asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively, to establish the colonies for discharged Service men provided for in the Small Holdings (Colonies) Act, 1916?

A colony of 2,360 acres is being established at Patrington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. A director has been appointed, and forty-six cottages are now in course of erection. The Board of Agriculture obtain full possession of the land on the 6th of next month. Land for a second colony of 1,000 acres has been acquired at Holbeach, in Lincolnshire, and arrangements are now being made for the erection of sixty-six cottages. The site of a third colony of about 1,140 acres, which will make the total acreage allowed under the Act for England, is now being sought, and the Board hope to find it in the South or West of England, so as to secure some evenness in the geographical distribution of the three colonies in England.A colony of about 1,500 acres will be set up in Wales, and the Welsh Agricultural Council have already selected two sites which have been inspected by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture preparatory to one of them being chosen for the colony.As regards Scotland, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have not yet selected the areas to be used for the purpose, but several subjects have been inspected and reported on, and the Board hope to reach an early decision regarding them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is able to state the amount of sugar consumed in the British Isles during the year 1915; and if he is able to give an approximate estimate of the consumption under the following headings, namely, confectioners chocolate makers, etc.,. mineral water manufacturers, biscuit makers, etc., general domestic consumption, and brewers?

Precise figures on the points raised in the question cannot be given. It is estimated, however, that the total consumption of sugar, exclusive of brewers' sugar, during 1915, was about 1,750,000 tons. The amount of sugar used in the manufacture of beer during the twelve months ended September 30, 1915, was about 134,000 tons. According to an estimate of the Manufacturing Confectioners' Alliance, the total quantity of sugar used before the War for all purposes of manufacture, except beer, was 400,000 tons per annum, but how this was divided amongst the various trades concerned it is impossible to say.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if Michael Quinlan, of Reash, Pallasgrean, County Limerick, wrote to the Department of Agriculture on 23rd February claiming partial exemption on the grounds of flooding; if he offered to till a certain number of acres or any number which an inspector from the Department would specify after an inspection of the holding; if he will say who authorised the police to visit this gentleman five times after he had expressed his willingness to comply with any order made by the Department's inspector and after he had satisfied the sergeant of police that he had seeds, both oats and potatoes, purchased to put in the land as soon as the flood would dry up and his horses could plough; is he aware that Mr. Quinlan is a county councillor and a member of the Limerick County Committee of Agriculture, and at inconvenience to himself had attended two meetings weekly of the Limerick County Food Committee, and never lost an opportunity of forwarding the cause of food production; why was he singled out and at whose request, or is it to be taken for granted that prominent Nationalist public men who have given their word of honour to comply with the tillage scheme are to be harassed and insulted at the instigation of some unknown official or vindictive person; is he aware that the Limerick County Committee of Agriculture, under the chairmanship of Lord Emly, passed a resolution condemning the attitude of the Department; and if he will put a stop to such conduct?

Mr. Quinlan has rendered public service in the manner indicated in the question, and the Department of Agriculture recognise the value of such service, and that Mr. Quinlan desired bonâ fide to comply with the tillage Regulations, as he is doing. The visits of the police were visits made, without any special instruction in regard to Mr. Quinlan, in the course of duties which were placed upon them throughout Ireland for the purpose of obtaining prompt reports as to the progress of tillage under the Regulations. By this means great public expense in the employment of inspectors was avoided, and, speaking generally, annoyance has not been caused to occupiers. A resolution in the terms mentioned in the question has been received by the Department. I am sorry Mr. Quinlan was aggrieved by the visits of the police, and I hope he will resume his work on the Food Production Committee

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will release volunteers from drill for the purpose of agricultural work on allotments or otherwise?

While sympathising with the object which my hon. and learned Friend has in view, I am afraid that the fewness of the drills which volunteers are under obligation to perform per month does not permit of our altering their character in the manner suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will inquire into the delay experienced by the Southgate Urban District Council in getting the supply of seed potatoes they require for allotment holders in their district; and will he inquire if a small portion of seed potatoes that were lately sent to Southgate from Scotland and arrived in a bad condition and frost-bitten was the result of careless packing?

Having regard to the fact that the seed potatoes ordered on behalf of war agricultural committees are-almost exclusively of main crop varieties, which may be planted during the month of April, and that the severe weather experienced during the past two months has necessarily hindered the loading of seed by Scottish growers, the Board do not think that undue delay has as yet occurred in the execution of the orders of public authorities generally, or of that of the-Middlesex War Agricultural Committee, in which the order of the Southgate Urban District Council is included. The Board are fully alive to the importance of securing delivery of the seed in time for successful planting, and they are doing everything possible to expedite transport. A communication regarding the procedure to be followed in the case of consignment injured by frost has already been sent to public authorities, who have notified the Board of such injury.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the nature of the evidence which will be admissible before the Committee appointed to inquire into the various anomalies respecting promotion in the Army; if facilities will be given to the junior temporary officers who have been over twelve months in Home commands to present material evidence direct to the Committee; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to protect officers who submit evidence or appear as witnesses from the powers of commanding officers who may take exception to the nature of the evidence which may be placed before the Committee.

I gave the terms of reference of this Committee in a speech which I made on the Army Estimates on the 1st instant. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part of the question would not, therefore, arise

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the more mobile character of the operations on the Western Front and with a view to the earliest possible treatment of certain classes of wounds, especially those of the abdomen, the Army Medical Department is considering the desirability of utilising motor-operating theatres, similar to those supplied by the Wounded Allies' Relief Committee to the Belgian and Italian Armies?

The more mobile character of the operations on the Western Front have been duly anticipated and the full equipment for an operating theatre, together with the temporary theatre itself, can be sent to the front, with the personnel of a casualty clearing station, wherever it is required in any part of the line.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the kits of wounded and other officers are frequently robbed whilst at base depots; whether this is largely due to the custom of opening locked trunks in order to make an inventory of the contents; whether the bad results of so doing outweigh the good; and, if so, whether he will give instructions that no locked article of officers' kit shall be unlocked?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House on 21st December last. If he will give me any specific information, I will gladly have it referred to the military authorities in France, who alone can deal with this question. I am meanwhile making inquiries into the procedure about the opening of locked trunks

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the numbers of men for discharge in Home battalions after each visit of a medical board, some modification could be made of paragraph 418 of the King's Regulations, such as allowing the necessary information to be typewritten instead of being personally written by the commanding officer, thus releasing him from many hours of clerical work and enabling him to devote more time to the training of his battalion?

The question whether any modification of this paragraph of the King's Regulations is desirable is being considered. As discharges are reduced to a minimum at the present, no immediate action appears necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Sergeant T. Kenny, No. 20603, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Private W. Fairbairn, No. 6/2179, 5th Reserve Battalion Infantry Regiment, Private E. Burton, No. 3093, 10th Irish Fusilier Regiment, Private S. Saunders, No. 1467, 10th Irish Fusilier Regiment, Private A. Cook, No. 3228, 3rd Manchester Regiment, and Private S. Hage, No. 25994, 23rd Manchester Regiment, have all served abroad, but, having been medically examined at Ashton Barracks, were passed as C3—B179; whether they were sent on 19th March to Prees Heath Barracks; whether the classification C 3—B 179 signifies that they are no longer fit for service abroad but are to receive a pension on discharge; and, if so, why these men are not now discharged with the view of their becoming useful civilians?

Inquiries are being made into the cases mentioned by the hon. Member, and he will be informed of the result. The significance of the marking referred to is that a man is unfit for service abroad and is to go before a further medical board, who state the cause of the man's disability. If the board consider it to be in and by the service the man's documents are forwarded for consideration for a pension.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Rev. Brother Edward Aloysius, St. Benedict's College, Kotahena, Colombo, Ceylon, has been served with notice to join the Army under the Military Service Acts; that his ordinary residence is in Ireland; and that he is only a temporary resident in Ceylon as a teacher for the order of De La Salle Christian Brothers; and will he take steps to instruct the military authorities in Ceylon that this gentleman is not liable to military service owing to the fact that his permanent residence is at the headquarters of the order of De La Salle Brothers, Castletown, Queen's County, Ireland?

I have no information, but I will inquire.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the pension of Private, Joseph Cosgrove, No. 3690, No. 1 Company, Irish Guards, at present in the Red Cross Hospital, Bray, county Wicklow, who was wounded in both legs at the Battle of Mons, owing to which one of them had to be amputated one inch from the hip, thereby rendering him helpless was reduced from 25s. a week to 12s. 6d. a week; whether, having regard to the above facts, the pension of 12s. 6d. a week is the proper pension under the old rate; and what his pension will be under the new scale and when it will come into force?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me to a similar question regarding the case on the 17th February last. Te medical reports show that the length of the stump is 4 inches, and Cosgrove has been awarded the correct scheduled rate of 12s. 6d. The corresponding rate under the proposed Warrant, which will take effect from the first pay day in April, will be 16s. 6d. a week. Cosgrove is, however, being retained in. hospital, and the grant of 25s. to which I referred in my previous reply has been extended for two months. If a further amputation is necessary and his case is treated as a "hip amputation." he would become under the terms of the proposed Warrant entitled to a pension of 22s. a week.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether it is necessary, under the Registration of Names Act, 1916, that registered firms should disclose on their billheads and all stationery used by them, in addition to catalogues, circulars, show-cards, and letters, the particulars required by the Act to be disclosed?

The Registration of Business Names Act requires certain particulars to be mentioned in trade catalogues, trade circulars, show-cards, and business letters on and in which the business name appears, and not on other stationery except in the case of a document which is in substance one of those specified in the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of an Order made by a Government Committee making the printing of posters, catalogues, and circulars illegal without special licence' after the 24th instant; is he aware that, owing to the necessary depletion of labour in a non-essential industry such as printing, it will be totally impossible for some firms to complete the printing of circulars, etc., for which they have contracted by that date; and will he point out to the Government Committee concerned the loss and confusion caused at a difficult time by the promulgation of these sudden and drastic edicts?

The time for completing posters and issuing catalogues and circulars the printing of which had been commenced before the date of the Paper Restriction Order has now been extended to 21st April, with a view to meeting the difficulties to which the hon. and gallant Member draws attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the numbers, classification, and salaries of the staff employed at the Ministry of Shipping, at the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, and in the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen, respectively?

As the particulars asked for are somewhat lengthy, I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. As regards the staff employed in the Ministry of Shipping, I would suggest that ho should communicate with the Shipping Controller

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the amount of feeding stuffs allowed to be imported into Scandinavia and Holland is the reason of the increase in the price of these articles which has now to be paid by British farmers; and, if so, whether measures will be taken to put a stop to the import into Scandinavia and Holland and to cheapen the price in the United Kingdom?

The increased price is due to shortage of supply. The importation of feeding stuffs into the countries named is substantially from other neutral countries, though the ships call here to be searched for any goods destined for enemy countries.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the permits alleged to have been given to the Dingle fishermen for the autumn and winter fishing applied only to a restricted area for row-boats and canoes, and were not given for larger boats, with the result that that fishing season was lost to their owners; whether he is aware that a still wider range is necessary for the spring and summer fishing season; what compensation is to be paid, and when, to those who have lost the past season owing to the restrictions; and whether permits for the wider range will be given for the fishing season now opening or compensation for loss if permits are withheld?

The Department of Agriculture inform me that fishing permits granted by the Admiralty authorities to fishermen on the Dingle peninsula during the winter were given to large and small vessels according to the locality and the kind of fishing pursued. For the spring and summer fishing the Admiralty have granted a still wider range of permit.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the desire there is among the Metropolitan Police to be allowed to confer together from time to time as to their conditions of service and to select a few representatives from their colleagues to put forward any grievances which may arise to the Chief Commissioner on their behalf; and, if so, will he relax the present Regulations and allow at each station the weekly use of a room for this purpose?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave on the 28th February to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for North Islington.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the landlords of the Joyce and O'Malley estate, in the parish of Ross, county Galway, are now willing to surrender their interests in the tenants' holdings and reserved land adjoining now in their possession to the Congested Districts Board in exchange for other suitable land which the Congested Districts Board may have in its possession, and in view of the fact that the tenants on this estate are congested and their holdings so poor that the average rate of their valuation does not exceed 50s., he will use his influence with the Congested Districts Board to have this estate purchased for the benefit of these poor tenants?

The Congested Districts Board are aware of the circumstances mentioned in the question, but are not in a position to offer the owners an exchange. The Board cannot purchase estates at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland to whom should Miss Julia Hannon apply for the return of the sum of £66 19s. 1d., which was taken from her by a Dublin police detective and deposited in the Bridewell Police Station on 11th April, 1916; if he is aware that this money was reported to have been lost whilst in charge of the police; and who is liable for its return to Miss Hannon, who was found not guilty of the charge made against her?

As I told the hon. Member in December last, the police are advised that they are not under any liability in this case.