asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in assessing Excess Mineral Rights Duty on mineral royalties no deduction is allowed for Mineral Rights Duty actually received by the Treasury in respect of the same coal; and, if so, whether, seeing that this has the effect of charging the taxpayer with Excess Profits tax on money already paid into the Treasury, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The hon. Member rightly supposes that no deduction is allowed. The statutory measure of the chargeable excess must be considered in the light of the rate of duty which has been imposed and the conditions in which increased rates of royalty now accrue, and I cannot agree that in that aspect the measure is unduly onerous to the taxpayer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain why in assessing Excess Mineral Rights Duty on mineral royalties no deduction is allowed for management expenses, seeing that this has the effect of charging the taxpayer with Excess Profits Tax on the gross profits instead of on the net profits, as in the case of Excess Profits Duty?

Excess Mineral Rights Duty is an addition to Mineral Rights Duty, and there are no grounds for allowing a deduction in assessing the former duty, which is not allowable in assessing the latter. There are material differences between the general scheme of the Excess Mineral Rights Duty as sanctioned by this House and that of the Excess Profits Duty, and any comparison of the severity of incidence of the two taxes which does not take into account the whole of these differences would necessarily be misleading.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a finance company which derives its income from dividends from rubber companies which have already paid Excess Profits Tax can itself be charged Excess Profits Tax if its profits exceed the 6 per cent. allowed on the three years' average, seeing that this would involve charging the Excess Profits Tax twice over?

Where finance companies are assessable to Excess Profits Duty and any part of the income included in the profits has been derived from sources in respect of which Excess Profits Duty has already been paid, the law authorises a deduction such as to make proper allowance for that payment, in order that a double assessment of the same subject matter may be avoided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received representations from the Plymouth Cooperative Society against an unfair assessment to Excess Profits Tax; and, if so, whether he has decided to take any action in the matter?

I have not received any communication from the society, but I understand that the assessment which has been made is now under appeal.

asked what is the estimated revenue derivable from England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, for the current year?

On the basis of the Budget estimate, less deduction of the abandoned Railway Fare Duty, the contributions of England, Scotland, and Ireland to the revenue of 1916–17 are very roughly estimated as follows: England, £418,534,000; Scotland, £49,393,000; Ireland, £21,733,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury at what dates the raids took place on Hartlepool and Scarborough, and the dates, respectively, upon which the Government paid compensation money to the owners whose property suffered; will he state the terms of reference to the parties who awarded the grant; whether in every case their awards were honoured without question by the Treasury; and, if not, in how many instances did the Treasury interfere, and with what result?

The terms of reference of the Committee which dealt with claims arising out of the bombardment of Scarborough and the Hartlepools on 16th December, 1914, were as follows:

"To investigate the damage to persona and property sustained in the recent bombardment of the Hartlepools, Scarborough and Whitby by German warships, with a view to affording relief from Imperial Funds to the persons affected."

Payments were made during the summer and autumn of 1915, and deductions were made in numerous cases by the Treasury in respect of sums received from other sources.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he can give an estimate of the number of acres of land in Ireland now out of tillage owing to the scarcity of agricultural labour?

The total areas under tillage in Ireland in the years 1914, 1915, and 1916 were respectively 2,327,752 acres, 2,404,281 acres, and 2,400,356 acres. The Department are unable to estimate the area which will be tilled during the coming season, and they are not in a position to state how much of the slight decline in tillage which has taken place this year has been due solely to scarcity of agricultural labour, seeing that other important factors also enter into the problem.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty regard the prospect of promotion to higher ratings as a satisfactory compensation to the wife of a sailor who receives a separation allowance less than that issued to the wife of a soldier; and what is the value of the prospect of promotion to a man who is only serving temporarily in the Navy?

Generally speaking, promotion in the Navy is rapid, men entering in the seaman and stoker classes, for which no special qualifications are required, being advanced to the next higher grades of A.B. and Stoker 1st Class, with pay varying from 1s. 5d. to 2s. 1d. a day, as soon as they possess the necessary qualifications—whether entered under normal conditions or for temporary service only. These higher grades are, I think, usually attained after periods of six to seven months' and ten to twelve months' service respectively. This early promotion, combined with higher initial pay, places the sailor in a better position to support his family than the soldier of corresponding grade and service. I should add that as a rule the men who are at the lowest payment as ordinary seamen are under nineteen years of age and single.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has considered the propriety of making regulations to secure that the separation allowance issued to the wives of sailors should in no case be lower than that issued in the case of soldiers, the higher pay of the sailor being taken into account in fixing the amount of allotment from his pay?

It is impossible to frame regulations which shall be applicable to the general case, and yet, at the same time, shall ensure that in each individual case the separation allowance and allotment paid to a sailor's wife shall be exactly the same as that paid to the wife of a soldier. It is, I think, established that, having regard to the rates of pay and prospects of advancement in the Navy, the scale of Navy separation allowance is, in the general case, productive of results as nearly similar to those produced by the Army scale as it is reasonable to expect to obtain. While in some instances the Navy payment is lower than the Army allowance would have been in similar circumstances, in other instances the reverse is the case. Any series of regulations will inevitably bear hardly upon a few isolated cases; and any individual case upon which Navy Separation Allowance Regulations operate harshly is for the Statutory Committee to consider.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the maximum weekly amount which an ordinary seaman may allot to his -wife; and to what figure in such a case does the Government raise the total separation allowance?

The maximum amount an ordinary seaman may allot is governed by his daily rate of pay and allowances. Speaking generally, such a man receives 1s. 3d. a day as wages and may receive in addition as much as 9d. per day as allowances, a total sum of 2s. a day. The maximum rates of allotment permitted for these daily sums are 6s. and 10s. 6d. a week respectively, and intermediate rates of allotment are, of course, payable for intermediate daily rates of emolument. An allotment of 5s. a week—the minimum required to entitle to allowance—carries with it separation allowance of 6s. a week for the wife, making l1. a week in all, exclusive of allowances for children and London allowance of 3s. 6d. a week if payable. To this sum would be added any additional allotment the man may make. Separation allowance is not affected by the amount of the allotment (except as regards the minimum of 5s.), but depends upon the rank of the allotter. I will send my hon. Friend the scale.My hon. Friend will be interested to know that, speaking generally, as the man's rating advances and his pay con-consequently increases, he augments his allotment. At the present time the average allotment is somewhere about 12s. 5d. a week. It is worth while bearing in mind also that we increased the pay of sailors as from December, 1912, to the extent of £350,000 a year. And further, it is worth noting that at the present time the men of the Fleet are sending home to wives and other dependants from their pay the sum of £775,000 a month.

asked the President of the Local Government. Board whether any alteration has now been made with regard to the separation allowance of the dependants of apprentices who are now soldiers?

The subject of supplementary allowances in cases of the kind referred to is at present being discussed between the Statutory Committee and the Treasury.

asked the Paymaster-General whether, when a pensioner is separated from his wife and children and has a maintenance order made against him, any sum which has been added to his pension for his children can be made payable to an officer of the Court making the order or direct to the mother when she has custody of the children?

When it is known that the pensioner is not supporting his children, the children's allowances would be payable to the mother or other person having the custody of the children, but not to an officer of the Court in that capacity.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state when the revised Regulations, Part II., of the Statutory Committee will be published?

Part II. of the Regulations as revised has been submitted by the Statutory Committee to the Treasury, and has for the most part been approved by them. There are, however, one or two points on which the Committee and the Treasury are still in communication. As soon as these are settled the revised Regulations will be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a circular letter issued from the Royal Army Clothing Department depot in Leeds, signed by Colonel Malcolm, practically repudiating the inspectors appointed by the War Office Contracts Department; will he say by whom this circular letter was authorised; and what steps he proposes to take to remove the wrong impression caused among contractors by the same?

I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will postpone this question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that farmers who use their land mostly for grazing purposes, and who grow very little hay, are finding it extremely difficult to get hay for feeding their cattle owing to the restrictions placed upon the sale of hay; and whether he can see his way to relax the restrictions so far as the sale of meadow hay is concerned, so that these farmers may be able to buy hay to feed their stock?

I am not aware that the difficulties referred to are at all general, and any specific cases that are brought to notice are specially dealt with, I am informed that, speaking generally, the amount of hay released for use of civil consumers is largely in excess of the quantity being purchased by them, and I regret that the restrictions cannot be relaxed as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why male civilian clerks in the Command Pay Office, London district, have not been granted a War bonus in accordance with the Army Council Instruction No. 1,901, of 1916, paragraph 3, in view of the fact that female clerks in the same office are in receipt of this grant?

Under paragraph 5 of the Instruction in question, in the case of clerks whose rates of pay have been specially fixed since the War began, the matter lies within the discretion of the local military authorities.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why, in view of paragraph 3, Army Council Instructions, No. 1,518, of 1916, acting paymasters and lady superintendents in the Command Pay Office, London District, were not granted three days' leave or extra pay in lieu of the King's birthday, 3rd June, Whit Monday, 12th June, and Monday, 7th August, 1916, holidays, seeing that if those days had been kept as holidays they would have been granted leave?

The application of Army Council Instruction 1513 is limited to "Civilian employés dealt with under Regulations for civilian subordinates," and does not extend to acting-paymasters, who have their own (superior) privileges as regards leave with pay. Owing to a misunderstanding, the lady superintendents in this office have enjoyed the same privileges as the acting-paymasters.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why officers sent away from their base camp on Army business, and having to stay at hotels to carry out their orders, are not allowed expenses, but have to pay the-same out of their own pockets, and are told that they can apply for daily ration allowance of 1s. 5½d. per day to recoup themselves, seeing that their ordinary mess expenses out there are 8s per day, including servants, and the hotel expenses are very heavy?

I am unable to identify the case from the particulars given in the question. If my right hon. Friend will furnish me with further details, I shall be happy to make inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the delay in taking delivery of the wool-clip and in making payment for the purchase is causing inconvenience to farmers, and, from want of proper storage, deterioration in the value of the wool; and whether he will take steps to expedite the completion of the transaction?

Over 60 per cent. of the-wool of the United Kingdom has been delivered, valued, and paid for to date. This rate of progress is quite as fast as in normal times, and, as far as the War Office is concerned, I may say that payment is made on the same day that the invoices are received. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the wool is collected through the usual trade channels and that practically every wool merchant in the country is occupied in the valuation and classing of wool. Wool merchants have given their fair proportion of men to the Army and are suffering like other trades from shortage of labour. It is, therefore, unreasonable to expect them to handle 100,000,000 lbs. weight of wool at a faster rate than in times of peace. No case of deterioration owing to bad storage has been brought to my notice, and every farmer has been expressly instructed to notify the district executive officer if he has insufficient storage accommodation, in order that special arrangements may be made for taking delivery of his wool.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how many accidents, fatal or otherwise, have occurred during the last twelve months from the premature explosion of hand grenades in the hands of officers; and whether the victims of these accidents, the cause of which might frequently be traced back to graft during one or other of the stages of manufacture, are awarded compensation on a lower scale than if similar injuries had been inflicted by enemy grenades?

I am unable to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question, though as far as I can ascertain the number is small. The reply to the remainder is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the promised accelerated promotions in the Indian Army, without pay, are, in numerous cases, many months in arrear, thus nullifying the purpose of the concession; whether this delay is due to a possibility of the increased pay of rank from date of promotion being granted; and, if not, is there any reason why a privilege, involving only trivial clerical work, should not be accorded when due?

Some delay occurred at first, as the recommendations of commanding officers had to be collected. But these arrears have been disposed of, and ordinarily a temporary promotion appears in the "Gazette" within a month of the date on which it is due.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the honours list in connection with the names of those mentioned in the Kut relief force dispatches which appeared in the Press some time ago is to be published.

I fear it is not possible to give a date at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state approximately the number of German civilian prisoners employed on economic work in this country; the nature of the work on which they are engaged; the rates of pay; and whether they are paid at piece or time rates'?

Apart from camp fatigue duties and work as clerks, hospital orderlies, camp labourers, etc., prisoners in the camps under Home Office control are engaged on many kinds of work, including the following: Tailoring, boot-making, joinery and plumbing, tool-making, brush-making, pipe-making, watch-making, catering and baking, vegetable gardening, quarrying and road-making, land reclaiming, and farming. The numbers engaged vary from time to time, but there are still large numbers for whom it has not been possible to provide agricultural or industrial employment. Payment is at piece or time rates, as may be found best according to the nature of the employment, and the rates of pay vary similarly.

asked the Home Secretary the number of deaths and accidents caused by tramways, motor omnibuses, and other motor vehicles in the Metropolitan Police district in the years 1914 and 1915, and till the end of October in the present year?

The Commissioner of Police has furnished me with the following:RETURN showing the number of deaths, the number of persons injured and the number of accidents known to Police to have been caused by Tramcars, Motor Omnibuses and other Motor Vehicles in the Metropolitan Police District in the years 1914 and 1915 and till the end of October in the present year:

Year.	Number of persons killed by			Number of persons injured by			Number of accidents caused by
	Tramcars.	Motor omnibuses.	Other motor vehicles.	Tramcars.	Motor omnibuses.	Other motor vehicles.	Tramcars.	Motor omnibuses.	Other motor vehicles.
1914	37	148	308	3,171	3,007	8,460	5,254	6,521	20,150
1915	86	164	426	4,001	2,572	9,793	6,142	4,981	21,913
1916 (to 31st Oct.)	63	135	311	3,085	1,810	6,937	4,594	3,394	15,988

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the firm of Jurgens, which operates in Nigeria, has its larger margarine manufactories in German territory at Goch, in addition to its home factory at Osch, in Dutch territory; and, if so, what action does he propose to take?

So far as I am aware, the firm of Jurgens has no branch or establishment in Nigeria.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that many men, who, having one-man businesses in our trading centres, are now approaching the end of their periods of exemption, find that they can only obtain offers for their businesses from neutral firms; whether he will issue instructions that where one-man businesses, if closed, will pass into alien hands further periods of exemption will be given; and whether he has other means of preserving to British subjects the, trade of the country?

I am aware that in some cases it has been alleged that if a man is taken for military service his trade will be captured by an alien competitor. It is for the tribunal to deal with each application for exemption on its merits. Further instructions on the matter are not at present contemplated.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, if he will state

Reservists can make applications for assistance under the Civil Liabilities scheme at once. In determining the date from which a grant should run in any case the Commissioner will take all relevant circumstances into consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the condition of semi-starvation to which numbers of the women workers in the linen trade in Belfast have been reduced by low wages and the working of short time in the mills and factories, he will state the facts and figures upon which the employers rely to justify the reduction of their production to two-thirds of what it has been and their refusal to pay their employés a living wage?

I understand that a good deal of short time is being worked in the linen trade in Belfast, due partly to shortage of raw material and partly to lack of orders for linen goods. The question of wages in the linen trade will receive consideration in connection with the general question of extending the operation of the Trade Boards Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the demand of the spinners in the York Street Flax Spinning Company's mill, Belfast, for an advance in wages amounting to 3s. a week has been refused on the ground that the present state of trade does not warrant the concession of it; that a number of the spinners have ceased work and that a general strike is threatened; whether the average wages of these women in normal times is only 13s. 6d. a week, equivalent to 5s. 4d. at present values, and that even this is depleted owing to the decision of the mills to limit the output to two-thirds of the normal; whether he is aware of the distress at present prevailing amongst the mill-workers in Belfast and that a strike would lead to the most serious consequences; and whether he will send Sir George Askwith, or some competent representative of the Board of Trade, to investigate and report on the dispute and to endeavour to bring about a satisfactory settlement of it?

I am aware that following on the refusal by the employers of an application of the spinners in the Belfast district for an advance of wages, a stoppage of work occurred in the spinning department of Messrs. York Street Flax Spinning Company, Limited. The Chief Industrial Commissioner is making inquiry in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a dispute in the clothing trade at Hebden Bridge and district; and whether, having regard to the fact that the firms in the locality have -contracts in hand for the War Office and the Admiralty, any efforts have been made to get the contending parties to agree to submit their differences to arbitration under the terms of the Treasury agreement of March, 1915; if not, will steps be taken to that purpose?

My attention has been called to this dispute. The Chief Industrial Commissioner is in communication with the patrties on the mattter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken by the firm of H. R. Merton and Company by way of reorganisation so as to exclude the German interest other than the change of their German surnames into English surnames by two shareholders who are naturalised aliens, and the use by a Swiss company of its French instead of its German name; whether it is on the ground of these charges of nomenclature that the company claims that the German interest has been eliminated so as to entitle it to be reinstated: and whether it is proposed to allow the company to trade in this country?

The steps taken by Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, to reorganise the company consisted in the acquisition of 29,029 shares which were held before the War by the Metallgesellschaft and the Metallbank in exchange for assets in Germany belonging to British subjects. Of these shares, 2,675 were acquired by naturalised British subjects of German origin, who subsequently purchased a further 1,501 of the shares, with the result that 24,853 of the shares previously owned by enemies are now held by British-born subjects, and 4,176 by naturalised British subjects of German origin. Fifty-six per cent. of the issued capital of the company is now held by British-born subjects in addition to 16 per cent. which is held jointly by British-born and naturalised British trustees for the benefit of British-born subjects and British charities, and there would seem to be no ground on which the company should be prevented from trading in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Messrs. Beer, Sondheimer, and Company, of Frankfort, acquired some years ago a large block of shares in Dillwyn and Company, spelter manufacturers, of Swansea; and, if so, what steps have been taken to dispose of this enemy property since the beginning of the War?

I am not aware that Beer, Sondheimer, and Company have ever acquired any interest in Dillwyn and Company, Limited. So far as I can ascertain, the only enemy interest in this company consists of 200 shares held by Georges Schwartz, of the Metalgesellschaft, which are already on the register of enemy property.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any official information showing that Messrs. Vivian, Younger, and Bond, and also W. Foster and Company, well-known metal firms, are under the control of Merton and Company; and, if so, will he say if the Government is dealing with these alien enemy concerns?

I understand that the firm of Messrs. Vivian, Younger, and Bond is in no sense an alien enemy concern, and is not in any way under the control of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited. Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, have a controlling interest in Williams, Foster, and Company, Limited, which is a controlled establishment and has transactions with the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the names of the six largest shareholders in R. Martens and Company, Limited, of Leadenhall Street, London, and their ordinary occupations; whether Mr. R. Martens is of enemy origin and has, or has had, a brother serving in the German Army; and if this Mr. Martens is the same gentleman who formed a Russian chamber of commerce in Chicago and who is, or has recently been, touring Russia with a number of American engineers?

The shareholders in R. Martens and Company, Limited, are Lord Rhondda, who holds more than half-the capital; Messrs. Martens, Hulton, Thompson, and Snowball, who are described as coal exporters, and Mr. Haig, who is described as a manufacturer. I have no official information as to the other points raised in the hon. Gentleman's question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the names of the members of the Advisory Committee appointed to act with the Public Trustee in the realisation of enemy securities and the terms of the reference?

The Committee appointed by the Lord Chancellor for the purpose of examining and criticising from time to time the investments made by the Public Trustee consists of Mr. F. Huth Jackson. Mr. R. Martin Holland, Mr. R. M. Kindersley, and Mr. J. A. Mullens, Jun. This Committee was not appointed in connection with the duties of the Public Trustee as custodian of enemy property, but I understand that they are prepared to advise him on any point arising in dealing with enemy securities on which he may think it desirable to consult them. The Advisory Committee appointed to advise the Board of Trade op matters arising under the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, of which Mr. Ernest Moon is Chairman, and which includes two Members of this House, is also available to advise the Public Trustee on questions arising with regard to the sale of enemy property.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty for Government service are being held up and delayed in Liverpool through shortage of labour; will he take the necessary steps to supply the deficiency; and (2) whether he is aware of the shortage of labour in Liverpool, thereby causing congestion in the docks, on the quays, in warehouses and railway yards, and delay to steamers; whether he is aware that on 15th November one firm of shipowners were short of 480 men, and another firm whose quay is adjacent were on the same day short of 200 men; whether, in view of this shortage, he is prepared to bring stevedores, dock labourers, and quay porters back from France or to employ German prisoners at suitable work, such as new docks, repairing roads, or in agriculture, suitably guarded, so as to release British labour on such work, with a view to its employment at the docks to expedite the discharging and loading of steamers in the same manner as adopted in France, and thereby relieve congestion at the docks, turn steamers round more quickly, and increase the number of voyages a steamer can make in a year?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty that there has been no unreasonable delay at the Port of Liverpool in recent weeks in dealing with vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty. As regards the general work of the port, I am aware that from time to time there has been shortage of labour. The particular suggestions made in the question are not being overlooked. I am in immediate consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War in regard to the supply of dock labour generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the imports, weights, and values of paper, and manufactures of paper, except newspaper, imported into this country during the years' 1913, 1914, 1915, and, as far as he can, 1916, and entered as being made in the United States of America?

The following statement shows the quantity and value of paper and articles of paper imported into the United Kingdom in each of the periods specified consigned from the United States of America. The imports of newspapers and other printed matter for reading are not included. Imports are recorded according to the country from which the goods are consigned, and no information is available as to the quantity of imported paper actually manufactured in the United States.

(a) QUANTITIES.
Description.	1913.	1914,	1915.	1916 (January to October).
Paper for printing or writing—	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.
On reels	41,418	142,039	98,822	78,093
Not on reels	45,015	42,221	31,579	111,525
Printed paper hangings	961	926	1,593	1,423
Other printed or coated papers (except sensitised photographic paper)	8,232	4,133	6,816	9,629
Paper for packing and wrapping	11,107	9,600	75:,383	185,331
Strawhoard	771	3,487	2.717	393
Millboard and wood pulp board	28,136	32,270	67,206	108,363
Boxes and cartons of paper or cardboard	1,283	1,017	3,927	7,057
Unenumerated	20,248	26,428	125,364	29,286
Total	157,171	262,121	413,407	531,100

(b) VALUES.
Description.	1913.	1914.	1915.	1916 (January to October).
Paper for printing or writing—	£	£	£	£
On reels	21,563	74,944	61.464	73,545
Not on reels	81,094	66,328	51,194	171,909
Printed paper hangings	3,271	4,221	5.747	5,206
Other printed or coated papers (except sensitised photographic paper)	28,191	19,178	36,014	43,653
Paper for packing and wrapping	19,540	13,327	108,554	269,111
Strawboard	603	2,121	2,241	283
Millboard and wood pulp board	28,892	26,958	47,062	106,330
Boxes and cartons of papers or cardboard	2,210	2,248	5,526	14,191
Unenumerated	45,211	53,375	118,159	61,148
Total	£230,575	£262,695	£438,961	£745,376

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the effort's that are being made in this country to supply for the making of telephone appliances, buttons, combs, etc., a material known as erinoid to take the place of a German material galalith, formerly the only non-inflammable plastic material used in this country; and will the Government encourage the increase of its plant and output by an assurance that the policy foreshadowed by the Paris Resolutions will be adhered to?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply which was given to a question concerning a similar substance called Syrolit, put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Ludlow Division of Shropshire on Thursday last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking any, and, if so, what steps to curtail the passenger service on the railways and thus save coal and locomotives?

Passenger services have already been considerably reduced, and further reductions may become necessary later on.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to introduce coloured labour into this country to replace the men drawn from the ranks of labour into the Army; and, if so, under what conditions, wages, or rates of pay these coloured men are to be employed; and whether they will be under military control and discipline?

The question of the introduction of unskilled coloured labour into this country from other parts of the Empire is under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that coals are being sold in cwts., halves, and quarters at 2s. 4d. per cwt. in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe; and will he, by Order in Council, fix a minimum price below 2s. 4d. per cwt., having regard to the fact that coal is a necessary of life and that high prices will create exceptional hardship amongst the poorest of the population in the forthcoming winter, especially in those districts where casual labour is very general?

I do not think the price mentioned can be justified, and if my hon. Friend will furnish me with any particulars he may have, I will refer the case to the London Merchants' Retail Coal Prices Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantity of intoxicating liquor exported to France during the twelve months ending, 30th September, 1916, separating the quantity exported for use by the Army and the quantity exported to private firms?

The quantities of alcoholic liquors registered as exported from the United Kingdom to France during the twelve months ended 30th September, 1916, were: Beer and ale, 289,350 barrels of 36 gallons; spirits, 323,562 proof gallons; and wine, 95,208 gallons. This includes the quantities exported for canteen contractors, and no doubt a large proportion of it was for the use of the troops, but the figures do not include goods shipped for the Army or Navy by His Majesty's Government, as to the quantities of which I have no information.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the number of letters and parcels addressed to soldiers on active service which either are not delivered or only delivered after long delay; whether he can give an assurance that every effort is made to give our fighting men the support of the best possible postal service; and whether he can issue any further instructions to the public which will assist in this object?

I fear that on active service occasional delay or loss of parcels for the troops is inevitable. I can give the hon. Member the assurance for which he asks. Full instructions are already issued to the public, and can be obtained at any Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed that no compensation in respect of loss of office should be allowed to the postmasters of Croshea and Moydow, in county Longford, whose offices were taken away without notice, and to the loss and inconvenience of the public and old age pensioners in these localities; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living during the War, and the manner in which all other State Departments are treating their servants, he will recommend these cases for sympathetic consideration?

I regret that the circumstances in the cases mentioned are not such as to warrant the payment of any compensation allowance in respect of abolition of office. The Croshea office was declared vacant on account of serious irregularities on the part of the sub-postmistress; whilst the Moydow office was vacant at the time of its abolition owing to the death of the sub-postmaster.

asked, in view of the mineral wealth of Spitzbergen, whether the Government will take care that no German concessions are pegged out in the islands either by Germans or their agents?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, Spitzbergen is not part of the British Dominions, and I am consequently precluded from giving an undertaking such as he desires. Whether any concession pegged out during the War will be recognised at the peace is of course another question.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he will state on what grounds was John Long, of Woodlands, Ballyhofey, county Donegal, recently deprived of his disablement pension of 5s. a week, he having been a member of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in Scotland, and having been certified unfit for further work several months ago; and is it in consequence of Long being employed for a few shillings a week to do light work, which is all he is at present able to do?