asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that meetings have recently been held by aliens of Russian birth at which resolutions acclaiming the recent establishment of a republic in Russia, while protesting against any infringement of their right of asylum in this country and of freedom from military service, were passed; and will our Government convey to the Republic of Russia a request that she should immediately claim for service those of her subjects who have hitherto deemed themselves to be political refugees; (2) whether he is aware that numbers of Russian subjects have become resident in this country through an alleged desire to escape military service and the rigours of autocratic government; and has he any information as to the numbers of these men who, now that a system of republican government has been established in Russia, have taken advantage of the special facilities offered them to enrol and fight for their country; and (3) whether he is aware of the resentment felt in many parts of the Metropolis at the continued inability of the Government to make liable for military service in one shape or another the 25,000 alien subjects of military age who are estimated to be resident in East London alone, and who are occupying the places and acquiring the businesses of British subjects called to the Colours; and has he any statement to make with regard to negotiations on the matter between the Government and the Russian Republic?

His Majesty's Government are fully aware of all the various aspects of this matter, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that all possible steps are being taken to reach an agreement with the Russian Government as to the best use to be made in the interests of the Alliance of Russian subjects of military age in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, the Government having established the principle that excess profits consequent upon a state of war were in part due to the State, he will also establish the corollary that diminished profits arising out of acts of the Government to sustain the war should in part be borne by the Government; and, if so, whether, having regard to the fact that the licensed traders of Ireland have been deprived of three-fourths of their income, the State will, out of excess profits collected, repair their losses?

The Government cannot admit the principle with regard to diminished profits stated in the first part of the question; as regards the second part, I can add nothing to the reply given by the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for West Belfast on the 17th April.

asked when and under what conditions the Government propose to make a statement to the House on the subject of man-power?

I think this subject had best be discussed in a private sitting of the House, and I hope to be able to give the date of this Session by the end of this week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the purchases of sugar during the year 1916 by the Sugar Commission, giving the dates, amounts, names of sellers, and other material particulars?

I have been asked to reply. This return is in course of preparation, and will be issued without delay.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the facts that two weeks ago a number of vessels leaving the port of Dublin with cargoes of swede turnips for England were turned back by patrol boats, the reason given being the presence of German U-boats in Dublin Bay; that as a result the price of swede turnips in Dublin fell from 4s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. a cwt.; and, in view of these things, whether he will publish weekly lists of the quantities of foodstuffs exported from Ireland to England and the quantities purchased for the feeding of the English troops stationed in Ireland?

I have no information to the effect suggested in the first part of the question. It is not proposed to publish lists such as those mentioned in the second part.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether the Department of Agriculture and the Advisory Committee received an application from a local body that part of the ranch of Cruicetown, county Meath, should be given for tillage to small holders and protesting against it being given in large tracts to extensive landholders; and what action has or will be taken?

Such a resolution was received by the Department of Agriculture. The occupier of the land is, I am informed, complying with the Defence of the Realm Regulations as regards compulsory tillage.

asked whether, having regard to the need for conacre land for food-producing purposes, such as milk, corn, and potatoes, in the neighbourhood of the Wade estate, Clonabraney, county Meath, the Estates Commissioners will make an appeal to the patriotism of the present grazing tenant, Mr. Wilson, to release the lands in order that they may be used to avert hunger next winter?

The Estates Commissioners are themselves cultivating such portion of the lands on this estate as they consider desirable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that farmers in the Cahirciveen district have increased their tillage in response to the public appeal made to them, but owing to the restriction of the output of artificial manures to 75 per cent. of last year's output, they are unable to obtain the necessary manures; what steps are now being taken to render available for these farmers the necessary amount of manures, without which the extra tillage undertaken will be of no avail; and whether he can name a date on which the necessary extra supplies will be supplied to the Cahirciveen and other merchants?

The Department of Agriculture are aware that the supply of artificial manures is not sufficient to meet the demand, owing to the restriction of imports. The matter is receiving close attention, but it is impossible to name an exact date for the supply of particular demands.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that there are willing and competent tillers of land in North Meath, he will now give the hon, Member for the constituency a list of the defaulters and the acreage in order that the full complement prescribed may be utilised for food-producing purposes?

I am informed that in all cases in which the Department of Agriculture find it necessary to enter on the land of an owner for failure to comply with the compulsory Tillage Regulations the circumstances are made public. The action proposed in the question is therefore unnecessary.

asked whether the Department of Agriculture has made any rules or issued any leaflets indicating the course to be pursued where farmers are anxious to form a co-operative society for the purchase of farming implements; and, if not, will they do so at the earliest opportunity?

No documents of the kind referred to have been issued by the Department of Agriculture. Co-operative societies are in operation under the rules issued by the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, and the Department do not propose to issue such rules. Under the loan scheme for purchase of agricultural implements a number of individuals may join together in obtaining a loan, an individual being responsible for repayment, with others as sureties.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can state the number of quarters of wheat and oats which were produced in the United King-dom, during the years 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916; and what was the average price for wheat and oats for the seven months beginning on the first day of September, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916?

The production of wheat and oats in the United Kingdom in the years 1912 to 1916 were as follows:

—		Wheat.	Oats.
		Quarters.	Quarters.
1912	…	7,175,288	20,600,079
1913	…	7,087,050	20,660,279
1914	…	7,804,041	20,663,537
1915	…	9,239,355	22,808,395
1916	…	7,471,884	21,333,782

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether note is being kept that, to provide turf fuel for next winter, preparations should be made at the beginning of next month; and whether people living in the neighbourhood of bogs in county Meath, if they make application, will have their necessities considered, and to whom should they apply?

The County Committees of Agriculture have been asked to direct the attention of owners of bogs and of those engaged in cutting turf to the importance of making special efforts this year to secure an increased supply of fuel. Applications for leave to cut turf should be addressed to the owners of bogs.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the offence for which Mr. Eamonn Waldron has been ordered by the military authorities to leave Ireland, excepting the county of Waterford; whether the county of Water-ford is to be excluded from Ireland under the next settlement by partition; and whether he is advised by any person acquainted with Ireland that suppression of the language by military force is likely to facilitate a settlement?

The competent military authority in Ireland has decided, under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, to prohibit Mr. Waldron from residing in or entering county Clare or any other part of Ireland except the county of Waterford. I am informed that his being a teacher of Gaelic was not the ground of this decision.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has now made representations, as requested during the recess by the hon. Member for South Kerry so as to secure the withdrawal of the restrictions respecting the forwarding of fish by rail from Cahirciveen; why concessions were granted to Scottish and Welsh fish merchants and refused to Irish; whether, in view of the institution of meatless days and of the necessity of providing fish as a substitute for meat. he will state why the fishing areas on the coast of Kerry have been, in the first place, restricted, and, in the second place, why further restrictions on the consequently reduced quantity of fish which can be caught have been imposed; and whether, in view of the fact that Cahirciveen and Valentia are the most important centres for the consignment of fish by rail to Irish and English markets from that portion of the Kerry coast, he will secure that both methods of restriction now in force will be abolished?

The restrictions on fishing off the Kerry coast were imposed for the protection of our coasts and shipping, and the senior naval officer reports that he does not consider it safe to relax them so long as present conditions continue. With regard to the railway restrictions, I am communicating with the various Departments concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Dingle fishermen whose boats could not be used owing to the Admiralty order and who have suffered severe losses on that account will have some compensation paid them in respect of their losses?

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to the hon. Member for West Cork on 28th March.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland by whose authority nine men were placed under arrest by the Belfast police on Tuesday morning last; what is the nature of the charge preferred against them; and why they have been handed over to the military authorities?

The arrests were made by order of the competent military authority in connection with an alleged offence against Defence of the Realm Regulations. Upon further inquiry the facts were deemed not to warrant a prosecution and the men were released.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any officers of military age other than those who are disabled by wounds or illness are acting as military representatives before the tribunals, and if their duties might better and more suitably be discharged by men beyond military age?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given on 19th February to my hon. Friend the Member for the Barnstaple Division, and on 19th April to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Melton Division.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who are sent to hospital for dental treatment can be treated free by the dental operator if they belong to a lower medical category than Class A or B 1; whether men belonging to lower categories are expected themselves to pay for the dental treatment; and, if so, on what ground this differentiation is justified?

Dental treatment, other than the provision of dentures, is given free to all soldiers. No men are expected to pay for such treatment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of conscientious objectors who have been recommended by the Central Tribunal for Friend's ambulance unit work, and the number who have accepted and the number who have refused to undertake such work?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 12th March by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board to the hon. Member for Bradford, West.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of conscientious objectors recommended by the Central Tribunal for the Non-Combatant Corps and the number respectively who are obeying and disobeying orders?

The answer to the first part of the question is 100 approximately. I have no information in regard to the second part.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur Hatfield, of York, a conscientious objector to military service who was granted exemption from combatant service by his tribunal, accepted work under the Home Office scheme, which he took up at Warwick, and was subsequently transferred to Weston-super-Mare; whether he is aware that Mr. Hatfield was arrested while on Home Office work by the military without any complaint having been received, and was charged with being an absentee from the Army; and, seeing that the chairman of the bench of magistrates commented on the action of the military authorities, will steps be taken to prevent the frequent recurrence of such acts on the part of the military?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors requested the Army Council to recall this man from Army Reserve W to his unit, as he has failed to observe the conditions on which he was released from prison and excused from military service. I understand that his arrest was consequential upon his failure to comply with the notice ordering him to report himself for service with his unit.

asked why William Darrock, of Glasgow, a conscientious objector to military service, who accepted work under the Home Office scheme at Ballachulish Camp, has been arrested by the military?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors requested the Army Council to recall this man from Army Reserve W to his unit because he had not observed one of the conditions on which he was released from prison and excused from military service, namely, that he should work with diligence and fidelity. In spite of repeated warnings, he made no serious endeavour to do the work given him.

asked what instructions have been issued to recruiting officers with regard to the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act; and what instructions have been issued to the medical boards, in pursuance of the pledges given to Parliament that the medical re-examination would be a thorough one, and that attention would be paid to certificates of private medical practitioners?

The necessary instructions have been issued to recruiting officers consequent on the passing of the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act. Any man coming up for medical examination should bring a certificate from his private medical practitioner to assist the board in his classification.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that John Ryan, Lisheen, Pallasgrean, county Limerick, who was employed in a filling munitions factory since November, 1915, was compelled some ten days ago to join the Army, although at the time of his transfer in November, 1915, from Limerick, through the Labour Exchange he got a guarantee that he would not be called up for service, and was all along assured by the head of the munition factory where he worked that he was exempt from military service; why was his exemption badge taken from him and he forced to join the Munster Fusiliers; and, in view of the pledges and promises given in this House that all such men were not liable for military service, will this man's release and discharge be ordered at once so as to allow him to go back to his work, which he is prepared to do, provided that his exemption badge is returned to him?

Ryan was released for military service by the munition factory where he worked, on a substitute for him being found. I am inquiring whether Ryan claimed on reporting to be excepted from liability to service as an Irish migratory labourer, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result of the inquiries; but I would remind him that there was no Military Service Act in existence in November, 1915, and. I do not, therefore, see how the guarantee can have been given to Ryan by the Labour Exchange as stated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what procedure is to be adopted in the case of munition workers whom it is now proposed to call up for service in the Army; and what safeguards will be provided so as to prevent the calling up of men whose services are at present essential to secure the largest possible output of munitions of war?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The release of men from the Army for Admiralty, War Office and munitions work will be carried out under the provisions of a new Schedule of Protected Occupations. The Schedule and instructions as to the machinery will be published this week. The machinery provides safeguards for the retention of men essential to the output of munitions of war.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a special appeal for recruits for the Army has been issued to the miners of England and Scotland and Wales; and what is the number of men whom it is estimated could at present be obtained from the mining industry without affecting the necessary output of coal?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is in the affirmative. The question is now being considered as to what extent more miners can be spared for military service, having in mind the requirements of coal for ourselves and our Allies. Pending this consideration it is not possible to give an answer to the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that certain men of the 3/1st Middlesex Imperial Yeomanry have been sent from Dublin to France without being allowed the usual draft leave; that these men when on parade were informed by the adjutant that the draft leave was stopped because certain men of a former draft had overstayed their leave; and if he will state whether this punishment is according to Army Regulations?

I am inquiring and will let my right hon. Friend know of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the men attached to the Wireless Section, Royal Engineers, stationed at Great Malvern, are experiencing difficulty in securing final leave; and whether he will take into consideration previous complaints and make immediate inquiries as to the reasons for this difference in treatment?

There has been no difficulty recently in regard to granting final leave to all men on draft. Every man attached to this depot on draft has been granted final leave, and every endeavour is made to comply with the instructions as-to leave.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will furnish the complete list of journals, books, and pamphlets now prohibited by the military censor from going abroad; whether any responsible investigation is made before such action is taken, or whether the prohibition may be enforced at the whim of one official; and whether any journal feeling itself aggrieved and unjustly treated has any right of appeal?

The object of prohibiting the export of literature would be largely defeated by publication of the names of the journals, books, etc., so prohibited. The prohibition is only enforced after investigation by responsible authorities. The proceedings in the House on the 17th instant indicate that an aggrieved journal has the very best opportunity of appealing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the-danger of malarial illness in certain districts of Macedonia, adequate medical precautions will be taken before the-summer heat supervenes, unless the troops can be removed from the swampy-ground near the river Struma?

Every precaution possible under the military conditions is being, and will continue to be, taken to minimise the danger of malaria in Macedonia.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether numbers of soldiers using the Young Men's Christian Association huts near the railway stations in London are compelled, even when they have to catch very early morning trains, to leave the huts and find beds or else walk the streets; whether the Young Men's Christian Association has on many occasions requested the officers acting on behalf of Colonel Matthews, the inspector of huts, to allow some discretion to be used so that these men need not in every case be compelled to turn out in all weathers for two or three hours; and whether, under these circumstances, he will cause an inquiry to be made, and, if the facts are as stated, he will consent to modify the War Office Regulations?

No men who are legitimately entitled to be in a but are compelled to leave. If sleeping accommodation is not available in a particular hut men who have only two or three hours to wait before continuing their journey are allowed to sit down rather than be sent on to other rest houses in the neighbourhood. I should like to add that every effort is made by the General Officer Commanding London district to provide for the comfort of soldiers on leave in London.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state whether there is in London a hospital established by private beneficence for the special care of officers suffering from paralysis as the result of wounds; whether only three or four beds have recently been occupied by such officers, while a number suffering from paralysis have been retained in other hospitals; whether a number of beds in this special hospital have now been taken over by the War Office for ordinary cases; and whether he will take steps to secure that this special hospital shall, so far as its accommodation permits, be devoted to the purpose for which it was treated?

I am informed that this hospital was established for paralysed officers, who had been discharged from the Service. It was found after some time that there was only a limited demand for beds for such cases, and the authorities of the hospital applied for it to be used for serving officers as other private hospitals are used.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steps had been taken to prevent the influx of undesirable women into towns in France where large bodies of our troops are stationed or to secure their expulsion; and whether houses of assignation in these towns have been placed out of bounds for our troops?

This is a matter which has been constantly engaging the attention of our military authorities in France in co-operation with the French civil and military authorities.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a committee has been appointed to consider the organisation of the supply services of the War Office; if so, by whom the committee was appointed and with what functions and the names, administrative records, and other credentials of its members and the reasons for their selection in preference to Members of Parliament with similar qualifications; whether the committee will report; and, if so, whether its findings and the evidence in support of them will be submitted to the House of Commons?

No, Sir. No such committee has been appointed. What the Noble Lord appears to have in mind is this. The recently appointed Surveyor-General of Supply is being assisted by a Board consisting of representatives of the Quartermaster-General, the Master-General of the Ordnance and the Finance Member, together with three gentleman of wide business experiences, namely, Mr. F. Dudley Docker, C.B., Mr. P. H. McClelland and Mr. Austin Harris. The body is advisory only.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the present condition of the military barracks at Mullingar; whether the barracks comprise proper detention rooms, certified in accordance with the Regulations as adequate for the number detained, under the charge of a proper officer, and kept in proper order; whether he is aware that the windows are broken and stuffed with rags, and otherwise out of order; why the regulation has not been observed requiring a soldier sentenced to detention to be committed to a proper detention barracks if his sentence exceeds 168 hours; whether he is aware that the detention room at Mullingar, certified as suitable only as a temporary detention room for ten men, has been used for the detention at the same time of as many as twenty-seven men for periods of imprisonment exceeding seven days, with dangerous consequences to physical and mental health; whether this punishment is used for, and results in, impelling untrained and otherwise' unfit men to volunteer for the front, in order to escape this punishment; and whether, in the interest of humanity, soldiers in detention in Mullingar will be provided somewhere with the accommodation specified in the regulations?

The answer to the first part of the question is the officer commanding the troops, Mullingar; to the second part in the affirmative; the suggestions in parts 3, 5, and 6 are not in accordance with the facts; in regard to the 4th and 7th parts, the regulations are observed except where men are necessarily detained owing to an absence of vacancies in detention barracks and the accommodation is ample for average requirements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when a private or non-commissioned officer is granted a commission, he is entitled to receive £100 or some other and what sum for the purchase of uniform, kit, and equipment; and if the War Office in some cases, in order to avoid such payments, discharged the private or non-commissioned officer from the Army and immediately after granted him a commission, or has otherwise and, if so, how succeeded in disentitling him to receive such sum of £100?

A warrant officer or non-commissioned officer serving on an ordinary peace attestation in the Regular Army promoted to a permanent combatant commission in the Regular Army gets £150 outfit grant, or if promoted to quartermaster £100. Men promoted to temporary commissions get £50 only. As far as I am aware, soldiers are always made aware of the conditions attaching to their appointments, and I do not know what justification my hon. and gallant Friend has for making the suggestion contained in the latter part of his question. If he has any specific case of hardship in mind and will furnish me with the-necessary particulars, I will have the-matter inquired into.

asked whether the appointment of fourth-class chaplains to be second-class chaplains without increase of pay involves increased expenditure to men who have rendered good service and who are thus placed in a relatively worse position than the newest chaplain sent to the front?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 13th March to the hon. and learned Member for South Donegal, to which I fear I can add nothing.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why Private W. Murphy, No. 51,905, 3rd Reserve Garrison Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who-has served his full term in the Army and applied for his discharge, should be retained against his will; if he is aware that this man has been refused first-class proficiency pay, notwithstanding the fact that he has been placed in regimental orders on Class II. service pay and retained in Section A, Army Reserve, as an efficient soldier; and if he will make inquiries into-this case with a view to having this mans placed on first-class proficiency pay?

Inquiry is being made into this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the increased cost of living, the wages of the labourers at Woolwich have been raised by 14s. per week since the outbreak of War; whether he is aware that the labourers' wages at Aldershot and Weedon have only been raised by 4s. per week, although they have had to meet the same increased cost; and whether he will take such steps as will equalise the position of these workmen who are placed in such a disadvantageous position without any apparent justification?

The figures are as stated by the hon. Member, but I am not prepared to admit that the whole of the rise at Woolwich is due to increased cost of living. As was explained to him in reply to his question on the 5th, the 5s. rise at Woolwich was an award to certain trades, and docs not apply generally to Aldershot and Weedon. I will inquire whether there is any justification for a further advance at these two stations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office concerning the composition of the newly-constituted Wool Advisory Committee why, having arranged for the separate representation of cloth manufacturers, clothing manufacturers, hosiery manufacturers, flannel manufacturers, spinners, spinners and manufacturers, topmakers, woolcombers, wool merchants, wool importers, and selling brokers by representatives numbering altogether twenty-three members, ho has not arranged for separate representation of these various sections of the wool and textile industries from the labour side as well as from the employing and commercial side of the wool and textile industries, and, particularly, if he will say why he has included no labour representatives having knowledge equivalent to that of employers classed as spinners, manufacturers, topmakers, and woolcombers; and why he had appointed only five labour re- presentatives on the Committee, as a whole, as compared with twenty-three representatives of the employing and commercial class?

The newly-constituted Wool Advisory Committee is, as its name implies, an Advisory Committee and not an executive one. The constitution of the Committee provides for expert advice on every branch of the trade being at the disposal of the Department, and the five gentlemen who are connected with the industry from the labour side are fully competent to advise the Department on all questions from the point of view of the workers. It should further be noted that in matters concerning production, with which the labour members are primarily concerned, the Department will have the advantage of the assistance of the five Man-Power and Production Committees for the various branches of the industry which are composed of employers and trade unionists in equal numbers, and which are directly represented on this Central Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, with reference to his statement in a letter, dated the 16th March and addressed to the Member for North Dublin, that a portion of the main road leading to the Curragh Camp to Dublin is being repaired and that the War Office is contributing about half the cost of the repairs, whether any part of the portion referred to is situated in the county of Dublin; and, if not, whether the War Office will also contribute to the cost of the portion of the road situated in the county of Dublin, which, owing to military traffic, is equally in urgent need of repair?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In regard to the second part, I understand that the military authorities have not considered the state of the road in county Dublin to require the treatment which has been applied to this and certain other roads outside that county. If the local authorities are dissatisfied with the present position they should communicate with the Road Board.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mrs. Bridget Prendergast, mother of Private John Prendergast, No. 11,462, D Company, Royal Irish Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, France, killed on the 3rd of September, 1916, got 5s. 5d. a week from the time her son enlisted until the 20th of March last, when it was reduced to 2s. 6d. a week; is he aware that Mrs. Prendergast applied for a lump sum instead of a pension soon after her son's death, and has not yet received it; and will he consider the advisability of raising the allowance of 2s. 6d. a week given as compensation for the loss of her son?

This case has been very carefully considered. The pre-war dependence cannot be held to have exceeded 2s. 6d. a week, and that sum is therefore the maximum pension which can be awarded. The sum of 5s. 5d. to which the hon. Member refers included a voluntary allotment from the soldier's pay while he was serving of 2s. 11d. a week, which was continued for twenty-six weeks after he was killed in action, according to the usual practice. Mrs. Prendergast had applied for a lump sum instead of pension, but as the amount which can be given is very small, owing to the small extent of pre-war dependence, the pension would appear to be more beneficial to her. If there is any special hardship involved Mrs. Prendergast should apply to. the local committee for further assistance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Gunner M'Kay, No. 309119, 2/1st Lancashire Howitzer Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, on joining the Colours in April, 1916, made an allotment in favour of his mother as dependant, but that Mrs. M'Kay received no payment in respect of such allotment until August, 1916, and has received nothing by way of separation allowance up to the present; and if he will give instructions for the immediate payment of the arrears due to Mrs. M'Kay and for the regular payment to her of the money to which she is entitled?

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

asked what progress, if any, has been made with the negotiations for the exchange of prisoners of war of two years' standing?

I am informed that a proposal for the mutual transfer to a neutral country of combatant prisoners of war, both officers and men, who have been in captivity over two years has been made to the German Government.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the sources from which alcohol can be obtained for the manufacture of explosives?

The answer to this question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Munitions of he will cause inquiries to be made into the rates of wages paid to labourers and women workers in the Irish munition factories; if he is aware that young men aged sixteen and seventeen years are only receiving 7s. 6d. per week, with night work every alternate week; if he will compare the wages of the Irish workers with that of workers in English factories; when the Irish working classes will be paid the same rates as the British workers doing similar work; and if there is any difference in rates?

The Department has already called for a return of the wages paid in controlled establishments in Ireland. When the complete information has been received, this matter will be fully considered with a view to determining what exercise of the powers conferred by the Munitions of War Acts maybe necessary in order to regulate the wages of munition worker in Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service if he will state the number of paid commissioners and sub- commissioners, and the amount of their salaries, for the ascertainment of the demand and supply of agricultural labour in England and Wales?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newington, West, on the 2nd instant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the railway companies refuse to handle empty baskets, etc; and, if so, whether he will consider the matter in view of the loss which will be caused both to the public and producer?

I am afraid that, in present circumstances, difficulties of this kind cannot altogether be avoided, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will furnish me with details of any particular case which he may have in mind I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further steps have been taken to proceed with the appointment of twelve extra Trade Commissioners; and, if so, whether those appointed will be given facilities to acquaint themselves with the range and possibilities of the Irish export trade before proceeding to their respective destinations abroad?

As regards the first part of the question, steps are now being taken for the purpose. As regards the second part, it is proposed that the new officers when appointed, before proceeding to their posts, should spend some time in the Department of Commercial Intelligence of the Board of Trade, and should have opportunities of studying the requirements and possibilities of the trade of the United Kingdom. I will take care that such study includes the needs and opportunities of development of Irish export trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he has taken to associate with the proposed Trade Corporation representatives of Irish trade and commerce?

I should explain to my hon. Friend that the proposed British Trade Corporation will not be under Government control, though it will receive the sympathy and encouragement of the Government. Its facilities will be fully available for Irish as well as British enterprises.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the prohibition of the import of embroidery has been cancelled to the extent that Swiss embroidery may be imported if on order previously to 23rd February, which will amount to a nine months' supply, more or less; and, if so, whether the results to British commerce have been duly considered, British manufacturers on the announcement of prohibition having spent freely on preparations to take over the trade?

His Majesty's Government are prepared to allow the import of Swiss embroidery executed on British cotton cloth exported to Switzerland subject to guarantees which are now under discussion. I do not think that British manufacturers will be greatly prejudiced by this arrangement. The results to British commerce have been fully considered, and I have no doubt that on balance the concession is substantially to the advantage of British export trade as a whole.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether commissioned officers in the Army who have risen from the ranks are entitled to any and, if so, which insurance benefits; and whether such benefits are payable notwithstanding the fact that the officer's pay or private income exceeds £160 a year?

Officers holding temporary commissions in the Army who were insured while in the ranks continue to be insured during commissioned service under the provisions of Section 46 of the National Insurance Act, 1911. The only benefit payable during service is maternity benefit. The fact that an officer's pay or private income exceeds £160 per annum does not affect his title to benefit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice for Army agents to deduct 2d. per week from the pay of every officer who has risen to commissioned rank from the ranks; if this deduction is made irrespective of whether the officer's pay exceeds £160 a year or not; and whether the officer is possessed of a private income exceeding £160 a year or not; and, if such deduction is made, by what authority is it made?

Officers holding temporary commissions in the Army who were insured while in the ranks are subject to a deduction from pay of 1½d. a week for insurance contributions, irrespective of the amount of pay or private income. The deduction is made in accordance with Section 46 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, the provisions of which were applied to such officers by Section 1 of the National Insurance (Navy and Army) Act, 1914.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to cases of fatal injuries to window cleaners owing to the absence of safety guards; and whether he will intro-duce a Regulation compelling window-cleaning companies to utilise the cheap portable guard for the prevention of fatal accidents?

There have been our fatal accidents to window cleaners in the Dublin Metropolitan Police district during the. last six months. Some Regulation appears to be necessary, and if it cannot be made by way of by-law a Bill will be introduced.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Belturbet Urban District Council asking that an equivalent Grant should be made to Ireland in respect of Irish primary education on the basis of the proposed £6,000,000 Grant about to be devoted to English education; and what practical results may be hoped for as a result of this and other somewhat similar resolutions?

I have received several resolutions, but not one from the Belturbet Urban District Council. I am communicating with the various educational authorities in Ireland in order to formulate proposals for securing, in connection with Irish education, advantages equivalent to any which may be granted for this country under the scheme explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he received a letter from the Rev. P. Barry, parish priest, Oldeastle, setting forth facts about the action of the Estates Commissioners-in dealing with the Wade estate, Clonabraney, and founding a complaint thereon; whether, in the interests of good public administration, he has instituted an inquiry; and what is the result?

I received Father Barry's letter. I have made inquiry of the-Estates Commissioners and they appear to me to have done their duty in this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the number and date of employment of inspectors, stewards, secretaries, and workmen, and their respective emoluments engaged in cultivating the Wade estate, Clonabraney, county Meath; also the number and cost of motor ploughs engaged, the number of horses working, the number of acres already ploughed, the number of acres sown and to be sown with corn; and the estimated cost of cultivating a statute acre and also that of seeding it?

A foreman and forty-six men have been engaged, as I stated on 28th March in answer to the hon. Member for South Meath. Two tractors have been in use, of which one was hired and has been returned; 275 acres have been ploughed, of which 240 acres are for corn. I cannot at present give the detailed and elaborate arithmetical particulars which are asked for

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what Section of what Act enables the Estates Commissioners to hold land and cultivate it themselves or let it for grazing purposes, as in the case of the Wade estate, Clonabraney, whilst numerous suitable applicants in the locality, for whose benefit it was intended, are waiting for its distribution; whether in this case any effort was made to make known to local people that the lands were available for any purpose, either tillage or grazing; how many years the present Mr. Wilson has held the lands for grazing; what is the number of acres and the rent per statute acre each year; by what process the rent was fixed; whether competition was invited; and why the Commissioners departed from their intentions stated in their communication to Mr. Bernard Flood, Creeragh, dated 21st September, 1915, to the effect that at the expiration of that year's lettings, in the December following, they proposed to arrange for the distribution of the lands; and why, having regard to the repeated applications for these lands, a reply was recently given to the hon. Member for North Meath that they had no knowledge of there being local people to take conacre?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer to the answer given on the 18th instant to the hon. Member for North Westmeath. The lands let to Dr. Wilson were let to him before the Estates Commissioners had acquired the property, and the Commissioners continued the letting as they found him satisfactory. The present letting is in respect of 150 statute acres at £325 for eleven months, a somewhat higher rate than that paid to the previous owner, and the amount was fixed by agreement. In the letter of 21st September, 1915, the Estates Commissioners merely expressed the hope of being able to arrange for the distribution of the lands on the expiration of the grazing lettings in December last, but subsequently they decided to cultivate the greater portion of the lands themselves, and no scheme of re-sale has yet been prepared. The applications received from local people were for the distribution of the lands and not for conacre lettings,

asked the Home Secretary how many on-licences in England and Wales have been extinguished since the passing of the Licensing Act of 1904; what is the total of the compensation paid; how many have been extinguished in the years 1905 and 1906 and 1915 and 1916, respectively; what was the average amount paid for compensation in respect of each house in these years, respectively, and the average annual value of the pre- mises; what percentage of the compensation reached the licence-holder in the year 1915; and what percentage was paid to. brewers and other interests?

The number of on-licences, in England and Wales extinguished with compensation since the passing of the Licensing Act, 1904, to the end of 1916 is 10,758, and the total compensation paid. is £9,962,611 123. 1d.The number extinguished were:

1905	…	…	…	…	184
1906	…	…	…	…	869
1915	…	…	…	…	573
1916	…	…	…	…	384

The average compensation paid for each licence was:

			£	s.	d.
1905	…	…	614	17	3
1906	…	…	700	5	4
1915	…	…	1,110	12	3
1916	…	…	1,069	7	4

Statistics as to the annual value of the-licensed premises affected are not available. In 1915 11.16 per cent. of the compensation was paid to the licensee and 88.84 per cent. to other persons.NOTE.—The figures for 1916 included in the foregoing statement are subject to correction.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Robert Trevelyan, who was sentenced at the London Sessions on or about 2nd April last to twenty-one months' imprisonment with hard labour and fifteen lashes with the cat; whether the latter part of the sentence was carried out; whether he is aware that the same prisoner was sentenced in 1915 to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour and twenty-five strokes with a birch rod for a similar offence to that of which he was convicted at the London Sessions; and if he will order an inquiry to be made as to this prisoner's state of mind?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has been called to this case. On consideration of all the facts, and particularly in view of the report made by the medical officer of the prison, he has advised the remission of the latter part of the sentence.