asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Munitions Expenditure Committee; 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?

The Munitions Expenditure Committee was a small Departmental Committee consisting of the heads of the various financial Departments of the Ministry with one or two co-opted members. It was superseded in the early part of,1917 by a somewhat different form of organisation, and consequently during the past six months it has held no meetings.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Advertising Advisory Committee (New War Loan); 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, in-eluding salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Committee is proposed?

The Committee referred to in the question came to an end in February, 1917.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Sugar Distribution Committee; 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 he proposes to continue this Committee?

I have been asked to reply. There is no Sugar Distribution Committee

asked the Prime Minister if lie has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Empire Settlement Committee; 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?

I would suggest that the hon.. Member should obtain and read the Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 8672, which was laid in August last.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Commercial Intelligence (Board of Trade) Advisory Committee; 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?

The period of office of the Advisory Committee to the Board of Trade on Commercial Intelligence, which was appointed in 1913, terminated in October last, and the Report of its proceedings has been published as a White Paper (Cd. 8815). The expenses of the Committee have been included in the Annual Votes for the Board of Trade and cannot be separately distinguished. As stated in the recently published Memorandum with respect to the reorganisation of the Board of Trade (Cd. 8912), it is intended that there shall be an Advisory Council attached to the Department of Commerce and Industry which shall be representative of the commercial and manufacturing interests of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee on Shipping and Shipbuilding has handed in its final Report; if so, whether the Report is signed by all the members; and will it be published as soon as it is printed?

The first part of the final Report of the Shipping and Shipbuilding Committee, signed by all the members, has been presented to the Board of Trade. When the whole Report has been received the. question of publication will be considered.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the increasing cost of living, he will say what the arrangements have been made to enable the concessions under Cd. 8320, or other concessions, to apply to applicants for old age pensions, seeing that at the present time war bonuses and additional help from charitable sources and organisations granted to prospective applicants for old age pensions to enable them to live is being assessed as income, and thus disentitles them to, or reduces, the old age pension?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question in identical terms asked by the hon. Member for East Essex on the 16th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will give instructions to the local food committees that the wives and dependants of soldiers and old age pensioners be served at separate depots, as such action would greatly relieve the minds of soldiers at home and abroad?

I fear that it is not practicable to make the arrangement proposed in the question. The Food Controller, however, hopes that the introduction of local rationing schemes under the Order of 22nd December will go far to mitigate the hardships which, he is aware, have lately been experienced by the persons mentioned in the question as well as by other classes of the population during recent weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any further reduction of the percentage of sugar to be used in the manufacture of sweets and confectionery is contemplated or about to be ordered; and whether he will take into consideration, before making any Order, the effect of any further reduction upon the 87,000 small sweetstuff shopkeepers, the majority of whom, through age or ill-health, are incapable of earning a living in any other way, and whose sole means of livelihood will be taken away?

No further reduction of this nature is at present in contemplation. Before a further reduction is ordered, if this should become necessary, the effects of it upon the trade will be duly considered, but the question depends always upon the actual availability of supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Department has now issued any definite instructions to the local committees recommending the methods and organisation which may be adopted by them in connection with the provision of communal kitchen centres, and informing them of the proportion of the cost of their installation to be provided by the Government; and, if not, will he say when such information will he available?

Preliminary instructions have already been issued, and detailed information both as to methods, organisation, and finance are now in course of preparation for issue to local authorities at an early date.

asked whether at a meeting of farmers on the 26th January the Minister of Food stated that the total number of pigs had increased by half a million in six months; and, if so, to what period of six months and to what area did his statement refer?

Lord Rhondda, in his speech on Saturday, referred to the recent census of live stock taken by the Ministry of Food on 2nd December. This census returned a number of pigs in Great Britain half a million in excess of the total shown in the Board of Agriculture census of the preceding 4th June, but Lord Rhondda indicated in his speech that too much weight could riot be attached to this apparent increase, as the later census was taken on a different basis and included cottagers' pigs, which were not included in the earlier census.

asked whether all rabbits now in cold storage in the Port of London are for the Army?

All the rabbits now in cold storage in the Port of London are Colonial rabbits imported primarily for Army use; but a proportion are released from time to time, as they can be spared, for civilian consumption.

asked if representatives of sea fishermen in different parts of the country were consulted before fixing the price of fish?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will investigate the conditions in regard to the supply of food to the inmates at the workhouse infirmary, Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum, Devon's Road, E.; whether he is aware that the allowance has been reduced, and that in one ward the allowance for old ladies is one piece of bread and dripping at four o'clock, with no more to eat until seven o'clock breakfast, when another piece of bread and dripping is served out; whether he is aware that three of the inmates in one ward died within ten days of this change taking place; and whether he will cause full inquiry to be made into all the facts of the case?

Full inquiries have been made in regard to this case. No reduction has taken place in the allowance of food for patients in this infirmary. With a view to preventing the waste of bread, which had been noticed, instead of issuing the full amount of 3 ozs. of bread, two slices of bread and margarine, or dripping if preferred, are served to each patient, but the patients can have the full allowance if they ask for it. Between the 4.30 tea and the 7 o'clock breakfast the patients are provided with hot milk, or, if that runs short, with cocoa. I do not think there is any ground for supposing that the three deaths referred to were attributable in any sense to insufficient feeding.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the food shortage in London at the present time and the inability of mothers, who have to stand in queues all the morning, to cook dinners for their children, and the absence from school of many children in order to stand in queues themselves, he will take steps to urge upon the local education authority the desirability of at once instituting school dinners on an extensive scale for the poorer districts of the Metropolis?

I am consulting the Ministry of Food in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any and, if so, what arrangement has yet been come to between the Scottish Board of Agriculture and the Treasury whereby farmers in Scotland will get the same advantage as those in England and Wales in the way of loans from banks at 5 per cent. interest to enable them to purchase manures, implements, etc., to increase the output of food?

I cannot as yet make any addition to my reply given to my hon. and learned Friend on the 18th December.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what arrangements have been made to prevent the sale or export of ewes in lamb, with a view to secure a sufficient supply of sheep for breeding purposes; and whether he can state the Regulations respecting the export of mulch cows to retain the necessary number of animals to provide milk and calves in Ireland?

An Order was made on the 24th January, and is now in force, prohibiting the slaughter, or sale for slaughter in Ireland, of in-lamb ewes. Having regard to the Regulations issued by the Food Controller respecting in-lamb ewes and the sale of lamb meat, it was not necessary to deal with tile question of exportation. The temporary restriction of exportation of milch cows from Ireland, which has been in force since 1st December, will be continued until the end of March.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any Sinn Fein prisoners are now being forcibly fed in any Irish prison; if so, whether he will state the legal authority for such practice; and whether he will give a promise that they will be discontinued?

No prisoner is being forcibly fed in any of the Irish prisons at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in rearranging polling districts for the purpose of the new Parliamentary franchise, the Government intend seeing that the local government district electoral division is the unit for Parliamentary purposes, to propose any reform in the direction of redistributing district electoral divisions in rural districts and reducing the present over plus of rural councillors arid guardians; whether he is aware of the smallness of the electorate in most district electoral divisions; that, according to the Return of the 15th February, 1901, in the Thurles rural district there are only five electors in one electoral division, six in another, seven in another, eight in another, nine in another, while in three electoral divisions there are only ten electors each; that each of these divisions returns two district councillors, the council consisting of forty-five councillors returned by 425 electors; that in other parts of Ireland there are dozens of district electoral divisions where the electorate ranges from thirteen to forty; that throughout the whole country the number of district councillors and guardians is out of proportion to the number of electors and much in excess of the numbers required for efficient administration, and that the expense of polling voters in small areas costs the ratepayers nearly 5s. a head; whether it has been brought to his notice that there is also inequality of representation, so that in some rural districts, such as Cork, ore electoral division has 1,203 electors, while another with only seventy-two electors returns the same number of councillors (two); and whether the Local Government Board favours a reduction of the number of rural councillors and guardians, or does it consider that rural district councils and boards, for the most part consisting of from eighty-five to fifty district councillors, with a still larger number of guardians, are now constituted on the most efficient basis for local administration?

The rearrangement and alteration of polling districts in a Parliamentary constituency is dealt with by Sections 30 and 43 (9) of the Representation of the People Bill as amended. From a return to an Order of the House of Commons of the 15th January, 1901, it would appear that the facts are as stated in the second part of the question. In many district electoral divisions in Ireland the number of electors is very small, but I have no information as to the expense to the ratepayers of polling votes in small areas. The return referred to shows that there is considerable inequality in the number of electors in the several electoral divisions. For instance, in Cork rural district the Blackrock electoral division contains 1,203 electors, the Glenville electoral division only 72. In some rural districts the number of councillors is very large. In Mullingar rural district I am told it is over 100. But in view of the fact that a large number of voters will be added to the existing lists under the Franchise Bill, I am advised that it is not certain that any change is desirable the present time.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, seeing the objection on the part of the chief and engine-room artificers to the recent Order permitting stoker mechanicians to mess in the engine-room artificers mess in destroyers and leaders when borne in lieu of engine-room artificers during the War, he can give an assurance that it is only of a tentative nature and to be cancelled at the end of the War?

The recent Order refers only to certain classes of destroyers and leaders, and is entirely due to the exigencies of space. As stated in the Order, the arrangement is for the duration of the War.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty when the bonuses recently granted will be paid to pensioned chief and engine-room artificers employed as civilian instructors on H.M.S. "Indus" at Devonport?

The War increases referred to were granted to dockyard workmen as a consequence of the award of the Committee on Production to workmen in the shipbuilding and engineering industries. The employés referred to in my hon. Friend's question were not included with those to whom the increases were granted, they being instructors. But the question of extending the increases to include these employés is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the number of commissions to engineer-lieutenants from the ranks of chief and artificer-engineers which have been made from those recommended by the selection board held last year; and whether the remainder selected will be made before another board sits for further selections?

The number of promotions to engineer-lieutenants made from among those recommended by the selection boards held in the various squadrons last year was fifty-six out of a total of 197 recommendations. The question of further promotions will necessarily depend upon the requirements of the Fleet, but before additional promotions are made it is intended that selection boards should again be held in each squadron, as on the previous occasion.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give the number of Greenwich Hospital pensions and augmentations granted to executive chief petty officers pensioners and to chief engine-room artificer pensioners?

I am afraid it would not be possible to give the numbers asked for by my hon. Friend without an investigation of each individual award, and this would entail considerable time and labour. My hon. Friend is aware that these augmentations of Naval Life Pensions are awarded with the greatest care, the sole consideration being the age and necessity of the applicant. No other discrimination is made. My hon. Friend will be interested to know that whereas the number of age and advanced age pensions which the funds at our disposal enabled us to award, five years ago, was 2,963 and 5,725 respectively; the number is to-day 5,920 and 5,415 respectively. My hon. Friend will be further interested to know that whereas the average age at which a Greenwich Hospital Pension was awarded five years ago was about sixty-one; the average age to-day is about fifty-five.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that letters addressed to Corporal J. H. E. Watkins, No. 1176, 2nd Rhodesian Signalling Section, German East Africa, to care of General Hospital, Wynberg, in accordance with his instructions of the 5th July, 1917, have been returned undelivered; that this soldier's relatives have now heard nothing of him for more than twelve months and are entirely ignorant whether he is alive or dead; and, having regard to the fact, that Corporal Watkins' name has never appeared in any casualty list, if he will ascertain whether Watkins is alive, and, if so, where lie now is and in what condition of health?

A cable has been sent to South Africa to inquire, in view of the further facts brought to notice by my hon. Friend. I will inform him of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that many members of the Volunteer forces have not been provided with uniforms; whether this is largely due to the fact that by an Army Council instruction the grant promised to the Volunteers, part of which is represented by uniform, is not made in respect of any man of military age who has not more than three months' exemption from military service; and what would be the position of such men if mobilised against an invasion of this country?

The question of the provision of clothing for the Volunteers is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a boy who volunteered and joined the Army through the St. John Ambulance in 1915 can be compelled to transfer to an Infantry regiment against his wish?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the dependants of officials in Government Departments in Ireland who volunteered for service in the Army are being deprived of the increased allowances recently made to the dependants of soldiers; that a sum corresponding to the increase recently made in separation allowances is deducted from the salary received from the Department where the men were formerly employed; and, although it has recently been decided that the cost of allotment made by a soldier from his pay was to be borne by the State, the wives and children of such officials serving in the Army are precluded from benefiting by this concession as a corresponding reduction is made from their departmental salary; and whether lie will take steps to see that these officials who had joined the Army voluntarily will not be deprived of the benefits accruing to other soldiers?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative, but I need scarcely say that there is no question of giving less favourable treatment in this respect to officials from Irish Government Departments than to others. The deduction referred to is in fact made from the civil salaries of all Civil servants serving with His Majesty's Forces and entitled to receive a portion of their civil salary under the terms of the various Treasury Circulars on the subject, and is in accordance with the principle which has been followed throughout, that the full amount of separation allowance shall be deducted in every case. I am not prepared to reconsider this decision, the general effect of which is merely to reduce the disparity of treatment between Civil servants serving with the forces and other soldiers.

asked the Minister of National Service whether the agreement made last June, which provided that no man was to be recruited from agriculture if given a voucher in England and Wales by the agricultural executive committees, or in Scotland by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, certifying that he was employed on a farm on farm work of national importance, and so employed on 1st June, 1917, is to be abrogated under the Military Service Bill, and all certificates of exemption given under the said agreement cancelled; if so, are the authorities mentioned to continue to give such certificates or to review those already given; and whether he will issue instructions in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture, whose representatives they are, to the authorities mentioned?

The agreement made in July, 1917, to which the hon. Member refers, is still in operation, and vouchers of protection from military service are being issued in appropriate cases by agricultural executive committees in England and Wales and by the Board of Agriculture in Scotland. The issue of these vouchers is an administrative act, quite distinct from the grant of certificates of exemption by the trburials. It is, therefore, not affected by the Military Service Bill, which deals with certificates of exemption.

asked the Minister of National Service whether men already recalled under the Review of Exceptions Act are entitled to apply for release for work of national importance?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will remove the hardship on the Special Reserve officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps by placing them on the same rate of pay as temporary officers, Royal Army Medical Corps, as at. present the pay and allowances of the former are about £50 per annum less than for the latter?

This question was fully considered by the Cabinet Committee on Officers' Pay, and it was decided not to make the change proposed. These Special Reserve officers get the same emoluments as Regular officers, and, like them, will get the new children's allowances at full rates in the junior ranks, while the officers serving under special contract will get half rates only.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the fact that warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who are entitled to a disability pension and who not having completed fourteen years' service with the Colours are not entitled to a service pension, he will take steps to amend the Royal Warrant for pay and pensions so as to provide that. a man who has re-engaged to complete twenty-one years' service may receive the service pension in addition to a disability pension if discharged as unfit for further service?

Service pensions remain in the sphere of the War Office. Certain questions relating to mixed disability and service pension are under consideration, but I can hold out no hope that re-engagement, which may take place as early as the tenth year of service, will be regarded as constituting in itself a claim to service pension.

asked the Minister of National Service if he is aware of the waste of time and money incurred by sending a large number of war-work volunteers to Glasgow this month, for shipbuilding purposes, when on arrival there was no possibility of obtaining lodgings and they were told to return home; and whether these men sent from all parts of England, will be paid for their loss of time?

I am aware that certain difficulties in connection with accommodation occurred in connection with certain men sent to Glasgow for shipbuilding work. The claims from the men in question are now under consideration. The necessary steps have been taken to avoid such difficulties in the future.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether scrap iron and brass, copper, zinc, and other material not required by the Army and Navy are sold to outside contractors; and, if so, whether the Ministry of Munitions will arrange to take over what they require direct and thus save the profit of at least one dealer?

I have explained to my hon. Friend, in answer to a question on the 24th instant, the reasons for which it is considered inadvisable that the Ministry should take direct delivery of scrap iron. Brass and copper scrap from the Army and Navy which is required by the Ministry is taken over direct. Zinc scrap requires to be remelted before it can be used by the Ministry, and is allowed to be sold to the smelters for this purpose. If my hon. Friend is not convinced, I shall be very glad to arrange that lie shall meet the officers of the Department to go more fully into the matter.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any steps and, if so, will he indicate what steps, have, or are being, taken to carry into practical effect the recommendations of the Health of Munition Workers' Committee with regard to the desirability of avoiding overtime working as far as possiblie in munition and other controlled establishments where the work is of such a nature that in accordance with the Reports of the Committee shorter hours of regular work would be instrumental in causing an increase in the output as well as an improvement in the health of the employed persons; whether, where the hours of work have been reduced and the hour for commencing work has been changed to a later hour in the morning, there has been an improvement in the time-keeping; and whether the alteration to the shorter hours has given general satisfaction?

It is the policy of the Ministry to avoid overtime working in munition factories wherever possible. As regards men, very little excessive overtime is worked, but some cases are in existence, and propasals are under consideration for dealing with them. The hours of women and young persons are regulated by the Factory Acts and General Munitions Order. The revision of certain provisions of this Order is under consideration with a view still further to reduce overtime. The introduction of the "one-break" or "work after breakfast" system is encouraged, and from a recent inquiry as to its effect on time-keeping the evidence shows that the percentage of time lost avoidably is considerably lower both in the case of men and women. With regard to the last part of the question, it is yet too early to give any definite reply.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the booklet issued by the Health of Munition Workers' Committee, entitled "The Health of the Munition Worker," published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, is not yet procurable by the public, although it has been commented upon in the Press; and will he state when it will be issued for public sale or where copies may be procured by hon. Members?

Copies of this booklet were sent by the Ministry of Munitions to the Press for review before copies for sale to the public were actually available. A delay in publication has been caused by inability to obtain a sufficient quantity of the cloth for binding. The booklet was, however, published yesterday, and copies may be purchased from the various sale branches of His Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether it is by his authority that a Press campaign has been started to help the abolition of the boards of guardians; that an article drafted by the Special Intelligence Branch of the Ministry of Reconstruction was issued to the Press last week headed for publication Thursday, 24th January; and whether the article began by stating that, with a view to facilitating the handling by the Press of the Local Government Committee on the Transfer of the Functions of Poor Law Authorities, the Special Intelligence Branch of the Ministry of Reconstruction offered a survey of its points for publication or for leader writers' use?

The explanatory statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was issued to the Press through the Special Intelligence Branch of the Ministry for use at their discretion, The statement did not purport, and was not intended, to influence in any way the reception which the Press might give to the Report. But it has been found in this and in other cases that, in view of the public interest taken in Reconstruction questions and of the wide scope of the matters dealt with in the Reports of special Committees on such questions, the prompt and free discussion of a Committee's proposals is materially assisted by the issue in advance of statements summarising in popular form the principal matters on which Committees have themselves laid emphasis. The policy governing this action is expressly indicated in the note affixed to this Report (Cd. 8917), and the answer to all parts of the questions (subject to the qualifications made above in regard to the suggestion in the first part) is, therefore, in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether His Majesty's Government appreciate the importance of providing in future for the direct export of rice from the. Indian Empire to the United Kingdom, of resuscitating the rice-milling industry in the latter country, and of making permanent such changes in these directions which have already resulted from the War?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. His Majesty's Government fully appreciate the importance of the matter to which my hon. Friend directs attention. They will be glad to consider any practical suggestions on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet in a position to state when he intends to introduce the promised Bill enabling him to cancel in proper cases certificates of naturalisation granted to persons who otherwise would be alien enemies?

Replies have not yet been received from all the Dominion Governments, but I hope that it may be possible to introduce the Bill early in next Session.

asked the Home Secretary how many naturalised persons have been interned during the War?

Internment Orders have been made under Regulation 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations against fifty-one naturalised British subjects of German origin, four of Austrian origin, and one of Turkish origin.

asked the Home Secretary how many uninterned alien enemies have sons fighting in our Army; and whether he has taken any steps in regard to the internment of all the others in regard to whom there are no national grounds to the contrary?

As regards the first part of the question, I regret that no figures are available; but it is certain that a very considerable number of the uninterned alien enemies have sons fighting for this country or her Allies. As regards the second part of the question, I am afraid that I cannot do more than refer the hon. Member to the full statement which I made in the Debate on the 17th December, when I explained the principles on which I had acted with regard to the internment or repatriation of alien enemies.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that no prosecution has been, undertaken of those responsible for the issue of the labour manifesto on the War and the making of peace without submission to his Department, he will now withdraw the Regulation of the Defence of the Realm Act which has been contravened and found to be impossible of application in the face of organised defiance?

I have no reason to think that there will be any difficulty in enforcing the Regulation, and I have no intention of advising its withdrawal.

asked what financial profit has been made by the Government in the brush factory for prisoners of war in the Isle of Man?

I am informed that the accounts of this camp industry are now being made up to the end of the year 1917, and until they have been audited and submitted to me by the Island Government I am not in a position to give Lire information desired.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will state the respective dates when Captain von Muller, of the "Emden," and Lieutenant von Tirpitz became our prisoners of war; and whether their release from this country for internment in Holland was made strictly according to their priority of capture in conformity with the arrangement recently entered into with Germany by our Government?

I am informed that Lieutenant von Tirpitz was captured on 28th August, 1914, and Captain von Muller on 9th November. Their internment is strictly in accordance with the provisions of The Hague agreement as to priority of capture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Railway Companies' Association were asked to nominate representatives on the advisory panel; and, if not, whether, in view of the loyal co-operation which they have given in carrying out the wishes of the Government, he is prepared to nominate their representatives on the advisory panel?

The members of the Railway Advisory Panel were in no case chosen as representatives of interests, but. in view of their individual knowledge and experience, and I do not think it desirable at present to depart from that principle.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the promised inquiry has yet been made into the preference shown by the representative of the Timber Controller in commandeering timber from vessels arriving at the port of Greenock and consigned to Glasgow merchants; whether he is aware that a sense of injustice still exists there in that the Timber Controller seizes sold timber and lets free unsold timber, and suggests to buyers of the former that they can secure supplies from the cargoes not commandeered by him; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Inquiries have been made into the matter, which arises out of action taken in May last. No preference has been shown, but the full particulars are somewhat long, and the Controller of Timber Supplies will be happy to explain the matter in detail to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of his Department to issue a Paper Restriction Order, under which no journal can be published without a licence from the Board of Trade; and, if so, when the Order will come into force?

The Paper Restriction Orders of 19th April, 1917, and 8th June, 1917, which are already in force, prohibit the publication without a licence from the Board of Trade of any new newspaper and of any new magazine or other publication issued periodically or in serial parts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an inter-View took place on the 25th instant between the Coal Controller and the general of the Tottenham Gas Company; whether the company was informed !that they must deplete their stock of coal by 300 tons per diem; is he aware that if this Order is obeyed it will gravely en4anger the gas supply and involve stoppage of the numerous munitions works in the district; and what action does he propose to take?

The engineer and manager of the Tottenham Gas Works saw the Controller of coal Mines on the 25th January, and he Was informed that, in view of his large stocks of coal, 55,000 tons, or about fifteen weeks' supply of his anticipated consumption of 3,700 tons per week, 2,000 tons per week of Durham coal have been diverted to another London gas undertaking. The stock of coal accumulated during last summer and autumn was to provide against the winter consumption, and it is not in the interests of the public utility companies in London generally that such large stocks should be accumulated if they are not going to be used. Up to the present the consumption at Tottenham Gas Works has not exceeded 3,100 tons per week.

asked the Coal Controller if he is aware that the Worthing Gas Light and Coke Company are running short of coal and may have to shut down their works in consequence; it he is aware that the by-products from all gasworks are essential for the prosecution of the War and if he can state whether any special efforts are being made with a view to supplying all gas companies with the necessary amount of coal required for carbonising; and if he will take action in the matter?

The question of supplies to these gasworks has already been in hand, and steps have been taken to secure improved deliveries. The engineer and general manager to the gas company, in a letter dated 23rd January, informs the Controller of Coal Mines that the supplies of coal are now coming in satisfactorily. Close watch is being kept on the various collieries supplying the Worthing Gas Company, with a view of good deliveries being maintained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a person who salved a valuable drum of liquid at some expense and trouble, and informed the Receiver of Wrecks, Lerwick, in March last year, has not yet been paid the percentage of value to which he is entitled and remuneration for his outlay?

Presumably this question relates to a drum salved at Dunrossness. There is no local market-for goods of this nature, and the delay in settling the salvage claim in this case was mainly due to the steps taken to secure a 'profitable sale, whereby the salvor will ultimately benefit. The Board of Trade 'have called for a report in the matter from the Receiver of Wrecks, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the steamer "Kerman," owned by the British Tanker Company, Limited, and running in connection with the Anglo Persian Oil Company, has ever been requisitioned, or whether she has been free to trade between the Persian Gulf and India and between India and French Mediterranean ports, the owners obtaining the benefit of the entire freights; whether, in addition to any Government capital invested in these boats, there are also private shareholders; and why these vessels have not been requisitioned by the Government?

This vessel was trading under licence for the Anglo Persian Oil Company until the middle of this month, when she was requisitioned to meet a new and more urgent demand.

asked the Minister of Labour if the arbitration proceeding in connection with insurance agents' claims for war bonuses is concluded; and, if so, will he state the result?

I have nothing at present to acid to my previous answers on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, other things being equal, he will decide to give a preference to a man discharged from the forces over one who has not served?

Steps are being taken to ensure that all possible facilities are provided for men discharged from the forces, and particularly those suffering from wounds and other disabilities. The question of a definite preference, in which of course, the co-operation of the employers and workers is essential, is one of some difficulty, but it is being considered in detail with the advisory committees of employers and workmen which have been set up to advise my Department.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to substitute railway for motor transport for the delivery of letters in the portion of Somerset west of Taunton; whether he is aware that the report that such alteration is contemplated is arousing consternation in that part of the county, on account of the loss and inconvenience that would be caused by it; and whether he can see his way to adhere to the present system?

I have decided that the change referred to shall be made when the contract for the road service expires, in view of the urgent need for economy of petrol and labour. Notice will be given in due course of the revised times of delivery and collection in the district. I recognise with regret that a mail service by railway will be inferior to that now provided. But similar changes have been carried out during the past two years in many districts of not less importance, both in the West of England and elsewhere, and experience has shown that little real inconvenience has been felt when the residents have become accustomed to the change.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received any representations from Glasgow or the surrounding district as to the raising of rents in the case of houses somewhat above the £30 limit in The Increase of Rent, etc. (War Restriction) Act, 1915; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking any steps in the matter?

In reply to my hon. and learned Friend I have received some representations of the kind referred to. As regards legislation I would beg to refer him to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Bridgeton on the 20th of March last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many counties in Scotland have increased their total rates since the beginning of the War; how many have lowered their rates, and in how many have they remained stationary; and does he propose to take any step further on his former circular to impress on county councils the necessity for economising in every way in war time?

I would beg to refer my hon. and learned Friend to my reply to a similar question asked by him on 15th March last, the terms of which are still applicable to the position. County council rates vary largely in the different districts of a county, and without an elaborate return I cannot give the detailed information desired. I believe that county councils and local authorities generally are fully alive to the necessity of economy.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in view of the restriction imposed by Section 54 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, on the mortgaging of holdings in process of purchase under the Irish Land Purchase Acts and of the requirement that the instruments of mortgage shall be registered, whether a statistical record is kept of the registered mortgages on these holdings; and, if so, what was the amount of them at the latest date for which figures are available?

The restrictions on charging imposed by Section 54 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, do not come into operation until a purchased holding has been vested by the Land Commission. The title to all such vested holdings is registered in the Land Registry, and all mortgages (or, more correctly, charges) affecting such registered land are entered in the Register as "dealings" with registered land. Where it appears to the Registrar of Titles that a charge to be entered contravenes the limits of charging a note is appended to the entry in the register. A record is kept of every charge affecting registered land together with a record of all other dealings. The particulars noted include the area of each portion of land charged and the amount of the charge. There is no record of the total amount of the charges, and the particulars could only be ascertained by a laborious investigation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the practice hitherto followed in the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force of calling up station-sergeants in batches of ten for the qualifying examination for the position of inspector had recently been departed from, and that instead of ten only five were now called up at a time; if he will state why this departure from the usual practice followed has been made; and if he is aware that the feeling in the force is that this change has been made in older to secure the promotion to the rank of inspector of a predominating number of men of a different religious persuasion to, the majority of the members of the force?

The number of station sergeants called up for promotion varies according to the needs of the police force, and has no relation to the religious persuasion of the candidates. There is no record of a batch of as many as ten having been called up for the qualifying examination for the rank of inspector.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that in the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force for many years past a rule or custom has been observed of allowing the men to elect the constable whom they wished to be responsible for and take charge of the mess; whether in the F Division recently an election of this kind was postponed and men transferred to that division from other stations so that the nominee of the superintendent might be elected; and whether, in view of this interference with the rights and privileges of the men and its effect upon discipline in the force, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police informs me that no election for the position of mess-man has been postponed in the "F" Division.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the only charge made by the Dublin Metropolitan police authorities for the services of members of the force at race meetings prior to May, 1916, was 7s. per day for each inspector and 3s. 6d. per day for each sergeant or constable; whether the whole of this money, when received from the committee in charge of the meetings, was handed over to the officers and men who were on duty at the races as subsistence, allowance and to cover the cost of locomotion from the city; whether from May, 1916, to December, 1917, this charge was increased to 18s. per day for each inspector and 10s. 2d. per day for each sergeant and constable, and that from the latter date a charge of £1 0s. 4d. per day for each inspector and 11s. 10d. for each sergeant and constable so employed has been made; whether he is aware that notwithstanding these increases the subsistence allowance of 3s. 6d. per day paid to the men has not been increased; and will he state why these increased charges have been made and to what purpose is the extra money so received applied?

It was formerly the practice to make no Departmental charge for the services of police employed at race meetings, as this work was nominally performed by the police in their own time. The Race Committee paid the men concerned a subsistence allowance of 3s. 6d. to sergeants and constables, and 5s. to inspectors, and defrayed their travelling expenses. In 1916 it was brought to the notice of the Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police that in actual practice the citizens lost the services of the men so employed for the whole day in question, and it appeared to him that, in addition to subsistence allowance payable to the men, a charge should be made at the usual rate for services of police lent to private persons, etc. The Race Committee agreed to this proposal, and the practice has been in operation since May, 1916. The rate for lending the services of the police was formerly 6s. 8d. per diem for sergeants and constables, and 11s. for inspectors. Since the 10th December, 1917, it has been increased to 8s. 4d. for sergeants and constables, and 13s. 4d. for inspectors, but there has been no change in subsistence allowances paid by the Race Committee to the men. The charge for the loan of the police is lodged to the credit of the appropriations in aid of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Department. I am informed that the duties performed Are light, and the rate of subsistence allowance in many cases is in excess of that authorised for men employed for similar periods on public service. The propriety of permitting the Dublin Metropolitan Police to attend for duty at race meetings outside the Metropolitan police area is at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Superintendent Murphy, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Forte, has recently removed three constables from special traffic duty on which they-had been placed because they had not instituted the required number of summonses; and if he will state how constables can be required to institute summonses if offences are not committed to justify them?

Three young constables were placed on special traffic duty during the temporary employment of the regular traffic constables in connection with the issue of sugar cards. The substitutes reverted to ordinary duty when the traffic constables again became available. The suggestion in the latter portion of the question is unfounded.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Superintendent Kiernan, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, has issued instructions to the sergeants in his division that they should take steps to deal with and report those constables of the force who did not cause to be issued a certain number of summonses every month; whether it is with the consent of the Chief Commissioner that sergeants are ordered to force men to bring summonses in this way for frivolous charges where the circumstances do not justify such action, merely in order that a certain number may be recorded as having been issued every month?

The answer to the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state how many head constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary under fifty years of age have been passed over for promotion since the 1st September, 1917: what are the ages of the head constables so passed over; is he aware that these men are active policemen, and that a number of these men would have been promoted if it were not for the operation of war measures, and will steps be taken to modify the regulations on this subject. and thus prevent the infliction of disabilities on deserving men; will he say what was the service in head constable's rank of the head constable last promoted from seniority list; is he aware that the constabulary regulations are being violated in promoting to district inspector rank head constables of under three years' service; Seeing that there is no age limit for promotion of any other rank in the constabulary except head constable, will he say what is the necessity for maintain- ing it to the detriment of this particular rank; why are head constables when their names are reached on seniority list not brought; before a board of their officers to determine their fitness for promotion; are head constables notified of the fact when passed over for promotion; and, if not, why is this not done?

Since the 1st September, 1917, twenty-five head constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary under fifty years of age have been passed over for promotion to the rank of district inspector, their ages varying from forty-eight to fifty years. The reason for not promoting head constables of forty-eight years of age and over to the higher rank were explained in a written answer to a question by the hon. and learned Member for North-East Cork in Monday's OFFICIAL REPORT. The Inspector-General informs me that the operation of war legislation has not been found to interfere with the promotion of head constables. Owing to the suspension of the examinations for cadetships during the War and the necessity for filling certain vacancies head constables have obtained more than their normal propor- tion of promotions. The last head constable promoted from the seniority list had only two years and seven months' service in the rank of head constable when promoted. The Regulation does not invariably require three years' service before promotion. The cases of all head constables under the age limit laid down in the Regulations are considered when their turn on the seniority list arrives, and their fitness for promotion is determined by the Promotion Board. It is not customary to notify head constables that they have been passed over for promotion, and I see no reason for any change in this practice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a decision has yet been reached in the matter of legislation to deal with foreign companies trading in the United Kingdom whose shares are in the form of share warrants to bearer?

This question will be considered by a Committee which is about to be appointed to consider Amendments of the Company Law.