asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many officers are now on the Territorial Force Reserve; and how many officers on, that list are capable and willing to serve but are at present unemployed?

1,268 officers are so shown in all arms up to 22nd February. The greater part of these are considerably over military age; many are medically unfit, and some have been released for special purposes. All those-capable of further military service are employed as opportunity arises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statements made by the military representative on the Harrow Tribunal; whether he is aware that this representative stated that many cases of incivility by exempted carmen had come to his notice and that he had notified coalowners to tell him of cases where this occurred; and that he also promised to lose no time in reviewing such exemptions and doing all in his power to get the men sent to the front; whether such a policy has the support of the War Office; and what action it is proposed to take?

I am informed that the statements of the military representative on the Harrow Tribunal were made in consequence of his having ascertained that some of the coal carters in his area were keeping bad time, and were otherwise irregular in their work, being apparently under the impression that as they were in a certified occupation they could not be made liable for military service. It was not a question of incivility, but of failure adequately to perform the work in respect of which they held exemption. Application may rightly be made for withdrawal of a certificate of exemption granted on the ground of certified occupation if the holder has a bad record in his employment. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 12th instant by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Devonport.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Attention has been called to the protest made by the Runcorn Tribunal against the calling up by the military authorities of men granted conditional exemption; whether he has read the statement of the chairman that the certificates of tribunals were of no account, and that the military authorities simply used the tribunals as a fog to obscure the issue; and what steps it is proposed to take to prevent the military authorities overriding the decisions of the tribunals?

Inquiry has been made into this matter. It appears that there was some misundersanding as to certificates of exemption held by men whose employment ceased to be certified in consequence of alteration in the Certified Occupation List, but that the question has now been satisfactorily settled. It is not always understood that an exemption granted solely on the ground of certified occupation is automatically cancelled when the occupation is removed from the list. Recruiting officers are fully aware that a valid certificate or exemption issued by a tribunal precludes the calling up of the holder for military service. No instances of wilful ignoring of tribunal certificates have been reported.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in spite of the Order of 13th July, to the effect that attested men who are, upon re-examination, rejected as medically unfit should be given a certificate of discharge, it has been consistently disobeyed by the military authorities; whether he is aware that the Secretary of the War Office, in reply to a rejected attested man who asked for his discharge, has stated that discharge certificates are not now being given; and whether the Secretary of State proposes to take any steps to enforce the observance of the Army Order by his officials?

No, Sir; I am not aware that the War Office instructions are consistently disobeyed by the military authorities. As I have stated before, the whole question is under consideration, and if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the letter to which he refers, the whole matter will be investigated.

Whore an attested man, who, under this Order, is entitled to his discharge, but which has been withheld by the Army authorities, can he now get his discharge on application?

I can only state that the whole matter is under consideration. According to the answer which I gave about a fortnight ago to my hon. Friend, I think he is entitled to his discharge.

If he is entitled to his discharge under the Order, and if that discharge is wrongfully withheld from him, will he—in spite of the consideration which is going on just now—get his discharge on application?

If my hon. Friend will give me specific cases, I will certainly make inquiry.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of these men have been refused employment by employers because they cannot produce their certificate of discharge, and that consequently the services of those men are lost to the country?

I was not aware of that. I am very sorry if that has been so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why non-commissioned officers and men are not allowed the suffix of D.C.M., M.S.M., after their names when they have won that distinction; and whether a change in this practice will be considered?

This question raises some difficult points which the Secretary of State is having considered. A decision will be announced in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the same rules as to home leave prevail for those who are serving in the trenches and for those who are employed in transport, railway, and other non-combatant service at a distance from the fighting line; and whether more favourable conditions could be granted to those upon whom the toil, hardship, and risk chiefly fall, even if it implied less liberal leave for those employed on lighter and less dangerous duties?

I know that the Field-Marshal. Commanding-in-Chief, in whose discretion the grant of all leave lies, has taken a great personal interest in this matter, and he is endeavouring to give leave as equitably and as often as the military exigencies allow.

Will the superior claim of those who are in a position of danger compared with those in the rear be considered?

I dare say that will be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a soldier who has been placed by a special travelling medical board in category C 2 can be called before a single doctor and placed by him in another category?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) what provision is made for men who, instead of being discharged from the Army on account of disabilities, have been transferred to Class W of the Reserve and who are unable to obtain suitable work or are prevented from earning by reason of illness not due to military service; (2) will the right hon. Gentleman state if suitable work has always been promptly found for men transferred to Class W by reason of disability due to or aggravated by service; if not, what provision has been made for their maintenance and that of their dependants pending their employment as substitutes; (3) if men who by reason of disability due to or aggravated by service have been transferred to Class W of the Reserve have been given any document to show the cause of their being so transferred, or if any records of the cause of such disability have been kept and can be referred to; and (4) if any men have been transferred to Class W in error; and, if so, what steps have been taken to trace such cases, to rectify the error, and to compensate the men for any hardships they and their dependants have suffered in consequence of such error?

I am afraid that some men suffering from disabilities due to or aggravated by service have been passed in error to Class W Reserve. As I stated yesterday, in answer to the hon. Member for Durham (N.W.), the whole subject is receiving immediate attention, and I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the constitution of W Reserve and of P Reserve, respectively?

The information is to be found in two Army Orders, of which I will send my hon. Friend copies.

Is it not the case that no man ought to be put in the W Reserve if he is disabled?

That is so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a conscientious objector named Emanuel Ribers, now of 7b, East Ward, Lord Derby's War Hospital, Win-wick, Warrington, was arrested five weeks ago and handed over to the military; that he went on hunger strike and was seven days without food or drink at Bury Barracks; whether he has been forcibly fed at Warrington; and whether, in view of the danger involved in his treatment, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

This case is being investigated, and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would put down his question again next week, when I hope to be in a position to give him an answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether at certain military hospitals in this country our nurses' morning and afternoon teas have lately been stopped; and whether those or such like indulgencies are still permitted to be enjoyed at Donington Hall and other officer-prisoners' camps in this country?

I am not aware that this is so. Nurses have their own messes and make their own arrangements. Officer prisoners of war are at liberty to have afternoon tea, provided that the limitations placed on their purchases of certain articles of food are not exceeded.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain the allegation in the first part of my question? Can the hon. Gentleman tell me, without notice, whether in certain military hospitals in this country, the nursing staff is getting no sugar at all?

I will make inquiry.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry at the Hospital for Officers in Carlton House Terrace?

Yes.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangements, have been made to supply bee-keepers in Scotland with sufficient sugar to keep their bee-stocks alive over the spring; whether arrangements have been made with Messrs. Pascall to supply medicated candy for the purpose; whether he is, aware that most bee-keepers object to medicated candy; what price is charged by Messrs. Pascall for this medicated candy; and by how much does it exceed the price of sugar?

Arrangements were made by the Sugar Commission with Messrs. James Pascall, Limited, to supply medicated candy for this purpose. I have no reason to think that bee-keepers object to its use. Messrs. Pascall are charging at the rate of 4s. 7d. for 5 lbs. of medicated candy, exclusive of postage, or about twice the price of sugar.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why bee-keepers should have to pay twice the price for sugar to keep their bees alive?

It would appear to be a good investment to have a large amount of sugar and material thus rendered available for public consumption without any large expenditure of human effort.

May I ask who receives the 100 per cent, on the price of sugar; does it go to the Sugar Commission?

This has to be specially prepared.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that numbers of poor people in this country are unable to purchase the prescribed weekly allowance of 12 ozs. of sugar unless they are prepared to purchase other articles of diet at the same time, and, considering that enemy prisoners of war and 30,000 interned enemy aliens in this country are to be provided weekly with 12 ozs. of sugar per head, he can find it possible to provide similar facilities for our own people?

The Food Controller since the issue of voluntary rations has been in communication with the War Office, and an Army Council Instruction was issued last week limiting the sugar ration for civilian and combatant prisoners of war to 7 ozs. per week.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the shortage of potatoes is more pronounced in Scotland than in other parts of the United Kingdom, and the present restrictions therefore operate inequitably towards Scotland, he will approach the respective Departments in order to secure either the exportation of a limited amount of potatoes from Ireland or a reduction in railway freight charges on potatoes imported from distant parts of England?

I am making careful investigation into the Scottish shortage, in consultation with the Food Controller and with my advisers at the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and in any action that may be taken the suggestions of my hon. Friend will be taken into account.

Is the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that consumers in Scotland will not be charged more for potatoes than consumers in England?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that too many potatoes are being already exported from Ireland?

I was not aware of that, but all the circumstances will be kept in view in reaching an early solution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of the poorer districts in Ireland eating potatoes are not obtainable for food of the poor people?

In that case the condition of Ireland is not dissimilar from that of the adjoining countries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try and influence the Government to appoint a Food Controller who understands food questions in Scotland?

I have been in constant communication with the Food Controller.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering a proposal to charge higher prices in Scotland than in England?

That question has been considered in view of many other suggestions. It is not lost sight of.

Has it been rejected?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Agricultural Council of Ireland passed a resolution against the exportation of potatoes, and why should they be overruled?

I am not aware of that. I am glad to receive any information from the hon. Gentleman.

It is so.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether applications for substitutes for agricultural labourers who have been called to the Colours are refused to Lancashire farmers unless a Class A man is released for the Army in return for every substitute provided; whether he is aware that some of the farms are entirely denuded of labour and others are working with the barest minimum, so that this condition is incapable of fulfilment; whether the agricultural survey has shown that there is a large area of land in Lancashire capable of fuller cultivation if labour is released for the purpose; and if so, whether, in order to facilitate food production, he will take steps to ensure that substitutes will be provided for men who have been already called up as well as for any who may be called up in the future?

The substitution scheme referred to in the first part of the question is no longer in operation. The report of the agricultural survey in Lancashire has not yet been received, but there is no doubt that the shortage of labour in the country is a serious obstacle to food production. As far as our present information goes, about one-half of the farms in Lancashire are staffed up to the level of the Bath Agreement and about one-half fall below it. On the general question of the shortage of labour, the War Office propose to set aside some 15,000 men for agricultural work, who will be formed into agricultural companies and distributed throughout the country. In addition, 15,000 men will be temporarily released from the Home Defence Army for the spring cultivations.

May I take it that the half of the farmers in Lancashire who are understaffed will have men placed at their disposals?

Yes, that is so.

May I ask whether the War Office are going to call up any more of the 30,000 men they had decided to call up?

I am afraid I cannot reply to that without notice.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these men will be men who have been skilled in agriculture—the men to be released by the War Office?

Some of those 15,000 men who are to be temporarily released are men who are skilled in agriculture.

Some of them.

Some of them.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the minimum wage of 25s. for agricultural labour will in all cases be given in cash and subject to no deduction for rent of cottage or on any other account?

The guaranteed minimum of 25s. is not necessarily a cash payment, as it is inclusive of allowances.

Can the hon. Gentleman say at what date this minimum wage will come into force, and whether it covers the whole country?

Legislation will be introduced very shortly.

May I ask what is included in allowances?

A mode of adjusting those allowances is now under the consideration of the Board.

Is it permissible under this proposal for farmers to increase a nominal rent of 1s., say, to 6s., thus making the real minimum wage 20s., instead of 25s.?

That would not be allowed.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to confer powers upon the President of the Board of Agriculture similar to those granted to the Minister of Munitions to say that certain men are indispensable; and, if not, whether it is proposed to take any action to enable skilled men to be retained upon farms where they are absolutely indispensable if the work of the farm is to be carried on?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. It is not proposed to confer such powers on the President of the Board, and it will remain the duty of the tribunals to decide whether, in any particular cases, further skilled men should be released for the Army. In exercising that duty, the tribunals will undoubtedly bear in mind that all essential agricultural labour should be retained in order to maintain or achieve the highest possible production of home-grown food.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Agriculture has himself stated that it is extremely desirable that this power should be granted to him?

Oh, yes; I know that.

Will he see that the Board of Agriculture is represented before these tribunals as well as the War Office?

The Board of Agriculture is represented.

Not always.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has been asked by any War Agricultural Committee, or by any body of farmers, to state if it is in the national interest that the growing of hops in this country should continue; and whether he has already expressed, or will now express, any opinion on that subject?

The Board have received some inquiries on this subject, and the President has to-day addressed a letter to the Hop Growers' Association and to the War Agricultural Committees in the hop-growing counties calling attention to the further restrictions on the output of beer and the need for reducing the acreage of hops in proportion. He has, in that letter, also suggested that the land thus diverted from the growing of hops should at once be utilised to increase the essential food supplies of the nation.

Do we not want something more than suggestion? Do I understand the suggestion is that the hop land should be reduced to one-third of its present acreage? Has the hon. Gentleman any power to take further steps than suggesting?

I do not think it will be reduced to one-third, because we are stopping the import of hops, but it will be very considerably reduced, and we think this suggestion will be sufficient. If it is not, we shall take other steps.

How long will it take to bring the land into cultivation?

Is it not clear that you will get more by utilising this hop land for wheat and potatoes this year?

Yes, but it is not very easy to turn hop land into corn land at a moment's notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that Ciro's are now proposing to spend a sum estimated at £3,000 in introducing the cabaret system to London; whether, having regard to the cry for economy and to the fact that at a time when every penny is required for the prosecution of the War and that the public are being admonished to ration themselves, any permit has been granted by the Priority Committee to rebuild or adapt any premises for the purpose; and, if so, will stops be taken to at once cancel such permit to prevent this expenditure of money?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I think the hon. Member has been misinformed. No application for a permit has been made and no licence has been issued for the rebuilding or adaptation of the premises to which he refers.

Is a permit necessary for the introduction of this obnoxious system called the cabaret system?

I think it would be necessary if the expenditure on the building exceeds £500.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he can say what quantity of rice or other food is consumed annually in the manufacture of starch in this country; what quantity of starch is imported annually; and what quantity is exported?

I have no information as regards the first part of the question. The imports of starch of all kinds (including dextrine and farine or potato flour) amounted to 2,136,000 cwts. in 1913 and 2,378,000 cwts. in 1916. Exports and re-exports amounted to 100,000 cwts. in the former year and 269,000 cwts. in the latter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that the Regulations limiting the number of courses to be provided at hotels, restaurants, and clubs have quite failed in limiting the consumption, at and expenditure on meals, he can see his way to limit the amount of money to be expended by each person at each meal, as is done in the case of officers?

I cannot share the view of my hon. and gallant Friend that the Regulation of Meals Order, 1916, has not affected the expenditure on meals taken at hotels, restaurants, and clubs. Apart from its useful moral effect, such meals have been rendered thereby shorter and in most cases less extravagant. I agree, however, that the Order has not had the desired effect in reducing the consumption of certain staple foods, and the Food Controller has under consideration the adoption of more efficient means to secure this object.

Has the hon. Gentleman ever been to one of these big restaurants?

Yes, Sir, I have taken the opportunity of going to a good many of them, and I have gained thereby some extremely useful information.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial, signed by over 130 householders living in the town of Loughrea, was recently presented to the Irish Government praying them to place a share of land at their disposal for food production; whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board are farming 60 acres of land in the parish; and whether the Government has any intention of cooperating with the memorialists in assisting them to carry out the wishes of the Government in raising more food this year?

The memorial referred to has been received. The Congested Districts Board have only limited power to assign lands, but they are willing to let portions of the land in question in conacre, and I understand that some temporary arrangements have been made in the course of the last few days.

asked whether the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, on taking possession of arable lands of occupiers who have not complied with the Tillage Regulations, will be prepared to let such lands or portions of them to rural district councils for allotment to small landholders and labourers who are prepared to till them in accordance with the Regulations; and whether, in similar circumstances, they will let lands to urban councils to be allotted under urban schemes, so that seeds, manures, etc., may be obtained by the persons who undertake the tillage on the same terms as if such lands were taken by agreement between the councils and occupiers under council schemes?

Where the occupier of land in a rural district fails to comply with the Defence of the Realm Regulations as to compulsory tllage, the Departmeint of Agriculture are empowered to enter upon the land and arrange for its cultivation by any person, or they may select the land and authorise a rural district council to exercise the powers as to cultivation. In such cases the arrangements for cultivation will be in the form of conacre lettings. In order to provide necessary food for residents in an urban district, the Department are empowered to acquire land compulsorily for the purpose of allotments, when in their opinion land for this purpose is being unreasonably withheld, and if the cultivation of the land in such cases is entrusted to an urban district council that council can arrange for the supply of the requisite seeds and manures.

Does that mean that the Department is prepared in such cases to assign the lands temporarily to rural and urban district councils for the purposes of their schemes?

If the hon. Member will refer to the Regulations dealing with the matter he will see that the Department have power to enter where the conditions exist which are mentioned in the answer I read, and that they may, for the purpose of giving the necessary facilities for allotments, put in action these local district councils, who will take charge of the distribution and control of the land which is obtained by the compulsory powers.

Will the Agricultural Department from to-morrow, or after tomorrow, when the date expires, take immediate action in the urban areas where the local landowners have refused to give any facilities for increased tillage? Will they give compulsory powers to the local authorities so that the land may be tilled and cultivated in time for the spring season?

The object of all these Regulations is to obtain prompt tillage, and it is the business of the Department of Agriculture to omit no powers which will conduce to that end.

May I bring the situation of the county of Kerry before the right hon. Gentleman's notice? There are three urban authorities, and in no instance will the local landlord give any facilities.

The Department of Agriculture will take care to attend to those cases and any other to which my attention is called.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British subjects are now interned under the Defence of the Realm Regulation 14 (b); how many of these persons are British-born; and how many of these cases have been considered by the Advisory Committee?

The number is seventy-four, of whom thirty-one are British-born. All these cases have been submitted to the Advisory Committee, including two cases still under their consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have decided that the loss inflicted on any body of traders by direct legislation or order gives such traders a primâ facie right to present a claim for compensation to the Duke Commission; and, if otherwise, will he say why certain traders and persons receive compensation for Government interference with their business whilst others do not?

As stated in paragraph 4 of the first Report of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission, it is impossible to make a determination for payment out of public funds in respect of loss arising through the enforcement of any order or regulation of general application. Such payment can only be made in cases where the property or business of the applicant has been the subject of a direct and particular interference such as between subjects would have given cause of action for damages.

Take the case of the licensed trade. May I ask whether the raw materials required come under special and not general regulations? Will that trade, for example, have the right of compensation?

I do not think that can possibly be said to be a right. It is really a general order reducing imports of all kinds, and this trade suffers like many others.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he has received a petition from Kingstown, county Dublin, asking that a Munitions Factory may be started there, in view of the facilities of employment and situation; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

Yes, Sir; the petition has been received, but my right hon. Friend regrets that he is not able to establish a Munitions Factory in Kingstown.