asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has been come to by the Railway Executive as to the question of prepayment in the case of parcels of fish carried on the Irish railways?

The Railway Executive Committee have now agreed to exempt fish sent from Irish ports from the Regulation requiring prepayment of parcels sent by passenger train.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what steps he has taken in view of the defective transport arrangements for fish and other foodstuffs from Ireland in order to ensure satisfactory arrangements for the future?

asked whether he has now made investigation into the complaints with regard to the wasted supplies of fish in Ireland consequent on the delay and difficulty in conveyance to the English markets; whether he can say if arrangements have been made to prevent a recurrence of such difficulty and delay; and whether the arrangement will include provision for the conveyance of returned fish empties to Ireland?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements have been made for the curing of mackerel; whether such arrangements will take effect in the West of Ireland; and, if so, whether communications have been sent to the fish merchants and curers in Cahirciveen and Valentia, which are the headquarters of the industry, which has been established for a number of years on the coast of South Kerry?

The Ministry of Food have asked me to reply to the latter question, and I will answer it and the others together. Directions have been given by the Railway Executive Committee which will increase the means of transport of fish by rail. Action has also been taken for better utilisation of other means of transport. The possible increase of curing facilities is under consideration. As has been stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, the President of the Board of Trade has directed the withdrawal, as regards Ireland, of the Regulations as to prepayment of charges which was said to cause delay in consignments from remote districts.

Sugar

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Mr. M. J. Stephenson, Adamstown, got thirty bags of sugar from Messrs. Hill and Son, Waterford, in 1915, and only four bags from 1st January last up to 27th April, and that he has been refused more than one bag a month; and if he will see that Mr. Stephenson gets the quantity of sugar to which he is entitled?

The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply have communicated with Messrs. Hill and Son about this case. They are informed that Mr. Stephenson received from Messrs. Hill and Son 66 cwt. of sugar during the year 1915, and that up to 3rd May he had for this year received 12 cwt. These figures suggest no cause of complaint. The Commission have invited Mr. Stephenson's observations upon them, but they have not yet received any reply.

Is the hon. Gentleman in a position to say whether he has carried into effect the promise made here a short time ago that he would have a representative of the Sugar Commission appointed for Ireland?

I did not make a promise to that effect. It was suggested that it might be advisable to appoint a Distribution Committee for sugar in Ireland, and the matter is now under the attention of the Chief Secretary, on a recommendation from the Food Controller.

asked whether West Indian raw sugars which are imported into this country are largely consumed here in the raw state; and whether there is any reason to suppose that such sugars contain impurities which would make them unsuitable for human consumption?

Broadly speaking, two descriptions of West Indian raw sugar are imported into this country. One known as "grocery" sugar polarises at about 98 deg., and is intended for, and goes direct into, human consumption on arrival here. The other known as West India refining, polarises at about 96 deg., and goes through a refinery here before it is used for human consumption. These sugars prepared abroad are free from the impurities which prevent the issue of the bulk of raw sugar received in this country.

Maize and Flour

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the quantities of flour and maize consumed in Ireland for the past three months, and of this flour how much has been milled in Ireland; and if he will give the quantities of cattle-feeding offal imported into Ireland from Great Britain during the same period?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is not at present available. I am making inquiries to ascertain what information on this subject can be furnished to him.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an answer to the latter part of my question?

No, I am unable to give an answer to any part of the question until the matter is further investigated.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that very large quantities of potatoes are being fed to cattle in Ireland, which people in the North of Ireland would be very glad to change into offal?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the lesser risk in landing wheat and maize at Irish ports, and the ability of Irish millers to manufacture sufficient flour to satisfy the demands of Ireland at the present rate of rationing, whether he will arrange with the Wheat Commission to have Ireland's equivalent supply of wheat shipped direct to Ireland instead of continuing the present systems of incurring greater risk and transport in bringing it first to an English port and then transhipping to Ireland at further risk and cost, and an added strain on the land and water transport of the country.

Before the hon. Gentleman answers this question may I ask whether an answer is not calculated to give valuable information to the enemy?

My answer will certainly give no information of value to the enemy. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Wheat Commission have always endeavoured to supply wheat to Ireland by direct cargoes, and not by transhipment from an English part. Subject to the exigencies of shipping, this system of direct supply will be maintained.

Potatoes (Army Canteen Committee)

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Army Canteen Committee or the Forage Committee stated to be acting on behalf of the Army Council, have requisitioned from farmers and merchants in England potatoes at £9 and £10 per ton and have transferred them to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland; whether he is aware that these potatoes are being sold either through trade associations or to individual merchants at £13 per ton, and profiteering by one Department or the other is going on to the extent of £3 per ton; whether the Army Canteen Committee have power to requisition potatoes; if so, by whom, upon what date, and under what authority; and whether potatoes purchased by Scottish merchants from either the Board of Agriculture, or the Army Canteen Committee, or the Forage Department are also being sold to retailers at prices above those fixed by the Food Controller?

The Army Canteen Committee, acting on behalf of the Army Council, have power under the Defence of the Realm Regulations to requisition potatoes for the use of the troops. The Committee were instructed by the War Cabinet to transfer 10,000 tons to the Scottish Office. I have no knowledge of their subsequent fate.

Will the hon. Gentleman say at what price the War Cabinet transferred the potatoes to Scotland, and what became of the large profit realised?

I think my hon. Friend must put that question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

Perishable Foodstuffs (Transit)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many truck loads of green vegetables have recently been rendered unfit for human consumption by reason of the delays in transit on the railways; and whether quicker transit and better facilities will be given to all perishable foodstuffs, particularly during the summer months, so that such wastage can be avoided?

I have no information in regard to the cases of delay referred to by the right hon. Gentleman, but if he will furnish me with particulars I will cause inquiry to be made. Meanwhile, I assure him that special efforts are made by the railway companies to deal expeditiously with traffic in perishable foodstuffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any new Regulations have been issued under the Defence of the Realm Acts relative to the consumption of petrol by motor vehicles plying for hire other than taxi-cabs and motor omnibuses; and, if so, will he make the terms of the Orders known to the House?

In view of the very serious diminution which has recently taken place in the available supply of petrol it has been found necessary to issue a Defence of the Realm Regulation prohibiting, subject to certain exceptions, the use of motor spirit in hired motor cars. The terms of this Regulation, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Gentleman a copy, have been published in the "London Gazette" and elsewhere.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is stated in the Press that the allowance to the civilian motorist of France is over 2 gallons per head per day? If that is true, can he account for the much greater supply of petrol in France than we have in Great Britain?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that an unusually large number of motor cars, especially for the use of Sinn Feiners, were used in the South Longford election for electioneering purposes; whether he can state from what sources of supply petrol was obtained for these purposes; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to persons in England owing to the shortage of petrol, he will take steps to restrict the supply of petrol in Ireland for Parliamentary elections?

My attention was called to the extensive use of motor cars in this election on both sides. The cars and the petrol which was consumed appear to have been obtained from local dealers and garage proprietors. The regulations of the Petrol Control Committee appear not to have contemplated excessive use of hired cars. I have called for reports which I shall communicate to the Committee.

Who regulates the amount of the supply of petrol in Ireland?

The Petrol Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Irish railway companies issue combined rail and hotel tickets available only at hotels owned by railway companies; what is the reason for this discrimination against private hotels of equal standing to the railway hotels referred to; and whether, if this system is to be continued, compensation will be paid to private hotel owners for the loss occasioned them by this State monopoly?

The practice to which the hon. Gentleman refers is one of long standing, and is not in any way the result of the present control of the railways by the Government. As at present advised, I do not think it is necessary to interfere with it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that certain female tellers in the India Stamp Branch are receiving wages and war bonus which only exceed 22s. in one case; whether he is aware that an application for an increase of pay has been refused; and whether, in view of the high cost of living, an increase will now be granted?

The facts are as stated in the first two parts of the question. The case has been brought before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés, whose awards I have undertaken to accept.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is in receipt of an annual sum from the British Treasury; whether, since the beginning of the War, this lady has resided in Germany; whether the consideration for which this payment was agreed to depended on the continuance of the Imperial régime in Russia; and whether this case will be revised with a view to distributing the money in question amongst widows of soldiers who have fallen at the front in circumstances of exceptional devotion and self-sacrifice?

The annuity to which the hon. Member refers is secured to Her Imperial Highness by the terms of a solemn Treaty with Russia of 22nd January, 1874, Article XII. of which stipulates that the grant shall be personal and inalienable, while Article XIII. reserves to Her Imperial Highness entire freedom in regard to her choice of a place of residence.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the amount?

I think it is £6,000 a year, but I am not sure.

Can it be abrogated by consent of the Russian Provisional Government?

That is rather a difficult question. It is a Treaty which inures to the benefit of an individual, and whether the consent of the two Governments, would be able to abrogate that is a matter about which I should like notice.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that it is the policy of the Government to send to Petrograd those who represent labour in the widest sense he can offer any explanation why Mr. Robert Smillie, president of the Miners Federation of Great Britain, the greatest trade union in the United Kingdom, was not appointed as a delegate?

The hon. Member will doubtless see that it would be both invidious and unprofitable to discuss by question and answer why a particular gentleman was or was not selected by the Government to discharge a particular public duty.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not admit that labour is not represented in its widest sense when the representative of a million miners is not sent to Petrograd, but a representative of the Gasworkers is?

It is difficult to say; but I should have thought that the Gentleman selected, Mr. William Thorne, was as representative a labour man as it was possible to find.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why in this case the labour bodies are not allowed to nominate their own representatives, and why the Government select them?

You would have to select the labour bodies. You cannot send a deputation to Russia from every trade union in this country. That would be impracticable. The Government are anxious that it should be done effectively and fairly, and in the public interest, and in such a way as to avoid these kind of questions, which are of no advantage to the public interest.

Has any application been made by the miners to send representatives?

No, none whatever. The objection was raised by those who are definitely opposed to the War, and no one else.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman does not think that his method is the reason for the statement in Petrograd that these men are the agents of the Government and not the representatives of labour?

If anyone in Petrograd has been misled in this matter it is by those who are opposed to the War here, and who think it consistent with their patriotic duty to work against their own country.

Will the Noble Lord consider the desirability of having the sanction of the House of Commons in the selection of these representatives in future? In view of the terrific blundering of Lord Milner in Russia, is it not very desirable that the House of Commons, which is the supreme body of the nation, should select these representatives?

Of course, any suggestion coming from the hon. Member would be in a very different category from those coming from others, and would receive the very careful attention of the Government. I think he will see that this particular suggestion would not be practicable.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he can now give the personnel of the Court of Appeal for men whose cases are dealt with by gratuities and the steps to be taken by such men in appealing for pensions.

I cannot yet furnish the information desired by my hon. Friend, but I hope to be able to do so within a few days.

If a man has received in the meantime a gratuity, will he be able to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal when it is set up with respect to a pension?

Certainly.

asked if a discharged soldier in receipt of a pension for wounds, or disability attributable to military service, who is re-enlisted will in the event of his being again wounded, or further disabled by causes attributable to military service, be granted a fresh pension earned during the second period of service in addition to the original pension earned during the first period?

In the circumstances stated by my hon. Friend, if the second disability is distinct from that which caused the first invaliding and both disabilities continue, a fresh pension will be granted in addition to the original pension, provided always that the total of the two pensions shall not exceed the pension payable for the highest degree of disablement. If, however, the second invaliding is for the original cause or aggravation thereof, one pension will be granted based on the condition of the disability at the time of the second invaliding.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate a man being called up who is already in receipt of a pension and who, therefore, may be eligible for a second pension?

That is not within my jurisdiction.

asked how many soldiers have been supplied with artificial limbs, and at what total cost to the State?

The total number of artificial limbs supplied from the beginning of the War up to the end of last month was 8,805. The total public expenditure during this period on the supply and renewal of artificial limbs and other surgical appliances was £127,293. The accounts for limbs have not been kept separate from those for surgical appliances, and their cost cannot, without an undue amount of labour, be stated separately.

asked the Pensions Minister what steps he has taken to ascertain the cost of production of artificial limbs and what has been the result?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 19th April, I am advised by a committee of technical experts, and I can assure him that both expenditure and production are carefully watched. Considerable reductions in the prices paid have been effected from time to time.

asked the Pensions Minister, whether, seeing that all widows of men in the ranks received a grant of £5 from the Royal Patriotic Fund up to 30th June, 1916, when the work was taken over by the Statutory Committee, and that from 30th June, 1916, to 4th April, 1917, grants of £3 were only made by the Statutory Committee in a few special cases, and that since 4th April, 1917, it is again provided that all widows shall receive a grant, he will take steps to place the widows of men who died between 30th June, 1916, and 4th April, 1917, on an equally favourable footing as the other widows?

I am informed that the full amount of the £5 grant from the Royal Patriotic Fund was not paid unless the circumstances of the case required it. As regards the £3 grant from the Statutory Committee, it is true that this was only to be given where required to meet urgent and necessary expenditure consequent upon the death of the sailor or soldier, but the Statutory Committee have every reason to believe that Local Committees carried out this regulation sympathetically, and that due consideration was given to the cases of all widows in connection with it. The grants under the terms of the new Warrant have effect from the 4th April, and I see no sufficient reason for obtaining special powers to make such grants in earlier cases. I may add that the whole matter is, however, under reconsideration with a view to an increase in the grant.

asked what provision is to be made for the medical treatment of widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors during and after the War?

The National Health Insurance Commissioners are now considering at my request how the medical treatment of widows and orphans of sailors and soldiers killed in the present War can best be provided. My hon. Friend is doubtless aware that the whole question of medical service will be further dealt with in connection with the proposal to establish a Ministry of Health.

asked how many sailors and soldiers discharged as medically unfit have been dealt with by the Pensions Ministry to date; what percentage of the total have been pensioned; what percentage have been given gratuities; and what is the average amount of the gratuities?

Of the 31,590 sailors and soldiers discharged as medically unfit since the Ministry took over its duties on the 15th February, 81.9 per cent. have received pensions and 7.8 per cent. gratuities. Of the 13,540 so discharged since the new Order in Council and Royal Warrant came into force on 4th April, 84.7 per cent. have received pensions and 15 per cent. gratuities. Out of 3,000 men who since the latter date have applied for reconsideration of refusals to pension them under previous warrants 367 have been given pensions and 404 gratuities, and the remaining applications which have come in rapidly in the last few days are in hand at various stages of consideration. The average amount of gratuities could not be ascertained without analysing the 2,500 cases in which gratuities have been awarded, and I trust my hon. Friend will not attempt to impose this task upon us at the present time.

Will the Pensions Ministry be able to overtake the reconsideration of refusals to the extent that the right hon. Gentleman hopes?

It all depends upon whether or not the applications are sent in. Only 3,000 cases have been sent in, and we have to wait until they are sent in. Of the total number I thought that we might have had a very large percentage before now, but we have only had a small fraction.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why Martin Kenneally, of Railway Road, Abbeyfeale, county Limerick, labourer, has received no allowance from the War Office in respect of his son, Private Martin Kenneally, No. 18034, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, who enlisted in January, 1916, beyond the allowance of 3s. 6d. a week which the latter has made to him; can he say why even this amount was stopped from the 1st August to 8th November; and, as Private Kenneally contributed to his father's support before enlistment, will he take steps to see that this man gets the allowance he is entitled to?

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the prison regulations forbid to all prisoners the use of writing paper except for the monthly letter, although allowing the use of a slate and slate pencil; and, if so, seeing that this restriction inflicts a useless penalty in many cases where leisure time might profitably be employed in writing, will he take steps to have it removed?

The supply of writing materials to prisoners must be governed by general rules, and experience shows that, if the rules are not strict, serious abuses arise. Prisoners under short sentences are, therefore, allowed the use of writing materials only to the extent mentioned in the question; but the greater part of their time is employed on prison industries, and their leisure can be filled by reading the books from the prison library. Well-behaved prisoners under long sentence of penal servitude, and inmates of Borstal institutions, are allowed note-books to enable them to carry on their studies.

Would the existing prison regulations have made it possible for Bunyan to write "The Pilgrim's Progress," or Penn to write "No Cross, no Crown"?

I cannot answer that question. If the hon. Member wishes, he can put down another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service the number of clergymen and Ministers of other denominations who have enrolled for national service in England and the corresponding figures for Wales?

The number of clergymen of the Church of England who are so far recorded as having enrolled for general national service is in England 1730, and in Wales 329. The numbers for other denominations are, respectively, 511 and 525. These numbers do not include those who have enrolled with the Bishops or other denominational authorities for special (spiritual) service—for example, by relieving others for secular duty.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Andrew M'Laren, who was granted exemption from military service by the Surrey and Croydon appeal tribunal conditional on his doing work of national importance with Messrs. Wallis and Stevens, of Basingstoke, and who has had his exemption withdrawn at the instance of his employers for bad timekeeping in connection with work which he did not consider to come within the scope of his undertaking; can he say whether the repairing of brewers' tractors is to be regarded as work of national importance; and is the employer of the conscientious objector the arbiter in this matter?

I am not aware of the case to which reference is made. It is for the tribunals to decide whether or not, when application is made to them, the facts justify the withdrawal of a certificate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution from the Disabled Soldiers' and Sailors' Club, Poplar, stating that no member of that club will submit to medical re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act for the purpose of being recalled to the colours until every other fit man has been called up; whether he proposes to take any action under the Defence of the Realm Regula- tions; and, if so, whether he will afford the House the opportunity of discussing his proposals before they are acted upon?

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman has seen the report of a speech delivered by the hon. Member (Mr. Hogge), in which he stated that in a like position he would also refuse?

I said that. It is quite true.

I did notice, with very great regret, the statement by the hon. Member.

I do not regret it.

I think it is a very regrettable statement to be made by a Member of the House of Commons who has complete knowledge of all the circumstances

I do not regret it at all.

I understand that my right hon. Friend has received the resolution referred to, but I am not acquainted with its exact terms. I may point out to my hon. Friend that a man who has been discharged from Naval or Military Service on account of wounds certified under the authority of the Admiralty or the Army Council to have been received from the enemy is not liable to submit himself to medical re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act. No action is required under the Defence of the Realm Regulations for enforcement of the provisions of the Act under which men are required to present themselves for medical examination. The Act itself by Section 1 (3) provides a penalty for non-compliance which will be enforced in suitable cases.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware, in spite of all he says, that men who are in receipt of pensions, and whose pensions have been increased because of greater disability, have been put into the Army under this Act?

Are we to understand from the answer that it is the intention of the War Office to prosecute my hon. Friend?

I hope so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Bill now before the House does not apply to Ireland, he will state what immediate measures the Government intend to take to prevent a British subject or the subject of a Foreign Allied country, who, under this Bill, should it become an Act, will be liable for military service either in the British Army or in the Army of the Allied country, from escaping liability by taking up residence in Ireland?

Sight has not been lost of the point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend. It is not considered that there is much danger of a loophole for escape from due liability to military service in the direction which he indicates, but the matter is receiving consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the allegations made by the Scottish farm servants' officials that farmers are using military representatives to coerce employés; if he has observed that George W. Bertram, Birkenside, Earlston, Berwickshire, having had a quarrel with one of his farm servants, requested the military representative to move for a cancellation of the exemption granted to the servant on the ground that his services were indispensable; whether this servant was to move from Birkenside to another farm within two months of the request being made to the military representative by the farmer; whether his immediate employer stated that the man was necessary and the other employer who had hired him was not consulted; and whether he will see that military representatives are not used to compel workmen to accept unfair treatment at the hands of employers?

Inquiries have been made. It appears that the man referred to by my hon. Friend is John Hastie, ploughman, formerly employed at Birkenside. When his case came before the local tribunal his then prospective employer was not present or represented, and exemption was refused. The case was taken to the Appeal Tribunal, and I am informed that Hastie was granted conditional exemption in view of his having entered into a new contract of agricultural employment.

Has the hon. Gentleman ascertained if it is the case that Mr. Bertram did make the application alleged to have been made in the question?

My understanding of the case is as follows: I understand that Mr. Bertram did say that John Hastie was no longer indispensable to him.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to whether Mr. Bertram did request that this man should be applied for by the military representative?

I understand that that is not the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Army authorities only recognise two classes of men attached to the Colours (fit or sick), and that the result of this classification is that there are thousands of men capable of doing a moderate day's work, especially on the land, allowed to kill time in the case of men suffering from wounds of head, neck, or jaw, which take a long time to heal or to correct the deformities: and, seeing that it would be an advantage to the men as well as to the State for them to have regular occupation on the land or at their own trades during such period of convalescence, when they are in other respects physically fit, whether he will consider the advisability of forming a third class, composed of working convalescents, who could replace men eligible for the front but at present occupied in semi-military work at home?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that the Army authorities recognise only the two classes to which he refers. Their first concern, however, is to get men fit again as quickly as possible to resume their military duty. I am afraid that my hon. Friend's suggestion would not further this object, but might interfere with their treatment and impede their recovery.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of men who have been transferred from the Colours to Army Reserve, Class W; how many of them have been re-transferred to the Colours; and how many have been discharged?

I am afraid that the information asked for in the first part of the question cannot be given without detriment to the public interest. The answer to the second and third parts of the question would involve considerable labour in the record offices, which are already overworked, and I regret that I cannot undertake to supply it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why men disabled and in receipt of pensions are being ordered to rejoin their regimnts; and whether this practice is authorised?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the particulars of the specific case, or cases, to which he refers, inquiries will be made. Any such practice would be contrary to the instructions that have been issued.

I have promised a case already. Meantime, is it not the duty of the War Office to know the condition of those men and not to send them these notices?

I have already explained to my hon. Friend that all that any man who receives this notice is required to do is to fill up the space at the back of the form and explain the circumstances.

Does not my hon. Friend note that the question relates to men being asked not to come up for re-examination, but to rejoin the Colours—which is a different notice?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statement of the military representative at Wandsworth tribunal on Monday, the 30th April, in which he said that 5,400 men in the borough of Wandsworth were being called up for medical re-examination and were being examined at the rate of 200 a day; and whether he can state the average time given to each of the 200 men so examined?

Two hundred men are called up each day for medical re-examination. In all cases where the recruiting officer considers it manifest that a man is permanently disabled and unfit for any form of military service, a statement of his disabilities is submitted to the President of the Recruiting Medical Board and if that officer is satisfied that no good purpose would be served by having the man medically examined, a discharge certificate is sent to the man. A very large percentage of the men called up for re-examination proves to be in this category. The average time devoted to each man who is actually examined by the medical board is from fifteen to twenty minutes. The hon. Member will see that in these circumstances there is no necessary ratio between the numbers called up and the time devoted to men examined.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean fifteen or twenty minutes or fifteen or twenty seconds?

Does the hon. Gentleman seriously say that he has been informed that each man gets fifteen or twenty minutes, and that 200 men are examined in one day?

I do.

He is only joking, Hogge!

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a miner who holds an exemption card signed by His Majesty's divisional inspector of mines exempting him (so long as he continues to be employed in a mine) from the provision of the Military Service Acts, 1916, is liable to be called up for medical examination, and afterwards, if found fit, to be called up for military or other service; and, if so, will he state the enactments, etc., authorising this to be done?

A man subject to the Military Service Acts who holds a valid certificate of exemption issued by a Colliery Recruiting Court under the authority of the Home Office and current for the time being cannot be called up for military service. If, however, he has not been already medically examined by a Recruiting Medical Board he can be required to present himself for medical examination under Defence of the Realm Regulation 45 C.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it was with his sanction that instructions have been sent to Army paymasters that soldiers travelling on Army business are to be put on a continuous allowance of 2s. 6d. per day, which is to cover travelling expenses, rations, and lodging; and whether, with the present prices of food and seeing that it is impossible for soldiers to get more than one meal a day out of such sum and to perform his duties under such conditions, he will instruct paymasters that the allowance of 2s. 6d. is to be paid in addition to the ration and lodging allowances?

Soldiers travelling on Army business are now generally provided with food and lodging by means of billets and not of a money allowance. But there exists a standing authority for a rate of allowance of 2s. 6d. a night, dating from peace time. I will consider what increase in this rate is necessary under present conditions.

Is the food arrangements over and above the 2s. 6d. money allowance referred to in the question?

I will look into that matter.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he is aware that an agreement is being negotiated through the medium of the Swiss Government for an exchange of French and German prisoners of war, including civilian prisoners; and if there is any prospect of similar terms being arranged with regard to British prisoners of war in Germany?

I will answer the question by reference to previous answers, as the answer would be of inordinate length if it went into detail. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, agreements are already in force between His Majesty's Government and the German Government for the repatriation of British and German combatant prisoners of war who are totally incapacitated from further service. With regard to the transfer to Switzerland of British and German wounded and sick prisoners of war, I would refer my hon. Friend to White Paper Miscellaneous No. 17 (1916). An agreement has been come to for the repatriation from Switzerland of those British and German prisoners of war who are totally unfit for further service. In regard to this, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on the 9th instant to the question of my hon. Friend the member for Bassetlaw. In regard to the transfer to a neutral country of prisoners of war who have been in captivity for over two years, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on the 30th April to the question by the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect me to derive satisfaction from an answer which is given entirely by reference on a matter of very great interest?

I know, but to give a full reply would take up an undue amount of the time of the House. I shall be very glad to talk the matter over with my hon. Friend.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) if the recent award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés granting an increased war bonus to Civil servants from the 1st January last will apply to Ireland; and if it will be on the same basis as in England?

Yes, Sir.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that the recent concession of 5s. a week to a small number of the tellers at Somerset House still leaves 180 women and girls whose wages, including war bonus, range from 10s. to 22s. a week; whether he is aware that it is impossible to live properly on these wages and that recently some of the women refused to work until told that further representations would be made on their behalf; and whether he will take steps to grant an immediate increase of wages to the whole of the women and girls in these classes.

The remuneration of the female staff of the Stamping Department at Somerset House has recently been revised, and I have no reason to think that the staff is dissatisfied with the present conditions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty who are the persons composing the Board for considering inventions; whether any recent additions have been made to its membership; and whether the Admiralty is in communication with the Board of Inventions in the United States of America in regard to providing an antidote to submarine warfare?

The Board of Invention and Research comprises—

(1) A Central Committee, consisting of: ex-officio associated members.

(2) A Consulting Panel of fourteen members, namely:

Mr. Threlfall and Dr. Dugald Clerk are the most recent additions to the Consulting Panel, and the constitution of the Sub-Committees is altered from time to time as found desirable. Steps have already been taken in regard to the matter referred to in the last part of the question, but it is not advisable to state them in detail.

Do the Board of Inventions meet regularly?

I imagine so.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the Admiralty Order of 31st March, 1917, claiming priority for Government work in the manufacture of flax, hemp, and jute goods, he will take steps to ensure that in the case of the male and female workers in the Roan Spinning Company, Coal-island, county Tyrone, the Fair-Wages Clause is enforced, and the employers compelled to pay the workers the rate of wages fixed by the Committee on Production on 22nd March, 1917, and which is paid by all other firms in the district with the exception of the firm referred to?

The firm in question are not executing any Admiralty contracts, or, so far as is known, any work for Admiralty contractors. The Order of 31st March, issued on the initiative of the War Office, was made with a view to ensuring priority for Government work in factories making flax, hemp, or jute goods. It does not enable the Admiralty to intervene for the purpose of enforcing the Fair-Wages Clause in the absence of any contract between the firm and the Admiralty. But I need not assure my hon. Friend that if any such contract is entered into it will contain the Fair-Wages Clause, and it will be the duty of the Admiralty to see that it is respected.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the male and female workers in the Roan Spinning Company, Limited, Coalisland, county Tyrone have gone on strike, about 150 being affected, in consequence of the refusal of this firm to pay the wages fixed by the Committee on Production on 22nd March last; whether these workers are engaged upon work for the Government and for which the Government has claimed priority; whether this is the only firm in Ulster which has refused to be bound by the Fair-Wages Clause or to grant its employés the official standard wage; and whether he will take immediate steps to compel the company to do justice to its employés in this matter and so put an end to the strike?

I understand that there is a strike of workpeople employed by this firm in connection with an application for an advance of wages. The Chief Industrial Commissioner is in communication with the firm. The question of whether the firm holds, directly or indirectly, any Government contracts, and, if so, whether there is failure on their part to observe the Fair-Wages Clause, is a matter for the Contracting Departments.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the latest Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland states that in a large percentage of cases the teachers are as yet unprovided with suitable residences, and, having regard to the fact that the National School Teachers' Residence (Ireland) Act came into operation in the year 1875, can he state the cause of the delay in providing such residences; and whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken to expedite the operation of the Act in this respect?

The Report of the Commissioners of National Education contains a paragraph to the effect stated. Applications for loans and grants for teachers' residences are made by the managers of the schools concerned and, in the absence of such an application, no step could be taken by the Commissioners towards providing a residence in connection with a national school. Applications are in normal times considered by the Commissioners and, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled, referred to the Board of Works for action. The Board of Works announced in October, 1915, that owing to the financial conditions arising from the War no further loans could be made under the provisions of the Act for the present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if, under the Corn Production Bill, Part IV., Clause 7, the Board of Agriculture can go in on the land of a farmer who may have spent years of thought and labour in working out a system of farming suitable to his own farm and compel him to abandon that system, however suitable to the land and remunerative to himself and the community though it be, and adopt their system; and is there no appeal for the farmer against the order of the Board of Agriculture?

The statement in the question as to the operation of Part IV. of the Corn Production Bill is substantially correct as regards Great Britain, but under Clause 12 (2) of the Bill the application of Part IV. to Ireland is subject to such modifications as the Lord Lieutenant may direct for the purpose of adapting its provisions to any scheme of tillage in force, and to any special conditions of land tenure in Ireland. Additional safeguards are under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists regarding the women representatives on the Reconstruction Committee, as one is a well-known Socialist and the other a leading pacifist; and whether, as these women do not represent the great majority of women in the country, he is prepared to meet this complaint by adding other more representative women to the Committee?

The Prime Minister is considering the advisability of adding to the number of women upon the Committee.

May I ask, as to the well-known Socialist, on what grounds she was selected, and by whom she was appointed?

I do not know on what grounds she was appointed, but I presume it was thought that she would serve a useful purpose.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a Socialist may have as deep an interest in this country as anybody else?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to promote the necessary legislation which will enable local authorities to obtain a stock of coal in order to supply the poor people in their areas next winter; and is he aware that, owing to the shortage of coal obtainable by the local merchants recently, the Bexley Urban District Council had to sell 40 tons of coal, required for their electricity generating works, to the merchants in order to meet the grave difficulty which has arisen?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. While the action of local authorities, who have come to the assistance of coal merchants in an emergency is to be commended, the question as to how far it is desirable that they should undertake a definite responsibility for the supply of coal is at present the subject of inquiry by the Controller of Coal Mines, who proposes to discuss it with the Local Government Board at a later stage.

Is there a chance of a Report from this Committee shortly? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that coal was sold in the neighbourhood at from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per cwt., that the defence of the London Coal Committee was that the merchants had paid 39s. to 42s. per ton? The people cannot go through another winter in the same way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that coal in the Isle of Wight is fetching nearly 60s. per ton, that prices of about that amount have been charged for some time, and that no effective measures have been taken by the Coal Controller?

I was not aware of either of those two cases, but I will call the attention of the Controller of Mines to the matter. There is under consideration the whole question of the distribution of coal in the coming winter, and I hope there will be no reason to complain.

The hon. Gentleman will recember that this has been going on for several months.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when he proposes to give an opportunity for discussing the needs of Irish education, more especially the additional State Grants which Ireland is entitled to receive for primary and secondary education on the basis of Grants given to England and Scotland?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dublin University on 2nd April.

Are the parents of Irish children to have any opportunity of expressing their views as to the scheme and framework which would be suitable for Ireland?

There will be an opportunity of raising that question in the Irish Estimates.

When?

I cannot name the date.

Will there be any special educational statement made by the Chief Secretary?

I have no doubt he will deal with that when the Estimates come on.

Will there be any opportunity of discussing the Education Estimates?

No, we have had them already.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the procedure adopted for going into Secret Session precludes debate upon the Motion; and will he take steps to assure that such opportunity will be provided in the event of a Secret Session again being proposed?

The procedure of last Thursday was the same as that adopted on the previous occasion, and I do not think that the general sense of the House would support the hon. Member's proposal.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the opinion of Members who are not hypnotised by the Front Bench either retrospectively or prospectively?

Could not an hon. Member who does not intend to be present at a Secret Session or to take part in it be given an opportunity of stating his reasons why?

He has the opportunity of attending or of staying away if he likes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the action of the United States Senate as to censorship, he will take steps to make the censorship Regulations here less stringent?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the question put to me on the 26th April last by my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the matter has been before the Congress of the United States, and has that no influence whatever on what the Government do here?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how many parties, controlled or uncontrolled, companies, or individuals made payment of Excess Profits Tax or Munitions Levy last year; what proportion of them held Government contracts for war supplies; and whether a deduction of 6d. per £ on such Government payments or the proposed increase in the new merged tax from 60 per cent. to 80 per cent. represents the greater benefit to the Exchequer?

This information is not available, and I am precluded from obtaining it by the immense expenditure of time and labour which the preparation of the necessary data would involve.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether recent tax returns indicate that brewers have been earning excess profits; if so, to what extent; and what Excess Tax has been paid by them?

As I have already explained to my hon. Friend, no information of this kind is available.

Do not the ordinary Income Tax Returns afford some information on points such as this?

No. I made inquiry, and there is no information of that kind available at present. It would have to be searched for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will grant a Return showing the amount provided from the Imperial Exchequer for Education in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, for each of the financial years beginning from 1902 to the present, the Return to include the amounts provided for all branches of education: university, intermediate, secondary, primary, and technical education?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will grant a Return showing the unexpended balances of the Board of Education in England and Wales, the Scottish University Department, and the Commissioners of National Education, Ireland, respectively, for each of the financial years from 1897 to the present, the Return to show also the balance surrendered in each case each year to the Treasury.

The amounts of the Grants provided annually for educational services out of the balances unexpended at the end of each financial year (which are surrendered to the Exchequer) can be obtained by reference to the Estimates and Appropriation Accounts, respectively, presented to Parliament, and I do not think the value of a special Return would be sufficient to justify the labour and expense involved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether by receiving fees free of Income Tax the persons receiving such fees escape Super-tax on the additional remuneration they thus receive; and, if so, what action the Government propose to take to amend this inequity in Income Tax practice?

In computing total income for the purposes of assessment to Super-tax for any year, income from directors' fees is required to be taken at the amount of the Income Tax assessment for the preceding year. The liability to Income Tax falls to be computed by reference to the gross amount of the remuneration to which the director concerned is entitled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that, for the purposes of Super-tax and in computing total income for the purposes of exemption, abatement, reduced rate of Income Tax on earned or unearned income, etc., the income derived from dividends on the 4 per cent. free of Income Tax War Loan, 1929–42, is to be treated as if the amount received represented the net income after deduction of Income Tax at the full normal rate and that there is no title to repayment of Income Tax in respect of such untaxed dividends, he will make the same Regulations in the present Finance Act in respect to directors' fees and other emoluments paid free of Income Tax as applies to the 4 per cent. War Loan for computation of total income?

From the answer I have just given to the other question asked by my hon. Friend on this subject, he will see that no such Regulations as he suggests are required.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when introducing legislation for the taxation of dogs, he will consider the advisability of imposing a double tax on bitches, with a view to decreasing the number of dogs in the country as well as of improving the breed of those that remain?

The suggestion shall be considered, but I am afraid the proposal would complicate the machinery of administration, which I am anxious to avoid as far as possible.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that an extra tax of this sort would limit the bitches kept to those of a good breed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Post Office officials are now receiving war bonuses on salaries that reach £250 per annum; whether he is aware that Irish teachers receiving £3 per week are debarred from receiving any war bonus; and whether he will again consider the whole matter?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Chief Secretary on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the names of all royal or titled persons of German birth who are at present receiving pensions or any kind of payment derived ultimately from the British taxpayer, the amount of payment in each case, and the statement of the services rendered in consideration of such payment; and whether any redistribution of this money is contemplated in view of the hardships endured by the families of soldiers killed at the front?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state why the Estates Commissioners gave as an excuse for doing nothing for Mrs. Malone, Dingle, that she had been evicted on title; and will they explain what forces have operated to induce them to do nothing for her although recognised as an evicted tenant entitled to a holding ten years ago?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners endeavoured to acquire lands on which they could provide Mrs. Malone with a holding, but they were unable to do so as they have no available land in the county.

Will they have it in ten years' time?

asked the Chief Secretary if it is the intention of the Government to transfer the duty of preparing the register of Parliamentary and local government electors from the secretaries of county councils and clerks of borough and urban councils; and, seeing that this will add a further burden to the rates and inflict injury and injustice on officials to whom the duty is at present ordained by law, and by which their salaries are to a great extent made up, will he take steps to secure that no transfer of this duty takes place?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Wednesday last to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the circumstances under which Senmas Doherty, Padraic O'Maille, Sean O'Murthuile, Dr. M'Cartan, and Darrel Figgis, deportees from Ireland and interned at Fairford, were enabled to travel to Ireland in order to take part in political work in South Longford; were they given the ordinary leave and railway pass that until recently has been accorded to the conscientious objector in Great Britain; and have they now returned to their place of internment?

The persons named were not enabled to travel to Ireland by His Majesty's Government. They are, I am informed, still absent from their places of internment.