asked the Prime Minister whether the Parliamentary crisis in Australia will have the effect of postponing the Imperial Conference; and, if not, whether Australia will be represented at the Conference, by whom, and by what authority appointed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not in a position to answer the second part.

asked the Prime Minister whether he exercises any control over the Paper Commission; whether he is aware that, in consequent of his recent pronouncement on paper restrictions, the Irish paper trade has been practically killed, no supplies being in reserve in that country, and no goods to be got even at double previous prices from English or Scottish mills; whether he is aware that all the smaller printing offices in Ireland will be starved out under the new restrictions, which will mean the starvation and disemployment of a large body of printers and machinists; and whether he will direct the Paper Commission to specially consider the claims of these men who are faced with ruin in consequence of the new Order?

Under the new Regulations of the Paper Commission, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, importers and users of paper in Ireland, as in other parts of the United Kingdom, will be entitled to import or to obtain from their previous suppliers one-half of the-quantity of paper for printing which they received last year. Any case of failure of a supplier to furnish a particular user with the amount to which he is entitled under these Regulations should be reported to the Paper Commission.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether a war bonus, within the limitations laid down, has not been granted to single men or to widowers without dependent children who are serving with the forces; and, if so, will he say why the question of dependency is-confined to children in these cases?

The Civil Service war bonus is allowed to reckon in calculating the civil pay of married men serving in His Majesty's Forces, but not of single men or of widowers without dependent children. The question of dependency is; not confined to children, as married men without children receive the war bonus.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether Civil servants who, in accordance with the Prime Minister's circular of 27th February, volunteer for National Service, will in the event of their being called up receive the same salaries as they are receiving at present?

It is not proposed to extend the grant of "Civil Pay, which is allowed to Civil servants serving in the forces, to those who volunteer for National Service and are transferred from their present posts to other employment. They will, under the National Service scheme, be guaranteed the appropriate rate of pay for the work to which they are sent, and the period of absence from their Departments will be treated as special leave, without pay, and will not count for pension.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Cuppage Clifford, of Castletownroche, county Cork, who has been engaged in helping recruiting, recently obtained an order from the local bench for the eviction of the wife of one of his servants who joined the Army, a Mrs. Seymour; and is he aware that a child of this woman recently died, and that the mother was given £l for the coffin to consent to this eviction, but in the case of a poor and helpless woman will the authorities interfere to prevent a soldier's home from being broken up by expedients of this kind?

I am informed that Roger Seymour was a ploughman employed by and living in a lodge belonging to Mr. Cuppage, and that he joined the Army in January, but did not inform Mr. Cuppage; that the house occupied by Mrs. Seymour is the only one available for the necessary workman, and that there is no truth in the statement that Mrs. Seymour received £l for a coffin to entice her to give up the house.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, unless legislation is immediately passed suspending them, the triennial elections of county and district councillors in Ireland must be set up inside a few weeks; whether he is aware that uncertainty on the point prevails in the Irish County Councils, some of which have appointed returning officers whilst others have not; and whether he proposes to set all doubts at rest by announcing the decision of the Government on the point forthwith?

I expect to be able to make an announcement on this subject in the course of a few days.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what are the arrangements made for the distribution of seed in Ireland; what units of area are appointed for such distribution; and will there be more than one station at which supplies can be obtained by users within the prescribed areas?

Arrangements for the distribution of seeds under the Loan Scheme are made by rural and urban district councils, the unit of area being the rural or urban district. Supplies will be distributed from one station in each area, but in a few instances it will be desirable to arrange for two or three distributing centres.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when he proposes to take over the untenanted lands in Ireland on which the owners have made no attempt to comply with the food-production Order; and whether he is aware that the shortest and most effective method of dealing with them would be to sub-let them at once to the landless people in each district?

The Department of Agriculture will exercise their powers of entry upon the lands of occupiers who fail to fulfil the requirements of the compulsory tillage Regulations in the manner called for by the circumstances of each case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in order to meet the Orders of the Irish Government on food production the Farmers and labourers of Ireland are now busy in all directions putting down large crops in the country to provide food for next year; and whether he, as head of the Irish Government, will represent to the Director of National Service the undesirability of applying to Ireland any provisions under his new National Service scheme which would have the effect of preventing the food work being done, and in other respects cause grievous unrest and annoyance in the country?

I am informed there are evidences of a general disposition to fulfil the requirements of the Orders made under the Defence of the Realm Regulations with a view to an increase in the area of land under tillage in Ireland. Under the proposed scheme of National Service due regard will be paid to the needs of agriculture.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Listowel Urban District Council and the Listowel Rural District Council have difficulty in securing land for tillage purposes for the increased production of food; whether he can say if both councils over a month ago made representations to the Local Government Board and Department of Agriculture; and whether he will advise these Government Departments to immediately put their compulsory tillage powers into operation by delegating them to the Listowel Urban District Council and Listowel Rural District Council for immediate use?

The Department of Agriculture have received representations from the Listowel Rural District Council in regard to certain unoccupied land at Doon, county Kerry, and as soon as the necessary agreement has been completed the Department propose to exercise their power of entry and to authorise the county to arrange for the cultivation of the land during the coming season. With regard to Listowel Urban District Council, the Local Government Board have received a representation that the council have failed to secure land for tillage purposes, and the Board have directed their inspector to make immediate inquiries in regard to the matter. Rural district councils have power to take lands compulsorily under Section 12 of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1886, when all steps to secure the land by agreement have failed.

asked how many acres of land Mr. M. Hill, sub-agent to Lord Listowel, has in his possession in the vicinity of Listowel; how much of this land has been used for the production of food; and how much, if any, of Mr. Hill's land has been offered to the local committee for conacre purposes to increase the food supply?

I am informed that Mr. Hill holds about 18 acres of land in the vicinity of Listowel, of which in last season 5 acres were meadow, 11 acres under pasture, and 1 rood 20 perches were tilled. None of the land has been offered for conacre.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Crosbie, of Ardfert, has in his possession 275 acres of grazing and tillage land which he has purchased through the Estates Commissioners; whether he is aware that since the War began Mr. Crosbie has not cultivated a single acre of this land and has refused to let it for food production; whether he is aware that in the immediate vicinity there are over 100 families, comprising over 600 human beings, who are absolutely landless, and therefore have not the opportunity of producing food for themselves; will he say whether Mr. Crosbie has applied for exemption; and when the Department will empower a local committee or the local authority to use these lands for food production for the nation's needs?

No application for exemption appears to have been received in this case. Should the owner fail to comply with the Regulations, the Department of Agriculture will put into operation such of their powers under the Regulations as may be required by the circumstances of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can now state the amount of minimum wage in cash fixed for agricultural labourers in Ireland?

It will be the business of the Wages Board, which is being set up to determine, in concert with representatives of the localities, upon the minimum for each of the several districts.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there is any prohibition against the export of oaten meal from Ireland; and if he will state the quantity of oaten meal exported from Ireland for the six months ending 1st March, 1917?

So far as I am aware there is no prohibition of the export of oaten meal from Ireland. Returns of the exports of oaten meal for January and Feb- ruary have not been completed, but during the last six months of the year 1916 the quantity of oaten meal exported from Ireland was 36,430 cwts., and probably additional quantities were included in the 40,219 cwts. Of "meal unclassified" ex-ported during the same period.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Sligo Rural District Council have requested the Irish Government to give them permission to purchase seed potatoes within their own area to supply the necessary seed grants in connection with the Irish food production scheme, 1917; that the district council have offered to buy the class of potatoes which the Department of Agriculture have sanctioned, namely, "Up-to-Dates; that the council can purchase those locally for £l 10s. per ton less than the Government can supply them; and whether, in view of these facts, as President of the Department, he will see that sanction is given to the district council to purchase its potatoes locally?

An order for the potatoes, oats, and manures required by the council has been placed and the supplies are being dispatched. It is not practicable, therefore. to accede to the council's suggestion for local purchase.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many licences were issued in the months of November and December, 1916, and January and Februry, 1917, for the export of potatoes from Ireland; and will he now give the name or state the towns where the licensees operate?

In a reply given on the 19th ultimo to the hon. Members for East Wick-low and North Louth, figures for the export of potatoes for the period from 21st December up to the 31st January last were given, but during the month of February an additional 1,700 tons were exported under licence. A statement giving the names and addresses of the traders who were granted export licences will be supplied to the hon. Member.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will at once arrange for a level price of £10 per ton to be paid for potatoes in Ireland until, say, July, with a view to ending the holding-back process for the extra £l per month?

Questions relating to the fixing of prices of prices for potatoes should be addressed to the Food Controller.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if there is sufficient sugar in the country to give ¾1b. per week to every person; if he is aware that in Ireland shopkeepers cannot obtain sufficient sugar to give ¼ lb. per week to every person; if he will say whether he has yet considered the advisability of issuing sugar tickets so as to safeguard a supply for every person; if steps-will be taken to find out the persons who are storing or withholding sugar from consumers; and, if discovered, will such persons be prosecuted and punished?

There is at present sufficient sugar in the country to-supply the population with ¾ lb. per head per week. It is recognised that there are inequalities in the system of sugar distribution. In certain districts these have been adjusted, and the Food Controller is taking steps which, he hopes, will effect a general improvement. Difficulties of transport seriously affect the equality of distribution, and representations have been made to the Railway Executive Committee on the matter. Inspectors of the Ministry of Food, who have recently visited Ireland, report that the supply and distribution of sugar in Ireland generally are, on the whole, not unsatisfactory. The most effective method of preventing undue storing of sugar on the part both of distributors and consumers is under active consideration

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the prices the American Meat Trust managers is making the small butchers pay for American meat; if he is aware that they are charging the following prices: Common chilled thin flank of beef 11d. per lb., chilled hind-quarters of beef 1s. 0½d. to 1s. 1d. per lb., chilled fore-quarters of beef 11¼d. to 11½d. per lb., 80 lbs. River Plate sheep 10¾d. to 11d. per lb., and frozen pigs 11d. per lb.; will he consider the desirability of having the American meat controlled, like the New Zealand meat, by the Government; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am informed that the prices at Smithfield on the 6th instant were somewhat below those given by my hon. Friend. As regards the latter part of his question, as the price of meat in British markets is dominated by the price of British meat, the Board of Trade are not satisfied that they could purchase American chilled beef on terms that would enable them to place it on the market at prices substantially below those now ruling.

asked what amount of foodstuffs were exported from this country in the months of January and February, 1917, exclusive of foodstuffs sent to our Armies in the field; and what were the chief items of such exports, giving the tonnage or value of such items?

Particulars of such exports will be published in the monthly accounts relating to trade and navigation for February, which will be issued in the course of a few days.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has yet decided to prohibit the export of foodstuffs from Ireland; if he is aware that in many parts of Ireland farmers are holding back their supplies of potatoes from the markets in order to obtain good prices from English buyers; and what steps are being taken to avoid a repetition of the famine of 1847?

With the exception of supplies for Army and Navy purposes, the export of potatoes and oats from Ireland is at present prohibited save under licence from the Department of Agriculture. The reason why farmers are holding back their potatoes would appear to be with a view to reaping the advantage of the increased price for potatoes fixed by the Food Controller for the month of April. All possible steps are being taken to safeguard the potato supply in Ireland for the coming season.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to certain statements made by a Mr. Ashton in connection with secret societies, riotous and disorderly conduct, etc., against the inhabitants of the city of Cork; whether a German submarine is situate at Sunday's Well, Cork; and whether he has inquired or will inquire of the constabulary authorities of Cork city as to this matter?

My attention has been called to the statements mentioned in the question. I am informed by the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, that on the Saturday night to which the article referred, Cork City was in a perfectly normal condition, and nothing occurred requiring the intervention of the police. The district inspector reports as follows:

"There was, with the permission of the police, a flag collection for the poor, and practically everyone, including myself, had bought little red flags and red discs and were wearing them to show collectors that the wearers had already subscribed. There was also a football match between schoolboys from the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers schools, and I believe the boys were taken to the pictures afterwards and were a little lively as schoolboys usually are. I was on the streets visiting beats between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., and thought there were larger numbers of soldiers and civilians promenading the streets—a customary sight in Cork especially on Saturday nights—I saw nothing but good humour. nor did I receive any unfavourable reports from any of my men on duty."

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the refusal of sanction to the appointment of a duly qualified medical officer for the Clondalkin (county Dublin) dispensary district by the Local Government Board, on (inter alia) the ground that the services of young men were urgently needed for the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Board considered that such a ground was a good legal ground, seeing that one of the highest legal authorities in Ireland had given it as his opinion (which has been widely published) that it was not a good ground in law?

I know of no authoritative decision to the effect suggested in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a memorial from the Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners in Maryborough and other parts of Ireland setting out the inadequacy of their pensions in present conditions; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to obtain an increase in their pensions to bring the same in accord with the scale of pensions? contained in the Police (Ireland) Act, 1916, or, in the alternative, the granting of a bonus during the period of the War?

I am not in a position to promise any action with regard to this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the fact that the opinions of the local authorities in Ireland as to the operation of the Summer Time Act in Ireland were obtained and forwarded to the Committee appointed by the Home Secretary to consider the question of renewing the Act, and that the Committee had also Irish witnesses before them, whether he will say what and how many local bodies furnished those opinions; whether the witnesses were there in a representative capacity or as individuals; if as representatives by whom were they appointed; and if as individuals by whom they were recommended?

The Summer Time Committee were furnished with the opinions of eighteen county councils, five county borough councils, eighty urban councils, one hundred and sixty-six rural councils, and twenty-nine county committees of agriculture as to the desirability of the renewal of summer time in Ireland during the present year. The Irish witnesses who appeared before the Committee were invited by the Irish Government to attend as men qualified to state the prevailing views in various parts of the country, both urban and rural, without any inquiry or knowledge as to what opinions they themselves held with regard to the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture on how many courses in Ireland are race meetings permitted during the year 1917; how many days' racing does this comprise; and, besides these, how many illegal meetings are held which are not under the rules of racing?

Subject to any necessary restriction on public grounds, race meetings on 47 courses in Ireland this year, comprising 129 days' racing, have been arranged There is no record of illegal meetings.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will order an inquiry into the charge that Captain Grate, of the travelling medical board, recently at Mardy, near Ferndale, Rhondda, made a statement to the local members of the miners' lodge of the South Wales Miners' Federation to the effect that there were in America two millions of Irishmen ready to fight against the United States if the latter went to war with Germany?

I have no information on the subject, but I have asked that an inquiry should be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many distinctions or decorations have been awarded for service in the Army since August, 1914; and how many of these awards have been conferred on men or women actually in the fighting line or danger zone?

From August, 1914, to 1st February, 1917, the following have actually been gazetted:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the men attached to the wireless section, Royal Engineers, stationed at Great Malvern, are experiencing difficulty in securing final leave; and whether he will make inquiries as to the reasons for this difference in treatment?

Leave is granted wherever possible; in a few cases men have had to be put on draft at the last moment to replace others for urgent reasons. Owing to delay in the departure of men who are moving shortly, it has proved possible to give leave during this week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Secretary of State's list, published as a supplement to the "London Gazette," and dated War Office, 24th February, of the names of those who have rendered valuable services in connection with the War is not available to the public, nor issued with the "London Gazette," which is supplied to the Library of the House of Commons, although stated to be a supplement of such "Gazette"; that the office of the "London Gazette" states that the document is a private one, not to be issued to the public; and whether he will give orders for such documents to be made available to the public, and a copy placed in the Library of the House of Commons?

My hon. and gallant Friend has been misinformed. The list of names referred to was not published in the "London Gazette," but was communicated to the Press and appeared in the newspapers of 26th and 27th February. The first instalment, which appeared on the 26th February, was erroneously designated in a portion of the Press as a supplement to the "London Gazette." It was not considered necessary to place this list on sale, but I have given directions for copies to be placed in the Library of the House for the use of hon. Members.

asked what was the fixed minimum and maximum price per lb. for washed Welsh wool, 1916 clip?

There is no minimum price. The fixed maxima are as follows: Best Welsh, 14½d. per lb.; low Welsh, 13¼d. per lb.; Turbury Welsh, 11¾d. per lb. The above prices are for wools in good condition. Wools of inferior quality and intermediate sorts are valued in proportion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why, from 2nd November, 1915, to 12th April, 1916, James Melia, of Louisburgh, county Mayo, was refused payment of 3s. 6d. per week allotted to him by his son, Private P. Melia, No. 7358, No 3 Company, Royal Irish Rifles; and will he take steps to have the amount paid without further delay?

I regret I am unable to add to the information furnished to the hon. Member in my letter of 11th January, as no authority has yet been received from the soldier to make the payment.

asked why Mrs. J. Lavelle, widow, of Skirdagh, Newport, county Mayo, has been refused a separation allowance in respect of her son, Private J. Lavelle, No. 994, l/12th (Pioneer) Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, from whom she has been receiving £l 5s. per week before his enlistment; and why his allotment of 3s. 6d. per week has been withheld from her?

Inquiries will be made and the hon. Member informed of the result in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private William Christie, No. 45955, second-class air mechanic Royal Flying Corps, A.A.D., Egypt, made an increased allotment of 6d. a day from the 21st November, 1916, to his wife; and, seeing that she has not yet received this allotment, and although she has written several times on the subject has had no acknowledgment of her letters, will he make inquiry?

Inquiry will be made and the hon. Member informed of the result in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Private S. Harris, No. 25395, 1st West Yorkshire Regiment, allowed his widowed mother, whose only support he is, over £l a week before he enlisted, and that after repeated requests, long delays. and much difficulty, only 3s. 6d. weekly is now paid to her; whether that is due to the fact that S. Harris is a Russian subject who enlisted voluntarily in the British Army; and what action he proposes to take?

Inquiries will be made and the hon. Member informed of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the wives of serving non-commissioned officers of Regular units sent home from India and who are now, and were before marriage, resident in London, have been debarred from drawing the London allowance, whilst the wives of non-commissioned officers of the New Army are allowed to draw it; and whether, in the case of the wife of No. 36813, Battery Quartermaster-Sergeant P. G. Williams, Royal Field Artillery, this allowance may be granted, in view of the fact that Mrs. Williams was a resident of London before marriage, is now resident in London, and that she has received a notification from the regimental paymaster, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, Blackheath, that she is not eligible for the allowance?

This allowance is issued only to soldiers' wives who had homes in London at the time of mobilisation, or of enlistment if later.

asked whether any extra allowance has been made to Driver Philip Smith, late Army Service Corps, No. T4/093,020; and will the War Office minute of 29th November, 1916, be looked up with reference to the 4s. 8d. pension?

An increase to the pension granted to Driver Smith when invalided on account of disease neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service will be considered as soon as certain essential information respecting the nature of his service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force is received from the regimental authorities overseas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private F. W. Allison, No. 17542, 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment, joined the forces on 17th November, 1914, and was discharged as medically unfit on 17th December, 1914, receiving Army Form B.2079, and that Allison is now being pressed again into the Army; whether the holding of Army Form B 2079 excepts the holder from liability to further service; and whether he will give orders that Allison is not to be called up?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Castle Cary military authorities ordered a railway signalman named I. Williams, employed by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Company, to be medically examined at Taunton on 8th January, 1917, and that as a result he lost a day's wages and war bonus, which the railway company decline to pay, and that he received no payment whatever from the military authorities; and will he say who should meet the loss the man has been put to?

I am not aware of the circumstances of this case, but if the man was ordered as stated he was entitled to one day's Army pay and allowances, and he should apply to the recruiting officer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. F. G. Taylor, of West Ham, appeared before the West Ham local tribunal, when his claim was disallowed; that an appeal was lodged within the statutory time, but that during the interval he was illegally arrested and handed over to the military; whether he is aware that Mr. Taylor was permitted by the military authorities to go before the Essex Appeal Tribunal on the 18th January last, who gave him work of national importance which he obtained with the Marylebone Council electric supply; and whether he will order this man's release?

I am informed that when F. G. Taylor received a notice to report for service there was no valid application for his exemption outstanding before the tribunals. He failed to report-to the call, was arrested, and handed over by the Civil Court as an absentee on the 13th December. He had appealed, but withdrew his appeal. Shortly before his arrest he had lodged an application for the rehearing of his case by the Essex Appeal Tribunal, but an outstanding application for the rehearing of a case does not preclude the posting of the applicant. Under the Regulations governing the procedure of tribunals it is provided that a case shall not be reheard after a man has joined the Colours except with the consent of the Army Council. No such consent was given in Taylor's case. No special action can be taken in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors court-martialled and sentenced to imprisonment or detention who have been offered work under the Home Office scheme?

Two thousand four hundred and eighteen.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors offered work under the Home Office scheme who have accepted such work, refused such work, accepted but subsequently been sent back to prison or the Army, and accepted but subsequently returned voluntarily to prison or military custody as unable conscientiously to comply with the conditions, respectively?

Of the2,418 men to whom work has been offered by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors on 1st March, 1917, 2,126 accepted and 292 refused such work. Of the 2,126 who accepted eighty-eight have subsequently been sent back to prison or to the Army, because they broke the conditions on which they were excused from military service, either by declining to perform the work allotted to them or otherwise.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is with the concurrence of the Home Office that letters on antiquarian subjects sent through the post are withheld by the Censor; under what Regulation are they deemed illegal; and whether the letter relating to an Ogham stone in Ireland, and posted on 15th November last by Mr. John MacNeill, Irish political convict, will now be delivered?

The letter of the 15th November was detained by the Censor, and will not be delivered. I am not aware that it was detained on account of a reference to an Ogham stone or other antiquarian subject and a later letter from this convict, which contained a reference to the Ogham stone, was forwarded to the addressee.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he is aware of the failure regularly to collect the house refuse in the Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras, and the menace thereby occasioned to the public health; and whether the Government will afford the borough council the facilities they have asked for and the additional labour required to enable them to perform this necessary sanitary function?

I am fully aware of the difficulties which the Metropolitan borough councils have experienced in regard to the collection -and disposal of house refuse, and my Department are assisting them in their efforts to surmount these difficulties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the merchant ships being built for the Government are being provided with accommodation for the seamen, embodying effective hygienic conditions with regard to the provision of adequate space in sleeping quarters, light, and ventilation; and will he bear in mind the desirability of the Government setting an example in the above respect. and also the economic advantages due to healthy surroundings?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The important point raised by my hon. Friend's question is having careful attention.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department, whether he will furnish the names of the original appointees to the post of inspector of audit (scale of salary £550 to £700 per annum) who, failing appointment to that post, applied also for the post of auditor (scale of salary £350 to £500 per annum)?

None.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department, whether he will state the amount of war bonus granted to audit clerks now serving in the Department and now serving in the forces, respectively; whether the full increments recommended for these audit clerks by their immediate superiors have in any instances been withheld in connection with the granting of this war bonus or otherwise; and, if so, why this has been done?

The answer to the first part of the question is 4s., to the second part married men 4s., single men nil, to the third part in the negative; the fourth part does not arise.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department, 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, for attending at the headquarters of the Department in London, away from each of their official stations, special conferences and ordinary periodical conferences; whether he will state the number of such special conferences and such periodical conferences held during each of the four years in question; and, having regard to the calibre of these inspectors, their responsibility for the mass of instructions issued to the staff of the Department, and the rates of salary (£550 to £700 per annum) and subsistence allowance paid to them, whether he will consider the advisability of saving public money by the abolition of the grade of inspector of audit?

There have been no special conferences of inspectors of audit in London or elsewhere. The particulars asked for with regard to the ordinary conferences are as follow:

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department, whether, seeing that two special increments of salary have been granted, on the grounds of personal merit and specially onerous duties, to each of three of the inspectors of audit, that these three inspectors are and have been almost entirely engaged in initialling diaries, travelling claims, and auditor's reports, and on other duties which connote duplication of work, and that the inspectors of audit who did not receive any special increment of salary are and have been similarly employed, he will give some outline of the main features of these duties which have been regarded as specially onerous and some indication as to how special merit could have been displayed in the performance of them by the three inspectors of audit referred to?

The nature of the duties performed by the inspectors of Audit in the National Insurance Audit Department is incorrectly described. The hon. Member is referred to the answer given to the Member for North Kerry on the 26th April, 1916.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether, seeing that second division clerks employed in the various divisions of the National Insurance Audit Department were not allowed overtime payments in their own Department, and were not permitted to undertake evening work in other Government Departments which required the services of borrowed second division clerks at the usual overtime rates, and that second division clerks generally were permitted to undertake such evening work when not required to do overtime in their own Departments, he will explain the reason why the National Insurance Audit Department did not permit its second division clerks to earn overtime in the other Departments which employed borrowed second division clerks on evening work?

The National Insurance Audit Department has not withheld permission to second division clerks to undertake evening work in other Government Departments during the War.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he will furnish a statement showing the scale of pay to male audit clerks, temporary male clerks, and temporary female clerks, respectively, in each of the divisions of the National Insurance Audit Department?

The maximum and minimum weekly pay of audit clerks and temporary clerks employed by the National Insurance Audit Department throughout the United Kingdom is as follows:

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department whether attempts have been made to compel second division clerks employed in the various divisions of the Department to work longer than the number of hours prescribed by Order in Council without receiving any extra remuneration for overtime; whether in one division at least they were actually compelled to do so; and, if so, seeing that the rates and other conditions governing overtime payment for second division clerks have been specifically laid down by the Treasury and adopted by Government Departments generally, will he explain why the inspectors of audit were permitted to treat their second division subordinates in this manner?

The Order in Council does not prescribe the number of hours to be worked by a Government servant, but requires the attendance given not to be less than seven hours a day. To meet the exceptional circumstances of the Department, the second division clerks in the National Insurance Audit Department work more than seven hours a day from Monday to Friday, and a compensating concession is made in respect of Saturdays. Practically no overtime is worked.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the sea-wall at Greenore having been damaged during the severe storms last winter the Greenore estate is in imminent danger of being flooded; and, seeing that this would be the means of driving a number of families at present engaged in agriculture from their farms, and as the agent refuses to repair the wall, whether the Government can see their way to do anything in the matter?

I am told that the sea-wall at Greenore was damaged by a severe storm three years ago and very serious further damage was caused by a storm last winter. No doubt the crops on the neighbouring lands are endangered. Unless the hon. Member can show me reason for believing that the repair of the wall is a public obligation, I see no means by which the Government can enforce it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether orders have been given to Sergeant Maguire, of Shannon-bridge, King's County, to stand in the gateway of the chapel every Sunday armed with a stick and obstruct the congregation on their way out from mass; if so, by whom have such orders been given; and, if no such orders have been given, can the district inspector find a sphere of activity more suited to Sergeant Maguire's activities on Sundays?

No such orders have been given, and I have no reason to suppose that any such thing takes place.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Railway Committee have come to any decision on the complaints put before them as to the working of the Burtonport Railway; and can he now see his way to recommend an inquiry by the Board of Trade as is provided in the Act of 1898?

I am awaiting a report of the Executive Committee of the Irish Railways with regard to this matter, and in the meantime have given directions which I hope will safeguard the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to say whether he will grant an inquiry into the working of the Letter-kenny and Burtonport line by the Lough Swilly Railway Company?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to his question of the 28th February on this subject, to which at present I am unable to add.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Justice Ross, addressing the grand jury at the opening of the Assizes at Dundalk on Monday, stated that there were circumstances in the county to give rise to grave apprehension, but not such as would admit of comment on his part; whether the police authorities submitted a statement to the judge upon which these remarks were based; whether he has seen any such statement and is in a position to inform the House of its nature; whether there was only one criminal case to go before the grand jury at the Assizes; and whether the county is in a perfectly peaceful condition?

The learned judge made the statement referred to in the question. I have not seen any such statement as is mentioned by the hon. Member. There was only one criminal case to go before the grand jury at the Assizes, and, so far as ordinary crime is concerned, the county is in a peaceful condition.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can now announce the result of his communications with various Departments in Ireland on the subject of the provision of cow pasturage in rural and other districts in Ireland: and whether, seeing that the provision of milk is essentially a food problem, legislation is in any degree necessary for securing such provision any more than it is in providing land for tillage purposes?

The provision of pasturage for cows cannot be dealt with under the recent Defence of the Realm Regulations, the object of which is the cultivation of the soil.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received any representations with regard to the herring fishing in Dundalk Bay; and whether he intends to do anything in the matter?

Representations on this subject have reached the Department of Agriculture. They will have attention in good time before the herring fishing in Dundalk Bay recommences.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what causes the delay in issuing to Miss Eliza Murphy the old age pension of 5s. weekly which the Delvin Pension Sub-committee, with personal knowledge of the case, have decided that she is entitled to receive; if the pension officer reports her possessed of property, when in fact she has none, will he specify the alleged property; and whether the Local Government Board will reserve their decision until this question of fact has been ascertained?

I am informed that there was no avoidable delay in dealing with this claim. The claimant and her brother are sole heirs of their father, who died intestate, leaving a farm of 29 acres of good land, and the claimant's interest is worth far more than £31 10s. a year, which is the statutory limit for the receipt of a pension.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Form S.B. No. 179a has been issued for the duration of the War only; if its provisions apply to civilians; and when was this form first issued?

The form to which the hon. Member refers has been in use for thirty years. The procedure to which it relates is not affected by the War. Its provisions apply to civilians.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the forty-four signatory Powers to the International Opium Convention of 1912 have now deposited their ratifications; which of the signatory Powers have neither ratified the Convention nor ex- pressed their willingness to do so; and which of the signatory and ratifying Powers have, up to the present, signed the special Protocol prepared at the instance of the third International Conference in 1914, indicating their readiness to-put the Convention into force?

The position has not changed in any of the respects referred to, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware, since the issue of White Paper, Miscellaneous, No. 4 (1915), in February, 1915.