asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what classes of persons were allowed to buy and did buy sugar direct from the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply and from the British refiners, respectively, in the years 1915 and 1916, and on what terms as to resale and distribution and otherwise, and in what quantities; whether any written memoranda or direction was issued on the subject; and, if so, whether he will lay the same upon the Table of the House?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to a question of his on the 17th October. I am causing to be laid on the Table of the House a copy of a Memorandum on the subject, which was issued some weeks ago by the Sugar Commission.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, regard being had to the fact that paragraph 28 of the Treasury scheme, dated 5th October, 1916, for awarding additional allowances to old age pensioners suffering special hardship owing to the War, states that the question of providing for the expenses of the pension committees and subcommittees in the consideration of applications for additional allowances will be considered by the Treasury, and inasmuch as the clerks of such committees have as much, if not more, trouble with the additional allowance applications as with claims and questions, steps will be taken to secure that the remuneration of clerks under the scheme will not be less than that fixed for claims and questions under the Old Age Pensions Acts Regulations; why has the scale of the expenses of the pension committees and sub-committees in consideration of applications for additional allowances not been settled at the same time as the Treasury scheme came into operation, entailing thereby additional work and labour; whether he is aware that some pension sub-committees have decided not to proceed with the con- sideration of any of the applications for additional allowances until the scale of expenses to be fixed by the Treasury has been promulgated; and whether immediate steps will be taken for the settlement of the scale of expenses in connection with additional allowance applications on the same basis as that of the claims and questions and for the promulgation of such scale?

Instructions with reference to the remuneration of the clerks to these committees are in course of preparation and will be issued shortly. The reason why the remuneration of these clerks was not settled before the scheme came into operation was that, in view of the numerous administrative arrangements required for the scheme, this would have involved a delay in bringing it into operation which the Government were most anxious to avoid; I am not aware of the facts alleged in the third part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state the amounts which will be handed over to the pension committees and subcommittees under paragraph 25 of the scheme for allowances to old age pensioners to defray expenses; and can he give an assurance that the scale will be fixed on the same basis as that of claims and questions, in view of the fact that the work involved will be at least as difficult and complex?

Instructions with reference to the remuneration of the clerks to these committees are in course of preparation, and will be issued shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is now the practice of the Inland Revenue Department to assess for Income Tax, Schedule B, all land except the first acre, occupied with a dwelling house; whether a private carriage drive, an ornamental shrubbery, a garden path, a tennis lawn, and the site of out-buildings, all occupied with a dwelling house, are regarded by the department as productive of a profit, although such House would not in practice be occupied without them; whether land used in common by a group of householders for recreation, as in the case of a garden city, is liable to assessment; and what is the authority, if any, for the exemption of the first acre of such land?

Under statutory provisions which have been in force since 1842, Income Tax, Schedule B, is charged in respect of the occupation of lands and tenements, except dwelling-houses and the domestic offices thereunto belonging, which are not occupied with a farm of lands for the purpose of farming such lands, and except warehouses or other buildings occupied for the purpose of carrying on a trade or profession. The charges under Schedule B is imposed in respect of the occupation, and under the Acts no regard is had to the question of profits except in the case of nurseries and market gardens and lands occupied for the purposes of husbandry. Under the rules of the House Tax Acts the charge to Inhabited House Duty includes the annual value of the domestic offices, together with gardens, pleasure grounds, etc., to the extent of not more than one acre. The annual value of this acre of gardens, etc., is excluded from the Income Tax, Schedule B, charge. Recreation land (such as tennis courts, bowling greens, etc.), would not be charged to Income Tax (Schedule B), where it is reserved for the sole use of a group of householders, whose payments of rent for the houses which they occupy entitle them to the use of the land without further payment therefor.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to increasing the co-ordination of the administration of Irish administration in Ireland and this country, the Chief Secretary, the Lord Lieutenant, and the Permanent Under-Secretary can be given a free pass over the railways and steamships between London and Dublin and Belfast?

The expenses of the Permanent Under-Secretary when travelling on public business are provided for from public funds. No question has yet arisen as to the payment by the Lord Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary of their own travelling expenses between England and Ireland.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any definite decision has been arrived at regarding the offer of free passages home after the War to-British subjects who have come from distant parts of the Empire to fight; and whether the case of officers is being considered as well as that of the men?

Arrangements have already been made both for officers and men. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the detailed Regulations governing the question.

asked the Secretary or State for India why aid is denied to the widow and children of Private G. Hemmings, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, No. 20227, seeing that he died while in service with his regiment at Trimulgherry, India?

The injury which led to this man's death was in no way due to military service. Any assistance that can be given will be a matter for the Statutory Committee, who have already been informed of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is receiving deputations on behalf of retired national school teachers in Ireland showing the inadequacy of their pensions even in normal times, but particularly at the present time, and requesting that they should be made participants of any war bonus which may be paid to existing school teachers; and whether he is prepared to recommend to the Treasury that these ex-teachers should be paid the bonus?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider that the demand of the ex-national school teachers for a bonus is due to the fact that the rise of prices makes it impossible for them to maintain their families as for- merly; and whether, if no other means be available, he will introduce a Bill to deal with the matter?

I am not receiving deputations in regard to this matter, and would refer hon. Members to the reply given by me to the hon. Members for Limerick West and Dublin (College Green) on 2nd November.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Government have considered the inadequacy of the pensions of retired national teachers, which, in the majority of cases, are not sufficient to afford them the minimum of subsistence; and whether they have made any recommendation to the Treasury on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on the 2nd November to the questions of the hon. Members for Limerick West and Dublin (College Green) on this matter.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the extensive slaughter in Ireland of young pigs of from eight to ten weeks old, and the export of similar animals for slaughter in Great Britain; whether this slaughter of immature animals is likely to diminish seriously the breeding stock and the food supplies of the country in the near future; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Inquiries have been made by the Department in regard to the slaughter of young pigs in Ireland, which appears to be mainly due to the situation arising from the diminished crops of potatoes and the demand in Great Britain for pork. The scarcity and high price of potatoes and of other pig-feeding materials have caused a considerable drop in value of young pigs for store purposes, particularly in some districts, and breeders are now disposing of a large number of these young animals for slaughter in Ireland and Great Britain. The question was fully discussed at a recent conference between the Department and representatives of different bodies engaged in the pig trade. It was considered that if slaughter of these young pigs be now prevented, the breeders may be unable to dispose of them or to feed them, and that, consequently, they may cease breeding pigs to maintain the stocks in the country. The Department have in force an Order prohibiting the slaughter and shipment of sows obviously in young and are bringing this provision more prominently under the notice of pig breeders and others with a view to maintaining the breeding sows in the country and thus maintaining the stocks.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to prices ruling in country districts in Ireland, such as flour 3s. per stone, eggs 2s. 2d. per dozen, potatoes 1s. 2d. per stone, and sugar 7s. per stone; and whether, with a view to relieve consequent hardship, he will give his attention to the possibilities of productive industries in such districts and particularly in West Clare?

Some of the commodities of which high selling prices are quoted are produced in the district. The Congested Districts Board will inquire into and consider any suggestion as to the starting of industries in the congested portion of the county; but it should be borne in mind that the Board cannot itself finance and conduct an industry.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a number of Irishmen of military age have been brought direct from Ireland to Rosyth to replace Englishmen and Scotsmen who have been called up for military service?

From the early stages of the Rosyth contract, which was commenced in 1909, labour has been obtained direct from Ireland, as well as from Great Britain. No alteration in this practice has been made since the commencement of the War, but certainly no men have been brought from Ireland to Rosyth for the express purpose of replacing Englishmen and Scotsmen called up for military service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether naval chaplains and naval surgeons who were present at the landing and subsequent operations at Gallipoli will be asked to give evidence before the Dardanelles Commission?

This is entirely a question for the Commissioners themselves to determine.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any bodies of German sailors have been found or any wreckage discovered from the German destroyers reported to be sunk in the communiqué of 25th October?

No bodies of German sailors and no German wreckage have been discovered; but this is merely negative evidence, which could equally be applied to the "Flirt."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the question of granting naval honours posthumously in the same way as is now done with regard to the Victoria Cross?

This question has been already considered, but so far it has not been thought practicable to extend the system to other naval honours.

asked the Secretary for War if he will say whether any provision has been made by the Army Council to enable brothers called to the Colours on different dates to serve in the same regiment or unit; if so, what are the conditions and limitations under which this arrangement can be made; and what is the procedure that soldiers who are brothers must adopt if they desire to take advantage of it?

So far as the exigencies of the Service permit brothers are posted to the same corps or one is transferred to the corps of the other, if they so desire and apply to their commanding officers.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that there is discontent among parents and relatives of soldiers whose sons have been sent to the front after they have had about three months' training, and especially is this discontent manifested by the parents and relatives of such of these rapidly trained soldiers as have already been wounded and returned to the front again; if be is aware that the parents and relatives referred to allege that numbers of Territorial soldiers have been training in this country nearly the whole period of the War; and if ho will make a statement on the subject giving the facts of the case?

I think the hon. Member and the House will see that this is not a matter on which a detailed statement could be made at present. I am aware of the feelings of parents and relatives to which the hon. Member refers, and consideration will be given to them as far as is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War, with the view of shortening the military training after young men are called up, whether the Army Council will consider the advisability of compelling all boys above the age of seventeen to join school corps, Volunteers, or Regular Forces, with such exceptions as the interests of the country demand?

All men who came under the Military Service Acts are called up in ample time to be fully trained by the time that they are eligible to take the field. No immediate military advantage would be obtained by the adoption of complete training from the age of seventeen, which would have the result of withdrawing men from useful labour and of largely increasing, not only the size of the training centres, but also the cost of the Army to a considerable extent. Intermittent training could only be enforced with difficulty, and would not produce military results commensurate with the considerable increase in the training centres.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private A. Schofield, No. 825, D Company, 18th West Yorks Regiment, a soldier under eighteen years of age, was not transferred to Class W, Army Reserve, in response to the application of his mother on 18th September last, and in accordance with Army Council Instruction 1186 of 1916, then in force; and if he will see that the soldier referred to is dealt with in the manner provided by the Army Council Instruction which was in force when the application was made, and not in the manner provided by the new Army Council Instruction issued on 6th October last?

Orders have been issued for the transfer of this man to Class W of the Army Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether leave can be granted to privates in regiments stationed in this country in rotation instead of in the irregular manner as appears to be the case generally?

Fresh instructions are being issued on this point with a view to the avoidance as far as possible of what may seem to be inequalities in the grant of leave. It is impossible, however, to promise that rotation will be absolutely observed, as special consideration has to be given to the ease of men who have been warned for foreign service.

asked the Secretary of State for War what leave is granted to privates in the Royal Engineers stationed at Saltpans, near Sandwich; whether he is aware that one of the acting sergeants requested men to give him their fares in envelopes, and that the sergeant is now missing with about £30 of the soldiers' savings; and, if so, will the money be refunded by the Department?

As the building work in hand at the place mentioned was extremely urgent it became necessary to suspend ordinary leave during the summer months. The majority of the troops concerned were recruits, who would not have been entitled to leave in any case, though special leave in connection with urgent family or private affairs has been given. Normal leave has now been resumed, and all those who have been working during the summer are being given special leave as quickly as possible. The facts in the latter part of the question are as stated, but I cannot at present say whether a refund will be made. This point is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether temporary captains of the Veterinary Corps get 1s. 6d. a day more than Territorial veterinary captains; and whether an outfit allowance of £50 instead of £20 can be retrospectively granted to veterinary officers who had five years' service previous to mobilisation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the Territorial officer draws a larger gratuity. The answer to the second part is in the negative. Throughout the Service the £50 outfit grant is limited to officers who joined since mobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those single men of forty-one who were exempt from service under the first Military Service Act as having offered themselves for service and been rejected while under the age of forty-one, and who attained the age of forty-one before the second Military Service Act had passed into law, are still liable to be called up under the new Order, having regard to the fact that they already were over military age at the time when that Act was passed?

Men who were forty-one before the second Military Service Act became law are not liable to be called up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the assistance already rendered by the Transport Workers' Battalion in facilitating the flow of traffic through the ports and to the need, in view of the present high food prices, of increasing our supplies, he will consider the desirability of increasing the strength of the battalion up to 20,000?

I hope it may be found possible to increase the numbers of the Transport Workers' Battalion beyond those hitherto sanctioned by the War Office, and the Departments are conferring on the subject, but it may not be practicable to raise its strength to 20,000 men at the present time.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the case of Mr. Patrick Daly, of Lissycasey, West Clare, who was tried under the Military Service Act by the resident magistrate sitting alone at Ennis on 27th October last and subsequently handed over to the military authorities, he will advise the liberation of this young man pending an appeal; and whether, as this may be a test case, all facilities will be given to Patrick Daly to prepare his defence?

The precise question involved in this case is pending for argument and decision in the King's Bench Division of the High Court in Ireland on Thursday next. The facilites, therefore, asked for in the question of the hon. Member will not be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the number of officials at present employed by the Government at the India Office; how many of them are men of military age; the number of these fit for active service in connection with the War; and whether the military authorities are calling them up?

The number of the administrative and clerical staff (including 150 temporary women clerks) now in employment by the India Office is 499. The number of men of military age included in this figure is 142; of these the number fit for active service is not at present definitely known, owing to changes made from time to time in the system of medical examination. Since the War began seventy-five members of the staff have been released for military service, and twelve others will shortly be released. The staff is reviewed from time to time with a view to further releases, as the temporary substitutes acquire experience.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the reason why Horace J. Jones, a conscientious objector, now serving a term of six months' imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs after court-martial at Mill Hill Barracks, has been refused his application to undertake work of national importance within the provisions of the Home Office scheme; and whether the fact that the man is prepared to undertake work under the direction of the Home Office Committee will now be considered and his sentence mitigated?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Horace J. Jones was offered, but refused, work under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors. He is aware that it is still open to him to accept it, and that, if he does, he will be released from prison and employed on work of national importance.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that Mr. C. H. Norman has begun a civil action against Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Brooke, late commandant at Wandsworth Detention Barracks; and whether he will direct that the unpublished portion of Mr. Norman's diary which was seized by the successor to Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke be returned to Mr. Norman so that the action may be properly prepared for trial?

I am not aware of what is stated in the first part of the question nor that any portion of Private Norman's diary were seized by Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke's successor. If it transpires that Private Norman has applied to this officer for the return of any of his documents and such return has been refused, I will cause inquiry into the matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish me with information on this subject?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the bonus of 4s. a week granted by Army Order of 1st July, 1916, to temporary clerks will be received by clerks in the Supply and Transport Department of the Army Service Corps in this country?

Yes, Sir; within the same limits as for other Army Departments. I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy of the instructions on the point.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the 4s. bonus recently granted to the Civil Service applies to civilian male clerks, temporary, in record offices whose wages are about 33s. per week for from sixty to seventy hours; and, if the bonus is not being paid to this class, would it be extended to them?

The emoluments of these clerks are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the official pattern trench stretcher can be used in narrow trenches under twenty-six inches wide; and whether the authorities have considered the possibility of obtaining a new-type of stretcher with which the handling of the wounded under these circumstances could be more expeditious and efficacious?

The Army Council have no information to show that the official trench stretcher does not meet requirements. It is twenty inches in width.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the captured German guns have now been allocated to different towns; and the names of the towns thus selected?

A few captured German guns are temporarily on exhibition in various towns, but no permanent allocation to any particular town has been made. The matter is under consideration by a Committee appointed for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that women engaged at Schultzes, Redbridge, near Southampton, are only paid 18s. per week for a week of forty-eight hours, which are-the recognised hours of the district; and whether, in view of Circular L 2, he intends taking any action in the matter?

According to our information, the hours of the district for men in engineering establishments are fifty-three or fifty-four, in which ease the rate for women would be in accordance with Circular L 2 in its present form. Inquiries, however, are being made as to the actual length of the district week.

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) if he is aware that the minimum wage of £1 per week for women munition workers proscribed in Circular L 2 cannot, in view of the increase in the cost of living in recent months, be considered adequate at the present time; if he will immediately authorise an advance of 5s. per week; and (2) if he is aware that a number of firms whose normal working week is of less duration than fifty-three hours are paying women munition workers at the rate of £1 per week for fifty-three hours; that such practice is a violation of the spirit of Clause 1 of Circular L 2 and the promise of the Government that not less than £1 per week would be paid; and if he will take action in cases which are brought to his notice?

Circular L 2 is at present under consideration by the special arbitration tribunal appointed under Section 8 of the Munitions of War (Amendment) Act, 1916, and I hope to be able to make an announcement on the matter in the course of the next few days.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has taken any steps, and, if so, of what nature, to secure the dilution of labour in uncontrolled establishments?

The Agreement made at the Treasury in March, 1915, between representatives of the Government and representatives of workmen's organisations for accelerating the output of munitions applies to all work on war munitions and equipments whether in controlled or in other establishments. This Agreement contains a provision for such relaxation of trade practices as may be necessary for the acceleration of output. Employers whose establishments are not controlled are consequently able to avail themselves of this Agreement in order to carry out the recommendations of the Ministry of Munitions for dilution of labour. Such establishments are visited by technical officers of the Department who formulate schemes of dilution for them, but the compulsory powers of the Ministry under the Munitions of War Acts do not extend to these establishments. My right hon. Friend is discussing with the Labour Adviser to the Government the possibility of extending dilution to private and commercial work in engineering and allied establishments.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department is satisfied that in no case is work for his Department being carried out by firms in which either alien enemies or alien enemy moneys are interested?

The Board of Trade are charged with the duty of eliminating the enemy interest in firms trading here. If my hon. Friend will draw my attention to any cases that he has in mind, inquiries will be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Messrs. M'Kendrick, of Motherwell, a controlled establishment, were allowed to exclude Catholics from employment in their factory; and whether the Government intend to allow the local Labour Exchange to assist this firm in preventing Catholics from obtaining industrial employment?

The first part of the question is one for the Minister of Munitions, and I am in communication with him on the subject. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 26th October to the hon. Member for Bridgeton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a commission has recently sat in Buluwayo to examine into the question of sending frozen beef from Rhodesia to London; and whether he can give any information as to the conclusions they came to, or if there is any prospect of such a trade being developed?

The hon. Member probably refers to a committee of Rhodesian farmers which I understand is making inquiries with regard to the plant necessary for the erection of canning works. All matters connected with the future of the cattle industry of Rhodesia are receiving the closest attention in the territory. It is not, however, possible to say at present within what period we may expect to draw supplies of frozen meat from Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to allow representatives of the American Embassy to visit Frongoch Camp; and if Sir Charles Cameron and Doctor Russell, the chief public health authorities of Dublin, will be allowed to accompany them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer which I gave him on 17th October in reply to a similar question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the larger interests of public policy, he will pass in review the whole situation of Irish prisoners still incarcerated in connection with the Dublin rebellion; and whether, if he discovers that the present policy of the Government is tending in the opposite direction to that aimed at, he will advise as to the best solution, the withdrawal of martial law, and the proclamation of a general amnesty?

Every case of an untried prisoner has been reported on, and some have now been released with proper guarantees for public security. I hope the number will be largely increased. As to the larger question of policy to which the hon. Member refers, I would refer him to the statement of the Prime Minister in Debate on 18th October last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say what instructions have been given to the Rebellion (Victims) Committee in reference to the question as to whom they are to regard as dependants of persons who, without misconduct or default on their part, were killed in the recent Dublin disturbances whether directions have been given to the Committee that the term dependants is to include persons who are regarded as such under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and if the Committee will be given directions, where a claimant is proved to have been wholly dependent on a person killed under the conditions stated, that the claim shall not be prejudiced by the fact that the relationship was not that of husband or parent?

The interpretation of the reference to the Committee, which has already been published, is a matter for determination by the Committee itself, and instructions on the points mentioned in the question are not deemed necessary.

asked the Secretary for State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the insanitary conditions at the works of British Dyes, Limited, Huddersfield; whether the prevalence of chemical eczema amongst the workers has been the subject of inquiry by the factory inspectors; whether the gloves provided for the labourers who have to handle chemicals are used indiscriminately by the men, so allowing contagion; and whether he can take any steps to deal with the danger arising from this?

I have had further inquiry made with regard to the conditions at these works. It appears from the reports received from the Factory Inspectors that the arrangements are not insanitary, but (owing largely to the rapid and continuous growth of the factory) they are of a provisional and somewhat primitive type, and will require to be replaced by a more modern system. Plans for this purpose have been submitted to and passed by the Corporation of Huddersfield, who are the authority responsible for the sanitary accommodation of the factories in the borough; but before the alterations can be carried out, it will be necessary, I understand, for the corporation to provide increased sewer facilities. As regards the cases of eczema or dermatitis, the incidence at these works, as I have previously stated, is not heavy, and the dermatitis is a passing trouble only, and is rarely followed by a second attack. The; usual precautionary measures are being taken, and certain improvements have been suggested to the management by the Medical Inspector of Factories, who went very thoroughly into the whole question at a recent visit. I am informed that every worker concerned is supplied with a pair of gloves for his exclusive use, and that any changing of gloves between the workers is forbidden.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Food Prices Commission, before committing themselves to the statement that meat prices had not been inflated by the use of cold storage, took evidence from the Port of London Authority, the Union Cold Storage Company, and the Central Markets Cold Storage Company; if so, whether the last company were examined as to the rise of their profits from £19,000 in 1914 to £33,788 in 1915; whether the managers of these stores were asked to account for the fact that thousands of tons of beef and mutton were delivered from their stores in 1915 and 1916 in a condition which showed it had been kept in store a very long time; whether he will state the total weight in stock in the Port of London Stores on 1st August. 1914; the total weight received and delivered between that date and 1st August, 1916; of this amount what was charged for at the rate of one month's storage only what at two months' rate, and what at a longer distance; and whether he will give the same figures for the Union Cold Stores, the Central Markets Cold Stores, and the stores in the city of Liverpool?

The Departmental Committee on Prices do not state what witnesses were examined by them, but it was within their competence to call what evidence they pleased. I have not the information asked for in the latter part of the question, and, if I had, I doubt if it would be in the public interest to make it known.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information respecting the reasons for permitting the insulated boats of Messrs. Lamport and Holt, Limited, to trade between Buenos Ayres and New York other than a reference to carrying United States mails; whether he is aware that in 1915 these boats carried 514,000 quarters of beef, 127,000 sheep, and 120,000 lambs, or between 50,000 and 60,000 tons of meat, or about one-eighth of that which the Committee state is the potential tonnage of the River Plate meat service; that these boats carried 48,000 beef quarters on 24th February of this year, 25,000 quarters on 30th March, and continued in this service until the 13th April of this year, when meat prices had greatly risen; whether he will state why, even if it were necessary to carry the United States mails, it was necessary to keep insulated boats for such a purpose; and how, in face of these facts, it is held that meat prices rose through shortage of meat shipping tonnage?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answers given on 8th March last to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow, and on 26th July and 24th October last to himself on this subject, as well as to the general considerations with which I dealt in my speech in this House on the 17th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total weight going through the wholesale meat markets of Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, and Newcastle-on-Tyne for the first six months of 1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively?

I am asking the market superintendents of the places named for this information and will send it to my hon. Friend as soon as I get it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the names of the persons constituting the Committee who controlled the meat trade; whether, in view of the profits which the operations of this secret Committee have placed in the pockets of the Argentine meat companies, exceeding in some cases in one year the total capital sunk in the company, he will add to their number a representative of the working classes; and whether he will disclose to the House of Commons what are the exact relations between the Armour Company, of Chicago, and various firms in which his adviser, Sir Thomas Robinson, holds a considerable interest?

The conditions of purchase, transport, and distribution of the frozen meat supplies of the Government are controlled entirely by the Board of Trade without the assistance of any Committee, secret or other. I have referred more than once in this House to the invaluable services which Sir Thomas Robinson, a distinguished public servant of unquestioned probity, is rendering to the Government in connection with this matter, and I repudiate most strongly the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total tonnage of the refrigerated fleet which is at present being used not for carriage but for cold storage in various ports for war purposes; whether he is aware that with a couple of months' energy serviceable cold stores could be fitted up at all centres where boats are so employed; and what is the reason this course has not been followed?

It is not in the public interest to give the particulars asked for. The use of refrigerated ships for cold storage is avoided as far as possible. Arrangements have been recently made for the release of two store ships, and others will be released as opportunity offers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the reason for excluding the Press from the Food Prices Committee; whether the minutes of evidence are to be published and placed on public sale; whether it is the almost invariable rule when witnesses give evidence before Government Committees for a copy of their evidence to be sent to them to read over and correct; why was this procedure abandoned with respect to the inquiry conducted by this Committee; and whether all the witnesses have said is solely dependent on the veracity of the single reporter employed, and that no guarantee exists that the statements of a witness may not be presented for the Committee's final consideration in a light quite otherwise than when under examination?

I understand that the Committee consider that by holding their meetings privately they have secured valuable evidence on many points which would probably not have been elicited at a public hearing. The Committee are of opinion that the complete evidence given should not be published in view of the confiden- tial character of much of it. I am informed that it has been the usual practice to submit to witnesses a copy of the report of their evidence, although, owing to special circumstances, there have been a few exceptions to this general practice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that beer is being classed as foodstuffs and thus given greater facilities by the railways when congestion prevents ordinary traffic being accepted in its entirety?

I understand that no general instructions have been issued by the Railway Executive Committee on this subject, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case he may have in mind I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will explain the total tonnage of the 1,118 vessels who are allowed to engage in the services of foreign countries; what class of work are they doing for foreign countries, principal headings only; how do their earnings now compare with their pre-war earnings; whether any of those vessels have changed hands lately, and whether he has any statistics of previous transfers to compare with prices in recent sales; what percentage of our existing total tonnage is running at Blue Book rates; what at fixed rates and what at free rates; what is the existing total tonnage of this country; and (2) whether 1,118 vessels belonging to the British mercantile marine are still permitted to be engaged in foreign trade between foreign countries and to trade where they choose in their own accustomed grooves; and whether he will give a list of the principal owners of such vessels and the number for which each of those owners is responsible?

I think the two questions of my hon. Friend are based on a misapprehension of a sentence in my speech in the House on 17th October:

"I have given the House a total which reaches 1,118 vessels, which are for one reason or other—good national reasons—free to trade where they will in their own accustomed grooves."

If my hon. Friend will refer to the earlier part of that speech, he will see that this total is made up of 297 vessels employed permanently abroad, 588 vessels running in lines, and 233 tramps. All of these trade under licences obtained from the Ship Licensing Committee, but it is an entire misapprehension to suppose that the two latter classes are trading exclusively between foreign ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the "Tabarka," belonging to the firm of Messrs. Strick and Company, was a month loading at the Persian Gulf and is now homeward bound with a cargo of dates; that the "Kohistan," belonging to the same firm, was over a month loading in the Persian Gulf; that the steamship "Seistan" is at the same place and cannot leave before 12th November; that if the three ships in question had gone to India they would have been loaded in seven days; that the "Kohistan" was sent from this country to the Persian Gulf actually in ballast, a distance of 7,000 miles, or five weeks' steaming, at a time when Italy was calling for coal; that this boat might have been loaded with coal for Genoa or Malta, or to supply our Fleet off Salonika, and then could have gone to the East in ballast; how were the licences for these boats obtained for Messrs. Strick and Company; if he is aware that a clerk (O'Neill) who was at one time working for Messrs. Strick and Company has been lent by them to the Admiralty as superintendent of the requisitioning and utilisation of British tonnage; whether the licences for Messrs. Strick and Company were obtained through Mr. O'Neill; and whether, seeing that there is a difference in the freightage rates from the Persian Gulf and India, namely, about £12 15s. per ton and £5 6s. per ton respectively, the difference will be paid by Messrs. Strick and Company to the Treasury?

I am informed that the three vessels "Tabarka," "Kohistan," and "Seistan" have been employed as stated in the question, but the times for loading given by my hon. Friend are incorrect, and it is not the case that vessels of this size could have been loaded in seven days. The causes of the delay in loading ships in the Persian Gulf are well known. The steamship "Kohistan" was allowed to go in ballast, as it was only in that way that she could arrive in time to carry out her engagement to load dates from the Persian Gulf to this country. I am informed that at the time when the licence was granted there was no lack of tonnage for coal to Italy or Malta. The rate from the Persian Gulf to the United Kingdom is £8, and not £12 15s. The licences were obtained by Messrs. F. C. Strick and Company by application in the usual way to the Ship Licensing Committee, and there is no foundation for the suggestion to which I regret that my hon. Friend should give currency that they were obtained directly or indirectly through Mr. O'Neill. Mr. O'Neill is a director of the firm of Messrs. Strick and Company, who has withdrawn from the business of his firm during the War in order to assist the Government by serving in the Admiralty Transport Department in an advisory and honorary capacity in connection with the requisitioning of tonnage for Admiralty service. He has no connection with the Ship Licensing Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the present price of potatoes and of the fact that the price is still rising; whether he is aware of the profits that potato growers are making; and if he is taking any steps to deal with this matter in the interests of the public?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the holding up of potatoes being practised in order to sell at higher prices; and whether, in view of the current high prices of potatoes, he can state what action he intends to take to secure the proper distribution of potatoes at as low prices as possible?

I am net at present in a position to add anything to the answer given on Thursday last to a question on this subject by the right hon. Member for Woolwich.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there has been circulated among Government officials in London an official Memo-mandum, headed "Memorandum on the Urgent Need for Strengthening the Posi- tion of Labour Exchanges," and wherein it is urged that the Government should give increased, and the necessary, legislation enacting that no employer shall engage anyone except through the medium of Labour Exchanges, and that it should be made a penal offence for anyone to engage employés in any other way; whether such Circular has been issued with his sanction or knowledge; and whether it is his intention to promote such legislation?

The Memorandum referred to is, I believe, one prepared for the consideration of the Board of Trade by an association of local officers of the Employment Department, and its communication to the Press was unauthorised and regrettable. An announcement, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, was sent to the Press at the beginning of September last, stating that the Memorandum had no official authority and did not represent the views of the Board of Trade. I should add that a proposal is now under consideration that while the War continues certain classes of persons, in particular men of military age and women required for munitions work, should be engaged solely through the employment exchanges, so as to secure more effective control over the allocation of labour power for war purposes. This, however, is a wholly different proposition from that referred to in the Memorandum, and, if adopted, it would only continue for the period of the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether directors of the Marconi Company have seats on the board of the Deutsche Betreitsgesellschaft fur Drahtlose Telegraphie, of Berlin; and whether this Berlin company is a subsidiary of the Telefunken Company?

I am informed by the Marconi Company that certain of their directors were, before the War, on the board of the Berlin company referred to, in which the Telefunken Company holds a majority of the shares.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an agreement was concluded in 1913 between the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited, and the Gesellschaft füur Drahtlose Telegraphie, of Berlin, or the Telefunken Company; whether such agreement covers Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States, and, if so, has this agreement been operative since the beginning of the War?

I am informed by the Marconi Company that, in 1913, an agreement of a commercial nature was concluded between them and the Tele-funken Company, that the agreement dealt in some matters with Australia, New Zealand, and Spain, but did not embrace the United States, and that this agreement has not been operative since the beginning of the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Marconi Company has omitted to publish since 1913 in its yearly accounts a list of its subsidiary companies; and, if so, can he state what subsidiary companies are associated with the Marconi Company?

I am informed by the Marconi Company that they have not considered it in their interests to publish in their yearly accounts a list of their holdings in other companies since 1913, but that the information is at all times available to their shareholders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Mr. George von Chauvin and Mr. Carl von Siemens are still managing director and director of Messrs. Siemens Brothers and Company; and whether this firm is still doing Government work?

Mr. George Chauvin is the managing director of Siemens Brothers and Company, Limited, but Mr. Carl von Siemens is no longer a director of the company. The firm is a controlled establishment doing Government work, and is under a supervisor.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Messrs. Siemens Brothers and Company are carrying on four distinct branches in this country, namely, dynamo works at Stafford, cable works at Woolwich, electric lamp works at Dalston, and head offices and export works at Caxton House, West- minster; whether Messrs. Siemens Brothers, previous to the war, had branches in Germany and other countries; whether those branches are still in existence; and what national interest is served by permitting this firm to continue to carry on an export trade in this country?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is in the affirmative. The owners of the company's shares carried on a similar business in Germany. Siemens Brothers Dynamo Works, Limited, has branches in the Dominions, which are still in existence. It is greatly to the national interest that this business should be acquired by those British firms who can make the best use of it for the future development of the electrical industry in this country. Active steps to that end are now in progress, and meantime it is clearly necessary that the business should be fully maintained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the Kilsyth district of Fife a great number of beings are full of coal, the miners being unable to get their coal taken away; whether if the coal companies were compelled to supply additional hutches, wagons, and other plant the output of coal could be increased considerably; whether the Pannie pit belonging to the Fife Coal Company had two idle days within the fortnight ending 25th October for the want of wagons; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I understand that there has occasionally been difficulty in dispatching the output from some pits in Stirlingshire in the Kilsyth district, and I will communicate with the railway company on the subject. No time appears to have been lost at the Pannie pit in the fortnight named.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the high price of wheat and a possible shortage in the supply, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation making it compulsory on bakers to use at least 20 per cent. of maize flour in the manufacture of bread?

The Board of Trade, in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture and the Local Government Board, are considering the measures that may be necessary to ensure the most economical use of the available supplies of grain. The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has been noted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the inequality of treatment of free licensed houses as compared with houses owned by brewers, in view of the fact that the former under the Restriction of Beer Output Act frequently have their supplies withdrawn without notice, whereas the latter continue to receive them; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Provisions were included in the Act for enabling free licence holders who obtained supplies of beer from a brewer in the year 1915–1916 to obtain proportionate supplies during the present year from some other brewer if their ordinary brewer declines to supply them, and I have no reason to suppose that the provisions in question are not fully effective for the purpose for which they were intended.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the firm of Messrs. H. R. Merton and Company has been reorganised so as to exclude the German interest; whether 550 shares formerly held by Oscar Langebach are now held by Oscar Lang, 1,250 shares formerly held by Heinrich Schwarz are now held by Harry Ferdinand Staton, and 11,875 shares, formerly held by Schweizerische Gesellschaft fur Mctall-werke, Basle, Switzerland, are now held by the Société Suisse pour Valeurs de Metaux, Basle; and what connection, if any, the previous holders of these shares have with the present holders?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There has been no change in the ownership of the shares referred to in the remainder of the question. The first two shareholders mentioned are naturalised British subjects who have changed their names, and the third is a Swiss company which uses both a French and German title.

asked whether the firm of H. R. Merton and Company have been declared an enemy concern by the Commonwealth Government; whether they are still allowed to trade in this country; whether the British Government have been and are still buying metals through this firm; and whether his attention has been called to the remarks of one of His Majesty's judges of the High Court, in giving judgment in the Bilbster case, in which he stated that Messrs. Merton and Company made a payment in order to try and preserve certain goods for the owners, whom they knew to be enemies, and to gain some possible advantage to themselves, or their principals, or co-adventurers, the Metallgesellschaft, of Frankfort, and that, in acting thus, they appeared not to have hesitated to engage in commercial intercourse with the enemies of this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the company has now applied to be reinstated on the ground that the German interest is now eliminated. The answers given by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs on 26th October, 1915, show that metals have been purchased from this company by their Government Departments. As to the last part of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton on 9th November, 1915.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the periodical reports usual in cases of winding-up companies are furnished to the Board of Trade by the controllers of enemies' businesses in this country ordered by the Board of Trade to be wound up; and if any general principles of policy are laid down by the Board of Trade for the guidance of these controllers?

The Board of Trade is in constant touch with the controllers of enemy businesses which have been ordered to be wound up, and they furnish reports as to the position of the winding-up as required. I have already laid on the Table of the House a copy of a circular issued to controllers for their guidance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he realises that the price of milk and of meat is largely traceable to the price of bran, middlings, and other milling offals; whether the export of any and, if any, what quantity, of milling offals to Denmark is now permitted by the Government; and whether, seeing that such offals are fed to pigs which are subsequently exported to Germany, the Government will impose an embargo upon their export and thus cheapen milk and meat at Home?

No export to Denmark of bran, middlings, or other milling offals has taken place since the autumn of 1914. The export of the same articles to all other countries outside the British Isles is prohibited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in Dublin the price of coal is so high that very many poor persons are unable to purchase; whether he can release some suitable interned enemy vessels to carry coal to Dublin; and whether, with the co-operation of the Chief Secretary and local authorities, it can be arranged that a large quantity to be retailed at a moderate normal price would be provided so as to avert a fuel famine in the city?

I should certainly be happy to co-operate as far as practicable in any steps that may be found necessary to ensure the maintenance of a reasonable supply of house coal to Dublin; but, as I have already indicated to my hon. Friend, the matter is, in my opinion, one to be dealt with locally in the first instance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the close interlocking arrangements and agreements between the. British, Belgian, and German wireless telegraph companies; if so, can he say what special steps have been taken to ensure that every wireless operator on British and Allied ships is strictly loyal to the cause of the Allies?

The arrangements which existed before the War between British, Belgian and German wireless telegraph companies were mainly directed to the regulation of competition between the rival services, and did not affect the rule that only certified operators of British nationality might be employed on British ships. Since the outbreak of war still more stringent measures have been taken to exclude operators of doubtful origin or trustworthiness.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say what precautions are now taken to prevent the movements of ships of the British and Allied merchant marine being communicated to insurance companies managed by and operated on behalf of neutrals; if the Board of Trade make any inquiries as to the nationality of shareholders in neutral insurance companies doing business in this country; are neutral insurance companies allowed to send to their head offices abroad the names and nature of the risks they have offered to them in London; and what security there is against insurance companies of neutral origin, to whom applications for insurance may be made, communicating the information they obtain to their head offices abroad of companies that may be controlled by enemy subjects, thus affording the means of communicating knowledge to the enemy of the movements of British and Allied ships?

Arrangements have been entered into with the agencies in this country of neutral insurance companies in order to prevent any information which might be of use to the enemy being communicated to the head offices of the companies in connection with marine insurances effected in this country. When it appears necessary, inquiries are made as to the nationality of the shareholders. Every care is taken by the authorities to see that these arrangements are properly carried out.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that men of the Mesopotamia Force complain generally that they do not receive correspondence from their relatives in this country; and whether he has caused any inquiry to be made into the causes which lead to this state of affairs?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Members for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow and the Hyde Division of Cheshire on the 26th October and 2nd November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the International News Service has been debarred from British mails and cables; and, if so, whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer is in the affirmative. I do not think I can usefully add anything to the announcements by the Official Press Bureau on the 11th and 20th of October.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the men employed at Kew Gardens were recently granted a war bonus of 4s. a week, while the women gardeners were granted only 2s; and whether he will approach the Treasury with the object of getting the same bonus granted to the women as to the men?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The action suggested in the second part has already been taken, and the Board are awaiting the final decision of the Treasury in the matter.

asked the Treasurer of the Household the number and the name of camps where British prisoners are confined in enemy countries regarding which no actual reports have been received, and which have not been visited by any representatives of the United States of America?

As my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, the United States Embassy at Constantinople has not yet succeeded in obtaining the permission of the Turkish Government to send representatives to visit camps in Turkey where British prisoners of war are interned. With regard to camps in other enemy countries, I think it is accurate to say that all permanent camps in which British prisoners of war are regularly interned have been inspected by United States officials. If the hon. Member desires, the United States Ambassador will be requested to inquire as to the exact position, which, of course, varies from time to time.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will make arrangements for placing a notice board in one of the lobbies for the convenience of Members wishing to attend the numerous private Members' Committees which have come into existence during the War?

I will consult the authorities of the House and consider with them whether the suggestion is a desirable one.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can give the statutory authority which enables a resident magistrate in Ireland to exclude from the hearing of a case justices of the peace who are actually sitting on the bench with him?

A justice of the peace in Ireland sitting alone has jurisdiction either by settled practice or by Statuteto dispose of certain classes of cases. Where in such cases the investigation has been commenced before a single justice and his jurisdiction has attached, it has been decided by the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Ireland that other magistrates have not the right to intervene.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the delays in putting into force throughout West Clare the Land Act of 1909; whether the agricultural interests of the county are unnecessarily suffering in consequence; and whether ho will advise the Congested Districts Board to devote particular attention to West Clare and speed up the machinery for dealing with the estates?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they are utilising in the fullest measure their available resources of staff and money to hasten the preparation for resale of estates on hand, and they are doing what they can in West Clare, as in other districts, to prepare the estates for sale with the least delay practicable. The agricultural interests of county Clare are affected in like manner as in other districts where the Land Purchase Acts are suspended by reason of the War.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what is the total amount of money to date deducted from the Grants paid to the Kerry County Council for loss on the flotation of stock and defaulting annuitants under the Land Purchase Acts; and whether he can state what is the net loss to date to the ratepayers of Kerry?

There have not been any deductions or additions made from or to Grants paid in county Kerry in connection with the flotation of stock for land purchase. The deductions made from Grants in respect of all other land purchase liability amount to £11,258 15s. 5d., and the additions made to these Grants amount to £l,829 10s. 8d., making a total net deduction of £9,429 4s. 9d. up to 31st March, 1916. I am advised, and it has often been stated to the House, that the amount of ultimate loss in these transactions is much less than the sum named.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution unanimously adopted at a conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities, held in Belfast on the 27th September, 1916, to the effect that from the statements contained in the papers relative to dwellings for agricultural labourers under the Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Acts, submitted by Mr. Thomas Dawson, town clerk, Tipperary, and Mr. W. J. Heffernan, town surveyor, Tipperary, the conference was of opinion that the matters therein referred to should be investigated by the Irish Government, that prompt measures should be taken to ensure that owners of houses provided under the Act 23 Vic., c. 19, and Acts amending the same, should be compelled to comply with the intentions of the said Acts, and that in cases where it can be proved that excessive rents have been charged in the past owners should now be required to contribute suitably towards the cost of the housing schemes in districts where properties are situated; and whether he will grant the investigation asked for?

I have inquired into the matters raised in the resolution referred to and have caused a detailed reply to be sent to the Association of Municipal Authorities. The statutory responsibility of the Board of Public Works with regard to labourers' dwellings and other improvements provided under the Land Improvement Acts ceases when they have ascertained that the works have been duly executed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Dr. John Henry M'Kenaa has been recently elected to the position of dispensary doctor of the Monasterevan, county Kildare, dispensary district,; that the Local Government Board have refused to sanction his appointment, with the result that a district comprising 31,000 acres, with a population of 6,000, is deprived of the services of a resident medical officer; that the Local Government Board have suggested to the board of guardians the continuance of the services of Dr. Rico, who resides in another district, and is over fifteen miles away from part of the Monasterevan dispensary district, and an arrangement that would entail an additional cost on the ratepayers of more than £50 per annum, and would not ensure that the fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters of the soldiers at the front, natives of the Monasterevan dispensary district, would receive adequate medical attendance when necessary; and whether he will take steps to have the appointment of Dr. M'Kenna as dispensary doctor of Monasterevan dispensary district confirmed, and the poor of the district given the benefit of the services of a resident medical officer?

The Local Government Board have declined to sanction the appointment of Dr. M'Kenna to the position of temporary medical officer of the Monasterevan district. The reasons for this decision are that Dr. M'Kenna is of military age and eligible for employment in the Army; that there is urgent need for doctors in the R.A.M.C.; and that in the opinion of the Board the temporary arrangement made some time ago for the medical care of the district was both adequate and satisfactory. This arrangement would not entail an additional cost on the ratepayers of £50 per annum The population of the district is 4,600, not 6,000 as stated in question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will recommend to the Government the advisability of paying to all Government employés in Ireland the same salary and wages as are paid to English employés doing similar work in Government Departments in England?

I am unable to add anything to my reply of the 17th August last to the hon. Member's question on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been drawn to the damage caused to holdings in the townlands of Gerah and Cooleanig, on the Quill estate, Beaufort, county Kerry, by the flooding of the Giddagh River on 21st October; and whether allowance will be made in respect of the rent or annnuities payable by the tenants?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are unable to identify the estate referred to as being the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether Coastguards in Scotland are instructed to report cases of illegal trawling observed by them or to which their attention is called by credible witnesses?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed on 6th October, 1916, by the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes, representing the local education authorities of Lancashire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Derbyshire, and the Isle of Man, that to secure increased educational efficiency the age of fourteen should be enacted as the only qualification for either partial or total exemption from attendance at school, the adequate provision of educational facilities should include provision for further education in the daytime for young people between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, and that employers be required to allow facilities for such instruction for at least six hours a week within the ordinary hours of employment; and whether he is taking or proposes to take any action in the direction indicated?

I am aware of this resolution. I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to a question by the hon. Member for North Somerset on 10th October. These proposals will naturally receive full consideration by the Reviewing Committee set up for the purposes indicated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the inquiry with regard to the resignations of members of the staff of the Leeds Training College is complete; and what is its result?

The Report has been received, and is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that there is a lack of consideration shown in the treatment of Metropolitan sick police in the Hammersmith district, and that constables have been taken off the sick list prematurely, thereby causing serious results to follow; is he aware that constables when attending before the surgeon are not permitted to be accompanied by an officer in accordance with the Commissioner's instructions; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to remove the alleged grievance?

The Commissioner informs me that there are no grounds for the allegation that in the Hammersmith district constables are taken prematurely off the sick list. In his judgment the Divisional Surgeon treats them invariably with due consideration. An officer accompanies the constable attending this surgeon, but the surgeon has made it his practice to see the constable not in the presence of the officer. He doubtless thinks that the sick man will be more likely to tell him unreservedly facts which he requires to know for correct diagnosis and treatment if the officer is not present.

asked the Home Secretary whether representation has been made to him with respect to the increase in children's delinquency; whether representations have been made to him with respect to the advantage of securing the presence of teachers as magistrates in children's Courts; and whether any steps have been taken in the matter?

I have received some representations, and will bear them in mind; but the appointment of teachers as Justices is a question for the Lord Chancellor and not for me.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can see his way to recommend a reduction of detention from two hours to one of livestock exported from Ireland to Great Britain, having regard to the fact that there is now no contagious cattle disease in Ireland?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he has considered the advisability of placing under the unfettered control of the insurance committees the 6d. which is at present assigned out of the money provided for sanatorium benefit to the doctors for domiciliary treatment; and whether he proposes to take any action?

The present allocation of the domiciliary 6d. is an integral part of the general bargain with the medical profession, the reconsideration of which is unavoidably postponed on account of the War.