list has been greatly enlarged, and I am reluctant to extend it further. In any case, to put trade unions in the same position as friendly societies would involve making a distinction—perhaps not altogether acceptable—between registered and unregistered trade unions.

asked the Minister of Pensions what general principles govern the selection of matters for submission to the Central Advisory Committee of the Ministry established under the War Pensions Act, 1921; whether proposals regarding important changes in the system of administering local payments to pensioners are excluded therefrom; and, if not, will he inform the House why the recent Order of the Ministry prohibiting local pensions officers from advancing money to pensioners to meet pressing needs owing to draft books being delayed by the issue office, was not submitted to this statutory body for their advice as to its probable effect?

It is my practice to lay before the Central Advisory Committee any general question of importance upon which I desire their advice, whether it concerns the policy or the administration of my Department. The instruction to which my hon. Friend refers merely changed the method of meeting casual interruptions in the payment of pension (which, I may say, are often due to neglect on the part of the pensioner to send in his life certificate in time) and was not, in my opinion, of sufficient general importance to warrant reference to the Committee.

also asked the Minister of Pensions whether a record is being kept in local pensions offices showing the number of cases in which men apply for advances in lieu of pension owing to their draft books not having arrived at the post offices; and, if not, how it is proposed to ascertain the amount of hardship and inconvenience caused to pensioners in consequence of the withdrawal of the authority previously conferred on these offices to make advances to men in need?

Under the new system it is no longer necessary for men to visit the local pensions office in the circumstances mentioned in the first part of the question. A complete record is, however, being kept in Pension Issue Office of all cases in which application is made at Post Offices for payment of pension and no allowance form book is on hand.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the future user of the Queen Alexandra's Convalescent Centre at Saltash?

It has been decided to retain the accommodation at Saltash for a limited period for the treatment of certain types of neurasthenic patients.

asked the Minister of Pensions what proportion of the staff employed at the regional headquarters, Nottingham, has been classified as competent and thereby entitled to preferential consideration in the matter of appointments in other regions to be offered to those whose services are being terminated on the transfer of work from Nottingham to Birmingham; what evidence of competence is required and by whom is it supplied; and whether the standard is influenced by the absence of openings in other regional or headquarters offices?

The classification of the staff at Nottingham has not yet been completed, but there, is little doubt that all the competent staff now employed in the regional headquarters there who are willing to transfer can be given employment in Birmingham or elsewhere. Competence is decided on reports by a man's superior officers as to the manner in which he has performed the duties allocated to him. The standard is not influenced by any considerations such as those mentioned in the last part of the question which are matters outside the knowledge of the reporting officers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the inconvenience and hardship caused to disabled men in Lancashire and other parts of the country after undergoing a course of treatment by having to wait weeks before payment of pension is resumed at the local post offices; and whether he has considered the alternative of authorising local pensions area officers to supplement pension up to the appropriate rate of allowance during treatment, and thereby effect a considerable economy of time and labour in repeated references to and from the issue office?

It is found on examination of actual files that in 40 per cent of the cases in the Lancashire area the pensioners draw payment at the post office after one payment of pension by the area office, and that in nearly all the other cases only two payments by the area office are necessary. Greater delays than this are rare and are due to exceptional causes; while on the other hand in some cases no payment by the area office occurs. The alternative method of payment of treatment allowances suggested in the second part of the question has already been considered on more than one occasion, but it has not so far been found practicable consistently with the interests of the pensioners.

asked the Home Secretary the comparative number of accidents occurring in docks during the past year as compared with the two previous years; and whether the number and comparison of accidents, fatal and general, are greater in industrial, mining and railway occupations?

The number of accidents reported under the Factory Act as occurring in docks during the last three years is:

In 1920	…	…	…	7,085
In 1921	…	…	…	4,959
In 1922	…	…	…	5,912

These figures include certain warehouses, but otherwise are limited to accidents in the processes of loading, unloading and coaling. For the purpose of comparison with factory, mining and railway occupations, the only statistics of employment available are those compiled from the returns rendered under the Workmen's Compensation Act. On the basis of these statistics, the accident rate for docks is much higher than that for all factory industries taken together, and probably approximates to that of the most dangerous factory work. It is also higher than that for railways, but exceeded by that for mines.

asked the Home Secretary the police regulations governing the saluting of military officers and regimental royal colours by police officers on duty in uniform?

The Metropolitan Police General Orders at present provide that all ranks are to salute the King's Colour when displayed by troops marching. Sergeants and constables in uniform are to salute commissioned officers of the Army, Navy, Air or Auxiliary Forces when in uniform, but this is subject to the proviso that men engaged in regulating traffic, etc., are not expected to salute unless spoken to. The orders are at present under revision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the highest figure reached in the Inland Revenue Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The records available are not sufficient to furnish exact figures, but the following are approximately correct.

Temporary typists and shorthand typists	200
Temporary clerks below junior administrative rank	6,000
Temporary officers of junior administrative rank or above	50

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the confusion arising as to the relations between the Treasury and the commissionaires employed upon warding duties in the British Museum whereby these men, although paid by the State, are not placed in the same category as other State employés in consequence of their private connection with the Corps of Commissionaires, and are not treated in the same way as comparable classes in the Civil Service, both as regards hours and wages, he will agree to apply to these men the provisions of Award A 81, as offered to them in October, 1920, with any improvements which may have been conceded since to the grade to which the award was originally applied, and thus place these commissionaires on a distinct footing and on an equality with similar servants of the Crown?

I am not aware that any confusion exists as to the position of the commissionaires at the British Museum. Since the issue of Award No. A 81, which applied to unestablished messengers, the Civil Service Arbitration Board have given separate and special consideration to the case of the commissionaires and have issued an Award in regard to them. They are now being paid in accordance with that Award, and I cannot admit that they have any title to concessions made as regards an entirely separate grade of Government servants. Apart, however, from the questions of grading and pay which have been recently decided, the Trustees are quite willing to consider any representations the commissionaires may have to make in regard to their conditions of service if they will put them forward in the ordinary manner.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the highest figure reached in the Customs and Excise Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

No women officers of junior administrative rank or over have ever been employed in the Customs and Excise Department; the highest figure reached prior to 1920 for the employment of women of the other grades mentioned was 1,396. The detailed figures asked for are not readily available and could only be obtained by an exhaustive search of records.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the extreme difficulty experienced by ex-apprentices discharged from the Royal yards in getting employment at their trade, he will consider the possibility of waiving the age clause which precludes them from competing in Civil Service examinations, as was done in the case of ex-service men, seeing that the ex-dockyard apprentices have already passed a Civil Service examination for entry into His Majesty's dockyards, and have received special scholastic training at the dockyard schools?

I have been asked to reply. I assume the question refers particularly to the Civil Service examinations for posts in the Admiralty service. The Government are pledged to provide for as large a proportion of ex-service men who served as temporary clerks during the War being absorbed in the permanent clerical staff if found suitable after limited competitive examination, and, in this connection, the claims of hired writers and boy writers entered by normal Civil Service examination since the outbreak of war to be retained on the permanent staff unless they are found unsuitable have also to be considered. To introduce a further competitive element for the Departmental clerical class by admitting ex-apprentices to the forthcoming examinations would, in the view of the Admiralty, involve a breach of faith with prospective candidates who have been serving with the prospect of competing for promotion under the prescribed conditions. It is regretted, therefore, that my hon. Friend's suggestion to admit ex-dockyard apprentices to these particular competitions cannot be adopted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why it is necessary to make a property duty return to Somerset House on transfer of land, seeing that the land tax is now abolished; and will he, in the interest of national economy, recommend that the necessity for this return should cease?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the requirements of Section 4 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, under which particulars of transactions in property are delivered to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. The reasons for the retention of the obligation to deliver these particulars after the repeal of the Increment Value Duty are set out in the Budget statement for 1920 of my right hon. Friend the Member for West Birmingham (Mr. A. Chamberlain). I am sending him a copy. For the reasons contained in that statement I am unable to agree to abolish the obligation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sales of surplus War supplies have been effected since January, 1923, specifying their nature and value, and the countries where the sales have been effected?

The Disposal and Liquidation Commission have sold considerable quantities of surplus War supplies at home and abroad (including India, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, and Malta) since 1st January last, but I regret that it is not feasible, with the depleted staff available, to furnish the return called for in the question. I am arranging for a White Paper dealing with the work of the Commission generally up to 31st March last to be laid on the Table during the course of the next few weeks.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether special efforts are now being made to dispose of the balance of surplus War material and thus permit the entire elimination of the staff now employed on the work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my hon. Friend will realise that even when all the surplus material has been sold certain staffs will be required to give delivery of the goods and to administer the contracts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the assessments now being made by the income Tax authorities are based upon the special valuation authorised by the Finance Act, 1922, or upon the last quinquennial valuation; whether owner-occupiers who have purchased their houses since 1914 are being assessed on the basis of the inflated prices they were compelled to pay; what steps he proposes to take to ensure that injustice is not inflicted in such cases; whether he will fix a standard basis of assessment limited to a percentage above the pre-War values of similar houses; and whether he will extend the period allowed for appeals to be lodged against over-assessments?

The reassessment of land and houses for Income Tax purposes is now proceeding in accordance with the decision reached by Parliament last year and embodied in Section 32 of the Finance Act, 1922. It is being made under the old-established law which, broadly speaking, provides that the annual value of property is the rent at which it is let, or is worth to be let, by the year under an ordinary tenancy. It is not based on a past quinquennial valuation, the reference to which I scarcely understand. As regards houses occupied by their owners, I have already stated in reply to other hon. Members that there is no intention whatever of determining the annual values of such properties by reference to the enhanced prices at which they may have been purchased in the circumstances suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. It is commonly the case that a fair estimate of the annual value in these instances is readily obtainable by reference to the actual rents paid for similar properties in the vicinity. In reply to the last part of the question, the Inland Revenue authorities, unless in any case there is some special reason to the contrary, do not propose to object to an appeal on the ground that the notice of appeal was not given within the time limited therefor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate number of appeals which have been already entered against the new re-assessment under Schedule A: and whether he is aware that such re-assessment has yielded a 100 per cent. increase in some cases over assessments made within the last five years?

The information for which the hon. Member asks in the first part of his question is not yet available, but so much information as I at present have indicates that the number of appeals received, though it may be larger than on previous re-assessments, is not greatly removed from the normal. In some cases rents, especially of business premises, have been increased by 100 per cent and more, and in these instances it is proper that the assessment should be correspondingly raised in order that the landlord may be charged to Income Tax on the basis of his actual income.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of cases in which the new re-assessment has raised the assessable value of houses above £20 annually, thus throwing a new burden on tenants concerned, who will have to pay the Inhabited House Duty?

The information for which the hon. Member asks will not be available for some time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the diverse practice of different assessors of Income Tax in serving notices of recently increased assesments, namely, in some cases notices served on the landlord and in other cases served on the tenant; whether notices of appeal must be signed by the person to whom the assessment is addressed; whether notices of appeal signed by the landlord will be accepted as valid in cases where the notice of assessment has been served upon the tenant; and whether the Treasury can arrange that no notice shall be served upon a tenant without intimation to the landlord upon whom the payment of Income Tax ultimately falls so that the payer of Income Tax may not be deprived of his right to appeal by reason of ignorance that an assessment has been made?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for North East Leeds (Major Birchall). I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the discontent aroused in the provinces of the country in respect to the demand notes issued for the payment of Income Tax and Inhabited House Duty for the year 1923–24, especially among working men who own their own houses and live in them and who think they have been overcharged; and will he set up a committee of inquiry into the whole matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I have given on this subject to the hon. Member for Finchley (Colonel Newman) on the 8th May. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, where the new assessment of properties is based on the present rental whether this includes 40 per cent. increase or not, notices of re-assessment are not being sent out except in cases where it is anticipated that there are primâ facie grounds for appeal; and will he instruct the Inland Revenue authorities to issue these notices in all cases?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for North East Leeds (Major Birchall). I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to the fact that the Inhabited House Duty has operated from the year 1851, since when no alteration has been made in the minimum rental of houses coming within the scope of the duty, whether, in view of the change in money values compared with 72 years ago, he will take immediate steps to revise the scale of rental values subject to Inhabited House Duty, and suspend the operation of the new valuations for Schedule A of Income Tax assessments until such revision has been carried out?

This is a matter which might appropriately be argued in the forthcoming Debates on the Finance Bill. As at present advised, I do not see sufficient ground for adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the question of the disposal of the money collected by the French Customs posts in the Ruhr district on British goods entering the occupied territory has yet been settled; and what steps are now being taken by His Majesty's Government to pursue the question?

I have nothing to add to previous replies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, authorised the application of the provisions of the Act to pensioners in receipt of pensions granted by any police, local, or other public authority, he will say whether this Clause has been carried out throughout the entire country by all such authorities specified; and, if there have been any exceptions to its enforcement, what has been the reason?

I understand that in accordance with the statutory discretion allowed, certain authorities have not awarded the increases of pension laid down in the Schedule to the Act. When the Act is applied to police, local, or other public authorities by an order under Section 3, they are authorised by Section 1 (1) to increase pensions by an amount not exceeding the limits laid down in the Schedule.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether this country is receiving any interest on the War debts owed by Allied countries, and where the interest is not being paid; whether such interest due is added on to the capital amount of the debt; and whether any proposals have been made, or negotiations begun, to fund or pay off such debts?

Interest is being received in cash on a loan of £3,000,000 to the Belgian Congo, and on a loan of £500,000 to Greece. Interest is not being received in cash on the War debts of France, Italy, Serbia, Roumania, Greece (balance of debt), and Portugal. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ascertain for the information of Members, before the Report stage of the Industrial Assurance Bill, the following particulars with regard to the issue of five per cent. War Bond policies by industrial assurance companies between 1916 and 1921; the amount insured under the 310,806 policies, which had lapsed up to the end of 1922; the total premiums paid under the 310,806 lapsed policies; the total amount, if any, refunded by the insurance companies on account of the 310,806 lapsed policies; the total amount insured under the policies which have been surrendered in the same period; the total amount of premiums paid, and the total amount of money refunded by the insurance companies on the surrendered policies; the number, present value, and ultimate value of existing policies; and the total premiums paid on account of the same?

I have been asked to reply. The only information in the possession of the Board regarding War Bond policies was contained in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 19th April. A copy of this question has been forwarded to the Prudential Assurance Company, Limited, with a request that they will furnish the desired particulars as far as possible. On receipt of the Company's reply, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Water Board have reduced the additional pensions granted to their pensioners under the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act; that in the case of men in receipt of an original pension of not more than £50 per year, the increase granted was only 45 per cent., and is now to be reduced to 35 per cent.; whether the reductions already made were submitted to and approved by the Treasury; and whether he will make representations to the Board against any further reductions being made?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to the reductions referred to by the hon. Member, but he is advised that the action reported to have been taken by the Water Board would be within their powers under the Act and does not in any event require the approval either of the Treasury or of himself. In these circumstances he does not see that he could usefully intervene.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if out of the gross proceeds of £20,000,000 received in payment for ex-enemy vessels disposed of by the Shipping Liquidation Board only £10,000,000 approximately has been paid to the Treasury; and whether there is any prospect of the balance being paid into the Treasury at an early date?

Of the gross proceeds of £20,000,000 from the sale of reparation vessels, £750,000 is now being paid to the Treasury, making with £10,200,000 previously paid a total of £10,950,000. The accounts in respect of the sale of these vessels are being prepared in accordance with the principles laid down by the Reparation Commission and will shortly be completed. As soon as definite figures have been agreed as to the amount which, having been spent on repairs, expenses of delivery, etc., is recoverable from the sale proceeds, the balance collected will be paid over to the Treasury. As the hon. Member is aware, there remain £2,500,000 to be collected under the terms of sale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the number of estates valued at £100,000 and upwards passing at death; and the total value of those estates for the years 1920–21, 1921–22, and 1922–23, respectively?

The number and net capital values of estates of £100,000 and upwards upon which Estate Duty was paid during the years 1920–21, 1921–22, and 1922–23 were as follow:

Great Britain only.
Year.	Number of Estates.	Net Capital Value.
		£
1920–21	320	108,074,244
1921–22	336	117,593,877
1922–23 (approx.)	361	128,500,000

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the possibility of making some interim arrangement with regard to agricultural credit facilities in the case of those farmers who are at the present time in considerable financial difficulties, and many of whom will become bankrupt if required to wait for relief until the proposed measures dealing with this question are introduced?

I am afraid it is impossible to make any interim arrangements on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I can assure him that I am fully alive to the urgency of the matter and am taking all possible steps to expedite the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Statistical Department of his Ministry compiles and keeps up to date statistics showing the exact employment of the acreage of the country; whether, if this be so, he can now give further details as to the present uses of the 500,000 acres which, employed as arable during the War, went out of this form of cultivation afterwards and were used for building and industrial purposes, allotments, and park land; and whether, in view of the importance attached to official statistics dealing with the cultivation in general of land in this country, he will endeavour to obtain more detailed information with the object of maintaining confidence in the guidance given by his Department?

Returns of the acreage under crops and grass are obtained annually in June from all occupiers of agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in extent. The local officers employed in collecting these Returns make every effort to see that all land used for agricultural purposes is properly returned, and it is improbable that any material area is omitted from these figures. The number of Returns received annually is upwards of 420,000, and it would be impracticable to trace individually the very great number of alterations which have gone to make up the total reduction in area to which the hon. Member refers. As I have previously explained this reduction is spread over years during which there were material changes in the distribution of land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the grant made to the Village Clubs Association in respect of income received during the year ending 30th September last was in fulfilment of an undertaking given by the Treasury in a letter dated 20th February, 1922; that the suggestion of the Development Commissioners that the activities of the association should be curtailed will render it impossible usefully to continue the work of the association, and, in particular, would prevent it from effectively dealing with the applications for assistance from 19 counties which have been referred to it by the Ministry of Agriculture; and whether, under these circumstances, he is prepared to recommend to the Development Commissioners a reconsideration of their decision to withdraw assistance to the association as at present constituted?

I cannot agree that the letter to which my hon. Friend refers contained the undertaking suggested, as the Treasury expressly reserved to itself complete freedom of action as regards the future. Nor can I agree that the course recommended by the Development Commissioners would have the effect suggested in the second part of the question. In reply to the last part of the question, I am not prepared to adopt the course suggested, and, in any case, the Development Commissioners are not bound to adopt any recommendation made by the Ministry in the case of an application for assistance from the Development Fund.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to remedy the wide differences of wage earnings by similar trade and vocational employés in similar types of municipalities; and whether he will consult with the Municipal Officers' Guilds and similar associations in respect to such remedies?

The regulation of the wages of employés of municipal authorities is not a matter in which I have any authority to interfere, and I cannot see my way therefore to take the action suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will offer facilities by way of free interest loans of moneys to business firms willing to put into operation special trade schemes to absorb the present unemployed if such schemes are both commercially and actually sound and also give requisite assurance of continuance, with a view to obtaining products, new industries, and eventually superseding unemployment grants, and which at present do not contribute products of labour?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is unable, in view of the heavy demands on the Exchequer, to add to the existing very large grants for the relief of unemployment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Government is still paying unemployment pay to young men and women who formerly were in, and are capable of, domestic service when there are employers willing and anxious to provide them with employment?

I have been asked to reply. Private domestic employment is not insurable, and persons who are normally employed in private domestic service are not, in general, eligible for unemployment benefit. In addition, any other applicant for whom domestic service is suitable employment is not entitled to receive unemployment benefit if he or she refuses such employment. I would remind my hon. Friend that I have recently appointed a Committee to inquire into the present conditions as to the supply of female domestic servants, and in particular into the effect of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme in this connection.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will have inquiries made into the case of Patrick Traynor, 41, Lorne Street, Wigan, who made a claim for unemployment benefit in June, 1920, which was refused on account of his unemployment book for 1919–20 being lost; and, seeing that this has now been recovered and proof has been furnished that he applied for benefit in June, 1920, will he have this case reopened with a view to this man being paid the benefits to which he was entitled?

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

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Middlesbrough Corporation have been carrying out a main drainage scheme for the last two years; that the regular council employés are receiving the full rates of pay; that a number of casual men who are employed from time to time are only being paid 75 per cent. of the trade union rates of pay; that the Middlesbrough Council passed a resolution that all men should be paid the full rates subject to the sanction of the Minister of Health; that the Council obtained a loan from the Ministry of Health which was loaned on condition that the non-able-bodied men should only receive 75 per cent. of the full rates of pay; and if he can see his way clear to allow the Council to pay the full rates to all men concerned, in accordance with the resolution?

I presume that the case to which the hon. Member refers is one in which the Council receive a grant from the Unemployment Grants Committee. It is a condition of this grant that unskilled men are not paid more than 75 per cent. of the local authority's rate of wages. If, however, such men have worked for a probationary period of six months, the full rate may be paid; and the Council have been so informed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the relief from half the assessed rates given to occupiers of agricultural land under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, the effect of Section 6 (1) of the Rating Act, 1874, which provides a particular method of bringing sporting rights into assessment where the land is let to a tenant, but the sporting rights are severed from the occupation of the land and are not let, is to give the owner of such sporting rights relief from payment of half the assessed rates attributable to the value of the sporting rights included in the assessment; and whether he will take steps to provide for the discontinuance of this advantage to such owners when introducing legislation for giving effect to the recently announced intention of the Government further to reduce the liability of occupiers of agricultural land from one half to one quarter of the local rates?

The point to which my hon. Friend refers is receiving my consideration. There is some doubt as to the legal position in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are several Poor Law infirmaries throughout the country, of which Tonbridge Poor Law infirmary is one, which were sanctioned by the Ministry of Health as minor training schools and accepted for membership by the College of Nursing, and which have up to the present been able to grant certificates to probationers when trained as fully qualified nurses; whether the General Nursing Council has proposed a new rule whereby no nurse can be placed on the register unless trained at a hospital or infirmary with a resident medical officer, which would debar these infirmaries from granting adequate certificates in future; whether he proposes to sanction this rule of the General Nursing Council; and whether, notwithstanding that this new rule may be approved, the probationers at present being trained can be assured that their certificates which, on their engagements, were definitely promised to them at the end of their training will qualify them to sit for the State examination which entitles them to being placed on the State register?

The Tonbridge Infirmary and certain others have been recognised by the Ministry as minor training schools, but my right hon. Friend has no information as to their recognition by the College of Nursing. The General Nursing Council submitted a rule in the sense indicated, but they were informed that it was not competent to them to make any rule limiting their discretion in dealing with individual applications. Any institution which is refused approval by the Council has a right of appeal to the Minister of Health, and he cannot at this stage express any opinion on cases which may come before him on appeal. In any event the decision of the Council will not effect the recognition by the Ministry of certificates obtained by probationers now under training in the institutions concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in spite of the rule of the General Nursing Council that all minutes, registers, and records shall be open to the inspection of members of the Council during the registrar's business hours, two representatives of the working nurses on the Council were, by the chairman's orders, refused permission to inspect documents in connection with the compilation of the register; and whether he will make inquiry into the complaint and take whatever steps are necessary to secure compliance with the rule?

My right hon. Friend will cause inquiry to be made, and will in due course communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount spent by local authorities on tuberculosis treatment during 1922?

The gross expenditure of local authorities during the financial year ended the 31st March, 1923, is estimated to amount to £2,813,610, exclusive of capital expenditure, for which particulars are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the death rate in the Doncaster rural area; and what is the infant mortality in this district?

In the year 1922, the death rate in the Doncaster rural district was 12.2 per thousand living, and the infant mortality rate 89 per thousand births.

asked the Minister of Health what salary was paid per annum to the late medical officer of health at Frizington, Cumberland; if his salary was fixed by agreement; has the period stated in that agreement expired; if not, has he agreed to its cancellation, and, if not, why has the Minister of Health agreed to the appointment of a second medical officer of health before the agreement with the first one had expired or been properly terminated; if the present medical officer of health for Frizington has any qualification in the public health service; and at what salary he has accepted the position?

The salary for this part-time appointment agreed between the council and the medical officer of health was £130 per annum rising by £5 per annum to £150. His appointment was terminable by the council without my consent at three months' notice, which was given to expire on 31st March last. The Council advertised the vacancy at £100 per annum, and have had one applicant, who has not a diploma in public health.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will, to facilitate the building of houses without further loss of time during the current building season, make an official pronouncement that all houses started during the interregnum between the introduction and the passing of the Housing (No. 2) Bill will receive the benefit of the State assistance provided for by the said Bill, providing the houses are of the types permitted by the Bill?

My right hon. Friend made an announcement to the effect desired by the hon. Member in a circular issued to all local authorities immediately after the Second Reading of the Bill and I shall be happy to send the hon. Member a copy of this circular.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the regional survey for Yorkshire showed that the need for new houses in the Doncaster rural district was actually greater than the number of existing houses; how many houses have been approved by the Ministry for this district; and how many have been completed?

The survey made by the rural district council at the end of 1919 showed a gross estimated need of 9,967 houses, and the total number of dwelling-houses in the district was returned as 8,234. Of the total need 1,062 houses were required to relieve overcrowding and 7,700 to meet anticipated deficiencies such as new industrial development. It was estimated that 8,300 houses would be built by agencies other than the local authority. The rural district council have erected 60 houses under the State Assisted Scheme, 172 have been erected by public utility societies and 613 with the aid of the private builders grant. In addition over 1,200 houses are in course of erection in the district by the Industrial Housing Association.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the regional survey of houses for the city of York showed a total need of 1,250 houses; how many were provided for under schemes submitted by the York City Council to the Ministry; how many were approved by the Ministry; and how many have been completed?

The survey made by the city council at the end of 1919 showed an estimated need of 300 houses to relieve overcrowding, 400 to replace unfit and unsatisfactory houses, and 550 to rehouse persons displaced by clearance of unhealthy areas. The scheme proposed was for 950 houses. The city council have been authorised to build 228 houses under the State-assisted scheme, of which 201 have so far been completed. My right hon. Friend understands that the council have under consideration a scheme for dealing with unhealthy areas (including the provision of rehousing accommodation for persons displaced), and he has promised financial assistance for an approved scheme with this object.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will explain the method of calculation adopted by the rents appeals tribunals in dealing with cases submitted to them; whether any consideration is given to the economic position of the tenants and to the general economic position of the population in the district, together with the rent paid for old houses of a similar type; whether the rents appeals tribunals, in considering cases, are governed by any Regulations imposed upon them by the Department; and, if so, whether he will supply a copy of these Regulations?

The tribunals are contituted under the Local Authorities Assisted Housing Scheme Regulations, 1919, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member. He will see that in any determination of the sufficiency of the rents charged or to be charged by a local authority, regard is to be had by the tribunals to rents obtaining in the locality for working-class houses, to any increase in rent for working-class houses authorised under the Rent Restriction Acts, to any superiority in the accommodation or in the condition or amenity of the State-assisted houses and to the class of tenant in the district for whom the houses are provided.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered under the housing schemes of the Ministry any stimulus to building which would be created by local authorities building houses and selling them to working-class tenants on the weekly instalment system; and whether his Department views with favour such a policy; and whether, in that case, he will consider the grant of a small bonus per house to each intending purchaser?

I am certainly in favour of the policy of encouraging the purchase of houses by working-class tenants. Under the provisions of the new Housing Bill it will be open to a local authority to submit proposals to enable working-class tenants to purchase on the weekly instalment system houses built either by the local authority themselves or by private enterprise. It is contemplated that the whole of the subsidy given by the local authority and the Exchequer will reach the purchaser in the reduction of price of the house.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received a petition from the tenants' association of the Morley Corporation housing scheme praying for a reduction of their rents in consideration of the fact that wages have dropped considerably during the past two years and the continuous bad trade which exists in that borough; and can he see his way to allow a substantial reduction of the rents at present in operation?

On representations made by the Morley Corporation, I have agreed to reductions of rent of from 9d. to 1s. per week as from the 1st instant. A petition has been received from the Tenants' Association praying for further reduction. The petition has been referred to the Corporation, who are responsible for the administration of the housing scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of qualified female teachers who after leaving the training colleges of England and Wales have failed to secure positions in the schools; and the number of male teachers who have failed to secure appointments?

Figures recently furnished to me by the authorities of training colleges, including University Training Departments, show that the numbers of students who left the colleges in the summer of 1922, and who were known last February to have failed to obtain posts, were 200 men and 427 women. My right hon. Friend informs me that of the 915 students who have completed their courses at the training colleges under the direction of the Ministry of Labour, 585 are known to have obtained employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the practice to send daily weather reports to the public elementary and secondary schools; whether these reports are used for purposes of instruction; and what is the cost involved?

The daily weather reports are sent to those schools which apply for them, presumably for instructional purposes, and pay the usual subscription, which is 2s. 6d. monthly, 6s. 6d. quarterly, or 25s. 0d. yearly for the British weather report, or double these rates, if the international and upper air reports be also required.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish Education Department are asking a number of Irish teachers in Scotland to hand in their resignation; whether, seeing that these Irish teachers are as fully qualified as any others, he will say what is the reason for their being asked to resign; and what compensation will be given to them if their years of training and service in Ireland are not taken into consideration in computing their salaries and pensions?

In Scotland the appointment and dismissal of teachers rests with the education authority or other managers and not with the Scottish Education Department. The Department's duty is to satisfy themselves as to the adequacy of the staff provided. In this connection, I am not aware that they have refused to accept any fully-trained Irish teacher who has taken the necessary steps to acquire a qualification under the Scottish Regulations. But if the hon. Member has knowledge of any particular cases, I shall be glad to institute inquiry on receiving the necessary particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of students in denominational and undenominational training colleges at the beginning of the sessions of 1920–21 and 1921–22, respectively?

The figures are as follow:

	1920–21.	1921–22.
Number of students in denominational training colleges at the beginning of the session	5,152	5,337
Number of students in other training colleges at the beginning of the session	11,488	12,940

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of secondary schools which have received grants from the Board of Education for each year since 1910–11?

The figures are as follow:

England and Wales.
Secondary Schools on the Grant List.
Year.				Number of Schools.
1910–11	…	…	…	971
1911–12	…	…	…	995
1912–13	…	…	…	1,010
1913–14	…	…	…	1,027
1914–15	…	…	…	1,047
1915–16	…	…	…	1,049
1916–17	…	…	…	1,049
1917–18	…	…	…	1,061
1918–19	…	…	…	1,081
1919–20	…	…	…	1,141
1920–21	…	…	…	1,205
1921–22	…	…	…	1,249
1922–23	…	…	…	1,264

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended to appoint any further committee to inquire into the pay of teachers who are not dealt with by the Anderson Committee; and, if so, whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the statement of a recent report of the school medical officer of Manchester that there are 990 mentally defective children and 1,800 physically defective children for whom there is no room in the special schools; and what steps are being taken to remedy this matter?

I have not yet received a copy of the report for 1922 of the school medical officer for Manchester, but from a return furnished to me by the local education authority in May, 1922, it appears that there were 1,386 mentally defective children in the authority's area, of whom 606 were attending special schools and 457 were attending public elementary schools. The same return showed that there were 3,284 physically defective children of school age, of whom 796 were at special schools and 1,812 at public elementary schools. Any proposals made to me by the authority for extending the provision of special schools will receive my careful consideration, but, as the Board have pointed out, such extension will be facilitated by a reduction in the very high cost of these schools.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the junior inspectors about to be appointed are to be horse inspectors in addition to their other duties; and will he consider the appointment of additional inspectors for this specific purpose, seeing that there are only eight for 3,000 mines?

Yes, Sir. The work of inspection of pit ponies forms part of the duty of all junior inspectors of mines. I am quite ready to consider any evidence of need for the appointment of additional inspectors to devote their whole time to this work; my information at present does not support the view that the inspection of horses at the 1,699 mines where they are used is insufficient or ineffective.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the estimated avoidable loss of output of coal during the month of January due to the fact that in the districts of Durham, Northumberland, and South Wales absenteeism amounted to 7·85 per cent., 7·51 per cent. and 7·05 per cent., respectively, of the possible number of man shifts, and in view of the statement by Sir R. A. S. Redmayne, late His Majesty's Inspector of Mines, that the average normal absenteeism due to unavoidable causes should not exceed 5 per cent. of the possible number of man shifts?

Whatever may be the average normal absenteeism due to unavoidable causes, it is, of course, quite impossible to say what amount of absenteeism was unavoidable in these particular coalfields during this particular month. If, however, the assumption be made that all absenteeism in excess of 5 per cent. was avoidable, the loss from this cause may be estimated at about 243,000 tons as compared with a total output of 9,387,400 tons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information respecting Richard Brazier, Harry Lloyd, Burt Lorton, Donald Sheridan, J. A. MacDonald, and Charles H. McKinnon, all British-born, who have been confined for the past five years in prison in the United States owing to their opinions on the War; and whether, seeing that these people are British subjects, His Majesty's Government will intercede on their behalf with a view to their release on the lines of President Harding's promise of last July that prisoners serving solely for opinions on the War would be released from prison?

I have received no further information on this subject since I answered the question put by the hon. Member on 30th November last. I have no knowledge of the promise mentioned by the hon. Member, but the case of these men is not one in which His Majesty's Government can properly intervene.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, under which the prohibition rule is about to be enforced next month, is contrary to established international usage, he will make representations to the Government of the United States with a view to arriving at a generally acceptable solution?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Taunton Division (Mr. J. Hope Simpson).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at the Barcelona Conference, held in the spring of 1921, a Resolution was proposed by the British delegate to the effect that the only point established in international law respecting the width of territorial waters is that it is a national question; that the Soviet Government have expressed their willingness to negotiate on this subject with the British Government; that the Russian Government have arrived at a settlement with the Norwegian Government on this point; and whether similar agreements can be negotiated between the Russian and British Governments?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the negative. The last part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that over 1,000 intending emigrants from Scotland to the United States of America were, on Saturday last, notified that, owing to the prescribed quota from Britain having already left, they could not be allowed to sail till some time in July; that these people have sold all their household effects, and are therefore without homes, and, in most cases, with very little money; if he will take such steps as may be necessary to see that these people are indemnified against hardship and loss; and if he will arrange with the proper authorities to issue Regulations to prohibit, under penalty, emigration agencies and shipping companies from booking in advance of the numbers stipulated by the American immigration authorities?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information regarding the circumstances of the 1,000 intending emigrants from Scotland to the United States of America, to which the hon. Member refers. I will, however, make inquiries into the matter, and communicate further with him as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Egyptian Prime Minister publicly announced to a delegation from Assiut at the end of April that the members of the Egyptian delegation now in Almaza Prison would be released immediately on the payment of £5,000; that he stated that this was a decision agreed upon between the British military authorities and himself; that the prisoners themselves refused payment; that Madame Zaghlul offered to pay the sum required; that the Egyptian Prime Minister then stated that this offer had been refused; that the prisoners' families then offered payment; that this was accepted; and that the Prime Minister then stated that the release would not follow immediately; whether the British military authorities were responsible for or concurred in this change of policy; and whether they are now prepared to release the prisoners?

If the hon. Member is referring to the members of the Wafd who were arrested early in March, his question does not arise, since, with two exceptions, these individuals were released on 15th April, one of these exceptions being released at a subsequent date. If not, the hon. Member is possessed of information which has not reached me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of raids that the dacoits have made upon peaceful neighbouring territory in each of the last three years, and the number of Indians who have been injured or carried off durng such raids; and whether any information is available as to the losses in property or life which they have sustained?

If the hon. Member will let me know exactly the information he desires, I will endeavour to obtain it for him. Dacoits are gang-robbers in British India who seldom kidnap. If the question relates to raids made by North-West Frontier tribesmen into British territory, it may be possible to give approximate figures for some recent years without great delay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the claims for compensation on behalf of the men who were employed on the steam trawler "William Wilmot," which was sunk by the ss. "Missonia," and which claims were dealt with by the Admiralty Court on 12th April 1921, are to be settled; and whether, in view of the fact that the men have been asked to accept certain amounts and have consented, immediate payment will be made?

The Treasury Solicitor, in conjunction with the Solicitor to the Seamen's Union, is negotiating a settlement of the claims of the crew of the "William Wilmot" against the owners of the ss. "Meissonier," who I understand have made an offer in settlement. Certain of the crew have accepted the offer, and the Solicitor to the Seamen's Union is endeavouring to obtain the authority of the others. The owners are not prepared to make any payments until all these claims have been agreed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Mr. Robert Paterson, of 93, Main Street, Newhaven, who was injured in Rosyth dockyard, is only in receipt of 14s. per week compensation; and whether, in view of the fact that the man is still incapacitated, he will take steps to pay compensation consistent with the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act?

Mr. Paterson's injury was to his left index finger and the allowance of 14s. a week awarded to him is based on "slightly impaired" earning capacity and is the maximum for which he is eligible, on the present certificate of incapacity, under the Government Scheme of Compensation of 1920, the provisions of which the man accepted in lieu of those of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. He was again medically examined on the 25th ultimo and that examination confirmed the accuracy of the "slightly impaired" assessment.

asked the Postmaster-General if there are any women post officers employed for letter delivery in Scotland; if so, how many; and, if any, are they appointed officers; and what is their rate of wages?

There are 475 post women in Scotland—seven full-time and 468 part-time. Three of the seven are established officers and the other four temporary. The three established women are paid approximately 52s. a week, including bonus; the adult pay of the remainder varies from about 9d. to 11d. an hour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider introducing a Regulation to enable Post Office employés appealing to a medical referee to be supplied with a copy of the referee's decision, for which the appellant pays?

I have been asked to answer this question. The referee's report is made in confidence; and there would be strong objections to its being communicated to the appellant. The deposit paid by the latter does not represent the referee's fee.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the present charge for delivering a telegram from Cleator to Ennerdale, Cumberland, is 2s. 6d.; that there is no telephone in the parish of Ennerdale; and, in the event of the Ennerdale and Kinniside Parish Council, or other inhabitants, agreeing to provide the required guarantee of £26 10s per annum, if he will give instructions for the necessary extension of the telephone service to Ennerdale, and also make provision for the calls to be delivered, as is now the practice in several country villages in West Cumberland?

Ennerdale village is reported to be three miles distant from Cleator Moor Post Office, and no charge is made for porterage of telegrams within that radius. Beyond three miles a charge of 6d. per mile is made, and it would seem that the charge of 2s. 6d. to which the hon. Member refers can only apply to outlying places. The guarantee of £26 10s. to which the hon. Member refers would only cover the provision of a telephone call office from which telephone calls could be made and telegrams dictated by the sender to the nearest telegraph office. The provision of telegraph delivery facilities would involve considerable additional expense, and I am ascertaining what additional guarantee would be required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what has become of certain stowaways who were given in charge on their arrival from Australia; whether they were all ex-service men; whether his Department has taken any cognisance of the matter; and whether he can make any statement to the House in regard to it?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to the case of the five stowaways from Australia who were recently charged at Grays Police Court, in Essex, with the result that four of them were sentenced to one week's imprisonment, the fifth being bound over. These men were ex-service men who received passages to Australia under the Government Free Passage Scheme. Their cases have been very fully investigated by the Oversea Settlement Committee, who interviewed each man personally and were represented at the proceedings at Grays. My Committee agree with the view taken both by the investigating magistrates and the Australian authorities that the men in question were unsuitable and unadaptable and responsible for their own failures. I am forwarding to the hon. Member a copy of a telegram from Australia which, in my opinion, fully bears out this view.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the claim of Mrs. Grey, of County Clare, Ireland, in respect of a Calthrop two-seater car seized by a party of auxiliary police in February, 1921; whether the car in question had been purchased by Mrs. Grey a few months prior to its seizure for £560, but had been only slightly used owing to its being deprived of an essential part by the district inspector of police; that in May, 1921, it was stated that the car would be returned to her and that a claim for damage to the car would be considered; that Mrs. Grey was informed in December, 1921, that an order had been made for the return of the car and the payment to her of £150 compensation; that Mrs. Grey received this sum without prejudice to further claims, and after receiving expert advice that the damaged car was worth between £175 and £200 actually sold it for £150; that the Irish Office stated in subsequent correspondence with Mr. Grey that the £150 represented reasonable compensation for the loss sustained taking into consideration the value of the car when returned, and the price for which a new one could now (October, 1922), be purchased, and that Mr. Grey ascertained that the price of a Calthrop two-seater car in October, 1922, was £465, and pointed out that valuing the returned car as being worth £200 Mrs. Grey was still entitled to receive £115; and the reason why the further £115 has not been paid?

The reply to the first, third, fourth and sixth parts of the question is in the affirmative, and as regards the second and fifth parts I have no reason to doubt that the facts are as stated. As regards the seventh part, the sum of £150 paid as ex gratia compensation to Mrs. Grey was based on expert advice to the effect that £110 was fair compensation in respect of depreciation and £40 in respect of user; and in view of the fact that it appears from the Calthorpe price list that new two-seater Calthorpes could be bought in October, 1922, at prices ranging from 285 guineas to 410 guineas, I have no reason to suppose that the amount of compensation was unfair. I am not prepared to reopen the matter.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he has considered the case of Henry McCrory, of 22, Breadalbane Street, Anderston, Glasgow, who was of Scottish parentage and descent, and had no connection whatever with Ireland, but who was deported to that country at a recent date on suspicion of having committed certain political offences; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure the release of this British subject?

I have considered the case referred to. It is not proposed to release McCrory, but it is open to him to make representations against his internment which would be considered in due course by the Advisory Committee.