asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will say what pay and allowances does an officer of the British Army draw when made prisoner of war?

The general rule is that-regimental officers are credited with full pay, and lodging, fuel and light, and field allowances. Staff officers receive Staff pay and field allowance for sixty-one days, after which they receive regimental pay and allowances if regimental officers, or half-pay and regimental allowances if not regimental officers. The issues made to the officer himself by enemy Governments are:— Germany and Austria. Turkey. To Captains and above £5 a month 4s. 6d. per day. Subalterns £3 a month 4s. per day. These sums are deducted from the amounts credited to the officer's personal account from Army funds.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Avro Aeroplane Company of Manchester is a controlled firm; if so, is he aware that until recently the firm paid its workmen a war bonus? which has now been stopped; and whether he will instruct this firm again to pay war bonus and the arrears of bonus due to the men?

The firm in question is not controlled and does not hold any contract under the Ministry of Munitions. In the circumstances I have no power to intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the North-Eastern Railway Company have made alterations in the way of restrictions of numbers of trains on the branch line serving the rural district of Easington, county Durham; and that the railway company threatened further restriction, which is interfering with the trade of the district, especially the South Hetton Coal Company; and, seeing that the railways are under national control, will he intervene in the interests of the public, thus supporting the local deputations which are waiting on the officials of the North-Eastern Railway Company to obtain better service and avert further restriction?

I have communicated with the railway company in this matter, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of their reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what becomes of moneys claimed in Scotland by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrance Office of estates without heirs?

Particulars are to be found in the annual return of the Ultimus Hæres (Scotland) Account, the last issue of which, relating to the calendar year 1914, was House of Commons Paper 216 of 1915, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what were the amounts paid by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to make up the deficiencies caused by the partial exemption from local rating of agricultural land in England under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, of agricultural land in Scotland under the Agricultural Rates, etc. (Scotland), Act, 1896, and of tithe rent-charge attached to a benefice under the Tithe Rent-charge (Rates) Act, 1899, respectively, for each financial year since these Acts came into operation and in the aggregate; and what are the estimated amounts which will be payable under each of these Acts during the present financial year?

The information asked for is as regards past years contained in the published Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. The figures for eleven years (1904–05 to 1914–15 inclusive) are given on page 159 of the Report for 1914–15—Table 162, columns 7 and 8. For the current year it is estimated that the amount payable under the Tithe Rent-Charge (Rates) Act, 1899, will be £180,000. As regards the amounts for the current year payable respectively under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, and the Agricultural Rates, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1896, I have no available information.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the lands on the estate of Sir C. W. Cuffe, situate at Tularosa, county Kilkenny, are not yet vested In the purchasing tenants, notwithstanding the fact that the purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners more than six years ago; and if he will state when the sale' and purchase is likely to be completed?

I am informed that the estate referred to has not yet been reached in its order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash) to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Commissioners are not in a position at present to state when the estate may be reached in its order, but it will be dealt with as soon as possible when its turn arrives.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in regard to the Reeves estate, West Clare, steps are now in progress to give the remaining tenants their vesting orders; whether he can explain why the Congested Districts Board in the process of settlement did not proceed according to the number on the rental; whether, when the abatements are fixed, they will in all cases be made retrospective; and whether, in view of the fact that the settlement of this question has been pending for years and that so little now requires to be done, the whole business will now be disposed of?

The sale of the estate referred to is being proceeded with, and will be completed as soon as possible. The Congested Districts Board do not follow the rental numbers in dealing with an estate, but sale agreements are signed according as the holdings are prepared for sale. The tenants on the Reeves estate are allowed abatements in accordance with the agreements signed by them, but not retrospectively.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state how many certificates under the proviso to Sub-section (1) of Section 97 or Sub-section (3) of Section 102 of the Children Act, 1908, were issued in Ireland in 1914?

Four prisoners in whose cases certificates were issued under the provisions referred to were received in Irish prisons in 1914, two having been certified under each of the Sections mentioned.

asked how many children were in Ireland committed in 1914 to industrial schools under Sub-section (5) of Section 58 of the Children Act, 1908; and how many of those so committed were committed on the ground of refractory conduct?

One child was committed to an industrial school in Ireland in 1914 under the provision referred to, and this committal was on the ground of refractory conduct.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many certificates, under the proviso to Sub-section (1) of Section 97 or Sub-section (3) of Section 102 of the Children Act, 1908, were issued in Scotland in 1914?

I am informed that eight such certificates were granted in 1914 in Scotland—all under Sub-section (1) of Section 97 of the Act referred to.

asked how many children were in Scotland committed in 1914 to industrial schools under Sub-section (5) of Section 58 of the Children Act, 1908, and how many of those so committed were committed on the ground of refractory conduct?

I am informed that four children were committed in Scotland in 1914 to industrial schools under the Sub-section referred to, all on the ground of refractory conduct.