asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the desirability of including Ireland in any proposals that are likely to be made granting the franchise to the women of the country?

Ireland would doubtless be included in the discussion of any proposals on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the preparation of the Budget and in drafting the Finance Bill, he will consider the hardships attendant upon the position of the clergy who derive their income from glebe lands rather than tithe, seeing that they have to pay Income and also Land Taxes and derive no advantage from the rise in the price of corn as tithe owners do, but are prevented from raising rents though the present rent may be much lower than the real agricultural value?

I may remind my hon. and learned Friend that it is not possible for me to anticipate the proposals in the coming Budget, but if he will send me the proposals he has in mind I will consider them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that workmen employed at Woolwich, but whose homes are in other part's of the country, are only being allowed to deduct 12s. per week from their income assessable for Income Tax; whether he is aware that this amount is not equal to the expense incurred by a man being away from home; and whether he will give instructions that these men shall be allowed to deduct the 2s. 6d. a day already stated to be a reasonable amount for this purpose?

A workman is entitled to the deduction of the actual additional expense incurred by living away from his home on account of his work up to a maximum of 2s. 6d. a day. If my right hon. Friend will give particulars of the cases referred to I will have them examined.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the grounds on which John Hanna, number in pension officer's register 568, of Terna-mona, Ballinode, county Monaghan, was refused an additional allowance to the old age pension; and whether ho is aware that this pensioner has no income from any source whatever other than the old age pension?

I am having inquiries made into this matter, and will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the court-martial which at Cork last January sentenced Mr. Tadg Barry to two years' imprisonment for having expressed Republican sentiments was held under martial law or under the Defence of the Realm Act; by what authority are military Courts held under this Act; under what Section were Republican sentiments held to be illegal; whether the sentence includes hard labour; and where Mr. Barry now is?

The court-martial was convened under the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Regulations, 1914, No. 58 (a). The offences alleged were offences against Regulation No. 27. The sentence, as confirmed, was without hard labour, and the prisoner is now in Cork Prison.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the authorities in Ireland have prohibited or induced the Kennel Club to prevent the holding of dog shows in Ireland; if so, is he aware that almost all the dog shows in Ireland are held in connection with agricultural shows; and if he will explain why dog shows are prohibited while race meetings, coursing meetings, agricultural shows, sports, etc., are allowed to be held?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Board of Trade have recently been in communication with the Kennel Club on the subject of the undesirability of holding dog shows in view of the present conditions of railway transport, and I understand that the club are not now licensing any shows in the United Kingdom the holding of which would involve any considerable demands for railway facilities.No action has been taken by the Board of Trade on the other matters referred to in the question, but the Irish Railway Executive Committee are no doubt watching the position.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the unsatisfactory manner in which the bonus agreement is being administered by the various Irish railway companies; and if he will take steps to have the matter adjusted by the Railway Executive?

I am in communication with the Irish Railway Executive Committee concerning the allegation in the question. No representation such as is mentioned has reached me.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what supplies of sulphate of copper or other suitable spraying material are available for farmers in Ireland this year; what steps have been taken to ensure at. adequate supply of this material; and whether his Department are able to advise any substitute for sulphate of copper?

Arrangements have been made with manufacturers of sulphate of copper to reserve sufficient supplies for Irish requirements during the ensuing season, provided that orders are given at once. The price of sulphate of copper for the season has been fixed at £50 per ton, free on rail at the makers' works. This price is much below the prices previously ruling. No substitute for sulphate of copper can be recommended for the spraying of potatoes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, seeing 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, he will say if the Food Controller also has power to requisition any foodstuffs and thus to prevent such foodstuffs from being hoarded or withheld from the market; and, if so, as-failure to comply with a requisition made by the Food Controller is a punishable offence under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, what steps, if any, will be taken to enforce the Regulations in Ireland so far as the sale of potatoes is concerned?

The Food Controller has power to requisition foodstuffs, and the use of this power in appropriate cases would prevent foodstuffs from being hoarded or withheld from the market. It has not been necessary for the Food Controller to exercise the power of requisitioning in Ireland, consequently the second part of the question does not arise.

asked whether there has been any reduction in the consumption of meat and bread since the date on which the Food Controller issued his appeal?

Since the date of the Food Controller's announcement there has been a substantial reduction in the consumption of meat in London. The weekly supplies entering the London central markets were as follows:—

	Tons.
Average for five weeks, ending 3rd February (the date of the Food Controller's appeal)	6,927
Average for four weeks, ending 3rd March	5,793

Returns from country markets are being collected.Information as to the consumption of bread is not yet available, but is being obtained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Loyn's tea has been recently increased in price from 2s. to 2s. 4d. per pound; whether he is also aware that the wrapper around the 4-oz. packet of tea, which is weighed in as tea and paid for at the price of tea, weighs well over ¼oz.; and whether some immediate action will be taken to safeguard the public against profiteering speculations in teas, and also against the system of selling paper weighed in as tea seeing that paper is over 600 per cent. cheaper than tea?

I presume that this question refers to Messrs. Lyons' tea. I am informed that that firm have not sold any tea at the rate of 2s. per lb. within the last twelve months. The weight of the wrapper of the 4-oz. packet is approximately ¼ oz. The packet bears an announcement that its weight, inclusive of the wrapper, is 4 ozs. As I stated on Monday, the Food Controller is conferring with representatives of the tea trade on the steps to be taken to prevent unjustifiable increase of prices.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of altering the existing Regulations so that competent temporary officers who desire to remain in the Army may be granted permanent commissions?

Provision has already been made for this, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Regulations.

asked whether a private soldier is now forbidden by his superior officers to send any letters to a Member of Parliament?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given on 20th December to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight and to the hon. Member for Ealing on 9th November. Correspondence between a private soldier and a Member of Parliament has never been forbidden. If, however, the letter should be sent to a Member of Parliament with a view to the ventilation of grievances the provisions of paragraph 439 King's Regulations govern the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have immediate inquiry made into the circumstances-connected with the arrest of Gordon Barnes, of Tallentire, near Cockermouth, who was arrested by the military on 28th February and conveyed to the military hospital at Carlisle, though unable to walk except with the aid of two sticks as the-result of an accident to his foot which occurred in December last, since which time he has been constantly under surgical care?

Telegraphic inquiries have been made and the hon. Member will be informed of the result as soon as received.

asked the Under-Secrertary of State for War if there is any Army-Council instruction to prevent soldiers-over thirty-eight years of age being ordered to do drill or marches with full pack; and, if not, has he considered the probable effect of the strain imposed by this form of training on a large proportion of soldiers of this age?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 9th November to the hon. Member for Dartford

asked what will be the position after the War of a British subject of military age, ordinarily a resident of Great Britain, who left this country since the outbreak of hostilities and has not since returned to fulfil his military duties or justified his absence to the military authorities?

This is a question of law which may have to be determined by the Courts, and in the meantime I think it is undesirable that I should answer it in general terms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors who have been retained in prison or detention after they have been medically examined and de-clared physically unfit for military service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer which I gave to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Cricklade.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many recruiting medical officers are now under pay in Ireland; what is the approximate amount paid to them; and why are they retained since the issue of an instruction to them not to reject any recruit on medical grounds?

Information on the first two parts of the question is not readily available in view of the fact that such officers do not necessarily devote the whole or any fixed proportion of their time to recruiting duties- As regard the third part no such instruction has been issued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Private Mathew Scanlan, South Irish Horse, No, 638, served his full period of four years, for which he enlisted, and an additional year's war service as provided by the terms of his enlistment; if so, was his discharge claimed and not granted; is it contended that Section 2 of the Military Service Act, 1916, applies to Irishmen engaged in military service not ordinarily resident in Great Britain; is he aware that Scanlan, who has served in France since August, 1914, asked for an exchange to a unit of his regiment in Cahir, county Tip- perary, not very distant from his father's farm, so that he might exercise occasional supervision over the same; will he say why this application was refused; and is he aware that his father is old and infirm, with no assistance to till his land under the new Order?

I am advised that Section 2 of the Military Service Act, 1916 (Session 2), which amended Section 87 of the Army Act and Sub-section (5) of Section 9 of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907, applies to all serving soldiers and not only to soldiers who are ordinarily resident in Great Britain. No formal application for a transfer to another unit has been received from Private Scanlan, although a suggestion to this effect was made in a letter from a solicitor written on behalf of Private Scanlan. As Private Scanlan is presumably fit for service in France, he cannot. I fear, be transferred, in view of the military exigencies, to a home-service battalion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War it he will define the position of Irishmen so far as the Military Service Act applies to them if temporarily resident in Great Britain; if men left Ireland since the outbreak of war for employment in Great Britain and are now engaged on work of national importance, such as buildings where carpenters and bricklayers were employed; and, if men left Ireland at the request of their trade unions or of their own accord to obtain such work, are they likely to be conscripted?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 14th February last. Irishmen who are sent over to Great Britain by the Labour Employment Exchanges for the purpose of being employed on munition work, other contracts with Government Departments, port transport work, or agriculture, are considered to be resident in Great Britain for a special purpose within the meaning of the Military Service Acts, 1916, and are provided by the Employment Exchange with a card as evidence of their exemption from military service, so long as they comply with the conditions laid down in the arrangement. When an Irishman is already in Great Britain, and engaged in one of the employments above mentioned, he may, if continuing in that employment, or if placed by an Employment Exchange in similar employment, be furnished with a card as evidence that he is exempt from the liability for military service, if the Employment Exchange has ascertained that he is ordinarily resident in Ireland.If Irishmen come to Great Britain and enter into employments not included in the above arrangement, they come within the provisions of the Military Service Acts as and when they become ordinarily resident in Great Britain unless they can show that they are resident in Great Britain for a special purpose within the meaning of those Acts. In case of doubt the decision is for a Civil Court.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whose order and on what authority Private M. Sweeney, No. 9224, 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, a volunteer, now certified by several Army medical officers unfit for active service, being suffering from two chronic and incurable diseases, has nevertheless been recently sent back to France for active service; whether there is military necessity for a man in his condition; and whether he will be sent home and given a pension?

I have asked for inquiries to be made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what was the percentage of deaths amongst soldiers at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, for the months of October, November, December, January, and February last, and the causes of such deaths?

The information is as follows:

January, 1917	·028%	1 pneumonia, 1 fracture of skull, 1 scarlet fever, 1 died out of hospital.
December, 1916	·018%	2 heart disease. 1 pneumococeal infection.
November, 1916	·022%	1 pneumonia, 2 accidental, 1 died out of hospital. "natural causes"
October, 1916	·012%	2 suicidal, 1 pneumonia.

asked what was the percentage of deaths among soldiers at Kinmel Park Camp, Rhyl, for the months of October, November, December, January, and February last, and the causes of such deaths?

The information is as follows:

January, 1917	·034%	2 asthma., 1 pneumonia, 1 influenza, 1 syncope(brought in dead).
December, 1916	·035%	1 pneumonia.l bronchitis, 2 asthma,. 1 accidental, 1 tubercle of lung,. 1 cerebral haemorrhage.
November, 1916	Nil	No deaths.
October, 1916	Nil	No deaths.

The figures for February, 1917, are not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the civilian dispensers employed in the military hospitals in Ireland will receive the war bonus which was promised to all Government employés; if he is aware that a promise was made to pay established and un-established employés the bonus; if he is aware that the salary paid by the Government is £109 4s., and that the salary paid by outside firms is £120; if he is aware that according to I.C.O. 2046, dated 10th October, 1916, sub-paragraph (v), states that if the salary of the claimants does not reach the amount being paid outside for the same work they are, on recommendation, entitled to this bonus; and if he will inquire into this matter and recommend the bonus to be paid?

I will inquire into-this matter and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will cause to be returned to Mrs. Eamonn Kent all the articles of value taken from her house by the military, under martial law last May, especially the gold medal won by her late husband for pipe music at the Ard-Theis of 1906, bearing name and date engraved in Irish, and an antique sword dating from 1688 and of no present military value?

Every effort has been and still is being made to trace the articles claimed by Mrs. Kent, and all that have been found have been returned to her. The medal cannot be traced, and the sword is not in possession of the military authorities as far as can be discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is still professed that no needless hardship is to be inflicted upon the men banished from Ireland without charge or trial beyond the banishment itself; will he name their respective places of internment and the persons interned in each of those places?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest, nor in the interests of the gentlemen themselves, to give this information.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) if orders have been given for flannel shirts to the Welsh Woollen Manufacturing Association, Llanidloes, and if, before giving this contract, he assured himself that the wages paid by this firm are reasonable; and if he will make inquiries as to the rate of wages paid to married men who will be employed upon the execution of this contract?

No orders for flannel shirts have been placed with the North Wales Textile Manufacturers Association, which is presumably the body referred to by the hon. Member. Any orders for shirts given to North Wales manufacturers will be confined to those on the War Office list of contractors, and the contracts will be subject to the usual War Office conditions, including the Fair-Wages Clause.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps," if any, have been or are being taken in order to increase the production of cotton lint and cotton seed in the British Empire?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The question of the possibility of increasing the supply of cotton from sources within the Empire has been considered by the Departmental Committee of the Board of Trade upon the Textile Industries, and I recently received a deputation from the British Cotton Growing Association upon the same subject. I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement as to the action which will be taken in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if the prison treatment of, and visiting regulations to, Countess Marckiewicz have yet been improved; if he will state the alterations; if the evidence taken at her court-martial with that of the other Irish prisoners will be made public; and when the boy prisoners Derrington and Crennigan will be released?

I propose to allow the first-named prisoner to receive an additional visit each month from her sister. The remainder of the question should be put to the War Office.

asked the Minister of Munitions, concerning the second explosion of munitions in process of manufacture in the same district, if he is aware that persons who have suffered financial loss through damage to property in both explosions have not yet received a penny of compensation; and if he will say what steps he is taking to deal with this grievance.

I am not aware that the facts are as stated in the question, and I am informed that all claims in respect of the first explosion received prompt attention, though in certain cases payment has not yet been made because the builders' accounts have not been received. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any case in which he would like inquiry made, I will have it investigated. With regard to payment of compensation in respect of the second explosion, I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the subject on the 5th instant to the hon. Member for the Spen Valley.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, while theatrical companies are allowed 25 per cent. rebate off the 50 per cent. excess railway fares, commercial travellers have to pay the whole excess charge?

For a long time theatrical companies have been allowed to travel at special fares when travelling in companies, but those fares have in all cases been increased by 50 per cent. since 1st January last,

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he has had brought under his notice a system of constructing watertight bulkheads separating the various watertight compartments of ships which has been already laid before the Shipping Controller and passed by Professor Welch, the specially scientific member of the recent Bulkhead Committee, and which has the advantage of possessing double the strength of the ordinary bulkhead for the same weight of material through the application of corrugated plating; and whether it is being adopted in the new standard merchant ships ordered by the Government or will be adopted in constructions in the immediate future?

The question of using corrugated plating in the construction of bulkheads in the standard ships has been considered by the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee appointed by the Shipping Controller, and they have not recommended its adoption.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when the recent increase in separation allowance due to the in- creased cost of living was announced, it was the intention of the Government that such wives of soldiers from the Post Office as were receiving the difference between the Army pay and civil pay should be deprived of any benefit from the increased allowance; and whether, seeing that the price of food has risen to Post Office employés' wives, he will instruct that the amounts paid by the Post Office shall no longer be reduced below the rate previously ruling?

Under the standing Regulations, married Post Office servants, like other Civil servants, are allowed the balance of their civil pay (including war bonus) after the deduction of 7s. in respect of Army pay, together with the amount of the separation allowance. I am not aware of any intention of altering these Regulations.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), if he is aware that Mrs. Lemmens, 17, Riga Terrace, Portsmouth, became a voluntary contributor, answering accurately all questions put to her, No. 1,817,666, to the National Insurance through the National Amalgamated Approved (Pearl) Society within three months of its establishment and continued to pay 9½d. per week to the end of February, 1916, at which date the agent informed her that she did not come under the Act, and that now the National Insurance Commissioners refuse to refund the money taken from her under a misapprehension; and if he will have this money repaid and give a definite ruling on the question for the future?

I am making inquiries into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the agreement with the Russian Government whereby Russian subjects may be returned from this country to serve in the Russian Army, provides for the cost of the transportation, being borne by Russia or by Great Britain?

As the hon. Member was informed yesterday, there is as yet no definite agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Russian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to facilitate mutual commercial intercourse and the general economic recovery of the Allied countries after the War, the Government of Great Britain has at any time suggested or proposes to suggest to its Allies, notably France, Italy, and Russia, the desirability of admitting into their respective countries the products of Great Britain and Ireland and the Overseas Dominions and Dependencies, free of all import duties, or, failing the early and entire waiving of all import duties, their substantial and progressive reduction, leaving each country free to deal as it may find convenient with the products of present enemy countries?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Solicitor-General, concerning the case of a chair-frame maker of military age who, after renting premises and power for eleven years, attested under the Lord Derby scheme, and, being medically unfit, took work on munitions, under promise of the landlord to allow him to retain the tenancy on condition that he paid the rent of the premises only, and who is now threatened with the termination of his tenancy, although he has paid the rent as agreed; whether he will promote legislation with the object of preventing this unjust procedure on the part of landlords in wartime?

I know nothing of the matter referred to in the question, nor is the statement sufficient to show whether the tenant has a cause of action against the landlord. The matter does not appear to call for legislation.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether, seeing that the Board of Customs and Excise expressly prohibits transfers in the case of officers over fifty years of age applying for vacancies in Dublin and that no such prohibition exists as regards officers of such age applying for transfers to vacancies in any other part of the United Kingdom, he will consider the question of the removal of such prohibition as regards Dublin; and, if not, will he state the reasons for refusing to do so?

There is no hard and fast prohibition of transfers of officers over fifty years of age to Dublin, but in view of the large proportion of officers of advanced years already in Dublin it is desirable in the public interest to exercise discrimination as to the age of applicants who may be allowed transfer to that city.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he is aware of the reason why the late Mr. John Forrest resigned his position as auditor to the National insurance Audit Department; and whether, seeing that an interval of some weeks elapsed between the date of Mr. Forrest's resignation and the date of his death, he will explain why the balance of salary due to him at the date of his resignation was withheld by the Department until after the date of his death?

The late Mr. John Forrest resigned his appointment as auditor in the National Insurance Audit Department on accepting an appointment under the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society. The short delay in paying the balance of salary was due to a discussion with Mr. Forrest as to the return of certain confidential papers belonging to the Department. These papers were returned shortly after Mr. Forrest's death.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department, whether he will state the name, age on appointment, and date of appointment of each of the original appointees to the post of inspector of audit who is now serving in that capacity; whether he will state the special qualifications put forward by each when a candidate seeking appointment to that post with a salary of £550 to £700 per annum attaching to it; and, seeing how these inspectors have carried out their duties since appointment, will he say whether little or no steps were taken to verify the accuracy of the special qualifications so put forward?

The particulars asked for are as follows:

Name of Inspector of Audit.				Age on Appointment	Date of Appointment.		Special Qualifications.
O. W. Arnold	…	…	…	40	28th June, 1912	…	Incorporated accountant.
R. H. Bindlosa	…	…	…	32	28th June, 1912	…	Incorporated accountant.
A. H. Hales	…	…	…	37	28th June, 1912	…	Incorporated accountant.
W. A. Middloton	…	…	…	36	28th June, 1912	…	Chartered accountant.
J. Sanderson	…	…	…	42	28th June, 1912	…	Incorporated accountant.
W. E. Wall	…	…	…	34	28th June, 1912	…	Incorporated accountant.

The qualifications of candidates were investigated by a Committee of Selection presided over by Sir John Kempe, the late Comptroller and Auditor-General.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Rewdley Division) whether, seeing that Mr. Walsh, an Irish-born junior assistant auditor in the National Insurance Audit Department, passed a medical examination prior to this entry into the Department, and that his conduct and efficiency during the first year of his service were such that the usual increment of salary was granted to him at the end of that year, he will explain why Mr. Walsh was ultimately compelled to leave the Department; whether he will state the number of British-born junior assistant auditors who were compelled to leave under similar circumstances; and whether Irish-born officials serving in the Department have been subjected to unfair discrimination in reality because of their nationality?

The services of Mr. Walsh were dispensed within consequence of unfavourable reports from the Treasury medical referee and Mr. Walsh's immediate official superiors. The place of birth of all officials is not on record in the Department. The answer to the last part of the queston is in the negative.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he will state the names of the porters in the Government laboratory, their ordinary actual hours of attendance, the number of years each has been in the Government service, the ordinary rate of pay of each, and the overtime rate of pay of each, respectively; whether each has

The porters' names and length of their service in the Laboratory are as follows:—

E. Wood	…	…	36 years
W. Paul	…	…	36 years
F. Saunders	…	…	20 years
F. J. Harket	…	…	7 years
A. Draper	…	…	12 years
C. Brown	…	…	4 years
C. H. Redding	…	…	—
C. A. B. Wren	…	…	—

the two last being substitutes for Draper and Brown who are with the Colours. Pay is at the rate of 23s. weekly, rising by annual increments of 1s. to 25s., with war bonus at the rate of 4s. a week, and overtime of 7d. an hour for work outside office hours, which are from 8.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Wood receives in addition an allowance at the rate of 3s. a week. Each of these men has been paid at the overtime rate to which he was entitled for the full extra time worked over and above the ordinary actual hours of attendance during the year ended 31st December, 1516.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he will furnish a statement showing the amounts paid in respect of travelling and subsistence to each of the inspectors of audit during each of the four years ended 31st August, 1916, exclusive of payments in respect of removal of official station, attending special and ordinary periodical conferences at the headquarters of the Department in London away from each of their official stations, and other wise attending at headquarters in London to perform duties away from each of their official stations?

issued the following statistics:

—		Year ended
		31st August, 1913.			31st August, 1914.			31st August, 1915			3lst August, 1916.
Inspector—		£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
London Division	…	Nil.			3	15	8	4	17	3	4	14	6
Northern Division	…	72	2	0	130	1	8	135	5	8	103	17	10
Midland Division	…	65	9	1	97	12	2	96	8	6	106	17	2
Scottish Division	…	57	11	6	66	3	0	58	18	2	52	17	8
Irish Division	…	120	1	4	180	2	8	169	0	6	99	0	8
Welsh Division	…	71	12	3	98	14	6	108	16	4	70	9	8

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he will furnish a statement showing the amounts paid in respect of travelling and subsistence to each of the inspectors of audit during each of the four years ended the 31st August, 1916, for attending at headquarters in London to perform duties away from each of their official stations, exclusive of payments in respect of attending special and ordinary periodical conferences at such headquarters?

supplied the following figures:

—		Year ended
		31st August,1913.			31st August, 1914.			31st August, 1915			31st August, 1916.
Inspector—		£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Northern Division	…	17	3	0	13	12	0	21	7	0	Nil
Midland Division	…	1	17	0	Nil			13	13	0	Nil
Scottish Division	…	7	9	6	7	9	10	18	9	6	25	19	0
Irish Division	…	5	19	6	Nil			38	16	2	2	0	0
Welsh Division	…	Nil			Nil			Nil			14	7	6

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to state his decision with regard to Irish old age pension clerks; whether he is aware that the existing scale of fees was fixed for dealing with ordinary claims in 1903, when the purchasing power of the sovereign was much higher than it is to-day; that the scale of allowances for travelling expenses, postage, stationery, office, etc., is based on population, and that these expenses are much higher in

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I have had under consideration a memorial from the pension clerks on this subject. Ihope to be able to announce my decision shortly and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has completed his inquiries into the outrage on Clonmeen school; whether he will lay upon the Table of the House of Commons copies of the police reports on the matter as well as copies of the reports supplied to the constabulary by the teachers of the school; is he aware that the window through which an entrance was effected is glazed from the inside, and that, therefore, the glass could not be removed from the outside, and that the burglars must therefore have entered by the school door; will he state in whose custody were the school keys on the occasion of the outrage and furnish a copy of the report supplied by the custodian to the police, and state the result of the constabulary inquiries into the outrage; and whether they believe the outrage was malicious and what was the motive that led up to it?

The outrage mentioned by the hon. Member consisted of the breaking of a window and some damage to school books and stationery. The police have certain information, but are not at present in a position to take proceedings. I do not propose to lay any Papers before the House.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the dates in March, April, and May, 1910, on which ordinary, special, or other meetings of the National Education Board, or committees thereof, were held, and the number of members present at each such meeting?

The following are the dates of the ordinary and committee meetings of the Board of National Education in the months of March, April, and May, 1910, with the numbers of Commissioners present at such meetings:

1910.
Ordinary meetings of Board.	Commissioners present.	Committee meetings.	Commissioners present.
March 8th	13	March 9th	3
March 22nd	11	March 10th	2
April 5th	11	April 6th	2
April 19th	12	April 19th	8
May 3rd	14	May 17th	4
May 17th	13	—	—
May 31st	14	—	—

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board have done, or propose to do, anything to utilise the lime quarry on the Rae estate, Keel, county Kerry, for the benefit of the landholders of the neigh- bourhood; whether, seeing that lime is the cheapest and best manure, and that all are most anxious to cultivate their lands if only they had sufficient manure, some steps will be taken to have this lime quarry worked in the near future?

The Congested Districts Board do not propose to utilise the quarry for the purpose of obtaining lime for manuring land, but on resale of the estate they will reserve the quarry so that it may be used for that purpose. By the provisions of Section 47 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, the powers and duties of the Congested Districts Board relating to agricultural instruction and practical husbandry (under which head the working of this quarry would come) were transferred to the Department of Agriculture.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the holding of William O'Brien, Ardcanaght, Rae estate, Keel, county Kerry, was inspected and reported on as to price by the inspector from the Estates Commissioners before the estate was taken over by the Congested Districts Board; whether, when the Board took over the estate, they had this price before them; and why they had not given him the benefit of it since?

The holding referred to was inspected and valued by an inspector of the Estates Commissioners before the estate was taken over by the Congested Districts Board, and the Board had before them the Commissioners' estimate of price. The Board are collecting interest in lieu of rent on the purchase price at which the tenant agreed to purchase the holding, and the tenant is getting the corresponding benefit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in view of the reply of the late Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for North Sligo, on 11th April last, that Treasury sanction had been obtained to a scheme for assimilating the pay of English and Irish prison warders, what action is being taken?

I am told that the rates of the salaries of Irish prison warders have been assimilated to those paid to corresponding grades in England, subject to the conditions of service being also assimilated as far as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education at what date the proposals for the improvement of the system of education, particularly in regard to the position of teachers, are to be brought forward on behalf of the Government?

I will do my best to obtain an early day for my statement.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the number of hours per week during which women and children are permitted by law to work in cotton factories in India?

In textile factories in India women are permitted to work eleven and children six hours daily. All operatives enjoy one day's holiday in the week, except in the case of urgent or special work, such as cleaning or repairs.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that arrange- ments are made whereby temporary clerks in practically all Government Departments receive full rates of pay for a certain period of absence due to sick leave, he will explain why arrangements are in force in the Post Office where by skilled temporary telegraphists in the chief office, district offices, and branch offices in London and in the chief offices of all the large provincial towns do not receive any pay whatsoever whilst absent on sick leave; and whether he proposes to take any steps in this matter?

Under the ordinary Post Office Regulations persons employed in a temporary capacity as telegraphists are not eligible for the privilege of sick pay, but are insured under the National Insurance Act; I see no sufficient reason for making any change in those Regulations. Temporary clerks engaged by the Civil Service Commissioners, who are of course not employed in manipulative duties such as telegraphy, enjoy the same privileges in the Post Office as in other Government Departments.