asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that hundreds of Russian subjects who were refugees from Russia owing to the action of the late regime are now desirous of returning to Russia as soon as possible; whether ship- ping can be placed at the disposal of such persons for their return; and whether he has consulted, or will consult, the Russian Government as to their wishes in this matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. On the first part there is nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State on Wednesday in last week. As regards the rest of the question, the Government is not called upon to take the steps suggested.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain Russian political refugees, P. Petroff, Mrs. Petroff, Mr. Sairo, Mr. Hasse, and others, are at present interned here without trial; whether he is aware that these persons are supporters of the present Russian Government; and whether he will consult the Russian Government as to the question of further retaining these Russian subjects untried or of allowing them to return to Russia?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The four persons named in the question are interned under Regulation 14 B, in view of their hostile origin or associations. Their eases were all fully heard by the Advisory Committee, who were satisfied that their actions and sympathies were hostile to the Allied cause. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that millions of tons of paper-making material are available in the bogs and peat-mosses of the United Kingdom, but that the cost of conversion under known processes is declared by experts to be prohibitive; and whether, in view of present needs, he will recommend the offer for a reward on the part of the Government for the discovery of a cheap process of conversion, to be placed at the disposal of the nation?

Any invention by which paper-making material could be produced cheaply in present circumstances from the source to which the hon. Baronet refers could hardly fail to prove remunerative, and I do not think there is any necessity to offer a special reward in order to stimulate inventive talent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the hardship inflicted upon the poor by the scarcity and high price of provisions, he will take immediate steps to arrange with the municipalities in the East End of London for a system of communal kitchens?

A certain number of communal kitchens are already in existence, and steps are being taken through the National War Savings Committee to develop these institutioas. Communications on this subject are also being addressed to the municipalities. It is intended, further, to establish a model kitchen in Central London shortly, where practical demonstrations in food economy will be given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how he expects to get a fair opinion as to the prices to be fixed for Irish butter and bacon from English merchants competing with the Irish producers; if he is aware that there is a general condemnation of the method adopted as regards the fixing of these prices; and, in order to allay the feeling which exists, will he see that in the future representatives of the two Irish interests are called in for consultation and advice, and that these representatives will not be Irish merchants who are large Government contractors, but those who represent the direct producers of these two commodities?

The prices were fixed, at the Food Controller's request, by the Home and Foreign Produce Exchange, after a conference at which the Provincial Exchanges and Associations of Producers were represented. The delegates included at least fourteen direct representatives of Irish producers. I am not aware that there is any general condemnation of the method adopted for fixing these prices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will say why no representative of Ireland has been put on the Committee dealing with the question of sugar distribution; has he not received sufficient information by questions in this House and by complaints from Irish Members privately to realise that the distribution of sugar in Ireland is entirely unsatisfactory; and will an Irish representative be added to the Committee at once, so that Ireland's needs in the matter will not be neglected?

Information before the Food Controller goes to show that the problems of sugar distribution in Ireland are not different in kind to those prevailing in Great Britain. The Committee in question were chosen with a view-to the full examination of these problems and not with a view to the representation of particular parts of the United Kingdom. The Committee are required to report without delay and have already taken a large proportion of the evidence which they consider necessary. The Food Controller is satisfied that Irish interests will not be neglected, and he is not prepared to add an Irish representative to their number.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Sugar Commission have received a complaint from Mr. John M'Cafferty, Termon, Letterkenny, to the effect that Messrs. R. L. Black and Company, Londonderry, from whom he obtained five bags of sugar in 1915, are now only willing to supply him with three and a half stones at 47s. 10d. per cwt., plus 6d. per box, at which price the sugar would cost ½d. per lb. more than the price charged by other wholesale dealers in the district; and whether the Commission are taking any steps to secure for Mr. M'Cafferty his fair proportion of sugar at a reasonable price?

I have been asked to reply. The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply received a complaint on the subject raised in this question, and have been in correspondence with the parties concerned. They understand that Messrs. R. L. Black and Company, Londonderry, are quite prepared to deliver on cash payment the proportion due under the Commission's distribution scheme, and have so informed Mr. M'Cafferty on more than one occasion.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state the estimated amount of home-grown wheat remaining in the farmer's possession for sale during this cereal year?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the policy of the War Cabinet that the production of food is more important than the recruitment of men for the Army has been communicated to the military representatives; and, if not, will it be done at once?

Instructions were issued to recruiting areas on 24th February that the necessity for maintaining food production must not be lost sight of, and that therefore opportunity should be given to the local agricultural representatives to confer with recruiting officers regarding the calling up of available men.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the War Agricultural Committee for Devon has succeeded in placing over 1,000 soldiers on farms and that between two and three hundred more have been applied for and are really necessary in order, with the regular agricultural labourers remaining on the land, to do justice to crop raising in the county; and will he arrange for the men required to be provided as soon as possible?

The War Agricultural Committee of Devonshire should refer the matter to the Board of Agriculture. The allotment of the available soldiers is regulated by the demands made by the Board on the military authorities.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps he is adopting to increase the catches from Scottish waters of fresh fish suitable for food?

I am considering the desirability of appointing a Committee to inquire into this matter in Scotland.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a Committee has been appointed by the President of the Board of Agriculture for England to consider practical means for increasing the supplies of sea fish for the home markets; and why no Scottish representative has been put on this Committee in view of the fishing industry and consumption of fish in Scotland?

The reply to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Elgin Burghs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the possibilities of further development of the sea and fresh-water fisheries of Ireland steps will be taken to secure representation of Irish interests on the two Committees which are being set up?

The matter is under consideration by the Departments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the new Committee on Sea Fisheries is for England and Wales alone; and, if so, why is not Scotland included?

The Committee deals with England and Wales alone. The Board have no powers over the sea fisheries of Scotland, which come under the authority of my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the scheme for growing oats by contract for the Army, known as Eve's scheme, will be put in operation in Ireland, as indicated in a letter of 13th February ultimo from the Controller of Cultivated Areas (War Office) to the hon. Member for Carlow; if not, why Ireland has been excluded from a scheme which provides for the payment of higher prices for oats than those fixed by the Food Controller; and why Irish growers are to be excluded from contracts for growing oats for the Army while such contracts will be made with British growers?

It was decided that it was no longer necessary to maintain a separate organisation for the production of oats for Army requirements before any contracts had been placed in Ireland. Since that date no contracts have been placed in Great Britain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he has official information showing that 150,207 lbs. of tea is in transit to St. John, New Brunswick; will he state the nature of the bill of lading upon which this tea is exported abroad; also the authority whose permission was given for this exportation; and will similar permission be granted to other traders notwithstanding the embargo placed upon the export of tea from this country; and (2) if he has official information showing that 160,160 lbs. of tea is in transit to St. John, New Brunswick; if he will state the country of origin of the tea in question, the name of the steamer conveying it to this country, and the names of the consignor and consignee; and if he will state whether this same facility for getting tea to Canada will be granted to other traders in tea as have been given to the consignor of the tea in question?

I have not yet been able to procure full information as to the particular consignments referred to in these two questions. No licence is at present required for the re-export of tea which on importation into the United Kingdom is bonâ fide intended for transhipment. The whole question of the conditions under which free transhipment of prohibited goods can be allowed to continue is now, however, under review.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the prices for wheat, oats, and potatoes guaranteed by the Government for the produce of the six years stated by the Prime Minister are minimum prices; and whether the producers will be permitted to sell their crops to the highest bidder subject to any maximum prices which it may hereafter be decided to fix?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill, which will supply him with detailed information on the points raised in his question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, having regard to the damage done by rooks to newly sown corn and the impossibility of reducing them sufficiently by shooting, he will enable war agricultural committees for this season and to a limited degree to reduce their numbers by the use of poisoned grain to be used before the hatching season begins?

The Board have no power to authorise the use of poisoned grain for the purpose referred to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that, according to the market Report of the Board of Agriculture, 499 tons of British potatoes were exported during the week ending 21st March; where these exports were sent, and what prices were received by the sellers?

The figures of exports mentioned by the hon. Member, which refer to the week ended the 17th March, were supplied by the Customs authorities, and I understand that although recorded in that week, the potatoes were exported some time previously. They were seed potatoes exported to Spain. The price received was approximately £6 per ton.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received from owners of fishing boats in Dingle complaints as to the losses they have suffered because they were prevented from fishing during the winter season; whether, seeing that these men are wholly dependent on fishing for their existence, he proposes to take any steps to compensate them for their losses; and whether, in view of the needs of the men whose industry is ruined and of the necessity for increased food production, proper facilities will be given them for the spring fishing?

The Department of Agriculture have received no complaints in reference to the matter, and so far as they are aware 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 the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the figures of the number of ships sunk and their aggregate tonnage for the first eighteen days of the present month to compare with the figures for the corresponding periods in previous months as stated by him on the 21st ultimo?

The figures for British shipping losses from submarines and mines during the first eighteen days of December, 1916, and January, February, March, 1917, respectively, are:

December	…	…	…	…	30
January	…	…	…	…	26
February	…	…	…	…	66
March	…	…	…	…	55

Those figures include all British vessels except fishing craft. They exclude losses by the action of the German commerce raider, the "Moewe," which have been published separately from the return of losses from submarines and mines. As regards the tonnage, my right hon. Friend has already stated why it cannot be given.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the maximum surface speed of enemy submarines and the maximum submerged speed of the same; and whether these speeds apply to the latest type of enemy submarines now operating?

There is no definite information, but the surface speed is probably 14 to 20 knots, and the submerged speed 8 to 10 knots.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there are any Departmental reasons against retired engineer-lieutenants (promoted from chief artificer-engineers) who have been called up for naval duties for the duration of the War being promoted to engineer-lieutenant-commanders, in the same way as are lieutenants who formerly held the rank of chief gunner, chief boatswain, and chief carpenter, the engineer-lieutenant, chief artificer-engineer, being the only ranker lieutenant compelled to pass an examination before he can be promoted to lieutenant-commander's rank?

The examination referred to by my hon. Friend is imposed in view of the fact that such examination is one of the necessary conditions of advancement to the rank of engineer-lieutenant-commander (active list). The professional examination is so constituted that it should be passed without difficulty by any officer who has the knowledge necessary for the higher rank. My hon. Friend will, I am sure, agree with me that the Admiralty should be satisfied that officers in charge of machinery possess the requisite professional knowledge.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why a gardener who had been declared unfit for service abroad more than once was recently called up for home service and sent off to Bristol to work as a bricklayer's labourer?

My hon. Friend has kindly furnished me with the particulars of this case, and I am now making inquiries. I will let him know the result without delay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of a man who has been called up for service, leaving his father, aged sixty-seven, and quite unable to work the farm; and, in view of the fact that this man has been sent south to work on a farm, will he see that adequate labour is supplied for the working of the farm that he has left or else that he be returned there until his services for military purposes are required?

I have only just received particulars of the case which my hon. Friend has in mind. I am making inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why a person who was granted exemption by both local and Appeal Tribunals on the ground that he was doing important national service has now been called up and the affairs of an important firm under contract to supply the Royal Navy with meat prejudiced?

I have received some further details about this man, and will have local inquiry made. I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been (sailed to the case of Private George Walter Lansby, of the Buffs Regiment, who enlisted on 12th February, wrote on 14th March that he was getting over the effects of inoculation splendidly to his wife, who later, on the date of receiving this letter, got a telegram from Dover Hospital announcing his death; whether his death was attributed to pneumonia and heart failure; when pneumonia set in; and whether, following inoculation, pneumonia frequently supervenes and not infrequently results in death?

I have called for a report on this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries into the case of Private Edgar Reed, No. 65217, 16th Subsection, 4th Platoon, 6th Work Company, Durham Light Infantry, 6th Division, who is said to be suffering from tuberculosis, heart complaint, and varicose veins; whether Reed offered himself for military service six times and was on each occasion rejected on medical grounds; whether he subsequently attested, and when called up for medical examination his papers were marked medically unfit for any category of work; whether, notwithstanding this fact, he has now been placed in Class B 2 and sent out to France; and, if so, whether he will see that Reed is discharged from the Army?

I have no information on this case, but I am making inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that five conscientious objectors at Winnall Camp, Winchester, were violently treated by their officers on the 20th instant, and that one of them, J. P. Key, was wounded three times by a bayonet handled by an officer, the wounds bleeding profusely; whether the sergeant took the rifle away from the officer, and did the medical officer who dressed the wounds say that half an inch in another direction would have proved fatal; has the officer who used a bayonet for punishment been reprimanded or degraded; and what is the justification for such treatment of men who are entitled under the Military Service Act to complete exemption?

It will be necessary to make local inquiries, and the result will be communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that about seventy conscientious objectors are being employed cutting timber on the estate of Mr. Ponsonby, Kilcooly Abbey, Thurles, county Tipperary; whether those men will be made available for distribution amongst farmers of the surrounding districts during spring and summer; if a member of the Army Medical Corps is being specially engaged attending those men; is he aware that where those men are being engaged is a centre between three local medical officers all convenient and available; and, bearing in mind that the Local Government Board refuse to sanction the appointment of any medical officer in Ireland fit for duty at the front, will he see that this gentleman is sent where he may be more usefully employed?

I have no information as to the employment of this officer, but will inquire, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received an application for the temporary release from the Army of Private Edward Saunders, No. 3271, 5th Company, Welsh Guards; whether a birth certificate was forwarded to the War Office showing that this lad was only sixteen years of age last January; whether the application that he should be released until he is eighteen years of age has been refused; and, if so, on what ground?

The instructions now in force do not permit of a soldier being discharged or released from the Colours on the ground that he is under age. Such cases are transferred to certain home service units until they attain the age of nineteen. Saunders' parents have been informed that his discharge could not be granted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state, with reference to officers giving information to Members of Parliament, which although not necessarily in the interests of the administration may be in the interests of the country, whether any officer discussing Service matters with a Member of Parliament is automatically dismissed from the Service?

If the matters and information mentioned by the hon. Member do not come within the purview of the Official Secrets Act, the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and paragraph 453 of the King's Regulations, it does not appear to me that any offence would have been committed. The hon. Member will find the conditions under which an officer may be dismissed from his Majesty's Service by reference to the Army Act and the provisions of paragraph 525 of the Royal Warrant. There is no such thing as automatic dismissal from the Service. I may also point out that any person, not lawfully authorised, is prohibited under No. 18 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations from eliciting naval or military information.

asked whether the system of training pilots at present employed in the Royal Flying Corps is the same as that employed in January, 1916?

Yes, Sir, but as facilities have increased and greater demands have been made from France the standard has been raised.

asked the Parliamentary Representative of the Air Board whether aeroplane builders who have received Government orders for the building of machines which are now considered obsolete or obsolescent for active service conditions have now had these orders cancelled; and, if not, why this has not been done?

I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the answer which I gave to him on the 7th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the building policy of the Director-General of Military Aeronautics is being persisted in as to types and numbers; whether he is still responsible for deciding as to type3 and numbers; and, if not, for what reason has he been relieved of these duties?

The responsibility for the design and supply of aeroplanes for the use of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing) ceased to be vested in the Director-General of Military Aeronautics on the establishment of the present arrangements whereby a joint system of design and supply for both the naval and military branches of the Air Service has been established under the Air Board, of which Sir David Henderson is a member, and the Ministry of Munitions.

asked what is the last meal given to soldiers at Wellington Barracks on Sundays and week-days, respectively?

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the last meal is at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 4 p.m., and on Sundays at 3.30 p.m. There is also a meal at 6.30 p.m. for all men on guard on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday. I have no information as to the nature of the meals provided under regimental arrangements, but I will ascertain particulars, if my hon. and learned Friend wishes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether mosquito netting will be issued to the British troops at Salonika this summer?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in the case of Corporal J. M' Morrow, 8th battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, No. 16912, British Expeditionary Force, War Office reference No. 46/M/1354 (P Accounts 3), an only son who joined the Colours in 1915, his dependant's allowance was reduced on the death of his mother from 9s. 6d. to 6s. 1d. per week, including the usual deduction of 3s. 6d. per week out of his pay; and whether, having regard to the fact that his father is an old man and has to pay men at a high rate to do the work that his son did previous to his enlistment and that his sister had to leave business and go home to nurse his father, the case will be reconsidered?

It has already been explained to the hon. Member by an official letter of the 15th February that the full benefit of the Regulations has been given in this case. Applications for further allowance should be addressed to the Statutory Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the decision to establish a receiving depot for War Office supplies in Ireland, he will now publish the Report by the hon. Member for Loughborough on the subject?

I am afraid I can only repeat what I told the hon. Member on the 21st., that, as at present advised, it is not proposed to publish this Report.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of petitions and resolutions, etc., received by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) during the past twelve months from public bodies and associations in Scotland in favour of the prohibition of the sale of intoxicants during the War and the period of demobilisation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to him on the 26th October last. Since that date the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) have received about fifty further petitions and resolutions, mainly from religious or temperance organisations.

asked the Pensions Minister to what extent he exercises control over the measures taken by the Health Department of the Statutory Committee in regard to the restoration of disabled soldiers and sailors after discharge from the Army or Navy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on the 15th and 21st February last. If the hon. Member will see me personally I shall be happy to supply him with details on any particular point in this connection.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will specify what arrangements are being made by his Department as to the provision of convalescent homes, entirely unconnected with lunacy, for soldiers of the rank and file discharged from the Army owing to uncertifiable nerve strain where the men have cheerful surroundings and facilities for industrial occupation; and whether any allocation has been made from the National Relief Fund for this purpose under the administration of groups of local committees?

Cases of the kind referred to are being sent by local committees to ordinary convalescent homes which are entirely unconnected with lunacy. A special institution will shortly be opened as an experiment at Golders. Green, in which men suffering from nerve shock will be suitably treated and provided with occupation. It is not intended to draw on the National Relief Fund for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the necessity of attracting a larger flow of entries to the teaching profession, he will consider the advisability of earmarking, for the augmentation of salaries of teachers in State-aided schools, a proportion of the sum to be given as Grants-in-Aid; and whether, in allocating such a sum, he will take into -consideration the efforts which local authorities are willing to make?

In framing the proposals for dealing with educational finance, which I hope to submit to the House at an early date, I have carefully considered all suggestions, including those referred to in the hon. Member's question, which have been made for placing the teaching profession on a satisfactory basis.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to whether the Government propose to make a contribution to assist local education authorities to grant adequate war bonuses to teachers in their respective areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Members for Worcester and West Nottingham on the 22nd ult. and the 1st inst., copies of which I am sending to him.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Seistan Field Force is granted the same concessions as the other forces now operating in Eastern Persia?

The Seistan Force forms the bulk of the force operating in Eastern Persia, the rest being small detachments, and so far as is known all enjoy the same concessions.

asked the Home Secretary whether the written statement of a citizen of a neutral country undergoing punishment as a convict here for an alleged political offence is transmitted to the representative of the neutral country here or to the Government of that country; and whether the American citizens now political convicts at Lewes will be allowed to communicate, through the prison authorities, with the American Ambassador here, and with the American Government in the event of the Ambassador neglecting them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State last Tuesday. If the prisoner referred to desires to make any representation as to his conviction or his treatment, he should address it to me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information regarding Leo Zabel and Walter Zabel, both of 10, St. Albans Road, Moseley, Birmingham; whether they are both of military age; whether they were born in Germany of German parents; whether, when residing in Birmingham in pre-war days, they claimed to be Germans, and were of strong German sympathies; why, if they are Germans, they are not interned; and why, if they are English, they are not serving in the Army?

These two men are British subjects, born in this country of German parents, who came here in 1886. They are both of military age, but are retained in their civil employment, in which they are badged as skilled workmen. My inquiries show that they are and have always been regarded as thoroughly loyal and British in their sentiments, and I shall be glad if the hon. Member will inform me of his grounds for suggesting the contrary.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the case of J. H. Wagner, an unnaturalised German, trading in Watling Street; whether he is aware that a petition was presented to the Board of Trade regarding this man by practically every leading house in the textile trade in the City; and why he is not interned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Mr. Wagner, who has been more than thirty years in this country and has a British wife and children, was exempted from internment in 1915 on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, and nothing has since occurred which would justify the withdrawal of the exemption. The continuance of his business is a question for the Board of Trade.

asked the Homo Secretary whether he has received a petition from the prison staffs for a war bonus of 10s. per week and 1s. per week for each child under sixteen years of age; and whether he is giving consideration to this petition, in view of the circumstances in which members of the staffs are placed as a result of the great increase in the cost of living?

Petitions have been received at the Home Office and are under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition from the prison staffs for a war bonus of 10s. per week and 1s. per week for each child under sixteen years of age; and whether he is giving this petition careful consideration, in view of the circumstances in which the members of the staffs are placed as a result of the great increase in the cost of living?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether Sir Robert Armstrong Jones, late medical superintendent of Claybury County Asylum, is employed in any capacity under the lunacy authorities; if so, what are his functions and remuneration; and has he any duties in regard to the care of uncertifiable soldiers or ex-soldiers invalided through nerve strain?

Sir Robert Armstrong-Jones is not employed in any capacity under the lunacy authorities. Since he vacated his office of medical superintendent of Claybury Asylum he has, it is understood, been given a temporary commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps, but I do not know what are his duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the average number of strawberry trains which leave Swanwick Station daily during the strawberry season; whether he is aware that on 6th March the secretary of the Railway Executive was asked if the facilities for removing strawberries during the coming season would be restricted, and replied in the affirmative; that on the strength of that statement certain growers in the Swanwick district were induced to alter their cropping, and that since that date the manager of the London and South-Western Railway has assured Swanwick growers that the usual facilities for dealing with the strawberry traffic will be forthcoming during the coming season; whether, in view of the national food crisis, he will explain why the Swanwick growers, who are trying their best to help the country by changing their cropping, should be discouraged from so doing by the action of the manager of the London and South-Western Railway Company; and whether, in view of the restricted supply of trucks and rolling stock, it is proposed to afford the usual facilities for dealing with the traffic of what is an obvious luxury?

I am asking for the observations of the Railway Executive Committee on this subject, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Gentleman on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the British Government allows exports of sulphate of ammonia to Java, Spain, and the United States to a large extent, and reduces the exports to West India and other British Possessions to the smallest possible limits, to the injury of next season's crops?

(on behalf of War Trade Department:) My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. It was decided in December last that the issue of licences for the export of sulphate of ammonia should be suspended in order to retain sufficient supplies in this country to meet the demand for agricultural purposes. Any recent exports to the countries named can only have taken place under licences authorised before the date of this decision. The needs of the West Indies are fully recognised, but it is regretted the available supply is insufficient at the present time to allow of export.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the provisions of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908, limiting the hours of work in a coal mine to eight hours per day from bank to bank, are still in force; and what is the average number of hours worked by colliers per week in the South Wales coal fields?

The provisions to which the hon. and gallant Member refers are still in force. As regards the latter part of the question, the only figures available are those giving the average number of days worked in the week. For South Wales and Monmouthshire this number was 5.58 in February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the special consideration of experts is being given to the construction of seamen's quarters in the merchant ships being designed or built by or on behalf of the Government with the view of affording the most favourable hygienic conditions with regard to ventilation, lighting, and sanitation?

The important point raised by my hon. Friend is receiving careful attention. Special consideration is being given to arrangements for the accommodation of the officers and crew in the standard ships with regard to ventilation, lighting, and sanitation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state the amount of tonnage, if any, still being taken up by the transport of grain and other materials to be used for the manufacture of beer and spirits?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the brewing of beer has been further restricted to an output of 10,000,000 standard barrels per annum. As I informed him on 28th February, total prohibition would save a further 385,000 tons of cargo per annum as soon as it could be made effective—that is, roughly, the employment of about sixteen ships, each of 6,000 tons cargo capacity, making four voyages a year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of men in receipt of pensions from the Bank of Ireland, railway companies, etc., are at present employed in the Accounts. Department of the General Post Office, Dublin, and that there are many men over military age, who are equally, if not better suited for these positions, at present out of employment in Dublin as a result of the dislocation of business caused by the War; will he say if the present persons occupying these positions were selected as a result of advertisement or examination; and if he is aware that the selection exercised for these appointments has created general dissatisfaction in the city?

Five men in receipt of pensions are employed as temporary clerks in the Accountant's Office of the Post Office in Dublin. One was engaged through the Employment Exchange, but the remainder were engaged direct in the absence of suitable candidates over military age from the Employment Exchange. I am not aware that there has been dissatisfaction regarding their employment.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, whether the National Service Regulation as to employment of men between the ages of nineteen and sixty-one years applies to neutral subjects and to the subjects of our Allies residing here; and whether he is aware that hotel and restaurant employers are only engaging for service, which is mostly daily employment, foreigners of all nationalities in preference to British subjects because of this National Service Regulation?

My right hon. Friend has requested me to reply to this question. The Regulation to which reference is made is, I assume, the Restricted Occupations Order, which applies to any man who has attained the age of eighteen and has not attained the age of sixty-one, including neutral subjects and the subjects of Allied nations resident in this country. The Director-General of National Service has no information which would confirm the allegation contained in the last part of the question.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the Government has yet decided to make proposals for an exchange of those prisoners of war who have been in the hands of the Germans since 1914?

This matter is engaging the attention of the War Cabinet, but no proposal has yet been formulated.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Patrick Macnamara, of Lisdoonvarna, county Clare, Ireland, who was evicted from his holding at Rathbane, Lisdoonvarna, in May, 1914; whether the dispute between the landlord and tenant was caused by the bad condition of the roof of the dwelling-house; whether, now that land is required to produce food, an effort will he made to have this tenant reinstated in his holding on reasonable terms to both sides; and whether the agent, Charles O'Keane, of Ennis, county Clare, will be approached with a view to a settlement?

On 26th May, 1914, Catherine and her husband Patrick Macnamara were evicted from a house and 21 statute acres of land at Rathbane, Lisdoonvarna, by the landlady for non-payment of two years' rent, amounting to £79 5s. 9d. It is not in the power of the Government to reinstate them, and any approaches to the owner must be made by the parties themselves.