asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the commercial and educational advantages of the metric system of weights and measures and a decimal system of coinage, he will take preparatory steps to enable this reform to be adopted in the United Kingdom after the War, availing himself of the presence of the Dominion representatives to secure an Imperial agreement on the subject?

It is not likely that it will be possible for the Imperial War Conference to consider this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in Dublin the liability of owners of house property to pay 5s. Income Tax in the £ on the valuation of their property on the 1st of January in each year, or in default to suffer immediate distress, constitutes a hardship in view of the fact that they are liable to pay their second moiety of taxes to the Dublin Corporation or the townships before the 1st of March and their head rents before Lady Day, whereas they rarely receive any rents from their own tenants between the end of October and the end of April; whether he will consider the propriety of allowing owners to pay this Income Tax in two instalments, as in the case of the tax on earned incomes; and whether he will give directions that in future the provision whereby house owners whose total incomes are under £500 or £l,000 are only liable to pay 3s. or 3s. 6d., respectively, in the £ on the valuation shall appear printed conspicuously on the demand note served on the 1st January?

The law governing the payment of Income Tax (Schedule A) in one instalment is of general application, and I do not see my way at present to alter it. The difficulties which in 1915 rendered it impracticable to apply to Schedule A the provisions for the collection of* Income Tax by two instalments are even more serious under present day conditions. The demand note already provides specially for the deduction from the Schedule A charge of the relief to the owner under Section 26 of the Finance Act, 1916 (where due and not otherwise allowed). Claims for the allowance of this relief by deduction as an alternative to repayment are, of course, lodged before 1st January, when payment of the tax is due.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the work recently imposed upon banks in connection with the issue of the National War Loan he will consider the suggestion that the Saturday following Good Friday may be included as one of the Bank Holidays at Easter?

Proclamations will be issued in Great Britain and Ireland respectively making Saturday, 7th April, a Bank Holiday, but it is not intended that it should be kept as a general holiday.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) if he will state why the application of James Molloy, Lackenagh, Burtonport, county Donegal, for a supplemental old age pension has been refused seeing that he is held entitled to the maximum amount of the original sum of 5s. a week, and that his income is stated to consist in the profits of a farm valued at 30s. per annum and the interest of £150 from the Post Office Savings Bank, from which he has to keep his wife, two daughters, and himself?

The Government's scheme for the grant of additional allowances to old age pensioners who are suffering special hardship owing to the War provides that the amount of the additional allowance shall in no case exceed such sum, within a maximum of 2s. 6d. a week, as will raise the money value of the means (including the pension money) to £l a week in the case of married couples, or in other cases to 13s. a week. Where the means (including the pension money) already amount to these limits, the pensioners are not eligible for the grant of any allowance. In the case of James Molloy the local Pension Sub-Committee refused an allowance on the ground that the pensioner was ineligible on means.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds was James Curran, of Menalig, Cloghan, Strabane, county Donegal, deprived of his pension, in view of the fact that he and his sister jointly occupy a farm, the valuation of which is only £8 10s., and that she has already been refused a pension; and does he maintain that a farm of the valuation named is sufficient to support two old people in comfort without the assistance of the pension?

James Curran's old age pension has been revoked by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that his means now exceed the statutory limit. The farm in question to which he and his sister succeeded on the death of an elder brother is one of about 130 acres, and is stocked with sheep and cattle.

asked why Stephen and Ellen Hayes, of Ballydorgan, Fermoy, who were applicants for an old age pension, were refused the same by the Local Government Board, although the pension officer recommended them for 3s. each and the committee for 5s.; and, as any maintenance they had has now disappeared, will the pension be granted?

The claims of Stephen and Ellen Hayes, of Ballydorgan, Fermoy, were disallowed on the ground that the value of their maintenance and privileges exceeded £31 10s. a year each. They are entitled to support on a good farm which they assigned to a son-in-law in 1911. The inspector, who visited these old people, reported that he found some 39 to 40 acres of splendid land, and that there were l½ acres of potatoes, 7 to 9 acres of oats, 2 acres of roots, four cows, five yearling calves, one mare, pigs and fowl. Since the assignment was made Ellen Hayes has had four claims disallowed and Stephen Hayes one, and fresh claims from each are now before the Local Government Board. It is urged that they have left the farm above referred to on account of a disagreement with their son-in-law and have gone to live with another son-in-law. This is probably in the hope of qualifying for a pension, but, even if the disagreement is genuine, it does not constitute a reason for granting these pensions in view of the support to which they are entitled.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will furnish a list of the names of the doctors whose appointments the Local Government Board have refused to sanction on the ground that they were of military age, and of the boards by whom they were appointed?

One case, that of Rath-down, has reached a definite issue between the Local Government Board and the guardians, and is, as I am informed, to be the subject of legal proceedings. Other cases have arisen, of which I have not particulars at present.

asked whether, as the military authorities have taken over Marlborough Hall, which was used as a residence for students in the National Education Training College, special allowances have been made for the purpose of meeting the increased cost of maintenance of the students, or, in the alternative, what arrangements have been made for housing the students while the Hall remains in the possession of the military?

The Commissioners of National Education have been informed that any expense necessarily incurred in the transfer of the students and staff of Marlborough Hall to other premises and the provision of other accommodation will be met out of public funds. Arrangements are at present being made for housing the students in other suitable premises.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Dublin Metropolitan Police were embodied as an un- armed force; if the men were not required to undergo instruction in the use of the rifle until last year; if he is aware that, contrary to the conditions under which the men joined the force, efforts have been made to compel them to engage in rifle practice; if, in pursuance of the reconstruction of the force as an armed body, a number of rifles and a quantity of ammunition were brought into the various police stations some time after the Easter week disturbances and were subsequently taken away again; if at the same time the revolvers which the men on special duty were served out with were also taken away; if recently the revolvers were again served out to the men on special duty and rifles and ammunition again stored in the various stations; if he will state the reason for this new departure and under what authority the arming of the force has been carried out; and if he is aware that the men resent being turned into a semi-military body, and that consequently discontent has been engendered?

Since the establishment of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force the arms and accoutrements of the men have been in the discretion of the Commissioners by Statute. I am not prepared to give information as to how the men have been or are armed. I am not aware of the suggested discontent and I know of no good reason for discontent.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Constable Myles, E Division, was wounded on Easter Monday at Rathmines, Dublin, and that his comrades, Constables Grace and Dolan, rendered first aid; that both were complimented by Dr. Joyce, 26, Rathmines Road, who stated that the wounded constable would have bled to death were it not for the prompt action of Constables Dolan and Grace; is he aware that Sergeant Haugh is recommended for the King's Medal in recognition of his services to Constable Myles; will he state by whom Sergeant Haugh was recommended, if the medal has been issued, and whether Sergeant Haugh was near the wounded constable: if he is aware that the constables have lodged a report to Chief-Superintendent Dunne, and that they have been threatened that, if the reports were lodged, it would place them in a serious position; and what he proposes doing in the matter?

Constable Myles was wounded at Portobello Bridge by a shot fired by the rebels upon 24th April, 1916. First aid was rendered to him by Constable Grace who was afterwards assisted by Constable Dolan in taking him to hospital. Constable Grace, on the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner, has been granted a certificate of honour by the Committee of the Irish Constabulary and Police Recognition Fund. Constable Dolan's action was deemed commendable and is noted to his credit. Sergeant Haugh has received the medal for conspicuous bravery under exposure to rebel fire on the same occasion, as recommended by the Chief Commissioner. Sergeant Haugh was near the wounded constable. Reports were lodged with Chief Superintendent Dunne by Constables Grace and Dolan. No threats were made. I do not needlessly interfere in the internal administration of the police, and I am confident I ought not to be induced to do so by suggestions published by way of questions in Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the results of his inquiries into the state of health of the soldiers at Lither-land, Park Hall, and Kinmel Park camps, and the adequacy of the medical staff and of the hospital accommodation of such camps?

There has undoubtedly been an outbreak of sickness at these camps, but I would remind my hon. Friend that during the recent abnormally severe weather no section of the population has escaped. At Kinmel Park a medical inspection shows that the prevalent illness was influenza in character. Huts are reported clean, well-ventilated and dry, and there is no overcrowding. There is hospital accommodation for 600 patients, and extra beds have been equipped in huts. There have been thirteen deaths. At Litherland the state of the camp is reported as satisfactory; the latrines and wash-houses are clean and in good order. During February and the first half of March the average admissions to hospital have been 5.5 per day. There have been seven deaths. At Park Hall the illness has also been a form of influenzal pneumonia, which decreased at once on the advent of warmer weather. Special instructions were issued to disinfect huts where there had been cases of disease, and further precautions were taken to ensure, as far as possible, the health of the troops. I shall be glad to furnish my hon. Friend with fuller particulars

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many holders of allotments are volunteers and are being compelled to attend volunteer drills on Saturdays and Sundays, the only days available for work on their allotments; and whether he will confer with the Board of Agriculture with a view to issuing immediate instructions that volunteer drills be not allowed to interfere with such work as must be done on the land during the next few weeks?

There is no compulsion upon volunteers to attend drills on Saturdays and Sundays. They must perform a certain number of drills under certain conditions, but this should not appreciably interfere with their week-ends. I would remind my hon. Friend that there ought to be time for both forms of activity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in cases where a soldier, of whatever rank, needing medical treatment, desires to be treated by a properly qualified osteopath who is a member of the British Osteopathic Association, he will be given permission to be so treated without risk to his position, pay, or pension?

Soldiers in hospital are treated by the medical and surgical staffs appointed for the purpose, and this treatment is supervised by the consulting surgeons. No others are allowed to treat patients.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on a number of officers of Volunteer Corps by the new Regulation which makes the wearing of khaki uniforms, in place of the grey-green worn by officers prior to the issue of the Regulation, imperative; and whether, having regard to the fact that many of these officers have given time and money to promote the efficiency of their battalions and, as a consequence of the War, have suffered financial loss in their businesses, a reasonable sum of money for new outfits will be granted to those who have been officers in their battalions during twelve months prior to the issue of the new Regulation?

The wearing of khaki uniform clothing is not compulsory. Permission to do so was given on receipt of numerous representations that it would be economical for ex-officers of the Regulars and Territorial Force who already possessed it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an aeroplane known as RE 7 is still employed for offensive work; when was the order first placed for this type; how many were ordered: how many have been delivered; and whether it is proposed to take delivery of the balance, or whether the orders have been cancelled and the contractors compensated, so that they may apply their labour to more productive work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; to the second third and fourth parts that it is not in the interest of the country that details of this kind should be published; and to the last part of the question that deliveries of this machine ceased some time ago.

asked what is the total number of aeroplanes which have been ordered by the Royal Flying Corps since the outbreak of war, and what is the total number of machines which have been used for active service training purposes, respectively?

It would not be in the interests of the country to give this information.

asked when the Order for RE 8s was placed; what number was ordered; how many have been delivered; whether any serious accidents have happened to the pilots flying these machines; and, if so, to what reason are these accidents attributed; whether it was intended to employ these machines upon active service against the enemy; and, if not, for what purpose were they ordered?

Contracts for the aeroplane referred to have been placed at various dates, but it is not desirable to publish the numbers of machines ordered or delivered. Several fatal accidents have happened to pilots flying this machine, the majority of which have been attributed by the Courts of Inquiry to some error of judgment on the part of the pilot. The machine is not an easy one to fly, but its qualities render it of great value for service in the field, where it is now employed in considerable numbers. The possibility of structural alteration is the type is receiving the fullest consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total number of aeroplanes which have been ordered by the Royal Naval Air Service since the outbreak of War and what is the total number of machines which have been used for active-service training purposes respectively?

I must decline to give the numbers asked for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what type of machine is employed for the training of pilots for land flying in the Royal Naval Air Service in the early stages?

The machines employed for the purpose are principally Avro and Maurice Farman type.

asked what types of machines are now employed for the training of pilots in the Royal Flying Corps in the early stages?

Maurice Farmans and Grahame-White aeroplanes are used for elementary training.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a vacancy exists in the telegraph branch, Dublin Post Office, in the assistant superintendents, Class 2, three vacancies in the overseers class, in addition to two of the same class on military service, leaving an actual shortage of five in that class; whether similar vacancies in Great Britain have been filled, and, if so, why this differentiation is made in the case of Ireland; and whether one assistant supervisorship (female) has been abolished and a chief superintendent, chief female supervisor, and an assistant superintendent, Class 1, retained in the service after reaching the retiring age, thereby retarding the promotion of those entitled to it by merit and service?

It is the case that certain of the vacancies which have arisen during the War on the supervising grades in the Telegraph Office at Dublin have been left unfilled, the altered conditions of the traffic admitting for the present of a reduction in the supervising staff. Similar vacancies at many offices in Great Britain remain unfilled for the same reason. In present circumstances a large number of Post Office servants are being retained beyond the age of sixty, which is that of permissive retirement; and I am not prepared to require efficient officers to retire on reaching the age of sixty merely in order to increase the flow of promotion. This was not done even in peace time.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, whether he is aware that none of the four directors of agriculture appointed in Wales are Welshmen or have any knowledge of the Welsh language; and whether with a view of securing the co-operation of the Welsh people, he will see that those appointed as his sub-agents are conversant with the language of the people and not of another nationality?

The Agricultural Commissioner for Wales is Welsh born and Welsh speaking. Of the three Agricultural Sub-Commissioners, one is Welsh hon and the other two have been resident in Wales for many years. All these gentlemen are believed to foe able to understand the Welsh language sufficiently for the performance of their duties.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that in the recent reorganisation scheme of the Irish prisons service a definite statement is made to the effect that the pay will govern the grade in which men are to be placed; why some officers who have hitherto been in receipt of £10 or £15 extra annually for special duties, and who have long service (from twenty to thirty years), have been placed in the third or lowest class, and junior officers with less than twenty years' service placed over them in Class II.; will he see that this grievance is remedied in the case of long-service and well-con-ducted officers; whether, in view of the fact that ordinary warders who have no allowances for special duties have by the new scheme received an addition of £8 to £10 in their pensionable emolument, he will explain why it is proposed that in the case of some officers in receipt of £10 or £15 pensionable allowance for trades or other special duties to stop this allowance as a pensionable emolument and substitute a non-pensionable hourly rate for these duties; does this system exist in England; and will he have the matter again submitted to His Majesty's Lords of the Treasury and the Irish and English prisons services assimilated?

I expect to deal with this matter in Ireland during the coming Recess.

asked why married warders occupying prison dwelling-houses receive 1s. 6d. per week more than married warders quartered outside the prison; why the allowance for coal and light has been taken from married warders and continued to single warders; and if it is intended to remedy these grievances?

I expect to deal with this matter in Ireland during the coming Recess.

asked whether Irish prison warders with twenty years' service, who by good conduct had gained their maximum salary under the old scale of pay, are now compelled to accept the minimum scale of pay under the new 6ystem; and if all warders whose conduct and service entitle them to the maximum scale will be paid at that rate and receive arrears of pay from the date of the introduction of the new scheme?

No officer was compelled to accept the new scale of pay. The General Prisons Board are not quite clear what class of officer is referred to in the question. In the case of an ordinary warder of twenty years' service, on the maximum salary of the old scale, who was offered and accepted a promotion to Class II. wardership, he entered that class at the point on the new scale to which his old salary, plus the increase in salary sanctioned by the Treasury, brought him if this was higher than the minimum. If this sum was lower than the minimum, he entered at the minimum even more to his advantage.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if moneys authorised by the Treasury to be applied to the payment of special increments earned by second division clerks in the Irish Land Commission in the year 1916 were not so applied, and, if so, under what circumstances such moneys were not so applied; how were they disposed of; and in what other Government Departments in Ireland was a similar practice followed?

The Treasury have consented to advance by way of special increment, under Clause 33 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, the salary of certain second division clerks serving in the Irish Land Commission. The increments will date as from 1st July, 1916. Similar increments have been sanctioned in other Departments in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that it is the practice of his Department to invite applications from members of the Metropolitan Police Force to fill vacancies in the Colonial police ser-vice; whether such invitations are con- fined to the Metropolitan Police; and, if so, will he for the future give the members of provincial police forces an opportunity of applying for these positions?

The procedure adopted for filling vacancies in Colonial police forces has varied according to circumstances. At times such vacancies have been advertised in the Press; at others applications have been invited from one or more police forces. Occasionally, for special reasons, the Metropolitan Police Force or the Royal Irish Constabulary alone have been approached, but I shall be glad, whenever possible, to consider applications from suitable candidates belonging to other forces.