asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position of builders in reference to contracts entered into before the War; if, in view of the increased cost of material, they are bound to complete the work at a figure fixed before war was contemplated; and whether the moratorium in any way affects their position?

The moratorium in no way affects the contracts referred to except so far as it postpones any payment due thereunder.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the manufacture of boots and accoutrements for the Indian Army is a private undertaking carried on for profit at Cawnpore; whether His Majesty's Government here and in India have employed the Cawnpore leather factory to its fullest extent; and whether the supply of leather from India can be expedited by taking over for Government use the leather factory in question?

Boots for the Indian Army are obtained from the Cawnpore Leather Factory, a private undertaking. Military saddlery and accoutrements are manufactured at the Government Harness Factory, Cawnpore, though supplementary supplies are obtained, when necessary, from the trade. The Cawnpore Leather Factory is employed to the fullest extent possible. The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that the acquisition of this undertaking by the State would have the result suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state how many Germans have been granted naturalisation since the outbreak of war; what proportion these bear to those prior to the War; and whether such emergency naturalisation enables German firms or individuals to retain Government contracts?

Twelve Germans have been naturalised (including one case of readmission to British nationality) since the beginning of the War. This number is considerably less than the average for any similar period in ordinary times. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the expense put upon recruits joining the Territorial Force since mobilisation in providing sundry articles, such as boots, for which a bounty of 10s. was paid to the existing members of the force on mobilisation; and whether a bounty will be granted to recruits who provide the articles required?

Yes, Sir, the bounty of 10s. is granted to all recruits who provide the articles required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Yeomanry regiments that are being sent abroad have been supplied with bayonets, steps may be taken to provide all other Yeomanry regiments which have volunteered for foreign service with the same without delay, so that they may have time to become proficient in their use?

Arrangements to this effect are in progress.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether adjutants of Yeomanry regiments are to be allowed adjutant's pay on mobilisation at Army or Territorial Force rates?

I hope to be in a position to inform the hon. Member on this point shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Territorial Force chaplains on mobilisation receive Army or Territorial Force rates of pay; whether he is aware that under Territorial Force Regulations 619 and 620 such chaplains are only entitled to pay and allowances for two, or at most three, days per week, and that this amount does not cover their expenses and the cost of supplying locum tenens for their parishes; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Chaplains who hold commissions in the Territorial Force and who have been selected for duty will receive pay and allowances at the same rates and under the same conditions as those of corresponding grade in the Regular Army.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether assistant clerks who are required to attend beyond the normal hours of attendance in their respective departments will be paid at the usual overtime rates; and at what rate will they be remunerated for Sunday duty?

So far as I am aware there is no intention of making any change in existing practice as regards overtime pay. Sunday attendance is so rarely necessary that no general rate of payment has been laid down.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Newcastle West Rural District Council, when estimating a loan for the improvement scheme formulated by them under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, fixed the total amount of loan at £170 per cottage, but in estimating the amount between the different items exceeded the amount of the arbitration award for the purchase of land, and the Local Government Board cut down the loan by the difference, £2,500, although other items were underestimated and were not referred to; and whether, as the estimate for the loan was made before the arbitration award, it was impossible to fix the exact amount of the loan required to purchase land, and as the loan did not altogether exceed the sum of £170 per cottage and plot, he will direct the Local Government Board to sanction a supplemental loan of £2,500 to enable the council to complete the scheme?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as to the circumstances of this case. The Local Government Board inform me that the Newcastle West Rural District Council applied for a loan of £38,300 in respect of a scheme for the provision of 204 cottages, eight acre allotments, and forty-five additional half-acre allotments. This sum, less the cost of the land, would represent an average of about £180 per cottage. The Board sanctioned a loan of £35,800, comprising £34,680 for the 204 cottages at £170 each, and £1,120 for the purchase of the allotments and other incidental expenses.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is now aware that the statement contained in his telegram of the 7th that Irish creameries had materially and unnecessarily increased the price of butter, bacon, and other foodstuffs was quite inaccurate; is he aware that Irish creameries do not supply bacon or any foods other than butter; what was the average percentage of increase in the price of butter which actually took place; and how far such increase was due to the absence of supplies from foreign countries and to the action of buyers and consumers?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the question of the hon. Member for the Black-friars Division of Glasgow on this subject on the 27th August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bushels of grain are destroyed annually in the United Kingdom in the manufacture of alcohol?

From the latest available Report of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs and Excise, it appears that the malt and unmalted grain used in the breweries and distilleries of the United Kingdom during the year ended 30th September, 1912, in the manufacture of beer and spirits were the equivalent of about 68,000,000 bushels of grain. In addition, about 1,400,000 cwts. of rice, rice grits, flaked rice, maize grits, flaked maize, and other similar preparations were also used in those breweries and distilleries in that year.