asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will obtain a Report from His Majesty's representatives in France with regard to the actual working of the Luxury Tax to supplement the White Paper already circulated, causing particular attention to be directed to the following three points: whether experience so far indicates that the yield to the tax is equal to what was anticipated, whether the system of collection is found to work easily, and whether any serious friction has been caused either amongst the trading classes or the general population by the attempt to carry the new law into effect?

I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to the best way of obtaining information with regard to the working of this tax in France.

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise that he will put it at the disposal of the House before we have to take up this matter here?

If the question is coming up, as I suppose it will, for discussion in the House, I am sure the Chancellor of the Exchequer will desire the House to be in possession of all the information available, but evidently that is rather outside my business to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the policy of restricting as far as possible ocean travelling of women, he will state the reasons for granting a permit to Mrs. Pankhurst to visit the United States; whether she has gone as a representative of, or commissioned by, the British Government; and whether the cost of her journey is to be defrayed from public funds?

Mrs. Pankhurst was permitted to travel from Paris to the United States of America, as it was considered to be in the Allied interest that she should go. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is it in her interest to go because of the failure of previous gentlemen who have been on propaganda missions, like the Archbishop of York and the Attorney-General?

May I ask whether, from all the information in our possession, my right hon. Friend is aware that the mission of the Archbishop of York was an immense success?

That is so.

That is a great jump— from Mrs. Pankhurst to the Archbishop.

I will call attention to this on a suitable occasion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why another woman, Miss Margaret Bonfield, a delegate from the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress to America, was refused?

The hon. Member must give notice of that. He must not use Mrs. Pankhurst as a peg.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much land has been allotted by the Congested Districts Board and the Estates Commissioners in Ireland under the Land Purchase Acts since the commencement of the War up to date to the families of men who have served in the War and to those who have not so served, respectively?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in the distribution of lands acquired by the State the promise made by the Government that men who had volunteered for service or who have served should have preferential consideration has been largely disregarded by the officials who make the distribution; and will he see that all cases where land has been refused to soldiers or ex-soldiers or their wives will be again considered, and an endeavour made to provide them with the land they ask for?

About 850 acres of land have been allotted by the Estates Commissioners within the last eighteen months to persons to whom the Commissioners can make allotments of untenanted lands under their existing statutory powers, and who have been selected because they themselves were serving, or had served, in the War, or had members of their families so serving. The policy of the Congested Districts Board is also to allot lands to persons who have so served, by themselves or their sons, but owing to the present limited powers of the Board only a small number of families have as yet been qualified to receive allotments in the congested districts.

There is no foundation for the suggestion made against public officials in the question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Enfield Division (Major Newman).

I do not understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer how much land has been given to the families of men who are not old soldiers?

I have not the details at present.

It is in the question.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer to my question, could I send him details of cases where the Board have not given land to soldiers, and have treated the soldiers rather roughly.?

If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish any particular instance, I will have inquiry made. With regard to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Colonel Yate), I will have the further information looked for.

I will put down a question next week.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to send me back my letters?

That question does not arise here.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, for the benefit of Members called on to discuss the proposed distribution of land to soldiers, he will give a definition of what is meant in Ireland by untenanted land; and can he give any estimate of the amount of untenanted land at the present date?

:The discussion of a suitable definition of untenanted land would be more appropriate during the consideration of a Bill, and I cannot undertake to go into the technicalities of the subject in reply to a question. There is no exhaustive definition of untenanted land in the Land Purchase Code, but the term has been interpreted by certain legal decisions. Speaking generally, untenanted land is land not subject to a tenancy, but the fact that land is not subject to a tenancy does not ipsn facto constitute it land which could be purchased as untenanted land under the Land Purchase Acts. As to the last part of the question, I have no information at present, but inquiries are being made pending which no statement can be furnished.

May I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether a copy of that answer will be given to every man who is asked to recruit?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has read the recommendations made by the late Irish Convention that the landlords' interest in all tenanted land should be automatically and compulsorily transferred to the tenant or to the State, and that within certain districts all untenanted land should be compulsorily acquired by the State, and in the rest of Ireland additional powers to those already existing be granted to the State to compulsorily acquire land; and is it intended to base the acquisition of land for the settlement of soldiers on the lines so recommended?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, I have nothing to add to the reply given on Tuesday to a number of questions on this subject.

asked whether before Lord French's Proclamation offering land to recruits in Ireland was issued the advice was taken of the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board; and whether their full co-operation is secured for the Government proposals?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 26th May there was held at Cullen, county Cork, an aeridhacht, and during the singing and performances not only were many police present but five aeroplanes appeared and for over an hour circled over the meeting, descending to the closest possible proximity to the crowd and drowning by their din the children's music, and that flame rockets were dropped from the planes close to the crowd, one of which set light to a thatched roof; whether the reinforcement of the police in this manner was by his orders or has his sanction; and, if not, will he call for a report on this occurrence?

I a minformed that a meeting took place at Cullen on the 26th May. The first part of the proceedings was for children and occupied less than half an hour. The rest of the meeting was occupied by speeches.

As regards the aeroplanes, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Undersecretary of State for War yesterday.

I am informed that the people were more attracted by the flights of the aeroplanes, which were a novelty, than of the orators. Five police were present, but neither they nor my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary had anything to do with the appearance of the aeroplanes. There is no information as to the setting fire to a thatched roof by a flame rocket.

May I ask whether the aeroplanes were not sent down as near as possible to the meeting, when the children were performing, and on future occasions of a similar character can that part of the aeroplane performance be deferred, so as not to interfere with little children's work?

I understand the meeting was what the hon. Member calls an aeridbacht, and that the aeridbacht was eclipsed by the aeroplanes. I have not the least doubt that they were much more entertaining and edifying.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether questions as to the removal or internment of aliens in important coastal areas in Ireland are dealt with in consultation with the local naval and military authorities direct or with the higher authorities of both forces; and whether he will give the approximate date of the most recent consultation and consequent decision to leave enemy aliens at large on the county Antrim coast?

I am making inquiries.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the housekeeper at 24, Austin Friars, is Heinrich Henke, an unnaturalised German subject, and that Henke expressed anti-British views on a recent enemy advance; and whether he will consider the advisability of interning this alien?

Henke has been exempted from repatriation on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, in view of the facts that he. came to this country at the age of nineteen, has resided here for thirty-nine years, is married to a British born wife, and has a British-born son serving in the Navy. My inquiries show that allegations were made in 1914 and 1915 that he had expressed anti-British views, but these allegations, when investigated by the police, were found to be groundless. No suggestion that he has recently expressed anti-British views has reached me or the police, but if the right hon. Baronet will furnish me with the facts on which the statement in his question is based, I will make further inquiry.

asked whether any letters patent have been granted to enemy aliens during the War?

The policy of the Board of Trade throughout the War has been to refuse to grant any letters patent to enemy aliens during the War. The only exceptions to this rule, so far as I am aware, are a very few cases—not, I think, more than three or four in all—where the whole interest in the patent had been assigned for consideration duly paid previous to the War to a British subject, and the grant of the patent was necessary for the protection of the British assignees. The agreement for assignment has, of course, been registered in each case in the Patent Office on the grant of the patent.

Is it not the fact that applications have been received and accepted by the Britsh Patent Office; is it not also the fact that the same thing was happening in the United States of America, and that President Wilson put an end to it; and may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that there have been actual cases as late as 1917? Might I refer him— [HON. MEMBERS: Order!"] Has he seen the question—

The hon. and gallant Member ought to put some of those questions on the Paper. He has asked at least three or four.

May I ask a simple question with regard to one case? If the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the fact that—

Perhaps it would be better to put that question down. The hon. and gallant Gentleman cannot expect the Minister to carry the details of all these cases in his head.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I say that I have asked this question twice or thrice already—

Then the hon. and gallant Member ought to be satisfied.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that his predecessor in office and the Prime Minister have given assurances that the Boys Scouts' movement, should not be interfered with in Ireland; whether he can explain the arrest of Bemera Thompson, aged sixteen, at Carrick-on-Suir, and his being charged under the Crimes Act, 1870, his offence being that he, as Scout leader, led smaller boys out into the country on a march; and whether this boy will be immediately released and the prosecution dropped?

I am making inquiries into this case.

asked whether Sir Edward O'Farrell has been made an Estates Commissioner, thus filling an office which had been kept vacant for twelve months on the grounds of economy; and whether there is now less need for financial economy than previously in Ireland, or what other reason can be given for this appointment?

As the senior Estates Commissioner is acting as Chairman of the Irish Food Control Committee, a post for which he is eminently fitted, it was necessary to fill up the vacancy in order that the work of both Departments might be properly carried out.

Has this been done with due regard to economy, or has the old rate of pay and scales been revised?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the Resolution passed by the Mile End Guardians regarding Russians resident in the East End of London; and whether arrangements will now be made to re patriate all Russians of military age who have not enlisted, together with their wives and families?

I am aware that on the 3rd April the Mile End Guardians addressed a letter to the Prime Minister on the subject of allowances to the dependants of repatriated Russians. As regards the last part of the question, I can only say that the best course in present circumstances is being adopted, namely, Russian subjects of military age are being called up under the Anglo-Russian Military Service Convention for service in Labour Units.

asked the Home Secretary who are the objectors and what are the objections to putting on the clocks an extra hour during the height of summer?

I would refer the hon. Member to the report of the Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Member for North Worcestershire, and to the statement made on behalf of the Government in another place on 14th May. The Committee reported unanimously against any system of successive variations. The proposal would greatly intensify the disadvantages already felt in connection with the present advance of the clock, particularly in agriculture and certain industries, and, as has been already stated by my right hon. Friend in reply to a previous question on the subject, there would be no substantial economy in lighting and fuel effected by the change.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is a gentleman of German origin holding a responsible post in a Government office known as the Road Board; and whether, considering the fact that in this position he has access to important and confidential papers, documents, places, etc., relating to roads leading to dockyards, camps, aerodromes, munition works, etc., he will see the advisability of replacing him by a British subject of British birth, and of undoubted British origin?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to Mr. E. B. Wendt, a clerk in the service of the Road Board. Mr. Wendt was born of a German father and an English mother, and became a naturalised British subject when he entered the service of the Road Board at its inception in 1910. The chairman of the Road Board vouches for Mr. Wendt's integrity and loyalty, and assures me that he is a most efficient and experienced officer, whose services could not be dispensed with without serious detriment to the work of the Board.

Is there no other gentleman who is really qualified for this work?

Was there any reason why this gentleman should not have become naturalised before he got a Government appointment?

I am afraid I have no knowledge of that.

Is the Road Board still in existence—is it alive?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary why the Reports of His Majesty's Inspectors of Coal Mines for 1916 contain no particulars of the prosecutions for cruelty to horse sand ponies employed in the mines in that year, and do not give the numbers of the horses and ponies so employed or of those which died or were injured or had to be destroyed; and whether he will instruct the inspectors to give these particulars in their Reports for 1917?

Particulars as to the number and results of all prosecutions for breaches of the statutory provisions as to the care and treatment of animals in mines are given in Part II. of the Chief Inspector's General Report for 1916, pages 93x2013;94; and particulars as to the number of horses used in each division and as to cases of death and injury on page 71 of the same volume. Detailed reference to the more important cases is also made in the Reports of the divisional inspectors.. The same course will be followed in the Reports for 1917.

Are these Reports in the same form as they were in the previous years, 1914 and 1915?

They are not so voluminous as before the War, but I think they are as in 1915.

How many horse inspectors are there now in all the mines of the United Kingdom?

May I have notice of that?

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that at Grimsby recently women have been charged under the new Regulation 40 d of the Defence of the Realm Act for soliciting a soldier while having venereal disease, and have been sent to prison without the soldier alleged to have been solicited appearing to give evidence; what action he proposes to take; (2) whether, in recent cases at East-bourne and Newport Pagnell, women charged under Regulation 40 d of the Defence of the Realm Act with having sexual intercourse with a soldier while having venereal disease have had their names and addresses published while the name of the infected soldier has been withheld; if so, whether he will give instructions that either the names of both the man and the woman be published or both be kept private; (3) whether he is aware that a woman at Oxford about 24th April and another woman a); Cambridge about 30th April were charged under Regulation 40 d; that military evidence was offered against them and in neither case was it proved by medical examination, etc., to which the women had to submit; that each woman was discharged, and that the prosecutions involved loss of employment, medical examinations, prison treatment, costs of lawyers, etc., and that no apology or redress was offered; and whether he has had reports on these cases?

None of the cases mentioned in these questions have come to-the notice of the Home Office. I am making inquiry with regard to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a fire occurred recently at Penrith Beacon by which hundreds of tons of waste wood, the product of felling operations by the Canadian Forestry Corps, were consumed; if he is aware that the amount of firewood thus destroyed is estimated to have been sufficient to supply the whole population of Penrith with fuel for twelve months; whether this destruction of material was the result of the terms on which the Canadian Forestry Corps were employed, and which rendered it impossible for the waste wood to be sold in then eighbourhood from time to time; and whether he has yet taken steps to prevent the possibility of a similar disaster occurring in other places where timber is being felled for Government order?

A fire occurred at the mill of the Canadian Forestry Corps at Penrith on 7th June last. The wood consumed, amounting to 150 tons, was not waste wood, but saleable slab wood, which it is the practice of the Timber Supplies Department to dispose of either to the military authorities or by tender, at reasonable prices, to persons able to remove it. Every precaution is taken to prevent fires of the character of that referred to, and the number occurring has been very small compared with the number of mills operating.

asked what quantity of woollen material has been sent to Switzerland during the past twelve months?

During the twelve months ended March, 1918, the imports into Switzerland of woollen manufactures from the United Kingdom amounted to 1,244 tons (metric). I may add that the total of such goods imported into Switzerland in the same year from all countries was 1,842 tons, compared with 3,368 tons in the last year before the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a monopoly in the sale of steel in France has been granted to the Comité des Forges; if so, whether his attention has been drawn to the effect of this monopoly on English merchants engaged in this trade; and what steps he proposes to take to protect their interests?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question.

The French Government appointed the body referred to by the right hon. Member to act as a distributing channel between the producers of steel in this country and the consumers in France. I believe that representations have been made in certain quarters on this subject by merchants engaged in this trade, and the system may have certain drawbacks, but the Commission Internationale de Ravitaillement are of opinion that in the present circumstances it should not be interfered with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the cost per ton, of steel exported, of the staff now engaged in controlling the distribution thereof to Allied countries; and whether he has made any inquiries as to the rate at which merchants previously engaged in that trade would be willing to undertake this work?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am not quite clear as to whether my hon. and my gallant Friend wishes to know the cost per ton of the steel exported to Allied countries or the cost of the staff engaged in controlling the distribution thereof measured. per ton of steel. If my hon. Friend means the first, it would be impossible to give a definite figure, as the cost varies from day to day, but the figure is based on the principle of actual cost. If my hon. Friend means the second, there is no special staff in this Department exclusively engaged on the work of controlling the distribution of steel to Allied countries. The allocation and distribution of supplies of steel to Allied countries are questions so closely bound up with the general problems of allocation and distribution that it would be impracticable and undesirable to establish a separate organisation for the purpose suggested in this question. My hon. Friend will see that, in these circumstances, no figure can be given as to the cost of staff involved in this work, nor could the work advantageously be undertaken by merchants.

I must apologise if there is any error in the question. But I may say that there has been an unnecessary comma inserted. What I desire, of course, is the cost of the staff per ton of steel exported, not in proportion to the weight of the staff, but to the weight of steel.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman could answer the last part of the question: whether he has made any inquiries as to the rate at which merchants previously engaged in the trade would be willing to do the work? Perhaps he can give some idea how that compares with the present cost of staff.

I have dealt with that point in my answer.

asked whether all the railway companies some time ago agreed not to run special train; is he aware that the Great Eastern Railway Company ran an extra train to Newmarket from Liver pool Street on Tuesday, the 4th instant, and on Thursday, the 6th instant, an extra train back from Newmarket to Liverpool Street; and will he take steps to stop such action in future?

I understand from the railway company that no additional trains were run between Liverpool Street and Newmarket on either of the dates mentioned.

asked whether an inquiry has been or will be held into the loss of all hands, except the master and three others, of a steamship sunk by enemy action off the South Irish coast; whether boats were carried swung out ready for launching; whether lifebelts were readily available for all hands; and whether he now has power to enforce such precautions on cross-channel and coast wise steamers and to insist upon the issue of lifebelts to all passengers?

Full inquiry will be made into the circumstances of the loss of this ship as soon as the survivors (five out of a total complement of thirty-six) are sufficiently recovered, and a formal investigation will be ordered if this is found to be necessary. There were no passengers on board. From the evidence at present available, it appears that one boat was carried swung out, but there is no information at present as to the position of the lifebelts. I do not think that further powers are required to secure that all necessary life-saving precautions shall be taken on these cross- channel and coastwise steamers, but if any difficulty were experienced the Board of Trade would not hesitate to apply for further powers.

Are we to understand that the Board has no power to enforce the issue of lifebelts to passengers on a passenger steamer?

No. The hon. and gallant Member is not entitled to draw that conclusion.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that stocks of coal in large cities are near exhaustion; that prospects of replenishment are doubtful; and that the acquisition of unduly large amounts by aliens in the United Kingdom is regarded with the strongest disapproval by local authorities, who are endeavouring in the public interest to economise the consumption of this product?

I am aware that stocks of coal are being reduced. A new Order called the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1918, will be issued very shortly which it is hoped will alleviate the situation and will deal effectively with cases such as those referred to in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition from the prison officers of Scot land asking that the war bonus should be increased to £1 a week, that an allowance of 2s. 6d. a week be made to children of married officers, and that the boot allowance be doubled; and what action ho proposes to take?

I have not yet received the petition referred to. I have ascertained that it is in the hands of the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, who will consider and forward it to me with their recommendation in due course.

asked whether any steps have yet been taken to carry into effect the recommendations of the Craik Report as to the increase of teachers' salaries in Scotland; and whether any action has been taken by individual school boards to increase the scale of remuneration of teachers on the lines suggested in the Report?

Steps have already been taken to improve the salaries of teachers in Scotland. During the year ended 31st March last a Grant of £349,175 was distributed by the Scotch Education Department for the improvement of teachers' salaries, and, in addition, a sum of £101,493 was provided by school boards and managers from their own funds, making a total of £450,668. A number of the leading school boards have had under consideration the Report referred to by my hon. and learned Friend, and have framed new scales of salary in general accordance with the recommendations of the Committee, and even, in some cases, oh more liberal lines. Any further steps with regard to the Report must, I think, be deferred till a Bill establishing education authorities for wider areas and bringing the voluntary schools within the national system has become law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider the question of giving effect to the recommendations of the Craik Report at the same time as he is considering legislation dealing with education in Scotland?

I cannot add anything to what I have already said on this question.

When will the Bill referred to be introduced?

At an early date.

asked for the acreage of land already acquired in Scotland for the settlement of soldiers and sailors and the arrangements which have been entered into with Scottish landowners for obtaining further land for that purpose?

A total of 1,174 acres has been acquired for the purpose mentioned under the Small Holding Colonies Act, 1916. Negotiations have been proceeding and are now nearly complete for the purchase of a further 700 acres. In addition, land to the extent of 12,910 acres has been gifted to the Board of Agriculture, 16,604 acres have been made available voluntarily by landowners for settlements of Service applicants under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911. These statistics do not include certain property amounting to about 2,500 acres which has been purchased by the Office of Woods, and which will be available for Service men when the present leases expire within the next two years.

Following upon the recent Conference of Scottish landowners, has there been any additional offer of land?

There has been no additional offer made since the Conference.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many ex-Service men have been put upon the land?

I cannot answer that question without notice. If my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will give him the information.

asked whether it is proposed to establish a separate Ministry of Health for Scotland?

I have nothing to add to my reply on this matter given to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on the 30th May, to which I would beg to refer my hon. and learned Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to support the recommendation that this question for Scotland should be treated separately?

This matter is now under consideration, and will shortly be considered by the War Cabinet. Under these circumstances I do not think that I ought to add anything to the answer I have given.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made between the Ministry of Propaganda and the War Office for the distribution of leaflets by our aeroplanes in Germany; and whether these arrangements are being carried out at the present time?

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend was asked not to put this question, as it is obvious that it is one that could not be answered.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the new Pensions Warrant dealing with men who fought in previous wars only brings men who were totally disabled into line with the new warrants; whether a man who lost his arm in the Boer War gets less than half what a man gets who lost it in this War; whether no provision is made for officers; and whether the House is to understand that the Government is not prepared to make all alike?

The answer to the first three-parts of the question are in the affirmative, and, as regards the fourth part, the Government, in providing for widows and totally disabled men, met what were, in their opinion, the most pressing needs arising from the manner in which the War Pension question had been dealt with in the past.

May I again ask the Leader of the House—because it is a question of the policy of the Government— whether we are to understand that the Government are not prepared to bring into line the wounded and disabled officers and men in previous wars under the rates now being paid to those wounded and disabled in the present War?

The hon. Member has got the answer from the Department dealing with this matter, and I cannot at present add anything to that answer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the man who lost an arm in the Boer War gets 7s. 6d. a week, while a man who loses an arm in this War gets 18s. 6d.? Is that the policy of this Government?

As far as my recollection goes, I believe that they have been given a very generous allowance. I will look into the matter again, but I cannot hold out any hope of any improvement.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the document captured from the Germans by the French Army, and quoted by the American correspondent, in which enemy soldiers are informed by the German High Command that the minimum German peace terms include the annexation of Belgium and the Flemish coast and the annexation of the French territories and also promises of large indemnities; and, having regard to the repeated declaration by responsible German statesmen that their peace policy includes annexations and indemnities, he will now make clear that such policy on the part of our enemies necessitates the reconsideration with the Allies of our peace terms?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I can only repeat that I do not think that this is a time when any useful purpose is served by the discussion of possible terms of peace.

Have the Government considered the advisability of sending out to the Minister of Propaganda the various statements which come from Germany from time to time on this subject?

That is a very difficult question, and I shall be glad to look into it.

asked what is the total number of recipients of the Order of the British Empire in each class since the inception of the Order, and who have the right to make nominations?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The total number of persons appointed to the various classes of the Order is as follows: —

Is there any limit to the total number of these honours. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] Will the right hon. Gentleman consider fixing 47,000, or some such number?

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us how many of these decorations were given to Members of this House, and whether he considers the House of Commons received quite its fair share?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange to have these men organised as a complete and homogeneous division of the British Army?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of helping and encouraging the allotment holders of the, country by providing that, whenever shows of garden produce held for educational and patriotic purposes are organised, the Entertainments Tax shall not apply to such shows which are run not for profit but in the national interest of food supplies?

Under the existing provisions of the law it is the practice of the Board of Customs and Excise to exempt such shows from tax, provided that they are promoted by a society or committee not conducted for profit, are confined to the exhibition of the produce of allotments, and are not converted by the presence of bands or other forms of ex- traneous amusement into taxable entertainments. I do not think it is necessary or advisable to alter the law.

May I ask what difference it will make, except to the success of the show, if the local men volunteer their service to back the local society? Would there be any harm in that? [HON. MEMBERS: "Get on with the war!"] Well, we want to do so.

The difficulty is to know where to draw the line. It would make the work almost impossible.

asked the Pensions Minister whether men who are discharged from the Army as surplus to military requirements or to take up employment in civil life are entitled to any allowance while a decision is being reached in the Awards Branch as to whether they are entitled to a disability pension or gratuity; and, if so, what is the amount of such allowance per week, and for how many weeks is it payable?

As I have already explained to the hon. Member, men discharged as surplus to military requirements fall into two distinct classes, namely, those who have suffered impairment in the service and those who have not. The former class are primâ facie pensionable; the latter are not. The pensionable class are entitled, like men discharged on medical grounds generally, to a temporary allowance of 27s. 6d. a week until their claims are decided by the Awards Branch. The other class await no decision from the Ministry of Pensions, and consequently the question of temporary allowance does not arise.

Does this really depend upon whether these men are discharged under paragraph 25 or 25 a of the King's Regulations?

I do not know what those paragraphs refer to, but if the men, on examination by the medical board, on which there is a representative of the Pensions Ministry, are found to have been impaired, presumably they are pensionable and get the pension allowance, but, if not, they are not entitled to any award from us, and the question of temporary allowances does not arise.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will take steps to get Article 14 (1) of the Royal Warrant of 29th March, 1917, amended, with the object of granting gratuities to widows of soldiers in cases where death occurred before 1st July, 1916, similar in amount to the gratuities paid to widows of soldiers in cases where death occurred on or after 29th March, 1917, and thus remove a grievance which is causing discontent and disaffection to those widows whose husbands joined. in the early part of the War, and were killed before the Royal Warrant of 29th March, 1917, was issued?

In reply to a question put to me on the 4th instant by the hon. and gallant Member for North Lancashire, I explained that the great majority of widows whose husbands were killed before 1st July, 1916, obtained the gratuity from the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation. It is doubtful whether any widows who were genuinely in need of the gratuity failed to obtain it. Possibly there were some whose claims did not come to the notice of the Corporation, but that there is any substantial grievance causing discontent and disaffection such as the hon. Member alleges I cannot admit, nor can I assent to the suggestion that this matter should now be reconsidered.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will at once consider the appointment of a Committee in each district in Wales who shall be empowered to hear and deal with all cases of hard ship affecting our discharged soldiers and sailors regarding their pensions, back pay, and other matters of urgency to these men and the nation; is he aware that many of these men whose nerves are shattered are at present in a hopeless condition, that they have no friends, no home, and do not know what Department to write to in stating their case; and will he, therefore, take steps immediately to alter this state of things in the best interests of these men and the national reputation?

If I rightly understand his question, the hon. Member is ignoring the activities of the thirty-one local war pensions committees which have already been formed in various districts to cover the whole Principality of Wales. These committees are charged with the duty of looking after the discharged disabled soldiers and sailors and of presenting their claims to the Ministry.

The committees have also very extensive powers of assisting the men on their own responsibility. Every disabled man is informed at the time of his discharge that if he is in any difficulty he should apply to his local committee, the address of which he can obtain at his post office.

May I inform the hon. Member—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

The hon. Member may seek information, but. not give it.

May I point OUT—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]—who happens to be on the pensions committee in Aberdare, the place of which I am a native and for which I am the Member.

The hon. Member had better give notice of that question.

All right, I will.