asked whether the Department of Agriculture will use its compulsory powers to enable the uneconomic holders of Saints Island, county Long ford, to obtain portion of the untenanted lands on the island from Captain W. Bond, D.L., the owner, for food-production purposes; and how soon will action be taken in this direction?

The Department of Agriculture in all cases in which they are satisfied that an owner does not intend to comply with the compulsory tillage Regulations are taking steps to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if an inspector visited the lands of Mrs. Crosbie at New Garden, Castleconnell, with the object of taking them up for distribution among the small tenants on the property; what sum was asked for these lands by the landlord's representative, and what was the valuation put by the Commissioners' inspector; did the Commissioners make an offer to the landlord; and, if not, what was the reason; is he aware that the distribution of these lands is very necessary; and will steps be taken to try and come to an agreement as to the value of the lands so that they may be distributed?

A preliminary inspection was made of the untenanted land which the owner proposed to sell to the Estates Commissioners for distribution in connection with the land which is the subject of proceedings for sale by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. So far as the Commissioners are aware, the owner has not specified the price, of the untenanted land. The estate is not yet in priority to be dealt with by the Commissioners, and it was not practicable to purchase the untenanted land and to prepare a scheme for decision and resale in time for tillage this season. The owner has been notified to arrange for the cultivation of the land in accordance with the compulsory tillage Regulations, and she was informed that if she set the land in conacre lettings it would not interfere with or delay the proceedings for sale. The question of making an offer for the untenanted lands will be considered by the Commissioners as soon as practicable.

asked why the Estates Commissioners did not take up the untenanted land on the Rose and Shiel estate at Cahirconlish, county Limerick, so that the allotments may be given to the village tenants on the same property; was the owner anxious that the land should be taken over and was it the Commissioners' power to do so; if so, on what grounds was it done instead of allowing an extensive grazier to take up the lands to the detriment of the poor of the village; and will immediate steps be taken to acquire these lands from this grazier and distribute them among the deserving applicants so that they may produce food for their families?

The Estates Commissioners did not find it practicable to complete the purchase of the lands referred to and arrange for their division and resale in time for tillage this season. The Commissioners were, asked to take over the lands, but in the circumstances the owners were informed they should continue to make arrangements for their user. The forma] offer to purchase the lands, together with some outstanding holdings, will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a feeling of dissatisfaction prevails in certain parts of Ireland at the contempt with which large graziers have treated the demands for extra tillage; is he aware that the average Irish farmer is of the belief that whilst they are being forced to do almost the impossible the grazier and other large landholders are not being pressed to do their duty, and will escape through influence and other means; and will he take immediate stops to see that those bullock walks will have to give way to the plough, in the same manner as the land of the ordinary farmer has to?

The Department of Agriculture are not aware of any such feeling as that referred to. There is no foundation for the suggestion that differential treatment is accorded to certain classes of holders in the enforcement of the compulsory tillage Regulations. The Department are taking steps to ensure that the Regulations shall be complied with by all occupiers affected.

asked how much land at Ballyhaise department is available for tillage; how much was tilled in 1915 and 1916; how much will be tilled in 1917, and stating the different crops for the years 1915 and 1916; and what it is proposed to crop in the present year?

The total arable area at Ballyhaise agricultural station is 460 acres, of which 123 acres were cultivated in 1915, and 103 acres in 1916. Arrangements have been made to cultivate 153 acres in the present year. The crop grown in the years 1915 and 1916 were potatoes, mangels, turnips, cabbage, wheat, oats, and hay, and similar crops will be grown in 1917.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give the name of the inspector who is doing the work of the Irish Food Committee in county Limerick; whether several parties in this country are being served with notices under penalty to carry out the scheme; and, if so, will he give the names of such parties so that it may be known whether they represent the ranching owners, who in many cases have openly boasted that they will not carry out any Order?

Inspections in connection with the compulsory tillage schemes are not arranged by counties, and the Department of Agriculture are not in a position to furnish the name of the officer or officers to whom, in the ordinary course, duties in a particular county may be assigned. A number of notices have been served on occupiers of farms of various sizes in county Limerick, as in other counties, warning them of the necessity of complying with the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. It is not at present proposed to publish the names of persons upon whom these notices have been served.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will now give the names of those who have been appointed inspectors under the Irish food production scheme; and what their duties are?

As stated in my reply to: the hon. Member on the 15th ultimo, it is not proposed to publish the names of the inspectors appointed in connection with the food production scheme. The duties? of the inspectors are to visit the holdings of occupiers who have claimed exemption from the Defence of the Realm Regulations in respect of increased tillage, and to report upon the facts as ascertained by them in such cases. Other inspectors have duties in connection with the inspection of seed potatoes, oats, etc.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can arrange for the immediate importation into Ireland of a supply of Ford tractors for agricultural purposes?

The Department of Agriculture are not aware that Ford tractors for agricultural purposes are being imported into the United Kingdom. Any information the hon. Member can supply to the Department on the subject will receive attention.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the hardships which are being endured by the agricultural labourers owing to the rise in prices and the shortage of potatoes and other staples, he can now indicate the measures to be taken to deal with this question, and when action will be taken to translate such measures into effect?

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply I gave on the 6th instant to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Kildare.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) what purchases have the firms of Bates and Bates, Hartridge and Bates, Bates Brothers, and Bates and Chappell effected in River Plate sheep and lambs during the last two months; in how many cases they have held the sheep for longer than a week; what transactions they have had in River Plate lambs and boneless beef; what goods have the firms put in stores at Liverpool and sold ex that port during the last three months, particularly boneless beef; what transactions have taken place in frozen beef ex Liverpool; will he obtain from the refrigerators in Liverpool a complete return of all goods stored in either firm's names, and the names also of the firms to whom any goods have been transferred; will he say how many English and Scottish sheep or lambs were sold by Bates and Bates before the War; how many were sold during January and February; how many of these were directly consigned and how many purchased on the market; whether he is aware that this firm induced a salesman of another firm to join them; and whether he will consider the advisability of discontinuing their employment as Government agents for Colonial meat; and (2) whether he is aware that during last month, owing to the arrival of Dutch sheep, Scottish and English mutton fell to it low price and that, in order to prevent the public procuring the benefit of cheaper prices through the Dutch arrival, a number of Scottish, English and Dutch sheep were bought by firms in Smithfield Market and frozen down in order to defeat the natural operation of supply and demand in the market when operating favourably for the public; and whether he will ask the Central Markets Cold Storage Company, Palmer's Stores, Swain's Stores, and the Blackfriars Cold Storage Company to state the numbers of the sheep so received and the names of the persons storing them?

I am making inquiries on the points raised in these questions by the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will order every cold storage company in Great Britain and Ireland to make a return of all goods transferred from the importers to a speculative buyer since 1st December last and held to the order of the same for a longer period than fourteen days, and also all cases in which there has been a second transfer following the first?

The cold storage companies could not supply the information, and even if it were desirable it would be impossible to call on them to produce it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what restriction prevents Messrs. Hogg and Company, Dublin, who supplied 4 tons of sugar last year to Mr. John Lynch, Kneadsbridge, Killucan, from supplying him with any now, though he offers cash and they have ample stock; and whether he will have the restriction removed in this case?

I am informed that Mr. Lynch did not obtain sugar from Messrs. Hogg in 1915. The firm are therefore debarred by the rules of the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply from selling sugar to him at the present time. I understand that Mr. Lynch has already been in communication with the Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state what he proposes to do with regard to the shortage of supply of potatoes in Scotland?

The shortage of potatoes has now, as my right hon. Friend is aware, become general and concerns the whole country. The shortage is, of course, due to the comparative failure of the potato crops of 1916, and it has been aggravated by the recent frosts and other causes. I am authorised to say that the whole question, including the consideration of any special measures required to meet the Scottish situation, has, by direction of the Government, been referred to a committee acting in conjunction with the departments interested. An announcement will shortly be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received or been made aware of a resolution passed by employers of permanent agricultural labour at Ennis, county Clare, on the 1st instant, that the proposed minimum wage for able-bodied agricultural labourers should be fixed by county boards composed of an equal number of employers who employ three or more agricultural labourers throughout the year and of representatives of the labourers, with a chairman appointed by the Department of Agriculture; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The Department of Agriculture have received a copy of the resolution referred to. I am making inquiries as to the areas for which it is advisable that local wages boards shall be appointed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the practice with regard to private property looted from houses by the military under pretext of searching; and what amends are to be made to Mrs. Eamon Kent for the gold medal and antique sword belonging to her executed husband taken from their house by the military when searching?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's presentation of the facts, and have nothing to add to the replies already given with regard to the missing articles in this case. Looting is a military offence, which, if it occurred, would be dealt with from a disciplinary point of view, and in this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 6 of the Army Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if military representatives have been instructed to appeal against, or if it is the wish of the Department to cancel, exemptions granted by tribunals on the ground of the national importance of their work to masters of schools not in receipt of Government Grants, which are educating and training pupils for commercial and industrial careers?

No special instructions have been given to military representatives in regard to the class of men to which this question refers. The demand for men available for military service involves the making of application in all suitable cases for the review of certificates of exemption granted by tribunals.

asked whether the editor of the weekly journal entitled the "New Europe" is a man of military age; whether he has been exempted from military service; and, if so, whether the War Office has especially exempted him?

I understand that this gentleman's calling-up notice was cancelled as he was engaged upon work of national importance. I might mention that his medical classification is understood to be below that of general service.

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 released from prison or detention on grounds of health; what were the conditions of their release; and what number, if any, have been discharged from the Army?

The answer to the first part of the question is sixteen; to the second part that the release was absolute; and to the third part, fourteen.

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 arrested and handed over to the military authorities?

The War Office has no statistics available.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors arrested and handed over to the military who have thenceforward been obeying orders in the Army?

The War Office has no statistics available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors arrested and handed over to the military who have been court-martialled and sentenced to imprisonment in civil prison or in military detention barracks, respectvely, for refusal to obey military orders?

I understand that the number is about 3,500.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors who after court-martial and imprisonement or detention are now obeying orders in the Army?

The War Office has no statistics available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors recommended by the Central Tribunal for transference from prison or detention barracks to the Friends' Ambulance Unit, and of these the number who have accepted work in the unit and who have refused work in the unit, respectively?

The function of the Central Tribunal in these cases is to report on the conscientious objection of the men. They do not decide the work on which the men shall be employed. The Home Office Committee decide this in the case of men who have been in prison or detention barracks and have been found by the tribunal to have a genuine conscientious objection, and I understand that it is not the practice of that Committee to refer such men to the Friends' Ambulance Unit for employment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors court-martialled and sentenced to imprisonment or detention whose cases have not yet been revised by the Central Tribunal; and (2) whether he will state the number to date, 1st March, 1917, of conscientious objectors court-martialled and sentenced to imprisonment or detention whose cases have been revised by the Central Tribunal?

Up to the 3rd inst. the number of conscientious objectors who had been court-martialled and sentenced to imprisonment and whose cases had been notified to the Central Tribunal but had not been investigated was 342; the number of men whose cases had been investigated was 2,856.

asked what are the exact rations in meat, bread, and sugar for the conscientious objectors to be shortly sent to Dartmoor?

The daily amounts of meat and bread to be issued to the conscientious objectors at Dartmoor are as follows: Meat, 6 ozs.; bread, 9 ozs. Vegetarians will be allowed 5 ozs. of bread per day extra. The amount of sugar issued will not exceed 12 ozs. per man per week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Stanley Hall, a conscientious objector, who is now at Dartmoor Prison, and who, before joining the Army, cultivated a small farm near Truro, which farm is now derelict; and whether he will consider the advisability of sending this man to till his own farm under the supervision of the local war agricultural committee or under the supervision of some local military authority?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors have authorised the transfer of this man from the Warwick work centre to the new work centre at Dartmoor, where he can be employed in agricultural work. They do not consider that they would be justified in authorising him to return to work on his own farm.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of French and Italian subjects, respectively, who have been visited by the police since 1st January, 1916, or any more convenient date anterior to 1st June, 1916, and have been taken or induced or deported under order to France to serve in the French Army; whether such French and Italian subjects were offered the opportunity of serving in the British Army; how many, if any, claimed exemption as political refugees or on other grounds; how many sustained these or other grounds of exemption; and whether French and Italian subjects are now, like Russians, eligible for enlistment here?

It is not in the public interest to give the figures asked for; but I may say that no French or Italian subject who has made a bond fide claim to be a political refugee has been sent away from this country for military service. French and Italian subjects are eligible for enlistment in the British Forces, but the French and Italian Governments do not, like the Russian Government, accept the principle that their subjects may discharge their military obligations by enlisting in the British Army.

asked the Secretary of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the ruling laid down by the Law Society Tribunal that an attested man has no right of appeal on medical grounds; whether he is aware that the man in question was declared to be blind, one eye being completely useless; and, since the chairman ruled that the tribunal had no jurisdiction to deal with such a case, even if they decided that the man was unfit for military service, will ho state what should be done in such a case, or whether he proposes taking any action?

My attention has not been called to this case. I may, however, say that as attested men are technically soldiers, the question of their physical fitness from a military standpoint is for the Army authorities to determine. Any representations on medical grounds as to the case of an attested man should therefore be addressed to the War Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the percentage of sorters and postmen in the London postal service who have joined the Colours is higher in comparison than for any other section of the Civil Service or other public service; whether, while in other services and in private employment attempts are being made to comb out men up to the age of thirty-one, in the case of sorters and postmen only those on the upper age eligible for military service are left; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability in the public interest of no further drain being made upon these sections of the postal service?

I am unable to make the comparison suggested the materials for which are not available. My right hon. Friend considers it his duty to release for military service all men who can possibly be spared, even though it becomes impossible to maintain the postal service at the pre-war level of efficiency.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a Territorial officer still ranks as junior to all Regular officers of similar rank irrespective of the relative dates of their commissions; and, if so, will steps be taken now to have this altered?

No, Sir; in January, 1915, an Army Order was published under which the rank of Territorial officers carries the same precedence as that of Regular officers, provided that the relative positions on the date of embodiment were not disturbed except by subsequent promotion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the outbreak of cerebral meningitis at the jam factory, Coley, near Reading, at present occupied by the School of Technical Training, Royal Flying Corps; if several men there have died of this complaint; if the other men: were allowed to be in contact with pos- sible infection without the slightest precaution being taken; if he is aware that at the coroner's inquest held on 23rd February on one of the victims it was ascertained that the man who died was ill twenty-four hours before a doctor was summoned, and that the jury and two doctors agreed that medical aid ought to have been obtained sooner; if his attention has been drawn to the character of the answers given by the military authorities to questions asked them by the jury; if his attention has been drawn to the verdict of the coroner's jury at the inquiry held and to the remarks they added; if any inquiry has been instituted by the War Office; and, if so, what conclusion they have arrived at and what action it is proposed to take?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the terms on which soldiers are allowed to work in spare time on the land are that the current rate of wages, plus 1½ per cent. to cover liability under the Workmen's Compensation Act, is payable by the farmer to the cashier of the soldiers' command, and that the amount earned is paid to the soldier less 3s. 6d. per day; whether he is aware that under these conditions, where the current rate of wages is 6d. per hour for a day of eight hours, the money actually paid to the workman amounts to ¾d. per hour, while 5¼d. is retained by the military authorities; why almost the whole of the man's earnings are thus deducted from his remuneration; and if he will take steps to rescind a Regulation which discourages soldiers from undertaking agricultural work in their spare time?

Yes, Sir; my attention had been drawn to this, and I hope very shortly to announce an alteration of the terms for spare-time employment.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War why Captain J. R. Hobson, Royal Field Artillery, was gazetted as having relinquished his commission after two months in hospital, considering the fact that his injury was received on active service in France; and what compensation it is proposed to offer this officer for his injury and services?

This officer held a temporary commission, and his disability was stated by the medical boards not to have been caused either in or by the Service. He was consequently gazetted out on the expiration of the sick leave to which he was entitled. He will receive a gratuity for his services, and the Ministry of Pensions have awarded him retired pay at 7s. 4d. a day from 25th February, 1917, to 24th May, 1917.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Corporal P. Butcher, No. 5488, 2nd battalion Rifle Brigade, was killed in action between 22nd and 24th October, 1916, that his father, Mr. George Butcher, of Ivy Cottage, The Broadway, Sandown, Isle of Wight, who is also next-of-kin, has never received this man's personal belongings, and that he has written several times to the War Office Department concerned, the sole result being a printed postcard saying the matter was receiving attention; and if he can state what is the cause of this delay and if it can be looked into?

As soon as the deceased soldier's accounts were received instructions were given for the issue of any personal effects, together with the money balance due to his estate, to his mother, as sole legatee under his will. There was no undue delay, but if the effects have not been received I will make further inquiry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that dissatisfaction has been caused by the prices fixed for timber requisitioned by the Government in Ireland being in many instances only half the prices obtainable before the War; and if he can state by whom and upon what principle the prices have been fixed?

In only three cases has timber been requisitioned in Ireland by the Home-grown Timber Committee. In two of them prices were agreed upon between the proprietor and the Committee, and the procedure of requisitioning was used only to avoid legal difficulties. In the third case (of December last) the timber has been purchased by a private individual a few weeks before the Committee intervened. Agreement as to price could not be reached, and the case has been referred to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the amalgamation of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps under the Air Board, he will consider the advisability of reviewing the respective seniority of the officers of those two services so as to remove, if possible, the sense of injustice which has been aroused by the previous slow promotion in the naval wing and the rapid promotion in the military wing?

My hon. friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps have been amalgamated. The point suggested in his question does not, therefore, arise.

asked how many aeroplanes and seaplanes have been deleted from the Royal Naval Air Service and how many aeroplanes have been deleted from the Royal Flying Corps, respectively, within the last twelve months?

I regret that I cannot supply these figures, the publication of which might assist the enemy in calculating the actual strength of our air services in the field.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the date on which the first Sopwith triplane scout was offered to the authorities; the date on which the first order was placed for the same; what proportion of this order has been delivered; and what proportion is now on active service?

It would not be in the public interest to give the particulars asked for in this question.

asked who is responsible for deciding designs, type, and factors of safety for the Royal Naval Air Service aeroplanes operating with our Army in France; who is responsible for decidng the design, type, and factors of safety of the Royal Flying Corps' aeroplanes operating with our Army in France; are these requirements identical: and, if not, why not?

The responsibility for the design of aeroplanes for the use of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps, which was formerly vested in the Director of Air Services and the Director-General of Military Aeronautics respectively, is now vested in the Air Board for both services. The requirements of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps are not necessarily the same.