asked the Prime Minister whether he will assemble a convention of Scotsmen and Englishmen of all parties for the purpose of producing a scheme of Scottish, English, and Welsh self-government, with instructions to sit concurrently with any similar convention of Irishmen and report upon the feasibility of an all-round Home Rule under a federal system?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, with reference to the Ministry's Order which expired on 31st March, 1917, whether the 26,000,000 standard barrels authorised was exceeded by 625,000 standard barrels; if so, how much of this excess was attributable to brewings under special licence, to over-brewing, or to variation of the authorised 26,000,000 barrels by reason of brewers having the option of selecting as their basis either the year ending 30th September, 1914, at 30 per cent. or that ending 31st March, 1916, at 15 per cent., respectively; whether the Ministry will publish a list of brewers who have over-brewed, with the number of standard barrels over-brewed by each brewer, and, if so, when; and, with reference to the Maize, Barley, and Oats (Restriction) Order 1917, as brewers were instructed in making their returns of malt stocks and requirements to take into consideration the continued use of other brewing materials required by them, of which maize is one, whether, now that the use of maize is prohibited, the barrelage will be reduced or whether material of equal brewing value will in lieu thereof be provided?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The figure of 26,000,000 was not a definite maximum but an estimate of the probable production of beer under the Output of Beer Restriction Act, which gave brewers certain options. The excess is due, as to 23,000 barrels, to brewings under special licence; as to 13,000 barrels to over-brewing by brewers; and as to the remainder to the exercise by brewers of the option given to them of selecting the year ending 30th September, 1914, as their datum year. There is no intention of publishing a list of the brewers who have over-brewed. It is not proposed to reduce the output of beer as a result of the Maize, Barley and Oats Restriction Order. The effect of prohibiting the use of maize will be to exhaust the stock of malt earlier than had been anticipated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, in order to prevent loss of food and financial loss to the Aran Isles Co-operative Fishing Society, he will inform that body immediately what is to be done with over 100 barrels of cured mackerel sold to America and ready for delivery; and, if they are to be kept in the United Kingdom, whether delivery will be taken and the price paid without delay?

The Fish Food Committee of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on which there is a representative of the Irish Department are endeavouring to secure facilities for the marketing of Irish mackerel and herring in the forms in which they are most suitable for the home markets.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the herrings taken during the course of the summer fishing on the county Donegal coast cannot, as a consequence of their fat condition and the absence of rapid transit facilities, be safely marketed fresh; that formerly such herrings after being cured have always been exported in large quantities to the United States of America and to Russia; that in the absence of permission to export the summer fishing must be seriously injured, if not altogether destroyed; and whether, in these circumstances, permission will be given for the export of this class of herring during the present season?

The points raised in the question have been brought to the notice of the Cured Fish Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Alfred Hopkinson, and will receive immediate consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department has yet determined if Scottish early potatoes are to be allowed to be dug in June or if growers are to be forbidden to dig them until the crop has greatly increased in quantity beyond that possible in June?

I have been in communication with the Scottish Board of Agriculture on the point raised, and they are of opinion that there is no necessity to adopt the course suggested by the hon. Member. I understand that Scottish early potatoes are not expected to be ready for lifting this year before July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department already possesses ample powers to deal with cases of improper profiteering; if so, whether these powers are being adequately used; and, if not, when Parliament will be asked for additional powers?

The Food Controller has power under the Defence of the Realm Regulations to fix prices, require returns, and requisition stocks. These powers are no doubt adequate to deal with any case of so-called profiteering that may be discovered. The difficulties are practical rather than legal. The powers possessed by the Food Controller are being exercised as energetically as is compatible with the principal object of his Department, which is the maintenance of steady supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the habit of supplying 2 oz. rolls of bread at mid-day and evening meals for each person in public restaurants causes waste, as many people are content to consume less; and if he will arrange to have 1 oz. rolls supplied in future, with permission to supply two 1 oz rolls instead of one 2 oz. roll when specially asked for?

The habit of supplying 2 oz. rolls in public eating places causes, I admit, a certain amount of waste. An Order is about to be issued under which bakers will only be permitted to sell or expose for sale rolls weighing not less than 1 oz. and not more than two.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received complaints from Sheffield as to the difficulties on the part of retailers of receiving their due allotment of sugar; and, in view of the increase in the number of munition workers in that town and the number of munition workers in lodgings, whether he can state what steps are being taken to secure for Sheffield a fair share of the available supplies?

The district of Sheffield was visited last January by an inspector from the Ministry of Food, with the result that additional supplies to the extent of 4½ tons per week were allotted. No complaints have been received recently from Sheffield, and it is believed that retailers in that city are receiving their fair share of available supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements have been made to supply the Dublin cooked food depots with sugar; and if he will see that a sufficient supply will be sent to enable the ladies in charge to continue their beneficial work?

I can add nothing to the answer already given to the hon. Member on Thursday, the 17th May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is taking steps to regulate the price of cereals, other than wheat, so as to render them available at as reasonable a cost as possible; and, if so, when these regulations will be put in force?

The prices of home-grown barley and oats are regulated by the Wheat, Barley, and Oats (Prices) Order which came into operation on the 16th April. The prices and supplies of maize and rice are being controlled by the Royal Commission on the Wheat Supplies, who further control the importation of all edible beans, peas, and lentils. Dealings in foreign oats are under the control of the Oats Control Committee. The Oat and Maize Products (Retail Prices) Order regulates the retail prices of maize meal, oatmeal, and similar products.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what amount of fresh acres will be tilled in Ireland in the course of the present year; what approximate number of these acres have been sown with oats; and what the total oat production of this new land is estimated to be?

The additional area tilled in Ireland during the present season has been estimated by the Department of Agriculture at between 600,000 and 700,000 acres, of which, approximately 500,000 acres have been sown with oats. The estimated produce of oats is between 400,000 and 500,000 tons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he will consider the advisability of beef imported from the Argentine being shipped more largely in the shape of compressed corned beef, as it takes about one-third of the space of frozen beef and is easier to handle at any port, seeing it requires no cold storage, and in the case of a ship going into any port such cargo could be landed there without the risk of being sent on to a port with cold storage facilities and being torpedoed on the way?

From the shipping point of view the suggestion of my hon. Friend offers the advantages he indicates, but I am advised that there are serious practical difficulties from the consumers' standpoint. The matter will, however, be fully discussed with the other Departments concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to state the results of the Conference between the Fuel Research Board and representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction with reference to the utilisation of peat; who are the members of the Irish Research Board; what are the qualifications of each; when was each appointed; what is the result of their labours; and whether any peat industries are to be founded in Ireland this season?

The Fuel Research Board hopes to be able to announce at an early date the appointment, terms of reference, and personnel of an Irish Committee to report upon peat.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is the intention of the Government to give each married man of the Royal Irish Constabulary a war bonus for each child, the same as was given to each member of the English force?

I am making inquiries as to this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if, in view of the dissatisfaction which exists in Dublin, he will hold a sworn inquiry into the conduct of the superintendent and other officials in control of Store Street Police Station with reference to the property looted during the rebellion and recovered by constables in the force; if not, will he state why the higher officials should be specially screened from liability, which tends to humiliate the constables; if he will ask for the production of the book kept in Store Street Police Station where such recovered property is entered, and either have a public sworn inquiry held or a special inquiry under the presidency of the chief and assistant commissioners of police; and will he provide that at any such inquiry the right will be recognised of those interested to be legally represented, and thereat examine the station sergeants in charge of Store Street Police Station during the week of the rebellion and the succeeding four weeks?

If any definite charge is made by any responsible person against an officer or member of the Dublin Police Force it will be fully investigated. The hon. Member has suggested by way of question many imputations, but he has not yet formulated any definite charge which could be tried. I invite him to do so.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst property owners in Dublin whose premises were destroyed by the military during the rebellion; that the cause of the dissatisfaction is the inadequate compensation given and that in a number of cases the assessor acting for the Property Losses Committee did not adequately inquire into the claims; that claimants were not given an opportunity of producing before the Committee or its assessors, the quantity surveyor, or any other person, the details of their claims; that the depreciation of building appears to have been taken into account in some cases unfairly; whether he is aware that the practice of insurance companies is to pay a sufficient sum to reinstate the premises as at the date of destruction; and if he will have inquiries made into the following cases: Messrs. W. Leckie and Company, 59, Bolton Street, etc.; Messrs. Lawrence and Son, 56 and 57, Upper Sackville Street, etc.; Messrs. S. H. M'Comas, 15, Lower Sackville Street; Messrs. J. W. Elvery and Company, 46, Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin; Alex. O. Cairns, trading as M'Dowell Brothers, 27, Henry Street, Dublin; Wynne's Hotel Company, Limited, 35, 36, and 37, Abbey Street; and Mrs. Foley, 36, Lower Abbey Street; with a view to granting the claimants adequate compensation?

The Property Losses Committee were satisfied that the several claims referred to were adequately and fully inquired into, and there is no ground for any suggestion to the contrary. The insurance practice in assessing loss was followed in every case dealt with by the Committee. The assessment represented the value of the property as at date of destruction, but not necessarily replacement value as at such date, as insurance companies take into consideration the age and condition of a building when assessing a loss. Complaints regarding the amounts awarded were received from the first four parties named in the question, but the Committee were unable after in- vestigation to vary their recommendation. No complaint regarding the sums awarded in the three remaining cases were received from the claimants by the Committee.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it was the intention of the Government, in drawing up the terms of reference for the Rebellion Victims' Committee, to prohibit them from recommending the Treasury to pay adequate compensation to such claimants as Michael Moran for the loss of his wife and the necessary guardianship of his four young children, all under nine years of age, and to Robert Condron, 1, Upper Rutland Street, Dublin, for the loss of his wife, Mary Condron, and the necessary guardianship of his two young children, both under eight years of age; and, seeing that the payment of £10, funeral expenses, is inadequate compensation for such cases, what steps he intends to take and when these people will receive adequate compensation?

The instructions to the Committee were drawn up to carry into effect a promise made by the Government in the House of Commons, and not with a view to particular cases. The Committee represented the facts of the eases in question, but had no power to determine upon a compassionate payment such as the hon. Member suggests. There are no funds under my control out of which such payment could lawfully be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Henry Marks, Pillar House, Henry Street, Dublin, whose property was looted during the recent rebellion, and the fact that Mr. Marks' claim for compensation has not been admitted; whether he is aware that Mr. Hume, assessor to the Property Losses Committee, and his assistant, Mr. Armour, inspected the premises, checked the stock, etc.; and, seeing that Mr. Marks has invited them to either admit his claim or prosecute him for making a fraudulent claim, so that he will be afforded an opportunity of exposing the manner in which his property has been sacrificed, will he say what action he will take?

Mr. Marks' claim for compensation has not been admitted. Mr. Hume and Mr. Armour did not ascertain that Mr. Marks had suffered any loss. The case is not one in which I can take any action.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the terms of reference given to the Rebellion Victims' Committee prevent the Committee from giving adequate compensation to Catherine Foster, 18, Manor Place, Dublin, for the loss of her child, shot dead by the military during the rebellion; if so, what steps he intends taking to see that Mrs. Foster receives proper treatment; is he aware that the husband of Mrs. Foster sacrificed his life in France for the Empire and her pension has been reduced from 18s. to 15s. per week; and whether he intends to take any further action and, if so, when to secure better treatment for Mrs. Foster?

The terms of reference did not empower the Committee to assess payment for losses other than direct and substantial present loss, or to award compensation for pain and grief. Inquiry as to the amount of Mrs. Foster's pension should be made of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions or of the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of horses in training or being prepared for racing in Ireland in the months of January, February, March, April, and May of the present year, respectively; and, if not, will he have a census prepared forthwith; and whether he will prepare a similar Return of horses used for hunting during the same period, and give a Return of all corn used in Ireland for horse-feeding purposes of all characters?

During the months in question about 1,100 horses were in training. This number has been reduced by 440, and is being further reduced. The ultimate limit of reduction cannot yet be stated. The Board of Trade Committee on the Utilisation and Feeding of Horses is obtaining returns of the quantities of oats, maize, and other grain consumed by horses of all kinds in Ireland.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to announce any concession to the drift-net fishermen in the area between Horn Head and Malin Head, county Donegal?

This matter has been carefully considered by the local naval authorities, and it is regretted that, for military reasons affecting the area in question, it is impossible to make any concession at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what date the two motor boats won their victory over the German craft on the Victoria Nyanza Lake; and on what date Messrs. Thornycroft received the authorisation papers for their construction?

If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the two motor boats which were sent out to Lake Taganyika, the answer is that their first success was won on the 26th December, 1915. They were not designed for the Admiralty. One of them was requisitioned early in the War for other service. On the 10th May, 1915, this vessel was detailed for the Taganyika Expedition, and at the same time the second, which was then approaching completion, was requisitioned for the same purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will postpone the recall of all men under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act until they have been refused work of national importance as fit men; and whether he will consider the advisability of this work being undertaken by Mr. Neville Chamberlain?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Instruction No. 471, directing that any man who has been at any time under treatment for tubercular trouble was not to be taken into the Army, is still operative; and, if so, is it being strictly observed by the medical boards?

These instructions are still in force, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not observed. If my hon. Friend has information to the contrary, perhaps he will let me know.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he received a communication from Mr. J. Roberts, of Warwick, with respect to his son, a conscientious objector, now serving a sentence of imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubbs; whether, prior to his arrest, Roberts was employed on important building work; and whether he will consider if it would be of greater advantage to the community if this man were allowed to continue such work than be put into prison?

The details given are not sufficient to enable me to trace this man. If my hon. Friend will give me his number and unit and any further details he may possess, I will inquire into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether Sydney and Harry Solomon, conscientious objectors, are serving a term of imprisonment in Carnarvon Prison; whether they have made application for work under the Home Office Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors; and whether they will be allowed under the terms of the promise made by the Under-Secretary to the Home Office on 17th October, 1916, to take up work under the Committee?

The finding of the Central Tribunal in these two cases was that the men could not be said to have any real conscientious objection to military service, and in these circumstances the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors was unable to offer them work. The statement referred to by the hon. Member did not apply, and did not purport to apply, to such cases.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether instructions have been issued to the local commissioners for the Military Service Civil Liabilities Committee directing them to refer applicants, if they are married men without children, to local statutory committees in the first instance, with the effect that the Military Service Civil Liabilities Committee will in that case be enabled to shirk part of its responsibility and place the responsibility upon local war pensions committees; and, if not, whether he will call the attention of the Commissioner at Halifax to his irregular procedure in this matter?

The Commissioners have been instructed to refer to the local War pensions committees in the first instance certain cases in which the wife's capacity for work and opportunities of obtaining employment have to be considered. In some of these cases the allowances which the local committee are empowered to make suffice to meet the needs of the applicant. Failing this, a renewed application may be made to the Commissioner. There is no question of shirking responsibility, but it is necessary that there should be co-operation between the Civil Liabilities Committee and the local War pensions committee in dealing with cases which may be eligible for State assistance from either body.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the desirability of procuring the release from the Army of A. C. Downes, whose father farms 1,140 acres in East Kent, of which 400 acres are arable, and who would be able to plough some 200 additional acres of pasture if competent labour were procurable; whether he is aware that conditional exemption was granted to A. C. Downes by the Dover Tribunal on the ground of his indispensable value to agriculture, but that he has now been called up for service; and whether, in view of the fact that so large a farm, capable of producing large quantities of food, cannot be properly worked without the assistance of A. C. Downes, he will take steps to procure his release from the Army?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. After inquiries through the Kent Agricultural Executive Committee, the Board made an application to the War Office for the man's release, but the Army Council declined to accede

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a man of forty-eight of good education and position, and now sergeant in the volunteers, is eligible for a commission, or must on being attested necessarily go into the ranks?

Specially selected members of the Volunteer Force, both officers and other ranks, who are recommended by their commanding officers, and whose applications are approved by the Territorial Force Association concerned, will be eligible for admission to an Officer Cadet Unit, with a view to subsequent appointment to commissions in certain Home service and garrison and labour units. They must be classified B 1 or 2 and C 1 or 2.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any record is kept of the condition as to vaccination and inoculation of the men suffering from cerebro-spinal meningitis, with the dates of the performance of such operations and of the onset of the disease; and whether he can supply a Return giving such information?

No statistics of the kind suggested are kept, and I regret that a Return cannot be furnished, as the time and labour required for compiling it cannot be spared at the present time.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can inform Mrs. Hannah Kelly, of Letterkenny, county Donegal, mother of Private Patrick Kelly, No. 18221, Royal Irish Fusiliers, as to her son's effects, she having been informed on the 2nd August, 1916, by the Infantry Record Office, Dublin, that he was killed (letter 7/18,221/87).

Mrs. Kelly has been written to several times, but no reply has been received. A further application is now being made to her, and if she will give the required information the soldier's effects will be issued.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what security a farmer has under the Wool Purchase Orders, 1917, that the value of his own wool is credited to him and not that of some other farmer; and whether any arrangements can be made whereby a farmer or his representative may, if he so desire, be present when his wool is opened out and valued, and not only when it is weighed?

The best security for the farmer against any mistake of the kind to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is that the Department employs competent and experienced wool merchants to act as authorised buyers. I am informed that the sheets in which each farmer packs his wool can be easily identified by the numbers stencilled on them. If the farmer takes the precaution of sending the merchant a note of the sheet number and weights, he will be amply safeguarded. If, however, any farmer wishes to see his wool cased and valued, and gives seven days' notice in writing of his intention to do so, I have no doubt authorised merchants will be glad to arrange for him to be present at the casing and valuation, provided he comes within a reasonable time.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Messrs. Wilkinson, cabinet makers, of Hall Lane, Bradford, a firm at present executing an order for 500 linen presses for a local military hospital, under a War Office contract or for a War Office contractor, refused, within the last two months, to sign a fair contracts clause; and if he will make inquiries and satisfy himself as to the wages and conditions of labour under which this firm is doing work for the War Office, either as a contractor or as a sub-contractor, as the case may be?

Inquiries are being made into the matter, and I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman when they have been completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men who have hitherto been employed in the Army pay offices and who have now been requested to join a regiment retain their former pay of 4s. per day, plus separation allowance; whether he is aware that this is causing dissatisfaction amongst men who, although they have been two years in the fighting line and some of whom are now instructing these Army Pay Corps men, are only paid ls. per day, plus separation allowance; and whether any steps will be taken towards levelling up of payment?

Men on special rates of pay compulsorily transferred to other arms through no fault, inefficiency, or misconduct of their own retain their special rate. That is based on the Army Transfers Act, 1915, and is not peculiar to the Army Pay Corps.

asked the Minister of Munitions when the Irish munition workers will receive an increase in their wages; and if he will say whether the proposed increase will bring the rates to be paid to the same level as that paid in Great Britain?

My right hon. Friend's powers to increase the wages of munition workers are confined to the sanctioning of agreed proposals or the issuing of Statutory Orders. The only Order which he has at present power to make in regard to male munition workers has been applied to Ireland, and he has decided to apply as soon as practicable the same Orders for the regulation of the wages of female munition workers in controlled establishments in Ireland as in Great Britain. The rates of wages prescribed by those Orders are being adopted by agreement in the national shell factories in Ireland.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether several discharged soldiers have recently been paid off in the National Projectile Factory, Leeds; whether this is due to slackness of work in that factory; if not, what was the reason of the paying off; are there men of military age in that factory who have not served with the Colours who have not been paid off; and is this the priority of employment that soldiers are to have?

Discharged soldiers have recently been dismissed from the National Factory at Hunslet owing to a shortage of the particular work upon which they were engaged. It has been found necessary to retain a certain number of men of military age to carry out work of a heavy character which the men discharged were not physically capable of undertaking. I have given instructions that other work on munitions shall be found for these discharged soldiers, and I can assure the hon. Member that whenever possible discharged soldiers are given priority of employment in national factories.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the grenade which was found last week on the county cricket ground at Northampton and which exploded on the pulling out of the safety-pin, injuring two boys, is a grenade of new design or the one in general use by the Army; and whether it was a percussion or a time-fuse grenade?

I have no information with regard to this accident. No percussion hand grenade is in use in the British Army.

asked the Minister of Munitions if the explosion of grenades at Dunkirk last week, which resulted in the death of three men and the wounding of four others, was the result of any defect in the mechanism of the grenade; whether the grenade was of a new design or the one in general use in the Army; and if the grenades were percussion or time-fuse grenades?

I have no information with regard to this accident. No percussion hand grenade is in use in the British Army.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware of the complaints now being made by private Russian engineering firms engaged on the manufacture of war material, especially in connection with aviation, as to the present method of distribution of material purchased in Great Britain; whether he is aware that such complaints apply solely to the method of distribution and not to the general tonnage sanctioned by the Ministry; and, seeing that the cause for complaint did not exist until within the last month, will he, in the interests of the trade concerned, state whether there has been any alteration in the policy of his Department which may be the cause of the dislocation of the arrangements which until now have worked satisfactorily?

My right hon. Friend has no control over the distribution in Russia of supplies procured in the United Kingdom, but it is the case that it bas not been possible for the United Kingdom to meet all demands. It should be realised that the British supplies to Russia are not made out of our abundance, but in spite of our own necessities. Owing to shortage of labour and material it has been necessary to cut down Russian orders on exactly the same basis as British orders. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, there has been no change in the policy followed by the British Government. This policy has been and is to meet our Allies' requirements, subject to the limitations imposed by want of transport, material, and labour.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the recent increases in pay to workmen in Woolwich Arsenal are not to be extended to the families of those men who are receiving part wages during service with the forces; and whether, in view of the fact that any increase in Army or Navy pay due to promotion is deducted from the civil pay, he will reconsider the matter and concede any advances in civil pay?

The recent general increases awarded to manual workmen will not be extended to men during service with the forces. This decision applies to all workmen in Government employment, and not to those at Woolwich Arsenal only. I may point out that in the case of those below commissioned rank increases of Navy or Army pay due to promotion are not deducted from the civil pay, as the deduction is at a flat rate of 7s. a week in all cases, although any increased separation allowances received by the families is so deducted.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Burmese troops are now serving in any theatre of the War?

In modification of a reply I gave to this House on the 2nd November last, I informed the House on the 14th March that a company of Burmese pioneers was being raised by the Government of India in consequence of the desire of the people of Burma to undertake military service. I regret that I omitted to mention at the same time that a company of Burmese sappers and miners, No. 15 (Burma) Company, 2nd (Queen Victoria's Own) Sappers and Miners, has been serving in Mesopotamia, where they have played their part in the successful operations of General Maude's Force.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, of the only two clockmakers and jewellers at Winchmore Hill, N., one, Mr. Hazlehurst, a C 2 man, is about to be called up for military service and that the other is an uninterned enemy alien, Volz, to whom the inhabitants will now be compelled to give their custom; and will he state the circumstances under which Volz has not been interned?

I am informed that it is the case that the two businesses mentioned are the only two of the kind in the district. John Volz is a German subject, aged fifty-three, who has been thirty-seven years in this country, and at his present address since 1898. He has a British-born wife and four British-born children, one of whom is serving in our Army. He was exempted from internment on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, and no reason for cancelling his exemption has ever appeared. He has offered himself for National Service, which will lead to his being placed in other employment, if useful work, such as he is able to perform, can be found for him.

asked the Home Secretary whether John Duffy, an Irish political prisoner in England, driven insane by ill-treatment and subsequently confined in Warwick Lunatic Asylum, still lives; and, if so, where, and may he be visited?

I can find no record of the person to whom the hon. Member refers. I understand that there is no man of this name at Warwick Asylum nor can he be traced as having been there. A man named John Duffy, of 7, Reuben Avenue, Dublin, was interned at Frongoch last year, but was released from the camp, with a number of others, in July, 1916, to return to his home. There is no record of any mental trouble in his case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that traders are experiencing increasing difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies of matches; and whether he can take any steps to increase the available supplies?

I am not aware that serious difficulties have as yet been met in obtaining necessary supplies of matches.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if any provision has been made under the injuries in war scheme for the officers and men of merchant vessels not in Government service who have been invalided out or who have died either as a result of injuries or sickness directly attributable to the War, or through sickness that may be attributable to the mental or physical strain arising out of the War?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Officers and men of merchant ships are covered by the compensation scheme established early in 1915, which places them as regards pensions and compensation for injuries in the same position as officers and men of Fleet auxiliaries. Injuries and sickness directly attributable to the War would certainly come under that scheme, as also would any illness, or the aggravation of any illness, which was due to the general strain of life afloat under war conditions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has been made aware that the county of Shetland is seriously affected by the Order restricting the use of petrol; and whether, in view of the fact that owing to the want of railway facilities and horse vehicles petrol cars are the only means by which the business of the county can be carried on, he will endeavour to give such relief as is possible?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I realise that the restrictions upon the use of hired motor-cars have caused inconvenience and hardship, especially in remote districts. The Petrol Control Committee are considering whether it is possible, having regard to the present serious shortage of supplies of spirit, to mitigate somewhat the severity of the restrictions which have had to be imposed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the waste of paper involved in the printed matter sent to Members of Parliament through the Post Office, and the public loss involved in the extra labour required to deal with this matter in transit; and whether he will confer with the Paper Control Committee with a view to preventing this waste of material and loss of labour in the future?

I am not sure what printed matter the hon. Member has in mind, but if he is referring to the Votes and Proceedings and other Parliamentary Papers, I think he should put his suggestion before the authorities of the House. The Post Office has no power to initiate any restriction in the distribution of these Papers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has now received official intimation of the steps taken by the United States Congress to prevent the use of cereals and other food materials for the manufacture of intoxicants during the War?

No reply has as yet been received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington to the inquiry which was addressed to him on the subject.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) when the Conciliation and Arbitration Board propose to consider the claims of the boy clerks in Government Departments for an increased War bonus?

The Conciliation and Arbitration Board have already heard an application for an increased war bonus made on behalf of the Boy Clerks' Association, and their award will, I understand, be made very shortly.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) when it is proposed to communicate with heads of Departments regarding the recent award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board into the claim of the Civil Service Clerical Alliance for an increased war bonus?

A circular will be issued very shortly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that 650 constables in the Dublin Metropolitan Police have signed a memorial and presented it to the Chief Commissioner asking for the reinstatement of the five officers selected by themselves to present their application for increased wages; and, seeing that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst the Metropolitan Police in consequence of the Chief Commissioner's refusal, will he say what action he will take?

I understand that the dismissed constables presented a memorial such as that mentioned in the question. The suggestion that these men were dismissed for presenting an application for increased wages is an entirely false suggestion. They were, as I have before stated, dismissed for gross breaches of discipline, and I see no reason for interfering, with the authority of the Chief Commissioner in such a case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is prepared to take such steps as may be necessary to secure the right of appeal to the County Courts in Ireland in all cases of surcharges made by Local Government Board auditors?

I do not think any alteration in the law is needed in the public interest.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has reconsidered the memorial forwarded to him some time ago by the ship inspectors under the Department of Agriculture asking for an increase of salary and an extension of retirement age limit in view of the fact that these men have received no increase of pay for several years, except a war bonus of 4s. per week, notwithstanding the increase in the cost of living; if he will explain why the men are compulsorily retired at sixty years though capable of performing their duties; if he will say what is the nature of their duties and why these men are not well fitted to perform them up to sixty-five years; and if he has received any resolutions or other representations from dealers in live stock and others in Dublin and Belfast asking that the ship inspectors' memorial be given effect to in the interest of the trade and public?

The memorial of the ship inspectors and the representations of the dealers in live stock have been carefully considered. I must refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question by the hon. Member for North-East Cork on Monday last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much of the land confiscated in Ireland in the seventeenth century was granted to a London citizen named Erasmus Smith; how much of this he devoted to the endowment of schools for the free education of the children of the tenants on the lands; how much of the landed property still remains in each county for this purpose; if any has been sold under the Land Purchase Acts, will he state the amount of the proceeds and where, and how, secured for the original purpose; who constitute the present board of governors; when and by whom appointed; whether in their time the children of any tenant on the property have received free education in Erasmus Smith schools, in accordance with the terms of the trust; whether the children of any tenant on the property are now receiving free education in any of these schools in accordance with the terms of the trust; if not, why this is not done; the number of pupils taught in each of the Erasmus Smith grammar schools in each of the last three years, with the total cost and the average cost per pupil; why these did not comprise the children of any resident on the property; the number of pupils taught in each of the twenty other Erasmus Smith schools in each of the last three years, with the total cost and the average cost per pupil; the amount of money paid from this endowment in each of the last three years towards the higher education of Erasmus Smith students to Trinity College, Dublin, and to the National University, respectively, with the number of such students in each; and whether, in view off the diversion of this property from the purposes of the trust, he has any proposals to make with reference to its future management?

The position of the endowments in question appears in the minutes of a public sitting of the Educational Endowments (Ireland) Commission held on 22nd October, 1894, which are published in the final Report of the Commission (1894 Cd. 7517). The charity is in no way under my control, and if it is alleged that the trustees are not carrying out the terms of their trust the matter must be dealt with in the Courts. My predecessor gave the hon. Member a very full answer on this subject on 10th February, 1915.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of gold companies in Southern Rhodesia registered since the granting of the charter to the British South Africa Company; the total amount of capital subscribed; and the number of companies which are paying more than 5 per cent. dividend?

I regret that this information is not on record at the Colonial Office.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the difference between the amounts legitimately claimed by local authorities in Ireland and the amounts paid to them since the creation of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account by the Act of 1898 in respect of medical and educational expenditure, Local Government Board pharmacist, salaries of sanitary officers, accommodation of lunatic poor, and excess of railway or harbour charges, respectively?

issued the following particulars: