asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether the Insurance Commissioners who, under the Insurance Act, retain a proportion of the moneys belonging to approved societies are still investing these moneys at a return of 3 per cent. through the Commissioners of the National Debt; and, if so, why approved societies should not have the advantage of higher rates of interest now prevailing, especially in view of the extra strain on these due to the loss of healthy members in the War?

Sums standing to the credit of approved societies in the Investment Account are still invested through the National Debt Commissioners in accordance with the provisions of the National Insurance Act, 1911. The rate of interest prescribed under the Approved Societies Consolidated Regulations, 1916, is 3¼ per cent. per annum, but the question of the revision of the prescribed rate is at present under the consideration of the Joint Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether the body known as the War Cabinet has Secretaries to keep a complete record of all Cabinet decisions; whether these Secretaries are in attendance at Cabinet meetings, and whether the minutes of the proceedings are sent round to each of the five Members after meetings of the War Cabinet for correction; whether, having regard to the fact that it has been before the establishment of this War Cabinet an inflexible rule of the Cabinet that no Member shall take any note or record of proceedings except the Prime Minister for the purpose of sending his letter to the Sovereign, he will state the names of the Secretaries to the Cabinet, their qualifications for the office, their salaries, and the reasons for their admission to meetings of the Cabinet which has hitherto sat in closest secrecy; whether the Secretaries of the Cabinet have a staff to whose members the proceedings and decisions of the War Cabinet are communicated in the ordinary course of business; if so, of how many members does this staff consist and what are the names and the salaries of its members, and their special qualifications for being entrusted with the knowledge of Cabinet proceedings and the record of such proceedings; and, having regard to the fact that the decisions and proceedings of the War Cabinet are known to a number of clerks, why should such knowledge be withheld from Parliament?

issued the following particulars:

Name.	Appointment.	Salary.	Remarks.
		£
Lt.-Col. Sir Maurice Hankey, K.C.B.	Secretary	1,500	Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence. Appointed by the late Prime Minister.

ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF THE COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE—.REAPPOINTED AS ASSISTANT SECRETARIES TO THE WAR CABINET.
Lt.-Col. W. Dally Jones	Assistant Secretary	800	An Assistant Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence. Appointed by the late Prime Minister on the nomination of the Secretary of State for War. General Staff Officer, 1st Grade.
Col. E. D. Swinton, C.B., D.S.O. (Royal Engineers)	Assistant Secretary	800	An Assistant Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence. Appointed by the late Prime Minister on the nomination of the Secretary of State for War. General Staff Officer, 1st Grade.
Major C. L. Storr	Assistant Secretary	650	An Assistant Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence. Appointed by the late Prime Minister on the nomination of the Secretary of State for India. General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade.
Mr. Cyril Longhurst	Assistant Secretary	650	An additional Assistant Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence.
Lt.-Col. Sir Mark Sykes, Bart, M.P.	Assistant Secretary	—	Lent by the General Staff, War Office. Receives pay from Army funds.

ASSISTANT SECRETARIES APPOINTED SUBSEQUENT TO THE FORMATION OF THE WAR CABINET.
Mr. G. M. Young	Assistant Secretary	1,000	Head of Civil Branch of the Secretariat; formerly Secretary to the Office of the Labour Adviser. Appointed by the War Cabinet.
Mr. T. Jones	Assistant Secretary	975	Appointed by the War Cabinet, being seconded from the National Health Insurance Commission, from which he receives his ordinary salary.
Fleet Paymaster P. Row. R.N.	Assistant Secretary	800	Appointed by the Prime Minister on the nomination of the First Lord of the Admiralty.
Capt. Clement Jones	Assistant Secretary	650	Appointed by the War Cabinet; previously Secretary to Lord Curzon's Shipping Control Committee.
Capt. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P.	Assistant Secretary	—	Appointed by the War Cabinet. Question of salary unsettled.

asked the Prime Minister whether a business firm which is not now permitted to engage a man between certain ages can transfer any of its male employés from one occupation to another so long as he is kept in the same firm?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) if it is the practice of old age pensions officers to regard the sum received by an applicant for an old age pension by way of Army allowance as income; if this is done only in cases of new applications for old age pensions; if the separation allowance is not taken into account in the cases of old age pensioners who were in receipt of such pensions before the War, and why the discrimination is made; and if the Treasury will favourably consider making the practice uniform in both cases by disregarding separation allowance in new claims for old age pensions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Bradford, West, on the 8th August last.

asked upon what grounds Martin Corley, of Drunganagh, Manulla, county Mayo, has been deprived of the increase of his old age pension unanimously granted to him by the Castlebar Pension Sub-committee; and why there have been similar refusals in the case of James Keany and his wife Anne Keany, of Ballintubber, county Mayo, who were awarded increases by the Castlebar Pension Committee?

The applications of Martin Corley and James and Anne Keany were refused on the ground that their means, including their old age pensions, exceeded the amounts fixed for the award of the additional allowances.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) why the Local Government Board have reversed the unanimous decision of the Castlebar (No. 1) Sub-pension Committee granting an additional allowance of 2s. 6d. per week each to Richard Staunton and his wife, Elizabeth Staunton, old age pensioners, of Castlebar; is he aware that the sub-committee were satisfied that these old people had no income whatever except their old-age pensions; and will he say how this decision of the Board has been arrived at, in view of the fact that this question of additional pension grants is one for the discretion of the local pensions committee; and (2) why the Local Government Board for Ireland have reversed the decision of the Castlebar (No. 1) Sub-pension Committee granting an additional allowance of 2s. 6d. per week each to Richard Staunton and his wife, Elizabeth Staunton, old age pensioners, of Castlebar, county Mayo; if he is aware that the sub-committee were satisfied that these old people had no income or means whatever except their old age pensions; and whether, seeing that the question whether such additional grant is to be made is one for the discretion of the local pension committee, he will have this case investigated by a Local Government inspector?

The applications referred to were disallowed on the ground that the joint means of Richard Staunton and his wife exceeded 19s. 6d. a week. Their old age pension amounts to 10s. a week, and the husband is a stonecutter whose earnings are estimated at 10s. a week. If the pension officer considers the estimate too low he must refer the matter to the Local Government Board. The Board having given their decision, the matter cannot be reopened.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Enniskillen Rural District Council have passed a resolution refusing to adopt a scheme under the tillage regulations by which small landholders and labourers could obtain seeds and manures on easy terms; and what steps the Department of Agriculture are taking to have the tillage regulations complied with in the district and to have facilities afforded to small landholders and labourers to procure seeds and manures in necessitous cases?

I am informed that the Enniskillen Rural District Council have adopted a resolution to the effect stated in the question. I assume the reason to be that the Council consider that these persons are in a position to purchase sound seed in the local markets I am in communication with the Department of Agriculture on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what are the requirements, financial or otherwise, imposed on landholders in Ireland to plough a certain proportion of their grass land; and if he will cause a copy showing these requirements in detail to be placed in the Library?

I am sending the hon. Member copy of a pamphlet which gives the information he desires, and copy will be placed in the Library.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the representatives of F. H. Lewin, Kilshanvy estate, Parish of Kilconly, county Galway, have applied for exemption from the legal limit of tillage; whether he is aware that the tenants, most of whose holdings are under £7 in valuation, have only been offered 10 to 12 acres of inferior quality land at £4 per Irish acre; and whether he Will take any action in the matter?

Inquiries are being made in regard to this matter.

asked if the owner of the Lewin estate, Castlegrove, parish of Kilconly, county Galway, has applied for exemption from tillage; and, if so, what action has been taken or will be taken to compel the full legal limit of tillage being carried out on the property?

The owner of the estate referred to has not applied for exemption. The Department of Agriculture will take whatever steps may be necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that on the J. D. Blake estate, parish of Kilconly, county Galway, the owner has offered his tenants for tillage one of the worst fields on his property which they refused, seeing that he holds about 200 acres of grazing lands; whether the owner has applied for exemption from tillage; and whether he will be compelled to till the legal limit of land in his possession?

The Department of Agriculture have received representations with regard to this estate. The owner has not applied for exemption, and the Department will take any steps which may be necessary to secure that the tillage Regulations are complied with.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will cause instructions to be issued to prevent permits being granted for the exporting of potatoes from Ireland J

I have nothing to add to the numerous statements I have recently made upon this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the position with regard to the potato supply in Bradford is that the merchants' price of £10 10s. per ton which, with the addition of the necessary cost of carriage for distances of between twenty-five and forty miles, lands the potatoes in the Bradford market at 11s. 10d. per bag of 9 stones; that retailers cannot therefore buy at all for less than 12s. 6d. per bag of 9 stones or put potatoes into their bins at a less cost than 1¼d. per lb; that even at this price retailers can only buy in small quantities on account of farmers holding back large stores for more money in April and May, whilst potato merchants for the same reason do not care whether retailers buy their stocks or not, and say so openly; and what action, he intends to take in the matter?

If, as the hon. Member states, a retailer in Bradford has to pay 12s. 6d. per bag of 9 stones (i.e. £11 2s. 3d. per ton) for his potatoes, the difference between his buying price and the permitted selling price of l½d. per lb. is £2 17s. 9d. per ton, which appears to give a sufficient margin of profit. If the hon. Member has evidence that farmers are holding back large stocks of potatoes, I shall be glad if he will supply me with particulars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the great scarcity of the potato supply at Newport, Monmouthshire, and district, and of the allegations made by the retail dealers in that district that such limited supply is not being evenly distributed owing to the practice of wholesale dealers selling their supplies to retail customers at retail prices in certain cases by the hundredweight; whether he will take steps to amend this condition of distribution by limiting the quantity which may be sold at retail prices on any day to any one person to a weight not exceeding fourteen pounds or meet the difficulty by other means?

I am aware that there is a scarcity of potatoes in Newport, Monmouthshire, as there is in certain other parts of the country. It has not been brought to my notice that it is the practice of the wholesale dealers in that town to sell their supplies to retail customers at retail prices. Such action by a wholesaler who is not also in the ordinary way of business engaged in retail trade would be illegal under the Potatoes, 1916, Main Crop (Prices) Order. If any specific cases are brought to the notice of the Food Controller proceedings will be taken. The suggestion made in the last part of the question does not appear to be practicable.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what is the price of potatoes in Ireland as laid down by the Food Controller which the growers have to sell at for the months of March and April, 1917; and whether it includes the cost of delivery?

Under an Order dated the 24th ultimo the maximum prices at which growers may sell potatoes or offer them for sale are as follows: For the month of March £9 per ton to a consumer or wholesale merchant, free on rail but exclusive of the cost of bags or packages. To a retailer £10 10s. per ton, bags or packages included, and the actual cost of transport by rail or water. If not transported by rail or water, a reasonable charge, not exceeding 10s. per ton, may be made for transport. The corresponding prices for delivery after 31st instant are £10 to a consumer or wholesale merchant and £11 10s. to a retailer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the English and Scottish co-operative wholesale societies are large buyers and dealers in tea, etc.; whether he is aware that their invariable practice is to make up their tea in ¼lb., ½lb., and 1 lb. packets; whether he is aware that these societies weigh into each tea wrapper 4 ozs. of tea nett, 8 ozs. of tea nett, and 16 ozs. of tea nett, and do not include or weigh in the wrappers with their packet teas, and therefore do not charge the public, as other shops do, the price of tea, which is 2s. 6d. per pound, for paper which is 500 per cent. cheaper; and whether he will take such action as is necessary to compel others to do what the English and Scottish co-operative societies do namely, to give full weight in tea which the public are entitled to get?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative As regards the suggestions contained in the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given last Monday to the hon. Member for South-West Ham.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, amongst other multiple shops, the Home and Colonial Stores, Limited, and J. Lyons and Company, Limited, are weighing the wrappers in with tea; that each 4 ozs. of tea given by these multiple shops to the consumer contains less than 3¾ ozs. of actual tea; and that each alleged 4 ozs. of tea is enclosed in a wrapper which weighs over a quarter of an ounce; whether he will say what Statute Law there is which enables these companies to charge the public at the rate of 2s. 6d. per lb., the price of tea, for a paper wrapper which is not worth more than 6d. per lb.; what steps he proposes to take to regulate the prices and stocks of tea; and whether he can state what profits have been made by the Home and Colonial Stores, Limited, and J. Lyons and Company, Limited, on their last year's trading?

I must again, refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for South-West Ham last Monday. I have already informed the House that the Food Controller is conferring with representatives of the tea trade as regards prices and stocks of tea. I have no information as to the profits made by the firms mentioned in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that sows and young pigs are being slaughtered owing to the prices of pig food; and whether steps are being taken to reduce the cost of meals and other essentials for pig feeding?

Statements to the effect mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman have reached the Ministry of Food, but I have no means of testing their accuracy. The price of milling offals appears recently to have fallen substantially, and steps are being taken which may result in a further reduction in their prices and in that of meals; but it must be-recognised by pig owners that there will be less food of this character available for the feeding of live stock.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 73,914 cwts. of rice have been exported to Holland from the ports of London and Liverpool for the period from the 1st January, 1917, to the 10th February, 1917; and whether, having regard to the importance of retaining food supplies for the use of the United Kingdom and Ireland, it is intended to prohibit the further exportation of rice?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the larger portion of goods referred to was consigned to the Belgian Relief Commission. The answer to the second part of the question is also in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that only a few large firms with big reserves are now able to sell sporting cartridges; and whether he will approach the Ministry of Munitions with a view to such a restricted release of the materials for the manufacture of shot as will enable farmers to purchase cartridges locally for the protection of their crops?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am advised that there is sufficient sporting ammunition in stock in the country to meet requirements for a considerable time, and it is proposed to review the situation in a few months' time. It is, no doubt, the fact that, owing to the shortage of lead, only such firms as have sufficient reserves of shot are at present in a position to supply ammunition of this type.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the arrest and deportation of Mr. J. J. O' Kelly without charge or trial was due to his criticism in the "Catholic Bulletin" of the proposal to partition Ireland, or of the Hardinge Commission on the insurrection, or of the financial provisions in the Government of Ireland Act, or of the three Irish Members of Parliament by whose advice the late Government ruled Ireland; and are all these criticisms held to be illegal?

I have already given the hon. Member all the information I am able to give him with regard to Mr. O' Kelly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the circumstances of the loss to Dublin of Sir Hugh Lane's collection of pictures now in the London National Gallery; if he is aware that Sir Hugh Lane's death was caused by a German torpedo; is it the intention of the trustees of the National Gallery to benefit London by the sinking of the "Lusitania"; if he is aware that the codicil to his "will, unwitnessed, expressed the real wishes of Sir Hugh as to the dis- posal of his collection of pictures, and that the codicil which is in his own handwriting is to the effect that the pictures were to go to Dublin: if he will request the London National Gallery, in the interest of justice and equity, to restore the pictures to Dublin; and, if legislation is required to allow of this being done, will he take the necessary steps to meet with the requirements of the law and introduce a Bill without delay?

I have no official responsibility for the actions of the trustees of the National Gallery in London.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is yet in a position to state whether the local government elections will be held this year or not; and whether, in any event, as the time of nomination is rapidly approaching, some definite decision should be at once arrived at?

I understand that this matter will probably be dealt with by an Act of general application.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he will explain the meaning and effect of the Clause in the new Regulations issued to the tribunals which says that the consent of the Army Council must be obtained for a review of a certificate of exemption when a person has received notice calling him to the Colours; and if this is intended to supersede the statutory right that a person cannot be called to the Colours so long as he has a certificate of exemption or an appeal pending before the tribunal?

The hon. Member will see, if he reads the Regulation, that it has nothing to do with the review of a certificate of exemption, but with the rehearing of a case already decided. While a man holds a certificate of exemption he cannot be called up. The Regulation does not therefore supersede a man's statutory right not to be called up to the Colours so long as he has a certificate of exemption or has an application pending before a tribunal for a certificate of exemption or for a renewal of such a certificate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that competent and fully qualified fitters who have served several months with the Colours, and who have been discharged with certificates stating that they are not likely to become efficient soldiers, are being served with calling-up papers; and will he state what steps men in this position ought to take?

If my hon. Friend will supply some definite indication of the locality in which the issue of calling-up notices to fully-qualified fitters is alleged to be going on, inquiries will be made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 6th March, Mr. Branson, as representing the chairman of the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, stated to Master Daldy, during the hearing of the action of Norman v, Samuel and others, that the Crown did not contend that conscientious objectors were bound by the undertaking they signed in prison, but were only bound by the terms of the conditional pardon granted by His Majesty and the schedule attached thereto; whether, in view of this statement by counsel appearing for the Crown, and in view of the fact that neither the conditional pardon nor the schedule attached provides that men released by virtue of those documents can be sent to prison or returned to the Army for breaches of conditions, he will state under what Statute, Order in Council, or Regulation men have been returned to prison or recalled to the Army for travelling on the railway, for alleged insolence, and other trivial offences; and whether he will at once order the release of such men?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These men are released from prison for employment on work of national importance, prior to the expiration of their sentences by virtue of a conditional pardon which operates only so long as the conditions, which are fully set out therein, are observed. A copy of these conditions is given to every man so released. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Alfred Eungblut, a conscientious objector who voluntarily gave himself up on 12th September last, was court-martialled at Salisbury, sentenced to two years' hard labour, sent to Wormwood Scrubbs, and from there to Epsom lunatic asylum; and, seeing that this man was driven insane by the ill-treatment that he received at the hands of the military, and is now in a serious state of health and possibly dying, will he say what action he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. This man was sentenced by court-martial on the 28th September last to 112 days' imprisonment. On the 10th November he was certified to be insane and removed to an asylum. I have no reason whatever for supposing that his insanity was due to ill-treatment by the military, but if the hon. Member has any evidence to support this very serious allegation he should submit it to the Army Council. The case is one for their consideration and not one that comes within my purview.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Joseph Illingworth, a conscientious objector so found by the Central Tribunal, was sentenced to two months' hard labour at Warwick Petty Sessions for breaches of Regulation 27 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations; that the chairman of the magistrates, in passing sentence, stated that the prisoner had been drawn into the discussion by the detectives employed; that the detectives admitted that the prosecution was founded on trap questions; and that Joseph Illingworth served the sentence imposed on him although a petition was sent to the Home Office on his behalf; whether, on the conclusion of his sentence, Illingworth has been recalled to the Army; and under what powers does the Home Office or Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors claim the right to inflict punishment additional to that imposed by the duly constituted court having jurisdiction to deal with the case?

I am aware that Illingworth was convicted of an offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations and was sentenced to two months' hard labour. I have seen a newspaper report of the trial, from which it appears that the Justices, in passing sentence, took into consideration the circumstances in which the offence was committed, but it does not appear that the prosecution was founded on trap questions. Illingworth was recalled to the Army at the end of the sentence. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a question put by the hon. Member for North Westmeath on 21st February last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War on what date the calling-up notice of the editor of the "New Europe" was issued; and on what date was that notice cancelled?

18th November and 1st December, respectively.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can indicate the Act of Parliament by which it is decided that raids on offices of societies and the private residences of the officials of societies and the detention of files and addresses are constituted legal punishment for criticism of public officials; and whether he can define the categories of public officials whose reputations will in future be safeguarded by such acts of precaution?

The matters which the hon. Member probably has in his mind are dealt with under powers conferred under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which are made by the authority of the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Act of 1914. Regulation No. 51 gives power to the competent military authority and others to search premises where a contravention of the Defence of the Realm Regulations is suspected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will immediately communicate to the House of Commons the Regulations relating to field punishment barracks, as distinguished from detention barracks, set up in France; and whether he will set up a travelling commission of independent civilians to examine into the conditions prevailing in the field punishment barracks which have been set up in the war zone in France?

I am not clear whether the hon. Member refers to the "military prisons in the field" which are established in France, but if this be the case he will find the information he requires in the "Rules for Military Prisons in the Field" issued under the provisions of Section 133 of the Army Act. I would add that there are no "detention barracks" in France or field punishment barracks. As regards the latter, possibly the hon. Member is alluding to paragraph 5 of the Rules for Field Punishment made under Section 44 of the Army Act, in which case it is conceivable that where units are halted the Provost Staff have arranged accommodation for soldiers undergoing field punishment. The reply to the latter part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the approximate number of men classed as permanently incapacitated for general military service by wounds or sickness contracted while serving with the Army?

I regret that this information cannot be furnished, as it would disclose information valuable to the enemy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of Army chaplains, Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Nonconformist, at present on active service; and whether additional chaplains are required to secure more efficient spiritual work among the troops both abroad and at home, and to counteract the wastage among chaplains on service abroad; and, if so, can he give an estimate of the number so required?

The following statement shows the numbers of the chaplains serving abroad authorised for the several denominations (excluding Colonial chaplains, Indian Ecclesiastical Establish- ment, and chaplains engaged locally at foreign stations and not granted Imperial commissions):

Church of England	…	…	1,037
Presbyterian	…	…	196
Roman Catholic	…	…	518
Wesleyan	…	…	157
United Board	…	…	161
Welsh Calvinist	…	…	6
Jewish	…	…	7

I have no knowledge that these establishments are not sufficient. If such be the case, the generals commanding in the different theatres of war will doubtless make representations on the subject and their recommendations will be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any special Department has been created for the purpose of dealing with Army waste products; whether such Department is controlled by experts in the recovery of waste; and, if so, will he supply the names of the experts and their qualifications?

The disposal of food residues is under the control of a branch of the Quartermaster-General's Department at the War Office. By-products suitable for the manufacture of glycerine are dealt with through a Committee approved by the War Office and largely composed of experts in the trade. The chairman is Mr. J. W. Hope, of John Knight and Co., Limited, and the hon. secretary and organiser is Mr. V. H. Poynter. For some time past a plant for dealing comprehensively with all food refuse has been at work in one of the large camps under the management of an expert, Mr. Gee, who has had considerable training and experience.

asked the right hon Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, whether it is intended that farmers and agicultural labourers are expected to enrol under the National Service scheme, seeing they are already engaged in the vital industry of home food production?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, Farmers and agricultural labourers are invited to enrol under the National Service scheme, but the Director-General has already given an assurance that he will not knowingly take away people engaged on the land and put them in other occupations, and will not move people already engaged in agriculture from one place to another without the assent and approval of the President of the Board of Agriculture or his local agricultural representative.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, (1) whether it is intended that coal miners should fill up the forms issued by the Department and volunteer for National Service, seeing that there is already a shortage in the number of miners required to work the pits, that the miners are already engaged in performing work of national importance, and that men of military ago have been specially exempted from service in the Army by the mining tribunals in order that they may continue to work in the mines; (2) whether his attention has been directed to the terms of the bills issued by the Ministry of Munitions which are displayed in the munition works throughout the country, calling upon all badged and other munition workers of military age to stay at their work, as they may be serving their country better at their present job than in the trenches; and whether it is intended to require such workers to fill up the forms issued by the Department and to volunteer for work of national importance, seeing that they are already engaged in such work, and are being pressed to remain at their present jobs by the Ministry of Munitions; and (3) whether, having regard to the statement contained in the notes for speakers issued by the Director of National Service that, in the case of men who have been exempted by a tribunal from military service conditional upon their remaining in their present employment, the officials of the Department will have instructions not to call such men up as volunteers, he will see that steps are taken to inform such persons that they are not expected to volunteer, and thus save the unnecessary trouble and confusion caused in getting them to fill up the forms issued for volunteers and in sorting out their forms afterwards?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these three questions. All these questions require and are receiving careful consideration by the Director-General of National Service in consultation with the Departments concerned, and I would ask the hon. Members to put down their questions again at an early date, when the procedure to be adopted will have been definitely settled.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the convictions for drunkenness in the areas scheduled by the Central Control Board for the years 1913, 1914, and 1916, giving separately the figures for men and women; if he can state the amount of absolute alcohol consumed in the United Kingdom for each of these years in the form of beer, spirits, and wine, respectively; and if he has any information as to the distribution of the responsibility for drunkenness among these three forms of alcohol?

The convictions for drunkenness in London and forty other cities and towns in Great Britain, of a population exceeding 100,000, which came under the Orders of the Central Control Board between August, 1915, and September, 1916, are approximately as follows:

		1913.	1914.	1915.	1916.
Men	…	119,000	115,000	88,000	53,000
Women		40,000	41,000	38,000	24,000
Total	…	159,000	156,000	126,000	77,000

The corresponding figures for the areas are not available.The total volume of absolute alcohol consumed during these years was approximately:

			Gallons.
1913	…	…	92,000,000
1914	…	…	89,000,000
1915	…	…	81,000,000
1916	…	…	73,000,000

I am circulating a Table showing how these figures are divided between beer, wine, and spirits.With regard to the third part of the question, evidence is extremely difficult to obtain, but inquiries have been and are being made in various localities. The results of these inquiries naturally vary considerably according to the drinking habits of different parts of the country. In a representative southern area 40 per cent. of the causes of drunkenness investigated were attributed to beer, ale or stout; 43 per cent. to spirits; 10 per cent. to beer and spirits mixed; 4 per cent. to other drinks, including wine; in 3 per cent. of the cases no evidence was obtainable as to the cause of inebriety.The following Table shows approximately the volume of absolute alcohol contained (1) in the standard barrels of beer charged with duty; (2) in the spirits duty-paid for home consumption; (3) in the wine cleared for home consumption in the years mentioned. In the case of wine the calculation is made on the basis of wine containing an average volume of 17.2 per cent. absolute alcohol:

—		(1) Beer.	(2) Spirits.	(3) Wine.
		Gallons.
1913	…	72,000,000	18,000,000	1,965,000
1914	…	69,000,000	18,000,000	1,778,000
1915	…	59,000,000	20,000,000	1,760,000
1916	…	55,000,000	16,000,000	1,720,000

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that his Department are now refusing to private purchasers all permits for the importation of sulphur from Sicily, giving as explanation that some scheme is being framed by his Department for the distribution of supplies; is he aware that it was in the early days of February that this scheme was intimated; that nothing has yet been done further in the matter; and that merchants who deal in this commodity are being pressed for delivery by firms who are engaged on Government work; and seeing that the Italian Government are freely granting permits to the consignors, will he say what action he proposes to take?

The Italian Government has made specified allotments to the various Allied and Neutral Governments and has requested that so far as this country is concerned the transaction might be between the two Governments, leaving His Majesty's Government to act as distributor to British consumers. A scheme is being framed to deal with the distribution of sulphur, and details will be published as soon as possible. Some delay has been caused by the lack of certain information which had to be procured from Italy and has not yet come to hand, although every effort has been made to obtain it. In the meantime, however, assistance has been given to manufacturers who were short of sulphur. My hon. Friend appears to be misinformed regarding the free granting of permits by the Italian Government. I am advised that no permits are being issued beyond those I have already mentioned.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will lay a statement of the accounts of the Central Control Board upon the Table of the House of Commons showing receipts and expenditure, including purchases of property, alterations and reconstruction of buildings, erection of canteens, and so forth, and salaries to the officials employed by the Central Control Board?

The accounts of the Central Control Board up to the 31st March, 1916, will be included in the Appropriation Account of the Vote of Credit for the year ending on that date. The accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1017, will be similarly included in the Appropriation Account for that year.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the proposals of the Government in regard to the further curtailment of the manufacture and output of beer and spirits in Ireland; if he is aware that its effect will be to partially destroy two of the remaining industries in Ireland; and if he will say whether the Government propose to adequately compensate all parties affected and to provide equivalent employment for the thousands who will be disemployed by reason of the Government's proposed action, or if the restrictions will be withdrawn?

I have this matter under immediate consideration with a view to making proposals which will mitigate so far as possible any hardship caused by the curtailment of the manufacture and output of beer and spirits; but I cannot hold out any hope that the restrictions announced by the Prime Minister will be withdrawn.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that during the term of office of the late Government a brush manufacturing industry to keep employed undesirable aliens was started in the Isle of Man and latterly at Islington; whether the brushes so manufactured are entirely used by the Government, or are being put on the market for sale to the public; if so, whether the middleman for their sale is the firm of Messrs. Strachan, 8, Bury Court, St. Mary Axe, E.C., who are large importers of foreign-made brushes, and whose interests are therefore diametrically opposed to the British manufacture of brushes; and whether he intends to continue the monopoly of sale to this firm; and (2) whether he or his predecessor in office have had any interview with the British Brush Manufacturers' Association as to the disposal of the output of brushes manufactured by undesirable aliens now in internment; whether, as a result of such interview, the association was informed that it had not been possible to induce the Director of Army Contracts to draw his supplies from this source; whether a Mr. Till, on behalf of the association, was informed that if brush manufacturers required supplies of these brushes they would only be allowed to purchase them through Messrs. Strachan and Company; and whether he will explain why these brushes cannot be disposed of by sale in open market after consultation with the British Brush Manufacturers' Association?

I beg leave to answer these questions together, and to refer to the answers which I gave to similar questions on 28th February and 7th and 13th March. So far as the present questions raise new points, I would say that Government contracts have now been obtained, and the brushes are made for Government use as far as possible; but there is necessarily a residue, which is disposed of in the open market. On this point Messrs. Strachan and Company, who have rendered valuable assistance to the Government in undertaking all necessary arrangements for supplying the materials, supervising the manufacture, and disposing of the output, are ready to act in consultation with the Brush Manufacturers' Association.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has information showing the employments of the Russian subjects of military age in London or in England; and, if so can he state the number of those employed in clothing, leather, boot-making; wood-working, and metal trades respectively?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he can inform the House as to the number and nationality of immigrants arriving in the United Kingdom during the months of January and February?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Under the pressure of War work it is not possible to furnish detailed statistics of the kind indicated. But if my hon. Friend will let me know more precisely what he desires I will gladly see whether I can give him any information.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give in full the relevant passages of Sir W. Meyer's speeches in introducing the Indian Budgets of 1916 and 1917 so far as they affect the questions of Indian Cotton Import Duties and Excise Duties?

The following are the passages referred to:Extract from Sir W. Meyer's speech in introducing the Financial Statement, 1916.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board to whom dependants of soldiers and sailors must apply for supplementary rent allowance; and whether an applicant for this allowance is entitled to have the application considered and to be officially informed of the result within reasonable time?

Application for a supplementary rent allowance should be made to the local war pensions committee for the area in which the applicant resides, and the Statutory Committee have arranged for the display in post offices of a notice giving the necessary directions. It is the duty of the local committee to consider all such applications, and they should inform the applicant of their decision within a reasonable time.

asked why the allowance of 5s. 3d. payable to Mrs. Eliza Price, mother of Private James Price, No. 10962, Dublin Fusiliers, who was killed in action on the 21st June, 1916, has been reduced from 5s. 3d. per week to 2s. 4d.?

The pension cannot, under the Regulations, exceed the amount of pre-war dependence, which has been ascertained to have been, in the case referred to by the hon. Member, 2s. 4d. a week. The difference between this amount and the previous allowance of 5s. 3d. was made up by an excess allotment of 2s. 11d. a week contributed by the soldier, which was payable for twenty-six weeks only from the date of notification of his death.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can see his way to arrange through the Department of Import Restrictions for Licences, to import a percentage of hog-casings without the condition laid down by the Admiralty—namely, that licences for these commodities can only be granted in pro- portion to the number of goldbeater skins imported, and thereby preserve to the working and poorer classes of the community a supply of wholesome, economical, and convenient food, on which they largely depend, in the form of sausages?

I have reason to hope that the quantity of hog-casings for which licences have been granted will shortly be adequate to secure the end desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian cotton mills are subject to requirements like those of our Factory Acts; what is the minimum age at which children and young persons may be employed in them; what are the restrictions on the hours of employment; and what are the current rates of wages?

supplied the following figures:

	BOMBAY.				AHMEDABAD.
	Per month.				Per month.
I. Skilled Labour.	£	s.	d.		£	s.	d.
Blacksmith	3	0	0	…	2	0	0
Fitter	3	0	0	…	1	14	8
Carpenter	3	6	8	…	1	16	0
Bricklayer	3	0	0	…	1	9	4
Mason	3	6	8	…	2	6	8
Weaver	2	0	0	…	1	10	8
Spinner	1	2	8	…	0	15	0
Dyer	3	0	0	…	0	10	8
Engine driver	7	13	4	…	1	5	4
Boiler man	2	6	8	…	1	5	4
II. Unskilled.
Messenger	0	18	8	…	0	13	4
Cooly (man)	0	18	8	…	0	14	8
Cooly (woman)	0	10	8	…	0	10	8

asked (1) what were the quantities and values of the manufactured cotton goods belonging to the classes to which the new Indian cotton duties are applicable imported into India from the United Kingdom during each of the years 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916; and (2) what were the quantities and values of the manufactured cotton goods belonging to the classes to which the new Indian cotton duties are applicable, imported into India from Japan during each of the years 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916?

issued the following statistics:

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether it is the intention of the Government to make, if possible, arrangements with Turkey so that all prisoners, both British and Turkish, may in future be periodically visited by the representatives of a neutral Power; whether negotiations to that effect have yet been started; and whether there is any hope of effecting an exchange of wounded prisoners and when?

Ever since the internment of British prisoners of war in Turkey His Majesty's Government have been unceasing in their endeavours to obtain permission for the camps to be visited by representatives of the United States Embassy, but hitherto without success. Negotiations for the exchange of incapacitated prisoners are in progress, but it is not possible to state when they are likely to be concluded.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether there is still an American Ambassador in Constantinople; when the last visit was paid to Turkish camps in which there are English, prisoners and by whom; how many of such camps are still unvisited; and what information, if any, he has as to their condition?

The United States Ambassador is still at Constantinople, nor has there been, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware, any question up to the present of His Excellency leaving Turkey. The Turkish Government persist in their refusal to allow prisoners of war camps to be visited by representatives of the Embassy. Seven of the camps were, however, visited in November and December last by delegates of the International Red Cross Society—namely, those at Eski Shehir, Afion Kara Hissar, Ismidt, Broussa, Konia, Kir-shehir, and Yozgad, besides two hospitals at Constantinople and the Island of Prinkipo, where General Townshend is interned. The British prisoners at the camps visited numbered 182 European and 211 Indian officers, and 658 European and 417 Indian non-commissioned officers and men. From the information obtained through the Red Cross delegates it appears that although the condition of the officers is on the whole not unsatisfactory, that of the rank and file leaves much to be desired and gives cause for much anxiety. There remained unvisited, fourteen camps and three hospitals, contaning, according to figures furnished by the Turkish authorities, 131 European officers and 1,086 European and 8,115 Indian non-commissioned officers and men. The information available respecting the camps unvisited is scanty and in general unsatisfactory, but has recently-been somewhat more reassuring, at least as regards the transmission of the relief in money and kind which is continuously being issued by the United States Embassy, and for which His Majesty's Government are profoundly grateful.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) it he is aware of the prices that relatives of prisoners of war have to pay for goods sent on their behalf by the Central Prisoners of War-Committee; if he is aware of the following list of prices charged for the goods mentioned, before the end of January last, namely: 1 lb. Cambridge sausages, 3s.; 1 lb. duck and peas, 3s. 3d.; 1 lb. Wiltshire-bacon, 2s. 10d.; 1 lb. mixed biscuits. 2s. 5d.; half-pound best butter, 1s. 7d.; 4 ozs. best tea, 9d.; half-pound sugar, 3d.; half-pound tin of milk, 4d.; one tin of pears, 9½d.; quarter-pound best chocolate. is.—in all, 7 lbs. of food for 16s. 2½d.; and if he will make some different arrangement which will enable poor people to send' parcels of food to prisoners of war at their own expense?

I am informed that the parcel to which my hon. Friend refers was an exceptional one, specially ordered for a particular prisoner, and consisted of high-class and expensive goods. The prices mentioned, so far as they relate to this particular parcel, are correct, with the exception of that of Cambridge sausages, which should have been given at Is. 6d. Standard parcels of food are forwarded three times a fortnight to all prisoners of war, military and civilian, at a cost of 6s. each, which prisoners' friends, who are able to do so, are expected to-defray. Particulars of such parcels can be obtained from the Central Prisoners of War Committee, 4, Thurloe Place., S.W.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in order to encourage owners of small yachts and fishermen who own boats fitted with auxiliary motors to maintain a supply of fish, he can arrange that a sufficient supply of motor spirit shall be at the disposal of such persons?

So far as England and Wales are concerned, an arrangement has been in operation since last summer under which all applications for petrol for fishing boats are made through the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on a special form containing a declaration by the fisherman that "the petrol is required for, and will be used exclusively for, bonâ fide commercial fishing." The Board, having satisfied themselves that the applicant is a bonâ fide fisherman, transmit the application with their recommendation to the Petrol Control Committee. The Committee issues its licence to the fisherman for the amount recommended by the Board. The arrangement has worked quite satisfactorily, and no serious difficulties or delays have arisen. I am unable to say what arrangements are in operation as regards Scotland and Ireland, but there appears to be no reason why similar provision should not be made in those countries.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition from Scottish prison officers asking for a war bonus, in view of the increased cost of living; and, if so, whether he can announce that he is prepared to grant the concession asked for in the petition?

A petition for an increased war bonus was received a short time ago and is receiving my consideration in consultation with the Prison Commissioners.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he proposes to issue an Order removing all restrictions upon the rights of an occupier of agricultural land to take or destroy ground game; and whether the restrictions will also be removed in the case of occupiers of grazings?

As regards hares a further Defence of the Realm Regulation in the direction desired by my hon. Friend was passed yesterday. As regards rabbits in Scotland, I am considering the terms of a further Regulation, and the case of occupiers of grazings will not be overlooked.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the stipends of parish church ministers in Scotland in cases where those are regulated by fiars' prices have been nearly doubled this year; and, if so, will he take steps to provide that they shall be subject to Excess Profits Tax?

I am aware that those stipends have been very largely increased. As regards the second part of the question, my hon. and learned Friend should address himself to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why, in their recent distribution of a grazing farm in the district, the Congested Districts Board refused to give an enlargement of the uneconomic holding of Mrs. Bridget M'Hale, of Ballyvary, county Mayo; and will he ask the Board to reconsider her ease?

The primary duty of the Congested Districts Board is to enlarge the uneconomic holdings of bonâ-fide agricultural landholders, but where, after satisfying the claims of such landholders, land is available, the Board endeavour to provide house-owners in towns and villages on their estates with small plots of accommodation land. The applicant named is an old age pensioner with an accommodation holding of 3 acres 2 perches. The Board are not in a position to enlarge the holdings of occupiers of accommodation holdings of above 3 acres.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many assistant teachers in Ireland who entered the service of the National Board since April, 1900, have been promoted to Grade II., and of these how many are men and how many are women; can he explain how it is that only eight men assistants were so promoted during the year 1915, while there were sixty-two women promoted to Grade II. in this year, and whether of these a large proportion are teachers in infant junior schools; is the same standard for promotion required for men teachers working in senior schools under much more difficult conditions, and, if so, what is this standard; whether assistant teachers prior to 1914 were kept in total ignorance of what the standard for promotion to Grade II. was; and will he ask the Board to consider the advisability of modifying this standard, by taking into consideration difficult conditions of employment, and thus ensure more rapid promotion for this deserving class of teachers, many of whom have no chance of promotion to principal-ships?

It is not possible for me to state how many assistant teachers promoted to second-grade entered the service before and after April, 1900, without elaborate investigation. In practice the same conditions of promotion apply to both classes of assistant teachers, and 54 men and 252 women have been promoted up to the present. Eight men and 62 women were promoted in 1915, and of the latter 10 were teachers in infant schools. Special difficulties in particular schools are considered by the inspectors when making their reports, and the Commissioners of National Education have no reason to suppose that the conditions of promotion press more hardly on men than on women. The small number of men promoted may be accounted for by the fact that few men of high efficiency remain assistants for so long as twelve years, whereas many women do not seek employment as principal teachers. Moreover, the number of women assistant teachers is largely in excess of the number of men. Assistant teachers are eligible for promotion only in exceptional cases of long service and high efficiency. Those in the second class, or who have been trained, are eligible for promotion after twelve years' service if they have received very favourable reports for six years consecutively before date of promotion. The conditions of promotion were not published before 1914. The Commissioners do not consider a modification of the conditions necessary apart from that of revising the conditions of promotion of principal teachers.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners, in making advances to tenant purchasers for the acquisition of their holdings, impose any obligations against the cutting of timber; if so, whether it will now be waived, having regard to the shortage of tonnage; whether any farmer cultivating his percentage of tillage will be encouraged to fell the timber surrounding the cultivated portion; and if the Government will fix a standard price at which to purchase all timber felled to accelerate tillage?

When advances are made by the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts the attention of tenant purchasers is directed to the restrictions contained in the Acts as regards the cutting of timber. It is not proposed to encourage tenant purchasers to cut timber, but if timber interferes with the cultivation of the land any reasonable application to cut would be favourably considered by the Department of Agriculture. The question of price is one presumably for the owner, but I believe prices are at present very high.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he has any knowledge of the privations endured during the past winter by more than 100 families in and around Dingle by the prohibition of the fishing industry by which they have always lived; why no special provision was made for them when their mode of living was stopped; whether they will be allowed: and assisted to resume the fishing industry in the present month; and, if not, what scheme is being arranged to enable those families to live and co-operate in the desired increase of food production?

So far as the Department of Agriculture are aware the restrictions on fishing have not caused any substantial privation in the Dingle district during the past winter. The restrictions were modified by local concessions of which advantage seems to have been taken. The orders which came into force on the 1st instant have, I am told, given additional facilities for fishing in this district.

asked where particulars can be seen of the issues and present state of all loans issued under the Land Im- provement Acts (10 Vic, c. 32, etc.) in Ireland from 1847 to 1887, inclusive; and, if not already available, whether a Return giving the information will be prepared?

I would refer the hon. member to the Fifty-sixth Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (1887–88), page 6. There were 5,000 open Loan Accounts under the Land Improvement Act 10 Vict., c. 32, etc., on the 31st March, 1888. There are no published records in which the details asked for can be seen, and I think I should not be warranted in incurring the great expense of money and labour which would be involved in the proposed Return. Every one of the loans was the subject of public advertisement before it was made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Major Odium has faithfully served the Government for a period of thirteen years; whether his case can now be reviewed; if so, whether, in reviewing such case, his name will be placed on the seniority list of district inspectors as from the date of his joining; and whether, in the event of his name being so placed on the list, he will be given the pay and allowances of his rank earned to date?

I am not able to discuss by question and answer the position and prospects of an individual officer of the Royal Irish Constabulary who, so far as I know, has not asked for such public discussion.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that many of the personal clerks employed by inspectors in the Home Office Factory Department have served in that capacity for over twenty years, he can say if and when the Government will give effect to the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service that such clerks should be placed upon the permanent establishment?

The Royal Commission lay down certain general principles on which all temporary or unestablished employment in the public service should be dealt with, and they refer to the factory inspectors' clerks and one or two other classes of unestablished officers as typical instances for the application of these principles. No decision, however, on the general question has been or, I am advised, can be arrived at till after the War, and any alteration in the status of the factory inspectors' clerks must meanwhile stand over. Only eight of the clerks have over twenty years' service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that complaints have reached the Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society, Limited, Callan, county Kilkenny, from their customers in England that parcels of butter sent through the post have been tampered with or damaged in transit; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I will have inquiry made and inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether savings bank books which were not forwarded in January to be posted up, in accordance with the request of the Post Office, should now be forwarded; or, if not, on or about what date they should be forwarded?

The temporary, suspension of the examination of Savings Bank depositors' books ceased at the end of last month. But it will assist the Savings Rank if depositors will defer forwarding their books until the respective anniversaries of the opening of the accounts.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the importance of saving child life and improving the health of survivors, he will introduce Regulations postponing vaccination to school age as in the United States of America?

I cannot accept the suggestion that postponement of primary vaccination would save the lives or improve the health of children.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he has received a resolution passed by the Blackburn Women's Council asking the Local Government Board to require the Blackburn Borough Council to form a maternity sub-committee of the health committee, and to co-opt working women as members thereof, as recommended by the Local Government Board in the provisions of the Notification of Births (Extension) Act, 1915; and, in view of the refusal of the borough council to form such a maternity sub-committee, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received the resolution referred to, and have written to the borough council asking them to reconsider the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the desirability of extending the period during which heather burning is permitted; and whether he proposes to issue any Order on the subject?

Yes, Sir, an Order is in preparation extending the period for heather burning.