asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the cost of living has risen over 60 per cent., thus reducing the purchasing power of the 5s. old age pension to less than 2s 6d.; and whether he will consider the justice of allowing all pensioners not receiving the benefit of other concessions to receive the 2s. 6d. increase now granted only in certain cases?

The existing scheme for the award of additional allowances to old age pensioners was designed to relieve the hardship caused by the rise in prices to which my hon. Friend refers. As I have already stated in reply to a number of recent questions, I am not prepared to go beyond that scheme.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury upon what ground the old age pension claim of John Friel, Knockna-bollin, Termon, county Donegal, has been refused, having regard to the fact that this man is disabled and has no means beyond the possession of a small farm valued at £4 per annum?

I will have inquiry made, and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the exact means estimated by the Local Government Board for Ireland in the case of Thomas and Bridget Hickey, in Kilkenny, a married couple, who had applied to have their old age pensions raised from 3s. to 5s. per week; in view of the numerous well-known public circumstances since the outbreak of war adversely affecting the licensed trade, what evidence was relied on as outweighing the pensioners' statements that their son, a publican in the smallest way, with a wife and children, is no longer able to provide them with their support pursuant to a deed, that they receive only partial support from him, and could not exact their nominal legal rights; whether he is aware that it is well known locally that this aged couple are in necessitous circumstances; and, if a new application is made, whether he will arrange with the Local Government Board to have the same investigated by the pension officer, new to the district, with freedom to report thereon unfettered by any previous decision and without attributing to the aged couple any means which they neither actually receive from their son nor could, without hardship to him and his wife and children dependants, enforce their nominal right to receive?

The Local Government Board were not satisfied that the value of the maintenance of Thomas and Bridget Hickey, of Kilkenny, was less than 10s. a week. Before giving their decision the Board had the case specially investigated by one of their inspectors. The pension officers are not under the control of the Local Government Board.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in the case of old age pensioners being obliged to have recourse to the Poor Law in consequence of the rising cost of living, he will take steps to secure that such pensioners shall not be disqualified to receive the pension when better times return, or make a Grant so that Poor Law guardians can give relief in special cases as an increase to the pension?

The disqualification for receiving or continuing to receive an old age pension by reason of poor relief only lasts as long as the pensioner is in receipt of such relief, and there is therefore no reason why on the return of better times he should not at once resume his old age pension.

asked whether the Order for the exemption from military service of special constables who are married and over thirty-five years of age, and who are in Categories C1, C2, and C3, is still in force; and whether it has been modified in any way?

Special constables, who are married and of, or over, thirty-five years of age who are passed for service in C2 and C3, are not being called up at present. As from January 1st, 1917, those in C1 are being called to the Colours in the usual way.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to release Corporal Anstee, No. 2338, 1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry, from further service with the Colours, in order that he may return to the relief of his father, who is an invalid, in the management of Castle Farm, Chippenham, 270 acres, and Stanton Farm, Chippenham, 400 acres; and whether he is aware that, in the event of his being unable to do so, there will be no alternative but to sell the' stock and give up one of the farms?

Corporal Anstee was given leave from his unit for a considerable portion of last year during the serious illness of his father. His father is now reported to be capable of managing his business affairs, and it is understood that there is a manager at the Castle Farm. I regret, therefore, that Corporal Anstee cannot be released.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of agricultural experience now serving at home are released on leave to get in the crops if asked for by farmers or Labour Exchanges, but not when being small holders they apply to put in crops for themselves; whether this adverse discrimination against small holders is intentional; and what steps will be taken to save the food supply on small holdings where the occupier has been called to the Colours?

I am afraid my hon. Friend has been misinformed. There has been no discrimination between large farms and small holdings in granting leave from home units for agricultural work. If my hon. Friend knows of any case to the contrary, perhaps he will let me have particulars. The question of food supply on small holdings will doubtless be taken into account by tribunals granting exemptions where necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the number of the police being men of military age in the county of Surrey is the subject of adverse comment, and that the Windlesham local tribunal has passed a resolution in condemnation; and whether combing out will be applied to the police forces in the United Kingdom, especially where special constables are so readily available and efficient as in Surrey?

The resolution referred to was communicated to the War Office. The resolution of the Windlesham local tribunal was brought to the notice of the chief constable concerned. It was reported that he had already released a large proportion of his force. In accordance with the decision of the War Cabinet instructions have now been given to call up for military service all policemen fit For general service up to the age of twenty-two, inclusive.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether a man holding a temporary exemption certificate and passed medically into a category not at present being called up will be allowed to make a fresh claim after his category is called up, if ever, in spite of his not now proceeding with it?

An attested man can apply for the renewal of an exemption within seven days of the issue of the individual notice calling him up for service. An unattested man must generally apply within fourteen days of the date on which his certificate ceases to be in force.

asked the Home Secretary how many men have been transferred to civil prisons after courts-martial as conscientious objectors to military service; how many of these have declined to accept work under the Home Office Committee and are still in prison; how many have accepted such work; and how many are now engaged at the different work centres?

asked the Prime Minister if he will inform the House of the number of conscientious objectors in military detention or in civil prisons on 10th February; what number of conscientious objectors had been released to take up work under the Home Office scheme on that date; what number of conscientious objectors were still in prison or in detention whose cases had not been inquired into by the Central Tribunal; what number of conscientious objectors were in prison or in detention waiting for work of national importance to be found them; what number of conscientious objectors in prison or in detention had declined to accept the Home Office scheme; what number of conscientious objectors in prison or in detention had been refused the opportunity of coming out under the scheme as the Central Tribunal was of opinion that their genuineness had not been established; and what number of conscientious objectors who had been released under the scheme have thrown up the scheme or have been re-arrested for various reasons?

I will answer these two questions together. The total number of men who have been sentenced to imprisonment by court-martial, transferred to civil prisons, and reported to the Central Tribunal as alleging that their offences were prompted by a conscientious objection to military service is, I am informed, 3,025. The Central Tribunal has reported 2,369 of these cases to the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, and of these 2,297 have been or will immediately be offered release from prison and from military service on condition that they perform work of national importance under the Committee. Of these, 265 have refused to accept release on these conditions, 1,731 have been released, and 284 are awaiting release. Of the 1,731 who have been released from prison to work 101 have subsequently refused to work or have broken the conditions on which they were released, and have accordingly been sent back to prison or to the Army. There are 339 men now in prison whoso cases have not yet been considered by the Central Tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the treatment of Thomas Hearns, at present compulsorily employed at the Hardy Patent Pick Company, Sheffield, as a labourer, at 7d. per hour, without war bonus; if he is aware that Thomas Hearns is an Irishman temporarily resident in Great Britain for the past three months; if he is aware that Hearns is a member of the Dublin Printers' Trade Union, which paid his expenses to this country to take up employment at his own trade in Sheffield, after being rejected as medically unfit for military service in Ireland; if he is aware that he was called up and, on appeal, was granted exemption on condition that he would do work of national importance to be provided by the Labour Exchange; if he will say why this man, a Dublin tradesman, was compelled to do labouring work at 7d. an hour; why he was denied the war bonus, and, as the man did not come under the Military Service Act, why he has been treated in such a fashion; and will he order his release from this work, which has been the means of his being put on sick pay?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office under what circumstances the Director of Remounts was induced to issue a circular or make a statement in favour of the maintenance of fox-hunting; whether the Cabinet was consulted before this pronouncement was made; and whether he will state the total number of horses commandeered from hunt establishments at the outbreak of war and what proportion, after commandeering, had to be again disposed of as useless for military purposes?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the then Under-Secretary of State, on January 6th, 1915, to the hon. Member for Brecknock. My right hon. Friend explained that the object in view was the continuance of the breeding and raising of light horses suitable for Cavalry work, and that if this important and vital military purpose was to be secured, the maintenance of hunts is necessary. The circular was issued on the authority of the Secretary of State and the then Adjutant-General. I regret that the figures asked for are not available and that their preparation would involve an incommensurate amount of clerical labour.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of youths have been taken away from good schools owing to the fact that their parents are not able to keep them there under present circumstances; that many of these youths are willing and anxious to join the Artists' Rifles and Inns of Courts Officers' Training Corps and find their own kit, but are not allowed to do so because they are under eighteen; that some of them join the Army as privates by misrepresenting their age; and will he consider the advisability of forming probationary companies in connection with Officers' Training Corps, so that these lads may have an opportunity of being trained as officers and be ready for service when they reach military age?

Special Training Reserve battalions are being formed to receive and train youths who are under 18 years 8 months, and a special syllabus of training is to be employed. The officers commanding these battalions will be responsible that any man who has attained the age of 18½ or more, and is considered likely to become an efficient officer, is recommended for a further course of training in an officer cadet unit. The formation of probationary companies is, therefore, not considered necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Order (Eastern Command) forbidding any week-end leave which was issued at Christmas is still in force; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of modifying this Order now?

Yes, sir. It is still in force, and I cannot hold out any hope of its modification.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the case of Private W. Watts, 49th Training Reserve Battalion, stationed at Prees Heath, Whitchurch, Salop, who at the time of his death was undergoing detention in the detention barracks at Stafford; whether he 16 aware that this man was suffering from, and under treatment for, anæmia and was subjected to No. 1 penal diet; and whether an inquiry will be held into this case?

I will have inquiries made into this case; but my hon. and gallant Friend must not misunderstand me as promising a special form of inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the regulations relating to detention barracks have been withdrawn from sale to the public; whether he will state the reason of this prohibition; and whether he will undertake that persons in litigation with the authorities for alleged ill-treatment at detention barracks shall be supplied with copies of these regulations for the purposes of preparing their cases for trial?

These regulations have not hitherto been placed on sale, as there has not been sufficient demand for them to warrant this being done. Any Member, however, who applies to the War Office for a copy will be supplied with one.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make a statement as regards land and river transport in Mesopotamia; whether regular supplies of potatoes and fresh vegetables are provided for the troops at stations on the Euphrates line; and whether any nurses have reached the garrison at Nasiriyah?

I am glad to be able to reassure my hon. Friend that the situation as to supplies and transport in Mesopotamia is now very satisfactory. I shall be happy to give further details if my hon. Friend will speak to me privately. As regards the last part of the question, hospital accommodation is being provided at Nasiriyah, and as soon as it is ready, nurses will no doubt be sent there.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why officers of the Territorial Force in Mesopotamia are treated differently in the matter of promotion to officers of the Territorial Force in France?

The same treatment in promotion is received by Terri- torial Force officers in Mesopotamia and in France. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of the case he has in mind, I shall be happy to have it investigated.

asked why promotions granted in the early part of 1916 to officers of the Territorial Force in Mesopotamia by publication in Force Routine Orders have not yet been given effect to in the "London Gazette"?

All promotions received from Mesopotamia by the War Office have been gazetted. If my hon. Friend will give me details of any that may have been accidentally omitted, it will be of assistance.

asked whether the question of double pay and double pension is being considered for officers and men, British and Indian, engaged in the campaign in Mesopotamia for the period of their service, owing to the very exceptional character of that campaign?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in the first half of January the offices of the newspaper "Britannia," in Great Portland Street, were raided; if so, whether any explanation can be given of this action; and whether on or about 14th January various private flats and offices of persons connected with the Women's Social and Political Union were raided by the police?

The answers to the first and last parts of the question are in the affirmative. The action to which reference is made in the second part of the question was taken in consequence of false statements and outrageous attacks which were persistently made upon those responsible for the foreign and military policy of this country, and which were calculated to prejudice good relations with our Allies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why, in spite of the public announcement on 19th January that childless wives and other dependants of soldiers than wives and children could apply to the local war pensions committee for increased allowances on account of the higher cost of living, they are being refused on the ground that there is no Regulation which authorises them to do so?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Regulations have been made by the Statutory Committee to deal with the cases referred to in the question, and local committees have been notified by circular, dated the 9th instant, as to the scale of assistance which might be given in these cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what steps the Government intend to take to provide for the dependants of soldiers that met with their death by accident whilst employed by the Army authorities; and if he is aware that a numbers of soldiers' dependants are now being provided for by the Poor Law authorities?

I cannot, in reply to the first part of the question, anticipate the proposals which the Minister of Pensions will presently make to this House for altering the pension provisions of existing Royal Warrants. With regard to the second part of the question, I will have immediate inquiries made if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases which he has in mind, but I would point out that it is always open to a dependant in need of assistance to apply to the local war pensions committee of his or her district.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Pensioner No. 20,820; whether he is aware that this man has been discharged as a lunatic to the Royal Naval Hospital at Great Yarmouth, with a pension of £51 6s. per annum in respect of his service of 22 years 179 days; whether he is aware that no part of this pension is paid to the man's wife, who has to bring up five young children on an allowance of 6s. a week from the charitable fund of Greenwich Hospital; whether the Admiralty are debarred by law from paying any portion of the pension for the maintenance of the wife and children of this man; and will he, at an early date, introduce amending legislation to meet such cases?

The facts are as stated by my hon. Friend. The man in question was invalided a year ago for insanity not attributable to the Service, and under present Regulations his pension is not payable while he is maintained at the cost of the State in Yarmouth Hospital. The whole question of how the maintenance in these cases can be met whilst at the same time securing some provision for the wives and children is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that John Clear, No. 7490, South Lancashire Regiment, was killed at Mons; that his father, Michael Clear, was granted a pension of 9s. per week up to the date of his death, 28th March, 1916; and that his wife, mother of John Clear, received no pension until 12th December, 1916; and whether it is proposed to pay arrears of pension from 28th March, 1916, up to 12th December, 1916, to Mrs. Clear?

Payment of these arrears has been authorised.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the total sum paid to Messrs. Perfect and Company for inspecting and superintending the discharge of frozen meat for his Department from the outbreak of War to the 31st December last; and whether his officials have yet ascertained that at least 50 per cent, of this money could have been saved to the nation if the proposal to call in the assistance of the medical officers of health and their staffs had been adopted?

The total amount paid for all services rendered to 31st December last is £58,000 in round figures. In regard to the suggestion in the last part of the question, my information is to the contrary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Messrs. Burberry and Company, of London, Reading, Basingstoke, and Winchester, have recently refused to receive the accredited representatives of their workpeople, and have informed these workpeople that, as a condition of further employment, they must discontinue their membership of the Garment Workers' Trade Union, and that on this issue a dispute involving some hundreds of women is now in progress at the factory of the firm at Reading; whether any contracts for clothing for cadets have been placed with Messrs. Burberry; and, if so, will he take steps either to terminate these or I other current contracts with the firm or alternately to require the firm to conform to the letter and spirit of the Fair-Wages Clause?

The attention of the Department has already been drawn by the Garment Workers Trade Union to the dispute referred to in the question, and the secretary of the union has been informed that, as the firm do not hold any War Office contracts, the Department is not concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can give the names of the commissioned officers serving on the Management Committee of the Army Canteen Committee, and the rate of remuneration they are receiving for their services?

The following officers are serving on the Management Committee of the Army Canteen Committee: Lieut.-Colonel Gordon Leith, Major George Henderson, and Major Frank Towle. The rate of remuneration which these officers receive is that to which they are entitled by their War Office grading, namely, £800, £550, and £550 a year respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men there are in Class W; whether there are in this class many men disabled by wounds and disease who receive no pay or pension, and who find difficulty in getting employment owing to the fact that they are liable to be recalled to the Army?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the answers which I have given to questions on this subject during the past three days.

asked how many officers are now employed as district purchasing officers of supplies; what is approximately the cost of their services; and whether there is any reason why the whole of their duties could not now be adequately performed under the direction of the county war agricultural committees?

The number of district purchasing officers in the United Kingdom is 51; I am afraid that I have no figures available as to the cost of their services apart from those of the officers and staffs of the Forage Department. I fear that their duties could not be performed by the war agricultural committees.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been directed to the request made by the people and urban council of Kingstown, county of Dublin, for the establishment of a munitions factory in that town; whether amongst those applying for work in such an establishment are the women and other dependants of over a thousand men who have enlisted for service in the Army in the present War; whether he is aware that Kingstown is especially favourably situated for the export of munitions, and that the technical instruction committee of the district has expressed its readiness to co-operate in the manufacture of munitions by opening a class for semi-skilled workers if the same privileges and monetary assistance are given to them as have been granted to similar committees in England and Scotland; and whether a decision will be reached in this matter without delay in view of the existing want of remunerative employment, especially for girls, in Kingstown, and of the approach of a period of much greater distress in the near future?

I have been informed that the Kingstown Urban District Council are being approached on this matter by representatives of the Technical Instruction Committee and of the women workers. I regret that it is not possible to establish a munitions factory in Kingstown, but if the council are of opinion that the manufacture of munitions or other Government requirements could be carried out on existing plant in the town, I should be glad if they would send particulars to the district office of the Ministry in Dublin.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether instructions have been, or will be, given to education authorities of the county councils to ensure that at the classes held under the latter authorities for the teaching of cookery the instruction given shall be to promote the preparation and use of dishes that are suitable and proper in order to comply with the requirements of the Food Controller?

In May, 1915, the Board issued to local education authorities a pamphlet on economy in food containing suggestions for simple and nourishing meals which, if I may say so, to a great extent anticipated the policy of the Food Controller. The Board's experience is that authorities and teachers generally appreciate fully the importance of adapting their instruction in cookery to the special needs of the present time, and my right hon. Friend does not think that it is necessary to issue any instructions on the subject. The Board have directed their woman inspectors of domestic subjects to pay special attention to the matter on their visits of inspection.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the use being made of school gardens in Germany, he will supplement Circular 979 by a further circular definitely urging local authorities to provide school gardens where there are none, to increase them in size where they have been started, and to report on what steps they are taking to meet the wishes of His Majesty's Government, as indicated in the circular?

My right hon. Friend thinks the hon. Member may feel satisfied that local education authorities are fully alive to the importance of the matter to which he refers, and there does not seem to him sufficient reason at present for the issue of a further circular. The matter, however, will not be overlooked.

asked the hon. Member for Wilton, as representing the Food Controller, whether, in view of his recent announcement as to the preservation of hand-reared or wild pheasants, it is the intention of his Department to ask the Attorney-General to introduce a short Bill allowing shooting tenants to immediately cancel their leases?

The question whether any and, if any, what legislative relief is needed in the interests of shooting tenants having regard to the enforced restrictions on the preservation of game, is under careful consideration.

asked the hon. Member for Wilton, as representing the Food Controller, whether he will issue an order enabling occupiers of land to kill game which is destroying crops intended for human consumption?

I must refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a private notice question by him on the 13th instant.

asked the hon. Member for Wilton, as representing the Food Controller, whether his attention has been called to complaints which have been recently made at Folkestone and other places to the effect that quantities of sound fish have been destroyed at various time since the commencement of the War in order to keep up the price; whether he has investigated such complaints; and whether, if such complaints are shown to be well founded, he will take all necessary steps to prevent such waste of food?

It now appears that certain complaints of the nature indicated in the question have been made to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, who, after investigation, ascertained that fresh fish had been found among the offal sent to the destructors at Folkestone. For the reason stated in my answer to the hon. Member for West Newington yesterday, it seems most unlikely that such a practice is general, but any such waste of food is greatly to be deprecated, and if it continues the Food Controller will not hesitate to take such action as may be necessary to prevent it.

asked the hon. Member for Wilton, as representing the Food Controller, if he will make the hoarding up of foodstuffs a punishable offence; if he is aware that persons of the well-to-do class are, by storing up goods, raising unnecessarily the price on the working classes; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this evil?

The point raised in the question is being carefully considered with a view to taking any measures that may be practicable to deal with it.

asked the hon. Member for Wilton, as representing the Food Controller, whether, in view of the fact that the Food Controller has issued Orders preventing manufacturing confectioners in this country using in 1917 more than 50 per cent, of the sugar they used in 1915, he is restricting the import of chocolate and confectionery containing sugar by the same amount; and, if so, on what date the restriction of imports came into force?

This question must be dealt with as part of the general question of the allocation of tonnage rather than by a special Order. I cannot say more at the present time than that the point which my hon. Friend raises has not been overlooked.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether it is the intention of the Department to license for export oats contracted to be sold before the Prohibition Order which is at present lying at the Dublin quays and docks and which is unsuitable for seed owing to its having heated?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether registration of alien enemies is made with two copies of the photograph of each alien registered and the registration of friendly aliens with three copies of the photograph; and, if so, what use is made of the extra photograph required from friendly aliens?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to registration in the Metropolitan Police district. Originally only two photographs were required, except when a third was necessary for the purpose of a travelling permit. Experience, however, showed that it was convenient to have three copies; and, when the Order was made that alien friends should be registered, the Commissioner of Police asked that each person registering should supply three copies of the photograph. An alien enemy who is already registered has now to supply an additional copy of his photograph when he makes any application for a permit or identity book.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether any steps have been taken by the Board this winter to secure that coal shall be available at reasonable prices for poor people in London such as were taken in the winter of 1914–15?

The answer is in the negative. The limitation of coal prices has been dealt with by the Board of Trade, and I understand that the question is now mainly one of distribution. I am glad to say that steps have already been taken to provide greater facilities for the distribution of coal to poor persons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Order prohibiting the importation of Japanese and I American hosiery has been rescinded, and these goods are now to be allowed to come in freely, despite the shortage of tonnage for food and other essential imports?

The whole question of import restrictions is now again being considered, and I should prefer not to make any statement at present on the particular point referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, during the last three years, the import of feathers of wild birds into the United Kingdom amounted to 1,865,431 lbs. weight; and whether any prohibition or restriction has yet been placed on this importation, in order to leave more tonnage for articles indispensable at the present time?

The figures given relate to the importation of ornamental feathers other than ostrich feathers. These goods are being considered among others in connection with proposals for further restrictions on imports which are now before the Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the attention of the Irish Government has been repeatedly drawn to the unsatisfactory working of the Lough Swilly Railway Company (Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension), and that on several occasions recently consignments of fish have been so much delayed as to be rendered useless for human consumption; and whether it is proposed to take any steps in the matter?

Attention has been called to the matter, and I hope it will be possible to take action.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, to allay the prevailing unrest amongst teachers in elementary schools, and to give them the hope of permanently improved conditions of service, he proposes to discuss with local education authorities the question of increasing teachers' salaries by an equitable contribution from local rates and Treasury Grants?

My right hon. Friend is fully alive to the importance of placing the teaching profession on a satisfactory footing, and he recognises that this problem involves a careful consideration of the relations between local and central finanee, but he is not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any action has been taken with regard to the financial recommendations made by the Departmental Committee which was appointed to inquire into the reformatory and industrial schools in Scotland?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the Treasury have sanctioned increases in the Government Grants to Reformatory and Industrial Schools in Scotland amounting in the aggregate to about £9,000 a year. The new scale of grants is generally in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee. I may add that it is proposed, in view of these increased Government Grants, to require increased contributions from local authorities, and accordingly the financial position of the schools in question will be materially improved.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the postal delivery in the Killena Division, county Wexford, is to be reduced from six to three days per week from 19th February; and, in view of the inconvenience the proposed change would cause in such a large and thickly populated district, will he arrange for the postal delivery to be continued as heretofore?

My right hon. Friend is having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.