asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of the formation of a small council, consisting principally of Irishmen not being prominent partisan politicians, to act in consultation with representatives of the Dominions for the purpose of submitting a scheme for the amendment of the Act for the better government of Ireland by which Home Rule shall be extended to the whole of Ireland with respect to domestic affairs while ensuring, as far as possible, the responsibility of Ireland in respect of Imperial affairs equivalent to that borne by the inhabitants of the other parts of the United Kingdom; will he consider the desirability of ensuring the complete identity of Customs and Excise taxation as levied by this House, thus embodying a principle, the outcome of political development in the Dominions and elsewhere, a principle also extended to postal services, especially valuable during war time; and will he consider the desirability of considering suggestions for moderating the fears of Ulster, e.g., by enabling the Ulster counties to have the option of withdrawal at the end of a stated period, and for an increased proportion in the representation of borough Members in the Irish House by a diminution in the number of county representatives?

The question of the hon. Member makes many important suggestions, but I think he will feel that they cannot be dealt with in answer to a question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which member of the Government is responsible for winding up enemy businesses in this country; and if the winding-up of the enemy banks is still under his direction?

The President of the Board of Trade is responsible for the winding-up of enemy businesses under the Trading With the Enemy Acts. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether the public custodian has power under the Act of Parliament or Orders in Council to fix a time within which claims against enemy companies must be delivered; and, if not, whether he will take steps to obtain the necessary powers to enable the public custodian to fix a limited time, so as to facilitate the distribution of the funds in his custody as promptly as possible among the British subjects to whom they may be due?

The payment of British creditors out of the enemy assets is dealt with under the directions of the Court by the custodian, who informs me that he is now taking up the question of fixing a time limit for the delivery of claims. If it appears that any further powers are desirable the necessary steps will be taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Messrs. Leon Menasche, Vitali Menasche, and Gaston Menasche, trading as Leon Menasche and Company, are alien enemies, being subjects of Turkey, and as such were interned in the month of August, 1015; was permission given to these persons, or either of them, subsequent to their internment or at any time since the outbreak of war to deal with £130,000 worth of Belgian acceptances and to make payments to creditors in Amsterdam of enemy origin, including the Banque Generale Beige, in possession of and under the control of the German authorities; whether he is aware that by such transactions these alien enemies have been enabled to make a profit of approximately £50,000; what was the reason for granting this permission; and whether the Department satisfied itself that the transactions could not be carried out by a British firm and the profit be made subject to payment of British Income Tax?

I have made inquiry and have not yet been able to trace the full facts in this case. I will communicate again with my hon. and learned Friend when the investigation is complete.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that during the past three months circulars or notices have been issued in Ireland inviting Irish labourers to take work at Rosyth, in Scotland; will he say if assurances have been given by one or more members of the Government to any member of the Irish party that Irishmen of military age undertaking such work will be exempt from compulsory military service; and, seeing that Englishmen of military age employed on railways in the Liverpool area have been called up to serve as soldiers and their places taken by Irishmen, and having regard to the provisions in the Government of Ireland Act reserving military affairs to the Imperial Parliament, will he say what action he proposes to take?

I have seen copies of the circulars and notices mentioned. The assurances given were that the men brought from Ireland and employed by Messrs. Easton Gibb and Son, for war work at Rosyth, would be recommended for exemption from military service while they were engaged on such work. Men so employed are regarded as resident in Great Britain for a special purpose within the meaning of the Military Service Acts, and, therefore, exempt from military service as long as they remain in such employment. I understand that a number of Irishmen are employed on railways in the Liverpool area; but I have no information that these men have taken the places of men who have been called to the Colours. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any such cases, further inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Frederic C. Caple, who was rejected as being medically unfit for the Army on 10th December, 1915, at the Lambeth Town Hall; if he is aware that, although this man holds Army Form B, 2512 A, he has been ordered to join the Colours; that he did not receive a pink form; that the military representative refuses to recognise his certificate of rejection; and whether he proposes to take any action in this case?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a man who attested under the Derby scheme, and who was rejected as medically unfit, and whose attestation was cancelled, can now be ordered to join the Army, the man's age now being 41 years and eight months?

I am afraid that I cannot answer this question without further particulars. If my hon. Friend will supply these, I will let him know the answer in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private A. I. Goldberg, No. 46962, 3rd Battalion Manchester Regiment, a conscientious objector, was court-martialled at Cleethorpes on 12th December, 1916, and sentenced to six months' hard labour on 14th December, 1916; whether he is aware that this man's colonel on 15th December ordered him to dig trenches, which order the man declined to obey, with the result that on 15th December the colonel imposed the sentence of twenty-one days' bread and water; and whether he will inform the House of Commons under what powers this procedure was adopted by the colonel and under what regulation is it possible to sentence a man to twenty-one days' bread and water at all, and/or after sentence by court-martial?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries with regard to W. Pilling, of No. 50, Pritchard Street, Burnley, who recently enlisted in the Army when only 15 years of age; and, in particular, if he will ascertain whether this lad was recently stationed at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, D company, hut 16; whether the lad's father communicated with the commanding officer of this camp and was informed by him that the lad was now overseas but that he would endeavour to get him recalled; and whether, if the facts are found to be as stated, the lad will be immediately discharged?

If the hon. Member will supply details of the unit and regimental number I will have inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will explain why the military authorities refused the demand of the parents of Private Robert Dunbar, No. 10440, 2/4th Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was born on 31st July, 1900, and is not yet seventeen years of age; whether he will inquire into this case with a view to ordering the boy's discharge; (2) whether he is aware that Private John M'Keever, No. 4/6535, 4th Battalion Con-naught Rangers, who enlisted at Belfast on the 7th August last, was born on 22nd February, 1900, and is therefore not yet seventeen years of age, and that, when his father made application for his discharge, he was informed by the Infantry Record Office, No. 12 District, Cork, that the boy would not be discharged but would be held to serve at home until he was nineteen, and would not be sent for service overseas until then; whether there is any authority for the retention of this boy, and, if so, what is it; whether he will have this case inquired into with a view to the boy's discharge; and (3) if he will explain why the military authorities refused the application of his parents for discharge from the Army of Private P. M'Closke, No. 24308, 1st Troop, A Squadron, 5th Lancers, who was born on the 10th March, 1900, and is therefore only in his seventeenth year; and whether he will inquire into this case with a view to this boy's discharge from the Army?

If the facts are as stated, I would point out that under present regulations an under-age soldier is not discharged, but posted to a Home service unit. If he is under seventeen years of age, he is given the option of enrolling as an Army Reserve munition worker.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet come to a decision as to the release of Private Maurice M'Dontnell, of the Irish Guards, stationed at Caterham, on the grounds that he is only sixteen years of age?

Orders were issued on 1st December for this man to be posted to a Home service unit on verification of his age by birth certificate. He will then be given the option of enrolling as an Army Reserve munition worker.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the date upon which Private F. Pearson, No. 276, 8th Company, 3rd Battalion West Yorks Regiment, when under military age, was sent to France; the date upon which he was wounded in action there; why his mother's application of 22nd June last for his transfer to the class of those under age was not acceded to; and will he explain why the military authorities sent this insufficiently trained youth into action, in view of the Statute and the Army Council instruction then in force and the repeated pledges of Ministers that youths under military age would be either sent home to their parents or reserved from action pending their attainment of military age?

This man joined the Expeditionary Force in France on 2nd March, 1916, and he was wounded early in July last. In regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Bradford on 21st November, and would add that the soldier declared his age as nineteen and a half on enlistment in February, 1915.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men are sometimes called up for military service and then sent back to their homes with instructions to report at a later data; whether in such circumstances the men are not entitled to military pay nor their wives to separation allowances although the men may have lost their civil employment; and, if so, whether he will issue such instructions as will prevent the continuance of this hardship?

I am afraid that the terms of the question are rather general. I suggest to my hon. Friend that he should give me some specific instances, and I will have inquiries made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has taken any further action to expedite the lowering of coal and potato prices in Dublin; whether he is aware that in consequence of the severe weather and high prices the poorer people are suffering severely; and whether the difference between the Liverpool price of the best coal and the inferior coal sold to the poor in Dublin is about, or over, 25s. per ton?

The Chief Secretary has no official authority with regard to prices. Representations of the material facts have been made to all the authorities concerned, and I understand that arrangements are being made by the local committee in charge of the matter, to commence the distribution of cheaper coal to the poor at once. I have no information as to how the prices of coal in Dublin compare with those in Liverpool.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is yet in a position to state the prices at present being paid in Belfast for Russian and other Continental flax, inclusive and exclusive of freight, the total amount imported this year compared with the amount imported in recent years, and the prices at present ruling for linen?

I am not in a position to give this information.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a letter from the Irish prisoners interned at Frongoch Camp demanding a sworn inquiry into the statement of the commandant in reference to the cause of death of the camp doctor; and if he will grant the inquiry?

I have received such a letter, but have postponed my decision as to an inquiry until I receive a full note of the evidence at the inquest.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the property owners in Dublin will have the amount awarded to them by the Goulding Committee for destroyed buildings; if the Committee's recommendations are yet in; and, if so, will he state what they are?

The Committee is steadily proceeding with its work, and they expect to be able forthwith to inform claimants of the amount allowed in each case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to the special attention given by the Minister of Munitions as to the possibility of employing the unemployed linen workers of Belfast on munition work in that city?

I am not in a position at present to add anything to my statement of the 18th instant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the information supplied in the current issue of the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette" that during last month there was a scarcity of labour, both of men and women, especially in Scotland and in Irish towns other than Belfast, and that only 12,274 workpeople were employed in this trade in Belfast as compared with 16,554 in November, 1915; whether he can state any reason for the fact that workers of this class should be so Scarce in Irish towns outside Belfast whilst 4,281 of them were idle in that city; whether there is any difference between the wages paid to the workers in Irish towns as compared with Belfast; whether any and how many of these firms outside Belfast are owned or controlled by Belfast firms; whether he is aware that Belfast linen firms are so busy that they are unable to keep pace with orders; and whether he will take immediate action to provide work for these 4,28? workpeople, after consultation with the Ministry of Munitions and the War Office Contract Department, in munition factories on the spot under Government supervision and control?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that, according to reports supplied by the employers to the December issue of the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette," there were, 4,280 linen workers in Belfast out of employment last month; and whether, in order to provide employment for these skilled workers and to increase the output of war material, he will confer with the War Office and the Board of Trade with a view to establishing a munitions factory in Belfast under Government supervision and control?

I have been asked by the Ministry of Munitions to take Question 12, and it may be convenient at the same time to reply to Question 7. If the hon. Member will again examine the article on the linen trade published in the December issue of the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette," he will find that he has confused the earnings of the workpeople with the numbers employed. The latter part of these questions consequently does not arise.

asked the Minister of Munitions, as representing the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) whether, pending the settlement of the technical contention of the legal advisers of this Board whereby it is sought to evade payment of the awarded compensation in the case of the seized "Swan and Pike" inn at Enfield Lock, he will consent to place the money on deposit or invest it in Treasury securities in order that it may be earning interest?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what scale of pay has been granted to assistant paymasters of the Royal Naval Reserve who joined the Reserve in 1904; what scale of pay has been granted to those who joined the Reserve after the War commenced; whether the pay for these officers increases after as many years' seniority as in the case of Reserve officers of the executive branch; and what are the prospects offered to Reserve assistant paymasters of attaining to higher rank?

Assistant Paymasters of the Royal Naval Reserve who joined the Reserve in 1904 now receive 13s. a day by a new scale, which took effect from the 9th instant, the scale being as follows:—

Under 8 year's seniority	…	10s. a day.
After 8 year's seniority	…	l1s. a day.
After 10 year's seniority	…	12s. a day.
After 12 year's seniority	…	13s. a day.

The answer to the second part of the question is 10s. a day. In both cases messing allowance of 2s. a day is payable in addition. As regards the third part of the question, the increments are based on the scale of pay of assistant paymasters of the Royal Navy, and not on that applicable to Reserve officers of the military branch. There is no higher rank on the active list to which assistant paymasters of the Royal Navy Reserve may rise.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what classes of punishment for offences against naval discipline are accompanied by the stoppage of separation allowances and allowances under the Military Service (Civil liabilities) scheme?

Offences against naval discipline are not accompanied by the stoppage of separation allowances. The last part of the question should be addressed to the Local Government Board.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the interval which has now elapsed since the feat was performed, he can state the name of the captain of the submarine who recently torpedoed two modern German battleships off the coast of Jutland, and any further information?

The name of the Commanding Officer is Commander Noel F. Laurence, D.S.O., Royal Navy. There is nothing to add to the information already given.

asked the Secretary of State for War what classes of punishment for military offences are accompanied by the stoppage of separation allowances and allowances under the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) scheme?

I am not aware of any class of punishment for military offences that carries with it stoppage of separation allowance as well as allotment. Questions about the Civil Liabilities Scheme should be addressed to the Local Government Board.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been drawn to the tease of Herbert Payne, whose recruiting number is 33353, who was called up on 14th November, sent to the heavy section Machine Gun Corps, Wool, and sent home on 18th November; whether this man is now in receipt of no pay and his wife and two children have received -no separation allowance since the commencement of last week; whether he is aware that it is impossible for this man to obtain work, as employers will not take him on; and whether any arrangements are being made for men in this position, as otherwise there appears no alternative for them but to apply to the Poor Law?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed in due course of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, by reason of the limited pay received by officers of junior rank, namely, 7s. 6d. a day in the case of a second lieutenant, 8s. 6d, a day in the case of a lieutenant, and 12s. 6d. a day in the case of a captain, and in view of the fact that notwithstanding the cost of living the ration allowance has been reduced from ls.7d. to 1s. 3d. per day, it is almost impossible for married officers to maintain themselves and their families and to provide education for their children, and leaving no margin whatever for the necessary renewal of their uniforms; and whether he will at once take steps to secure to such officers a reasonable allowance for the purchase of new uniforms as and when they are needed?

The rate of ration allowance has been raised from 1st instant to 1s. 9d. a day where supply cannot be made in kind. The general financial position of married officers is safeguarded by the Civil Liabilities Commission.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the reason why the War Office refuse to enforce the conditions of the Fair-Wages Clause in the case of Messrs. Sadgrove and Company, who refused to pay the french polishers employed by them on a contract for the War Office the current rate of the London district, namely, 10½d. per hour, while other firms engaged on work for the Ministry of Munitions were compelled by that Department to pay their polishers the 10½d. per hour as from 14th February, 1916?

The facts are substantially as stated, but the french polishing work on which the men were engaged was finished before the end of February. The War Department was, therefore, not in a position to enforce a rate of wages which was not agreed upon till later in the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men passed to the Army Reserve, Class W, are liable to be called for medical reexamination; and whether, in the event of the medical category being changed, the Reservist is transferred from the Reserve?

A man is transferred to Army Reserve, Class W, under Section 12 of the Military Service Act (Session 2), in oases where the transfer appears expedient in the general interests of the country, and the Army Council are satisfied that it can be effected under conditions which will render the man transferred immediately available for service in the case of military necessity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of children of soldiers and sailors who have become orphans owing to the War?

I regret that I cannot make public this information. It would not be in the public interest to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of soldiers of the British Army executed since the beginning of the present War; the number now imprisoned and interned, respectively, in the United Kingdom; and the approximate number interned or under some form of British or Allied restraint abroad?

No, Sir; I fear that I cannot furnish this information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government, in considering their promised additional safeguards and standardisation of carrying out field imprisonment No. 1 when it is inflicted will take steps to limit the offences for which it might be inflicted to those of a grave character only?

What is an offence of a grave character is largely a matter of opinion, and in view of the provisions of Sections 44 and 46 of the Army Act I regret I am unable to accede to the request of my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why time-expired men who have served during the South African War and in France, and left the Service with very good characters and have since been recalled, are put in a recruits company and have to do primary foot drill; is he aware that those men, being trained soldiers and taking a natural pride in their efficiency, dislike this treatment; and will he see whether more consideration can be shown to their feelings in this regard?

There have been radical changes in elementary drill since the South African War, and there are constant improvements, in which it is necessary to perfect those who have served in the Expeditionary Force. It is desirable, therefore, that all men should perform some elementary drill; the time spent at it depends much on the aptitude of the individual, and the necessity of accelerating the training of men showing special aptitude has been impressed on those responsible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the men of the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), in billets at Bromley, Kent, are provided with lights and coal; whether in many billets at the Sydenham sub-depot they have to provide both coal and lights at their own expense; whether at the Sydenham sub-depot there are any billets unprovided with either washing or lavatory accommodation although there are many empty houses in the neighbourhood; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Inquiry is being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, whether he can state the total number of school places in elementary schools which have been taken for military purposes since 4th August, 1914, and the total number of places now occupied for military purposes; and whether satisfactory educa- tional facilities have been in all cases provided for the children displaced?

To obtain the information asked for in the first part of the question would involve an amount of clerical labour, which I do not think would be justifiable in present circumstances. As regards the second part of the question, the total number of school places in public elementary schools now occupied for military purposes is 186,277, or less than 3 per cent. of the total public elementary school accommodation. Arrangements which are reasonably satisfactory in the circumstances have been made for the continuance of the education of all the children displaced, except in the case of one small department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether school buildings are available in the London district as playrooms for children under supervision from, say, five o'clock to seven; whether the schools for such purpose are being provided, rent, heating and lighting free, or on what conditions are they being provided; and, in view of the number of children at the present time whose parents and guardians are at work and are consequently unable properly to look after them, will he take steps to encourage the increase of such play centres during the dark-evenings in populous urban districts throughout the country?

The Board understand that the free use of public elementary schools has been granted by the London County Council to voluntary organisations for the purpose of evening play centres, of which some twenty-two are now open in London. The Board fully appreciate the value of these centres and the desirability of extending the valuable work which they are doing, and have the matter under their consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has placed an order for a printing machine with H. Nedden and Company, of 11, Finsbury Square, E.G.; whether he is aware that H. Nedden, trading as H. Nedden and Company, is an un-naturalised German subject who was exempted from internment by the Advisory Committee and why this order was placed with an enemy subject which a number of British firms were quite able and willing to carry out?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A machine of Nedden and Company's make was demanded for use in India. As to the remainder of the question I have no information, but am inquiring of the Board of Trade

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, as a result of the suspension of the Tuberculosis Order, 1914, and of the tuberculosis test for animals providing milk and food, infected milk can now be sold for human consumption; and whether, in view of the importance to the nation of a healthy child-life, he can see his way to reintroduce the Order?

The hon. Member is, I think, misinformed as to the effect of the withdrawal of the Tuberculosis (in Cattle) Order. The result which he in-incorrectly ascribes to it, namely, the sale of infected milk for human consumption, is restrained by the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Orders of the Local Government Board, and by various local Acts. The Tuberculosis (in Cattle) Order was withdrawn soon after the outbreak of war, and it is not at present proposed to bring it again into operation until after the War.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, in view of the reduced number of sleeping cars to be on the trains running between Scotland and London, Members of Parliament and other persons travelling on public business will receive priority in their applications for sleeping berths?

I am afraid that it would not be possible to make an arrangement of this kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, when issuing any new regulations concerning railway passenger fares, he will favourably consider the cases of holders of traders' season tickets for any distance where the use of such tickets is for the purpose of trade and commerce only?

I understand that it is not at present proposed to increase the price of traders' tickets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that large quantities of posters are being exported to this country from America, requiring the same freightage and handling as plain paper; and whether, in view of the restriction upon the importation of paper which has resulted in an increase in the prices, he will consider the propriety of excluding such posters and proportionately increase the imported supplies of paper?

The restrictions imposed by the Paper Commission on the importation of paper apply equally to printed posters. Licences to import paper (including printed posters) are granted up to an amount equal to 50 per cent. of the importations in 1914. I will consider the suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, during the first ten months of the present year, ending on the 31st October last, 396,149 pounds' weight of wild birds' skins and feathers were imported into this country; and if he can state why, when the import of so many useful and much required commodities is prohibited owing to the shortage of tonnage, this amount of plumage, which is not a necessity, and which, since it comes in the raw state, is very bulky, is allowed to be imported?

The figures given relate to imports of feathers, exclusive of raw ostrich feathers. Practically the whole of such imports reach this country from France. I am advised that there is at present no lack of space an vessels returning from France to the United Kingdom, and so far, therefore, as economy of tonnage space is concerned, a prohibition of these imports would not secure any substantial advantage.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the action of the Petrol Supply Committee in not granting to the proprietors of the Castlecomer Mining Company, Kilkenny, a sufficient supply of petrol for their motor lorries employed in the distribution of coal in the district; if he is aware that the company have had to take one of their lorries off the road owing to the want of petrol, and that they have not sufficient to keep the other working till the end of the month; and if, taking into consideration the necessity of securing proper distribution of cheap coal for the poor in Ireland, he will take action to secure a sufficient supply of petrol for this Irish company to enable the company to distribute its production of coal, and enable it to carry out its contracts with the Board of Works and munition works in Ireland?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The quantity of petrol asked for by the Castlecomer Mining Company, Kilkenny, was 400 gallons per month. The allowance made by the Petrol Control Committee has recently been increased from 240 to 264 gallons per month, and is in accordance with the normal scales of restriction. If I am furnished with particulars of the contracts with munition works and the Board of Works to which reference is made, I will ask the Petrol Committee to consider whether any further allowance could be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the stock of tea in bond in Great Britain for 1916 is 25,000,000 lbs. greater than the average for the previous five years; that there are in addition increasingly large stocks of duty-paid tea in the hands of individual traders, and that reports with regard to these stocks based on buying-over speculation induce demands which raise the price of tea artificially against the retailers and the consumers; and whether he will ascertain the stock of tea both in bond and duty-paid held by individual traders with a view to limiting the stock held by them to an amount governed by their average sales in order to defeat speculators and keep down the price of tea?

The figures cited by the hon. and gallant Member are not in agreement with those published in the monthly trade accounts, which furnish no evidence of large increases in 3tocks of tea as compared with the average of recent years.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) if he is aware of the position that has arisen in Headford, county Galway, with regard to the supply of sugar by reason of the fact that the firm in Galway city which until recently supplied several Headford traders with sugar has gone out of business, following on the death of its head; that no other firms are allowed to supply the traders with the amounts that they used to get from the Galway firm; that as a result Headford is largely deprived of sugar altogether; and that the Sugar Commission has failed to make new arrangements for supplying the district; and what he proposes to do; (2) how many shopkeepers in Headford, county Galway, have at. present supplies of sugar to retail to the public and the amount they have to dispose of; and (3) if the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that Headford, county Galway, is practically without sugar by reason of the fact that the firm in Galway which supplied it to several retailers there is now closed down; that the Sugar Commission refuses to supply any sugar until it has traced fully the sources of the former supply; that this may take a considerable time; and whether he will make arrangements for a provisional supply of sugar to Head-ford traders pending further action by the Sugar Commission?

I will answer my hon. Friend's three questions together. I am aware of the shortage of sugar at Head-ford, but I am informed by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply that they hope to put the matter right very shortly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will consider the advisability of arranging that a list be published each week by the Department of Agriculture of all persons applying to the Department for a licence to export potatoes from Ireland under the recent Board of Trade Order, together with the quantity of potatoes each person applies to export, the quantity each person is permitted to export, and the destination thereof?

I am in consultation with the Department of Agriculture on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take care that the names of those to whom licences for the export of potatoes may be granted will be published weekly by the Department of Agriculture, as well as the amounts exported and the destination of such exports?

As I informed the hon. Member for Queen's County (Leix) yesterday, I am in consultation with the Department of Agriculture on this matter.

asked whether the officials of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) are making any inquiries into the alleged cornering of potatoes by potato exporters; and, in view of the fact that there is some ground for the allegations made, will immediate steps be taken to set the minds of the Irish public at rest in the matter by investigating the whole question?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question of the 19th instant. Inquiries are being made as to the alleged cornering of potatoes in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take the same steps in Ireland as the President of the Board of Agriculture is taking in England to utilise uncultivated land and under-cultivated land?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the questions of the hon. Members for Westmeath (N.), Clare (West), and Dublin (Harbour).

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed that machinery, seeds, fertilisers, and manures should be given to farmers as free grants, or that any portion of the cost of machinery should be borne by the Government?

The Board has come to no decision about grants, but whatever policy is adopted for the assistance of farmers will be announced at the earliest possible moment.

asked the hon. Member for Wilton, as representing the Food Controller, if he is aware that numbers of occupiers of small plots of land such as are often attached to dwelling-houses are anxious to know how they can best serve the State in the use of such land; and will he issue immediately such specific advice or regulations as will be most suitable and practicable for carrying out this purpose?

Occupiers of gardens can best serve the State by growing the largest possible quantity of vegetables for the use of themselves and their families. It does not seem necessary or practicable to issue any specific directions in view of the varying local conditions and needs, but a large number of leaflets are published by the Board containing advice on particular points, and these leaflets can be obtained free on application.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in order to develop to the fullest the agricultural resources of Scotland, he will, in a similar manner with the President of the Board of Agriculture, co-operate with the Food Controller so as to secure a uniformity of action throughout England and Scotland?

The answer is in the affirmative. Arrangements have been made in consultation with the Food Controller which will secure the fullest co-operation.

asked the Postmaster-General if any decision has been arrived at by the Arbitration Committee appointed to deal with the question of war bonus to be paid to postal employés?

I am unable to add anything to the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to the hon. Member for Stockport, on the 19th instant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the reason why head postmasters have not yet received remuneration for the sale of national health and unemployment stamps; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails amongst head postmasters owing to their treatment by the Department in this matter; and whether he will take steps to see that these payments are made forthwith?

I regret that there has been difficulty in arriving at a basis for calculating the remuneration, and this has been accentuated by the present shortage of staff, which has retarded the collection of the necessary statistics. The matter has been the subject of correspondence with the Association of Head Postmasters, and I hope that a decision may be reached before long.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the burgh of Dunfermline, on 12th December, 1911, gave notice under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, of a town planning scheme of the burgh, including the Rosyth area lying between Dunfermline.and the Firth of Forth, which was followed by a draft scheme being presented to the Local Government Board for approval on 13th August, 1915; whether he is aware that the Local Government Board have taken no action in connection with the scheme, in consequence of which all building operations in the scheduled area, with the exception of those undertaken by the Scottish National Housing Company, have been stopped, thus causing loss to the burgh of Dunfermline and accentuating the difficulty of providing housing accommodation for the rapidly increasing number of persons employed in the district; and whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board to do anything with the scheme so that the need for housing accommodation in the district may be met at the earliest possible moment?

I am informed that the Local Government Board have already given very careful consideration to the draft scheme. It is, however, one of great magnitude and complexity, affecting many interests, and they art not yet in a position to approve it. I am not prepared to accept the suggestion that any delay in obtaining the approval of the scheme is, under present circumstances, producing the result which my hon. Friend attributes to it. I am not aware of any building operations dependent on private enterprise which have been stopped. On the other hand, houses are being provided as rapidly as possible by the National Housing Company with liberal assistance from the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the batteries demanded from King Constantine's Government on 1st December have yet been handed over to the representatives of the Allies; and, if so, whether they will be put into effective use for the protection of Greek territory?

The Allied Governments considered that the unjustifiable attack made by Greek forces upon the Allied detachments landed on 1st December placed the whole question at issue upon an entirely fresh basis, and His Majesty's Minister at Athens was instructed so to inform the Greek Government and not to accept the surrender of these batteries as reparation for the outrages which had been committed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the reparation for the treacherous massacre of 1st December demanded by the Allies in their Note of 14th December to King Constantine's Government includes compensation for the followers of M. Venizelos who were tortured, robbed, and wrongfully imprisoned; and whether the guarantees for the future demanded in the same Note include guarantees for the safety of M. Venizelos and his supporters and friends?

The Allied Governments based their ultimatum of 14th December on the primary consideration of the safety of the Armée d'Orient. They are now considering the exact form which should be given to their further demands, which will in any case include a demand for the release of political prisoners and for compensation for those who have unjustly suffered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have communicated to their representatives in Athens for publication there the letter received by them from M. Venizelos and published on 15th December, in which he repudiates as a forgery a letter from himself reported to have been discovered in the House of General Korakas at Athens; and whether the representatives of the Allied Powers in Athens, who had previously issued a repudiation for their own part of the arrangements suggested in the forged letter, will now give equal publicity to the repudiation of M. Venizelos?

His Majesty's Minister at Athens has been instructed to secure, if possible, the publication of M. Venizelos's denunciation of the forgery published in Athens. I would observe, however, that none but Royalist papers are at present being published in the Greek capital.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what arrangements have been made for the exchange of civilian prisoners in internment camps in this country and in Germany; and whether he is considering the advisability of proposing that such as are of military capacity shall be sent to some neutral country, as has been done in the case of convalescent soldiers?

The agreement for the repatriation of British and German civilians over forty-five is not yet concluded, but we have recently given a final answer which we trust will be accepted on the one outstanding point of difficulty. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to White Papers, Nos. 25 and 35 Miscellaneous (1916), from which he will see that the German Government are not prepared to agree to the transfer to a neutral country of the British civilians under forty-five interned in Germany and of an equivalent number of German civilians under forty-five interned in this country. It will be realised that the transport of large numbers of enemy subjects to a neutral country at the present time would be a matter of the greatest difficulty.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he will take steps to obtain the modification of the present Regulations, so as to permit the families of British prisoners to send their own parcels to these prisoners under proper restrictions which would prevent overlapping or the sending of secret messages?

I am fully in sympathy with the wish of my hon. Friend to allow the families of British prisoners greater freedom in this matter than is possible under the present Regulations. There are serious difficulties in the way of relaxing the Regulations in the sense desired, but I am communicating with the Central Prisoners of War Committee on the matter. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on the 19th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if ho is aware that the new scheme of reorganisation intended to increase the pay of Irish prison warders does not assimilate the pay of those officers with that of English prison warders as sanctioned by the Treasury in April last; that the scheme imposes fresh hardships on the married officers of the service by depriving them of their allowances for fuel and light; that warders holding special appointments suffer a reduction in their pay by losing the cash allowance hitherto attached to those appointments; is he aware that the payment at the rate of a 1d. an hour for two or three hours weekly is insufficient to cover the loss of those allowances; and will he now take steps to give full effect to the Treasury Order of April last?

I am informed that the new scale of pay provides identical wages for ordinary prison warders in England and Ireland. The fuel and light allowances referred to hitherto given in Ireland are not part of the remuneration of English prison officers and necessarily cease with the introduction of the English scale of pay which the Irish officers pressed for. In most cases the cash allowances mentioned are merged in the new salaries, and in other cases where specific services are required the working pay will be payable in respect of the actual number of hours worked which the specific duty entails.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that English prison warders on the 31st March last, with eight and sixteen years' service, were in receipt of 28s. and 32s. per week, respectively; and, as the Treasury sanctioned the assimilation of the pay of Irish prison warders with that of the English prison warders, is he aware that under the new scheme Irish prison warders with eight and sixteen years' service receive £1 6s. 1d. and £l 9s. per week, respectively; and will he take immediate steps to have the new Irish scheme suspended until the Treasury Order of April last is fully carried out?

I am not in a position to say what would have been the pay of English prison warders on 31st March last with either eight or sixteen years' service, but I am told that the pay of ordinary warders in Ireland and England is now identical. Under the new scheme Irish prison warders with eight and sixteen years' service will draw as pay at least £l 6s. 6d. and £l 9s. 7d. respectively, per week, and will be eligible to proceed to 32s. per week by increments. In addition, they will receive a war bonus of 4s. per week, free quarters for themselves and their families, or a cash lodging allowance in lieu, free uniform, clothing, and an allowance of 6d. per week for boots, together with medical attendance by the prison medical officer. The new scales of pay are being applied to the Irish prison officers in the manner authorised by the Treasury.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will indicate the exact net amount of increase granted under the new scheme for increasing salaries of prison warders in Ireland; whether in the case of married men they have to give up an allowance of £5 a year for fuel and light in exchange for an increase of £9 2s. a year, thus leaving them £4 2s. net, whilst in the case of men who have to rent houses and have not cottages to live in the rent paid is from 5s. to 7s. a week, which practically leaves nothing of an increase at all; also will he explain how the single men only get 3s. 6d. a week over if they have to board out; and whether he is aware that the whole scheme has given rise to dissatisfaction in the force?

The net amount of the increase under the new scale to warders is estimated, on an average, to be about 1s. a week to married warders occupying Government quarters, 1s. 7d. a week to married warders not provided with quarters, and 3s. 6d. a week to single warders. This is exclusive of the war bonus paid generally at the rate of 4s. per week. Under the new scheme married prison warders in receipt of a cash allowance of £5 per annum for fuel and light give up this allowance in consideration of the increase of £9 2s. per annum in salary, payable to them on new scale. I have no information as to the rents paid by warders not provided with quarters. The scheme makes no change as regards the single warders' boarding arrangements. I am told that the majority of the prison officers have accepted the new scale of pay.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will state why the Local Government Board sanctioned a reduction in the rents of the labourers' cottages in the Croom Rural District, county Limerick, last April, and refuses to grant a similar reduction to other rural areas; and will he again consult with Sir H. Robinson and try to arrange for a sanction of the proposal throughout Ireland before the labourers take the question into their own hands and deduct the amounts sanctioned by the local councils from their rents, which is bound to arise if the present attitude of the Local Government Board is persisted in?

The reduction to which the hon. Member refers was made by my predecessor. As regards the latter part of the question, I am not able to add anything to my answer to his question of the 19th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he is aware that the Gort Rural District Council called the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the cases of John Hartigan, Bunnasrah, Michael Keane, Carheeney, and Thomas Connolly, Killeen, tenants on the estate of Viscount Gough, Gort, county Galway, who, although occupiers of uneconomic holdings, have been refused any addition of land; and whether, before the estate passes out of the hands of the Commissioners, provision will be made to bring these tenants up to an economic standard?

All the untenanted land and turbary acquired by the Estates Commissioners on this estate for the purposes of distribution have been allotted, and the Commissioners are not in a position to make any further allotments.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a feeble old man, 79 years of age, named James Casey, residing at Loughaterick, Woodford, county Galway, in receipt of an old age pension (5s.) applied for an additional allowance of 2s. 6d., which was granted by the Loughrea pension subcommittee but appealed against by the pension officer and upheld by the Local Government Board on the ground that his means were in excess of 12s. 6d. a week; whether he is aware that Casey eked out an existence by begging from house to house until he became too feeble to continue, and that he was then given shelter in the house of Luke Duffy, who is himself an old age pensioner; and if he will explain on what ground the Local Government Board decided against the claim of this man?

The Local Government Board inform me that it is not Luke Duffy himself but his mother who is an old age pensioner, and that Luke Duffy himself keeps a comfortable homo He is a relative of the pensioner James Casey, and gives him free support in return for labour. The Board decided that Casey's means, including his pension, debarred him from receiving the additional grant.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, before the Prorogation, he can make a statement as to the number of old age pensioners who have been granted additional allowances; whether there is any delay being experienced in settling applications for additional allowances; whether there is any accumulation of applications; and whether there is any difference in the method of estimating means other than was adopted in investigating applications for the original pensions, so far as capital possessions are concerned?

The latest figures available show the progress of the work of granting additional allowances to old age pensioners up to the 9th instant inclusive Up to that date 650,862 applications had been received; of these, 581,020 had been investigated by the pension officers and submitted to the local pension committees and sub-committees; and these authorities had awarded allowances to 419,581 pensioners. With reference to the last part of the question, the position is that in the case of pensioners who obtained their pensions before the coming into force of the Old Age Pension Act, 1911, the means from capital were estimated when the pensions were granted under the provisions of the 1908 Act, whereas for additional allowance purposes the means are estimated in all cases under the 1911 Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take steps to have the case of Anne M'Grath, Bawnreagh, Carrick-on-Suir, for an application for an old age pension, re-considered by the pension authorities?

The Local Government Board decided in September last that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit. This decision cannot be reopened, but it is open to the claimant to make a fresh application.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has under consideration the making of new rules under the Intermediate Education Act, 1914, as to the application of the teachers' salaries grant, or whether new rules are being prepared by the Intermediate Board?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that two tenants on the estate of E. W. B. Weir, Record No. E.G. 6060, county Fermanagh, named Robert and Samuel Virtue, of Lavaran, Kesh, in the county of Fermanagh, made application to the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of their holdings; whether it is the usual custom of the Estates Commissioners when an estate is being sold on which there are a few tenants who do not agree to accept the terms agreed on by the rest of the tenants to investigate all the circumstances of those cases and settle the disputes between them and the owner; whether, in the case of Robert and Samuel Virtue, the boundaries were incorrectly described, which incorrectness was confirmed by the inspector of the Estates Commissioners on his visiting the lands, and was subsequently admitted by the solicitors for the owner in correspondence with the solicitors for the tenants: whether, in consequence of this mistake, the tenants refused to sign purchase agreements until their area was rectified, and as a result of this refusal they were excluded from the sale of the estate; whether they have repeatedly expressed their willingness to purchase their holdings on the terms recommended by the Estates Commissioners' inspector, but the owner refuses to sell to them on these terms; and whether any action is to be taken in the matter?

The proceedings for sale of this estate were instituted by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties were lodged with the Estates Commissioners. When the inspector visited the property he ascertained that the Virtues had been offered the same terms as the other judicial tenants, and that they disputed the ownership of a certain plot. The holdings, with the exception of the plot in dispute, are held subject to judicial rents, and the prices at which the owner offered to sell were within the prescribed zonal limits. It is not the duty of the Estates Commissioners to settle disputes when the parties will not agree, and, as purchase agreements were not signed by the tenants in question, their holdings could not be included in the lands sold by the vendor, but it is open to the parties when they have come to terms to sign purchase agreements under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the majority of public boards in Ireland have protested against compulsory vaccination; and if he will take steps to have the Conscientious Clause of the Vaccination Act extended to Ireland?

I am not aware that there has been any general demand on the part of public boards in Ireland for a change in the law in the direction indicated.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received the statement issued by the Belfast Teachers' Association with reference to the salaries and prospects of national teachers; and whether he will use his influence to get the resolutions adopted on 28th October, 1916, at a public meeting carried into effect?

The statement referred to has been received. I cannot add anything to what I have recently stated in the House on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the result of the consultations between the various Departments with reference to the dismissal of assistant teachers and the reduction of the grade salary of principal teachers owing to the condition of the average attendance of pupils; whether the application of the Commissioners of National Education for power to suspend during the War period the operation of the rules requiring a withdrawal or reduction of the salaries of teachers consequent upon a decline in the attendance of pupils has been granted; and what has been the result of the pressure which he undertook to use in regard to this question?

As soon as this matter has been decided a public statement shall be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the food allowance of the girl students in the Marlborough Street Training College, Dublin, has been reduced in quantity; and, if so, whether, in view of the danger thereby occasioned to the health of these young girls, he will make representations to the Commissioners of National Education, under whose direct control this institution is, to have this matter seen to without delay?

I am informed that there has not been at present any reduction in the food allowance for the women students of the Marlborough Street Training College, but that on the recommendation of the immediate authorities a revised dietary scale has been adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been recently a presidential election in Cuba; and whether he can state the name of the president then elected?

A presidential election took place in Cuba about the 1st of November, but the result has not yet been declared, and His Majesty's Government understand that, owing to an inquiry which has been instituted in connection with the election, the announcement may possibly still be postponed for some weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total value of the export of linen and linen yarn from Belfast during the month of November, 1916; and of the same for the same month in 1914 and 1915?

The total values of linen and linen yarns of home manufacture exported from the United Kingdom, as registered in the month of November, 1914, 1915, and 1916, respectively, were as follow:—

	Nov., 1914.	NOV., 1915.	Nov., 1916.
	£	£	£
Linen Yarn	32,067	64,839	99,640
Linen Manufactures of all kinds	619,383	716,069	742,465
	651,450	780,908	842,105

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the average monthly export and value of linen yarns and linen piece goods from Belfast during the years 1914, 1915, and 1916, to the end of November; the number of workers engaged in their manufacture; and the average wages paid to them in each month of this period?

The average monthly exports of linen yarns and linen piece goods of home manufacture from the United Kingdom to all destinations in the years 1914 and 1915, and the first eleven months of 1916, respectively, were as follow:

—	Monthly Average,
	Quantity.	Value.
Linen yarns exported—	Thsnd. lbs.	£
1914	1,038	73,786
1915	535	44,640
1916 (11 months)	804	90,189
Linen piece goods exported—	Thousand yards.	£
1914	14,908	456,704
1915	10,731	411,217
1916 (11 months)	12,221	567,614

Separate particulars are not available with regard to the exports of yarns and piece goods manufactured in the Belfast district. Direct exports abroad from the port of Belfast are relatively trifling.According to the Census of 1911, there were 29,626 people occupied in linen manufacture at Belfast, of whom 6,253 were males and 23,373 were females. Statistics are not available as to the total number of workpeople engaged in the industry in each month of the period 1913– 1916, but the following table shows the number of workpeople employed by firms reporting to the Board of Trade, together with the average earnings of such workpeople. These earnings include those of men, women, boys, and girls, and any variation in the proportion of each of these classes of workers, owing to the War or other circumstances, would affect the average amounts stated. These amounts are also affected by overtime and short time, and cannot be regarded as rates of wages for a definite number of hours of work:

Month.		1913.			1914.			1915.			1916.
		Workpeople employed by Firms making Returns.	Average Earnings of these Workpeople.		Workpeople employed by Firms making Returns.	Average Earnings of these Workpeople.		Workpeople employed by Firms making Returns.	Average Earnings of these Workpeople.		Workpeople employed by Firms making Returns.	Average Earnings of these Workpeople.
			S.	d.		s.	d.		s.	d		s.	d.
January	…	17,171	12	6	18,019	13	6	16,024	11	4	17,088	13	8
February	…	17,620	12	10	18,187	13	3	16,334	11	6	18,219	13	6
March	…	17,955	13	9	17,683	12	9	17,654	13	1	16,993	13	6
April	…	16,664	14	0	17,556	13	0	16,993	19	0	16,883	14	0
May	…	18,116	13	9	18,257	13	1	16,651	12	5	17,983	14	1
June	…	18,366	13	9	17,734	13	6	17,224	12	2	16,939	14	4
July	…	18,127	13	9	18,044	13	4	16,948	12	2	16,764	14	2
August	…	16,557	13	8	17,460	11	7	16,743	12	8	16,694	14	7
September	…	18,900	13	7	18,297	11	5	16,929	12	6	16,766	14	11
October	…	18,219	13	6	17,249	11	6	16,677	12	9	16,714	14	9
November	…	17,802	13	6	17,330	11	5	16,510	12	8	16,554	14	10
December	…	17,935	13	9	17,902	12	0	16,812	13	8	—	—

asked the President of I the Board of Trade whether he is aware that no reply has been sent as yet to the request of the Flax Roughers' and Yarn Spinners' Trade Union, Belfast, to the Board of Trade to appoint an arbitrator with reference to their application for an advance of wages and the refusal of the Flax Spinners' Association, Limited, to accede to this demand; whether he can say if the Flax Spinners' Association are willing] to have the matter submitted to arbitration; and, if they are, whether he will consider the advisability of appointing as arbitrator Professor Irvine, of Aberdeen, who has acted in a similar case in Scotland with satisfactory results to all concerned?

The Chief Industrial Commissioner has been in communication with the Flax Spinners' Association, who have intimated that they are unable, owing to the depressed state of trade, to concede a further increase beyond the two advances already granted since the outbreak

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any minimumrates have yet been in operation in Belfast in connection with the linen and cotton trades; whether it is only now for the first time that the local Trade Board has taken action in this matter; whether any and, if any, how many representatives of the workers were present at the recent meeting of the Belfast Trade Board; what would be the estimated earnings of the workers concerned per week under the proposed rates; and whether the Board of Trade will take steps to have the new rates put into operation forthwith?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the linen and cotton embroidery trade. As he was informed in answer to his question yesterday, the Linen and Cotton Embroidery Trade Board (Ireland) has resolved to give notice on 8th January that it proposes to fix minimum time-rates ranging from 2½d. to 3¼d. per hour, and also minimum piece-rates. I am informed by the chairman that eleven out of the twelve representatives of workers were present at the last meeting of the Trade Board, at which the decision to propose these rates was arrived at. As the vast majority of the workpeople affected are homeworkers, no reliable estimate can be formed of their weekly earnings under the proposed rates, which would, of course, vary according to the number of hours worked. Before fixing the proposed rates, the Trade Board is bound by Statute to consider any objections to them that may be lodged within three months from the date of giving notice, and there is no power to override this statutory provision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the names of the flax spinning and linen mills in Belfast in which short time is being worked at present; the number of women and girls employed; and the average wages earned by the workers?

Of the twenty firms in the linen trade in the Belfast district reporting to the Board of Trade for November, 1916, fourteen reported short time. Of these fourteen only eight distinguished between the earnings of male and female workers, and these eight firms employed 7,278 women and girls, whose average earnings were l1s. 10½d. in the week ended 25th November, 1916. The number of male workers at these firms was 2,270, and their average earnings 24s. 4d.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in

Period, etc.		Quantities.				Values.
		1913.	1914.	1915.	1916.	1913.	1914.	1915.	1916.
Linen Yarns Exported—		Thsnd. lbs	Thsnd. lbs	Thsnd. lbs	Thsnd. lbs	£	£	£	£
January	…	1,657	1,469	510	594	112,274	105,913	34,920	60,435
February	…	1,236	1,261	616	641	90,476	95,504	40,617	67,005
March	…	1,499	1,437	483	632	103,774	105,193	41,863	70,118
April	…	1,566	1,395	406	590	113,254	108,443	34,498	70,064
May	…	1,397	1,329	598	901	108,260	92,068	46,440	98,253
June	…	1,396	1,425	577	1,462	107,693	103,157	47,313	156,434
July	…	1,214	1,431	519	943	93,079	103,664	44,097	119,422
August	…	1,239	539	491	882	94,307	34,879	34,400	100,091
September	…	1,197	494	480	659	95,345	27,088	43,174	82,362
October	…	1,412	583	658	666	107,829	34,032	52,920	68,244
November	…	1,362	524	658	874	100,597	32,067	64,839	99,646
December	…	1,163	577	522	—	88,558	41,006	50,163	—
Total	…	16,306	12,445	6,417	8,845 (11 mths)	1,215,744	885,429	535,680	992,074 (11m ths.)

My hon. Friend is evidently under a misapprehension as to the Board's powers under the Trade Boards Act. This Act could only be extended for the Belfast linen trade by a Provisional Order confirmed by Parliament, which would at the same time necessarily include any other districts in which the same trade was carried on. As I have explained in previous answers, the general question of extending the Trade Boards Acts is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish a Return showing the export of linen yarns from Belfast for each month of 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916; value of export; export of linen piece goods for same periods; value of export; number of workpeople engaged in the linen yarn and linen piece goods manufacture in Belfast during these periods; and average wages during the same periods?

The quantities and values of linen yarn3 and linen piece goods of home manufacture exported from the United Kingdom to all destinations in the periods specified were as follows:

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he will state the value of the stamps contained in the unclaimed health insurance cards now in the possession of the four Health Insurance Commissions?

The approximate value of the unclaimed contribution cards in the hands of the several bodies of Insurance Commissioners at 30th June, 1916, was £66,000. In this connection, I would refer the hon. Member to the full statistics of unidentified cards on page 63 of the Further Report of the Departmental Committee on Approved Society Finance and Administration.