asked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Shawn MacDermott has been arrested and imprisoned under the Defence of the Realm Act; if so, for what offence; where he now is; when and where he is to be tried; and will he account for the discriminating censorship which has allowed the Report of the arrest and imprisonment to appear in English newspapers while preventing any Report in the Irish newspapers; and (2) the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the charge upon which Mr. Shawn MacDermott has been arrested under the Defence of the Realm Act, and, if for a speech, the incriminating words?

Mr. Shawn MacDermott was arrested and detained on a charge of making statements likely to prejudice the recruiting of His Majesty's Forces contrary to Regulation No. 27 of the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Regulations, 1914. The case, which was adjourned for a week on the application of prisoner's counsel, is being heard today in Dublin, and the hon. Member will thus be in a position to acquaint himself as to the precise statements to which exception has been taken. Reports of Mr. MacDermott's arrest and removal to Dublin appeared in the Irish Press, and the suggestion made in the last part of the question is accordingly unfounded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War who is accountable for the discriminating administration of the Defence of the Realm Act, whereby the "Times" newspaper is allowed to publish with impunity matter held by the Government to be detrimental to this country and helpful to Germany, while promptly suppressing without trial Irish newspapers for publishing, similar or less objectionable matter and for copying matter from English newspapers; and whether he can give any undertaking that the Act will be uniformly and impartially administered in future?

For the administration of the Defence of the Realm Acts His Majesty's Government are of course responsible, and I can give the hon. Gentleman an explicit assurance that the Acts will be impartially administered with reference to all the relevant facts and considerations that are within the cognisance of the Government.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman going to explain the discrepancy stated in the question, which is the point?

The hon. Gentleman, I think, should ask that question either of the Home Office or of the responsible Department controlling the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the censoring authority in this country recognises republication in Germany as evidence that the matter so republished is helpful to Germany and hurtful to this country; and, if it does, will the right hon. Gentleman explain the discrepancy stated in the question?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will kindly hand that question in.

It is on the Paper.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the reason why proficiency pay of 3d. per day, which was paid when they first enlisted, to those Shropshire National Reservists who had previously been in the Volunteer Force has, since March, been discontinued; and what is the reason why a distinction as regards pay should be made between the members of the National Reserve who were formerly in the Volunteer Force and those who were members of the Territorial Army?

It was decided, on military grounds, that service in the Volunteers was not the equivalent of that service in the Territorial Army which counts for issue of proficiency pay. If such pay has in Shropshire been issued in respect of Volunteer service, the reason for its discontinuance is that it was issued contrary to regulation.

Can the hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that this matter will be reconsidered?

The whole question has been very carefully considered in quite recent times, and I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope that it will be reconsidered.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he is aware of the issue of a new and modified form of Army Form E. 624; whether the form as modified is in accordance with the statutes governing the conditions of enlistment to the Territorial Force, especially in respect of Section 7, Sub-section (4) (b) of the Act of 1907; whether a Bill to effect this change and repeal this Section, among others, was not introduced into this House recently and withdrawn in consequence of objections taken to it; whether he is further aware that the new obligation imposed by the modified form has, in a number of cases, already hindered recruiting for the Territorial Force, and whether, if further recruits are desired for the Territorial Force he will represent to the Secretary of State the urgent desirability of the new compulsory obligation being withdrawn?

Yes, Sir; I am aware of the Army Form to which my hon. Friend refers. This form so far from being contrary to the letter or spirit of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act is directly in accord with its provisions and the regulations formed under it. The form asks for the consent of the soldier before his transference to another unit, whose consent the regulations declare shall be obtained before such transference. It is clear that soldiers are most useful when their services can be employed as circumstances demand, and in this Form each soldier is merely invited to state definitely that he puts his patriotic feeling above personal convenience, by placing his services unreservedly in the hands of those responsible for the conduct of the War. A Bill for compulsory transference was introduced and withdrawn, as it was felt that compulsion was not desirable in the circumstances. I have no information of the effect on recruiting of the new Army Form, nor has it been in circulation for sufficient time to render any conclusion on this aspect of the matter reliable.

Are we to understand that in the case of new recruits as well as in the case of those already in the Territorial Force, it is only an invitation and not a sine qua non, of enlistment which is now to be imposed upon them in respect of the transfer, or is it to be made a sine qua non of enlistment that they take this obligation?

The form, as I have already said in my answer to the question, is purely voluntary. Nobody need take the obligation who does not desire to do so.

Is it not, the case that this proposal has been welcomed by many men in the Territorial Force as giving them a possible chance, which they thought they would not have, of joining the Forces of the Crown?

If my hon. Friend informs me that that is so, I am very glad.

Is it not the case that some Scottish recruits went the other day to enlist in a Scottish regiment and were told they had to sign this form subjecting them to be transferred to any other regiment in the Army, and that if they did not sign the form they could not be enlisted?

Before my right hon. Friend answers that question, will he say whether commanding officers are intended to enlist men without insisting upon the compulsory matter, trusting to persuasion, and further knowledge afterwards?

With regard to the case mentioned by the hon. Member for Elgin and Nairn (Sir A. Williamson), if he will give me the facts privately I shall be glad to investigate them. It comes to me absolutely for the first time. With regard to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for the Middleton Division (Sir K. Adkins), commanding officers who-are enlisting new recruits will ask the new recruit whether he is willing to sign this new form, and if the man says he is not willing to sign it, then the officer will probably inform the recruit that the Home Service units are full, therefore, if a man wishes to join the Territorial Force—[HON. MEMBERS: "What about transfer?"]—inasmuch as the Home Service units are full and that no further recruits are being taken for Home Service, the services of this man, unless he will sign, will not be required.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action has been taken with regard to the Germans who, whether naturalised or not, have opened stores or shops in different towns in India and obtained influence among the natives in the neighbourhood; will he say whether these stores have been closed; and whether the goods have been confiscated?

In pursuance of powers under the Hostile Foreigners Trading Order, an Order promulgated by the Government of India, every shop or store owned or managed by Germans, the existence of which has come to notice, has been required to take out a licence either to continue trade or be wound up, or has been closed. Each case has been dealt with on its merits. The inquiry has included all firms of which any member or officer was a hostile foreigner at the time War was declared or subsequently. When liquidation has been ordered the owner or manager has received a licence permitting him to dispose of goods in his shop or store. No action appears to have been taken against naturalised Germans as such in this connection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Succession Duty on estates under £3,000 of officers killed in action is levied from their widows; and, if so, what are the concessions actually made in respect of such estates and of larger estates in similar circumstances?

Under the Death Duties (Killed in War) Act, 1914, estates of persons to whom the Act applies are wholly exempted from Death Duties on passing to the wife or lineal descendant, if the value of the estate does not exceed £5,000. If it does exceed that figure, the first £5,000 is removed from charge, while the duties on the remainder are discounted for a period equal to the normal expectation of life of the deceased at the time of his death.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Excise officials engaged in enforcing the Immature Spirits Act only recognise as the age of blends the age of that whisky in such blend which is the least, mature, instead of the average age of all the whiskies blended; and whether he will arrange that this interpretation of the Act, for which no justification is supplied by the letter thereof, shall not be adopted by such officials in future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The action of the Excise officials does not seem to me to conflict with the provisions of the Immature Spirits Act, but the whole question of the treatment of blends is now under consideration.

In dealing with this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that this Act was very reluctantly passed by this House at the urgent request of his predecessor?

I will bear in mind all relevant facts, but I can only recognise that the Act is now an Act of Parliament, and it has been passed by this House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the enforcement of this rule in cases where very large quantities of immature spirits were in existence under a small tax will inflict a very great hardship?

As I have stated in answer to the question, the whole matter of the treatment of these claims is now being considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether lambs and calves are still being killed in the country; and whether he proposes, in view of the possible shortage of meat during the War, to issue Regulations prohibiting for the future the slaughter of immature cattle?

The question referred to by the hon. Member is most difficult, but it is engaging the most earnest attention of the Board. No Regulations have yet been issued.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make a statement as to the progress of the arbitration between the Post Office and the postal servants on the demand for an increased wage to meet the cost in rise of living?

If my hon. Friend will repeat his question in a week's time I hope to be able to give him a definite answer.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many postal servants assented at the outbreak of war to the taking from their weekly wage of a contribution to the Post Office Relief Fund, but that now they are unable to continue the contribution owing to the greatly increased cost of living, and have accordingly given notice that they desire their wages paid without deductions; and whether he will give orders that such wishes will be respected and the wages paid in full?

Subscriptions to the Post Office Relief Fund by means of deductions from wages or salary are entirely voluntary, and any notice of discontinuance is duly acted upon. I am glad to say that such notices have been few.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one or two cases have occurred, in which men who, under peculiar circumstances have wished to withdraw, have been very severely reprimanded by their superiors in office?

No, Sir. No such case has been drawn to my attention, and I shall be much obliged if the hon. Gentleman will furnish me with particulars.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the rate of postage on parcels to Egypt addressed to troops; and if he can reduce the charge, as the present rates press very heavily on the parents and friends of the soldiers who are not in affluent circumstances?

The rate of postage on parcels addressed to the troops in Egypt, and at the Dardanelles, is the same as that on parcels addressed to the troops in France up to 3lbs. weight. I will consider whether any reduction can be made in the rates for heavier parcels.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that a single parcel containing one pair of socks sent to a soldier at the front costs as much as 10d. for postage, and does he not think these charges are excessive, especially when poor people have to pay them?

I am aware that there is some feeling that the postage rates on parcels to the front is somewhat high, and I very much desire to reduce them. Already the bulk of parcels is enormously great, and to reduce the parcels post rate would probably lead to an immense increase in the numbers sent, and this might throw upon the military authorities and the Post Office a burden of transport which they could not carry. Already at the present time 100 tons of mail matter and some 70,000 parcels are sent every evening to the Army in France. I should very much like to reduce the rates, but I am afraid it is not possible.

Would it not be possible to have cheaper postage for the privates and non-commissioned officers who are the poorest in the Army?

It is a question of parcels sent to the Army.

Would the right hon. Gentleman look into the question of the leakage of parcels and letters in the French Civil Post which is often responsible for the trouble?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that at Sunderland a marine engineer has been fined £5 for having in his possession a lamp capable of being used for signalling; and if it is intended to place any restrictions upon the sale to the public of signalling apparatus and lamps?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this case, but I have made inquiry and find that the defendant was convicted under Regulation 26 of the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Regulations, which provides that no person shall, without the permission of the competent naval or military authority, or some person authorised by him, display any light in such a manner as could serve as a signal, guide or landmark. As regards the second part of the question, the possession, without lawful authority, of any apparatus intended for signalling is already prohibited by Regulation 25.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some of the large shops in England these signal lamps are not only advertised but exposed for sale in the windows?

I shall be very glad if the hon. Gentleman will give me a private reference to a case.

I will.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that, at the adjourned hearing of the charge against Margaret Henderson Smith of having obtained a detailed drawing of a fuse and of giving information calculated to be of use to the enemy, the chief constable, acting on the instructions of the Director of Prosecutions, did not ask for a committal and the Newcastle magistrates accordingly discharged the accused; and if he will state why the prosecution was abandoned in this case?

The evidence against the accused woman consisted of a telegram sent by her and a statement by her (which she afterwards contradicted) that she had stolen the drawing of a fuse from Elswick, where she had been employed. It was found that the telegram was addressed to a fictitious person, and that no such drawing had been taken from Elswick. There was therefore no sufficient evidence to justify a committal for trial.

asked the Home Secretary if the police have instructions to prevent open-air speeches favouring the German cause in the provinces as well as in London?

There is no reason to think that the provincial police need reminding of their duty in this respect. The powers given by the general law, as well as the special provisions contained in the Defence of the Realm Regulations, are already well known to them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had the opportunity of looking at the information which I forwarded to him on this subject?

I will have it examined.

asked the Home Secretary whether any persons of alien nationality or alien extraction who, since the beginning of the War, have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment have been released on expiration of their sentences without being thereupon interned; if so, why such persons are allowed to be at large; and whether in future all such persons will be immediately interned on the expiration of their sentences?

The rule in the past has been that, before a prisoner of enemy nationality was released, his case should be considered on its merits by the proper authority, and in the great majority of cases the prisoner has been interned. The number so interned after conviction for offences under the Aliens Restriction Act is about 450. In future, as the hon. Member is aware, all alien enemies of military age will be interned except those exempted on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have come to a decision regarding the duration of the present Parliament?

I am not yet in a position to announce the decision of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the dutiés as Director of the Official Press Bureau, recently performed by the present Lord Chancellor, will be tarried out by the Solicitor-General?

I will answer this question together with a private notice question which has been addressed to me by the hon. Member for Rutland (Mr. Gretton). The management of the Press Bureau will be undertaken by Sir Edward Cook and Sir Frank Swettenham as joint directors. These two gentlemen have been rendering most valuable service in an honorary capacity as assistants to the previous director. The Home Secretary will be responsible to the House for the Press Bureau.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, as a result of the strict censorship upon War news giving information, neutral countries have received more reports of military operations and other news from German sources than from the Allies and that this reacts in discouraging the cause of the Allies among neutrals generally; and whether he will consider the permission for more and earlier information being sent by cables and otherwise for the benefit of neutral countries?

Careful attention has been paid to this question, and I have every reason to think that neutral countries receive an adequate supply of news from the Allied countries. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the Prime Minister make inquiries through our diplomatic representatives as to whether feeling in neutral countries is satisfied on this point?

I cannot undertake to do that.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to give compensation for damage done by air raids or bombardment throughout the country as they have done, or propose to do, in Hartlepool, Scarborough, and Southend; and, if not, whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by the public in insuring premises against such risks, the Government can see their way to insure the same on similar lines to their marine war risk insurance?

I must refer to the answer which I gave yesterday on this question.

The answer given yesterday was that relief would be granted in these cases as in previous cases, but my question covers all future cases, and I would like to know if there is going to be any change of policy?

May I ask whether compensation will also be given for persons injured and killed, as well as compensation for damage to property?

There has been no change of policy, and there will not be.

Are we to understand that in future depredations will be compensated as in the past?

I said so yesterday, and I also said that we were considering the possibility of a State system of insurance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the insurance companies do not benefit by the action of the Government, and that the payment of compensation by the Government does not relieve insurance companies who have taken the risk?

Are we to understand that it is not necessary now for householders to insure against this risk, but that the Government will undertake it?

I have said that the Government are considering the question of general insurance with regard to this matter.

Must we continue our insurance until then?

It would be a prudent thing to do.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a scheme of insurance of this kind was placed before the Chancellor of the Exchequer last August?

Would the Prime Minister say—yesterday he nodded his head—whether the Government scheme will cover compensation for persons injured or killed? These questions have only referred to the question of damage of property.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister which Members of the Government are on the Defence Committee?

The Committee of Imperial Defence consists of the Prime Minister and such, persons as, having regard to the nature of the subjects to be discussed, he may summon to assist him. It is impossible, therefore, to state which Members of the Government are on the Committee.

asked the Home Secretary if he will issue to the public instructions as to the best means of taking precautions against the effects of explosive bombs, asphyxiating bombs, and incendiary bombs dropped by aircraft?

The Commissioner of Police has prepared instructions on this subject and they will be published as soon as they have been revised and approved by the expert officers of the Admiralty. I hope they will be ready in a day or two.

Will they be posted up, as the aircraft instructions were?

We will take what seems to be the best course under the circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is able to state the quantities of raw cotton and cotton yarn imported during the month of April by the Scandinavian countries and Holland from Great Britain and other countries, respectively; and if he can give the corresponding figures for the month of April, 1914?

Statistics of the imports of raw cotton and cotton yarns into the Scandinavian countries during the month of April, 1915, are not available. I am, however, causing a statement to be circulated with the Votes showing for the months mentioned by the hon. Gentleman the imports of raw cotton and cotton yarns into the Netherlands as shown in the Dutch official returns, together with particulars of the exports of raw cotton and cotton yarn from the United Kingdom to the Scandinavian countries and to the Netherlands as compiled by the Statistical Office of the Customs. [See Written Answers this date.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that recently, during a temporary stoppage of the coal supply from Britain, two Irish railway companies found it necessary to reduce their trains and to borrow coal from other companies, though their lines run through bogs from which an ample supply of efficient fuel is obtainable; and whether, to obviate an inconvenience to the public and to the State, the Board will overrule the coal interest which prevents the development of Irish bogs and require Irish railway companies, as public carriers, to make arrangements this season for obtaining from bogs along their lines at least sufficient fuel for their own purposes for twelve months, manufactured as peat fuel is manufactured for similar purposes in Sweden and other countries?

The question seems to be one for the consideration of the Irish railway companies concerned and not of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if there is any other reason for holding an inquiry into the loss of the "Lusitania," except the great size of the ship, than existed in respect of all the other liners and merchant ships which have been sunk by the enemy during the present War; and (2) if there is any precedent for the holding of a Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of a merchant ship which has been torpedoed or sunk by any means by a hostile warship during a time of war?

The main reason which led the Board of Trade, with the concurrence of the Admiralty, to order an inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act into the loss of the "Lusifcania" was the desirability of ascertaining beyond dispute and by judicial investigation the facts and circumstances of this outrage, which involved such lamentable loss of life. Inquiries have been held during the present War into every case of the loss of a passenger steamer, by torpedo or mine, with consequent loss of life; and it is the general practice of the Board of Trade to order an inquiry into such a loss from whatever cause arising.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement that the Nobel Trust Company, Limited, are unable to make out a complete balance-sheet owing to the shares which the company hold in German dynamite and explosives companies; whether the Nobel Company have approached the Government for permission to open up negotiations through a neutral country with their German co-shareholders; whether he can indicate the extent of the Nobel shareholding in German explosive concerns; and what answer the Government have made to any proposal made to them?

My attention has not been called to a statement that the Nobel Dynamite Trust Company, Limited, is unable to make out a complete balance-sheet owing to the shares which it holds in German dynamite and explosives companies. The company has, however, been given permission by the Home Office to enter into negotiations with a view to divesting itself of the shares which it holds in German explosives companies, but I am not at present prepared to state the exact amount of the holding in such companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the canvass by a London newspaper for men capable of working in a new aeroplane factory, with the result that about 7,000 applications were received in a few days for the 200 vacancies; whether a further canvass by the same newspaper for men capable and willing to perform war work in engineering factories has been vetoed by the Board of Trade on the ground that the advertising of vacancies and the registration of workers is forbidden by the Defence of the Realm Act Regulations except by and at the Labour Exchanges; whether this veto of an effort to find recruits for munition factories among those not regularly occupied in engineering or similar work has his sanction; and, if not, will he take steps to remove the veto which absolutely limits the registration of workers to the Labour Exchanges?

The Order in Council which the proposed action by this newspaper would, in my opinion, have contravened was made with a view to avoiding the serious delay in production due to the constant transference of men already engaged on Government work to other work. The rule made is, I think, a salutary and necessary one, and I do not propose to advise its relaxation. Arrangements have been made by which approved newspaper advertisements may still be inserted in such a form as to avoid the risk against which the Order was intended to provide.

May I ask if newspaper advertisements for labour are therefore to be considered illegal unless they are approved by the Department over which the right hon. Gentleman presides?

No, Sir; that would be much too general a statement. But it has become quite obvious that if newspapers or other bodies take men away from Government work in order to supply other Government work, it must lead to disorganisation and not effective production, which is what is required by the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the general opinion among manufacturers is that Labour Exchanges are useless for this purpose?

I am afraid I cannot accept that doctrine, as already Labour Exchanges have found no less than 67,000 workmen for war work.

What proportion is that of the number engaged for war work?

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), (1) in view of the present opportunity for developing bogs for fuel and other products, and the number of tracts of bog obtainable at a nominal price in connection with the sale of the estates to which they belong, if he will explain why the Department have not exercised their statutory power of buying and developing some of those areas for a useful industry now becoming necessary; whether they will do so this season; and (2) if he will state the estimated cost delivered in Ireland of the requisite machinery for the efficient manufacture from bog of fuel as manufactured for engine and domestic use in other countries; and, if the Department have no scheme in operation this season for meeting the growing necessity for this commodity, will he account for its omission?

The price of machinery for the manufacture of improved peat fuel—dealing with an output of 4,000 tons per annum—delivered in Ireland would be about £1,250. This price does not include the erection of the machinery, sheds, rails, trucks, and drainage of bog. Including the above items a capital sum of about £3,500 would be necessary for the starting of such an industry, but this sum would not include the cost of purchase of the bog. The Department have given very careful consideration to the methods in use-on the Continent for the manufacture of peat by means of machinery. Their inquiries have led to the conclusion that, owing to the different conditions existing in Ireland, the same methods would not, generally speaking, be applicable to this country for the production of peat for domestic purposes. Arrangements were made for the Department's representatives to investigate, in August, 1914, the results of the working of a new type of German machine reported to give better results than those previously in use, but the outbreak of hostilities interfered with this inquiry. So far hand-made turf is much cheaper to manufacture in Ireland than the machine-made product. The Department are drawing the attention of those engaged in the peat-cutting industry to the importance of cutting as much as possible during the present season. The Department do not propose to purchase any peat areas.

The right hon. Gentleman has spoken about the cost of the bog-land. Is not that really nominal in connection with the sale of land under the Land Purchase Act?

I said that the sum I would give would not include the price at which the bog was purchased. I hope bogs will be cheap, but I do not know.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what action, if any, the Irish Executive has taken with reference to owners of large tracts of bog in Ireland who, instead of availing of the present opportunity for developing the bogs for fuel and other products, have dismissed their normal young labourers in order to force them to enlist; and, seeing that such compulsion is not allowed in England, what action he proposes to take with regard to its practice in Ireland?

In view of a possible shortage of coal supplies in Ireland the Local Government Board have already drawn the attention of boards of guardians to the desirability of suggesting to turf owners the cutting of plentiful supplies of bog, not only for their own use, but for sale, and the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction are circularising county committees in the same sense. I have no grounds for believing that any person is being forced to enlist in Ireland.

Is not this one of the cases in which the Chief Secretary prefers not to know the facts?

I am always glad to know facts, but it is difficult to find them.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the Treasury will sanction the issue of war service badges to those members of the Inland Revenue Department who have been refused permission to enlist?

Yes, Sir; I am prepared to sanction the issue of suitable badges.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury who compose the committee dealing with licences to export to foreign countries in cases where such licences are required?

Applications for licences to export are dealt with not by a committee, but by the War Trade Department, which was formed for this purpose to assist the Treasury, and of which the director is Lord Emmott.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the rise in price of food, coal, and other commodities, any circular has been issued to boards of guardians recommending an increase in the scale of out-door relief; whether certain localities are exercising their discretion and increasing relief; and whether, if no national action has yet been taken, he will give favourable consideration to the need for a uniform recommendation?

The Local Government Board have not thought it necessary to issue any special circular on this subject. Guardians are well aware, from previous circulars, that in the view of the Board it is their duty, in fixing the amount of out-relief, to have regard to the cost of living in the locality. I shall, however, carefully watch the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Glasgow Corporation, in their new coal contract, have been obliged to pay increased prices of from sixty per cent. to seventy per cent.; whether he will obtain information as to the prices at which the municipal authorities have renewed their coal contracts for this year; and whether, in view of the position being created for some of the vital municipal and industrial enterprises, he will endeavour to get enforced the main recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Retail Coal Prices?

I have been requested by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. As I have stated at various times in this House, effect has already been given to the majority of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee, and, as I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for the Dartford Division, yesterday, I am in negotiation with colliery owners with reference to the pit-head prices of coal. I will consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that information should be obtained with reference to the contract prices for coal paid by municipal authorities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that dockyard pensioners are being taken on at some of His Majesty's dockyards and allowed at the same time to retain their pensions; and can he see his way to adopt the same course at Devonport, so that every man who is efficient may be employed?

It is the case that certain dockyard pensioners whose services were required have been re-engaged in the dockyards at their trade rates of wages, augmented by such sums as were required to make up for the pension which they are precluded from being paid on being re-employed. This arrangement, however, is intended to be applied only in cases in which the services of certain workmen are particularly required. I may add that the instructions in the matter are, of course, the same for Devonport as for the other dockyards.

I desire to ask the Prime Minister when the Government intend to introduce the Bill based upon the Report of the Pensions Committee, which is a very urgent matter?

At the earliest possible moment.