asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Sugar Commission to grant a regular and sufficient supply of sugar to every V.A.D. hospital, every military hospital, and every Y.M.C.A. hut in the country; and if he has sanctioned the action of the Commission in leaving soldiers either wounded or unbounded short of this necessity?

Arrangements of the kind suggested have been for some little time under consideration and are nearing completion. The Commission has not had any case of the kind suggested in the latter part of the question brought to its knowledge, and it does not undertake the distribution of sugar in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by military hospitals in obtaining supplies of sugar, and that in at least one instance, that of Pike Law, Rawtenstall, Lancashire, the Sugar Commission has refused sugar for 200 wounded soldiers; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that all hospitals are allowed a regular supply of this necessity?

I have no knowledge of this particular case. It is understood from the Sugar Commission, from whom inquiries have been made, that arrangements are nearing completion for dealing specially with these supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply prohibits manufacturers from opening new accounts; whether he is aware that many traders are consequently prevented from obtaining sugar for many weeks together; and whether he can take any steps in the matter?

The Sugar Commission has made arrangements for the sugar supplies to be distributed to the same persons and in the same proportions as in the case of last year's supplies. It is only in this way that it is considered that the effect of the restrictions due to the tonnage position can fairly be distributed over the whole trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if workmen who formerly paid Income Tax under Schedule D have the option of continuing to pay in that way, or is it compulsory that weekly wage-earners must pay their quarterly; and, if so, will they have the same option as the professional classes of still retaining the benefit of the three years' average?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Where assessments are made on an average of years— and this is not a matter of option—the operation of the average over a period of years would not normally prejudice or benefit the taxpayer. The taxpayer who bears tax by deduction or by direct payment at short intervals—namely, the recipient of dividends, the weekly wage-earner, the Government employe—enjoys the advantage of having the burden spread instead of being required to pay substantial amounts either in one lump sum or at best in two instalments.?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when it is proposed to grant a cash increase in the old age pensions; and whether Parliament will have an opportunity of giving expression to its views and taking a vote on this grievance?

I am afraid that I cannot name a date by which an announcement of the decisions of the Government in this matter will be made; the expenditure involved in any concessions which may be decided upon will be subject to the review of Parliament, but at the present stage I cannot say in precisely what manner the subject will come before this House.

asked what steps, if any, are being taken in order to alleviate the present straitened circumstances of old-age pensioners by increasing the present allowance of 5s. per week?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon Member for the Houghton-le-Spring Division of Durham on the 21st instant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland to whom applications for compensation for loss of life should be sent by the dependants of the victims of the shooting in Dublin during the rising?

The question of the limits within which compensation out of public funds can be made is under the consideration of the Government, and I hope to be able to make, without unreasonable delay, a public statement as to the decision arrived at.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Committee appointed to inquire into cases of alleged complicity by Civil servants in the recent rebellion has yet completed its investigations; and, if not, will he urge on it the advisability of doing so as soon as possible; and will he urge the Departments to reinstate men acquitted by it at once, and to pay them their arrears of salary without delay?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State on Monday last to the hon. Member for East Limerick.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, as a military measure, no telephones were allowed to be used during the rebellion in Dublin for private purposes; were any exceptions made; and in whose favour?

The use of the local telephone service in Dublin was reserved for military and official purposes only from 24th April to 7th May under instructions from the military authorities. No record was kept of local calls, but we do not know of any private calls having been exceptionally allowed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any record has been preserved of the nature and number of the telephone messages sent from Dublin Castle during the rebellion by the late Under-Secretary, Sir M. Nathan, to the Member for East Mayo, and through what subscriber was communication maintained?

I am not aware of any such record.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that James V. Harter, of 19, Ardwick Green, Manchester, has been discharged from the Navy as medically unfit, and refused all pension or gratuity; and will he say whether, when accepted for service in the Navy, he showed any trace of valvular heart disease from which he is now suffering; whether he has produced medical certificates to show that the disease is of recent origin and due to rheumatism; whether, under these circumstances, further investigation will be made as to whether his illness is either directly attributable to his naval service or accelerated by it; and, if such acceleration can be established, will the appropriate pension or gratuity be paid to him?

I am further investigating this case, and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the case of Private Samuel Betts, late l/7th Sherwood Foresters (Robin Hoods), who was discharged from the Army on 4th May, 1916, suffering from the effects of gas poisoning, has a wife and four young children, was awarded a pension of 12s. 6d. for himself with nothing for his children, which pension was reduced to 10s. on 13th August, 1916, and who has not been able to get any help from Chelsea Hospital; whether Private Betts has received all that is due to him; and, if so, seeing that what he has received is insufficient for a man with a family practically rendered unable to earn his own living as a result of injuries received on active service, will he take steps to have this man's case reconsidered?

I am making inquiries into this ease, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that wounded soldiers who are sent to be treated in hospitals in Belfast and neighbourhood are landed from hospital ships at Dublin and forwarded by train; and, as this involves a long and tedious railway journey, especially trying to wounded men in hot weather, if he will give instructions for hospital ships to proceed direct to Belfast, seeing that the Harbour Commissioners are prepared to provide a suitable berth, with a covered shed for the reception of patients?

This point will be carefully considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is no representation of the North Riding on the Yorkshire Advisory Committee for the purchase of wool; and whether he will issue instructions that a representative for that Riding be placed upon it?

The three farmers' representatives on the local Advisory Committee for Yorkshire were selected in consultation with the chairman of the Farm Produce Committee for Yorkshire. If it is the desire of the farmers in the North Riding to be separately represented, I am willing to appoint an additional member on the recommendation of the chairman of the Farm Produce Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the difficulty and uncertainty that will arise in the event of wool from different farmers becoming mixed in the warehouses, he will arrange that all wool be sold, weighed, and paid for on leaving the owners' premises?

The course suggested in my hon. Friend's question has been carefully considered, but I fear it is impracticable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the statement made on 11th March, 1915, that no soldier would be placed under asylum administration, he can give the reason why money is being paid by the War Office to asylum authorities in respect of the care and treatment of uncertifiable nerve-shaken soldiers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 21st March last to the hon. Member for Roxburghshire.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether employment will be found for the inmates of convalescent homes and colonies for nerve-shaken uncertifiable soldiers after their discharge from the Army; and will he take steps to safeguard these, men from undue anxiety or avoidable depression or suspicion associated with taint of lunacy?

One of the functions of the local committees is to endeavour to assist discharged disabled soldiers to find employment, and the matter is receiving the earnest consideration of the Statutory Committee. The Committee are most anxious to safeguard nerve-shaken uncertifiable soldiers from any avoidable depression or suspicion associated with taint of lunacy.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the grounds upon which the Colonial allowance to officers serving in Egypt has been reduced from 3s. to 1s. a day; and whether he will consider the desirability of exercising economy in other directions than that of depriving officers who are undergoing severe hardships of the small allowance hitherto assigned to them?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 7th instant to the hon. Member for North Islington.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the Military Censor in Ireland requires all publications to be submitted to him, he sanctioned the-appearance of an account of the banquet given to the Colonial delegates in Dublin by the hon. Member for East Mayo in the "Freeman's Journal" and "Cork Examiner," which differs in a vital respect from that passed for publication in Great Britain; is the Censor directly or indirectly responsible for the excision in the "Freeman's Journal" and "Cork Examiner" of the fact that, upon the protest and withdrawal of an Australian delegate, the toast of His Majesty was proposed and "God Save the King!" sung; was the excision of this incident made known to the Censor before he approved of the reports in the "Freeman's Journal" and "Cork Examiner"; and have both these organs been in receipt of large sums from the military since the outbreak of war for publishing recruiting advertisements?

With regard to the first three parts of the question, I am informed that the Press Censor did not censor or take any action as regards the account of the banquet to Colonial delegates in Dublin. The Press were at liberty to publish what they wished, and the Censor is in no way responsible for the divergence between the reports in various newspapers. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to say whether any funds have been granted to these firms for advertising in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the minimum standard chest measurement for men called up was originally 34 inches; whether the standard has since been reduced; whether men once rejected because of non-compliance with that medical requirement are now on reexamination accepted on passing a less severe chest measurement test; and whether there is a tribunal to which an appeal can be made from the decision of an examining Army doctor?

Prior to 4th March, 1915, the minimum standard for voluntary recruits taken for the Infantry was 34 inches for men of nineteen years of age. Men were not called up at that period. On 4th March, 1915, the minimum standard was reduced 1 inch, and this standard still remains in force. The standard is not a fixed one, and is only for the guidance of medical officers. A man is not examined by one Army doctor, but by a medical board. If a man presents himself for voluntary medical examination, he may ask for another medical examination on the day that he is called up on the grounds that his condition has changed since the period of examination. There is no appeal from the decision of the medical board on the day the man is called up.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that many surgeons in military hospitals prescribe no alcohol in any form whatever, while others prescribe champagne, wines, spirits, beer, and stout; and whether he will, in the interest of wounded men as well as in the interest of hospital economy, cause instructions to be issued that, when alcohol is deemed by a medical officer to be beneficial, it shall be prescribed through the hospital chemist only in its medicinal for as set out in the British Pharmacopoeia and not in the form of a beverage?

The prescription of alcohol must be left to the discretion of the medical officer attending the case. It is not considered practicable to arrange for the supply of beer and such beverages through the hospital dispensary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that a brigadier-general, who retired from the Army in 1905 with a pension of £500 a year, was reappointed to a Territorial Division in December, 1914, and on again retiring in November, 1915, was awarded a pension of £300; and, if so, whether he will explain why a second pension of £300 per annum was granted after only eleven months' service?

I gather from information which my hon. Friend has supplied that the officer commuted £200 of his retired pay. The £300 is the balance remaining.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the British-born sons of alien enemies who have been taken into the British Army under the Military Service Acts are employed only in labour units?

Yes, Sir; unless in individual cases the War Office decides otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will order the immediate release of James Bell, of Milborne Port, Somerset, who has been taken into the Army by the military, having been refused an appeal to the county tribunal by the local tribunal, which the local tribunal had no power to withhold; and will he order the commanding officer at Dorchester, to which place Bell has been taken, to afford him all necessary facilities for carrying forward his appeal?

I am making inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can supply any information concerning F. Badman, of Paulton, near Bristol, a conscientious objector to military service who was sentenced at Taunton to 365 days' imprisonment, subsequently commuted to 112 days; whether he is still in this country; and whether he is suffering from the effects of his incarceration?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the name of Badman's regiment and his regimental number, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Charles Dukes, the organising secretary for Lancashire of the General Labourers' Union, was called upon by the military officer at Warrington to report himself at 8 a.m. on Friday, 18th August, and that he was arrested under a warrant by the police at 9 a.m. the same morning; if he is aware that the warrant was prepared and all the arrangements made to arrest Mr. Dukes before the expiration of the time for reporting himself, which action on the part of the recruiting officer is in harmony with his actions for the past six months against Mr. Dukes; and, seeing that Mr. Dukes was one of the trade union officials for whose exemption the General Labourers' Union applied on the grounds of his indispensability along with some eight others, all of whom with the exception of Mr. Dukes have been given exemption on that ground, and seeing that the military representative at the tribunals has repeatedly said that he opposed exemption for Mr. Dukes because of his views upon the War, he will take action to stop this personal treatment of Mr. Dukes and order his release for his trade union and public work?

Charles Dukes has had every latitude shown to him. I am informed that his employer's application was dismissed by the local tribunal on the 28th April. An appeal was lodged and was dismissed on the 6th May. An application for rehearing was made; leave was given, and the case was reheard and was again dismissed. Another application made to a different tribunal, and therefore irregular, was withdrawn, but leave was given to apply to the Manchester local tribunal on the ground of conscientious objection. This was dismissed on the 20th July. An appeal was lodged and heard and dismissed by the Appeal Tribunal on the 8th August. In addition, various applications were made to the War Office and the Local Government Board with respect to this man and received careful consideration; but it was decided that as the case had been fully investigated and dealt with by the various tribunals to which applications had been made, the decision of the tribunal ought not to be interfered with. I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned in the earlier part of the question, but as the last application to a tribunal was dismissed on the 8th August, Dukes could properly have been required to report for service before the 18th August. No further steps can be taken by the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the number of conscientious objectors at one camp, namely, Valley Camp, Newhaven, was, in the second week of August, over 250, and that no case of drunkenness, bad language, or other improper conduct had occurred against the Non-Combatant Company there for over six weeks and whether, in view of the exemplary conduct of so many conscientious objectors, he will give orders that the Non-Combatant Corps of this camp shall be granted leave of absence?

I am not aware that any restrictions in regard to leave have been placed upon the Non-Combatant Corps. If the hon. Member has information to this effect I shall be happy to make inquiry.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Mr. C. H. Norman, a conscientious objector, was informed by the Marquess of Salisbury, a member of the Central Tribunal, that had Mr. Norman applied for exemption he would have got complete exemption under the first Military Service Act; and whether he will consider restoring the power originally possessed by the Central Tribunal to allocate to work of national importance and to give total exemption?

I do not receive reports of the proceedings in connection with the casee of conscientious objectors who have been imprisoned. I do not see any reason for my intervention in the matter to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will have a full inquiry made into the action of the Sherborne Local Tribunal who, about two months ago, granted exemption to James Bell on condition that he obtained ambulance work or similar work, when Bell secured a post as orderly in the Bath military hospital, but, on appearing before the local tribunal for its sanction to this post, it was refused on the ground that the wages of 14s. a week and board were too low, the tribunal then varying the condition of the exemption to work of national importance under the Pelham Committee, but when at the end of a fortnight Bell had not obtained such employment the tribunal dismissed his case and refused an appeal to the county tribunal on the ground that his application was too late; and, in the circumstances, will he order the local tribunal to accept the notice of appeal to the county tribunal?

I am having inquiries made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if a local tribunal is entitled, in sending out the notice of the hearing of a claim for exemption, to state on the notice paper that the claimant should in the meantime apply to be examined before the medical board and produce their certificate at the hearing of the application for exemption; and, if not, will he instruct the Aberavon (Glamorgan) local tribunal to stop issuing such notices?

I do not think that it is unreasonable that a tribunal should, in suitable cases, ask an applicant to be examined medically before his application is heard. The medical category in which the man is placed may be a material factor in deciding his case. I would also remind the hon. Member that, in certain cases, the question whether or not a man is to be regarded as being in a certified occupation, depends upon whether he has been passed as fit for general service.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Marylebone Local Tribunal has rejected the application of Mr. S. Sweet, the secretary of the Operative Coach-makers' Federal Union (unregistered), for exemption from military service on the ground that the application in question being put forward chiefly on the ground that Mr. Sweet was a necessary trade union official could not be considered by the tribunal because an unregistered trade union had no right to appeal for its officials; and whether, having regard to the fact that this objection has not been raised in similar circumstances in the case of large trade unions, such as the Typographical Association and the Postmen's Federation, he will advise the Marylebone Local Tribunal as to the correct procedure in this matter?

I have no information concerning this case. The proper course for a man, who is aggrieved by the decision of a local tribunal, is to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Government have yet issued instructions to the military authorities to cease persecuting Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain or there for some special purpose; if his attention has been drawn to a letter sent from the War Office which states that a man to be ordinarily resident in Britain must be described as having his home there; what steps, if any, it is proposed to take to see that those who have their permanent home in Ireland will not be subject to prosecution; if he is aware that a number of Irishmen were sent to Great Britain by the Labour Exchanges and trade unions, receiving guarantees that they would not be conscripted; and if he will take steps to see that guarantees given on the strength of a letter from the War Office will be carried out?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland has issued instructions to chief constables in Scotland as to proceedings in the case of recognised migratory labourers in Scotland, with respect to whom a discussion recently took place in this House. I am not aware of the terms of the War Office letter referred to in the hon. Member's question, or of the action stated to have been taken upon it. The question of recognised Irish migratory labourers is receiving attention at the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a Zeppelin came within range of an armed British aeroplane and escaped; and, if so, will he make public, and from time to time supplement, all that is now known concerning the vulnerable structure of these air-ships in order that the inventive genius of our people may, with knowledge of what is required, apply itself to the discovery of an incendiary bullet capable of being fired from an aeroplane and having the property of bursting within the envelope of a Zeppelin and setting fire to it?

Zeppelins have more than once come within range of British aeroplanes with varying results. Great attention is being devoted to the production of the best type of projectile for these encounters. But the publication of information on the subject, which is of a very technical character, would probably not assist the end that the hon. Member has in view.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the workers employed at Messrs. Nobels, Regent Factory, in Scotland, are subject to Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act; whether he is aware that women over eighteen are employed by this firm whose weekly earnings amount to 9s., 10s., 10s. 6d., 11s., 12s. 6d., and 13s.; and whether the £1 minimum promised to women by his Department will be immediately applied in this case?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no information as to the second part, but am inquiring. It would be contrary to the provisions of Order 447 to employ women over eighteen at the rates stated for a full week on munitions work.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what decision has been given by him, on the advice of the Labour Advisory Committee, in the case of Arthur J. Duckworth, a joiner employed on the construction work at the Gretna Munitions Factory, who has been refused a badge although other workmen similarly employed have been given badges; and, as Mr. Duckworth is the secretary of the district management committee of the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union, which represents 1,700 workmen, as well as joiners' representative on the Cumberland Advisory Board, will he take steps to see that this case is justly considered and treated?

My right hon. Friend, the President of the Local Government Board, has asked me to answer this question. Mr. Duckworth's case has already been brought to the attention of the Ministry, and the issue of a badge to him has been authorised.

asked the Home Secretary whether the general permit to unregistered practitioners in dentistry to use solutions containing not more than 1 per cent, of cocaine for the purposes of their practice has been or is to be extended beyond 15th September; and, if so, what is the date of such extension?

The general permit will be extended to the 15th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department is recommending novocaine in lieu of anæsthetics containing a small percentage of cocaine; if so, is he aware that this is a German product controlled by German interests in this country, and that British manufacturers of local anæsthetics are suffering loss of trade; that, in one particular case, the owner of the business is serving at the front, and the effect of this Regulation will mean the ruin of his business; and will he take steps to inquire into the matter and grant permits to such manufacturers under proper supervision?

Novocaine is a local anæsthetic which is not less efficient than cocaine, and is not open to the same abuses as cocaine. It is true it is a German invention, but the German patent has been suspended, and it is now being manufactured in England by a British firm, and on behalf of the National Health Insurance Commission. Cocaine may still be used by the persons and under the conditions prescribed by the Regulations, and applications for permits from manufacturers will be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the urgency of the question of defining more explicitly what goods are included in the prohibition of export of linen, duck woven, and that the linen trade of Ulster is seriously affected by the uncertainty prevailing on this matter; and if he can now make an announcement as to what goods are included in the term "duck"?

As stated in replies recently given to the hon. Member, the question of the materials included in the prohibition of linen, duck woven, is one of some difficulty. As the result of a communication from the Board of Trade to the War Trade Department, a representative of the Linen Sub-Committee of the Department was sent to Belfast to confer with the Chamber of Commerce on the subject, and has now returned. His report has not yet been received, but I hope it will be possible to submit to the Board of Trade at an early date some suggestions for a new and more comprehensive definition of the goods intended to be covered by the prohibition.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the wages and working hours of mail-cart drivers in London and Dublin; if either receive a war bonus and what is the amount; and if he will grant a bonus to enable them to meet the increase in the cost of living?

Mail-cart drivers are employed by contractors, and the Post Office is not concerned except to secure that their wages and conditions comply with the provisions of the contracts as to fair wages. The present wages of mail-cart drivers in London are 27s. and 25s. a week for pair-horse and single-horse drivers respectively, with a war bonus of 3s. a week in each ease. The hours of duty are seventy-two a week, inclusive of intervals for rest and refreshment. I am making inquiry as to the present wages and hours of duty of the mail-cart drivers in Dublin.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in making the appointment of British Vice-Consul at Rotterdam, due regard was given to the appointment of a person who was well known in British commercial circles and by birth and associations British?

I have nothing to add to the answers already given to the hon. Members for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool and the St. Augustine's Division of Kent on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is intended to institute an inquiry into the question of the employment of women in the Civil Service; and whether such inquiry will be on the lines recommended by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service and by the special section within the Treasury recommended to be set up for the general supervision and control of the Civil Service?

Some preliminary inquiries have been addressed by the Treasury to the several Government Departments as to the number of women employed and the possibilities of further employment after the War. Until the replies have been received and considered I cannot say on what lines any further investigation will proceed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why, on the division of the Flynn Farm on the CollisSandes Estate at Brosna, county Kerry, amongst the Brosna villagers in plots of accommodation land, the claim of Mrs. Margaret McAuliffe for an accommodation plot was rejected; whether Mrs. McAuliffe's complaint to the Congested Districts Board has been considered and, if so, with what result; whether he is aware that plots have been allotted to persons having extensive farms immediately adjoining Brosna, one of whom has since sold his farms for the purpose of having them divided into accommodation plots and several of whom had already existing plots adjoining their dwellings; whether, on complaint being made, the inspector tendered Mrs. McAuliffe a plot of cut-away bog and refused to allot any arable land with it but afterwards allotted the same bog with arable land to other occupiers; and whether any reason exists for thus exercising discrimination against Mrs. McAuliffe?

I am informed by the Congested Districts Board that the claim of Mrs. Margaret McAuliffe, of Brosna Village, for portion of Flynn's Farm, was not rejected, but that she was offered and refused a portion of 3 acres, 2 roods, 35 perches, of which one acre was agricultural land and the remainder cut-away bog. She held besides 1 acre, 3 roods, 27 perches in her own right. Mrs. McAuliffe's complaint was considered at a meeting of the Board, who approved of the action of their local officers. The statement is not true, as far as the board know, that plots have been allotted to persons having extensive farms immediately adjoining Brosna. A plot, of Flynn's Farm was given to a villager, the holder of a distant farm without any accommodation land near his residence. Recently one man, owing to financial difficulties, had to sell his holding, and the board are informed that a committee of the Brosna tenants are purchasing the lands for meadowing, but not for division into plots. Many of these Brosna tenants had already received small plots from the board, but not sufficient in numerous cases to provide hay for winter feeding. When Mrs. McAuliffe refused the Board's offer the land was subsequently allotted to other occupiers. No discrimination was exercised by the board against Mrs. McAuliffe, whose position is due to her own unreasonableness.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is the custom of the Irish Land Commission to sue for arrears of payments under the Irish Land Acts even when such arrears are caused by the delay of another Government Department in making payments for purchases of agricultural produce, such as hay, or by interfering with the free sale of hay; and will care be taken that holders of land will not lose their interest in the same by reason of any such proceedings?

I am informed that the Land Commissioners have long since been in touch with the military authorities so as to make sure that no injustice is done to payers of land purchase annuities through proceedings for the recovery of arrears in cases where hay has been taken over by those authorities and that in any case where representation is made to this effect the matter is specially inquired into. If the hon. Member has a special case in mind it can be investigated, but the Land Commission can trace no complaint of this nature from, any one in his constituency.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the shortage of labour in Ireland outside the districts inhabited by migratory labourers, he will take steps to institute an efficient system whereby migratory labour could be utilised in Ireland?

I am informed that the Department of Agriculture have received no complaints which would lead them to anticipate any general serious shortage of agricultural labour in Ireland this season calling for exceptional action. There is in any case no reason to believe that Irish farmers requiring labour cannot secure it without difficulty by offering as good wages as the labourers would earn in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty which Act of Parliament authorises the Board of Admiralty to require, on the advice of their medical officers, the vaccination of men and boys entering the Navy?

The Regulations made by the Admiralty in regard to entry are made under the authority of the Naval Enlistment Acts, 1835 to 1884.