asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is yet in a position to say what he proposes to do regarding the continuance of Grants to the Kitchen Committee?

It has been decided to discontinue Grants to the Kitchen Committee amounting to £2,600.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution unanimously passed by the guardians of the Listowel Union calling on the Government to regulate the price of flour and meal, which is continuously increasing in price, and which the working class in Ireland are now unable to buy owing to its price as compared with the low wages earned by them; and whether he will say what action the Government intends to take in the matter?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to in the hon. Member's question. The rise in the price of commodities in all parts of the United Kingdom consequent on the War is a matter continuously receiving the attention of the Government, but they are not at present prepared to fix a standard price for selling flour and meal as requested by the guardians of Listowel Union.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he has received further representations from Lerwick, showing that the sum awarded for the damage caused by the explosion at Lerwick has been quite inadequate to meet the losses sustained by a number of fishermen, and that it will be impossible for these fishermen, unless they receive reasonable compensation to enable them to purchase fresh gear, to carry on their business of fishing; and, in view of the fact that the Admiralty have invited the co-operation of the Scottish Local Government Board, he will soon have inquiry made by the Scottish Fishery Office as to the expediency of admitting the claims now put forward?

Until yesterday, when my hon. Friend forwarded to me a representation from certain fishermen with regard to the settlement of their claims, we had received no complaint respecting the award of compensation already made. I have already informed my hon. Friend that fishermen, whose claims were in respect of their nets, their means of livelihood, received special awards. The further representation, however, shall be considered, though I can give no undertaking that the awards already made as an act of grace will be increased.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether a man who married in September last and subsequently, when attested under the Derby scheme, was placed in the single men's group can, under the Military Service (No. 2) Bill, be now placed in his married group?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether George Day, No. 16,168, 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, Hounslow Barracks, joined the Army in August of 1914; was sent to France in three months; was wounded in April and back in the trenches in June; was forty-eight hours buried as the result of shell explosion; was in hospital at Etaples on 1st July with epileptic fits; was sent to Epsom War Hospital on 13th July; to Napsbury (formerly an asylum, now called Napsbury War Hospital) on 5th November; and to Hanwell Lunatic Asylum as a pauper patient on 9th November, no notice of his transfer to Napsbury and to Hanwell being given to his parents; whether his discharge from the Army is dated 28th December, 1915; if so, will he explain the treatment this young man has received; and will he now comply with the constant requests made to him to prevent injured heroes such as this from becoming pauper lunatics and the prospect of being buried in pauper graves?

The facts are broadly as stated in the first part of the question. The Army Council on consideration are of opinion that the discharge of Private Day was not covered by the general instructions which have been issued, and instructions have been issued for arrangements to be made for his retransfer to a military hospital and for an application to be submitted for the cancellation of his discharge from the Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the number of Army motor lorries stationed in various parts of the country, many of which appear to be only partially used, he will confer with the Board of Trade whether these vehicles, in view of the shortness of trucks, could be utilised in conjunction with the railway companies for the conveyance of foodstuffs between necessary points, thus relieving the congestion of traffic at many stations and junctions, as well as giving experience to the motor transport drivers?

The question of giving some assistance to the railway clearing goods termini is now under consideration, but the service, if sanctioned, would not necessarily be undertaken by the lorries referred to in the question, which may be required for military work at the shortest notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the divisions in France and Flanders are all being kept up to their full war establishment?

The War Office are obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for calling its attention to this very important matter, which is and has been continuously and constantly since the beginning of the War receiving all the attention that it deserves.

asked the Postmaster General if he can state the number of parcels sent to prisoners in this country from Germany containing food during the past six months; and whether they have decreased in quantity or quality from the six months previous?

No, Sir; I have no information which would enable me to answer this question, and such information is not, I think, obtainable at all.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now prepared to alter the form of certificate given to the friends of a soldier who is definitely reported missing, so that his heirs and executors may be able after a reasonable time to obtain the payment of insurance policies or make proper arrangements for the safeguarding of any other kind of property?

I do not quite follow my hon. Friend's question. The certificate issued is made available as early as is reasonably safe, and contains the most definite statement that the information available warrants. The War Office are in communication with the insurance companies with a view to concerting measures which may enable the insurance money to be paid with a minimum of trouble in all cases where this course can safely be taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a new order has been issued requiring all candidates for commissions in the Army to enlist in the ordinary way as privates; what was the date in January upon which this order took effect; whether this order has been made retrospective and applies to cases in which applicants for commissions lodged in November and December had complied with all the necessary conditions, including the endorsement of the commanding officers in their respective districts; whether and, if so, why this order, while strictly enforced in some cases, has been set aside in others since the date of its promulgation; and will he see that it does not exclude desirable candidates for commissions whose applications were lodged and were deemed to be satisfactory many weeks before the order was issued?

"For the present, except under exceptional circumstances, temporary and Special Reserve Commissions in the Cavalry and Infantry will only be given to men who have completed a recruits course or its equivalent, preference being given to men who have served with an Expeditionary Force and are recommended by their commanding officers. The same principle will apply to other arms where practicable."

It applies to all cases which were under review at the time and have since been received, and has not been set aside. All candidates who had applied many weeks before the order was issued and who were deemed to be satisfactory had already been gazetted.

Regarding the particular case of Mr. Amoroso about which my hon. Friend has written to me, I will send a written answer.

asked the Under-Secretary for War, whether the numbers of German casualties announced by him included the casualties of the Saxons and Bavarians, or did they relate only to the casualties of Prussians?

Yes, Sir; the numbers of German casualties announced included the casualties of Saxon and Bavarian units, so far as they have been published in official casualty lists.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War to whom application should be made by county councils and others desiring the services as clerks of partially disabled and other discharged soldiers who may be able and willing to undertake such employment?

Employers desiring the services of partially disabled and other discharged soldiers should make application to the nearest Labour Exchange, who will put them in touch with any men who may be available and suitable for the employment offered. An arrangement has been made by which particulars regarding all discharged soldiers are supplied to the Labour Exchanges, in order that in cases in which the men desire it immediate steps may be taken to place them in employment.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can see his way to pay the joiners employed at a certain munitions factory to which his attention has been drawn the same rate that is paid to the joiners employed at other munitions factories in the neighbourhood?

My right hon. Friend is inquiring into the matter referred to.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that meetings are being held outside great engineering and other works, in the dinner hour, at which industrial conscription is denounced, as if it were implied in, and a necessary feature of, the limited and temporary compulsory military service legalised by the Military Service (No. 2) Bill; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not been called to the meetings which the hon. Member describes. He has, however, had brought to his notice certain pamphlets relating to the matter referred to in the question, and he is in communication with the War Office in the matter.

asked the Attorney General whether his attention has been called to the fact that when a Mr. Erlund was recently convicted at the Mansion House and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, for dealing in munitions without licence, it was stated in open court by his counsel that the letter which constituted the offence was written at the dictation of Messrs. Dent, Palmer and Company, and found at their offices, and whether any proceedings have yet been taken against Messrs. Dent, Palmer and Company?

The cable message in question was found at the offices of Messrs. Dent, Palmer and Company, and it is a fact that it was written by a member of that firm on the instructions of Mr. Erlund. The offices of Messrs. Dent, Palmer and Company, were searched under a Warrant issued by the competent Military Authority in pursuance of Regulation 51 of the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Regulations, 1914, but, after careful consideration of the facts by the Director of Public Prosecutions, it was decided that it was not desirable to prosecute Messrs. Dent, Palmer and Company, for an offence against Section 30 ( a ) of the said Regulations, as a member of that firm was a necessary witness for the prosecution of Mr. Erlund (and also in at least one other case then under consideration in which proceedings have since been taken), and he would have been called as such witness in Mr. Erlund's case and in such other case had not the accused pleaded guilty.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, consequent upon the withdrawal of so many motor drivers for transport service in connection with the War and the consequent dearth of such persons to carry on the industries using light motor vans for carrying on their trades, he will consider the advisability of lowering the age at which drivers' certificates are issued, so that competent youths of fifteen years and over, if otherwise qualified, may be given licences to drive, either unconditionally or during the hours of daylight only?

Legislation, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, would be necessary to secure the object which he has in view. The matter, however, is receiving my consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Adolph Carl Christian Schultz, junior, who by deed poll, on 29th September, 1914, changed his name to A. Markham, is the son of Adolph Carl Christian Schultz; that on the deed of enrolment Mr. Schultz's name is stated to be Adolph Schultz, his two other Christian names, Carl Christian, being omitted; whether he is aware that this gentleman was born in Edinburgh on the 27th January, 1891; whether, in view that his name on the deed poll is incorrectly stated, he will have the enrolment cancelled; and will he, at the same time, take steps to prevent any person of enemy origin or persons born in this country of German parentage, whether the parents are naturalised or not, from changing their names during the War?

I believe the statements in the first three paragraphs of the question to be correct. I have no authority to take steps to cancel a change of name effected by deed poll, or to say whether the omission of two Christian names would affect the matter, but I will refer the point to the Enrolment Office. As regards the last part of the question, the matter was carefully considered by my predecessors, who came to the conclusion that the prohibition of change of name by persons of enemy nationality goes as far as is desirable, and I can find no sufficient reason to dissent from that conclusion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if Irish agricultural labourers undertaking seasonal or other employment on English farms during the current year when farmers are likely to be seriously short of labour will be in any way interfered with in their employment while in England, owing to their coming within those limits of age which had they been Englishmen would have rendered them liable to military service?

These persons would not, in ray opinion, be ordinarily resident in Great Britain, and would not, therefore, be within Clause 1 (4) of the Military Service Bill in its present form.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered, in relation to the present crisis, the question of hardship caused to many persons who, by reason of being on active service or engaged on war work, have been obliged to shut up their houses or leave them in charge of caretakers, and yet remain liable to pay in full all local and poor rates charged upon such premises; whether the Board can, without further legislation, order that the rates should in these cases be wholly remitted by the rating authorities or compounded for upon the basis of a uniform deduction; and, if not, whether he will introduce and pass as emergency legislation a Bill to confer such powers on the Board or the rating authorities?

I am not empowered to take action of the kind suggested, and I do not think I could promise to introduce legislation on the subject at the present time.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the amount of money that would be saved by the intended or rumoured closing of public galleries and museums; whether he has considered if disabled soldiers could be employed as attendants; and whether he is aware that the picture galleries and museums are a great resource to the number of soldiers who are now always located in London?

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to my answer of yesterday to the question of the hon. Member for Canterbury. Ex-soldiers and sailors are largely employed as attendants, and will, I have no doubt, be largely employed in the future. In most cases attendants have to assist in the work of hanging pictures, shifting objects in the collections, etc., so that men badly disabled would not be qualified for the duties of the post.

His Majesty's Government are aware that the public galleries have been largely visited by soldiers, but after full consideration they did not feel that this fact would, justify them in foregoing the economies to be effected by closing the majority of them.

asked the Solicitor General whether, under the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment—No. 2) Bill, it is intended that, where the controlling interest as regards voting power in a company incorporated under British law is vested in a class of shares held by a Belgian institution domiciled at Brussels, and thus exposed to enemy domination, it is to be regarded as an enemy association, notwithstanding the fact that all the directors at present acting are British subjects and that the greater part of the capital is held by British proprietors; and is the Board of Trade to have, power in such a case to make an Order vesting the shares held by the Belgian institution in the custodian under the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, or would this course be avoidable and the position sufficiently met by calling the necessary meetings and giving, with consent, such voting rights to the classes of capital held by British subjects as would remove any risk of alien interference with the control and operations of the company?

Under the Bill as passed by the House of Commons the question as to the existence of enemy association or control falls to be determined by the Board of Trade, and it would accordingly be for the Board to say whether the case falls within Clause 1 of the Bill. The power to make a vesting Order given to the Board of Trade by Clause 3 of the Bill as introduced would no doubt be applicable, and any proposals for avoiding that course by freeing the company from enemy influence would have to be submitted to the Board.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state what is the amount of the contribution towards the cost of the War which has been so far realised by the admission fees now charged for visiting Kew Gardens?

The authorised scale of charges for admission into Kew Gardens came into operation on the 17th inst. The receipts during the first week amounted to £42 12s. 7d.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether lay teachers and assistant teachers in convent national schools are required to pass the same epaminations and to perform the same duties, and receive the same salaries, grants, bonuses, increments, and pensions as female teachers and assistants in other national schools; and if there is a difference in the amount of remuneration of convent schools and teachers as compared with other schools and teachers of the same class, will he state the amount and the reason for it?

Lay assistant teachers in convent national schools are required to pass the same examination for qualification as ordinary assistant teachers and to perform duties similar to those assigned to this class of teacher in other national schools. The convent national schools are of two classes, in one of which the teachers are graded and paid personal salaries, while in the other payment is made by capitation grants to the schools. In the former the teachers receive the same salaries, grants, bonuses, increments, and pensions as those in other national schools, under similar conditions. In the latter, the capitation grants are paid to the conductors of the convent schools, under special Regulations, and the members of the community in these schools may discharge the office of teachers exclusively themselves or employ lay assistants to aid them. The lay assistants thus employed are paid by the communities, and not by the Commissioners of National Education, but the Commissioners require that they be allowed adequate remuneration, which: they have fixed at a minimum of £40 per annum if untrained, and £44 per annum if trained. The Commissioners do not interfere with, the discretion of the conductors as regards the employment of other lay assistants than those warranted by the requirements of the average attendances, but such additional lay assistants must possess the full qualifications of ordinary assistant teachers and be paid not less than £30 per annum.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that many of the workhouses in Ireland have now but few occupants; and whether, with a view to economy in administration, he will consider either a reduction in their number or the utilisation of them for bar racks or other public purposes?

The facts are as stated. A number of the workhouses have been used for barracks and for other public purposes, and the Local Government Board hope, with the co-operation of the Boards of Guardians concerned, to be able ultimately to considerably reduce the number.