asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Treasury Regulations dealing with special circumstances mentioned in Section 40, Sub-section (3), Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, will be issued?

No occasion has yet arisen for the issue of such regulation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in Scotland a society lending money to a bank or other body is generally permitted to lend it in the name of the society per the mentioned trustees or other office-bearers of the society or their successors, and that, on an excerpt from the minutes of the society showing who their successors for the time being are, these successors are enabled to deal subsequently with the loan; that in the case of the Government War Loans similar facilities are not granted and the requirement as to the names of individuals being entered and changed as changes in office take place involves considerable trouble to societies; and whether he will modify these rules so as to increase the attractiveness of these loans to societies, particularly as many of them are now making their financial arrangements for the Whit-Sunday term?

If my hon. Friend refers to societies registered under the Friendly Societies Acts and similar societies, I would refer him to Section 9 of the War Loan (Supplementary Provisions) Act, 1915, which was intended to provide facilities for meeting the kind of difficulties suggested in the question. Additional facilities are available under Section 1 of the same Act in the case of stock held on the Post Office Register, and similar facilities are also available in the case of Exchequer Bonds purchased through the Post Office.

asked whether County Inspector Knee, of Car- low, is still drawing his salary as county inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary with night and travelling allowances; whether this gentleman at present holds the rank of major in the Army and performs the duties of Crown Prosecutor under the Defence of the Realm Act; whether he is receiving pay both as county inspector and major in the Army; if so, what amount does he receive for each office; and what time has he spent in Carlow, of which he is county inspector, since he received his Army appointment?

Comity Inspector Price, to whom it is presumed the hon. Member's question relates, draws salary as county inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary. In addition, while acting as intelligence officer at Army Headquarters, he receives a nightly subsistence allowance from military funds, from which source there would also be defrayed any travelling expenses that he might incur. County Inspector Price holds the honorary rank of major in the Army, and he does not perform the duties of Crown Prosecutor under the Defence of the Realm Act. The reply to the third part of the question is in the negative, and the fourth part accordingly does not arise. County Inspector Price has not yet taken charge of county Carlow, as his whole time has to be devoted to military duties.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty when an answer may be expected to the question put by the hon. Member for Blackburn on 8th December last as regards the pay of certain officials of the Admiralty who had resigned from the Department to rejoin their regiments?

The gentlemen referred to are, as from 1st January, 1916, to get civil emoluments under the conditions of the Treasury circular letter of 11th August, 1914, as amended by subsequent circular letters on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, with a view to increase the carrying power by more efficient handling of requisitioned mercantile marine tonnage employed by the Sea Transport Department of the War Office, he will enlist the voluntary assistance of an advisory committee of shipping experts?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As the Admiralty acts for the War Office in matters of sea transport, and an Advisory Committee is already assisting that Department, it is not considered that the appointment of a further Advisory Committee is necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when a recruit has been passed fit for service by the Army doctor, there is any appeal if the recruit offers other medical testimony to the contrary from equally qualified medical men?

A recruit is at liberty to produce any medical certificate he possesses as to his condition when he appears before the Medical Board, but the finding of the Board is final.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men enlisted under the Military Service Act, 1916, or under the Derby scheme are now in hospital?

The hospital admission records do not and cannot be arranged so as to meet all the varied ideas of classification which may occur to the ingenious mind of my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Midhurst Tribunal had twenty claims for exemption from patients in the King Edward VII. Sanatorium, and granted them four months' exemption; and whether it is the intention of the War Office to recruit soldiers from sanatoria?

I understand that these patients appealed to the tribunal because they considered they ought to do so. They did not desire to procure exemption in any other method than that laid down for other persons, and I think their action throws great credit upon them. It is a pity that my hon. Friend should make this patriotic action an occasion for such a baseless imputation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in a case where a boy has enlisted in the Army under age and has been sent on active service, and the family of which he is a member has-been plunged into unexpected poverty by reason of the subsequent death of the father, the question of discharge may be raised, although the boy, notwithstanding that he is under 18, is considered to be physically equal to the standard of 18£ years?

Yes, Sir. A case of this sort could be raised, and would be considered on its merits in the same manner as any other application for discharge on compassionate grounds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the arrangement he has made with the object of enabling attested men to obtain an opinion beforehand as to their physical fitness for military service, and in order to preclude the possibility of unnecessary inconvenience and loss in cases where physically unfit men would otherwise have relinquished their situations or realised their business or other interests without reason, he will explain why, at Halifax on the 13th instant, a number of attested men were told to strip in a room, the linoleum-covered floor of which was wet with melted snow from men's boots, and kept waiting there naked until the doctors thought fit to examine them and then told to come up with their groups without giving them any further indication of the final decision as to their fitness or otherwise than that they would be probably rejected, or a contrary statement to the like effect; and whether he will take steps to see that his arrangement is carried out in future?

I am having an inquiry made into the statements contained in this question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet considered the case of Mr. W. H. Rebbeck, of Stafford, who, after two separate examinations, was certified as medically unfit and was later informed that he must again present himself for examination medically under the Military Service Act, 1916?

I have now obtained some information about this case, in regard to which I think there must be some mistake. I understand that Mr. Rebbeck was medically examined privately some time prior to 15th August, 1915, with a view to obtaining a commission. The result of this appears to have been that he was found not to be up to the medical standard. There is no record of his having been medically examined by a military doctor or military medical "board prior to his being called up under the Military Service Act. He never previously presented himself for enlistment to the military authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that notices calling upon medically rejected men to report themselves are still being issued; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions that no further notices are to be issued to men of whose medical rejection the recruiting officers have a record?

Notice papers are not being sent to men whom the recruiting officers know to have been rejected, i.e., to those who are entered in the Military Register as having been rejected. If any men are inadvertently called upon, the matter can quite easily be put straight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a man who attested before 14th August last, but was only able subsequently to obtain a medical examination, and was then stated to be medically unfit, and a certificate given him to that effect, comes under the operation of the Military Service Act, 1916?

I am afraid that, without further particulars, I cannot understand the case on which my hon. Friend wishes information. Any man who attested before 14th August, 1915, would have been attested for immediate service in the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office has taken action of any kind against Russian subjects of military age in this country with the object of compelling or inducing them to join the British, Russian, or any other Army fighting for the Allies?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the 16th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in the Hamilton (No. 71) recruiting area Russian subjects have been, against their will, compulsorily recruited in the British Army; by whose orders and with whose authority this has been done; and whether he will explain the action of the recruiting authorities in the case of Antaras Venekuras, of No. 15, Douglas Park, Bellshill, of Vineas Mikalauskas, New Orbiston, of Josef Shopis, View Park, Lanarkshire, of Mathies Chepavihas (or Chap), New Orbiston, and of Antoni Mociunas (or Mocun) and his brother, New Orbiston?

I have no information on this point, but I will obtain a report.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether pensions have been refused to any boys of sixteen and seventeen who joined the Army pretending that they were older on the ground that they were under military age and are dependent upon their parents; and, if so, how many?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government has power under the Defence of the Realm or other Act to require that employers shall ascertain whether those they employ are primâ facie liable to military service under the Military Service Act, and, if so, whether they have been exempted from immediate service with the Colours; and whether, if the Government possess such powers, they will enforce them with a view to enabling the authorities to trace those who are avoiding their legal obligations?

I do not think that there is any such power under the Defence of the Realm Regulations as they stand, but I am not sure that the Defence of the Realm Acts preclude such a power being taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) what form of written record, made at the moment of attestation, preserves the preference expressed by a grouped man for any branch or unit of the Service; and (2) whether Enlistment Form B 2,531, for men enlisting under the Military Service Act, contains the question, "Have you any preference for any particular branch of the Service; if so, which?"; whether from Enlistment Form B 2,512, for men enlisting under the group system, that question is omitted; and whether, consequently, the group man at the moment of enlistment is denied the opportunity of recording his preference for any particular branch of the Service?

Army Form B.2513 is the later form, and the question as to preference for any particular branch of the Service has been added to it. In the case of the earlier form B.2512 the man attesting is allowed to state his preference, and the recruiting officer makes a note of it in the margin.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any relief can be granted to a recruit who attested under the Derby group scheme, filling in Home Service in answer to question 9 under the impression that this was allowed, and the attestation in this form was duly accepted by the officer in charge?

The hon. Gentleman apparently has a specific case in mind. If so, perhaps he would be good enough to furnish the exact particulars?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Rowland Barrett, of Sunderland, who has been passed for Home Service garrison duty by the Army Medical Board, notwithstanding the fact that he is certified as suffering from hernia and now wears a truss, that he has suffered from an acute attack of ex-ophthalmic goitre, the effect of which is still apparent in an abnormal pulse, and that his eyesight is defective; and whether he will have an investigation made into the facts of this case?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this case, but it appears to have been dealt with in the usual way by a Medical Board, and I do not think there are sufficient grounds for making a special inquiry.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade how many men have been brought back from the Army for purposes of trade; and what is the entire number of men of military age and fitness now engaged in occupations connected with trade?

I am not in a position to give the desired information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the difficulties in the way of officers of the Special Reserve receiving permanent promotion, he will make arrangements under which Special Reserve officers who have seen war service and are attached to Regular units will be given the option of transfer to such units?

My hon. and learned Friend will realise that a Regular officer and a Special Reserve officer are not in the same position, and I fear I cannot give an undertaking that Special Reserve officers who have seen war service and are attached to Regular units will be given the option of a. permanent transfer to such units. There are, however, I understand, many cases in which Special Reserve officers have been transferred to regular commissions in ranks up to that of captain, provided a recommendation has been made by the Commander-in-Chief in the field, and the individual can be transferred without hardship to other officers in the unit to which he is transferred. I am speaking in this answer of what I may call "ordinary cases" and not of the case of some Napoleon revealing himself in the ranks of the Special Reserve.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his; attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which is felt by the Territorial Force Association for Dumbartonshire at the proposal to distribute the 1/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders amongst other units; whether he is aware that the present depleted strength of the 1/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is due to their losses in the field; and whether he will consider the advisability of maintaining the existence of the battalion by sending drafts from the 2nd and 3rd battalions, filling these battalions in turn by some of the recruits who have come in under the Derby scheme?

The distribution of the men of 1/9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders among other Territorial Force battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was carried out by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Army in the field, for military reasons, and it is not considered advisable to interfere with his discretion in such matters. The unit will be reformed immediately on the conclusion of hostilities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has received further representations with reference to the granting of commissions to those who joined the Public Schools battalions and have, since the War began, been serving at the front; and whether, having regard to their qualifications and experience on active service, he is in a position to give an assurance that their applications for commissions will now be considered upon their merits?

Yes, Sir; every application is considered on its merits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether noncommissioned officers and men of the 20th Royal Fusiliers have been refused commissions, although applied for by commanding officers of other regiments and possesing the same qualifications as many who have gained commissions during the war?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for South-West Manchester.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if 35,500 were discharged from the Army for disability up to the end of 1915; if 23,500 have received a pension; and, if so, how many of these received total disablement pensions?

The answer to the first two parts is in the affirmative. I regret that the figures asked for in the third part are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to utilise to a greater extent the services, in part-time work at hospitals or in looking after the health of troops, of medical practitioners resident in the neighbourhood, and by so doing to release a proportion of the men who have volunteered for whole-time service abroad or have been asked to take commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

The policy suggested in the question is already followed. There is now a considerable number of medical practitioners employed in part-time work, and it is anticipated that this number will be largely increased.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who have joined the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps and who have had some months' training, and who were not considered suitable for Artillery commissions, are now to be transferred to the ranks of certain London regiments without the option of applying for infantry commissions; and, if so, what is the reason for such treatment?

My right hon. Friend's question seems to imply that every man who has joined the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps in the rank of private is suitable for and entitled to receive a commission. This, however, is not the case. Certain cadets have been examined with reference to their suitability for Artillery commissions, and all who were considered suitable have been selected. I cannot admit that those who have not been selected have any ground for complaint if they are now being transferred to another unit. As I stated, they are at present serving in the ranks on Territorial Force attestation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that hitherto and until recently it has been usual upon the joining of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps for the officer and non-commissioned officer in charge to advise the newly-recruited member to procure a better quality uniform in place of the clothing usually issued to recruits, and that as boots were not issued the member necessarily purchased them; and will he say when and by what order it is now required that only the uniform and boots issued out of store may be worn, and for what reason seeing that such order involves the wasting of approximately £30,000 worth of goods?

I have no information as to any advice which the officer or noncommissioned officer in question may have thought it proper to give. Uniform and boots of the service pattern are supplied. I do not understand who it is who has laid in stocks of goods to the value of £30,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the reason for the prolonged detention in London of the members of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps; whether he is aware that for upwards of four months many of these men have been receiving only the daily allowance of 1s. 2d., with 1s. 9d. for billets, out of which they have to pay travelling to and from drilling or parade grounds as well as their food, and in many cases lodging; and whether he is aware that as a result many of the. members are in serious financial difficulties, of whom not a few have given up very lucrative positions at home or abroad?

I have no information on this matter, but will make inquiries and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that members of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps selected and applied for appointment to, or commissions in, the Artillery have been recently told that they must withdraw such applications and be willing to accept appointment to Infantry battalions and be trained accordingly, and, that to enforce these directions, have been told by the officers in charge of the corps that they would in default of compliance be transferred as privates to a Line regiment; and whether such action has the sanction of the Army Council?

I would refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Ipswich.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, since a recent raid on the North-East Coast, any special guns have been erected on the roof of a certain municipal building in a North-East Coast town?

The mounting of guns for defence against aerial attacks is not a subject on which information can be given in the most public manner possible— i.e., in an answer to a question in this House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the indignation existing in East Herts owing to the treatment of some hundreds of convalescent wounded soldiers in the neighbourhood of Bishop's Stortford; and can he inform the House who was responsible for permitting these men to sleep on bare boards without the usual straw bedding and for allowing a considerable number to be accommodated in cucumber frames?

No, Sir; I am not aware of the indignation existing in East Herts on this particular question; although I have heard of some feeling existing in that constituency on another point. But I will certainly have inquiry made into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the provisions of Army Form W. 3126, which states that soldiers who are nearly time-expired may re-engage on the same conditions of service as they previously joined for, does not now apply; and if any soldier now desires to re-engage he must do so for Foreign service only?

An "Imperial Service" man can re-engage on Army Form W3126 for Imperial service, but not for Home service. There is, however, nothing to prevent a "Home Service" man who does not come under the Military Service Act from re-engaging for Home service for the duration of the War.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities have any objection to give over possession of the premises at Ballsbridge where the Dublin Horse Show was usually held; whether the abandonment of the show is due to the refusal of the military authorities to loan the grounds to the Royal Dublin Society for the purpose; and whether, in view of the injurious effect this decision will have on the Irish industry of horse breeding, he will take steps to grant facilities to the Royal Dublin Society to carry on the show this year?

I am informed that no request has yet been received for possession of the premises at Ballsbridge for the Dublin Horse Show. Considerable difficulty and expense would be entailed if the possession of these premises were temporarily given over for this purpose, but the military authorities of the Irish Command are willing to consider and discuss the matter if the Royal Dublin Society wishes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War in what manner dental surgeons who attended troops in the Eastern Command in August, 1914, and are now unable to obtain payment for their services, can recover the money due to them for their professional attendances?

I understand that all claims in the Eastern Command have been met, but if this should not be so, in any case claims should be submitted to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has definite information that the Bulgarian Government caters for British officer prisoners of war at the equivalent rate of 4s. per day; and can he say at what rate the Turkish Government is feeding and lodging British military prisoners?

This matter is receiving close attention, but I have no definite information at present.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether an account is kept of the quantity and value of intoxicating drinks supplied to the Army since the outbreak of the present War; and, if so, will he state the quantity and value of the rum supplied down to the latest date shown in the account?

Accounts are kept, but it would involve considerable labour to ascertain the quantity of rum actually issued to the troops. The quantity purchased to date is somewhat over 2,000,000 gallons, at a cost of £323,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his attention has been called to the case of ex-Private M. Connolly, of 52, Caledonia Street, Bradford, who joined the Army in August, 1914, and was afterwards discharged whilst suffering from consumption, and, after spending two months in a sanatorium, joined the 2nd Bradford Pals Battalion, in May, 1915, and was again discharged medically unfit on 21st Septèmber, 1915, owing to another attack of the same disease: if he is aware that ex-Private Connolly's pay ceased immediately on his discharge, although when he reached his home one of his children was lying dead in the house, and he is now lying ill beyond hope of recovery, with a wife and one child dependant on him, and that ex-Private Connolly has not been awarded a pension nor has he received any grant; and whether he will make urgent inquiries into the case with a view of alleviating the distress arising out of the circumstances mentioned?

This case has been considered by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital. The medical evidence is to the effect that the disease was not in any way attributable to military service so far as the second period of service is concerned. I have no particulars of the man's former service, which he denied upon enlisting. Consequently it is not a case for pension from Army Funds. I am not aware of the man's private domestic circumstances, but the hon. Member is doubtless aware of the agencies existing for relief in such cases.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any, and, if so, what deduction is made from the pay of non-commissioned officers and men in the Army in respect of sickness benefit; what was the practice with regard to this subject, and what sums, if any, were deducted from the pay of these men previous to the passing of the National Insurance Act, 1911; and what is the reason for any alteration in the practice which confers no additional benefit on the men?

The only benefit received under the Act during service is the maternity benefit. The deduction from Army Pay under the Act is 1½d. per week. The object of the deduction, beyond paying for maternity benefit, is to accumulate the necessary sum to put the man in the position of a fully-insured civilian of corresponding age when he leaves the Colours. Before the passing of the Act no similar question arose, and the soldier re-entered civil life without a sickness fund to his credit.

asked the Minister of Munitions who is responsible in the House of Commons for the finance of his Department; and why no Parliamentary Financial Secretary has been appointed?

The Finance Department of the Ministry is responsible to the Minister through Dr. Addison, who amongst other duties discharges those of the Parliamentary Financial Secretary of the Ministry.

asked what are the duties of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Munitions Department; whether the post is permanent; and what duties necessiated it being created as a Parliamentary Secretaryship?

The great volume of work devolving on the Ministry of Munitions has rendered it necessary that there should be two Parliamentary Secretaries to assist the Minister, as contemplated by Section 5 (1) of the Ministry of Munitions Act, 1915. The two Secretaries perform such duties as are assigned to them by the Minister. The duration of the office is regulated by Section 6 of the Act mentioned.

asked the Minister of Munitions if, seeing that along with the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), he has been making arrangements so that men engaged on munitions work should not be forced during the dinner and tea intervals into public houses, he will say whether he approved of the recommendation of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) contained in their circular No. 5 S, issued to licensing courts in scheduled areas in Scotland, asking them to sympathetically consider application for extension of licensed premises so as to give extended accommodation for meals?

If my hon. Friend will refer to the context of the passage quoted he will see that the Central Control Board recognise the importance of the vigilant exercise by Licensing Courts of their powers over alterations which give increased facilities for drinking, and only recommend for sympathetic consideration alterations which are merely intended to give extended accommodation for meals. Provided satisfactory undertakings are given that the extra accommodation will be used for the purpose for which it is intended, I fully approve of this recommendation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the firm of Messrs. Bentall, of Heybridge, Essex, are at present manufacturing corn-crushers and chaff-cutters for his Department; whether he is aware that this firm refuses to its workmen the right of combination in trade unions; whether he is aware that this firm has recently discharged four of its workmen for having joined a trade union; whether he is aware that fair wages are not paid by the firm; and will he inquire into this matter with a view to the enforcement of the fair wages clause on this firm?

As the firm are a controlled establishment any complaint as to their labour conditions would be dealt with by the Minister of Munitions. I will bring the statements contained in the question to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, up to five weeks ago, repeated offers made by several hospital supply depots to send out large quantities of hospital supplies to Mesopotamia were refused; if so, will he say by whom these offers were refused; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the cause of the breakdown of the hospital arrangements in Mesopotamia?

I have been informed since this question appeared on the Paper that the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in cooperation with the Indian Soldiers' Fund, offered their general assistance direct to the G.O.C. Mesopotamia in July last, and repeated their offer at later dates; that stores were sent by them to Basra in September, two motor-boats in August, and another in October. In December I transmitted further offers on their behalf. On the 31st January last the following offer was made by the Committee officially to the India Office. They offered to place at my disposal the organisation of the two societies to supplement the provision? made by the Indian Government for the care of the sick and wounded in Mesopotamia. The offer was in the widest and most generous terms, but referred in particular to the possibility of help in the supply of stores of clothing, medical comforts, drugs, and luxuries not included in the scheduled Army lists, in the supply of motor ambulances, barges, and other vehicles for the transport of the sick and wounded, and in the equipment of hospitals and providing personnel to staff and administer such hospitals. I immediately communicated this generous offer to the Viceroy. Before replying he had to ascertain that it would not conflict with the organisation and arrangements of similar Indian societies; but, on the 17th February, he informed me that the Indian Council of St. John Ambulance, which from the outset had actively concerned itself with the Mesopotamia Force, would gladly accept assistance. I communicated the Viceroy's reply the same day to the Joint War Committee.

As regards other societies, the Indian Soldiers' Fund in October made inquiry through me of the military authorities in Mesopotamia as to whether clothing and comforts were needed for the troops, and was informed by them, in reply, that for the present the supply from India was sufficient. I understand that the Fund Committee at that time had independent evidence that there were sufficient supplies at the base. In December I received from the fund and transmitted to the Viceroy an offer to supply bandages, surgical dressings, and other medical and hospital comforts. The Viceroy gladly accepted it, and early in January a large consignment of articles, some of which were contributed by the Joint War Committee, was dispatched to Mesopotamia.

Besides the offers which were made through me and those made independently of me, to which I have already referred, other offers of which I have no knowledge may have been made direct to corresponding societies in India which were engaged in providing comforts for the combatants and medical supplies for the hospitals. I understand that the Indian branch of St. John Ambulance has from the first taken a very active part in providing for the medical needs of the force. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my Noble Friend to the statement which I made yesterday.

asked the Secretary for India if he can state whether a Commission has been appointed to survey the economic resources of India with a view to their development; and, if so, will he give the names of the members of the Commission?

The Government of India, with my concurrence, have decided to appoint a Commission to examine the possibilities of further industrial development in India with special reference to possible openings for the profitable employment of Indian capital. Sir Thomas Holland, lately the head of the Indian Geological Survey, will preside. I am not in a position to give the names of the other members, as the composition of the Commission has not yet been completed. They will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate, so far as information at the disposal of the Board enables him to do, the probable extent of the demand, home and foreign, for sulphate of ammonia after the War, and the prospect for its production in the United Kingdom at a paying price?

I am not in a position to anticipate, with any degree of accuracy, what the demand for sulphate of ammonia will be after the War or the prospects of its profitable production.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the interest of business after the War, he will obtain from His Majesty's Consul-General at Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Christiania, respectively, so much of the following information as may be available with reference to one or more of the principal peat industries in each of those countries: class of bog, depth, whether new (brown) or old (black) peat; proximity to canal, railway, or other mode of transit; description of plant in use, its cost, and patent rights; number of men, youths, and women employed permanently and temporarily, respectively, and rates of wages, with English equivalents; annual output of fuel, charcoal, semi-charcoal, chemicals, or other products, with their market values; and financial results for the latest period for which they are available?

I will consult the Irish authorities on the suggestion of the hon. Member. The inquiry cannot be undertaken at this moment by officials who are already most heavily burdened by the extra work entailed by the War.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Commission appointed under the law passed by the Danish Rigsdad in the Session 1910–11 to make inquiry as regards State leaseholds and State freeholds and other matters connected with landholding has yet reported; and, if so, whether a copy of the Report can be placed in the Library?

I am not aware whether the Danish Commission referred to by my hon. Friend has yet reported, but I will make inquiry of His Majesty's Minister at Copenhagen, and, if the Commission have reported and their Report has been published, a copy will be placed in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the Treasury Committee on the National Insurance Acts is still sitting in secret; if the representatives of approved societies are forbidden to consult with their colleagues; if the Government officials are bound in the same way; if the Committee is debarred from suggesting any relief to married women and to workers in hazardous trades which would involve the smallest public Grant; and whether he will consider the setting up of a Parliamentary Committee with full powers of inquiry?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 22nd ultimo, I understand that the Committee is following the usual practice of Departmental Committees appointed to advise the Government by not conducting its deliberations in public. I assume that the members are under the ordinary obligations inposed by the confidential nature of the Committee's proceedings. As regards the third part, it is the duty of the Committee to interpret the terms of its reference. In regard to the last part of the question, it would appear to be undesirable to institute a second inquiry pending the conclusion of the Committee's labours.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many junior assistant mistresses over forty-five years of age, with a service of thirty years or over, the merit mark of whose school is only fair, are at present retained in the service of the National Board of Education, Ireland, and from how many of such schools in circuit sixteen and district twenty-four have the Commissioners of National Education threatened to withdraw all Grants on account of the merit mark being only fair; and if he will state in how many schools marked fair in the said district and circuit, and in which the average daily attendance of pupils has reached fifty, have the Board retained the services of a junior assistant mistress?

There are no such cases as are referred to in the first and second parts of the question, as there is no junior assistant mistress of thirty years' service. The services of a junior assistant mistress have been retained in one school in Circuit 16 in the circumstances mentioned in the last part of the question. The information cannot be furnished for District 24, as since 1902 the schools of the country have been divided into circuits instead of districts, as formerly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will inquire into the reasons for the exclusion of Poor Law medical officers from the Irish county councils by order of the Local Government Board; whether the same class of officers are eligible in England; whether the illegality of such exclusion was such that the Local Government Board had after some time to abandon it and effect their object by a converse rule, that county councillors should be ineligible to be, or to continue to be, Poor Law medical officers; whether he is aware of the effect of both the original rule and converse rule on the privileges conferred by law; and whether, in view of the statutory exclusion of the entire clerical body from these councils, it is proposed that there should be a further exclusion of the medical profession over five-sixths of Ireland?

From the first coming into operation in Ireland of the Local Government Act it has been thought proper to exclude Poor Law officers, including medical officers, from membership of county councils in Ireland, owing to the incompatibility of the duties. The first Order of the Local Government Board relating to this matter was made on the 17th January, 1899, and the second Order, which is now in existence, was made on the 13th May, 1902. The principle that a paid officer of a local authority should not also be a member of that authority is good, and as it can hardly be said that a medical officer in one part of the country could advantageously exercise the duties of a county councillor in another part of the country, I do not think the exclusion of medical officers from membership of county councils generally has given rise to-any inconvenience, and the present rule-appears to be a sound one. In England, the medical officer of a board of guardians-cannot be a member of that board, but may be a member of a county council.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the report of an inquiry relating to the death of Mr. George Linfoot, of Bradford, who died, of anthrax contracted during the course of his employment at the firm of Campbell and Harrison, Limited, Shipley, Yorks, a branch of the Woolcombers' Syndicate; if he will ascertain whether the deceased man had been blending or making a pile of wool, which had not previously been sorted on a hurdle and over a fan; and if he will state the number of deaths from anthrax contracted in the course of employment at Messrs. Campbell and Harrison's during the fifteen years, 1900 to 1915, inclusive, and the number of cases which have occurred at the whole of the combined firms of Woolcombers, Limited, during the same period, distinguishing between different years and fatal and nonfatal cases?

The particulars are as follows:

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the misunderstanding and confusion caused by the fact that the residential district of Bowes Park, N., is divided for delivery purposes between three sub-districts, and that Bowes Park alone is not a sufficient postal address; and whether, in view of the population and size of the district, he will arrange that the present arrangement shall be altered so that Bowes Park, N., shall be a sufficient postal address without the addition of any of the three sub-districts?

The division of the locality of Bowes Park between three different sub-districts is required in the interests of economy. I can hold out no hope of any change at present. I may say that Bowes Park is by no means the only locality in London which is divided in the manner indicated.