asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Hadji Adil Bey, formerly President of the Turkish Chamber, has been appointed Governor of Cilicia; whether he is a young Turkish leader, belonging to the ultra-Chauvinist group of the Committee of Union and Progress, and one of the persons implicated in the great massacres during the War; whether his name headed one of the lists of War criminals presented to the Peace Congress in Paris in 1919; and whether, in view of the terms under which Cilicia was handed over to the French, he will inquire into the matter?

In regard to the first part of the question I have no information. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Hadji Adil's name appeared in one of the lists in question, and his arrest was demanded and obtained from the Turkish Government shortly after the Armistice. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the negative.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries whether this man has been appointed Governor of Cilicia in view of the promise we made to these people when we brought them back to that country and handed them over to the French?

Is it not well known to the whole world that several of the worst of these wholesale assassins who were detained for a long time by us have been appointed to high civil and military commands by the Angora Government?

There have been statements to that effect. As regards the supplementary question of my hon. Friend, I will see if inquiry can be made, but it is very difficult to make inquiries.

asked the Attorney-General how many of the Germans indicted for criminal offences in the War have been convicted; how many are awaiting trial; and how many have escaped?

Seven names appeared upon the British list of cases selected for trial at Leipzig. The whereabouts of two of the accused persons could not be traced, whilst a third was resident in Danzig. Of the four remaining cases, three were convicted and one acquitted. In addition, two other persons were convicted of offences arising out of the sinking of the "Llandovery Castle" in prosecutions initiated by the German authorities. The hon. Member will find full details of the cases in a Report presented to Parliament, and dated 8th August last.

Before any suggestion of a loan to Germany is agreed to, would it not be an equitable request that all these criminals should be dealt with?

That does not fall within the department of the Law Officers.

Is the list which the right hon. Gentleman has read out a discharge by the Government of their election promises?

The whole question of the position of war criminals has been stated over and over again. It is a matter for consideration by the Supreme Council, and it is under the consideration of the Allies.

Is the House to understand that the Government is satisfied that four years' imprisonment in a fortress is sufficient punishment for murder on the high seas?

The hon. and gallant Member is not so to understand. Those were the sentences imposed by the German Court to whose jurisdiction the cases were remitted. Two prisoners were sentenced to four years' imprisonment, and the one who was an officer was ordered to be dismissed the Service, and the other who was an officer in the Reserve was deprived of the right to wear an officer's uniform. The whole matter was under the jurisdiction of the German Court.

What is the Government going to do on the general question? Were not these simply test cases to see whether the Germans were going to do justice or not?

Hon. Members had better put down further questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the Succession States have given, or are giving, financial help to Austria during the crisis from which she is now suffering?

The Italian Government have accorded a credit of 70,000,000 lire, and the Czecho-Slovak Government a credit of 500,000,000 Czech crowns, of which I understand that 100,000,000 crowns have already been made available.

Is Czecho-Slovakia the only one of the Succession States which has helped Austria?

I said that Italy and Czecho-Slovakia are the only two.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give any in formation to illustrate the work carried out by the wing of the Royal Air Force operating with the Royal Navy since 1st January, 1922?

Aircraft have taken part in various exercises carried out by the Fleet this year, whenever the weather has permitted of them doing so. Their work has consisted mainly of reconnaissance, the exercise of torpedo plane attacks and spotting. In addition a certain amount of experimental work has been carried out.

Are the Admiralty satisfied with the amount of work performed?

Yes, in view of the financial limitations to which all our work is subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many aeroplanes, pilots, and observers are now available for working with the Royal Navy for reconnaissance, fighting, torpedo carrying, bomb dropping, and observation, respectively; and how many are actually required to bring all aircraft carriers and ships fitted with flying platforms up to full establishment?

The aircraft (apart from reserves) allotted for working with the Fleet from ships and carriers are as follow:

• 18 reconnaissance planes.
• 6 fighters.
• 12 torpedo planes.
• 18 spotting planes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the Navy is sufficiently prepared for war in the air with only 12 torpedo planes allotted to it?

Are the personnel of the naval wing trained at sea or on shore?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Has the practice of fitting every light cruiser with one fighter been departed from, or are they still able to carry them and the machines are available?

I gave information the other day of the number of ships which are fitted to carry aeroplanes.

Do the Admiralty really consider that these six fighting planes arc sufficient for the requirements of the Fleet?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it has been decided to give pensions to the widows of the officers and men who lost their lives on the naval drifter "Blue Sky"; and, if so, whether the pensions will equal in value pensions granted under similar circumstances during War time?

So far as the widows of the men are concerned, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. None of the officers lost in the "Blue Sky" was married. With regard to the second part of the question, the widows will be granted pensions based on the post-War scales, which are the same in all cases where death is directly attributable to the conditions of service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that large quantities of goods, namely, rum, requisitioned by the Admiralty for the use of the Fleet in the years 1917 and 1918, have not yet been fully paid for, the amount offered by the Admiralty having been decided, first by the High Court, and secondly by the War Compensation Court, to be insufficient; whether, although the principles on which payment for these goods ought to be made were laid down by the War Compensation Court in a case brought for the purpose of determining this question, in which judgment was given on 7th November, 1921, the Admiralty have stated to the representatives of other claimants, exceeding 100 in number, whose cases depend on the same principles, that they do not intend to be bound by the principles so laid down; whether he is aware that the Admiralty have stated that they do not intend to pay interest on these sums due for goods taken over four years ago; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Full payment of the amount awarded by the War Compensation Court has been made in the only case in which it has yet been decided by that Court that the amounts previously paid or offered by the Admiralty were insufficient. The Admiralty, after careful inquiry into the facts of the various outstanding claims, have been forced to the conclusion that it is not possible to treat as of general application the conclusions arrived at by the War Compensation Court on the facts given in evidence in that case. The proper course, which has throughout been open to all the claimants, and has been already adopted by some of them, is to apply to the War Compensation Court if they consider themselves entitled to any further payment beyond that which has already been made or offered by the Admiralty. Any claim for interest on such further payment would be a matter for the Court.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has now caused inquiries to be made as to the losses sustained by the hook-and-line fishermen of Cawsand, near Plymouth, consequent on the unrecovered hydrophone wire fouling their gear; and whether he will grant compensation in respect of these losses?

Inquiries have been made and orders have been given for the hydrophone cables to be recovered. Any question of compensation would fall to be dealt with by the War Compensation Court, to whom any claims should be presented.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of men in the building trades who are at present out of work; the number unemployed in each branch of the industry; and the percentage so unemployed?

As the reply is somewhat lengthy, I will, with the consent of my hon. and gallant Friend, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I might mention that the highest percentage of unemployment is amongst the labourers (over 22·0) and the lowest is amongst the plasterers (3·9).

In view of the large percentage of 22, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the position so as to allow the Committee to make grants from the unemployed fund for building houses, so that these men could be employed?

The 22 per cent. are labourers. Can they build houses?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of married women who are in receipt of unemployment pay and whose husbands are employed; what amount has been disbursed to such women during the period from the 1st January to the 24th June, 1922: and the proportion of such women who have no children?

I regret that this information is not available. I should mention that I have directed local employment committees to disallow uncovenanted benefit in general to any married woman living with her husband who is in employment and whose earnings give, in the committee's opinion, an income for the household which justifies the withholding of uncovenanted benefit from the wife.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think information of that kind ought to be given?

It is circulated to the local offices and committees. I will send by hon. Friend a copy.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that the present arrangement allows many lapses by which women who are not entitled get unemployment benefit, and would it not be better to cut it all out and leave the exceptions to be made for those who have charge of children or for any other reason?

I do not think I can do that. But if my hon. Friend will give me the names of any persons abusing the Act, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of local men employed by the contractor in the carrying out of the work on the new sea wall and esplanade at Kirkcaldy; what number of unskilled workers from Ireland and other districts have been engaged on the work in question; and how many men are now in receipt of unemployment benefit within the districts of the Kirkcaldy rating authority?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on 19th July instant a large number of workers, and in particular members of the Boilermakers, Iron and Steel Shipbuilders' Society, will have exhausted their State unemployment benefit, namely, 90 days since 6th April last; whether he is aware that these workers will not be entitled to any further benefit until November next; that many of them will also be without trade union benefit and will thus be thrown upon Poor Law benefit and cause an increased poor rate in the districts affected by unemployment: whether the matter has been under consideration; and what arrangements to meet the position of these workers are contemplated?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the terms of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, circulated to-day. Perhaps he will be so good as to follow my endeavour to explain it later in the sitting.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes in his new Mental Bill to introduce into England the Section of the Scotch Lunacy Act which authorises without certification the compulsory detention of an individual for six months in a mental institution on the word of one doctor without any provision for inquiry or appeal?

No such provision is in contemplation. I must not, however, be taken as accepting the hon. Member's interpretation of the Scottish Act in question, the proper construction of which is, I understand, a matter of considerable doubt.

asked the Minister of Health the number of voluntary boarders in licensed houses and registered mental hospitals, respectively, in England at the present time and the same for Scotland; how many have been certified during the past year; what was the longest, shortest, and average length of their residence in a private asylum; and how many of the whole number of boarders have left of their own accord during last year?

On the 1st January, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 127 voluntary boarders in licensed houses and 165 in registered hospitals in England and Wales. One hundred and sixty-nine voluntary boarders were certified during 1921 and 421 left of their own accord. The period of residence varies from a few days to several years, and the average is probably under six months. As regards the Scottish figures I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the latest available returns of overcrowding, so far as house accommodation is concerned, in England and Wales?

The final figures of the Census of 1921 are not yet available, but the provisional total figures derived from that Census are as follows:

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that out of 504 houses built and occupied under the Middlesbrough Housing Scheme. 26V have not paid their rates; whether he is aware that proceedings are being taken this week against these tenants; if he could arrange with the local authority to collect the rates weekly with the rents of the houses, so that no large lump sums are payable at one time; and whether he will request the local authority to extend every consideration to those who are suffering from falling wages and unemployment?

I was not aware of the position to which the hon. Member refers. There is no objection, so far as my Department is concerned, to arrangements being made for a weekly collection of rates from occupiers of houses built under the assisted scheme.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the rates should be included in the rent, and will he see that there is no further accumulation of arrears which the tenants are quite unable to pay?

Surely that is a question for the local authorities.

Will the Minister of Health make representations to them on this point?

I do not see that I am called upon to make representations. Surely these are matters for the local authorities themselves to deal with.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he fixes the rates by fixing the rent?

These are all matters of arrangement with the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a petition from the inhabitants of Iver and Yiewsley protesting against the continuance of an insanitary refuse dump at Little Britain; whether it has been condemned by the local medical officers of health; and whether he will take steps to abate this public nuisance?

Petitions have been received from residents in the places mentioned. The whole question of refuse dumps in the neighbourhood of London is now under special consideration and negotiations are pending which, I hope, will lead to substantial improvements.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that if a person works three days and earns not more than 29s. and has a family to maintain, the guardians can make the amount up to 51s. 6d. per week, or an approximate amount according to circumstances, but if a person under similar circumstances earns the same amount in five days the guardians are precluded from giving assistance; and will he consider taking steps to obviate distress in these cases?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The legality of relief does not depend upon the number of days worked, but upon the destitution of the applicant.

May I draw the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the statement made by the local representative when the matter was investigated?

The local representative of whom?

The local authority.

I do not know to what statement the hon. Gentleman refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any information as to the fate of George Dawson, a B special constable, who, while acting as temporary fireman, was taken off a Great Northern Railway engine at Monaghan on the 17th June last by men belonging to the Irish Republican Army and conveyed to an unknown destination; whether he is aware that when the train from Armagh to Castleblaney reached Creighan Row, in the Free State, on Monday last another fireman, named Thomas Baxter, was similarly kidnapped: and that, in con- sequence, trains on this line cannot cross the border; and whether he will urge the Provisional Government to procure the immediate release of these men?

I am at present in communication with the Provisional Government with regard to these and other cases of kidnapping in the border counties and am assured that every effort is being made to trace and secure the immediate release of all persons held in illegal custody.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still holding the Pettigo prisoners as hostages for the safe release of these various men who have been kidnapped by the Free State?

I have never admitted that they were being held as hostages. They are being held.

If they are not being held as hostages, why is the right hon. Gentleman keeping them?

I am keeping them because I hope that their release will synchronise with the release of other persons.

Have any of the Ulster specials who were kidnapped at Belcoo been released yet?

I think that some of the Belcoo people have been released.

Not the specials?

No. There are 18 or 19 cases about which I am inquiring.

Has any time limit been fixed for the definite cessation of these outrages, because so far we have had nothing but inquiries being made from the Provisional Government and nothing has been done?

I do not think that my hon. and gallant Friend should say That "nothing has been done." As far as I am informed the Irish national troops are taking one town after another, and chasing away the irregulars, and endeavouring to re-establish order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the High Commissioner of Canada, as representing the Dominion, has been consulted with reference to the lifting of the Canadian cattle embargo?

The High Commissioner for Canada has on several occasions represented to the Minister of Agriculture and myself the views of the Canadian Government.

May I ask what are those views?

I was not aware that there was any doubt as to the views of the Canadian Government.

In view of the very-different statements made on this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman compile a Black Book?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take an opportunity in Debate of expressing those views?

I should certainly contribute my views as representing the. Colonial Office. To-day the House is in possession of the Canadian aspect.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether the Civil Aviation Advisory Committee has yet considered the question of a London to India service with heavier-than-air craft; when this Report will be published; whether he will take steps to see that this Report is available to Members of this House before the Burney airship scheme to India is approved or submitted to this House;

With regard to the first question, the question of the practicability of an Imperial Mail Service to India, operated by heavier-than-air craft, has been, and still is, under consideration by the Civil Aviation Advisory Board, and I am expecting to receive their report at an early date. I intend to publish the report as a White Paper, and I hope to be able to issue it before the House rises. As regards the second question, the Burney Airship Scheme has received the full consideration of the Air Ministry. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 18th May, the Ministry considered that from a technical point of. view the scheme was a notable advance on previous proposals of this kind, and that it offered a reasonable prospect of satisfactory operation between India and this country. Commander Burney's proposals were then referred to the Committee of Imperial Defence for consideration. As the Committee have not yet given their decision, I do not think it would be proper for me to make any further statement on the matter at present. In answer to the third part of the question, I would prefer to await the publication of the Report of the Civil Aviation Advisory Board before attempting to compare the relative advantages of these two aerial transport schemes. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the negative; to the fifth, in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many firms are at present engaged, either wholly or partly, in the construction of aircraft and engines; how many of these have intimated that they will have to close down unless some work can be given to them; and whether he can state what limitations or conditions, if any, are imposed by his Department upon firms engaged upon the construction of aircraft and engines for the Royal Air Force when tested, accepted, or rejected, respectively?

The answer to the first question is that 18 firms are engaged in the construction of aircraft; as regards engines, four major firms are engaged in the construction of engines, whilst four other firms are engaged to a lesser degree; to the second, that, for the reasons stated in my reply to my Noble and gallant Friend on the 6th instant, general representations have been made that the firms referred to may have to close down the departments devoted to such construction unless they receive orders sufficient to keep their staffs employed. In reply to the last part of the question, I am not clear what limitations or conditions my Noble and gallant Friend has in mind, but I shall be pleased to send him copies of the conditions of contract applicable to aircraft and engines ordered by the Air Ministry, if he so desires.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that general representations have been made? Docs that mean from the entire industry, practically?

From deputations representing the industry.

What action is the Air Ministry or the Government taking on those representations? Do they realise the seriousness of this question? Is anything being done?

The Ministry is fully aware of the seriousness of the position-If they have not the money they cannot give the orders.

Is this being represented to the Cabinet? If not, my right hon. Friend (Captain Guest) ought to be in the Cabinet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the attention of his Department has been called to the increases in the retail prices of milk and eggs; to what cause, or causes, such increases are attributable; whether they are general; and whether, seeing that normally both these commodities are cheaper in summer than in winter, he can inquire into the matter?

I am aware that retail prices of milk and eggs have recently increased. In the case of milk, the general increase is, I understand, a penny a quart, and is due to the increased prices recently agreed to be paid to producers in order to cover the cost of production. I would remind the hon. Member that the price of this commodity fell very heavily in April. The price of eggs normally falls in the spring, when supplies become more abundant, and commences to rise again in May or June, when supplies begin to fall off. Prices both of milk and eggs are at present much below what they were last summer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the price of milk is partly due to the increase in the cost of production, which, in turn, is due to the operation of summer time?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain districts the price of milk has never fallen below eightpence a quart to the consumer?

I am not aware of that. The average price was fivepence from April. It is now up to sixpence.

I have never paid less than eightpence a quart.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when it is proposed that the State apartments at Kensington shall be reopened to the public?

There is no proposal at present to reopen the State apartments at Kensington Palace.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why these apartments, which were so long open, and are of great interest to the public, are still kept closed?

I do not think the demand for opening them would justify the expenditure.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, when they were open, they were crowded by the public? Why are they kept closed?

The cost of maintenance and cleaning would not be covered by the cost of admission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he is aware that part of the issued capital of the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company, Limited, consists of 27,050 ordinary (recently renamed deferred) shares, fully paid, of one shilling each; that for the year 1921 the wages of the employés were reduced, the charges for current supplied to consumers were maintained at the maximum permitted, and the dividends on the ordinary shares were the highest ever paid, being at the rate of more than 1,150 per cent., less tax; and, seeing that the company is a public utility company with a monopoly, will he cause representations to be made to the company that, in the public interest, the payment of such dividends is to be strongly deprecated and that the question of the reduction of charges should be seriously considered?

I have looked carefully into the financial arrangements of the company mentioned in the question. The deferred shares represent less than half of 1 per cent. of the total share and loan capital, and are held in conjunction with the preferred shares, and the dividend paid on them taken alone is no true index of the return to the investor. The company has, however, had a successful year's trading, and, I am informed, made a reduction in their charges as from 30th June last of 6½ per cent. for lighting and 12 per cent. for power. They propose to consider the question of a further reduction as soon as the results for the current year are known. The Minister has not made any Order in respect of the charging powers of this company, nor has any representation been received from persons or authorities on this subject.

Has the Ministry the power to vary the maximum price charged to the public?

On proper representations being made under Section 32 of the Electric Lighting Act, 1909, which, I think, will be amended by the Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his Department has compiled, or is compiling, a list of the main roads of the country which need entire re-construction to carry modern heavy motor traffic; whether the scheduling of such roads is left solely to the local authorities; and whether the Minister of Transport has any powers to expedite action in this direction?

Although no such lists as mentioned in my hon. Friend's question has been prepared, the Ministry through its divisional road engineers is kept fully informed as to the main roads calling for special treatment and by contributions from the road fund, local authorities are enabled to expedite the work.

Could not this information be equally well got from the various county surveyors and engineers?

No, certainly not. The position is that our road engineers are working in closest co-operation with the county engineers, and I am satisfied that very great public economies are effected.

Surely the county engineer is a very competent officer?

I have not in the least thrown any doubt upon the competency of the county engineers, but the Government is making grants, and in respect of those grants there are conferences being held which, I am satisfied, will lead to economies.

Has the Ministry of Transport any power to take action against local authorities which do not reconstruct the roads of their districts?

No; we have no legal powers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, under the Circular of l5th June offering assistance to local authorities in connection with road work, complete reconstruction of existing roads to carry modern motor traffic is barred from participation; and whether, since the circumstances are particularly favourable for such work to be taken in hand and large scale operations of this nature would revive employment both for firms supplying the material and also for those actually carrying out the undertaking, this Circular can be reconsidered?

Schemes for the reconstruction of existing roads do not, generally speaking, lend themselves to the employment of large numbers of unskilled men, and, therefore, no particular mention is made of this class of work in the Circular of 15th June, in which highway authorities were invited to submit schemes which could be initiated with a view to relieving unemployment. The Minister is, however, rendering assistance towards the reconstruction of existing I and II Class roads under the terms of Circular No. 150, issued on 22nd May last, while roads not so classified will, within the limits of the funds available, be assisted under the terms of Circular No. 158, issued on 22nd June last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the exports from Great Britain during the first half of the present calendar year of raw and partly manufactured steel, of special steels, and of

The answer involves a tabular statement, which, with the permission of the House, I will have printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when and in what form he will give the House the information relating to employment in the industries manufacturing the goods to which it is proposed to apply Orders under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

As the hon. and gallant Member has previously been informed, all available information on this matter is contained in the published Reports of the Committees.

Do we understand that ex parte statements made before a Committee, without cross-examination and not on oath, are now to be regarded as the official figures relating to the industries?

No. I do not think that follows at all.

Did not the hon. Gentleman say that the only official figures are those contained in the Report, and are they not arrived at in the way described?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has already been told twice that all the information as to numbers employed in the industries concerned available at the Board of Trade was placed at the disposal of the Committee of Inquiry.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Trade promised to give us the information? Will he do so, and when?

No. If my hon. and gallant Friend will refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, he will see that my right hon. Friend said on 3rd July that he would be only too pleased to give the figures if he had them, but he had not got them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when he laid the Orders under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act before Parliament, he was satisfied that the goods referred to are being sold under the conditions defined in Section 2 of the Act, or merely that they had been sold under such conditions?

My right hon. Friend was satisfied that the necessary conditions precedent to an Order, as laid down in Sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) of Section 2 of the Act, were fulfilled.

Is the President of the Board of Trade satisfied that the conditions exist to-day, or is ho only satisfied that they existed last year?

What the Act requires is that the President of the Board of Trade should be satisfied that the conditions of the Act have been fulfilled.

Is it not six months since the inquiry took place and have the conditions not changed materially in that time?

That is a matter which might be usefully raised in Debate.

Has any inquiry been made to see if conditions have changed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that claims arising out of the sinking of the "Lusitania" seven years ago are still unsettled; whether a large: and expensive staff is kept at Cornwall House, Stamford Street, for dealing with such claims; and what is the total cost there of per annum?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The claims referred to in the question fall within the Reparation Part of the Treaty of Versailles and are being submitted with reparation claims generally by the Reparation Claims Department to the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action. It is not possible to separate the cost of this particular work from the other functions of the Reparation Claims Department. The total present cost of the whole Department is at the rate of £40,000 per annum.

asked the Prime Minister whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the recent heavy fall in the value of the German mark; whether he is aware of the difficulties caused by this fluctuation in exchange to British merchants and traders; whether His Majesty's Government are watching the situation with a view to taking some action; and what action they propose?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, I am not in a position to make any statement as regards the remainder.

Have any instructions been given to Sir John Bradbury, our representative on the Reparation Commission, in view of this grave crisis?

The Reparation Commission, of which Sir John Bradbury is a member, is constantly in touch with the situation and, being the British representative, he is constantly in touch with His Majesty's Government.

Have any instructions been given to Sir John Bradbury, and, if so, in what sense?

I think it would be particularly ill-advised to disclose what is going on in this very delicate matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether the Government contemplate any statement on this subject either immediately or in the near future, and, if so, when?

As soon as developments have taken place, the Government will be anxious to give the House complete information, but I daresay my Noble Friend realises that at present that could not possibly be done.

Is His Majesty's Government in constant communication with the French Government in the matter?

Of course they are constantly in touch with the French Government.

On this matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fall in the mark, the Powers are reconsidering the reparations to be expected from ex-enemies, such as Germany and Hungary?

I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Reparation Commission was set up in accordance with the various Treaties of Peace for the purpose of continuous consideration of reparation questions. The matters referred to in the question are receiving the attention of the Reparation Commission as well as of the Governments concerned.

Is there any truth in the newspaper suggestion that M. Poincaré is coming over here at an early date to discuss this, or is it only a feeler put out by the French Press?

As far as I know there is no suggestion that M. Poincare should be here in connection with this particular matter. If my hon. and gallant Friend will remember, certain arrangements were made that a discussion would take place at the end of this month when M. Poincare was here. There has been no alteration in this arrangement. On the other hand, I should not like it to be inferred that what appears in the Press is necessarily a feeler put forward by the French Government.

Are the Government going to rest content with the simple activities of the Reparation Commission; and do not recent events show that we shall have to do something more?

Of course, His Majesty's Government is constantly dealing with this matter, and it is not merely being left to the Reparation Commission by any means, but necessarily the Commission is the chief source from which information is obtained, and the advice which it gives is of very great importance.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to appoint a Minister plenipotentiary to represent Canada at Washington; and, if so, will he define the duties and powers of the Canadian Minister and the position that he will occupy vis-a-vis His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador?

The arrangements proposed in connection with the appointment of a Canadian Minister at Washington were explained in a statement made on the 10th May, 1920, by my right hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow Central, when he was Leader of the House. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to this statement in connection with the latter part of his question. As regards the first part, His Majesty's Government have received no recent intimation of the wishes of the Canadian Government.

Is it not the case that no discussion took place upon that statement in 1920, and in view of the fact that this is a far-reaching constitutional change, will the House be given an opportunity of discussing it before it is completed?

The House did not seek an opportunity for discussion of the matter at the time when the announcement was made in 1920, or did not insist upon such an opportunity. As far as I am aware this matter has made no progress since in any way. We have received no intimation of the wishes of the Canadian Government since. There is, therefore, clearly no case for further discussion now.

Is it not the case that I myself called attention to this in the Debate in 1920 and got no reply from the Front Bench?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British coal is being sold to Germany for payment to the French Government as reparation coal: can he say how much British coal has been so sold during the present year; and what have been the total exports of coal to France and Germany, respectively, from the beginning of this year to date?

I have no information that British coal sold to Germany is being transferred to France as reparation coal. The exports of British coal to France and Germany during the first six months of this year were 6,616,992 tons and 2,822,655 tons respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the inequality of treatment of teachers serving under different local education authorities owing to the fact that in certain areas the Burnham scales have been put in force and in others repudiated, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to ensure that teachers in all parts of the country receive the appropriate rates of remuneration to which they are entitled?

I understand the hon. Member to suggest that the local education authorities should be placed under a statutory obligation to pay their teachers on the scales allocated to their areas by the Burnham Committee. My right hon. Friend is afraid that he does not see his way to adopt that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of per sons employed in London in connection with the work of the British War Graves Commission: what their total remuneration is; and how many of these are in receipt of salaries over £1,000 a year?

The number of persons employed in London by the Imperial War Graves Commission is 8. The answer to the second part of the question is £118,944 per annum; and to the third part, is four.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to disinter the bodies of British soldiers buried in Italian churchyards; and, if so, whether, before this expense is incurred, in each case he will take steps to ascertain whether it is in accordance with the wishes of the relatives of the fallen soldiers?

The Imperial War Graves Commission have no intention of disinterring the remains of British soldiers in Italian churchyards, except in a few cases where the sites of the original graves are not procurable in perpetuity. Free perpetual concessions in the place of original burial in more than half the Italian churchyards containing British War Graves have already been granted by resolution of the various Italian municipal councils, and the Commission confidently expect similar free grants for the majority of the remainder.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the pay per month, including allowances, now and in 1918, of a Second Lieutenant in a line regiment; and what is the average age at which a commission is granted to a Second Lieutenant?

The present daily rates of pay and allowances of a Second Lieutenant on appointment are: Pay, 13s.; ration allowance, 1s. l1d.; lodging allowance, 2s.; fuel and light allowance, l1d. Making a monthly total of £27 12s. l0d. In 1913, the rates were: Pay, 5s. 3d.; mess allowance 10s. a month; loading allowance, 2s.; fuel and light allowance, 5d. Making a monthly total of £12 7s. 8d. The average age at which a first commission as Second Lieutenant is given is 19 years.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the monthly pay of a full colonel of the line now and in 1913, including the allowances usually drawn in Home service and in command; and what is approximately the average retiring pension paid to such colonels at about the age of 55?

The pay of a full colonel depends on the appointment he holds, but when no special rate is fixed the present daily rates of pay and allowances are as follows: Pay £2 15s., ration allowance 1s. l1d., servant allowance 2s., lodging allowance 5s. 6d., fuel and light allowance (if married) 5s. 2d. (if unmarried) 3s. 6d., furniture allowance (if married) 2s., making a monthly total of £110 19s. 1d. for the married officer and £105 5s. 5d. for the unmarried officer. In 1913 the pay was consolidated, namely, £650 a year (£54 3s. 4d. a month) with quarters, or £750 a year (£62 10s. a month) without quarters. The average pension of a full colonel retiring at 55 is £795 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has made his inquiries as to the proposal to set aside any part of the Whitesand Bay, near Plymouth, for gun practice; and whether he has considered the serious effect any such action would have upon the fisher men of Looe, Polperro and Cawsand?

Yes, Sir; I have made inquiries and have ascertained that there is no present intention of carrying out regular gun practice at Whitesand Bay. A few rounds only will be fired at intervals of years for testing purposes, and I have no reason to suppose that the interests of the fishermen will suffer. There have always been guns in the bay and they were fired from time to time before the War.

asked the Post master-General whether, in issuing licences for wireless broadcasting apparatus, he proposes to make any stipulation as to the country of manufacture of the apparatus employed?

The conditions on which wireless broadcasting licences will be issued have not yet been settled. I hope to make a statement on the subject soon, and I will then deal with the point raised by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience to the general public, and especially to those engaged in commerce, by the non-delivery by the first daily post of communications bearing a halfpenny stamp; and whether he will take steps to obviate the present unsatisfactory practice?