asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Thomas Furlong and Catherine Furlong, of Clasheen, Gorey, county Wexford, old age pensioners, recently applied for the 2s. 6d. weekly increase and were only granted 6d. each; if so, for what reason; and if he will have inquiry made into this case and into any other cases of like nature of which complaint is made in the Gorey pensions district?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scheme for the grant of additional allowances to old age pensioners who are suffering special hardship owing to the War provides that the amount of the allowance shall not exceed such sum within a maximum of 2s. 6d. a week, as will in the case of married couples raise the money value of the means (including the pension money) to £l a week. As the money value of the means (including the pension money) of Thomas and Catherine Furlong amounted to 19s. weekly, the grant of an additional allowance of sixpence a week to each brings the total joint means up to the maximum of £1 a week.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the reasons for the arrests and deportation from their country last week of thirty-two Irishmen; if any charge was made against them; if he has been informed that many of the men deported had to leave wives, mothers, and children at home wholly unprovided for; if under the Act of Parliament which has been cited in those cases the men concerned are entitled to be notified beforehand and given a certain time to leave their home district instead of being forcibly conveyed therefrom without notice; and will he take steps to have definite charges formulated against these men and an opportunity given to rebut them?

I can add nothing to the statements I made in answer to questions and in Debate on Monday last.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if on or about the 14th February, 1917, a licence was issued by the Department for the exportation of 200 tons of potatoes for Scotland from a county Down port; and, if so, will he state to whom these potatoes were consigned and the name or names of the person or persons to whom the licence was issued?

Such a licence for the exportation of 180 tons was issued. I see no reason at present for publishing the particulars suggested in the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he had received resolutions passed by public and representative bodies in Ireland calling on the Government to fix a minimum price for grain for at least three years and to reduce the standard bushel weight of Irish oats to 36 lbs. per bushel; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

The resolution referred to in the question does not appear to have been received by the Food Controller. I may, however, state that the prices guaranteed by the Government apply to the produce of Ireland equally with that of Great Britain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if the Food Controller will arrange with the military authorities that no competent ploughmen will be taken for military service in any part of the United Kingdom; and if he will come to a similar arrangement with the Ministry of Munitions?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, and as regards the first part, I would refer the hon. Baronet to what was said by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State, in another place, yesterday. Perhaps the hon. Baronet would address the last part of the question to the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the acreage under wheat, barley, and oats, respectively, during each of the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916 in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, and in the United Kingdom as a whole?

The following are the figures asked for:

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has considered the advisability of inducing the Ecclesiastical Commission to let out Newlyn Downs in Cornwall to persons who will cultivate the waste land and so utilise it for the production of food?

I understand that the Ecclesiastical Commission already have this matter in hand.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that by all the grocers in the different parts of the country when weighing tea and sugar the wrapper is included as part of the weight;

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am aware that tea and sugar are commonly, but not, I think, invariably, sold by gross weight, but I am not aware that the wrappers used are heavier than formerly. If my hon. Friend will give me any information on the subject, I will look into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries into the position as regards rank and promotion of officers in the reserve of officers, as compared with officers of the New Army, civilians who have been given commissions, and officers of the Regular Army, with a view to remedying cases of grave injustice which exist amongst class of officers who have rendered service to the military forces since the commencement of the War?

This matter is now under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that men in categories A and B are required for service in the Army, he is aware that quite recently twelve men fit for general service were still employed at No. 2 General Hospital, London, in occupations as dispensers, linen storekeepers, and orderly room clerks; will he ascertain how many men of these categories are employed in similar positions in military hospitals throughout the United Kingdom; and will he take the necessary steps to see that these men are released for service without loss of time, and representations made in the right quarters to fill their places with women?

The release of men in categories A and B from general hospitals has been proceeding steadily for some considerable time, and it is expected that these men will all be released shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any of the men who have never joined the Army and have always been willing to return to their normal civil occupations, but are deemed under the Military Service Act to have become soldiers though persistently refusing to obey any military order, have been shot by the military for this offence; if so, under what Statute; how many; whether their relatives have been apprised of the fact; and whether a record is kept of the names of persons so executed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the rest of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of military age and fitness have enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps but have not been called up for service and have been allowed to remain for considerable periods in private employment, as chauffeurs and otherwise, and have not been permitted to engage in military service or other useful work; and whether he will take steps to ensure that these men shall be forthwith utilised in military service or some other useful work?

Inquiries have I been made, and as far as can be ascertained the suggestions in my hon. and learned Friend's question do not apply to the R.F.C. In one case in particular, which I understand he has in mind, the man is marked off in the military register' as having been accepted for the R.N.A.S.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of soldiers known as "unavailables" are in camp waiting to be examined by a travelling medical board in order to ascertain whether they should be returned to civil life; whether these men have in many cases to wait a long time before the medical board visits the camp; whether many of the men could do useful civil work; and, if so, whether he will expedite the arrangements for having them examined?

I am afraid I cannot answer this question in the absence of further detail, but if my hon. Friend will give me the necessary particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Gunner J. Douglas Nickels, of the Honourable Artillery Company, is a chartered accountant, and that the City of Liverpool Tribunal last July exempted him I for three months, with no right of further appeal; and whether, having regard to; the need of the skilled services of chartered accountants for the purposes of the War, he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Gunner Nickels might have appealed against the decision of the Liverpool Tribunal in July, but appears not to have done so. I understand that he joined the H.A.C. voluntarily, and is fit for general service I would also remind my hon. Friend that the country has greater need at present for fit and efficient soldiers than accountants. I do not think, under the circumstances, that any action is called for.

asked what is the meaning and effect of a certified exemp- tion from military service described in the form as an absolute exemption?

A certificate of absolute exemption relieves the holder from liability to any form of military service so long as it remains operative. Such a certificate is not subject to any condition or to any limit of time. Like all other certificates of exemption, it may be varied or withdrawn in accordance with the Regulations and Instructions governing procedure of tribunals.

asked whether officers in the Royal Field Artillery now holding temporary commissions who, on attaining the age of nineteen, will be given regular commissions, will rank for seniority in the regiment as from the date of their original temporary commissions?

No, Sir; I am afraid that this cannot be done. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Regulations which govern this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Army Council Instruction 45, of 1917, orders the headquarters of a reserve battalion, i.e., the commanding officer, second in command, adjutant, and quartermaster to be changed every six months; whether this constant change will lead to the more efficient training of reinforcements or the better supervision of interior economy and prevention of waste; and whether, in view of eventual demobilisation, the Army Council have considered the losses which must occur in both equipment and clothing accounts if these half-yearly changes are introduced?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. There is no intention of changing all the officers of the headquarters of a reserve battalion every six months, though they must be regarded as available for reinforcements if required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of placing a certain proportion of Special Reserve brigades under the command of Special Reserve officers, as appears to be the practice in the Territorial Force?

asked whether in view of the fact that Territorial officers have been promoted to command Territorial brigades, the Army Council will consider the question of giving commanding officers of Special Reserve battalions, with the necessary efficiency, the command of Special Reserve brigades?

This question is under consideration, but I would remind my hon. Friends that the number of Regular officers on half-pay, who are qualified to command brigades and who are awaiting employment, is large, while the vacancies are few.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why, notwithstanding an admission that a separation allowance of 7s 1d. a week should be paid to the dependent mother of Private Michael Donnelan, No. 54603, Cheshire Regiment, who joined 2nd May and was discharged 13th November, 1916, she has been paid only 13s. 2d. for the entire period; and whether the balance will now be paid to enable her to pay the debts she has been forced to incur?

I have investigated this case and find that the man claimed an allowance and made an allotment on 6th June, 1916, and that payment of arrears is due—and has now been authorised—from that date until 31st October, 1916. Payment has already been made from 1st November.

asked whether certain mechanical transport drivers who were enlisted for the period of the War at 6s. per diem have recently been informed that their pay would be reduced to 2s. 4d. per diem; and, if so, what is the reason for this apparent breach of agreement?

If my hon. Friend will give me further particulars of the case which he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked whether the main road from Dublin to the Curragh Camp is extensively used for the transport of military stores and equipments, the heavy wagons required for which traffic do very considerable damage to the road and add to the cost of maintaining it; whether any contribution to the cost of such maintenance is made by the War Office or has ever been made; and, if not, whether an adequate contribution will now be made?

I have had to make inquiries in this case. Three of the important roads serving the Curragh Camp are being repaired, and the War Office is paying about half the sum that is being expended on the service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will specify the Regulation under which Irishmen serving in English regiments on the Continent have not been allowed leave of absence since May, 1915, although Englishmen in the same regiments have had leave of absence twice and officers many times within that period?

Leave is a matter which lies within the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief, but I am quite sure that there is no rule discriminating in the sense suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Jennie Kirkpatrick, 2, Westpark Terrace, Maxwelltown, Dumfries, and Kate Murdoch, 149, St. Michael Street, Dumfries, worked as weavers for Messrs. Scotts, Troqueer Mills, Dumfries; that the firm is not con- trolled; that on Monday, 4th December, 1916, they had finished their webs; that it is the custom there for workers to be able to leave when their webs are finished; that for the two full days following they were idle, and left work on 6th December; that they asked for work at various places in Dumfries, including the Arrol Johnston Motor Works, Galloway Engineering Works, controlled establishments, and the post office, where they were told they could not be employed without leaving certificates; that they consulted a solicitor and applied for certificates, munitions tribunal, at Dumfries, and their ease was heard before Sheriff Fyfe on the 16th February; that the case was adjourned, and the girls were advised to go back to their work without prejudice to their case; and whether, seeing that these women have been idle for eleven weeks, that they cannot get work, and that they were idle for two days, which in a controlled works would entitle them to a certificate, he intends taking any action in the matter?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to take this question. I am not in full possession of the facts of the case. Inquiries are, however, being made, and the result will be communicated to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the fact that, notwithstanding the Order of the Food Controller prohibiting the sale of spirits in Orkney and Shetland, large quantities are delivered daily by the Post Office, causing drunkenness and shebeening; and if he will bring before the Food Controller the urgency of issuing an Order more in accordance with the justice of the case—namely, absolute prohibition?

I have been asked to-answer this question. The Order to which the hon. Member refers was made by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) and not by the Food Controller. I understand that the question of the importation of spirits into areas in which their sale and supply is prohibited is being carefully watched by the Board. I shall be glad if my right hon. Friend will give me any definite information that he has obtained as to evasions of the Order.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether a grant in aid of war bonuses for teachers, if it is eventually made, in England and Wales will take into account the expenditure of local education authorities for that purpose from some date previous to the announcement of the grant?

The answer is in the affirmative, and the date would be the same as that adopted for the Civil Service, and for Scotland, namely, 1st July, 1916.

asked the Home Secretary if any arrangements have been made to improve the conditions of Countess Marckiewicz's surroundings; if her friends will be allowed to supply her food and visit her daily; and if the question of her release has yet been considered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on the 21st February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the proportions of territory in the Cameroons which are being administered by Great Britain and France, respectively; whether the boundaries between the two spheres of -administration have been drawn with due regard to the interests of the native tribes so that no tribe has been split in two by the division; and whether the existing boundaries are to be regarded as permanent?

About one-ninth of the Cameroons is now in British military occupation, the remainder being administered by the French. My information does not enable, me to say whether tribes have been divided by this arrangement. It is, of course, provisional, and in certain contingencies the point raised by the hon. Member would require consideration and would doubtless receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report of the South African Commission upon the origin of the rebellion in South Africa will be published for the information of Members?

The Report has not yet reached the Secretary of State, and I cannot yet say whether it will be laid.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he can state the standard and the bulk barrelage, respectively, of beer produced in the United Kingdom during the years 1914, 1915, and 1916?

The information desired is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that £9,657,000 owing to enemy creditors is now in the hands of the Government, he will, providing a British firm that has money owing to it by a debtor in an enemy country in which the British firm has a creditor proves that the firm is handicapped financially owing to the non-payment of the enemy debts, pay to such a firm the whole or part of such debt?

As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on the 21st February, the Board of Trade are not prepared, as at present advised, to order the payment of debts due to British firms by enemies out of the moneys received by the Public Trustee under the trading with the enemy legislation. It is, however, as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, open to the creditors of an enemy in respect of whom money has been paid to the Public Trustee under the Trading With the Enemy Acts to apply to the Court for an order for the payment, out of the money so held, of the whole or any part of the debt due by that enemy. The Foreign Trade Debts Committee are also prepared to consider applications by exporting firms under the scheme of the 3rd November, 1914, for advances in respect of debts outstanding abroad.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can give a more adequate explanation of the high prices paid by the Home-grown Timber Committee to Scottish landowners than that offered by Mr. Sutherland, the director of the Committee, in answer to the chairman of the War Losses Commission at a recent inquiry; and whether he can state why landowners in the Highlands are being paid more for their timber than is paid in England?

The statement furnished by Mr. Sutherland to the War Losses Commission of the reasons for higher prices for timber in Scotland, and particularly the North of Scotland, than in England, appears to the Board to be adequate, and they have nothing to add to it.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the advertisements of the Director-General of the Army Veterinary Corps in the professional journals urgently calling for veterinary

The Board are aware of the need of the Army for veterinary surgeons, but they feel that the business of safeguarding the flocks and herds of the country from the spread of disease is especially important at the present time. The statement in reply to the second, third and fourth parts of the question will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as it is too long to give in an oral answer. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.The following table of the names, ages, dates of appointment, etc., of the veterinary officers engaged in the Board's offices and at the laboratory is circulated:

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what are the estimated acreages of agricultural land in England and Wales which are farmed by owners, by tenants under leases for periods longer than a year, and by tenants holding under yearly leases', or from year to year, respectively?

The acreages under crops and grass returned as occupied by owners and tenants, respectively, in England and Wales, in 1916 were 3,085,099 acres and 23,988,985 acres. No particulars are available as to the length of the leases.

asked the Postmaster-General if, without giving details which may be inadvisable, he can inform the public of each occasion on which the mails are lost by submarine attack?

The fullest possible information is announced by the Post Office through the medium of the public Press in case of loss of British mails at sea, whether as the result of enemy action or from any other cause.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether shipowners who have contracts placed for cargo-carrying steamers, which are not commenced and the construction of which is deferred in order to enable standardised ships to be built, will have the option of taking a standardised ship when completed in lieu of the one which has been deferred?

The standard ships which are being built to the order of the Ministry of Shipping are the property of His Majesty's Government.

asked whether the Shipping Control Department are placing orders for standardised ships of the new type with yards which have been in the habit of producing, and are equipped for, standard cargo vessels of another type which has proved to be suitable; and, if so, whether this in effect de-standardises and disorganises the present system of such yards, and thus causes waste of time and money?

The programme of standardised cargo shipbuilding which is being carried out is designed, under expert advice, to produce for the national use, in the shortest possible space of time in the given circumstances, vessels specially designed to meet the conditions of war, and it is not the case that these standard ships have been substituted for vessels which are equally suitable. As to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, the standard programme is not one of disorganisation; on the contrary, it is a method of organisation which economises time, material, and labour.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of painters in Dublin were refused unemployment benefit on the ground that they declined to undertake labouring work in Great Britain at a wage of 33s. per week; whether he will state how married men could manage to support their families in Dublin and pay their own board and lodgings in Great Britain with this wage; whether he is aware that one of the largest employers of such labour in Dublin wrote to the insurance officer protesting against tradesmen being called upon to do labouring work, particularly in view of the fact that many of these men were in advanced years and quite unable to do such work; whether he is aware that a letter was written to the hon. Member for College Green, Dublin, dated 29th January, by Mr. D. J. Shackleton, on behalf of the Minister of Labour, intimating that the case had been submitted to the Umpire, who decided that the alternative employment offered to these workmen was not suitable and that, as the Umpire's decision reversed that of the Court of Referees, the unemployment benefit would be paid; whether he is aware that this letter was repudiated by the Labour Exchange and that a further letter has since been received by the hon. Member for College Green, signed by Mr. W. Anderson on behalf of the Minister of Labour, intimating that the men's association had appealed to the Umpire, and that the case was still sub judice; whether he will say which of the statements is accurate, that of Mr. Shackleton or that of Mr. Anderson; and will he see that the men are immediately paid unemployment benefit from the date it was stopped pending the settlement of the dispute between the various Government Departments and some definite and clear decision arrived at?

Labouring work at a munitions factory in Great Britain, for which the normal earnings were 37s. 8d., with a possibility of further overtime, was offered to certain unemployed painters in Dublin and refused by them. In accordance with the principle laid down by the Umpire in previous similar cases, the insurance officer thereupon had no alternative but to stop the unemployment benefit of these workmen. His decision was in a majority of the cases upheld by the Court of Referees, and an appeal was then lodged with the Umpire, who on 22nd February modified his previous decision and allowed the workmen's claims. Arrangements are being made to pay benefit from the date on which it was stopped, in accordance with the Umpire's decision. A letter protesting against the disallowance of benefit was received by the insurance officer from a Dublin firm, and was laid before the Umpire. As regards the correspondence between the hon. Gentleman and the Ministry of Labour, some confusion seems to have arisen as between the cases now in question and similar cases relating to painters who had refused offers of red-leading work. At the time when the correspondence passed benefit had been allowed in the latter set of cases but not in the former. There was no dispute between different Government Departments, as the only Department concerned is the Ministry of Labour.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, whether his attention has been called to the waste of man-power, and of motor and other vehicles, which is involved in the present system of distribution of newspapers in the Metropolitan area; and whether steps will be taken to bring about a distribution of all newspapers, daily and evening, by one organisation?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The matter to which the hon. Member refers has been brought to the notice of the Director-General of National Service, and a meeting has taken place with representatives of firms interested in deliveries in London, though not of the newspaper firms. It is, however, not yet practicable to make any definite statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what amount of school fees has been collected from the pupils attending the model schools in Ireland for each of the past five years, and what amount has been paid to the teachers of these schools irrespective of the allowances for residences to some head masters and head mistresses; can he explain why the sum paid to each teacher is diminished every year; if allowances for residences are made to some head masters and head mistresses by a special Treasury Grant, whether a similar arrangement will be made with regard to those whose allowances for residences are taken from the common fund of fees collected; by whom was this arrangement made; and whether he will recommend to the National Board of Education the advisability of making a more equitable distribution of those fees by obtaining a Treasury Grant for the allowance for residence to all head teachers of these schools?

I am sending to the hon. Member a statement of the amount of school fees collected from the pupils attending the model schools in Ireland for each of the past five years and the amount paid to the teachers for each of these five years, irrespective of the allowance for residence to some head mistresses. No head master of a model school receives an allowance for residence out of the school fees. The diminution of the sum paid to each teacher is due partly to the reduction of the amount of school fees collected in the model schools, and partly to the increase in the amount paid out of these fees as an allowance for residence to head mistresses appointed since 1900.