Written Answers
War
Irish Peat Committee
asked the Prime Minister how often the Committee No. 44 on Irish Peat has met; has this committee arrived at any decision, and when may a Report be expected; and are all the members of this committee stall alive?
I am informed that the Irish Peat Inquiry Committee has met regularly since its appointment in July, 1917,by the Fuel Research Board, to whom they will shortly present their Report in accordance with their terms of reference.
Government Policy
asked the Prime Minister whether the policy announced in his speech at Glasgow, on 29th June,.1917, that so soon as the Central Powers consent to the restoration of conquered territories the Allies will be willing to enter into negotiations, remains the policy of His Majesty's Government.
I have nothing to add to the observations of my right hon. Friend in the Debate of yesterday.
Isle Of Man
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the British Government has any rights of veto over the acts of the Isle of Man Government; and, if so, why that veto was not exercised in the case of the Beer Duties, which impose a much higher duty per liquid gallon on British beer than on Manx beer?
Prior to 1915 the duty on imported beer was 5s. 6d. and on Manx beer 4s. 6d. Both were then doubled—the former being raised to 11s—by a Resolution of Tynwald Court, confirmed by the Isle of Man (Customs) Act, 1916, and the latter to 9s. by a local Act, which received the Royal Assent in due course. It was not considered necessary to overrule the wishes of the Island in the matter by raising objection to either measure.
Food Supplies
Rationing Scheme
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, under the new rationing system, any provision has been made for Irishmen coming to Great Britain on business and obliged to remain for an uncertain and indefinite period; as in the case of Irish Members of Parliament and Irish business and professional men, in view of the fact that no registration or rationing system except for sugar is in operation in Ireland; and, if so, what is the nature of the provision; and, if not, whether some such provision will be made forthwith?
Irishmen visiting the area of the London and Home Counties Rationing Scheme for less than four days can obtain meat meals at a hotel, club or restaurant on signing a declaration that they hold no ration card and are not sub- ject to national registration. After four days they will require an emergency card, which is to be obtained from the Food Office of the district in which they are staying. In the special case of Members of this House arrangements are being made for the issue of emergency cards on the premises of the House.
Brewing Materials
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can state the saving in the use of cereals which would result from the reduction in strength of the various proprietary brands of heavy beers and stouts still at present being manufactured?
The amount of materials which a brewer may use depends upon his permitted standard barrelage. No saving in the use of cereals would, therefore, result from any reduction in the strength of proprietary brands of heavy beers and stouts.
Dairy Produce
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a statement from the Killeshandra Co-operative Creamery stating that this concern has had to close several of its auxiliaries: is he aware that the result of Orders made is to reduce butter production and also diminish milk supply; if he has seen the drop in price of springers, especially in the West of Ireland; and if steps will be at once taken to get advice, to be acted upon, from the people in Ireland who really understand this question and are anxious to increase the butter and milk supply?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The maximum prices for butter and milk were fixed by the Food Controller in order to ensure the fullest possible supply of fresh milk. The Food Controller is aware that a proportion of the milk which, no doubt, formerly found its way to the Killeshandra Creameries has been diverted to Dublin, where it has been distributed among the poorer classes of the community. He has no information as to the drop in price of springers, though this would appear to be the usual seasonal variation in price, due to the fact that summer milk is less valuable than winter milk. The Food Controller is advised on matters relating to Ireland by the Irish Food Control Committee and its Advisory Sub-Committees, several members of which have expert knowledge of the milk and butter trades, and of the conditions prevailing all over Ireland.
Beer
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the number of bulk barrels and the number of standard barrels of beer brewed for home consumption in the United Kingdom in the years 1913 and 1917 ; and what was the relation of the bulk barrel to the standard barrel in each of those years?
The number of standard barrels of beer brewed for home consumption in 1913 was 35,250,700, and in 1917 16,133,800. The total number of bulk barrels brewed in 1913 was 37,499,500, and in 1917 21,336,600. It is not possible to give the number of bulk barrels for home consumption as distinct from total production. The relation of bulk barrels to standard barrels brewed is shown by the average original gravity of the bulk barrelage, which was 1052.71 in 1913 and 1042.66 in 1917, the original gravity per standard barrel being 1055. It may be noted that in 1917 reduction in output commenced on 1st April, 1917, and, therefore, one quarter at the higher rate is included in the 1917 figures.
Linseed Oil
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, since the making of the Oil Control Order on or about the 9th January last, all supplies of linseed oil for veterinary purposes have been held up; whether he is aware that makers of veterinary medicines and veterinary surgeons have, after an interval of four weeks, been referred to the United Kingdom Oil Consumers' Association, to whom applications are to be made; whether he is aware that after a further lapse of three weeks no permit has been able to be obtained except upon priority certificates, and that owing to the congestion of the work of the Priority Department of the Ministry of Munitions applications are unable to be dealt with except after prolonged delay; and if he will state whether steps can be taken to place the issue of the certificates for linseed oil in the hands of some less-congested Department and where more regard is paid to the urgent needs of the community, and so prevent the loss of the sick animals urgently requiring this commodity as medicine?
By the Oils and Fats (Requisition) Order dated the 21st December, 1917, the Food Controller took possession of all the oils and fats scheduled there under which were in the United Kingdom on the 1st January, 1918, except lots of one variety weighing 5 tons or under. The most careful rationing of linseed oil has been found necessary in order to satisfy the needs of margarine manufacturers, soap-making, paint and varnish, and linoleum. At the same time the necessity for granting supplies of linseed oil for veterinary purposes has not been overlooked. Arrangements have now been completed by which a person requiring linseed oil for veterinary purposes shall apply to the Linseed Oil Consumers' Association, which, on receipt of a form duly filled in by the applicant, will immediately grant him a priority certificate. Priority certificates from the Ministry of Munitions are not required except in the case of lots over 2 tons in weight, which are, as a rule, not involved in this sort of allocation.
Soldiers' Rations
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all units on subsistence allowance in the Home Army are now to be rationed in kind; if so, whether he is aware that this involves hardship, rendering it necessary for men who might other wise get breakfast at home to travel by workmen's trains and forego their breakfast; and whether he will follow the precedent of the Colonial troops and in such cases allow those men to travel for half fares on the railways, thus enabling them to take later trains?
All troops that can be rationed in kind are normally so rationed. I am afraid I do not understand the latter part of the question, but I am making some inquiries as to the precedent to which the hon. Member refers.
asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether arrangements will be made whereby officers and men returning to this country on leave can be supplied with emergency meat and sugar cards when they leave their units so as to avoid all delay and inconvenience to them while they are on leave?
Arrangements have been made for the issue of special tickets to officers and men returning to this country from France to enable them to obtain meat meals during the journey on their way home and on return. These tickets, like the sugar cards, will be issued in France. Meat tickets for use at home must, under the arrangements made by the Food Controller, be obtained from local Food Control Committees, who will issue them on production of the meat meal tickets mentioned above or of the furlough pass or other certificate authorising the journey. These arrangements were devised by the Food Controller, and I will discuss with him the possibility of issuing in France the meat tickets for use at home like the sugar cards.
108.
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that at the Bradford depôt where soldiers draw their rations there is a queue waiting to be served on certain days of the week; if he is aware that in many cases soldiers residing in Leeds, Huddersfield, and the districts around Bradford call at the Bradford depôt for their rations; and whether, having regard to the fact that it is becoming more difficult for soldiers on leave to avoid the queue at the Bradford depôt of the Northern area as the rationing system extends, on account of ordinary shops confining their sales in rationed articles of food to their regular customers, he will arrange for the establishment of a number of food depôts for soldiers on leave in each town, to prevent the necessity of soldiers standing in queues for their rations?
Soldiers on leave are not issued with rations, but are given a money allowance in lieu thereof; the soldier is at liberty to spend this where he chooses. Although, strictly speaking, it is no part of the Navy and Army Canteen Board's business to supply groceries to soldiers on leave, arrangements were made, for the troops' convenience, to allow them to purchase through the Board. At the inception of the scheme queues were formed, owing to the fact that the Navy and Army Canteen Board had only one place of business in Bradford. To further meet the convenience of soldiers on leave additional premises were taken; I am advised that the arrangements are now working smoothly, and are a great benefit to the troops. Moreover, the local officer commanding troops, in his report on the matter, states that great credit is due to the Navy and Army Canteen Board for their foresight and the trouble they have taken. The suggestion in the latter part of the question is not considered practicable.
German Prisoners' Rations
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the rations of German prisoners have been altered since his last statement, in view of the small rations now available for the civilian population; and will he state the total number of prisoners, both civil and military, for whom he has to find rations?
I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave last Tuesday on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Enfield and my hon. Friend the Member for Clapham. The number of prisoners of war, combatant and interned civilians who are rationed from Army stocks in the United Kingdom, are:
Combatants | … | 50,430 |
Interned civilians | … | 6,282 |
Total | … | 56,712 |
Sugar
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether fourteen cane-sugar factories were erected in the island of Cuba by Americans in the year 1915–16 ; and how many factories have been erected in the British Empire in the whole course of the War?
I understand that the increase in the number of sugar factories in Cuba is in accord with the figure mentioned in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, inquiries are being made, the results of which I shall be happy to furnish to my hon. and gallant Friend.
Poultry
asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, at the present time, a farmer can sell to a neighbour a chicken, alive or dead, without fear of prosecution?
The answer is in the affirmative.
Fish
asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his Depart- ment estimate the increased demand for fish due to the limited supply of meat at or at more than double normal pre-war demand; what steps have been taken to increase the supply in proportion; and whether he anticipates that during the summer the supply will be equal to the demand?
It is impossible at this stage to forecast the increased demand for fish due to the shortage and rationing of other foods. I cannot within the limits of a Parliamentary question state in detail the action by the Board to stimulate the production of fish. I shall be happy to send nay hon. Friend, if he wishes it, a full memorandum on the subject. With the material in men and boats now available, it is, in my opinion, impossible to increase supplies from our home fisheries to anything like the demand.
Royal Navy (Acting Captains)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there are a number of acting captains, many of whom have occupied that position for a long period ; whether the reason that they are not put on to the permanent list is that the Admiralty desire to safeguard the promotion of younger men from being blocked; and whether the Board will consider a proposal for rewarding these older officers by promotion to the permanent list or to a special one on the understanding that they retire as captains after the War, so that they do not have to revert to their former rank of commander?
The number of commanders who hold the acting rank of captain at the present time is sixty-nine— thirty-three of whom have occupied that position for over twelve months. Many of these are of such a seniority that they are unlikely to be selected for substantive promotion, except in very special cases. Under existing Regulations the senior acting-captains will be eligible to retire at the end of the War with the confirmed rank of captain, and it is considered neither necessary nor desirable to promote them to a special list.
Soldiers' Leave
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the conveyance of soldiers arriving home on leave in those districts where there are no train facilities and long delays occur ; whether, in the case of men arriving at Llandudno Junction late on Saturday night and early Sunday morning, he has been able to arrange for a train; and, if not, whether he proposes to deal with all such cases by the provision of other suitable vehicles?
Orders have already been issued in France with a view to leave being arranged so as to obviate these delays, and similar instructions are now being issued at home. It is hoped that the cases referred to at Llandudno Junction will not recur.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of granting leave in especially hard cases?
Existing instructions provide for short leave being given to meet exceptional cases, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all such cases receive sympathetic consideration in so far as the military exigencies of the Service permit,
Military Service
Shipyard Workers
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the method to be adopted for the release of men from the Army for shipbuilding work; and to whom applications arc to be made for the release of shipyard workers?
Men are being selected by their recorded trades by an Admiralty representative of the Deputy Controller of Auxiliary Shipbuilding-Orders are at once issued for all men as soon as selected to be sent to the Northern Command Discharge Centre at Ripon for the purpose of transfer to the Reserve for shipbuilding work, provided they are willing and their recorded trade is found to be correct. Another representative of the same Department of the Admiralty is attached to the Discharge Centre at Ripon, who places the men in employment in conjunction with the representative of the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour. Applications for the release of individual shipyard workers should be made to the Ministry of National Service, who make recommendations as regards all releases of individuals to the War Office.
Conscientious Objectors
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the statement made by Earl Curzon on 4th December that tribunals would be asked to send in the names of men to whom absolute exemption would have been granted on conscientious grounds applies equally to men who have been before Appeal Tribunals?
I have been asked to answer this question. Doubtless the hon. Member's question relates to cases in which absolute exemption would have been granted had the tribunal concerned been aware that it had power to grant absolute exemption on conscientious grounds. If so, the answer is in the affirmative.
asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to give effect to the policy recently announced by Lord Curzon of releasing conscientious objectors unfit for military service by reason of ill-health?
The prison officers have been specially instructed to report the cases of all prisoners of this class whose health appears likely to be prejudiced by further imprisonment and who are physically unfit for military service. Upon the receipt of any such report or of corresponding information from any source, a special medical report is obtained, and if the case appears to be a proper one the prisoner is at once released from prison and is not again called up for military service. The number of prisoners released under these provisions down to this date is twenty-eight. As the action of the Home Office in this matter is being deliberately and persistently misrepresented by persons outside this House, I may perhaps be allowed to add that the arrangement announced by Lord Curzon, under which the power of releasing from prison persons condemned by court-martial and claiming to be conscientious objectors was transferred from the War Office to the Home Office, was adopted on my recommendation, and indeed at my urgent request, and it is wholly untrue to say that full effect has not been given to it.
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will make inquiry into the case of Private A. Gumming, now No. 50933, B Company, No. 1 Platoon, York Hussars, Bridlington, Yorks, formerly at Richmond Barracks, Dublin, in view of the fact that the mother, Mrs. Gumming, 12, Siddons Road, Tottenham, N. 17, has received no separation allowance from 10th March, 1917, to 23rd February, 1918, during which time the 3s. 6d. has been regularly deducted from his pay; and whether he will make inquiry of the regimental paymaster at Hamilton, where he was previously stationed, and of the regimental paymaster at Nottingham, where he was in July, 1917; and (2) whether he will make inquiry into the case of Private W. Preston Tillett, No. 340618, Labour Corps, Eagle Works, Nottingham, transferred from the Training Reserve Battalion, whose mother, 90, Shelbourne Road, Tottenham, has received no separation allowance from 13th October, 1916, to 25th January, 1918, when a new ring paper was received with five weeks' allowance from 25th January to 20th February; and whether he will call for the paymaster's report and at the same time ask for a medical examination of Private Tillett, who is suffering from heart trouble?
Inquiries are being made into these cases, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.
asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the declaration required in Army (Widows' Pensions) Form No. 1037, to the effect that the widow's private income has not been increased, including personal earnings and voluntary allowance from relatives and friends, it is the intention of the Ministry of Pensions to prohibit any widow in receipt of a pension from performing any duty for which payment is made or from receiving any gift from relatives or friends and to reduce or stop the pension in the case of the widow doing so; and, if not will he have this declaration cancelled?
The form referred to provides for a declaration of means, which is only intended for use by widows whose pensions are contingent on the amount of their private income. This declaration is not required from widows whose pensions are issued by the Ministry of Pensions, as such pensions are not contingent on private income, and the portion of the form providing for such a declaration should be crossed out before it is sent to a widow drawing a pension from that Department. Every endeavour is made to see that this, is done, but possibly my hon. and gallant Friend's attention has been called to a case in which this has been omitted by oversight. I understand that a fresh form omitting the means declaration altogether is in course of preparation for use in cases dealt with by the Ministry of Pensions.
asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the feeling of injustice caused by the refusal to give to the widow of an officer who dies from disease contracted on active service, and caused solely by that service, the same gratuity as is given to the widow of an officer killed in action or dying from wounds received in action; and whether he will take steps to procure a remedy for this inequality, and to enable an equivalent gratuity, or some gratuity, to be given in the. case of the widow of an officer dying from disease under such circumstances?
I must refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave to the question put to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Reading on the 21st instant.
Army Service Corps (Labour Battalion)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether 300 men in the Labour Battalion of the Army Service Corps, all of whom have been over two years in Salonika, were re-examined and found unfit for further foreign service; whether they were sent back to Southampton, from there to Ripon, and from there to Whitchurch, in Shropshire; whether the War Office gave any proper instructions for their treatment; whether he is aware that,' since no responsibility seems to be taken for them, they have had to subsist on potatoes and bread for the Last two weeks; and what action he proposes to take?
I regret that owing to a mistake these men arrived home from Salonika without any informa- tion having been previously given to the officer commanding the labour centre at Ripon. I am making full inquiries as to how they have been disposed of, and will communicate again with my hon. Friend later.
Halton Camp
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a part of the Royal Flying Corps section at Halton Camp has been isolated owing to infectious disease; and, if so, how the relatives of the isolated unit may receive information of what is happening to their friends?
I have called for a report, and will communicate with my hon. Friend again as soon as possible.
Royal Army Medical Corps
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state whether the Report of the Howard Committee on the administration of the Royal Army Medical Corps services in France has been considered by the Army Council; and whether it is proposed to put all the recommendations of the Report into effect immediately?
This Report has not yet been considered by the Army Council, and I am not in a position to anticipate what action will be taken on the recommendations.
Labour Corps (Staff Officers)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of Staff officers employed on the Labour Corps in France who have served as regimental labour officers or who have been engaged in engineering work prior to the dates of their commission ; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in future no officers are appointed on the Staff of the Labour Corps who do not possess a technical knowledge or regimental experience, of this work?
I regret it is not possible to answer this question without reference to France. The appointments are made by the Commander-in-Chief on the recommendation of the Director of Labour, who presumably chooses which he considers the best men.
Visitors To The Front (Speeches)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by a speaker of the National party that she spent some months in France last summer and addressed a gathering of British troops; and whether any permission is given by his Department for speakers of any political party to visit the front and address the troops there on party questions?
Every intending visitor to the British front is required to sign an undertaking not to deliver an address to troops on any subject without first obtaining the consent of the senior officer present, and in no circumstances to deliver a political or electioneering speech to troops. I have no knowledge of the incident to which my hon. Friend refers beyond what is stated in the Press cutting which he has sent me.
Glamorgan Royal Engineers (Sapper Jenkins)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the case of the late David Morgan Jenkins, No. 454,830, a sapper in the Glamorganshire Royal Engineers; and whether he will take steps to bring this case to the notice of the Minister of National Service?
I regret my inquiries are not yet complete, but I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.
Army Officers (Pay And Allowances)
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will consider the case of officers on retired pay who are employed as Army special Staff officers, Censor's Department, etc., with a view to putting them on equal terms as regards pay and allowances with those officers not drawing any pension who perform the same duties and whose pay and allowances have been increased under a recent Warrant?
I am afraid I cannot adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. The Warrant represents the decision of the War Cabinet, arrived at after full consideration.
Royal Army Medical Corps
asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether Royal Army Medical Corps officers who had previously been attached to the Royal Flying Corps have now been transferred to the Air Force; and whether these officers are now under the direct control and administration of the medical administrator of the Air Council in this country?
No, Sir. The transfer or attachment of such officers must await the actual formation of the Air Force. The hon. Member may rest assured that all steps are being taken to complete the arrangements for the medical care of the new Service.
Housing, Watford
asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that munitions and other classes of workers in Watford are being evicted from their houses by well-to-do people from places nearer London who have purchased the houses in Watford in order to get away from air raids; and whether he will consider the advisability of declaring Watford as a specified area under the Defence of the Realm Regulation in order to prohibit these evictions of workmen who cannot obtain other houses in the vicinity of their work?
No cases of eviction have been brought to the attention of the Department. I am, however, having inquiry made, and I will inform my right hon. Friend of the result of that inquiry and the action taken.
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any complaints from Watford with regard to working-class families being evicted by well-to-do people from places nearer London who have purchased the houses in Watford in order to get away from air raids; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of so strengthening the law as to make such evictions impossible?
The matter is receiving consideration, but no decision has yet been arrived at. As my right hon. Friend has already been informed, steps are about to be taken to inquire into the position at Watford.
Prisoners Of War
asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the condition of officers taken prisoners at Kut; whether, having regard to the high prices charged to them for provisions and great loss on remitting English money to them owing to the rate of exchange, he will cease to make the deduction of about 4s. 6d. a day now made from their pay during their internment; and whether he or the proper authority will take steps to ensure the more frequent and more regular delivery of parcels to such prisoners?
The circumstances of these unfortunate officers have recently come to the knowledge of the knowledge of the Secretary of State for India, and he is in communication with the Secretary of State for War, with a view to His Majesty's Government taking all possible steps at the earliest possible moment to ameliorate their position.
Labour Conference, Nottingham
asked the Home Secretary what organisations were represented at the recent Labour and Socialist conference at Nottingham; what is the present membership of these organisations ; whether, in the election of delegates who attended at Nottingham, an opportunity for voting was given to those members of the organisations who are serving with the Colours, at Home or abroad; and whether he can state the total number of members of British trade unions at the present time and, approximately, the total number of wage-earners in the United Kingdom?
I have been asked to answer this. I am having inquiry made and will let the hon. Member have the information which he desires, so far as it is available.
Irish Members Of Parliament (Travelling Facilities)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether ho is aware that many years ago Irish Members of Parliament were enabled to get season tickets at a low rate, and that now the granting of a free ticket does not involve the railway companies in any loss; is he aware that the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company are quite willing, although not in the favourable position of the railway companies, to agree so far as they are concerned to the issue of these free tickets; and will he in these circumstances have the matter reconsidered and free travelling facilities granted to the Irish Members of Parliament at least during the Session?
As the hon. Gentleman was informed in answer to the similar question which he asked on the 17th January, I am afraid I cannot add to previous replies on this subject.
Irish Lights Employes (War Bonus)
asked the President of the Board of Trade when Irish Lights employs will receive the 12½ per cent. award?
I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on the 21st instant on the same subject.
Workmen's Compensation
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that A. Bilbrough and Company, Mutual Insurance Association, Limited, have offered to the widow of a seaman lost on the steamship "Adela," the sum of £17 13s. 6d. per year pension, and state that the annunity which could be purchased on the £300 workmen's compensation which she and her family are entitled to is £18 Is. 6d., making up the minimum pension of £35 15s., thus evading the spirit of the Compensation Act; if he is aware that in all cases where there are children the £300 is paid into Court and divided amongst the widow and children, the allowance to the widow being £100, which can only purchase an annuity of £6, which added to the amount, £17 3s. 6d., which is now offered to the widow as compensation for the loss of her husband, is only £23 3s. 6d.; whether this attempt to evade the scale of compensation will be sanctioned by his Department ; if he is aware that the full maximum pension is only one-third of pre-war pay and is based on the scale of wages to seamen which existed six months before the War; and if he will issue instructions for the payment, of the maximum pension regardless of the £300 which the widow and family is entitled to under the Workmen's Compensation Act?
In the case referred to the gross amount of the pension payable to the widow under the Government compensation scheme is £35 15s. per annum, and, in addition, there is an allowance of £52 per annum in respect of children under sixteen. Three hundred pounds was paid into Court under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and the annuity value of this sum is taken into account in settling the net amount of the pension to be paid to the widow. This is the principle on which the compensation scheme is based, and I do not think it is either unjust or unreasonable. The sum paid into Court is allocated among the dependants by the County Court Judge or Recorder, and it is not the case that the amount paid to the widow is £100 in all cases. As has previously been pointed out to the hon. Member, an increase has already been made in the minimum pension to widows and allowances to children payable under the Government scheme.
Torpedoed Ship (Bulkheads)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether his attention has been drawn to the loss of a certain steamer, and if the Department had previously received a communication from practical seamen protesting against the insufficient number of only five bulkheads provided in the vessel; and whether the experience in this instance, where the vessel was standing on end within three minutes of the explosion of a torpedo, is engaging the attention of the Government with a view to increasing the number of bulkheads in similar vessels and thus reducing to a minimum further loss of life and ships?
The steamer referred to was purchased in America in an advanced state to' construction. A communication was received in December, 1917, signed by certain officers and engineers, drawing attention to the number of bulkheads. The matter was thoroughly investigated and explained to these officers and engineers, and they expressed themselves as content to proceed with the ship provided the question was kept in view. The investigation showed that the bulkheads were not of an unusual arrangement, and as to strength were in full accordance with Lloyd's requirements, and that the ship was fully classed. The fitting of an additional bulkhead would have involved laying the ship up for a considerable period, and it was eventually decided, upon a balance of considerations, that the matter should stand over until a more convenient opportunity. The approved specification for standard ships provides for an additional bulkhead, and this extra bulkhead is also being fitted in ships similar to that in question acquired abroad at an earlier stage of construction.
Government Contractors (War Bonus)
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that there are engineering firms in Dublin holding Government contracts who are not paying their boys and apprentices the war bonuses which they are entitled to; and if he will request the Secretary of the Engineers Employers' Federation to supply a return of war bonuses paid to boys and apprentices in all establishments controlled or run by members of his organisation?
As intimated to the hon. Member on 6th and 13th December, if he will bring to the notice of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions, any specific instances where apprentices employed by members of the Engineering Employers' Federation holding Govern- ment contracts have not received any advances of wages to which they are entitled, investigation will be made.
Corn Production Act (Wages Committees)
asked the President of the Board of Agriculture how many counties have established Wages Committees for the purposes of the Corn Production Act; and at what date the whole of the Committees will be at work?
District Wages Committees have been established for nine of the thirty-nine districts into which the country is being divided for this purpose. The remainder will probably be set up within the next fortnight.
Czech Press Bureau
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an organisation calling itself the Czech Press Bureau has been officially recognised by the British and Allied Governments as the central political, diplomatic and military body representing the Czecho-Slovaks in the Allied countries?
The answer as regards the British Government is in the negative. I cannot speak for the Allies, but I have no reason to think that this Press Bureau has been officially recognised by them in the capacity which my hon. Friend suggests.
Old Age Pensions
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what instructions the Local Government Board for Ire- land acted when they refused an old age pension to Patrick Kerr, of Ballyherin, Carrigart, county Donegal; whether he is aware that this applicant made a complete search in the census and parochial records and that no trace of his age could be found, and that, failing this, he made a statutory declaration, supported by two old age pensioners who knew him all his life, that he was seventy years of age; whether he is aware that the local pension sub-committee had him before them and were fully satisfied that he was qualified and granted full pension, and that the pension officer is unable to produce any evidence to refute these statements; and whether the Local Government Board will be asked to reconsider this case or give their reason for refusing the pension?
The facts are as stated. The onus of showing that he is seventy years of age rests upon the claimant. A statement by a claimant or friends that he is seventy years of age is not evidence. This claim was disallowed on the ground that the Local Government Board had no evidence that the claimant had attained the statutory age. This decision having been given the Local Government Board have no power to reconsider it.
Agricultural School Farm, Ireland
asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how much additional poultry, farm stock, and farm implements have been put on the North-West Agricultural School farm since last summer?
One pen of breeding fowl and one pen of ducks have been added during the period referred to. As the land attached to the school is at present let in conacre, no need has arisen for an increase in the farm stock or implements.