asked the Secretary of State for India whether any and, if so, what action is being taken in view to removing or mitigating the grievances suffered by British officers in the Indian Army in respect of the refusal to them of the pay of captain and major until they have served nine and eighteen years, and their consequent inferior position as compared with that occupied by officers of the British Army in the like position in respect of their sick furlough pay, the Indian Army officer being placed on half-pay after two years' sick leave if unfit for duty in India, notwithstanding the fact that he may be fit for and is performing regular work at home, and in respect of pay drawn when wounded, full pay being allowed for the first three months only, furlough pay for twenty-one months, and half-pay from that date, by which arrangements greater pecuniary loss is suffered in proportion as the officer concerned is more seriously wounded?

As this question raises rather complicated issues and is also of great interest to all concerned in the welfare of the Indian Army, I must ask leave to answer it at unusual length.The grievances of Indian Army officers, as stated in the question, are: (1) That while their regimental promotion has been accelerated they are refused the pay of the rank; (2) that their sick leave pay compares unfavourably with that of officers of the British Army; (3) that if unfit for duty in India at the end of two years they are placed on half-pay.As regards the first complaint, account must be taken of the fundamental difference in the systems of promotion in the British and in the Indian Armies. In the British Army in normal times regimental promotion is determined by actual vacancies. In the Indian Army by a time-scale, which is irrespective of vacancies. The Indian system in times of peace has obvious advantages for the individual. In war the British Army officer is for the time the gainer. In a war like the present the enormous expansion of the British Army and heavy casualties have made promotion very rapid. Indian officers, when working side by side with British formations, have consequently found themselves superseded by British Army officers greatly their juniors in length of service. The Government of India dealt with the matter in the first instance rather as a question of rank than of pay, for it was rank rather than pay that was at that time sought by the officers concerned. They granted temporary promotion on an accelerated time scale, but without the corresponding pay. Since then the matter has been carefully re-examined by the Government of India in communication with me and with the War Office. In view of the long duration of the War and the arduous campaigns in which the Indian Army has been engaged, I have now sanctioned, with the concurrence of the War Office, a further acceleration of the time scale for promotion during the War and the grant of pay corresponding to rank. Under the revised scheme promotion to lieutenant will be after one year's service, to captain after four years, and to major after fifteen years. This scale of promotion will have retrospective effect from 1st September, 1915, and will carry arrears of pay from 1st September, 1916. I am still in communication with the Government of India regarding certain details, but hope that the scheme will be published in a few weeks' time.Next, as regards the rates of sick leave pay of Indian officers. The Indian officer receives full pay for the first three months, and then leave pay at old standing rates. These rates depend not on the rank or the Indian pay of the officer, but on the length of his service. The Government of India have represented to me that the rates inadequately meet the circumstances of officers badly wounded or suffering from serious illness contracted on field service. I have asked the War Office to concur in proposals for granting better rates of sick pay to Indian Army officers on sick leave from field service.The last point raised is the liability of Indian Army officers under the regulations of their service to be removed from the effective list, and to be placed on half-pay or on pension, according to circumstances, if after two years of sick leave pay they are unable to return to duty on the Indian establishment. The so-called "half-pay" of the Indian Army is the same as that allowed to British Army Infantry officers of corresponding rank and length of service. I am not satisfied that it is altogether appropriate for the present conditions of the Indian Army, and am consulting the Government of India about it. I have also tempered the rule regarding removal from the effective list after two years, whenever it is possible to find employment either in India or in this country for a disabled officer. In this I have the fullest sympathy and co-operation of the Government of India.I should add, to avoid misunderstanding, that an officer of the Indian Army on half-pay or pension who is employed by the War Office receives the full pay and allowances of his appointment under the War Office in addition to his Indian half-pay or pension. He may also be in receipt of a wound pension.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an officer serving either at home or abroad without pay is disallowed the benefit of having his Super-tax income assessed on the present year, whereas an officer who receives payment is allowed that privilege; and whether steps will be taken to remedy a policy which penalises those who give their services for nothing?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue are unable to trace any case of the kind referred to in the question; but if my hon. and gallant Friend can furnish me with the particulars of any such case, I will gladly take the matter into consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can indicate how soon a decision will be reached on the question of granting a rebate of the Motor Car Duty for 1917 to persons who are now deprived of the use of their cars wing to the inability of the Petrol Control Committee of the Board of Trade to allow a continuance of supplies of motor spirit?

The matter is receiving careful consideration, but I am not in a position to state when a decision can be arrived at.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have refused to sanction the appointment of a duly qualified doctor to the position of medical officer for the Clondalkin Dispensary District, county of Dublin; and, if so, on what ground or grounds?>

A recently qualified medical practitioner, twenty-four years of age, was appointed by the South Dublin Board of Guardians as temporary medical officer of the Clondalkin Dispensary District for the remaining period of the War; but the Board, in accordance with their general policy, refused to sanction the appointment, on the grounds that the services of young men were urgently needed for the Royal Army Medical Corps, and that the guardians were in a position to make other sufficient arrangements for the medical care of the sick poor in the Clondalkin district.

asked what steps, if any, are being taken with a view to compelling owners or occupiers of grazing farms in the Western Parliamentary Division of county Donegal to cultivate a portion of such farms or, in the alternative, to hand them, over for that purpose to some public authority?

The Department of Agriculture have no reason to believe that owners are unaware of the obligation imposed upon them to cultivate a specified portion of their arable land. Action will be taken promptly in case of wilful default. The appropriate action will be decided by the Department after consultation with the Advisory Committee, which is already dealing with the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Caherciveen Rural District Council asking that, in view of the call to the country to increase tillage, the Government should ask the landlords of unpurchased estates to accept their rents graded down to a level with rents at present paid by purchased tenants for the duration of the War, and that the Government should take into consideration the case of tenants whose lands and stock have been injured by the recent floods in Kerry; and can he state what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have not seen the resolution referred to. The Government do not contemplate steps such as are suggested. As to the flooding of lands in County Kerry, I would refer to the answer to the hon. Member for West Kerry yesterday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if the hoarding of foodstuffs and the withholding of the same from the markets has yet been made a punishable offence; and if he will issue Orders preventing the export of food from Ireland?

The Articles of Commerce (Returns, etc.) Act, 1914, and a Proclamation, dated 17th September, 1914, give power to take possession of any articles of food which are unreasonably withheld. The Food Controller also has power to requisition any foodstuffs, and thus to prevent such foodstuffs from being hoarded or withheld from the market. Failure to comply with a requisition made by the Food Controller is a punishable offence under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. As regards the second part of the question, Ireland stands in the same position in regard to the export of food as the rest of the United Kingdom—that is to say, the export of nearly all articles of food is already prohibited except under licence. In addition, at the request of the Chief Secretary, the shipping of potatoes from Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom, which is not included under the definition of export, has been prohibited except under licence.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether farmers who have undertaken to grow a certain acreage of mustard for manufacturers can be relieved of such obligation in view of the national emergency for more useful foods; and, if so, what step it is necessary for them to take in order to obtain relief from or postponement of their contract?

It is possible that the cases referred to can be dealt with by war agricultural committees under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 1917, so as to-bring to bear the relief given by the Defence of the Realm (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1915; but without precise details of the contracts it is not possible to express a definite opinion on this point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if it is possible for those serving in the ranks of the overseas regiments to obtain commissions in the home regiments and vice versâ and, if so, whether he will see that it is made easy for those who can be recommended on military grounds by their commanding officers to obtain admittance to Officers' Training Corps?

No difficulties are raised by the home authorities, but I understand that the Dominion authorities, as a rule, require that Dominion cadets-should be posted to their own contingents. Vacancies in officer cadet units are allotted for each course to men of the Dominion contingents.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the time at which Colonel M'Cammond reported himself sick in Dublin last April and withdrew from duty, and the time at which he returned to duty?

I wrote the hon. Member yesterday and gave him the dates, but I do not think it possible to ascertain the exact times in view of the lapse of time and the general confusion then prevalent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether (1) release from military service can be granted to Private Peter M'Carry, No. 27636, 4th Battalion Scottish Rifles, having regard to the fact that he is the only surviving son of parents who are in very poor circumstances; and (2) whether any decision has been reached with reference to the petition of Michael M'Carry, Cloonbarra, Falcarragh, county Donegal, for the release from the Colours of his son, Private Peter M'Carry, No. 27636, 4th Scottish Rifles, Fort Matilda; and whether he is prepared to grant the request, having regard to the fact that this soldier is the only surviving son of his parents, both of whom are in bad health and in poor circumstances, and are unable in his absence to cultivate the holding, which is their only means of support?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if any complaints have been received with respect to the conditions prevailing in Rugeley camp; whether his attention has been drawn to the existence of much sickness and many deaths among the soldiers; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to an improvement?

It appears that there has been a considerable amount of sickness at Rugeley, but the matter is receiving the special attention of the military authorities, and steps are being taken to improve matters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, as a result of the exposure of the wages paid by the War Office to their employés at remount depots in Dublin, the wages were increased from 17s. a week to 26s. a week for seven days; if he is aware that the employé, William Murray, alleged to be responsible for the exposure and its subsequent result, has been dismissed from his employment; if he will say whether the Government will allow their officials in Dublin to follow the lead of sweating em- ployers by victimising employés who fight for a living wage; and if Murray will be reinstated?

I am informed that William Murray was discharged for bad time keeping and frequent absence from work.

asked whether consideration is given to the claims for promotion of officers wounded on active service but who, by reason of their injuries, are confined to hospital?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the increased cost of living and the financial resources of a number of those now holding commissions in the Army, the Government will consider the desirability of making separation allowances to officers of the lower ranks?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, in the case of Driver Ernest John Phillips, he took into consideration that this man on or about 8th December, 1915, was enlisted and served one day with the Colours and was then put in the Army Reserve; if at the time he served his one day the rate of pay for the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) was 6s. a day, although it was later on reduced; if the War Office at that time, through Lord Derby, had promised attested men choice of regiment and the full rate of pay in force at the time they joined the Colours; and, if so, why Driver Phillips did not receive this rate of pay when he was later on called up from the Reserve, as he was a soldier from the day he served with the Colours and not only from the date he was called up from the Reserve?

As I have already informed my hon. and gallant Friend, it does not appear that this man is entitled to the rate of 6s. a day. I will, however, have inquiry made and will in form him of the result.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, when a military pension is awarded by his Department as the result of death from war service, it can be in any way affected by future grants given by former employers or charitable institutions or by the improved financial circumstance of the recipients?

Under existing Regulations the pension awarded to dependants of deceased officers and men, other than their widows and children, would be liable1 to be affected by a permanent improvement in their financial circumstances, but temporary grants from unofficial benevolent sources would not be taken into consideration. This position is substantially modified by the terms of the Royal Warrant as proposed to be revised.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether notices have been sent to the wives and other dependants of Post Office servants entitled to separation allowances that the increased allowance recently granted will be deducted from their Post Office pay, and that they are required to refund the increase received during the previous weeks; and why Post Office servants should be deprived of the benefits conferred on all classes serving in the ranks?

Post Office servants are subject to the same Regulations in respect of civil pay after enlistment as other Civil servants, and I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the hon. Member for the Bowdley Division of Worcester to the hon. Member for West Ham on 12th instant, which was to the effect that the wives of enlisted Civil servants are not receiving the extra 2s. in consequence of the Regulation under which the amount of Army allowance is deducted from their civil pay, and that it was not the intention of the Government to alter the Regulation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House, orally or otherwise, any information regarding the action the Government of India is taking as regards a post-war trade policy, particularly as regards the participation of Germans in financial, commercial, and missionary enterprises; and whether the adoption of the restrictions applied by other Governments in Asia in respect of aliens and of alien trade is contemplated?

For some time past I have had these matters under my close attention in consultation with the Government of India, who are now obtaining the views of local Governments and unofficial bodies. I am not at present in a position to say more on the subject.

asked whether the mission sent to Ceylon and the Malay States to ascertain the method in which the abolition of indentured labour from India can best be effected has yet reported; if not, when such Report may be expected, and whether it will upon, or after, receipt be made available to the House of Commons?

I can make no promise as to laying Papers until I have seen the Report, which can only just have reached the Government of India. As the hon. Member is aware, there is no indentured emigration from India to either Ceylon or the Malay States. The object of the inquiry was to study the conditions of free emigration to those countries with, a view to guidance on the best system of labour emigration to more distant Colonies.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received any protests against the Regulations that allow German prisoners interned in the Isle of Man to be trained in industrial pursuits; if he is aware that a fear exists that the trades which these prisoners are being taught at the expense of the taxpayer will be utilised after the War to flood the labour market, and thus reduce wages in Great Britain; if he can give any guarantee against such a thing happening; and if the teaching of trades to German prisoners will be stopped and they be put to till the land to provide food?

I have received some representations with regard to the employment of German prisoners in brush-making, but I am advised that the fears which are entertained as to the effect of such employment on the English industries after the War are not well founded. The German prisoners have nearly all other occupations, which they will prefer to resume (either in this country or elsewhere) after the War, and the conditions under which industries are carried on in the Isle of Man are not such as are likely to lead to undesirable competition after the War. Every effort is being made to employ the prisoners on the land, and some thousands are waiting to be employed in agriculture as soon as the Board of Agriculture is ready to take them over; but others are not suitable for this purpose, and it is very desirable to meet the needs of the country by utilising their services in other ways.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the punishments recently inflicted on members of the Metropolitan police force for disobedience of an order forbidding their attendance at meetings organised by the Police and Prison Officers' Union; has he considered whether the severity of such punishments is merited by the offence; and, without abrogating the rule against joining a trade union, will he consider the advisability of satisfying any unrest which exists by allowing opportunities of conference on matters of common interest and the collective representation of grievances?

I am fully aware of the circumstances. Several warnings have been issued, and on previous occasions minor punishments have been imposed; but, as a few men still continued deliberately to disregard his orders, the Commissioner of Police was reluctantly compelled to take more severe measures. Every man's case was considered on its merits, and I am satisfied that the punishments were awarded with careful discrimination.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the necessity of economising paper, he will consider the propriety of advising Metropolitan and local urban authorities to instruct householders to save all waste paper, and not to mix it with household refuse or burn it, and to recommend that the authorities should collect it at regular intervals for transmission to the paper mills?

My Noble Friend hopes to issue a circular on this subject in the course of a few days.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if the advertised appointment of an inspector of nuisances for the Borough of Chatham is to be made subject to the consent of his Department; and, if so, will he arrange to follow the recent practice of the Board and ensure that the appointment is made a temporary one, open to review at the end of the War?

The Local Government Board have not yet heard from the Town Council on this subject; but if application is made for the Board's consent to the appointment in question, such consent would be given, if the appointment were otherwise a satisfactory one, for the duration of the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the desirability of taking such steps as may be necessary to raise the prices of newspapers compulsorily in order to diminish the consumption of paper and to render fairer the competition between proprietors than is the case where such increases in price are voluntary?

The consumption of paper is being restricted within the limits decided upon by means of the restriction of imports of paper and paper-making materials. I do not think it is desirable that compulsion should be exercised in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the word "showcards," as defined by Section 22 of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, as card's containing or exhibiting articles dealt with or representations thereof, applies to cartons or cardboard boxes containing goods and labels covering bottles and tins or other articles?

The answer to this question must depend on the exact facts of each particular case. The construction to be placed on the definition of "show-cards" is, of course, a matter which can only be determined by the Courts, but the Board of Trade as at present advised incline to the view that cardboard boxes would not come within the definition merely on the ground that they contain articles dealt with, but different considerations might arise if the cardboard boxes were themselves used to display the articles or representations thereof.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any agreement has been arrived at with the Admiralty as to the proceedings to be taken against the Dublin Port and Docks Board for their failure to provide sites for an extension of Dublin shipbuilding; if he will say whether it is proposed under the Defence of the Realm Act to prosecute the persons who by their votes prevent shipbuilding facilities being granted to those prepared to do this most urgent work of national importance; and if he will say if the Government approve of the action of the Dublin Port and Docks Board In delaying-shipbuilding?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Board of Trade has been in consultation with us as a result of the question put by the hon. Gentleman to that Department on 14th February. So far as we are concerned, the Dublin Dockyard Company has not done any building for us for some years. It therefore appears to us that the course of action to be followed should be determined by the Shipping Controller, and we have informed the Board of Trade to that effect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if it is the intention of the Government to place shipowners in the same position as controlled establishments under the Ministry of Munitions?

The whole question of the policy to be adopted in relation to the shipping industry is at present engaging the serious attention of His Majesty's Government, and I cannot anticipate the statement which I understand will be made at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state the saving in shipping tonnage estimated as a result of the restriction of the output of beer to 10,000,000 standard barrels, and the tonnage which will yet be required to provide the necessary materials for the manufacture of the reduced output?

The effect of the restriction of the output of beer to 10,000,000 standard barrels will result in an estimated saving of imports (as compared with the output of 26,000,000 barrels which the Output of Beer Restriction Act designed to secure in the year ending 31st March, 1917) at the rate of about 600,000 tons deadweight in a year, which may be roundly expressed as the saving in employment of twenty-five ships, each of 6,000 tons cargo capacity, making four voyages a year. As compared with the pre-war output of 36,000,000 barrels, the estimated saving' is at the rate of nearly 1,000,000 tons dead-weight a year, which may be taken as the saving in employment of about forty-two ships, each of 6,000 tons cargo capacity, making four voyages a year. Total prohibition of the remaining 10,000,000 barrels would save a further 385,000 tons of cargo per annum as soon as it could be made effective, but in view of the malting which has already taken place it would not be possible to reduce imports to the extent of this further quantity this year.

asked the Prime Minister when the Regulations will come into force by which the standard barrels of beer produced will be reduced from 36,000,000 standard barrels in 1914 to 10,000,000 standard barrels; and whether the future Regulations affecting the production of beer, etc., and the amount of spirits available for consumption equally apply to Ireland?

It is proposed that the Regulation shall take effect as from the 1st April, but in the meanwhile no barley can be malted without the licence of the Food Controller. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the estimated saving in barley sugar and other food materials resulting from the further restriction in the output of beer from 18,000,000 to 10,000,000 standard barrels; and from what date this restriction will take effect?

The estimated saving of brewers' materials through the further restriction in the output of beer from 18,000,000 to 10,000,000 standard barrels is, approximately, 280,000 tons of barley, 35,000 tons of sugar, and 17,000 tons of grits. The new restriction will come into force on 1st April.

asked the Parliamentary tary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether provisions analogous to those contained in Section 5 of the Munitions of War (Amendment) Act, 1916 (5 and 6 George V., c. 99), will be introduced into the Bill for establishing a minimum wage for agricultural labourers, so as to ensure continous employment to the farmer?

It is not intended to introduce such provisions in the Bill.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, if he is aware that Mr. P. A. Best, representing the firm of Self ridge's, has sent out a bulletin to the male staff asking them not to fill in substitution forms without reference to the management; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed by the Director-General of National Service that the action taken by Mr. P. A. Best had not been brought to-his notice until the hon. Member's question was forwarded to him. The Director-General of National Service is immediately communicating with the firm concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether promotions consequent on the retirement of the secretary-of Inland Revenue in September last, and involving increases of salary for members of the higher division, were settled and known throughout the department for two months before that retirement; whether the special increments of £10 each granted to certain second division clerks on the 1st July, and usually announced in August, have not yet been announced for 1916; and whether he will state precisely the reason of the delay in the latter case and will explain the difference in the treatment of' the two questions?

The special increments to which my hon. Friend refers were granted recently, but effect was given to them as from 1st July, 1916. The promotions consequent on the retirement of the late secretary to the Board of Inland Revenue took effect only from the date of his retirement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the practice of certain solicitors and persons trading as professional official receivers getting the affairs of failing companies nominally under the control of a Court, but really under their own control, and retaining them there until they have absorbed the assets in payments to themselves; if he will ascertain from the Irish Court in which this abuse is now being practised the date upon which the Irish Provident Assurance Company was placed under the Court's jurisdiction; the amount of the victims' property so appropriated since by liquidator and solicitor, respectively; the gross amount distributed by them; and, if the Court has not decided to abandon the victims' property to those two officials, whether it will now release the property from their control and have a final distribution made of what remains?

The practice suggested in the question is not known to exist with any solicitors in Ireland. The order for winding-up the Irish Provident Assurance Company was made on the 24th April, 1911, and no part of the assets of the company has been appropriated by the official liquidator or by his solicitor. The assets already realised and distributed amount to over £54,000. This case is one of exceptional difficulty, as the creditors number 26,000 and are scattered throughout the United Kingdom, and there are assets consisting of mortgages, payable by instalments, which cannot be realised as against the mortgagors so long as the instalments are regularly paid, and every effort is being made to wind-up the estate and if possible the mortgaged properties will be disposed of for that purpose.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether Irish-grown cereals are kiln-dried at the Department's mill at Glasnevin before being milled; whether loans are granted for building kilns; and whether the Department encourage in any way the kiln-drying of grain before it is milled?

The mill at the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin, is reserved for demonstration purposes, and the Iriseh wheat used in connection with the demonstrations given last year was, so far as the Department of Agriculture are aware, not kiln-dried. Loans are not granted for the erection of kilns, but in dealing with applications for loans for milling machinery the Department will consider the question of provision for kiln-drying. Oats kept in proper stacks for some time, or kept in dry premises after threshing, are as a rule in sufficiently good condition for milling without further drying.

asked the Postmaster General if he is aware that on Friday last the mail train from Burtonport was two hours late in reaching Letterkenny, thus missing all connections; whether the outgoing correspondence of the entire district served by the Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway was in consequence I delayed at Letterkenny until 1.15 p.m. on Saturday; whether breakdowns and un-punctual running of trains have been increasingly frequent of late on this line; and whether he will call for a full Report, so far as it concerns his Department, upon the working of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway, the lessees of the Burtonport Extension?

My right hon. Friend is having inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.