asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that concessions which are drafted to suit the conditions and terms of service of the Indian Civil Service cannot be equitably applied to other services without modification; and whether he proposes to make such modifications?

The conditions and terms of service of the Indian Civil Service differ in many respects from those of other services. Concessions made to the first-named Service, for example, in the matter of retirement on proportionate pensions, are applied to any other Service or Services if and as required, whether with or without modifications.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state precisely what steps have been taken substantially to improve the conditions of the Indian Civil Service, which wore stated to be necessary in the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, other than the grant of overseas allowance, which was offset by the abolition of exchange compensation allowance and the fall in the exchange?

It is difficult to give the full information on this very important subject with which I am anxious to supply the hon. Member within the compass of an oral answer, and I propose, therefore, with his permission, to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the various improvements in question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why exchange compensation has been abolished in connection with the Indian Civil Service; whether he is aware that by its abolition the adjustments of pay on the time scale have brought practically no relief to any civil servant and have actually occasioned loss to many; and whether, under these circumstances, the exchange compensation will be restored?

Exchange compensation allowance has been withdrawn from the Indian Civil Service in common with other Services in India, in pursuance of the general policy of the Indian Government that the allowance should cease to be admissible on the occasion of a revision of pay of a Service previously entitled to the concession. In any case in which the effect of such withdrawal would have been to cause an actual reduction in the emoluments of an officer, a personal allowance sufficient to make up any deficiency has been granted. The answer to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

So it ought to be clear that no civil servant will suffer loss. If he has been prejudiced in any way, that will be made up to him?

Yes, that is so—as the result of the withdrawal of this allowance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the General Council of the Burmese Associations, while discussing the advisability of co-operating in the formation of the new Legislative Council, was served with notices under the Criminal Procedure Code and declared to be an illegal meeting; whether the local Government authorised this action by the police; and, if so, on what grounds?

I have no knowledge of the circumstances alleged.

There were telegrams in the Press two or three days ago!

I am not responsible for what is in the Press.

Would it be possible for the Noble Lord to make inquiries?

Yes, I will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated cost of transferring the machine-gun school from Seaford to Netheravon; whether it will be necessary at the latter place to build a new range. married quarters, and officers' quarters: and what the estimated cost of these is?

The cost of moving this school is practically confined to the works services required at Netheravon and is estimated to amount to £3,750 for accommodation and £2,500 for a new range: against this there will be a credit for the sale of hutting at Seaford. The accommodation to be provided includes six married quarters for non-commissioned officers and men, but no additional accommodation for officers. It is necessary to vacate Seaford, as the land does not belong to the Department, and purchase would cost £30,000 or £40,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the land recently utilised as a camp at Frongoch, near Bala, County of Merioneth, is still in the occupation of the Government; and, if so, whether he will state the purpose for which it is retained and the annual cost in. rent and rates?

As far as the War Department is concerned, the answer to the first pan of the question is in the negative The last part therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are our present obligations in regard to the despatch of troops to France or Belgium, both as to the numbers to be sent and the conditions under which they will be sent; whether these obligations comprise any specific treaty or agreement: and, if not, whether any such treaty or agreement is contemplated?

There is no military agreement involving any obligation to despatch troops as suggested. The conclusion of a pact involving mutual support in certain contingencies is under discussion with both countries, but it is too early to say on what lines these discussions will develop.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the claim of the Car Company, Limited, for compensation on account of the occupation of their premises by the Australian Imperial Forces between 16th December, 1918, and 3rd December, 1919, has been held up: and, if so, will he state for what reason the hearing of the case by the War Compensation Court is delayed?

Much difficulty has been encountered in examining this claim. especially owing to the fact that the claimants varied their system of accounting three times during the three years 1918, 1919 and 1920. It is hoped, however, to submit the claim to the War Compensation Court in a form for hearing at an early date. Meantime, a payment on account has been made of £1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what stops the Government have taken to discover the fate and avenge the murder of the three officers and one private murdered at Macroom, and the two officers murdered in South Kurdistan, respectively; and with what result?

The Secretary of State is not yet in a position to add anything to his previous replies on this subject so far as regards Macroom. With regard to Kurdistan, the Secretary of State proposes to make a statement to the House to-morrow.

Was the statement published in the Press with regard to these officers correct, namely, that they were strung up to a tree immediately after capture?

As far as I am aware, there is no confirmation of that statement. The Noble Lord will see that that is what my right hon. Friend stated in his reply.

In view of the fact that British troops were reported to have surrounded the castle to which the kidnappers went, has the Government been quite unable to get any information as to the disposal of their victims?

The Government have made every effort to ascertain the exact facts, and I am not in a position to add anything to what I have said.

Can the Government say why the troops, which at one time surrounded the castle in which the kidnappers were located, were withdrawn before arresting any of the Free State men?

My hon and gallant Friend is asking me something that does not arise out of the question on the Paper. He is not asking for information: he has been kind enough to give me information.

Has the Government of Northern Ireland not valuable information as to the fate of these officers, and has the Secretary for the Colonies communicated with the Government of Northern Ireland on the matter?

I cannot add anything to what I have said. If the Government of Northern Ireland have information which His Majesty's Government do not possess, we should be grateful if they would forward it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lord Shaw, in communicating the awards made by his Commission in connection with claims for injuries to property in Ireland, indicates to the British and Irish Governments, respectively, which is responsible for making good the damage done; how many such communications have been received to date; and what is the total amount awarded against the British and Irish Governments, respectively?

The answer to the first-part of the question is in the negative. The second and third parts do not, therefore, arise.

Will there be any information laid before the House as to what the charges made by the British Government in connection with these awards may be?

I presume that before any charge fall payable on the authority of Parliament, it will be laid before Parliament.

When Lord Shaw's Commission makes an award, does it not make it against someone?

I do not know off-hand.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the large and increasing number of cases of old pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary who are driven out of their homes in Ireland and forced to take refuge in England or elsewhere; and whether, seeing that there is no distinction in point of hardship between the case of these men and that of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have been recently disbanded, he will, on reconsideration, give directions that these old pensioners who have been driven out of Ireland shall, as regards free travelling expenses and disturbance allowances, be placed on the same footing as Royal Irish Constabulary men who have been recently disbanded?

His Majesty's Government is aware that a certain number of pensioned members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been compelled to leave their homes in Ireland; but I cannot agree that, in proportion to the total numbers of such pensioners, the number is large, nor that the number of those now compelled to leave is increasing. The Government has given very careful consideration to this problem; but they cannot depart from the principle which I have previously enunciated, namely, that there is no essential difference between these men and others who have been compelled to leave Ireland owing to their loyalty or to past service in the forces of the Crown; and I would point out to the hon. and learned Member that any departure from that principle on the lines suggested by him would involve a transfer from the Provisional Government to the Imperial Government of a liability which the Provisional Government has already agreed to accept. As the House is aware, the Committee presided over by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea is empowered to make temporary provision for persons who may have been compelled to leave Ireland, and the pensioned members of the Royal Irish Constabulary referred to by the hon. and learned Member are, of course, eligible for the grant of such provision. In addition, as I think the House is aware, the Assistant Under-Secretary in Dublin is authorised to issue an advance of pension that any such members who would otherwise be unable to leave Ireland, and the Committee in all such cases will be specially authorised to take into sympathetic consideration the fact that such an advance has been made.

May I call the attention of the Prime Minister to this very urgent question? Will he reconsider the case of the old pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have been driven out of Ireland for the sole reason that they have served the Crown, and will the right hon. Gentleman give his own special consideration to making them the same allowances and payments that are given to the recently disbanded members of the Royal Irish Constabulary which, in their case, have been considered just?

I have given special attention to this question, and no distinction can be drawn between the pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the great bulk of the men in Ireland who have served in the War. Obviously the question is very much larger than the restricted one which the hon. Member raises.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the distinction between the recently disbanded members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have been driven out of their homes because they have served the Crown, and the old pensioners who have been driven out of their homes for precisely the same reason?

The situation is rather difficult, because in the one case you have men who are discharged from the service and who have made their homes in Ireland, but, in point of fact, their position is not very different from that of the ex-soldier who has served the Empire. The question is a very much bigger one than the hon. Baronet seems to think.

Will the Prime Minister look into this matter again, in view of the fact that there is such a great difference between the pensions of the new Irish Constabulary and the older men, because in the case of the latter the pensions are something like one-third of the amount given to the new men? In view of the fact that a large number of these men are over here as refugees and almost penniless, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that something more ought to be done for them?

I have considered the question from that point of view, but hon. Members will recognise that the men who have recently been actively serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary are in a different position to those who have been serving many years ago.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer amount to this—that there are so many men in Ireland whose lives are unsafe by reason of having served the Crown that the Government repudiate liability for all of them?

That is not the question. My hon. Friend will recognise that the terms given to those who have served in the Royal Irish Constabulary are not only fair but very generous. We have been doing all we can, and it is unreasonable to say that every person in Ireland who happens to be in danger must necessarily be entitled to treatment of the same character as those who have been maintaining our position in Ireland and have been recently disbanded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that considerable claims are being made against pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary for Income Tax in respect of the year 1919–20 or later, and deductions to meet this tax are being made from their monthly instalments of pension of a far larger amount than they are able to pay; and whether, in order to avoid inflicting serious hardship on these pensioners, he will give directions that the deductions should be substantially reduced so as to spread the payment of the tax over a longer period?

My hon. and learned Friend has furnished me with particulars of the case to which his question relates. I am causing inquiry to be made in the matter, and will communicate the result to him in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is very difficult out of these small pensions to pay large sums for Income Tax every month?

Yes, I perfectly understand that.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can inform the House as to the nature of the documents which were kept in the Four Courts and the Record Office adjoining; whether any official duplicates or copies of these documents were kept elsewhere; and whether any of the documents in the Four Courts or Record Office have escaped destruction?

The records kept in these buildings comprised legal, ecclesiastical and testamentary documents dating from the later 13th century, with some of earlier date; all wills from 1536 to 1899, and some as late as 1904; all extant Rolls (Patent, Close, Plea, Statute, etc.); census returns for the period 1821–1851, and a large number of parish registers. A complete list will be found in the official guide to the records, which extends to 300 closely-printed pages. Of these documents, scarcely any duplicates exist, with the exception of some will books in the district probate registers since 1858. I am unable at present to state whether any of these records have escaped destruction.

Will the loss of any of these documents prevent land purchase from going on at its accustomed rate?

However that may be, the new circumstances created by the lack of these documents must be faced in such a way as not to frustrate the policy of the State.

Who was responsible for the failure to protect these invaluable documents? Did the Government know their value, and was any effort made to protect them?

We certainly knew, and so did every well-instructed and well-informed Irishman, that documents of priceless value were contained in the Four Courts. I am not aware of any step that we could have taken, or ought to have taken, in the last week which would have prevented those documents from being destroyed.

Have this Government ever made representations to the Provisional Government since the time of the occupation of the Four Courts by Rory O'Connor, to try to regain possession of the Four Courts and of these invaluable documents, before the rebels had time to mine the place and destroy the whole thing?

Of course I have been, on behalf of the British Government, in constant private and informal communication with the Provisional Government during the last few months, but I felt all along that the decision as to what was the right moment at which they should assert their authority was really one of which they must be the best judges, and in regard to which it was impossible for us to adopt a line of dictation.

Did not the Government realise the great responsibility under which they lay in regard to the preservation of national documents?

I am certain that we have discharged the great responsibility under which we lay in the best possible manner having regard to all the circumstances.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information with regard to the malicious destruction by fire of the Protestant orphanage at Clifden, County Galway, at the end of last week, whether the 60 boys and girls and the staff of the orphanage are now in a place of safety, who will be responsible for their housing and maintenance, and whether he has any information as to the perpetrators of this dastardly outrage.

Information was received late on the evening of the 30th June that one of the two orphanages at Clifden, County Galway, had been destroyed by fire, and that the inmates had taken refuge in the other orphanage. A destroyer was ordered to proceed from Queenstown to Clifden with instructions to investigate the facts on the spot, and to remove such of the staff and inmates of the orphanages as might appear to be in serious peril. Two wireless messages have been received from the officer commanding the destroyer, which I will read to the House:

(1) (Received in London about 10 p.m. on 2nd July.)—"Boys' Home burnt by order of the Republican Headquarters as reprisal for inmates' loyalty. No immediate danger to lives."

(2) (Received 2.56 p.m. on 3rd July.)—"Commanding Officer, Republican Forces, Clifden, ordered inmates to leave immediately. Train service not available. In view of probability of violence, am bringing master, one lady teacher and two children to Haulbowline."

Private messages received from Haulbowline this morning state that the destroyer eventually removed all the inmates (32 in number) of the burnt orphanage, and that the party has arrived safely at Haulbowline. The senior naval officer on that station had previously been instructed to arrange for the reception of the party, and for their subsequent- transit to this country. Active arrangements are in train for their accommodation and maintenance on arrival.

Is it not a fact that it is only the boys who have been removed and that the girls are still left there because the Commander thought the boys were in most danger and took them away, but the girls are still left there with only a matron to lake care of them in this village?

I am not aware of that, but I will make inquiries.

Do we understand that the nation is paying for these orphans, and not leaving it to private charity?

Clearly, while resident in this country they would come within the purview of the Commission at the head of which my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) somewhat uneasily reposes. I understand the arrangements in the first instance are due to private munificence.

Do we understand aright that the reason assigned for this outrage was as a reprisal for the loyalty of the inmates? Does that mean anything except that the children in this orphanage were Protestants?

Of course, the extreme Republican element in Ireland are in a state of frenzy at present, and we must expect a certain number of frenzied acts to be committed by them until the process of their repression by the national forces of the Irish Free State is complete.

Was there any evidence of these people's loyalty except the fact of their religious faith.

I can only take the telegram as it was sent to me. There is no reason why they should not have been loyal as well as Protestant.

Will instructions be given to the Admiralty to remove the girls if the facts are as I have indicated, that they have not been removed, as they are obviously in danger?

I will have inquiries made.

Is the state of frenzy referred to a similar state of mind to that of Members of this House and the other place in a previous decade, when sedition was being preached in Northern Ireland?

I do not think there is the slightest resemblance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any application for concessions in Pales tine has been received from Mr. T. G. Tulloch; and, if so, what reply has been given?

A preliminary application has been received in the Colonial Office from Major Tulloch, and a copy of it has been forwarded to Palestine for the observations of the Palestine Government. Major Tulloch has been informed accordingly.

In view of the fact that reports of these applications have been circulated as propaganda against the Rutenberg concession, can we have full particulars with the Debate this afternoon?

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will be glad to give all the particulars in his possession.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the allegations made that Harry Thuku had formerly been found guilty of forgery and fraud; and, if not, will he make inquiries on this matter from the Chief Native Commissioner of Kenya, seeing that information as to these alleged crimes by Thuku have been circulated to the Press in this country?

In a despatch received from the Governor of Kenya in November, 1921, it is stated that Harry Thuku at one time served a sentence of two years' imprisonment for forgery. I have no other information of the circumstance.

Has the hon. Gentleman not received information from Kenya?

The information I have received is that Thuku was at one time convicted of forgery.

From whom did that come?

In a despatch from the Governor in November, 1921, as I have stated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Singhalese members of the Ceylon Legislative Council have declined to serve on the reforms committee on the ground that the committee is only intended to delay the promised reform of the Constitution; whether he is aware that the Ceylon National Congress has approved of the action of the members of the Legislature; will he state the grounds on which the Government acted; and whether the Colonial Office were aware of the Singhalese attitude when the committee was set up?

The information at my disposal is not yet complete, but it does not bear out the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. The Resolution in favour of the appointment of a Committee of the Legislative Council to discuss the allocation and distributions of seats in territorial electorates was proposed by the leader of the elected members of the council, and was carried without a Division. I am aware that the National Congress is opposed to the policy of the appointment of a committee, and I understand that seven elected members, who had previously approved of the appointment of the committee, have declined to serve on it, giving as their reason the absence of information as to the future composition of the remainder of the Council. The Governor informs me that the committee is now sitting, and that there is no ground for the statement that there is any strong feeling in Ceylon in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Homo Department what are the figures for the months of April, May, June, and the first week of July, of 1920 1921 and 1922, of arrivals of persons of Irish nationality at British ports; what proportion of these persons have come to this country to take up definite employment: and what are the figures for the same period of Irish persons returning to Ireland from Great Britain?

There are no passenger returns showing separately persons of Irish birth or of Irish extraction. I am therefore unable to give the figures asked for.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to introduce the Bill dealing with the legitimation of children by the subsequent marriage of their parents?

My right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question last Thursday that he regretted he was not yet in a position to give a date, but he hoped the Bill would not be long delayed.

Does the Home Secretary not realise that the long delay in bringing forward this Bill is giving rise to very grave doubts among persons interested as to whether the Government really mean business? Can the hon. Gentleman give a definite assurance that the Government do mean to proceed with the Bill this Session?

My right hon. Friend quite appreciates that, and we are endeavouring to come to an arrangement to introduce a Bill as soon as we can. There will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the Abertillery and district local committee, at a meeting held on the 21st ultimo, passed a resolution stating that they view with considerable alarm the apparent tendency of the medical officers of the Ministry to certify men as fit for work, and as not requiring treatment after the pensioners' panel doctors have already certified them as unable to work and in need of treatment, and asking that immediate steps be taken for the issue of instructions which will ensure the men receiving the treatment which they require; and will he, in the interest of these disabled ex-service men, take the necessary measures to give effect to the resolution passed by the committee?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the resolutions referred to, which appears to be based on a misapprehension. Medical officers of the Ministry are required only to certify whether or not a man needs a course of special treatment, and whether he will, in consequence of that treatment, be unable to work, and so become eligible for allowances under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant. The question whether in any individual case the man needs special treatment which it is not within the competence of the insurance practitioner to give is, and must be, one entirely for the judgment of the medical officer of the Ministry who examines the man. My right hon. Friend has no reason to doubt that the instructions in force provide for every man duly receiving the treatment necessitated by his case in accordance with the provisions of the Royal Warrant.

In view of the general dissatisfaction expressed by this committee, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman have inquiries made with reference to these cases?

I have already informed my hon. Friend that the dissatisfaction is due to a misapprehension, from want of knowledge on the part of those who drew up the resolution, of the actual facts, which I have just given to the hon. Member.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are 600 cases in Glamorgan alone in which treatment allowances have been refused, and that the men are now becoming convinced that the treatment allowance is being refused on the ground that the pensions and other allowances to follow will then be prevented from being paid to them?

The hon. and gallant Member should put that question down.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Royal Commission on the overseas cattle embargo took any evidence from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, having regard to the fact that the care taken of animals sent to be fattened up in Great Britain is not likely to be nearly so great as in the case of stock for immediate slaughter at the ports?

I have been asked to reply. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals did not give evidence before the Royal Commission on the Importation of Store Cattle.

Could the hon. and gallant Member say whether it was outside their terms of reference? Is that the reason why this very important matter was not considered?

I am afraid that I could not say.

Has the Minister of Agriculture ever had any representations before from this society as to the conditions under which these animals are brought over?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total sum expended in connection with the timber operations at Frongoch, Bala, county of Merioneth, and what was the total sum realised therefrom?

The total sum expended in connection with the timber operations at Frongoch, Bala, was £16,322, and the total sum realised was £15,314.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of three years' detention at Borstal passed upon Dorothy Baker, a girl of 19, at the Chelmsford Quarter Sessions, on 28th June, for breaking her recognisance subsequent to stealing a bicycle and handbag; whether he is aware that two mental specialists had stated that she was in need of detention in a home for mental treatment; whether he is aware that her former employer had made arrangements whereby she could have been placed in such a home; whether he is aware that a fund has been raised by a local paper to enable the cost at the home to be met; and whether he will now take steps to have Dorothy Baker removed from the Borstal Institution so that she may be treated in this manner for her mental abnormality?

My right hon. Friend's attention had not been previously drawn to this case, but he has made inquiry and finds that the girl, who had four previous convictions, was committed to Borstal after the usual inquiries by the police and prison authorities as to her suitability for Borstal treatment. The police stated that she had been examined by various doctors and specialists, but that she had not been certified. The, communication sent by her former employer to the prison authorities does not indicate that arrangements had been made to place her in a home; on the contrary, he said, "I am afraid this cannot be done." I have no knowledge of a fund having been raised. The girl's mental condition will receive special attention in the Borstal Institution, but at present there is no reason to think there is any better place available for her.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Essex Justices omitted to consult a mental specialist on this girl's condition, and is it not very important that the Essex Magistrates should consult a mental specialist before committing a girl to Borstal whose mental condition was gravely in question?

I was not aware of the circumstance mentioned by my Noble Friend, but I will have that matter looked into.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to accede to the request made to him to provide a public telephone box at West Linton, Peeblesshire; and, if so, when this facility will be available for the use of the public?

A canvas is being made for subscribers to a new Exchange at West Linton. If, as is expected, the requisite support be obtained, a public call office will be provided at the same time as the Exchange.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the revenue to be derived from this new installation will justify the expenditure?

The expenditure is quite as much justified as in any other items of expenditure of the Post Office in regard to telephones which are not remunerative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make a statement as to the increase or decrease of the business of the Post Office and the revenue obtained since the lowering of the postal rates this summer?

As I stated on the 14th June, in reply to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. R. J. Davies), it will not be possible for some time to come to give any reliable information upon this question.

asked the Postmaster-General how many approved societies use the system of postal drafts for paying National Health Insurance benefits; whether he is aware that the original charge by the Post Office for these drafts was increased in 1919 by 100 per cent. and within the last few weeks has been further increased by 66⁔per cent.; whether the last increase was made with the approval of the Minister of Health; and whether he will consider the advisability of reducing the charge for these drafts, and so encourage the use of the system by approved societies, thereby adding to the Post Office revenue?

The postal draft system is used by 23 approved societies. The charge covers the bare cost to the Post Office. The original charge for 50 postal drafts was based upon an estimate, and was found to be insufficient, even at pre-War prices. The recent alterations were necessitated by this fact and by increases in the cost of labour and materials, and were considerably overdue. The charge is not fixed by the Minister of Health, but by the Treasury, and will be reduced as soon as the actual cost falls.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that there is a danger of the societies giving up the use of these drafts altogether and so of cutting down the Post Office revenue?

There is a possibility of it, but I hope it will not be the case.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is now in a position to indicate the terms and conditions under which licences for wireless broadcasting will be granted to industrial concerns?

asked the Postmaster-General how many licences have been granted for permission to receive messages by wireless telephony under the broadcasting scheme; how many licences to transmit have been granted; whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to when the complete broadcasting scheme will be in operation; how many stations will be allowed to be established; what will be the nature of these stations; whether he has recently met the, representatives of the applicant firms: a and what is the reason for the delay in proceeding with the scheme?

The total number of licences for the reception of wireless messages on the 30th Jane was approximately 11,000, and the number of licences for transmission was approximately 450. None of the latter, however, was for telephone broadcasting transmission. I am not yet in a position to make a statement as regards the broadcasting scheme, as the question is still under discussion with the associated manufacturing companies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make such a statement?

I am very anxious to be able to be in that position, but it is very difficult to find a via media.

What is the cause of the delay in the negotiations? Is it some dispute as to who shall construct the stations?

We have had in regard to this question many meetings which have been adjourned, and I hope there will be some basis found in the early future, but I cannot say more than that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action has not yet been drawn up, and that, pending this Report, many hundreds of claimants are being kept in suspense as to the result of their claims; and whether, in view of the time which has already elapsed, he can give some idea as to the date when the Report may be expected and the claims settled?

I understand that the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action hope to present an interim report shortly, but are not at present able to indicate any precise date. In the meanwhile, grants are being made in specially necessitous cases. Owing to the very large lumber of cases to be dealt with (some of them in distant parts of the world), it is not anticipated that the work of the Royal Commission can be concluded for some considerable time.

Is the hon. Member aware that there are numerous cases of seamen who cannot get their claims attended to or settled? I have had many brought to my notice.

That is covered by the answer. Cases are being dealt with, and, as the hon. and gallant Member says, there are many of them scattered about the world, and that is one of the main difficulties.

Could the hon. Member make some representation to see that what is really a great grievance is remedied as soon as possible?

Is there any interest accumulating until the date of settlement?

Can the hon. Member say to whom applications for interim payment should be made in necessitous cases?

Will my hon. and learned Friend kindly put that question down?

asked the Prime Minister what were, the instructions given to the British delegates at the Hague Conference with regard to the question of loans or credits for Russia?

The British Delegates are instructed to examine as experts the question whether the conditions necessary for the opening of private credits for Russia can be satisfied, and to report, and, given satisfactory conditions, to make recommendations to the Government as to the application to Russia of the measures for the furtherance of trade with Government assistance outlined in the Memorandum to the Russian Delegation at Genoa dated 3rd May (Command 1667).

asked the Prime Minister how long the British representatives are likely to be further detained at The Hague over the examination of the Russian problem; and whether the Russian plenipotentiaries at The Hague have yet made any advance upon the position taken up by the Russian delegates at Genoa?

The first meeting between the Russian experts and the non-Russian experts took place on the 27th June, and it is too soon for me to make any observations upon the attitude of the former. The duration of the discussions at The Hague must necessarily depend upon the course of further negotiations.

asked the Prime Minister if he will indicate the nature of the duties performed by the editor of the Cabinet secretariat?

The editor of the Cabinet Secretariat prepares weekly summaries of information for communication to members of the Cabinet and the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Dominions. These summaries are compiled from telegrams, despatches and reports furnished by a number of Government Departments. The reports originated during the War, and were continued after the Prime Ministers of the Dominions had been consulted and had expressed themselves in favour of their retention. The cost of the staff has been reduced from £2,0C6 to £900 a year. The Prime Ministers of the Dominions are being consulted again as to whether these reports could now be dispensed with.

Does the Secretariat prepare any matter for publication in the Press?

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Sir George Beharrel, who was Director of Finance at the Ministry of Transport at £2,500 per annum, and was subsequently appointed Secretary to the Committee on National Expenditure: and whether he has since been reappointed as Director of Finance at the Ministry of Transport at a salary of £5,000 per annum?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday on this matter in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give any figures to show the rate at which the Government is reducing departmental staffs; and whether it is proposed further to reduce the number at present employed?

The rate at which the staffs of Government Departments are being reduced may be inferred from the following figures which cover the period 1st June, 1921, to 1st June, 1922:—

1st June, 1921	…	…	385,853
1st September, 1921	…	…	377,950
1st December, 1921	…	…	365,250
1st March, 1922	…	…	357,447
1st June, 1922	…	…	349,847

These figures, which include throughout staff, numbering 25,000 now transferred to the Governments of Northern and Southern Ireland and engaged on reserved or agency services in Ireland, show a total reduction within the dates mentioned of 36,000. Every endeavour is being, and will continue to be made to reduce staff so far as is consistent with the performance of necessary functions, and it is expected that further reductions will be effected during the course of the year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the average remuneration of a civil servant, excluding the manipulative and industrial grades; what percentage of increase has taken place in such remuneration since the beginning of the War; upon what cost-of-living figure is bonus now being paid; and upon what date and upon what basis is the bonus next to be readjusted?

Information obtained for the Committee on National Expenditure, in January, 1922, showed that the average remuneration (including bonus in the case of permanent officers) of a civil servant, excluding manipulative and industrial grades, messengers and charwomen, is, approximately, £281 per annum, representing an increase of 61·8 per cent. over the corresponding pro-War average figure. For the purpose of this calculation, the bonus of permanent-officers was calculated with reference to an assumed average cost-of-living figure of 100 per cent. above July, 1914. The cost-of-living figure on which bonus is at present paid is 105: this figure is due to be revised on 1st September next, under the agreed sliding scale, upon the basis of the average cost-of-living figure for the preceding six months, and, whilst it is clear that a considerable reduction will then fall to be made in it, the extent of the reduction cannot be stated with certainty until the cost-of-living figures for the months of July and August are available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the total personnel of the Civil Service, excluding industrial workmen, prior to the war; what is the total personnel to-day, including the temporary staffs; and what proportion of the present personnel is employed in the new Departments, i.e., Pensions, Labour, Air, Food, Shipping, Liquidation and Disposals, Forestry Commission, War Graves Commission, Department of Overseas Trade, Mines Department, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Transport, National Savings Committee, Passport Department, Enemy Debts Department (Board of Trade), Public Trustee (Trading with the Enemy Acts) and in the Irish Departments?

The total personnel of the Civil Service prior to the War, excluding industrial staff, amounted to approximately 283,000; the total personnel to-day, excluding industrial staff, is approximately 350,000. Of the latter number about 53,000 are employed in the new Departments referred to by the hon. Member. The total also includes a further 25,000 who have been transferred to the Governments of Northern or Southern Ireland or are engaged on Reserved or Agency Services in Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to reply to the letter of the 2nd June from the Parliamentary Air Committee?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now say what definite steps His Majesty's Government propose to take in order to safeguard our air position and to secure the adequate and equal consideration of the needs of all three Services'?

No, Sir. The matter is under consideration by the Committee of Imperial Defence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when we may expect a statement on this matter, in regard to which we have been put off a great many times? Realising the importance of this matter, is it not about time that something was told to the House of Commons on a matter in regard to which our national safety is really in jeopardy?

If my right hon. Friend will put a further question down on Thursday, I shall be in a better position to give an answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be willing to receive a deputation from the Parliamentary Air Committee, who have given much consideration to this matter in order that we may place our views before him?

Certainly, I will. I think it would be very helpful to have a deputation of that kind. Perhaps my hon. Friend will communicate with me as to the time.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Commission of the League of Nations dealing with the reduction of armaments is meeting at Paris instead of Geneva; whether the Budget Committee of the League has pointed out that the meeting of such committees away from Geneva adds greatly to the expense: and why the meeting is therefore not taking place at Geneva?

The meeting of the Temporary Mixed Commission on the Reduction of Armaments was fixed to take place in Paris on the 3rd July in order, I believe, to suit the convenience of its members. The Fourth Committee of the Second Assembly recommended that the meetings of committees, etc., held under the auspices of the League should be held at Geneva except on the rarest possible occasions.

Are we to understand that it was at the request of the British Government that this meeting is to take place in Paris and not at Geneva? At whose initiative did this change take place?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question, but if my hon. Friend will put the question down on the Paper I will give him the information asked for.

Would there not be a further saving of expense if these committees did not meet at all?

I think it would be quite the reverse, because if the League achieve its object, a great saving of expense will be the result of their meetings.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can yet name a day for submission to the House of the recommendations and conventions arising out of the last international labour conference?

These recommendations are being considered by His Majesty's Government, and I am not in a position to make any definite statement on the subject at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that there is a time limit of twelve months, and will the recommendations come before the House?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total amount that Germany has paid by way of reparation under the Treaty of Versailles, and how much has been paid towards the costs of armies of occupation and other analogous charges?

With the permission of the right hon. Member. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the desired information as far as it is available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the approximate amount?

There is a large number of figures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether France, Belgium and Italy collect 26 per cent. reparation duty upon German goods imported into their respective countries; if so, what is the approximate amount so collected during the year 1921; and whether, when German goods are imported from the above -mentioned countries into England, they are exempt from reparation duty?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second part therefore does not arise. As regards the last part of the question, goods of German manufacture imported into this country through France, Belgium or Italy would be exempt from the levy provided they had been the subject of a genuine sale to an independent purchaser in such country who had subsequently re-sold them to an importer in the United Kingdom.

Are we to understand from the reply that neither France, nor Belgium nor Italy have collected this 26 per cent?

No, they have not begun collecting it.

When they presented this Bill to the House did not the Government give us to understand that we must vote for it because it was the joint action of the Allies?

There was no compulsion on the House of Commons. At that time the Allies were in entire agreement as to the policy to be pursued.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the position that when these goods are imported direct into this country the Reparation Duty is levied on them, whereas if they are imported directly through these other countries there is no duty on them? Does he not see the absurdity of it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the military formation of the so-called security police in Germany is still in existence?

The security police (Sicherheitspolizei) were transformed into the Schutzpolizei in the Autumn of 1920, in accordance with the demands of the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control in Germany. The Commission is at present engaged in examining the organisation of the latter police force.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the military authorities responsible are satisfied that Germany has reasonably complied with the disarmament conditions of the Treaty of Versailles?

My information is that the German Army has been reduced to the limit of numbers laid down by the Treaty, and that Germany has been effectively disarmed so far as war material is concerned. The Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control is however, being retained to deal with outstanding matters such as the reorganisation of the police.

Are the military authorities satisfied that the Treaty of Versailles has been carried out in this; respect?

That is exactly the question I did answer. So far as regards the limitation of the numbers of the Army the answer is "Yes." It is also the case that Germany has effectively disarmed so far as War material is concerned. As regards the-police, the questions still outstanding are being dealt with by the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the site in Bloomsbury at the back of the British Museum which was understood to have been purchased by the Government from the Duke of Bedford, with a view to the same being offered to the University of London, was actually purchased for that purpose or whether the said site was taken over by the Government from the Bedford trustees in liquidation of a debt due from them to the Inland Revenue in respect of heavy outstanding claims for death duties?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative The necessary moneys for the purpose were voted by Parliament during the financial year 1920–21 and the purchase was completed in March, 1921. The suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question is entirely without foundation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Reparation Duty is levied upon articles brought from Germany into this country as passengers' luggage; and whether duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act is also collected on such articles?

Neither Reparation Levy nor Duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act is charged on bond fide used personal effects imported in passengers' baggage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of duties collected under the Key Industries Schedule on imported boric acid from 1st October last to 20th June, 1922; and whether he is prepared to consider a refund to the importers of duties paid upon this commodity since October last, in view of the fact that the referee appointed by the Lord Chancellor has now given judgment declaring that the duties were levied as a result of a mistake on the part of the Board of Trade?

The amount of Key Industry Duty collected in respect of boric acid during the period from the 1st October, 1921, to the 20th June, 1922, is £21. As regards the concluding part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for West Derbyshire.

Is it right for the Government to retain this money, seeing that it does not belong to them?

That is a different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that our exports to Canada of alcoholic liquors rose from £842,453 in 1913 to £2,648,128 in 1920; and whether there is information showing the cause of this increase?

The increase in the declared value of exports of alcoholic liquors to Canada between 1913 and 1920 was due to an increase in price and not to an increase in quantity.