asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total indebtedness of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, respectively, to this country in consequence of the War at 31st March, 1916?

Such information as I am able to give in regard to advances to the Dominions was contained in my financial statement of Tuesday last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to an advertisement by the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society to the effect that dividend is simply the profit made by co-operation on the sale of goods at current prices which under any other system of trading would be retained by the merchant, and that at least £5 4s. may thus be saved annually on a weekly expenditure of 20s.; and, in view of this declaration, will he reconsider his decision that the dividends of co-operative societies not being profits are not assessable to Income Tax?

Judging from my hon. Friend's question, the advertisement referred to would appear to describe the normal transaction, which I have fully dealt with in answer to previous questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the revenue received from the import duties levied under the provisions of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, the gross amount of the duties received, and the amount refunded by way of rebate?

The figures to the 31st March, 1916, are as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether investments will be regarded as assets capable of producing profits; and, if so, whether the fact that an investment has been wholly or partially unproductive may be taken into account?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the terms of the Finance Bill.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury is he aware that many wholesale grocers are not receiving more than about 20 per cent. of their usual weekly supplies of sugar; and if he can state whether the Army and Navy Stores, Civil Service Stores, and similar big firms are supplied with more than 75 per cent. of their normal supply?

It is not possible to reply to the first part of the question, as the supplies available vary from day to day. As regards the second part, I am informed that the answer is in the negative, but I shall be glad to inquire into any evidence to the contrary.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the total amount of each fund of Irish public money invested or available for investment on 31st March, 1916, its source, and the nature of its present investment?

The holdings of the various Government Departments and other public offices in British Government securities are shown in the annual Government Departments Securities Return (House of Commons, 247 of 1915). I fear that I cannot undertake to collate the further information desired by the hon. Member, but if he will specify the funds in which he is interested I will inform him as to the latest published accounts in each case.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can see his way to exhibiting in the Tea Room, for one or more days, the Treasury's graphical diagram of the falling rate of German exchange?

I am arranging for a copy of the chart to be kept in the Tea Room, and to be brought up to date periodically.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that of a consignment of ammunition recently sent to the military at Haulbowline, county Cork, 1,500 rounds were missing when the consignment arrived at Queenstown; and whether this missing ammunition has since been recovered?

I am informed by the military authorities that an inquiry is being held as to a deficiency of small arms ammunition alleged to have been lost in transit between Fermoy and Cork.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many qualified medical men are now employed in connection with the Navy?

The number employed is 1,118. This does not include part-time medical men, namely, Admiralty surgeons and agents.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the amount and value of margarine supplied by Admiralty contractors in Ireland during the last financial year?

No margarine has been purchased by the Admiralty from Admiralty contractors in Ireland during, the last financial year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that the commanding officer at Raikswood camp, Skipton, has refused to discharge a boy named J. J. Chambers from the Army, who joined when he was only sixteen years and nine months old, although the youth's mother claimed his discharge when he was still nearly two months short of seventeen; if he is aware that the commanding officer referred to delayed his reply to the mother's claim which was sent to him on 22nd January last until 14th March last; if the object of this delay was to deprive the mother of the opportunity of pressing her claim whilst her son was still under seventeen; and whether, in the circumstances, he will arrange for the boy's discharge although he is now over seventeen years of age?

I am calling for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the military representatives on the tribunals have instructions to inquire into the political associations of an applicant for exemption under the Military Service Act, 1916, and to urge that membership of certain political parties should be regarded as a disqualification for exemption, and particularly if the War Office approve of the terms of the notice of objection to a temporary exemption certificate given by Second-Lieutenant E. H. Rides in the case of Cecil Wooler, of Dartford, such military representative having stated that the applicant had been a stumbling-block to recruiting by his actions and his letters to the Press, and that it was felt that the tribunal would be doing a useful thing in calling this man to the Colours at once; and what action he proposes to take on the conduct of this military representative?

I need hardly say that the question what political party a man belongs to is not a point which should enter into the conduct of a case before a tribunal. No instructions of the kind suggested have been sent to military representatives. If, however, a particular man has been a stumbling block to recruiting owing to his actions and to his letters to the Press, I think the military representative would be entitled to place this point before the tribunal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what are the results of his inquiry into the case of Fred Capper, of G Company, 14th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, Prees Heath, Whitchurch, who though exempt from the Military Service Act, 1916, by the possession of a certificate of rejection on medical grounds was kidnapped by the recruiting officer at Glossop and sent into the Army and what action has been taken against the military officer resposible for this action?

I have sent a written explanation of this case to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of No. 23,435, Private G. Hall, 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment; whether he is aware that this man enlisted in the Royal Navy and got his discharge marked medically unfit; that in October, 1915, he met with a severe accident, breaking and shattering his right arm, and having to get a silver plate inserted and screwed to the bone; that, despite these facts, he received his Army papers under the Military Service Act, 1916, to report himself at the Corn Exchange, Sheffield, on 10th March, and was ordered to Pontefract the same day; that he has already broken down and lies in hospital, and that the signed papers declare that his left arm is useless; and what steps it is proposed to take?

I have seen a letter from my hon. Friend about this case, and I have called for a report on the facts he has laid before me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) by what authority the Army Council claims the right to attach men of the Territorial Force who had undertaken the Imperial service obligation prior to the 2nd March, 1916, to units other than their own, seeing that the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907, under which such men had enlisted, appears expressly to negative any such right; and (2) whether he is aware that a considerable number of men of the Artists Rifles and the Honourable Artillery Company, who had undertaken the Imperial service obligation prior to the 2nd March, 1916, have been without their consent attached to the 13th battalion of the County of London Regiment, Kensington Rifles; that such men have on two occasions been requested to transfer to that battalion and have refused to do so, and have on two occasions formally applied to be restored to their own units, or transferred to their own 1st or 2nd battalion; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to their application being considered and, if in accordance with law, granted?

I am not aware of the particular facts mentioned in these questions, but the statement which I have already previously made applies. These men will be transferred to such units as they may express a desire to join, but the Army Council reserve the power to attach men to such other units as may be necessary in the interests of the Service and of the country. I am advised that the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act does not in any way restrict the power of attachment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in cases where a man has to prove that he was rejected when desiring to attest, it will be sufficient for him to show that he offered himself for attestation and was not accepted, although no certificate of rejection was given to him?

If the man is able to produce satisfactory proof of rejection the notice would be cancelled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a man who, when offering himself for a commission was certified as medically unfit for military service and who has been granted an armlet on that certificate under the Derby scheme, is recognised as unfit for service and is not liable to be called to the Colours under the Military Service Act, 1916?

No, Sir; a man who has offered himself for a commission and has been rejected is not excepted from the provisions of the Military Service Act. It is only an offer of enlistment, and the rejection of a man so offering himself which brings him within the exceptions. The offer of enlistment must have been since the 14th August, 1915.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the principals and instructors of the civilian schools of aviation, who are doing work in the making and training of pilots, are being called up under the Military Service Act, 1916; do the War Office realise the value of these training establishments; and, if so, will he give an assurance that the position of these schools will be assured and action taken by the Government to enable them to continue their national work?

Principals and instructors of civilian schools of aviation will be called up under the Military Service Act and, where possible, placed in the Royal Flying Corps if unmarried and not attested, unless they have received certificates of exemption or have applied for exemption to a local tribunal.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing that so many men, owing to absence from home or holidays or other causes, in fact escaped registration last August under the National Registration Act, the Government will be prepared to bring in a new National Registration Bill for the immediate registration of all males of military age?

The arrangements made for the compilation of the National Register included a provision for the registration of persons who were absent from home on the day of registration. Absence from home, therefore, did not afford any excuse for a failure to register. I hope that the effective use of the Regulation recently made under the Defence of the Realm Acts will secure the registration of any person who may have failed hitherto to register, and the correction of the register in the case of those who have omitted to notify their changes of address. I may take this opportunity of pointing out that a failure to notify changes of address renders a person liable to considerable penalties.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Central Tribunal has decided to hold its hearings in private, and refused the request of Mr. Luther J. Smith, whose appeal was heard on 4th April, to be accompanied by his solicitor; and whether it is in accordance with the Regulations issued by the Local Government Board that the appellant should be denied the opportunity of obtaining assistance from his legal adviser or his friends?

The Central Tribunal appear to have acted in this case in the exercise of their discretion, and I do not feel called upon to interfere.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can say how His Majesty's message to General Townshend was not published until six weeks after it was sent?

The message was published as soon as sanction was received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that wives of married soldiers are still being punished by denial of leave for eight months and more to their husbands, who can well be spared, and whose only crime is the exercise of their legal right to refuse vaccination, to which they are conscientiously opposed; and whether he will stop this injustice to the men and to their families by issuing an order that reasonable leave, even if less than that enjoyed by others, be allowed to such soldiers, say, not less often than once in six months?

No instructions for curtailment of leave in connection with refusal of vaccination have been issued by the War Office. If my hon. Friend is referring to anti-typhoid inoculation, I can only say that I have nothing to add to previous answers which I have given to him on the point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to an inquest held at Pickering on the body of Arthur Wrightson Hardwick, 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, who died on Monday, 27th March, when the doctor who attended him gave as his opinion that the cause of death was toxœmia due to inoculation, and the jury returned a verdict of died from toxœmia following inoculation; and whether, for pension and other purposes, death thus incurred during service in the Army will be treated on the same footing as if inflicted by the enemy in the field?

My attention has not been called to this case. I will ask for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Dr. Saleeby, a non-practising medical man, in lecturing in favour of anti-typhoid inoculation, is using figures inconsistent with those supplied by him to the House, and claims to have received from the War Office authority to publish statistics not otherwise made public; whether the War Office has supplied such statistics or such authority; whether this gentleman has received or will receive directly or indirectly any money from the Government for such lectures, or whether the lectures are being or have been financed in whole or part from public funds; and, if so, under which Vote do such payments appear?

The figures upon which Dr. Saleeby has been working and which he has been presenting on his own authority, are those last given in the House of Commons. Dr. Saleeby, in giving the lecture referred to, was working voluntarily in aid of his fellow countrymen who are soldiers in His Majesty's Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the circular to the General Officers Commanding advising the employment of an institution called the British Fire Prevention Committee, to which attention was drawn last Session, is still in force or whether it has been withdrawn?

The inspections by the representatives of the British Fire Prevention Committee, for the carrying out of which General Officers Commanding asked for the Committee's assistance, have been completed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there are well-trained able-bodied soldiers under forty years of age who left the Army between September, 1915, and February, 1916, on account of the Government during that period declining to allow them to qualify for pension; and if he has taken steps to bring before them the information that they can now re-enlist and qualify for pensions?

Steps have been taken to bring to the notice of all ex-soldiers eligible for re-enlistment the provisions of Army Order 79 of 1916, which was published on the 18th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many cases of sickness there have been at the Oswestry Camp during the last six months; how many deaths have taken place either at the camp or from sickness contracted there; what is the total number of recruits in training at this camp; and what are the arrangements for dealing with cases of sickness, including medical staff and hospital accommodation?

The average strength at the Oswestry Camp during the last six months has been 9,269. During that period there have been 1,099 admissions to hospital, and 27 deaths have taken place. The arrangements for dealing with cases of sickness and the scale of hospital accommodation is on the same scale as at other camps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Privates Hammond and Pearce, of the 5th Lincolns, Territorial Force, since enlisting twenty months ago, thirteen of which have been spent on active service, have not had leave of absence, whilst other men with less service have had leave no fewer than three times in twelve months; and, in view of the hardship involved in the present arrangements for leave of absence, whether he will take any action in the matter?

If these two men have not had any leave of absence there must, I think, be some good reason for it. I cannot, I fear, undertake that the War Office shall correspond with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief as to the way in which he may exercise his discretion in granting or withholding furlough to individual soldiers of the immense force which he happily has under his command.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has now received a report on the alleged compulsion exercised upon Russian subjects at Hamilton, Scotland, to serve in the British Army?

I have not yet received the report, but I have asked that its arrival may be expedited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain why a soldier in the 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment, who lost his leg in the War last August and has since been discharged from the Army can get no compensation or pension, notwithstanding repeated applications; whether he is aware that there has been no delay in withdrawing his wife's separation allowance; whether this man is now at his home in Salford compelled to live on charity; and whether he will take steps to prevent such delays?

It would save much time if hon. Members when putting questions about individual soldiers would always make a point of giving the name, rank, and regimental number. Without this, inquiry cannot be made. If these particulars are furnished inquiry can be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether two officers were turned out of their quarters in Chatham Barracks in order that these quarters might be occupied by two German officer prisoners taken from a German airship by British vessels; and, if so, whether this is the course that is to be adopted in future in similar cases?

Quarters of two British officers who left temporarily for others which were vacant, were used for the detention of the German officers in question. There were special reasons for taking this course which it is undesirable to make public. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to accept this from me. The action taken in this case forms no precedent for similar cases in the future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Board of Control of Regimental Institutes, which dealt with a trade of over £10,000,000 a year, and upon which Sir W. Lever and Sir R. Burbidge, and other leading business men were voluntarily serving, have been informed that their services are no longer required; if so, for what reason; and whether such action has the sanction of the Secretary of State for War?

Large administrative reforms have been found to be necessary in connection with the control of Army canteens, and with this object in view the Army Council have decided to replace the existing Board of Control by a new Committee, the personnel of which will be announced to the House as soon as it is completed. The Army Council gladly acknowledge the valuable work performed by the Board of Control. In addition to men of known business capacity (including Sir William Lever) and officers in close touch with the Army, the new Committee will comprise members who will be able to devote their whole time to the task of canteen administration. These changes have had the approval of the Secretary of State.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why Mrs. Mary M'Ateer, of 26, King Street, Newry, mother of Drummer John M'Ateer, No. 17,424, 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, British Expeditionary Force, is only getting her son's allotment of 3s. 6d. per week and has been denied separation allowance; whether he is aware that this man's employers, the Newry Brick and Stone Company, have certified that M'Ateer was in their employment from 25th August, 1913, until 8th September, 1914, the date of his enlistment, and that his average weekly wages were 20s. per week; if he is aware that M'Ateer paid to his mother sums varying from 11s. to 13s. per week, which was proved by reputable persons; and whether he is aware that the action of the pension officer in Newry in disputing this and other valid claims is causing great dissatisfaction and is very prejudicial to recruiting?

Inquiry will be made, and the hon. Member informed of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to give some definite information with regard to the case of Patrick Mahon, who for some time past has been lying seriously ill in the asylum at Great Yarmouth after being invalided home from the front with gas poisoning?

Lance-Corporal P. Mahon enlisted into the 4th Northamptonshire Regiment on the 18th June, 1915, and was discharged on account of tubercle of the lung on the 17th December, 1915, after 183 days' service, all of which was spent at home. In the opinion of the invaliding medical board his disability was not caused by his military service. The officer commanding his battalion states that during his service the man was employed as a storeman, and was not subjected to any hardship, strain, or exposure. It appears that Mahon wears the ribbons for China and South Africa, but cannot say with what unit he served. he also states that he served with the Expeditionary Force in France, but cannot or will not say with what corps. In the circumstances, the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital regret they find no grounds for award to him of any pension from Army Funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men are now employed in the Royal Aircraft Factory; and what is the wage bill per week?

The total number of men employed in the Royal Aircraft Factory is 3,223, and their weekly pay amounts to £9,438.

asked what are the salaries paid to the five senior officers-of the Royal Aircraft Factory; and what were their salaries prior to the commencement of the war?

The salaries actually being paid in the period immediately preceding the war were £1,500 (part time), £500, £400, £350 and £350. The salaries being paid now are £3,000 (full time), £630, £550, £550 and £450.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has made inquiries and satisfied himself of the truth of the allegations respecting a dummy gun erected on the roof of a foundry in an East Coast city; has he discovered the name of the firm on whose premises the gun was set up; has he been informed of the material used in its manufacture; does he know where it was made; can he inform the House when it was removed and where it was burnt; can he give the number of soldiers who were told off to guard the gun during the time it was employed by the military; who was responsible for this hoax; and can he give the assurance that such a practice will not be repeated?

The hon. Gentleman has presumably in the course of his experience heard of ruses de guerre. The object of such measures is to deceive the enemy, and if such a measure has been resorted to in this country its object would be to mislead the enemy's air scouts or agents, and not to hoax the civil population. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will permit me to say that it is not always in the interests of the country to tear aside the veil.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that although air raids have taken place upon towns on the East and North-East Coasts as long ago as twelve months and more, yet in many cases no measures have been taken to stop these raids; and will he take immediate action, such as the military authorities may suggest, to endeavour to stop the damage to life and property which is still going on?

As I informed the House in Debate, everything that is possible is being done to deal with Zeppelin raids, and to secure at the earliest moment that the needs of the country should be met without in any way depleting the provision for the forces at the front.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, on the occasion of last Sunday's raid, a Zeppelin passed on two occasions within easy range of an anti-aircraft gun stationed in an Eastern county; if so, why was the gun not fired; why was no official warning given to the officer in command; and whether an officer is left without any discretion as to when he shall fire?

As there are no orders extant which might cause the officer in charge of an anti-aircraft gun to act in such a way and as the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, there is no ground for supposing that anything of the kind occurred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether friction has arisen among the members of the Joint War Air Committee recently appointed by the Government; whether the disputes and delays which have resulted have arrested all hope of progress; and whether any members of the Committee have declared to their colleagues their intention to resign?

There are, of course, differences of opinion, but no friction whatever exists between members of the Joint Air Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a new organisation, entitled the Cripples' Pension Society, whose address is 32, Charing Cross, Whitehall, and one of whose objects is to assist soldiers who are or may become cripples for life while they are waiting to know what the Government are going to do for them, and to assist and find suitable employment for cripples, including crippled soldiers; whether, before this society was formed, he was approached as to the utility and necessity of another voluntary charitable organisation so far as the soldiers are concerned; whether he is aware that this society proposes to pay Parliamentary representatives a fee of £3 3s. for every question they ask in Parliament on behalf of the organisation, with a minimum payment of £52 10s. a year; and, if there is no need for another voluntary agency to help crippled soldiers, whether any steps can be taken to prevent waste and dissipation of effort?

The secretary of this society wrote asking for official approval of its formation. This was not given. I have no knowledge of the funds at its disposal, nor of how it may be proposed to expend them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether contracts for Army repairing bends are let out to any one man, and, if so, whom; whether leather factories are allowed to quote for bends; and, if not, why they are not allowed to do so?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I assume that "factories" should read "factors"; if so, the answer is that leather factors are not permitted to quote for bends, as it is the policy of the War Office to deal with manufacturers wherever possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has been able to arrange for the pay of the soldiers in France to be made in smaller denominations than in five-franc pieces owing to the difficulty soldiers have in getting small change; or, if he has not been able to alter the system of pay, has he been able to arrange for a sufficient supply of small change easily available for the soldier?

There are difficulties in the way of paying soldiers in smaller denominations, but arrangements have been made for a considerable and regular supply of small change to institutions used by the soldier.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many clerks are employed at the pay office at Woolwich?

The numbers on 31st March last were:

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many, if any, contracts are now in existence or are about to be signed in which the terms are that the contractor is to be paid the cost of production plus a percentage on that cost; and what are the maximum and minimum percentages to be so paid?

Contracts on the basis referred to have only been made by the War Office in very exceptional cases. A few of these contracts are still in existence. The percentages fixed vary from 2⅓ to 10 per cent., according to circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that men of the 37th Company, 10th County of London Corps, who were employed at Mount Pleasant Post Office for nine days shortly after Christmas deny that they were engaged in handling special military mails for the Expeditionary Forces, and assert that they were employed loading and unloading outgoing and incoming mail vans and other work of a general post office character; and whether he will have further inquiries made into the matter with a view to the men being paid for the services rendered?

I will make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) whether he can state the number, if any, of national munition factories in Belfast; the nature of the work upon which they are engaged; the number of female workers employed; and the rates of wages paid to them; (2) whether he can state the names of the uncontrolled firms in the Belfast district engaged wholly or partly on munitions work; the number of females employed on this class of work in each case; the rates of wages paid to them; and (3) whether he can state the names of the controlled or partially controlled factories in Belfast and district engaged on munitions work, the number of female workers employed in each, and the rates of wages paid to them?

It is not considered desirable in the national interest to give publicly the information asked for by my hon. Friend in the three questions on this subject standing in his name.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number, if any, of the spinning and weaving factories in the Belfast district which are at present running on short time; the number of female workers employed in each; and the average rate of wages earned by these workers in each factory?

Of twenty firms in the linen industry in the Belfast District from which the Board of Trade have so far received returns for March, thirteen reported short time. I am unable to furnish the other particulars asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is his intention to introduce legislation relating to the confidential certification of the cause of death, as recommended in the Report of the Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases?

I cannot undertake to introduce legislation of this character at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for the past four weeks the fleet of nine steamers plying between Belfast and Fleetwood, Heysham, and Liverpool has been lying idle owing to the refusal of the steamship owners to accede to the demand of some 300 men, comprising the boats' crews, for an advance of their wages to the same rate as that paid by other steamship owners at the port of Belfast; whether the men have offered to submit their claim to arbitration and the companies have refused assent to this proposition; whether the Board of Trade has made any effort, and, if so, what was the nature of it, to bring about a settlement of the dispute; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the manufacturers, shippers, and traders of Belfast and district at the continuance of the dispute, which entails loss upon them; whether he is aware that a number of workers, apart from those immediately concerned, are indirectly and seriously affected by the dispute; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will take steps to bring about a settlement of the dispute without further delay?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member for South Tyrone on Tuesday last, I am in communication with the railway companies on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the restrictions now in force on building locomotives for British railways and the difficulties in obtaining the necessary raw material for repairing existing locomotives, he will take steps to secure the withdrawal of all restaurant cars?

Up to the present the opinion of the Railway Executive Committee has been that the inconvenience and loss of time that would be caused to a large number of business men who have necessarily to travel would not be justified by the amount of engine power that would be saved if restaurant cars were withdrawn. The matter is, however, under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Customs are entitled to accept payment of duty on cocoa and then refuse to release it after having accepted the payment?

It is assumed that the question relates to a refusal to release cocoa from bonded warehouse under the recent restriction imposed by Treasury Order under Section 15 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915. If that is so, the answer is in the affirmative. The money is merely accepted on account and, on a refusal to release, the amount would, of course, be returned if desired.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the average yearly output of British mercantile tonnage in the five years preceding 1914, the total British mercantile tonnage in July, 1914, the amount completed since that date, the amount interned in enemy ports, lost by enemy action, lost by ordinary marine casualties during the War, the total British mercantile tonnage available on 31st March, 1916, the amounts now requisitioned for naval and military purposes, and what is available for ordinary mercantile transport purposes?

The average yearly output of mercantile tonnage in the United Kingdom in the five years 1909–1913 was 945,000 tons net tonnage, of which 780,000 tons was for British owners. The net tonnage on the register of the United Kingdom at the end of the years 1913–1915 was as follows:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Swedish mail steamer "Stockholm," whose cargo was the cause of trouble on two previous occasions, has on her third trip been released after twenty-four hours' delay, though carrying similar cargo to previous occasions, including 1,000 tons of copper; and whether he can say why Sweden should be exceptionally treated?

The cargo of the steamship "Stockholm," when on her last voyage, was examined in the usual way. Of twenty-seven items, which constituted her whole cargo, seven were destined for Swedish Government departments or Government commissions; nine were destined for Russian firms; seven were items of oil and lubricants; and two of tobacco for consignees in Sweden, to which His Majesty's Government had no reason to take objection; one was a trunk of personal effects; and one was a consignment of 1,000 tons of copper, shipped under conditions previously approved by His Majesty's Government. Whilst there is no question of any exceptional treatment having been accorded to Sweden, any more than to any other neutral country, I am happy to be able to state that it was found possible on this occasion to dispose of all questions arising in connection with this vessel within twenty-four hours.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of pensions paid in respect to political offices, including Law Officers of the Crown, and the amount of such pensions yearly?

The figures of the pensions paid under the Political Pensions Act, 1869, for the last six years are:

In addition to these, pensions have been paid to former Speakers of this House and to former Lord Chancellors as follows:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any application has been received by the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland from a manager of a day national school to have manual instruction taught to the senior pupils.; has the application, been considered, and with what result;, and whether he will consider the desirability in the present circumstances of manual instruction being taught in the national schools in Ireland?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners of National Education have at present no funds at their disposal for meeting an application of the kind refered to. Proposals which they have made on the subject will receive consideration as soon as financial provision can again be-made for new services.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any scheme for medical treatment has been formulated either by the Commissioners of National Education or by particular applications to them for national school or schools in Ireland to utilise the money voted under Class 4, Section 12 E. 10, entitled, "Grant towards the medical treatment of school children as apart from dental treatment"; will he say what money has been spent on this service for either medical or dental treatment since it was instituted; the conditions of the Grant; what authority has imposed the condition in the case of dental treatment of £1 being contributed from a local source to the £1 given by the Treasury; and whether this condition extends to medical treatment generally?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that a scheme of the kind referred to was prepared in June, 1914, by the Commissioners, but the Treasury in August, 1914, intimated that in the circumstances then existing they regretted they were unable to entertain it. The total expenditure from the Vote on this service between 1st April, 1912, when the Grant was first made available, and 31st March, 1916, was £2,111, the whole of this sum being in respect of dental treatment. The Grant is available towards meeting the cost of the medical treatment of school children and services ancillary thereto, and can be availed of only in respect of schemes approved by the Lord Lieutenant. The payment to be made from the Grant may not exceed one-half of the certified amount of the expenditure in the case of any scheme. The condition that one-half of the expenditure should be provided from local sources was prescribed by the Treasury at the time when the Grant was first placed on the Estimates.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Peter M'Erlane, of Aughavarry, Ahogill, county Antrim, who was granted an old age pension by the Ballymena Sub-committee which was refused by the Local Government Board on appeal by the pension officer; whether he can state the grounds upon which the decision of the local pension sub-committee was upset; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to the pension being granted?

Peter M'Erlane's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the 7th February last on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He had a farm of 10 acres which he alleges he assigned to his son in America. The alleged transfer, if made, took place after the rejection of a claim for an old age pension in 1913. The case is not now before the Local Government Board, and the Board have no authority to reopen it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. David O'Sullivan, of Ballylongford, county Kerry, has been or is about to be appointed to the Commission of the Peace for county Kerry; and, if so, whether due inquiry has been made into the financial position of this gentleman and into his record as a law-abiding citizen?

Mr. David O'Sullivan has not been appointed to the Commission of the Peace for county Kerry, and it is not the intention of the Lord Chancellor to make any further appointments in this county for some time.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the position at a board of guardians after a resolution has been passed to co-opt a new member of a candidate who has been duly proposed, seconded, and defeated, when it is found that the successful candidate is legally disqualified from holding the position of a guardian; and is the next highest candidate at the poll lawfully elected?

I am advised that, in the circumstances mentioned, the board of guardians can make a fresh choice of a person to fill the vacancy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an official in the post office at Londonderry was reprimanded for non-delivery of a telegram addressed to Ballybofey; whether the postmaster at Londonderry stated on the 17th February that the irregularity had been seriously noticed and offered to refund the cost of the telegram; whether, knowing that the addressee had suffered through non-receipt of the telegram, the secretary of the post office at Dublin refused on the 9th March to give the name and address of the telegraphist; and will such refusal be persisted in?

I am having inquiry made and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaater Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether the statement in the Return Cd. 175 of 1883 (House of Lords) that a lessee, however, in the case of the Commissioners declining to sell him the reversion, can compel them to buy his leasehold interest, is now applicable to any and, if so, how many of the 330 licensed houses on the Ecclesiastical Commissioners' land; whether he will state how this compulsory purchase arises; and whether it is applicable if the Commissioners permit the lease to run out?

This statement in the Return has reference to leases held by beneficial lessees under the old system described in the same paper. There are two such cases included in the 330. The right of the lessee to require purchase of his leasehold interest in certain circumstances is conferred by Section 24 of 23 and 24 Vict. cap. 124: it is inapplicable when the leasehold interest has ceased to exist.