asked the Prime Minister if he will issue a Paper giving, with names and addresses of secretaries, the additions and alterations to the Commissions and Committees set up to deal with public questions arising out of the War, in continuation of White Paper, Cd. 8256?

I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on my behalf to the hon. Member for West Down on the 19th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give the House any information as to the Report of the Committee appointed in connection with the Paris Economic Conference Resolutions; and when will it be published?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Monday to the hon. Member for the Chippenham Division of Wiltshire.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, with a view to facilitate the combing-out process in the Departments of the Navy, Army, and civil and municipal services, he will cause the attention of all heads of departments to be drawn to the desirability of their offering to officers retired from those services, and especially to such of them as may have had useful commercial experience subsequent to retirement, temporary employment in any posts that may be or may become vacant before engaging the services of civilians?

The Manpower Distribution Board have already taken steps to impress on all Government Departments the necessity for releasing as many men as possible who are fit for general military service. Directions are also being given to the military authorities and tribunals which should result in the release of all young men who can be spared from the municipal and other services. It is proposed to extend considerably the existing means for assisting retired officers and other persons of administrative experience (not available for military service) to obtain suitable employment in Government offices, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that men drafted into Class W of the Reserve frequently experience difficulty in obtaining employment owing to the uncertainty as to when they may be called up again; whether he is aware that men medically unfit are sometimes drafted into this Reserve, which precludes them not only from receiving any benefits under the Military War Pensions Act, but also from drawing sickness benefit under the National Insurance Act; what steps he proposes to take to remedy these defects; and (2) whether his attention has been drawn to the eases of Private Arthur Shearman, No. 29782, 8th Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and Gunner Charles Shearman, No. 50370, 103rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, both of whom have been transferred to Class W of the Reserve; whether Private Arthur Shearman left a good situation to enlist and is now so deaf that he cannot obtain employment and receives neither Army pay nor pension; whether Gunner Charles Shearman enlisted under age, served one year and 300 days (fourteen months in France), and is now so broken in health that he cannot work and is also without pay or pension; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Inquiries are being made in regard to the two cases mentioned. Men are transferred to Class W of the Reserve, either at the request of a Government Department or at their own request, if they can be spared; I am not aware of any difficulty experienced by these men in finding employment. While in Class W men are in the same position as any other civilian for the purposes of the National Health Insurance Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in any future adjustment of the option at present given to all men outside of Category A to be enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers, he will consider the desirability of excluding from the option men of under thirty years of age passed for garrison duty overseas who, in the opinion of the medical board, might be expected after a period of military training to reach the standard required for general service?

The limitation or extension of the option must depend upon the necessities of the time. My hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked whether men suffering from single and double rupture have been passed for service; whether men unable to read or write have been drafted for service with the Artillery; and, if so, whether it is with the approval of the War Office?

The answer to the first part of the question is that men with hernia are only passed for general service if the disability is slight and proper safeguards are adopted I am not aware that men unable to read or write have been drafted for service with the Artillery, but I must not be taken as holding that illiterate men could not perform very useful service at the front in handling ammunition for Artillery.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Joseph Pearson, a conscientious objector to military service, of Liverpool, was forced to give in and join the Army by systematic ill-treatment at the hands of the 3rd Cheshires at Birkenhead, who-persistently kept him awake day and night for four days; and whether, in view of the former cases of ill-treatment which have been proved against the responsible authorities at this camp, inquiries will be made with a view to bringing those responsible to justice?

Inquiries are being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department how many conscientious objectors to military service who were in prison or under military detention have up to now been examined by the Central Tribunal and deemed not genuine, and on what grounds?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that over 2,000 of these cases have been decided by the Central Tribunal, and that in sixty-three cases the men have not, in consequence of the reports made by the Central Tribunal, been offered work under the Home Office Committee. The Central Tribunal decide each case according to its merits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government brokers for iron, grain, and all other commodities are liable to Excess Profits Tax on the basis of their pre-war profits?

All agents are within the scope of the Excess Profits Duty unless their remuneration consists wholly of a fixed and definite sum not depending on the amount of business done or any other contingency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make a statement giving the chief reasons for the increase of the daily average war expenditure during the period since the last Vote of Credit was passed by this House?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the statement to be made shortly on the introduction of a further Vote of Credit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums to date out of the moneys voted by the House of Commons for the prosecution of the War have been expended by Government Departments other than the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Ministry of Muni- tions; and will he give in each case the amount and the name of the Department concerned?

My hon. Friend will, I am sure, understand that it is undesirable to publish a complete list of the services which are provided for out of the Vote of Credit other than the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Ministry of Munitions. Neither is it possible to give figures of audited expenditure up to date. I may, however, say that the total sums which have been expended out of Votes of Credit on services other than the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Ministry of Munitions, and exclusive of advances to our Dominions and to our Allies in the period from the commencement of the War up to the 7th October last, when the Prime Minister made his last statement, are approximately estimated at £179,000,000. This figure represents slightly over 6 per cent. of the whole expenditure out of Votes of Credit, and it includes a very substantial sum in respect of advances for the purchases of meat, sugar, etc., which advances will be recoverable. The Appropriation Account of the Vote of Credit for the year 1914–15 (House of Commons Paper No. 24 of 1916) gives particulars of the expenditure for that year, and the Appropriation Accounts for subsequent years will be in similar form.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Albion Motor Company, of Glasgow, in delivering motor vehicles to the War Office, carried passengers to London at 10s. per head, which money was given wholly to Red Cross funds; whether he is aware that his Department stepped in and insisted on hackney carriage licences being paid, with the result that the traffic has been stopped and the Red Cross funds have suffered accordingly; and whether he can intervene in this matter in view of the fact that the money goes to a charity?

I have inquired into this matter, and find that the Board of Customs and Excise are advised that the use of the motor vehicles in question in the manner stated involves liability to Hackney Carriage Licence Duty. The fact that the proceeds derived from the traffic are devoted to war charities affords no legal ground for relief from payment of duty. I am informed that even after payment of the tax a substantial surplus would remain for the Red Cross Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether at the present rate of national expenditure the estimate made in his last Budget statement of 1,826 millions as the total year's expenditure will be exceeded by about 130 millions; and, if so, whether it is intended to introduce new taxation at an early date, or whether the estimate of the yield of taxation has been so largely exceeded in results that no further new taxation is at present necessitated?

Having regard to the present rate of national expenditure I anticipate (as was explained by the Prime Minister in his statement on the 11th October and by me on the 19th October) that the Budget Estimate of the expenditure for the current year will be materially exceeded, but I am hardly in a position at the present date to forecast exactly how much the excess is likely to prove.In answer to the last part of the question, I do not contemplate proposing fresh taxation at the present time. Until next quarter I shall not be in a position to estimate with any accuracy how the yield of the taxation for the current year, and particularly the yield of the Income Tax, will compare with the forecasts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Statute is relied upon for levying Income Tax on land in some cases on what is called sale value, which fluctuate from extraneous causes and is fictitious where the land has never been sold, instead of levying it on inherent value ascertained for other purposes, less full cost of production?

If the hon. Member has in mind the assessments to Income Tax, Schedule B, in respect of the occupation of lands, I would refer him to Sections 26, 27 of the Finance Act, 1896, and to Section 22 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the estimated total pension charges of the nation on the supposition that war is continued till 4th August, 1917, and that it lasts till 4th August, 1918?

No, Sir. I am unable to frame an estimate which would be of any value.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed, as in the case of the Ministry of Munitions, to grant additional holidays at Christmas or the New Year to Civil servants in Irish public Departments in lieu of postponed Bank Holidays?

The case of Civil servants must be governed by the general decision respecting these holidays, and on this point I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Enfield.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Christmas holidays are to be held as usual; and, if so, seeing that Christmas Day falls on a Monday and Boxing Day the day following, will he cause such payments as are due to soldiers' dependants, and ordinarily would be paid on Monday or Tuesday, 25th or 26th December, to be payable on Friday or Saturday, 22nd December or 23rd December, in order to assist soldiers' dependants during Christmas time?

The allowances due on 25th and 26th December will be paid with the previous week's allowances on the 18th and 19th. It is impracticable to pay on the dates suggested owing to pressure of other work in the post offices on those days.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in a number of towns arrangements are being made for the holidays in lieu of the two Bank holidays which were given up by the shops so as to keep in line with the munition factories; and whether the Government intend to make an announcement as to the best course to follow, or whether they propose to leave it to the towns to make their own arrangements?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on behalf of the Prime Minister, gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Enfield.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that old age pensioners applying for supplement to their pensions are compelled to come out at night, and sometimes stand in lines outside the pension officer's office, after walking long journeys; and will he see that better provision is made for investigating claims of this character?

There are some 2,000 pension officers, and I am afraid that I cannot tell from the hon. Member's question to which particular officer he refers. If he will supply me with some further information I will have inquiries made and acquaint him with the result.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the reason for the delay in paying the amount of the increased old age pensions, seeing that forms of application were available at most offices as long ago as 9th October last; and whether he can give an assurance as to when these payments will be made, particularly in view of the present price of food and the approach of winter?

I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for North-East Bethnal Green on the 23rd instant.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the amount of overtime paid during the financial year 1915–16 to the clerical staffs of the different Departments; on what basis and on what rates the overtime is paid; and whether he will consider the desirability of discontinuing the payment of overtime for clerical work and of substituting some other form of remuneration when circumstances warrant?

It would not be possible to prepare a return such as is suggested by the hon. Member without a disproportionate expenditure of labour. The lower grades of clerical employés are usually entitled to overtime payment at various rates based generally on their ordinary wages, for attendance after forty-two hours in the week. The Treasury is fully alive to the objections that may be raised against such payments, and in normal circumstances every effort is made to avoid them; but the pressure of work in connection with the War has made resort to overtime inevitable in most Departments; and, while other methods of remuneration are always considered where circumstances permit, I am not-aware of any alternative system which would be equally satisfactory as regards the ordinary staff.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at the Quarter Sessions held recently in Newcastle West, county Limerick, His Honour County Court Judge Law Smith commented on the train arrangements between Limerick and Tralee, which of late have gone from bad to worse, to the inconvenience of the public and the loss in business to the business people in the towns and villages of the counties of Limerick and Kerry; whether he is aware that the Newcastle West District Council have publicly called attention to this matter and pointed out that members of the council are debarred from attending their meetings as councillors because of the bad train arrangements, and further stated that sometimes the, Dublin connection is missed in Limerick although the Limerick and Kerry train should carry the cross-channel mails; and whether, as the railway service between Limerick and Kerry has nothing to do with military requirements, he will remonstrate with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company and get them to run the trains at times that will be for the public good as well as in the interest of the company itself?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have not seen the statements referred to, but I have sent a copy of the hon. Member's question to the railway company. The matter is, however, not one in regard to which the Board of Trade have any statutory powers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that before the War certain education authorities allowed an expenditure of only half-a-crown per child for school material, and that for a school year of forty-four weeks this allows for school material three farthings a week per child; whether he is aware that recently, while prices have increased about 40 per cent., simultaneously many authorities have cut down the amounts previously allowed, with the result that education is starved and the labour of teaching is wasted; and whether inspectors are being instructed to require that sufficient school material shall be provided in all elementary schools?

I am aware that some authorities have adopted some such average allowance. In spite of all the? difficulties and shortage of material caused by the War, I do not think it can fairly be said that many authorities are starving education and wasting the labour of teaching. It is the practice of His Majesty's inspectors to look into the sufficiency of school material as a matter affecting the general efficiency of the instruction, but I must remind the hon. Member that the inspectorate is greatly depleted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether lieutenants who have acted as captains of mine sweepers for over a year, and who have given satisfaction to their commanders, can now be granted another stripe?

It would be inequitable to carry out this proposal in view of the fact that Regular officers have to serve eight years for advancement to this rank.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the present strength of the Volunteer Force in Great Britain and what changes it is proposed to make in the organisation of this force; and whether, with the view of releasing as large a number of men as possible to supply the needs of our Armies overseas, he will consider the desirability of requiring every man up to the age of fifty-five, in a reasonably fit state of health, to join a Volunteer Corps, including all men who are exempted for the time being from service with the Colours?

The present strength of the Volunteers is in the neighbourhood of a quarter of a million. I have been for some time of the opinion that fuller use could be made of the services of this admirable body in the scheme of national defence. Under a Bill to be introduced to-day in another place, Volunteers will be invited to enter into agreements to serve until the end of the War and to perform a certain programme of drill. Men of at least the medical standard of C 1—garrison service at home—will be eligible for this special section of the Volunteer Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now state the result of his inquiry into the circumstances under which Brigadier-General Grove recently issued a questionnaire to four justices of the peace in Birmingham; and what action has been taken in the matter?

As a result of the further inquiries made, I now can state that the relevant facts are as given in the first part of the hon. Gentleman's original question. The action taken was under Nos. 43 and 53 of Defence of the Realm Regulations, which give power to the competent military authority to require persons to furnish information in their possession. In this particular case the competent military authority would appear to have overstepped the border line, and he has been so informed. The demand was not made with my knowledge or consent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that in the military contracts for October out of 1,562 items only forty-three were allotted to Irish contractors, or a percentage of 2.76, and that the delay of establishing an examining and receiving depot in Dublin, in opposition to the views of the military authorities and the contractors, has been a contributory cause to the paucity of contracts and added to the expense and inconvenience of providing supplies; and will he expedite the establishment of the proposed department?

The figures are substantially correct. The question of establishing a depot is again under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any allowance or extra pension has been awarded to Driver Philip Smith, late of the Army Service Corps, No. T4/093,020; is he aware that this soldier has been returned to his wife and four children a helpless invalid, with a pension of 4s. 8d., as a result of dysentery contracted at the Dardanelles; and, in view of the fact that this soldier's discharge dates as far back as the 15th June last, will the whole matter be taken up at once and provision made to prevent this man, his wife, and family suffering hunger?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the wife of R. C. S. M. Baker, No. 6355, West Indian Regiment, is compelled to pay 13s. weekly for house accommodation in Kilnavara Cottages, Cavan, the same being deducted from her allowance, whilst other tenants in these very same cottages are only paying 3s. per week; what is the value of coal, fuel, etc., allowed; and will he see that this officer's wife is not treated worse than other tenants?

No, Sir; Mrs. Baker is not compelled to pay 13s. weekly. In her case there were exceptional circumstances, and she has been given the option of vacating the house and drawing the higher rate of separation allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will revise existing regulations with a view to putting an end to the hardship at present inflicted on the wives and dependants of serving men who have to enter a Poor Law infirmary or other rate-aided institution for medical treatment, since under present regulations such women lose their separation allowance through no fault of their own, which may entail the break-up of their homes; and whether he is aware that, owing to this, many instances have occurred of women refusing to undergo treatment they urgently required?

I am in communication with the Statutory Committee on this subject and hope it will be found possible, as in the past, to meet the necessities of these cases, to which discretionary rather than flat-rate treatment is appropriate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on what grounds has the separation allowance payable to Mrs. E. Radcliffe, of Churchtown, Londonderry, in respect of her son, Private Joseph Radcliffe, No. 26,664, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Expeditionary Force, been stopped for the past three weeks; and will he order the authorities to resume payments, including the three weeks' arrears?

Inquiry will be made and the hon. Member informed in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his attention has been directed to the case of William M'Roberts, No. 1805, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who has been totally disabled and awarded a pension of 10s. per week only; and will he have further inquiry made regarding it?

The pension has been increased to 20s. a week, with effect from the 1st March last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the practice of the War Office is to accept the decision of the pensions committee and the pensions officer in regard to the degree of dependants of soldiers; is he aware of eases in which this is not being done; and, if so, will he have inquiry made into them?

The general rule is that where the pensions officer and the pensions committee agree in their assessment, the War Office accepts the finding. I am inquiring into an exceptional case which the right hon. Member recently referred to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet fully considered the provisions proposed by the Statutory Committee for dependants of apprentices or students who may have gone out to the War; the payment of adequate money to the families of disabled men in training for resumption of work; the increased provision of separation allowances in consequence of increased cost of living; will he say if such provisions have been sanctioned; and, if not, are they likely to be sanctioned soon?

Yes, Sir; I have accepted the proposals of the Statutory Committee, subject to certain agreed modifications.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the skilled workmen attached to No. I Infantry Work Company employed by the Government agents at Brocton Camp have not received any working pay for seven weeks; and whether he will give instructions that these men must be paid the wages due to them immediately?

Inquiry will be made and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the urgency with which the demand for men for the War is being pressed, if he will say for what purpose an Army is maintained in Ireland, now peaceful, and especially for what purpose numbers of troops—Infantry and Artillery—are now being concentrated at Limerick?

No, Sir; information of this kind cannot be given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men of Yeomanry regiments who have seen service abroad and have been home wounded are now being sent back as drafts to the Infantry; and whether he can secure that such men are allowed to return to their own regiments?

It has been found necessary to utilise a certain number of Yeomanry as drafts for Infantry, and it is possible that the men to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers may have been included. I am afraid I cannot undertake to carry out the suggestion in the second part of the question. Available manpower must be used as military exigencies demand.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of officers who are physically fit and under the age of thirty-five, and who have not been to any of the fronts, at present employed in training units and other Home-service appointments; and whether he will consider the possibility of their present duties being performed by officers wounded or debarred by age or physical disabilities from taking part in active hostilities?

I regret that I have no figures available. Subject to the paramount consideration that the proper training of the troops must be secured, every effort is made to send to the front all officers who are physically fit for active service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Scot tish regiments training in England are being filled up with English recruits, whereas men recruited in Scotland are being drafted into English regiments; and whether, in view of the fact that the national spirit both in Scottish and in English regiments is a military asset, he will give instructions to secure that the national character of the Scottish regiments is preserved intact?

Certain Scottish regiments stationed in England have had Englishmen posted to them, owing to there being insufficient Scotsmen to maintain these regiments. In all cases of compulsory transfers orders have been issued that Scotsmen should be transferred to Scottish regiments. All men called up in Scotland are posted to Scottish regiments, with the exceptions of men allotted to arms other than Infantry and certain tradesmen who are posted to technical corps.

asked the Secretary of of State for War whether some twenty Army schoolmasters were recently employed in giving Artillery instruction to commissioned officers and in training picked Artillery men in the use of scientific instruments; and whether, although their instruction was highly efficient and greatly appreciated by the officers and men, these schoolmasters have been withdrawn from this work and have returned to the duty of giving ordinary school teaching to enlisted boys and infants of both sexes?

Yes,, Sir; a certain number of Army schoolmasters have been specially employed in teaching map reading, and it is the case that it has been found possible to release a certain number who were so employed for other duty.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the only young soldiers now being taught by Army schoolmasters are enlisted boys between fourteen and seventeen years of age, whose syllabus of subjects is in no sense of a specially military character, but is the ordinary pre-war syllabus of general education, and whose instruction is limited to two hours a day and, in the case of boys who have passed for the second certificate, to five hours a week; whether the War Office order that certificates of education for promotion shall be in abeyance during the War has eliminated from the duties of Army schoolmasters the only element of immediate military value; whether he is aware that the Army schoolmasters spend four and a half hours a day giving elementary teaching to infants of both sexes who could be as efficiently taught in local elementary schools; whether 50 per cent. of the 400 enlisted boys who entered at the last examination for the first certificate failed; whether, seeing that the first certificate is mainly intended in time of peace for non-commissioned officers with a view to promotion, he will suspend it during the War; and whether, with a view to making the best use of the available man-power of the nation, he will discontinue the employ- ment of 330 Army schoolmasters and 20 inspectors, many of whom are well qualified for commissions, in giving elementary education to children of tender age?

In regard to the first part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that enlisted boys are not the only soldiers taught by Army schoolmasters, as many others attend school. I do not agree with the suggestion in the second part, as the principal duty of an Army schoolmaster is to improve the education of soldiers with a view to the more efficient performance of their duties. No Army schoolmasters teach "infants" under eight; in a few cases "elder" children are taught, but these attend for five hours daily five days a week. In regard to the fourth part of the question, the percentage is not so high as 50. In peace time the first-class certificate is not intended primarily for non-commissioned officers for purposes of promotion, but as a test of general education; it is much sought after with a view to employment after discharge. In regard to the sixth part of the question, the answer is in the negative. I do not agree with my hon. Friend's description of the present employment of these men.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the contracts for the manufacture of Army clothing are given to British firms or whether alien firms in the East End of London and elsewhere are ever employed?

Contracts for the manufacture of clothing for the British Army are allocated on tendering in competition amongst all firms on the Contracts Department's list. Every effort is made to confine this list to reputable firms, and inquiry is made into any cases in which it appears that any of the directors are unnaturalised. More elaborate steps are now being taken to deal with any firms whose partners may be of alien origin, so as to make sure that no contractors of enemy origin are employed. As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, a considerable portion of the tailoring trade in East London and elsewhere is in the hands of firms of Russian-Jewish origin.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the names of all the non-combatant civilians, including women, killed by the military during the recent insurrection in Dublin and buried in Trinity College grounds; whether it was in those grounds they buried the boy Gerald Keogh, shot and bayoneted by them in Grafton Street and dragged into Cook's tourist office; and whether he will have that boy's coat examined and photographed, showing the nineteen wounds of which he died?

No non-combatants or women killed during the rebellion were buried in Trinity College grounds. Keogh was one of the party of armed rebels on bicycles who attempted to pass a military picquet at Trinity College on the 25th April. The medical officer reports that he was killed instantaneously by bullets. He was not bayoneted or dragged into Cook's office. The body was temporarily buried in the grounds of Trinity College, but was afterwards removed and buried by the municipal authorities. The military authorities are not in possession of his coat.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will ascertain and state whom Sir John Maxwell consulted last May, if any person, on the legality of trying persons not subject to military law by field general courts-martial, held in camera, in capital cases, and on the legality of having some persons executed and other persons sent to penal servitude in pursuance of sentences of such courts; whether he was or is aware that this procedure is unprecedented; whether he was or is aware that there is no law authorising it; and if he will specify the law, or interpretation of the law, on which Sir John Maxwell supposed he was acting?

I have nothing to add to the replies which have already been given by the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, and the Attorney-General on this subject.

asked whether the dependants of officers and men killed and officers and men wounded in the Irish rebellion are to receive the same pensions, gratuities, and allowances, respectively, as are given in the cases of officers and men killed and wounded abroad?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State. for War how many German prisoners of war are now in the United Kingdom; how many of these are employed in works of production, and especially in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry; what are the conditions of their employment as to wages, food, and lodging; and how far these conditions compared with those of British prisoners under German control?

The German combatant prisoners of war in this country number 26,813, of whom 1,047 are officers. It has been stated on several occasions that in the opinion of the military authorities it is undesirable to state the number employed or the nature of their employment. The wages in this country, and, it is believed, in Germany, are based on Article 6 of the annex to The Hague Convention. The food in this country is better than that supplied in Germany. The accommodation in working camps here is satisfactory, but it is difficult to generalise as to the housing in similar camps in Germany, where the conditions seem to vary much.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the slackness and consequent lack of employment in the linen trade in Belfast where numbers of mill-workers are working on short time and earning insufficient wages, as a result of which and of the increased cost of living a section of the people are threatened with starvation, he will at once establish a Government munition factory in Belfast to utilise this unemployed labour at wages which will ensure a reasonable subsistence to the workers?

I regret I am unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion at the moment. When new sources of munitions supply have to be discovered, the claims of Ireland are always considered, and the existence of unemployed labour in Belfast is obviously a factor which will have to be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there is a disused brewery in Enniskillen, with two houses attached, and that there is a large hall in possession of the Fermanagh County Council, all of which can be made available for munition works; and will he make inquiries on the subject, with a view to the employment of the women in Fermanagh county who are willing and anxious to undertake such work?

These premises have been inspected on behalf of the Ministry, and were found not suitable for munition works requiring the use of machinery.

asked the Minister of Munitions when it is proposed to grant additional orders for munitions to Dublin workshops; and if he will state the number of dismissals from the National Shell Factory and the cause of those dismissals?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer to the answers which have been given to previous questions put by the hon. Member on this subject, in which he was informed that continuation contracts for munitions are constantly being placed with Dublin engineering firms. In reply to the second part of the question, I understand that certain employés were recently dismissed from the Dublin National Shell Factory for bad time-keeping and inefficiency. I am inquiring as to the number dismissed to date.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that a rise in copper took place during the time Mr. Frank Baer, a German-born subject, a member of the firm of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, was, with the permission of the British Government, in New York; whether he is aware that Mr. Baer made his business headquarters in New York with the American Metal Company, a concern closely associated with and in which the Metallgesellschaft, of Frankfurt, is interested; and can he state whether, previous to Mr. Baer being allowed to proceed to New York, any instructions were given him by any Depart- ment prohibiting him from communicating with the American Metal Company or any-other concern any information as regards the position of copper and other metals that would be detrimental to this country and the Allies?

The Ministry of Munitions were not aware of Mr. Baer's intended visit to New York; they issued no instructions to him of any kind and they have no direct information as to his proceedings. The copper market has been rising for some time past, but in view of the many circumstances influencing the price of such a commodity it is impossible to draw any conclusion of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of years' service that is necessary before an officer can reach the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Indian Army, and also the number of years after which he is precluded from obtaining the rank of general; and whether an officer cannot draw the pay of a major until he has had eighteen years' service, though he can be promoted major two years previously?

The rank of lieutenant-colonel may be attained by an officer if he is qualified and recommended after twenty-six years' service, and is attained earlier by selection for certain appointments. The only age-limit affecting promotion to general officer is the age at which retirement becomes obligatory, namely, fifty-seven for colonel, sixty-two for major-generals, sixty-seven for lieutenant-generals and generals. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the last issue of the "Gazette" only carried the promotions to 25th July and that there are still a large number of officers in the Indian Army whose advancement is nearly four months overdue; and can he state why promotions that were due early in August have not yet been gazetted?

The hon. Member presumably refers to notifications of His Majesty's approval, which appear in the "London Gazette," but the promo- tions of all Indian Army officers are first notified in the "Gazette" of India. The notifications in that "Gazette," which are accepted as authority for the adjustment of an officer's pay and for his assumption of higher rank, usually appear well within a month from the date on which the promotion fell due.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to state the total number of troops who lost their lives in consequence of defective transit arrangements in India last July; whether the three officers then held to be responsible have been tried; and, if so, by what Court, with what result, and where they are now?

I regret that nineteen soldiers lost their lives on the occasion mentioned. As regards the action taken I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on 1st August and to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Devonport on the 2nd November.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a resolution from the Nottingham and District Grocery and Provision Trade Association urging the Government to take steps to check the increasing practice of Sunday trading; and whether, in the interests of the welfare of the nation, he will take powers under the Defence of the Realm Act for this purpose?

I have received several resolutions on the subject. I am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to a similar question on the 8th instant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction which exists amongst Irish railway employés, owing to the insufficient war bonus they are receiving; and if he will state whether he has yet considered the advisability of requesting the Treasury to make a grant to the Irish railway companies to enable them to pay a war bonus equal to that paid in England?

The Government have not taken possession of the Irish railways, and I do not see my way to take the course suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of his expressed desire to ascertain whether-price exploitation exists, if he will have inquiry made and state what is the price at which sewing cotting is now sold and if J. and P. Coats, Limited, have just declared a net profit of £3,387,395 for the year ended 30th June, 1913, after allowing for depreciation and the Excess Profits Duty; and, in the event of his being satisfied that an undue profit has been made by this firm in time of war out of the sale of a commodity largely used by poor people, if he will exercise the powers he possesses to reduce the price of sewing cotton?

I have seen Press statements to the effect that the profits of the company during 1915–16 are as stated by my hon. Friend, and I am causing inquiries to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of the entire wheat crop of the United Kingdom for the years 1914, 1915, and 1916, respectively?

The production of wheat in the United Kingdom in 1914 and 1915 was 7,804,041 and 9,239,355 quarters respectively. The Board have not yet received the figures of production in Scotland and Ireland in 1916, and I am therefore only able to give that for England and Wales, which is 6,942,559 quarters. For comparison, I add the figures of wheat production in England and Wales in 1914 and 1915, which were 7,307,036 quarters and 8,464,741 quarters, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the recent Milk Order is to be held to apply to organisations such as the Gloucester, Somerset, and Bristol Dairy Farmers' Society, whose winter milk contracts commence as from a later date than 15th November, and whose current contracts will leave no margin of profit if continued throughout the winter?

The answer to the question is in the affirmative. It is, however, open to any persons affected by the Order to apply to the Board in special circumstances for written authority to sell milk at a price in excess of that fixed by the Order. I am already in communication with the society referred to in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to encourage farmers in Ireland to cultivate an increased acreage of wheat and oat crops, he will consider the advisability of the Government guaranteeing a minimum price for such cereals over a given fixed period?

As to wheat, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture to the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division of Shropshire on the 12th and 18th October, and to the hon. Member for Liverpool (Kirkdale) on the 27th November. As to oats, the requirements of the Army appear to furnish a practical guarantee. To what extent it should be embodied in actual contracts is a matter for the military authorities.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture {Ireland) if he can state the acreage of land in Ireland under wheat during last season, also the estimated additional acreage suitable for wheat-growing; and if he will state whether the Department have entered into negotiations with the Congested Districts Board and the Estates Commissioners with the view of having untenanted lands and grazing ranches brought under cultivation, with the object of increasing food production in Ireland?

The number of acres returned as being under wheat in Ireland on 1st June last was 76,438. The Department are not in a position to furnish an estimate as to the additional acreage of land which would be suitable for wheat growing. Action such as is suggested in the latter portion of the question is not within the authority of the Department. They are doing all they can within their powers to increase the area under tillage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the high prices of linseed and cotton cakes are caused by the cost of freightage and not by the cost of the raw material; and, seeing how important an element these cakes are in producing milk and meat, will he employ some of the steamers chartered at Blue Book rates in bringing these feeding-stuffs and thus reduce the cost of production, and thereby increase the quantity of milk and meat available for consumption?

I am aware of the effect of rates of freight on the cost of feeding-stuffs, and thus on the price of meat and milk. The question of securing tonnage for the carriage of this and other essential commodities is being anxiously considered, but I am not at present able to give any guarantee that any one particular commodity (beyond those for which arrangements have already been made) can be carried in vessels requisitioned at Blue Book rates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that early in 1915 the German Government issued orders that gardens and pleasure grounds in Germany, the property of private individuals, used for the production of flowers, shrubs, and ornamental plants, should, as far as possible, be converted into gardens for the production of potatoes, cabbages, and other vegetables for the food of the people, and that even the skins of potatoes should be saved for the food of pigs; and will he see that orders of a conservatory nature, consistent with conditions in this country, are made to increase the food supply of our people, and thus diminish the demand upon the imported supply and correspondingly reduce the market prices of the necessaries of life?

I am aware that a great effort has been made in Germany to conserve and increase the national resources as regards food supply, including measures of the general nature indicated in the question. The question how far similar measures are necessary and expedient in this country will no doubt be considered by whoever exercises the powers of the Food Controller.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the rise in the price of all offals, including clearings, sharps, and pollard, which took place throughout the country upon the announcement of the President of the Board of Trade that war bread was to be compulsory; and whether he can make an immediate announcement as to the promised supplies of maize being made available to replace the shortage of offals, and so allay the great anxiety as to adequate supplies of food for their animals which is now felt by farmers throughout the country?

There was no doubt a rise in the price of grain offals on the announcement of the bread Regulations, the effect of which was at first not fully understood. Prices are, however, already steadying as it is realised that the actual reduction in the supply of offals will not be so great as was anticipated in some quarters. Every effort will be made to replace any deficiency in the supply of feeding stuffs and arrangements with this object have been to a considerable extent already made. The hon. Member may be assured that the matter is receiving the most anxious attention of the Board in co-operation with the Wheat Commission and the Board of Trade.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can state the number of acres of land in Great Britain under barley and hops, respectively, for brewing purposes, in the year 1915, or during the last yearly period for which the statistics are available?

The total acreage under barley in Great Britain in 1916 was 1.502,026 acres, and that under hops 31,352 acres. It is, I fear, not possible to make even a rough estimate of the acreage of barley grown for malting because, although the total amount of barley thus used in this country in a given year may be approximately stated, that is made up partly of imported grain, the proportion of which used for brewing cannot be stated.

asked the Paymaster-General whether, with a view to obviating the exercise of political and social influence, he will consider the importance of making provision in the Board of Pensions Bill for the establishment of a strictly judicial tribunal whose decisions-in individual cases of supplementary grants or pensions shall be final?

The question of an appeal tribunal will be considered in connection with any revision or substitution for the existing Royal Warrants, but it is not considered necessary to make provision for such a tribunal in this Bill.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the total number of Post Office officials in each grade of salary from £100 a year upwards who have been dismissed in the interest of economy since the beginning of the present War, with the aggregate yearly saving thereby effected; and the total number of Post Office servants with smaller salaries dismissed in the same interest during the same period, with the aggregate yearly saving thereby effected?

No established Post Office servants have been discharged in the interest of economy, but the services of a certain number of unestablished persons have been dispensed with from time to time in consequence of reduction of work. I could not give the figures asked for by the hon. Member without an exhaustive inquiry, which I cannot now undertake.

asked the Postmaster-General if the payment for allowances from work for sub-post-offices has been cut down by 100 per cent., as applying to the larger offices handling 3,750 cases per quarter; is he aware that many of the offices which will be affected by this have found their private business entirely gone as a result of the pressure of post-office work during the War; and if he will reconsider the matter of payment and, in the meantime, defer the application of the new scale?

The rate of remuneration of scale payment sub-postmasters for Allowance Form work has recently been reduced only at offices transacting a considerable volume of such work because it was found that at such offices the former rate gave a payment out of proportion to the expense and labour thrown upon the sub-postmasters. The largest reduction has been by about 45 per cent., not 100 per cent. The question of reduction has been under consideration for nearly a year, and the Sub-Postmasters' Federation has been given opportunities of advancing valid reasons against it. I have agreed to receive a deputation on the subject, but I am not prepared meanwhile to defer application of the new rates.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the exigencies of the War and of the decrease in crime, and to the saving of labour and expense, he can see his way to give effect to the recommendations of the Report of the Royal Commission on the King's Bench Division, 1913, to discontinue grand juries at Assizes and Quarter Sessions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the North Riding of Yorks on 7th March last. I will, however, make further inquiries from those who are specially familiar with the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition from the National Council of the Scottish Catholic Teachers' Federation setting forth the claims of the Catholic teachers' profession of Scotland for a bonus on present salaries; and whether he can see his way to recommend the Treasury to give favourable consideration to the claim made on behalf of these Catholic teachers?

I have received the petition referred to and am now in communication with the Treasury on the subject. As I stated in the House on Tuesday, the case of teachers in denominational schools is under consideration as well as that of teachers in public schools.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what response he has received to his recent invitation to the owners of land in Scotland to make gifts of land to be dedicated to the settlement of sailors and soldiers on their discharge from the Navy and Army?

I have not so far received any further offers since the Duke of Sutherland's gift of the estate of Borgie. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government has introduced a Bill which I trust may stimulate generosity in this direction.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at a meeting of the Sutherland Farmers' Club, at the Sutherland Arms Hotel, Golspie, where a resolution was unanimously passed deploring that while the Government was asking the farmers to increase their food production, so large an area of land suitable for cattle and sheep was entirely devoted to sporting purposes, and that the ravages of deer and other game to crops caused a loss to farmers and diminished food production at home; whether the Board of Agriculture has any official information on this matter; and whether he proposes to take any action?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland has taken due note of the proceedings referred to by my hon. Friend. I am in communication with the Board, and with the estate as to the extent of the grievance complained of and as to any practicable steps which might be taken in the matter. I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will speak to me in a few days, when I hope to be able to give him the information resulting from these inquiries.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now received the observations and suggestions which he invited the district agricultural committees throughout Scotland to make upon the representations made by the Blackfaced-sheep Breeders' Association and by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland as to the damage caused by deer and other game to hill-grazings and crops and as to changes in the game laws necessary for the increase of food production at the present time; and whether he proposes to take any action?

The answers from the committees are not yet complete, but I am informed that so far as received they do not contain numerous complaints. The difficulties which confront proprietors and tenants in this matter are the same difficulties apparent in so many fields of activity at present, namely, the sparsity of persons capable of killing deer and ground game.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that a firm named Schaffer and Budenburg, whose headquarters are in Nuremberg but who have a small works at Manchester, are still on the Government list of contractors; if he will say whether the agent of the firm in question is a full-blooded German and is allowed to go in and out of the shipyards on the Clyde in pursuit of business; and if he will have an inquiry made into the latter allegation?

I am informed that the affairs of this firm have been investigated by the Board of Trade, that the shares have been vested in the Public Trustee under the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, and that they are still on the list of Government contractors. The second part of the question probably refers to the Glasgow manager of the firm, who is of German origin but was naturalised as a British subject nearly forty years ago.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education when he received the Report of the Inquiry held in July last in respect of the resignation of the vice-principal and ten other members of the staff of the Leeds Training College; and when he will present such Report to Parliament?

The Report of the Inquiry, which did not terminate till 24th August, was received on 12th October. It has been communicated to the governing body; but it is confidential, and the Board do not propose to publish it.

asked whether any Grant is made from the Treasury in aid of school clinics set up by local education authorities; if so, what conditions are laid down as to the special qualifications of the medical officers appointed to these clinics?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Medical officers working in such clinics must, of course, have suitable qualifications for the general and special work undertaken by them.

asked whether the Board of Education hold any written examination for science as a mode of determining the amount of their Grant to secondary schools in England and Wales?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Education Department hold any written examination for experimental science as a mode of determining the amount of their Grant to secondary schools in Scotland?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the rice which is consumed by the native population of India and Burma is ever polished or burnished, as is done in England?

The greater part of the rice consumed in India and Burma is husked by cultivators themselves and is not polished. I am informed that highly polished rice, such as is used in this country, is not consumed in India, but that milled and partly polished rice is to some extent used.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a guard called Dobson has recently been given an appointment on the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Company, Limited; was this appointment made by the manager; what is Dob-son's age and length of service; is it usual for such appointments to be made subject to the approval of the directors, and were the directors consulted in this case; and what is the extent of the baronial guarantees in Cavan and Leitrim in connection with this railway company?

The Board of Trade have no information on the subjects referred to in the first parts of this question. As regards the last part, a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum is guaranteed upon £48,000 of the railway company's paid-up capital in Cavan and upon £154,000 in Leitrim.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the circumstances connected with the wreck of the Danish ship "Fulvia," off the coast of Newcastle, county Down, on 18th November, and the loss of life resulting therefrom; if he is aware that charges of incompetency have been made against the crew of the lifeboat; and if he will direct the inspector of the Life-Saving Department of the Board of Trade to hold an inquiry and report upon the efficiency of the arrangements for life-saving at Newcastle?

My attention has been directed to this case. I propose to order a formal investigation into the circumstances attending the casualty, and this will give opportunity for inquiring into the efficiency of the life-saving arrangements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when any further dividend will be paid to the depositors of the National Penny Bank; and when he expects that the affairs of the bank will be finally wound up?

Pending the settlement of outstanding legal questions, the Official Receiver is unable to fix a definite date for the declaration of a further dividend to the depositors of the National Penny Bank.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the extent to which Scottish industry is dependent upon engineers and other workmen with a high degree of technical skill, and in view of the numbers of highly-skilled workmen and of apprentices who had nearly completed their terms who have perished in the War, any steps are being taken by the Board of Education to increase the facilities for technical and scientific instruction so as to enable the loss of skilled workmen to be made good with the greatest possible speed?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the facilities for scientific and technical instruction in Scotland are greatly in excess of the numbers of suitable people who can possibly avail themselves of them at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that on 17th November last the steamship "Carlow" arrived at Liverpool from Dublin with 394 oxen, eleven of which had died during the voyage, and that on the same day the steamship "Bandon" arrived at Liverpool from Cork with 305 oxen, thirty-nine of which had died during the voyage; whether there were other oxen, and, if so, how many on board these ships, respectively, which were in such a condition that they had to be slaughtered on arrival; whether he will cause the fittings of these ships to be specially examined in order to ascertain whether they are properly adapted for the conveyance of cattle across the Irish Channel in rough weather; and whether he will take all possible steps to secure that such heavy casualties among the animals carried may be avoided in the future?

The total numbers of cattle on each vessel were 394 and 305, as stated. Of these, one and five, respectively, either were killed or succumbed to injuries during the voyage, and ten and thirty-four, respectively, were slaughtered as being unable to proceed without excessive suffering, whilst the vessel was at the landing-stage. The reason for the losses was without doubt the exceedingly heavy storm which both vessels encountered in crossing. The fittings of both are very strong, and are specially provided for the requirements of this traffic, in accordance with the Animals (Transit and General) Order. None of them gave way during the voyage. My hon. Friend will realise that it is not possible always to know when very heavy weather is likely to be experienced, so that the vessels may be kept in port.