asked whether it is with the assent of the Board of Trade that the British Petroleum Company, Limited, a German-owned concern, have entered into an agreement with the English branch of the Standard Oil Company of America to distribute petrol in this country for account of the American com- pany upon a commission basis, being bound to sell at the same prices as the Standard Company; and what advantage there is to the British public in such arrangement?

The shares of the British Petroleum Company and of its allied companies were some months ago vested in the Public Trustee and the companies are controlled by directors nominated by the Board of Trade. The shares were previously registered in the name of the Europaishe Petroleum Company, a German company, but of whose shares the Russians, French, and Belgians claimed to own 49½ per cent. His Majesty's Government consider that it is to the national advantage that the organisation of the British Petroleum Company should be kept alive, and that it should remain permanently under British control, and they have taken steps to ensure this object. The arrangement with the Anglo-American Company was made with the knowledge of the Board of Trade, the reason being that only by such an arrangement could the British Petroleum Company preserve its valuable petrol distributing good will until such a time as the company could erect its own petrol distributing installations.

Are these-shares to be retained or sold; if they are retained will they not be handed back to the German owners after the War?

I understand that they are being held with a view to their sale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether consideration has been given to the representations made to the Board that a half-hourly service of trains should be available at South Bermondsey station between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; and, if so, will he state the result of such consideration?

These representations have been very carefully considered. Any extension of the present arrangements for the opening of the station to holders of workmen's tickets in the mornings and evenings would lead to serious inconvenience and delay in dealing with important Government traffic, and in the circumstances I do not see that further action can be taken in the matter.

asked the President of Board of Trade whether arrangements are being made for reduced railway fares to and from holiday resorts during Easter, having especial regard to the fact that health is of national importance?

In view of the present conditions, I am afraid that it would be impracticable to make any such arrangements as those suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to prevent the inclusion by the Director of National Service amongst non-essential trades of the manufactures which the exhibition promoted by his Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum is designed to encourage?

All firms exhibiting at the British Industries Fair were expressly warned that allotment of space could not be held to imply any guarantee that the firm concerned would be able to keep their labour should it be required for national purposes. The Board of Trade are in close touch with the Director-General of National Service as regards the preparation of lists of non-essential trades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the restriction of the imports of timber and the commandeering of home-grown soft timber, as well as the restriction of paper, cardboard, tin lead, etc., special facilities will be given to the manufacturers taking orders at the exhibition held under the auspices of the Board of Trade at the Imperial Institute to obtain supplies of material; or, if not, will the Department consider applications for the return of a proportion of the charge which he has made for space to exhibitors whose difficulties in executing orders arise from the above restrictions?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that Germany and Austria-Hungary imported into this country in the year 1913 26,000,000 cwts. of sugar of the value, approximately, of £15,000,000; whether he is aware that this sugar was bounty-fed; and whether he has any Reports showing that the soil in many parts of England is eminently suitable for the production of sugar beet?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the third part is that it has been proved by trials, of which the Board possesses Reports, that beet with a high sugar content, and giving yields equal to those obtained on the Continent, can be grown in many districts in this country. I shall be happy to show the hon. and gallant Member the evidence which the Board possesses on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the uncertainty which exists at the Board of Agriculture as to whether sugar beet can be conveniently manufactured into sugar at a profit in normal times in this country, the Board of Agriculture can see its way to guarantee immediately private enterprise against loss of the first few years in order that this field of industry may not be denied to British agriculturists, builders, bricklayers, bricklayers' labourers, and all those indirectly affected; and whether his attention has been called to the part that this industry would play in absorbing labour on demobilisation?

It has not yet been proved that sugar can be manufactured at a profit from home-grown beet after paying an adequate price to the grower. The experiment is impossible out of the Development Funds, because the Act only allows associations which do not trade for profit to obtain advances. The Board believes that the establishment of the industry would promote agricultural progress, create a valuable rural industry, and increase employment after the War, and is endeavouring to secure the means of making the experiment.

Having regard to the fact that the Board are of opinion that the growth of sugar in this country is possible, will the right hon. Gentleman use all his influence to endeavour to obtain some such Grant, owing to the fact that unless some such experiment is made now it will be too late?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that tobacco growing in Ireland has been a success, and why not sugar growing also?

Order, order! We are dealing with the growing of sugar beet in England now, not with tobacco growing in Ireland.

May I ask whether experiments made in the East of England have been abandoned?

The experiment in the East of England has been abandoned only for the time being, owing to the fact that they cannot obtain the seed from Holland. In reply to the hon. and gallant Member, we are using our best efforts to attempt the experiment, but, unfortunately, the war conditions preclude the buildings and machinery which will be necessary to carry it out.

asked the Minister of Munitions, as representing the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), the figures of convictions for drunkenness, relating to female offenders only, for the years 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916?

The numbers of convictions of women for drunkenness in England and Wales in the years specified were 35,765, 37,311, 33,211, and 21,244. The last figure is subject to correction.

asked the Minister of Munitions what is the composition of the Labour Advisory Committee; what are its duties; and whether it is now transferred to the Ministry of Labour or remains attached to the Ministry of Munitions?

The members of the National Labour Advisory Committee are:

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increasing number of fatal accidents within the London area due to the insufficient lighting of the streets, he will consider the necessity, in the interests of the public safety, of consulting the responsible authorities in order that street lighting may be materially increased?

I cannot agree with the suggestion that the increase in the number of fatal accidents is wholly or mainly due to the darkening of the streets. The number of such accidents occurring in daylight has increased in almost exactly the same proportion as those occurring at night. I did a short tune ago, after taking the advice of experts on the subject of the lighting of the streets in war-time, have a consultation on the matter with the military authorities and with representatives of the local authorities in London, with the result that alterations have been or are being made in the method of obscuring the public lamps which will, I hope, considerably improve the diffusion of light in the streets.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the increase of accidents by daylight is not due to the absence of periodical tests of eyesight of drivers of vehicles?

I will inquire into that. I imagine it must be due to inexperience and too rapid driving.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has been able to come to a decision relative to the request of cab-owners that they may be allowed to increase their fares as an offset to the in creased prices of rubber, oil, and labour?

I am in communication with representatives of the cab-owners and cab-drivers on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether the postal censor has stopped in transit or altered the resolution which the Cork Corporation adopted on 12th January last, and of which they sent copies through the post to His Holiness the Pope, the President of the United States, and the Ambassadors of the belligerent Governments in Washington, demanding admittance to the forthcoming international Peace Conference for representatives of Ireland?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The chief postal censor did stop four identical communications signed by the town clerk of Cork and addressed to the four enemy Embassies and Legations at Washington. These communications announced a resolution passed by the Cork Corporation to the effect that Ireland demanded admittance to the Peace Conference on the ground that "the indestructibility of Ireland's nationality, which has baffled the psychology of British statesmen for seven centuries, merits her resurrection in the new era of small nationalities." The copies sent to His Holiness the Pope and the President of the United States of America were not stopped.

Were any others stopped?

Not that I know of.

asked the Home Secretary if he will explain why those Irish political convicts at Lewes who were promised facilities for pursuing their literary work, are still denied such facilities, and allowed only the books in the prison library except on the condition of forfeiting them; since this amounts to an absolute bar in the case of rare and expensive books in the Irish language, whether the rule will be modified in such cases; and, having regard to the trivial value of sacks or carpets that a few literary men can make, whether they will be allowed to devote all their time to their literary pursuits?

In no case have facilities for literary work been refused. The ordinary rule is that books sent for the use of an individual prisoner afterwards become part of the prison library; but exceptions will be made to this rule in the case of rare or expensive books. I cannot modify the prison rules so as to relieve Trish prisoners from prison work.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a printed document now in free circulation in this country which states that, irrespective of former Governmental action, it is hereby made known to all men everywhere that no Government which after due protest persists in casting free men into bondage can any longer be regarded by liberty-loving Americans as having a place in the family of civilised nations; and, having regard to the deportation of Irishmen without charge or trial and the consequent danger to this country of the doctrine quoted, what action he proposes to take with reference to it?

I have not seen any such document, but if the hon. Member describes its contents correctly I am unable to detect in it any danger to this country.

asked whether any licence has been granted to Ciro's for the purpose of carrying on a supper club at the premises lately closed down by a decision in Court; if so, whether the fact that the promoters are spending £3,000 for this purpose was mentioned when the licence was applied for; whether regard was paid to the necessity for national economy when such licence was granted; whether the programme of artists has been submitted to the licensing authorities; and can any explanation be given as to why this supper club was permitted to open in the circumstances that the country finds itself to-day?

No such licence has been granted, and no licence is required, so long as the premises are not used for the supply of intoxicating liquor. The other points in the question, therefore, do not arise.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of an affair which took place there last Saturday night, and does he for a moment imagine that dinners are served there without intoxicating drink?

If the least evidence is brought to my notice that intoxicating liquors are served in this place I shall certainly take action.

Is he aware that the membership of this club is absolutely bogus? Is he aware that the issue of tickets for the full year's membership centres round the possibility of them having previously visited this particular restaurant and that therefore they are not members and the club is a bogus one?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to secure that such orgies as have been described in the papers do not occur again?

So long as the law is not broken it is not a matter for me to deal with.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a hint to the Commissioner of Works that it would be suitable to commandeer these premises for the Government instead of taking hotels?

asked why students in Cadet Corps are to be denied the privilege accorded to students in Officers' Training Corps of continuing their studies until they are eighteen and a half; whether he is aware that this differential treatment in favour of rich people is resented as tending to make commissions a monopoly of the wealthy; and whether he will take steps either to put both classes on the same level or to grant the preference to the members of the Cadet Corps?

Commissions are in no way a monopoly of the wealthy, as by far the greater proportion of cadets accepted for Officer Cadet Units are serving soldiers who are recommended by their commanding officers. The privilege of remaining in their Cadet Unit until the age of eighteen and a half is only given to those who are recommended and accepted on attaining the age of eighteen for direct admission to an Officer Cadet Unit, and is given solely on the grounds of military requirements. It is not done with the object of granting special facilities for the continuance of ordinary education after the age of eighteen.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the pledge given by the late Prime Minister, on the 24th October, 1916, that he would arrange to have the proceedings of the Dublin courts-martial now published; and whether he will see that this promise is carried into effect without further delay?

Before this question is answered, I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the repeated promise of the late Prime Minister applied to all the courts-martial at that time in Ireland, especially to that in county Cork, and whether his answer will cover that?

This subject has been carefully considered by the Government, who have come to the conclusion that in present circumstances it would be most detrimental to the public interest to publish these Reports.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this was not carefully considered in October last by the Government, which consisted mainly of the same men, and that then they gave a pledge in the House to publish these Reports? What has occurred since October to induce them to change their mind?

I do not know how far the hon. Gentleman will desire to carry that view, but the other day he himself in this House, in the course of the Debate, used a sentence describing the situation in Ireland which showed the gravity of that situation, and which, I should think, is a sufficient answer to the question he now asks.

On the contrary, the situation in Ireland has been greatly exaggerated by the recent course of proceedings which have been adopted.

Was not the right hon. Gentleman a member of the Cabinet when it was decided to publish these Reports, and was not the pledge given on behalf of the right hon. Gentleman as well as the others?

Yes, I was a member of the Cabinet, but surely the view is not held that if a Minister in answer to a question states what course the Government intend to pursue, then no matter what might be the effect of circumstances and no matter to what extent, on further examination, circumstances are seen to have changed, a member of that Government should not alter his opinion!

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the purpose in asking this question was not to secure this information which would prove that these men were innocent; and that we want to know on what evidence these innocent men were sentenced?

I have no doubt that is the object in putting the question. The Government have definitely come to the conclusion that in present circumstances to publish these Reports would be to reopen memories of the rebellion and would do nothing but harm.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the promise was made that these Reports should be published certain Ministers have referred to the contents of these documents and used arguments founded upon them and alluded to the heinous nature of some of the offences said to have been committed.

I am told that that has been most carefully avoided by every Minister.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prisoners and their friends are denied the right of taking legal proceedings in connection with evidence which is absolutely untrue and upon which they were convicted?

Are we to take this as an additional reason why we cannot believe in promises made by the Government?

I think that would be a very wrong deduction to make. It seems to me that this whole view is wrong. The House of Commons and the Government are not two independent powers in this matter, making treaties with each other. The House of Commons is the master, and if it chooses to insist upon publication it can do so; if it does not so insist it may be assumed that it acquiesces in the decision of the Government.

I give notice that, in view of that statement, I shall take the earliest opportunity of moving in this House that the proceedings of the Irish courts-martial shall be published.

I give further notice that I shall move, at the earliest possible date, that the first function of a Minister is to-keep his promise.

asked how many State-owned motor cars are at the disposal of Lord Curzon; and whether the chaffeur of any of these cars is on the Army pay list?

While Lord Curzon was President of the Air Board, he had the use of a car which was placed at the disposal of the Board. Under the arrangement that now prevails a certain number of cars belonging to the Government are at the disposal of Government officials engaged in the discharge of their duties, and any member of the War Cabinet is at liberty to indent upon this reserve for the use of a car when required for official purposes only.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Air Board's car is not now at their disposal?

I am not aware of that. The answer I have given has been given after consultation with the War Office.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many other members have State-owned motor cars at their disposal?

I have stated that no Minister has a State car really at his disposal. All he has the right to—and it seems to me a proper one—is that when he requires a car for purely Government purposes he can have one of the cars at the disposal of the War Office.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the scheme inviting women to volunteer for service with the Army; whether that scheme was published with the consent of the Director of National Service; and whether its publication at this time had the sanction of the War Cabinet?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The War Office announcement to which the hon. Member refers was not an invitation to volunteer for service with the Army in France, but a statement of the terms and conditions of that service. The statement was published with the consent of the Director-General of National Service.

Do I understand from the statement that though women have the right to volunteer they have not been approached by the War Office to do so?

I am told not yet.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before issuing any drastic regulations affecting individual trades, the Director-General of National Service will give an opportunity to the various trades concerned to consider his proposals and to make suggestions?

The Director-General of National Service endeavours to keep in close touch with any trades likely to be affected by any action of his Department. His officers have already received numerous deputations and are arranging others. Written communications, also, are constantly received and have full consideration.

asked the Prime Minister at what date, if any, Parliament empowered the Press Censor to issue confidential rules never submitted to Parliament and bearing no reference to the statutory authority, if any, on which they are based; if he will state the authority for the rule that nothing shall appear in any part of the published portion of a censored article or other Press matter to indicate that words or passages have been cut out or otherwise censored; and, if this rule is in accordance with law, why has it been issued confidentially?

The Press Censor's duty is to enforce, so far as he is able, those Regulations under the Defence of the Realm Act which deal with publications in the Press. In pursuance of that duty he from time to time issues requests and instructions to the Press for their guidance and protection. These requests and instructions are issued confidentially because that course is in the national interest and tends to make the censorship more effective.

The Home Secretary has omitted the specific Act under which this was done.

It is done for the reason I have given in the answer.

But the Statute under which it is done?

There is no Statute, and none is required.

Then they are acting without the law.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on or about this date a ship is expected to reach England having on board two elephants, one large pigtail ape, one tiger, 400 monkeys (some extra size), five pythons, and 100 Indian shamar; that at a later date a consignment is expected of thirty-one pythons (10 feet to 20 feet), one tiger, eight pandas (very rare), 220 monkeys, and so forth; that a further consignment is expected later of sea-lions from San Francisco, and a zebra from South Africa; whether these imports will be placed on the prohibited list; and who is the official responsible for having allowed these consignments to be shipped to this country at the present time?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Prior to seeing the question I had no knowledge of the shipments referred to. I will consider the advisability of prohibiting the importation of wild animals for show purposes. Apart from such prohibition no official sanction is required for the shipment of a particular consignment on a vessel whose general employment has been licensed.

May I ask if the serpents come from the professed site of the Garden of Eden in Mesopotamia?

Are they going to be put on proper rations?

Will they be handed over to the Kitchen Committee?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will at an early opportunity introduce a Bill empowering the Secretary of State, in proper cases, to cancel certificates of naturalisation, as recommended by a Committee presided over by the right hon. Gentleman the senior Member for the University of Dublin?

The question of taking power to cancel certificates of naturalisation has for some time been under consideration of the Reconstruction Committee, and the Government will make a proposal on the subject, but no more definite announcement can be made until after the meeting of the Imperial Conference.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman will bring in proposals for this purpose?

Proposals will first of all be submitted to representatives of the overseas Dominions.

In view of the fact that the cancellation of these trade certificates which have been granted in this country does not require the consent of the Imperial Conference, will the right hon. Gentleman act in the matter promptly?

I am not sure my hon. Friend is correct in his view, but, in any case, I think it would be only right to consult the Dominion Premiers.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the increased expenditure of the Metropolitan Water Board; is he aware that the precepts of some local authorities for their share of the deficiency to the water fund, as compared with the previous years' represents an extra 1d. rate; and can he make any inquiry whether every reason- able economy is being effected by the Metropolitan Water Board in the interest of the ratepayers?

I am informed on inquiry that the deficiency in the revenue account of the Water Board for 1915–16, in respect of which precepts have recently been issued to the local authorities, is £129,280 in excess of the deficiency for the previous year, and that this is more than covered by the increases in wages, cost of coal, and interest on loans. This excess is equivalent to a rate of 1d. in the £ over the whole area liable to be charged. I understand that the business of the Water Board is now being carried on with sixty officers less than before the War, after taking into account the temporary assistants engaged owing to the War, but any saving on the salary of the staff is more than absorbed by the payments to officers who are on military service. I may add that the expenditure of the Water Board is kept under continuous review by the Local Government Board's auditor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the decision to allow a discount of 50 per cent. on the premiums for insurance against aircraft and bombardment risks as from 17th February operates to the manifest disadvantage of those in whose case insurances effected after the air raid of January, 1916, fell to be renewed in the early part of the current month; and whether he will arrange that a rebate shall be allowed of 50 per cent. on the unexpired portion, as from the 17th instant, of all such premiums paid prior to that date?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 27th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh, of which I am sending him a copy. I am sorry that it is not possible to make the concession he desires.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government is now prepared to consider the whole question of double Income Tax charged to Dominion citizens resident in this country; and, if so, whether it is intended to introduce proposals in the coming Budget?

I may remind my hon. and gallant Friend that in accordance with the invariable rule it is not possible for me to anticipate the proposals in the coming Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the case of owners of private motor-cars who are unable to use them owing to the restrictions in petrol supplies; and whether he will favourably consider the refund of the amounts paid by them for motor licences in respect of such cars during the present year?

I have considered this question in the light of the recent announcement of the Petrol Control Committee that the supply of motor spirit will shortly be further restricted and in some cases altogether cut off, and I have come to the conclusion that the situation calls for exceptional treatment. I have accordingly decided to introduce a Clause in the Finance Bill providing that where the owner of a private car is unable to use it owing to the restriction of the supply of motor spirit, he shall, if he surrenders his motor-car licence before the 30th June, be entitled to repayment of one-half of the duty which he paid on taking it up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the claim for maintenance allowances for the wives and parents of junior officers who were dependent upon such officers and who through in firmity or age are incapable of maintaining themselves; and whether it is proposed to sanction any allowance in such cases?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In cases of serious hardship junior officers, whether married or unmarried, are already eligible for grants from the Civil Liabilities Committee up to a maxi- mum of £104 per annum. It is now proposed to give additional allowances where there are children to be supported. No representations have been made to me that such additional allowances are necessary where there are no children, but if my hon. Friend will send me the particulars of any cases which he has in mind I will give them my most careful consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman require to have particulars sent to him to know that the dependent mother of an officer who is incapable of working is dependent on that officer, and unable to live unless she gets an allowance?

The Committee which has to decide these cases has no evidence whatever that there is any hardship in any of these cases. I have before asked the hon. Member to send me any particulars, without which I cannot possibly put forward any case.

In what respect does the right hon. Gentleman need particulars to know that the wholly dependent mother of a junior officer who is incapable of working herself requires a grant?

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), if he is now in a position to state the exact rations in respect of meat, bread, and sugar given to the civilian and military German prisoners of war in this country?

The weekly ration for both military and civilian prisoners is 63 ozs. bread, 30 ozs. meat, and 7 ozs. sugar. For those doing hard work there is an extra daily allowance of 4 ozs. bread, but no extra allowance of meat or sugar. The new scale including the allowance has been approved by the Food Controller.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the money advanced to the needy British prisoners at Ruhleben is given on condition that it will be repaid at the earliest opportunity; whether the money spent in the medical treatment of needy invalids at Dr. Weiler's sanatorium in Berlin is also advanced on condition of its repayment; and, if the Government attaches military importance to the continued detention of the civilians at Ruhleben, whether it will in future make unconditional advances for the aforementioned purposes?

Needy British prisoners are not required to repay funds advanced to them by His Majesty's Government. The whole question of the repayment of such advances is being considered.

With reference to the last paragraph, may I ask whether the Government really attach military importance to the condition of the civilians there?

The Government certainly does not desire nor do they attach military importance, to the detention of civilians at Ruhleben for its own sake, but they have been unwilling to comply with the impossible conditions which hitherto the German Government have attached to any suggestions for their release.

May I ask with which member of the Government does the decision really rest, the Foreign Office or the War Office?

The decision in all such matters rests ultimately with the Cabinet.

The War Cabinet?

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, in view of the absence of proof that misappropriation of articles sent to prisoners in Germany prevails to a considerable degree, he will take steps to remove the prohibition of such necessary articles as blankets and sleeping suits, which prohibition inflicts hardship upon British prisoners, both civilian and military?

This matter has lately been reconsidered by the War Office, but they regret that they cannot see their way to alter the decision already come to. The question of sleeping suits for civilian prisoners has, however, arisen afresh and is being considered.

asked the Postmaster-General for what reasons the burgh of Newburgh, Fifeshire, has been deprived of its Sunday mail; whether ho is aware that many of the residents availed themselves of the facilities for receiving the Sunday mail by calling at the post office, and that much inconvenience will be caused by the stoppage of the mail; and whether he proposes to stop all Sunday delivery of letters in England?

The contract for the Sunday mail cart service between Ladybank and Strathsiglo (on which the service to Newburgh depended) came to an end recently as a result of the death of the contractor, and as the cost of the Sunday service was out of proportion to the number of letters delivered my right hon. Friend could not, especially in present circumstances, continue it. In similar circumstances similar towns in England either have lost or would lose Sunday deliveries. On a recent Sunday fifty-three persons called at Newburgh Post Office, and eighteen letters were delivered to fourteen of them.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that several boy messengers at Hull are being employed as sorting clerks and telegraphists; whether these boys will come under the recent concession to learners; and, if not, whether he will consider the hardship of employing these boys as sorting clerks and telegraphists when there is no intention to offer them appointments as such?

There are three boy messengers employed on the duties of sorting clerks and telegraphists at Hull. They are paid as sorting clerks and telegraphists in the same way as learners employed on full duties.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether Scottish prison rules and regulations provide that prisoners convicted on certain charges, as, for instance, debt to the Crown or violation of the Vaccination Acts, may be treated in prison as untried prisoners and receive privileges usually accorded to prisoners awaiting trial; whether he is aware of the case of a Dane who was convicted under the Defence of the Realm Acts for trading with the enemy and sent to prison in default of paying a fine, and is now being treated as an untried prisoner; and whether he can see his way to apply this treatment generally to persons convicted of offences under the Defence of the Realm Acts?

It is the case that civil prisoners in Scottish prisons are accorded special privileges. I am not aware of any case in which a person who is undergoing imprisonment in consequence of a conviction under the Defence of the Realm Regulations is being treated in the manner stated, and I think my hon. Friend must be misinformed as to the facts. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether the total sum paid into the pool representing the Central Medical Benefit Fund is arrived at according to the contribution cards surrendered or according to the actual number of stamps sold?

The total sum paid into the General Medical Benefit Fund is based upon the number of stamped contribution cards surrendered to the Commissioners by approved societies.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that certain insurance committees decline to pay the balances due to practitioners in respect of the year 1915 unless a special form of receipt and discharge is signed; and whether, as these moneys are payable unconditionally, he will take steps to see that the doctors concerned should receive equitable treatment and thus, by assuaging irritation, lighten their burdens during the pressure of work consequent upon the depletion of their numbers through enlistment?

No particular form of receipt has been prescribed by the Commissioners, but I shall be glad to consider, in any particular eases which my hon. Friend has in mind, any proposals in this direction calculated to remove irritation or lighten the pressure of work falling upon doctors, especially in view of the depletion of their numbers.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether an application was made in November, 1916, on behalf of the messengers employed at the Admiralty, Whitehall, for an increase in wages; if so, could he state whether any recommendation has been sent to the Treasury in favour of the men's request?

No special application can be traced as having been received in November, 1916, but I have been in frequent communication with my hon. Friend and others, in regard both to the War bonus, which has been granted to the pensioner messengers, and to matters affecting their pay; and various changes have been made in consequence to the advantage of the men. The actual rates of pay of pensioner messengers are fixed by the Treasury for the Government Departments generally, and the present rates were based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a Bundy time-recording clock is being introduced into the Admiralty Office at Whitehall; and whether it is intended that the whole of the staff employed there shall be clocked in and out in the future?

A time-recording clock is being introduced for recording the attendance of the messenger staff with the object of facilitating the work of checking and calculating claims for overtime attendance. The clock will be used in all cases, except a few in which it could; not conveniently be used.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received a request to arbitrate in a dispute between the Aberdeen City Council and the women tramway workers; if the cause of the dispute is the breaking of a pledge given by the city council that women who took the places of men in the tramway service should be paid at the same rate as the men; and if his Department has any power to insist that such a bargain should be kept by the city council?

The Chief Industrial Commissioner has received from the Amalgamated Association of Tramway and Vehicle Workers a request for arbitration in a dispute which has arisen between the Aberdeen Town Council and their employés in the Tramway Department, the alleged cause being that mentioned by the hon. Member, and he is in communication with the corporation on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if. In December last a law was passed by the Legislative Council of St. Christopher and Nevis, British West Indies, and approved by the Governor, prohibiting the formation of trade and labour unions during the War; whether he is aware of the feeling which has been aroused in the island as a result of the passing of such Ordinance, and whether the action of the Governor and Legislative Council has the sanction of the Home Government?

I have received reports from the Acting-Governor to the effect that this emergency legislation was necessary to prevent serious disturbances due to a movement in which a pro-German was implicated. It has not yet been brought into force, and will not be unless circumstances require its operation. I am not aware that there is any feeling in the Islands against the Ordinance, which in the special circumstances has my approval. I may add that the Acting-Governor has recently arranged with the employers of labour for a general 25 per cent. increase of wages, and that the labouring population are satisfied with the concessions made to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the members of the trade unions have protested to the American Federation of Labour, to which they are affiliated, and that the American Federation of Labour feel very sore at the action taken by the Governor without, I believe, the right hon. Gentleman himself being consulted?

The facts, no doubt, are as stated, but the circumstances are such as to make it necessary and essential that the action of the Governor should be supported. These are not times when we have to deal with questions in the ordinary way, and nothing would induce me to weaken the authority of the Governor, who is dealing in an admirable manner with an extremely difficult situation

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise that a copy of this law will be placed in the Library?

I do not know. I shall have to consider that.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if John Butler and Margaret Butler, of Raheen, Mountrath, Queen's County, old age pensioners, applied for the weekly increase of 2s. 6d. each; and, seeing that they were only granted 2s. and 1s. 6d. respectively, will he have inquiries made into this case with a view to having the full amount paid?

Inquiries are being made into the matter, and I will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is proposed to introduce a Bill dealing with education in Ireland at the same time as the Bill promised by the President of the Board of Education for England?

As the hon. Member is aware, the machinery of the system of education in Ireland differs fundamentally from that in England. No Bill has been drafted, and having regard to the compromises on matters of religious difference which are represented by the constitution of the several authorities which deal with education in Ireland, I think very careful inquiry would be necessary as a preliminary to any legislative project.