Sitting of 15 March 1920

OFFICIAL REPORT.
The House met at a Quarter before Three of the Clock. Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
City of Dublin Steam Packet Company Bill [Lords],
Colonial and Foreign Banks Guarantee Corporation (Transfer) Bill [Lords],
Henry Bath and Son's (Delivery Warrants) Act, 1890, Amendment Bill [Lords],
Read a second time, and committed.
Wrexham District Tramways Bill (by Order),
Second Heading deferred till Thursday.

NEW WRIT.
For County of Hants (Basingstoke Division), in the room of the Right Hon. Sir Auckland Campbell Geddes, K.C.B. (Manor of Northstead).—[Lord Edmund Talbot.]
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.
  COAL PRODUCTION.

    STATISTICS (COST AT PIT MOUTH).
    Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the average cost of coal at the pit mouth for the year 1919, showing the amount attributable to labour, materials, and other costs, and owners' profits and royalties, comparing these costs with the year 1913, as given in evidence before the Coal Commission?
    The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. Bridgeman): I regret that sufficient material is not yet available to enable me to answer this question. However, it is anticipated that by the end of this month a sufficient
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    number of returns for the December quarter will have been received by the Coal Mines Department from colliery owners to enable provisional figures for the year 1919 to be furnished.
    Mr. LAMBERT: Before Easter?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I said by the end of this month, which is before Easter.

    COKE EXPORTS.
    Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the high prices which are now being paid for gas coke and foundry coke for export, he will inform the House of the total export of coke during February; the average price per ton; the average amount of coal required to produce 1 ton of coke; and the average price of such coal per ton to the producer of coke?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: During February 80,320 tons of gas coke and 149,914 tons of coke of other sorts were exported, and the average value per ton f.o.b. was £4 13s. 9d. for gas coke and £5 0s. 6d for other sorts of coke. The average amount of coal required to produce 1 ton of coke is not precisely known, but it is usually assumed that 5 tons of coal are consumed for every three tons of coke made. The average price of coal used either for coke or gas making in this country cannot be stated.

    TORQUAY (SEA AND RAIL-BOUNE SUPPLIES).
    Colonel BURNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the cost of sea-borne Durham coal delivered at Torquay is 65s. per ton as compared with 45s. for rail-borne coal; and will he take steps to remove this embargo, which has to be met by consumers of gas, electricity, and coal, &c., by reverting to transport by rail?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend calls attention, but I regret that it is not possible at present to alter the arrangements under which, in order to relieve the congestion on the railways, a considerable quantity of coal must be conveyed by sea.
    Colonel BURN: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many complaints not only about shortage of quantity, but also of quality, and that the coal they are receiving is not fit for anything?
    Mr. SPEAKER: That raises another topic.
    Mr. HOUSTON: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the price of bunker coal at Devonshire ports is £7 6s. 6d. per ton?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I know it is very high.

    BRIGHTON AND HOVE (SUPPLIES).
    Mr. THOMAS-STANFORDasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the amount of coal supplied to the towns of Brighton and Hove has for some weeks been quite inadequate to the needs of the population; that the present supply in the town is only sufficient to last for one day; whether he will give instructions to the Coal Controller to take prompt measures to forward an adequate quantity of coal to relieve the present situation, and will also release the wagons belonging to local coal merchants which have been taken over by the Controller;
    (2) whether he is aware that, owing to the short supply of coal to the town, the electricity undertaking of the Hove Corporation is carrying on the supply of electricity for domestic and industrial purposes only with the utmost difficulty and that there is a considerable risk of a complete failure of its operations; whether he is aware that the coal from the colliery which usually supplies this undertaking has been diverted elsewhere and that not a single truck has reached Hove since 28th February; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that the requirements of the district are reasonably met?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The difficulties which have existed at Brighton have been largely due to congestion on the railways. As regards household coal, I am informed that at present the stocks held by merchants and the local authority amount to about a week's supplies and arrangements have been made for additional quantities of coal to be sent into Brighton and Hove by sea, while a special consignment has been forwarded to the electricity works. The wagons recently requisitioned are now being returned to the local merchants.

    HOUSEHOLD COAL (ALLOCATION).
    Mr. WATERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if any scheme
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    has been formulated to ameliorate the difficulties as to the allocation and distribution of household coal, and whether there is any possibility of re-allocation of supplies where at present they are inadequate to meet the required needs of the people?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: A scheme is in force for the supply and distribution of household coal, and in any cases where deliveries are temporarily delayed for any reason, steps are taken to send forward emergency supplies.

    INDUSTRIAL COAL (PRICE).
    Mr. WATERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the price of industrial coal will be reduced?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: No, Sir.

    BUNKER COAL (TRAWLERS).
    Mr. ROYCEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a fleet of upwards of 60 steam trawlers belonging to Dutch ports are daily landing their catches at English ports and are getting supplies of coal for bunkers, while some of our own steam trawlers are laid up owing to lack of coal; and whether the Coal Controller will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: My attention has recently been called to the case of the Dutch steam fishing trawlers at Grimsby, and as a result of careful inquiries made by the Coal Mines Department it was found that Dutch vessels receive no preference in the matter of coal supplies. I have no reason to believe that the position is not the same at other fishing ports.
    Mr. ROYCE: Does the hon. Gentleman realise that preference is not the point; the question is whether they should receive any coal while British trawlers are lying idle for want of coal?
    Mr. ROYCEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the diversion of supplies, several steam fishing vessels belonging to the Boston fishing fleet are laid up in dock for want of coal; that the consequent dislocation renders the stoppage of the whole fleet imminent; and whether the Coal Controller will take steps to furnish immediately the necessary supplies of coal and so prevent the further unemployment and loss that will result from such a stoppage?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: No instructions which would have the effect of diverting coal supplies from Boston have been issued by the Coal Mines Department. I understand that the Coal Controller has met a deputation introduced by the hon. Member and that the misapprehension which existed locally on this subject has been cleared up.
    Mr. ROYCE: Does the hon. Gentleman realise that, misapprehension notwithstanding, the coal was not forthcoming and the trawlers were laid up?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I am very sorry to hear that, but I shall be very glad if the hon. Gentleman will speak to me about it, and I will do what I can.
    Mr. ROYCE: I hope the hon. Gentleman does not forget that on the 2nd March I approached him on the same subject?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: Yes, but I hope my hon. Friend will not forget that I have been doing all I can since then to try and get it put right.

    CONTROL (COST).
    Mr. RODGERasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if the Estimates on which the 6s. increase and the 10s. decrease in the price of coal were based included a sum to cover the cost of control; and, if so, will he take care that the sum so included or such sum as may be necessary for the purpose is credited to control expenses before the surplus profit for distribution is arrived at?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The Estimates referred to by my hon. Friend were based on the assumption that the cost of control would be met out of the profits of the coal mining industry and not out of public funds. Clause 7 (3) of the Coal Mines (Emergency) Bill, as amended in Committee gives effect to this intention by providing that the cost of control shall be debited to the Controller's account, and it will thus constitute a charge against the share of the anticipated surplus which will inure to that account.

    DYE INDUSTRY.
    Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that the goodwill and patents of the
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    British Dyes, Limited, and Levensteins, Limited, has been valued at £980,044, he will say whether this value depends upon the continued assistance of the Government being given to this industry; if so, whether this value should have gone to the State giving the assistance; and, if not, why assistance should be given to companies whose goodwill and patents are declared to be of the value stated above?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The value of the goodwill and patents of any industrial undertaking necessarily depends largely upon the amount of capital available for carrying on its operations. In this particular case it is not considered that the State is entitled to share in the value of the goodwill and patents, except in proportion to its participation in the whole subscribed capital of the company. The general reasons for State aid in this case have been fully stated on several occasions in this House.

  MESSRS. COATS AND COMPANY.
  Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade if Messrs. Coats and Company had any works in Russia prior to the War; if he can say whether possession of these works has been taken by or on behalf of the Soviet Government; if Messrs. Coats and Company have received any payment from the Soviet Government and if they have made any complaint as to the action of that Government; and, if so, what has been the ground of their complaint?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I understand that the firm in question have interests in certain Russian companies, and that works and other property with which they are concerned have been sequestrated by the Soviet Government without payment of compensation. Messrs Coats have lodged complaints against such action.
  Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the great interest felt in the question, he can expedite the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the price of Messrs. Coats's cotton?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: A superficial or hurried investigation is likely to do more harm than good, and I do not therefore see my way to press the Committee, who are fully aware of the interest felt in the question.
  Sir J. BUTCHER: Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Committee, in making their report, to reply to the statements recently made by Messrs Coats in alleged justification of their high prices?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I have no doubt they will take that into consideration.

  MERCHANT SHIP CONSTRUCTION.
  Mr. CHADWICKasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to a public speech made in Liverpool on the 3rd instant by Captain Young, the professional Member of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, on the occasion of the annual shipmasters' dinner at which this officer was one of the two principal guests; whether the statement of Captain Young that the origin of the straight stem was the desire to reduce the cost of construction without the slightest regard for humanity represents the view of the Department; and whether statistics exist which confirm Captain Young's statement that the straight stem had been the cause of greater loss of life than even submarine warfare?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: Captain Young has explained to me that his remarks, which express his personal opinion only, were not intended to be reported. I am afraid there are no statistics available which bear directly on the point referred to in the third part of the question.
  Mr. CHADWICK: Can the hon. Gentleman tell me if the opinion expressed by this high official of the Board of Trade represents the opinion of his Department?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I have just said that it is his personal expression of opinion only. There is, of course, a great deal of difference of opinion on this point, and it is really one which can only be settled by expert naval architects.
  Mr. CHADWICK: This statement was made publicly by a very high official of the Board of Trade, and as it is one which affects the main key industry of this country very closely, am I not justified in asking if this opinion is the opinion of the Department?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I have replied that it is only Captain Young's personal opinion. I have already said he was not
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  aware he was being reported. He was only expressing his personal opinion, which is not necessarily that of the Board of Trade.
  Mr. HOUSTON: Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this is an outrageous libel on the naval architects, shipbuilders, and shipowners of this country, and should not the Board of Trade express an opinion on it?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: Captain Young has expressed his regret at using unguarded language.
  Mr. CHADWICKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is a fact that in the large majority of collisions during the last few minutes before impact both ships with helm and propeller are tending to sheer from each other, and that there is seldom direct impact with the stem of either ship; and has he any statistics which will show the percentage of cases in which the stem of one ship has been known to cut another ship to the water-line and where such damage would not have been inflicted if such stem had receded 15 degrees from the vertical?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The statistics of collisions are not sufficiently detailed to show the angles at which collisions occur, or the precise nature of the damage done by the blow.
  Mr. CHADWICKasked the President of the Board of Trade if the Marine Department of the Board of Trade has any powers regulating merchant ship construction where such construction is likely to endanger life at sea?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: There is no power to prescribe the form of the stem of a ship, which I presume is the point that the hon. Member has in mind.

  LOSS OF S.S. "TREVEAL."
  Commander Viscount CURZONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the inquiry into the loss of the ss. "Treveal" has yet been concluded; and, if so, whether the findings will be promulgated?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The Inquiry referred to has not yet been held. The Report of the Court will, as usual, be published.
  Viscount CURZON: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I was informed an inquiry was being held?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I was not aware of that. I know there has been some delay, and there has been some difficulty in connection with the matter.

  PROFITEERING ACT.
  Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state who are the members of the Central Profiteering Committee, and on what principle and by what method they were selected?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: As the number of members of the Central Committee is very large, I am sending to my hon. Friend a list of their names. The Committee were appointed by the Board of Trade after inviting the Associated Chambers of Commerce, Associations of Employers, Representatives of the Cooperative movement, and Representatives of Employees, including Trade Unions, to suggest the names of persons suitable for appointment as members of the Committee.
  Mr. HURD: Would it be possible for the hon. Gentleman to give the proportion of the various representatives?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: There are over one hundred and fifty of them, and I cannot work it out in my head, but I will try and find out if the hon. Gentleman wishes.
  Mr. PEMBERTON BILLING: Is his Department satisfied with the administration of the Profiteering Act, having regard to the enormous increase in prices throughout London and the country generally, and is it proposed to take any action?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: That is a very big Question affecting the success or failure of the Profiteering Act, and I do not think it is one that can be dealt with by Question and Answer across the floor.
  Mr. BILLING: Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to represent to this Committee that their attitude should be a little more severe in the interests of justice?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I think justice is most important.
  Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of the staff employed on the Profiteering Act branch of the Board of Trade; what has been the expenditure to date; and what is the estimated expenditure for the coming financial year?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: A staff of 48 is employed by the Board of Trade in the administration of the Profiteering Act, in addition to which the Central Committee employ a staff of 92. The expenditure of the Board of Trade to the 29th February last was approximately £15,000. This figure includes the expenses of the Central Committee and 109 Appeal Tribunals, but does not include the cost of housing and lighting of the Profiteering Act Department or the Central Committee, or of stationery and printing. Provision has been made in the Estimates for 1920–21 to be presented to Parliament of £35,000, on the basis of the duration of the Act at present in force.
  Mr. W. R. SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade when a Bill to make the Profiteering Act more effective is to be introduced?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I am at present unable to make any statement on this matter.
  Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Is the hon. Member correct in describing the Act as "effective"?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: Yes, I think so.
  Mr. WILLIAM CARTERasked the President of the Board of Trade what number of complaints relating to wholesale dealers have been lodged with the Central Committee under the Profiteering Acts; how many of these have been dealt with; in how many cases the profit shown has been declared unreasonable; and what is the amount of fines imposed in respect of wholesale transactions?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: One hundred and sixty-nine complaints of alleged profiteering by wholesale traders have been lodged with the Central Committee by retailers. One hundred and sixty-one of these cases have been determined; the profits sought or made being held to be unreasonable in

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  seven cases. No wholesalers have been convicted of profiteering and fined by the Justices.
  Mr. DAWESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made in his Department by profiteering committees urging that they should have power to inquire into cases of alleged profiteering by wholesalers; and whether it is the intention of the Government to give effect to such representations?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: Resolutions have been received from between thirty and forty local committees urging that they should be empowered to inquire into cases of alleged profiteering by wholesalers. It is not proposed to adopt this suggestion, partly because wholesale trade which extends over the whole country, can only be examined satisfactorily by a central body; partly because local committees have not at their disposal the skilled technical staff required to conduct these complicated investigations; and partly because of the inconvenience, expense and interference with business which would be caused if wholesale traders or manufacturers were liable to be called upon to appear before any one or all of the nineteen hundred local committees.
  Mr. DAWESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to three cases of alleged profiteering by wholesalers which were referred to his Department by the Southwark Profiteering Committee on the 13th November, 1919, 17th December, 1919, and 19th December, 1919, respectively, and inquiry into which cases was promised by the Department, but of which nothing has been heard since; and whether the cases have been inquired into and with what result?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I am afraid my hon. Friend has been misinformed. Three cases of alleged profiteering on the part of the wholesaler have been referred to the Board of Trade by the Southwark local committee, namely, on the 13th November a case relating to the sale of certain lamp glasses; and on the 19th December a case relating to Sunlight soap and a case relating to coffee. All three cases were referred to the central committee for investigation. The case
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  of Sunlight soap is being investigated by the sub-committee at present investigating soap. The investigations into the price of the lamp glasses and the coffee have not yet been completed, and the Southwark committee were so informed as recently as the 3rd and 4th March.

  GAS MANTLES.
  Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make any statement in connection with the incandescent mantle industry and the un-fettered importation of German and other foreign gas mantles into this country, and the relation of such importation to existing manufacturers in this country?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The importation of incandescent gas mantles was prohibited, except under licence, until the date of the judgment of Mr. Justice Sankey in the case of the Attorney-General v. Brown. As to the immediate effect of that judgment, I can add nothing to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in this House on the 18th December. Since the suspension of the prohibition, the total value of the imports of gas mantles to the end of February was approximately £26,000, of which about £5,000 represented the value of goods consigned directly from Germany. Inasmuch as the value of the exports of gas mantles from Germany to this country in 1913 was approximately £250,000, it is evident that the competition from German sources with United Kingdom manufacturers is not at present serious.

  NAVY AND ARMY CANTEEN BOARD.
  Brigadier-General COLVINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the establishment by the Navy and Army Canteen Board of retail shops in certain districts; and whether he can say if these shops compete fairly with civilian tradesmen in the matter of Income Tax, rents, rates, and taxes?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I have been asked to reply to this question on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office, to whom it should

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  have been addressed in the first instance. Generally speaking, the trading of the Navy and Army Canteen Board has been confined to stores situated on War Department property. During the War, however, shops were set up by the Board in certain towns; these establishments were in the nature of a war-time measure, and are being closed.

  NAVY AND ARMY CANTEEN BOARD.

    S.S. "DUFFERIN."
    Major MACKENZIE WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the steamship "Dufferin," which sailed recently from Southampton to Bombay, was in an insanitary and crowded condition; whether a serious outbreak of illness, affecting 500 persons, occurred on board; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
    The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher): The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The ship was thoroughly disinfected by the Clayton process before sailing, and the passengers were berthed on the lines adopted on passenger steamers sailing to India. In view of the shortage it is not possible to give passengers as much space as in normal conditions. I understand that a certain amount of sickness occurred during the latter part of the voyage. There is no reason for thinking that the outbreak was serious, but enquiry will be made of the Government of India.

  MERCHANDISE MARKS ACT.
  Mr. LENG-STURROCKasked the President of the Board of Trade when the; Report of the Commission inquiring into the operation of the Merchandise Marks Act will be laid upon the Table; and whether it is intended to deal legislatively with the commissioners' decisions during the present Session?
  Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The Merchandise Marks Committee, who are sitting under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for the Wells Division of Somerset, are still taking evidence, and I am given to understand that it will be at least two months before their Report is in my hands. In the circumstances it would be premature to give any forecast as to the date when any legislation based on the Report is likely to be introduced.

  HUNGARY.
  Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received any information as to the trial of former ministers of the late Soviet Government in Hungary on charges of murder and forgery: whether every member of the former Soviet Government is charged with murder in 200 cases, which is the number of persons said to have been killed or executed under the Soviet Government; whether they are charged with forgery for printing paper money; whether he is aware that some of these ministers only held purely technical and scientific posts and had no say in general policy; and whether His Majesty's Government will take any steps to save the lives of these men?
  The ADDITIONAL PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood): As stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on the 10th instant, enquiries have been made of His Majesty's High Commissioner at Budapest whose Report has not yet been received.
  Colonel WEDGWOOD: Has the hon. and gallant Member any idea when this report will be received, or can he make particular enquiries as to a particular friend of mine, Kalmar?
  Sir H. GREENWOOD: I must have notice of that question.
  Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is he not aware that this question has been on the Paper for over a fortnight, and surely we can have some idea as to when the reply will be received from Mr. Hohler as to this matter?
  Sir H. GREENWOOD: Mr. Hohler was asked by wire to send in a report. As soon as the report is available the facts contained in it, if a subsequent question is put down, could be stated, in the discretion of the Foreign Office. In the meantime I could not possibly promise to make enquiries about an unknown man, although he is a friend of the hon. and gallant Member.
  Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is the hon. Member aware that, although he may be unknown to him, he is very well known?
  Mr. SPEAKER: Cannot the hon. and gallant Member put a question down?
  Colonel WEDGWOOD: I beg to give notice that I will repeat the question on this day week.
  Sir J. D. REES: Did not the hon. and gallant Gentleman representing the Foreign Office inform me that the British Government had no concern with homicide in Hungary?

  FOOD SUPPLIES.

    SURPLUS STOCKS.
    Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether it would be possible to place surplus stocks of food upon the market, even if a loss is thereby incurred, with a view to reducing the cost of food?
    The PRIIVIE MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George): This is a question which would, I think, be more appropriately dealt with in Debate this afternoon.

    BREAD SUBSIDY.
    Mr. W. THORNEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that if the bread subsidy is reduced, and the price of flour advanced to 19s. 3d. per sack, it will mean the advancement of the price of the quartern loaf from 9½d. to over 1s., which will mean that thousands of families will have to pay 4s. at least extra for the bread per week; if he is aware that the workers will be compelled to petition to various employers of labour for an advance in wages equivalent to the extra cost of the bread; and if he will take action in the matter?
    The PRIME MINISTER: The considerations referred to in my hon. Friend's question were all taken fully into account before coming to the decision which I announced last week.
    Mr. SWANasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, when the question of reducing the bread subsidy was being considered, account was taken of the fact that according to the figures published by the Board of Inland Re-venue the farmers' capital of the United Kingdom had increased during the period of the war by £290,000,000?
    The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy): I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.
    Mr. SWANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade what
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    effect the partial abolition of the bread subsidy will have on the average cost of living, as recorded in the "Labour Gazette"; and what corresponding increase it is proposed to make in the minimum wages fixed by the Trade Boards?
    Lieut.-Colonel GILMOUR: I have been asked to reply to this question. With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 11th March by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham, East. With regard to the latter part of the question, the variation of minimum rates of wages fixed under the Trade Board Acts is a matter within the discretion of the several Trade Boards, and any increase in the cost of living would doubtless be one of the factors to which the Boards would give consideration.

    HIGH PRICES.
    Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister if he has decided what further steps can be, and should be, taken by the Government in view of the high and increasing cost of living; and whether further action is being taken to make known the chief cause of such high prices, and of the extent of their range in the post-war period?
    The PRIME MINISTER: This subject is being discussed to-day, and can, I think, be better dealt with in Debate than in answer to a question.
    Sir J. D. REES: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that high prices are being artlessly attributed to the action of the Government, and docs he not think it is desirable that the saddle should be put on the right horse—that pains should be taken to that end?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I hope that will be the effect of the discussion this afternoon.

    TEA (EXPORT LICENCES).
    Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the conditions on which export licences are granted to tea merchants; whether licences are granted only for the same quantities and for the same countries as the merchant shipped in pre-war times; whether merchants can apply for export licences

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    for any country; and, if not, if he will state for what reason such restrictions are imposed?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The export of tea is permitted at the rate of 7,000,000 lbs. per month. Licences were originally granted to exporters based upon their average yearly export during the period 1913–1915, but as the quantity allowed was not fully taken up by exporters who had an export trade during the period named, licences are being granted freely up to the prescribed maximum to all applicants. Export licences are granted for all destinations with which trading is permitted.
    Captain WEDGWOOD BENN: Can the hon. Gentleman say under what power these export licences are granted?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I should like to have notice of that question.

  HOUSING.

    RENT RESTRICTION ACTS.
    Mr. LESLIE SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether the Government have considered the serious inequalities now being caused by the operation of the Rent Restriction Acts as between the owners of small houses who are unable to raise their rents to meet the increased cost of upkeep and the depreciation of money, while their tenants are able by sub-letting to profiteer with impunity at the owners' expense, and the owners of business premises who are, in many cases, demanding exorbitant and unjustifiable increases to the great injury of small traders and professional men; whether he has any statement as to the policy of the Government in regard to the competing claims of owners and tenants; and, if not, whether time will be allotted for a discussion of the whole Question?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I regret that I cannot add anything to previous answers on this subject. Until the Committee has reported, I think that a discussion would be premature.
    Mr. HOUSTON: Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of the description of the Committee and when it sits, because I have many applications to make?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I rather think the information has been given, but I will find out and let my hon. Friend know.

    TRADE UNION REGULATIONS.
    Mr. MYERSasked the Primo Minister where regulations of trade unions prevent the entry of workmen into the trade and industry with which the union is associated, the nature of such regulations and the unions involved, and the extent to which the regulations have retarded the development of the industry concerned?
    The PRIME MINISTER: It is not possible for me to give a detailed account of such regulations or their effect. The extent to which craft organisations have, on the one hand, stimulated, and, on the other, retarded industry, is a matter of opinion and the subject of controversy, and is not suitable for treatment by question and answer.
    Mr. W. R. SMITH: Did not the right hon. Gentleman make a definite charge against these organisations a few weeks ago. Surely there most be some data in existence to warrant such a statement being made?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I have to answer a question on that particular point later. We have got the data—certainly!—and are prepared to publish it.
    Mr. MYERSasked the Prime Minister whether his statement that the delay in the country's housing programme is due to the policy of the trade unions was based upon any statistical information; and, if so, will he publish the information in the Parliamentary Report?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I will circulate a statement compiled from the reports of local officers of the Ministry of Health, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds on the 11th March, and also a copy of the statement which was placed before the Building Resettlement Committee. It will be seen that there is a marked shortage of skilled labour available for housing schemes and other essential building work, and that it is particularly acute in the case of bricklayers, slaters, and plasterers. It is evident that the shortage cannot be made good unless the trade unions agree to a relaxation of their rules.
    The following are the Statements referred to:—

    ADDITIONAL LABOUR REQUIRED BY HOUSING CONTRACTORS.

    Regional area.

    Bricklayers.

    Carpenters and Joiners.

    Slaters and Tilers.

    Plasterers.

    Plumbers.

    Painters and Glaziers.

    NO. of Houses to which figures refer.

    A

    …

    …

    117

    41

    —

    4

    9

    —

    803

    B

    …

    …

    495

    131

    7

    3

    11

    8

    1,336

    C

    …

    …

    405

    128

    8

    3

    4

    10

    2,492

    D

    …

    …

    136

    43

    —

    8

    —

    —

    534

    E

    …

    …

    877

    432

    76

    61

    92

    229

    1,866

    F

    …

    …

    406

    133

    5

    25

    35

    24

    2,098

    G

    …

    …

    131

    71

    —

    30

    —

    12

    311

    H

    …

    …

    113

    41

    2

    29

    8

    11

    515

    K

    …

    …

    218

    40

    —

    —

    —

    —

    1,277

    L

    …

    …

    281

    203

    —

    30

    19

    16

    1,443

    M

    …

    …

    177

    81

    —

    —

    2

    —

    530

    Total

    …

    3,356

    1,344

    98

    193

    180

    310

    13,205

    Total Deficiencies

    …

    5,481

    March, 1920.

    Mr. MYERS: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that at the Ministry of Labour in relation to 40,000 unemployed, in connection with building construction, nearly 600 are bricklayers?
    The PRIME MINISTER dissented.
    Mr. MYERS: It is published in the "Labour Gazette."

  EAST INDIA ACCOUNTS.
  Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister if he will state when the East India Accounts will be considered?
  The PRIME MINISTER: Provision is being made in this year's Civil Service Estimates for the cost of the salaries of the Secretary of State for India and of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
  1788
  State and for a contribution towards the cost of the India Office. An opportunity for discussing Indian affairs will arise, therefore, not on the consideration of the East Indian Accounts, but of the Civil Service Estimates.

  PRE-WAR STATE PENSIONS.
  Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to give a reply to the Resolution passed by over 100 Members of Parliament and forwarded to him by the Chairman, that immediate action is required in order to relieve necessitous cases amongst pre-War State pensioners; and further, that the Government should appoint forthwith a Select Committee of this House for the purpose of considering the adjustment of pre-War State pensions in general, with a view of meeting as far

  1789
  as possible the increased cost of living, such Committee to report in sufficient time to enable the Government to take the necessary action before the House adjourns in August?
  The PRIME MINISTER: I cannot add anything to the full reply which I gave to questions on this subject on Thursday last.
  Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Will the right hon. Gentleman say, referring to the reply he gave on the date mentioned, whether the Committee set up by the Cabinet will call before them evidence from outside?
  The PRIME MINISTER: I should not like to prescribe the course which they will think wise to adopt, but I should have thought all the information is available and that it is really rather a question of judging on the facts.
  Mr. BILLING: Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to discriminate between the contributory pensions and the non-contributory pensions?
  The PRIME MINISTER: I have no doubt that will be considered.

  BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY (LIPPERT CONCESSION).
  Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether, as stated before Lord Cave's Commission, when the Lippert Concession was transferred to the Chartered Company, Mr. Lippert formally notified the High Commissioner in South Africa that it was agreed that in giving him this concession Lobengula had not parted with any of the land rights of the Matabele; and whether he can say why this material fact was not placed before the Judicial Committee of Special Reference?
  The UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut. - Colonel Amery): Yes, Sir; I have seen the letter referred to in which Mr. Lippert stated that King Lobengula claimed that he had not given up his sovereign rights over the land under the Lippert concession. If the hon. and gallant Member will look at the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council he will see that the Judicial Committee took the same view of the concession, and I think he may assume that the legal advisers of the
  1790
  Crown considered carefully what was the best method of laying their case before the Committee.
  Colonel WEDGWOOD: Yes, but were the judicial officers of the Crown aware of this letter referring to the Lippert concession which made it quite clear that the land rights were not transferred?
  Lieut.-Colonel AMERY: I think they were aware of the facts, and the actual document is a much more material element in the case than a letter containing the opinion of one person about another person's view.
  Colonel WEDGWOOD: But was it not Mr. Lippert himself who got the concession, and therefore was he not most likely to be aware of the terms of the concession?
  Mr. ROYCE: Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Mr. Lippert was very much annoyed afterwards with the Chartered Company, who took the business over, and did all he could to crab the deal?
  Lieut.-Colonel AMERY: Yes, it was in a letter expressing his annoyance that he made this incidental reference.

  PEACE TREATIES.

    WAR CRIMINALS (TRIAL).
    Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements have been made with Germany by the British and French Governments as to the law and principles which the Leipzig Court will administer and apply in the trial of Germans accused of War crimes; and whether there is any foundation for the statement that the Leipzig Court will refuse to find Germans guilty of War crimes in cases where the crimes complained of were committed in the interests of Germany in the course of the prosecution of the War?
    The PRIME MINISTER: In reply to the first part of the question, the arrangements with Germany for the trial of the Germans accused of War crimes are not yet complete, the legislation under which the trials are to take place having only just been passed in Germany. I have no reason to suppose that there is any foundation for the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.
    Sir J. BUTCHER: May we rest assured that this Leipzig trial will in no way prejudice the surrender of German War criminals for trial?
    The PRIME MINISTER: We have reserved all our rights in the Treaty meanwhile.
    Mr. BILLING: May I ask whether the present; crisis in Germany is likely to affect the matter?

    MANDATES IN ASIA AND AFRICA.
    Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister if he can indicate to what powers the mandates in Asia as well as those in Africa have been allocated, and by what instruments or conventions the allocation was made; and with what authority it rests to settle the terms of the mandates?
    The PRIME MINISTER: Under Article 22 of the Treaty of Versailles the following allocation of mandates was decided upon by the Supreme Council in Paris last summer:

    German East Africa

    Great Britain and Belgium.

    German South - West Africa.

    Union of South Africa.

    German Possessions in Pacific south of Equator, other than Samoa and Nauru.

    Commonwealth Australia.

    Nauru

    The British Empire.

    Samoa

    Dominion of New Zealand.

    German Islands north Japan, of the Equator
    The instruments defining the terms of these mandates are under the consideration of the Supreme Council.
    Lord ROBERT CECIL: May I ask whether it is a fact that, failing a decision by the Supreme Council before the Treaty was signed, the decision as to the terms of the mandates rests with the Council of the League?
    The PRIME MINISTER: Did my right hon. Friend say the mandate, or the terms of the mandate?
    Lord R. CECIL: The terms of the mandate.
    The PRIME MINISTER: I should not like to answer that without notice.
    Mr. ORMSBY-GORE: Why did the right hon. Gentleman make no reference to Togoland and the Cameroons in his reply? Are these mandates not yet allocated?
    The PRIME MINISTER: Yes, they are allocated, but the boundaries have not yet been defined. So far as Togoland is concerned, I think there is division between Great Britain and France.
    Lord R. CECIL: And part of the Cameroons?
    The PRIME MINISTER: And part of the Cameroons also.

  RUSSIA.

    RUSSIAN TRADE (SOVIET REPRESENTATIVES).
    Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether the Soviet Government of Russia has requested permission to send representatives to this country to discuss the opening up of Russian trade or whether His Majesty's Government has invited the Soviet Government to send such representatives; in either case what names have been submitted; what reply has been sent by His Majesty's Government; and what is the present attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of trade representatives abroad to act on behalf of the Soviet Government and to assist Russian trade with this country?
    The PRIME MINISTER: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Following upon the Allied declaration of January last, the Central Board of the co-operative organisations of Russia has requested permission to send representatives to this country to discuss the re-opening of Russian trade. The names submitted by the Russian cooperative organisations were: Krassin, Litvinoff, Nogin, Rosovski, Khintchouk. After consultation with its Allies, His Majesty's Government has stated that it is ready to receive in this country the delegates mentioned above, with the exception of M. Litvinoff, whom it cannot admit because on a previous occasion he took advantage of diplomatic privileges to engage in political propaganda in this country. It has also indicated that it

    1793
    would be ready to receive other prominent officials of the Russian co-operative societies as well as the experts and staff which the delegation would naturally require to accompany them, subject to its right in the case of individuals to refuse admission into Great Britain. It has further throughout made it clear that the representatives of the co-operative societies must confine themselves to commercial dealings, and no representative will be allowed to remain who attempts to engage in political propaganda. It has further indicated that it will be prepared to give all the facilities in its power both for the journey to England and for the unhindered return to Russia of the delegation and for the speedy and satisfactory transaction of business in this country.
    Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that M. Litvinoff is markedly pro-English in his attitude, and that there is a change in the situation since he was last here; and will this matter be reconsidered in our own interests?
    Colonel WEDGWOOD: Why has the right hon. Gentleman allowed the Foreign Office to overrule his better judgment so far as M. Litvinoff is concerned?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman he is quite wrong. This is not only the judgment of the Foreign Office, but it is also mine. M. Litvinoff has undoubtedly abused his privilege, and had the Ambassador of a friendly Power acted in the same way, and there was any attempt to send him back, we should have acted exactly the same.
    Lieut.-Colonel MALONE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British representatives, Captain Crombie and Mr. Lockhart, abused their privileges in Russia?
    HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."
    Lieut.-Colonel J. WARD: On a point of order. Is it in order for a retired officer to make an allegation against a dead officer who was murdered by the Soviet power while performing his duty for this State in Russia?
    Mr. SPEAKER: I feel sure that the hon. and gallant Gentleman, on reflection,
    1794
    will perceive that the statement which he made was a very improper one. May I point out that the difficulty arises through the fact of these supplementary questions being fired off without any proper reflection? Had the hon. and gallant Gentleman had time to reflect he would never have put that question.
    HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."
    Mr. SPEAKER: I have said what I have to say.
    Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Prime Minister whether the Supreme Council, when considering the declaration on economic conditions issued on 8th March, 1920, discussed the necessity of opening normal relations with the Russian Soviet Government and of an international loan to Germany; and on what grounds no reference to these matters was contained in the declaration as issued?
    The PRIME MINISTER: The declaration referred to contains the conclusions arrived at by the Supreme Council as a result of its discussions on every aspect of economic conditions, and I have nothing to add to it.

    BRITISH CLAIMS.
    Mr. FORRESTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to appoint a Committee to investigate the claims of British firms and individuals against Russia now registered with the Foreign Office; and whether it is desirable to follow the example of other countries and prepare all documentary evidence and proof in readiness for the time of presentation?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I doubt the desirability of appointing a Committee of the kind at the present moment, as the investigation of such claims would, in most cases, necessitate enquiry being made in Russia.
    As regards the second part of the question, I understand that steps are already being taken in the Foreign Office to collect and put in suitable form such documentary evidence as is available in this country.
    Mr. FORRESTasked the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations he is making to British companies with Russian connections who are finding

    1795
    that bearer bonds deposited with the Russian banks by their clients prior to the Bolshevist régime are now coming back to them from other countries, and who are wishful to know whether they should be recognised and honoured or interest paid on the coupons?
    Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I am not aware of any applications for advice having been made to the Board of Trade in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend.

  ROYAL GUNPOWDER FACTORY, WALTHAM ABBEY.
  Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a request to receive a deputation from Waltham Abbey to discuss the future of the Royal Gunpowder Factory; whether he is aware that the decision to close down this factory and transfer the work to Gretna is giving the workpeople and the residents in the district great concern; whether he is aware of the statement that, when Minister of Munitions, he gave a pledge that the old-established factories would not suffer in consequence of the establishment of war-time factories; and whether he will grant an interview to the deputation?
  The PRIME MINISTER: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the rest of the question, the recommendations of the Committee which reported on the future of Gretna and Waltham Abbey will shortly be published. No useful purpose would, in my opinion, be served by receiving a further deputation until publication has taken place.

  FARMERS' TENURE.
  Major MACKENZIE WOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in view of impending legislation, numerous notices to quit are being served on tenant farmers; and whether the proposed Bill to give security of tenure to farmers will provide protection for those on whom notices have been served before the passing of the Act?
  The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen): I have been asked to reply. I would ask the hon. and gallant
  1796
  Member to await the introduction of the Bill, which I hope will take place shortly.
  Major WOOD: Will the case of these farmers be borne in mind 1
  Sir A. BOSCAWEN: I must point out that I cannot discuss the details of a Bill not yet introduced.
  Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY: But will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether there is to be a separate Bill for Scotland? I have asked that several times and received no answer.
  Sir A. BOSCAWEN: I cannot say offhand.
  Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY: May I ask the Prime Minister whether there is to be a separate Bill for Scotland?
  Mr. SPEAKER: The hon. and gallant Gentleman must give notice of that question.

  MINISTERIAL OFFICES VACANT.
  Major M. WOODasked the Prime Minister whether appointments have yet been made to the offices of President of the Board of Trade and Food Controller?
  The PRIME MINISTER: No Sir, but I hope to announce these appointments in the course of a few days.

  TRANSPORT.

    STAFF.
    Mr. M. STEVENSasked the Prime Minister if he will instruct the Ministry of Munitions, the War Office, the Ministry of Food, the Coal Controller, the Ministry of Shipping, the Disposals Board, and any other Ministry or Government Department engaged in transport to prepare, in each case, a return of the full number and cost of the staff employed in transport and storage on 1st August, 1919, and 1st March, 1920, respectively, the return to show separately that portion of the staff employed continuously at any warehouse or storage area; and, if the returns are ordered, if he will say in what form they will be presented to the House?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I am not prepared to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion in view of the labour which would be involved, and the fact that the staffs

    1797
    of the Departments referred to are already much overworked. To undertake the preparation of the Return asked for would tend to increase rather than diminish the present congestion by diverting a certain proportion of the energy of the Departments from the very pressing needs of the situation.
    Mr. STEVENS: In view of the pressure of the Prime Minister for economy and efficiency, will he allow me to see him and explain to him viva voce what is intended?

    FREIGHT RATES.
    Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to statements in the Press foreshadowing an increase in rates of freight; and whether the Question of freight rates will be submitted to an appropriate Committee for investigation, in view of the fact that the matter does not come within the scope of the Profiteering Act?
    The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson): I have been asked to reply. My attention has been called to the statements to which the hon. Member refers, and I would suggest that if the rise in freights does take place, he should put down his question again.

    CONGESTION (PORT OF HULL).
    Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet in a position to allocate sufficient extra wagons for the special purpose of relieving the congestion of timber at the port of Hull; whether he is aware of the situation at the port owing to this congestion, and that there are 100,000 tons of timber awaiting removal; and whether he can give an assurance that the congestion will be relieved before the next importing season, in order that timber merchants and importers can arrange their business?
    The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Neal): The position at Hull during the last week has considerably improved as a result of the railway companies having taken special steps to work wagons into that port. The whole question of re-allocation of wagons by the companies is actually in process. The question of wagon supply at Hull is receiving special consideration by the
    1798
    railway companies, and every endeavour will be made to reduce the accumulation of timber before the next importing season. The Hull position is a most difficult one, owing mainly to altered flow of trade, and I am proposing to have a meeting with the representatives of the railway companies concerned shortly and will invite the hon. Members representing Hull in this House to be present.

    LONDON STREET TRAFFIC.
    Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Transport whether the Metropolitan police have or can be given power to divert slow-going traffic from the more important and congested streets to less important parallel routes during the hours of greatest congestion?
    Mr. NEAL: The existing powers are given by Section 11 of the Metropolitan Streets Act, 1867. The Advisory Committee have the question of additional powers under consideration in connection with a review of the proper control of London traffic.
    Mr. CHADWICK: Has the hon. Gentleman contemplated the possibility of prohibiting anything but mechanically propelled traffic?
    Mr. NEAL: I do not know. That will appear on the Report of the Advisory Committee.

    PASSENGERS' LUGGAGE (RATE ON BICYCLES).
    Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the increase of over 130 per cent. in the rate on bicycles as passengers' luggage for short distances as compared with the pre-War charge is a serious handicap to cyclists wishing to get away from large towns into the country on half-holidays, and will he favourably consider a reduction of this increase so that this class of traffic shall not boar a higher rate of increase than that imposed on industrial traffic?
    Mr. NEAL: The charges on bicycles accompanying passengers who travel short distances by rail have been fixed in accordance with the recommendations of the Rates Advisory Committee, and I regret I am unable to make any exception to meet this case.
    Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is this recommendation of the Rates Advisory Committee

    1799
    made in the interests of the motor car owners or the bicycle riders?
    Mr. NEAL: It is made in the interests of the finance of the country.
    Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is that a reason for penalising bicycle riders more than any other class in the community?
    Mr. NEAL: I do not think that is so.

    RAILWAY COMPANIES (DEMOBILISKD MEN).
    Mr. BARTLEY DENNISSasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the railway companies are in a different position in any way with regard to demobilisation from other employers who are keeping jobs open for men who are still with the Colours;
    (2) in view of the fact that Government Departments are employing disabled men to a number equivalent to 8 per cent. of the aggregate total staffs, permanent and temporary, and Government industrial establishments are employing disabled men up to 5 per cent. of the aggregate total establishments, why the railway companies are only employing disabled men to a far less extent, whilst other trades and industries are being urged by the Minister of Labour to employ disabled men to a number equivalent to 5 per cent. total number of employés of both sexes; whether, having regard to the fact that the guarantee to the railway companies is a liability of the public funds, he will bring pressure to bear on all railway companies to join the national scheme by employing disabled men up to at least 5 per cent. of their total numbers as other employers are doing: and whether he can state the estimated number per cent. employed by the railway companies?
    Mr. NEAL: Subject to the consideration that disabled men are not fitted for employment in many branches of the railway service, I am not aware that railway companies are in a different position from other employers who have undertaken to keep jobs open for men still with the Colours. My hon. and learned Friend will realise that the work in Government Departments and establishments lends itself more readily to the employment of disabled men than does the railway service generally; further, that unfortunately railway employment itself produces an abnormal percentage of disablement
    1800
    cases, compared with other employment, for whom positions have to be found, but I understand that early in this year the number of disabled ex-service men employed on one of the principal railways, which may be regarded as a typical instance, was over 4 per cent. of the total establishment, and I am assured that the companies generally are doing all that they can in the matter of employment of disabled men.
    Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Is there any necessity for retaining women as ticket collectors at exits?
    Mr. NEAL: The matter shall receive consideration.

    GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS (CO-ORDINATION).
    Mr. STEVENSasked the Minister of Transport whether he has made any, and what, specific attempt to co-ordinate the transport problems of the various Ministries and Government Departments?
    Mr. NEAL: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Special committees on which the Departments concerned are represented, such as the Port and Transit Committee, the Storage Committee, the Departmental Coal Committee, have been established and meet constantly. In addition, the Ministry of Transport is in constant communication with all Government Departments which have transport problems in which co-ordination is necessary.

    MERCHANDISE WAREHOUSED.
    Mr. STEVENSasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that under the existing conditions of railway congestion Government Departments are using the railways for the conveyance of merchandise from warehouses in one part of the country to be stored in warehouses in another part of the country and in some instances to warehouses at congested ports; and, if he disapproves of this being done, what action, if any, he proposes to take to stop the practice?
    Mr. NEAL: I am aware that some conveyance of merchandise of the nature indicated is taking place. All Government Departments are co-operating with the Ministry of Transport by restricting their traffic to a minimum; but there are other considerations, such as the

    1801
    release of valuable commercial storage industrial premises and the transfer of Government stores to the railway, dock and canal authorities for the relief of port storage which must be taken into account when dealing with movements of stores, beside the question of shortage of railway wagons.

  INCOME TAX.

    WAR WEALTH (LORD COLWYN'S STATEMENT).
    Mr. W. THORNEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the Chairman of the Income Tax Commissioners stated before the Committee on Taxation of War Wealth that one man during the War had increased his capital of £1,000,000 six times and over; another had £3,000,000, and now has five or six times that again; an alien who had £10,000 now has £500,000; and if he will take action in the matter?
    The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain): The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The statement to which he refers was not made by Lord Colwyn before the Select Committee on Increases of War Wealth, but in the course of a speech which he recently made in a private capacity, at a general meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
    Mr. THORNE: Are the facts as stated in the question correct?
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I cannot say. Lord Colwyn's speech, as I say, was made in his private capacity before the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. He said he could not vouch for the facts themselves, but he gave them on high authority. If they are true, or in so far as they are true, I suppose we shall all feel that such greatly increased wealth is a proper subject for taxation. Whether and how such taxation can be levied is the subject-matter—and the very big subject-matter—which is now engaging the attention of a Select Committee of this House.
    Mr. THORNE: Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries with a view to discovering whether what is stated in the question is correct or otherwise?
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I cannot. I have no such inquisitorial powers as will enable mo to ascertain the facts in a case like this. Lord Colwyn obtained the information
    1802
    privately from a source in which he has confidence. He himself is unable to vouch for the facts, and, therefore, would not, I imagine, be in a position to give me the names of the people who are alleged to have this increase of wealth.
    Mr. J. JONES: Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when Members and supporters of the Government are telling the truth?
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I do not understand the hon. Member's very offensive innuendo. All Members of the Government attempt to treat the House with courtesy, but it is difficult to do so if hon. Members make such suggestions.
    Sir M. DOCKRELL: Is not this information as regards Income Tax supposed to be confidential, especially when specific instances like this are given, and should not there be greater care in allowing such information to be had?
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: All information as to the incomes of individuals, referred to in the course of the Income Tax investigations, is confidential, and revealed only to people who are sworn to secrecy. It is not revealed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself. I could not obtain it if I asked the Inland Revenue authorities.
    Sir M. DOCKRELL: These cases, being as they are so specific, and such large amounts being easily tracked—there are not many three to six million people in this country—may I ask whether there should not be greater care oven in giving the particulars in this indefinite way?
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: This information was not obtained from Government sources, or from the Income Tax authorities. It was obtained by Lord Colwyn in his private capacity, not as Chairman of the Royal Commission of Income Tax; but from—
    Mr. J. JONES: One who knows!
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: The person or persons concerned. I really do not know the exact circumstances.
    Mr. HOUSTON: Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to whether Lord Colwyn made this speech before or after dinner?
    Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I am informed that Lord Colwyn is a teetotaler, A moment ago I had occasion to make a protest against treating Ministers with discourtesy. I venture to make a protest, of at least equal warmth, against the gross discourtesy of the unkind suggestion of the hon. Gentleman who has just referred to the Chairman of the Royal Commission. Lord Colwyn has done most valuable public work.

    MARCONI COMPANY.
    Mr. C. PALMERasked the Prime Minister, whether he is aware that the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company has refused to give evidence before the Wireless Communication Committee; whether he can state the reasons for such refusal; and what steps he proposes to take to render it possible for the Committee to have the benefit of such assistance as the Marconi Company is in a position to render?
    The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pike Pease): I am asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the reason for refusal appeared in a letter from the Company published in the Press on March 4th. If the Company decline to give evidence, there are no means available to force them to reconsider their decision. The Wireless Telegraph Committee will hear with pleasure any evidence the Marconi Company may like to give if they care to reconsider their decision. The Company have already submitted to the Government proposals for a network of wireless telegraph communications throughout the British Empire, and these are under consideration.
    Mr. BILLING: Is the Government desirous that the Marconi Company should give evidence before the Committee, and, if so, will they make it a condition that unless the Company do give evidence, they will not be given the facilities for which they seek, or any proposition from them be considered?
    Mr. PEASE: The Marconi Company have submitted an offer to the Government, and it is being considered at this moment.
    Mr. BILLING: An offer to give evidence?
    Mr. PEASE: The answer which I gave says:
    "If the Company decline to give evidence, there are no means available to force them, to reconsider their decision."

    GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND BILL.
    Colonel Sir A. SPROTasked the Prime Minister (1) if he will postpone the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill until after the Report of Mr. Speaker's Conference on Devolution has been published and considered; (2) if he will introduce a Bill repealing the Irish Home Rule Act of 1914 before the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill is taken, in order that discussion on the latter may be conducted with greater freedom from restraint and prejudice?
    The PRIME MINISTER: The Government could not adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend.

    TURKEY.

      BRITISH FORCES NEAR CONSTANTINOPLE.
      Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to furnish more exact details of the recent Turkish massacres at Marash; and whether it is proposed to increase the British forces in and near Constantinople?
      The PRIME MINISTER: No further details of the massacres at Marash have been received. The British forces in or near to Constantinople have already been increased.
      Earl WINTERTON: Is it not the fact that the Government is not in any way responsible for the country around Marash, and that the French Government are solely responsible for it?
      The PRIME MINISTER: Our forces have not been responsible for that area since, I think, September of last year.
      Mr. A. WILLIAMS: When our forces were in possession of that country they required the people to hand over their arms: does not that render people helpless in the present position? Does not that imply responsibility?

      CENTEAL CONTROL (LIQUOR) BOARD.
      Mr. J. JONESasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an Order was recently issued by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in the districts of Carlisle, petty sessional divisions of Cumberland Port, Maryport and Arredale-below, and other districts in the county of Cumberland, that no person shall, without the written authority of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), sell intoxicating liquors in any premises, and this Order includes clubs; if he will state whether the powers of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are such as to allow them to overrun the ordinary Jaw of the country; and can he state when legislation will be introduced to deal with the matter?
      The DEPUTY-MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway): I have been asked to reply to this question. I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Board's Order of 12th February last. I am advised that in issuing the Order the Board were acting under Article 3 of the Defence of the Realm (Liquor Control) Regulations, 1915. The Order of 12th February has no retrospective effect, but relates only to now licensed premises and new registered clubs in Carlisle and in those adjacent districts in Cumberland in which the Board have established a scheme of direct control of the liquor traffic. It has always been the Board's policy to make their Regulations applicable to clubs equally with licensed premises. With regard to the date of the introduction of the promised Bill, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the President of the Board of Education in the Debate on 24th February and by the Prime Minister on Thursday last.

      SMYRNA (MASSACRES).
      Mr. AUBREY HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether a Greek landing was made at Smyrna on 15th May of last year; if massacres occurred; if these massacres were kept secret; and whether, seeing that as a consequence of these events and this secrecy discontent has been created in the Empire and suspicion in this country, he will say whether he proposes to continue this policy of secrecy?
      The PRIME MINISTER: A Greek landing was made at Smyrna on 15th May last year. Serious disorders followed, but I am not aware that they were kept secret or that discontent has been created in the Empire or suspicion in this country in consequence.
      Mr. HERBERT: Is my right hon. Friend aware that all information has been refused to this House by the Leader of the House, and does he forget that he has made many speeches against secret diplomacy and yet is now acting contrary to his own words?
      Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there are many stories in existence all over Europe, and would it not be much better to have an authentic accounts Did not the Lord Privy Seal weaken on this question a week or two ago?
      Sir J. D. REES: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the serious feeling on this among Mahomedan, who are probably more numerous than Christian, subjects of His Majesty?
      Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY: Will the right hon. Gentleman agree to reconsider the matter?
      The PRIME MINISTER: In reply to the hon. Member for East Nottingham (Sir J. D. Rees), I may say that much depends on the definition of the word "Christian." As to the supplementary question generally, I am not aware that there has been any refusal to publish information as to what has happened. I believe the report of the Inquiry has been withheld, but in this matter we are acting in full concert with our Allies. There is plenty of unrest in that part of the world, and we are very anxious about the position, but we do not want to pander to anything which is likely to increase it.
      Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that alleged accounts of the findings of this Commission have been published not only in papers on the Continent, but also in two English newspapers? Cannot the House, in view of the fact, have some information given it?
      The PRIME MINISTER: We certainly cannot take the responsibility of publishing the report without the consent of our Allies, who are acting in conjunction with us.
      Mr. ORMSBY-GORE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the publication of what purport to be extracts from the report? Are they true or not? Is it not the fact that in Constantinople and the East there are all kinds of accounts of what is taking place at Smyrna?
      Colonel WEDGWOOD: May we be told which of the Allies objects to the publication of this report?
      Mr. HERBERT: Are the statements in the report so bad that it is imposible to publish them?
      Mr. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister if there has been a commission of inquiry with regard to the events at Smyrna, and if the finding of the commission is a censure upon the policy of the Peace Conference in sending the Greeks to Smyrna; and if all information with regard to this report has been refused to the House of Commons?
      The PRIME MINISTER: There was a commission of inquiry with regard to the events at Smyrna. The Allied Governments have not thought it expedient to publish the findings, and consequently it has not been possible to give any information to the House of Commons.
      Mr. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that Greek troops should be landed at Constantinople and in Asia Minor; and what our military obligations will be in the event of these Greek troops being repulsed?
      The PRIME MINISTER: Whatever may be the military plans of the Allied Governments, it would be undesirable to publish them beforehand.

      HUNGARY (POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS).
      Mr. ADAMSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in July, 1919, the preliminary arrangements for the resignation of the Communist Government of Hungary were made in Vienna between the representatives of the Allied Powers on the one side and Messrs. Agoston, Bohm, Peyer, and Weltner on the other; whether these negotiations, which resulted in the surrender of power by Bela Kun and his Communist colleagues, included the undertaking that all political persecutions
      1808
      coming from either the right or the left side must be immediately stopped; whether this undertaking has been violated by the Government of M. Huszar; whether certain of the ex-ministers who negotiated this resignation are now themselves accused on capital charges, most of the officials of the Soviet Government exposed to these reprisals, and many persons suspected of political tendencies opposed to those of the present Government interned without charge or trial; and whether he will instruct the representatives of His Majesty in Budapest to insist on the terms of this arrangement that all political persecutions shall immediately cease.
      Sir H. GREENWOOD: In July, 1919, certain preliminary arrangements were made as described in the first part of the question. In the course of negotiations various undertakings to avoid all political persecution were given by both sides. Since Mr. Huszar's Government was not then in power, the answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.
      With regard to the rest of the question, reports received from Budapest indicate that certain officials of the Communist Government have been tried and found guilty and executed on charges of criminal proceedings during their tenure of office, but I have no information to the effect that many persons suspected of political tendencies opposed to those of the present Government have been interned without charge or trial.
      With regard to the last part of the question, His Majesty's High Commissioner at Budapest has been instructed to do what he possibly can to prevent anything in the nature of a political persecution, but he has expressed himself as entirely satisfied that the persons accused have been granted a fair trial. It is obviously not possible for His Majesty's Government to interfere systematically in the internal polities of Hungary.

      COMPENSATION FOR SUBSIDENCE BILL.
      Mr. WALLACEasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the serious hardship inflicted on property owners in Fifeshire through subsidence damage, he can say when the Government intend to

      1809
      introduce their promised Compensation for Subsidence Bill?
      Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House): I regret that owing to pressure of business I cannot at present say when it will be possible to introduce a Bill on this subject.
      Mr. WALLACE: In view of the fact that the Subsidence Bill of last year received almost general support, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of treating this as an agreed question?
      Mr. BONAR LAW: I will consult the Departments again, and if it is possible we will certainly do it.

      EXCURSION STEAMERS.
      Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department proposes to release day excursion steamers from the restrictions which were imposed during the War; whether he can make any statement as to when such restrictions will be withdrawn; and, in view of the importance of this traffic to many holiday resorts around the coast, whether he can state when this traffic will be allowed to return to pre-War conditions?
      Mr. BRIDGEMAN: Passenger certificates will be issued as usual to excursion steamers this year, subject to the adoption of certain necessary precautions against the danger which, I am advised, still exists of encountering floating mines

      COTTON-GROWING (SUBSIDY).
      Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to subsidise the cotton-growing industry from public funds; and whether the limitation of prices and dividends will be made an essential condition of any such subsidy?
      Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The question of the precise nature and extent of State financial assistance towards the promotion of cotton-growing within the Empire is still under consideration.

      POTASH (PURCHASES IN GERMANY).
      Sir R. COOPERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade
      1810
      what is the value of food supplied to Germany that has been specially allocated against the potash contract; and what profit has been received by the Government to date on account of potash purchased from Germany?
      Mr. BRIDGEMAN: The first part of the question should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As to the second part of the question, it is not possible at this stage to furnish the desired information, but it may be stated that the prices at which the potash is being resold in this country are calculated to preclude any loss to the Exchequer.
      Sir R. COOPER: Why cannot the hon. Gentleman give me the profit that is made? It is in the books of his Department. Why does he want to hide it up?
      Mr. BRIDGEMAN: I cannot give the hon. Baronet the information, but I can give him the reason why I cannot.

      MASSACRES IN CILICIA.
      Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the answers given last Thursday by the Minister representing the Foreign Office to the effect that he did not accept it as a fact that Mustapha Kemal was the agent of the Committee of Union and Progress or that that Committee organised tie recent massacres in Cilica, and that he could not say whether Mustapha Kemal was in close and constant communication with the Turkish Ministry of War; whether he is aware that on the same day the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stated that the trouble in Cilicia was part of a definite Nationalist programme directed in the interest of the Young Turk Party, designed with the object of seizing any occasion for massacring the Armenians, and that there has been a constant interchange of communications between the Capital and the Nationalist Forces in Asia Minor, and that Mustapha Kemal, as official Governor of Erzerum, was a link between Constantinople and Asia, and whether he will arrange that in future full information on foreign affairs shall so far as is consistent with public interests be given to the House?
      The PRIME MINISTER: I have every desire that the House should be kept fully

      1811
      informed on foreign affairs, but I must remind my Noble Friend of the circumstances in which these questions were put. They were put to a Minister who is not responsible for the Department, who was simply acting in the absence of another Minister who was ill. Therefore he was not in direct touch with the Department. The second point is this. The questions were supplementary questions, without any notice, which required a good deal of inquiry, and all my right hon. Friend said was that he was not aware. He had no time to investigate the matter, and he was very anxious that there should be no admission.
      Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Is it in order for an hon. Member to allude specifically to a question and answer given by a Minister on another question on another day on the same subject?
      Mr. SPEAKER: I see no objection to it.
      Sir H. GREENWOOD: Is it not the custom in this House when an hon. Member rises to put a question to reflect either upon the courtesy, the willingness or the capacity, or accuracy of the Minister who has made the answer that the Minister so reflected upon should have notice of the question?
      Lord R. CECIL: I did not desire to reflect in any way on my hon. Friend. I was merely pointing out that by the arrangement for which the Prime Minister was responsible information on foreign affairs was not in fact being given to the House as they have a right to expect. If my right hon. Friend thought I intended to reflect on my hon. Friend no doubt he would have communicated the question to him.

      REVOLUTION IN GERMANY.

        STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER.
        Mr. ASQUITHasked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information with regard to the revolution in Germany?
        Sir PARK GOFFasked the Leader of the House whether he can give any information as regards the reported revolution in Berlin and other parts of Germany?
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: May I ask, on a point of Order, whether the order in which
        1812
        Private Notice Questions are handed in to you regulates the order in which you call on hon. Members to ask those questions, because I have also, on behalf of the Labour party, a question on the same subject?
        Mr. SPEAKER: Metaphorically speaking, I put the names in a hat, and call them out.
        The PRIME MINISTER: The telegrams which have been received by the Foreign Office from His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Berlin and from various other sources in Germany show that during the night of March 12–13 a military coup d'état was carried out with the aid of troops from the military camp of Doberitz in conjunction with the Berlin garrison. The Government left for Dresden during the night, and a proclamation was issued by the new Government, dissolving the National Assembly and Prussian Assembly. Herr Kapp appears to have declared himself Chancellor and to have appointed General von Luttwitz Minister of Defence. The revolutionary Government have announced that they are not a monarchist Government, and that their intention is to rid the country of the Bauer-Noske Government, to hold fresh elections immediately, and to observe the Treaty of Versailles "in so far as is possible and consistent with the honour of the German people and its capacity to work and to exist without annihilation." The Bauer-Noske Government appears to have convoked the National Assembly for a meeting at Stuttgart on March 16th, and to have issued orders for a general strike. From a telegram despatched by Lord Kilmarnock yesterday afternoon, it seems that Berlin is quiet and that no disturbances have yet taken place. Railways and telegraphs were still working at the time of the despatch of this telegram. The House will realise that the information which is at present in possession of His Majesty's Government as to the progress of events in Berlin is naturally of a fragmentary nature, and that it is consequently not possible for me at the moment to make a fuller statement. I may say, however, that the general tendency of our information is that the new regime so far finds little, if any, support in other parts of Germany, and depends mainly on troops from the Baltic Provinces in and about Berlin. The Allied

        1813
        Governments, of course, would regard with anxiety any movement which represents the forces of military or monarchical reaction. But it will be well to await developments before taking any definite action.
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is there any truth in the allegation from Berlin that the Allies contemplate the possible recognition of this Junker Government, which has been set up by General Ludendorff?
        Mr. SPEAKER: I pointed out to the hon. and gallant Member when I sent him back his question that there was certain parts of it which I requested him not to ask, and he deliberately asks those particular parts.
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: On a point of Order. If I had been called upon to ask my question, I should have asked it in the form in which you indicated that it should be asked, but as I have asked it as a supplementary, I considered that I was entitled to ask it in my own language and in my own way.
        Mr. SPEAKER: I am afraid I cannot make an exception in dealing with the hon. Member, and deal with him in a different way from other hon. Members.
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: May I ask what you object to in this question?
        Mr. SPEAKER: I object first to the reference to the Press, and to the allegation made, which is quite unnecessary and contrary to our custom in this House; and secondly to the statement—which is, I suppose, a statement of the opinion of the hon. Member—that Ludendorff was responsible for the Revolution, for which there seems to be absolutely no justification, and which raises an entirely different point.
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: That is the point that I desire to raise.
        Mr. SPEAKER: If the hon. and gallant Member wishes particularly to raise that point, he ought to give notice of it.
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: Why am I not entitled to refer to the Press in a supplementary question? It is perfectly well known that it is one of the principles of this House that in a written question you cannot refer to the Press, but it has not been a rule that in the case of supplementary
        1814
        questions references to the Press are entirely suppressed.
        Mr. SPEAKER: The reason why some hon. Members bring in references to the Press is because the question has not been submitted in the proper way to me. Wherever I can I stop it, because it is obviously unnecessary and undesirable.
        Mr. BILLING: Having regard to the fact that it will largely depend upon the attitude of the Allies whether this alleged revolution is successful or whether the counter-action by the Socialists will be successful, will the Prime Minister take an early opportunity of expressing the views of the Allies with regard to these disturbances?
        The PRIME MINISTER: I have already done so.
        Mr. STEWART: Have the Government any information as to the truth of the statement that Mr. Lincoln is the censor of telegrams from Germany, and can he say whether Mr. Lincoln can interfere with any news coming to this country?
        Commander Viscount CURZON: Can the Prime Minister say whether any naval or military steps have been taken by the Allies to deal with the situation in Germany?
        The PRIME MINISTER: With regard to the question put by my hon. Friend (Mr. Stewart) I think it is correct so far as we have been able to learn from our representatives in Berlin.
        Mr. STEWART: Can he interfere with our telegrams?
        The PRIME MINISTER: I do not know. There has been no news to-day. Whether that is due to Mr. Lincoln's interference or not, I do not know. In reply to the question of my hon. and gallant Friend (Viscount Curzon), I may say that the Allies are watching carefully the course of events. Marshal Foch and Sir Henry Wilson are on the Rhine in consultation. All I can say at the present moment is that the situation is being very carefully watched.
        Mr. BILLING: Can we be assured that there will not be any leniency for old time's sake?
        Colonel WEDGWOOD: Can I have an answer to my question whether there is any truth in the suggestion that the Allies

        1815
        contemplate recognising this new Government in Germany?
        The PRIME MINISTER: I have already given a very full answer.
        Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY: Had the Government any previous warning of this coup d'etat. Had our representatives, military and otherwise, not warned the Government that this was likely, or were we taken completely by surprise? If we had warning, had we no policy ready, to use in this very vital situation?
        The PRIME MINISTER: As a matter of fact the German Government had warning. There were a good many indications, undoubtedly, of it, but no action could have been taken. It had to be left entirely to the German Government to defend its own existence.
        Mr. W. THORNE: Hear, hear! No interference. The same in Russia. Let them stew in their own juice!
        The PRIME MINISTER: Before we can possibly take any action, whatever action is necessary, we must await developments. It may be a temporary revolt in Berlin which may soon be over.
        Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: I beg leave to move the Adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the situation in Berlin and the consequent disturbance of the European situation.
        Mr. SPEAKER: The Government is not responsible for the situation in Berlin any more than the hon. and gallant Member himself.
        The PRIME MINISTER: I want, if I may, to intervene before proceeding further with Committee of Supply [which had been called] in order to make a statement about Berlin. I have had news this very minute, placed in my hands immediately the Speaker had left the Chair. The news comes from Lord Kilmarnock—
        "The latest news is that the military movement is spreading,
        "Military coup reported from Munich.
        "Frankfurt in a state of division, the military and civil authorities each supporting separate governments.
        'Fighting at Breslau, Hamburg, Kiel, Liepsig, and Kemnitz. Results uncertain.
        1816
        "Military coup carried out in 35 towns.
        "Position of the new government appears to have been strengthened.'

PRIVATE BILLS (GROUP B).
The CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS informed the House that the Committee on Group B of Private Bills, not being appointed to meet until To-morrow, the promoters of the Blackpool Improvement Bill, which is set down for consideration To-morrow by the Committee on Group B of Private Bills, had appeared before him and proved that the evidence of Ashton Davies, Superintendent of the Line, Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, Victoria Station, Manchester, was essential to their case, and that his attendance could not be procured without the intervention of the House.
Ordered, That the said Ashton Davies do attend the Committee on Group B of Private Bills To-morrow, at half-past Eleven of the Clock.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.

  SUPPLY.
  [SECOND ALLOTTED DAY.]
  Considered in Committee.

CIVIL SERVICES AND REVENUE DEPARTMENTS ESTIMATES. 1920–21 [VOTE ON ACCOUNT].
[Mr. WHITLEY in the Chair.]
Motion made, and Question proposed, "That a sum, not exceeding £241,040,000, be granted to His Majesty, on account, for or towards defraying the, Charges for the following Civil Services and Revenue Departments for the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1921, namely:—

Civil Services.

Class II.

£

Board of Trade

1,350,000

Unclassified.

Food Ministry

850,000

Class I.

Royal Palaces

30,000

Osborne

7,000

Royal Parks and Pleasure Gardens

100,000

Houses of Parliament Buildings

40,000

Miscellaneous Legal Buildings, Great Britain

30,000

Art and Science Buildings, Great Britain

60,000

Diplomatic and Consular Buildings

60,000

Revenue Buildings

700,000

Employment Exchange and Insurance Buildings, Great Britain (including Ministries of Labour and Health)

1,250,000

Public Buildings, Great Britain

2,030,000

Whitehall Cenotaph

6,000

Surveys of the United Kingdom

140,000

Harbours under the Ministry of Transport

40,000

Peterhead Harbour

10,000

Rates on Government Property

900,000

Public Works and Buildings, Ireland

200,000

Railways, Ireland

15,000

CIVIL SERVICES AND REVENUE DEPARTMENTS ESTIMATES. 1920–21 [VOTE ON ACCOUNT].

  HIGH PRICES.
  4.0 P.M.
  The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF FOOD (Mr. McCurdy): It may seem an abrupt transition from the news to which we have just listened from the Prime Minister with regard to the state of affairs in Berlin, but I am by no means sure that the subject which this afternoon's Vote gives us an opportunity of discussing is not really intimately linked up with the state of disorder in all parts of Europe which has just found so tragical an exemplification in Germany. This is the first opportunity since the present Government came into power which has been afforded to the Ministry of Food of discussing those problems of high prices, practically in relation to food, to deal with which that Ministry was brought in existence. When I came to the Ministry of Food at the commencement of of last year the people of this country and of Europe, and indeed of the world, were suffering from one of those recurrent phases of alternate hope and depression which have marked the progress of the great war and the short period which has succeeded it, and which really might fairly be described as a condition of illusion. The people of this country, and the people of the world, at the commencement of
  1874
  1919 were under a most complete illusion, the illusion that as soon as peace came, nay, as soon as even the Armistice was signed, the wastage and destruction of five years of war would be so far wiped out as to restore commerce to something like a normal condition, to reduce prices to something more approximating a prewar level, and to restore a condition of prosperity to all countries. I was talking only the other day to a member of a well-known firm of Bradford spinners, and he was describing to me how at the commencement of last year telegrams from all parts of the world came in to the Bradford spinners, not asking that wool and woollen goods should be sent, but cancelling orders for woollen goods, because traders in all parts from London to Singapore were under the amazing belief that in a few months supplies would be abundant and prices would be falling, and because they were anxious to relieve themselves of contracts for the supply of goods.
  At the same time, I remember discussions in this country about the enormous industrial output that might be expected from the United States when the industrial machinery created for the purposes of War was turned to the production of commodities for a time of peace. Yes, and not only from the United States. Another great illusion of the time was that the factories and workshops of Germany were bursting with goods that had been stored up and that were to be dumped upon the markets of Europe to the great detriment of the goods of traders in Allied countries. Those were pure illusions, and unfortunately we did not then, and I doubt if we to-day, realise what a destruction of material wealth took place in those five years of War, and what a mortgage it is upon the wealth still to be created. If we had done, no one could have been so mad as to suppose that the destruction of five years was going to be made good in a few months of peace. At any rate, we all hoped that 1919 would be a year in which the productive activities of the whole world would be working at full pressure in order to make good the wastage of War, and to restore prosperity and plenty to a world in want. What was the reality? I have not the figures either for this country or for all European countries which would show what happened as regards production in 1919, but

  1875
  I have very detailed figures as to what happened in the United States of America, the great industrial country which had suffered least disturbance from the effects of the War, and which was in the best position immediately to turn its activities to the production of commodities required for the purposes of peace.
  In August, 1919, the Council of National Defence, which consists of the Secretaries of State for War, Navy, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Labour, issued a comprehensive report regarding what happened in the United States during the first six months after the Armistice. So far from there being any progress made to accelerate the supply of all the things of which the world stood most in need, the actual fall in production in raw materials and in standard commodities of every kind was of the most surprising character. Let me take clothing. There was a great reduction of woollen output immediately after the Armistice. The report says:
  "The most obvious explanation of the high prices of wool is the glaring fact of the extreme reduction in output, which ensued after the signing of the Armistice. The total consumption of wool in manufacture during the first five months of 1919 amounted to little more than half the amount consumed during the corresponding months of the previous year. Many textile workers were condemned to idleness while the supplies of clothing were short enough for a rise up to 250 in the index figure for the price of clothing in the United States in June last year.
  Boots and Shoes: The production for the first quarter of 1919 was about 60 per cent. below the production for the last quarter of 1918. Plants were partially closed, and the census shows a general reduction of output."
  It is a reduction not to be explained by the fact that there was no longer the demand for military boots, because there was an actual fall of from 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. in the production of civilian boots for men and women, and a larger fall than that in the production of childrens' boots. The United States, like ourselves, found themselves 1,000,000 houses short at the end of the War, and, like ourselves, they found themselves unable to make good the deficiency, because there was a shortage in the supply of every kind of raw material necessary for building. The production of raw material necessary in building construction was far below normal. Many plants
  1876
  were operating part time, and some were closed down entirely. Glass production was reported to be on a 50 per cent. basis. The total amount of coal produced in the United States up to July was 261,000,000 long tons as compared with 364,000,000 long tons for the corresponding period of the previous year If we turn to this country, although, as I say, at present figures so complete are not available, and if we take the raw materials of all the industries, coal and iron, we find very much the same story. The average monthly production of coal in the United Kingdom fell from a pre-war figure of 23,900,000 tons in 1913 to 19,400,000 tons in 1919, and the production of pig-iron fell from 855,000 tons to 620,000 tons. What was our record during 1919, when if ever in the history of the people it was necessary that the workers of this country should be doing their utmost not merely in their own interests—we are prosperous and well-to-do compared with great portions of the rest of the world—but also in order to supply the necessities of which our Allies in the war were in such urgent need? I take the total from the "Labour Gazette" of January. The number of trade disputes involving a stoppage of work in 1919 was greater than in any previous year since 1913, and the total number of workpeople involved, including those thrown out of work at the establishments concerned, though not actual parties to the dispute, was greater than in any previous year throughout a period of more than 30 years for which statistics are available. The aggregate number of working days lost by those workpeople during the year was over 34,000,000. This number is greater than that recorded for any previous year except 1912, when the figure was exceptionally high owing to the coal strike of that year, which continued for seven weeks.
  The first point which I want to lay before the Committee for consideration and discussion by those who are better qualified to speak than myself is that during the last 12 months we have never fully realised—I do not think that we yet fully realise—how preponderately above all other causes of high prices, whatever they may be, is the fundamental fact that we are living in a world in which supplies are not equal to demand, in which there has been an unexampled destruction of wealth extending over a period of years, and in which up to the present time there

  1877
  has been no corresponding or adequate effort on the part of the peoples of the world to make good the wastage of the past in order to provide for the necessities of the future. If you consider what has been the state of things in the United States of America and in this country, it is not necessary for me to ask you to consider what has been the state of things in Central Europe and Eastern Europe, where, if there has been a failure of production, it has, to a large extent, been brought about by factors with which we have not had to contend, factors which, of course, make it utterly impossible to hope that any great restoration in volume of commodities can at present proceed from the efforts of those people. Incidentally, I may say that among the illusions which we cherished at the commencement of 1919 was one which is connected with the subject now under discussion. This illusion was that any statesman or body of statesmen could by any possibility restore industrial prosperity and political peace at once in a Europe which was littered with broken empires and disrupted political systems, and these, in some cases, represented the animosities and feuds of centuries. How anyone could imagine that a stable peace could be applied in this state of affairs within a period of six months, I find it difficult to understand.
  The fundamental cause of high prices is, undoubtedly, lack of commodities. I would say that if there had been no European war, no war loans, and no inflation of the currency, but if some catastrophe, such as an earthquake or pestilence, had killed one million able-bodied men, and factories and markets had been destroyed, and large amounts of wealth had also been destroyed, then high prices and high cost of living, which had been inevitable. But here another consideration arises. We had to anticipate an enormous production of wealth by currency and credit to meet war necessities. It must be remembered that in normal times commerce is an interchange of commodities. A man comes into the world's markets to buy clothes or other commodities, and he pays in money which represents some other commodity which he has first assisted to produce. That is a settled law. He must put into the market something to represent in some measure what he proposes to take out of it, and he must put that
  1878
  in by his labour or industry or by assisting in distribution, or by the provision of capital. In times of war the situation is entirely changed. Millions of men are withdrawn from productive labour, and behind these armies of men you must have a great number of people who are engaged in providing for the needs and necessities of these armies. They all come into the world's market and compete for materials, for food, clothing, houses and equipment, and when they obtain it they pay for it in a currency which is inflated for the purpose of the war, and docs not represent the commodities which the world usually needs and produces. You have, therefore, a constantly diminishing stock of these ordinary commodities, and an ever-rising volume of currency, and you have, as a result of this, an inevitable rise of prices.
  I attach great importance to another point, when we come to consider the remedy for high prices. It may seem to be a small matter at the moment, but when we have to attach great importance to the scarcity of commodities in the world or in the country and to the great rise in prices it becomes a matter of some importance to ask which of two causes is the more important, when we come to consider the remedy to be applied. And my point is, that we have had from 1896 to 1914 a period of continual rise of prices The wholesale prices, by the index figures, rose 40 per cent. during that period, but there was this great difference between that time and the rise in prices since then, that that rise was in the main duo to an increase in the production of the commodities which are used as a measure of value, and the rise of prices therefore did not necessarily involve the same amount of hardship, suffering and resentment in the world that has been caused by the present shortage of goods which are necessary for the life and comfort of the people. There is a further cause which is perhaps quite as much a consequence of that situation as the first one, and that is the operations of the profiteer. The profiteer is not a new disease created by the general world rise of prices. There has always been a desire to make as much as you can. That is a trait of human nature which has not been seen now for the first time in the world. But at the same time in the present condition of the world and the loss of so many of our

  1879
  old economic landmarks and levels of prices the existence of the profiteer has become a cause of great dissatisfaction. If I were to try to estimate the proportionate effects of the different factors, such as the rise in the cost of commodities, the flow of currency, and the operations of the profiteer, I should say that quite a small percentage of the total is to be attributed to the operations of the profiteer. That is not to say that these operations may not be of the greatest possible concern to the honest citizen and of all those who are responsible for Government, because, though it may be that the profiteer is a parasitic growth, a parasite upon the body politic in consequence of the abnormal War conditions, it is to be remembered that the irritation which may be produced in a body by a parasite is by no means proportionate to its size; or, in other words, it is not the magnitude of a disaster which affects us so much; it is more the suffering which results. It is not when a hailstorm destroys our flower beds that we are so very much annoyed as when a neighbour runs across those flower beds and tramples our geraniums. So, therefore, the existence of the profiteer, as everyone knows, is a check upon production, it causes industrial unrest, it is a menace to the social stability of the country and of Europe at this moment.
  It was not until the middle of 1917 that the Ministry of Food attempted to protect the consumer of this country, to see if it were possible, without injuring trade and commerce, to check the rising current prices which threatened to overwhelm the housewife and bring about something in the nature of food control. No one who acquaints himself with the actual rise in prices before and since July, 1917, will have any doubt that the control exercised by the Ministry of Food has not been without effect. Let me illustrate that by quoting some figures showing the rise in prices from the commencement of the War up till July, 1917, and then to the present time. I will first take wholesale foodstuffs; secondly, raw materials, such as textiles, and then retail prices. In July, 1917, the wholesale price of foodstuffs showed a rise from the commencement of the War of 128 per cent. At that date control was imposed. Up to February, 1920, the 128 had risen to 195. Then with regard to
  1880
  textiles and other uncontrolled materials. In July, 1917, prices had risen by 112. That was before the control of prices of foodstuffs, and while the wholesale prices of foodstuffs then rose from 128 to 195, the price of these raw materials rose from 112 to 237. Retail food prices in July, 1917, were at 104, at the Armistice 133, and at the latter figure they still remain. The methods adopted by the Ministry of Food, so far as they have been successful, have been too full. In the first place, as regards some commodities, take, for instance, sugar, we found that there was a clearly ascertained world shortage, and, therefore, we have exercised a strict economic control. That is the principle we have adopted in the cases where there is a definitely ascertained shortage in the world of a particular commodity. The result will show that the prices must have been increased if it had not been for the action of the Ministry and the results of this economic control and stability.
  One of the results has been in the case of sugar, that if the people of this country have not had as much as they would have liked to have had, they have had more sugar than any other country except the United States which may be thought to need more sugar at the present time.
  Similarly I might say the same with regard to the case of butter. We all know that until the political stability is restored in Siberia—and a large part of the world's supply of butter comes from Siberia— there is an actual world shortage of butter, and there is no means of making it good. In that case an inter-Allied Committee was appointed as soon as the Armistice came, and it has been doing good work. The result has been that by counsel and consultation among the buyers instead of competition against one another, they have been able to reduce the prices of such supplies of butter as are available in this market to the consumer in this country. Time would not permit, nor would that be proper, on a discussion which I understand the Committee desire to be a general discussion on high prices and their causes and remedies, to go into detail on the multifarious commodities which have been controlled by the Food Ministry. I will only say that when you come to exercise a control which is not to have an injurious effect on the one hand on the trader and on the consumer, and on the other you simply cannot approach the problem with any hard and

  1881
  fast rules of any kind. The circumstances which affect the price and the supply of every commodity differ so widely that all that can be said is that you must apply your common sense, and such sound business principles as you are able to bring to bear, on the problems of each individual case; but I may say this generally, that for the last year the policy of the Ministry of Food has been, so far as possible, to get rid of strict economic controls, to shed all the war-time controls, to bid good-bye to D.O.E.A. and all her works, and to substitute for that a policy of close investigation as to the supplies available, the costs of production, and the profits that have been made; and then, armed with these facts, in consultation with the trade interests themselves, to endeavour to bring pressure—having all the time compulsory powers behind you—to bring that pressure without the use of compulsory powers to arrive at a friendly arrangement as to what is a fair and reasonable price. I am bound to say, not merely from my experience at the Ministry of Food, but also from the experience I have had in connection with the administration of the Profiteering Act, that I found on all hands the utmost willingness on the part of the traders loyally and honestly to co-operate with us for that purpose.
  I know that there are other remedies proposed. One frequent remedy, which, I suppose, is proposed every day of the week from one quarter or another, is to remove control of every kind, to get rid of all war-time restrictions. It is because that remedy can only be urged by people who have not yet grasped the essential facts that we are living in a world which is short of all essential commodities. [An HON. MEMBER: "What about meat?"] I will say a word about that with pleasure. It is because people could not put forward that remedy day by day if they really understood the economic condition of the world as regards supply and demand that I ventured to lay so much stress in my opening remarks on what I regard as the fundamental and essential feature. Someone asks, "What about meat?" Yes, what about meat and what about sugar? [An HON. MEMBER: "Ships!"] I am not dealing with ships. I saw a picture in one of the papers the other day, when we were told there was a glut of sugar, of a man up to his ankles apparently in
  1882
  sugar, the suggestion being that in a world which is full of sugar the British consumers were denied access to a food in which they stood most in need of by the hoarding tactics of the Ministry of Food. Here were the docks bulging with sugar. Well, I made some inquiries into it, and we found the gentleman whose portrait had been taken. It appeared that he was unloading a bag of rice, and these bags are liable to burst, and the bag of rice having burst while he was trying to patch up the bag, the photographer happened to go by. And so we see, not for the first and not for the dozenth time, a glut of sugar. There is always a glut of something. But supposing the man had been standing knee deep in sugar. How docs that affect the fact that the normal supply of sugar for the world is 18,000,000 tons, and that we are 3,000,000 tons down in this year of grace?
  Take meat. I have not the latest figures with mo, but, at any rate, I can say this, that as regards the Continent of Europe the supplies are at least 1,000,000 tons down, 3,500,000 tons down when the least reliable estimates came through; at any rate, the meat production of the world is heavily down at the present moment. But if all that is being said about the matter is true, how does the question of 50,000 or 100,000 tons of meat at a particular dock at which cold-storage is not at the moment available touch the fact that the world's production, which is millions of tons a year, la not adequate for the needs of the world to? day? Then of course, there is another remedy, by those, again, who, I venture to think, are under-estimating the essential facts. It is a measure for deflating the volume of currency and credit. I am very glad to think that so far as His Majesty's Government is concerned we have already turned the corner as regards the inflation of credit to meet the liabilities arising out of the War. To me it is one of the most surprising and one of the most hopeful factors in the present situation as regards this country. I would like to say just one word of warning about those who have turned their attention too exclusively to the question of inflation. After all, perhaps, the greater part of the inflated credits throughout the world to-day are credits by commercial men for the purposes of their business. High, inflated

  1883
  prices make it impossible to conduct businesses on a pre-war standard of capital, and any undue deflation, any undue haste, in the withdrawal of credit would inevitably lead to a check in the process of production, which is the vital and final remedy for the economic conditions in which we find ourselves.
  Before I sit down I would just like to say a few words about that other aspect of the Government's activities on behalf of the consumer, that other part of the campaign against high prices which is being carried out under the provisions of the Profiteering Act. The Profiteering Act, I am sorry to say, is not at present quite as popular in this country as it deserves to be. The reason is that, so far as the people of this country are concerned, and, I think, I may say as far as the Members of this House are concerned, I do not think that they yet know what is really being done under the powers which the Government took to themselves under that Act. It is quite true that in some trifling retail transaction, where a consumer who has brought six pennyworth of pins, and the matter is brought before the retail tribunal, there is a good deal of comment when the trader is ordered to refund a penny or three halfpence. That is only because they are dealing with very small transactions, but after all the Profiteering Act was not put upon the Statute Book either primarily or mainly for the purpose of dealing with the retail profiteer. It was the subject of a good deal of comment by Members of the Labour party, and before it left this House it contained provisions which enabled the most full and searching investigations to be made into the wholesale businesses, into the profits made by big trusts and companies, and it gave the Board of Trade very considerable powers for dealing with such facts as may be discovered. I want to tell the House in a word or two what is being and has been done during the last six months. In the first place we were not authorised by the House of Commons to set up a vast new administrative bureau involving large expenditure. We were given wide powers, but we were not given any elastic margin of expenditure. Under these circumstances we have availed ourselves to a very large extent indeed of the voluntary assistance of men of all classes of the community,
  1884
  whom we invited to form a central committee which could afterwards divide itself up into as many committees as it thought fit to tackle these problems and to which the Board of Trade assigns all the compulsory powers of investigation and research which were conferred on the Board by the Act. That Committee numbers to-day over 150 members, of whom I am happy to think 30 or 40 are representatives of the trade unions of this country. Thirty or forty are representatives of the great manufacturing associations, and the consumers and others are represented. During the last few months there have been no fewer than 200 meetings of committees appointed by the central committee which are engaged in investigating the present prices and profits in all the stable commodities. Every great trust which affects these commodities is now the subject of investigation. The Tobacco Trust, the Soap Trust, the Wallpapers Trust, the affairs of Messrs. Coats, the Metal Corporation—all have been subject to careful investigation by Committees not consisting of officials, but representative of every shade of political thought and every school of economic thought that is represented in this House. The Committee will realise that, if work of that kind is to be done thoroughly, impartially and satisfactorily, it cannot be hurried or scamped, and the fact that though the Act has only been in existence six or seven months, Reports have already begun to appear is, at any rate, evidence that there is no delay on our part.
  In this matter we must rid ourselves altogether of the short-sighted views which were obtaining a year ago. We must give up all hope that, by any action on the part of the Government or the people or any effort which is in the power of man, we can make good the waste of wealth which has arisen out of five years of war in so short a time. There must be years of strenuous work in front of the people of Europe, and other parts of the world, before we can attain the prosperity which we all desire. So far as this country is concerned we shall have our special difficulties to contend with in the immediate years that lie ahead of us. Agriculture is passing through a transitional period, in which agricultural prices have gradually grown, and agricultural wages must be maintained it agricultural labour is to preserve the standard of life which

  1885
  it has secured during the War. The process, which has been marked during the last ten years by the industrial historian, of the grouping of industries in great associations and combines, having for their purpose the fixing and maintenance of prices in the interests of producers or distributors, is extending to-day to some of our essential food stuffs. That is a process which will have to be watched very carefully. The right hon. Gentleman the Loader of the Opposition (Mr. Asquith), in a speech in Paisley the other day, said that he considered that the country needed some protection against illegitimate trusts and combinations. I know no Member of this House who uses language with more precision, but I should be grateful if the right hon. Gentleman will define a little more closely what he means by illegitimate trusts and combinations. I do not know whether these words spoken in Paisley were intended to exclude or include such a combination as that which controls in every household the price which the consumer has to pay for sewing cotton. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will explain that point.
  On the general question we must get rid of any short-sighted hopes. We must realise that the essential remedy is an increase of production, not merely as regards this country or any particular country, but as regards Europe and the world as a whole. I do not consider that we are necessarily at the top of the wave of high prices. We must remember that there are hundreds of millions of people in Central and Eastern Europe who are badly in need of the world's commodities, and are not yet effective competitors with ourselves in the world's markets for the restricted supply which is available. I conceive that the time may come when the peoples of Central Europe, having commenced the process of re-starting their industries, having obtained credit for that purpose, will make a greater demand upon the shorter supplies of the world. In those circumstances the policy of the Government must continue to be, so long as the necessity arises, to maintain control over essential foodstuffs, to continue the investigation of cost and profits and prices, and to take such measures as will tend to reduce the prices of commodities, whore, as the result of investigation, we find that stops of the kind are necessary.
  Mr. ASQUITH: I would like, if I may, to congratulate my hon. Friend who has
  1886
  just sat down on the admirably lucid and temperate statement which he has just made on the main aspects of this case. He has offered a friendly challenge to me in regard to something which I said during a recent election about trusts and combines. On a fitting occasion I shall be quite prepared to develop what I mean by illegitimate combinations. The particular case which he has selected, I do not know whether as an illustration of a legitimate or an illegitimate combination, is one which is still sub judice in the Court of public opinion; I have no prejudice in the matter. I have read the report of the Committee and I have read the reply of Messrs. Coats, and I think, without pronouncing any opinion which I may have formed, that it is a matter which is hardly ripe for a conclusive judgment of this House. My hon. Friend has spoken with great force and great acuteness as to the cause of the rise in prices, and, if I may trespass for a moment on the attention of the Committee, I would like to survey that matter from perhaps a wider and more general point of view. I am able to do so without, what some people would have probably have thought would be the case, making that survey in any acutely polemical spirit. The situation is really too grave for us to spend time and trouble upon recrimination as to the past when we ought to be concentrating our attention upon the present and upon the immediate future.
  Further, some criticism and some suggestions which I have developed in the course of the campaign to which my hon. Friend referred, and which a week ago I should have been disposed to press strongly upon the Committee, have been largely anticipated and met in the admirable Memorandum—for such I believe it to be—which has been circulated to the world in the course of the last few days on the economic aspects of Europe by the Supreme Council of the Allies, That is, in my judgment, an admirable document. It contains a full statement of many relevant facts, an excellent body of edifying and profitable doctrine and some practical proposals of great importance, which are none the less welcome because they have been, in my judgment, too long delayed. The Memorandum or Manifesto or whatever it is to be called—
  Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House): Declaration.
  Mr. ASQUITH: The Declaration wears a somewhat truncated air. One cannot help suspecting that it left England on its voyage across the Channel with a sting in its tail, and that tail, sting and all have been amputated by the expert political surgeons in Paris. At any rate, it seems to me—I will give my reasons in a few moments—with premises so excellent, and illustrations so apposite, that practical conclusions of a more extensive and more cogent character might well have been deduced, as perhaps they were deduced, by the original authors of the document. I am quite content to take what I conceive to be the fundamental facts of the situation from the statements made in the Declaration. They are simple and familiar, but they are almost appallingly significant. The essential thing, in my judgment, is that the rise in prices, which is the direct and inevitable consequence of the War, is a world-wide rise. It is not a domestic rise. It is an international rise. Look at the figures which are given in the Declaration of the Council. The increase has ranged from 120 per cent. in the united States to, I think, 170 per cent. here, and to something approaching or exceeding 300 per cent. in the case of all our Allies—France, Italy and Belgium. Nor is there any tendency, so far as we can discern at present, for those influences to abate or decrease in their effect.
  The hon. Gentleman who has just spoken has defended with great cogency the system of control which has been adopted by the Government, first during the emergencies of the War and continued since in the unsettled and dislocated economic conditions which followed the signing of the Armistice. I am not going to say anything in the way of adverse criticism either upon the necessity, or the supposed necessity, for those controls or upon the manner in which they have been exercised, except this. The sooner we are able to get rid of them the better. I was rather apprehensive when I listened to some of the expressions of my hon. Friend that the Government whom he represented looked with a more favourable eye than I confess I do to the continuance of this artificial system. It is a palliative, it is a mitigating expedient for special circumstances, but it has this great defect, that it conceals
  1888
  or tends to conceal from the eyes and the minds of the people and consumers of this country that you are face to face, not with a domestic, but with a world-wide problem. Let me say the same thing in even stronger terms of the continuance of the system of subsidies. I confess I was somewhat surprised and a good deal alarmed to find that in the Estimates with regard to which this Vote arises there are proposals for the sanction of the House of Commons in the ensuing financial year of subsidies, £45,000,000 for bread, £33,000,000 for railways, £15,000,000 for coal.
  Mr. BONAR LAW: It is not really coal.
  5.0 P.M.
  Mr. ASQUITH: I agree. Whatever it is, it has got to be spent. I am not dwelling so much upon the particular item as upon the fact that there is £83,000,000, or, if you like to leave out coal, £68,000,000, which is proposed to be voted for subsidies during the coming financial year. I am not, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer will, I am sure, realise, upon the question of amount, but much more upon the question of principle, and although it may be necessary, for the winding up of a system which was resorted to under conditions of emergency, to continue, in part, at any rate, the subsidies for another 12 months, I am strongly of opinion, and I trust it will be the opinion of this Committee and of the House, that the taxpayer's money, in the conditions under which we live, if it has to be taken from him, is much better expended in reducing the burden of our debt than in trying by this expedient or by that to shelter, even though it be for a time, the consumer and the country from the burden, the inevitable burden, the burden which ultimately he will have to bear, from world prices. Therefore I trust that this is the last we shall see of the system of subsidies.
  I have spoken about the level of prices. I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman who has just sat down—he put it, I think, as of the first importance—that among the primary and governing conditions which have led to this artificial inflation is the general shortage in the output of production. Some of the most material figures are set out in the declaration of the Supreme Council. None, I think, is more significant than in regard to wheat. I am told that even those might be supplemented, not in a mitigating, but in an

  1889
  emphasising sense, if the full facts were disclosed. I am told, for instance, on what I believe to be a reliable authority, that in the United States of America the area sown for winter wheat this year has been reduced from 52,000,000 to 38,000,000 acres, I am told—of course, it must be a mere estimate—that both in Franco and, so far as one can get information, in Germany the estimated production will be down 40 per cent. Wherever you go—Russia, of course, Rumania—wherever you go, you find that so far from there being a prospect of a recovery in the output of this, which is, perhaps, the most essential and indispensable of all the commodities we consume, the prospect, for the time being at least, is rather the other way.
  I do not know that the figures are much less disquieting in regard to coal. We are not here upon controversial ground. These are illustrations, which might be multiplied, of the conditions of production of almost every one of the essential commodities of human life and consumption, of the effects of the War—devastation of the machinery of production, destruction of human life, the diversion, which, I am sorry to say—and I shall have to dwell on this point a little later—the diversion which is still going on, particularly in the eastern parts of Europe, to military service of the faculties and capacities of men who ought to be set to work to increase material production; the consequent insufficiency and, in a large number of cases—it is no use disguising the fact—the relative inefficiency of the labour which is now engaged in production, the wholly inadequate steps, such as they are—I am not seeking to cast blame for what is proposed, it is to a large extent inevitable—so far taken to restore the means of transport and of distribution; and last, but by no means least—here I think the element of policy does come in—the delay in re-starting international production and exchange by the provision of raw materials and the extension of facilities of credit to some of those countries which have been the peculiar and special victims of the belligerents' operations. Those are the circumstances which have led to the curtailment of the output of necessary commodities, to the consequent deficiency of supplies, and, as my hon. Friend has quite accurately pointed out, have been among the most important factors, if not
  1890
  the most important factors, in the rise in prices. You cannot get rid of their effects. The process of reinstatement, restoration, re-starting the machinery, must of necessity be slow and gradual and halting and dilatory in its effects, but our policy, and particularly our international policy, ought above all things to be directed to starting from recognition of these essential facts and of the economic inter-dependence of all the nations of the world—our international policy ought to be directed to promoting at the earliest possible moment and with every reasonable facility the Allies and those associated with them can give, the whole industrial machinery of civilisation. That is the first step, and the most essential step towards a restoration of normal prices.
  Another factor—and this is one on which my hon. Friend did not dwell; it was not perhaps his province to dwell upon it with as much emphasis as I am disposed to give to it—is the effect upon prices of domestic and international indebtedness. I see that the Supreme Council estimates that the War Debt of the whole world is to be put at not less than £40,000,000,000. Remember—people do not bear this sufficiently in mind—that of that gigantic and indeed unthinkable sum by far the largest part, indeed nearly the whole, was borrowed not for productive nor for remunerative, but for destructive purposes. Provision has to be made and, as the Council rightly says, made out of taxation of the various nations concerned, for payment of interest and the ultimate repayment of principal upon that gigantic total, while upon the other side of the account not only are there no dividends, but there is nothing in the nature of a capital asset at all. I remember that nearly 15 years ago, when I was Chancellor of the Exchequer, I was asked, in regard to what we call our dead-weight national debt, which had then been increased by, I think, something like £200,000,000 by the Boer War, but which amount was not one-tenth or barely one-tenth of the total amount of the national debt at the present moment, "What assets have you to show for this gigantic and almost intolerable burden of debt?" I searched about for an answer. The only answer which, after the best investigation and consideration, I could give, was this: Apart from what we had accumulated for defensive and destructive

  1891
  purposes our only available and tangible assets were the Suez Canal shares and the British Empire. Are we not in very much the same position to-day?
  Mind you, the British Empire is not a liquid asset. You cannot, as many great landowners are doing now with their estates, advertise it in parcels at auction to the highest bidder. I saw a question was put to my right hon. Friend a day or two ago about the West Indian Islands. No, it is an inalienable asset. From the point of view of commerce, from the point of view of a realisable asset for the repayment of debt, it has no substantial or material existence. When I gave that answer our debt was something like one-tenth of what it is to-day. What assets have we now? We have one, I agree, invaluable, not to be described in words. By means of our indebtedness we have saved the fortunes and liberties of humanity—a vast moral asset indeed, a splendid tradition and memory and example for ourselves and for our posterity. Never let us forget, when we are considering not merely this problem of the rise in prices but our future economic and financial policy, that we have raised by ten times the pecuniary obligation that we have undertaken, it is true in a righteous cause and for an adequate reason and with the highest possible motives, but at the same time having nothing more to rely upon than we have always had, namely the taxable wealth of the great masses of the people of this country.
  There are one or two figures dealing with this aspect of the matter which I think are very material, and which were stated with great fulness and accuracy a few weeks ago by my right hon. Friend, whose absence from us I greatly regret, Mr. McKenna, in his address to the shareholders of the bank over which he now presides. The figure which I want especially to recall to the recollection of the Committee in that connection is this. He pointed out as between 1914 and the present year, 1920, if you add currency and circulation together and the deposits in the banks, which between them combine to make up the spending power of the country, comparatively the figures are, in 1914, 1,200,000,000, and in 1920, 2,700,000,000, in other words, an addition
  1892
  of 1,500,000,000 or 125 per cent. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary said very truly just now, that with the expansion which is going on in every direction of productive industry, and I may add, in the present range of prices, which shows the vicious circle in which we are living, the need for a larger amount of working capital than you ever had before is a most material ingredient in these large demands which we see every day. I am told that something like 1,700,000,000 is being asked for in the City of London this very week. The need for increased working capital is making a necessary and perfectly legitimate demand on the resources of the banks, and so far as the deposits at the banks are lent out for purposes of that kind, of course, the country gets, or ought to get, in the shape of increased productiveness a material and adequate return. But Mr. McKenna's calculation was that of this addition to the deposits at the banks in the six years which have elapsed since the beginning of the War, no less than 800,000,000 represents money lent to the State, in other words, by far the larger proportion of the whole. That, of course, is not represented by any corresponding increase in the wealth of the country. A very large part of it, if not the whole of it, has been spent not in reproductive but destructive expenditure, which was absolutely necessary in the interests of the community.
  The figure which, to my mind, of all the figures of debt is the most alarming, and all this has a direct bearing on the range of prices, is the amount of our floating debt. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that out of our total debt, which is now something like 7,900 millions, the floating debt is about 1,250 millions. I wish to congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on the fact that that has been reduced in the last month or two by, roughly speaking, something like 100 millions, but still it amounts to 1,200 millions. That, of course, is in addition to the 5,000 millions which has been lent by the public to the Government on long dated securities, and it is in addition, do not forget that, to our foreign indebtedness of at least 1,300 millions, appalling figures all. The thing which in my judgment is by far the most urgent—I do not think I need press it on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I press it on the Government and on the majority of the

  1893
  House of Commons—after increased output and production, if we are to bring back prices to a normal range is to get rid first of all, or at least to reduce by a very substantial amount, this millstone of the floating debt. How is that to be done? The first, most obvious and necessary way is, of course, by reducing our expenditure. We have had from the Government, and I am sure their professions have been sincere, although it is true that I am rather disappointed with the fruit that they have as yet produced, the most emphatic declarations and assurances that every step is being taken in that direction. We are dealing now with the Civil Service Estimates in this Vote on account for an expenditure during the coming financial year of 557 millions. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has, I think, tried more than once to give to the House his estimate of what he calls a Budget for a normal year, the year, that is to say, when the ground swell that follows the War will have subsided, and when we shall have come back to something like our habitual conditions.
  I cannot help contrasting the proposed expenditure on the Civil Service estimates now presented to the House with those which, I think, as lately as last October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer presented as what he conceived to be proper and adequate figures for a normal year. The total proposed expenditure for the next financial year is, quite roughly, 1,200 millions, the actual figures being 1,187 millions. The Chancellor's estimate of expenditure in a Budget for a normal year was 800 millions, so that for this year you are 50 per cent. in excess of the normal year. If you come to this particular item which is now before the Committee in the Vote on Account for Civil Service Estimates, in which I agree you cannot make, I say that quite frankly, reductions upon the same scale owing to the character of a number of the items as you can in the Army and Navy and Air, this total of 557 millions compares with the right hon. Gentleman's normal Budget with an item of 300 millions. In other words, it is 250 millions in excess of his normal Budget for Civil Service Estimates.
  Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: My right hon. Friend will bear in mind the assumptions on which the estimate for a normal year was framed.
  Mr. ASQUITH: I am anxious to be scrupulously fair in this matter. I know I have got the Chancellor with me on every point of this argument, and I am not addressing my remarks to him at all. I agree that my right hon. Friend stated some "if's," "if you do not want more for old age pensions, and for A, B, C and D, and a number of new items of expenditure, then that is my normal Budget." I agree that in so far as those "if's' have not been realised he must take credit, and is entitled to take credit for his Estimate. I confess I have not examined those Estimates in detail, but I have seen enough of them to know that there is hardly one single Department, the old Departments as well as the new ones, with very few exceptions, which is not asking for more, no new charges, no "if's," no contingencies. I am speaking of the old Departments, Departments which existed a year ago, and I do not think I am wrong in saying that with one or two exceptions, and those not very important ones, there is hardly one of those which is not asking for substantially more for these Estimates than what has been spent during the whole of the current financial year. This is very serious. You will never achieve what I believe to be the first and most indispensable step in the reduction of this gigantic burden of indebtedness till by some process or other you curtail the exuberance of these departmental demands, and have them brought back, not only to the standard of last year, but, I hope, if possible, to a much lower standard still. There is not a single man I am addressing on these Benches on either side of the House, and I am sure not a single man on the Treasury Bench, but observed during the course of the War, under perhaps excusable and pardonable conditions, the multiplication of offices and salaries, which reacted upon the whole level of our Civil Service expenditure—an hon. Member says it is still going on—and that requires to be most vigilantly and effectively watched by the House of Commons.
  I have said more perhaps than I had intended to say on that because I regard it as absoluely fundamental. You must stop borrowing, you must cut off the occasions and the needs for borrowing, you must drastically reduce in every conceivable and permissible direction your expenditure upon the service of the State.

  1895
  Till you do that it is no good floating campaigns of economy or preaching sermons on parsimony to the great bulk of the people of the country. I want if I may—because this is a very important question, and one upon which I do not think there is any substantial difference of opinion—to come back to the point at which I started and to impress upon the Committee that, just as when I spoke of the range of prices I said we must look not merely at domestic but world price, so I want now, when we are dealing both with output and indebtedness, to point out that there again it is not a domestic, but an international question. A great deal is said, and very properly said, in the memorandum of the Supreme Council, and most instructive figures are quoted, about the expansion of currency. There is no greater fallacy than to suppose that high prices are due to the multiplication of currency. It is the greatest nonsense, although it still finds favour in some uninstructed quarters, or perhaps I had better substitute imperfectly instructed quarters. They are both consequences of the same series of collocations and to think that you can, by the simple expedient of contracting your currency, bring down prices is equivalent to what—to use a favourite metaphor of Mr. Bright, which, I think, was borrowed from the old "Spectator"—it is like the man who sold pills against earthquakes. Nothing of the kind. You will not get rid of the difficulty by crude and ill-considered expedients like that; still less will you get rid of it, in fact, you will aggravate it, by anything in the nature of the continuance and expansion of international borrowing.
  There are some people, I know, who think that the U.S.A. can be invoked as a kind of deus ex machinâ to cut this knot. The United States, I think, were not parties to the Declaration of the Supreme Council, and I suppose anybody who is acquainted with the facts will be as strongly of opinion as I am that there is no country in the world which can compare at this moment with the United States in its possession of a reserve force for general economic restoration. On the other hand, we have got to remember that it is idle to look, nor is it desirable that we should look, for anything in the nature of assistance in the shape of a
  1896
  Government loan from the United States, I do not think we should desire it ourselves, and I am perfectly certain that they do not desire it, and therefore let us leave that entirely out of the question. You must remember, further, what I believe to be the fact, the enormous expansion which is going on now in the United States for the investment at home of their domestic capital. There are great building operations, great road-making operations, great railroad extensions going on, and you must not assume that the large and growing surplus of wealth which is being produced every year in the United States is all of it, or even a large part of it, available for foreign uses. At the same time, there is a very substantial balance, and I would venture strongly to urge this. I believe, the Government have already agreed to it. I was a party myself, together with a number of bankers and business men in this country and in the United States, to a demand that the Government should set up, if need be through the agency of the League of Nations, a general economic conference which should be attended, of course, by the United States, and if possible by all the civilised countries in the world—the late Allies, the neutral Powers, and our late enemies—in order to bring into a common stock our needs, our requirements, our resources, and the possibility of their most fruitful and profitable interchange. I understand that is going to be done. I saw a letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer agreeing to it in principle, and, if so, I would venture to urge upon my right hon. Friend—I do not know whether the matter is now in the hands of the League of Nations—
  The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George): It is.
  Mr. ASQUITH: Then, of course, the Government have no longer any direct responsibility, but I would venture to suggest to them that they should urge the greatest possible promptitude in the assembling of this body and the largest possible latitude in the reference to it. That is all I will say upon that point, but I cannot pass from this international aspect of the question without asking the Committee to look once more at what is going on here in Europe. I am leaving Russia for the moment out of the question. What do you seen in Central and Eastern Europe? You see at least two

  1897
  millions of men—I believe that to be an under-estimate—who are still in arms, engaged in fighting or in threatening and preparing for fighting, equipped by a costly, daily expenditure on munitions of all kinds, diverted entirely from peaceful and fruitful industries You see something—because that may be temporary—which, I think, is more serious, and which, I am quite sure, from some expressions in the economic memorandum of the Supreme Council, I shall have the sympathy of the Prime Minister upon. We see there in Eastern Europe—I am not speaking of the Balkans—on the borders of Russia, you have set up a number of new, independent, free States; some of them have old traditions, like Poland; some of them have sprung for the first time into anything in the nature of independent life. You, we, the Allies, we have rescued them from the paralysing thraldom of old despotism. We have endowed them with the priceless gift of self-government, and we are entitled to say to them—and I hope the Allies, with the united voice of Europe, will say to them—that liberty has its duties as well as its fights, and it is their business, now that the fetters have been struck from their hands and from their feet and they have been given the power of free self-development—it is their business to set their own house in order, to live in peace and amity with one another, and not to establish, as some of them seem to be short-sighted enough to think of establishing, new barriers, economic and otherwise, between themselves and their neighbours. They ought to become one great economic unit, they ought to disband their forces and send them back to the work of productive labour, to rebuilding the shattered fabric of civilisation If you once had the great area of that part of the world honestly and wholeheartedly devoted to that great task, you would have contributed a not unimportant factor to the great problem which we are now considering.
  I am not going to say anything about Germany for the moment—there will be other opportunities of saying that, and the situation there to-day is such as to make the fewest words the best—but let me add this in regard to Russia. I said at the beginning of my remarks that I thought the sting had been taken out of the tail, or perhaps the tail itself had altogether disappeared, from the economic memorandum of the Powers. They have
  1898
  recommended, unless we are misinformed, Poland, they have recommended Rumania, to have direct dealings in the way of negotiations with the Soviet Government of Russia. I hope the Allied Powers are going to take that advice themselves. They have most wisely, as I think, committed to the League of Nations the duty of making an economic inquiry into the conditions.
  The PRIME MINISTER: The whole condition of Russia.
  Mr. ASQUITH: The wider the scope of these inquiries the better, and I am very glad to hear that correction. That, I think, is a very wise step, and I wish it had been taken a year ago. It may be—I am not denying it—a necessary preliminary, or at any rate a desirable preliminary, to the establishment upon our part of direct relations, but, whatever road you approach, I will not quarrel about the particular route by which you are seeking your goal. There is nothing—not even the important change in the policy of these smaller States which I advocated a few moments ago—there is nothing more important to the economic restoration of civilisation than that we should pee, as regards this gigantic community in Russia, with its infinite plenitude of resources in men and in materials, a re-entry upon their part into the common household, industrial and political, of mankind, and a resumption of the freest possible interchange of commodities between them and us. It is upon those large lines that you will ultimately solve, or at least help to solve, the difficulties of which this rise in prices is only the symptom.
  I have only one other remark to make. I am not, and never have been, either during the War or since the War, a pessimist, so far as we are concerned. I have never thought that we were on the road, or that we were even approaching a starting-point for the road, to national and Imperial bankruptcy and ruin. If we start upon that road we shall do it, not under the compulsion of circumstances, but from a suicidal impulse from which the commonsense of this nation will, I hope, always preserve us. I have no fear for our own industrial future. So long as we preserve our old capacity for, and habit of, hard and honest work, so long as we give and continue to give, as we always have given, the

  1899
  freest play to initiative and enterprise, so long as we maintain—and we have maintained now for the best part of a century—an open market, and if to these things, which are old possessions and old traditions, we add, as we ought to add, effective means of preventing wasteful and uneconomic management and conduct of the great capital industries, and, above all, rigid and sleepless economy in the expenditure of our public resources—so long as we pursue those lines, I have no fear whatever of the industrial and economic future of this country.
  Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS: I think most of us will be in agreement with the main points touched in the speech of the right hon. Gentleman. We all feel that the first essential is to get peace in the world. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we must assist in that process. As lately a member of the Supreme Economic Council I have been brought into close contact with many of the facts to which he has directed attention, and I admit the urgency of the need, and have even had to tell supplicants for assistance that, whilst we are prepared to give some immediate aid, they must set their own house in order, because, after all, charity cannot be a lasting thing. After all, the right hon. Gentleman is expecting just a little too much of this country, like many others of large humanitarian spirit. It seems to be felt that this country is the country that has got to undertake the whole responsibility of re-habilitating the world. Nevertheless, it has to be borne in mind that Great Britain bore the major portion of the War; and I know that many demands have been preferred on this country since the War ended. I feel that we are entitled to say this much—at any rate, I can from my personal experience—that the Government has done as much as it has been possible to perform, and, whilst I appreciate the spirit, I think we also have to recognise that there are limitations, and just as in our own country we have to urge our own people to settle down and work, so have we to tell the people of all those other countries that they must do likewise. I recognise the necessity for every form of economy in Government Departments, and I hope the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley
  1900
  (Mr. Asquith) will lead a body of opinion in this country to subject all those Votes to strict analysis, and point out to us possible forms of economy. I have often listened to speeches in this House charging the Government with extravagance, and enjoining upon them economy, but rarely have I found right hon. or hon. Gentlemen to be very helpful in directing attention to any particular point on which it might be effected. [HON. MEMBERS: "Russia!"] If my hon. Friends will only exercise a little patience, I presume they will have their chance. On the other hand, I have experienced throughout the time I have been in this House, a tendency on the part of all Members to increase national expenditure, especially if it is likely to increase their popularity in their respective constituencies. The right hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London (Sir F. Banbury) is, of course, the one exception, owing to the peculiar nature of his constituency.
  I think we must all welcome this Debate, because, at least, it is helping us to face actualities. I believe the outcome of this Debate will allow us to understand that there is a difference between the dearness attributable to real shortage and that which is due to individual rapacity. I have had very strong views on this matter, and I realise that we may hold out false hopes to the people, and that if we promise them that the establishment of a Ministry of Food is certain to lower prices, and then we fail to achieve that purpose, we have got to explain why we have failed, otherwise extreme resentment is caused. Similarly, when we pass a Profiteering Act, if we lead the people into believing that thereby you are going to root out the main cause of high prices, and then experience proves that the Act has very little effect in that direction, disillusionment follows. For my own part, I have never been much in love with such expedients as the Profiteering Act, not because I want to do-fend the profiteer. I would deal with him as drastically as anybody in the community would deal with him. On the other hand, I have always been afraid that you will distract the attention of the community from the real facts of the case, and divert them to the consideration of what, after all, are minor factors in the case. I have wanted profiteering to be dealt with on something like more

  1901
  scientific lines than that formulated in the Profiteering Act. I want, first of all, to have in existence some State Department charged to ascertain costs, and thereby be able to guide any tribunal in the matter. Unless we are able to do this, not on one particular occasion, but over a series of years, then, in my humble opinion, we shall never be able to deal with the evil of profiteering in order to eliminate it from the country.
  The right hon. Gentleman has done a signal service this afternoon in showing us that present high prices are attributable to national and international finances, and he is perfectly correct in informing us that, until we are able to make revenue and expenditure balance, until we are able to get production back to normal, this problem of high prices will remain with us. But I want to join issue, with great diffidence, with the right hon. Gentleman on one point. He seems to be apprehensive that it is the intention of the Government to keep in existence for some time longer the Ministry of Food. I want to say here outright that I have urged on the Government that that Ministry should be given a definite lease of life, and I am going to state my reasons for it. There is undoubtedly a real world shortage of the main essentials of life, and I am of the opinion that no Government with a due regard to the interests of its people can allow free play to profit making interests, having regard to that shortage. Therefore I feel that, whilst it may be, as Sir Robert Giffen once put it, that what is not economically sound may be politically expedient, I certainly feel that the Government will be well advised if they do keep the Ministry of Food in existence for some time longer. Other Members will have their own opinions upon that matter. I do not contemplate that we need preserve the rigid forms of control which prevailed during the war, but I do urge that it is very desirable that we should keep a Ministry in existence to exercise supervision over supplies and prices; otherwise there would be disaster in the land. We know how suspicious people are at the moment, how they have felt that profits are being made out of proportion, and it is necessary to enlighten them by the presentation of the real facts of the matter.
  6.0. P.M.
  Therefore, I urge that the Ministry should be kept in existence for, say, three or five years, that it should engage in the
  1902
  work of ascertaining the cost of commodities, that it should in the meantime, gradually set up organisations in the various trades of the country, and thereby be able to exercise a measure of control, which I feel would be in the interest of the consuming public. I belive the proposal to which I am directing attention would have the effect of safeguarding the interests of the consumer, and at the same time leaving perfectly free play for the initiative and enterprise which, I agree with the right hon. Gentleman, it would be disastrous to the State to stagnate. My hon. Friend feels that the Ministry of Food has failed in some purpose or other, but I do not think anyone will deny that the Ministry of Food, having regard to the world scarcity, has succeeded in supplying the people of this country with adequate supplies of food at a less price than that which has prevailed in any other country of the world, with the exception of the United States of America, and the United States of America do not afford such a comparison as a mere comparison of figures would appear to show. Whilst the average of prices has risen 170 per cent. in this country, and only 120 per cent. in the United States of America, it must be borne in mind that prices in the United States before the War were 50 per cent. higher than in this country. We have suffered a great deal at the Ministry of Food because of the fact that we have been too dependent upon the one market for a large amount of our supplies. What I hope to emerge from this Debate is some practical proposals as to how, in permanent fashion, we shall be able to exercise some effective control over supplies and prices. After all, it appears to mc that we have not yet got very far in that direction. We are told, of course, that until the countries lately at war have been restored they will not be able to furnish us with any supplies. For some time we must recognise them as out of the category of exporting nations—Russia for wheat, the Central Empires for sugar. But I am afraid if we are going to wait until they recover and have surpluses at their disposal that we are not proceeding along sound lines. I feel that we ought to be considering the possibilities of production in our own country and throughout the British Empire. One of our greatest causes of weakness throughout the War was an extreme

  1903
  dependence upon overseas supplies. Whatever may be our opinions personally in connection with these matters, I cannot understand anyone giving support to a policy which discourages home production. On the other hand, I think that we should be prepared to subordinate our own opinions to secure a larger measure of production here at home. It is true that something was done during the War.
  The Corn Production Act was not altogether a very popular measure. I am glad, however, to have given it support, and to have been in at the fashioning of that measure, for certainly it has opened up to us new possibilities of cultivation in this country. If we continue to encourage that policy, naturally we diminish our dependence upon other countries, and the less our dependence is the stronger position we are in in making our purchases. If we go into the American market, the urgency of our needs is known as well as it is here, and, naturally, full advantage is taken of that fact. Therefore, I am one who wishes to see a larger measure of our supplies from sources over which we have some control I believe that is possible in this country. I am sure it is more possible to make arrangements with our Dominions than it is to make arrangements with foreign countries. We should proceed along the lines here indicated and ascertain to what extent we can increase production here at home. Before the War we had to import five-sixths of our wheat. It is true we increased wheat production somewhat during the War. I believe we increased the whole production from 7,500,000 to 11,500,000 quarters. If we were able to do that under the stress of war, what might we not accomplish if we were to lay down a regular policy of the development of home agriculture? Again, I am certain that we can enormously increase the amount of meat and dairy produce here at home. These are the lines along which we can progress, and I certainly feel this is one direction which will con tribute towards reduction of prices, for, after all, production at home is much more subject to public opinion and Governmental action than can possibly be the case in respect to ether countries.
  As we found the Dominions to respond to our call during the War, I feel that we should give them encouragement to develop their resources after the War.
  1904
  I believe that the outstanding fact in the world to-day is: demand tends to outstrip production. This was becoming manifest even before the War. America was ceasing to export to us. With her increasing population I believe we must look to her for less than hitherto, rather than more. Similarly, this process is going on all over the world. Every nation and every people requires a higher standard of living, and rightly so. We may expect as certain as to-morrow follows to-day that the Eastern races will develop a higher standard of living and thus make a greater demand upon the world's production. This, in my opinion, will throw us more and more upon our own resources, and the cultivation of our own land. These are facts which were borne in upon me whilst at the Ministry of Food. They are worth consideration. We ought to consider how long it will be before Russia is able to send us large surpluses; how long before Germany will be able to enter the market as an exporter again. We cannot tell how long it will take for these countries to recover. Whilst we have other sources open to us for development, we ought not to continue to rely upon these other very uncertain elements. Siberia ceased to send us butter, and our people have had to go short of butter. We might enormously increase the butter production in this country. Similarly, by the adoption of an appropriate policy, we might increase butter production in various parts of the Empire. Whatever commodity we take, I think these facts equally apply. I respectfully submit that only by increasing the world's production and only by opening up new sources of supply will we be able to rid ourselves of that extreme dependence on one or two markets where we are entirely at the mercy of those who have surpluses to sell, who know we must purchase, and are therefore, able to extract the highest price from us.
  Again, I believe that something might be done in another direction. We have done something at the Ministry of Food to open up this line of resources. We have been dependent upon America too much for bacon, and not very good bacon—some would say—at that Bacon had to be procured. That was the only supply open to us. Moreover, it was a country fairly easily reached, and tonnage had to be turned round in the shortest

  1905
  possible time. There was, therefore, every reason why we should make purchases in that market. We had the great Danish market open to us before the War. Danish production declined during the War, perhaps mainly because of the blockade, and inability to get feeding stuffs. But at the Ministry of Food we have given encouragement to the Danish producers, to stimulate them, we have encouraged the process of opening up new sources of supply, and so relieve us of dependence of a single source. I do not intend to give the House any detailed statement of the work at the Ministry of Food, but I will simply say this: that I believe it has deserved well of the country during the great crisis. I believe this is not the time to disband. I do not think it is safe. I do not contemplate that you should continue the rigid forms of control which prevailed during the War. I am prepared to argue that control has advantages during abnormal periods, such as that through which we are passing. I am also equally prepared to admit that control may have its disadvantages, because the operations of a State Department can never be sufficiently responsive to rapid changes, and thereby very often we have found the consumer deprived of the advantages of plenty because of the slow moving of the State machine. These are facts that my hon. Friends who believe in State control as a permanent principle will have to take into consideration. Control by all means, but not along any particularly rigid lines adapted to a particular commodity, but according to the circumstances of the case.
  Still, I submit that you must retain control until world conditions become normal. The Department will exercise supervision over the food of the people and be able to show the people why prices are high and why supplies are short. Without such a Ministry during the last few years a great deal worse disturbances of the kind that have prevailed would have occurred. The Ministry has possibly saved the country from great disaster.
  The only further point I want to emphasize is this: we cannot get rid of high prices simply by waving a magician's wand. The Government is not, as generally understood, responsible for high prices. No particular individual can be charged with the responsibility, whether you designate him profiteer or otherwise.
  1906
  High prices, as the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Asquith) has stated, is a world phenomenon ensuing from the destruction of war, which has occasioned a real shortage. When there is a real shortage, as Professor Keynes has put it, the profiteer is a consequence, and not a cause, of the high prices. The only way in which we will be able to deal adequately with this problem is by securing settled political and social conditions here at home. I believe that if we could have preserved that spirit of unity which characterised the nation during the War for, say, ten years after the War, we would have got through this period with much less difficulty. National disunity is a real cause of high prices. Certainly we have not been able to adjust labour matters without great upheaval. I rejoice in the fact that the working classes are at last coming to their own, and are securing better wages and humaner consideration. I have claimed this on their behalf. Whilst, however, doing so I have never failed to point out to them that when they are claiming their rights and privileges they must shoulder their duties and responsibilities. We cannot continue to take out unless we put in. It is because of the fact that production has not been keeping pace with competition that we have this problem in an accentuated form. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley is perfectly correct in proposing this problem, first of all as one requiring for its solution peace throughout the whole world, and, secondly, production here at home. In these lie the solution of this great problem.
  Mr. CLYNES: I beg to move, "That Item Class 11. (Board of Trade.) be reduced by £100."
  Like my right hon. Friend who has just addressed the House, I, as an ex-Food Controller, may be suspected of some indulgence in self-praise if I make a comment on the opening remarks of the speech of the Parliamentary Secretary with regard to the functions of the Ministry he represents in this House. The least I will claim for it is that it is within the knowledge of the country and of this House that, during the War at any rate, in the matters of Supplies, Rationing, the Fixing of Prices, and the Keeping Down of Prices, and in the direction of increasing and

  1907
  sustaining public confidence, the Ministry of Food was of the highest national service. But I venture to submit to my hon. Friend that since the beginning of last year, if not since a month or two following the Armistice, the work of the Ministry has provided the country with a great many disappointments, and it has failed, during this after-War period, effectively to deal with these things. During the War that Ministry, perhaps more than any other, was incapable of formulating a policy in a particular sense. It had to work under very great pressure, dealing with new tasks arising almost every day. Its work was very like makeshift, the handling of emergencies, and the rapid settlement of questions rapidly arising as bye-products of the War. We at that time had little opportunity to think out even main principles, and certainly not to master the great mass of detail incidental to complex and sometimes baffling questions. But, notwithstanding the conditions of pressure, the Ministry did give very valuable service to the needs of the nation and it has been during the time when it was possible to outline policy and to draw up schemes and plans in the calmer and less disturbed period of peace, that the Ministry of Food has failed to meet the national needs.
  The Prime Minister, speaking some months ago, gave one of his seldom realised assurances as to what was soon to happen. I do not know how the Prime Minister is at times supplied with information, but on the strength of the information with which he was then dealing he gave the country an assurance that, within a very short time, we might expect a reduction of 4s. weekly in the cost of living. It is within the experience of all of us, and more so within the experience of the poorer people of the country, how completely the Government failed to realise that hope. Instead of there having been a reduction in the cost of living, there has, since the assurance was given, been a very lamentable and substantial increase. Therefore I do not accept the speech of my hon. Friend this afternoon as a defence of the Government. It was an explanation of his own administration, because, to a certain extent, he outlined what his policy was, but, as a defence of that policy, I feel sure the House will look upon
  1908
  his speech as totally inadequate, and as carrying with it no reassurances or promises whatever in reference to the handling of this pressing problem of prices.
  It is true, as he said, that during the War there was a great destruction of wealth, but no sufficient effort, if indeed any effort at all, has been made that could succeed in repairing that wealth destruction or to give some effect to the united aspiration which we all entertain for greater production in days of peace, so as to catch up the awful arrears arising from the destruction of wealth during the War. It will not do merely to go on talking about the need for increased production. I have shared in that talk, but I have also said there are two things which seem to be necessary to be realised by those who speak for the Government. One is that you will not get any increased production by any increased exertion on the part of the manual toilers of this country until they are assured that their increased production is not going to be merely for the personal benefit of the private owners and controllers of wealth in this country; and the other is that they shall be assured that their increased work is not going to make them workless. Some time ago the Prime Minister described the conditions of unemployment as conditions which no civilised community should tolerate. I do not see how you are going to give the workman a real assurance that he will be safeguarded against unemployment unless you can do it by some legislative act that will prevent him being thrown out of work merely because he has worked harder. These appeals, after all, are addressed to a comparatively small section of the community—to manual employés. It is, after all, on them that any possibility or prospect of increased wealth must ultimately depend. I am not belittling those who work with the pen—the brain workers and the black-coated workers; they contribute to the sum total of the output of our wealth—but, in the main, these appeals with regard to increased production are addressed to the manual workers—the workers in the mines, in the factories, and in the fields.
  What do they see? They see that before the war whenever there was an increase in the wealth of the country, as exhibited by expanding trade and increasing profits, and greatly increased in

  1909
  comes as proved by revenue returns, in spite of all these proofs of an increase in the national wealth they got no more than they could secure by their organised policy. We had better face the facts, and remind employers of labour that in the main they are largely responsible, because of the course which they pursued in the days of peace, for the course which working men are pursuing now that the war is over. No matter how great their prosperity, how enormous the profits in any particular trade or industry, we who had to lead and advise the men, the heads of the trade unions, found that invariably we had to fight by means of the strike weapon for the slightest advance in wages that had to be wrung from most employers. The folly of the employers in those days in not voluntarily sharing more of the wealth which largely manual labour had made has gone far to cm-bitter the relations between employers and employed, and we are reaping that harvest of distrust which was sown by the attitude of the employers in the days before the war. Manual workers, therefore, are not alone to blame with regard to this problem of under-production or diminished output from their labour.
  I agree with what was said by my right hon. Friend, who has just spoken as to the advisability of increasing home production. When I was at the Ministry of Food I had my views strengthened as to the wisdom of producing within the limits of our capacity as an industrial community as much food as we could here at home, instead of going far overseas for it. But I cannot say that I altogether share the views possibly more held than expressed this afternoon as to the principles upon which we should go or the methods we should adopt. Even as it is there is a great part of pastoral Britain which might be more extensively used, not for merely commercial purposes but in order to secure incidentally the good that would accrue to the country from the pursuit of Adam's trade. I agree, therefore, it should be our business to encourage home production, and it might even be encouraged in legislative and administrative acts, such as has been tried in the past, for instance, in improving the status and remuneration of the farm worker, which must tend to retain in and attract to that industry more men than were possible in the days before the war.
  1910
  The Parliamentary Secretary referred almost in terms of lamentation to the weakness and shortcomings of the Profiteering Act. He said that it gave the Minister but very limited powers in regard to the carrying out of that particular instrument of the law. May I remind the hon. Gentleman that when that Act was rushed through this House in August last year, we made appeals to the Government to make it far stronger than it was. Repeated Amendments were suggested from this side and rejected, in order that the instrument for locating and dealing with the profiteer should be made effective, and now six or seven months afterwards my hon. Friend is bemoaning the powerless-ness of the Ministry of Food so far as that particular Act of Parliament is concerned in regard to the conduct of the profiteer. I think the spokesman of the Government this afternoon might have turned to his colleagues and asked them why, when they had the opportunity to strengthen the Act, and when the House was almost unanimously in favour of making the Act more effective, they failed to respond to our appeals. The hon. Gentleman was a little remiss in not giving us some more information as to the actual working of the Act. The country, in its present state of anger and justifiable indignation, would have welcomed this afternoon some lists which would have shown the number of profiteers caught and imprisoned for the wrongs they had done. But we have heard nothing about that, and, what is more, the newspaper reports records have given us very little information. I suggest there is no greater wrong being done to the State, and to the general smooth working of the trade and industry of the country than is being caused by the conduct of profiteers. High prices are no doubt due to many influences and circumstances in addition to profiteering, but the one factor in connection with high prices which the ordinary man sees and understands is that factor for which the profiteer is responsible. Talk to a man about rates of exchange, about the high prices at which you have to purchase food abroad, about many other economic conditions which account for what he has to pay for his food and largely he fails to understand it. But when he sees the accounts of the enormous and improper profits made by those who are selling the food, and who have acted as mere distributors or buyers

  1911
  or sellers, it is then that he understands that someone is doing wrong. The Act at least might have been made adequate, dealing not tenderly, not unjustly, but justly with the man who has made exorbitant profits.
  When the Government had an opportunity last August to acquire for itself absolutely adequate powers, they failed to meet the wishes of the House and to carry the Amendments which were suggested. My hon. Friend and the late Food Controller have been, during their term of office, working under limitations of the greatest discouragement and doubt, not knowing as to how long their Ministry was to exist, and so far as it would appear, almost understanding that the Government was eager to put an end to the life of that Ministry which, I think, above all others was a Ministry that ought to have been kept in full being, working overtime if need be, to carry on this necessary national work. There has been no food policy laid down or followed by the Government during the year 1919. It is only in response to repeated appeals from organised labour and from other quarters of the country, as the result of deputations, memorials and conferences, that the Ministry of Food has been kept together at all. It has been largely dismantled. Many of its abler chiefs, understanding that the Ministry was not to be kept together for long, naturally left it for other service. Handicapped and discouraged in that way it was scarcely possible that the chiefs of the Ministry could effectively do their work and serve the country in the way they ought to do.
  There has been an absence of policy, as exhibited merely in the fact that the heads of the Ministry itself scarcely ever knew how long they were going to be tolerated as the representatives of the food plans laid down by the Government. This is not a matter on which the Government should have acted under compulsion. There ought to have been initiative, foresight and some of that sort of statesmanship and policy showing a natural grasp of certain inevitable and obvious consequences of the war. Everyone knew, and not least of all the Prime Minister, that, although the war was over, when we entered into peace arrangements the effects of war in this matter of food and material would remain with the world for years, and indeed we
  1912
  told the country that. With that knowledge of having to live for years in what I might term the realm of war consequences it was suicidal on the part of the Government to treat the Ministry of Food in the way they have done.
  My right hon. Friend made a suggestion as to what ought to be the future conduct and policy of the Food Ministry. If we could get back to pre-war conditions with regard to food and materials for trade, we should all desire the restoration of our trade and personal liberty. D.O.R.A. was a very necessary friend during the period of the war. We should all be glad to get rid of the Regulations if we could return to pre-war conditions. But here again, so long as you have a state of shortage in any article of food, you cannot safely trust the public to have that article supplied by the ordinary trader. Therefore the trader must be watched, regulated and bound down by the law to do certain things in the public interest. It was that condition that brought the Ministry of Food into being. As soon as a state of shortage appeared in any article the price went up and up, as the article was bought and sold, to an intolerable degree until the price at which finally it reached the consumer became an absolutely intolerable price. You will have that state of things so long as you have shortage, and my view is that you can only afford to liberate an article, whether food or material, from the restraint of the law when that article has become as plentiful in its supply as before the war. Given shortage, you must have the restraining and protecting hand of the law. There are perhaps degrees inside which, that principle can be applied, but at least a fair, sound and just price is the least condition which must be retained if the consumer is to be protected. I know there are hon. Members who seem to get in a state of mind amounting to panic when they are asked to tolerate a continuance of conditions of food control. I should like to give some actual instances of what the difference has been when decontrol has been applied to articles which continue to be scarce, and therefore ought not to have been liberated. Let mc refer first to home-produced butter. The highest price reached by home-produced butter under the condition of control was 2s. 8d. per lb. The price since de-control has reached 5s. 6d. Linseed cake, a very

  1913
  important article of food for cattle, and therefore a substantial contribution in the food for man: the highest controlled price was £19 15s. per ton. The price at the end of January, since de-control, reached £25. The highest controlled price of cotton seed cake was £15. The price since it was de-controlled is £17 17s. I daresay it is within the personal know-lodge of hon. Members who have more experience than I have of these particular commodities that the price has gone up to an even higher figure than I have given.
  Sir W. RUTHERFORD: You can get some now, though.
  Mr. CLYNES: That strengthens my argument. The fact that there is an increased supply proves that there is no justification for increasing the price. It was while there was shortage that the excuse was raised.
  Sir W. RUTHERFORD: Now that the price has gone to a proper figure, you can get it.
  Mr. CLYNES: The highest controlled price of coffee was 1s. 6d. per lb. Since control was removed it has gone up to 2s. 2d. Take condensed milk, a most important article of food in thickly populated centres whore milk cannot be got in its natural state during the times when it is required by largo masses of the working population. The highest price reached under control was 1s. 10d., and 1s. 6d. is the price at present. I could go on giving similar figures showing the extension of prices since de-control of very many articles of food for both men and beasts. This applies to many forms of seeds, nuts, kernels, oils, and similar articles. To what is this very largely due? My hon. Friend has quite recently given us some explanation of the causes of many of these high prices in relation to food and other materials. Speaking a few nights ago at Northampton, he said:
  "The Committee on Trusts, after eighteen months' investigation, found in every important industry in the United Kingdom a rapid and increasing growth in the formation of trade combines, formed to restrict and to control prices. In at least 80 per cent. of the great businesses of the United Kingdom control exists, and control his come to stay. Messrs. Coats are just as much the cotton controllers for the United Kingdom as Mr. Roberts was as the Food Controller. Indeed, their organisation is more perfect and their control more complete."
  1914
  He went on to show how their control descended to the smallest point of detail in connection with the supply of food and material. This is a serious national problem with which the Government has not yet dealt, and certainly there was nothing in my hon. Friend's speech this afternoon to show in what way any of this vicious business of profiteering by means of combines and trade arrangements is to be checked or prevented. The right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Asquith) expressed what is a very common desire. He suggested that we should get back to the conditions of that free state of trade, competition, enterprise and initiative in business which, with all its defects, is much to be preferred to this newly developed plan in the trade of our country. Competition has almost ceased amongst traders and the suppliers of food and materials generally. Business initiative and enterprise has been killed.
  Sir W. RUTHERFORD: By your Department?
  Mr. CLYNES: By the combines and trusts that have been established. You can hardly buy a box of tacks without having to pay a purchase price settled secretly by some ring of men who have made it a subject of combine. There is not a single article in connection, for instance, with the pressing demand for house reconstruction, which can now be secured or procured by any contractor or house builder unless it is got at a price fixed by a trust. We are entitled to ask the Government how they propose to deal with the problem as affected by the unjust fixing of price by these gentlemen who manage trusts, and who control 80 per cent. of the principal trades of our country. The right hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. G. Roberts) referred to the prospect of getting supplies of wheat from Russia. I might hero invite some explanation from the Prime Minister as to what it is that we are to understand from his recent statement and the statement of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food. On the opening of Parliament the Prime Minister, during the Debate on the Address, made a speech which was splendid—that is the least that may be said for it—in all respects except as to facts. Coming down to facts, we had this statement:
  "The grain and flour of Russia of all kinds, maize, barley, oats, &c, came to

  1915
  nearly 9,000,000 tons. The figures are prodigious in every direction. The world needs it. There are high prices in Britain, high prices in France, high prices in Italy, and there is stark hunger in Central Europe. The corn bins of Russia are bulging with grain."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, February 10, 1920, Cols. 44–45, Vol. 125.] That is our Report.
  The PRIME MINISTER: I said that was the report we had received, but I added that there was a doubt with regard to the facts about Russia. I said I could only give the report that had been presented to me. Then I went on to say that no one could tell what was happening in Russia. That report was received from a very important authority. On the other hand, there is a feeling that it is not a correct estimate, and I pointed that out. If the right hon. Gentleman will do me the justice of reading further on in that very speech, he will see that I said so. The first part is quoted very freely outside, but the second part is never quoted.
  Mr. CLYNES: I have not quoted this; statement outside.
  The PRIME MINISTER: I am not complaining of my right hon. Friend. I was referring to other people.
  Mr. CLYNES: I quote it now, because it is so strikingly different from the statement recently made on the facts by my hon. Friend who speaks for the Ministry of Food. Speaking a few nights ago, this is what he said:
  "The information reaching us in regard to the state of affairs in Soviet Russia and the territories of Southern Russia has been extremely varied and often unreliable. The latest information to which I have had access does not encourage me to suppose that the resumption of trade relations with Russia, which is the policy of the Government, is likely to open up any very large stores of wheat or grain in the near future."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, March 9, 1920, Col. 1190. Vol. 126.]
  I present the two statements in order that we may have some reply, so as to dispel the doubt and confusion which has been created in the public mind by these two conflicting statements.
  The PRIME MINISTER: We have had an infinite variety of reports. For instance, one report from an authority who might be assumed to be a very reliable authority stated that the peasants were burying their grain and had done so for perhaps one or two harvests, and that
  1916
  they had considerable supplies. There are others who take a totally different view. It was quite impossible to get investigation. That is why we are getting an organisation now to ascertain the real position as to whether one statement is correct or the other is correct. You will not discover it until there is an investigation on the spot.
  Mr. CLYNES: Perhaps the Prime Minister will in future take the opportunity of guarding himself against using reports until adequate investigation is made. I want to return to the question of the effect of the great profits that are being made by the trusts and combines on the public mind and on the prices which are being paid. We must not, as the Parliamentary Secretary did this afternoon, make too little of the operations of the profiteers, trusts and combines in relation to this matter of prices. I am certain that just as the British public, of all classes, bore the burdens of the War because they knew that they had to carry them as a patriotic duty, they would now bear any burden of high prices if they knew that they were not being robbed by-men who had the power to place these high places upon the commodities needed for reconstruction and for the daily food of the people. We can depend upon the patriotism of the public if we can dispel what are partly their suspicions and partly the proven facts in regard to the profiteers. Lord Colwyn, referring to the recent investigations and what had been discovered in regard to the profiteers, has referred to the subject of shipping which, like everything else, has its bearing upon prices. He said:
  "Some of the shipping concerns have made fabulous sums of money, directly and indirectly, through the War. I have had three instances brought before my notice, which I cannot vouch for, but which were given to me on very high authority There is the case of a man who was worth a £1,000,000 in 1914 and who has multiplied that six times over by now. There is another case of a man who had £3,000,000, and he has also multiplied that five or six times."
  These instances in shipping as in other forms of transport and in the supply and distribution of raw material and food: these instances of intolerable profits have been brought to the notice of the Government and should have received more effective treatment than they have done so far. I have here a list with which I will not trouble the House of how in the

  1917
  smallest articles this same law of secret combines and trusts is operating and artificially raising the price to the public. There is the Bedstead Angle Association, the Bedstead Manufacturers' Association, the Braize Brass Tube Association, the Brass Tube Association, the Electric Welded Tube Association, the Flange Makers' Association, and so on—a dozen of them, which have their one secretary and their one arrangement for privately fixing what profits they shall make out of the public.
  Mr. A. M. SAMUEL: Trade unions do that.
  Mr. CLYNES: If the Committee can fall back upon no other answer than that trade unions do the same thing, my answer is this, that the men in the trade unions who by combination try to fix their wages, do, at any rate, earn them by work. They toil in the pit, in the shipyard, in the field, and in the factory; so that there is at least that justification for fixing their wages by certain action, though in itself that act may be deemed to be wrong. The further answer is, that the manual toiler never could get what everybody in this House would agree that he should have, namely, a living wage, until he formed himself into an association and used the power which alone combined effort gives. There is really no comparison between the two cases. It has always been understood in this country that trade should derive its profits from the ordinary, healthy free play of trade conditions and competition, and that the success of those engaged in trade should rest upon their own capacity in business and upon the general efficiency with which their trade is conducted For the first time in this country we have reached a stage where, admittedly, these associations are being formed artificially to raise prices to the public and thereby unduly procure profits for themselves. The inquiry to which I have referred has presented to the public and, therefore, to the disturbed mind of the working classes, figures which will go far to cause demands for increased wages, and further to keep us in this vicious circle of which we have so often spoken. These figures, which are given in a memorandum recently supplied by the Board of Inland Revenue, show that the additional profits during the years of the War enjoyed by a comparatively few people in this country
  1918
  exceeded £4,000,000,000, and we are further told that these profits were enjoyed by no more than 340,000 people. An additional wealth exceeding £4,000,000,000 is enjoyed by 340,000 people.
  Sir W. PEARCE: I am sure the right hon Gentleman docs not want to mislead the House. The figures he has given are not quite accurate. The 340,000 people through increased war wealth only got £2,800,000,000. The £4,000,000,000 of which the Inland Revenue spoke, was divided amongst a very much larger number of persons, on whom they hesitated to impose a valuation.
  Mr. A. M. SAMUEL: Is it not a fact as regards the £2,800,000,000 supposed to have been saved during the War five years, that in any case, had there been no war, £400,000,000 would have been saved annually by those people?
  Mr. W. THORNE: That makes the case worse.
  7.0 P.M.
  Mr. CLYNES: I should like to have a modification of these figures. I should be glad to have it proved that they are not as they are given. Let the House observe the effect of such figures on the minds of the people. They are very disturbing, and they are the groundwork for demands for a share of the good things that are going in the form of increased wages. If the Prime Minister could deal, with these figures from the standpoint submitted in the questions which have been put to me, I should be very glad. Lot me give another figure, revealed in the statement made by the Inland Revenue Department. It shows that £200,000,000 of the increase was enjoyed by 280 people alone. That works out at an average of £700,000 each. Let us try to pry behind the meaning of these figures. They have an important bearing upon the question of prices. It is clear that the public is being overcharged, otherwise the enormous profit would not be made. We cannot wait for the development of the full effect of all those things which are promised in the world and that we are all eager to see; these things will have to come in time. Let us try to hasten their coming. But the immediate business of the Government is to govern, and in England its duty is to try immediately to bring about cheaper prices and to

  1919
  prevent profiteering. The House will be willing to give them the powers, as it was willing on the Profiteering Act to give them greater power than they asked for.
  Captain THORPE: I rise for the first time in this House and therefore have to ask its indulgence for a few minutes. I would like to say first, that I listened with interest to the admirable speech of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith). It was marked, if I may say so, by broadmindedness and high patriotism. Criticism was hardly to be seen in the speech, and it would be well if that spirit could be followed right through the Debate. We should all be glad to see the same spirit carried everywhere throughout the country when we are dealing with the question of high prices. It seemed as though the musicians had gone through the country with a fanfare of trumpets and sharms, but when they come here they give us a mild obligato. The object of this Debate has been to air the grievances expressed elsewhere, and to give the Government an opportunity, which is often denied to it in the public Press, of placing its point of view before the people. There are Members of this House who contribute articles and write diatribes to the press in which they take up the position that the Government is entirely responsible for the high prices, that they are all due to the misconduct and extravagance of the Government. These gentlemen are like ghouls who are waiting around what they believe to be the death-bed of the Government as expectant bénéficiaires. I think they will discover after a considerable time that this particular patient is baking an unconscionably long time to die. One of these publications is in the form of a protest to be taken out of a daily paper and to be sent to the Members of this House by the women of the country. It is particularly venomous because, it attributes the high prices to the Government and asks the women, who are the chief sufferers, to believe that. We are asked by a sort of blackmail to bring down prices immediately or else we shall lose our seats at the next election. I think that powder is blank. That vicious suggestion has been planted in bad soil by that particular newspaper among those who take their political economy from it, goodness knows why, though many of
  1920
  these people get no opportunity of learning elsewhere the true facts of the case.
  Another form of propaganda is carried out by certain gentlemen on the other side of the House. I can speak with feeling upon this matter because I have recently been speaking to the electorate, and the form which that has taken has been to tell the electors that if you had a particular form of Government, prices would immediately come down. They say: "If you yote for a representative of the Labour party your food would cost you less." If I had not had a different bringing up I might have believed there was something in that, but I do not think that it will impress the electorate. I think it would be found that the manna would not drop so quickly from heaven as they think, and a hope that if the more substantial benefits which they promise, such as land and houses, do fall, they will not fall from the same quarter with the same precipitousness. It must be remembered, when we are asked what is the cause of these high prices, that prices have always soared in times of war. I have seen a chart which sets out that over a period of 123 years prices have varied with the battles and conflicts of the world. In the 20 years of the Napoleonic wars food went up 84·7. In the American Civil War they went up 74 to 105, and the Russo-Japanese and the South African Wars had the same effect on prices. It is not carrying economical laws very far when we try to realise that a war which has cost so many thousands of lives, and cost so much more than any other war, has only had the effect of raising the cost of commodities by 127 per cent. That is not an amazing figure. When one realises that, it ought to mitigate the sentence to be passed upon the Government.
  The Member for Paisley pointed out that the prices of commodities in other countries are higher than in ours. In France and in Paris it is 164 per cent. increased; in other French towns, 193 per cent.; in Italy, 181 per cent., and even in Norway 195 per cent. All these countries of Europe have a higher rate of increase than we have in Great Britain. We are told that it is this unfortunate Government which is responsible for high prices: are they responsible for these high prices all over Europe? The only answer to a statement of that kind would be that it was absurd. Each Government is responsible for its own country and its

  1921
  own territory, and the corollary of that would be that our own Government is only responsible for our own country and is not responsible for prices in the other parts of Europe. I think that the note which should go out from this Debate should be one of rosy optimism. The Government is doing a good deal. Like individuals, Governments have their limitations, and they are doing their best Reductions are being made in the staffs of Government offices. The Army has been rapidly demobilised, and I hope it will not be shown that this demobilisation of the Army has not been too precipitate. The country is reducing the balance of its imports over exports; this has already decreased, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer is going to have no more borrowing All that should be a welcome sign, and then there is the Secretary of State for War (Mr. Churchill), who cannot be forgotten in a matter of this kind, and he may say with pride that of the nations of Europe there are only two which have not got conscription for the Army, and one of them is Great Britain. I think if everyone does his part as was done during the War and will only explain to the people of England what they are up against and the reason why, they will get from the country a ready sympathy and a ready response. I will conclude with quoting a passage written by the the late Lord Macaulay to a Mr. Southeys making suggestions for Government control and assistance of trade:
  "Our rulers will best promote the improvement of the nation by strictly conforming themselves to their own legitimate duties,"—
  I would suggest that these legitimate duties do not include the running of municipal trams and nationalisation—
  "by leaving capital to find its most lucrative course, commodities their fair price, industry and intelligence their natural reward, by defending properly, and by observing strict economy in every Department of the State. Lot the Government do this; the people will assuredly do the rest."
  Mr. ALLEN PARKINSON: We may enter into a very long discussion as to international conditions throughout the whole world, but we cannot get away from the fact that at this moment there are a very large number of people who are bleeding the manual workers day by day. They are exploiting them to a degree that has never been known before. It has been said that the high prices at present
  1922
  obtaining are to a large extent due to the high cost of production. If that were true, we should at least, I think, not be able to say that the profits of employers had increased during that period, but we find that profits are increasing annually. According to a recent summary of important companies' balance sheets, which were issued in December, 1918, and December, 1919, we find that, in one set of companies the profits for 1919 are 25 per cent higher than they were in 1918. In the case of a second group of companies we find that the profits are 61 per cent. higher than they were in 1918, and in a third we find that they are 26 per cent. higher. It is, therefore, not quite fair to say that increased cost of production is the sole cause of increased prices. The point made is that the increased cost of wages is responsible for this to a very large extent.
  Brigadier-General CROFT: Can the hon. Member say if those profits are higher than the difference in the value of of money, and are they any greater than the rise in charges due to the alteration in the value of money?
  Mr. PARKINSON: I spoke of the percentage of increase in profits for 1919 as compared with 1918, and it is certainly higher than the increase in charges during that particular period. I do not think we need trouble very much about the value of money, because, after all, if anybody is suffering from increased prices or the lessened value of money, it is the manual worker. We find to-day that the increase in the cost of living, as stated in the "Labour Gazette," is 135 per cent., and we find that the increase in wages range from something like 100 per cent. to 120 per cent. in the various industries in the country, so that, on those figures, the manual workers to-day are relatively poorer than they were in the period preceding the War. We only need to look at one or two of the industries which have been investigated. First of all let mo mention the woollen industry. We find to-day, in the report of the committee which investigated the woollen industry, that it is stated that there are profits ranging from 13d. to 43d. per pound, and that it has been definitely proved that the pre-War profits were something like 1d. per pound. As a consequence we find that a great amount of money has been taken by the employers

  1923
  of labour, or by the managing producers, which ought not to have been taken. The manual worker is not participating in the profits in anything like the same proportion, and in the woollen industry alone we may say it is abundantly proved that immense profits are being made which ought not to be charged if it is intended that people should have the necessaries of life, as they ought to have. It has been stated that, in the case of 30 or 40 of the companies, the profits range from 13d. to 25d. per pound. It has also been admitted by the spinners that they themselves are making from 8d. to 35d. per pound profit. These are things which I think the Government ought to do something to prevent. They are some of the things which cause the present unrest in the country. The high cost of living which people have to meet day by day is more than they are able to bear, having regard to the wages which they are receiving.
  On the other question which has been so much before the country recently, the question of housing, the condition of things in regard to the materials required for building is, owing to the action of the trusts and combines, compelling the people to live under insanitary conditions, and in very congested areas. I think it was Mr. Shearing, who at one time was Chairman of the Works Department of the St. Pancras Borough Council, who made a statement in February of this year that a saving of from £250 to £300 on a £900 house would be effected if the combines were broken and the supplies of materials were left to the free play of competitive tender. That is another thing which is having its effect upon social unrest in the country, when we find companies and combines making from 500 per cent. to 800 per cent. on what are really the essential needs of the community. So long as they are permitted to go on as they are, we need not, of course, look for any allaying of the unrest, but must expect it to become even more intense. We find, too, that the five leading banks in this country have this year made a profit of £12,500,000.
  That all goes to show that not only are the conditions which are the aftermath of the War responsible for the present high cost of living, but that the high cost of living is accentuated to a large extent by
  1924
  the exploitation which is taking place in this country. The hon. and gallant Member who spoke last (Captain Thorpe) read a quotation to the effect that the people here, at least ought to attend to the business of the State. I would like to ask if that applies to the large number of directors and owners of great companies who are at the present moment Members of this House. I understand that we have something like 350 Members in this House to-day who are either owners of great producing firms, directors of such firms, or landlord farmers. If the quotation which my hon. and gallant Friend read applies, then, of course, it ought to apply to these people, and they have no right to be in this House and at the same time to be doing all they possibly can to exploit the community. The Government may possibly be somewhat timid in tackling this question, owing to the large number of those gentlemen who are present, but I think it is the duty of the Government, by a bold stroke, to tackle all these things, and to take in hand the whole of the producing concerns who are charging more than a reasonable rate of profit.
  I think my right hon. Friend the Member for Platting (Mr. Clynes) stated that huge profits were being made by shipping concerns, and he quoted one or two statements by loading people. I think I may quote one or two instances which, although they may not surprise anyone in the House, because I think everyone knows them, will at any rate show that the shipping industry has made more profits than any other industry in the whole country. We find that the River Plate freights in 1914 were 11s. and to-day are 140s., and that might be multiplied ten times over. We find that, taking the whole of the shipping industries, they are making something like 1,000 per cent. as compared with 1914 prices. Although we admit that the working costs must have been increased very greatly, we cannot agree that the working costs of any industry have risen to the extent of 1,000 per cent.
  Mr A. M. SAMUEL: Do they not pay Excess Profits Duty on that?
  Mr. PARKINSON: My hon. Friend will have his opportunity later, and I will ask him to reserve what he has to say until then. During the first two years and five months of the war the shipping companies

  1925
  of this country made a profit of £300,000,000. I find that the Ministry of Shipping estimates issued in May last anticipated a deficit of £1,500,000, but in October the accounts showed an actual surplus of £55,000,000. These are some of the things which are increasing the cost of living; these are some of the things which are making the cost of food higher than it ought to be. In connection with shipping, there seems to be an unanswerable case for very stringent limitation of freight rates and profits, and these ought to be within the control of the Government. We are all aware that the Government have, at any rate, had charge of the shipping industry, and we are also aware that during the time they had shipping freights under their control huge fortunes were made. When they become free, we may expect that there will be greater fortunes made, and heavier increases of profit, than in the past.
  I listened with very great attention to the speech of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith), and when one heard him criticising the borrowings of the Government as one of the principal causes of the high cost of living it made one wonder what the Government were doing at the time when he himself was a responsible Minister. [An HON. MEMBER: "Carrying on the War."] He stated, during the Paisley election, that the inflation of the currency and the higher prices are not a cause, but a consequence, and a consequence of a single cause, namely, the enormous increase in the borrowings of the State. If that is so, and I take it that he knows better than I do, having been in the very high position which he occupied, and having had the destinies of the State under his control; and I take it that a statement like that ought to be in keeping with his past actions. But when we find that, during the financial year 1915–16, of every £1 spent for the purpose of promoting the war 17s. 6d. was borrowed money, I think there is not much warrant for a statement like that. Whatever may have been borrowed, and must have been borrowed—for it would have been impossible for our nation to have found the money required—it would not have been impossible to have had less loans and greater cans upon the riches of this country, and that would have made it easier for our people to continue to live in this country. We
  1926
  cannot agree, as members of the working class community, that the exploitation which is taking place in this country at the moment is something which is beyond the powers of the Government to control. The Profiteering Act that was passed was never seriously intended to interfere with the wholesale dealer, because we find, according to a statement made by the President of the Board of Trade, that only 83 prosecutions have taken place, and the whole of the fines which have been imposed have been on the average only about £10 per case. These people will not cease to do this for the sake of £10. There ought to be, at the end of all prosecutions where a person is proved guilty of profiteering, a more drastic punishment than a mere fine. If these people had been sent to prison, I am sure it would have done more to stop profiteering than anything which has been done yet.
  We feel that the retail prices of the present time must come down, but instead of their coming down, we are threatened with a withdrawal of the bread subsidy, which will make the 135 per cent. probably nearer 100 per cent. This will impose an increased burden on all classes of the people, and particularly upon the poorer classes, and those are the people among whom social unrest is greatest. It has been stated in the "Labour Gazette" that the increase is 135 per cent., but most working-class people believe that the statement made by Mr. Bevin at the Dockers' Inquiry is nearer the truth, that is to say, that it is 212 per cent., taking into account everything that is necessary for life. We feel that the time has arrived for the Government to deal drastically with those who are profiteering on the needs of the people, because these great profits are made in either of two ways—either by unduly low wages to the workers or by enhanced prices to the consumer. These are the two points to which attention should be directed. I hope that the Government will take a stronger hand in this matter than they have in the past. If people are proved to be guilty of profiteering, the Government itself should take over the firms and work them in the interests of the State, and the firms should be deprived, as a punishment, of the profits until we get back to something like normal conditions. I hope that from this Debate we shall emerge stronger in the sense that those people who are unable to take care

  1927
  of or provide for themselves shall be protected, so as to put an end to this process of exploiting the people of the country, who are working to maintain themselves and their families, and who should be given an opportunity of living free from this great trouble and the thought that they are themselves the victims of something of this kind every day. We should try to create greater confidence, and this can only be done by the Government taking a strong hand with those who have been exploiting the needs of the country.
  Sir HENRY CRAIK: I would like to congratulate the hon. Member for the Rusholme Division (Captain Thorpe) on the most interesting speech which he has contributed to this Debate. I should also like to congratulate the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Parkinson) on bringing back this Debate to something like the object for which we have met. We have had a very interesting, skilful and conscientious speech from my right hon. Friend the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith). There is very much in that speech with which everyone of us would have no difficulty whatever in agreeing, and I think that the Government has reason to congratulate itself on the fact that from beginning to end of that speech there was not the slightest attempt at unfriendly criticism of its policy. We want to criticise the Government, or rather, as I would put it, to see what is the just basis of the criticism which is directed against the Government in this matter. It is very interesting to listen to some of the things which were said by the two right hon. Gentlemen (Mr. Clynes and Mr. G. Roberts), who have successively been Ministers of Food. We all know the earnestness and spirit of common sense which they have shown, but I am afraid that they will not have a very large amount of sympathy, either from the House or from the country, in their proposal that this Ministry of Food should be continued for some three or four or five years longer. We doubt the efficiency of its past acts and we have some hesitation about its continuation.
  I would venture, however, to speak on behalf of one class of citizens and taxpayers, of sufferers from the dire economic conditions now existing, who perhaps do not amount to a very large number, and whose grievances do not find much expression in this House. I refer to the professional
  1928
  classes. I represent a constituency of 30,000 which consists almost entirely of the professional middle-classes, and I say without fear of contradiction, whatever the hon. Member (Mr. Parkinson) says about his class, that there is no class in this country which has suffered more dire privation from the effects of heavy taxation and high prices than that middle-class. For all of us the privation has been great, but for the professional middle-class, who are crushed between the upper and nether millstones, between the vast increasing gigantic fortunes of those who, the hon. Member thinks, are the only profiteers, and another class of profiteers, and that is the class which the hon. Member represents. We are told of vast sums aggregating in the hands of trusts, combinations and great capitalists On the other hand, we know of the demands for increased wages which are by no means a feeble cause in producing the increased prices. What happens to the professional classes and those small annuitants who have saved with difficulty something to produce an income? How-are they dealt with and what sympathy would they get from hon. Members opposite?
  Some of us who belong to that professional class have also certain administrative experience, and we are now told that we are to trust, not to the old rule, not to the tradition, not to the principle upon which we were accustomed to think that State administration must be carried on, not according to principles which may have been applicable in the past, but we are told that we are now to have administration entrusted to, and a new world opened to us by, supermen and business magnates. We are seekers after truth. I am quite prepared to learn of all the errors of which I have been guilty in any matters of administration in which I have taken part, how we have been imbued with old ideas, and unable to carry out work which should have been done; but I cannot help feeling when I look at the facts of the case and the results of the activities of these supermen, that there has been a certain amount of megalomania in some of the schemes which they have introduced into our administration, and that there has been introduced a system of speculation which may do very-well in a private business, but which is infinitely dangerous in the administration of public affairs; but we turn still and

  1929
  ask ill all our discomforts, in all natural irritation at what we suffer, whom we are to blame?
  It is a natural human impulse to try to find a cause for our misfortunes, and to blame the Government. If we were to trust all the complaints that reach us, perhaps faulty, illogical, ill-informed, from some of our constituents—above all, if we were to trust the acrimonious, pertinacious, persistent and venomous attacks of a certain class of London newspaper, public patience with which is rapidly becoming exhausted, we would think that all the fault must necessarily lie with the Government. We know the difficulties which the War must cause. We know the difficulties that war, and above all, the settlement of peace, have caused in every age. We have tried political economy. Political economy may do very well occasionally to lay down certain maxims which may operate in times of peace, but when it comes to a crisis it always fails. Even in times of peace some of the professors of political economy differ fundamentally from one another. It reminds one of the phrase that occurs, I think, in Goldsmith's play, "The Good-natured Man," when he is speaking of philosophy,
  "Philosophy," he says, "is a good horse for the stable but an arrant jade on a journey."
  So we may say of political economy. We have sought it and found little enlightenment.
  At the beginning of the War I was asked, as a great many other Members were asked, to take part in the proceedings of a Committee which was to deal with a serious question of a certain lack of employment which then disturbed the industrial world. We met, we solemnly consulted, we heard one of two cases of unemployment and, at the end of a fortnight, we found that the professors of political economy were entirely wrong, that what was wanted was not work, and that there was a glut of employment if only there were enough men. So much for the help of political economy. Have not these difficulties with which the Government have to deal occurred time after time in our history? What was the case in our great war from 1793 to 1814? Look back upon the Parliamentary records—I have taken the trouble to look them up—and you will find that almost the same charges were brought against the
  1930
  Government as are brought now. They were wrong in their system of defence, they were wrong in the means by which they raised the army, they were wrong in their suggested proposals of peace and above all, they were wrong in all the conomical theories upon which they acted. They were blamed for all the difficulties which arose. I notice one Motion which was almost an exact anticipation of a Motion moved by an hon. Member during the Debate that took place less than a month ago.
  Precisely the same difficulty which was found by the critics in these days was found within the Government itself. Two colleagues in the Government were Lords Grenville and Pitt. Their relations were those of life-long friends, year long colleagues, sympathising with one another in every respect. They had both been devout disciples of Adam Smith, but when the French war, and the consequent increasing prices, disturbed the economic conditions, perfectly honestly. Lords Grenville and Pitt differed diametrically on policy. Lord Grenville retained the old idea of unbroken free trade, Pitt, on the other hand, thought that there ought to be an interference of fixed prices and a regulation of imports and exports. But may it not be that the same perplexities, the same difficulties and the same doubts very reasonably and very honestly exist in the Government of to-day? We know now the inside working of the Government of 1797. We know down to the very smallest points how they differed. Perhaps when history tells how the Government was divided to-day it will conic to the conclusion that human nature is always the same, that difficulties recur again and again, and that we must not expect that Governments will be devoid of the difficulties which arise from human nature and will be able to exercise an intelligence above the ordinary.
  But what help have we had in regard to prices, in regard to imports, in regard to economic questions, from our friends the super-men, the business administrators who were to open to us a new heaven? The Government last Session introduced an Anti-Dumping Bill. We had hoped that the business men had then got what they wanted and that they were satisfied. But what was the case? I followed the matter with great care and interest. The one thing I found was that one and all of them condemned that Bill. Not

  1931
  only did they condemn the Bill and insist on its being withdrawn, but for the life of me I could never make out what they wanted put into its place. I attended meetings upstairs and I read their speeches. I would like them here and now to stand up and tell me what help and what enlightenment they have to give us, and what they want in place of the Anti-Dumping Bill, which seemed to me to come very near to what they had been demanding for years. I hope to have these questions answered before the Debate ends. Now we are told it is the wicked extravagance of the Government that is causing all the trouble. If there is extravagance by all means let us stop it. I believe there is. I believe that the megalomania of some of our business friends in administrative duties has led us into extravagance. By all means let us criticise, but do let us keep a sense of proportion. What does the extravagance of particular Ministers amount to compared with our expenditure on education, on housing, on subsidies to railways, on subsidies to bread, on increased old-age pensions?
  Are those who criticise the Government prepared to say that these things are wrong, that they may not lead to great and beneficent results, not only in increasing the comfort and well-being of our fellow citizens, but perhaps even in an economic sense by increasing the wealth and prosperity of the country? If they are not prepared to say that, then let us cease to have the constant criticism of increasing expenditure. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) seemed to think it a sin that the Civil Service Estimates amounted to £557,000,000. How is that accounted for? Not in administration, not in offices, but because vast sums are going, and rightly going, for housing, for education, and for all similar things. We are told that that tends to cause a rise in prices and that another factor is increased private extravagance throughout the nation. I admit that private extravagance goes on. Money that comes quickly goes quickly. I believe that this glut of luxury, this spending of money on dress, on food, on drink, on theatres, on picture palaces, and on motor cars, does increase prices very largely, but it will come to an end. The sources from which this money is foolishly and recklessly taken are not
  1932
  inexhaustible. When it does come to an end prices should fall. Whether it is right or wrong, we cannot blame the Government. The Government may preach, but it is a delusion and a snare to think that extravagance can be stopped by sumptuary law.
  Difficulties arising from low production do not arise in this country only; the trouble has spread all over the world. At all events, the Government is not responsible. Let us exercise our power strictly on behalf of our constituents, with a full sense of the suffering which is caused by rising prices, increased taxation, and lowered resources, but do not let us get into that worst of all habits of nagging at the Government. That will never do the Government or anyone else any good. So long as this emergency continues, I, for one, as long as I think the Government does its best, shall give my support to it. I am not going to be troubled with schemes, generally emerging from the same fertile inventiveness for new combinations of parties. I am abandoning no principles; I shall not abandon any political principle to which I have adhered all my life long; but that will not prevent me from supporting the Government on every occasion when I think that in an unparalleled emergency, with unparalleled difficulties before it, it has done its best to surmount those difficulties, and that it has done so to an extent which may at least be compared with what has been achieved in past ages.
  Mr. A. M. SAMUEL: I cannot pass without a certain amount of friendly protest against the rather unpleasant remarks of the right hon. Gentleman (Sir H. Craik) concerning economists. As a matter of fact, people will not follow the true laws of political economy. They try to break those laws and then grumble because economics turn round and break them. I am delighted to hear the right hon. Gentleman refer to the state in which this country was about 1814. If we read the essays of Cobbett we see the same pessimisms, the same prognostications of failure, of bankruptcy and of ruin that are adopted now by various people in this country and, perhaps, by some in this House. But if one reads the economic annals of the 19th century which Smart has recently published, one finds that a very few years after the close of the Napoleonic Wars we had a Chancellor of

  1933
  the Exchequer who was nicknamed "Prosperity Robinson." I have not the slightest doubt that we shall all live to see this country a great deal more prosperous and a great deal more comfortable in a few years' time than it ever was before. We must be a little more patient. We cannot get things straight quickly. It is true that we are going through a very troublesome time. One aspect of high prices seems to occupy the minds of many speakers, more particularly the right hon. Member for the City of Norwich (Mr. G. H. Roberts) and the right hon. Member for Platting (Mr. Clynes), and that is the shortage and dear-ness of food owing to shortage. I do not propose to deal with that aspect of the high cost of living. Owing to world shortage of supply, there are other things besides food that are dear, and I propose for a moment to deal with them. To some degree these high prices are due to our system of domestic expenditure—I do not like to call it policy, but it is really policy. I am not going to make any reference to the effect of increased wages on short supplies, but I will take the figures in the White Paper, namely, Civil Service Estimates, £557,000,000, to which the right hon. Gentleman (Sir H. Craik) and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) referred. We ought not to take the figures as a whole, because the last three items, Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, and the Post Office, are not items which may be regarded as Civil Ser vice expenditure; we get a good deal back for this money. And take the figure, then, of £497,000,000. I have been through the integral items of that Estimate, and I find that education, housing, old age pensions, the Ministry of Health, National Health, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Pensions, railway agreements, the bread subsidy, and the coal mines deficiency account for £354,000,000. I am not for a moment questioning or dealing with the policy which led to these moneys being voted or to these benefits being given to the people. Let us ask to whom these benefits are given. They are now being given to the very people who are suffering most from the high price of food and the high cost of living. These benefits, which are being given as a matter of policy, are being paid for by the people who get the benefit from them.
  Sir H. CRAIK: No, not the professional classes.
  Mr. SAMUEL: They are paying for them. I do not think the right hon. Gentleman gets my point. Heavily as the burden of the extra cost of living is bearing upon those to whom he refers, I say that, even if they think they are getting advantages from these grants, they are not; they are paying for them themselves, indirectly, and without knowing it. That is another vicious circle in our economies which is not generally recognised. Those of us who call ourselves economists, though we may also be manufacturers, have spent eighteen months in getting the House and the country to realise that what we are suffering from is not inflation of currency, but inflation of credit. We must now endeavour to let the country know that these expenditures for social reforms, subsidies and pensions and education are increasing the costs of living.
  8.0 P.M.
  I have said that of the £497,000,000 of Civil Service Estimates £354,000,000 is represented by education, housing, increased pensions, railway agreements, bread subsidy, coal mines deficiency, and so forth. I say that these benefits are to a great extent the cause of the high cost of living. Where does this sum of £354,000,000 come from? It can only come from taxation. It has been laid down as an axiom by Lord Morley that it docs not matter on whom you put taxation in this country: sooner or later industry and the working people have to pay for it. You will raise £354,000,000 by taxation for these various benefits, and, counting five to a family, each family annually benefits to the extent of £40, or 15s. per week per family. The money is raised by taxation, and the man who pays the tax gets it back out of the next man. The manufacturer gets it out of industry and his productions, and it is passed on to the working man, on to the housewife. If it comes by heavy income tax on to the capitalist, or the man who lives on income from savings, he demands a greater amount of interest for the rest of his money, and up goes the rate of interest and the cost of money, which is the raw material of industry, just as much as cloth is of a pair of trousers. Therefore you find that every penny raised for these benefits is paid for ultimately in the food and necessities of life by the people of the poorer

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  section of the community, and consequently this adds to the price of living. People who ask for social reform and complain of high prices forget all this. I myself say, advisedly, having considered the matter, that these Estimates of £354,000,000 giving these benefits undoubtedly put up the price of living by 15s. per week for every family in this country If the Prime Minister advises that these social reforms should take place, he should at the same time, in order to clear the decks of inaccurate economies and inaccurate calculations and opinions, say: "Whatever advantages in social reform I am putting before the country, sooner or later the working people will have to pay for them. You may imagine the rich will pay because you tax them. That is an economic fallacy: the taxes fall on production, on industry, and on what you have, to pay for the use of capital in industry, and, eventually, on you: and, consequently, will put up the cost of everything you use or eat; so be very careful before you ask Parliament to put into operation social reforms which are beyond the powers of your purse."
  There are two subsidiary causes which, I think, have assisted in producing high prices. The Profiteering Act, which I ventured to describe, when I spoke on the Second Reading, as a farrago of economic impossibilities, is one of them. It has driven goods which would have come into the home market into the export market. Some people became frightened of the Profiteering Act, and they said: "We will send our goods into the export market, where they will fetch whatever price we ask for them, and so protect ourselves from being attacked by the Profiteering Act." We know very well that it is a good thing to stimulate export trade; but that has been carried to extremes. I know very well, no one knows better, if I may say so, that the exchanges between ourselves and foreign countries must and can only be put right by increased exports. I have advocated the carrying on of that export policy to a greater extreme than I think now I was justified in doing. Let us follow it to its logical conclusion. If you put all your goods into the export market you are bound to deplete the home market and have scarcity, and up goes the price of
  1936
  everything here and you have discontent. It is all very well to wish to put the exchanges right quickly, but these things cannot be done in a hurry. I am of opinion that many of us were ill-advised in pushing the export trade and over depleting the home market, and particularly in exporting to those places where we neither got money or credit which we could use, or raw materials. That has depleted the home market of the supply which we require, and in that way caused dearness and dissatisfaction amongst our people. It is a well-known fact that high prices cause increased production. It may be, as an hon. Member stated, that it would have caused great dissatisfaction if the Profiteering Act had not been passed. But, on the other hand, it checked increased production. I believe if you look into the economics of the question that the only sound way is to let your export trade be the over-spill from the homo trade. At present we have got an export trade suspended between heaven and earth, like Mahomet's coffin, and resting on nothing like a satisfied home supply. If you have, an export trade which is not economically sound, so you will have trouble in the home market, because you have an export trade which does not fulfil the requirements laid down by economic laws.
  There is another thing which I think also has kept up the cost of living. You have certain attacks made upon capital in this country, and I am bound to say the City Notes of the "Times" has pointed this out very well several times in the last few weeks, and it has also been dealt with in the Trade Supplement of the "Times," and the effects described. This inquiry about taxation on war savings has caused people to throw amounts of Government stocks on the market, and a reduction in the value of gilt-edged stocks and shares generally has followed the reduction in the value of Government securities caused by the selling. If there has been a fall of five per cent in seven thousand of millions of Government debt, £350,000,000 is lost, and this is half the estimate of the amount we are supposed to get from a tax on war savings. In that way you reduce the capital value of all money, and you correspondingly put up the interest value of money. If the addition to the interest value of money amounts

  1937
  to one per cent. on £20,000,000,000, which is the capital of this country working in industry and commerce, that means £200,000,000 sterling added unnecessarily to the cost of production of everything in this country. Therefore, I say, quite apart from the shortage of goods which brings the dearness, three things have been operating in our internal economic system which have tended if not to produce, at least to keep up high prices. The first is the Profiteering Act, which bas driven goods into the export market, and which has denuded the home market of goods required, with a consequent shortage which has caused dearness, The attacks upon capital have caused the price of money to go up and, say what we will, money is only labour in cold storage, and it has to be paid for. It is part of the mortar and cement of your industrial edifice, and as you put up the price of money, you put up the price of everything it produces and in that way the attack upon capital has helped to make things dearer. It is a pity, because from ignorance of the workings of the industrial system sections of the public have attacked capital, not on grounds of economics, but on grounds of envy, and they have injured the pour and those classes who are now feeling the cost of living owing to the increased cost of food and usable commodities, by frightening capital and rendering it dearer and scarcer for the use of industry. But above all those points, I want particularly to call attention to this, that the Civil Service Estimates, so far as they include the big total of £350,000,000 for social reforms, although I am not questioning the wisdom of them one way or the other, are being paid by the people who receive them. The way to get the money into the Treasury is by taxation, which is passed on to industry and production and so to everything those people use, and the consequence is that by embarking on an ambitious social reform programme, they have put up the cost, in the coming year, by £350,000,000, on the cost of living of the people, and I firmly believe that that will cost every family 15s. per week extra. When therefore the loss well-to-do households groan under the load of dear living they must remember that everything they need, called the necessities of life, has to bear the cost of the money spent on increased
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  education, housing, pensions of all sorts, bread, railway and coal subsidies and increased cost of post office administration. That, therefore, is why the cost of living is so high.
  Sir CHARLES SYKES: I purpose to confine my remarks this evening more or less to the question of the cloth trade, with particular reference to wool. I agree with the remark of the right hon. Gentle man the Member for Norwich (Mr. G. Roberts) when he said he was not in favour of the Profiteering Act. Personally, I did not agree with the way that that Act was put into operation, and I think since then it has done very little good. But I would like to take one section, and that is what is known now as the worsted yarn report, which was made some time ago, and very grave statements were made in that report as to the amount of profit that was made in the worsted trade. Very grave charges were made of the exceedingly high profits that were being made by worsted spinners, and I want to say here, quite deliberately, that so far as the statements went with regard to the department which I have charge of in Bradford, they were entirely untrue and unfounded, and I think it is certainly only due to the people concerned in that trade that when a report of this sort is issued the people responsible for the operation of the Profiteering Act should have at any rate some evidence given on which to base their facts. It is a positive fact that, no such evidence was given, and I understand that the President of the Board of Trade acknowledged that he did not understand by what method this evidence has been obtained. The public have a right to know the truth with regard to these charges, and I am very glad to know that adequate investigation is now taking place and that proper evidence is being taken.
  I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to say under what circumstances the previous report was drafted and issued. It is a mass of incorrect and impossible statements, and yet it has gone forward to the public as the official statement on the matter. May I be allowed to draw the attention of the Committee to a fact which is very often overlooked when discussing the prices of various commodities? We are often led to believe that, by some magical wand wielded by accountants or clerks with a costing system, prices can

  1939
  be reduced as if by magic. But what are the facts? I daresay everybody in this country now knows what the drab serge mixture is. It is the Army cloth from which is made the Tommies' tunic. This cloth in 1910 and 1911 was obtained by the War Office under competitive tender at the price of 3s. per yard. By August, 1918, at a time when wool was being issued at an artificially low price, 30 to 50 per cent. below the world's market price, with that serge production checked under every stage of its manufacture, we paid 8s. 10d. a yard, which was almost three times as much as what was paid in 1910 and 1911. Therefore you will see that even under a costing system, with every stage checked, we paid 8s. 10d. a yard in 1918 as against 3s. in 1910 and 1911. Even at this the British Government without doubt equipped its Army at a lower cost than any other Government. So far as I can discover, none of these facts were brought forward by the Profiteering Committee or given to the public.
  I have heard it said, and it is a common opinion, that the Government themselves have been profiteers in wool, but what is the truth? I can only say that, Government wool deal or no deal, the level of price which would have had to be paid in this country would have been exactly what it is to-day. The only difference the Government deal made was that 50 per cent. of the excess profits of the Australasian producers was diverted to His Majesty's Exchequer in relief of British taxation. To this course the Dominion Governments were only too pleased to agree during the War, faced as they were with the possibility of financial ruin. Payment had to be made by the British Government, whether the wool was sent to this country or not. Half their excess profits, therefore, were the insurance premium which they paid for financial security guaranted to them by the British Government, and had it not been for the British Navy what is now a considerable sum to the British Exchequer might have been a large deficit. The last speaker questioned the wisdom of our policy with regard to exports. I maintain that we must and should maintain our exports at a maximum, but the main consideration is whether a policy of low prices is a good policy in the interests of the country, and I would say here straight away that the policy of low prices in respect of goods
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  which you have to export is one of the most shortsighted policies that could be devised for this country at the present time. We have an enormous debt to repay and a trade balance to adjust, and textiles happen to be far and away our most important exports.
  Last year our exports of woollen and worsted goods exceeded the value of our coal exports by over £13,250,000, and textiles equalled considerably more than half our exports. The policy of artificially low prices would mean putting oft the time when British credit could be rehabilitated to its pre-War standard. We all realise, talking about more production, that we have lost, as the result of this War, practically a million men. We have lost also a tremendous amount of shipping, added to which we have reduced our working hours fifteen per cent. Therefore, how can we expect, with the conditions as they are, to get the improved production that is spoken of? I am no advocate of long hours, but it is an unfortunate thing that, instead of knocking off the working hours, for a couple of years we could not have all put our backs into it and said that, for a time at any rate, we would simply work longer hours. I know it might be misunderstood in some parts, but I am quite willing to do my share in it in exactly the same spirit as that in which we won the War. So far as this policy is concerned, an exception should be made in the case of food, for we do not rely upon its export to rehabilitate our commercial position throughout the world.
  What is happening to-day with regard to textiles? All my life I have been connected with textiles, and it has been accepted by everybody that at certain periods certain types of wool have gone up in price. It has been a well-known fact that for a certain period the rough sort will not sell, and they want the best qualities that can be made. What changes the fashion I Because these particular things get out of reach, and increased prices reduce the extravagant demand; at least they did at one time, but not to-day. When merino wools had advanced to to such unreasonable prices, cross-bred wool became the fashion. What is the position to-day? Few people in this country realise that there are many descriptions of wool which no-one will buy. It is not that they are bad wools, but they are not the quality that

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  suits the fancy or taste, although they are cheaper now than at the time of the Armistice. Cross-bred wool, which cost 15d. in July, 1914, and 30d. at the Armistice, is now less than this price. On the other hand, a fine merino wool, which before the War was 28d., and at the time of decontrol 72d., is to-day 130d. The consumer will pay in price for fine goods. As a result, an enormous shortage of high price wools accompanies an abundance of particular grades of wool that we have left. This country last year exported the same quantity of woollen and worsted cloths as before the War, and yet of the finest qualities the exports were down by 40,000,000, whilst our exports to America had actually declined by 84 per cent. and to Canada by 72 per cent. This refers to fine worsted cloths.
  The extravagant consumption in this country of the better class goods has been one of the biggest factors in putting up prices. I only wish that the prices of fine goods would advance to a point where people of this country would be discouraged altogether from buying them. America is able and willing to give any price we like to charge, and, further than that, can afford to pay it. I would like to tell the Committee something that happened in my own place. Although a Yorkshireman by birth I have a mill in Scotland. We had a cloth which we sold at 15s. 6d. That cloth at the present time, owing to the increase in the price of wool, is in the vicinity of a sovereign. Less than a fortnight ago two buyers came in and offered as many pieces as we liked at 25s., which of course we refused, because that it not consistent with good business, and I only give it as an example to show to what lengths people have gone all over the world in the demand for higher priced stuff, without any regard to the value of it. It does not always follow that the highest priced article is the best and most suitable. Quite recently there were costumes offered in the West End of London made from a cloth that was used for the W.A.A.C.'s or W.R.E.N.S., or some of those people, and it was dyed blue. The cloth was made up and offered at 75s. 6d., and was shown for a week and never a costume was sold. From the same cloth they somewhat altered the costumes and marked them at 10 guineas, and every one was sold inside a fortnight. I made this plain statement of fact in my own
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  town of Huddersfield five or six weeks ago, and the local paper, which, I may say, is not for me, but that does not matter, took the liberty of heading the paragraph, two days after, "The Borough Member shows the advantage of pricing things high." I do not want to show the advantage of pricing things high. I want to show that the reason is that the men and women have more money than brains. What they have to realise is that they have got to spend their money to better advantage than they are doing.
  The noble Lord the Member for Hitchin the other day laid down a rule, whether in sarcasm or not I do not know, but a rule which, I think, would be a very wise one, and that is that if we are going to criticise, we must put something in the place of that which we are criticising, and it must be constructive criticism. I do not want to say to the Committee this evening that food control is unnecessary. I believe that food control is necessary, and I sincerely hope that the Government will continue to keep hold of that control. But we have people in this country, and particularly newspapers, who are making wild charges against the Government, and saying that all high prices are the result of their extravagances. They are making those charges without any sense of responsibility, and therefore that point of view I do not intend to pursue further, I want to say that, as a result of this war, we have adopted nationally a new standard of values. I honestly believe that, according to our new ideals, we require healthy men, women and children, and that these are regarded as greater national assets than mills, machinery and material possessions. The test, however, is at hand as to whether pre-War methods can be improved. We certainly cannot resume those methods. All the people of this country, I feel convinced, are assured of that. An hon. Member opposite declared recently in this House that the way out of our troubles was to nationalise all means of production and distribution. I admire an honest man. I do not mind if his opinion is against mine. But I will fight tooth and nail against any such ideal being put into operation in this country. Therefore, so far as that is concerned, we know where we are. We contend that our Empire has been built upon individual enterprise which provides the necessary incentive, and is the only method to employ to rehabilitate our

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  supremacy amongst the nations of the world Let us stop giving this advice, stop this talk, talk, talk, and telling the other chap what to do.
  Perhaps the Committee will allow me to tell them a story which will illustrate my point probably much better than my speech. There was a commercial traveller who very seldom took his wife away. On one occasion he invited her to accompany him to London. On the day up he was very explicit in explaining to his wife that whatever happened she had not to lose her nerve, she had to be very cool in all circumstances, in case of fire, say. "And remember, my dear," he said, "that yon must do everything I tell you." Sure enough they had a fire at the hotel, and this commercial traveller turned to his wife and told her to be very careful in all she did. He put on his frock-coat and silk hat, and took his overcoat over his arm, and together they walked downstairs into safety. Then the traveller turning to his wife said, "You see, my dear, that is the way to do it." Her reply was, "That is all right, but why did you forget to put your trousers on?" The whole point of that story is this. It is quite a simple thing to tell the other chap what to do. The fact of it is we want to start doing the thing ourselves. I am absolutely convinced that we have before us, as the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley said, a wonderful era of prosperity. I refuse to be pessimistic. I trust the Government. I believe the people trust the Government. I suggest that the absolute control of the necessities of life and to free everything else is the solution of our difficulties. We all remember the old saying: "Back to the Land." May I suggest that the present ideal should be: "Back to freedom and responsibility." The people of this land have sound heads and hearts. They are inspired with an inherent love of justice, peace, and freedom. I submit that the solution of all our troubles is work, work, work!
  Sir H. NIELD: The speech to which we have just listened ought to be widely published as a practical speech. It is one which will open the eyes, I hope, of the unthinking population to the real merits of this question of high prices. I congratulate the hon. Member, and join with him in offering my share of denunciation of the Press that has no responsibility, but day by day attempts to poison
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  the public mind by making allegations without giving any particulars in support of them. The Press has been spoken of as the Fourth Estate of the realm. All I can ray is that the Press is doing very great disservice to the nation when it seeks to make the population, and particularly the womenfolk of the population, dissatisfied, and causes them to send postcards to Members of this House. The difficulty is that you cannot answer the Press through the Press. Therefore, one is obliged to speak here, to depend upon individual effort, and take the opportunity which is presented to us to-night. I recommend my hon. Friend who represents the Government at the present moment to consider whether or not the speech to which we have just listened might not with advantage be very widely circulated, not only to correct what is wrong, but the wilful misrepresentations which are made in terms of generality, and disturb the population, because—and this is at the root of the whole business—of the dissatisfaction of this or that person at the personal attitude of this or that Member of the Government.
  The reason why I inflict a few observations upon the Committee is because I endeavoured to do what lay in my power, with the late President of the Board of Trade, in connection with the Profiteering Committees set up under the recent Act. I deprecated the criticism which was levelled at the Bill in this House. I deprecated the sneers which were made from time to time in a certain section of the Press in regard to the success of the working of the Act. In my judgment the Act has had a very great and deterrent effect on the prices which would have been demanded, and would have had to be paid, if it had not been the fear of proceedings before the committees and tribunals. As one of those engaged in connection with a committee of investigation of complaints under the Act, and a chairman on many occasions, I may say that the great difficulty with which the committees are faced is that the information which they must necessarily obtain through their investigating agents is from the persons, the wholesalers. I am perfectly assured of this: that what has been hinted at by more than one speaker is true, that the manufacturer and the merchant—the middlemen—all attempt to add the heavy burden of taxation on the cost of their goods. The result, as my hon.

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  Friend behind me has said, is that in the end, though very long postponed, the excessive taxation is passed on to the consumer. That ought to be stopped. There is one tax which is levied which cannot be passed on, and that is the property tax. I see no reason why in those days, when we are engaged in struggling with questions of high prices, we should not be able to have some protection against heavy Income Tax, and in many cases Super-tax, being added to the cost of manufacture and made, therefore, to swell the price. When the committees come to investigate prices, the summaries are mixed up so completely with the cost of material that it is impossible for the committee to go beyond the figure of cost, and really to attack the person on the ground that he has added his fiscal burdens to what used to be the prime cost of the material which he is selling. That is a very serious blot in dealing with these cases. Many, many hours are given to investigating the prices, and in the end it is found impossible to make any order, or one of such a trivial amount as to look as if the mountain had been in labour and brought forth a mouse.
  There is another matter. I refer to proprietary articles. I invite my hon. Friend on the Government Bench to make a note of this. A very large number of articles obtained at the stores are known by the name of proprietary articles. They have obtained fame by reason of prolific advertisement, or by reason of their peculiar merits. It takes longer to get fame by your merits than by newspaper advertisement, and the latter may be more costly! The effect is that the prices are put upon these by the manufacturers, and these articles cannot be got except from certain stores, or under certain conditions, because the proprietor has the protection of his name, which the Courts have given him, or the particular label, or some other protection, which keeps his goods well before the public, and prevents any other person taking advantage—and rightly so in ordinary times—of his special knowledge or other special qualities. It is notoriously true that, having secured this position, he compels the persons to whom he sells his goods to maintain a particular price, under penalty of withdrawing his goods from them should they sell under that
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  price. The result is that he is left in possession of the field, and when an attempt is made to investigate the figures of cost they are so dealt with as to make it almost impossible to charge him with profiteering. I sincerely hope the Board of Trade will take steps to thoroughly investigate the practices which surround the distribution of these proprietary articles and see in what way they can get control over them in order to prevent an undue profit being made.
  I agree that, so far as the results of the tribunals' working go, small sums only have in many cases been ordered to be returned to the purchaser, thereby bringing the proceedings of the Court almost into contempt. But that is not the whole matter. One looks round and sees conditions of prosperity amongst traders such as never prevailed before. One has no right to say but it is not unfair to infer that they have been making an undue profit, for this fact stands undeniable, that, notwithstanding the conditions of the times, the conditions under which all are living in the matter of food and clothes, there are many men, particularly in localities whore munitions have been made, who do-day are in a state of affluence which they had never dreamed of reaching. Their position is shown by their acquisition of land and property, by their general demeanour, and by their ability to live a life totally different from the one they lived before the War. I do not suggest that a person who has honestly and honourably by his exertions become possessed of an amount greater than he ever anticipated, should necessarily be condemned, but it is an inference almost irresistible that these persons have largely profited by the misfortunes of their neighbours.
  Take the case of the butcher. I am assured on credible authority that when the Food Controller, acting, no doubt, with the best intentions, under a rigid scheme of distribution limited the profit of the retailer to 2d. per lb., conferred an inestimable boon upon the retail trader, because everybody had to fetch their meat, and he was enabled entirely to dispense with the cost of delivery. He ran no risk, no chance of selling at a loss, as in the days of competition, and the 2d. went into his pocket intact. What that meant to these men, anyone who chooses to closely observe can satisfy themselves. So far from being a mistake, I think the

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  Profiteering Act was, really an earnest effort on the part of the Government to grapple with a mischief which was getting very bad and likely to produce more industrial trouble. I hope the Government will reconsider the working of the Act and will bear in mind the representations made by the departments concerned. I should like to disabuse the minds of Members of this Committee, and of the public, by calling attention to the very few persons who are engaged in this work. It is rot, as the Food Controller said this afternoon, as though they had set up an enormous new Ministry or a now department, or a new organisation. I have a question on the Order Paper, in which I ask specifically the number of persons employed, and I rather anticipate the answer will show that number to be astonishingly few, compared with the work already accomplished, and, when all the results of the working of the Ministry are ascertained and placed on record, I am sure that the public will admit—as the British public does always admit—that it has been premature in its denunciations, and that the Government have really endeavoured to do their best to meet an exceptional set of circumstances which could not have been foreseen.
  Mr. BLANE: The public outside will expect from this important discussion some guidance as to how it should act in the future. When the right hon. Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) rose we expected some guidance from him, but I fear we are going away empty-handed. When the right hon. Member for the Platting Division of Manchester (Mr. Clynes) who was once the Food Controller, rose we expected to get some information from him, but he could only recite the old story of profiteering. We have heard that in the Press. Everybody speaks upon it, but it does not offer us a solution of the present trouble. I submit that a statement made by a right hon. Member occupying such an important position should be based on facts. The right hon. Gentleman accused the shipowners of profiteering. I happen to be in the unfortunate position of owning a ship. I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that food has always been brought to this country since the first 12 months of the war at controlled rates which left no profit at all. He knows as well as most of us that such things as meat and grain
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  are carried and paid for by the ton while they are sold to the consumer by the lb. and therefore the cost of carrying to the consumer is very slight indeed. When accusing people of profiteering the right hon. Gentleman should bear in mind that there are other nations in the world which own ships as well as this country, that they charge twice the rates that shipowners are allowed to charge, and that the British Government has been obliged to pay them whatever rates they demanded because of our necessities. Seeing that it is impossible to control the whole mercantile marine of the world and that it is impossible also for the Government to regulate all the freights on food, the right hon. Gentleman surely had no right to accuse the Government of allowing the shipowners to profiteer. It is not such a statement as one would have expected from a man in his position. There is more tonnage in the world to-day than there was before the War. But until that tonnage is, allowed free play, and is not held up in our ports by congestion due to special necessity, or by the action of workmen—until such time as that, it is impossible to expect lower freights. The late Food Controller made a remark which was very interesting to me. He claimed for his Department that this country obtained food at a far cheaper price than any other country. We will admit that, but at whose expense? Although we had food cheaper than any other country, some section or other of the community suffered an injustice in consequence. For instance, when he wanted ships to carry the food here they were placed at his disposal, but I challenge him to state that he ever returned to the Ministry of Shipping an adequate sum such as the Ministry of Shipping paid to foreigners to carry that food. It is not fair to saddle the responsibilities upon the shoulders of one section of the community. Each and everyone—the man who earns £5 or £6 a week—should contribute his share of taxation, however small, and carry his burden as a loyal citizen.
  The man in the street states that the profiteers have been the Front Benches on both sides of the House. He says the Government have been profiteering more than anyone else, and he will also tell you that Labour has been profiteering. I think Labour has taken advantage of its organised strength to extract from the

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  community wages which they know in many instances a trade cannot afford to pay. We will say the Government have been profiteering. They have made millions on different commodities. But why? Let us face the subject honestly. Do not let us have these statesman-like speeches, as they are called, from which we can derive nothing. The Government required money. They have been saddling themselves with tremendous responsibilities and obligations which had to be met. The consequence is that they have got a lot of money by indirect taxation, and we have all had to bear it—the man who earns £2 a week and the man who earns £2,000. I doubt if there is anyone in the House who has been poorer than I have been or had to struggle harder than I have done; therefore, I have every sympathy with the working man who finds these high prices crushing him, but let us face it. Everyone has had to do his duty as a citizen, rich or poor, and the Government has extracted all this money from us consumers, and rightly so, but I would prefer the Government to speak honestly to the people and tell us they want this money, and instead of all this high indirect taxation, they should endeavour to place it upon the broadest shoulders. We have heard of profits made by trusts and big companies. Companies have made several times their pro-war profits, but do not let the worker forget that he has made several times his pre-war wages. I defy any hon. Member opposite to say that Labour, as a whole, is suffering anything to-day. In spite of the fact that we often hear working men accused of spending money, large sections of the workers are thrifty and have been saving money, and many of us who have shareholders know it, and they have been putting their money into War securities for the benefit of the State as a whole.
  But the question we have to face it, how are we going to reduce prices? We might liken ourselves and the State to a man who is up to his neck in debt. He has to reduce his own expenditure to pay interest. I urge the Government to reduce expenditure. The man in the street wants to know why Ministries, which have been created during the war, should still exist. I am entirely opposed to the Ministry of Labour existing. I should prefer to see an industrial council. Again, I cannot altogether see why the Ministry of Pensions should exist. The war is
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  supposed to have finished eighteen months ago. I assume, unless you have been dilatory, you have seen that those individuals who are entitled to pensions have got them. You never set up a Ministry before the war to give pensions to those who had fought for us. You have surely settled that now. Why cannot all these pensions be paid through the different post offices of the country, and why cannot we destroy this Ministry as a huge organisation as it exists to-day; I should not like to see the charming Gentleman who is in charge of the Ministry of Labour disappearing from that office, but if the office docs not disappear the Government might seriously consider the advisability of reducing it to a minimum. I urge the Government to take it into consideration, because so long as we are criticised because of our high Estimates, so long will there be no contentment in the country. I entirely disagree with the remarks of one hon. Member opposite with regard to pressure. I admit we have been pinpricked. I have received hundreds of postcards, but have thrown them into the basket without answering them because I consider myself a free representative of a free constituency in what I hope is a free House of Commons, and I will vote according to my judgment on all these matters.
  9.0 P.M.
  With regard to all these questions, one cannot deny that the Government is fully alive, but I feel that the Ministers themselves have not time to get the fullest possible information to bring before the House, and they rely too much upon information supplied to them by the permanent heads of these Departments. We have to reduce debt. We have all said that hundreds of times, but look at all the stores the Government have. There are very few men in the House who know how many millions are sunk in stores. I will challenge any Minister on the Front Bench to deny that there are nearer £1,000,000,000 than £500,000,000 sunk in stores, which are being sold out in retail fashion. I suggest to the Government that with these vast quantities of stores, which at the present rate will take seven or eight years to sell, they should consider the advisability of employing one or two big export firms with huge organisation, who can sell them abroad, extract cash from them on shipment, and reduce their debt. I understand that buyers have been

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  over, and even two foreign Governments whom I could name were prepared to spend quite a large sum of money. These are matters which I am sure Ministers are not aware of, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer knows it. We want action. We must tackle this subject in order to commence reducing the debt. We must tell the truth to the people. The Prime Minister promised us a new world, and I promised my constituents that I would meet them there. Frankly, I am going to tell them that I have made a mistake, that it was only a dream and that I shall not be able to meet them there. So long as we are in debt we cannot give all this rare and refreshing fruit. It is all very well to speak about housing, but as things have been during the last five years with money floating about ad lib., a very large proportion of our citizens are in a position to improve their own surroundings. H right hon. and hon. Members on the opposite Benches are going to urge the Government to meet all the demands that are made upon them, and are going to ask everybody to lean on the State, what is the State to lean on? As reasonable men, is it not possible for them to persuade their great trade unions to stay their hands for, say, 12 months and give the Government a chance, without pin-pricking them every day, to bring down the cost of living? They have made a rod for their own backs. They have been complaining about congestion of the ports. Why is there congestion? One does not imagine that the Government keeps the ships there for the fun of it. Did not the Government know that they were threatened day by day and week by week by these great unions and that there was considerable trouble ahead, so far as one could see. What would not hon. Members and the country have said if the Government had waited for a great national strike and until all our transport stood still and there was no food? They would have blamed the Government. The Government took the precaution to stock the country with food and other necessaries of lift, and now you criticise them for it.
  Give the Government a chance. Persuade your followers to stay their hands and let the Government prove to us, as I am sure they will in due course, that they can bring down prices. It is all
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  very well to speak of the law of supply and demand. The world has been starving for everything and other nations are full of money and will pay the price. In regard to the necessities of life, there is no shortage, with possibly the one exception of wheat, because Russia has been closed. As regards meat, the production of frozen meat in the world today is 30 per cent. greater than it was before the War. Prices can be brought down, provided that hon. Gentlemen opposite will not persuade their followers that they have only to put up their hands and ask for more and they can get it. They should assist the Government in their endeavour to come to some happy state of affairs where we can all work together in the common cause. I urge the Government to look into the different Departments of the State thoroughly, and if the permanent officials there are not prepared to spend what we are prepared to give them, let them be cleared out to make room for someone else, because the people of this country will not be dominated by any bureaucracy such as exists at Whitehall. That was one of the causes of the downfall of Russia. They had one privileged circle of Government followers who were allowed to dictate to everybody and to extract from everybody. That will not do for this country. I ask the Government to look into this matter seriously, to hold the whip high and to let these Departments know that the Government are the masters. I urge the trade unions to assist the Government, and then, and only then, will our people be able to return to that state of contentment and happiness for which they have waited so long and so patiently, and which they so richly deserve.
  Mr. CHARLES EDWARDS: The hon. Member who has just spoken appealed to us to tell our people a plain story and not to deceive them. He has told us that he deceived his constituents by promising them a new world. He ought, therefore, to go to his constituents and to explain the position in which he finds himself and to ask them to decide on the new issues that have arisen. One hon. Member said that we could not blame the Government. That is what I am going to do, and I am going to prove that they are to blame, at any rate to my own satisfaction. They have listened to the people who asked for de-control. De-control has been the great

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  cry in this House from certain quarters. I do not know that in a single instance the consumers have asked for de-control. The demand has come every time from the producers and the traders, ostensibly so that they could have a free market to exploit the people and make bigger fortunes in consequence. Two weeks ago we were discussing the de-control of agriculture and were told that if we de-controlled everything it would right itself and prices would come down. We have been told that every time. Those are not the facts by any means. Over a week ago I asked the Minister of Food a question on this subject. I asked as to
  "the articles of food which have been decontrolled and the immediate effect on prices of such de-control; and the amount of increase or reduction which took place?
  Mr. McCURDY: The principal articles of food which have been decontrolled are fresh milk, homo produced butter and cheese, veal, margarine and its constituent materials, condensed milk, barley, oats and oatmeal, beans, peas and lentils, potatoes, tea and coffee. The most marked cases of changes of price following; immediately upon de-control are the following:—
  Cotton seed rose from £19 to £35 per ton, and palm kernels from £26 to £43 per ton within a month, with a corresponding rise in the other raw materials for the production of edible oils, while margarine itself, after a short period of price cutting, rose from 1s. to 1s. 1½d. per lb. on the average. Within a month or two of de-control barley rose from 67s. to 95s. 2d. per quarter, and oats from 52s. to 62s. 4d. per quarter. Veal, for which the controlled price was 10½d. per lb., was sold at anything up to 3s. per lb. Condensed milk has risen from 1s. 3d to la. 6d. and home produced butter from 2s. 8d. to anything between 3s. 6d. and 5s. per lb.
  Milk, on the other hand, showed a fall of 1d. per quart following on de-control, and there was a decrease of approximately 1d. per lb. in the group of peas beans and lentils."—[OFFICIAL REPORT; 4th March, 1920; Cols. 662–663, Vol. 126.]
  Only two articles in the whole list were reduced, and that by simply one penny, while all the others had gone up by many shillings. Therefore the statement that prices would come down as soon as decontrol had taken place is at variance with the facts. We are very fortunate in having control. In fact, if we had not had control, we should have had a revolution. I do not believe we have had too much control or too much Government trading; I believe we have had too little of both these things. Men deride this system of trading, notwithstanding the fact that the nation could not have been saved
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  without it. The buying of wool was surely not a mistake; but the withdrawal of control afterwards seems to me to have been a mistake. The manufacture of war munitions was considerably cheapened when the Government took over the work. In the early part of this Parliament the Prime Minister told us how much the cost of the different articles had been reduced in price because the Government took the work in hand. Among other things, he mentioned the Lewis gun, the price of which was reduced by many pounds because the Government took over the factories. Yet we hear men talking in the House against Government trading on every conceivable occasion.
  While there is a world shortage, I believe that control should be continued. I think, also, we should trade with Russia to the fullest extent. If we had traded with Russia, with her vast resources, instead of fighting her, it would have been very much better both for that country and for this country. Certainly, wages have gone up. The hon. Member (Mr. Blane) has been talking about wages, and charging labour with profiteering. I suppose that on the average labour has gone up possibly 100 per cent. or so, but the cost of living has gone up 162 per cent., or, according to Mr. Bevin, no less than 212 per cent. I can tell my hon. Friend that if we had gone on the old system of regulating wages, that is, wages rising according to the price of the commodity, we should be many shillings higher than we are to-day. If wages were the only things that affected prices, profits would certainly have remained the same; but profits have not remained the same; everyone knows they have enormously increased, not only during the War, but since the Armistice, In April, 1919, a Committee on Trusts and Combines reported that there was reason to believe that these trusts were forcing up prices, and they urged that action should be taken. We cannot blame the Government for not setting up committees. They are always setting up committees, but they never give effect to their recommendations. That is our quarrel with them about the mines. When the miners asked for an advance in wages and shorter hours, the Government gave the miners a Royal Commission and then refused to accept the findings; and the same thing has happened with several other committees which have sat and

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  reported. Nothing was done till August, 1919, when the Profiteering Act was passed, but this Act did not touch the wholesaler or the trust. One hon. Member has been talking about the Profiteering Act being a real attempt on the part of the Government to put down profitering. I do not think anything of the sort. I think it was something to get into the Press to try to show the country that the Government was serious in this business and that this Profiteering Act was going to do something. The only thing I saw of its working was that it cast a slur on the retailers of this country.
  On February 16th the President of the Board of Trade told us, in reply to a question, the number of Committees and Tribunals that had been set up, and the amount of fines imposed. I think the sum was £834 11s., in the case of 83 prosecutions. There were no sentences of imprisonment at all. I do not think those small fines had any effect whatever. I read in the paper this morning of a lady who, in a speech in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, said a profiteer ought to be hung to every lamp-post I do not know whether they would find a sufficient number for it, but one here and there would be a splendid thing, and would do more to put down profiteering than all these small fines which have been imposed. In a few cases shopkeepers have been asked to refund a halfpenny or three-farthings per pound or per yard, as the case may be. There was a Section of that Act which could have been some good. I remember when we were discussing that question that one hon. Member wanted to know whether the Government were serious on that point. I knew they were not serious, and I knew they did not intend putting it into force. This is Section 4, which allows local authorities to trade in articles where there has been profiteering. When asked why this Section had not been put into operation, the representative of the Government replied that it was not meant to be applied except where traders refused to trade in certain articles. No one would refuse to trade these days, when you can get profits such as are being made. There need have been no fear on that score. When this power was used, as was the case at Bradford, the Board of Trade tried to put a ban on the sales to the general public. The Board of Trade seems determined to
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  prevent any interference with profiteering.
  The Government has been selling at very, very low rates its vast stores of accumulated war material. The object of the Government seems to have been to make it possible for a few people to make fortunes at the expense of the community. That is how it seems to me. They have sold at very low rates and have allowed the buyers to exploit the community as they liked. Blankets were sold at 7s. per pair, and the Government were always careful that these should be sold only in very, very large quantities, so that it is a few Government contractors who have had the whole of them. These blankets were resold at 3s. 6d. per pound, or from 30s. to 40s. per pair. Australian boots were sold at 10s. 3d. per pair, and were retailed at 21s. Leather gauntlets, made of the very best leather, were bought at 2½d. per pair, and they were selling those as hard as they could sell them—I suppose they were not in great demand—at 3s. 6d. per pair, and then a factory was set up to turn this splendid leather into all sorts of fine leather goods. If the Government had set up a factory of their own, would not that have afforded an excellent opportunity for employing discharged soldiers instead of paying them money for doing nothing? Balloon material, made of the very best rubber, was sold for about 3d. per yard or 22s. per cwt. It was the intention to turn it into cloth for covering all sorts of vehicles—another case where discharged and injured soldiers could have been employed. But the Government wanted to give some individuals opportunities of making vast sums of money. Coming up from Newport the other day I saw something which made me think the Government are doing a sensible thing at last. They had placed a corrugated iron railing round their place. That was a very good plan, because it would prevent anyone from seeing what was inside. It would save a lot of complaints. I have seen mountains of wheelbarrows there. If these were sent to the local authorities, or to gardeners, or to people who have allotments, they would be very glad to get them; but they are left to rot. There are also spades which could be sent out in the same way. But the Government insists that they should be sold by the thousand, and would rather have them rotting on their hands than distribute them in this way. It would be a

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  great advantage if the Government would try to help the community in that way. Then there is profiteering in housebuilding. Many thousands of houses are due to be built under the auspices of the Government, and the greater the cost of these the greater will be the claims upon the public revenue. The experience of the Government with the Ministry of Munitions should have helped them in this. In May, 1919, a committee was set up to report upon the control of the supply of building materials by combinations. That Committee reported that 60 per cent. were under such control. Then the Government suggested that the material for building should be obtained by tender. There are 120,000 houses to be built. It has been pointed out to a Committee under the Profiteering Act that there ought to be control of building materials, and that no notice has been taken of the 1919 Report. If the Government could only get the cost reduced by one-third it would be a great help to all those who are engaged in solving the housing problem. One local authority has a contract with a builder amounting to £1,000 for each house. If there could be a reduction of one-third of that, it would be very important. Houses are costing 500 per cent. more than they did in pre-War time. Some firms are making 800 to 1,200 per cent. more profit now.
  With regard to shipping, the Government terminated the control and the rates went up. The prices paid by the public were 170s. against 107s. paid by the Government. Lord Inchcape, as Chairman of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, said that it was a great advantage that a large number of ships had been handed over at a cost of 33 millions sterling, and he said it would have been disastrous if the Government had been obliged to run these ships, and it was worth while to take them over at considerable risk and trouble. I think it was worth the trouble to get these ships at the price and be able to use them at a time when there was a rise in the rates. After eighteen months' investigation it is reported officially that there is a great increase in trade combinations in the United Kingdom which is stated at 80 per cent. Coming to Coats' in connection with the cotton and thread trade, we find that they exercised a control which is even more strict than the control of the Food Controller. Coats' firm harasses the
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  shopkeeper so as to prevent him from selling at a particular price. The difference is that the control by Coats' is in the interests of one firm, whereas the food control was for the benefit of the community. I am now speaking against de-control, and I am urging that when Committees are set up some legislative action should follow. What it the use of those Committees if the Government will not introduce legislation based upon their report? We have had several important reports, and I hope that one of the results of this discussion will be that some legislation will follow. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley stated in his contest there high prices were consequent upon high borrowing. I think that the expected attack upon the Government this evening has fallen rather tame. I do not see how it could be any different, because in the early part of the War, 1914–15 and 1916—I am not quite sure of these dates—17s. 6d. out of every £1 had to be borrowed. 1do not see how we could expect anything different from one who had at that time been at the head of the Government. The Labour party is the only one which has a clear record in these financial Debates. It contended all along that there ought to be more taxation and fewer borrowings. It advocated the conscription of wealth, which the majority of this House is against, but its argument was that as we had conscripted life we ought also to conscript wealth. We did not see why, when we asked for the sacrifice of life for the sake of the country, we should not ask for the sacrifice of wealth for the same cause. How-over, that does not find favour with the House, as I know very well. The Estimate of the Board of Inland Revenue was mentioned, I think, by my right hon. Friend the Member for the Platting Division of Manchester (Mr. Clynes). I have some rather different figures, or, rather, I have worked them out in a different way. I find that 280 persons have added to their fortunes, between the outbreak of war and the 30th June, 1919, no less than £700,000 each. That is a pretty good bargain during the War for those few people. Two hundred persons have added £330,000 each to their fortunes during the War, and 565 persons added £230,000 each during the same period. We are told also that 340,000 people added no less than £2,846,000,000 to their fortunes, while the remaining 44,500,000

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  people added less than half that figure to their wealth.
  We ask that legislation shall follow the reports we have just had. I have made that point once before, and I emphasise it again. If we are to have no results from these committees, that have done such excellent work, it has been useless to appoint them. I think that, if the Government legislate on the findings of those reports, the community would be greatly benefited, and I commend this to the Government as a method by which they can popularise themselves and also do a real service to the people of this country.
  Mr. E. HARMSWORTH: The one thing which the Government has done well during the War has been the work of the Food Controllership. During the War, and after the War until the present time, it has been almost the most successful Ministry in the Cabinet. To-day we are supposed to be discussing the question of high prices, but I have heard very few hon. Members suggest how those high prices are to be reduced. It has been suggested that they should be dealt with by a stringent Profiteering Act, but, even if all profiteering—and I think there is a certain amount—were abolished, I do not think anyone could seriously say that that would reduce the high prices. It is no good discussing the reduction of high prices and saying they are the same all over the world. That may be the case, but it is no use saying that without suggesting some method by which they can be reduced. I suggest that they should be reduced by cutting down Governmental expenditure. There may be many people who would object to that, and say it would not reduce high prices. I believe it would. In other countries there are high prices, as there are in Great Britain. In France, as one hon. Member suggested, prices are much the same as in England, or perhaps higher. I suggest that the French Government also are guilty of great extravagance, in the same way as are the English Government, and I believe that that is one of the causes of the high prices in France. One hon. Member said that it is no use getting up and talking, without telling the Government where they are to economise. Being a new Member of the House, I do
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  not know the procedure perfectly, but I should have thought that it was not the duty of this House to tell a Minister how to manage his own Department; I should have thought that it was the Minister's business to manage his Department, and that if he could not manage it himself, he should give it up. I suggest that the House should tell a Minister that he is to cut down his Department, but it should be left to the Minister to decide where it should be cut down. Surely the Minister is in possession of all the facts, and knows better than we can know where that can be done. I suggest that the House, on all the Estimates, should tell Ministers that they are to cut down their Departments. It is no use telling them where. [An HON. MEMBER: "Why not?"] Because, surely, the Minister knows better than we do.
  Of course, one cannot say that high prices are entirely caused by the extravagance of the Government. It is quite obvious that they are not. But my point is that that is their chief cause. They are caused, as well, by many other things—the after-effects of the war, deficiency in the world's supplies of essential commodities, and various other causes all contributing towards the same thing; but the essential thing is to find out some way in which they may be reduced. We cannot increase the world's supplies of essential commodities, although we may talk about it; and we cannot alter the after-effects of the war: but we can alter the extravagance of the Government. That is the one cause which has been suggested this evening which can be altered, and therefore I regard it as the only cause of high prices which is worth talking about. Some say, of course, that, although Government expenditure may be responsible for high prices, the expenditure is necessary. Surely no expenditure is necessary, in these times, it would cause high prices at home. I am sure that no hon. Member would suggest that our costly adventures in the East were necessary, if at home they caused high prices. The Government's defence would probably be that large expenditure does not bring high prices. They cannot say they are not extravagant, when we are to-day considering Civil Service Estimates amounting to £557,000,000. This Debate has taken place on a very suitable day, when we are supposed to be considering Estimates of that nature.

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  Would the reduction of the expenditure of the Government bring down high prices? The origin of high prices is quite obviously the War and its after-effects. That was because the War left the country with an enormous debt a National Debt of about £8,000,000,000 alone. Had the Government taken that in hand, and attempted to reduce the debt, prices would not have risen as they have risen, but would have started a downward turn. The only possible way of reducing that debt is by the revenue from taxation overlapping the expenditure. I believe that, if the debt is not reduced, prices will show no tendency to go down, but will rather tend to increase. The only way is by rigorous economy in Government Departments and the cutting down of any expenditure which is not absolutely necessary. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that one day we would have a normal year, when the Budget would be £808,000,000. The Budget in 1914 was £208,000,000. Therefore, the Chancellor of the Exchequer recognised that the £ had fallen in value to something like one-fourth of its previous value, because he recognised that a normal Budget would cost four times the normal Budget before the War. The only way to make the £ worth what it was before the War is to bring expenditure as near the 1916 level as possible, and if the expenditure of the Government were reduced nearly to the expenditure of 1914, then I believe that the £ would rise to its pre-War value. The question of high prices is the most important question of the day, because it touches everybody in the community, both rich and poor, more keenly than any other question of politics, and will continue to touch them even more in the future as prices rise. No other way of reducing prices has been suggested except by improving the Profiteering Act. I do not believe that that will reduce prices, because not enough money is being made by profiteering to reduce prices to any appreciable extent. The one way in which prices can be reduced is by the Government reducing expenditure and paying off the National Debt, and this is the course which I would ask the Government, as far as possible, to adopt.
  Brigadier-General CROFT: I would like to congratulate my hon. Friend who has just sat down on the courage of his speech. The only remark I make is that,
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  while he criticises the Coalition so bravely, possibly he may find later on that he will require a new home, and I can assure him that he will always be very welcome in that party which has a future. In all the wild words which are spoken on this question of prices and profits, no one is more ready than the average Labour Member to point out the extraordinary evil of high profits. I cordially agree with that, but when we in this House denounce increases in pro fits, let us be fair and recognise that, if labour is entitled to £100 where it had £50 before the War, equally are the average investor, and the average worker in industry by his brains, entitled to have the same difference in what comes to them, bearing in mind the increased cost of living Therefore, lot us get at the root causes of the evil, and, when we can find real profiteering, let us take measures which will make it impossible to continue. We heard allusions this afternoon to the question of building materials. I would ask the hon. Member who made that argument whether it is not a fact that there is no possible comparison between the increased cost of materials for building and the increased cost of building owing to the low output which unfortunately exists in the building trade? Reference was made to the very high shipping freights, from the River Plate in particular. The Government ought to watch this shipping question, but we ought also to remember that many of these great shipping fortunes were made from Government-controlled prices, and also that it is impossible for our shippers suddenly to reduce their freights, even by Government action, unless we are going to reduce the freights of the rest of the world. We do not want to injure the River Plate trade, in which we are at present able to do such good business. These are considerations which ought to cause us to pause before we go wildly into the question of the solution of this question.
  We have had from the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Asquith) a speech which rather disappointed his followers because it was not critical, and disappointed me because it was not constructive, in which he generally called attention to the upward tendency of prices all over the world. We had a most statesmanlike speech from the late Food Controller the Member for Norwich (Mr. G. Roberts),

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  which I wish the Secretary of State for War (Mr. Churchill) could have heard, because then the right hon. Gentleman would have realised that we have some representatives of Labour in this country who would do credit to any Government if they had control. There have been very few criticisms of the Government, and we have been speaking generally of world causes, but there is one criticism with regard to congestion in the docks which must be emphasised. The Minister of Food has admitted that there are some difficulties with regard to this matter of distribution.
  Whenever this question is raised, we are told that it is a matter for the Food Controller. The Food Controller says that it is because of a complete breakdown of our transport. Then we invite our superman to come to the House and explain why he has not improved our transport arrangements, and he says that it is all the fault of the Shipping Controller. The fact remains that you have got this condition of affairs in the docks and that the Government is responsible. I hope that the Government will find the solution of the problem, and that the Shipping Controller, the Transport Minister and the Food Controller will put their heads together in order to prevent that fatal congestion that takes place. We cannot deny that large quantities of bacon have been rotting in the docks, that men have been walking in sugar, and that tobacco has gone bad in very large amounts. These kinds of things become known to the working classes of the country. We all know the difficulties, but the congestion in the docks is one of the first matters on which all the Departments involved ought to get together to see that it is put right, because this matter is causing tremendous discontent among all who are working in the docks of this country.
  Let me say one word in reference to the Prime Minister's statement regarding wheat, and also in reference to the speech of the right hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Roberts). The Prime Minister pointed out how difficult it is for us to increase the supplies of raw material and of the food stuffs of the world. The right hon. Member for Norwich pointed out how vital it was, from every point of view, that we should
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  increase our wheat production in this country. If six months ago the Government had said that we were to have a maximum price for wheat, in some way comparable with that for imported wheat, we should have had a greater amount of wheat sown last Autumn and this Winter. That step was not taken, however. I am glad the Prime Minister is now going to set the matter right. These are the facts. A quarter of wheat costs round about £5. I believe it is £6 for imported wheat, or something of that kind—130s. That means that every quarter of wheat grown in this country increases the wealth of the country by £5. On the other hand, if you have to buy that quarter from the United States or the Argentine, or from some other wheat-growing country, it means that you are increasing the national indebtedness by another £5. Apart altogether from any economic argument, it seems to me that the right hon. Member for Norwich puts his finger on the spot when he says that we must do everything in our power to increase our production. I feel sure that the Prime Minister, having seen how disastrous it is that the farmers should be growing other cereals than wheat, will go on with the policy he has now adopted and encourage wheat production by every means in his power.
  When speaking from the Treasury Bench early last Session, Sir Auckland Geddes uttered what I considered to be one of the most momentous warnings ever delivered in this House. He told us that whatever we did we must import nothing from the United States which we did not require in this country. He said that that was obvious on the face of it, if we were to readjust the exchange. I would make this criticism. I think we were far too ready to get rid of our import licences. The Prime Minister spoke on this subject last Session, and I am afraid he made that speech here because he was about to go to Manchester to convince his followers there that he was a Free Trader. The fact remains that a great many articles are being imported which we can produce ourselves, or articles which are luxuries—feathers for ladies' hats, costing an enormous amount of money, an iniquitous trade, and absolutely unnecessary. No self-respecting woman would wear birds' feathers in her hat. Yet in spite of what the President of the Board of Trade said about this iniquitous traffic

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  going on, we were startled to see that the licence for imports was taken off. There we are spending priceless pounds on fopperies and fineries which no woman requires. If we are going to right this question of exchange, which is, after all, one of the main causes of high prices, surely it is up to this House to see that the hon. Gentleman is kept on the straight and narrow path, and is not allowed to import useless luxuries into this country, that this House shall give a mandate and see that no superfluous goods are imported.
  The right hon. Member for Paisley in his speech said that one of his hopes was the retention of a free market to bring down prices. I do not know whether hon. Members are satisfied with last month's import figures, but it seems to me a perfect tragedy that there should be this adverse balance against us, that we should see our imports always keeping ahead of our exports. Unless we check that we are bound to go to ruin. Unfortunately, invisible exports to-day do not exist, and I suggest to the Leader of the Liberal party that this is not the time to talk about maintaining a free market for those commodities which are not necessary for this country. The hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. Harmsworth) referred to the reduction of debt. Is not that the main point? I am afraid I am going to make myself more unpopular than usual by stating that it is chiefly the fault of Parliament itself. Day after day hon. Members come down and say that this class or that class is suffering very severely, and that therefore Parliament must vote another five, ten, fifteen, or twenty millions of money. That is the road to ruin. Unless we can restrain our hearts and allow our heads to govern us in this matter we shall go from bad to worse. The only way is to reduce expenditure to the lowest possible margin, and at the same time not to tolerate any increased demands until we have recovered our financial stability. I would suggest to the Chancellor of the Exchequer also to put an end to this foolish light talk about a levy on capital of any description whatsoever. The profiteers must pay, and by a super-tax on profits. The Government ought to have acted long ago when the prices first rose. Nearly all that money has gone back by this time into ships and factories and machinery. If you
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  now start to take, a part of that you are going to create unrest. I believe the wealthy men of this country will be only too ready to give a great part of their profits to the State by means of a super-profit tax. That will be better than impairing the fabric on which the prosperity of this country depends. I thank the Committee for its toleration in listening to my somewhat contentious remarks. I think the hon. Member was right when he said that we must cut down expenditure. I also think that strictures ought to be passed on our fellow members as well as on the Government. If we are to reduce the National Debt we must be prepared to bear a very much higher burden of taxation for a limited time. That is the quickest method by which we can reduce food prices in this country.
  10.0 P.M.
  Captain WEDGWOOD BENN: There is one criticism from the benches opposite which I think is singularly unfair. It was stated that the right hon. Member for Paisley when Prime Minister added to the expenses of the country by incurring debt. Surely, hon. Members will remember that at that time all three parties in the State were united, and that if any blame is attached to the late Prime Minister for incurring debt, surely, the same blame attaches to the leaders of their own party who, very properly and patriotically, were united in order to win the War. I do not propose to deal with the War period at all. I think the Prime Minister will admit that during the War we were all prepared to do anything that might be required and to impose on ourselves any burdens which might be necessary. Any criticism I have to make could not possibly be directed to the period of the War time. I propose to ask whether the policy of the Government since the Armistice has been what it should be in order to keep down prices. First of all one must refer to the broken hopes which were extended to the people of the country at the time of the election and after it. The Prime Minister delivered a speech in which he said he hoped within a short time, two months I think, the cost of living would be reduced by four shillings per week to the poor. It was a very rosy hope; I do not think the figures justify the statement that the price of living has gone down 25 per cent.
  The PRIME MINISTER: No! The cost of living did go down I think by the

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  time I mentioned, but afterwards prices went up. They went down considerably at the beginning.
  Captain BENN: But the fact remains that we are to-day debating the question which is agitating the whole country, namely, that of high prices. The inference from the Prime Minister's speech was that things were coming right, instead of which they have got worse. Why is it that the people of the country are so anxious? It is not because the highly paid trades are suffering most, but because of the poor people. The Board of Trade return, which we do not all accept as true, gives prices as going up 135 per cent., and the old age pension, even with the last addition, has only been raised 100 per cent. The poor people who are not in the organised trades, such as women workers, are finding out how very hard indeed it is to make ends meet. They are looking to Parliament to see if Parliament can do anything to assist them, and a great deal of credit which this House has in the country and the credit of our whole Parliamentary system depends upon the answer we give to them. The Government, when this question was raised at the end of last Session, rode off on the profiteer. There was a strong Parliamentary Committee appointed which might have done very useful work, but on the second day of meeting Sir Auckland Geddes appeared before the Committee, and without consulting the Food Controller, said "We have got a plan for dealing with high prices and we do not want the Committee." The Committee was dissolved, and this House dissolved as it was dissolved by another Cromwell at another time. The Committee never met since.
  Mr. McCURDY: Oh, yes!
  Captain BENN: Has the Committee done anything?
  Mr. INSKIP: I was a member of that Committee, and may I say the Committee certainly met on some occasions, but was not able to proceed with its business because the Government said the Profiteering Act would accomplish the end.
  Captain BENN: The hon. Gentleman has made my point. The Government said they had got a plan which was the persecution of the retail trade, and they gave the public to understand that this
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  was all done by the man in the shop. A few months afterwards the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade said that £25,000 had been expended and 25 persons convicted. That was the story to that date of the actual working of this precious measure which was intended as a stunt remedy to meet popular agitation. Far be it from me to say there is no justification in the popular belief that some of the rise in prices is due to scarcity and the manipulation of that scarcity by some interests. I think that is so, but what does the Government do even in that regard? Take the case of palm kernels, which, I believe, supply the raw material, or part of it, for margarine; take the Government proposal by which the producers of palm kernels in the Colonies are compelled to supply these palm kernels only to the British manufacturers. You may think that proper or improper, but is it, or is it not, an assistance to the people who desire to form corners and trusts in raw materials? We have heard a great deal from the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. E. Harmsworth), who was elected as an anti-Government waste candidate, but I am afraid we have not been honoured with his company in the Lobby as much as we had hoped from the professions he made at the time of his election. We have from this side from time to time tried to suggest ways to reduce the expenditure against which the hon. Member complains. After all, it is not for the Opposition to propose in detail the reduction of expenditure, but they do expect that those who are opposed to extravagant Government expenditure will support them in the Lobby on those occasions when they move reductions, rather as a general indication of the desire of the House than as a detailed suggestion as to which particular Department a reduction should be made in.
  The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain): Hear, hear!
  Captain BENN: The Chancellor of the Exchequer is very pleased with that. But I have sat on that side of the House when he was sitting on this side, and I frequently heard his friends say—and they are far more experienced Parliamentarians than I am—that it is not for physicians to prescribe until they are called in.
  Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I am afraid we should have to wait a long time.
  Captain BENN: I have not any desire to visit the bedside, I can assure the right hon. Gentleman. But the Chancellor of the Exchequer has constantly urged on the public the necessity also for private thrift, and, of course, it is obvious that that is a very important thing, because the individual savings would go either to reproductive enterprise or the production of commodities in some form or another. I am not speaking about to-day, when we have had a speech from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food describing the general desolation of the world, but I am speaking of those old days immediately after the Armistice. Was the Government itself then setting an example of thrift to the nation? I must mention details and small things here, because, after all, the Government expenditure has been very lavish. I can remember question after question put from the Back Benches on the other side about fleets of motor-cars, about great cars visiting this House every day to carry about the Ministers. That was not an example to the public to economise. Then there was the Bill for doubling the salaries of Ministers and secretaries, and there was the speech made in this House of the most optimistic kind in the latter part of last year. And then we get the latest item, the cost of the Peace Conference in Paris, £503,000 in all, including the passenger and mail services. I assume this is for the Peace negotiations since the Armistice—half a million, including items which, I make bold to say, might very well have suffered reduction by any Government that was earnestly endeavouring to be thrifty and set a personal example of thrift and restraint to the nation.
  Then we come to the question of what is conceived to be the remedy for this state of affairs. It is generally admitted, I believe, that in the case of a world scarcity, such as the Food Controller has told us to-night, some sort of Government control is required. I think we all admit that, but immediately you come to deal with the thing in the big, as he did in his most interesting speech, you see that the problem is not a national but an international problem; and so we see that the Government's pollicy should have been governed by a view of the whole
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  world production, and not merely by a narrow national one. That, I think, really is the substance of all the proper criticism that can be levelled against the Government—that their policy has not been framed to put the world again on to a basis of flourishing reproductive work. On the contrary, everything they have done, instead of attempting to instil a spirit of international friendship, has all been based on a much narrower view of the needs of the Empire. There is the attitude to the Aliens Bill, and the Imperial Preference Scheme, and the failure of the Government to foster a friendship with the United States. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] Perhaps the Prime Minister does not remember the very offensive remark which was made by the Secretary of State for War in this House. I wish the Government would do more in this respect, because certainly no word of mine would make mischief in this regard. I think the matter is much too important. But I do contend that the Government's policy has failed altogether to attempt to set up the spirit of international goodwill, which, after all, has its trade aspects as well as its moral and ideal aspect.
  Then we have the speech of the Food Controller to-night in which he spoke of under-production. He told us there was a fall in production all over the world. This is the Government which last year was placing embargoes upon imports. Without free circulation you cannot possibly get prices down. This is the Government which tells us now that there is nothing in Germany, and under-production in the States, and has actually a Dumping Bill ready to be produced in this House. I do not know what would be the fate of the Dumping Bill after the speech of the Food Controller to-day, but he told us that any man who looked back must realise that it was impossible to any set of statesmen to establish a staple peace in the world. Yet this is the Government who held over the head of Germany a big indemnity, than which nothing could be more discouraging to the spirit of production. The Food Controller told us that no set c£ men could possibly have restabilised the Governments of the world. Yet this Government continued the war with Russia, and there were Military Missions there. They tell us now that the world is short of commodities. Yet they forced the Russian Government to use transport, which is the backbone of any system of

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  national distribution and affects prices, for war purposes! They are the people who refused to trade with Russia, although the Food Controller has told us that it is impossible to cut down the price of butter until the Siberian markets are re-opened! I have ventured to put before the House some reasons which have actuated us in the criticisms we have levelled at the Government. The question of prices is not a national or a narrow question. It is a world question. It is a question which could only be solved by the Governments, in this and all other countries, approaching it in a spirit of international goodwill.
  Mr. HAILWOOD: I have listened to a good many views as to the best way of reducing prices. Many people in this country are looking to the Government to reduce prices, and asking for Government interference in one way or another. The more the Government interferes, the worse things will be. In the early days of the War, there was one commodity banished from the tables of the people of this country, and it caused a great deal of trouble at the time. I refer to the popular potato When potatoes vanished, we did not discuss prices, or press for higher wages to buy them. The people of this country, from one end to the other, started with their allotments to grow potatoes. They endeavoured to produce more potatoes to overcome the scarcity. That is the essence of the present question. To overcome scarcity we must have more production. The Government can in no way meet the situation by controlling, but by encouraging production; and production can only be encouraged by leaving the market free. High prices will stimulate production, and we shall get over the difficulty. There are many people who are apt to attribute the excessive borrowing on the part of the Government—or to make it appear so—as the main cause of high prices. I happen to know something about wheat. There is no more sensitive article on the market than wheat. Before War was declared, the wheat market began to rise It has always in history been the fact that the price of wheat rose the moment either scarcity was mentioned in any particular country, or there was danger of drought or other cause that would in any way limit its
  1972
  production, or any talk of war in any part of the world. It is quite obvious that it is only the shortage of production that brings about high prices, and the more interference we have from the Government the higher I am convinced will prices rise.
  The best plan would be to get rid of the Ministry of Food, and to cut down the staffs of a lot of other Departments. If we had all these officials digging potatoes and sowing wheat we might get over our troubles very much quicker. They are increasing the population of London: they bring their wives and daughters with them, and these, I suppose, spend part of their time in jazzing and going to the pictures, when they could be better employed in milking cows and making butter. It would be better, at any rate, in the interests of the country. The hon. Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) mentioned that the hon. Member for Thanet was elected as an anti-Government Waste candidate. I am one of those who went down to Thanet in order to help the hon. Member to obtain his seat, and I certainly did not go down to support an anti-Government candidate. The hon. Member came forward as an anti-Waste candidate. I believe this Government is also anti-waste, and in the interests of the community at large I think the presence of the hon. Member for Thanet will be a valuable asset to us in this House. I firmly believe that control is necessary if there is not sufficient food to go round. If it has to be rationed, then it will be necessary to have a Food Controller in order to apportion the quantity. But we have got past that stage. These foodstuffs to-day are not rationed, and therefore the necessity for control has gone. The best plan will be to get as many people as possible engaged on the work of production, and leave the markets to have free play. By reducing the number of Government officials we shall soon bring about a better state of affairs, and then prices will right themselves.
  Lieut.-Colonel JOHN WARD: This Debate has not been remarkable, and after all that is usually what happens. If one had read the "Times" and the "Daily News" he would have imagined we were in for fireworks to-day, that the Government were to be put on their trial, and that we were going to have demonstrated by the right hon. Gentleman

  1973
  the Member for Paisley the way in which it is possible to get rid of the difficulties in the midst of which we find ourselves, I listened very attentively to the speech of the right hon. Member for Paisley, but except for the suggestion that we should open up with trade on the broadest lines with Soviet Russia—which to a certain extent has already been decided upon by the Government in particular and by the Allies in general—beyond that suggestion which was not a new one, nor was it one advising the Government to do something not yet attempted, and beyond the suggestion that we should open complete and the widest diplomatic relations with the Soviet power, not a single proposal was made which would, in the slightest degree, improve the position. The country outside has been expecting that some light would be thrown upon this subject to-day. There has been no light on the subject so far. It is true the Prime Minister had nothing to answer from his critics, but at least has not he dotted their i's and crossed their t's? Otherwise the country is in a parlous condition, and it shows quite clearly that this House has no remedy either on one side or the other, beyond the broad suggestion, with which I daresay the Prime Minister agrees, of the necessity of taking away every possible restriction against trade between nation and nation That, naturally, is necessary, but it is not necessary, I should imagine, to go to the extent of the hon. Member (Mr. Hail-wood). So far as the internal affairs of the country are concerned I should imagine in a state of the general scarcity such as exists to-day that to take away all control would probably mean increasing prices enormously, and would certainly make it more difficult for the poorer portion of the community to live than is even the case to-day. An hon. Member on the Labour Benches has quoted the results of de-control in 20 or 30 cases of commodities which are essential for the poor, and, with three exceptions, there was an immediate rise in some cases of over 100 per cent.
  We have got into this difficulty because everyone was trying to make everything he could out of the War, right from the top to the bottom, no one more than another. The most that can be said on either side is to throw bricks at the other as to whether it was the top that began
  1974
  and the prices percolated to the bottom, or whether it began at the bottom and percolated to the top. It is a strange commentary upon the idealism with which our soldiers went into the War that while they were risking their lives, many of them for only a few shillings a day—in the case of my men in Siberia, even when their pay was raised to the top rate it would buy just one cigarette per day. Beyond these rations that is all the recompense they got. They fought to make our possessions and position secure, and while they were risking their lives for the defence of the State and everything for which it stands, from top to bottom, the whole community seems to have been engaged in one huge scramble to see who could get most out of it. That, I believe, is the cause of the trouble in which we find ourselves to-day. But what is strange, especially after the speech of the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Captain Benn), is that this scramble to take advantage of the necessities created by the war seems not to have affected our own people alone, but the world in general, because the disease is not national; it is universal. High prices reign everywhere. It was suggested that the Food Ministry and the Pensions Ministry should be destroyed. Why did we want to trouble about pensions? I have listened even to that suggestion tonight. That is the usual way in which comfortable people look upon their soldiers when once they had done their work. The next suggestion was that the Labour Department should be destroyed. Why did we want to bother about labour? What had the Government to do with labour? I should have thought the Government had everything to do with it. It is the State's business to take a great deal more care of the labouring interests of the community than it has hitherto done. It should be considered their business rather than that of any particular section. Even if these things were done, they are so infinitesimal compared with the vast subject we have been discussing, that they would not have the slightest influence so far as the general situation is concerned. Therefore, unless some superman can give us something better than we have listened to, the Debate has been an utter failure.
  Mr. MARSHALL STEVENS: Except for the speech of the right hon. Member who has just spoken, and the charming

  1975
  little speech of my colleague, the junior Member for Manchester (Captain Thorpe), this has been the slowest Debate I have ever heard in this House or anywhere else. I only rise because, with the majority of hon. Members, I am fearful lest we do not do something to "ginger up" the Prime Minister into replying. I propose to deal with that section of the transport problem which so insidiously, and may be materially, does so much towards raising prices, and which cannot be better described than in the words of my hon. Friend—I hope I may call him, the Food Controller (Mr. McCurdy)—as a parasite. There is want of co-ordination between the many Government Departments—co-ordination which the various Governments throughout and since the War have failed to obtain. In this matter I can bring home blame to the Prime Minister and to the right hon. Member for Paisley. Several of us throughout the War tried to obtain some practical action either from the Cabinet or from the Prime Minister of the time to enable this question to be dealt with. Let me road an extract from a memorandum sent by me, by request, to the Cabinet Committee on the 1st February, 1915:
  "I wish emphatically to point out that the main remedy for coping with the present situation and the greater difficulties likely to grow out of it in the immediate future is to be found in the temporary provision of some independent system of traffic control, or rather of traffic direction, such as I will later propound,"
  These proposals are as applicable to-day as they were in 1915.
  "This is of paramount necessity during the period of the War. It is suggested that the Cabinet Committee should appoint for the time being an Executive Officer capable by experience of judging the best means of clearing up the congestion of traffic and of suggesting the most adequate provision against its recurrence. He should not have any powers to enforce compliance with any orders or recommendations of the Committee, but should assist traders, port authorities, shipowners, railway, and other carriers to comply with such requirements. He should keep in close touch with the general traffic movements of the country, not only on land"—
  [HON. MEMBERS: "Agreed."] Then I will confine myself to two instances, although I could refer with equal cause—
  The CHAIRMAN: This speech seems to have escaped the hon. Member last Wednesday. We have an Amendment before
  1976
  us dealing with the Board of Trade and not the Ministry of Shipping.
  Mr. STEVENS: I understood that we were dealing with the question why prices had risen. I will take the cases of frozen produce and grain, with regard to both of which I can speak authoritatively. I was requested by Lord Rhondda to advise on the question of cold storage, and, upon my advice, cold storage was to be provided. I will read the last paragraph of my report:
  "It is not necessary to state therefore a lack of co-ordination between the War Office, the Board of Trade, the Board of Agriculture, the Local Government Board, the Ministry of Shipping, and the Ministry of Food, inquiries by each of these Departments upon the same subject matter of cold storage have been overlapping, not only to the disadvantage of the Government, but also to the inconvenience of the port and other authorities. If all inquiries relating to cold storage could be addressed to one department, it would give general satisfaction."
  That was in 1917. To help the Food Controller I went back to Manchester and built a cold store with a capacity of 1,000,000 cubic feet, and at this moment there is accommodation in that store for 200,000 carcases of mutton. It had seven times the area and capacity of this Chamber.—[Laughter.]—I think this is too important a matter for laughter. I want to state a few facts with a view of lessening the great waste and expenditure that is going on by Government Departments In the last few weeks circulars have been issued contradicting one another from different Departments on this question. People from no fewer than nine different Departments have visited these stores on behalf of the Government. Before I go away from the frozen meat question let me say that it has caused no congestion in the ports. It has had to remain on the ships until cold storage was available. The fault for its lying on the ships rests with the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Food, and the War Office. These ships were allowed to come from Australia and New Zealand without inquiry being made as to whether there was sufficient storage to be had. It is want of business aptitude on the part of those responsible for that, and it has nothing to do with the port, or the shipowners, or merchants. It is entirely the fault of these three Departments. I come to an even more serious matter in the near future, the storage of grain. I wish I could do justice to the subject. Grain

  1977
  has never been mentioned in this House as being a traffic which has caused congestion at the ports; but it has done more to cause congestion than any other traffic, not because those who look after the storage of grain do not know their business—they are merchants and business men and ought to know it—but because they do know their business, and they retained accommodation for grain which should have been given to other departments of trade There is nothing more serious to-day, and I am only too glad that the Prime Minister is here to hear me say that. Unless something is done in the near future, whether the crop grown be short or great, our difficulties will increase, and the shorter the crop the greater will be the difficulty. The intricate machinery of transport is not generally understood, even by traders, and it is certainly not possible for professional politicians to understand it in all its intricacies. I had meant to show by facts how much can be done towards the reduction of prices, the stabilisation of industry, the stabilisation of commerce, of labour, and of capital, if something were done in that direction; but, in view of the fact that I have only now had the opportunity of addressing the House, I will leave myself in the hands of the Prime Minister, who, I hope and expect, will give me some reply.
  Mr. C. PALMER: If I thought that for one moment I was standing between this House and the Prime Minister, I would not say a word; but as one who, like the hon. Gentleman who has just sat down, wants to "ginger up" the Government, I am profoundly disappointed with the Debate to-night. I thought the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley was going to do what I, as a young and humble Member of this House, could not hope to do. I stood for a constituency on the plank of "gingering up" the Government, and I was delighted to find that, while I was talking in the wilds of Shropshire the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley was pouring out words of wisdom to the mill-hands of that great constituency. I understood that he was coming back to this House to lay before it and the country a cure for all our ills, and with a determination to make the Government bring down prices and put this old country of ours on a pre-war basis. And so I have delayed a visit to place called Stockport, in order that I might take
  1978
  with me to Manchester those words of wisdom and those practical suggestions which were to have fallen from the right hon. Gentleman who is not yet the leader of the Opposition. I tell the House frankly that I have been more disappointed than ever in my life, and I go back to Stockport, where I hope we are going to "ginger up" the Government, without any new pabulum, without anything fresh that I can offer to the hard-headed men of Manchester.
  May I congratulate the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on having the courage to do what his leader had not the courage to do. "Willing to wound, but afraid to strike," might, I think, fairly describe the attitude of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley. Our young and more gallant Friend did try to get a dig or two in upon the Treasury Bench; but the "ginger" has come, as far as I can sec, and I am sorry to say it, from the Treasury Bench itself. This is the point I want to make. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley made two suggestions, and only two, as far as I could see. One was that the cure for all our ills was to associate ourselves with the bloody hand of the Soviet Government of Russia, and the other, less deliberately stated, was that we should return to the old and battered ideas of Free Trade. The hon. and gallant Member for Leith has taunted the Prime Minister with having held out golden hopes to the country. I say—I hope without offence—that his leader, the right hon. Gentleman for Paisley, held out golden hopes at his election. He came back to this House to pulverise the Government, to ginger up, not only the Government, but the Opposition—and look at them to-night! Here is our hon. and gallant Friend holding the fort, and behind him the Members of the Labour party, while the whole Opposition have deserted that bench, because their leader had not the courage to strike out—to bring forward one single straightforward practical proposal or to attack the Government.
  Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY: Where is your leader?
  Mr. PALMER: That gibe has no effect on me. My leader, as you call him, is lying ill in bed to-day, and it is very poor fun to make such a gibe.
  Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: He would give us more ginger.
  Mr. PALMER: If the hon. Member for the Soviet Division will be patient he shall have the ginger—
  Major LLOYD-GREAME: Is this cross questioning on the subject of valetudinarianism in order in this Debate?
  The CHAIRMAN: I would suggest to the hon. Member, who has not been very long with us, that he should address his remarks, and particularly his epithets, to the Chair.
  Mr. PALMER: Although I have not been long in my present position I have been thirty-five years looking at these proceedings from aloft and I ought to have known I was transgressing. I apologise to you, Sir; I was led astray by the interruption. If the Prime Minister has anything to answer I am sure that with all his courage and capacity he will answer it, but I listened for fifty minutes to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley and I never heard so many platitudes delivered in a rotund voice. [HON. MEMBERS: "What is your remedy?"] My remedy, and the remedy of the hon. Member who at the present moment is ill in bed—(Laughter)— it is not a very humorous thing that a man is ill in bed—is that all our difficulties arise from high prices, and that the cure for all the difficulties with which we have to cope at present is to "make Germany pay."
  Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY: I noticed that the hon. Member spoke of "ginger" about twenty-seven times. He addressed his epithets chiefly to the right hon. Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) and the hon. Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn). I think he started to compliment me, but he was pulled up by the Chair. I do not propose to return the compliment. The right hon. Gentleman and the hon. and gallant Member for Leith can look after themselves, but I am going to try to put a little "ginger" into the Treasury Bench in the four minutes that are left to me. 1n April, 1919, a Committee set up by the Board of Trade reported on the question of trusts and combines, and made certain recommendations. We are now approaching April, 1920 and nothing whatever has been done, except the passing
  1980
  of the perfectly futile Profiteering Act, which I divided against in the small hours of the morning. We got two followers in that Division. I condemned the Bill then. I said it would do no good for two reasons. First of all, it did not in any way attack the wholesaler, the combine or the trust; and secondly, it did not tackle the subject from an international point of view. Let me recall the very admirable declaration issued by the Grand Muftis of the Peace Conference, in which they counselled disarmament, the end of military adventures, peace and free trade for everyone except themselves It was a case, very much, of the Devil rebuking Sin. Only a few days after this proclamation advising the half-starved nations of Europe to disarm and demobilise, we were being presented here with tremendous Estimates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, for which no real case was made out. That same proclamation advised the ending of economic barriers between the nations; yet we have here a Government which, until it was pulled up in the Courts, did much to prevent the circulation of commodities between the different countries. We have been prevented from getting cheap cutlery and glass-ware, and other articles of Household use, which we can import at a lower price than that at which we can manufacture them our-selves. This has meant the keeping up of the price of goods.
  11.0 P.M.
  May I draw attention, in the two minutes that remain to me, to the great need of immediate international action to control the prices of the staple commodities. Take the case of coal in our own country. We control coal here, and the price is low in comparison with the world price. If the control were removed, we should have to pay at once the world price of coal, less insurance and freight. Coal is controlled, and we are enabled to pay less for it by making our Allies and neutrals pay more. That may suit us for the moment, but, in the long run, it is going to breed ill-will. Wool, oils, copper, steel and the like are not controlled, and the result is that we have to pay the world price. Prices, like water, find their own level. As the Reports of the one or two Committees show, this is really an international ques

  1981
  tion, and it can be tackled only by international action. We must control prices for the whole world by consulting together.
  It being Eleven of the Clock, the Chairman proceeded, pursuant to Standing
  Order No. 15, to put forthwith the Questions necessary to dispose of the Vote.
  Question put, "That Item Class II. (Board of Trade) be reduced by £100."
  The Committee divided: Ayes, 54; Noes, 238.

  Division No. 59.]

  AYES.

  [11.0 p.m.

  Barnes, Major H. (Newcastle, E.)

  Hirst, G. H.

  Sitch, Charles H.

  Bell, James (Lancaster, Ormskirk)

  Hogge, James Myles

  Smith, W. R. (Wellingborough)

  Benn, Captain Wedgwood (Leith)

  Irving, Dan

  Spencer, George A.

  Billing, Noel Pemberton-

  Kelley, Major Fred (Rotherham)

  Swan, J. E. C.

  Bowerman, Rt. Hon. Charles W.

  Kenworthy, Lieut.-Commander J. M.

  Thomas, Brig.-Gen. Sir O. (Anglesey)

  Brown, James (Ayr and Bute)

  Lawson, John J.

  Thomson, T. (Middlesbrough, West)

  Cairns, John

  Lunn, William

  Thorne, G. R. (Wolverhampton, E.)

  Cape, Thomas

  Maclean, Rt. Hon. Sir D. (Midlothian)

  Tootill, Robert

  Carter, W, (Nottingham, Mansfield)

  Malone, Lieut.-Col. C. L. (Leyton, E.)

  Walsh, Stephen (Lancaster, Ince)

  Clynes, Rt. Hon. J. R.

  Morgan, Major D. Watts

  Waterson, A. E.

  Edwards, C. (Monmouth, Bedwellty)

  Murray, Dr. D. (Inverness & Ross)

  Wignall, James

  Entwistle, Major C F.

  Myers, Thomas

  Williams, Aneurin (Durham, Consett)

  Finney, Samuel

  Newbould, Alfred Ernest

  Williams, Col. P. (Middlesbrough, E.)

  Galbraith, Samuel

  O'Grady, Captain James

  Wilson, Rt. Hon. J. W. (Stourbridge)

  Gritten, W. G. Howard

  Palmer, Charles Frederick (Wrekin)

  Wood, Major M. M. (Aberdeen, C.)

  Grundy, T. W.

  Parkinson, John Allen (Wigan)

  Young, Robert (Lancaster, Newton)

  Harmsworth, Hon. E. C. (Kent)

  Robertson, John

  Hartshorn, Vernon

  Royce, William Stapleton

  TELLERS FOR THE AYES.—

  Hayday, Arthur

  Short, Alfred (Wednesbury)

  Mr. Tyson Wilson and Mr. Neil Maclean.

  NOES.

  Agg-Gardner, Sir James Tynte

  Courthope, Major George L.

  Hunter, General Sir A (Lancaster)

  Allen, Lieut.-Colonel William James

  Cowan, D. M. (Scottish Universities)

  Hurst, Lieut.-Colonel Gerald B.

  Ashley, Colonel Wilfrid W.

  Croft, Brigadier-General Henry Page

  Inskip, Thomas Walker H.

  Atkey, A. R.

  Dalziel, Sir D. (Lambeth, Brixton)

  James, Lieut.-Colonel Hon. Cuthbert

  Austin, Sir Herbert

  Davies, Alfred Thomas (Lincoln)

  Jephcott, A. R.

  Bagley, Captain E. Ashton

  Davies, Major D. (Montgomery)

  Jodrell, Neville Paul

  Baird, John Lawrence

  Davies, Sir Joseph (Chester, Crewe)

  Johnson, L. S.

  Baldwin, Stanley

  Davison, Sir W. H. (Kensington, S)

  Jones, Sir Evan (Pembroke)

  Barlow, Sir Montague

  Dean, Lieut.-Commander P. T.

  Jones, Henry Haydn (Merioneth)

  Barnett, Major R. W.

  Doyle, N. Grattan

  Jones, J. T. (Carmarthen, Llanelly)

  Barnston, Major Harry

  Duncannon, Viscount

  Jones, William Kennedy (Hornsey)

  Barrie, Charles Coupar

  Edgar, Clifford B.

  Kellaway, Frederick George

  Bell, Lieut Col. W C. H. (Devizes)

  Edge, Captain William

  Kerr-Smiley, Major Peter Kerr

  Bellairs, Commander Carlyon W.

  Edwards, Allen C. (East Ham, S.)

  King, Commander Henry Douglas

  Benn, Sir A. S. (Plymouth, Drake)

  Edwards, Major J. (Aberavon)

  Knights, Capt. H. N. (C'berwell, N.)

  Bennett, Thomas Jewell

  Elliot, Capt. Walter E. (Lanark)

  Law, Alfred J. (Rochdale)

  Bird, Sir A. (Wolverhampton, West)

  Elveden, Viscount

  Law, Rt. Hon. A. B. (Glasqow, C.)

  Blades, Sir G. Rowland

  Eyres-Monsell, Commander B. M.

  Lewis, Rt. Hon. J. H. (Univ., Wales)

  Blake, Sir Francis Douglas

  Falcon, Captain Michael

  Lewis, T. A. (Glam., Pontypridd)

  Blane, T. A.

  Farquharson, Major A. C.

  Lindsay, William Arthur

  Borwick, Major G. O.

  Fell, Sir Arthur

  Lister, Sir J. Ashton

  Boscawen, Rt. Hon. Sir A. Griffith-

  Fisher, Rt. Hon. Herbert A. L.

  Lloyd, George Butler

  Bowyer, Captain G. E. W.

  Foreman, Henry

  Lloyd-Greame, Major P.

  Brassey, Major H. L. C.

  Foxcroft, Captain Charles Talbot

  Locker-Lampson, G. (Wood Green)

  Bridgeman, William Clive

  Gardiner, James

  Locker-Lampson, Com. O. (H'tingd'n)

  Briggs, Harold

  George, Rt. Hon. David Lloyd

  Long, Rt. Hon. Walter

  Britton, G. B.

  Gibbs, Colonel George Abraham

  Lorden, John William

  Broad, Thomas Tucker

  Gilmour, Lieut.-Colonel John

  Lort-Williams, J.

  Buchanan, Lieut.-Colonel A. L. H.

  Glyn, Major Ralph

  Loseby, Captain C. E.

  Buckley, Lieut.-Colonel A.

  Gould, James C.

  Lowther, Lt.-Col. Claude (Lancaster)

  Bull, Rt. Hon. Sir William James

  Green, Joseph F. (Leicester, W.)

  Lyle, C. E. Leonard

  Burdon, Colonel Rowland

  Greene, Lieut.-Col. W. (Hackney, N.)

  Lyle-Samuel, Alexander

  Burn, Col. C. R. (Devon, Torquay)

  Greer, Harry

  Lynn, R. J.

  Butcher, Sir John George

  Gregory, Holman

  Lyon, Laurance

  Campbell, J. D. G.

  Guest, Major O. (Leic, Loughboro')

  M'Curdy, Charles Albert

  Carew, Charles Robert S.

  Guinness, Lieut.-Col. Hon. W. E.

  M'Donald, Dr. Bouverie F. P.

  Carr, W. Theodore

  Hacking, Captain Douglas H.

  Mackinder, Sir H J. (Camlachie)

  Casey, T. W.

  Hallwood, Augustine

  M'Lean, Lieut.-Col. Charles W. W.

  Cecil, Rt. Hon. Evelyn (Birm., Aston)

  Hall, Lieut.-Col. Sir F. (Dulwich)

  Macmaster, Donald

  Chamberlain, Rt. Hn. J. A.(Birm., W.)

  Hambro, Captain Angus Valdemar

  Macquisten, F. A.

  Child, Brigadier-General Sir Hill

  Hanson, Sir Charles Augustin

  Maddocks, Henry

  Clay, Lieut.-Colonel H. H. Spender

  Henderson, Major V. L. (Tradeston)

  Mallalieu, F. W.

  Clough, Robert

  Herbert, Dennis (Hertford, Watford)

  Malone, Major P. B. (Tottenham, S.)

  Coats, Sir Stuart

  Hewart, Rt. Hon. Sir Gordon

  Marks, Sir George Croydon

  Cobb, Sir Cyril

  Hilder, Lieut.-Colonel Frank

  Mitchell, William Lane

  Cockerill, Brigadier-General G. K.

  Hinds, John

  Moore-Brabazon, Lieut.-Col. J. T. C

  Colvin, Brig-General Richard Beale

  Hohler, Gerald Fitzroy

  Moreing, Captain Algernon H.

  Conway, Sir W. Martin

  Hood, Joseph

  Morris, Richard

  Coote, Colin Reith (Isle of Ely)

  Hope, James F. (Sheffield, Central)

  Morrison, Hugh

  Cope, Major Wm.

  Hopkins, John W. W.

  Mosley, Oswald

  Home, Edgar (Surrey, Guildford)

  Mount, William Arthur

  Murray, John (Leeds, West)

  Rothschild, Lionel de

  Thomson, Sir W. Mitchell- (Maryhill)

  Neal, Arthur

  Roundell, Colonel R. F.

  Thorpe, Captain John Henry

  Newman, Colonel J. R. P. (Finchiey)

  Samuel, A. M. (Surrey, Farnham)

  Townley, Maximilian G.

  Newman, Sir R. H. S. D. L. (Exeter)

  Samuel, Samuel (W'dsworth, Putney)

  Vickers, Douglas

  Nicholson, Reginald (Doncaster)

  Sanders, Colonel Sir Robert A.

  Ward, Col. J. (Stoke-upon-Trent)

  Nield, Sir Herbert

  Sassoon, Sir Philip Albert Gustave D.

  Ward, Col. L. (Kingston-upon-Hull)

  Palmer, Brigadier-General G. L.

  Scott, A. M. (Glasgow, Bridgeton)

  Ward, William Dudley (Southampton)

  Parker, James

  Scott, Sir Samuel (St. Marylebone)

  Warren, Lieut.-Col. Sir Alfred H.

  Parkinson, Albert L. (Blackpool)

  Seely, Major-General Rt. Hon. John

  Watson, Captain John Bertrand

  Pease, Rt. Hon. Herbert Pike

  Shaw, William T. (Fortar)

  Weston, Colonel John W.

  Peel, Lieut.-Col. H. F. (Woodbridge)

  Shortt, Rt. Hon. E. (N'castle-on-T.)

  Wheler, Major Granville C. H.

  Peel, Col. Hn. S. (Uxbridge, Mddx.)

  Smith, Sir Allan M. (Croydon, South)

  White, Lieut.-Col. G. D. (Southport)

  Philipps, Sir Owen C. (Chester, City)

  Smithers, Sir Alfred W.

  Whitla, Sir William

  Pickering, Lieut.-Colonel Emil W.

  Sprot, Colonel Sir Alexander

  Wigan, Brig.-Gen. John Tyson

  Pinkham, Lieut.-Colonel Charles

  Stanler, Captain Sir Beville

  Willey, Lieut.-Colonel F. V.

  Pollock, Sir Ernest M.

  Stanley, Lieut.-Colonel Hon. G. F.

  Williams, Lt.-Com. C. (Tavistock)

  Pownall, Lieut.-Colonel Assheton

  Stanton, Charles B.

  Williams, Col. Sir R. (Dorset, W.)

  Prescott, Major W. H.

  Steel, Major S. Strang

  Williamson, Rt. Hon. Sir Archibald

  Pretyman, Rt. Hon. Ernest G.

  Stephenson, Colonel H. K.

  Willoughby, Lieut.-Col. Hon. Claud

  Pulley, Charles Thornton

  Stevens, Marshall

  Wills, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Gilbert

  Purchase, H. G.

  Strauss, Edward Anthony

  Wilson, Lt.-Col. Sir M. (Bethnal Gn.)

  Rae, H. Norman

  Sturrock, J. Leng

  Winterton, Major Earl

  Rankin, Captain James S.

  Sugden, W. H.

  Woolcock, William James U.

  Raper, A. Baldwin

  Surtees, Brigadier-General H. C.

  Yate, Colonel Charles Edward

  Raw, Lieutenant-Colonel N.

  Sykes, Sir Charles (Huddersfield)

  Yeo, Sir Alfred William

  Rees, Sir J. D. (Nottingham, East)

  Talbot, G. A. (Hemel Hempstead)

  Young, Sir Frederick W. (Swindon)

  Reid, D. D.

  Taylor, J.

  Richardson, Alexander (Gravesend)

  Terrell, Captain R. (Oxford, Henley)

  TELLERS FOR THE NOES.—

  Roberts, Sir S. (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

  Thomas-Stanford, Charles

  Lord E. Talbot and Capt. Guest.

  Robinson, S. (Brecon and Radnor)

  Thomson, F. C. (Aberdeen, South)

  Original Question put, and agreed to.

  Resolution to be reported To-morrow; Committee to sit again To-morrow.
  The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS (ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT).
Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Sir R. Sanders.]
Brigadier-General CROFT: The question to which I wish to call the attention of the House is one which affects the Government and the country, in that certain irregularities have been condoned in a department of the Ministry of Munitions, whilst a public servant in a responsible position, who called attention to the abuses which existed, and pressed for action in connection with them, has been summarily dismissed. This public servant is Mr. C. J. Hankinson, who was recently Superintendent of the Archives Department of the Ministry of Munitions, and the character and efficiency of Mr. Hankinson fortunately cannot be impugned, because I have seen the most flattering references to his services by those placed above him, and the Deputy-Minister of Munitions, in answer to a question to-day, has also stated that there was absolutely nothing against his character. Although I Mr. Hankinson took active steps to prevent
1984
me from entering this House, so far as I am aware that is his single lapse from sound judgment. He is in the Borough of Bournemouth a highly esteemed resident, and has been a Justice of the Peace for some years. For three and a half years he has been an assiduous and a devoted servant of the State in various Government Departments, and Superintendent of the Archives Department in the Ministry of Munitions for nearly a year. Some half year back Mr. Hankinson became concerned because a rumour reached him that there were certain irregularities going on in his Department, in that a certain official named Mr. Stephenson was always allowing his staff, during working hours, to visit public houses, encouraging the playing of cards during Ministry hours, using a Ministry lorry for the conveyance of the luggage of his friends to the station, using an emergency door in these buildings and other irregularities.
At first Mr. Hankinson found it difficult to prove these facts, owing to the following circumstances. The buildings are of a scattered character, and all are connected with telephone and, as afterwards transpired, the telephone operator, who is a friend of Stephenson, was able to notify the approach of Mr. Hankinson. Mr. Hankinson, however, did not succeed in, obtaining sufficient evidence to warrant his applying to Mr. Biggs, who is the Principal Registrar, for the dismissal of Stephenson. When he did obtain sufficient

1985
evidence, he claimed, on this ground, that he (Stephenson) was taking his subordinates to licensed premises, although he had been cautioned and reprimanded; secondly, that his conduct was subversive of discipline; and, thirdly, that he removed an important document from the Registry without permission, and, when reprimanded, used insulting language to the Superintendent. Nothing was done for the moment, and, when Mr. Hankinson pressed the matter, he was informed by his superior, Mr. Biggs, that Stephenson could not be removed without inquiry. Mr. Hankinson welcomed the inquiry, and said he would do everything he could to assist it. A few days later Mr. Biggs asked to see the staff, and Mr. Hankinson agreed that he should not be present during the inquiry. The female staff was examined, and their evidence was taken by a lady whom Mr. Biggs brought down, and described to-day, in answer to a question, as an appropriate officer. Who was the lady to send down to inquire into the conduct of Mr. Stephenson? Miss Stephenson, the sister of the accused. The House will realise the impartial nature and character of the inquiry—this searching inquiry and determination to reach the truth when a sister is deliberately employed in order to substantiate the accusation or otherwise against her brother! This was on Feburary 14. Mr. Hankinson protested to Mr. Biggs that such an inquiry was neither impartial or just. The reply was that in bringing Miss Stephenson down the right thing had been done. The matter could not rest here. Mr. Hanknison relied upon the female staff entirely. What happened? Mr. Stephenson dismissed? No, he was transferred to another department of the Ministry of Munitions. Was the telephone operator dismissed? No! Mr. Hankinson received notice on February 25 that his services would be dispensed with on April 14, and another gentleman was given complete authority. In other words, he was completely superceded. Mr. Hankinson was subsequently told that his services would be dispensed with on March 16 instead of April 16—in other words, he was told to go immediately. The House will agree that further inquiry was required, and I put down the following question on March 9:
"Brigadier-General CROFT asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of
1986
Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. C. J. Hankinson, the Superintendent of the Archives Registry of the Ministry of Munitions, has been dismissed from his post and deprived of his authority within 24 hours of pressing for an impartial inquiry into charges of grave irregularity on the part of a subordinate official; and can he make a statement on this matter?
Mr. KELLAWAY: In common with a large number of temporary officials, Mr. Hankinson is being released with full notice in order to effect reduction of staff. Mr. Hankinson asked for the inquiry referred to, not prior to his release, as suggested in the question, but five days after he had received notice of the termination of his temporary appointment. This notice was in no way connected with the subject of the inquiry. In order to ensure the efficient carrying on of the work it was necessary to appoint a successor as soon as possible, and this was done four days after the date on which the request for the enquiry was made."—[OFFICIAL REPORT; 9th March, 1920; Vol. 126, Col. 1127.]
Although I do not for one moment believe that the Deputy Minister of Munitions was in any way aware of the facts, I can only say that he has been deliberately misinformed, and I would describe the whole of that answer as a tissue of terminological inexactitudes. Mr. Hankinson has been summarily dismissed, not after full notice. Secondly, he was not dispensed with in order to effect a reduction of the staff, because the staff until this morning had been increased by five extra men, and it was only when a question was put on the Paper yesterday that hurriedly four of the members of the staff were informed that their services were no longer required. Further than that, Mr. Hankinson we are told, asked for an inquiry after he was dismissed, but was not dismissed until 20th February, and therefore it was not true that he asked for an inquiry subsequent to his release. I am anxious to afford the Deputy Minister of Munitions an opportunity of replying, and I will only say this, that Mr. Hankinson was not released four days after the date of the request for an inquiry, but eleven days subsequently. In answer to questions we received a lump answer, in which much point was made of the fact that this was an ex-service man and that those charges had been brought because they were ex-service men. But charges have been brought against no one except Mr. Stephenson and the telephone operator, and it is, therefore, no good bringing in the fact that he is an ex-service man. I have, I think, submitted

1987
a case which shows grave irregularity, and I hope the Deputy Minister of Munitions will take the earlist opportunity of putting a grave injustice right. Mr. Hankinson had given faithful and excellent attendance to his department. A slur has been put upon him in front of the whole staff. He had conducted this department efficiently with a very small staff, and suddenly a man comes down to succeed him. That is not the way to conduct Government business, and I hope the Deputy Minister of Munitions will take the earliest opportunity of restoring Mr. Hankinson to his post.
The DEPUTY MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway): When my hon. Friend first gave notice of his intention to raise this question he said his desire was to call attention to gross irregularities in the Ministry of Munitions. What to-night were these gross irregularities declared to be? This is not a case of a number of civil servants working round a mahogany table at Westminster living a life of case. The men involved in the charge made to night are all ex-service men, every one of them, and they were doing exceedingly laborious work in a factory in Sudbury. It has been part of our policy from the beginning to employ ex-service men wherever possible, and the reason why it became necessary to discharge Mr. Hankinson was because they had to get rid of a man who was a temporary man or give up the policy of engaging ex service men.
Brigadier-General CROFT: He was re placed by Mr. Durrant.
Mr. KELLAWAY: Let me come down to these grave irregularities described by the hon. and gallant Member. Visiting public-houses, using a lorry to carry his own luggage, using insulting language to an official superior, and card playing. What are the facts about visiting public-houses? The men took their lunch between the hours of one and two at the factory. They were all old soldiers, and they wanted to have a drink before their meal. They observed the habit they had acquired in the Army. The luncheon hour was fixed for exactly one o'clock. The men did not go out for their drink in the Ministry's time. They went out at one o'clock. Mr. Hankinson objected to their going out at 1 o'clock to the neighbouring hostel, conveniently
1988
placed, in their own time, because he said: "That makes the luncheon hour of the canteen late." He tried to put a stop to this arrangement. The men said: "We have been used to having a drink with our dinner, and we are going there to get one." Any man who had any nous in charge of ex-soldiers would have made an arrangement by which the hour at which the luncheon commenced was made ten minutes past instead of one o'clock. Mr. Hankinson failed to do that. The complaint on which this is based is due entirely to the fact that these men, in their own time, between one o'clock and ten minutes past one, went to this hostelry near by and got a drink. As to the card-playing charge, it was never substantiated. No evidence was ever produced. I thought it necessary to see Mr. Stephenson. I am surprised at the hon. and gallant Gentleman using the reckless language he has used about a fellow soldier. Mr. Stephenson was not a civil servant who had shirked fighting. He was an old soldier who did not need to be conscribed into joining the Army. He was in India with the Army when the War broke out. He went to France in November, fought all through the early days of the War, and he was wounded in Egypt. To-day he carries in his body the result of his gallantry. He came back and took charge of these men, all ex-Service men. Mr. Stephenson's reputation is just as important to him as Mr. Hankinson's is to him. He may not belong to the same social class, but he has done just as good service to the country, and I deplore the way in which these attacks have been thrown about against a man who has done such gallant service during the war. As to the card playing, there was no evidence produced, and as to the charge of using insulting language, I believe that it amounted to the fact that in the course of conversation between Stephenson and Hankinson he expressed some doubt as to whether his official superior or he was telling the truth. All these facts were gone into. They were carefully examined on two occasions, and a second inquiry at which Mr. Stephenson's sister was not present confirmed the finding of the first inquiry. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman had only been informed he would not have touched this case with a barge pole.
Brigadier-General CROFT: Tell the truth in answer to questions.
Mr. KELLAWAY: That I have done. The suggestion is that Mr. Hankinson was dismissed as the result of asking for this inquiry. He was given notice as long ago as November last that his temporary work was coming to an end and he must get ready to find another job. That is the fact about the one serious charge. The drinking was done by the men in their own time. They were doing rough and unpleasant work. They had all done good service. Was I, in these circumstances, to have agreed to Mr. Hankinson's request that Mr. Stephenson should be dismissed on the one ground that he had been discourteous? I was not prepared to
1990
do that then, nor am I prepared now. He has not been able to get influential Members of the House to crowd the Order Paper with questions, and it was for that reason that I thought it necessary to see him. His reputation is as important as Mr. Hankinson's. He has done just as good service, and the decision taken by the Ministry is a decision which will stand.
It being half-past Eleven of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned at half-past Eleven o'clock.

  S.S. "RELILLIO" (REVISED INSTRUCTIONS)
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