asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount, if any, has been collected in Ireland for Entertainments Duty in respect of meetings of the Gaelic Athletic Association?

It is not possible to state the amount of tax paid in respect of a particular class of entertainments, as no official record of stamps is or can be kept after they are sold to the public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether country banks have, under instructions from the Treasury, deducted the special penal tax of 2s. from dividend warrants relating to securities which have been deposited with the Treasury, and have not paid the extra ½ per cent. dividend promised on such deposited securities; and whether he can say how it is that in many cases no receipts have been given by the Treasury for securities which have already been deposited with them for several months?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to cases in which, owing to the fact that securities are delivered to the Treasury for deposit within a short period of the date of the next dividend payment, the dividend is paid to the depositor and not to the Treasury. In such circumstances, failing the production to the paying authority of a certificate of exemption, which is issuable, upon application, by the American Dollar Securities Committee, the special 2s. tax must be deducted by him from the dividend. The amount will, however, be refunded by the Committee to the depositor upon lodgment of the requisite evidence. Provisional receipts are in all cases issued at the time of delivery of securities to the Treasury for deposit. Some delay in the issue of the definitive certificates of deposit and in the payment of the additional ½ per cent. per annum is, I fear, at present unavoidable owing to the great pressure of work falling upon the Department concerned, but I hope this difficulty will be overcome shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the question of bonus to the lower-paid Civil servants has yet been finally settled; if so, can he make a statement of the grades who will benefit thereby, and the amounts; if, in calculating total remuneration,only those allowances and other emoluments which are pensionable will be added to pay; if so, if he is aware that this seriously affects officers in regard to the amount of pension, and will he reconsider that aspect of the question; will he say if all officers, both established and non-pensionable, will benefit by the bonus; and n he can see his way to raising the dividing line between the higher and lower grades of pay of those benefiting so that the larger bonus will be paid to a larger proportion of those of the lower grades, having regard to the increased cost of living being relatively more than the increased remuneration?

His Majesty's Government has decided to grant a war bonus, dating from the 1st July last, to all full-time employes of Government Departments (whether established or unestablished) excepting (1) Those who have already received increases of wages on the ground of war conditions; and (2) Those who have been engaged during the War at rates with reference to war conditions. The amount of the bonus is 4s. a week to adult male employes whose remuneration (including allowances, etc., but excluding overtime) does not exceed 40s. a week, and 3s. a week to those whose remuneration exceeds 40s. a week but does not exceed 60s. a week; and half these rates to women and persons under eighteen years of age, within the same limits. The above limits follow the Post Office award, and appear to meet fairly the necessities of the case.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what were the Exchequer disbursements in the year 1913–14 needed to maintain the London public museums and art galleries; and what sum it is estimated will be saved in the financial year 1916–17 by closing the greater part of them?

Apart from purchase grants, the net cost to the Exchequer in 1913–14 of the British Museum (including the National History Museum), the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection, and the London Museum, was approximately £287,000. The direct savings resulting from closing some of these museums to the public are estimated at approximately £50,000 per annum, in addition to which a large economy results from freeing staff, and in several cases accommodation for purposes of immediate national importance at the present time.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the granting of the 2s. 6d. increase to the old age pensioners in Ireland is to be left to the sole decision of the local pensions officer; whether he is aware that in many cases the pensions officer is an unfriendly administrator of the Old Age Pensions Act, and is constantly using his powers to set aside the decision of the local pension committees; and whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that the sole administration of this increase shall not be entrusted to such men without any reference to the local old age pension committee?

The answer to the first question is in the negative. The responsibility for deciding what additional allowance, if any, should be awarded to an old age pensioner will rest with the local pension committee or sub-committee; but I must entirely dissent from the suggestion of the hon. Member that pension officers in carrying out their duties under the Old Age Pensions Acts act in an unfriendly manner towards the pensioners.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Irish farmers are not receiving the full Government price for their hay, as the farmers have to defray the cost of the coal, the cost of labour baling the hay, and the freight to Dublin out of the price to be paid; if he is aware that payment is not made by the Government on delivery; whether the full price will in future be paid, and paid in cash, within fourteen days from delivery; and, if not paid within fourteen days, whether interest will be allowed at existing bank rates on the cash price?

Where hay is bought for delivery to a given centre or port the price paid is in excess of that paid where these services are not undertaken by the seller by an amount equal to the average cost of these services. As regards the latter part of the question, the position is that payment of 50 per cent. of the amount is made at the time when the purchase is made. The balance, plus interest at 5 per cent. from the 31st October, or from the date of purchase if that date is subsequent to the 31st October, is paid directly delivery is taken.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst Irish farmers owing to the discrimination in fixing the prices of hay in Ireland below the prices fixed for Scotland and England; if he is aware that farmers are losing considerably owing to being unable to sell as formerly in the open market; if he is aware that only a small percentage of the Irish crop is being purchased by the Government; and whether, under the circumstances, steps will be taken to allow the hay not required for Government purposes to be sold in the open market without restriction?

I am not aware that there is general dissatisfaction. I have received one or two complaints, but I am informed that Irish farmers prefer to sell their hay to the War Department. There is no restriction on hay released by the military authorities beyond one of price. It would be unjust to take the best hay from one farmer and allow his neighbour to sell an inferior quality at a higher price.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be able to give a final reply to the case made by and on behalf of the county of Dublin farmers regarding the conditions on which hay is purchased by the military authorities in that county?

I have already sent to my hon. Friend a letter dealing fully with the points raised by, and on behalf of the Dublin farmers, and I have nothing to add to what I then said.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland by whose authority the police at Mountmellick tore down notices posted through that town and district announcing the holding of a collection in support of the National Aid Fund on the 10th September; if he is aware that collections for this purpose have been held in different parts of Ireland without interference by the police; and will he see that such interference with these collections shall not occur in future?

The police removed these notices in question under a misapprehension, and have been directed not to interfere with like notices in future.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Report of the Home Office Commission to inquire into the cases of Irish Civil servants who had been suspended was forwarded to the heads of the Irish Departments before 21st August last; that the decision of the Commission has not yet been made known to all the individuals suspended; and can he offer any explanation of the delay of nearly six months which has taken place between the suspension of these men and the communication to them of the decision of the Government on their cases, and of the delay of three months between the receipt of the Report and the communication of the decision to the men implicated?

There has been unavoidable delay in this matter, though not to the extent suggested by the question. It arose chiefly from the unprecedented nature of the case and the fact that Departments in Great Britain, as well as in Ireland, had to arrive at their several decisions.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the scarcity of coal in Ireland, and that prices of that commodity have advanced there to such air extent as to place coal almost beyond the reach of all save the wealthy; if he is aware that there is an abundance of coal locked up in the Leinster coalfields owing to want of proper transit facilities and lack of State assistance in the development of the mines; and whether, under the circumstances, immediate steps will be taken by the Government to grant a sum out of the Imperial Treasury for the construction of a light railway from the Leinster coalfields connecting with the Great Southern and Western Railway, and for the proper development of these coalfields?

A very substantial increase in the price of coal has taken place in Ireland, as in the United Kingdom generally. There is not such reasonable certainty with regard to the quantity and quality of the coal obtainable from the coalfields referred to as in the present circumstances would warrant His Majesty's Government in granting assistance towards the development of the mines.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the question of promotion of warrant officers and engine-room artificers, Royal Naval Reserve, to the rank of engineer sub-lieutenant has yet been decided; and if he can make a statement thereon?

An Order in Council has now been obtained sanctioning the promotion of exceptionally deserving and qualified warrant engineers and engineroom artificers, Royal Naval Reserve, to the temporary rank of engineer sub-lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve, and orders on the subject will shortly be promulgated to the fleet.

asked whether the men employed at the Pembroke Docks are to participate in the war bonus of 3s.; and, if so, when the men may expect to receive it?

The men at Pembroke Dock have been paid the recent war increase of 3s. a week as from 23rd July; the arrears of the retrospective award were paid on 18th August.

also asked whether the men employed in the Royal Naval Store Depot, West India Docks, are to participate in the war bonus of 3s.

The particular bonus to which I imagine my right hon. Friend refers is not applicable to the London area.

asked what is the total pay and emoluments received by labourers working in the stores of the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham; how the pay and emoluments are calculated; and what was the pay and emoluments of those employed there previous to the outbreak of war?

I will have the present and pre-war scales compiled and send them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the lighting regulations under the Defence of the Realm Act are much more stringent at Llanelly, in West Wales, than in London; what is the reason which makes it impossible for tradesmen at Llanelly to be allowed to light up their shops in the way permitted in London; whether he is aware that inconvenience to the public and unnecessary loss to shopkeepers have resulted, and that much dissatisfaction prevails therefore in the town; and whether he will give orders to the local police to administer the lighting regulations at Llanelly with the same good sense and regard to public and private interests as; are shown in London?

The restrictions on shop lighting in Llanelly do not take effect till about an hour and a-half after they take effect in London; apart from this, the provisions of the two Orders are precisely the same. If the hon. and learned Member considers the police, in administering the Order, have gone beyond its requirements and will give me particulars, I shall be glad to make inquiry, but I am informed by the chief constable that, in his opinion, the Order has been administered reasonably and considerately; a large number of offenders have been dealt with by caution and the proceedings recently taken were only initiated when the cautions had been found ineffective.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the town council of Carmarthen, in compliance with an Order issued by the Secretary of State for War under the Defence of the Realm Act, have reduced the number of lamps now supplied with electric light in the town to 32; that the contract entered into by the corporation with the Carmarthen Electric Lighting Company provided for the lighting of 232 lamps in the streets; and that the electric lighting company refuse to allow any abatements in the terms of the contract, with the result that the ratepayers are paying for the lighting of 200 lamps which are not lit; and, having regard to the possibility of similar conditions prevailing in other towns, whether he will introduce legislation to remove the grievance or, if he will not introduce a general Bill, will the Government provide facilities for the passing of a private Bill dealing with the specific case of Carmarthen?

I am making inquiries into this matter, as I am not in possession of all the facts. My view is that in cases of this kind there ought to be some equitable arrangement between the parties; and I will consider what is the best course to adopt.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the recent prosecution of employés of the Army Clothing Department and the judge's comments thereon, he has set up any inquiry into the administration of this department which will prevent a repetition of such practices as were recently made public?

My right hon. Friend dealt with this matter in Debate yesterday. Any changes which, after inquiry, are found to be necessary in connection with the Army Clothing Department, will, of course, be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has noticed that on 12th September Mr. Muir, when opening the case for the prosecution of L. W. Asseling, an Army viewer, said that it might or it might not surprise the jury to know that the Royal Army Clothing Department did not receive the suggestion of a prosecution with enthusiasm, and that it was very difficult to get information; whether the men who tried to shield this criminal are still employed by the Department; and what steps are being taken to put an end to the corrupt practices which appear to have been very general therein?

I have noticed the statement by Mr. Muir to which my hon. Friend refers, but my hon. Friend has failed to notice the further statement made by Mr. Muir at a later stage of the case to the effect that his remarks in opening the case applied only to the men who were accused along with Asseling and who might have had, or were supposed to have had, some knowledge of the facts. The suggestion contained in the second part of "the question is therefore erroneous. My right hon. Friend dealt in Debate yesterday with the point raised in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the firm of Hindes, Limited, and other firms implicated in the frauds recently exposed in the Law Courts are still on the Army Office list of contractors; and if any steps are being taken to bring them to justice?

The firms concerned—Messrs. Turner, Son and Company, Ltd., Hindes, Ltd., and H. H. Soar and Company—have all been removed from the War Office list of contractors.

The Director of Public Prosecutions does not propose to institute criminal proceedings against these contractors, as their evidence as witnesses for the Crown was essential for the conviction of the Government officials in each case.

Any moneys due to the firms are, however, being withheld pending decision by the legal advisers of the Department as to their liabilities under the Bribery Clause in their contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many rates of pay are at present in force in the Army Service Corps; and whether he is preparing or has ready a scheme for unifying these upon one basis?

There is a great variety of rates of pay now in force in the Army Service Corps owing to the different terms which had to be offered at the beginning of the War to secure the necessary number of men skilled in the different trades. Men are not now being enlisted at these special rates, but it would be a breach of faith to modify the rates of pay of those already enlisted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, after their examination of Alfred George Goodfellow at Camberwell, the Medical Board kept the certificates from two physicians describing Goodfellow's state of health; whether these certificates having been paid for by Goodfellow are his personal property; and whether he will order their return to the owner?

I do not know whether these certificates were retained, but I am having inquiries made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a case tried at the Mansion House on the 4th October in which Robert James Miller, a fish porter, was convicted and fined for loitering for the purpose of betting, having previously been fined £25 for assisting in the management of a gaming house; whether he is aware that it was stated in evidence that Miller had been exempted from military service for the purpose of pursuing the business of a fish porter; and whether such exemption is in accordance with the principles laid down by the Local Government Board for the guidance of tribunals?

My attention was drawn to a newspaper report of this case, and I am having inquiries made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that much difference of opinion exists as to the meaning of the recent instruction to tribunals respecting the non-calling up for military service of men engaged in agricultural pursuits; will he make a clear statement of what is intended, as far as it is possible, at present to do; and is he aware that the beneficial effect on food production of the instructions will be neutralised if they do not provide for such men to be left on the land for spring as well as for autumn seeding?

The arrangement provides that, subject to any decision by the Man-Power Distribution Board and subject to any revision which developments of the military situation and further information in regard to the agricultural situation may demand, no more men from among those now employed in agriculture will, until 1st January, 1917, and, in the case of men whose whole time employment on a holding is necessary for maintaining milk production until 1st April 1917, be called to the Colours, except in return for men released from the Colours for work at agriculture.

This arrangement provides farmers with a period of respite during which they should not only make every effort to release men who are fit for general service, but also prepare for replacing men who may be required to join the Forces later on.

The military authorities have strongly impressed on the Board that Army requirements necessitate the power of revision during January next as regards ordinary farming, and during next April as regards dairy farming. It is impossible to indicate at the present time what modifications of arrangements may be required to meet any situation which may arise, and no guarantee can be given that the existing scale of labour allowed will not require to be revised.

Farmers will be well advised, therefore, to strain every nerve to prepare for changes which may become necessary during January and April, 1917.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men over the age of forty-one who voluntarily joined the Royal Field Artillery at the invitation of the military authorities on the understanding that they were specially required have been transferred to ordinary Infantry regiments; and whether there are any cases in which their places have been taken by conscripts?

In a few cases men coming within my hon. Friend's description have been transferred to Infantry for various reasons, but it would be impossible to trace these cases unless my hon. Friend gave some information as to any particular case in which he w is interested. If such a man were transferred, his place would be taken by another man who might, be what my hon. Friend rails "Conscript" or a recruit enlisted under the Derby Scheme, or a man enlisted previously to the institution of the Derby Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the War Office will allow the new Army Order to apply to all those soldiers who have been invalided from frostbite, dysentery, and other causes whilst on active service by granting permission that they should wear silver braid, in recognition of their loss of health and sacrifice to their country; and, if so, if such Order will at once be put in force?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 15th August.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that miners who are sent home on Reserve, Class W, to work in the mines are sent in just what they stand up in, that a miner needs at least two suits, that he has to work two weeks before receiving any wages, that they have to depend upon some person or persons to provide for them for that time, and that married men have their families dependent upon them as their wives' separation allowances are immediately stopped on the soldier's return, therefore the whole family are destitute and have to live upon the charity of their neighbours; and whether he will take some action in the matter?

Like all other men transferred to this Reserve, miners receive a complete outfit on transfer. I am afraid that we cannot treat them exceptionally as regards a second suit. Negotiations are in progress with the Inspector of Mines to secure that the collieries do not keep the men without pay for two weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if all soldiers returned from the front to hospital and, after medical examination, Class C (3) Permanent, are returned to their occupations and, in the case of miners, to the mines; (2) if miners in the Reserve serving as ambulance men in hospitals in Category C ii. are being returned to the mines and has an order to that effect been issued; and, if so, what body is responsible for its carrying out?

All men who are miners and are not tit for general service are, if they are willing, to be returned at once to their civil employment, provided that the manager of the colliery in which they formerly worked is willing to receive them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Private Walter Compton, of the Welsh Regiment, who has been murdered at the prisoners' camp at Gottingen under peculiarly revolting, circumstances; if he is aware that, according to the story of Russian and French fellow prisoners, Compton, when being taken out to work one day, complained of illness and asked to see a doctor; that the sentry refused and tried to force him to work, stabbing him several times with a bayonet; and that an under-officer who was fetched killed Compton by shooting him with his revolver; and what steps the British Government will take to demand satisfaction and full compensation to his widow and child?

The American Ambassador in Berlin was asked to make full inquiry as soon as suspicions as to the cause of this man's death were brought to notice. No report has yet been received from the American Ambassador.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is in a position to make a statement about any increase of transport on the River Tigris and between Kurna and Nasiriyah, on the River Euphrates; and whether it is now practicable without unreasonable delay to send on from Basra to the garrisons on those rivers supplies of medicines and hospital appliances and comforts sent for their use?

Yes, Sir. Since the end of July, when the War Office took over control, there has been a large increase in the river transport available in Mesopotamia. The increase is already 64 per cent., and will shortly be 100 per cent. The whole system has been reorganised, and there is ample transport available to take up promptly all the medical stores required.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the number of soldiers who have been, and still are, serving at the front, and have had no leave to come home for between one and two years; and if he will give instructions to commanding officers to remedy this state of affairs at the earliest opportunity?

As has been repeatedly stated, it is the desire of the Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France that all possible leave should be given which military exigencies will permit. The matter is one which is entirely within the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief, and I cannot undertake to interfere with his discretion in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of worn-out or cast Army horses which have been sold in France or Egypt since the commencement of the War; and whether this method of disposing of horses no longer fit for military service is still employed?

The number of cast Army horses sold since the beginning of the War up to the 1st September, 1916, has been:— In France … … … 17,922. In Egypt … … … 670. To the last part of the question the reply is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is a general complaint that promotion among Territorial officers who have not volunteered for service abroad and amongst officers of the Army whose service has been entirely at home has been much more rapid than that of officers who have been at the front a considerable time; and whether he will state the reason for this difference?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Birr Division of King's County on 31st July.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German naval and military prisoners are now in British hands and how many British naval and military prisoners are interned in Germany?

The number of German prisoners of war in British hands is, according to the latest return: Military Officers … … 729 Other Ranks … … 36,165 Naval Officers … … 150 Other Ranks … … 1,976 The approximate net number of British prisoners of war now interned in Germany is: Military Officers … … 923 Other Ranks … … 28,770 Naval Officers … … 47 Other Ranks … … 361

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the twelve retired and reserve British officers who have been prisoners in Germany since the outbreak of war and are now interned at Celle are denied the status either of civilians or of officers; that they may not be exchanged as civilians nor present themselves before the Medical Commission for internment in Switzerland as officers; and will he state how it is proposed to deal with these cases, which include six gentlemen over fifty years of age?

In suggestions put forward to the German Government some time ago for the mutual repatriation of interned civilians over forty-five years of age, it was proposed that retired officers should be considered as civilians for the purpose of repatriation. No reply has yet been received from the German Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the number of German prisoners of war captured in the field to date, and how many of them have been put to work; and can he give the number of British prisoners of war captured by the Germans, and how many of such prisoners are employed doing work for Germany?

I have partially answered this question in a reply I have just given to the Hon. Member for Croydon. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not think that it would be desirable to make public the number of prisoners who are engaged on work, but I can communicate the figures privately to my right hon. Friend, if he so desires. The Army Council are not aware as to what proportion of the British prisoners of war in Germany are employed on work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Canadian troops are armed with the Ross rifle, and if its manufacture is being continued; whether General Haig, at the request of the Government, made a report on the efficiency of this weapon; and, if so, whether there is any objection to its being laid before Parliament?

The Canadian troops in France are not now armed with Ross rifles. The War Office Contracts are being com- pleted, the rifles delivered under them being used for various services other than those in the field. Sir Douglas Haig made a report on the Ross rifle at his own instance, and subsequently made similar recommendations in compliance with the request from the Army Council for a report. I will consider whether these Papers can be laid before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Germany is calling up her recruits in all neutral countries and has arranged for the medical examination of these recruits in all neutral countries; if British Consuls in all neutral countries have been notified to report all sailings of neutral steamers conveying German recruits to European and American ports so that steps may be taken by the Admiralty to intercept all steamers conveying German recruits; if he can state the estimated numbers of British subjects in each neutral country and the numbers of British men who have joined the Army and Navy from each neutral country; if he can state whether the Derby scheme has been voluntarily put into force in any neutral country; and, if not, whether he will recommend that this should be done at once?

The first part of this question would, I think, more properly be addressed to the Foreign Office, and the second part, as regards the intercepting of steamers, is, I think, a matter for the Admiralty. The Derby scheme has not been put into force in any neutral country, because it would be a breach of neutrality on the part of the State which allowed it. Without saying more on this matter, I may assure my hon. Friend that it is receiving all proper attention.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 997 men who were wounded in the fighting against the rebels in the Irish rebellion have been forbidden to wear the distinctive stripe; and, if so, why they have been so refused?

Yes, Sir; the Army Council's decision was in the sense of the first part of the question. I think my hon. and gallant Friend will be able to see for himself on what grounds this decision was given.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will soon establish a receiving and examining depot, as partially promised some time since, in Dublin?

This question has been very carefully considered and reconsidered, but I fear I must ask my hon. Friend to accept as the final decision the answer which I gave to his question of 9th May last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private Patrick Kilgallon, of Riverside, Sligo, who enlisted on the 23rd January, 1914, in good health, and who was accepted for the Army, was on the 4th April, 1916, discharged after serving two years and sixty-eight days with the Colours as no longer physically fit for war service; whether any pension has been paid to him; whether he is now totally unfit for work of any kind; whether since his discharge he has received no payment or gratuity of any kind; and whether the Government propose to pay this man the pension to which he is entitled?

Inquiry has been made, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the delay in the payment of bounties to time-expired men; and whether, if there must be delay, he will devise some system under which advances can be made?

I have no reason to suppose that there is any general delay. If any particular case is brought to notice inquiries will be made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware of the resentment felt by farmers at the Government weigher of commandeered wool insisting that on every hundredweight of wool two pounds overweight must be given, contrary to all hitherto systems of wool buying; and will he order a discontinuance of this method of taking goods without paying for it?

The custom of giving "drafts" is of long standing in the wool trade, and in accordance with the promise given to observe local customs as far as possible, the War Office has not interfered with this practice wherever the local advisory committees have recommended its observance. Where the local committee has decided that drafts should be given, the price list for the area has been correspondingly adjusted so as to bring it into general agreement with prices paid elsewhere.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, seeing wool is being taken by the Government from flock-masters at over 2d. per pound below the current market price, he will state if a corresponding reduction is made in the price by manufacturers in supplying the Army with khaki and blankets; and will he state the price paid by the War Office for khaki and blankets during the months of September, 1914, 1915 and 1916, respectively?

Manufacturers holding contracts for khaki and blankets have to pay the full market value for wool supplied to them, and the benefit of any difference between the prices paid to the farmer and the price received from the contractor is credited to the public. When, in future contracts, wool or tops are supplied to manufacturers at less than market prices, a corresponding reduction will be obtained in the price of yarn and cloth. No such reduction would, however, be reflected in the prices paid in September, 1916.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in connection with the case of a man named Mates, discharged from the Connaught Rangers on 23rd July, 1915, he will say if any question was raised regarding his age at the time of his enlistment or any subsequent occasion; if this man was admitted to hospital at the Curragh Camp on 6th April, 1915, suffering from erysipelas, so contracted through military service, followed by rheumatism, which necessitated his discharge; if he has twice since his discharge been ordered before medical military boards; if he will produce the medical opinion resulting from such examination; if this man has since his discharge been continually under medical treatment, and has furnished certificates to that effect without any question as to age, and, seeing that his family is in poverty, if he will, pending a reinvestigation of his case with the view to either pension or compensation, order the discharge of one of his sons from military service as the sole support of the family; and if he will state the reason why this man has been denied relief from Government funds?

Further inquiries are being made into this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to the desirability of making provision for the education of the sons of officers by permitting governing bodies to set aside a number of scholarships for their benefit without competition?

The Board are aware that at least one of the great public schools has instituted special scholarships for sons of members of His Majesty's Forces who have lost their lives in the War, and I need not say that arrangements for this purpose would command the sympathy of the Board. The matter, however, is primarily one for the governing bodies, and my hon. Friend is, of course, aware that in many cases the trusts affecting the endowments are such that they could not be applied in such a manner.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any information about a recent attack made by Turkish soldiery on the city of Kerbela, near Babylon, and the holy places of the Shiah Moslems, near the city?

No information has been received regarding disturbances at Kerbela since April and May last, when the Turks were compelled, by a rising of the Shiah inhabitants, to evacuate the town. On that occasion they are stated to have bombarded the holy mosque, doing great damage to the domes and minarets. Two hundred of the principal men of Kerbela have issued a circular letter, endorsed by the Ulema, protesting to the Moslem world against this bombardment, the massacre of innocent people, and the mutilation of women, by a so-called Moslem Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Herr Bü chner, the late bandmaster to the Viceroy of India, was naturalised either before or after the outbreak of war and, if so, when and where; and whether, on the relinquishment of his appointment as bandmaster to the Viceroy on medical grounds, Herr Bü chner was to be given employment in a Native State in India?

The Secretary of State has no information beyond that given in his answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for West Down on the 9th May last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the eighty-four experiments reported in the Return for 1915 as having been performed for the Medical Research Committee by Dr. M. W. Flack include or are in addition to those performed by him on cats and other animals with chlorine gas; whether these gas experiments were paid for out of National Health Insurance funds; and, if so, whether the Auditor-General's attention was called to the matter and the payments passed by him as a proper use of National Insurance funds?

My right hon. Friend hag asked me to reply to this question. The experiments referred to in the fourth line of the question are included in the eighty-four reported in the Return. The gentleman referred to is a member of the staff of the Medical Research Committee established by Regulations made under Section 16 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and the expenditure of that Committee is made from moneys provided by Parliament under Sub-section (2) (b) of that Section. The accounts for the matters in question come before the Controller and Auditor-General, who will make such observations as he thinks fit upon them to the Public Accounts Committee in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends in any way to take control of the British wheat and flour supply, with a view of preventing the consumer from being exploited by the master flour millers and others?

The Royal Commission is at present studying the question, which has been referred to them in all its aspects, and I am unable to make a detailed statement as to their policy. They are, however, most anxious that there should be no violent dislocation of trade conditions, which would greatly increase the difficulties of getting the scheme of control into smooth working. They hope to take measures to ensure the object aimed at by the hon. Member, but they do not consider that for that purpose it is necessary to interfere with the normal supplies of British wheat.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the present and probable future high price of wheat from abroad, he can see his way to guarantee farmers in the United Kingdom not less than 40s. a quarter for eatable wheat up till 1st October next year?

In view of the present and probable price of imported wheat it does not appear that such a guarantee as is suggested is necessary as an inducement to farmers to put the largest possible area under wheat. I trust, therefore, that the nation may confidently rely on the largest area being put under wheat that the farmers' present resources will admit of.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is any prospect of his being able shortly to secure a larger supply of petrol for public use?

I am advised by the Petrol Control Committee that if the present rate of importation of motor spirit into this country is maintained, the supply will probably be sufficient to meet requirements for the purposes of the War and other essential needs.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state whether any letters written by the public or Members of this House have been answered or acknowledged by the Petrol Supply Committee; how many communications have been received by this Committee; were these Communications opened; and, if so, are the same filed or destroyed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the number of communications received by the Petrol Control Committee up to the present date is approximately 725,000. The Committee endeavour to deal efficiently with all communications they receive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Governments of France, Russia, and Italy have sequestrated all alien enemy property in France, Russia, and Italy; and, if so, will the British Government take similar steps with regard to all alien enemy property in this country and thus bring the treatment of all alien enemy property on the same basis in all the principal Allied countries?

I am not aware that all alien enemy property has been sequestrated in France, Russia, or Italy. The steps taken with regard to enemy property in this country are in accordance with the resolutions agreed to at the Paris Economic Conference.

asked the President of the Road of Trade whether he is aware of the growing unrest and discontent amongst the Irish railway employés caused by their inability to pay the increased war prices for food out of the pay they receive; if he is aware that the English railway employés have received 10s. war bonus whilst some Irish railway employés have only received from 1s. to 3s. war bonus, and that some railways pay no war bonus; and if, to prevent an upheaval on the railways of Ireland, he will take steps to see that the Irish railway employés receive a substantial war bonus to meet the increased cost of food?

The Board of Trade have no power to require the Irish railway companies, to pay their employés a war bonus or to increase the amount where a bonus is already paid, but I understand negotiations are in progress between the Irisn railway companies and representatives of their employés.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a contract amounting to about £5,000 for the supply of granite for the construction in part of the Methil Docks in Scotland has been placed in Norway; whether a supply of granite of equally suitable character for this work could have been obtained from well-known granite quarries in Cornwall; whether an offer was made by well-known' granite quarry owners to furnish the required quality and quantity of granite within a period of twelve weeks from the date the contract was given, freight and labour being assured; and whether, seeing that the failure to give this contract to a British firm has denied to a considerable number of workmen ineligible for active service the opportunity of employment and earning a reasonable wage, which they are so desirous of obtaining, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have no knowledge of the circumstances under which this contract was placed, but I have sent a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the North British Railway Company, to whom these docks belong, for their observations, and I will let him have a copy of their reply.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has any official information regarding the placing of a contract in Norway for granite to be used in the construction of the Methil docks in Scotland; whether Cornish firms had offered to carry out the work; and, if so, why was the contract given to Norway?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given this afternoon to the hon. Member for the Bodmin Division.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, as no sugar was on offer in Belfast in 1915, will the half-cargo announced to arrive there next month be distributed to merchants on the basis of the first six months of 1916; if not how will it be arranged?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in stating that no sugar was on offer in Belfast in 1915, and supplies sent to Belfast now will be distributed in accordance with the Sugar Commission's usual arrangements, through the same channels and in the same proportions as last year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity and what value of foreign hops have been imported since the Government's intention to prohibit such imports was announced in Parliament; whether any applications have been received for licences to import foreign hops and, if so, for what quantities; for what quantities, if any, have licences been granted; and on what grounds have such licences been granted?

The quantity of hops imported in the four months, June to September, is shown by the monthly trade accounts to have been 30,949 cwts., and the value thereof was £164,210. Applications have been received for licences to import 12,351 packages, as well as requests for permission to import unspecified quantities. Licences have been granted for the importation of 7,825 packages in the circumstances described in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone, which appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT for the 16th August.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have yet discovered any cure for Isle-of-Wight disease in bees or whether their experiments have indicated any means for mitigating the virulence of this pest; and are there any signs other than depletion of stocks of bees in the country that the disease is showing signs of abatement?

The Board are testing a method of dealing with the disease, and the results are promising; but a final opinion cannot yet be expressed. There is no evidence, unfortunately, that the virulence of the disease is abating.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the disadvantages under which in many districts of the country fruit growers are under owing to the destruction of many thousands of stocks of bees, his Board are proposing to confer with bee-keeping associations or other persons or bodies interested with a view to reintroduce legislative proposals to combat and control the vast ravages of this pest?

As it is considered impracticable during the War to deal effectively with this disease by means of legislation, the Board are of opinion that no useful purpose would at present be served by a conference such as my hon. Friend suggests. But I shall be happy to bear his suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by sheep breeders in Scotland pointing out the damage done to the grazing power of land for sheep and cattle by the increase of deer and other game; and whether, in the interest of cheaper and more abundant food, he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

I am not aware of the special resolution referred to, but I am prepared to consider any facts which my hon. Friend may bring under my notice in this connection. I may inform my hon. Friend that a Committee (which has had official assistance from the Departments concerned) has been engaged in concerting with owners and tenants of deer forests plans for killing as large a number of deer as possible during the present season. It is hoped that the action thus taken may not only minimise the risk referred to, but also result in an increased supply of meat.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of his statement that land rated on a value of about 3d. per acre is suitable for the settlement of discharged soldiers and sailors, he will take steps to have the deer forests and shooting moors made available for production in place of sport?

The land in question is, in my opinion, suitable for a scheme embracing afforestation as complementary to tillage and pasture. If additional land of similar quality can be had on similar terms I shall be glad to consider any offers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the need for enforcing the provision of adequate sanitary accommodation for the seasonal Irish workers on Scottish farms, separate sleeping accommodation for the sexes, and facilities for cooking food, washing, and drying; and whether, if legislation is needed to secure such accommodation, he will introduce a Bill dealing with the subject?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention had been directed to the conditions under which Irish seasonal workers of both sexes have to live on Scottish farms; and whether he will take steps to obtain legislation which will compel the employers of such labourers to house them in adequately clean and comfortable circumstances, and also to have regard to the ordinary decencies of life?

My attention was recently directed to a case in which the conditions were far from satisfactory, and on inquiry I ascertained that the public health authority had already taken remedial action. I am consulting my advisers in Scotland as to the action which it may be possible to take on the lines suggested by my hon. Friends. I would remind them that Irish migratory labour is owing to the present scarcity of local labour employed over large areas where accommodation has not hitherto been required for such purposes.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in making appointments, patronage or otherwise, he has imposed any restrictions or terms on the new office-holders as a result of the War; and does the question of military age affect all office-seekers?

The Attorney-General, in making appointments, has laid down the rule that unless he is of opinion that the person most suitable for such appointment is a member of His Majesty's Forces (in which case such person will be appointed), the appointment shall be of a temporary character only, in order that after the War he, or his successor, may reconsider the matter on its merits with all the possible candidates, military and others, before him. When a barrister who is serving is appointed a temporary nomination will be made of counsel who is willing to discharge the duties during the War. Counsel so nominated will receive the fees attached to cases dealt with by him.