asked the Minister of Health whether he can now state the result of his inquiries into the case of Sidney Manton, a sanatorium patient, of Crown Street, Peterborough?

I am informed by the Peterborough County Council that they have now reconsidered this case and are prepared to accept immediate payment of £10, which is at the rate of 10s. per week, in place of the sum of 20s. per week which this patient agreed to contribute towards the cost of his maintenance in a sanatorium. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the documents which I have received from the county council in regard to the case.

asked the Minister of Health the conclusions arrived at by last week's conference on the reform of the panel system under the National Health Insurance Acts; and what changes is it intended to make in that system?

The conference to which the hon. Member refers was a conference of representatives of panel committees for the purpose of instructing the Insurance Acts committee of the British Medical Association, and my right hon. Friend has not yet received any intimation as to its views. As regards the last part of the question no decision can be reached until further discussion has taken place between the Ministry and representatives of the insurance practitioners and the approved societies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a train was wrecked on the Tientsen-Pukow Railway on 6th May when a British subject was killed and 26 Europeans and Americans were captured; that 14 of these people are still being detained under appalling conditions; and whether he can state what action has been or is being taken by the Government to secure their release and obtain satisfactory compensation for the privations they have undergone?

All the captives have been released, and the representatives at Peking of the Powers concerned are now considering the questions of compensation and guarantees for the future. A general statement on the subject was made in reply to questions asked on the 11th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the High Commission has imposed new Customs duties and demands new Franco-Belgian licences in respect of goods imported from unoccupied to occupied Germany; and whether this new ordinance applies to goods reaching the British occupied area?

I have been asked to reply. For goods coming from unoccupied Germany into occupied territory on and after 25th June a permit will be required and Customs duties will be charged at the rate of 25 per cent. of the Rhineland import tariff. This will apply to goods reaching the British occupied area, but will not apply to goods imported into that area through Germany from a country other than Germany.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is aware of the steps taken by the Serbian Government to legalise the settlement of pre-War sterling debts owing by Serbian nationals to British creditors at the rate of Dinars 26·10 per £ sterling and not at the existing rate of exchange; and whether, since British creditors would thus only receive about one-sixth of the sums due to them, His Majesty's Government intend to take any steps to protect British creditors from this policy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Salford (Lieut.-Commander Astbury) on the 14th instant to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce has expressed any opinion as to the value to British trade of the Trade Agreement?

"That in the opinion of this Chamber, the Russian Trading Agreement has not advanced the interests of British trade in the manner anticipated and it is hoped that His Majesty's Government will take advantage of any negotiations arising from the present situation to secure equitable and reciprocal rights for British traders, together with preferential treatment.

"Furthermore, it is the opinion of this Chamber that the development of British trade with Russia has suffered seriously from the many monopolies that have been created under the powers conferred by the Trading Agreement."

I have since been informed by the Chamber that this resolution was not intended to convey the meaning I attached to it in this House on the 30th of May, but if that is so it would not appear to have been very clearly expressed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of the proceeds of the loan of £562,000,000, advanced by the Government of this country to the Czarist Government of Russia during the War, in the form of warlike and non-warlike stores or in money, was despatched to the armed forces operating against the Soviet Government from the date the latter was established on 7th November, 1917?

I can add nothing to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on this subject on the 19th April last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a claim for allowance by ex-Artilleryman W. Taylor, No. 8694, cannot be entertained because pay accounts have been destroyed by the Army Council; and whether he will advise special inquiries to be made in order that this man receives any moneys due to him?

I am unable to trace any artilleryman named W. Taylor with regimental number 8694, but probably the hon. Member refers to W. Taylor, No. 44511. I regret that I cannot, on the information before me, undertake to make special inquiries. The hon. Member will realise that it would be impracticable to consider claims made for the first time more than three years after demobilisation. The documents of the Great War were exceedingly voluminous, and it was obviously not possible to keep them indefinitely with due regard to economy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the figures which indicate an increase in small-pox in the Army, consequent on the suspension of the vaccination recruiting Regulation, giving also the attack rate per million strength?

I am not at present in a position to give the attack rate per million strength, but in France there were no cases of small-pox before 1916, and 12 cases subsequently. In Iraq there were two cases in 1916, 364 in 1917 and 597 in 1918. Of the cases in Iraq, about 84 per cent. occurred amongst men who had not been vaccinated or re-vaccinated since enlistment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office in what manner contracts are made for the supply of jam and tinned fruits to the Army, namely, whether contracts are open to public tender or are confined to certain firms; at what time of year tenders are invited and for what period; and whether any imported jams or tinned fruits are purchased?

Supplies of jam and tinned fruits are obtained by competitive tender from firms on the War Department list of approved contractors. It is open to any firm of good standing to make application to be included in these lists. Invitations to tender are not limited to definite dates, but are issued from time to time as circumstances require. The jam purchased is of home manufacture, but the small quantities of tinned fruits required are usually of overseas production, home products of this nature being, as a rule, either unobtainable, or obtainable only at prohibitive cost.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if there is a limit to the class of articles now sold by the Navy, Army, and Air Force institutes?

The articles of association authorise the institutes to sell all kinds of goods required by officers and other ranks and by their families. The application in detail of this principle is a matter for the board of management and not for the Army Council, but I am not aware of any special limits in the matter of the classes of articles sold. Trade with the general public is not permitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department will arrange to find house accommodation for the skilled married men employed at the Henlow aerodrome, and thus prevent their coming into competition with the agricultural labourers in the district who are in need of houses?

A scheme for the provision of married quarters at Henlow is being carried out, and under it 22 quarters have been provided up to date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the distress and dissatisfaction created owing to the delay in the settlement of claims for reparation in respect of loss and injury caused by enemy action; and whether he can take steps to provide additional assistance in the way of office staff, or otherwise, so as to enable the Commission to deal with and settle all such outstanding claims without further delay?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative, as stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) on 14th June, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, in consequence of the gas fumes from oil that lurk in every corner of ships, the men engaged in cleaning the boilers and boiler tubes on vessels at Southampton Docks have to fight dangerous poison; that the men cannot remain at the work for many minutes together; and whether he is prepared to place this particular occupation on the schedule of industrial diseases or dangerous occupations?

No complaint of this kind has been received at the Home Office. If the hon. Member will furnish me with the information on which his question is based, the matter will be investigated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the winding up of the benefit branch of the Constabulary Force Fund?

As a result of the communications with my hon. and learned Friend to which I referred in the reply which I gave on the 15th May last to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Mr. Grattan Doyle), my hon. and learned Friend handed to me a copy of a scheme for the winding-up of this Fund prepared in 1913 by the All Ireland Committee of the Royal Irish Constabulary Pensioners' Association. I have submitted this scheme to the Government Actuary, who reports that the proposals of the Committee would result in a deficiency of over £200,000, and moreover, that a distribution of the funds on the basis proposed by the Committee would be indefensible in view of the purposes for which the funds were contributed. I regret, therefore, that I do not see my way to vary the decision which I gave in reply to a question by my hon. and learned Friend on the 10th May last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Royal Irish Constabulary Tribunal which was appointed under the terms of disbandment, 1922, consists of three members, of whom one must be a former member of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, seeing that the tribunal has no power to hear cases and to make decisions or reports in the absence of the ex-Royal Irish Constabulary member of the tribunal, and that between December, 1922, and May or June, 1923, the tribunal heard many cases and made many decisions and reports at a time when the ex-Royal Irish Constabulary member was ill and unable to attend, whether the Government will, as regards such cases, request the tribunal, when fully constituted, to review them if so desired by the person affected?

The Royal Irish Constabulary Tribunal is a non-statutory body appointed by the Secretary of State to deal with certain matters arising out of the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and there are no such limitations as are suggested in the question either upon the discretion of the Secretary of State or upon the powers of the tribunal. I cannot admit that there is any foundation for the suggestion that the recommendations of the tribunal made during the temporary absence of one of its members are such as to require revision, and I regret, therefore, that I do not see my way to comply with the suggestion of my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if the unemployment benefit of Percy Leadley, 111, Wellington Street, Millom, an ex-service man, has been stopped owing to his selling firewood on two days per week out of which he made on an average 7s. per week; and whether, having regard to the fact that Leadley is a married man with a wife and three children, and that his sole support is outdoor Poor Law relief, he will cause Leadley's benefit to be restored to him?

I am having inquiry made, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Employment Exchange officials of Dundee are entitled to send unemployed persons to Port Glasgow to seek for employment at a time when there are so many unemployed persons in Port Glasgow and when the number of unemployed persons is largely increased by the boilermakers' dispute; and, in the event of persons so recommended refusing to go from Dundee to Port Glasgow, will it involve forfeiture of the right to unemployment benefit?

The question whether unemployment benefit should be stopped on account of refusal of work at a distance depends on the circumstances of each particular case, and is governed by the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts and a large number of decisions given by the Umpire. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, there is a right to appeal to the Court of Referees, and, in certain circumstances, to the Umpire, against disallowance of benefit. No details of the individual cases have been furnished, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars I will gladly look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Government Loans Board has laid down the condition that no single man shall be employed on relief work where the local authority is in receipt of the usual allowance for such work; and whether, in view of the fact that many young men have widowed mothers or younger brothers and sisters to support, this condition can be withdrawn or mdified?

I have not been able to trace any condition such as that mentioned by the hon. Member, but if he will give me further particulars, I will make inquiry into the matter and communicate the result to him.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has been approached by either of the parties involved in the strike between the Co-operative Wholesale Society and its employés; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Negotiations about this dispute have been taking place through a sub-committee of the Trades Union Congress General Council, and my right hon. Friend has not considered it necessary to take any action. I understand that a further meeting between the Co-operative Wholesale Society directors and the sub-committee of the General Council is to take place to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a blast furnace and a cubilo have been closed down at Cleator Moor, Cumberland, and that as a result two iron-ore mines in West Cumberland have stopped work; that the cause assigned is shortage of coke; that native-made coke is being exported at high prices to foreign countries; and whether, having regard to the fact that this is an artificial creation of unemployment, causing an inroad into the funds set apart for unavoidable unemployment, he will urge the Government to prevent this exportation of coke until home needs have been supplied?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the facts mentioned in the first part of the question, but am informed that the cause is not shortage of coke but absence of demand in the pig-iron market. Ample supplies of coke have been available for these works during the past few months. The remainder of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in all cases of need pensions where the minimum is being paid this will be made up to 5s. weekly; and whether steps are being taken to issue forthwith a pension at the rate of 5s. weekly to all parents of deceased service men whose pecuniary need pensions were withdrawn?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire (Mr. Martin) on the 6th instant, a concession has, however, been made by which a pre-War dependance or flat rate pension previously in issue but subsequently exchanged for a need pension will be reverted to, if the need pension ceases to be payable or becomes less favourable than the former award.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the event of a pensioner dying before he has received the full amount of a final award, his widow or dependants are paid the balance that would be due to him?

In such circumstances the award would be paid up to the end of the week in which the pensioner died, when it would expire.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the total production of coal in Scotland and the average rate of wages paid to Scottish miners during the last year for which figures are available, as compared with the pre-War figures for the year 1913–14?

The total production of coal (after screening and sorting) in Scotland during the year 1922 was 35,447,422 tons as compared with. 42,456,516 tons in 1913 and 38,847,362 tons in 1914. The average earnings per shift for all classes of colliery workpeople of all ages in Scotland were 9s. 7½d. in the year 1922 as compared with 6s. 9d. in the month of June, 1914, which is the only pre-War figure for which comparable figures are available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal accidents and non-fatal accidents, disabling for more than seven days, occurring in Scottish coal mines during the last year for which the figures are available, giving the separate figures under the headings of explosions of firedamp or coal dust, falls of ground, shaft accidents, haulage accidents, and surface accidents?

The following statement shows the number of fatal accidents, and non-fatal accidents, disabling for more than seven days, which occurred at mines, under the Coal Mines Act, in Scotland during the year 1922, distinguishing the place or cause of accident:

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he will direct medical officers of health to record in their annual reports the number of cases of small-pox, and other infectious diseases, notified from families living in houses or tenements containing one, two, or three rooms, as also the number notified from houses of four or more rooms?

The Board are prepared to consult local authorities and their medical officers of health, through their associations, in regard to the suggestion, but they are not prepared without such consultation to issue a direction to medical officers of health.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether existing nurses practising in Scotland will be eligible to take advantage of the decision of this House with regard to nurses' registration on 13th June?

The decision referred to does not apply to the rules of the General Nursing Council for Scotland. So far as the Scottish Register is concerned, therefore, the answer is in the negative. As regards the position of nurses practising in Scotland, in relation to the English Register, the matter is one for the General Nursing Council for England and Wales.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if the representatives of the procurator fiscals, sheriff clerks, and their staffs have yet met the officials of the Treasury with reference to the conditions of their unemployment?

Meetings were held some months ago, and it is hoped that further meetings will take place next week.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware how urgent the question of land settlement is in Scot- land; and will he introduce a Bill at the earliest possible moment to carry out the findings of the Deer Forest Commission, especially in reference to land scheduled as suitable for agricultural purposes, but now being used for sporting purposes?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Assuming that the reference in the question is to the Report of the Royal Commission (Highlands and Islands), which was appointed in 1892 and reported in 1895, there does not appear to be occasion for legislation as suggested, seeing that land used for the purpose of a deer forest or other sporting purpose is subject to the same powers and conditions as other land under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, and subsequent legislation relating to the formation of small holdings.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in the position to state what steps, if any, he is prepared to take to relieve handicraft teachers from the detrimental effects of the 1914 retrospective Clause?

I regret that I am not in a position to recognise expenditure which is in excess of scales framed by the Burnham Committee and applicable under the conditions stated in their Reports.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if intimation has been received from the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia of negotiations proceeding or in contemplation for reciprocal trading arrangements between the Commonwealth and foreign countries; and whether he will give particulars of any such proposals that have been made?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what railway lines in British possessions, either in East or West Africa, were built by private contractors; and what in every case was the cost per mile of each such undertaking regarded as a whole?

Only one Government railway has been constructed by private contract in West Africa, namely, the Aura-Akuassim line in the Gold Coast. For information regarding this line I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer which is being sent to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester Exchange (Sir E. Stockton) to-day, which is being circulated with the Order Papers. One railway is at present under construction in East Africa, namely, the Uasin Gishu railway in Kenya, but its cost cannot now be stated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of railways built departmentally in any of the Crown Colonies, the engineers employed by the Crown agents or by the local government are paid an over-riding commission; and, if so, of what amount?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the case of an employé, Mr. E. J. Weeden, 35, Parkhurst Road, New Southgate, N.11; whether he is aware that in 1904 Mr. Weeden undertook the duties of reserve overseer of the Great Northern Railway Company's sorting carriage, which was a notoriously unhealthy position, and that in consequence he became seriously ill and has lost the benefits of the Courtnay scheme which will seriously affect the position of his dependants should he die; and whether, in view of the fact of Mr. Weeden's 47 years' service, he will Consider whether anything can be done, if even as an act of clemency, in this case?

Mr. Weeden was not allowed to adopt the provisions of the Superannuation Act of 1909 on account of his physical condition at the time of the passing of the Act. I regret that it is not possible for me to reopen the case, which was decided by the Treasury on principles which were applied to all members of the Civil Service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether inquiry may now be made with a view to the feasibility of abolishing the phrase restriction of five words on picture postcards sent at the halfpenny rate of postage; how has the restriction affected the object aimed at of the increased use and posting of such postcards; and whether representations have been received advocating a return to the former regulations as regards picture postcards?

Under the Regulations of the Inland Printed Paper Post any document which is entitled to transmission at the cheap rate of postage applicable to printed papers may, generally speaking, bear in manuscript a formula of courtesy or of a conventional character expressed in not more than five words or initials, without thereby becoming liable to a higher rate of postage. A picture postcard bearing no message other than such a formula passes for ½d. as a printed paper. If it bears a message of a different character or of greater length, it is liable to the ordinary postcard rate of 1d. I can see no justification for granting to the picture postcard any greater concession than is allowed to other classes of printed papers. The second and third parts of the question appear to be based on a misapprehension. The Regulation of the Printed Paper Post relating to conventional formulæ was introduced many years ago, without any reference to picture postcards; and there have never been in this country any postal Regulations relating to picture postcards as distinct from other classes of postal packets. The question of "a return to the former Regulations" does not arise; the representations which have been made have been designed to obtain an entirely new concession.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the insufficiency of the postal service throughout the Parish of Egton, Yorkshire; whether he is aware that in many parts of the parish there is not even a daily delivery of letters; and whether, in view of the grave inconvenience to which those who live in the district are now subjected, he will consider the advisability of reopening the post office at Egton?

A few outlying houses in this district have a delivery less frequently than once a day; the expense of a daily delivery would not, I regret to say, be warranted by the small amount of correspondence to be benefited. The question of reopening the sub-post office at Egton is being further examined, and I will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as the inquiries have been completed.

asked the Prime Minister "when the Government proposes to take the Second Reading of the Criminal Justice Bill?

As I announced in the House last Thursday, we propose to take the Second Reading as Third Order on Friday next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain the principle on which the prices of Government publications are fixed; whether the price paid by the public is expected to cover the cost of any free issue; whether the standing charges are distributed over the copies sold to the public and those issued free to Government Departments and others, or are charged exclusively against the cost of the copies for sale; and whether he can give any indication of how the increase in price has affected sales?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to Sir Halford Mackinder on the 20th July last. The general effect of the increase in prices has, of course, been to reduce sales somewhat, but the aggregate revenue, from sales has materially increased, with the result that notwithstanding some contraction in the quantity of publications the receipts from sales in 1921–22 were double the receipts in 1913–14.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated cost to the revenue of reducing the cost of stamps on cheques from twopence to a penny?

It is estimated that the reduction of the Stamp Duty on cheques from 2d. to 1d. would cost, in a full year, about £1,300,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the amount of pension allowed to the widow of a Canadian private is liable to taxation for Income Tax purposes; whether War pensions of the kind are normally included in returns for Income Tax; and whether there is any differentiation between British-paid pensions and Dominion-paid pensions in this respect?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the remaining part in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the main reasons which lead to tea being taxed per pound weight, and sugar, coffee, and cocoa being taxed per cwt.?

In the wholesale trade tea is quoted and sold by the lb. and the other articles by the cwt. and the duty units are arranged to suit trade convenience.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that British Dyes, Limited, are enforcing a further ½d. per hour reduction in wages in two cuts upon their employés; if he has been informed that no agreement to this reduction was decided upon by the Chemical Joint Industrial Council; whether arbitration has been refused; and, in view of the Government holdings in this concern, if he will institute proceedings of inquiry and conciliation toward settlement?

I understand that the reduction to which the hon. Member refers is one applying generally to the trade, and I see no reason for instituting an inquiry regarding its application to a single undertaking.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that he is appointing a Committee to inquire into the work of the State printing establishments, he will defer placing the contract for the printing of the "London Gazette" with a State establishment until the Committee has issued its Report?

No, Sir. Having regard to the desirability of running the Government printing establishments in the most economical manner so long as they are maintained at all, I cannot agree to any curtailment in the orders which would normally be assigned to them while the whole question of their continuance is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that many occupiers of small houses will become liable to Inhabited House Duty and will probably also have to pay rates on the increased figures; that no survey and proper valuation has been made and that, owing to shortage, the value assessed is hypothetical; and that 25 per cent. of the increase of rent allowed by the rent Act, 1920, was distinctly allowed for increased cost of repairs; and, seeing that the increased assessment will have an adverse effect on the production of houses and buildings, which will still further accentuate the existing scarcity, if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am making a full statement on this matter to-day, and would ask the hon Member to await the discussion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to an advertisement of a sale by auction of Canadian cattle to be held at Worlingham, Beccles, on Thursday, 21st June, when 200 prime fat cattle will be offered; if he will cause inquiries to be made as to when these cattle were landed in this country; and whether they were imported as store animals?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. I am informed that the cattle referred to are part of a consignment of 490 landed at Birkenhead on 31st ultimo and 17 on the 5th instant and sent direct to Worlingham as store animals for fattening. The cattle were estimated to require from six to eight weeks' feeding after arrival in this country. The remainder of the consignment are being advertised for sale as "stores" on the 21st instant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the inroads of sea erosion on the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire; whether many acres of agricultural land are being washed into the sea yearly; and whether his Department is taking any steps to bring the matter before the Government with the object of safeguarding the farms and farmlands which are being threatened by destruction?

I am aware that considerable erosion has long been taking place in the area referred to by the hon. Member, but specific cases of agricultural land being washed into the sea to the extent suggested in the question have not been brought to my notice. The whole question of coast erosion was considered by a Royal Commission who reported in 1911 that there was no case for maintain- ing sea defence works at the expense of the State. Since the date mentioned, the- circumstances on which the Royal Commission's decision was based would not appear to have changed, and I can hold out no hope that His Majesty's Government will adopt a policy inconsistent with that report.

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been called to the action instituted on 20th February, 1914, by R. Hepworth Arthur and others; if he is aware that the result has been to deprive of their rights the children of the-late William Hepworth; and if he will consider the question of reparation to those who suffered pecuniary loss through such action?

The subject-matter of the hon. Member's question was brought to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions and fully considered by him as long ago as the year 1917 by the defendant in the action referred to which was brought by certain beneficiaries under a Will and resulted in judgment for the plaintiffs. The Director was clearly of opinion that there were no grounds for the suggestion made to him that Mr. Arthur had been the victim of a criminal conspiracy or that any person had committed a criminal offence in connection with the matter, and Mr. Arthur was so informed. If any of the children of the late William Hepworth were aggrieved by the decision of the Court it was open to them to appeal against such decision and in any event no question can arise as to making any reparation out of public funds to an unsuccessful litigant in a civil proceeding.