asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will inquire whether the non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marine Engineers, South-wick Camp, Sussex, who are on the home scale of rations, have 10 ozs. of fresh meat or 7½ozs. of preserved meat, seeing that by War Office letter, No. 53/Gen., No. 9,777 (Q.M.G. 6), dated 27th April, 1917, the scale which came into force on 1st May is 8 ozs. of fresh meat instead of 10 ozs., or 6 ozs. of preserved meat instead of 7½ozs.; and will he consider the fact that though the daily allowance of 5½d. is increased by this order to 6½d., this increase of 1d. is of no value, as the food is not good?

Since the reply to the previous question on this subject it has been ascertained that the Army scale of rations for home service has been reduced from the 1st May as follows:

Fresh meat—

Reduced from 10 ozs. to 8 ozs.

Preserved meat—

Reduced from 7½ ozs. to 6 ozs.

with a corresponding increase of the daily cash allowance from 5½d. to 6½d., and this amended scale will apply to the Royal Marine Engineers at Southwick Camp in common with other troops in the Home Forces. The question of some increase in this ration is now under consideration, but no decision has yet been arrived at. I have ascertained that there have been no complaints locally as to the quality of the ration, but only as to the quantity, and that I have dealt with above.

In considering this matter will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact mentioned in the last part of the question, namely, that it is little use raising the money ration allowance when there is no food there to purchase?

That is now being considered, but I assure my hon. Friend I that he is not correct in assuming that I the quality is bad. We have made inquiries, and so far as we know the quality has not being complained of. The quantity has.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my first question the ground of complaint is the quantity?

I will take that from my hon. Friend. The point raised here is the quality.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received a communication from the Darwen Co-operative Society pointing out the invidious position in which the society is placed in regard to supplies of live stock, and that this society is the largest dealer in meat in the town, having twenty-two shops, and supplying probably three-quarters of the whole population; that they have now been classed as retailers, and have to look to their supplies to comparatively small wholesalers, and that in consequence their trade is being strangled and that their customers are not supplied; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It has been decided that the Retail Meat Departments of the Darwen Co-operative Society cannot be granted privileges which are not accorded to other retail butchers, but the suggestion that the society has therefore necessarily to look for its supplies to comparatively small wholesalers, and that its trade is in consequence being strangled is unfounded. The proper course for the society to adopt is to join the Retail Butchers' Association for the district, when it will receive an allocation of live stock and dead meat in proportion to the number of its registered customers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the "Ministry of Food whether certain large traders in tea have stocks in excess of their requirements, whilst a number of co-operative stores find it impossible to obtain sufficient supplies, notwithstanding the increased allowance made to the Co-operative Wholesale Society recently, to supply co-operators with less than 1½ozs. of tea per unit per week, as ascertained by the units registered with them on the sugar-card indents; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to divert excessive supplies in certain traders' hands, in order to allow this deficiency to be made up?

Certain traders in tea have stocks in excess of their require- merits, but the present method of distribution is about to be replaced by a system under which supplies will be allotted on the basis of registered customers. The Ministry of Food has no information that any co-operative stores find it impossible to obtain sufficient supplies after the recent allowance made to the co-operative wholesale societies. If any such cases are brought to the notice of the Ministry they will be investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Local Food Committee in Greenock were unable at times during the month of April to accept requests for extra rations for invalids under medical certificates because they had no cards in stock on which such applications for extra rations were bound to be made under the Department's Regulation; and, if so, will he see that cards of this type are not at any time wanting in the offices of all local food committees or that applications from invalids will be accepted in some other form?

A shortage of the special form in question was lately reported from Greenock, and immediate steps were taken to forward the necessary supply. Every effort is and will be made to prevent any local food office from running out of essential rationing documents. A food control committee would be justified in making suitable local arrangements for dealing with an emergency such as that described in the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether further consideration has been given to the representations made by the Deptford local food committee on the subject of the differentiation as to the issue of supplementary ration cards between male and female workers employed upon similar work; and, if so, will he state the result?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the subject of differentiation between male and female workers, together with other matters connected with supplementary rations, is under consideration by a Special Committee. No general decision has been reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that, although the Department has repeatedly urged on local authorities the necessity for establishing national kitchens, difficulty has arisen in obtaining the necessary equipment through the refusal of the Ministry of Munitions to grant a sufficiently high priority number for the manufacture of kitchen utensils; and whether he will make representations to the Ministry of Munitions with a view to a higher priority number being granted, in order that local authorities may be enabled to comply with the requests of the Food Controller?

The Director of National Kitchens is satisfied with the priority accorded by the Ministry of Munitions, and arrangements have recently been made for the supply in substantial quantities of the raw materials required in the production of plant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if it is intended that the Sale of Sweetmeats (Restriction) Order, 1918, should apply to the distribution of sweets through the medium of automatic machines; and, if not, whether he will take steps in order that distribution by this method shall be discontinued as long as the restriction Order remains in force?

Existing automatic machines are expressly exempted from the operation of this Order, and, having regard to the extent to which their owners are dependent upon the sale of confectionery, I am not prepared to take the action suggested.

asked if, in order that the object of the Sale of Sweetmeats (Restriction) Order, 1918, may be attained, and the small shopkeeper may be protected, it is the intention to include within the Order those multiple shops which are owned and carried on by whole sale firms and manufacturers of sweets?

The shops referred to will be dealt with under this Order on the same footing as all other shops. Steps are being taken to see that distribution is fairly carried out by the wholesale firms and manufacturers which will prevent these shops from receiving preferential treatment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the many hinds in the county of Roxburgh who keep only one cow have been prohibited to sell the butter they make except to grocers; whether the result is a decrease of butter supplies, and an inability to make up for that by an increase of cheese supplies because of the absence of dairy rooms and appliances; and whether he will give considerate attention to such representations as may be made to him by these daily workers on farms who are losing a means of profit?

Under the Scottish scheme for the distribution of butter supplies it is necessary for producers selling direct to the consumer to register with the Local Food Control Committee, though they may sell to grocers without this formality. Grocers in Roxburghshire have in some cases refused to buy hinds' butter on account of the irregular quality, but it is hoped to arrange for the collection of this butter by Local Food Control Committees for use by bakers and biscuit makers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Government are purchasing fat cattle in Ireland at prices higher than the maximum price of 75s. for fat cattle in the county of Roxburgh; whether the Food Controller allows cattle to be sold in Ire land to English buyers at prices up to £5 per live cwt.; and whether he is aware that the effect of the high prices prevailing in Ireland is to attract Irish half-fattened store cattle to the Irish markets so as to raise the price and reduce the condition of all store cattle sent to the feeder farmers of the county of Roxburgh, and with the increase of price making it difficult to buy store cattle at prices to allow any profit to feeders under the controlled maximum for fat cattle in that county?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As I have already stated, prices for fat cattle add in Ireland are not controlled, owing to the fact that it has not been found possible to set up grading machinery in Irish markets Fat cattle purchased in Ireland for slaughter in Great Britain must now, however, pass through markets in this country before slaughter, and be graded and allocated to butchers at the controlled prices. There is, therefore, no longer any inducement to British buyers to pay excessive prices for fat cattle in Ireland. I am aware of the effect upon, the sale of stores of the high prices recently paid in Ireland for fat cattle, but the arrangements already described in. regard to fat cattle entering Great Britain should effect a reduction in the price of stores. I may remind the hon. Baronet that the price of store cattle is not controlled, either in Ireland or in Great Britain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, having regard to the limited quantity of meat now available for distribution and the accompanying necessity for rationing and to the requirements of an increased supply of hides and skins essential for the manufacture of leather goods, space on the decks of steamers to carry live cattle and sheep from the Argentine as heretofore will be made available; is he aware that, as a result of such deck space being made available and the embargo removed from the importation of cattle and sheep from the Argentine, fresh offal, providing millions of cheap meals, would be obtainable; and, having regard to the present importance of this matter, will he take steps for the removal of the embargo?

It is considered inadvisable to encourage the importation of live cattle and sheep from the Argentine, in view of the fact that the limited freight space available can be more profitably utilised for the transport of other food products.

Is the hon. Member aware of the fact that, after all, the importation of meat requires enormous machinery in the hold of the vessel, whereas this deck space is unoccupied at the present, and for the purposes mentioned in the question might be utilised?

Well, in a general kind of way I am aware of those facts, but I cannot go into the details.

Will the hon. Gentleman convey the information to the Minister?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been drawn to the refusal of local food control officers to issue the supplementary ration granted to boys under eighteen years of age to those just above that age who are awaiting their call to the Colours; and whether, in view of the importance of maintaining these prospective soldiers in full vigour, he will give instructions for the issue of the supplementary ration in such cases?

Boys who have received supplementary ration cards may continue to use them during the currency of the present issue notwithstanding that they attain the age of eighteen in the meantime. I am considering the case of boys between eighteen and nineteen who are awaiting their call to the Colours, and hope to arrange for the issue of the supplementary ration in their case.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, as President of the Scottish Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the threatened resignation of the Perthshire Central District Agricultural Committee on account of several largo landowners in that district having refused to break up their share of grass land and then demanded advances of rent equal to double last year's rental for the grazing of the fields which they ought to have broken up; and, if so, what action the Board intends to take in such matters?

I am not aware of any such threat of resignation, but I am causing inquiry to be made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received a petition from the chargemen of trades, draughtsmen, and station supervisors stationed at Hong Kong Yard for some increase in pay to meet the increased cost of living; whether he is aware that these men have been denied the advance granted to the storehousemen, with the result that the latter are now in receipt of higher wages than the former; and whether he will reconsider the matter or have it submitted to the Government Conciliation and Arbitration Board?

Yes, Sir; such a petition has been received. We cannot agree that the circumstances warrant an increase in emoluments. The comparison between the storehousemen on the one hand and the chargemen, draughtsmen, and station supervisors on the other is misleading, because the conditions of service are different. As regards the last point in the question, the employés referred to by my hon. Friend wrote to the Conciliation and Arbitration Board, and that body informed them that it was outside their jurisdiction to deal with the emoluments of persons employed abroad.

asked the Minister of National Service (1) if he is aware of the discontent in the Houghton-le-Spring Division of Durham at the absence of a recruiting office at Hough-ton-le-Spring where information can be obtained, inquiries made, and enlistment and medical examination take place, and thus save much inconvenience and loss which is occasioned by persons having to travel to Sunderland, involving much loss; and if he will see that this want is remedied; and (2) if he is aware that a deputation, representing the Urban District Council of Hetton and the Rural District of Houghton-le-Spring, attended the headquarters of Northern regiments at Newcastle-on-Tyne to confer with the Deputy Director of Recruiting for the purpose of securing the reopening of the recently-closed recruiting office at Houghton-le-Spring, and left under the impression that such office would be reopened and used as the office of the National Service representative; and, if so, what reason prevents this request?

It will be convenient, with the permission of the House, to answer these questions together. The Minister of National Service was aware that the deputation to which my hon. Friend refers had visited the headquarters of the northern region at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The recruiting office at Houghton-le-Spring was closed after very careful consideration with a view to cutting down expense. The Minister of National Service regrets that it is not possible to provide a medical board nearer than. Sunderland, which is only 5½ miles distant.

The deputation was informed of the reasons which necessitated the closing of the Houghton-le-Spring Recruiting Office, but that it was hoped that one room would be retained as the office of the National Service representative. It was subsequently decided that it would be an unjustifiable expense to retain a room for that purpose as the object in view could be obtained by the National Service representative for Houghton-le-Spring continuing to use his own office in that town. The head office of all National Service representatives is now at the tribunal department at the Sunderland area headquarters which, as I have stated, is only 5½miles away.

Is it not a fact that it will take a man a day to go to Sunderland and back, notwithstanding the distance of 5½miles pointed out by the hon. Gentleman, as there are several miles to travel to get to the railway station? Am I to gather from the reply that there really will be an office or representative in Houghton-le-Spring of the National Service Ministry?

Yes; at his own house.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to recent proceedings at the Penrith Police Court when three women were convicted of stealing wood valued at 2s., the property of the Controller of the Board of Trade Timber Supply, and were condemned to pay 5s. each for the costs of the prosecution; whether the wood stolen consisted of shavings and other waste resulting from the operations of the Canadian Forestry Corps in felling timber on Penrith Beacon; and whether, in view of the fact that according to their terms of employment the corps were under obligation to clear away this waste, and would have burnt it if it had not been taken away, he will give immediate instructions that poor persons in the neighbourhood of the beacon shall be allowed to take such waste for fuel, and will make Regulations enabling this to be done without risk of injury or loss of timber of value?

In the case referred to the wood was not waste which would have been burnt, but fuel wood intended for sale stolen from the Canadian sawmill. Permission was at first given to poor persons to remove waste wood and brush at Penrith, which would otherwise have been burnt, but the permission had to be cancelled because it was abused. The Controller of Timber Supplies would be pleased to give my hon. Friend full information in any such case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Welsh colliery owners have decided to reduce the Welsh household coal by 10s. per ton, to come into operation on 1st June; and whether the coal sent to London and other provincial towns will be reduced to the same extent?

There is no foundation for the suggestion that a reduction is to be made by the Welsh colliery owners in the price of household coal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Civil Liabilities Committee have power to pay the premiums on assurance policies of men called up for naval or military service who are unable to keep them up; and, if so, why so many of these policies have been lapsed?

Insurance premiums are included in the obligations in respect of which assistance is granted by the Civil Liabilities Committee to men called up for naval or military service, and I have no information that their policies are specially subject to lapsing.

If men apply to have their policies paid up by the Civil Liabilities Committee, are the Civil Liabilities Committee bound to consider the claims, and bound to pay them if they are good cases?

The hon. Member should give notice of that.

asked the President of the Board of. Trade whether two special trains were provided by the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway for the use of race-goers attending the Gatwick races on Saturday last, and that tickets were issued to holders of special vouchers; if so, whether this arrangement was made with the knowledge and sanction of the Board of Trade; by what authority and under what conditions the special vouchers were issued; whether he is aware that a special undertaking was given in the House some months ago that no additional railway facilities would be provided in connection with race meetings; and whether effect will be given to this undertaking in future?

Two trains were run on the occasion referred to, engines and rolling stock being available without any interference with other demands on the railway. The object of the issue of vouchers was to restrict the number of passengers travelling to Gatwick, and is part of an arrangement which was made to secure that end. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply which was given on Thursday last to the right hon. Member for South Molton division.

asked the Pensions Minister what arrangements have been arrived at in conjunction with the Welsh National Memorial Association for the treatment and training of discharged soldiers who are suffering from tuberculosis; and what steps he proposes to take to expedite the provision of treatment for discharged men suffering from tuberculosis in Wales and Monmouthshire?

As explained in my answers to the hon. Member on the 28th November, 1917, and the 5th March, 1918. the responsibility for the treatment of discharged disabled men suffering from tuberculosis rests primarily with the Insurance Commissioners and Insurance Committees under the National Health Insurance Acts. No special arrangements have been made with the Welsh National Memorial Association other than arrangements for payment in cases of advanced tuberculosis, accommodated in existing sanatoria In view of the fact that the Welsh National Memorial Association have recently been able to make provision for cases from England, there would not appear to be any difficulty in securing accommodation for discharged men in Wales. If evidence of such difficulty is brought to my notice, I shall be glad to make representations to the proper quarter.

asked the Pensions Minister whether officers who have been invalided out of the Navy, Army, or Air Force and have been awarded gratuities on the ground that their disabilities have been neither caused nor aggravated by their service have the same right of appeal against the decision as is enjoyed by non-commissioned officers, and men; and, if so, whether an Appeal Tribunal for officers has been constituted?

The answer is in the affirmative; it is intended the officers should have the right of appeal already possessed by non-commissioned officers and men in regard to the question whether their disabilities were or were not attributable to or aggravated by their naval or military service. I constituted a special committee a short time ago, to which such cases have from time to time been referred, and I propose to ask this committee to form the tribunal for dealing with officers' appeals.

Do I understand that tribunal will be operating at once in any case that comes before them?

Yes, certainly. As a matter of fact, they have operated in one or two cases already.

Is it retrospective in its effect?

Certainly. Just as the men's tribunal deals with all cases of rejection in previous years, so, similarly, cases of rejection in the past may be brought forward in the case of officers.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will appoint a Committee to reconsider the question of allowances to soldiers' wives and dependants, with a view of adopting such methods as the experience of the last three years suggests?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am not aware of any difficulties in the system as now worked which rendered a new Committee necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the number of Committees created by the War Cabinet?

The total number of Committees and Sub-committees set up by the War Cabinet is ninety-five.

Is that in addition to the two or three which have been set up by the War Cabinet itself?

That is the number set up by the War Cabinet. I cannot give particulars of the others.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the Memoranda on Foreign Second Chambers, written by distinguished foreigners for the Second Chamber Conference, and referred to by Lord Bryce in his letter?

I have not seen the Memoranda referred to. I shall, however, communicate with Lord Bryce on the subject, and if the hon. Member will put his question down again after the Recess, I hope to be able to reply to it.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say how many officials have resigned their positions in the Minis try of Propaganda since 10th February; whether he can state the reasons which induced them to resign and how many of these officials have been transferred to the Foreign Office; whether the Foreign Office has a Propaganda Department of its own; and whether he can assure the House that steps have been taken to prevent competition and overlapping between these two Departments?

Since the 10th February two officials of the Ministry of Information have resigned, one to take a post in another Government Department, the other because of the reconstruction of the section of which he had been in charge. Apart from these, in accordance with the decision taken before the Ministry of Information was established, the staff of the former Intelligence Bureau of the Department of Information was transferred to the Foreign Office. The Foreign Office has no Propaganda Department.

Does the Ministry of Information refer to the Foreign Office pamphlets, and so on, dealing with foreign affairs?

It is obvious that there must be close connection between the two Departments. I do not suggest it will be possible that everything should be referred to my right hon. Friend.

Why is it sometimes done, and was the Memorandum of Prince Lichnowsky referred to the Foreign Office?

I think I must have notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister whether land has been bought or is about to be bought for a new German bank in London; and, if so, whether it is the policy of the Government to allow Germans to carry on business in their own banks in this country after the War?

I have not heard of any proposal of such a transaction as is suggested in the question, which I feel sure would be illegal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the length of the term for which new premises in Bishops gate Street have been taken for the London agency of the Deutsche Bank and the reasons why the particular length of term was decided, on?

The tenancy of the premises has been taken for a period expiring six months after the declaration of peace. It was a matter of no little difficulty to obtain suitable premises, and the terms of the lease were the best that could be made in the circumstances.

asked the Prime Minister whether the American Government have instituted a scheme for insuring all their men serving in the Navy and Army; and, if so, could he say what the conditions of that scheme are and whether it could be applied to our own sailors and soldiers?

I am aware that the United States Government have instituted an insurance scheme, but, in view of the pension schemes which have been adopted in this country, I do not think that a scheme of this kind could now be adopted here.

Is not this scheme much more favourable to the men than the schemes in this country?

I think we must judge as to what it is possible to do by our own position. I think the House is always inclined to be generous in the matter.

Would the Prime Minister look into the point as to the lapsing of these men's policies, and, in view of the small amounts payable, consider whether or not it is possible for the Government to insure them?

That is really another question, of which I shall require notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether any change has taken place or is contemplated in the High Command in France?

No change has taken place nor is any in contemplation. I may say, however, that, in my opinion, this is a question which ought not to be asked, and in future I shall decline to answer any question of the kind.

Arising out of that reply, will the right hon. Gentleman discourage statements in the official Press which indicate that such changes are in contemplation.

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by the "official Press." Certainly anything of the kind is much to be deprecated, wherever it occurs.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the statement in an article by Mr. Lovat Eraser in the "Daily Mail" to the effect that the end of the "old military gang" was in contemplation?

Order, order!

Notice must be given of that question.

Does not the reply of the right hon. Gentleman show that this is a question which ought to have been put, in view of the rumours there are abroad that General Haig has resigned or has been dismissed?

No; I think if the hon. Member looks at the question he will see that it is the kind of question which the Government obviously could not at all times answer; and if such a question could not always be answered, it is the kind of question which ought not to be put.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now fix a date for the promised Government of Ireland Bill; and whether, in order to ease the present tension in Ireland, he will assure the House that no draft Order in Council for the application of military Conscription in Ireland will be presented until the promised Bill is assured of passing into law?

I cannot add anything to my previous replies on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the Ministry of Munitions have now undertaken to keep proper books and furnish balance-sheets, he can undertake that all the other Government Departments which are temporarily carrying on import, productive, or distributive businesses will be made to furnish balance-sheets, giving particulars of their operations, and showing the cost, profit, and loss incurred for the year ending 31st March, 1918, or some other convenient period; and whether he can have these laid before the House in each case as early as possible?

All Government Departments which are temporarily carrying on business of this kind are required by the Treasury to furnish balance-sheets giving information as suggested in the question. The question of publishing an abstract of the information is under consideration.

Is there any objection to laying the results of this trading before the House?

I say it is under consideration—yes, I think there might be many objections.

asked what arrangements have been made in Scotland for the training of disabled and discharged soldiers in forestry and in agricultural pursuits?

Arrangements have been, or are, in the course of being made by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland to facilitate the training of disabled and discharged soldiers as working foresters, foreman foresters, and market gardeners, and for horticulture, bee, pig, and poultry keeping, and farm work generally. I cannot enter into full details within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but if my hon. and learned Friend desires it I shall be glad to send him a note of the schemes which are proceeding.

Has a school of forestry for discharged soldiers not recently been opened in Scotland?

I cannot, without notice, say whether it has actually been opened, but certainly it is in course of preparation.