asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, among those appointed to the permanent staff of the Land Valuation Department during the past month, there are many who are fit for military service; and, if so, whether permission will be granted to such men to enlist, have their places kept open, and their present positions filled for the period of the War by men who have been dismissed from the Department as not being on the permanent staff and who are ineligible for military service?

Members of the permanent staff of the Inland Revenue Valuation Office will be permitted to enter Section B of the Army Reserve under the new scheme, and subsequently, when their group is called up, to join the active forces in every case where it is practicable. In order to facilitate this object the Commissioners of Inland Revenue propose, so far as possible, to appoint temporary substitutes of non-military age from the former temporary staff.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has re- ceived a complaint from the men employed by Messrs. J. W. Brooke and Company, motor boat builders, Oulton Broad, Norfolk, who are building motor and other boats for the Admiralty, to the effect that although they are doing boat-builders' work they are being paid from 2s. to 4s. per week less than boat-builders' wages; whether firms doing similar work for the Admiralty are paying their workmen a war bonus; and, if so, whether he will give instructions to Messrs. Brooke and Company to put their workmen on the same footing?

In September last a complaint was received from certain employés of Messrs. Brooke that joiners employed by that firm on boat-building were not receiving the usual rate for boat builders. Inquiry was instituted by the Admiralty, with the result that the case was found to be substantially as stated, and the firm, after receipt of a letter indicating the Admiralty views, stated some time ago that all joiners working as boat builders on His Majesty's motor boats were now being paid full boat-builders' rate.

asked the nature of the food daily supplied to the men of the naval brigade interned at Groningen?

The last report received on the subject stated that the food issued to the men is exactly the same in quantity as is issued to the personnel of the Dutch Navy, though the arrangement of the meals is altered at the request of our men. There is a ration of meat and vegetables for dinner—with rice and golden syrup twice a week. Bread, butter, sugar, milk, coffee, tea, oatmeal, and golden syrup are issued daily.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an officer holding the temporary rank of captain in a reserve battalian who joins the first-line unit has precedence over an officer holding the permanent rank of lieutenant in that regiment whatever the respective lengths of service of the two may be, or whether under the letter of general No. 4,650 (T.F. 1) it is provided that the officer of the reserve battalion should revert to the rank of second-lieutenant on joining the first-line unit?

An officer holding the temporary rank of captain in the second-or third-line should, on joining the first-line with the Expeditionary Force, take the proper precedence held by him in the roll of officers of the regiment. This might involve reverting to the rank of lieutenant or second-lieutenant.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether time-expired men on completing their term of thirteen years with the Colours, even though their characters are recorded as excellent, and who apply to re-engage for the full term required to qualify for pension, are at the present time being refused permission to do so, even when on active service and in the fighting line at the time of application?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on the 17th November. Consideration is still being given to the possibility of allowing some re-engagements.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many German prisoners are interned at Oldcastle; and will he give in detail the diet supplied to them and state whether any and, if so, what occupation is found for them?

The answer to the first part of the question is 583. The scale of rations approved for prisoners of war is as follows: Bread, 1 1b, 8 ozs., or biscuits, 1 lb.; meat, fresh or frozen, 8 ozs., or pressed, ½ ration; tea, ½ oz., or coffee, 1 oz.; salt, ½ oz.; sugar, 2 ozs.; milk, condensed 1–20 tin (1 lb.); vegetables, fresh, 8 ozs.; pepper, 1–2 oz.; 2 ozs. cheese to be allowed as an alternative issue for 1 oz. butter or margarine; 2 ozs. of peas, beans, lentils, or rice. I cannot answer the last part of the question without making special inquiries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the pay of the deputy assistant directors of remounts is going to be increased; and whether there will be a revision of the whole scale of payments in the remount service?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information that any speeches made in this House by Ministers have been misrepresented by the German press and used for the purpose of comforting and encouraging the enemy?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary how many references have appeared in the German press or German subsidised press containing extracts, distorted or otherwise, from Liberal papers which the enemy have circulated for the purposes of comforting and encouraging the German people?

There is always a danger of indiscreet writing lending itself to the uses of German propaganda, but any instances of this danger have never been and ought not to be classified by reference to the political colour of the newspaper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in some towns exposed to Zeppelin raids the church bells and clocks striking the hours has been prohibited during the hours of darkness; and whether he will consider the desirability of extending such rules to London in view of the numbers of wounded soldiers for whom quiet is essential?

I understand that in some towns it has been arranged to stop the ringing of church bells and the striking of church clocks, but I am advised by those responsible for the defence of London from air raids that in London they contribute so small a part of the general noise that it is not, as a rule, necessary to take this step. I have not heard of their causing trouble to wounded soldiers, but that would be a matter for the War Office.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state whether he has received a resolution from the Blacklion Town Tenants' Association asking him to remove the population limitations in the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Bill, and thus give the benefits of the Bill to the wives and families of the men at the front who reside in villages and rural districts; and will this request have his consideration?

The resolution mentioned has been referred to me by the President of the Local Government Board, and will have my careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will take steps to encourage the growing of Phormium tenax in this country, and promote investigation into the methods of treating it, in view of the commercial value of its product?

Experiments with varieties of Phormium tenax known to yield good fibre, which have recently been imported from New Zealand, are now in progress in this country. The results of earlier experiments in growing Phormium tenax from seed have not been encouraging, and until the value of the fibre of the imported plants now being grown in this country has been ascertained it would be undesirable to extend its cultivation

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the chartering by enemy subjects, domiciled or resident in a neutral country, of British ships and trading with them between a neutral country and Great Britain or between one neutral State and another; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of taking steps to stop such trading?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division of Nottingham on 17th November last on a somewhat similar question. The matter is being carefully watched.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the powers of the Coal Committee in the matter of the issue of licences to export coal to neutral countries; whether the powers are unlimited; whether each licence specifies the total number of tons to be exported; and whether each licence limits the period within which it is valid?

The Coal Exports Committee was appointed by the Board of Trade in May last to consider and advise on all questions relating to the exportation of coal and coke from the United Kingdom to destinations other than British Possessions and Protectorates, Allied countries, and Portugal. It is not itself a licensing body, but each licence specifies the total number of tons authorised to be exported. The licence does not specify the period within which it is valid, but, under an arrangement between the War Trade Department and the Board of Customs and Excise, the licences are regarded as available for use within a period of six weeks from the date thereof, or the date of shipment named therein, whichever is later.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs under what system of check the new arrangements made with the Merchants' Guild at Copenhagen have been concluded; what is the quantity and nature of the goods permitted under the agreement with the British Government; and what means are taken to prevent supplies getting into Germany and increasing the business already done between Denmark and Germany?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given yesterday in the House by my hon. and learned Friend in reply to questions on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the amount of the Treasury Grant for the purposes of the National Insurance Act in Ireland for the past twelve months; and what was the amount of the contributions of employers and of their employés, respectively?

The sum included in the Vote of the Irish Insurance Commission in the Estimates for the year ending on the 31st March last as provision for contributions and Grants in respect of the cost of benefits and administration under the Acts was £337,700. The amount derived from the contributions of employers and employed persons in Ireland during the same year was approximately £699,000. The proportion of this amount paid by employers and employed persons respectively is not ascertainable.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the amount of the contemplated subsidy to be paid by the Government to help the Irish tobacco-growing industry; which and how many counties participated in this subsidy; has the crop been sold at a profit in 1914 and 1915; and is there any prospect of better prices being procurable within the next few years?

The maximum annual Grant towards the cost of carrying out the scheme of experiments in growing and rehandling of tobacco which is at present being conducted under the supervision of the Department is £6,375. These experiments were begun in the year 1914, and are to be concluded in the year 1923. Tobacco is being grown under the scheme in seven counties, namely, Dublin, Kildare, King's County, Limerick, Louth, Meath, and Wexford. Only a portion of the 1914 crop has yet been sold and the 1915 crop will not be ready for market for some months to come. Financial returns in respect of these crops are not yet available. The Department are not in a position to forecast the course of prices for Irish tobacco in future years.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether Mr. Murphy, creamery instructor, Cavan, has been offered the position of egg inspector; what are Mr. Murphy's qualifications for this new position; what salary is paid to egg instructors, and what salary had Mr. Murphy as creamery inspector; will he state how many egg instructors are employed by his Department, giving their names and salaries; when was the first instructor appointed; and will he state the precise date of the last appointment of an egg instructor?

Temporary employment in connection with the marketing section of the Department was offered to Mr. E. Murphy on termination of his engagement as an instructor in dairying. It was intended to employ Mr. Murphy to induce egg shippers and others to adopt a system of egg testing. No special technical qualifications are required for this particular work. Any educated person accustomed to giving advice to business people and to carrying out instructions is capable of performing the duties. The remuneration offered to Mr. Murphy was £3 per week. Mr. Murphy's salary as instructor in dairying wag at the rate of £220 per annum. One temporary assistant, Mr. Thomas Scott, is employed, since the 20th November, in the marketing section of the Department in connection with the testing of eggs. The remuneration allowed to him is £3 per week. No previous appointment of this nature was made. The need for it arose owing to the increasing tendency at present to hold over eggs for a high price —a practice that is most injurious to the interests of the Irish egg trade and of the consumers.

asked what staff is now employed at Ballyhaise and the terms of their employment; what stock is on the lands; are the premises fully equipped for agricultural work; and will he state what new machinery and implements have been procured or are about being obtained after the sale of the following implements and machinery: two chill ploughs, two drill ploughs, one zigzag harrow, one spring-tooth harrow, one cultivator, one land roller, two horse hoes, one potato digger, one binder, one mower, one horse rake (lever), one hay collector, two farm carts, one side-car, one manure distributor, four knapsack sprayers, and a variety of other articles, including sets of harness and saddles too numerous to mention?

The present staff at Ballyhaise consists of a farm manager, an apprentice, a gardener, and a number if workmen. The manager's engagement is subject to one month's notice, and that of each of the other employés to a week's notice. The stock consists of about 125 head of cattle, forty sheep, forty pigs and nine horses. The premises are fully equipped for agricultural work. The machinery which was sold was partly surplus stock and partly used as illustration for educational purposes and not necessary for working the farm. An adequate supply of machinery and implements has been retained for the latter purpose.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if the postage on specimens sent for medical examination and analysis has been increased; and, if so, will he consider the advisability in the interests of public health of exempting such specimens from the increased rates?

There is no post other than the letter post by which pathological specimens can be carried. They cannot be included in either the book post or the sample post, and if sent as parcels the risk of breakage and consequent damage to the other mails would be too great. A pathological specimen, like anything else sent in a letter, is liable to the new scale of postal charges introduced on 1st November last.