Written Answers
War
Liquor Traffic (State Purchase)
asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have requested any Government Department or the Liquor Control Board to consider the Reports of the Committees upon the terms on which the liquor traffic might be bought in England, Scotland, and Ireland; and, if so, whether he is in a position to give any information on the subject?
The answer is in the negative.
Russian Officers
asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will allow selected young Russian officers to join the British Army as privates on the understanding that they become eligible for commissions on the recommendations of commanding officers; and whether, in the cases of older Russian officers who may have taken refuge in this country, suitable employment will be sought for them, either here or in some theatre of war, after all proper inquiries?
Russian officers can enlist as privates, but not being British subjects they are by law ineligible to hold His Majesty's commission. As regards the latter part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, inquiries will be made, but at present it is difficult to see how the services of the older Russian officers can be utilised with advantage.
Enemy Air Raids (Compensation)
asked the Chansellor of the Exchequer whether the dependants of persons killed in air raids are entitled to compensation; if so, by what methods the amount of compensation to be paid in each case is decided upon; and whether he will favourably consider the granting of pensions to such dependants on a scale similar to those granted to dependants of soldiers killed in the War?
The dependants of persons killed in air raids are not entitled as of right to compensation, unless the circumstances are such as to give rise to a legal claim under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. Compensation is being paid to such persons, however, who are not otherwise provided for, in accordance with the undertaking which I gave in the House of Commons on 28th June last, of which I shall send my hon. Friend a copy.
Budget Proposals
Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the detail and total amounts of assessment for Income Tax under the new financial proposals for a tenant farmer with a wife and three children, paying £500 a year for rent, assuming that he returns his profits at £500 under Schedule D and that he has no other sources of income; and will he state the detail and total amounts, assuming that he has no other sources of income, which an owner, with a wife and three children, agricultural land of the rental value of £500 a year was assessed for Income Tax under Schedule B by the Finance Acts, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917; and also at what he will be assessed by the new financial proposals?
The proposed taxation in the first-mentioned case is as follows:
£ | s. | d. | ||
Total Income | 500 | 0 | 0 | |
£ | ||||
Allowances— | ||||
Abatement | 100 | |||
Wife | 25 | |||
Three Children | 75 | |||
200 | 0 | 0 | ||
Residue of Income charged to Income Tax at 2s. 3d. in the £ | 300 | 0 | 0 | |
Amount of tax payable | 33 | 15 | 0 |
£ | s. | d. | |||||
1913–14 | … | … | … | … | 3 | 12 | 6 |
1914–15 | … | … | … | … | 4 | 16 | 8 |
1915–16 | … | … | … | … | 45 | 0 | 0 |
1916–17 | … | … | … | … | 62 | 10 | 0 |
1917–18 | … | … | … | … | 62 | 10 | 0 |
1918–19 | … | … | … | … | 187 | 10 | 0 |
Exchange Rates, Gibraltar
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the value of the pound sterling in Gibraltar has fallen to 16.45 pesetas (the par value being 25 pesetas); that payment for most of the necessaries of life have to be made in Spanish currency; that in consequence the value of the pay receded by officers and men of His Majesty's Forces has seriously decreased; and whether he can see his way to remedy the hardship caused through this state of affairs?
I have not received any representations for adjusting the pay of sailors or soldiers at Gibraltar (who are supplied with the necessaries of life in kind) in consequence of the recent temporary rise in the value of the peseta in relation to the pound sterling.
Customs Department (Extra Men)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the varying rates of remuneration accorded to extra men employed in the Department of Customs?
Extra men are paid at the rate of 3s. 6d. or 4s. a day, according to the locality, with a war bonus at the rate of 14s. in addition. Their overtime pay is 6d. or 7d. an hour, also according to the locality.
Spirits, Beer, And Tobacco (Consumption In Ireland)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the average consumption per head of the inhabitants in Ireland of spirits, beer, and tobacco in the years ending the 31st March, 1908 and 1918, respectively?
The estimated consumption of these articles per head of the population of Ireland is as follows:
— | Year ended 31st March, 1908. | Year ended 31st March, 1918. | |
Spirits | pf. gall. | 0.97 | 0.49 |
Beer | std. brl. | 0.53 | 0.26 |
Tobacco | lb. | 1.99 | 2.41 |
(excluding homegrown) |
The figures for spirits correspond with the quantities actually delivered for home consumption in Ireland. The figures for beer and tobacco in the year 1907–8 are based on data as to the consumption of those articles in Ireland in the year 1903–4, those for 1917–18 are based on similar data-obtained in the year 1910–11, no later information being available.
Stationery Office, Dublin (Temporary Employes)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the temporary men in His Majesty's Stationery Office, Dublin, some of them with twenty and eighteen years' service, get no bonus up to the present, only 8s. having been paid to all the temporary staff; whether the matter has received consideration; and when it will be arranged?
Instructions have been issued for the payment of the new bonus of 6s. as from 17th December, 1917, to all porters who were in the employment of His Majesty's Stationery Office, Dublin,, prior to the outbreak of war. The question of the grant of an additional bonus to temporary employés appointed during the War is now under consideration.
Representation Of The People Act
Registration Officers (Expenses)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury why in formulating the scale of allowances and expenses to be paid to various officials in Ireland for carrying out their duties under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, the only person who is not specifically required to vouch his actual expenses is the registration officer, for whose work under the Act a salary is to be fixed and paid, whilst all other officers, whose services are to be paid for not by salary but out of the scale of allowance for expenses, are required to vouch their expenses by production of accounts, receipts, and declarations; is it the intention of the Treasury that the registration officers are to be remunerated not alone by the salary to be fixed for their services, but that, in addition, they are to be at liberty, if so disposed, to retain as further personal remuneration out of the scale allowed them for expenses such amount as they may be able to save in their expenditure on the necessary assistance; and if he will explain if the intention is that the minimum of £100 mentioned in the scale is to be paid regardless altogether of actual outlay?
As a maximum limit was fixed for the out-of-pocket expenditure of registration officers, it was not considered necessary to insist on the production of vouchers for such expenditure, but it is clearly laid down in the formulated scale that only actual out-of-pocket expenditure will be allowed, and consequently it will not be possible for registration officers to retain as personal remuneration any savings on the maximum amount allowed for expenses. All claims of registration officers will be examined and checked before any recoupment of out-of-pocket expenses is made. The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension in thinking that the other persons engaged on registration duties are to draw remuneration for their services out of the scale of allowance for expenses. A separate scale has been authorised solely in respect of remuneration, and out-of-pocket expenditure is allowed in addition. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
Service Men
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the arrangements of the military authorities are sufficiently advanced to permit the names of soldiers serving in India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Salonika, and East Africa to be supplied to registration officers so as to ensure that the names of these military voters may be included in the lists of electors to be published on 15th June?
I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the matter is not being lost sight of, and I am in communication with the War Office in the hope of expediting the matter.
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the event of the name of a sailor or soldier being returned on Form A, where no corresponding card has been received from the naval or military authorities, he will instruct registration officers to include such name in the voters' list on their being satisfied by inquiry or otherwise as to the correctness of the information?
As I stated in Debate on Thursday last, we have impressed on registration officers the importance of obtaining the fullest local information as to all naval or miiltary voters. I anticipate, however, issuing a further Circular to registration officers in the course of a few days, when I will again advert to the matter.
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the event of a General Election taking place before the end of the year, he has considered the likelihood of there being insufficient time for sailors and soldiers afloat or in distant areas to appoint proxies; and whether, in view of this, he will issue the necessary instructions to permit proxies to be appointed from the time of the publication of the registration officers' lists in June instead of waiting until October for the publication of the register?
The subject is receiving attention, and, as regards the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question, I will give the matter careful consideration in connection with the forthcoming Order in Council.
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in order to facilitate the appointment of proxies, as provided by the Representation of the People Act, he will arrange for the immediate issue of the Order in Council prescribing the areas for which voting by proxy will be allowed?
I hope it may be possible to issue the Order in Council at an early date.
Registration Forms (Omissions)
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in Paddington a large number of registration forms are being returned without the names of the wives of the tenants; though on comparison with the food registration cards there are found to be wives; whether he is aware that this registration officer proposes under these circumstances to omit the names of the wives from the list of voters; and whether, in this and similar eases, he will instruct the registration officer to cause a house-to-house inquiry to be made in order to rectify the omissions on such forms?
I am informed that the statement in the first part of the question is correct in certain districts; but that the statement in the second part of the question relating to the omission of the names of wives is incorrect. I understand that when the services of the rate collector are not available the registration officer has caused a list of names to be abstracted from the Food Register and a house-to-house delivery of Form A to be made, with instructions to correct the list at the house and to ascertain if the woman bearing the same surname as a man be the wife, daughter, or other relative, and that when rate collectors are able to assist there has been, from the commencement, an exhaustive house-to-house inquiry in their respective districts. I may remind my hon. Friend that, in the Memorandum of Instructions already issued the overseers or other persons engaged in the preparation of the lists are informed that a house-to-house inquiry will be essential in practically all cases.
Food Supplies
Tail Wheat
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether farmers are still being compelled to deliver their tail wheat to millers to be turned into flour; whether he is aware that the percentage of flour which it produces is low and the nutritive value poor; whether this damaged wheat is actually being sold at about 50 per cent. above the cost of sound wheat, and, if so, what justification he can offer for this state of things; and what steps he is taking to apply this damaged wheat to its proper economic purpose of feeding pigs and poultry?
Farmers are not compelled to deliver their tail wheat to millers to be turned into flour, nor is there any restriction on the use of such wheat as food for cattle. The maximum price of tail wheat (derived from home grown wheat) is fixed at 7s. per quarter less than the maximum price per quarter fixed for sound wheat.
Scottish Raspberries
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the total amount of the Scottish raspberry crop purchased last year by the Government through Mr. T. H. Hodge, of Blairgowrie; what was the price per ton, the average rate of commission per ton paid to Mr. Hodge, and the total amount of the commission paid to him; whether that amount included commission upon raspberries of his own growing, and, if so, what was the amount of these raspberries and the commission paid upon them; and what arrangements are proposed for the present year as regards the Scottish raspberry crop?
The total quantity of Scotch raspberries purchased last year by the Government through Mr. J. M. Hodge, of Blairgowrie, was 3,533 tons 11 cwts. 1 qr. 18 lbs., and the total amount paid was £123,674. The price paid per ton was £35, the average rate of commission was £l and the total amount paid was £3,533 11s. 1d., which includes commission on raspberries of Mr. Hodge's own growing. The quantity of raspberries purchased from Mr. Hodge's firm was 1,375 tons 4 cwts. 3 qrs. 14 lbs., amounting to £48,133 10s. 7d. The commission on these amounted to £l,375 4s. 10d. No decision has yet been reached as to the arrangements for dealing with the Scotch raspberry crop of the present year.
Soldiers Detained (Rations)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether soldiers detained in a detention-room or guardroom awaiting court-martial are allowed the same ration of food as other soldiers or a reduced amount; and whether he has made inquiries as to the reduced amounts of food served to soldiers awaiting court-martial at Horfield Barracks, Bristol, which amounts are insufficient to maintain strength?
As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, soldiers so detained are allowed the normal rations. Inquiries have been made into the specific case mentioned in the last part of the question, and I am informed that reduced amounts of food have not been served to soldiers awaiting court-martial.
Royal Navy (Commissions)
asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state the procedure for the granting of commissions in His Majesty's Navy; whether commissions are granted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to naval ratings; and, if so, in what branches of the Service?
The procedure for obtaining permanent commissions in the Royal Navy remains substantially the same as in time of peace, candidates being entered and trained as cadets at the Royal Naval Colleges, or as special entry cadets at a later stage (seventeen and a half to eighteen and a half), the latter undergoing a shorter period of training before going to sea as midshipmen. Similarly, the Accountant Branch is recruited from assistant clerks entered by competitive examination in the usual way.Promotion from the lower deck, both by means of the "Mate" scheme, and through warrant and commissioned warrant rank, has been considerably extended to meet war requirements. The promotions made in these two categories since 1912 are as follows:
Mates | 328 | |
Royal Marine Gunners | 12 | |
Mates (E.) | 136 | |
476 | ||
Lieutenants and Shipwright Lieutenants | 197 | |
Engineer-Lieutenants | 125 | |
Paymasters (from Commissioned Writer and Commissioned Victualling Officer) | 9 | |
Schoolmaster-Lieutenants | 3 | |
Lieutenants (special promotions) | 50 | |
384 | ||
Total | 860 |
Royal Naval Reserve officers for deck and engineering duties must have mercantile marine qualifications; assistant paymasters, Royal Naval Reserve, must have had accounting or similar experience, and only candidates in the lowest medical category or rejected for military service are accepted.
The procedure of obtaining commissions in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve varies according to the branch of the Service which the candidate wishes to enter.
In the case of the Royal Naval Division, commissions are only granted to candidates who have served in a Cadet Training Battalion.
For Naval Service generally, either previous sea experience or technical, professional, or scientific qualifications are necessary. A few midshipmen, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who need not have previous sea experience, are, however, entered and trained for fire control duties.
Assistant paymasters, Royal Volunteer Naval Reserve, are entered for clerical and coding duties, but they must be in the lowest medical category or have been rejected for military service. For duty on shore these officers are being replaced as far as possible by women.
With regard to the second part of the question, naval ratings serving for the period of the War arc eligible for appointments, or commissions, as midshipmen, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, temporary sub-lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and temporary assistant paymaster, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, under conditions which have been promulgated to the Fleet They must be strongly recommended by their commanding officers, and such recommendations are considered by the Admiralty on their merits and according to the requirements of the Service.
South Wick Camp, Sussex
asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will inquire into the complaints about the quality and insufficiency of the food supplied to the men of the Royal Marine Engineers, Southwick Camp, Sussex; and, if the complaints are found to be well founded, will he see that an improvement is effected?
The rations for the non-commissioned officers and men in question are on the home scale for troops. This scale was laid down at a joint conference, at which the Food Controller and all Government Departments were represented. The scale is as follows:
Ozs. | |||
Fresh meat | … | … | 10 |
or | |||
Preserved meat | … | … | 7½ |
Bread | … | … | 14 |
or | |||
Biscuit | … | … | 10½ |
or | |||
Flour | … | … | 10½ |
Bacon | … | … | 2 |
Tea | … | … | ⅜ |
Sugar | … | … | 1 1–7 |
Salt | … | … | ¼ |
Service Men (Leave)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that it is a matter of difficulty for a soldier or sailor to visit Shetland under the restricted conditions of leave, he will take into favourable consideration any application for extended leave?
As regards soldiers, the question was very carefully considered recently when the period of leave from France was extended to fourteen days. It was then decided that no further concession could be made, and I am afraid that in present circumstances the question cannot be reopened. As regards sailors, this is a matter for the Admiralty, and my right hon. Friend has asked me to refer my hon. Friend to the reply which he gave to a similar question on the 12th June last.
Officers' Training Corps
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the officers' training corps in London are refusing to accept candidates of the officer class above the age of thirty-four and a half years; and, if so, what chance have men of that class who may be called up under the recent Act of obtaining commissions?
No doubt some candidates of the age mentioned have been refused admission to the officers' training corps in London. I would, however, point out that the establishment of these corps is strictly limited, and all who apply cannot be accepted. Men who are called up under the recent Military Service Act will have the same opportunities for obtaining commissions as those called up under the earlier Acts.
German Officers, Margate College
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether forty German officers are, or will be, interned in Margate College; if so, how many servants they are to have in attendance upon them; how much money has been spent on cork carpeting for the house; whether they have a dug-out in the garden lighted and heated by electricity; how many pianos have been provided from the local music stores; and whether these prisoners are allowed to walk out on the promenade?
Eighty officer prisoners of war and twenty-five of other ranks are interned at Margate. The latter are employed in the sanitary upkeep of the establishment and grounds, and as cooks, tailors, etc. No expense has been incurred on account of carpets or floor coverings of any kind, as none have been provided. There is no dug-out in the garden, and the prisoners of war are not permitted to walk on the promenade. The officers have made local arrangements for the hire of a piano.
Overseas Service Chevrons
asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the wearing of overseas service chevrons has been made compulsory, and, if not, will it be so, in order that officers and other ranks employed at home who have seen no service abroad may be clearly distinguishable?
The wearing has not at present been made compulsory.
Fifth Army (Inquiry)
asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the inquiry fey Sir Douglas Haig into General Gough's recent conduct of operations is to be of a purely private nature, as in the case of the Cambrai inquiry, or will the evidence as well as the finding be published in order that the whole truth may become known to the British public?
I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Hampshire West on the 1st instant, to which I have nothing to add.
Hay Sales
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the reason for the rule that all hay released by the War Department for farmers use must be sold through a dealer; whether he is aware that, when every arrangement for the sale is made by the owner, the dealer charges from 10s. to 29s. a ton for acting as the official intermediary; and whether the buyer and seller can be allowed to do business direct at the controlled price?
It has become necessary to control all sales of hay by means of county allotment committees, in order to equalise and expedite the distribution of the supplies that are available. Producers, if they so choose, can avail themselves of the dealers' prices and terms of delivery, and when they do so they are treated as dealers, and are called upon to contribute a sum, not exceeding 5s. per ton, towards the general cost of administering the scheme within their county.
Army Officers (Children's Allowance)
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether British officers who have been in the ranks since 1914 and who are serving with coloured troops, such as with the King's African Rifles in Portuguese East Africa, are entitled to the allowance for children given to other such officers; and, if not, will he say why?
Officers of the King's African Rifles and West African Frontier Force are paid at special rates, the minimum pay of a subaltern being £300 per annum. These rates are consolidated, and do not provide for children's allowance. In cases where such officers are placed on British rates of pay, children's allowance is given in the same way as if the officers were serving with their British units.
Interned German (Suicide)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has made inquiries into the suicide in the Isle of Man of an interned British subject, named Brandauer, who was threatened with repatriation to Germany, though he bad Jived in this country many years and was naturalised; and whether he can give further information on this case?
This man was not a British subject, but a German. He was naturalised here in 1894, but in 1899 he gave up his British and reacquired his German nationality. His internment was postponed for a time on grounds of health, but in 1916 he was interned, and in 1917 an order was made in the ordinary course for his repatriation and an appeal against this order was refused on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. Arrangements were accordingly made for his repatriation, but on the day before the date arranged for his departure he committed suicide with poison which he appears to have had in his possession.
Military Service
Reserve Brigade, High Wycombe
asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will inquire into the conditions at the B Battery, 4th Reserve Brigade, High Wycombe, where the men complain of being given field punishment on the most trivial excuses, where the feeding arrangements are very bad, and where men reporting sick are given two hours' extra night duty; and, seeing that this battery is composed largely of men who have been wounded, will he take steps to see that the conditions are improved?
I cannot very well make inquiries upon the information given, but if the conditions are as suggested by my hon. Friend, the men concerned should exercise their statutory right of complaint under the provisions of Section 43 of the Army Act.
Royal Army Medical Corps (Transfer)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Private J. Curran, F. Company, 3rd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, who joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in October, 1914, has been transferred against his will to the above Infantry Regiment; and whether steps will be taken at once to have him transferred again to the Royal Army Medical Corps?
Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Sanitary Services (Labour)
asked the Minister of National Service whether he has received representations from the borough surveyor of Derby as to the serious effects of the withdrawal of military labour of the agricultural battalion until recently available for the sanitary services of the town; whether ho is aware that, in consequence of the shortage of labour thus occasioned, the removal of refuse has become greatly in arrear and insanitary conditions are likely to arise detrimental to the public health; and whether he will endeavour to arrange either for cancelling the withdrawal of exemptions of men engaged in public health work or for their substitution by military labour?
I have received from the borough surveyor of Derby representations to the effect stated by my hon. Friend. I was not aware that the sanitary services of that town had been supplemented by military labour of the agricultural battalion. The Order of the 9th April under Section 2 of the Military Service Act, 1918, withdraws the certificates of dustmen and carters employed in the collection and disposal of house refuse who are Grade I. or Category A, or who have not been placed in a medical grade or category, and who were born in or after 1875. The position of men principally and usually engaged as night soil scavengers employed in emptying privies and tub closets is not affected by the Order. The importance of not depleting unduly the labour required for sanitary services is fully recognised, and we are in consultation with the Local Government Board as to what further steps can be adopted.
Ministry Of Munitions Staff
asked the Minister of Munitions what steps have been taken to release for military service officials and staff employed at his Ministry; what is the number of men under the age of thirty-five years who have been passed for military service in one grade or another still employed; and of those released for service what is the percentage of men classified as Grade 1 or 2, or categories A, B 1, C 1?
In reply to the first part of the question, a Committee which was formed in August, 1916, examines the cases of all men on the Headquarters Staff of the Ministry who were passed for any form of military service. This Committee consists of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry as chairman, the Parliamentary Private Secretary as deputy-chairman, two heads of Departments of the Ministry, and two representatives of the Minister of National Service.The number of men under the age of thirty-five years who have been passed for military service in the three grades, and who are still employed in the Ministry, is:
Grade 1 | … | … | … | … | 151 |
Grade 2 | … | … | … | … | 267 |
Grade 3 | … | … | … | … | 473 |
891 |
i.e., Grade 1, 106; Grade 2, 96; Grade 3, 115) are either engineers, mechanical draughtsmen, chemists, technical assistants, and chartered or incorporated accountants, who are entitled to exemption from military service under the Schedule of Protected Occupations. The remainder, 574, consists of men possessing special experience, and comprise heads of Departments and sections, experienced but unqualified accountants, men lent by railway companies to deal with the transport of munitions, trained permanent Civil servants, etc. Those in the less responsible pests are in the lower medical categories.
Of the 205 men already released for military service, 100 per cent. are men classified as Grade 1 or 2, or Categories A, B 1, or C 1. Of the men about to be released for military service as the result of the later investigations of the Committee above mentioned, 73.5 per cent. are men in Grades 1 or 2 or Categories A, B 1, or C1.
Metropolitan Police (Medical Examination)
asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the constables of the Metropolitan Force who are now being released for military service are required to be examined by the chief police surgeon; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which is being caused by this procedure, he is prepared to give instructions that the examination should be conducted by the Army Medical Board, an independent body?
The hon. Member has been misinformed. The examinations are being conducted in the usual way by Army Medical Boards, and the Chief Surgeon has not intervened in any way whatever.
Conscientious Objectors
asked the Home Secretary if he will inquire into the health of Thomas Henry Curtis, a conscientious objector, now in Mutley Prison, Plymouth, who is said to be very ill; and, seeing that this man has always been of a delicate constitution and has been compelled to live an out-door life, whether he will consider his discharge on grounds of health?
Since his return to prison at the end of March this man has been in hospital, and his state of health has been receiving the special attention of the medical officer. In view of the medical report which I received last week I have felt justified in authorising his release from prison.
asked the Home Secretary whether a regulation has been adopted for the Works Centre, Wakefield, requiring the men to do a fixed amount of work, namely, mat makers 25 square feet per week, plaiters 21½ yards per day, binders 54 feet per day; whether, since this regulation was adopted, a considerable number of men have failed to make the required output and have in consequence been fined by the stoppage of pay; whether in any case the manager has alleged that the men were not doing their best; and whether it is intended to continue this regulation?
The answers to the hon. Member's questions are in the affirmative. The arrangements appear to be working well, and have resulted in an improvement in the output of work, which had hitherto been insufficient. Care is taken not to stop any part of any man's pay unless it is clear that he is not doing his best. The Committee will vary the amount of work required if at any time they have reason to think it is too high.
asked the President of the Local Government Board if a man whose certificate of exemption on occupational grounds is withdrawn can put forward a claim to the tribunal for exemption on conscientious grounds, if such a claim has not been previously lodged?
Speaking generally, if the certificate was granted by a tribunal on an application made before 2nd May, an application for its renewal may be made on any of the statutory grounds, including the ground of conscientious objection, except that a man may not apply on a ground on which exemption has previously been refused or withdrawn by the tribunal. In cases where a certificate has been granted on an application made on or after 2nd May, an application for the renewal may be made only on one or more of the grounds on which the certificate was granted.
Munitions
Printing Type And Metal
asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that printers in the country have been receiving applications offering from 3d. to 4½d. per lb. for printers' type and metals, and warning them that, if a sufficient quantity be not forthcoming, commandeering may be resorted to; whether any persons or body of persons are authorised by the Ministry of Munitions to obtain from printers as much as possible of their printing type and metals; and, if so, what is the price per lb. offered by the Department?
The printing and publishing trades were approached by the Minister with a view to releasing all dormant and surplus type in their possession, and were asked to appoint a committee to carry out this request. A committee, fully representative of the printing, publishing, and newspaper trades, was accordingly formed, and in a circular letter issued by them have intimated that unless a satisfactory response was received they would have no alternative but to recommend to the Minister that a compulsory levy be made. The prices which are being paid for the metal were agreed to between the committee and the Ministry, and range from £29 to £43 per ton. These prices are considerably in excess of pre-war scrap values.
National Service Instruc- Tions
asked the Minister of National Service whether he will arrange for copies of the printed National Service Instructions to be placed in the Library of the House?
It would not, I think, be useful to place copies of all National Service Instructions in the Library of the House. The bulk of these Instructions deal with administrative detail of no general interest, and moreover would only be comprehensible to those not conversant with the inner working of the Ministry if accompanied by explanatory memoranda. It has been the custom of the Ministry of National Service to place Instructions of general interest, not dealing merely with technical detail, in the Library, and it is proposed to continue this policy.
Police Constables (Garden Work)
asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that nine men of the W Division have been fined in amounts varying from two to five days' pay (9s. 10d. to 25s.) and severely reprimanded for assisting allotment-holders by digging ground in their own time; and whether, as these men were performing work of national importance, although committing a technical offence in not having obtained the permission of the Commissioner, he is prepared to advise the Commissioner to refund these amounts and remove any other punishment which has been inflicted on these men?
Nine constables of the W. Division have been fined and reprimanded for engaging without permission in garden work on a considerable scale for a publican and for other private persons. At the station in question permission to work in gardens had been freely given to men desiring it on the express condition that the work should not be extended without further permission. The constables referred to deliberately contravened this condition and were dealt with accordingly. They had a. right of appeal against the sentence which they did not exercise. I may add that in all divisions encouragement has been given to the men to work on the land under conditions that will safeguard the efficient performance of their ordinary police work.
Polish Alien (Conviction)
asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the conviction of Woolf Buckner, an alien Pole, on Saturday last at the Westminster Police Court, who last year was convicted under the Aliens Regulation Act and recommended for expulsion, which was not carried out; and whether he will now carry out the magistrate's hope that this time Buckner will be deported?
At the end of his previous sentence for failing to notify his change of address this man petitioned to be allowed to join the British Army, and was permitted to do so. He has now deserted and committed a further offence, and it is highly improbable that he will be allowed to remain here when his present sentence expires.
Defence Of The Realm Act Regulations
Publications Seized
asked the Home Secretary whether the Salford police, acting on instructions received from the Home Office, visited the premises of the National Labour Press, at 30, Blackfriars Street, Manchester, on 26th April and seized copies of two publications, one "An Open Letter to Lloyd George" and the other "The Mesopotamia Scandal"; why this action was taken in regard to these two publications, seeing that they were published many months ago, and have run to two or three editions in each case; and in what respect these publications infringe the Defence of the Realm Act Regulations?
These publications were seized because they contained passages which contravened the Defence of the Realm Regulations. Copies of the same publications have been previously seized and destroyed. I cannot undertake to quote the infringing passages, especially as they may be the subject of legal proceedings.
Gas Consumption (Cooking And Heating)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether occupiers of houses or flats can be allowed to have a supply of gas for cooking and heating purposes in addition to that which they are at present allowed, provided it is taken in lieu of the coal to which they are entitled?
The reduced supplies of coal available for gas undertakings make it inevitable that their output should be correspondingly reduced. I am, however, considering the question whether the new scheme of coal rationing which will shortly be brought into operation cannot be so framed as to take gas consumption into account where consumers use gas for cooking and heating. I may be enabled in this way to meet to some extent the cases to which my hon. Friend refers.
Boot And Shoe Machinery
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before the Bill to amend the Patents Act is read a second time, the Board of Trade will publish the Report of the Engineering Industrial Committee, and the evidence taken by that Committee in 1916 as to the growth of monopoly and the destruction of the shoe machinery manufacturing industry in this country, and as to the methods and operations by which Free Trade and fair competition in the boot and shoe machinery trade is being steadily extinguished?
The Report of the Departmental Committee on the Engineering Trades, to which my hon. Friend refers, will be published shortly, and will no doubt be in the hands of Members in time for full consideration to be given to its bearing on the provisions of the Bill mentioned. I hardly think that the point raised by my hon. Friend really affects the Second Reading of the Bill.
Shipping And Shipbuilding (Departmental Committee)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the completion of the work of Sir Alfred Booth's Departmental Committee on Shipping and Shipbuilding, he has yet received the Second Report; whether this is the final Report; and whether he will arrange for the publication forthwith of the Report or Reports?
I have received the second and final part of the Report of Sir Alfred Booth's Committee. The question of publication is now being considered.
Austria-Hungary (Slav Subjects)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information that the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Austria-Hungary or any member of it has described as a penal law the ordinance which compels Czechs, Croats, Serbs, and other Slav subjects of the Emperor-King Charles to fight for the safety and maintenance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as at present constituted, though they do not nationally approve the status they hold in that empire?
I have at present no information beyond what has appeared in the Press.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the request of the Austrian Government and with the sanction of His Holiness the Pope, the Papal nuncio at the Court of Vienna has opened a disciplinary inquiry into the case of the Prince Archbishop of Laibach, who is accused of placing himself at the head of the Southern Slav movement?
I have seen a report to this effect in the Press, and am making inquiries about it.
South African Mails
asked the Postmaster-General if he will give a list of the dates since 17th January last upon which mails have sailed from these shores for Capetown, South Africa, the dates of those which have arrived there, and approximate dates of arrival of those at present on the high seas; and will he give a list of the dates since 17th January last upon which mails have sailed from Capetown, South Africa, the dates of those which have arrived here, and approximate dates of arrival of those at present on the high seas?
The information required by the hon. Member is shown in the annexed tabular statement so far as concerns mails already dispatched and received between the United Kingdom and Cape Town; but I regret that I am unable to furnish the particulars asked for of mails which are now in course of transit:
Date of Dispatch from the United Kingdom. | Date of Arrival at Cape Town. |
22nd Jan., 1918. | 28th Feb., 1918. |
3rd Feb. 1918. | 2nd Mar. 1918. (approx.) |
16th Feb.1918. | 19th Mar.1918. |
16th March 1918. | 12th Apl. 1918. |
— | 1914–15. | 1915–16. | 1916–17. |
1. Net Excise Revenue of India (a) | £8,747,748 | £8,498,270 | £9,106,082 |
2. Country spirit issued from Central distilleries, public or private (in proof gallons (b))— | Proof gallons. | Proof gallons. | Proof gallons. |
Bengal | 718,116 | 665,023 | Figures not yet available. |
Madras | 1,646,649 | 1,491,470 | 1,644,466 |
Bombay | 2,524,282 | 2,355,371 | Figures not yet available |
Sind | 214,361 | 216,557 | |
Behar and Orissa | 1,072,807 | 901,804 | 985,825 |
United Provinces | 1,323,833 | 1,219,905 | 1,455,409 |
Punjab (c) | 382.236 | 331,603 | 357,818 |
Central Provinces and Berar | 1,016,749 | 920,845 | 1,097,427 |
(a) i.e., Gross Revenue less refunds, draw backs and compensations. | |||
(b) These figures do not cover out-still areas are being steadily reduced Hare as, for which statistics of consumption are-not available. Out-still areas are being steadily reduced | |||
(c) Revised figures. |
Spirits (Imports And Exports)
asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the
INWARD MAILS. | |
Date of Dispatch from Cape Town. | Date of Arrival in United Kingdom. |
17th Jan., 1918. | 17th Feb., 1918. |
26th Jan., 1918. | 28th Feb., 1918. |
31st Jan., 1918. | 5th-6th March, 1918. |
3rd Feb., 1918. | 7th March, 1918. |
9th Feb., 1918. (approx.) | 14th March, 1918. |
16th Feb., 1918. | 24th March, 1918. |
21st Feb., 1918. | 3rd April 1918. |
28th Feb., 1918. | 31st March 1918. |
6th March 1918. | 15th April 1918. |
14th March 1918. (approx.) | 14th April 1918. |
14th March 1918. | 17th April 1918. |
29th March 1918. | 30th April 1918. |
India
Excise Revenue
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the net Excise Revenue of India for the years 1914–15, 1915–16, and 1916–17, respectively; and what was the recorded consumption of country spirits in each of these years in Bengal, Madras, Bombay (including Sind), Behar, and Orissa, the United Provinces, the Punjab, and the Central Provinces and Berar, respectively?
The following statement gives the information asked for:quantity and value of spirits imported into India during the year 1916-17, and the amount of revenue derived there from; and
what were the countries from which the spirits imported into India were exported?
The information asked for is given in the statement below:(1) Imports into India in 1916–17 of potable
Articles and Countries of Consignment, | Quantity. | Value. | Articles and Countries of Consignment. | Quantity. | Value. |
Brandy— | Gallons. | £ | Rum— | Gallons. | £ |
United Kingdom | 16,598 | 16,525 | United Kingdom | 8,157 | 3,748 |
France | 148,501 | 206,463 | Java | 60,820 | 4,762 |
Holland | 29,333 | 12,881 | Other countries | 8,154 | 1,979 |
Other countries | 4,671 | 1,764 | Total | 77,131 | 10,489 |
Total | 299,103 | 237,613 | Whisky— | ||
Gin— | United Kingdom | 673,009 | 445,436 | ||
United Kingdom | 73,945 | 33,670 | Other countries | 7,828 | 3,775 |
Holland | 20,074 | 7,888 | Total | 680,837 | 449,210 |
Other countries | 1,725 | 692 | |||
Total | 95,744 | 42,200 | Grand total—Potable spirit | 1,165,035 | £756,451 |
Liqueurs— | |||||
United Kingdom | 4,604 | 7,431 | |||
France | 6,303 | 7,518 | Customs Revenue in 1916–17 on Spirits imported, including Methylated and other non-potable spirits | £752,389 | |
Other countries | 1,313 | 1,990 | |||
Total | 12,220 | 16,939 |
spirits, distinguishing countries of origin;
(2) Revenue from spirits, including duty on methylated and other non-potable spirits: