asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mr. Peter Whelan, Bridgetown, South Wexford, is the owner of a motor car which he runs for hire, and that he is allowed only 18 gallons of petrol a month, whilst he requires about 54 gallons a month; is he aware that Bridgetown has its railway station and is the centre of a large and populous district; that Mr. Whelan's car is frequently required by cattle dealers and horse dealers (sometimes buying for the Army), by the police from the various police barracks around, the coroner, and many others; and, seeing that it frequently happens that the car cannot go out for want of petrol, will he see that Mr. Whelan is supplied with the quantity he requires?

The allotment of petrol in the case referred to by the hon. Gentleman appears to have been made on the same basis as in other similar cases, and, in view of the present necessity for further reduction in consumption, I fear it will not be possible for the Petrol Control Committee to increase the allotment as suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his tive on the Electric Power Committee; and, if so, can he give the name of the person it is intended to appoint?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is in communication with the hon. Gentleman with regard to the second part.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he will give the House the opportunity of acquainting themselves with the Regulations governing the employment of so-called conscientious objectors, and of expressing their approval or non-approval of the same?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of the Regulations by which the pay, food, allowances, and leave of conscientious objectors are regulated?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions. I will answer at the same time question No. 44, standing in the name of the hon. and learned Member for York. I shall be glad to lay upon the Table a copy of the Regulations made by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors for the men employed at their work centres and camps. The Regulations do not deal with food, but instructions were issued in March that the rations suggested by the Food Controller for the civilian population were not to be exceeded.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether those Rules and Regulations permit of the commandeering of football fields for these conscientious objectors?

They do not, Sir.

Owing to the limited reply given by the hon. Gentleman, I propose to call attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether complaints have reached him as to the want of discipline shown by conscientious objectors employed at Dartmoor and elsewhere; whether difficulties have been experienced in enforcing discipline; and whether adequate means exist of insisting that these men who refuse to serve their country shall engage in work of national importance and submit to proper discipline?

Difficulties have occurred and some complaints have been received. As regards Princetown, this may not be very surprising when a new institution employing more than 800 men was being opened. Discipline is improving, and I hope all difficulties will shortly be overcome. The men employed by the Committee have been conditionally released from imprisonment, and the enforcement of discipline depends, in the last resort, on the power to recall to prison or to the Army those who disregard the Regulations.

May I ask the hon. Gentlemen if the men referred to in this question and referred to by the Home Secretary as conscientious objectors are not the men who went before their own local tribunals claiming to be conscientious objectors and were found by those tribunals to be only fake conscientious objectors and were not exempted from military service?

I think the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend, but the men were held by a later tribunal to be conscientious objectors; hence they come under the Home Office.

Will there be a chance of these shirkers being brought into the Service?

That is a matter of policy for the Government and not one for question and answer by me.

Does the hon. Member accept the description of these men as shirkers?

I think it is quite true as regards some of them.

asked the Home Secretary whether, until recently, conscientious objectors employed at Dartmoor and elsewhere were receiving substantially the same rations as soldiers employed on active service at the front; whether he will state the date on which these rations were reduced; and whether any complaints have reached him as to the amount of supplies, in addition to their rations, which are bought by conscientious objectors at Princetown to the detriment of the local residents?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The rations of conscientious objectors are not laid down by Regulation in all cases, but vary according to the locality and the nature of the work to be done. The cost has always been strictly limited and I do not think that in any instance the amounts can have been equal to those given to soldiers on active service: and on the 20th March instructions were given that the rations suggested by the Food Controller for civilians were not to be exceeded. Complaints of the kind referred to in the last part of the question have been received. The Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors are in consultation with the Food Controller on this matter.

Will the Committee consider this: that if these men are allowed to buy an unlimited amount of food it is no use rationing them?

I take quite the same view as my hon. and learned Friend on that point, and I have already called the attention of the Food Controller to the fact that the Home Office consider they have only power to deal by regulation with the amount of food given. As to whether conscientious objectors should be at liberty to buy from the local shopkeepers that is a matter for the Food Controller.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Education Department has yet received information in regard to the arrangements made by the School Board of Auchinleck with regard to the payment of the teachers under the board who are now on active service?

Following upon my hon Friend's previous question on this subject, correspondence has taken place between the Scottish Education Department and the School Board of Auchinleck. The Department expressed their regret that this board, contrary to the practice of the overwhelming majority of school managers throughout the country, declined to make any allowance to teachers who were patriotically performing military service. The school board, however, have confirmed their previous decision not to remunerate these teachers. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Department's last letter to the school board.

Can any pressure by the Department be brought to bear upon a school board which is so misinterpreting what I am certain is the view of its own constituents.

The views of the Department, as my hon. Friend will see from the letter, have been expressed with great clearness and force, but the school board in this matter must judge for itself.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to cases in which a local tribunal has reviewed and varied a certificate of exemption granted by another local tribunal whose holder was fulfilling the conditions imposed by the original tribunal, out of whose area he had moved; and whether any remedy exists to deal with the situation?

An application for the withdrawal or variation of a certificate granted on personal grounds has ordinarily to be made to the tribunal for the area in which the man at the time resides. Under the Regulations made on the 23rd February last, if the certificate has been granted on conscientious grounds, any such application has ordinarily to be made to the tribunal by whom it was granted. I see no reason for any alteration in these provisions.

(by Private Notice) asked whether, in order to prevent great difficulties arising by reason of the withdrawal of medical services in any area, insurance committees or other authorities responsible for the public health, will be allowed a right of appeal against the recent Order calling up medical men, similar to that accorded to individuals?

Each individual affected by the Military Service Acts has got his right of appeal, and a doctor can appeal to a tribunal, who would refer his case to the Central Medical War Committee. The procedure as to the action, if any, which an insurance committee or other authority may take is now being discussed by the Departments concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Committee on Commercial Intelligence has yet reported; and whether the Report will be published?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to publish this most important Report; is it not a fact that there is a Majority and a Minority Report; and does he not think that both of them should be published?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I will bear very carefully in mind what he has suggested, but the matter does not rest entirely in my hands.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a communication from the Petrograd correspondent of the "Times," which appeared on the 11th April, has provoked resentment in Russia as having declared that the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates desires to upset the Provisional Government and to bring about the defeat of the Russian Armies and a dishonourable peace; can he say whether an official statement on the subject has been telegraphed from Petrograd; and, if so, will be give its purport?

The answer to all three parts of the question is in the negative.

Are not statements such as those which are quoted in this question calculated to prejudice relations between this country and the Russian Provisional Government?

We can all form our own opinion on that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the manifesto of Friday, 16th March, announcing the policy of the new Provisional Government of Russia, which contains the declaration of an immediate general amnesty for all political and religious offences, of freedom of speech, of the Press, and of association and labour organisation; and whether he will take steps to restore to Great Britain these same liberties, which the two Republics of Russia and the United States, our Allies, do not regard as incompatible with a condition of war?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affir- mative. As regards the second part, it is not considered that the liberties of this country are, or ever have been, in any danger.

Before this question is answered, Mr. Speaker, may I approach you on a matter of Order? This question appears in a very different form from that in which I gave notice of it, and I want to ask whether the rule which prohibits expressions reflecting on friendly Sovereigns can be held to apply to the King of Greece, having regard to the fact that he is notoriously unfriendly?

Technically, he is a friendly Sovereign.

Are we to be bound by that technicality in face of the notorious facts?

There is no use in insulting neutral Sovereigns.

Then I will ask my question in its new form.

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part the French General Commanding-in-Chief the Allied Forces in Macedonia is taking all necessary steps to deal with the situation.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that deputations from the Irish Cattle Traders and Stock Owners' Association and the South of Ireland Cattle Trade Association interviewed the Chief Secretary respecting the undue detention for ten hours of live stock in Great Britain after arrival, also regarding the absence of electric light in the inspection lairs; and whether any improvement may be expected?

The Department have not so far received any communication from the Chief Secretary on this subject. Should they do so, the matter will be carefully considered with a view to taking any necessary action.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has considered the waste of meat in this scarce time caused by the destruction of partially tuberculised animals; whether he is aware that it has yet to be proved that bovine tuberculosis is communicable to man; whether he is aware that all over Europe such meat is sterilised and fold at a cheaper rate, and that recently this procedure has been adopted in Dundee; and whether he will make inquiries and stop the destruction of such meat?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Though I am not prepared to accept the suggestion in the second part of the hon. Member's question I may say that the whole subject to which he refers is engaging the close attention of the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Food.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let those who are interested in this matter know what is the nature of the report and what inquiries have been made, as thousands of tons of this meat are annually destroyed which might be devoted to human consumption?

I shall be quite prepared to meet the hon. Member if he desires to see me on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that seed potatoes ordered for small holders and allotment holders through county councils by borough and urban district councils have not yet been received by the latter; and, seeing that further delay will make them too late, will he state what steps he proposes to take to expedite the supply and at what date he anticipates obtaining delivery?

A very large proportion, not less than nine-elevenths of the orders placed by public authorities for seed potatoes up to the 15th February, the advertised last day of application to the Board, have already been executed. The remaining orders are being executed as rapidly as possible, and there is no reason to anticipate that the. supplies will not be received in time for planting.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a large number of small plot holders in the City of London who have paid for these seed potatoes and have not yet received them?

We are getting Irish seed over on purpose for them.

asked if steps have been taken to supply the Gorey Workhouse with the supply of artificial manure required for potato sowing?

The Department of Agriculture inform me that they are unable to intervene in this matter. Merchants will not supply the rural district council fertiliser to any authorities but the councils, and the Department have therefore suggested to the guardians of Gorey Union that they should use a mixture of four parts of superphosphate and one part of sulphate of ammonia.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether any licences are now being granted, or have recently been granted, for malting grain; and, if so, for what reasons and to what extent?

Licences are still being granted to make coloured malt for stout and Mack beers up to the extent permitted under the Order restricting the output of beer. Coloured malt has to be freshly made, so that no stocks can be accumulated. Licences are also being granted for the purpose of distilling for munitions, for the manufacture of bread, yeast, vinegar, non-alcoholic beer, biscuits, medicines and chemical foods, and for certain processes in the making of aeroplanes.

Is the grain so being used surplus which is not necessary for food?

No, Sir; I do not think that it can be so properly described.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether 9,600 quarters of grain are still being consumed monthly in producing potable spirit by patent-still distilleries; whether this spirit is still being used for the export trade in gin; and whether the grain so used is surplus grain not needed for the food of our people?

Owing to the increasing requirements of spirit for the manufacture of explosives for war purposes and the essential industrial trades, the use of spirit for the export trade in gin has been very considerably reduced. Actually only about 1,000 quarters, representing 24,000 gallons, have been issued for this purpose during the last three weeks. I propose to confer with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions, with a view to stopping this issue altogether.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether the pot-still distilleries are still working out licences given for the present season, amounting to 8,500,000 proof gallons; how many weeks of the present season remain, and how many gallons of the above 8,500,000 remain to be produced; how many quarters of grain are consumed to produce each 100 gallons; and whether the grain so consumed is surplus grain not needed for the food of the people?

The answer to the first portion of the question is in the affirmative. No general statement can be given as to how many weeks of the present season remain, as the periods vary in the case of each individual distillery. It is not possible to state how many gallons remain to be produced, but, speaking generally, the number is small. At least two-thirds of the pot-still distilleries have completed their whole licensed output for the season. Approximately four quarters of grain is used to produce 100 proof gallons of spirit. The grain required for the manufacture has all been malted, and its diversion, even if practicable, could not affect an appreciable saving.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if it is possible to convert the barley already malted into some form of animal or human food in order to preserve as much as possible our diminishing supply of cereals? Captain BATHURST: As I informed the hon. Member for North-West Durham last Tuesday, malted barley is capable of being used for human food. In point of fact a considerable amount of it is utilised for malt extracts and for infant and invalid foods. The suggestion made would involve putting an end to the production of beer altogether. The Government have not yet come to the conclusion that such a step is necessary or practicable.

May I ask whether the Food Controller did not state in the country in January that it was a question now of bread or beer, and whether it is not desirable that the whole of this malt should be saved for the production of bread?

No doubt that is desirable, but, as I pointed out in reply to a question last week, if brewers' malt were used for bread making the bread so produced would cost at least three times as much as the ordinary loaf.

Is it not cheaper than starving?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman need fear that eventuality at the present time.

Is it really a fact that the amount of barley now preserved represents the present bread rations for over 7,000,000 people for over thirteen weeks?

I cannot answer that without due consideration. I am not a hasty arithmetician.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the quantity of grain now being used monthly in the manufacture of alcohol for munition and other industrial purposes; and if, instead, he will utilise, as has been done in France, stocks of bonded whisky at present in the country for this purpose, which can be made adaptable by redistilling or otherwise without having recourse to the destruction of the necessary food of the people?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether his attention has been directed to the quantity of cereals and other food materials which are being used at present for the manufacture of alcohol for munition purposes; and whether, in view of the opinions of expert chemists that a large quantity of the accumulated stocks of bonded spirits could be employed for that purpose, he will take steps to prevent the further use of food materials for the manufacture of alcohol until the bonded spirits, so far as suitable for the purpose, are exhausted?

The quantity of grain now being used monthly in the manufacture of alcohol for munitions and other industrial purposes is estimated at 120,000 quarters. The suggestion made by the hon. Member has received careful attention. I may, however, point out that the manufacture of alcohol is coincident with the production of yeast required for bread making, and unless the necessary yeast can be provided by other methods it will be difficult to reduce the present limited manufacture of alcohol. Yeast is already scarce for bread making. I am conferring with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions on this subject.

May I ask whether, in the opinion of the experts consulted by his Department, it is not quite possible to manufacture alcohol for munition purposes out of bonded spirits, and whether it would not be possible to make an immediate start with an experiment in the matter?

That is one of the questions which is being discussed this afternoon between the two Departments concerned.

Has not this question now been under consideration for several months, and, having regard to the great shortage of food, is it not desirable to come to a decision at once?

This particular question has not been under discussion for a long time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether, in view of the shortness of food, he will take steps to secure that the Lambourne allotment holdings (which are surrounded by Hainault Forest) shall be protected by wire netting from the ravages of hares and rabbits coming out of the forest?

The Board's' information in this matter shows that these allotments suffer more from the ravages of pigeons than from those of hares and rabbits. A large number of rabbits have been killed in the forest during the past winter, and there are now very few to be found in the vicinity of the allotments, and practically no hares at all. If the information which my hon. and gallant Friend has differs from this I shall be glad to know of it, and to have further inquiry made. In any case, the fencing of so large an area would be needlessly costly, considering the scarcity of wire netting.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the area is not a very big one, but up to now the London County Council have blankly refused to help in the protection of the allotment holders?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me further information, I will make inquiry.

I shall be happy to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if the Enniscorthy Union has been without sugar for some time and that the sickpatients there average 120; seeing that the board of guardians have been in communication with the Sugar Commission for months on the subject, steps will be taken to adjust the matter without further delay; (2) if the committee of the Enniscorthy Asylum have been officially advised that their sugar allowance is fixed at a half-pound per head weekly for their patients and employés; and, if not, will he have the information conveyed to them without delay?

I am informed that the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply, who have been in communication with the contractors to the Enniscorthy Asylum, have now arranged for an emergency supply to the institution pending the settlement of certain unexpected difficulties. As regards the amount of sugar to be supplied, the Royal Commission, as I have stated in reply to a previous question, have already informed the Medical Superintendent that sufficient supplies will be allotted to them to allow ½ lb. a head to the number of patients and employés usually resident in the asylum.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Food Controller has now considered the suggestion made by the Irish party-that there ought to be a representative on the Sugar Commission in Ireland?

Yes, Sir; that has been under the consideration of the Food Controller, and he has been unable, so far, to come to a definite decision on the matter, but he is consulting the Chief Secretary about it.

Will the Food Controller have an early decision arrived at and not wait until all sugar is exhausted before appointing an Irish representative?

Will the hon. Gentleman see that there is no avoidable delay in connection with the supply of sugar to the Enniscorthy Infirmary, and will he say who is responsible for the delay in informing the Enniscorthy Asylum of the decision of the Sugar Commission in relation to the matter?

If the hon. Member will read my answer I think he will find that an emergency supply has already been sent to the asylum. As regards the second part of his supplementary question, the real difficulty in this case is that the contractor to the asylum has quite recently told the Sugar Commission that he is unable to supply this institution with sugar. Of that fact they were not previously aware.

Will the Sugar Commission see that this asylum gets its allowance because it is a matter of extreme urgency?

I am afraid the hon. Member did not note the purport of my answer. The Sugar Commission is anxious and ready to see that the asylum gets its proper supply, and is now taking the necessary steps, which it could not take before owing to local difficulties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the extent to which scholars of Sunday schools in the North of England are deprived of an innocent and long-looked-for pleasure by his decision that Whitsuntide school treats should not be given this year; that there is no reason whatever for the belief on which his decision has apparently been founded, namely, that food will be saved by the prohibition of Whitsuntide Sunday school treats, seeing that all the children who would have been present at the treats in question will have their evening meal on the Whitsuntide treat day at their separate homes, where the total consumption of food in their many thousands of separate homes will not be less, but, on the other hand, will probably be greater, than if all the children of each school had their simple meal, consisting of a bun and tea only; together; and if he will reconsider his decision on this matter?

I am aware that disappointment will be caused by the decision advising the discontinuance of school treats at Whitsuntide, and I should be glad if some form of entertainment could be devised which did not involve the consumption of an unusual quantity of food. The suggestion of the hon. Member that school treats mean merely a simple meal consisting of a bun and tea only is at variance with the evidence before the Department. The Food Controller is not prepared to reconsider his decision in this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received representations from the Deptford Borough Council urging that maximum retail prices should be fixed for all substituted foodstuffs, particularly rice, which are produced within the British Empire; if so, whether consideration has been given to such representations; and with what result?

The representations referred to have been received, and are being carefully considered. There are, however, obvious dangers in a wide extension of the policy of fixing maximum prices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will cause inquiries to be made into the action of the big Irish millers who-have refused to supply any Indian meal to their customers during the past ten days, lest they may be holding up supplies until prices would go up?

As I informed the hon. Member on Thursday, I cannot answer his question satisfactorily unless more particulars are furnished. If he will give me the names of the millers to whom he refers, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland have now two meatless days in the week as against one for any other community; whether representations were made to the Food Controller by many Members of the House of Commons as well as by outside authorities protesting against this discrimination against Catholics; and, until such time as two meatless days are fixed for other communities who can better afford to have additional luxuries, will the Order making Wednesday a meatless day in Ireland be cancelled?

I am aware that Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland, who habitually take their meals in the more expensive public eating places, have now two meatless days; but such persons constitute, I imagine, a comparatively small part of the Roman Catholic population. The representations made to the Food Controller on this point were of a divergent character. The intention in fixing a day other than Friday was that all sections of the community should be asked to make a similar sacrifice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if any Irish representatives were consulted when the prices for butter were fixed last week; if so, who they were; (2) if any Irish bacon curers were consulted when the prices for bacon came up for revision last week; and, if so, who they were?

The answer to these questions is in the affirmative. I am sending the hon. Member the names of the Irish representatives present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the case of schools at which numbers of children are resident, where it has been found impossible to obtain from local shops the regulation supply of sugar; and whether, in view of the fact that a certain amount of sugar is a necessary element in the diet of children, he can undertake that in such cases which are brought to his notice arrangements will be made to secure the ration of sugar to which the children are entitled under the regulations?

The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply are prepared to consider cases of hardship of this kind, and have already taken action in regard to several schools.

Has not the hon. Gentleman received a letter which I sent him several days ago, upon which this question is based, indicating the case of a particular school, and asking that attention should be given to it?

That is so. I had hoped that long before this the school in question would have received the supply. I will investigate the matter.

asked the right hon. Member for West Essex, as representing the Kitchen Committee, if he will consent to an additional allowance of bread being given to Members of this House who take tea, bread, and butter for lunch instead of a meat lunch?

I regret that I am unable to comply with the wishes of the hon. Member.

Does the hon. Member consider it fair that he and other members of the Kitchen Committee, as well as the great body of Members of the House, should visit the luncheon room and have meat, vegetables, soup, and the same amount of bread as a person who only has a cup of tea with his lunch?

I have only to say that the moment I allow a sort of fancy franchise in connection with the question of bread, it will upset the whole rationing order.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of asking some caterer in the City to come in and give us enough to eat, at least on fair terms with the people who have £5,000 or £6,000 a year, and do away with the Kitchen Committee?

I am trying to comply, as I am sure the House is, with the wishes of the Food Controller.

asked why none of the lands of the Heffernan estate, Ratheernie, Athboy, and the lands of Adanstown, Athboy, both in Meath, have not been tilled?

If the hon. Member will supply the Department of Agriculture with particulars as to the lands referred to inquiry will be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a landowner named W. B. Parr holds 2,000 acres near Athboy, county Meath, and has only tilled 15 acres himself, 35 acres more of the land being tilled by a sawmill owner; has Parr been excused from tilling 5 per cent. of his land for each of five brood mares; and what penalty, if any, is to be inflicted on him for not fully complying with the tillage regulations?

I am informed that Mr. Parr holds much less than 2,000 acres, and that he has tilled more than the area stated; also that his thoroughbred stock is much more numerous than stated. He has not been treated exceptionally as regards exemption of portion of his land for stud farm purposes.

How many horses has he been exempted for?

I dare say that the hon. Member knows that better than I do.

Did the inspector who visited this man's estate count the number of mares?

asked whether all the tenants on Sir John Dillon's Cardistown estate, county Meath, have got their vesting orders; whether a man named Becket who got a farm on the property has had the farm vested in him; if so, whether he has let the farm for eleven months; whether he has done any tillage on the farm; and, if not, why not?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The tenanted portion of the estate is the subject of proceedings for direct sale by the owner to the tenants, and Purchase Agreements have been lodged, and will be dealt with in their order of priority. The owner also sold some untenanted land to the Estates Commissioners, and the allottees have signed Purchase Agreements for allotments which will be vested in them in due course. Mr. Becket was allotted portion of the untenanted land in consideration of surrendering lands held by him in Connaught to the Congested Districts Board for the relief of congestion. I have no information as to the other matters referred to in the question, except that Mr. Becket is arranging to carry out his proportion of extra tillage on lands which he occupies in county Mayo.

Is the arrangement to carry out the rules 011 this farm in Meath?

No; but on other lands which he occupies.

(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the action of the Food Controller in fixing certain maximum prices for British wheat, barley, and oats has been followed in a number of places by a refusal of the farmers and dealers to sell the grain at these prices; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in view of the urgency of the situation?

I am informed that a few farmers and dealers have refused for the time being to sell their grain at the prices fixed by the recent Order, but it is not anticipated that this will continue. If it does the Food Controller will not hesitate to commandeer the stocks so withheld from public use.

Will the hon. Member publish a list of the names of persons who refuse to sell under these conditions?

I doubt whether such a list would be obtainable, and, if it were, I doubt whether good would result.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he has made inquiries with reference to the possibility of utilising some of the disused stores and factories at Mountmellick, Queen's County, for the purpose of establishing a munitions factory; and, seeing that this town is within fifty miles of Dublin, with which it is connected by both rail and canal, he will give the project his careful consideration?

This matter has received further careful consideration, and I regret that it has been found impracticable to utilise these buildings in the mariner suggested.

asked the Minister of Munitions the number of applications for renewal of licences at the recent Licensing Courts in Scotland in which it appeared that the applicant had been in breach of the regulations issued by he Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), and the number of licences refused in con sequence of breach of the regulations?

My right hon. Friend has requested me to reply to this question. I regret that I am not in a position to give the information desired by my hon. and learned Friend; and I doubt whether it would be possible to obtain it, as breach of a regulation may not be the sole reason for refusing a licence.

May I ask whether the Liquor Board of Control have not got a note of all these cases. and whether it would not be possible to obtain the information from them?

I will inquire.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether, having regard to the modifications recently outlined in the scheme of National Service, it is now intended that all miners at present engaged in the production of coal should enrol as volunteers under the scheme, or whether an appeal will be made to miners to volunteer for specific work in connection with which their services can be at once utilised?

Miners have been invited to enrol as National Service Volunteers, to be available for transfer, in emergency, to other districts, but at their own occupation. If it is thought desirable later to supplement the general appeal, specific appeals will be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a man who registered at Bournemouth as a national volunteer, and was interviewed by the official at the local Employment Exchange on the 22nd February, has not been placed in work; will he explain the cause of the delay; and whether six weeks may be taken as the average period taken to place a man in work after enrolment?

Will the hon. Gentleman please repeat the question to-morrow?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have already repeated it?

Will the hon. Gentleman repeat it to-morrow?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service the number of paid and unpaid staff employed at St. Ermin's on the Ministry of National Service; and the estimated yearly cost of the paid staff?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cavan West on the 19th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether the Department has other offices in London besides St. Ermin's; if so, how many and where they are situated; and the number of paid and unpaid staff employed in them and the estimated yearly cost of the paid staff?

The National Service Department has no other offices in London besides St. Ermin's. If my hon. Friend desires it, I will send him a list of the offices outside St. Ermin's occupied by London Sub-Commissioners, but I may say that where these have found it necessary to take office accommodation and engage staff the cost has not so far in any case exceeded £2 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to say what facilities are afforded to American citizens who are convicts in this country for alleged political offences for communicating with the American Government for the purpose of obtaining its protection and assistance in establishing and making effective any rights they may have as American citizens; and what means are afforded to them for assuring themselves that any such communications transmitted through the British Secretary of State really reach the American Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which were given to him on the 27th and 29th March.

The hon. Gentleman has not noticed that I asked him whether the convict has any means of ascertaining whether his communication reaches its destination?

If a convict desires to-make representations as to his conviction or treatment, he must address his representation to the Home Secretary.

Has he any means of ascertaining whether the communication reaches America?

He must, in the first instance, address his communication to-the Home Secretary.

asked the Pensions Minister if he has now completed a scheme of pensions for disabled officers, and when he hopes to submit this to the House of Commons; and if any arrange- ments are in contemplation for the vocational training of such disabled officers as may desire it?

I hope to submit a draft revision of the Royal Warrants for officers pensions to the House. It is proposed to provide in this Warrant for the support of an officer while undergoing training which, in the opinion of the Minister, would benefit him and for payment of the fees on account of it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the article in respect of which the foreign circulation of the "Nation" newspaper was suppressed was republished by the "Pall Mall Gazette" last week; and whether he has taken or proposes to take any action?

No, Sir, it is not proposed to take any action.

Is not the article as dangerous in the "Pall Mall Gazette" as in the "Nation"?

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the suppression of the foreign circulation of the "Nation" newspaper has been justified on the ground that the Commander-in-Chief in France wrote personally saying that it was most discouraging to the soldiers that things of this kind should be published, whether he will publish the letter referred to?

The answer is in the negative.

Is it because it is stated from France that no request was made from headquarters to have the foreign circulation of the "Nation" suppressed?

If such a statement was made, it was quite untrue.

In whose hands does the decision of such a policy as this lie, as we have the statement of the Prime Minister that he was entirely ignorant when the actual action was taken?

Can my hon. Friend produce the letter from headquarters in France asking for this edition to be suppressed?

I cannot add anything to what I have said.

Are we to understand that no such letter exists?

It does not exist.

It does exist.

Is it because the letter was in reply to one suggesting such a course to the Commander-in-Chief in France?

No; that is equally untrue.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to give consideration in any manner to the question of British and Imperial weights and measures and the decimalisation of British coinage after the War; and, if so, whether he will appoint a small Commmittee, as a Sub-Committee of the Reconstruction Committee or other wise, to consider and report to him upon this question?

This matter falls within the terms of reference to Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Sub-Committee of the Reconstruction Committee on Commercial Policy, and I am informed that this Committee is considering the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the representatives from India on the Imperial War Council have been consulted as regards the decision of the Government to introduce a Bill which would contain a provision for the extension of the franchise to women; and if he can state the views of the representatives of India as to the effect of that extension of the franchise to women in the United Kingdom is likely to have in that country?

No, Sir; the representatives of India have not been consulted on this question of the domestic policy of Great Britain.

Is it not a fact that India is in a different position from the Colonies?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution passed on 4th April by the Convention of Royal Burghs in Scotland, representing all the burghs of Scotland, in favour of the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of alcohol during the continuance of the War and the period of demobilisation; and whether, having regard to the terms of this resolution and to the 550 petitions and resolutions forwarded to the Government and to the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), and the 200 petitions presented to Parliament, by public meetings of citizens, public bodies, local authorities, churches, and other organisations in Scotland in favour of prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicants during the War, he is now prepared to give effect to the declared wishes of the Scottish people on this question?

The Prime Minister has received the resolution referred to. I fear I can add nothing to the answers which I have already given on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very widespread dissatisfaction in Scotland at the inactivity of the Government in this matter, and does he think it is right to ignore public opinion coming from such bodies as the Convention of Royal Burghs, representing all sections of opinion in Scotland?

No, I am not aware of the feeling to which the hon. Member refers, but it is obvious that this cannot be carried any further by question and answer.

I shall raise the question on the Adjournment on a very early date.

Has the Cabinet yet come to a decision with regard to the whole question of State purchase?

They have not come to any decision on the subject.

When is there a likelihood of the Government coming to a decision on the question, as the universal opinion of all sane minds in this country and in Ireland is in favour of State purchase?

I am sorry I cannot make any statement as to the time when a decision will be made, but if the hon. Member is right there are a great many insane minds in this country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Quartermaster General has issued an Order requiring from all owners of horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and pigs a return by 1st May of such animals, with particulars regarding them, as well as of agricultural implements; why it is necessary to subject the civil population to a military Order of this character, particularly at a time when all their energies are occupied in putting in their crops; and whether the Board of Agriculture could furnish the War Office with all the information on the subject which is necessary?

The Order has been issued as a compulsory Order under the Defence of the Realm Regulations for important purposes which concern several Government Departments. It was issued by the War Office merely for convenience of procedure.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the official control of the Press which has been established, he will take steps, in the interests of man-power and paper economy, to suspend the publication of controlled news papers and issue as a substitute an official sheet of communications from the various Departments?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether he will have placed in the Library copies of all official directions that may be issued to the Press?

The suggestion is not one which could be adopted by the Government.

Would it not be advisable to endeavour to inform hon. Members of the instructions given to the Press as to what they are to tell their readers?

No; obviously it would be both inconvenient and undesirable.

Can we be assured that the authority which exercises this control is really a responsible authority and not a military officer acting on the whim of the moment?

It is a responsible authority and not a military authority.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will extend an invitation to the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council at Petrograd to send a delegation to great Britain so that they may learn first hand of the sympathy of the British workers with the revolution, and that an exchange of views may take place for promoting closer relations among the international proletariat and the prosecution of common aims?

A complimentary mission has already been sent by British labour to Russia for the purpose of expressing the sympathy of the British workers with those of Russia and of promoting closer relations in their mutual cooperation to defeat the common enemy.

Is the Noble Lord aware that no mission, complimentary or otherwise, has been sent to Russia on behalf of British labour, and that the only mission which has been sent is one sent by the Government to carry out the Government's policy?

No; I am not aware of the truth of that statement, which appears to me to be altogether at variance with the facts.

By whom was this complimentary delegation selected?

I am told by the representatives of labour.

Will the Noble Lord consider the desirability of inviting representatives of free Russia to come over and consider the government of Ireland?

I do not think I should like to impose that burden on anyone.

Would the Noble Lord mind answering my question on the Paper, to which he has made no reference, whether the Government will invite representatives to confer with British labour?

I have already explained what action the Government has taken. It appears to me to be an answer to what the hon. Member asks.

Will not the Noble Lord consider the question of inviting to this country a delegation from Russia so that we can know the views at first hand of the Russian people?

I shall consider any suggestion made by any hon. Member, and I will consider that.

Will the Noble Lord consider my suggestion?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing need for economy in food, the Government will now take steps to prohibit the use of foodstuffs in the manufacture-of intoxicating drinks?

I have been asked to reply. As I informed the hon. Member for North-East Lanarkshire on 28th March, the manufacture, from barley or any other cereals, of any malt suitable for use in the brewing of beer has been prohibited since the 20th February last. As regards the use of grain in the making of potable spirits, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers just given to previous questions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Government is lagging behind public opinion in this country?

Has any other licence been issued since 20th February for the malting of grain, and is any additional allowance to be made in respect of the request put forward by the Army Council for beer for the Army?

I think I must have notice of that question?

Did not the hon. Gentleman tell me just now that licences for the malting of grain are still being issued?

I said licences for the production of certain malt for certain industrial purposes were being issued. This question is directed to the production of malt for brewing purposes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the Supreme Council of the Irish Nation League a resolution demanding that the treatment of Mr. John MacNeill and the other Irish prisoners of war in England shall be such as should be given to prisoners of war by a civilised people; and what action he has taken or intends to take towards complying with that demand?