asked the Prime Minister (1) what action will be taken by the lords lieutenant and county Territorial associations with a view to organise and arm all men willing and able to be enrolled for Home defence; whether some line of action could be indicated while the House is still sitting; and (2) whether he will direct all lords lieutenant to organise the National Reserve in each county and provide them with rifles and ammunition?

A circular is being addressed to lords lieutenant and heads of county associations pointing out the manner in which they can best aid the military authorities. It is most desirable at this juncture that all should give their assistance in support of the appeal which has just been issued for men to join the Army. With regard to question No. 8, the best method of employing the National Reserve is now being considered, and a decision will be taken as soon as reports, which are being called for, have been received.

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government have taken to prevent food being artificially raised in price owing to panic during the first two or three weeks of the war?

The whole subject has been and is day by day engaging the close attention of a Committee of the Cabinet. It is impossible, within the limits of an answer to a question, to detail the precise steps.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in regulating and possibly fixing the price of bread, meat, and other human food in order to prevent speculation and the consequent undue enhancement of its cost to the working population, the Government will offer some bonus or premium to farmers to encourage them to keep upon their premises at the disposal of the Government wheat and other cereal grain now being harvested in the United Kingdom, and to induce them to break up pasture for the sowing of a large additional area of wheat and other cereals during the coming autumn?

The Government will bear in mind the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that many young persons, mostly females, German and Austro-Hungarian subjects, have been dismissed from employments and have been left stranded in London and elsewhere without home, means, power of communicating with friends, or opportunities to return home; how these persons are being regarded under the Alien Laws; and how the problem thus created will be dealt with?

The information I have received from the Local Government Board and the police does not indicate any widespread distress such as my hon. Friend describes. Inoffensive persons of the class he mentions would not be affected by the Aliens Acts, except that they would have to register themselves and comply with certain minor restrictions. If the problem should become serious I am sure the police and the Poor Law authorities will do their best to cope with it.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the calamity of war, the political truce, and the sacrifices which all members of the community are "ailed upon to make, he will consider, as an act of clemency, the expediency of advising the liberation of all prisoners undergoing sentences for offences prompted by a desire to further a political cause and not involving moral turpitude?

I shall be glad to advise the remission of the sentence of any of these prisoners who will undertake not to commit further crimes or outrages.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the Grants made from the Development Fund for the years ending 31st March, 1911, 1912, and 1913, to England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively; and the total commitments made in each of these years from this fund to each of these respective countries?

As regards the first part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for East Mayo on the 22nd April last. As regards the latter part, I presume the hon. Member means by "commitments" explicit or implicit promises of future support. It is impossible to give more than a rough estimate o£ commitments in this sense, because in some important cases the Development Commissioners have agreed to schemes in principle, subject to the subsequent consideration of detailed Estimates and Plans. The commitments for 1910–11 and 1911–12 were, of course, very largely liquidated by the advances made in the following years: At the end of 1912–13 the Development Commissioners were substantially committed, subject to conditions varying in each case and generally to the financial position of the Development Fund being satisfactory, to advances to the following amounts approximately:—England and Wales, annual sum, £170,000— capital, £320,000.Scotland, annual sum, £25,000—capital, £200,000.Ireland, annual sum, £26,000—capital, £220,000.For more detailed information I may refer the hon. Member to the Annual Reports of the Development Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing the new pension scheme for national teachers, allowance will be made for service given between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one to count towards the awarding of a pension; and whether similar consideration will be given to those who have given service in evening schools under the National Board?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the proposed scheme does not contemplate the inclusion in the annual income on which pension will be calculated, of the fees for evening school instruction.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what negotiations are in progress in regard to the Treanmana farm, on the estate of General Kelly Kenny, West Clare; and whether he is aware that 120 acres, available on this farm under the last Land Act, are required to satisfy the congests, some of whom are destitute of tillage land and all of whom are in difficult straits with regard to feeding their cattle?

The Congested Districts Board have agreed to purchase this estate, including 192 acres of untenanted land in the townland of Treanmana. When distributing the untenanted land the Board will have regard to the requirements of the occupants of congested holdings in the district.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that John Cronin, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, was, while on duty on 4th May, 1910, on the Great Northern Railway at Fairview, knocked down by a train, and that his injuries were serious and necessitated the amputation of his right leg; whether, in accordance with the circular issued to him when joining the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force, he is entitled to full pay, having received the injuries when on duty; whether he was awarded a pension of £21; whether his case will be reconsidered and compensation allowed to him in accordance with the circular referred to; and whether he will be permitted to examine the reports made relative to his case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the questions asked on this subject on the 3rd and 6th April, 1911. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, it would be contrary to practice to permit official documents to be inspected as suggested.