asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will introduce legislation to extend the period during which a debt is not statute-barred, seeing that no creditor wishes to add to the present troubles and anxieties of debtors, and especially of men who are serving with the forces of the Crown?

I do not think that the course suggested by the hon. Member is either desirable or necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether the need for reinforcements for the British Expeditionary Force in France is as urgent now as it was on 9th April, 1918; and, if so, why has there been a delay of two months in applying to Ireland the policy then announced?

I regret that in answer to a question I cannot make any statement.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the collector of Customs in the Greenock district has been demanding payment of the Inhabited House Duties and Property Tax A, with heavy expenses added for delayed payment; is he aware that many of those forced to pay such expenses are widows with their sons fighting at the front; is it the policy of the Government to mulct the relatives of our soldiers; and, if not, will he put a stop to such practices?

I am not sure that I understand the hon. Member's difficulty, but if he has any particular case in mind, and will let me have details, I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why it is proposed to introduce into the Treasury a new grade of temporary women clerks at £140 to £180 per annum; and why these salaries are being paid in view of the fact that the old staff of first-class skilled clerks receive fixed salaries of £140 and that second class clerks' salaries stop at £110 per annum?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that a new grade of temporary women clerks has recently been introduced. The higher grade to which he presumably refers was instituted in 1915, and is employed on junior administrative work of a different character to that in which the permanent classes of women clerks are trained. Their rates of remuneration are, therefore, not necessarily comparable, but the difference is not by any means so large as suggested, the rates of pay of the temporary higher grade women clerks being inclusive of overtime and of war bonus.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the advisability of raising the salaries of permanent women clerks, as, in addition to their pre-war salaries, they have only been granted a war bonus of about 20 per cent., having regard to the enormous increase in the cost of living and the fact that other Government Departments pay women much higher remuneration?

The permanent women clerks have received the full war bonus awarded to them and to other classes of Civil servants by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board, which has now before it a further claim for an increase of war bonus. I see no ground for granting exceptional treatment to this class.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in September, 1917, a claim was sent in by women clerks in the Post Office for equality of remuneration with men doing similar work; that the petitioners were informed that the claim was one that must be decided by the War Cabinet; whether the War Cabinet gave any decision, and, if so, what decision; whether he is aware that an amended claim for a revision of the scale of pay of women clerks was sent in on 24th April, 1918; whether the Conciliation and Arbitration Board has applied to the Treasury for permission to hear this claim; and, if so, whether the Treasury has granted such permission?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to a claim submitted by the Federation of Women Civil Servants on the date named. I understand that the petitioners were informed by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board that the War Cabinet had decided that the question whether women should be paid the same remuneration as men engaged on similar duties was one of policy which was not within the competence of the Board for decision by way of conciliation or arbitration. With regard to the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 19th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for East Down.

asked the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the advertisement in a Manchester paper of a war aims meeting in which the list of speakers is headed by a person described as a conjurer; and why this man was engaged for a war aims meeting?

The anwser to the first part of the question is in the negative. The gentleman to whom I presume reference is made is a good speaker, and gives his services.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in view of the fact that the farming interest in Great Britain has been so gravely disturbed by compulsory recruitment for the Army that essential agricultural work is only carried on with extreme effort and difficulty, and with the assistance of female and prisoner labour, if he will say why there is no intention of disturbing the farming interest in Ireland, where agricultural labour is abundant in proportion to the needs of the land; and if the expectation that not many of the rural population will prove available for military purposes signifies that Ireland is not to be called upon for sacrifice comparable with that required of Great Britain?

Having regard to the great increase in tillage and the importance to the United Kingdom of food production in Ireland, agricultural labour in Ireland is not abundant in proportion to the needs of the land. Ireland is being called upon to make sacrifices comparable with the rest of the Empire.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say, having regard to the fact that Ireland, with a population approximately the same as that of Scotland, has contributed by voluntary enlistment 400,000 fewer recruits to the Army than Scotland, why 50,000 new recruits is regarded as an equitable ratio for Ireland; and, in view of the Prime Minister's statement two months ago that the need for recruits from Ireland was then urgent and immediate, why it has been decided that the equitable ratio from Ireland is not required for the next four months?

I am not aware of any grounds for the hon. Member's statement as to voluntary enlistment in Scotland and Ireland. It has not been decided that Ireland's contribution will not be required for the next four months, and steps are being taken to obtain Irish recruits as speedily as possible

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in order to assist Ireland to provide an equitable ratio of recruits, he will instruct the Regional Deputy Directors of Labour Supply that they should, where practicable, submit on A.F.W. 3932 the names of Irishmen who have since October, 1916, come from Ireland to engage on munitions and other Government work, in order that the War Office may take steps to provide British soldiers of categories other than A as substitutes?

The Army form W. 3932 is intended for the submission of names of men in industry who are exempted by a tribunal pending the provision of a substitute. As this procedure does not apply in the case of Irishmen, it would not be practicable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether six officers transferred from Armagh to Belfast Prison and unable to obtain houses for themselves and families have, on application, been refused any allowance to cover the extra expenses incurred such as is granted in the prison service in England and Wales; whether the further application to the Treasury made a month ago has yet been answered; and if he will take steps to grant compensation to these officers, who are suffering hardships on account of extra expense involved and whose transfers were for the convenience of the State?

A number of married warders who were transferred from Armagh Prison have found difficulty in obtaining lodgings in Belfast for themselves and their families owing to the influx into that city of military and war workers. The warders in question receive, in addition to their pay, lodging allowance and war bonus at the authorised rates. The General Prisons Board have no power to grant any additional allowance, but I understand these warders have submitted an application which is under consideration

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he received a communication on the 18th April last from the Irish Exploration and Development Company, Limited, stating that if the Government granted about 6 miles of a ropeway to connect the Arigna mineral area with a point on the Shannon, they would build their own barges for the conveyance of the coal to towns along the Shannon and to Dublin and open up ten additional adits to the ones they have already opened, so as to be in a position to give a large output of coal by the end of September next; If so, in view of the urgency of producing fuel for the coming winter, will he state whether the Government granted this request for this piece of ropeway; and, if not, will they grant it immediately?

I have received the communication referred to. I hope to be able to pay a visit to the Arigna district, and I cannot at present make any statement as to the proposal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if something can be done to grant leave at the earliest opportunity to men of the 82nd Labour Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, who were sent out in March, 1917, without draft leave, and many of whom have never been home for over two years?

My hon. Friend will realise that the recent fighting has necessitated the curtailment, to a very great extent, of the facilities for granting leave to the troops in France. It is not possible to say when the military exigencies will permit of a resumption of this privilege, but I am sure that when the time does come the Commander-in-Chief will give every consideration to the cases of those soldiers whose leave has been necessarily postponed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that Private J. R. Everitt, No. 260091, 1/6th West Yorkshire Regiment, of 24, Pennington Street, Dawson Lane, Hull, having been severely wounded, was recommended for discharge by the hospital medical board, Beckitts Park Hospital, Leeds, on 24th May, 1918; that he was subsequently informed that his discharge papers were made out, and advised to send home for civilian clothes; that he was afterwards classified B2, Command Depot; and whether, in view of the circumstances and the fact that the man is very lame, he will have the case inquired into with a view to the man being discharged; and (2) whether he is aware that J. Swan, No. 36792, an apprentice plater, a wounded soldier, late of the East Yorkshire Regiment and now in class P, has been returned to his unit; and whether he can offer any explanation as to why this man has been returned?

My attention had not previously been drawn to these cases, but I am having inquiries made, and will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of a soldier, whose name and number have been privately sent to him, whose two brothers have been killed in the War, whose services in the Army since September, 1914, have led to his being twice wounded, his lung affected, his nerves shaken, his face distorted, his eyes constantly twitching, having had fits in the trenches, etc., and now again ordered for service abroad; whether he is aware that the family sufferings have driven this soldier's father into the asylum and his mother out of her mind, and that they leave four dependent young children at home unprovided for; and whether this soldier will now be discharged, provided he can make and keep a home for his parents and their young children?

I am inquiring into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain the reasons for the treatment of Private John Burke, who is now in No. 1 Special King George's Hospital, Dublin, having been sent there from Oswestry in a state of collapse, having been kept in Lord Derby War Hospital for nearly twelve months and forcibly fed; and why this man has never been court-martialled for his refusal to obey military orders on the ground of conscientious objection?

I should be glad if my hon. Friend will furnish me with the name of Burke's unit and his regimental number to enable me to make inquiry in this case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiries made into the case of Sapper G. Townsend, No. 312651, 4th Company, Royal Engineers, now stationed at the Main Barracks, Newark-on-Trent; and, in particular, if he will ascertain whether this soldier, whose age last birthday was fifty-six and who has served at the front in France and elsewhere for more than three years, is now entitled to his discharge?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to utilise the services of the men from forty-three to fifty called to the Colours for service in India; and, if so, whether the Government has given due consideration to the fact that it is difficult for older men to adapt themselves to new climatic conditions and the hardship it entails on middle-aged men to be sent so far from their homes?

I regret that I can give no pledge that such men will not be sent to India, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the utmost care will continue to be exercised to ensure that men sent overseas are fit for the duties they will be called upon to perform.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee appointed to review exemptions under the Military Service Act throughout the Civil Service will review cases falling under the Board of Inland Revenue; and, if not, why this Department has been specially privileged with regard to the clean cut at twenty-five, in view of the assurances given that men over forty would not be called upon for military service whilst young men of under twenty-five are retained in civil employment?

My hon. and learned Friend is doubtless referring to the various Military Service Committees which are being instituted under the authority of the Ministry of National Service to review the staff of military age in public Departments. The Committee charged with this duty in connection with the Inland Revenue Department has already been appointed, and its first meeting will take place at a very early-date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether boys of eighteen are being sent to France after only having had fourteen weeks' training; and what is the earliest possible age after joining up at eighteen that they can be sent into the firing line?

The minimum age at which lads are being sent to France for service in the Infantry is eighteen and a half years, and the minimum period of training for such lads is four months. I can assure my hon. Friend that no lads have been sent to France unless they are sufficiently trained to take their place in the firing line.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that A. E. Aldridge, aged eighteen, son of Mrs. Aldridge, 71, Upper Brockley Road, Brockley, has been called up; whether he is aware that Mrs. Aldridge is a blind widow; that one son has already been discharged blind; that another son is in hospital blind; that another son is discharged; that another son was discharged prior to the War from the Navy blind; and that the only other son is still serving; and whether, in view of these facts, he will reconsider the calling up this young lad, her only support?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I regret that it is not possible for the Government to vary its decision that it is impracticable to widen the personal grounds on which men affected by the Proclamations of 20th April and 4th June may apply for exemption. I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Leeds on 15th May.

asked the Minister of National Service whether it is the intention of his Department to abandon the present system of having voluntary unpaid National Service representatives at tribunals and to institute whole-time paid representatives; if inquiries are at present being made to get solicitors to do this work throughout the country at salaries of £300 to £350 per annum; and, if so, by how much is it anticipated will this increase the expenditure of his Department?

It is intended to appoint a small number of whole-time National Service representatives, and this will render unnecessary the work now voluntarily performed by certain gentlemen in various parts of the country. This change in policy is rendered necessary by the ever-increasing complexity of the recruiting system and the absolute need of having uniformity of practice before the tribunals. The appointment of these whole-time men will greatly decrease the total number of National Service representatives. No inquiries are being made to secure solicitors for this work; it is intended in each appointment made to give preference to men who are disabled after having served overseas in the fighting forces. It is not anticipated that, in view of the reduction in total numbers, there will be any substantial increase in expenditure, and it is believed that as a result of these appointments there will be increased efficiency, which will tend to continue the present satisfactory decline in the cost per head of recruits raised.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Warwickshire Appeal Tribunal (Birmingham district) has refused to allow applicants for medical re-examination to employ professional assistance; and whether, seeing that the majority of these applications are in regard to the older men coming within the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, and in view of the undertaking which was given on the subject, namely, that the older men should have the same right of being represented as the younger men had hitherto possessed, he will say what action he proposes to take to compel the tribunal in question to abide by this undertaking?

The implication contained in the question of the hon. Member is that older men are being deprived of a permission to be represented professionally when making an application to go before the medical assessors which has been granted in the case of younger men. As a fact, however, no such absolute right is available in the case of younger men, and no complaint can therefore arise in respect of older men. As far back as November last the instructions issued to tribunals were as follows:

"The issue before the tribunal.…will be such as should not make it necessary, unless there are quite special circumstances, for the man to appear by representative; and any practice of this kind should not be encouraged"

I may add that my right hon. Friend has communicated with the Appeal Tribunal on this matter. They state that they have allowed professional representation to applicants for re-examination by medical assessors in special circumstances only; and that no change whatsoever has been made in their procedure in dealing with the cases of the older men.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to make it better known to our Army that soldiers wounded three times are not compelled to go back to the fighting line and that they have the option of Home service, providing such wounds were not slight, and that they had been treated in hospital for them?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is misinformed. All men, although wounded to the extent suggested, who are now fit for combatant duty are required for service in France, and I very much regret that in existing circumstances the retention at home of the men referred to cannot at present be considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the agreement recently concluded for the purchase of the Australian wool clip provides for the return to the Australian Government of a moiety of any profits made on resale; and, if so, whether these profits are retained by the Australian Government or paid over by them to the wool growers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The disposal of such profit is a matter for the decision of the Commonwealth Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that officers of the Royal Defence Corps employed as guards and escorts to prisoners of war are often put to considerable expense when proceeding with prisoners to various parts of the Kingdom; and that the special detention allowance of 15s. to meet hotel and other expenses is not allowed when the escort consists of more than three men, when an allowance of 5s. only is granted; whether he is aware that before this 5s. can be obtained an officer must forego his field and ration allowances, with the result that the net travelling allowance is reduced in some cases to 3d. a day; and whether he will consider the possibility of issuing such orders as will prevent the officers employed on these duties from losing money owing to the expenses they must necessarily incur when travelling on such duty?

The hon. and gallant Member is not comparing like with like. An officer travelling on duty alone draws detention allowance of 15s., and pays all his expenses; if proceeding with troops he gets a free billet and 5s. a day. In either case he ceases to draw field allowance and rations or ration allowance. There is no reason for differential treatment of the officers referred to in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why chevrons for war service have been conceded to those who have been engaged in the cross-Channel transport of wounded and to many branches of non-combatant services, including conscientious objectors engaged in non-combatant units and civilian members of the Censor staff, also men of the Inland Water Transport Section crossing to and from France and Belgium, and yet are withheld from officers and men engaged in the Remount Service, although such men are constantly and habitually required to be exposed to the danger of the cross-Channel journeys with remounts, which renders their service additionally hazardous, and also are often called upon to proceed to bases overseas; and whether he will cause Army Council Instruction No. 520, of 1918, to be amended so as to inelude the personnel of the Remount Service who are engaged in the cross-Channel or overseas service?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that chevrons are permitted to be worn under Army Council Instruction No. 520, of 1918, paragraph 3, by all personnel of the Indian Army, and all Regular troops serving outside the United Kingdom on the 5th August, 1914, and also soldiers enlisted or re-enlisted in the Imperial Forces abroad, although such service may be far removed from any sphere of actual military operations; and why in these circumstances are chevrons refused to the personnel of the Remount Service who are permanently occupied in crossing with remounts overseas; and (2) whether he is aware that the Board of Admiralty have sanctioned the award of chevrons for services in connection with the present War as from August, 1914, not, only to the regular naval personnel, but also to officers and men of the mercantile marine, to Queen Alexandra's Naval Nursing Service, and reserve members of the Women's Royal Naval Service, and to officiating ministers and civilian medical practitioners and dental surgeons giving whole-time service; and whether, in view of these facts, he will reconsider the case of officers and men permanently occupied in the transport of remounts overseas, who are constantly engaged on and exposed to the dangers of the cross-Channel traffic, and thus remove a grievance on the part of those rendering a valuable war service?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 15th May last. The matter was very carefully considered.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will undertake to supply a Return showing for each Parliamentary Division in London the number of Parliamentary and Local Government electors whose names appear on the registration officers' lists to be published on 29th June, 1918?

I will endeavour to obtain the information for which the hon. Member asks after the publication of the lists. I think it, however, highly desirable to resume the publication of the Annual Return of Parliamentary Constituencies (Electors, etc.) for the United Kingdom, which was last presented to Parliament in 1915, and I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether men engaged on work of national importance, and who, for the purpose of being registered as Parliamentary voters, have to get a certificate from the Central Tribunal, can now apply to the tribunal for such certificate so that they may be placed upon the register which is now being prepared?

Applications may be made to the Central Tribunal, They have, in fact, already dealt with some cases.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that by the Second Schedule of the Order in Council of 4th June fees are prescribed for the sale of the new electoral registers, and that these charges are so high that the cost of a new constituency register will be about five times that of the old; and whether, in view of the decreased maximum of election expenses allowed to be spent by a candidate, he will consider the reduction of these fees?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the scale of charges for the lists issued by the registration officer has been fixed; and, if not, whether due regard will be given to the scale fixed by the previous Acts of Parliament and by the Registration Order of 1895?

The scale of fees for copies of lists, registers, etc., contained in the Order in Council referred to was, I understand, agreed to by the Treasury in consultation with the Stationery Office, and is based upon the general cost of production. It must be remembered that the present scale under the Parliamentary Voters Registration Act, 1843, was fixed by reference to a much smaller electorate, and that the cost of production at the present time is abnormally high. I will, however, bring the matter to the notice of my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider some system of franking the letters of Members of Parliament when such letters bear replies from Government Departments; is he aware that the existing postage rates for such letters fall hardly upon some Members of this House; and, seeing that such letters are in the national service and interest, will be allow such letters to be sent at half-rates when unsealed?

The system of franking of letters by Members of Parliament which prevailed in the eighteenth century and the earlier part of the nineteenth century was swept away by the Penny Postage Act of 1840. The system led to many abuses, which it was impossible to control, and I should be sorry to see it revived in any form.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now able to give his promised reply to questions asking that representations should be made to the Great Western Railway Company and the London and South-Western Railway Company to secure the interavailability of season tickets issued by these companies between the same stations on their lines?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply given on this subject to-day to the hon. Member for the Thornbury Division of Gloucester (Mr. Rendall).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has any statistics showing the number of golf courses in Scotland, which county agricultural committees suggested should be ploughed up for food for the people and which the Board of Agriculture for Scotland refused to sanction or insist upon; and whether it is the definite policy of his Board, so far as they have such, to preserve at all cost golf courses during war-time?

Out of nine recommendations the Board have agreed to seven and refused to sanction two. These figures will enable my hon. and learned Friend to draw his own conclusions as to the policy of the Board. For his further information I am sending him a copy of a circular which has been recently issued to golf clubs.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a vacancy has recently been filled up in the sheriff-principalship of Renfrew; what is the salary attached to this position; what are the duties outside of judicial work which cannot be performed, and which are not performed, by the sheriff-substitutes of the county; whether he is aware that the number of appeal cases from substitutes to the principal were in 1916 only twenty-two, of which eighteen were in Paisley and four in Greenock; whether in the great majority of these twenty-two cases the opinion of the principal was simply a repetition of the judgments of the substitutes; and whether it is proposed during war-time in any way to limit the cost of the administration of justice in Scotland?

The salary of the post, which has been recently filled, is £800. For an enumeration of the duties of a sheriff, I beg to refer my hon. and learned Friend to my answer of the 28th February, 1917. The figures quoted in reference to a portion of those duties are substantially correct. On the general question I can only refer my hon. and learned Friend to my previous answers on this subject.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is approximately the present cost of living to British officer prisoners in Turkey; whether the increased allowance to such officers is now being paid; what is the amount; and when and how was the first remittance sent?

The cost of living is investigated by the representative of the Netherlands Government in Turkey, who notifies what allowance within limits he considers necessary in each case. The amount varies, but has not in any case exceeded £18 Turkish a month. So far as our information goes, we have reason to believe that the first payments were made early in May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the 1,000 prisoners in Turkey who are to be repatriated have yet been chosen, and, if so, by whom; whether the transports which are to bring the prisoners have yet been provided; where they now are; and how soon it is hoped that the first consignment of prisoners will leave Turkey?

The first 1,000 British invalid prisoners of war to be repatriated from Turkey are to be selected by the Turkish authorities. They will leave Turkey so soon as the Turkish Government are able to collect them at the port of embarkation, and so soon as an assurance has been received from the German and Austrian Governments of the immunity of the vessel from attack. As, unfortunately, some weeks' notice is needed to ensure such immunity, it is premature to select any vessel in the meantime. As already stated in this House, the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople has been requested to press the Turkish Government for information on the above points.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that Tabriz is now in the hands of the Turks; and whether any British subjects were known to be in the city within the last few months?

As regards the first part of the question, an advance party of Turks is reported to have arrived at Tabriz on the 7th instant. His Majesty's Consul and the British colony left the city on the 10th of this month.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the resolutions passed by the Municipal Authorities' Association of Ireland respecting the failure of the Government to inquire into the conditions and Grants with reference to labourers' cottages erected under land improvement loans, and particularly in regard to the Tipperary estate of Lord Barrymore; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

I cannot add anything to the replies given by my predecessor to questions on this subject on the 29th October, 1917, and 6th December, 1917.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether the Board of National Education in Ireland has power to reduce a district inspector of schools in rank or salary; and, if so, under what authority, Regulation, or Act of Parliament; and (2) whether, in view of the fact that inspectors of national schools in Ireland hold their position at the pleasure of the National Board, that they enter the service on the understanding that their annual increments will be regularly awarded, he will state under what authority increments have notwithstanding been withheld in some cases?

Inspectors of national schools in Ireland are appointed by the Commissioners of National Education, and are established Civil servants holding their appointments under conditions similar to those affecting all such officers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the recent appointment of the County Court judge for the counties of Cavan and Leitrim the judge's travelling and hotel expenses have been disallowed by the Crown; whether, as a result of this disallowance, the said County Court judge is driven to accept hospitality from solicitors practising in counties, and is continuously dining with them; and whether these circumstances mentioned have the sanction of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland?

Inquiries have been made, and I have ascertained that there is no foundation for the suggestions in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has official information to the effect that the whole of the surplus Indian opium stocks have been purchased by the Chinese Government with a view to resale to a syndicate, described as an anti-opium society, thus reviving the opium traffic in China; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government proposes to take any and, if so, what steps with a view to obviate the revival of the traffic in Indian opium in China?

His Majesty's Government have received official information to the effect that an agreement has been concluded between the Chinese Government and the Opium Combine for the purchase of the stocks of Indian opium in bond at Shanghai and Canton, but they have no official information as regards the resale of the stocks to a syndicate.His Majesty's Government have not taken any part in, or given any official countenance to, the negotiations which led up to this agreement, but, inasmuch as the stocks of Indian opium which have been purchased by the Chinese Government were imported into China under the terms and during the course of the 1911 agreement, they were unable to prevent the conclusion of this private transaction.The importation of certificated Indian opium into China has ceased to be legal with the expiration on the 31st December last of the 1911 agreement. His Majesty's Government, therefore, have no reason to fear that the formation of a Chinese syndicate for the purpose of disposing in China of the stocks of Indian opium remaining unsold at that date in the hands of the combine will lead to a revival of the traffic in opium between China and British India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the strength of the feeling expressed in India in favour of a waterways board to look after the interests of river transport in India; whether he is aware of the delay in dealing with this subject; and what action it is proposed to take?

I have no information, but I will inquire of the Government of India what the position is.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the inquest held on two infants who died at the Sydenham Infant Welfare Centre; if the Local Government Board make any Grants to this centre; if so, how much; who is responsible for its control and management; and whether, in view of the evidence given at the inquest of injuries to other infants, he proposes to have any inquiry into the matter?

My attention has been drawn to this matter. The Local Government Board have made Grants to this centre amounting to £30 in 1914–15, £136 in 1915–16, £187 in 1916–17, £541 in 1917–18, and £250 (on account) in 1918–19. The management of the institution is in the hands of a committee of ladies and gentlemen interested and experienced in this work. I propose to await the conclusion of the inquest before deciding whether it is necessary to make further inquiry into the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether ha will state the total number on 29th December, 1917, of indoor Poor Law children; the number of such children maintained in non-Poor Law institutions; and the number of children in separate institutions for the sick and mentally deficient?

The total number of children under sixteen years of age on 29th December, 1917, maintained in Poor Law institutions (excluding casual wards) in England and Wales was 49,758, of whom 7,646 were in separate Poor Law institutions for the sick and 1,231 in separate Poor Law institutions for the mentally deficient. The number of children in receipt of Poor Law relief in non-Poor Law institutions on the same date was 12,216, including 992 lunatics in lunatic asylums.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that thefts of clothing from post office cloak rooms are on the increase; whether, having regard to the assurance given that all cases would be considered on their merits, he will state whether any cases have been since reported to him; if so, with what result; and whether he will now see that proper safeguards are provided to prevent loss by theft, and issue the necessary authority for all losers to be compensated?

Thefts from cloak rooms are reported from time to time, but I cannot say whether they are on the increase. So far as practicable, safeguards are provided, but owing to the War the supply of additional long lockers is necessarily suspended. As I have already stated, I am unable to give any general undertaking to allow compensation. Two cases were brought before me in March last by one of the Post Office staff associations, and I answered that the circumstances were not considered such as to warrant an exception being made to the general rule.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a dredger is lying idle in Dundalk and another in Kingstown; whether he is aware that certain fishing harbours on the Irish coast are almost unapproachable except at very high tides owing to the sand accumulating at the entrances; whether he will cause inquiry to be made respecting this condition of affairs; and whether the idle dredgers will be utilised and arrangements made to have a second dredger permanently available for clearing the entrances to Irish fishing harbours?

The two dredgers belonging to the Department of Agriculture are at present at Dundalk under repair, but there is another dredger in Dundalk belonging to the Harbour Commissioners. I am informed that the entrance to Balbriggan Harbour appears to be badly silted, causing inconvenience to local traffic, and that the Department of Agriculture are in communication with the Dublin Port and Docks Board as regards the clearing of the entrance before the commencement of the herring fishing season. The Department are not aware of any other fishing harbour at which dredging is just now a matter of urgency. There are two dredgers at Kingstown belonging to the Commissioners of Public Works, and they are fully employed and have been for some time past.