asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the terms of the answer given on 12th January last regarding the weekly wages paid to watchers in the Customs and Excise Department, and as it appeared to be purely a matter of economy, will he be prepared to take the necessary steps to ascertain whether sufficient money could be saved in other directions of the Department to meet the cost involved in satisfying the demands of the watchers for an improved scale of pay?

As regards the demands of the watchers for additional pay, I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on the 12th January last. I am afraid I cannot accept the suggestion that savings effected by economies in a Department should be earmarked for improving the pay of members of that Department.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of the present chief inspector's department of His Majesty's Customs and Excise; whether any other branch of the Civil Service has a similar staff; and if he will consider if it would be more economical and equally effective if provision was made at each port or collection for the ordinary leave and sickness of the respective staffs?

The cost is approximately £90,000. The Inland Revenue Department has a similar staff. The present system of providing, from the chief inspector's branch, necessary relief for ordinary leave and sickness of surveyors and collectors throughout the United Kingdom was adopted after careful consideration at the time of the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services as preferable on grounds of economy and efficiency to a scheme for providing a local relieving staff at each port and collection.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a claim for the value of the steamer "EI Zorro" was received by the Transport Department of the Admiralty over two months ago; whether the Accountant-General is still waiting for the Transport Department before paying the owners; whether it is the usual practice to delay payments for losses of vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty to the extent above-mentioned; and whether interest for the period will be allowed?

The claim was received by the Transport Department on the 1st January. It left that Department for other Departments concerned with the question of liability on 3rd January. My hon. Friend must please understand that the Transport Department is in no way responsible for the delay, inevitable as it now appears, in dealing with this claim. I have already informed him by communication on the 6th March that the delay in dealing with the claim is due to the fact that a question of some complexity has arisen out of the circumstances attending the loss of the vessel. That question is under the consideration of the Admiralty's legal advisers. As regards payment of interest, I may say that no provision is made for such payment in the Charter Party.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that thousands of men of military age have entered munitions factories with the object of escaping military service; and will he see that these men are given the opportunity to enlist before married men are taken?

The question of single men of military age who have entered munitions factories, not with the primary object of assisting the supply of munitions to the Army, but rather with the object of escaping military service, is receiving the careful consideration of the Government as a whole and of the Ministry of Munitions in particular. It would be impossible to give an undertaking that every single man in a munitions factory will be taken for military service before any married men are taken, but the Government is fully alive to the importance of the subject raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a married man under forty-one who has been discharged from the military service of the Crown on the termination of his period of service will be entitled to the same exemption as is conferred on single men by Section 1 and the First Schedule, paragraph 5, of the Military Service Act, 1916, even if he should have previously attested under the Derby scheme?

No, Sir. A married man under forty-one, who has been discharged from military service but who has, nevertheless, patriotically come forward and has voluntarily offered himself for further service under the Derby scheme is not touched by the Military Service Act, and, therefore, the exception in that Act referred to by my hon. Friend does not apply to him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any instructions issued by the Government to local tribunals acting under the Military Service Act, 1916, exclude all theological students or only those of some denominations; and, if so, which?

I will send my hon. Friend a list of the categories of students who may be excepted from the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, if they so desire. A different form of words is necessary to describe accurately each of these categories, and it would take too long to read out the list in answer to a question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government that married men of military age are to remain behind while married men who have attested under Lord Derby's scheme are called up for service; and, if so, will he say why such a course is being pursued?

There is no power under the Military Service Act to call up married men. The policy of the Government with respect to this subject was fully stated by the Prime Minister when the Act was passing through this House. I have nothing to add to the Prime Minister's statements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why ten houses adjoining 129, Washway Road, Sale, near Manchester, each received ten copies of the circular entitled "An Outline of the Military Service Act," seeing that the proceedings under the Registration Act showed that there were in these ten houses only two persons eligible to serve?

I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend. The distribution of the circular was undertaken by voluntary workers and, if the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, it would appear that in this particular case the worker did his business indifferently. The circumstance seems hardly worthy of the attention of the Imperial Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in spite of his own statement in the House of Commons that Mr. A. Ross's case was clearly one for non-combatant service, he has been compelled against his will and under protest to become a private in the 3/1st Herefordshire Regiment, C Company, and that he was informed on showing the OFFICIAL REPORT that it made no difference; and whether he will say who is responsible for flouting the decision of the Secretary of State for War?

I did not state that A. Boss's case was clearly one for non-combatant service; what I stated was that if the facts were as stated it appeared to be a case where the man should be transferred to a non-combatant branch of the Service. My answer in this House could obviously not be a substitute for a detailed examination into the facts. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Leeds on the 23rd February, A. Ross, who voluntarily attested, should put forward his case through his commanding officer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether instructions were issued on or about 25th February last that recruiting officers should inform men working in certified occupations that their exemption certificates will only remain valid while they continue to work for the particular firm at present employing them; and, if so, will he say by whose authority these instructions were issued, having regard to Section 2 (3) of the Military Service Act, 1916?

No such instructions as my hon. Friend suggests have been issued by the War Office, nor have I any knowledge of anything of the kind being sent out to recruiting officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the postponement of men attested under the Derby scheme for, say, two months, in practice under existing Regulations, involves a postponement of a much longer period; and whether, because of this, some tribunals are postponing recruits for one month believing that this postponement in fact results in a two months' postponement?

I do not think that any local tribunals act under any misapprehension on this subject. Clear instructions have been issued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many total exemptions have so far been granted by the tribunals of the City of London and Wandsworth?

I am unable to give my hon. Friend the figures for which he asks. Every local tribunal is directed to keep a register of cases dealt with by the tribunal, but no returns on the subject are made to the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether art attested man is entitled to sit on a tribunal charged with the business of granting exemptions from military service?

Yes, Sir; an attested man until he is called up for service is eligible for membership of a local tribunal if the local authority think fit to appoint him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether fully-qualified dentists are liable for service under the terms of the Military Service Act, 1916, or whether they can claim exemption under Section 30 of the Dentists Act, 1878?

Section 30 of the Dentists Act, 1878, does not give exemption from the provisions of the Military Service Act. The latter Act does not apply to service in the Militia but to service in His Majesty's Regular Forces. A dentist desiring exemption could have made an application to a local tribunal before the 2nd March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in spite of his letter of 3rd February, to the hon. Member for Gloucester (Thorn-bury), concerning Mr. E. S. Dickin, dentist, stating that the Southern Command would cancel the order calling hint up if his services were indispensable, and in spite of the Southern Command accordingly taking this course, and in spite of several further letters to the right hon. Gentleman, no discharge has been granted Mr. Dickin from the Officers' Training Corps which he joined and his professional services, which are badly needed for military cases, are still being lost; and will he direct his immediate discharge?

The statement in the latter part of the question that Mr. Dickin's service are badly needed for military cases is not, I find, correct, as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief has reported that he has been able to make other arrangements for carrying on duties formerly performed by Mr. Dickin. Instructions were issued to the recruiting officer to postpone the calling up of Mr. Dickin for a further ten weeks, but before this instruction was received Mr. Dickin had of his own motion joined the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps. As Mr. Dickin took this step voluntarily and as his professional services were not required I do not think there is any ground for taking any further action.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether recruiting officers were supplied by the military authorities with a buff slip, stating that in the absence of Form B 2505a or 2512a, duly signed by the recruiting officer and stating the reason for rejection, being produced and verified the yellow form W 3236 must be adhered to; whether these buff slips were so supplied after he had stated in the House of Commons that such a claim was not being made by the War Office; and whether these buff forms are still in use?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an instruction or recommendation was issued to recruiting officers or other recruiting or medical authorities on or about 16th January to the effect that a man offering himself for enlistment should not be rejected; and whether, inasmuch as unfit men who are thus accepted will have to be rejected when called up with their group, he will make a public announcement in order to relieve such persons from selling up their homes and parting with their businesses under the impression that it is really intended to take them into the Army?

My hon. Friend does not present correctly the terms of the instruction, and the conclusions suggested in the latter part of his question are consequently incorrect. The instruction said that if a grouped man when called up is rejected for any cause, medically or otherwise, he should not be discharged, but should be sent back to his home. Such a man would be liable to be called up again at a later date to be re-examined, but he would be given two clear months' notice before being called up again.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what decision has been arrived at by the Congested Districts Board in regard to the employment by them of single men of military age?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 24th February, this matter will be considered at the next meeting of the Congested Districts Board, which will be held on the 14th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are already in Switzerland over 1,000 French prisoners of war in ill-health drawn from Germany, and a similar number of German prisoners of war drawn from France, who have been removed to Switzerland under a reciprocal arrangement between France and Germany; is he aware that there is no single British prisoner of war in Switzerland under any such arrangement; and can he state why it has not been possible to make between. Great Britain and Germany such a reciprocal arrangement for the alleviation of the lot of prisoners of war on both sides as has been made and carried into effect between France and Germany?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on Tuesday last by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Croydon.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give an undertaking to the House that civilian prisoners of war returned from Germany who are of military age will only be used for purposes of Home service?

I am unable to give a categorical undertaking on this point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if General Howell is at Salonika; whether he is the same person who issued a memorandum, dated 12th October. 1915, called "Notes on the Balkans"; whether his advocacy of the desertion of Serbia and the description of our failures in the Dardanelles and the Balkans was authorised by the War Office; and if any disciplinary action was taken in the matter?

General Howell is to the best of my knowledge and belief at Salonika. I have not seen the memorandum in question, but I believe a confidential note expressing General Howell's personal views was privately circulated. It had no official authority, and no disciplinary action is necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what provision has been made for the training of a sufficient number of men to take up the increased output of machine guns immediately on their delivery so as to enable them to be used in the field without delay; and what steps have been taken to secure the most suitable men for training as machine gunners?

A special training centre has been formed for the training of the Machine Gun Corps. Men for this corps are obtained by the selection of suitable men from other branches of the Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he can now say whether anything further has been done to alleviate the sufferings of the convalescent Canadian soldiers who, owing to the continued obstruction of the over-engineer officer in charge at a neighbouring station, have still to suffer illness from the chills and colds of the Moore Barracks hospital living-room; (2) if, in view of the time that has elapsed since an effort was made to secure some amelioration of the condition in which the Canadian convalescent soldiers have been kept at Moore Barracks Hospital, he will now give instructions for the complete files and reports concerning the unfixed Canadian bought stoves from the Canadian officers concerned—that is, the General Officer Commanding Shorncliffe, the Assistant Director of Medical Service, and the Director of Supplies; if, after examination of the files he is satisfied as to the facts, he will give immediate orders not only to have the stoves fixed at once, but to prevent any similar delays in future; and (3) if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no extra stoves have yet been placed in the living-room and dining-hall situated in the former drill-shed and now forming part of the Moore Barracks Hospital for Canadian convalescent soldiers at Shorncliffe; if he is aware that this shed, although divided by a thin partition at one end, measures some 150 ft. long by 30 ft. wide, and that it has a corrugated iron roof without lining; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the medical authorities concerned have been begging for these extra stoves now for some months; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 17th February, I have received no complaint that the convalescent Canadian soldiers are suffering in any way, nor have the medical authorities asked for extra stoves, as alleged. I am awaiting a special report from the station on the question, and should anything further prove to be required to improve the accommodation I can assure the hon. Member that the necessary measures will be taken without delay.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Mr. J. Green, of 88, Farley Road, Catford, S.E., formerly No. 9373, Army Veterinary Corps, discharged as being permantly unfit for general service on 10th February, has been under medical treatment since discharge and is still unable to seek employment, and is unable to secure payment of balance of pay from the Record Office, No. 2 Woolwich, and has no pension or allowance of any kind; and if he will state whether a pension can be granted in this case, seeing that the incapacity is due to injuries arising out of service?

I am having inquiry made into the case, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the cases of Private B. W. Baker, 1st Grenadier Guards, discharged 10/1/16, Private W. J. White, Army Service Corps, discharged 21/12/15, Private R. Kirton, Army Service Corps, discharged 6/12/15, Private E. Eastland, 19th County of London, discharged 9/1/16, Lance-Corporal J. Ryan, 1st Irish Guards, discharged 5/2/16, Private C. Sullivan, 2nd Yorkshire Regiment, discharged 22/2/16, Private W. Moran, Army Service Corps, discharged 4/2/16, Private J. G. Lacey, 2nd Middlesex, discharged 24/1/16, Private H. French, Middlesex, discharged 15/2/16, Private Charles Clark, 13th Middlesex, discharged 25/2/16, Private J. Stephens, East Surrey, discharged 2/2/16, and Private H. Alford, 9th Middlesex, discharged 22/12/15, who have been obliged to wait a considerable time for their pensions; and will he say what arrangements have been made to provide that in future there is no such delay?

I am having inquiries made into the cases mentioned, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the position of a non-commissioned officer of a Territorial battery who has served four years and twelve months additional; can he remain with his battery for the period of the War only, can he serve for three years or the period of the War in the New Army, or must he either join for another four years or retire and return home?

A non-commissioned officer who is time-expired can re-engage for four years or the period of the War. This means that if the War ends before the expiration of the four years he is free to go.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government have had any difficulty in obtaining troop horses or horses for the Artillery either at the beginning or during the War; whether they have now more troop horses than they require or are likely to require; what has been the average cost of troop horses and Artillery horses, respectively, during the War; what number of troop horses were bought in the year 1913; and what was the average cost?

The reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. As to the second part, the requirements of troop horses according to the military situation from time to time have been fully met, but there has been no over provision. As regards the third part, I am having the cost worked out, and will let my hon. Friend know the result. As regards the last part, during the financial year 1913–14 the following horses were purchased at the average cost stated:— Average cost £ 535 Chargers 60 83 Household Cavalry 65 1,774 Cavalry (mostly 4 year old) 41 1,867 Draught horses (mostly 4 and 5 years) 42

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many applications for pensions for men discharged from the Army as permanently unfit or disabled before the end of 1915 and before the end of January, 1916, respectively, are still being considered by the Chelsea Commissioners?

The numbers are 198 and 284, respectively. The delays are due to the necessity of calling for further evidence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the application of James M'Gowan, of Flaughanagh, Dromahair, county Leitrim, for a dependant's allowance out of his son, Private John M'Gowan, No. 3191, 7th Leinsters, has been considered; whether the fact that M'Gowan came from the United States of America to join the Irish Brigade, and was allowing his father, James M'Gowan 3s. 6d. per week out of his pay, had been considered; and, if not, will it be?

Yes, Sir, the allowance has been assessed at 5s. 5d. per week, which includes the allotment from the soldier's pay, and that sum is being paid regularly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office Appeal Committee disallowed a claim of 10s. per week, soldier's dependant's allowance to Mrs. E. Gallagher, of Cordiver, Ballyshannon, county Leitrim, mother of Private Thomas Gallagher, No. 7595, Irish Guards, who enlisted in Glasgow on the 15th of April, 1915, on the ground that she was in receipt of the old age pension; and whether, having regard to the fact that previous to the enlistment of her son she received 15s. per week from him and that the Ballyshannon pension committee, after fully in-investigating the matter, made an allowance of 10s. per week, the case will be recosidered and all arrears allowed her?

The claim for separation allowance was not disallowed on the ground that Mrs. Gallagher was in receipt of an old age pension, but owing to the fact that in claiming old age pension she did not admit the receipt of any support from her son.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that James Timoney, of Dromahair, county Leitrim, who had been bought out of the Army previous to the declaration of war, re-enlisted in the Irish Guards on the 19th January, 1915, at a recruiting meeting in Dromahair on an assurance being given him by the recruiting officer and others that his mother would be refunded the £10 she paid to buy him out and that, on application to the War Office, she was allowed only £5; and whether having regard to these facts and that Mrs. Timoney is a very poor woman, the case will be reconsidered and her money refunded?

I am informed, on inquiry, that no promise of any refund was given. The maximum refund allowable under the Regulations in this case is £5.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many horses have passed into the remount depot at Sandhill Park, Somerset; what percentage of these have died; what percentage have recovered after illness; what percentage, if any, have been sold as unfit for War Office service; and what percentage passed through this remount depot into Army service?

I am having the figures prepared, and will let my hon. Friend have them when complete. I might add that this is not an ordinary remount depot, but a convalescent horse depot to which horses are transferred from the veterinary hospitals.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Messrs J. Lilley and Sons, tape manufacturers, Derby, are Government contractors; if he is aware that the firm in question have dismissed a number of women workers who have worked for the firm for many years because they were members of a trade union; and what action he proposes to take in the matter, with a view to putting a stop to this practice?

The firm are on the Admiralty list, but have had no Admiralty orders for some months past. I have no information as to the circumstances referred to in the question. I observe that my hon. Friend is addressing similar questions to the War Office and the Ministry of Munitions. I understand my hon. Friend has been asked for further particulars by the Ministry of Munitions.

also asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that Messrs. J. Lilley and Sons, tape manufacturers, Derby, are Government contractors; if he is aware that the firm in question have dismissed a number of women workers who have worked for the firm for many years because they were members of a trade union; and what action he proposes to take in the matter, with a view to putting a stop to this practice?

I am aware that the firm in question are Government contractors and that they have recently dismissed certain women workers. The firm, however, state that these women were dismissed for bad time-keeping, and not in any way for the reason suggested by my hon. Friend, and they point out that they still have in their employ a number of employés who are members of the trade union. If my hon. Friend has any other information bearing on the case, I shall be glad if he will send it to me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Messrs. J. Lilley and Sons, tape manufacturers, Derby, are Government contractors; if he is aware that the firm in question have dismissed a number of women workers who have worked for the firm for many years because they were members of a trade union; and what action he proposes to take in the matter, with a view to putting a stop to this practice?

The firm are contractors to the War Office. No complaint against them of the nature referred to has been received, but inquiry will be made into the matter.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that a number of painters working at Messrs. Napiers, motor engineers, at Acton, having been engaged painting engines and motor cars for war purposes, are now under notice to leave the firm; in consequence of the men being over military age whether he will consider the possibility of putting them on work where it is intended to put women on; and if he is aware that one of the men, who is an old soldier, has worked for the firm for the past ten years and bears an excellent character?

I have made inquiries into the case referred to by my hon. Friend, and I find that three of their men engaged as labourers in rough painting motor and chassis were given notice to leave owing to the work on which they were engaged having come to an end. Two of the men in question have, however, been re-engaged on other work by the same firm. As regards the old soldier referred to in the last part of the question, I am informed that he has not been continuously employed by the firm, but has worked on and off for them for a number of years. He had been offered other work by the firm, but had in the meanwhile been offered, and accepted, another post elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the case of a powder company which has discharged five of their employés for being members of a trades union; whether he will make inquiry into the matter with a view to taking such action against this firm as will prevent any further repetition; and, in view of the serious repetition of this kind of action by employers and the danger it involves in creating friction and disputes, he will issue a circular in all controlled, firms, specially warning them against such action in the future?

I am aware of a case in which the directors of a powder factory recenty discharged a certain number of their employés, but the company's report to me on the subject indicates that the ground of dismissal was not membership of a union but participation in or incitement to stoppage of work and other breaches of discipline. If this statement is disputed the workers concerned have a remedy under Section 5 (3) of the Amending Act, which provides for compensation in case of unjustifiable dismissal without notice.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that there are large buildings and machinery available for munitions manufacture at Dromahair, county Leitrim; and whether he will consider the advisability of utilising same for said purpose, having regard to the fact that Ireland is overlooked in this matter and that there are many skilled hands practically idle in the district?

Inquiries conducted by the Ministry's representatives in Ireland show that there is no machinery of a suitable nature available at Dromahair.

asked the Minister of Munitions the average wage of munition workers, for men, for women, and for those on piece-work respectively; and what are their average earnings?

I am afraid it would be impossible to give the information asked for in this question without a statistical inquiry occupying much time and involving excessive labour both to the Department and to the owners of munition factories.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give the quantities of sugar purchased between 13th March and 31st December, 1915, and the total quantities of refined and unrefined sugar arriving at British ports in 1915?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply I gave on the 29th February to a question by the hon. and learned Member for York. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that twelve lunatic asylums have been handed over to the War Office, and that as a result the work of the Lunacy Commissioners has been largely curtailed; whether corresponding economies have been effected, either by reducing the number of Lunacy Commissioners or in the estimated expenditure on this class; and whether these economies, if effected, will lessen the care and chance of cure of those mentally afflicted; and (2) whether he can make some statement as to the work of the Mental Deficiency Commissioners; whether their work, as contemplated, has been impeded or restricted by circumstances arising out of the War; and, if so, whether any reduction in the numbers, emoluments, staffs, or expenditure of these Commissioners has been correspondingly achieved?

I will answer these two questions together. They both relate to the same body, the Board of Control, in which the Lunacy Commissioners have been merged. The work of the Board in carrying out the Mental Deficiency Act has been seriously checked by the restriction of capital expenditure caused by the War. They have been unable, for this reason, to press local authorities to provide new institutions for defectives, but a good deal of useful work has been done in other directions, such as providing for the supervision of defectives at their homes. On the other hand, the work of the Commissioners in connection with lunacy has been increased rather than diminished by the handing over of lunatic asylums for use as war hospitals. The concentration of patients into a smaller number of asylums has not diminished their number, has demanded even closer supervision than formerly, and has involved difficult administrative and financial arrangements. Two of the Commissioners have, at the request of the War Office, undertaken the continuous supervision of the war hospitals scheme, and have thus, to a large extent, been withdrawn from their ordinary functions. Another Commissioner and one of the inspectors have been absent on military duty since the beginning of the War, and more than half the clerical staff have joined the forces. The expenditure of the Board has been reduced in many directions, and the estimates for the coming year will show a large reduction.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the following alien enemies: Wildenbach, Upton Manor; Kop, East Ham; Lewin, Stratford; Spenkel, Leyton; Stoffel, Ilford; and Scott, Canning Town, have been released from internment camps and are now engaged in the occupation of hair-dressing, and filling the places of and taking the trade of English hairdressers who have enlisted; and if he will state the number of alien enemies released from internment camps since 1st January, 1916, with their ages and occupations?

I have only been able to trace two of the six persons mentioned, both of whom were exempted from internment on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. One of them, Lewin, though a German subject, is a Pole by race and has been thirty-eight years in this country; the other, Stoffel, has been here thirty-three years and has an English wife and a son in the British Army. Stoffel was never interned; Lewin was interned in May last and released on the Committee's recommendation in October. If the hon. Member will send me the names and addresses of the others, inquiry will be made. For particulars of the persons released since 1st January last it is necessary to refer in detail to the records of the individual cases. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down this part of his question again a week hence.

asked the Home Secretary whether any amendment of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, has been proposed to the Government which would have the effect of permitting the lapsing of industrial life assurance policies; and, if so, whether, before action is taken, information will be obtained from insurance companies and similar societies showing the number of industrial policies lapsed upon which premiums have been paid, the number of such lapsed policies for which cash surrender value or free policies have been granted, the number of the assured who have had their policies lapsed or surrendered who have been persuaded to reassure themselves at present ages, the face value of the lapsed or surrendered industrial policies, the total amount of premiums received in respect of such lapsed or surrendered policies, the amount of cash surrender value and also of the free policy value granted in respect of those of them entitled thereto, and the number of such lapsed or surrendered policies whose date of issue was two full years prior to 4th August, 1914?

It does not appear that any such proposal as is mentioned in the question has been made to the Government. If it should be made, the considerations mentioned in the question will no doubt be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to place a tax on posters; and, if so, whether the amount and method of levy have been determined?

I fear I cannot anticipate the proposals of the next Budget.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many hon. Members of this House receive pensions for services in India; and what is the total amount of those pensions?

Three Members of the House of Commons receive pensions for services in India. The total annual amount of the three pensions is £2,250. A portion of the sum is provided by contributions which were deducted from the salaries of the recipients during their active service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the hardship entailed upon manufacturers and merchants who cannot recover from Germany and Austria outstanding accounts; if he will therefore consider the granting of the advances out of moneys held by the Public Trustee on account of manufacturers and merchants of enemy countries; and, if not, if he will say what action he proposes to take to prevent the ruin of such British subjects who are unable to recover accounts owing by German and Austrian manufacturers or merchants?

Arrangements for assisting traders in the cases referred to in the question are already in operation, as announced in the Press notice of 3rd November, 1914, a copy of which will be found in the Manual of Emergency Legislation (page 48 of Supplement No. 2).

asked the President of the Board of Trade how British shipping compares to-day with reference to tonnage and availability as compared with the last comparable period prior to the War?

The total net tonnage on the register at the end of 1915 was 12,416,406 tons, as compared with 12,119,891 tons at the end of 1913. It would not be in the public interest for me to state exactly how much of the tonnage on the register is now available for general commercial purposes.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the general percentage of increase in wages on the last available calculation since the beginning of the War?

I regret that statistics are not available from which to compute the net effect of all the changes of wages including grant of War bonuses, which have taken place since the beginning of the War. Such information as can be given is contained in the monthly issues of the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette," and I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the issues for October, 1915, and January, 1916, in which are special articles on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can hold out any hope for a reduction in the near future in the price of meat; and if he will say if the Government have entered into any contracts with the Argentine and other South American countries for the sale of all beef killed in those countries to England?

The situation with regard to the price of meat is being very carefully watched, but I am not in a position to make any forecast as to the future. I have informed the House from time to time of the action taken by the Government in the matter of supplies of frozen meat, but I do not think it expedient to give details of the contracts entered into.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that numbers of bodies in lifebelts of the steamship "Maloja" were found floating head downwards, this showing that the lifebelts in question, which are still permitted to be used by the Board of Trade, are death-traps, while other lifebelts or jackets now largely used by the Admiralty keep the body in an upright position whether the person is conscious or unconscious; and, in view of this, will he state what action he proposes to take with regard to mercantile and passenger vessels in this connection?

I am having inquiries made with regard to the statements in the question, and when these are completed will consider whether any action should be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, and how soon, it is proposed to take any action as the result of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the land settlement of ex-Service men?

I can only say that the matter is under the most active consideration by the authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has received representations as to the difficulties encountered by medical men in the Shetlands carrying out their duties owing to the new regulations for lighting recently issued by him; and if, in view of the improbability of a Zeppelin raid in that locality, he will take steps with a view to their modification?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I think my hon. Friend is under some misconception as to the nature of the restricting regulations, of which I will send him a copy. The limits of size and power for sidelights have been fixed so high as to allow a good driving light for doctors and other motorists who have to use country roads at night.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the estimated income derived from Foreign and Overseas Dominions by investors in this country at the present time?

As stated on the 10th March last, good authorities have estimated that the income received in this country from Colonial and foreign investments amounted to £200,000,000. This estimate was made before the outbreak of war, and I have no data which will enable me to judge how far this figure may now require modification.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Bridget Elerkin, of Dromahair, county Leitrim, was on several occasions granted an old age pension, but on appeal by the pension officer it was disallowed by the Local Government Board, on the ground that her age could not be found in the Census Returns; and whether, having regard to the fact that her mother had no fixed address and that several very old people certified that she was over the statutory age, and that she is now in appearance very old, infirm, and poor, an inspector will be sent to report specially on her case?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. Bridget Elerkin's case is not, however, before the Local Government Board at the present time. When her claim came before the Board in July, 1915, no satisfactory evidence was submitted that she had reached the age of seventy years, and the Board decided that she was not entitled to a pension.

also asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Bryan Early, of Tullynagha, Dowra, county Leitrim, was granted the old age pension by the Carrick-on-Shannon (No. 1) sub-committee in November last, but on appeal by the pension officer it was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground of means; and whether, having regard to the fact that Early has no means and is a burden on his son who has purchased his small holding under the Land Act, further inquiries will be made into the case and his pension granted?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The Local Government Board have made careful inquiries into this case, and they have decided that, on the ground of means, the claimant is not entitled to any pension.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board received from the Dingle board of guardians a resolution requesting them to send a representative to meet men nominated by the guardians with a view to the settlement of the case of M. Sheehy, Droum, Cloghane, recently evicted by the Board; and, if so, what answer did they give to the request?

The resolution referred to was received and considered by the Congested Districts Board at their meeting held on the 8th February, and on the 18th February a letter was sent to the clerk of the Dingle union explaining the facts of the case and stating that the Board felt it was obligatory upon them in the discharge of their public duties to obtain possession, of this holding for which the tenant would not pay rent on the same terms as the neighbouring tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for India under what law young Indians, sons of parents of good repute, coming to this country for study are now denied credentials for that purpose, which have hitherto been issued without question, unless the subsistence money supplied to them from home is sent through the India Office; when and for what reason this rule was adopted; and to what extent, if at all, the consent of Indian parents was obtained before the rule was put in force?

There is no such rule or practice as is suggested in the question. The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he can give for county Antrim the amount received annually from and on account of insured persons under the National Insurance Act, and the amount expended on official salaries and administrative expenses?

I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the information asked for in the question, which is not required for any administrative purposes under the Acts.