asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether the arrest and deportation of Mr. J. J. O' Kelly, without charge or trial, was-because he is secretary of the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language, a purely literary body, which has been publishing an annual volume of Irish literature and has undertaken a scheme for writing the whole history of Ireland in modern Irish based on the baronial division; whether the material for the annual report of this society, taken from Mr. O' Kelly's house by the military last May, will now be returned to him; (2). whether the arrest and deportation of Mr. J. J. O' Kelly, without charge or trial, was because he is vice-president of the Gaelic League, and a member of and constant attendant on its four most active subcommittees, namely, the Oireachtas committee, which holds an annual festival extending over a week, and is devoted to the revival of the language, literature, social customs, songs, stories, music, art, pastimes, and industries of Ireland; the finance committee; the publications committee; the committee charged with education and organisation; and whether all these activities are now held to be illegal; and (3) 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 to his criticism of the Hardinge Commission on-the insurrection, or to his criticism of the financial provisions in the Government of Ireland Act, or to his criticism of the three Irish Members of Parliament on whose advice Ireland has been ruled in recent years; and whether all or any of such criticisms are now held to be illegal?

I can add nothing to the answers I have made to the numerous questions asked by the hon. Member on this subject.

The right hon. Gentleman has not informed the House whether any of these activities are illegal, and why this gentleman has been deported without charge or trial. May I ask for an answer to the question on the Paper, whether those are the offences? Mr. Speaker, am I not entitled to an answer?

The hon. Member has had his answer.

No; I have had no answer.

It may not suit the hon. Member, but he has had an answer.

Has this gentleman committed any offence whatever?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, seeing that the War Office and the Home Office say that the control and maintenance of those deported from Ireland without charge or trial rest with the Irish Office, will he say what the intentions of the Government are regarding the places in which, the conditions under which, and the time for which the deportees are to be compelled to reside; why Irish newspapers sent to them by friends are not allowed to reach them: and what are the arrangements for their maintenance and the maintenance of their dependent families in Ireland deprived of their breadwinners?

The matters mentioned in the first part of the question are controlled by the military authorities under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and] cannot find that any suggestion to the contrary has been made. No stoppage of newspapers has been made by any Irish Department; or, so far as I know, by any Department. In any case in which the question of dependants arises inquiry will be made, and any necessary action directed.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is now in a position to state the name of the valuer on whose valuation the Government have paid £63,000 of public money to the "Freeman's Journal," Limited, for destruction of property which that company itself in its annual financial statement preceding the insurrection valued at £31,000; whether in any case other than that of this newspaper the estimate of the claimant's valuer was so closely adopted without reference to other evidence of value; and, if he still refuses to allow an independent examination of the particulars of this case, will he say why?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on the 22nd instant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question: If he refuses an independent examination of these particulars, why?

These particulars were examined by as capable a Committee as I have ever known.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow an independent examination of these particulars, and, if not, why?

No, Sir, I do not propose to do anything of the kind.

Because you dare not?

Is it the case that loss of profit has been allowed in this case, whereas in the case of all the other Dublin shopkeepers who have suffered loss of profit has not been taken into account? There is considerable feeling amongst Irish shopkeepers that they have been discriminated against if the figures given by the hon. Member are correct.

I looked into the matter very closely, and I am satisfied that the proprietors of this journal have been dealt with in precisely the same way and on precisely the same lines as every other applicant. If necessary, I have not the least objection to get the papers and show them to my hon. and learned Friend if he thinks there has been discrimination.

The shopkeepers of Dublin undoubtedly feel strongly on the subject, and I should be much obliged if the right hon. Gentleman would investigate the matter a little further.

If I am asked to look further into the matter and see if there has been discrimination, although I am satisfied there has not been, I cannot refuse the request.

asked the Chief Secretary under what statute or by what authority the Local Government Board for Ireland claim the right to object to the appointment of Dr. George Maguire as medical officer of Newport (Mayo) dispensary district, on the grounds that he is of military age; and, if the Board have no such legal right, will he advise the immediate sanction of the appointment, so that the sick poor of this district may have the medical attendance to which they are entitled?

Under the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1851, the approval of the Local Government Board is required to any appointment of the medical officer of a dispensary district.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me the grounds why this gentleman was not sanctioned?

My impression is that he was not sanctioned because he was of an age when he was eligible to render much more important services to the State.

What will the poor people do for medical attendance?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what arrangements have been made for the purchase of the Irish wool clip this year; whether the system set up last year is to continue; if there is to be any revision of the scale of prices paid to the Irish farmers for their wool; and if they will be paid the same prices as farmers in Great Britain?

It is proposed to continue the present system of purchase this year. The scale of prices is being reconsidered, and the Irish prices will be on the same basis as those for Great Britain.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that there is considerable dissatisfaction existing in regard to the constitution of this Committee and the carrying out of this scheme for this wool purchase; whether it is a fact that there is general dissatisfaction existing in regard to the working of the scheme; whether it is a fact that representative suggestions and views put forward by a large body of Irish Members were flouted and ignored; what steps he proposes to take this year to put this Committee on a popular and representative basis, and what steps he proposes—

The hon. Member has already asked five questions.

My answer to all five is in the negative.

asked what steps do the Government propose to take with reference to the supply of artificial fertilisers for Irish agriculture next season?

I dealt with this matter in reply to the hon. Member for South Sligo last Thursday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the recommendations of the agricultural policy sub-committee, he will consider the advisability of vesting the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board with increased powers and facilities for the acquisition and division of the untenanted grass lands in Ireland so that the same may be allotted and divided amongst uneconomic holders, evicted tenants, and landless men, and made available for tillage next year?

Land legislation for Ireland such as the hon. Member mentions would raise such controversial issues that I am not able at present to entertain the idea of presenting a Bill on the subject.

Could it not be done under the Defence of the Realm Act?

I do not think it could.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mrs. Dickson, of Tullaghan, county Leitrim, has offered for sale a grazing ranch near Tullaghan, all of which is most suitable for food production; and whether the Department of Agriculture will take over this land for the term of the War for distribution for tillage purposes?

In January last the farm referred to was put up for auction, but there was no bid. The case is under investigation by the Department of Agriculture.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners were some time ago negotiating for the purchase of a large farm situated at Tullaghan, county Leitrim, then in the possession of a man named Reynolds, on the Massey estate, for the purpose of redistribution and enlarging uneconomic holdings in that district, including John and Pat M'Gowan, evicted tenants; and whether the Estates Commissioners will now acquire this land for the said purpose and to increase the area of tillage in that district?

I am informed that John and Pat M'Gowan held as yearly subtenants about 12 acres and 17 acres, respectively, of the holding of Robert J. Reynolds of about 59 acres. The Estates Commissioners, with the consent of Reynolds, declared the sub-tenants to be direct tenants for the purposes of sale under Section 15 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase undertakings were signed accordingly. Reynolds signed an undertaking to purchase the remainder of the holding in his occupation, and it was suggested that he might enlarge the lands in the occupation of John and Pat M'Gowan. He, however, sold his lands and the present occupant is unwilling to part with any portion of them. The Estates Commissioners have no power to compel him to sell the lands or any part thereof.

Having regard to the fact that there is no suitable land for tillage available in this district will not these tenants be provided with allotments for tillage during the term of the War?

I cannot say that off hand.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Lord Lieutenant can see his way to exercise his prerogative to have the remaining part of the imprisonment remitted in the case of those men from the parish of Milltown, county Galway, at present in Galway Gaol for having undertaken tillage operations on the farm of Mr. J. D. Blake?

No application has been made for the exercise of the prerogative in these cases. The men are in gaol in default of giving bail for good behaviour, and they can obtain their release at any time by complying with the order for bail.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can give a rough estimate of the amount of untenanted land in Ireland that is not being adequately used and is desired by would-be cultivators for purposes of food production; and whether it, or any proportion of it, can be acquired for that purpose under the Regulations made under the Defence of the Realm Act, without the need of having recourse to the Land Purchase Acts?

The materials for such an estimate do not exist. The Tillage Regulations in force in Ireland appear likely to secure a considerable present increase of tillage for food production, and I hope they may permanently encourage tillage, but the general conversion of grazing lands into tillage appears not to be within the scope of the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

Are there to be any proposals under this head in the new Bill which has been promised dealing with agriculture?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question at the moment, as to whether that is a question to which attention is being directed.

Will it be possible to deal with the grazing ranches in Ireland under this new Bill?

Hon. Members know even better than I do what a controversial topic this is, and that it would very likely be impossible to pass such a measure without serious controversy.

Is it not the fact that a considerable amount of this land is not being as adequately used as is desirable?

It is quite true that a great deal of this land is being used as it has been used probably for two generations for the purpose of grazing. What the hon. Member invites me to do as an emergency measure is to alter that economic condition throughout the country. I do not think that emergency measures were designed with that object.

Have not the Congested Districts Board at this moment power to do what is here asked, and will not the Government put pressure on the Congested Districts Board to use some expedition in doing this work instead of shillyshallying as they have been doing for months?

I cannot accept the suggestion that the Congested Districts Board have been shilly-shallying as the hon. Member says. I have made representations, however, to the Congested Districts Board to accelerate their procedure in the existing state of emergency.

What is controversial about the question of land purchase?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that 400 acres of land in the townlands of Cappanaclough and Derrykearn, etc., Queen's County, are flooded annually and rendered useless for tillage purposes by the River Nore; if he is aware that this flooding is caused by a weir on the river a few miles further down; if he is aware that the woollen mill in connection with which the weir was erected is dismantled, in ruins, and has not been working for over thirty years; and whether, under the circumstances, and in view of the necessity for increased tillage, he will take any action to have this weir removed?

I have called for a Report as to the floodings the hon. Member mentions, and as to whether the Board of Works are able to deal with the matter without proceedings under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Such proceedings necessarily occupy many months.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is yet in a position to say who is to select or differentiate as to the qualities of oats, or how such selection is to be carried out; what prices will be given for damaged oats and wheat; and will he consider carefully any representations made to him by an authority outside the Government as to the best mode of dealing and standardising the different classes of wheat and oats?

I am communicating with the Food Controller on the matters mentioned in the question. They are not within the province of any of the Irish Departments.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will cause steps to be immediately taken by the Irish Department of Agriculture to prevent English bacon curers exporting live swine from Ireland until such time as the Food Controller will fix an equivalent price as regards Irish and English bacon; is he aware that the difference of 8s. or 10s. per cwt. in price is a direct incentive to Messrs. Harris and Harris, and other big bacon curers in this country to go over to Ireland and purchase live swine for export; and if he will take steps to prevent the Irish bacon curers being put at such a disadvantage in the matter of trade? competition with the bacon curers of this country by having such a large margin per cwt. in the prices fixed?

I have been asked to reply. The prices of bacon were fixed after full consideration of the previous prices for English and Irish bacon, and of the normal difference between them. There seems to be no good reason why these prices should unduly stimulate the export of live pigs from Ireland, which has always existed on an extensive scale. It would certainly not be in the interest of Irish producers to prohibit this export. The prices, as already stated, are subject to revision at periodic intervals.

If the prices come to be revised, will the right hon. Gentleman take good care that Irish bacon curers should be consulted as to the fixing of these prices, and also that the opinion of Irishmen should be taken and not that of a Government broker or contractor?

I cannot say that that question arises, but in any case I can say that Irish producers as well as representatives of the bacon curers will be consulted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care not to prohibit the exportation of live pigs from Ireland, as there are many men deriving a living from that?

I am sorry to say that I could not hear what the hon. Gentleman has asked. Perhaps he will meet me after questions, and I will endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he was consulted by the Food Controller before the prices for Irish butter and bacon were fixed; and, in view of the necessity for having Irish interests safeguarded in such matters, will he insist that Mr. Hegarty, chairman of the Irish Creamery Managers' Association, who has the confidence of the Irish butter producers, should be consulted when Irish butter prices are being fixed, and also have a representative of the Irish bacon trade consulted as to the price to be fixed for Irish bacon?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part of the question, Mr. Hegarty was present, with other delegates, representing butter and bacon interests in Ireland, at the conference on the 22nd inst. of representatives of Provincial Produce Exchanges and Producers' Associations, to discuss the prices of provisions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question, that Mr. Hegarty will in future be brought over not on his own initiative, but at the request of the Food Controller, when the butter question comes to be decided? He came over a week ago on his own initiative, without being asked by the Food Controller.

The Food Controller has not directly anything to do with these conferences. As I have pointed out before, they are held under the auspices of the London and Provincial Produce Exchanges, and they send representatives of the producers, British and Irish. I will make the suggestion to the secretary of the London Produce Exchange.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that it is now becoming a common practice to expose margarine for sale without any label on it and have it thus sold as butter; is he aware that such proceedings are most detrimental to the butter industry; and will steps be taken immediately to prevent them and have heavy penalties imposed upon people who may be charged with doing such work?

The Department of Agriculture are not aware that the practice referred to is common. Careful attention is paid to the matter by the inspectors of the Department. There is no power to interfere with the discretion of magistrates as to the amount of the penalties inflicted for the offence.

asked the Vice-President of Agriculture (Ireland) what the Department propose to do in those cases in which they undertook to supply seed potatoes which they are now unable to supply; and why, in these circumstances an offer of 500 tons of seed potatoes to the Department has not been even acknowledged?

The Department of Agriculture have arranged for the supply of all the potatoes ordered by rural district councils in connection with approved loan schemes. The greater portion of the potatoes have been supplied, and a very large quantity distributed to the applicants. It is expected that the remainder will be dispatched this week. The Department received from a gentleman in Mullingar an offer to sell them 500 tons of potatoes which, on inquiry, it was found he did not hold.

Why is not the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture here to answer these questions? We have not seen him in the House this Session.

The Vice-President is occupied very closely indeed in matters devised to fulfil the obligations arising out of the state of agriculture in Ireland at present, but in answering his questions I take care to be in personal communication with my right hon. Friend with regard to these matters.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether any stops, such as those announced by the Board of Agriculture in England, are being taken by his Department with respect to the preservation and increase of the supply of fish from sea and inland waters?

The matter is being considered by the Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will endeavour to improve the facilities for the transport of fish from the coasts of Scotland in order to help the fishermen and to supplement the food of the people?

I can only assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the Board of Trade realise fully the importance of this question, which is, I understand, being considered by the Fishery Board for Scotland in consultation with the railway companies concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now heard from the Railway Executive Committee as to whether they intend to insist on the prepayment of fish by passenger train; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?

This matter is being considered by the Railway Executive Committee, and I am unable to give a definite answer at the present moment.

I will put down the question again for Monday, and unless I receive a satisfactory reply I shall call attention to this question on the Motion for the Adjournment.

The worm will turn!

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will say what steps are being taken by his Department to assist Scottish fishermen to increase the supplies of fish; and whether he proposes to render available for the home market cured fish normally exported?

The steps taken are mainly in the direction, first, of securing the greatest possible opportunities for fishing consistently with naval interests; and, secondly, of organising the available resources in vessels and men so that a maximum of catching power may be brought to bear within the limits authorised from time to time by the naval authorities. For reasons which my hon. Friend will appreciate, I cannot enter into details. It is the fact that the total landings in Scotland in 1917 down to the present date greatly exceed those in the corresponding period of 1916. The question whether existing stocks of cured fish should be retained in this country is primarily one for the Food Controller; and as regards future catches, particularly in connection with the great summer herring fishing, everything possible will be done so far as I am concerned to meet the requirements of the home market.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will lend his assistance in seeing that the Board of Trade do not insist upon prepayment for the carriage of fish, which will injure very seriously the carriage of fish from Scotland to this country?

I shall be very happy to confer with my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the. Board of Trade whether the inquiry into the supply and distribution of sugar in Ireland has been completed; and whether he is able to make any announcement on the subject?

I have been asked to reply. The reports of the inspectors who visited Ireland have been received. They do not indicate that there is any general shortage of sugar in Ireland as compared with other parts of the United Kingdom, but they make it clear that the same problems in regard to distribution are found there as elsewhere. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, these problems are under the immediate consideration of a Departmental Committee, and the Food Controller is not prepared to anticipate the findings of that Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the scale of food supply in use in the mercantile marine is in reasonable conformity with the requirements of the Food Controller?

The Board of Trade and the Ministry of Food have this matter under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether 90,000 barrels of pickled herrings are about to be exported out of the United Kingdom from Stornoway; and, if so, whether such export should be permitted during the present crisis?

(representing the War Trade Department): I understand that there are approximately 90,000 barrels of pickled herrings in Stornoway representing the winter catch. Licences for their export from the United Kingdom have not yet been granted, and will not be as long as there is any prospect of their being consumed at home. The President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has appointed a Committee under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for South Bedfordshire, part of whose task will be to encourage the home consumption of such fish. There has never yet been any demand from the British public for pickled herrings, and if this continues to be the case, it is clear that steps will have to be taken to prevent the local industry from being ruined. It is, therefore, very desirable that every effort should be made to popularise this form of food at home.

May I ask whether his attention has been called to the statement made in the papers recently that barrels of pickled herrings on being opened were found to contain bars of aluminium consigned to Holland?

They would not be allowed to go.

Will the hon. Gentleman represent as an attraction of pickled herrings that they give rise to a considerable thirst?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Petrol Committee is reducing the supply of petrol to the farmers, in some instances to one-third of their previous supply; is he aware that the action of the Committee will prevent the proper management of the farms and interfere with food production; and will he arrange for the farmers to have a larger supply of petrol?

The Petrol Control Committee are not reducing the supply of petrol to farmers for use in motor ploughs, motor tractors, and agricultural machinery generally. Private motor cars owned by farmers would not, however, be allotted more than the ordinary restricted allowance unless they were actually being used for agricultural purposes for which an increased quantity of petrol was necessary.

Will the hon. Gentleman cause inquiry to be made by the Petrol Committee where motor bicycles and motor cars are being used in the management of large farms for agricultural purposes, and not for pleasure?

In cases where we experience any doubt in the matter we refer to the Board of Agriculture and the County War Agricultural Committees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can see his way to have the prohibition against the import of Canadian-canned salmon so relaxed as to give the relatively small amount of salmon canned in British Columbia the benefit of a free entry into Great Britain, in view of the fact that the pre-war import of such salmon amounted only to one-fifth of the total import from the North American Continent and that the remaining four-fifths, chiefly the product of Alaska, have a free entry into the United States, whereas there is a high Import Duty charged on all British Columbian salmon entering that market?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that it has been found possible to make an arrangement of the nature indicated in the reply returned to his previous question on the subject by the Secretary to the Board of Trade on the 21st instant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the result of his communications with the Petrol Committee on the subject of the supply of petrol to clergymen of all denominations in Ireland?

I have already written to the hon. Member informing him that the Petrol Committee will be glad to continue to allot a small quantity of petrol to the clergy using motor cars in connection with their professional duties.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to make a statement of the intentions of the Government with regard to the Burtonport and Letterkenny Railway?

I have not yet received the Report on the Burtonport Railway, but the matter is being dealt with as speedily as possible. The legal and financial questions require careful consideration.

Seeing that it is now over a month since this matter was brought to the attention of the Irish Government, and the working of the railway is steadily going from bad to worse, and that the matter is very urgent, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to take steps for dealing with the matter very speedily?

I shall certainly do that. I am well aware of the very unfortunate condition which the past management of the railway has produced; and every effort that can be made is being made to remedy that. If legislation becomes necessary the matter may have to be considered, but I hope it will not be necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement on this subject next Monday?

I am not sure that I shall. The Railway Executive and other authorities are dealing with this matter with great closeness, and I can assure the hon. Member that they are taking the keenest interest in the business, with a desire to remedy what has been a great wrong to the inhabitants in that part of the country.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that since the outbreak of the War the health resorts and watering places in Ireland have had to depend almost altogether upon visitors from the industrial and agricultural parts of the country, owing to the curtailment of the cross-Channel and other passenger steamboat services, and that any increase in railway fares or reduction in railway facilities will not only tend to deprive city workers of a much-needed vacation, but will seriously affect the health resorts and watering places of Ireland: and whether, with a view to protect the interests at stake, he will press this matter upon the attention of the proper authority?

The Irish Railway Executive Committee have the matter referred to in their hands. They will, I am sure, give such facilities as they can for necessary traffic, but economy of fuel is a governing consideration in railway control under present conditions.

May I take it for granted that the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the facts mentioned in the question are accurate?

I know that for several small Irish watering places it is a very serious matter. I have taken care to have attention called to it in every quarter where effect can be given to such measures as are possible for mitigating the trouble

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), in view of the statement of the Admiralty that permits for fishing are issued in Ireland on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture, if he will state the grounds upon which that Department withholds its recommendation in the case of Mr. Maurice O'Connell, Renard Road, Cahirciveen, thus depriving him of his means of living by the lawful industry of fishing with his boat the "St. Fiacra," in which his money and industry are invested; and whether the necessary document will be issued for the season now opening?

The Department of Agriculture have not seen the statement referred to. The case of Mr. O'Connell was dealt with in reply to the hon. Member on the 19th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary to the Admiralty informed me in this House that the Admiralty endorse permits only when they are given by the Department of Agriculture, and the question I ask is why the Department of Agriculture refused the permit in this particular case?

The hon. Member must have misunderstood what I said. What I told him was that the decision in the matter rests with the Admiralty commander on the Irish coast.

Has the Department given this man a recommendation? I am entitled to an answer. The Secretary to the Admiralty said that the Admiralty only endorse permits when they are issued by the Department. Has the Department refused a permit in this case?

If a question is put on the Paper I will make inquiries. That is not the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware of the uncertainty which prevails in the cotton textile trade arising out of the order of the 8th March affecting the priority of production of textiles; whether applications have to be made by exporters to, and priority certificates obtained from, the Ministry of Munitions in respect- of each export order before priority certificate B can be issued by such exporters to the manufacturers; if so, whether he is aware of the number of applications which will have to be made and of the consequent delays which will occur; and whether he will make a statement as to the procedure which has to be followed by manufacturers and exporters of textiles.

The Order of 8th March only requires firms to give priority to any work for which they may have received A or B certificates. Unless and until and such certificates are received by a manufacturer he can go on with the ordinary commercial work as he pleases. Class B certificates may be issued in respect of "export orders certified in writing" by various Departments as being "of sufficient national importance to be specially approved for export to approved destinations," and as regards ordinary commercial orders, the responsibility for the issue of any certificates that may be found necessary will rest mainly with the Board of Trade. I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and I understand that it is not his intention, as a rule, to exercise this power by issuing certificates for particular export orders, but by issuing a general Order specifying any industry in which he may consider that production for export should have priority over production for home consumption, and also specifying the classes of orders to which for this purpose priority must, so far as practicable, be given. My hon. Friend will, therefore, see that it will be unnecessary for applications to be made to the Board of Trade or to the Ministry of Munitions each time an exporter desires to secure priority.

Will the hon. Gentleman take care to make representations to the President of the Board of Trade to consult the cotton trade before anything is done or any Order is issued?

I will make that communication to him.

Has the hon. Member, the head of this Department of the Ministry of Munitions, dealing with the priority claim, himself the commercial experience and qualifications to enable him to deal with this commercial matter?

The head of this branch of the Ministry of Munitions does not deal with individual applications, but he acts on the advice of men who are experts on the subject.

Has the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil, who is at the head of this Department of the Ministry of Munitions, the commercial experience qualifying him to discharge the duties of this important office?

I stated before that the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil, who is at the head of this branch of the Ministry of Munitions, is assisted by the advice of experts.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that men of many years' service in Woolwich Arsenal are being released for the Army while younger men, some of them single, with much less service are being retained; whether he is satisfied that the method of selecting the men to be released leaves no opportunity for the practice of favouritism; and whether he is aware of the case of a man who has been ordered to join the Army early next month, who has been in the Arsenal for sixteen years and only lost one hour since the outbreak of war, and who when he goes will leave behind single men with only two years' service?

In selecting men to-be released for military service in the Ordnance Factories at Woolwich the rule is that men of equal skill are released only in order of age, single men being taken before married men. The Minister is satisfied that this rule is observed by the management. It is essential that the management should retain the power of keeping single men in preference to married men in those cases where the single men are better qualified for the work which has to be done. I have not been able to trace any such case as that referred to in the last part of my right hon. Friend's question, but if he will send me precise details I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) if he is aware that instructions have been given that viewers in future will not be allowed to work in the town in which they reside, and that Woolwich viewers who have moved their homes and families to Birmingham will not be allowed to work in Birmingham; that they will not be allowed the option of travelling to and from their homes and foregoing the subsistence allowance, but must take lodgings in the town where they are working; and whether he will take steps to remove these restrictions; and (2) if he is aware that, under Departmental Order No. 300, issued from Woolwich, the viewers employed in the Birmingham inspection department have had their wages reduced by 4s. 3d. per week and their conditions of employment made worse; and whether he will inquire into this matter with the object of at least increasing their pay to what it was previous to the order being issued?

These questions refer to the War Office Inspection Department. The object of the new order is to secure uniformity of treatment for all the viewers employed under the inspection department, the headquarters of which are at Woolwich Dockyard. The decision has been arrived at after full consideration.

Is not this an example of the extravagance of the Department which sends men from the town where they were living to a place where they have to be paid subsistence allowance?

It was rather late in the, day when this question reached the War Office and I had no opportunity of looking at the Order which has been made. However, if my hon. Friend will put the question I will look into the matter more fully.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that official National Service advertisements are being published in the Scottish newspapers addressed to the men of England inviting them to enrol for National Service; and whether the National Service appeal is directed only to Englishmen and not to Scotsmen?

My right hon. Friend has requested me to reply to this question. This matter has already been brought to the notice of the Director-General of National Service, and the wording of the advertisements to which my hon. Friend refers has been amended. The appeal is not only directed to Englishmen but to all men between the ages of eighteen and sixty-one throughout Great Britain.

Is it the fact that the gentleman who is in charge- of the distribution of these advertisements is an American, and is there no Britishers who could be asked to do this work, and who would have a more intimate knowledge of the divisions of the United Kingdom?

I cannot add anything to the answer.

Is not the use of the words describing the country as the United Kingdom a breach of the Treaty of Union?

asked the Prime Minister (1) in case of further restrictions being made with regard to the sale of intoxicants, will he provide for such compensation to the industries affected as will enable proprietors of public-houses where desirable to keep their premises open to the public for purposes of recreation and refreshment; and will he state whether the Government has come to a decision as to the desirability or otherwise of State purchase; and (2) whether he is aware of the vote recently taken at Govan, when the large majority of workmen voted in favour of the total prohibition of the sale of spirits and beer during war-time, and, in view of the unanimous declaration of the employers and managers of shipbuilding yards and munition works in that neighbourhood in its favour, will he take such steps as may be necessary to reduce the quantity of spirits available for consumption in the same proportion as the reduction in the production of beer, etc.; and will he consider the desirability of affording compensation to persons employed in the licensed trade until such persons are able to obtain employment in national or other service, and to others dependent upon such industries, seeing that the sooner termination of the War by a few weeks would pay for such compensation and also for loss of revenue incurred by such restrictions?

All I can say is that the whole question is receiving the consideration of the Government.

Will any further restriction of the output of beer be made by Bill or by Order?

It will be done today or to-morrow under the Order of the Food Controller.

Are we to understand that the position of the tenants or publicans who are giving service will be considered at the same time as the position of the wealthy brewers?

Most certainly; whatever consideration is given to the one will be given to the other.

Will there be an opportunity of discussing this further restriction as on the first occasion, when it was done by Bill?

In the Prime Minister's statement it was made quite plain that the matter would be carried out at once.

Have the Government in mind any special considerations which differentiate this trade from any other trade?

I can add nothing to the general answer I have given.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any figures in regard to question No. 49?

I have not got the figures.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a View to ascertaining the desire of the Scottish people for prohibition of the sale of liquor during the War, and for the period of demobilisation after the War, he will consent to a Return being obtained of the number of petitions and resolutions, etc., received from Scotland since the formation of the present Government by the Prime Minister and other members of the Government, and by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), and also of the number of petitions presented to the House of Commons praying for the prohibition of the sale of liquors during the War?

The Government, after full consideration, are not prepared to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the expressed desire to ascertain the opinion of Scotland, the conference was not a very simple method of ascertaining the view of the people of Scotland?

It was a simple method of ascertaining the view of those who signed, but it was not a simple method of definitely ascertaining the opinion of the country.

Are not resolutions from public bodies received in this House?

Yes; but I said that I did not think that they could be taken as a definite indication of the opinion of Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the feeling of non-smokers is that tobacco is not good?

What would the right hon. Gentleman regard as an effective expression of opinion in Scotland?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all classes of beer are included in the restrictions as to output; and, if not, will he say what classes of beer are exempt; whether Bass's pale ale is at present exempt from any restrictions; and, if so, will he state for what reason?

The existing restrictions as to output apply to all classes of beer brewed by a brewer for sale, and therefore include the beer referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the conflicting official and semi-official statements regarding the Government's decisions and intentions, he will institute a plan whereby from one to two columns in each of the leading daily papers shall be reserved for the publication of a daily official communique issued by the Government, so that people of all parties may be put in possession of the actual intentions and decisions of the Government?

The Government are not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that opinion in regard to the War and the importance of any action or decision of the Government is largely governed by the particular paper a man may happen to buy?

I am not aware of that, but I am aware of what is the general view taken.

Is it not essential that every person in these islands should know the intentions and decisions of the Government regarding this War?

Is not the opinion of the Government itself formed by the newspapers?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that hundreds of motor ears are being used by persons attending race meetings, and, in view of the consumption of petrol, will he take means to bring racecourses and their precincts within the meaning of the Acts relating to betting in public places; and will he take means to prevent the publication of betting information?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The general question of allowing or suppressing race meetings is one which has been dealt with by the Board of Trade. I do not think anything would be gained by adopting the indirect method of discouraging them which is suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister why the Reconstruction Committee has been reconstructed; and why no representative of Ireland finds a seat upon it?

It was decided when the present Government was formed that some modification in the composition of the Reconstruction Committee was necessary, and this was carried out. As regards the second part of the question, it is proposed to add an Irish representative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the buildings of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, including those round the coast in which the life boats are housed, which are part of the necessary paraphernalia of the lifeboat station, are assessed to property tax; whether he is aware that the work of the institution, if it were not supported by voluntary contributions, would become the duty of the Board of Trade under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Acts and consequently a charge on the national funds; and whether, having regard to the position of the Lifeboat Institution in the United Kingdom, he will now forego the demand for the tax in respect of premises occupied by the institution for the purposes of its national and humanitarian work or whether he will take power in the next Finance Act to give the institution the same exemption as is given to hospitals?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue that the number of cases in which Income Tax assessments have been made on lifeboat sheds is small, and that the amount of duty paid is insignificant. My hon. Friend will remember that a Committee of Inquiry into the Income Tax in all its bearings has been promised as one of the first steps to be taken immediately after the termination of the War. Among the matters which will engage the attention of the Committee will undoubtedly be the scope of the exemption in favour of charities, and obviously it is undesirable to anticipate without a general investigation the conclusions at which the Committee will arrive.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the hardship entailed on jurymen who are compelled in the discharge of their public duties to travel considerable distances by train at their own expense to attend the Assizes; and whether, pending the removal of this hardship, he will give directions that jurymen travelling by train to attend the Assizes shall be exempted from payment of the 50 per cent. increase recently placed on railway fares?

The claims of jurymen for exemption from the recent increase in railway fares have been considered by the Board of Trade, but, in present circumstances, it has not been found practicable to make a concession in their favour.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman, in conjunction with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to reconsider this question, and to bear in mind that these men are compelled to travel for public duty?

I am aware of the fact, but I hope my hon. and learned Friend will not press me further on the subject to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government is aware that there is a general desire in this House and in the country for an inquiry into the organisation and methods of the Central Prisoners of War Committee; and what steps he proposes to take to set up a Select Committee of this House, or a Joint Select Committee of both Houses of Parliament, to inquire into the matter?

As the House is aware, an informal but representative Joint Committee of both Houses is about to undertake an inquiry into this subject. Under the circumstances, I do not think it advisable to move for the appointment of a Select Committee, but I shall be prepared to reconsider the matter if the informal Committee find that they are unable to conduct their inquiry efficiently for lack of the necessary powers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at a meeting of members interested in this subject a resolution was passed in favour of a Select Committee with only one dissentient?

Yes; but I am not sure that the other proposal was not before it. In any case, this has been adopted, and I think we must see how it works.

Will the right hon. Gentleman secure the co-operation of the War Office, the Foreign Office, and the Post Office, and for the payment of expenses?

I will consider that.

Will this Committee have any power to summon witnesses before it and take any steps necessary?

Obviously that is the point of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. I have already said that I hoped there would be no difficulty on that score. If difficulty is found we will reconsider the constitution of the Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of the Committee appointed?

The Committee will be constituted as follows:

• Lord MacDonnell.
• The hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Bentham).
• The hon. Member for North Mayo (Mr. Daniel Boyle).
• Lord Muir-Mackenzie.
• The hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr. Fell).
• The hon. Member for East Leeds (Mr. O'Grady).
• Lord Gainford.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the tobacco now in stock in the United Kingdom is chiefly the product of America, and that to prohibit import at present would shut out the crop now due to come home from Nyasaland and other British Colonies?

The import of tobacco, the produce or manufacture of his Majesty's Dominions, is at present permitted under general licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Royal Commission on Paper have received a letter, dated 14th March, 1917, from the London Association for Protection of Trade, Limited, with regard to the Paper Restriction Order, 1917, and offering to send a deputation to the Commission to express the views of its members; and, if so, why the Royal Commission has not even acknowledged a communication from so representative a body of business men?

I understand from the Commission that the letter was duly acknowledged on its receipt. The questions to which it refers are at present under the consideration of my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure that the interests of the electric lighting companies concerned are represented on the new Electric Supply Committee by the appointment of two members intimately connected with the working of electric lighting supply?

The interests of electric supply companies are fully represented on the Committee.

By whom?

By my right hon. Friend the President, by the hon. Member for Forfarshire (Mr. Falconer), Mr. Devonshire and Mr. Merz.

Is he aware that Mr. Devonshire represents the tramways, and will he take it from me that there is not a single one representing the electric lighting companies, and will he put on two members who do?

I must follow the advice given to me.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into the question again?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the draft of the Report of the Committee on Electrical Trade after the War, which was appointed in April, 1916 (Sir C. A. Parsons, chairman), has been before the Department,; and whether the Report will be published and when?

I have not yet received this Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether J. H. Wagner, the proprietor of J. H. Wagner and Company, of Watling Street, is an unnaturalised German; whether two months ago he received a petition asking that this business should be wound up, signed by fifty-two of the leading firms in the textile trade of the City of London; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first and second inquiries contained in the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The case was considered both in July last and again last month by the Board's Advisory Committee, to whom the Board remitted the petition referred to. The Committee, after bearing the gentleman who drew up the petition, reported that they still regarded the case as one in which "special reasons" rendered it inexpedient to make an Order under Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916. I may say that in reporting to the Board the Committee stated that the business in Alsace with which Wagner had been connected up to the outbreak of war was predominantly French, that Wagner had been settled in this country for thirty years, that they were satisfied that he is wholly British in his sympathies and interests, and that the business which he is conducting is beneficial to British industry. The Board have accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, reaffirmed as it has been after a second careful investigation, but are maintaining supervision of the business.

Having regard to the very high position of the signatories of the petition, did the Advisory Committee see any of them before coming to this decision?

I stated in my reply that the gentlemen who drew up the petition were heard.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade (l) whether the Canal Control Committee has only control over the independent canals and not those owned by the railway companies; whether the policy of the railway companies to discourage traffic on all canals which they control is to be allowed to persist in view of the need of using all means of transport available in the country to the fullest capacity; seeing that all traffic has ceased on the Kennet and Avon Canal for the past three months, although there is congestion at Avonmouth and goods are waiting there needed by farmers and others throughout the 90 miles traversed by the canal, will he say what action he proposes to take; and (2) whether the railway-owned canals are under the control of the Railway Executive; whether he is aware that the Kennet and Avon Canal has for some months ceased to carry any traffic at all, that, owing to shortage of rolling-stock, farmers in Wiltshire and South Berks have difficulty in obtaining such things as seed corn and oil for tractors, and that the absence of canal transport facilities is having a prejudicial effect upon food production throughout the 90 miles of agricultural country traversed by this canal; and whether he can take any steps to ensure at once the resumption of traffic on the canal and communication direct between Reading and Avonmouth to its full capacity?

The Canal Control Committee and the Railway Executive Committee have control respectively over the leading independent canals and the railway-owned canals. Both Committees are fully alive to the importance, in present circumstances, of utilising canal transport to the greatest extent possible, and are working in co-operation to that end. As regards the Kennet and Avon Canal, I understand that the canal is, and has been, available for any traffic which carriers are in a position to bring upon it. The Great Western Railway Company are not themselves carriers on the canal.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think there would be a better chance of utilising to the full the facilities for water transport in this country if we had one authority now, instead of two committees to deal with it; and secondly, in reference to that part of his answer where he said the Kennet and Avon Canal was available for traffic, is he aware that as a matter of fact, although in time of peace it carried a very considerable traffic indeed, the statement in my question is perfectly true and that for three months it has carried none at all?

I am aware of the importance of water transport, and I think there are indications that the Department are taking steps in order to develop it. In regard to the Kennet and Avon Canal, I understand that the question is one of labour shortage, to remedy which attempts are being made.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the action of the recruiting officer at Perth and of tribunals in Perthshire in calling up ploughmen to the Colours for 5th April proximo; and, if so, will he, as President of the Scottish Board of Agriculture, take steps to prevent this interference with the growing of the food of the people?

I am informed that no such general action has been taken in the district referred to by my hon. and learned Friend, but if he will send me information as to any specific instances, I will make inquiries.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether the Chairman of the Air Board has expressed his willingness to meet the Members of this House for the purpose of debating the present position of our Air Services; whether these proceedings will be private, and whether the chairman is prepared to receive written questions prior to such a meeting, that he may be enabled to answer them at the meeting; and also when is it proposed that this meeting should take place, and where it will be held?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The President of the Air Board has been asked by the hon. Member for Brentford to meet a body of Members of both Houses, known as the Parliamentary Air Committee, who desire to lay their views before him. Lord Cowdray has consented to do so. The date of the meeting is not fixed, but it will take place in the House of Commons after the Easter Adjournment. The procedure will be quite informal.

Do we understand that that meeting is to be open to any Member of this House?

It depends upon whether he is a member of the Air Committee, I imagine.

Will the Chairman of the Air Board follow the example of the Food Controller, and invite Members generally to come?

One reason why they have not all been invited is that he was not asked to do so; if he were asked to do it, I have no doubt my Noble Friend would find no difficulty whatever in meeting any Member who may desire to meet him.