asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he is now in a position to state the exact percentage of taxes-raised in Great Britain and in Ireland,. respectively, off commodities in general use by the people and of direct and other taxes, respectively, in each of the financial years 1913–14, 1914–15, 1915–16, and similar information as now estimated for the financial year 1916–17; and the amount by which the total yielded by Ireland is reduced in each of these years by the Treasury adjustment; and (2) if he is now in a position to state under each head of revenue from Ireland, the total yield, according to the Treasury revision of accounts, in each of the financial years 1913–14, 1914–15, 1915–16, and the latest estimate of the revenue from Ireland under each head in the financial year 1916–17; and the amount by which the total collected is reduced in each of these years by the Treasury adjustment?

In reply to this question and to Question No. 18, I would refer the hon. Member to the Return relating to Imperial Revenue (Collection and Expenditure) (Great Britain and Ireland) for the year ending the 31st March, 1916 (H.C. 118 of 1916), which with the previous similar Returns contains all the statistics, so far as they are at present available, for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that on the outbreak of the War in 1914 the Enniscorthy Asylum Committee reduced the sugar allowance to their attendants and patients by one-third; that during 1915 and 1916 the amount actually consumed was only about half a pound per head per week, or one-third less per head than the three-quarters of a pound per head allowed by the Food Controller; and that the committee of the asylum is now informed that they will only be allowed to draw 50 per cent, of the amount consumed in 1915, or, in other words, one-fifth of a pound of sugar per head per week instead of three-quarters of a pound sanctioned by the Food Controller for the outside public; whether, in view of the injustice of the proposed arrangement, the Enniscorthy Asylum Committee will be authorised to draw sugar at the rate of half a pound per head per week for their patients and attendants; and if a notification to this effect will be sent to them forthwith?

The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply addressed a letter to the medical superintendent of the Enniscorthy Asylum on 20th February, intimating that arrangements had been made to increase the allowance of sugar to the asylum to the amount of ½ lb. per head, suggested by the hon. Member. In these circumstances, the-other points mentioned in the question do not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Irish party passed a resolution requesting the appointment of a sugar commission for Ireland; whether the Report has been received; and what is the intention of the Government?

The Food Controller has no knowledge of the Resolution referred to. He has already been in consultation with the Chief Secretary for Ireland as to the practicability of establishing some local organisation to assist sugar distribution in Ireland.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that in the western portion of Nottingham it frequently happens that potatoes cannot be obtained at any price, whilst in the immediate neighbourhood there are 9 acres of land from which the potatoes planted last year have not been raised, and are all lost owing to the military authorities taking all the farmer's labour last November and his inability to replace it; and will he initiate iquiries with a view to ascertaining the total acreage from which potatoes planted last year have not been raised?

From inquiries which the Board have had made in the district, it does not appear that any considerable area of potatoes of last year's crop still remain unlifted in the county of Nottingham, nor have they learned of any area of the size mentioned unlifted within the immediate neighbourhood of Nottingham If, however, my hon. Friend will supply me with further particulars, the Board will have the matter looked into more closely. They do not see their way to comply with the request made in the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture who is respon- sible for the control and distribution of seed potatoes; what is the aggregate of the demands from public authorities and to what extent they have been met; and what is the cause of the delay which is prejudicing sowing prospects for the coming season?

The distribution of seed potatoes within Great Britain is not controlled, though the prices of them are regulated by Orders made by the Ministry of Food. Seed potatoes may only be exported from Ireland under licences granted by the Department of Agriculture at Dublin. The aggregate demands of those public authorities who placed orders through the Board for seed amount to about 11,000 tons. Provision is being made to meet these demands by purchases which have been made in Scotland and are now being made in Ireland. Long-continued frost and shortage of labour have much delayed delivery, but no effort will be spared to provide potatoes in time for planting. The varieties now on order belong chiefly to the late types, and are well suited for planting throughout April.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the quantity of potatoes shipped from Ireland for the use of the military forces of the Crown during the months of January and February, 1917; whether potatoes continue to be shipped from Ireland for that purpose; and, if so, in what quantities?

The shipments of potatoes from Ireland for the military forces of the Crown were 2,870 tons in January and 2,072 tons in February. Shipments continue to be made at about the same rate. There are also shipments for the Navy.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received favourable reports from the various centres of agriculture as to the supply of labour released from the Army and from civil employment; whether he is satisfied with the number of motors obtained; and, if not, what other method does he contemplate to make up for the shortage?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The War Office are providing some 27.000 soldiers to give assistance to farmers in the spring operations on farms, in addition to some 10,000 who will be available during the whole season in "Agricultural Companies." During the past week also a number of volunteers, secured under the National Service scheme, have been placed on the land, but the Board have not as yet received any information as to their efficiency. In reply to the remainder of the question, the number of motor tractors on loan through the county war agricultural committees, under Government auspices, is now 592. Of these, 118 are owned by the Government, 45 are caterpillar tractors lent by the Russian Government, and 429 are privately owned machines lent to the Government. The Board are gratified with the result, so far, of their appeal to private owners of tractors to lend them to the Food Production Department, so that they may be worked to the maximum of their capacity, and they do not think it will be necessary to take any other steps than those now being taken to increase the tractor supply.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that German prisoners are now repairing the roads, etc., in France only a few miles behind the British trenches, and that rarely, if ever, are there attempts to escape; and if, seeing that it would be more difficult for a German prisoner in this country to escape for any length of time, and in view of the urgent demands now put forward for agricultural labourers, arrangements will be made to utilise some of the 50,000 German prisoners now interned in this country for this purpose?

Practically all the German combatant prisoners of war in this country who are available for employment are now either engaged on work of first-rate national importance or will be so engaged as soon as the necessary accommodation for them is ready. The total number of combatant prisoners in the United Kingdom is now slightly under 28,000 According to international usage civilian prisoners cannot be forced to work, but a certain number are voluntarily employed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give the names and occupations of those who constitute the governing body of the Irish Food Committee; will he state what practical knowledge any of them have had of agriculture, and if any one of them is a representative either in his public or private capacity of those who are asked to produce extra food; and if he is aware that one of the first things determined by them was to give no countenance whatever to any suggestions put forward by the Irish party Food Committee?

The members of the Advisory Committee appointed by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the food production scheme are:Mr. John Bolger, J.P., Ferns, county Wexford, a member of the Council of Agriculture' and of the Wexford County Council, and Chairman of the Wexford County Committee of Agriculture.Colonel Sir Nugent Everard, Bart., Randlestown, Navan, a member of the Council of Agriculture and the Agricultural Board, and a member of the Meath County Council and Chairman of the Meath County Committee of Agriculture.Mr. Thomas Macafee, J.P., Currysiskan House, Ballymoney, formerly an Assistant Land Commissioner, a member of the Council of Agriculture, the Antrim County Council and of the Antrim County Committee of Agriculture.Mr. J. Stouppe F. McCance, D.L., Woodbourne, Dunmurry, a member of the Council of Agriculture, of the Agricultural Board and of the Antrim County Council, and Chairman of the Antrim County Committee of Agriculture.Mr. William McDonald, J.P., Laharan, Minane Bridge, Carrigaline, a member of the Council of Agriculture and ex-Chairman of the Cork County Committee of Agriculture.Mr. Martin McDonogh, Galway, a member of the Galway County Council and the County Committee of Agriculture.All of them have practical knowledge of agriculture and some are distinguished in various branches of it. There is no foundation for the allegation in the concluding portion of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the War Office has been in communication with him regarding the establishment of a receiving depot for War Office supplies in Ireland; and what action is being taken in the matter?

I am in communication with the War Office on this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 13th March, a party of soldiers belonging to the No. 10 Eastern Company, Non-Combatant Corps, were paraded for inoculation at the Milton Barracks, Gravesend; that ten of them objected; that the medical officer, Captain Johnston, then threatened them with court-martial; that they were forthwith confined to barracks, and, upon one of them complaining to the company officer, Lieutenant Tottenham, he was informed that OB. had been inflicted for refusing inoculation; whether all other objectors in the company have been, or are at present being, confined to barracks; if so, whether any cause exists for this other than refusal of inoculation; if not, whether he will punish the officers guilty of this action; and what amends he proposes to make to the soldiers who have been wronged through it?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private William Carroll, No. 41939, 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, A Company, 2nd Platoon, British Expeditionary Force, France, who enlisted on the 3rd October, 1916, has been in the trenches since early in December last; if he is aware that Carroll will not be nineteen years of age until October, 1917; why has this boy been sent to the trenches before attaining nineteen years and after such short training; and if he can state why this Irish boy, who enlisted in the 5th Lancers, was transferred to an English regiment instead of an Irish regiment?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the present whereabouts of Private John Farrell, No. 23775, 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers, whose last known address was Portobello Barracks, Dublin; whether this man was tried by court-martial for deserting the Artillery and joining the 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers; what was the result of the trial; whether a brother of his was wounded in France, and is at present just about rejoining at the front; whether the separation allowance granted to his father was suspended after his desertion; and whether, as he has joined another corps, it will be renewed, especially having regard to the gallantry of the second boy?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is in accordance with War Office instructions that military representatives at tribunals are opposing the exemption from military service of skilled mechanics in shipbuilding yards; and, if not, whether the Army Council will issue a definite instruction to military representatives to consent to exemptions in these cases and to review cases where, under a mistaken view of the national interest, exemptions have been withdrawn?

No instructions appear to be necessary, as men engaged in the shipbuilding and repairing yards are not being posted for service with the Colours, except by agreement with the Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the terms if the instructions issued with the object of preventing any undue pressure on men who had joined the Army when they were over thirty-eight years of age to which the Financial Secretary to the War Office referred in the answer he gave to the hon. Member for Dartford on 9th November last?

Instructions were issued that, where the nature of the previous employment of recruits rendered it desirable, the period of preliminary training, during which the full equipment, etc., is not worn, should be extended and that the training in route marching should proceed by very gradual stages.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will make investigations concerning the case of James. Helliwell, a conscientious objector, who was given work under the Home Office scheme near Market Drayton, and, whilst there employed, after finishing a day's, work, went for a stroll and was taken ill, in consequence of which illness he was found in the main street at Stafford unconscious, and was afterwards arrested for being absent without leave, kept in detention about eight or nine weeks, and then. Court-martialled and sentenced to twelve months' military detention and two years' hard labour, with a view to the mitigation of punishment under the circumstances?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. This case was most carefully considered by the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors. The place where Helliwell was found was twenty miles from the camp, and on a review of the evidence-obtained by the Committee the only possible conclusion appears to be that Helliwell, who had previously outstayed his-leave, absconded from his work contrary to the conditions of his release. The question of remission of the court-martial's sentence is one for the War Office; but the Committee cannot again employ him, and he would therefore on release have to return to the Army.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any representation has been made by the Board to the military authorities in the matter of Daniel Griffiths, a school teacher of Llanelly, who, although medically classed C 3, has been called to the Colours; and whether, in view of the statement as to the number of men who have been passed into the Army medically unfit and the waste of money spent in useless training of such men, steps will be taken to prevent Griffiths being among the number of medically unfit in the Army and to see that Griffiths shall be restored to his occupation as a school teacher?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 19th ult. and the 8th inst., copies of which I am sending to him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what increased hospital accommodation has been provided at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, since the great addition to the number of cadets in training there; how many deaths have occurred at the college within the last month and from what causes; and whether further improvement in the hospital arrangements is to be undertaken?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of accidents, fatal and otherwise, that have occurred under active-service conditions and home-training conditions, respectively, attributable to premature explosion or other causes directly connected with the type and design of hand grenades; whether any inquiry has been held in consequence of these accidents; and what alterations and improvements, if any, have been made to the grenades?

I am unable to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question. Every accident at home is investigated by a court of inquiry, which would inquire into any defects in design. My hon. Friend should refer to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions in regard to the last part of the question.

asked how many labour battalions are now in existence, and to what extent use is being made of them for agricultural purposes; and whether their services in this direction could be more adequately utilised?

As all labour battalions are serving overseas their services cannot be utilised for agriculture.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department is in possession of any authenticated cases of water-poisoning by Germans during the present operations on the Western front?

An official report has been received that the wells at Barleux (3 miles south-west of Peronne) were examined and found to have been poisoned with arsenic.

asked the. Under-Secretary of State for War whether there have been recent outbreaks of illness among the soldiers at Litherland, Park Hall, and Kinmel Park camps; if so, what is the nature and cause of the illness, the number of men affected, and the number of deaths; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made as to the adequacy of the medical staff and of the hospital accommodation?

I am afraid that the military authorities have not yet had time to reply to my further inquiries. I will let my hon. Friend know as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the principle employed in the appointment of the inspectors of horse-shoes; whether the types and materials passed by one inspector can be rejected by his successor; and, if so, what form of inquiry, if any, is initiated?

All men carrying out inspection of horse-shoes are practical farriers capable of making the shoes they inspect, and are called "viewers." Shoes once passed are marked with a Government stamp, and when so marked the inspection is final. The shoes are inspected to an approved sample, to which the viewer has access at all times. If he is in doubt, he refers to a principal viewer, and if there is still doubt the matter is submitted to the chief inspector at Woolwich Dockyard. A contractor can at any time appeal to the chief inspector, and, if necessary, the latter refers the matter to the War Office.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any Department of the English Government in Ireland has received resolutions from Cork County Council and other representative bodies in Ireland on Government traffic in Irish wool at the expense of Irish farmers; will he state the quantity of Irish wool commandeered or taken compulsorily last year, the average price and total amount paid for it, and the average price paid for English wool similarly acquired; how much of the Irish wool was subsequently sold at an enhanced price; the amount of profit thus made; whether this is to be returned to the vendors or devoted to any Irish purpose; and whether the system of commandeering wool in Ireland for profit is to be followed this year?

Since the scheme for the purchase of Irish wool has been in operation the only resolution of protest received by the War Office from representative bodies in Ireland is a resolution of the Cork County Council, received two or three days ago. Hardly any complaints have been received from Irish farmers and the Irish Advisory Committee, composed of representatives of Irish farmers, wool merchants, and manufacturers, have loyally co-operated with the Department and have expressed their gratification at the ease with which the scheme has worked. Irish wool has not been commandeered from farmers, but has been purchased through the usual channels, in accordance with a schedule of prices, which yield a fixed price to the farmer of 35 per cent, over the average prices realised in June and July, 1914. English wool was purchased on the same basis. The total quantity of Irish wool purchased by the Government is, approximately, 12,000,000 lbs., and the expenditure to date is, approximately, £800,000. About 10 per cent. of the Irish clip has been sold for other than military purposes. Any profit effected by the sale of wool unsuitable for military purposes in the open market will be set off against the enhanced cost of clothing the Army due to the abnormal rise in the price of wool caused by the War. The price at which the Government is prepared to buy Irish wool during 1917 is at present under consideration, and an announcement will be made in the course of a few days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, having regard to the high price of timber and the difficulty in obtaining freights for the importation of supplies from over the seas, he will ascertain if his Departments are making the fullest use of concrete, which is a material entirely of Home production and which can so often be used instead of timber for constructional purposes?

The question of using concrete and ferro-concrete for constructional and other purposes is being carefully considered by the War Office in conjunction with other Departments.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in the interests of the food supply, of a solution to the tonnage problem, and of the efficiency of labour and the public health, he will prohibit forthwith all sale of intoxicating liquors on Sundays?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 15th March, in which it was stated that the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are not, as at present advised, prepared to recommend the course suggested.

asked the Parliamentary-Representative to the Air Board whether he is aware that new aeroplanes are being offered by the administrators of the Royal Flying Corps for sale by private tender; whether any civilian has access to inspect these machines: what is the total number of machines which are being so offered: what types of machines are being so offered; and what is the reason of their being so offered?

Certain aeroplanes are now being offered for sale by private tender. Opportunity for inspection is limited to representatives of schools instructing intending applicants for services approved by the War Office. The total number of machines is eighty-nine, composed of Bleriots, Caudron and short biplanes, Morane monoplanes, and twin Curtiss; of these, thirty-six have been used. The reasons for disposal are, in the great majority of cases, that the engines which suit these aeroplanes can be better employed in other types.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the chairman of the Air Board has had the opportunity of reading the recommendations of Mr. Charles Bright contained in the Air Committee's Report on the administration and command of the Royal Flying Corps; whether he has availed himself of this opportunity; if so, whether he has adopted any of the suggestions contained therein: and whether he has called in the assistance of Mr. Charles Bright to elaborate any recommendations he made in that Report?

My Noble Friend has had the advantage of acquainting himself with the recommendations referred to. The recent changes in the organisation of design and supply of aircraft for the Naval and Military Services to a great extent coincide with some of those recommendations, and it is possible that future action will be taken which will be in accordance with others. Mr. Bright's recommendations are very clearly stated in the Report, and the need for their elaboration has not arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the amount of the Import Duty which is paid on textile machinery entering India for use in the cotton mills; what is the amount of the Import Duty on mill stones and other requisites for the same purpose; and if there is any return of the duty on the goods arriving at the mills?

Machinery and component parts thereof imported into India for use in a cotton spinning or weav- ing mill are admitted free. Certain articles used in cotton manufacture are also on the free list, but I do not find mill stones among them. A refund of duty is not claimable on a dutiable article imported for the service of a cotton mill.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the weight of yarns from 40's to 80's imported into India during 1916 for the manufacture of fine cloths; and what weight of counts 40's and over was spun in India during the-same year?

Figures for the calendar year 1916 are not available, but during the year ending 31st March, 1916, 7,512,000 lbs. of yarn of counts over 40's. were imported into India. In the same year 1,963,000 lbs. of yarn of these counts-were spun in the Indian mills. This represented 27 per cent. of the total weight of yarn spun.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the name of the expert who advised him that only 2 per cent. of the output of Lancashire is in competition with India; whether this-gentleman has had any personal experience of the cotton goods market in India, either as a merchant or dealer; and if he-will state the details and particulars that were placed before him to convince him of the accuracy of the calculation?

. No, Sir; I am, not prepared to give the information.

asked the Secretary of State for India which articles required for-the production of cotton goods in India were admitted free from Import Duty in accordance with 1916–17 Indian Budget; and what are the changes, if any, in respect of such articles arising out of the 1917–18 Indian Budget?

I cannot undertake to give a complete list of such articles, but I shall be glad to furnish the hon. Member, if he so desires, with a copy of the Tariff Schedules in force in 1916–17 which contains the information asked for. So far as I am aware no change has been made in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent revelations and occurrences in Russia, he proposes to make any restitution to Mr. Arnold Lupton, who was fined under the Defence of the Realm Act for criticising the late Russian Government?

The answer is in the negative. Mr. Lupton's offence did not consist in criticising the Russian Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the Order prohibiting the use of tradesmen's catalogues and circulars, and the fact that traders now have no other medium of advertisement than the newspapers, he can see his way to prevent newspapers from raising the charges for advertisements?

As at present advised, I do not think it necessary to take action in the direction suggested.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a number of telephonists who have recently left the service have been handed leaving certificates under the Munitions of War Acts; and, if so, why this has been done, seeing that this Department is not a controlled establishment?

Leaving certificates have in a few cases been given to Post Office telephonists at their own request. I see no objection to this practice, which does not, of course, imply that the Post Office is a controlled establishment.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the extensive felling of timber, any steps are being taken to encourage re-afforestation?

Large numbers of seedlings are being raised so as to be ready for planting after the War, when the necessary labour will be available. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, the whole question of afforestation policy is under consideration by a Sub-Committee of the Reconstruction Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the utterances made recently in the Russian Duma by M. Miliukov, M. Cheidze, and other leaders on the injustices suffered by Jews in Russia; and whether he will consult the Russian Government on the guarantees and reparations which will now be offered to Russian Jews so that these men may be encouraged to return voluntarily to their native land?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative. But I should add that His Majesty's Government have every reason to hope, from the published declarations of the present Russian Government on the subject, that the lot of Russian Jews will in the future be greatly ameliorated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with further reference to the case of the old age pensioner, Quirke, No. 99, No. 3 sub-committee, Wexford County, whether he is aware that the accuracy of his reply of the 21st December, in which he stated that between the dates 7th August and 3rd November, no application for authorisation of an agent to cash the pension money on the pensioner's behalf was made, is disputed by the workhouse master, who reasserts that on several occasions he asked the local pension officer for authority to draw Quirke's pension, but failed to get it; and whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject.

I have received no intimation other than that contained in the question that the workhouse master disputes the accuracy of my right hon. Friend's reply, but the particular point on which, rightly or wrongly, he questions its correctness is, fortunately, not material. The Local Government Board having decided that Quirke was in receipt of disqualifying Poor Law relief from the 7th August last, it follows that, whether an agent's authority had been obtained or not, no pension money would be due to Quirke after that date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Countess of Kingston's estate, at Cootehill, county Roscommon, has not yet been vested in the tenants, although the agreements were signed in 1907 and lodged with the Commissioners; is he aware that the Ross Mahan estate in the adjoining townland has been vested, although the agreements for purchase were not lodged until 1909; why is there such a delay in the Kingston estate; and will immediate steps be taken to carry through to a finish this sale and thus give the full benefits of the Land Act to these tenants?

The Countess of Kingston's estate is a case of direct sale to tenants for payment entirely in cash. If the other estate referred to is the neighbouring McCausland estate, that is a case of direct purchase partly for stock and partly for cash, and this difference would account for earlier completion. In the Kingston estate there is also a large area of turbary which has to be allotted among the holdings, and the completion of the sale cannot take place till this is done.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the work done in organising the School of Oriental Studies; whether he is aware that a number of men have given long service and rendered invaluable assistance; and whether it is proposed to accord them any recognition?

I am well aware that the establishment of the School of Oriental Studies entails a great deal of work and I understand that this has been fully recognised by those who are responsible for bringing the scheme into effect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the improved scales of pay recommended by the Holt Parliamentary Committee to take effect from the 2nd February, 1914, have been granted to all classes of Post Office servants with the exception of the clerical staffs in the engineers' and the surveyors' departments and the clerical assistants in some few other branches, and that these officers are now, therefore, in receipt of materially lower salaries than those which were considered by the Parliamentary Committee in 1913 to be fair and reasonable remuneration on a pre-war basis; whether he is aware that the surveyors' third-class clerks are still on a scale of pay which was fixed for them over nine years ago, and that a very large number, if not the majority, of these officers are in receipt of no war bonus or other extra emolument; and whether, in view of the effect upon the financial position of these men of the withholding by the Department of the scale of salaries approved for them over three years ago by the Lords of the Treasury, and included in the Parliamentary Estimates for 1914–15, and having regard to the present tendency to grant temporary wages much in excess of the ordinary rate, he will direct the granting immediately of the approved ordinary scales of pay for the officers in question as from the 2nd February, 1914?

Upon the general question raised by the hon. Member I may refer him to the reply given on 10th August last to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division. But claims for the application of the scales of pay referred to have been placed before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés, and I await their decision.

asked the Secretary of State for India at what price per ounce of silver the Indian rupee is meltable; and what the Government of India propose to do to protect the currency if silver rises to the melting price of the rupee?

The melting point of the rupee is about 39d. ex Indian import duty and 43d. cum duty. I will answer the second part of the question if my hon. Friend will repeat it when, if ever, the state of things therein presupposed arises.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will give the total acreage under hops in England for each year since the Report of the Select Committee on the Hop Industry in 1908?

The acreage under hops in England and Wales in each year since 1908 has been as follows:—1908, 38,921; 1909, 32,539; 1910, 32,886; 1911, 33,056; 1912, 34,829; 1913, 35,676; 1914, 36,661; 1915, 34,744; 1916, 31,352.