§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the British Firms (Debts Due from Enemies) Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Committee is proposed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Enemy Debts Committee submitted an interim Report in April, 1917, and I am informed that a further Report has just been signed and is being submitted. The Committee has held twenty-five sittings during the last six months and no changes have been made in its personnel in that period. The expenditure of the Committee is about £400 per annum. Its work will continue for the present.
§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Defence of the Realm (Licensed Trade Claims) Commission; how many sittings this Commission has held within the last six months; whether any changes have 2106W been made in the personnel of this Commission during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Commission, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Commission is proposed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWReports have been received from time to time from both the Northern and Southern Divisions of this Commission submitting their recommendations on applications coming before them. Only one formal sitting has been held in the past six months, during which period no changes of personnel have occurred. The Southern Division of the Commission uses the offices and staff of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission. The remaining expenses of the Licensed Trade Claims Commission are estimated at about £1,000 per annum. The Commission is being continued in the meantime.
§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Central Billeting Board; how many sittings this Board has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Board within this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Board, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Board is proposed?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThirty Reports on accommodation questions (including recommendations as to the provision of. houses and hostels) have been made by the Board and forwarded to the appropriate Departments. The Board, the' Chairman of which is the hon. Member' for Wakefield. have held twelve sittings. during the last six months and the following changes have been made in the personnel:
Mrs. H. J. Tennant, C.H., and Captain W. Edge, M.P., have been added to. the Board, and Mr. W. Wrench Lee, has. beer. substituted for Mr. A. Warne. Browne to represent the Admiralty.
Sir Robert Carlyle has been appointed one of the Ministry of Munitions representatives during the temporary absence. of Mr. R. V. Vernon.
The annual cost of the Board on Public' Funds cannot be precisely stated, but is approximately about £2,500 per annum, inclusive of the expenses of fifteen local billeting committees. The Board will 2107W remain in operation so long as the Billeting of Civilians Act continues to be in force.
§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the National Advisory Committee on War Output; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Committee during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Committee is proposed?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI have been asked to reply to this question. Within the last six months the National Advisory Committee has hold two meetings. The last meeting took place on 16th October, 1917, when the Committee was dissolved. During this period there was no change in the personnel of the Committee. No final Report was made by the Committee when it was dissolved, for the reason that its various recommendations had always been dealt with as they were made. The greater part of the personnel was absorbed in the new Trade Union Advisory Committee, which the Minister set up shortly after taking office. With regard to the cost to the State in rent, rates, taxes, printing, postage, stationery, etc., the Committee was provided with accommodation and office necessaries in the same way as a Department of the Ministry of Munitions, and accordingly no separate record is kept of the cost. No salaries have been paid to members or officers of the Committee.
§ Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Coal Controller's Board; how many sittings this Board has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Board during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Board, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Board is proposed?
Sir A. STANLEYI have been asked by the Prime Minister to answer this question. The Advisory Board of the Controller of Coal Mines has met nine times during the past six months. No changes in the personnel of the Board have been made during this period The Board is2108W part of the organisation of the Controller of Coal Mines, and assists him in an advisory capacity; it does not report, and its existence involves no separate financial charge. The duration of the Board is expected to coincide with that of the Government control of coal mines.