asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Sugar Commission Is now holding a large quantity of Dutch cubes in Belfast; whether it has declined to sell these to local merchants on the ground that there are ample supplies of cubes available in Liverpool; and, if so, whether, in the interests of economy, he will take steps to make the stock lying there available for Belfast requirements?

The Commisson had, until 14th January, a stock of about 135 tons only in Belfast. For a short period this sugar was not offered on the market in order to regulate the supply and keep it as even as possible. No economy of the kind suggested could have been effected by its sale, as this would only have postponed importation and not have avoided it or reduced its necessary volume. The sugar was offered for sale freely on and after 14th January, but until 18th January none had been sold.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total annual amount due for interest on loans, public debts, Treasury Bills, and other liabilities, the payment of which has to be annually provided by Parliament as on 31st July, 1914, 31st July, 1915, and 31st December, 1915, or on other days, which will indicate the growth of debt charges from the pre-war period to a recent date?

The total charge for interest (including management expenses) in respect of funded and unfunded debt, for the financial year 1913–14, was £16,894,000. The corresponding figure for 1914–15 was £19,512,000. As stated in my reply to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock, on the 19th instant, the total estimate for National Debt services for 1915–16 is £67,085,000. This figure included about £2,200,000 for Sinking Fund, included in certain terminable annuities, which must be deducted in order to arrive at a figure comparable with those given for the years 1913–14 and 1914–15.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board for Ireland, in surcharging the Baltinglass board of guardians in respect of a milk pre-war contract made between them and Mr. William Kelly, of Talbotstown, Kiltegan, county Wicklow, were ignoring the terms of the promise made by the Chief Secretary that the Local Government Board would favourably consider the claims of contractors whose contracts were entered into before the War broke out; whether, in the circumstances, on the 18th July, 1914, the Baltinglass guardians accepted Mr. Kelly's tender to supply milk at 7d. per gallon; that on his application the guardians, on the 24th April, 1915, unanimously increased the contract price by 2d. per gallon for the half-year commencing 1st May, 1915, this being equal to 1d. per gallon for the whole year or 14 per cent. on the original contract price; that this contract price was the lowest paid during the War to a contractor by any board of guardians; that the contractor satisfied the auditor of the Local Government Board that, owing to the increase in prices of cattle, feeding material, and labour, he was, even with the increased price, carrying out his contract at a serious loss; and whether, in view of the fact that the new milk contract just entered into provides for a rate of 10d. per gallon, an increase of 3d. per gallon on the original price, showing that the guardians in the contract in respect of which they are surcharged acted perfectly bonâ fide and did not unduly favour Mr. Kelly, he will direct the Local Government Board to rescind the order for surcharge affecting individual guardians of the Baltinglass union?

The board of guardians of Baltinglass Union were clearly told that they must deal with the question of the milk contract on their own responsibility, and when assessing what allowance, if any, to make to the contractor should consult all available documentary evidence so as to ascertain the exact loss sustained. The milk contractor, however, who farms some 400 acres, and the board of guardians both failed to satisfy the auditor that any loss had as a matter of fact been sustained, and the payments made at the rate of twopence a gallon extra were therefore surcharged by the auditor. The guardians surcharged appealed to the Board, but also failed to produce any documentary or other satisfactory evidence that any loss had been incurred by the fulfilment of the contract at the original price. The surcharges were accordingly upheld. Having given their decision, the Local Government Board have no power to alter it.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the chief clerks of solicitors and accountants are exempted from being called up to serve in their groups?

No, Sir. They can, however, after being attested, appeal to the local tribunal for postponement.

asked the Under-Secretary for War why officers commissioned as quartermasters, and especially those of the Royal Army Medical Corps, are not promoted to the rank of captain, however suitable and well qualified they may be, until after they have completed ten years' service, whereas other officers of considerably shorter military experience and with less responsibility are eligible for promotion after a much shorter period of service; and whether he is aware that there is a growing feeling of dissatisfaction amongst the class of officers referred to in consequence of this inequality of treatment?

The reasons that promotion in the combatant ranks has been accelerated are, firstly, the large casual- ties, and, secondly, the necessity of expansion. In other words, it has been necessitated by the exigencies of the Service. The fact that the needs of the Service have required this acceleration is not the reason for giving what is called "sympathetic" promotion in other cases where no such needs of the Service come into play.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the circumstances under which Private L. Hope was court-martialled and shot in France in March last for the alleged desertion of his post of duty; whether during the entire proceedings no hint was conveyed to Hope of the gravity of his position, and that it was not till within an hour of his execution that he was informed of the sentence; whether any advocate was assigned to the prisoner or any respite granted so as to enable the decision to be reviewed; whether the sentence was confirmed according to the regulations; and whether it was brought to the notice of the Court that on several occasions this man had exposed himself gallantly in trench warfare before the German lines, thereby proving he was not a coward or a shirker of his duty?

If Private T. Hope, of the 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment, is referred to, he was tried by field general court-martial on the 14th February, 1915, on a charge of desertion, and other minor charges. The evidence shows that he absented himself from the trenches on the 23rd December until the 9th February, when he was arrested.

It is well known to all soldiers that desertion in the face of the enemy is liable to be punished by death. Private Hope was informed of his sentence more than twelve hours before it was carried out. The sentence was passed on the 14th February, and was most carefully reviewed before it was confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief on the 27th February. Such confirmation was strictly in accordance with law.

It is obvious that counsel cannot be employed on courts-martial which take place in the field.

The accused called no evidence such as is referred to in the latter part of the question, nor was any such evidence before the Court.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether persons sentenced to be shot upon conviction on indictment have been executed within forty-eight hours of the dismissal of the appeal by the Court of Criminal Appeal; and whether the Secretary of State for War will direct that in future ten days shall in such cases elapse between the dismissal of the appeal and the execution of the sentence, especially in view of the fact that this period elapses under the orders of the Secretary of State for the Home Department in cases of persons whose appeals are dismissed from sentences of death by hanging?

I am not sure that what my hon. Friend suggests would be desirable. When a man has been sentenced to death and all the possible means of obtaining a reprieve have been exhausted, to defer the execution unduly does not appear to be at all desirable in the interest of the condemned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when a court of inquiry has determined that an officer or soldier has been made a prisoner of war under circumstances beyond his control, the fact of his capture would of itself disqualify him from becoming the recipient of honours for which he might have been recommended for distinguished services rendered prior to his capture?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has taken steps to bring home officers and men of all ranks belonging to the original Expeditionary Force for rest or a period of Home duty, seeing that many of them are in so tired a condition as to be in danger of permanently breaking down unless relieved, whereas with fair treatment they would again be available for active service?

All possible facilities for rest and leave to England compatible with the exigencies of service in the face of the enemy are given to men of the original Expeditionary Force as well as the rest of the Army. The dispatch of what my hon. Friend calls the original Expeditionary Force was followed almost at once by the dispatch of other divisions, and the dividing line could not be drawn, even if it were in any case feasible, on the lines he suggests.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the rate of pay received by dental mechanics with the Royal Army Medical Corps, the pay at present being 1s. 6d. a day for expert mechanic work with artificial teeth, as regards the pay of £3 per week when in private employment prior to the War; and, seeing that the practice of mechanical dentistry requires great skill, whereas the pay is inferior to all classes of superior trade pay, which range from 3s. to 6s. per day. will he say what action he proposes to take in this matter?

When my hon. Friend contrasts military pay with pre-war earnings he will, of course, remember that in addition to pay men enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps receive, like other soldiers, food, clothing, accommodation and separation allowance for family or dependants. Men of adequate skill have been obtained on these terms. Special rates of pay are no longer being offered to skilled men enlisting in the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Patrick Goodfellow, No. 3,139, D Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, allowed his mother 3s. 6d. per week, and will he state why this, with the allowance from the War Office, was stopped on 24th August and no payment was made to her since; and will he take steps to have the weekly payments renewed and arrears paid to the mother, Mrs. Goodfellow, of Maguire's Bridge, county Fermanagh?

I will have inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether workmen who were sent from their various trade unions in Dublin to this country at the outbreak of the War for the purpose of carrying out war work, if they should be dismissed or complete their contract, will be allowed to return to Ireland; and whether men who have been transferred from Government Departments in Ireland to this country since the outbreak of war will be excluded from the Military Service (No. 2) Bill?

The persons referred to in the question are excepted from the provisions of the Military Service (No. 2) Bill if they were not ordinarily resident in Great Britain on the 15th August last, or if, although resident in Great Britain, they are resident there for some special purpose. If not within the above exceptions, a claim may be made for their exemption on the ground of their being employed on work of national importance.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he will state what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to carry out the Resolution of the House of Commons calling for immediate consultation with the Governments of the Dominions in order, with their aid, to bring the whole economic strength of the Empire into co-operation with our Allies in a policy directed against the enemy?

The Resolution, with a report of the Debate, has been communicated to the self-governing Dominions. I hope to see the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth in this country shortly, when we shall have an opportunity of personal consultation; and the whole subject is receiving the earnest consideration of the Government.

asked the Home Secretary how many street traffic fatalities were caused by each class of vehicle during the years 1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively, in the Metropolitan police district and the City of London?

The total number of fatalities in 1913 and 1914 was 625 and 658, respectively. Particulars showing the number caused by different classes of vehicles in each of those years were given to my hon. Friend in reply to his question of the 9th November last.

The figures for 1915 are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that Mr. John Nideroest, a Swiss subject, was sentenced at the Old Street Police Court to three months' imprisonment and deportation on 16th June last for having written an article for the "New York American" to which the Censor took objection; that no legal assistance was allowed him at the trial; that although the sentence has expired he has neither been released nor deported; that he is not allowed to communicate with the Swiss Minister; if he will state whether any subjects of the Dutch Government who have been imprisoned in similar circumstances have been released at the instance of that Government; and what action he proposes to take in the case of Mr. Nideroest?

This alien was convicted under the Defence of the Realm Act of communicating information which might be useful to the enemy, and at the end of the sentence of imprisonment a deportation order was made against him under which he is held in custody for the present, as it is not in the interests of this country that he should be allowed at large. The alien does not appear to have applied for legal assistance, but he will be allowed to make an application to the Swiss Minister in connection with his case if he so desires. I am not aware that other aliens in similar circumstances have been dealt with differently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total steam and sail tonnage of merchant vessels on the registers of the world and on the British register in the years 1849 and 1911, and the percentage of the total world's tonnage on the British register at those dates, or, if these figures are not available, the total tonnage under the British flag entering all ports or clearing from them, and the tonnage under the flags of other nations on the same dates or on the nearest dates for which the figures are recorded?

The aggregate of the world's sailing and steam tonnage in 1850, the earliest year for which statistics have been compiled, amounted (so far as can be ascertained) to about 9,450,000 tons (net), of which 4,233,000 tons (net) or 44.8 per cent. were registered in the British Empire. In 1911 the aggregate tonnage of the world, so far as statistics are available, was 34,886,000 tons (net), of which 13,533,000 tons (net), or 38.8 per cent., were registered in the British Empire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that some of the English railway companies have refused to take articles weighing over five tons consigned to Irish traders, and, in view of the hardships thus inflicted on Irish interests, will such a state of things be put a stop to; and will he state by whose orders the railway authorities at Colchester were able and are able to state that they would refuse to accept such goods as are above-mentioned consigned to Limerick, even if the War Office permit for transit was presented to them?

I am not aware that the English railway companies have refused to carry articles weighing over five tons consigned to Ireland, though I understand such articles are not carried at the ordinary through rates. I will, however, be pleased to inquire into definite cases if the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars, and I will ask the Great Eastern Railway Company for their observations with regard to the incident at Colchester.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with the growth of freight charges to this country; whether freights for grain from Buenos Ayres to this country were about 15s. a ton before the War; whether on the introduction of the Chancellor's scheme dealing with war profits the freight charges were about £4 per ton and that now they reach as high as £7 10s. per ton; and whether, in view of the effect of these charges on the food of the people, he will either take over the steamship services of the country, or otherwise take not 50 per cent. but the whole of the profits which each steamship company earns over and above what it did before the War?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday on this subject, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that at the last meeting of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society it was stated by an official of the society that a sum of £3,000 was due by the society to its bankers, for which sum the society's president had undertaken liability, and an appeal was made by the said official for subscriptions to carry on the society; if any part of the Treasury Grant is to be devoted towards paying this sum of £3,000; if he is aware that, in comparison with the moneys spent directly and indirectly by the society on propaganda work through the Press and otherwise, the moneys expended in practical agricultural work were small; if he is aware that most of the business enterprises initiated by the society have failed save one or two exceptions; and whether, under all the circumstances, he will still advise the continuation of the Treasury Grant without the original terms being adhered to?

I am not prepared to make any statement as to business transacted at meetings of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. The answers of the other questions raised by the hon. Member are as follows:—

(1) The Treasury Grants are applied solely to the society's expenditure from

(2) The Grant is made to the society as an agency for carrying out the organisation of agricultural co-operation, which is one of the purposes specially mentioned in the Development Act.

(3) The allegation that the society's enterprises have failed is incorrect. A large majority of the societies started by the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society are working successfully and increasing their annual turnover.

(4) The amount of the Grants made to the society is reviewed from year to year, and the society has already been informed that the conditions of the Grant for 1915–16 were exceptional.

also asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that one of the terms of the Grant originally made to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society was that for every £1 provided by the society from their private resources the Development Commissioners were to grant £1, the total not to exceed £4,000; that the terms were changed without consultation with Irish Parliamentary representatives; and that the Government Grant now far exceeds the amount provided by the society from its private resources; whether he is aware that, while the Government Grant kept increasing, the moneys provided by the society from personal subscription and otherwise kept steadily decreasing; and whether it is the intention of the Treasury to keep this private society alive, defray its liabilities out of public moneys, and relieve its members from the financial obligations of their enterprise?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affimative; to the second, that the Irish Government was consulted; to the third, that, owing to war conditions, it is not expected that the income from voluntary sources in 1915–16 will be equal to the amount of the Grant, which was raised to meet the deficiency that would otherwise ensue if the work of the society were to be maintained at its former level; to the fourth, that up to the outbreak of the War there was a steady increase in the society's income from voluntary sources; to the fifth, that the Treasury as at present advised have no intention of discontinuing a Grant to the society as the agent carrying out the statutory purpose of promoting agricultural organisation in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether large tracts of land in Fermanagh county are now flooded by overflow from the Erne River; whether this is due to neglect on the part of those in charge of the floodgates at Belleek; and, if not, will he have steps taken to improve the drainage of Lough Erne so as to prevent such flooding?

The Board of Works report to me that they have been in communication with the secretary to the Lough Erne Drainage Board, and are informed that while the country round. Upper Lough Erne, is flooded to a considerable extent, this flooding is not due to any neglect on the part of the Drainage Board or their officials in charge of the sluices at Belleek, as these sluices have been open to their fullest extent from 24th December to the present time. Even under these conditions the level of the upper lake has, owing to the exceptional rainfall, risen steadily, and, as considerable portions of the land round the lake are low-lying, flooding is inevitable. It does not appear that the Drainage Board could do any more to reduce the flooding than they are doing.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what increase, if any, there has been in the export of eggs, poultry, and butter from Ireland for the year 1915; what amount of imports of these articles of produce has taken place for the same period as compared with the year 1915 and the countries from which such imports come; and whether, realising the profitable and important character of these articles of produce to a country like Ireland, he is prepared to follow the example of the Canadian Government by offering practical assistance with the view of encouraging and co-ordinating this industry and securing better facilities, especially relative to packing, branding, and transportation of eggs and butter?

The year 1914 is the latest year for which total figures relating to the export and import trade of Ireland are available. The publication of the Report for 1914 has been considerably delayed owing to the depletion of the staff engaged on the compilation of the trade statistics of Ireland, occasioned by enlistments in His Majesty's Forces. It is impossible as yet to give any total figures for 1915.

The following tables show the total quantities and estimated values of eggs, poultry and butter exported from and imported into Ireland during each of the years 1913 and 1914:—

The returns of Imports furnished to this Department do not show the names of the countries from which goods are consigned or imported.

The Department have for several years employed a special staff to give advice and practical instruction in the preparation of butter and eggs for market. As a result of a series of searching tests, and after conferences with merchants, carriers and casemakers, standard packages for butter and eggs were decided upon, and their use is being constantly pressed on traders by instructors and in leaflets and other publications. The use of uniform brands has been strongly recommended to egg shippers, and branding is also urged on butter producers. Instructors take every opportunity of giving practical demonstrations in the best methods of packing eggs and butter. The Department's marketing representative in Great Britain reports all instances of defective handling of these articles which come to his notice, and steps are at once taken to advise the consignors as to how necessary improvements may be effected.

The Department are in constant touch with carrying companies regarding the safe and speedy transit of agricultural products. Inspections are made at railway stations, ports, and markets. Representations are made to senders whenever it is reported that unsuitable cases are used.

Communications are addressed to the carrying companies concerned when instances of the want of due care in the handling of consignments during conveyance come under notice. Complaints as to damage or delay in transit are carefully investigated. The Department have been instrumental in having, in a number of in-

stances, more favourable rates put into operation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of national schools in which Irish is taught at the present time, and the names of such schools?

The particulars for which the hon. Member asks are not available, and could not be procured without undue labour and expense. It may safely be assumed, however, that the number of national schools at which Irish is now taught does not differ greatly from the number at which instruction in this subject was given on the 31st December, 1914, namely, 2,403.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of clerks employed in the offices of the Commissioners of National Education before the War; the number who have joined the Colours; and the number at present employed?

There were 107 clerks of all grades (exclusive of boy clerks and women typists) in the employment of the Commissioners of National Education at the commencement of the present War. Seventeen members of this staff are now serving with the Colours, and the clerical staff on duty in the office at the present date numbers ninety-one, inclusive of temporary clerks acting in place of some of those who have enlisted, and exclusive of boy clerks and women typists.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he is now in a position to make any further statement on the matter of the acquirement and sub-division of the lands of Ballymulvey (Shuldham estate) amongst the people of Ballymahon for whom the landlord originally intended it; whether the offer of the Estates Commissioners comprising the entire farm was communicated to Mr. Shuldham or his agents; if so, what reply was received; and whether he will again request the Commissioners to repeat the offer with a view to having this matter settled once and for all?

I am not in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member in this matter on the 21st September, except that the Estates Commissioners do not consider anything would be gained by communicating further with the owner at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the sum of £58 sterling has been deducted this year from Grants to the Ballymahon union, county Longford, for defaults made by purchased tenants in that area in respect of land purchase annuities due to the Land Commission; and whether he will direct that the names of these defaulters will be supplied to the guardians of the union, so that steps may be taken to bring pressure upon them to pay their annuities, and not have the same levied upon an already overburdened body of ratepayers?

The Land Commission state that they have no information with regard to the amounts deducted from the Grants available for the Ballymahon union out of the local grants made to the county Longford at large. In that county the amount outstanding in February last in respect of land purchase arrears drawn from the Guarantee Fund was £2,962 12s. 9d. Of this figure and the amount subsequently drawn for arrears in August, 1915, there is now but £96 15s. 9d. due to the Guarantee Fund for arrears. This amount is in process of recovery, and on its receipt will be recouped to the Guarantee Fund. With regard to furnishing the names of tenant purchasers whose annuities are in arrear, the Commissioners have intimated to the several county councils that they are prepared to furnish lists of such defaulters immediately after the annual deduction from the Guarantee Fund.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why surcharges have been made on certain members of the Athlone Urban Council, county Westmeath, in connection with taxes now demanded from the Franciscan Convent at that place which were not formerly levied; whether, as a religious and charitable community, they were exempt from rates; and, if not, was the reason of their non-exemption the fact that members of the Franciscan Order were outlaws under the existing laws; whether he will have all the circumstances referred to investigated; and, if the facts are as alleged, will he recommend that the surcharges be remitted pending legislative amendment?

The surcharges were made by the auditor for rates, which should have been but were not collected, and as no appeal has been lodged against them, I am not at present in a position to say on what grounds the auditor's ruling is or could be challenged, but I will cause further inquiries to be made.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any progress has been made with negotiations in pursuance of the Local Government Board's suggestion that economies might be effected if the Edinburgh and Glasgow Veterinary Colleges were amalgamated; whether the respective governing bodies have made any official statement of their attitude towards this suggestion; whether all building expenditure by both colleges has been forbidden; and whether the unfinished building in Edinburgh has been rendered wind and watertight in the meantime?

I do not understand why my hon. Friend associates the Local Government Board with the Veterinary Colleges. I understand that each of the colleges is opposed to being absorbed by the other. The Government has no power of forbidding expenditure, as my hon. Friend supposes, if the colleges can obtain money.