asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a man employed for seven days a week at the emergency hospital, Devonport, and previously employed at the Royal Naval War College for seven and a half years, has not yet received the increase of 1s. recently granted to labourers; and will he have inquiries made into the matter?

I find on inquiry that the labourers serving in the temporary emergency hospital at Devonport have not received the increase of 1s. a week granted to labourers in naval establishments as from 28th September last. The necessary instructions have been issued for the increase to be paid, antedated as from the 28th September, 1914.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is able to state, as it appears the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company are not responsible, with whom the responsibility rests for the provision of the rolling stock utilised for the reception of wounded soldiers on arrival at Dover?

The responsibility rests with the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a statement is being circulated that 1,000,000 men who have presented themselves at the recruiting offices have been rejected as physically unfit; and if he will point out to the Censor the advisability of suppressing statements so calculated to injure national prestige?

I have no knowledge of any such statement as that referred to. If it has been made, it need not necessarily be taken as implying a low standard of physical efficiency in the country. It might equally well be interpreted as demonstrating the high standard required of our recruits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether those now employed in hut construction or upon other Government works in the military camps in Wiltshire and elsewhere, who are keenly anxious and well fitted to serve in the Army or Navy, although their pay will be decreased thereby, will be permitted to do so; and, if so, what steps they should take to enable them to realise their patriotic ambition?

The situation at present makes it necessary that the men employed by certain firms engaged in hut construction and other Government work in the camps in Wiltshire and elsewhere should not leave their present employment even for the purpose of enlisting. As soon as the conditions make it possible, the men in question will be free to give their services to the State in the capacity of soldiers, if they desire to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state how many men of military age are now employed at Government camps on Salisbury Plain in capacities other than those of a military character?

This information is not available in the War Office, and I have not thought it necessary to call for it. But the hon. Gentleman may be sure that the considerations he has in mind are not lost sight of.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state approximately the percentage of troops serving with the Expeditionary Force who have already been served out with neck curtains or other protection against the sun; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to issue to the troops felt slouch hats, which were found so effective by all those who wore them in the South African War?

No curtains have yet been served out to the troops, but supplies are being accumulated to enable a distribution to be made. It is not proposed to supply slouch hats.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to remedy the hardships of medical officers of the Territorial Force who have been mobilised with regard to promotion and the question of a gratuity?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement on this question before long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state what the yearly average export of malt in hundredweights has been for the five years previous to the 1st September, 1914; the total quantity in hundredweights of the contracts for export made from the 1st September, 1914, to 21st May, 1915; the quantity in hundredweights exported from the 1st September, 1914, to the 29th January, 1915; the date of the proclamation of prohibition of exports; the quantity in hundredweights for which licences to export have been granted from the 29th January, 1915, to date; the quantity in hundredweights for which it is intended, under the decision of the late President of the Board of Agriculture, to grant further licences; and will he state the names of persons who have been granted licences?

The information desired by the hon. Member is as follows:—The annual average export of malt in the five years ending 1st September, 1914, was 258,155 cwts. The exports from the 1st September, 1914, to 31st January, 1915, amounted to 214,939 cwts. The date of the prohibition of export was the 3rd February, 1915. Licences for export have been recommended in respect of 647,300 cwts. The contracts for exports during 1st September, 1914, to 21st May, 1915, cannot be given, and it is not possible to state what further action may be taken. The names of the firms to whom licences have been granted do not appear to be a matter of public interest.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Digby Estate, Geashill, King's County, is about being vested; and can he say what steps the Estates Commissioners propose taking with reference to the untenanted lands of Ballydownan and Cappyroe, which were on the landlords' hands at the time of the I sale, and for which a repeated public request has been made for their division amongst the uneconomic holders in the locality?

The purchase money involved in the estates standing in priority to this one on the Principal Register of Direct Sales (All Cash), amounts to about six and a half million pounds, and it cannot, therefore, for some time come before the Estates Commissioners, who are not in a position at present to make any statement in regard to the last part of the question.