asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the expediency and justice of making an abatement of the proposed new taxes on motor cars in favour of officers of the Volunteer Training Corps who are using their own cars in the execution of their military duties while called up in protection companies on the lines of communication in England?

I am considering whether exemption from duty cannot be granted for cars which are used exclusively for such purposes as those indicated in the question. I do not think it would be practicable to make any concession in respect of cars which are used partly for such purposes and partly for other purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists in the business world with regard to the action of the Treasury Committee on new issues; and whether he will be prepared to receive a deputation on the subject or to allow an opportunity for a discussion of the action of the Committee by this House?

So far as I am aware, such dissatisfaction as exists is mainly confined to rejected applicants. It is open to the hon. Member to raise discussion in this House on the matter on any occasion when the subject is relevant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the action of the Treasury Committee on new issues is confined to cases where a Stock Exchange quotation is desired or not; whether in fact the Treasury Committee have forbidden such forms of issue as an exchange of shares on an amalgamation or reconstruction and debentures to replace bank loans contracted before the War, and that whether the company concerned was a public or private one and whether a Stock Exchange quotation was desired or not?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that national service badges have been, supplied to three surveyors of taxes in Belfast and two of their clerks, while other Belfast surveyors and their staffs who have signed forms agreeing to join the Army and go on Foreign service have had no badges issued to them; and whether, in view of the fact that the men without badges are accused of being slackers, he will issue badges to them or withdraw those already issued?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this matter, and badges will be issued forthwith in the cases to which he refers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the proportion of neutral losses to the Allies' losses in merchant ships from the operations of the Germanic Powers since 12th April up to the recent assurance given by Germany to the United States of America, for the purpose of comparison with the official figures of 32 per cent. from the beginning of the War to 23rd March, 1916, and 51 per cent. from 23rd March to 12th April?

The proportion of neutral losses to the Allies' losses in merchant ships, from the operations of the Germanic Powers for the period in question, is 85 per cent.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether General Monro's dispatch published early in March stated that he was sending in a few days his list of names for special mention; and whether such list has been received?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning the case of Lieutenant Ian Turneur, 20th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, if he is aware that Lieutenant Turneur was severely kicked on the left thigh and the right calf by a horse while executing his duties on the 8th or 17th December last and was thereby incapacitated for active duty, was advised by his commanding officer on 7th January to go on sick leave because of the results of the accident, which advice he adopted on 11th January, applied for medical examination and treatment on 17th January, to which application he received no reply, whereupon he repeated his application on the 21st or 22nd of the same month, again receiving no reply; if he is aware that, although Lieutenant Turneur has not resigned his commission nor has he been discharged, his pay was stopped on 25th January last and he has been compelled to obtain medical treatment at his own expense, and is still undergoing medical treatment as the result of an accident which happened to him whilst on duty; and whether he will take steps to remedy the grievance under which Lieutenant Turneur is suffering through the carelessness or fault of some officer or officers who have had to deal with the matters complained of?

I am having inquiries made into this case.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War, if his attention has been called to the fact that the Proclamation calling up the groups of 13th May fixes no time within which appeals for exemption should be lodged, such as was fixed by the previous Proclamations; and if he can state within what time appeals must be lodged under this Proclamation?

The time within which application for exemption should be lodged has advisedly been omitted from recent Proclamations calling up groups, as the period for application has not been the same in all cases. A man who claims on personal grounds is required to send in his application within ten days after the Proclamation is posted, or if his group has already been called up at the time he attests, within ten days after the day on which he was attested. Hitherto it has not been found practicable to give local tribunals jurisdiction to receive a late application for an attested man, but under the new instructions which will shortly be issued relating to attested men, in consequence of the new Act, provision will be made giving the tribunal jurisdiction, for good reasons shown, to receive an application in respect of a voluntarily attested man not later than seven days after individual notice has been sent to the man calling him up for service with the Colours. This is already the rule for voluntarily attested men who make an application on the ground that they are engaged in a certified occupation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps it is proposed to take to secure the carrying out of the Military Service Acts by those men of military age who failed to register on the National Register and of whom no record is available and who cannot therefore be called up for service by the usual means?

The local authorities and the police are in co-operation with a view to arranging for visits to be made to people's houses in order to call for production of certificates of registration. If a man has not been registered he will be warned to get himself registered now or he will render himself liable to a fine. Leaflets drawing attention to the necessity of registration are also about to be distributed by the local authorities. These the rate collectors will leave at houses. The matter will be pressed upon employés by their employers. Employers are also now required to keep a register of the names and addresses of employés of military age, which is to be open for inspection by the military authorities or by the police. I may also refer to the provisions in the new Military Service Act requiring the production of a certificate of exemption on request. In these ways I think it would become increasingly difficult for a man to evade notice.

asked whether the 395 married and 242 single men of military age and medically fit now employed by the National Health Commissioners of England and Wales and the National Insurance Audit are to be called up for service, and, if so, when?

Every effort has been made, and is being made, by the Commissions referred to to release members of their staff as and when they can be spared. Out of a total male staff at the outbreak of war of 1,424, only 278 were over military age. Of the 1,146 of military age 612, exclusive of those medically unfit, had been released on the date of the return, and a further 144, making 756 in all, have since been released. Questions in regard to the National Insurance Audit Department should be addressed to the Treasury.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Linlithgowshire County Council, in appointing the county tribunals under the Military Service Act, 1916, have included representatives of Labour among the members so appointed, in terms of the circular issued from the Scottish Office in February last?

I have been in communication with the Linlithgowshire County Council, who have made me a return indicating that they have appointed to the three local tribunals for the county four members who they contend are representatives of Labour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the Board, with a view to assisting local tribunals has yet sent particulars of the minimum number of labourers that should be retained on given areas of land, having regard, so far as is practicable, to the varying conditions that prevail; and if he has any information that this practice has been followed by some local tribunals co-operating with the military authorities?

The War Office, in consultation with the Board, have prepared a general scale of agricultural labour for the use of their military representatives before the tribunals, and the Local Government Board have agreed to forward copies of the same to the tribunals for their information and guidance. Copies will also be sent to the Board's representatives before the tribunals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Engineer-clerk Lance-Corporal P. D. Robb, Royal Engineers, has been recently sent to duty in Dublin; whether his wife is in England; that a doctor's certificate has been furnished to Corporal Robb's commanding officer, showing that Mrs. Robb's health will not allow her to undertake the journey to Dublin; whether he is aware that application has been made for separation allowance in respect of Mrs. Robb and refused; and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Robb is unable to join her husband, she will be entitled to the allowance?

I understand that my hon. and learned Friend has already been in correspondence with my right hon. Friend about this case, but in view of the fresh facts adduced I am having further inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the grounds upon which Mrs. Margaret Hanlon, Roscrea, county Tipperary, and her three children are only allowed a separation allowance of 18s. 6d. per week instead of 23s. per week which she is entitled to; and whether he is aware that her husband, Gunner Dan Hanlon, No. 3,561, 114th Trench Battalion, Royal Garrison Artillery, has been wounded twice in France?

Inquiry will be made and my hon. Friend informed of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal Andrew Webster, No. 7,558, No. 1 Company, 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, gave his mother 6s. per week previously to his joining the Army; and whether he can state the reason Mrs. Webster has received no allowance other than the 3s. 6d. allowed her by Corporal Webster?

The claim for separation allowance was disallowed as dependence was not established. The soldier declared his wages at 24s. per week, and his contribution to the home 12s. per week, but it was ascertained that in his last year of employment his weekly earnings were only 6s.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state what is the necessity for paying officers through banking agents; how many such agents are there; by whom appointed and paid, and on what scale; whether any other of such agents but Messrs. Holt and Company, of Whitehall Place, and Messrs. Cox and Company, of Charing Cross, deduct and appropriate small sums under the name of banking charges from young officers having no experience of banking and not knowing whether the charges are legitimate or not; and what is the authority for making those deductions?

There are three Army agents for officers on British pay—Messrs. Cox and Company, Messrs. Holt and Company, and Sir C. R. McGrigor, Bart., and Company. They are appointed by the War Office to act as paymasters for Army officers without any remuneration. This is the gain to the Government. The officers benefit by obtaining their pay automatically without any application or acknowledgment. No officer need bank with an agent. He may direct the agent to remit his pay in full as it falls due on the 1st of each month in advance, to any bank he may select. This is done free of charge. The agents inform officers that they are prepared to open banking accounts; and it is for the individual officer to arrange terms if he elects to bank with them.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the statement made by him respecting the deportees from Glasgow, namely, that while the men are unemployed allowances are being made to their families, has been challenged by one of the deportees; and can he clear the matter up by the production of evidence of the receipt of such allowances?

I have made further inquiry into this matter and am sending my right hon. Friend a detailed statement in regard to each of the deported men. I should add that the statement shows that payments have been made to the families of the men removed in all cases where the families could be traced and where they were dependent upon the man.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the shortage of labour and the consequent need of motor tractors, ploughs, and other similar agricultural machines, he will take steps to liberate the principal makers of these machines in this country from the manufacture of munitions to a sufficient extent to enable them to deliver orders before the end of harvest, so as to secure as far as possible a full area of autumn ploughing and seeding?

The suggestion contained in the hon. Member's question is being considered, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to give any definite promise as to the arrangements that may be found to be practicable.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he refuses to issue permits for the export to Russia of goods ordered from British manufacturers unless such orders have previously received the sanction of the Russian delegation of the International Commission; and, if so, what is the object of such restriction; and whether he is aware that its effect is to divert orders to neutral countries, to the permanent detriment of British trade?

The Minister of Munitions is not responsible for the issue of permits for export. His concurrence is secured by the responsible authority before the issue of any permit for the exportation of goods which might affect the supply the munitions.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can state the number of single men who have been combed out of munition works and controlled establishments; and whether it is proposed to continue this process in view of the shortage of munitions he has recently called attention to?

Between 11,000 and 12,000 notices withdrawing badge certificates have been issued by the Ministry of Munitions during the last two months. I am unable to say how many single men this number includes. A large number of additional recommendations for the withdrawal of such certificates have been received and are being considered. It is proposed to continue the inspection of firms holding War Service badges and to withdraw certificates from men who can be replaced, without damage to the output of munitions, by women or other labour ineligible for military service.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can state the number of skilled and of unskilled men now required for the production of munitions?

No, Sir; in view of the varying demands from day to day for labour for munition purposes, it is not possible to give a figure which would not be misleading on this subject. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me to a question from him on 18th April.

asked the Home Secretary if he has consented to the employment of women on the night-turn at the works of the Colonial Combing Company, Botany Mills, Keighley; whether he is aware that the women are working there from 5.15 p.m. to 5.55 a.m., with two intervals of half-an-hour for meals, making a working period of 11 hours and 40 minutes; if he is aware that there is no proper provision at the mills in question for warming and cooking food nor is there proper provision for washing, soap, or towels; that the sanitary arrangements and ventilation are poor; and that on the night of 22nd May, when the temperature outside the works was 63 degrees Fahrenheit at 5 p.m. and 58 degrees at 9.35 p.m., the inside temperature was as follows at the times mentioned, namely, 5.30 p.m. 90 degrees, 6.45 p.m. 89 degrees, 8 p.m. 89 degrees, and 9.20 p.m. 90 degrees; whether he is aware that there was no woman supervisor present on the date mentioned; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

This company applied for permission to employ women on the night shift at their mills, and, in view of the urgent nature of the work, have been provisionally allowed to do so pending a settlement of the general question of night employment of women in woolcombing: sheds. The Home Office fully recognises the importance of securing satisfactory conditions of work if employment on the night shift in this industry is to be allowed, and, after conference with the employers' and workers' representatives, certain requirements have been formulated which any firms authorised to employ women on the night shift would be required to observe. These conditions provide that the period of employment on the night shift shall not exceed the period of twelve hours allowed by the Act for the day workers, and that proper arrangements shall be made for the supervision of the women, for separate and adequate messing and washing accommodation and for the maintenance of the temperature below a specified standard. The inspector states that at a recent inspection of the mills in question the general conditions including temperature were found to be satisfactory, but I am asking him to report in detail as to the firm's compliance with the special requirements.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Regulations made under the Defence of the Realm Act are published only in supplements to the "London Gazette," copies of which can often not be obtained; and whether he will take steps to publish these new Regulations in a complete form, so that the public may know the law that they have to observe?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in saying that the Regulations under the Defence of the Realm Act are published only in supplements to the "London Gazette." All Orders in Council under the Act have been separately printed for sale, and consolidated editions of the Regulations, containing all additions and amendments to date, were published and put on sale in July, 1915, and in February last. A further edition, incorporating additions up to the 23rd instant, is now in the Press, and will be issued in a day or two. In response to a request made to me by the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs, I have arranged that in future copies of these Regulations may be obtained at the Vote Office on application.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of male allies and enemy aliens of military age now in the borough of Poplar?

There are thirty-nine alien enemies of military age in the borough of Poplar, including fourteen Germans, twenty-one Austrians, and four Turks. The number of allies of military age is not available, and could not be obtained except at an expenditure of labour which could not be undertaken at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of special constables who are serving in the City of. London and Metropolitan Police areas, and if any cost for these men is borne on public funds; and, if so, can he state what the cost has been?

The total present strength of the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary is 29,200, 8,454 of whom are employed solely in the protection of their employers' premises. Precise details of the cost are not immediately available, but the total thus far sanctioned does not exceed £150,000, and this will be borne by the Police Fund. The number of special constables now serving in the City is 2,365. Particulars of the cost are not at present available, and it would take some time to obtain them.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of officers and constables of twenty-five and twenty-six years' service who have been retained in the Metropolitan Police Force since August, 1914; and, in view of the fact that pensioned men who have been re-employed since the War are receiving both their pensions and full pay, will he consider whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he can allow all time-expired men retained in the Metropolitan Police Force since the beginning of the War an increased weekly allowance?

Eight hundred and seventy-one officers and constables of the Metropolitan Police have given notice to retire on the completion of twenty-five years' service or upwards. Of these only 271 have completed twenty-six years' service and thereby earned their full pension. The remainder, 556 in all, by their continued service are earning an enhanced, pension. It is not proposed to discriminate in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is a were that the average-wages paid to a constable of twenty years' service in the City and Metropolitan Police is only 40s. per week; whether since the outbreak of the War the only increase granted is a war bonus of 3s. per week, which only represents an increase of 8 per cent.; and whether, in view of the fact that food, clothing, etc., have during the War increased by at least 50 per cent., he wilt cause an inquiry to be made with a view of granting an additional increase of pay?

Pension rights are equivalent to an addition of 20 to 25 per cent. on wages, and the constable also receives uniform free and a boot allowance, together with free medical attendance and holidays on full pay. The facts with respect to the increase of prices are well known and I do not think any special inquiry is necessary.

asked the Home Secretary-whether the Press Censor has prohibited the full publication, or has passed only curtailed abridgements, in British newspapers of the answers made by Dr. Hel-ferich to Sir Edward Holden's criticisms on German finance, of the speech made on 20th May by President Wilson at Charlotte, North Carolina, and of the interview published in the "New York World" of Herr von Bethman-Hollweg accorded to Mr. von Wiegand; and, if the full texts of these documents have been kept from the public of this country, whether any explanation tending to reassure and encourage this country can now be given for suppressing what in each case was not information of operations but only expressions of opinion?

The answer is in the negative. There is no foundation whatever for the suggestions in the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Statutory Committee appointed under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915, has power on its own initiative, and not merely upon the motion of a county council or other local committee from time to time after a scheme has been framed and adopted, to require a revision of such scheme by the appointment of one or more additional local committees for a part or parts of the area comprised in the scheme or/and an additional district committee or committees, or/and the alteration of the powers of any one or more district committee or the alteration of the areas under the jurisdiction of any such local or district committees; whether the model form of scheme makes no such provision; and whether the Government will take steps to see that no scheme is approved by the Statutory Committee which does not provide for such powers being reserved to the Statutory Committee?

The model provides for a scheme being altered, with the consent of the Statutory Committee, by the local authority by whom it was made, but does not reserve to the Statutory Committee a right to alter the scheme on their own initiative. Any such reservation would be open to the objection that in effect it would enable the. Statutory Committee to make a new scheme, without the concurrence of the local authority, and I do not think it could be insisted upon. It would, however, be competent for a separate local committee to be established at any time for a borough or urban district with a population of less than 50,000, if on the application of the council of the area the Statutory Committee considered it desirable, having regard to the special circumstances of the case. To enable this to be done, it would not be necessary that the scheme for the county should be formally altered, though in some instances some modification of it might be expedient.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether numerous applications to the Statutory Committee, appointed under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915, have been made by boroughs and urban districts not having a population of more than 50,000 persons for the appointment of local committees for their respective areas; whether in all cases such applications have been refused by the Statutory Committee unless the county council for the county in which the applicant's area is situated have consented to or not opposed such application; whether in all cases the Statutory Committee refuses to recognise that special circumstances within the meaning of the Act exist, unless the county council consents or does not object to the application; and whether, having regard to the prevalent feeling of hostility existing in regard to local affairs between councils of agricultural counties and councils of boroughs and populous urban districts within their areas, and to the intention of Parliament that every such application should be adequately considered in a fair and impartial spirit, and so dealt with on its own intrinsic merits by the Statutory Committee, the Government will take steps to give effect to such intention, and require the Statutory Committee to consider such applications favourably and with due regard to every material circumstance, notwithstanding any opposition by the county council?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In dealing with applications of the kind referred to, the Statutory Committee have usually communicated with the council of the county in which the area concerned is situated, and have attached importance to the views expressed by the council, but they have not considered themselves bound by these views, and have not always acted in accordance with them. The Act requires that the Statutory Committee shall be satisfied that there are special circumstances in the case which render it desirable that a separate local committee shall be constituted before they give their consent to an application for this purpose. They deal with each case on its merits, and they regard the opinion of the county council as being only one of the factors to be taken into account in coming to a decision on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now obtained the consent to the publication of the summaries of their evidence of those traders who gave evidence before the Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence, on which evidence the Sub-Committee's Report, issued on the 28th January last, was founded; whether any of the traders have refused to allow their evidence to be published; if so, how many; and on what date the summaries of evidence will now be published in accordance with the undertaking given to the Advisory Committee by the Permanent Secretary to the Board of Trade?

In all cases in which replies have been received the witnesses have agreed to publication. Some replies are still outstanding, but I hope that the Paper will be published in the course of a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the progressive increase in the price of the principal articles of food consumption, and particularly in the case of milk, has caused anxiety to all those who are dependent upon military separation and other allowances or pensions, and in a special degree those married men who are now being called up for military service; and whether, having regard to the urgency of this question, the Government will exercise at once such powers as they possess or seek new legislative power to control the prices and conditions of distribution of such articles as they may think necessary to schedule?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15th May to a similar inquiry of the hon. Member for Derby, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in estimating the recent increase in the price of milk and its causes, the Order of the Board of Agriculture prohibiting the sale of cows and heifers for slaughter was taken into consideration; and whether, in the event of his having information concerning breaches of the Order and the sending of such animals to the butcher, he will give particulars to the Board of Agriculture in order that they may take suitable action?

I understand that the Order of the Board of Agriculture refers solely to the slaughter of cows in calf and of young calves, and hence has no bearing on the matters to which my recent reply in this House related.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has received any information with reference to the enhanced price for milk and the threat of farmers to milk dealers that, unless increased prices for milk are paid, farmers will fatten and sell to the butchers many cows now in milk; and whether he will publish a warning that proceedings will be taken by the Board against any farmer so acting?

I am aware both of the increased price of milk and of the increased cost of milk production. I am not aware of the threat alluded to, and I fancy that the point which the farmer desires to make is only that if milk production does not pay he will give up producing it. As to taking proceedings, it is not at all an easy matter to compel men to carry on businesses which do not bring in a reasonable profit, and I believe that in the long run the best way of keeping up our milk supply is to pay a price which will yield to the producer a fair return for the increased cost of labour, feeding-stuffs and cows, and not less remunerative conditions than other branches of agriculture.

asked if arrangements can be made by which medical practitioners would be permitted to obtain a sufficient supply of petrol in county Wexford, as at present a number of medical men are held up for want of petrol?

The needs of medical practitioners are being borne in mind by the Committee appointed by the Board of Trade for the purpose of considering the supply and distribution of petrol, and it is hoped that steps towards meeting the requirements of medical men generally as regards petrol may shortly be possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the examination for women and girl clerkships, General Post Office, announced to take place on the 2nd of May, was not held in Dublin owing to the recent disturbances, although the examination was held in the various other centres in the United Kingdom as advertised, he will state what steps the Civil Service Commissioners propose to take in the matter?

I am in communication with the Civil Service Comissioners and hope that an announcement will be.made very shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst troops at Salonika and their friends at home owing to the delay in the delivery of parcels and letters; and whether he will take steps to see that both the parcel and the letter postal services are accelerated?

As I informed the hon. Member for Tamworth on the 25th January last, letter and parcel mails for the Salonika Force are forwarded from London by the most expeditious routes at the disposal of the Post Office, and there is no avoidable delay in their transmission. The period of transit for parcels is necessarily longer than for letters, but as a rule does not exceed three weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it will be possible to make known to fruit growers at an early date during the summer any special arrangements that may be arranged by the railway companies for the conveyance of fruit?

I have no doubt that fruit growers will, as usual, be able to learn the arrangements which will be made by the railway companies for fruit traffic by application at their local stations. If there is any suggestion that in any particular case these arrangements are not being made, or are not being made available to growers in good time, I shall be glad to approach the company concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will be able to make any arrangements with the War Office whereby men may get leave to help in the fruit-picking season, especially during the cherry-picking season, as the moving of the ladders necessary to cherry picking is too heavy work for women?

A memorandum will be issued in a few days as to the arrangements for the release of soldiers for agricultural work, which includes work of the kind referred to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware of the scarcity of labour in the agricultural districts, and that many small holders and others have but faint prospect of getting their peats in and their crops harvested; and if he will state approximately how many persons fit for military service are employed directly and indirectly in and about racing stables?

Yes, Sir; there is undoubtedly a great scarcity of labour in many rural districts. I am not acquainted with Scottish conditions, but I think that generally in England and Wales small holders should be able to get their fuel and save their crops if they will make full use of women's work and if the larger farmers will give them a helping hand. I can give no estimate in reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the difficulties of obtaining sufficient labour for the hay and corn harvest, he could see his way, by legislation or otherwise, to compelling employers of men servants engaged in unproductive work to release them for a fortnight during the hay harvest and a month during the corn harvest for the purpose of assisting the farmers to harvest their crops?

I think that the best way of securing the object which the hon. and gallant Member has in view will be by the action of War Agricultural Committees whose members have great influence among their friends and neighbours. I am sure that they will do their utmost to secure the temporary release of all available men, women, and children, for the ingathering of the harvest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board, in the interest of our national food supplies, will consider the advisability as a matter of national importance, of taking steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure that the owners of pieces of waste or vacant land should give every possible facility to local authorities or societies which are willing to arrange for their cultivation for the period of the War?

The Board agree that very facility possible ought to be given by owners of waste or vacant lands to local authorities or societies who can arrange to cultivate them during the War, and they are glad of this opportunity of emphasising the fact. They considered the advisability of bringing in legislation, but, as at present advised, have decided against it, because they felt that they could confidently rely on the patriotism of owners of vacant lands to lend or let them for the purpose referred to.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the importance of developing trade relations between Britain and Russia after the War, what special steps are being taken to promote the teaching of Russian in schools and continuation classes in Scotland; and whether he is aware that many traders and manufacturers are anxious to employ youths with a knowledge of the Russian language?

The question of the steps to be taken to encourage the study of Russian in Scotland has been under consideration. An evening class for instruction in Russian was carried on at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Commercial College throughout the session 1915–16, and is proposed to be continued next session. Similar classes (nine in number) have been conducted under the Continuation Class Code at such places as Edinburgh, Greenock, Dundee, and Leith, and the governors of Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen, have made proposals for giving the study of Russian a place in the curriculum of the secondary school, as well as in special classes for adults. The first requisite for any considerable de- velopment of the study of Russian in Scotland is a supply of properly qualified teachers, and on this point the Department has been in communication with the Provincial Committees for the Training of Teachers in Scotland, with the immediate result that the St. Andrews Provincial Committee, for themselves and as the agent of the other Provincial Committees, have under consideration proposals for establishing a vacation course for teachers at Dundee for the study of Russian.

asked whether certain turbary on the estate of Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, at Ownagarry, Kilgobnet, county Kerry, is advertised for sale; and whether the sale could be postponed so as to enable the Ashbourne annuitants to consider if they are willing to pay the price fixed by the Estates Commissioners?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Having regard to the tenure and grazing rights, a sale of the turbary under the Land Purchase Acts is not practicable. No price has, therefore, been fixed by the Estates Commissioners, and no useful purpose would be served by postponing the proposed auction.

asked whether part of the lands of Lisduff, situate in the Castletown estate, Queen's County, were divided up amongst the tenants on the estate; whether some time ago the agent of the owner approached the tenants with lands divided amongst them, and asked a view to having the remainder of the the Rev. Canon Brennan, parish priest, Rathdowney, to prepare a scheme of division; if the Rev. Canon Brennan prepared a scheme, lodged the same with the Estates Commissioners, and that the, Estates Commissioners approved of the same, subject to slight modifications; whether the owner now refuses to proceed with the scheme, notwithstanding his agent's treaty with the tenants, and is endeavouring to redeem that portion of the annuity attributable to the undivided portion of the land; whether it is the owner's intention when the annuity is redeemed to divide the lands amongst three parties, one of whom is a non-tenant and already holds 200 acres of land; and whether, under the circumstances, the Estates Commissioners or Land Commission will allow the owner to redeem that part of the annuity attributable to the undivided part of the lands without redeeming the annuity on the whole lands and permit him to repudiate the solemn bargain entered into with his tenants?

The facts of this case were fully set out in the reply given on the 6th January last to a question of the late Member for the Leix Division of Queen's County. To that reply there is now nothing to add except that Lord Castletown has a right to redeem the annuity payable out of the residue of the lands remaining on his hands after the apportionment has taken place in the same way that any other tenant purchaser has the right to redeem his land purchase annuity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the average allowance given for lodging purposes to men of the City and Metropolitan Police is only 2s. per week; whether he is aware that married men having an average family of four children have paid and are still paying an average of 9s. per week; and whether he will have an inquiry made as to the grievance which exists and is complained of?

The average allowance in the City Police is 3s. a week. An allowance which approximately averages 2s. a week is given to married officers of the Metropolitan Police below a certain rank who pay a rent of 6s. and upwards. It is intended as a contribution towards the rent they necessarily have to pay for lodgings. No ground has been shown for an inquiry into this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies has on several occasions refused to register trust deeds in connection with issues of debentures or otherwise; and, if so, whether he will say under what authority he has taken this action?

The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies has not refused to register trust deeds, which require registration under the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, when they have been presented to him within the time required by the Act with the prescribed particulars and duly stamped.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether, in view of the emphasis laid by the Report of the investigation committee upon the facts that when the Insurance Act was passed the prospect was held out to insurers that they would receive a direct benefit from the wisdom of their choice of a society, and that, in the view of the committee, the insurance scheme as a whole cannot possibly be said to satisfy the usual requirements of a flat-rate system, it is intended to introduce further legislation?

The Interim Report of the Departmental Committee is now under consideration by the Treasury.