asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government has now decided to cancel the Board of Trade Order excluding Russia from the Overseas Trade Acts and Trade Facilities Acts; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to publish this decision in the daily press and in trade journals for the information of British manufacturers and exporters?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part, accordingly, does not arise.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is time that this question was seriously considered and settled by the Government, when he has good advisory committees on both these matters that would give a reasonable decision?

It is precisely because it has received careful consideration that I have given the answer I have given, and I have no doubt that, until Russia creates a condition in which credits are possible, both advisory committees will decline to entertain applications.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that credits are actually being arranged through bankers which should be done under this scheme?

No, Sir. No credit which can be done through a banker ought to be done under this scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of aircraft exported to foreign countries, according to the latest avail able returns, from England?

The number of aeroplanes of United Kingdom manufacture exported to foreign countries during the year 1924 was 137, and during the first two months of 1925, three. The numbers of airships and balloons of United Kingdom manufacture exported during the same periods were one and three respectively.

Is not the Department of Overseas Trade specially charged with assisting the trade in aeroplanes?

That question does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any licences to Import synthetic indigo have been granted under the Dyestuffs Act; if the Government have imported certain quantities under the scheme for the payment of German reparations in kind; and why the sale of this imported indigo has been placed in the hands of the only firm manufacturing indigo in this country?

The only licences which have been granted for the importation of synthetic indigo were in respect of certain quantities imported on Reparation account in 1922 and 1923, under a special arrangement made at the time with the principle indigo consumers and with the British Dyestuffs Corporation, details of which were given by my predecessor on the 24th June last in an answer, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of printed and dyed cotton cloth and dyed or bleached cotton yarn exported from this country in the years 1913 and 1924, respectively?

The answer contains a table of figures, and the hon. Member will, perhaps, allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can submit a Return to the House showing the quantity and value of frozen beef for export for the months of February, 1923, 1924, and 1925;

As the reply contains a table of figures, I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether there has been a decrease, and whether that decrease is due to the Dyestuffs Act?

The hon. Member will be able to see the figures on the Return. I am quite satisfied that the Dyestuffs Act, which, I think, means the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, will have no adverse effects at all.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Customs statistical office accept the declarations made by exporters of frozen beef without satisfactory documentary evidence; and whether the Customs authority have any powers under statute to demand such evidence, and if it was exercised to verify the value of the February consignments?

I have been asked to reply. Where there is any reason to doubt the accuracy of information in declarations made by exporters, the exporters are called upon to substantiate their declarations by documentary evidence. The Customs are empowered by statute to demand such evidence, and these powers were exercised in regard to some of the consignments of frozen beef included in the figures in the February trade accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any information has been compiled and can be supplied to this House with respect to the existence of international associations of manufacturers and industrialists or national associations of this character, having international connections, giving their names, objects, and, so far as possible, their extent and membership; and whether, in the event of such information not being already available, he will cause inquiries to be made?

Complete information on the subject is not available, and could not be obtained without legislation. The Balfour Committee on Trade and Industry are collecting a certain amount of information, which will be dealt with in their Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether instructions to committees under the safeguarding scheme which may be drawn up, other than those laid down in the White Paper, will be issued?

I do not propose to issue any further instructions to committees at present.

Have people been asking for any further particulars in addition to those already given and if so, have such particulars been supplied?

I do not quite understand what the hon. Gentleman means by "people asking for particulars." If an industry puts in an application and does not supply all the information, they are required to submit that information.

If any further instructions are given to the Committee, will the House be consulted?

Oh, yes, if I gave any new instructions to the Committees I should certainly publish them, in the same way as I published the White Paper, but I think the White Paper contains all the instructions which the Committees need or require.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet come to any conclusion respecting the application of the National Association of Fabric Glove Manufacturers, dated 4th February, making application to come under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications he has received for assistance under the safeguarding of industries policy to date; and how many of them he has approved?

I will answer these questions together. I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson) and others on the 17th March, of which I am sending them copies.

Why is the right hon. Gentleman not able to say frankly what applications are made; and is he not aware that these applications are widely stated in the trade papers?

No, Sir. I have explained to the House both in Debate and at Question Time the reason why I do not propose to give information—following the precedent of the previous Act—about pending applications. To those I adhere.

Is not the Board of Trade subject to this House, and is not this House entitled to be kept fully informed of everything the Board of Trade is doing?

No, Sir. The House is entitled to challenge administration through the ordinary channels. We had a Debate on this matter and the whole procedure was explained and endorsed.

Is the intention to conceal information, so as to give an advantage to one side?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date when the Committee appointed under the Safeguarding of Industries Act will meet for consideration of the claims of lace producers in this country for a duty on imported lace; and if sufficient time will be allowed for those who are in opposition to such proposals to prepare their case and instruct, their counsel?

The first public sitting has been announced for Monday, the 30th March. I have no doubt that there will be reasonable time for those who are appearing in opposition

also asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and value of optical and scientific instruments imported during the years 1922, 1923, and 1924?

The answer contains a table of figures and the hon. Member will perhaps allow me to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, on receipt of applications from particular industries who desire committees of inquiry to be established under the safeguarding of industries procedure, he will be prepared to undertake to give his decision within a period of not more than one month?

Applications will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible, but I am unable to give any undertaking as to the precise period within which a decision will be reached in every case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 7,927 consignments sampled by the Customs, and analysed by the Government chemist, under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, during the year ended 31st March, 1924, were found to be liable to duty under this Act?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer of the 10th March to his previous question in precisely the same terms on this subject.

Is not the real answer that over 4,000 of these consignments were found to be non-dutiable, and why cannot we have that information?

I have not got that information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have the information from a recognised source? [HON. MEMBERS: Why ask for it?"]

I do not feel justified in putting civil servants on a task of that kind which, on the hon. and gallant. Member's own admission, can only be used for propagandist purposes.

Why not?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that the key industries duties come to an end in the autumn of next year, he as prepared to consider applications for safeguarding of industries protection from associations of manufacturers who at present enjoy key industries protection; and whether consideration of such applications will be deferred until such date as His Majesty's Government has decided what it will do in regard to the renewal or otherwise of the Key Industries Schedule?

The conditions in which applications under the safeguarding procedure may be made are set out in the White Paper, and I do not propose to modify them. But it is the intention of the Government to review the position of the industries engaged in the production of the articles scheduled to the Safeguarding of Industries Act in good time before the expiry of the relevant provisions of that Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what provision will be made under the safeguarding of industries scheme to cross-examine witnesses in cases where the industry asking for protection produces finished articles?

Committees will be entitled to hear such evidence as they may consider relevant to the particular matters referred to them for inquiry, and to allow cross-examination by the representatives of the interests tendering such evidence.

Is not the right of cross-examination confined, by the right hon. Gentleman's White Paper, to industries using goods produced by the trade which is asking for safeguarding; and what would be the position in the case of a trade producing finished goods where no industry uses such goods?

No, it is not confined to that. The White Paper treats certain matters as relevant, and on all these matters evidence can be tendered for or against, and, on these matters, cross-examination can be allowed—not otherwise.

Is not provision made for cross-examination on all the facts?

The hon. Member should put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the nature of the discrimination which Austria has recently adopted against goods produced in countries under unsatisfactory labour conditions?

The Austrian Customs Tariff Law of last year authorises the Austrian Government to increase by not more than 33⅓ per cent. the customs duties On industrial products from countries which have not ratified the Washington Agreement of 1919 on Hours of Labour, and in which the hours of labour are obviously not in accordance with that Agreement. I have no information of any increases in customs duties or other measures which the Austrian Government has actually adopted in this connection, but I will have inquiry made and inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the occasion of the sate-guar ding of industries inquiries, 1922, precautions were taken by importers those trades were Likely to be affected to expedite delivery of large import consignments, which created a glut on the market; and whether, on the present occasion, he is proposing to take steps to render this impossible?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Mr. Dixey) on the 17th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if lascars and other coloured nationals of the British Empire are considered as British seamen where that term is used?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to Board of Trade statistics of the employment of British seamen. The methods of obtaining these statistics were explained at length in an answer given on the 17th December last to the hon. Member for Southampton, a copy of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member. In Tables II and III, containing statistics of seamen employed, Lascars are shown separately. The term "Lascar" includes all Asiatics and East Africans engaged on agreements which are opened and terminated in Asia, and other seamen are classified as "British" and "foreign." In Table I, relating to the engagements of seamen at ports in the United Kingdom, there are no Lascars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the regulations of the Norwegian and Swedish Governments under which British commercial travellers are required to take out a licence, costing 100 kroner per month, before they are permitted to discuss business with firms in those countries, and also that the same fee is charged even when the visit is for a week only; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take any steps to impose upon commercial travellers from Scandinavia visiting this country similar restrictions and similar costs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am advised that it would not be possible, having regard to the existing treaty engagements between this country on the one hand, and Sweden and Norway on the other, to impose on Swedish or Norwegian commercial travellers restrictions or taxes which are not at the same time applicable to the commercial travellers of every other foreign country.

Are we to understand from the reply that the Government are unable to do anything in the case of Norwegian and Swedish commercial travellers coming to this country; and are we prepared to sit down without doing anything to protect our commercial travellers who are treated in this way?

No, Sir. The hon. Member must really understand what I have said in my answer, which is that if you were to attempt to impose this restriction on Norwegian or Swedish commercial travellers you would have to impose Similar restrictions on every other country with which we do business.

Then is it the case that Norway and Sweden are in a position to make a differentiation, and we are not?

No, they are not. They make the same terms and charge the same rates for commercial travellers of all countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give figures showing the working hours and rate of wages in German shipbuilding yards as compared with those paid in similar establishments in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is able to state what action he proposes to take in regard to the recommendations made in the Report, recently presented to him, by the Committee appointed to consider the working of the Bankruptcy Act?

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for

I have been asked to reply. The weekly working hours in shipbuilding yards are at present 47 in this country and 54 in Germany. As the comparison of wages includes a tabular statement, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask if it shows that the wages are materially lower in Germany.

Yes.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information to show that the reparation policy is responsible for the low wages?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the test case arranged between the British and Hungarian Governments has yet been brought by the British Clearing Office before the Anglo-Hungarian Mixed Arbitral Tribunal to settle certain British claims for the period between July, 1919, and the date of the coming into force of the Treaty of Trianon, 1921; and, if it has, will he state what the decision was and the date last year upon which the British and Hungarian Governments agreed that the test case should be brought?

The answer is somewhat long, and my hon. Friend will, perhaps, agree to my having it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the position in regard to a Presbyterian church for Aldershot; whether he has approached the Treasury for a grant for the erection of such a church; and, if so, with what result?

I have seen the Joint Committee of the Scottish and Presbyterian Churches regarding this scheme for the erection of a new church at Aldershot as a war memorial, and I have undertaken, on behalf of the War Office, to contribute £2,500 spread over three years if the Committee can collect the balance of the funds required.

Another dole to Scotland!

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps has recently retired, after 20 years' service, with a pension of £328 per annum, and that this sum is £37 below the sum he understood he would receive, after 20 years' service, when he joined the corps; and if he will take steps to secure that no officer who joined the corps before the warrant of 1919 came into force will in future be retired on a lower pension than he would have received under conditions existing when he joined the corps?

The fact referred to by the hon. and gallant Member is due to the joint effect, on this individual case, of the rule that service on the West Coast counts double towards the 20 years required for voluntary retirement, and of the introduction in 1919 of a rank element into the calculation of retired pay. I am, however, looking further into the position.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a major, Royal Army Medical Corps, retiring after 20 years' service, only received an increase by the 1919 Warrant of £31 to his previous pension of £365, and that, by the reduction of 5½ per cent. on the increased pension of £396, he has had the increase reduced not by 27½ per cent., but by nearly 67 per cent.; and if he will take steps to secure that these officers do not in future have their pensions reduced by a larger amount than 27½ per cent. of the increase granted in 1919?

My hon. and gallant Friend's question is, I think, based on a misapprehension. The revision due to the fall in the cost of living which was made from the 1st July last, applied to the 1919 rate of retired pay itself and not to the difference between the rates under the 1914 and 1919 Warrants. A reduction of 5½ per cent, was therefore applied correctly to the 1919 Warrant rate of £396 per annum in the instance quoted. A full explanation was given in the statement which appeared in the Press last December, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that., despite his explanations, this fact and similar facts are responsible in a large degree for the failure to recruit to this Service, which is so dangerous for the whole Army?

I am very sorry if that should be the case. I can quite well understand that some misapprehension has arisen, and it is for that reason that a printed statement of what actually has happened has been circulated, and I shall be very glad to send the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that, it is not the misapprehension, it, is the fact that he is sailing so close to the wind and not giving sufficient remuneration?

No, I cannot admit—

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Rhys Davies, farmer, of Mill Farm, Miskin, Pontyclun, Glamorgan, and a number of other farmers in Glamorgan, have not yet been paid for the hire of horses supplied for the Territorial trainings held last summer in the County of Glamorgan; and whether he will have this grievance of the farmers affected rectified forthwith?

I find that this is not a matter in which the War Department or the Glamorganshire Territorial Association can intervene. The farmers' claims are against a sub-contractor of the firm who supplied the horses to the Territorial Association. I am informed that there is nothing owing to this sub-contractor either by the Association or their contractor, but owing to other losses he is unable at present to meet his obligations to the farmers.

Is the War Office not really responsible, and did not these men imagine that the War Office would be responsible for seeing that they were covered?

I am afraid that all that the War Office or, rather, the Territorial Association, have done is to pay the person with whom they contracted, and it is a sub-contractor who has defaulted to the farmers. For that, I am sorry, but I cannot assume the liability.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will see to it that in future people shall be protected from sub-contractors acting in this way?

No. I cannot give any undertaking that no one will make a bad debt. I could give advice, that the farmers should see that the sub-contractor with whom they contract is a person of position.

Is it not the duty of associations to hire the horses from as many contractors as possible, and where a contractor hires from a sub-contractor, ought not the association to take some steps to see that the sub-contractor is adequately protected?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these farmers are dependent in summer time on these contractors, and why should the War Office get the benefit of the horses and not be liable to the farmers?

The hon. Gentleman assumes that either the War Office or the association has not paid, but it has paid. It has paid the contractor. I hope it will not occur again that the farmers will be cheated by a sub-contractor.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the commandant of the Coast Artillery School receives a salary of £950 and the superintendent of experiments receives a salary of £949, and that the school and experimental establishment are both situated at Shoeburyness, he will consider the desirability of effecting some economy in expenditure by putting both these artillery establishments under one commandant?

Although the Coast Artillery School and the experimental establishment are both at Shoeburyness, the functions of the two establishments, and the qualifications required for their direction are quite distinct, and it would not be feasible to combine them under one commandant. Further, the time of both the commandant of the school and the superintendent of experiments is fully occupied by their respective duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War hew many of the employés at the Army Clothing Factory are in receipt of wages of 49s. a week, and what are their duties; and whether, in view of the high cost of living and rents in London, he has under consideration the question of increasing the wages paid?

There are 141 employés at the Royal Army Clothing Department factory and store in receipt of wages of 49s. a week, which is the minimum wage for War Department unskilled adult labourers in London. This 49s. includes an increase of 5s. awarded as a. result of arbitration last year. I am not aware of any new factors in the situation which would justify a revision of this rate at present. The duties of the employés in question comprise piling bales and cases, unpacking, loading and moving made-up clothing and materials.

In view of the high cost of living, will the right hon. Gentleman consider granting bonuses to these very poorly paid people?

No. As I say, the wage was increased by 5s. last year, and I cannot see that I should be justified in making any further increase at present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men employed in Government Departments all over the country, and particularly in the London area, are now sending in an application for a minimum wage of £3per week?

Why not £5?

You spend as much on one dinner!

In view of the impossibility of these people existing on this very small salary, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will consider granting them an increase?

Does the Minister not think that the Government should show an example to other employers?

I should like to give everybody the highest wage possible, but I have to take these cases with a great number of others. These employés got a rise of 5s. last year, after an arbitration, and I see no circumstances which have occurred which make any difference between this year and last year.

But those wages are not fair.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the wages paid in the Royal Army Clothing Department?

I have given certain information regarding the wages paid in the Royal Army Clothing Department in reply to the hon. Member for the Central Division of Southwark (Colonel Day). If my Noble Friend will let me know what further information he requires I will endeavour to supply it. I hardly think he will require a complete statement of all the rates paid to all the different grades of employés, of which there are a very large number.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction owing to the fact that the wages are not sufficient to keep a man and his family?

In considering this, would the right hon. Gentleman look into the question of these men not getting any annual leave with pay beyond the ordinary Bank-holiday?

May I ask the Minister whether it is not fact that this Department exists largely for supplying clothing to the Territorial Army, and would it not be better to let the county associations make their own arrangements?

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the legal qualifications of the legal assistant of the Judge Advocate-General, who is to receive a salary of £288 for the year 1925–26; and whether it is a whole-time post?

The legal assistant of the Judge Advocate-General is a barrister and Bachelor of Laws. The salary of the appointment is £200, increasing by annual increments of £15 to £500, plus Civil Service bonus. The present holder, who was appointed last June, was allowed to enter the scale at £275, which, with the bonus added, amounts to £409. It is a whole-time appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that 500 in-pensioners of Chelsea Hospital receive £2,939 in pay and 16 officials receive £5,528, in addition to retired pay in the cases of the governor, lieutenant-governor, and six captains of invalids, he will consider whether some reduction can be made in the emoluments of the higher officials and an increase made in the pay of the pensioners?

The 16 officials referred to receive their pay for the performance of specific duties as prescribed by the Royal Warrant for the government of the hospital. The in-pensioners, who are not required to perform any duties in return for their maintenance in the hospital, also receive pay at amounts varying from 3d. up to 1s. 6d. a day, which is in the nature of pocket money. I do not consider there is room for any such adjustment as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will furnish details of the proposed expenditure of £13,000 for riding instruction to the 225 cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, during the year 1925–26?

The figure quoted represents the share of the cost of the Riding Establishment, Royal Artillery, which is estimated to be attributable to the instruction of cadets at the Royal Military Academy. The detailed estimate of the cost of the Riding Establishment, Royal Artillery, is shown on page 60 of Army Estimates, 1925–26.

Surely the amount of £60, approximately, per cadet, for riding, is an exorbitant figure; would the right hon. Gentleman not consider reducing it and applying the balance to increasing the wages?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that in the Army Estimates provision is made for some 52 educational establishments and schools of instruction, each under a commandant or superintendent with salary ranging up to £1,725 per annum, he will set up a committee to inquire as to the possibility of amalgamation of certain of the schools so that economy may be effected by a reduction in the number of supervisory posts?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of the proposed committee, as these establishments have only recently been subjected to a comprehensive review by a Departmental Committee and are scrutinised periodically in connection with the annual estimates; but if the hon. Member has any specific suggestion to make I will consider it.

Are the salaries mentioned in the question subject to annual increments?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will explain why a battalion of the Grenadier Guards at Aldershot has been ordered to go under canvas on 1st April; and whether, in view of the discomfort caused to troops by such an early beginning of the camping season, he will consider the desirability of not sending troops under canvas before the beginning of May, which was the normal period?

Two battalions of the Guards will be in camp between 28th March and 2nd May while they are firing their annual weapon training course. I am advised that there is no medical objection to the troops going under canvas; the tents will have floorboards and there will be a good supply of blankets. An early beginning of the camping season is necessary in order that the training programme may be carried out.

Is not the camp situated half a mile or is it more than two miles from the barracks?

I am not quite sure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in connection with the proposed evacuation of the Royal Dockyard at Woolwich, a number of soldiers' widows who have been employed there for many years have received notices of discharge; that many men employed in the saddlery department, some of whom are disabled ex-service men who have many years of unbroken service, are also under notice of discharge; and whether he will suspend discharges in the Royal Dockyard so as to enable him to consider the possibility of transferring these employés to other departments in the Royal Arsenal?

32 soldiers' widows and 30 saddlers are under notice of discharge on 31st March, and every effort has already been made to find them employment elsewhere. This is in accordance with the recommendations of a Committee which was specially set up to consider the effect of the evacuation of Woolwich on Army Ordnance Department employés and which, contained among its members representatives of the employés. A few men have been absorbed in another establishment and it has been found possible to defer the discharge of the women for a short time. But apart from this, I regret that there is no alternative to their discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that practically no recruits of Scottish nationality are being drafted into the Royal Scots Greys Regiment; and whether he will take steps to ensure that a largo proportion of recruits for this Scottish regiment shall be of Scottish nationality?

At the moment there are 190 men serving in the Royal Scots Greys who are of Scottish nationality. The number of Scotsmen who enlist into the cavalry is at present small, and it has been necessary to draft to the Royal Scots Greys from any of the three regiments of dragoons at home, irrespective of nationality, in order to provide the regiment with the necessary number of men of the various categories of service. Special endeavours will be made to draft Scotsmen to the Royal Scots Greys as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of the 49,245 men who were rejected last year as recruits to the Army were refused on the ground of defective eyesight, and what number on account of defective teeth?

The information required is only available in the case of the 20,742 men who were rejected by medical officers on primary medical examination and after attestation. Of these, 1,743 were rejected for defective vision and 2,062 for defective teeth.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the casualty allowances in the Sudan are considerably lower than those payable in respect of casualties arising out of the Great War?

The pensions payable in respect of recent casualties in the Sudan are in accordance with the scale which was adopted by His Majesty's Government as appropriate to the normal conditions of service in the Navy, Army and Air Force after the War.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to reduce the scale of allowances in respect of the Great War to that of this scale in 1926?

Oh, no, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House what the approximate cost would be of granting officers' pensions to warrant and non-commissioned officers of the Regular Army who were given temporary commissions during the War?

The cost of meeting the claim of these warrant and non-commissioned officers is fully set out in the memorandum on the subject which was published as a Command Paper (Cmd. 2076).

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will inform this House, from the answers given to question 5 in the enlistment form filled up by men desirous of joining the Army Supplementary Reserve, the number of engine drivers and firemen, and the number of electricians, so far obtained for service in that unit;

I have nothing to add to my statement on the introduction of Army Estimates, and to my reply on the 3rd instant to the hon. Member.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answers continually given, I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is prepared to introduce the necessary changes in enlistment Regulations whereby boys or youths who enlist before reaching the age of 17 may have the option of taking their discharge before reaching the age of 18?

I am not prepared to alter the rule that a recruit who mis-states his age on enlistment is held to serve, unless either he is found to be under 17 or there are special compassionate grounds for sanctioning his discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Committee appointed to consider questions of discipline is likely to report; and whether it is intended to publish the Report?

Yes. Sir; the Committee has recently rendered its Report, which will be published shortly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether we may have this Report before the Army Annual Bill is discussed in Committee?

I hope so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many of the cadets at present in the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, are exempt from payment of fees; how many are paying the privileged rates of £20, £55, £80, £95, and £105 per year, respectively; how many are full-fee paying students; and will he state how many are sons of noncommissioned officers and how many the sons of privates?

As the answer contains a large number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Canadian Government has informed the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that it is ready to consider methods for supplementing the provisions of the covenant for the settlement of non-justiciable issues; and whether this proposal has the support of His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, His Majesty's Government have stated that they are not opposed in principle to schemes for clarifying or strengthening the Covenant, and they will always be prepared to examine well-considered proposals with this object.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a Note has been addressed by the Canadian Prime Minister to the League of Nations indicating that Canada is prepared to consider the acceptance of compulsory jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of International Justice in justiciable cases with certain reservations; and whether this is also the position of His Majesty's Government?

I am aware of the statement by the Government of Canada, but I cannot add anything to what is said on this subject in the statement by His Majesty's Government regarding the Protocol.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered the question of the ratification of the recent Opium Conventions; and whether he can say when it is proposed to ratify them?

I have been asked to reply. It is certainly the intention of the Government as at present advised to ratify these Conventions.

Would the Government consider the ratification before the next meeting of the Assembly, considering how much misrepresentation there has been on the subject of this country's good faith in the suppression of the traffic?

I will represent that to the Home Secretary.