asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the German Major-General S. Ohmiedecke has been relieved of the command of his division on the grounds of sending out too many patrols and losing too many men in consequence; and, in view of this evidence of the enemy's care for the conservation of manpower, will steps be taken to ensure that the heavy losses of subalterns and men that have been suffered in raiding expeditions in the past will in future be avoided?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I can add nothing to the many answers which I have given on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to announce the names and terms of reference of the Committee which is being appointed to inquire into the question of bank amalgamations?

As I have already announced, Lord Colwyn has consented to act as Chairman of this Committee. The other members will be:

• Lord Cunliffe,
• The hon. Member for the Epsom Division,
• The Hon. Rupert Beckett,
• The Hon. Herbert Gibbs,
• Sir Arthur Haworth, Bart.,
• Mr. E. Manville,
• Mr. H. McGowan,
• Sir John Purcell, K.C.B.,
• Mr. John Rae.
• Mr. Douglas Vickers.
• Sir Richard V. Vassar-Smith, Bart.

The terms of reference are, "To consider and report to what extent, if at all, amalgamations between banks may affect prejudicially the interests of the industrial and mercantile community, and whether it is desirable that legislation should be introduced to prohibit such amalgamations or to provide safeguards under which they might continue to be permitted."

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a retired Civil servant who accepts a position as temporary clerk in the Department he was formerly employed in is paid a salary irrespective of the amount of his pension while those who accept similar employment in a Department other than the one they were previously employed in are only paid, including their pension, the amount of salary they were receiving at the time they retired from the service; whether they are allowed to draw a war bonus; and whether, if they work overtime, they are paid for it?

I am not aware of any such rule as is suggested in the question So far as suspension of or abatement of pension is concerned, the provisions of Section 20 of the Act of 1834 are applicable whether an officer is re-employed in his old Department or in some other Department.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Press has been prohibited from reporting the cessation of work in industrial centres over the food question for military reasons or in order to shield the Government from charges of maladministration?

No such notice has been issued to the Press, and so far as I am aware there is no foundation for the allegation that there has been any cessation of work because of the food question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps, if any, his Department is taking to safeguard a supply of food for the Irish people; and if he will see that before any further exports of potatoes from Ireland take place sufficient will be guaranteed for the people of Ireland?

The Food Controller is guided by the advice of the Irish Department of Agriculture in ascertaining the surplus of Irish produce available for export from that country. The prohibition of the export of potatoes from Ireland except under licence provides an effective means of control.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the lack of weighbridges for weighing live cattle in rural districts; and whether he will recommend the priority branch to issue priority certificates for the provision of such weighbridges?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Every effort is being made by the Ministry of Food to provide adequate facilities for the weighing of live cattle. Where no facilities for such weighing are in existence, arrangements have been made with railway companies for the use of weighbridges at their stations if these are within reach of the markets, and in several districts it has been possible to obtain the use of other weighbridges. Lord Rhondda considers that in view of the serious shortage of material and of skilled labour the issue of priority certificates should only be recommended in cases of extreme urgency, where recourse to other methods is impossible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that quite a number of small confectionery businesses throughout the country are having to close down owing to their inability to obtain supplies; and whether, in releasing sugar to manufacturers of sweets, he will stipulate that preference shall be given in distribution to those firms who rely entirely upon the sale of this commodity for their existence rather than to large firms of which confectionery is only a branch of their business?

In answer to this question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me on Tuesday, 5th February, to the hon. Member for Hawick Burghs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the delay which occurs in the dispatch by the Food Ministry of ration papers applied for at local post offices by persons who are changing their address; and whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that ration papers will be forwarded within the eight weeks for which sugar stamps are provided?

In ordinary cases a ration paper is being dispatched by the Ministry in time for it to be used by the holder in the week in which the sugar coupons previously issued to him are renewable. In a few instances the particulars given by the applicant have not been sufficiently complete for the Ministry to issue a ration paper or to communicate with him

:asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department is aware that quantities of food in the shape of wild birds, such as teal, plover, and wild duck, are available for shooting in and about the estuary of the River Black water, Essex; whether he is aware that the Treasury has communicated the fact that the local fishermen have received an Order from the Admiralty and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for night shooting which they will be unable to carry out unless permits are given them to procure the food necessary during their absence for shooting and fishing, as they are often away from home three days a week; and, seeing that food permits are granted by the Customs to the bargemen using the estuary of the Black water, whether the Food Ministry will recommend that similar permits will at once be granted by the Customs officials to the fishermen concerned?

I am aware of the arrangements made for the issue of permits to shoot wild-fowl in this district, which have been made in consultation with the food control committees concerned. I am having inquiries made into the matter, but I am not satisfied, as at present advised, that the local committees have not sufficient powers to deal with any difficulties experienced by wild-fowlers in obtaining food.

asked if it has been found that the method of rationing meat involves a heavy weekly loss on the Ministry; if application has been made to the Treasury for sanction for a heavy expenditure to cover this loss; and if the sanction of the Treasury has been obtained?

Arrangements have been made by which the expenses arising out of the grading, purchasing of cattle, and the supply and distribution of meat, will be temporarily financed by the Treasury. The amount of these expenses cannot at present be precisely determined, but it is not anticipated that any ultimate loss will fall upon the Exchequer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that some years ago Parliament sanctioned the Second Reading of a. Bill granting compensation for tuberculosis compensations; whether he is aware that in the vast majority of cases the animals are purchased in open market at full value; and whether, in view of the scarcity and dearness of meat and the utilisation of horse-flesh, he will consider the advisability of adopting compensation and sterilisation, as practised with economical and sanitary results in Continental countries?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. It has now been arranged that the per head charge on fat cattle shall cover insurance against condemnation in cases in which animals are found to be suffering from tuberculosis. The question of the sterilisation and sale for human consumption of meat which is only slightly affected by tuberculosis is at present under consideration by the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Food.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state, approximately, the number and value of tuberculised pigs annually confiscated and destroyed for the five years previous to the War; whether this practice still continues; whether he is aware that in Continental countries when pigs are only slightly affected the bodies are sterilised and sold; and whether this system will be adopted in the London Central Meat Market and elsewhere in the United Kingdom?

I am not in a position to furnish any exact statistics, but from inquiries which were made last year it appears that the amount of pig meat which is destroyed and which could be used for human food if efficiently sterilised is relatively insignificant. As I have already stated, if any municipalities wish to undertake the sterilisation and sale of such meat I should not desire to place any obstacle in their way.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department has announced, or intends to announce, that egg pickling or preservation of eggs by any method is to be construed as hoarding; if so, does he realise that there is a period when eggs are very plentiful, resulting in free use of them for all sorts of purposes, while there is a period of scarcity when even invalids have a difficulty in procuring eggs; and that this system of pickling is the only way to even matters out?

The provisions of the Food Hoarding Order apply to all descriptions of acquired supplies, including eggs. Home-produced eggs may be preserved and kept without, coming under the provisions of the Order. It is clearly desirable that if, and when eggs become plentiful, some provision should be made against future scarcity, and the Food Controller is considering what steps can best be taken for effecting this purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why Mr. Hart, a retail butcher, of Charterhouse Street, Smithfield Market, is privileged to purchase an unlimited quantity of meat whilst at the same time all other retail butchers are restricted to the purchase of 50 per cent. on their October sales; and how it is that the salesmen of Smithfield Market were allowed to supply the West End butchers, on Friday, 15th February, with a greater share of meat than was allowed to be sold to the East End butchers?

The assumption in the first part of the hon. Member's question is incorrect. The retail butcher in question is under precisely the same limitations in respect of the purchase and sale of meat as other retail butchers, and I am informed that proceedings are being taken against him for exceeding his quota. I have made inquiries as to the allegation contained in the second part of the question, and am informed that on the date mentioned the East End butchers had their usual supply of meat in accordance with the Instructions given by the Food Controller to the Smithfield salesmen to give preference to butchers in industrial districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that considerably more than 1¾lb. of jam can be made out of 1 lb. of sugar; whether any person making more jam out of their allowance of 10lb. per head will be allowed to keep it; whether any sugar saved out of the ration, especially for jam making, will be counted; and whether any people making extra jam out of sugar saved from rations will be allowed to keep it without being liable to be summoned for food hoarding, or to be compelled to give it up for sale?

The answer to the first, second, and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third and last parts in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will see that no differentiation will take place under the tillage scheme as between the average farmer and the extensive landholder and grazier; and is he aware that in East Limerick several extensive landholders either refused to comply or secured exemption last year which caused much indignation, and will every step be taken now to compel these people to grow more food, or, failing their doing so, will their lands be seized and let by conacre to the labourers and small farmers who find it an impossibility to secure any land to grow food on this year?

I am informed that there is no foundation for the insinuation that there is preferential treatment in respect of certain classes of holdings in enforcing the Compulsory Tillage Regulations. Except a few cases in which partial exemption was allowed in respect of lands used for stud farm purposes, the exemptions granted last season to occupiers in county Limerick were confined to land habitually used by dairy farmers for grazing milch cows required for the milk supply of towns and villages. In cases where occupiers fail, without reasonable cause, to comply with the Regulations, the Department of Agriculture will take action with a view to enforcing the requisite cultivation.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that some years ago the Department sent a representative to the Continent to inquire whether beet-growing for sugar would be a suitable industry for Ireland; that experiments were also made in Ireland, and that it was found that beet-growing in Ireland contained sufficient saccharin to make the crop profitable for the production of sugar; whether he is aware that the representative of the Department reported that large bounties were given on the Continent to beet-growers and beet-sugar manufacturers, and that, in his opinian, beet-sugar could not be extracted in Ireland to compete with the Continental sugar; and whether, in order to encourage beet-growing for sugar in Ireland, the Department will recommend that bounties should be given equivalent to the foreign bounties, or a countervailing tariff imposed?

A representative of the Department of Agriculture visited the Continent some years ago to make inquiries as to sugar-beet growing and its suitability for Ireland. Experiments in growing sugar-beet were made in Ireland, and, as already stated in answer to previous questions, showed that beet could be produced comparing favourably in yield and sugar with beet produced in other countries. Whether beet-growing could be established as a profitable industry depends upon other considerations than the quality of the roots grown. I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to questions on this subject by the hon. Member for South Sligo on the 19th March, 1917, and by the hon. Member for North Westmeath on 17th April, 1917. As I stated in answer to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division on the 26th February, the Department of Agriculture are of opinion that, under existing circumstances, farmers should concentrate their attention on the production of staple food crops rather than upon the raising of comparatively untried crops.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that prime fat cattle in the recent Dublin markets have been sold far above the prices fixed by the Food Controller for beef and no doubt sold in England at a profit; whether he is aware that a general practice has existed at Irish markets and fairs since the price of bacon was fixed to pay openly or secretly a bonus or addition to the producer in order to evade the Order, and that butter produced at Irish creameries since the price was fixed has almost uniformly been sold by the firms to which it is consigned on behalf of the creameries at figures substantially exceeding the fixed price; whether the Irish Government have seriously considered the difficulties in which that country is placed by prices being fixed for the three greatest articles of production and export at figures far below the economic cost of production; and, with a view to regularising the position, whether he is prepared either to announce that no prosecutions will take place in Ireland for breach of the Food Controller's Order or that they are no-longer to apply to that country?

I am informed that there have been numerous cases where fat cattle have been sold in the Dublin markets at prices in excess of those fixed by the Food Controller, and that the fixed prices for pigs have been evaded by means of payment made surreptitiously. Dealings in butter, such as are mentioned in the question, have also been reported. The whole matter has been the subject of discussion between the Irish Food Control Committee and the Ministry of Food, with whom the question of prices rests. The Chief Secretary is advised that such an announcement as is asked for in the last part of the question ought not to be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board recently sent out a circular letter to the various boards of guardians in Ireland asking them to allocate a wing in each workhouse for the reception of venereal cases or, if that was not feasible, to build a special wing for the purpose, and that they would help to finance; and, seeing that there is indignation aroused in Ireland at the proposal to introduce cases of venereal disease into districts where it was never even heard of before, whether he will consider the adoption of some better scheme for treating this disease than that suggested by the Local Government Board?

The Local Government Board have issued no such Circular as that referred to in the question. A 75 per cent. grant is available under the administration of the Local Government Board for aiding the more important local authorities, hospitals, and laboratories n combatting the diseases referred to, and the county borough councils and several county councils are preparing schemes in consultation with their medical advisers. In special circumstances boards of guardians may participate in the grant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a party of twenty-eight men were recently discovered at a house in Dublin receiving instruction on the methods of blowing up railway bridges and the use of high explo- sives for similar purposes; and that in defence it was stated that, as soldiers of the Irish republic, the accused were entitled to train themselves in the use of arms, and that they intended soon to throw the invader out of their country; and whether the Irish Government are taking the necessary steps to safeguard the railways from the sabotage?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The men were arrested and most of them are undergoing imprisonment in default of giving bail for their future good behaviour. The necessary steps to safeguard the railways and bridges were being and are still being taken.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the police recently went to Count Plunkett's house near Dublin for the purpose of making a search; if the police withdrew because the house was found to be fortified and garrisoned by armed persons; and, if so, what further action will be taken?

The premises to which the question apparently refers are a disused mill and grounds at Lark field, Kimmage, near Dublin. The place was not found fortified or garrisoned, nor was it as the hon. and gallant Member suggested in a question last week, being used for the manufacture of bombs. It has, however, been taken out of the owner's control by virtue of a magistrates order under Defence of the Realm Regulation 51 c.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement as to any information at his disposal as to the various Russian warships in the Baltic which have fallen into the hands of the Germans or which may fall into their hands, dealing both with the completed vessels and those on the stocks?

Up to the present, so far as we know, no Russian warships have fallen into German hands, but information is necessarily belated and uncertain.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement as to the personnel of the Allied Naval Council, where the offices are situated, and whether any member of the War Cabinet attends its meetings?

I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the very full notice which appeared on this subject in the public Press on 15th December last, and add that my right hon. Friend, the First Lord, will refer to the Allied Naval Council in his statement upon introducing Naval Estimates.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the joiners and other skilled trades in the Navy have the same ratings, status, and chance of promotion as the shipwrights have; and, if not, whether he will give them the same?

The ratings and conditions of service are not the same for all classes of naval artisan ratings. The whole question, however, of the status, pay, etc., of these ratings is now being considered by a Committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to reconsider the decision recently given to the effect that all questions of advancement of naval ratings and Royal Marines interned must be deferred until after the War, seeing that this decision necessarily penalises the wives of prisoners of war?

The question of the advancement of naval ratings and Marines who are prisoners of war was considered by the Admiralty early in the War, and it was decided that advancement must stand over until the end of the War. I think my hon. Friend will agree that the principle governing the cases of interned men must reasonably be the same. I might add that the principle adopted has been modified to this extent, that the routine advancement of boys to man's rating on reaching the age of eighteen is permitted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of granting 2d. a day increase in the pay of ordinary seaman ratings, seeing that these ratings have not participated in the recent giants made to the Royal Navy?

This matter was very carefully considered by the War Cabinet Committee, and its Report adopted by the Cabinet itself. I may remind my hon. Friend that the ordinary seaman belonging to the permanent Navy is a young man, generally under nineteen, and with every opportunity for advancement after eight months' service. We did not think it necessary to apply the recent increase of pay to his case. We distributed them as follows, namely:—

A.B.'s and equivalent ratings	2d. a day.
Leading rates	3d. a day.
Petty officers	5d. a day.
Chief petty officers	5d. a day.

I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that the ordinary seaman to whom I have been referring, did get the benefit of the increase in the messing allowance from 5⅛d. to 7d. a day, the benefit of the abolition of hospital stoppages, and, in any case, where he is married, the benefit of the fact that State funds have taken over, as from the 1st October last, 3s. 6d. a week of the 5s. minimum allotment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the revised system of punishments, he will consider the possibility of modifying the Regulations governing the award of the long service and good conduct medal so that a man who can show fifteen consecutive years' very good conduct may be eligible for the award of the medal irrespective of his previous record?

The ordinary rule for the award of the good conduct medal is that a man shall have a record of fifteen years with continuous "very good" character, with previous character not inferior to "good," and that he shall be recommended by his captain for the three consecutive years immediately preceding his application. The Admiralty nevertheless consider any recommendation which may be made in special circumstances on behalf of a man who can show fifteen years of continuous "very good" character, although he may be disqualified for the award of a medal under the ordinary Regulations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the percentage of officers and other ranks employed on staff duties or behind brigades in the Salonika Army who have had leave between 1st July, 1916, and 31st December, 1917, and what is the percentage of regimental officers and other ranks who have had leave during the same period?

I regret there is no information available as to the percentage of officers and men who have had leave between the dates mentioned, distinguishing staff from regimental, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in suggesting that the staff are unduly favoured. I am informed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief that his arrangements were directed to giving the main facilities to the regimental officers and men, but that, unfortunately, his plans were dislocated owing to the Italian reverse. As I explained, however, when introducing the Army Estimates, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief is most anxious that the leave arrangements should be improved as much as possible, and, with the assistance of the Admiralty and Ministry of Shipping, the transport facilities will now, I understand, be increased, which will enable an increased number to go on leave.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the women workers employed in the Woolwich dockyard have not received the advance of 3s. 6d. in wages granted to these women; whether he knows that there is unrest in consequence; and what action it is proposed to take?

Instructions for the payment of this 3s. 6d. advance in wages were issued some days ago.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will have immediate inquiry made into the matter of the dependency allowance due to the father of Private H. Whewell, No. 21557, 68th Reserve Battalion, the claim having been submitted in July, 1917, and a number of letters having been written to the War Office on the subject without result?

This matter has been under investigation for an unusually long time, in consequence of serious discrepancies in the statements made at various times by those interested as to the amount this soldier contributed to the maintenance of his family. It has not been possible to admit his full claim, but an allowance of 5s. a week has now been assessed, and will he paid at once.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that between 1,700 and 1,800 separation allowances are paid at the Farnworth, Lancashire, post office weekly; that the payments are made in a room on the second storey of the post office, entrance to which is gained along a back street, through a back yard, and up a staircase of twenty stone steps; that the staircase is steep and so narrow that it is with difficulty that one person can pass another on the staircase; that women with infants must either leave the children unattended in the yard or carry them up the staircase, and that elderly women have difficulty in climbing the stairs; whether he is aware that the Farnworth Urban District Council has waited upon the postmaster at Bolton and suggested an alternative arrangement, and that the only objection to the latter as that it would cost about 12s. per week; and whether he will take steps to give these relatives of our fighting men reasonable facilities for obtaining their allowances and remedy this grievance without further delay?

I personally informed the hon. Member recently that I had given this matter special consideration, and was satisfied that the accommodation at Farnworth for the payment of separation allowances is reasonably good. The room in which the payments are made is situated on the first floor of the office, and is easy of access. The steps are under cover. In no known case has any person had to wait except under cover. I still do not see any justification for expending public money on hiring other accommodation.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been drawn to the urgent demand for shipwrights and drillers in the shipbuilding and ship repairing establishments; if so, why the release of these skilled men, now serving in technical units such as the Royal Engineers, the Royal Flying Corps, the Army Ordnance Corps, and the Inland Water Transport, has been refused; and, in view of the necessity of utilising the skill of these men to their fullest advantage in shipbuilding, will he endeavour to secure their release for such work?

I think the hon. Member must be unaware of the fact that arrangements have been made for the release from the Colours of 20,000 men with shipyard experience. As to the method of selection, I would refer him to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on the 28th February.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have immediate inquiry made into the health of J. C. S. Elliott, a conscientious objector imprisoned in Liverpool Prison, who is said to be in an extremely serious physical condition, and is losing weight rapidly?

This man is in fair general health, and shows no symptoms of deterioration, either physically or mentally. The medical officer of the prison is giving careful attention to his health.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received protest in regard to the action of the members of the Eccles Town Council in electing a Conservative representative as successor to Alderman Farnie, a Labour representative; and whether, in view of the agreement reached in regard to the postponement of elections and of the feeling aroused among the workpeople in the district he will say what action he proposes to take?

I have received a protest from the Eccles Trades and Labour Council and have invited the observations of the town council on the subject. Under Section 1 (2) of the Elections and Registration Act, 1915, the council have a discretion as to the person whom they may select to fill a casual vacancy, and I have no power to overrule their decision.

asked the Minister of Labour why the 12⅛ per cent. bonus on earnings granted to munition workers as from October, 1917, has not been paid in the case of the employés of Messrs. Bruntons, Wire Mills, Musselburgh; whether he is aware that the delay is causing dissatisfaction; and what action it is proposed to take?

No report of any difference on the subject of the 12⅛ per cent. bonus at Messrs. Brunton's, Musselburgh, appears to have been received by the Ministry of Labour. If any difference is reported in the ordinary manner, attention will be given to it.

asked the Postmaster-General at what age girl messengers are enlisted by the Post Office; whether any promise is held out to them of future employment under the Post Office; if not, whether any steps are taken to fit them for other employment by means of classes; and, if there are such classes, whether attendance at them is compulsory or voluntary?

Girl messengers are engaged, as a rule, between the ages of fourteen and fifteen. No promise is held out to them of a permanent career in the Post Office. They are encouraged to fit themselves for other employment by attending educational classes. Attendance at classes is voluntary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the village post office at East Boldre, Hants, was in September last accidentally damaged by a British aeroplane; that the building is still partly unroofed and that no steps have been taken to repair it; and whether, in view of the fact that elderly people have been living under tarpaulins in the house since the accident and that considerable postal business is transacted in the building, he will at once take steps to have the roof repaired without waiting longer for ascertainment of the liability of the Department responsible?

The facts are as stated, except that the incident occurred on the 24th October last, not in September. The premises are provided by the sub-postmaster, as is usual in the case of country post offices, and I am not officially concerned in the matter. I am informed that the sub-postmaster's landlord placed himself in communication with the military authorities, that terms have now been arranged, and that the repairs are about to be put in hand.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can now make a further statement regarding the Scottish War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement in regard to the formation of a Committee to deal with this matter in the course of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the negotiations for peace with Austria recently entered into between General Smuts and Count Mensdorff in Switzerland broke down because of the demands made by Italy upon Austrian territory as revealed in the treaty of 1915; and whether any representations have been made to the Italian Government regarding the abatement of claims which the present military situation shows to be impossible of fulfilment and the maintenance of which makes for the indefinite prolongation of the War?

I can add nothing to what was said by my right hon.. Friend on this subject in his speech of 13th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the published peace terms of the agreement between Germany and Ukrainia are all that is known on the subject or whether there is believed to be any secret agreement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has any knowledge of any intention on the part of Japan to occupy Russian territory?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply returned yesterday to the hon. Member for Hanley.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he can state the number of certificated officers of the mercantile marine and the number of men repatriated since The Hague Agreement and also the number of other civilians; whether the proportion of officers in the mercantile marine repatriated is equal, having regard to the numbers interned in Germany, to the similar proportion of other civilians repatriated; whether he can state the number of German certificated officers of the German mercantile marine repatriated since The Hague Agreement; whether, before permitting the repatriation of British certificated mercantile marine officers, the German Government are waiting to see if we repatriate any of their mercantile marine officers; and whether his Department will at once see that members of our merchant service get at least the same chance of repatriation as other civilians interned for the same length of time and of the same age?

The total number of British merchant officers and seamen and of other civilians repatriated since The Hague Agreement has been in process of execution is 188 and 185 respectively. The number of certificated officers is three. The proportion of merchant officers repatriated to the total interned is very low. With regard to the third point, I am informed that four German merchant service officers have been repatriated since The Hague Agreement. His Majesty's Government are prepared to carry out without delay the Agreement under which merchant service officers and seamen over the age of forty-five are specially entitled to repatriation, but the status of merchant seamen generally is the subject of discussion between the two Governments at the present moment, and further steps to secure the repatriation of all such seamen who are eligible under the Agreements in force are now being considered. I need hardly add that the services of the mercantile marine during the War are most deeply appreciated, and that every effort will be made to protect the interests of those members of it who have had the misfortune to fall into German hands.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he can state the number of mothers who die for every thousand of infants born in Dewsbury, Rochdale, Huddersfield, Blackburn, Poplar, Shoreditch, West Ham, and many Welsh counties; (2) if he can state the number of deaths of infants under one month per thousand births in Workington, Blyth, Batley, Todmorden, Watford, Dewsbury, Hornsey, Penge, Reigate, and Holborn; and (3) if he can state the number of infants who die in seven days after birth in Durham, Northumberland, Hereford, and Kent?

The latest figures available are those published in three Reports of the Board's medical officer on maternal, infant, and child mortality in England and Wales, and with my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate the answers to these questions with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if the Department has for some time past been engaged in research work in connection with the disease of murrain or red-water in cattle; and if he will state the result of the efforts made by the Department in this direction and what further steps he proposes to take?

About four years ago the Department of Agriculture carried out some experiments in the prevention of red-water in cattle in County Armagh, which did not yield much information of a positive nature. The actual casual agent and the mode of transmission of the disease are, however, now definitely known, and treatment by veterinary surgeons is more successful than formerly. No funds are available for carrying out further investigations.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what arrangements have been made to put into force the serum treatment in Ireland as a preventive of swine fever?

The preparation of plans for the swine fever serum laboratory is proceeding. Until the laboratory has been completed the serum treatment cannot be utilised.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the grant offered to Mrs. M'Carthy, Ventry estate, Dingle, is inadequate to even attempt the necessary repairs to her house; if ho will ask the Congested Districts Board, who are now in charge of the estate, what is the smallest sum which would be necessary; whether special power was given in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, in cases such as this, to the Congested Districts Board to discharge the duty otherwise performed by the Estates Commissioners; and do the Board now refuse to discharge this public duty imposed on them by Parliament?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that Mrs. M'Carthy was reinstated in her holding on the Ventry estate under the Evicted Tenants Act. In accordance with the terms of that Act the Estates Commissioners, after such investigation as they thought proper, decided the amount of the Grant they would give towards the improvement of the house. The Con- gested Districts Board have never given a supplementary Grant for any purpose to an evicted tenant whose case was dealt with by the Estates Commissioners under the Evicted Tenants Act, and there would be great objection to their doing so. The Estates Commissioners were of opinion it was unnecessary for Mrs. M'Carthy to build a new house, and they allowed the sum of £40 towards the improvement of the existing dwelling. The Board do not consider that this is a proper case for the exercise of the powers contained in Section 18 of the Evicted Tenants Act.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will make inquiries as to whether the lower ranks of the Scottish prison service female staff were not allowed to have fires in their small grates on certain days of the week during the recent severe weather; whether fires were allowed for the higher ranks; whether there is official sanction for this discrimination; will he ascertain the approximate cost for the staff to have their fires as before the order was made restricting them to certain days of the week; is he aware that the majority of the rooms not heated by the radiator system are wet and cold, and that water runs freely down the walls; whether the Commissioners received a report from a medical man in Greenock condemning the quarters; whether the Commissioners have received any medical report lately; and, if not, whether he will call for one, so that the complaints of the female staff may receive attention?

I have again inquired into this matter, and I am assured that fires were allowed all through the winter in the sitting rooms of the Scottish prison female staff, and in their bedrooms when it was considered necessary. In this matter no discrimination is made between different ranks of the staff. As regards cost, it is essential at the present time that the utmost economy should be exercised in the matter of coal consumption, and bedroom fires are not justifiable except for special health reasons. As regards the remainder of the question, no report has been received by the Prison Commissioners from a medical man in Greenock condemning the prison quarters there, which were only built in 1913. There is no reason to suppose that any rooms are occupied under conditions which might be injurious to health, and no special medical investigation seems to be called for.