asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the properties in Roumania belonging to divers British companies and undertakings whilst in the occupation of the enemy have been granted to German and Austrian syndicates for periods of ninety years; whether, seeing that the Public Trustee has in hand large sums of money the proceeds of enemy property realised in this country, he will see that such sums are not parted with without retaining compensation there out to the British companies and undertakings above-mentioned; whether it is by the instructions of the Government that the Public Trustee is rejecting the claims and referring claimants to a body called the Foreign Claims Office at the Foreign Office; and what are the functions of this last-mentioned body, and how constituted?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of claims by British subjects in respect of property situate in enemy or occupied territory will no doubt be taken into consideration in connection with the disposal of the proceeds of enemy property which has been realised in this country; but it is not possible at the present time to make a definite statement as to the action which His Majesty's Government will take.The Foreign Claims Office was constituted by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for the purpose

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the increase in the number of amalgamations now taking place of companies carrying on the business of banking, iron and steel, engineering, colliery, distribution of essential food products, etc.; and what is the considered policy of the Government, if any, in regard to such amalgamations?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. I have recently appointed a Committee to inquire into this subject, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the terms of reference to the Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Controller can see his way to revise the price of milk for May and June from 1s. to 1s. 2d. per imperial gallon; and whether he is aware that, should the present price be adhered to, a large number of dairies will probably be; withdrawn from the market, causing a serious shortage of milk during these months?

It is not proposed to raise the price of milk for May and June unless in any area the cost of production, can be shown to justify an increase.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to a meeting 'of the Tea Buyers' Association, held at the London Commercial Sale Rooms on the 4th instant, to discuss the setting up of a tea-trade pool whereby all tea licensees would enter into an arrangement not to sell below certain agreed minimum wholesale prices cither by way of rebates, discounts, or in any other way; whether that proposed scheme has received the sanction of the Ministry of Food and the Director of Tea Supplies; and, if not, will the Ministry of Food inform the Tea Buyers Association that the setting up of a pool or ring whereby retailers of tea are deprived of trade advantages such as discounts or reduced wholesale prices is contrary to the public interest and will not receive the sanction of the Food Controller?

I am informed that some arrangement of the kind described in the question is being discussed by the. Tea Buyers Association, but no scheme has been laid before the Ministry of Food or the Director of Tea Supplies. I can assure the hon. Member that Lord Rhondda will not sanction any proposal which might adversely effect the interests of the consumer.

asked whether the rebate of l¾d. per lb. to tea dealers delivering by van or motor has been withdrawn, altered, or modified, and, if so, for what reason; and whether the suggested rebate of l¾d. for van delivery was arranged by or with the sanction of the Director of Tea Supplies?

The rebate for van delivery is allowed only in special circumstances, and is limited to actual out-of-pocket expenses not exceeding l¾d. a lb. This maximum has been reduced as from 15th April to 1d. a lb., as it is considered that this figure will prove sufficient. The rebate was granted under the authority of the Food Controller.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether police letters recently fell into wrong hands in Ireland; whether these letters disclosed that the ranks of Sinn Fein are honeycombed with police spies and police agents, and that some of the most violent men who are urging on the people against the military and the law are in the pay of the police?

I have no information to the effect suggested.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now give any information concerning the decision arrived at by the Admiralty regarding the payment of compensation for articles of kit supplied by seamen to meet the wants of survivors rescued by them at sea?

:It has been decided that naval ratings who provide out of their own kits articles of clothing to meet the necessities of other ratings who are survivors from action, etc, or of persons who are saved from merchant or other vessels, are to receive compensation to the full value of the articles surrendered, so as to enable replacements to be made without cost to themselves. Instructions to this effect have been issued to the Fleet.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state the terms on which pensions and allowances will be granted to widows and dependants of officers and men in the mercantile marine serving in vessels in Admiralty employ; and when the new scale will be operative?

:The matter is still under consideration. If my hon. Friend will put down a question, say for next Wednesday, I hope to be able to give him a definite reply.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are taken to bring to the notice of naval recruits the forms necessary for them to sign in order to secure separation allowance or dependant allowance for members of their family; and whether he is aware that in. many cases men make allotment and afterwards find that their relatives cannot receive separation allowance until some other paper has been signed, that in such, cases arrears are not paid from the date of the original allotment, and that hardship is thereby caused?

My hon. Friend evidently alludes to separation allowances to dependants other than wives. If a. recruit wishes to claim separation allowance for such a dependant he has only to-sign one form, in addition to declaring an allotment in the dependant's favour. That one form is a declaration indicating the nature and extent of the dependence; and the instruction that has been issued in the matter to Commanding Officers is that every facility is to be given to recruits to declare an allotment and to complete this form of declaration.The man's and his dependant's interests-are finally safeguarded by a provision that, even if he does not sign the form of declaration immediately upon his entry into His Majesty's Service, all arrears of separation allowance are paid provided he-completes the form and allots to his. dependant within one month of his entry.If my hon. Friend has any particular instance of forfeiture of arrears of separation allowance in his mind I shall be happy to have it investigated, but I think he will agree with me that all precautions have been taken to prevent the occurrence of

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Captain H. C. Heys-Thomson, late 3rd Leinster Regiment, was granted a temporary disability pension at the rate of £175 a year from 10th July, 1917, to 31st January, 1918; that, after a medical board in January, 1918, he received a letter, dated 28th January, 1918, from the Ministry of Pensions reducing his pension to £l per week from 14th January, 1918, to July, 1918; that in a subsequent letter the Ministry stated that, owing to a Clerical error, the original pension was awarded up to 31st January, 1918, instead of up to 13th January, 1918; that this officer is suffering from the disability with which he was invalided out of the Army; that his mother is dependent upon him, although, in consequence of his disability, he is unable to earn his living; and whether, in view of his service in France and during the Irish rebellion, he will take steps to reconsider his case, with a view to his being granted an adequate pension?

This officer was granted temporary retired pay at the maximum rate of £175 a year from the 10th July, 1917, to the 13th January. 1918, but in a letter acquainting him of the award the date of termination was, by a clerical error, shown as 31st January. This was afterwards corrected. He was re-examined in January by a Special Medical Board, and in accordance with their opinion was granted further temporary retired pay up to the 21st July next at the rate of £ 52 10s. He has recently appealed for a higher rate, and his appeal has been carefully considered by my medical advisers, who are unable to alter their opinion as to the degree of his disablement. The question of defraying the cost of his medical expenses is being dealt with, and an application for alternative retired pay based on pre-war earnings will be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, on or about the middle of March, 1918, there were twenty-four Russian subjects detained in the. guardroom of the Tower of London; whether they were detained there more than four weeks; whether any charge was brought against them; and what was the result?

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service what is the age limit for military service in France, Belgium, Italy, and America, respectively?

As regards France, Italy, and America, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Hanley. All Belgians born after 30th June, 1876, and before 1st January, 1899, are liable for service during the War. Volunteers possessing the necessary qualifications are allowed to enlist for the duration of the War between the ages of sixteen and forty-five.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the new instructions in regard to transfer to Home service of men who have served abroad and have been wounded have yet been issued; if so, will he state the terms of the instructions in question; and, if not, when the instructions will be issued?

No instructions have yet been issued. I am afraid that the present military situation is such as to require the services of all men who, though wounded, are fit for combatant service, and that the issue of the Instructions recently under consideration must be postponed to a more favourable time.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that officers and men who have been wounded three times are still sent 'back to France; and whether, in the future, posts at home can be found for these officers and men?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative. I am afraid that under present conditions with regard to available man-power, all men, although wounded, who are fit for combatant duty are required in France, and their retention at home cannot at present be considered.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he had received any complaints about the management of the Dublin Munitions Factory; if he is aware of the discontent amongst the workers owing to the dismissal of Irishmen and their replacement with Englishmen and Welshmen; and whether the output of the factory has been reduced under the new management?

:No complaints have been received other than those from persons directly affected by certain changes in the staff rendered necessary in the interests of efficiency. There has been no displacement of Irishmen by Englishmen and Welshmen. There has been a temporary decrease in output, owing to certain alterations which were urgently required in the methods of production, and which involved a complete overhaul of the workshops. It is anticipated that this temporary loss will soon be more than made good.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he has considered the claim of the ordnance workers, Island Bridge, Dublin, for the 12½ per cent. as munition workers; and when will they be paid according to the terms of the award?

If the hon. Member refers to the National Shell Factory, Dublin, the factory received instructions to pay the bonus according to the terms of the statutory rules and orders, and I understand that they have done so.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of recent submarine attacks and collisions in the Irish Sea, the Admiralty is satisfied with the provision made for the safety of passengers, especially in respect of lifebelts and lifeboats?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The life-saving equipment of vessels is governed by the Statutory Life-saving Appliances Rules, and those Rules are complied with on the Irish cross-Channel steamers. Additional life-saving arrangements are being made on these steamers, and the Board of Trade are at present in communication with the companies concerned in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now give permission for petrol being used to convey those going to church when the distance is two miles or over?

The general situation as regards the supply of motor spirit has not altered, and I regret that the necessity for continued economy precludes the possibility of any relaxation of the Regulations affecting the use of petrol for conveying persons to church.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the refusal to renew season tickets on railways and the delay in announcing the conditions under which season ticket holders will be allowed to travel in future, great confusion and difficulties are arising; and whether any early decision on the issue of season tickets will be made?

There will be no avoidable delay in dealing with this matter which involves considerations of some complexity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any communication from the Brighton, Hove, Worthing, and District Season Ticket-holders' Association with reference to passenger traffic on the Brighton line; whether he is aware that the association, representing a large body of season ticket-holders, earnestly deprecates any increase in the present season-ticket rates on the ground that it would inflict hardship on business men and employés of London firms who have fixed their residence, relying on a continuance of the present rates, and that the associa- tion contend that such an increase would not strike at the cause of the present congestion, which is due to a great influx of strangers, many of whom would not be deterred from travel by a higher rate; and whether he will consider a scheme of travel permits based on business needs, which the association is prepared to submit to him?

:I have received communications from the association on this matter, and have arranged for a representative of the Board of Trade to see representatives of the association early next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the latest Order for the reduction in the consumption of coal, gas, and electricity, what steps he proposes to take to relieve the position of those who from patriotic motives have already, for the past year, economised to the furthest possible extent?

I have endeavoured to meet the case put by my hon. Friend by the provision in the Order that a consumer may take as the basis his consumption of gas or electricity for the corresponding quarter of either 1916 or 1917, whichever suits him best. Beyond that, a provision is included under which, before proceedings can be taken for the infringement of the requirements of Part II. of the Order of the Board of Trade, must call upon the consumer for an explanation of the apparent excessive consumption, and must consider such explanation. I need hardly say that where an explanation is found satisfactory no proceedings will be taken. At the same time, I must emphasise the pressing necessity that exists for a general reduction in the consumption of gas and electricity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Associated Chambers of Commerce have passed a resolution respecting the unsatisfactory conditions governing the owner's risk rate; and whether he will take measures to remedy the complaint?

I presume that the hon. Gentleman has in mind the decision in the case of the Great Western Railway Company v. Wills, and if this is so I would refer him to the answer to the question which he asked on the subject on the 7th March last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the alleged smuggling of four tons of opium into Shanghai; from what port the opium in question was consigned; what is the value of the opium; and what action the Customs authorities have taken in the matter, or propose to take?

The question appears to relate to two consignments of opium exported from London in October and November, 1917, concealed in packages of innocent cargo. The opium was discovered on the arrival of the goods at Shanghai. Inquiries into the matter were made by the police and the Customs authorities in this country, with the result that the actual exporters were traced. One of them, an American citizen, named Woodward, was arrested and tried before the United States Consular Court in Shanghai on a charge of participation in the smuggling of the opium, to which he pleaded guilty. The maximum fine admitted by United States law was inflicted by the Court. The actual quantity and value of the opium is not known. It does not appear that legal proceedings lie against any person at present domiciled in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that 613 members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police signed a petition and forwarded it to the Chief Commissioner for transmission to the Chief Secretary, asking that the Dublin police be placed on the same basis as the London police, both as regards pay and a weekly rest day; whether he is aware that this petition was handed back to the man who signed it first in each barracks by the respective superintendents, who informed them that the Chief Commissioner could not entertain it, as it was forwarded through the superintendent; is he aware that in January last the constabulary signed a petition praying for an increase in lodging allowance and an increased war bonus for children, that the said petition was forwarded through the superintendents, but those who signed it were not even treated to the courtesy of a reply; is he aware that the constables in the Metropolitan Police have no confidence in the superintendents or that any document handed to them will reach its proper destination, having regard to the previous experience; and will he say what action he proposes to take to deal with the objects of this petition?

Memorials from a number of men of the Dublin Metropolitan Police praying for increase of pay were received by post on the 25th March. The Chief Commissioner instructed the superintendents to return the memorials to the first signatory on each document with a notification that if the memorials were submitted through the superintendents in accordance with the regular practice the applications would receive the fullest consideration. The memorial from the married men to which the hon. Member refers is being dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the position of the King's Bench Division in Ireland in respect of an application made by the Listowel guardians regarding the surcharge of certain of their members for expenses incurred in sending a man named McEnery for special treatment in the Cork Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital; and, having regard to the above decision, what provision can be made by local authorities for poor persons, not being inmates of the workhouse proper, who are in need of treatment not available locally?

Sanitary authorities have full power under Section 155 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, to make arrangements for the care of the sick inhabitants of their districts. The Local Government Board have recently issued circulars calling attention to this provision.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the Board of Agriculture in England, with the consent of the Treasury, have erected and equipped a factory for the manufacture of beet sugar, and that the Treasury have agreed to make a Grant of £150,000 or more for that purpose; and whether, as Ireland is mainly dependent on agriculture, he has applied, or will apply, to the Treasury for a similar Grant to encourage the growing of beet in Ireland for the manufacture of sugar?

I am informed that a loan of £ 125,000 from the Development Fund has been sanctioned for the purchase of an estate in England with a view to a scheme for the growth of sugar beet, but that no Grant has been made. Possession of the estate will, I am told, be obtained in the present month, but it is doubtful whether a sugar beet factory can be erected before the end of the War. The Department of Agriculture do not intend to apply for a Grant or loan for the purpose of developing sugar beet growing in Ireland, pending the result of the experiment in England.