asked the Prime Minister if, in the event of the Government deciding to permit the continuance of a certain number of race meetings, he will consider the practicability of allowing some of them to be held in the North or England?

There is no change at present in the Government policy on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the increased 3d. tax on cinema seats is specially hard on the owners of small cinema theatres in rural towns in Ireland; and whether he can suggest or hold out any hope which would give some relief to these small owners?

It is not proposed to increase the existing tax on prices of admission up to and including 3d. The new scale of tax which is to come into operation on 1st July next involves an increase only on prices exceeding that figure. ( See Financial Statement—White Paper No. 75.)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a trust investment company which has deposited large blocks of dollar securities with the Treasury were owners of $40,000 St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company 4 per cent. prior lien mortgage bonds, series A, 1950, and $15,000 St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company 6 per cent. cumulative adjustment mortgage bonds, series A, 1955, included in the sixth list of securities, dated 19th December, 1916, for loan to the Treasury under Deposit Scheme B; that the board of the trust company, on 21st December, 1916, authorised their deposit under Scheme B, but were unable to deliver them at that time as they were still in course of exchange in America in terms of the reorganisation of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company, for former securities of that railroad company, and were not in the physical possession of the trust, although Messrs. Brown Brothers and Company, their agents in New York, had been instructed by letter, dated the 13th December, 1916, to accept delivery of the securities when ready; that, while the trust was waiting for advices of the delivery of the securities to enable it to submit the forms to the Treasury, the Treasury notice of 25th January, 1917, was issued; that, because the trust was precluded from offering the bonds at an earlier date owing to circumstances beyond their control, although desirous of doing so, they are penalised by being compelled by the Treasury to sell the prior lien bonds at 68¾ and the adjustment mortgage bonds at 70⅝, whereas under the B Scheme the prices, in case of purchase by the Treasury, would have been 74½ plus 5 per cent. and 85⅝ plus 5 per cent., respectively; is it intended to insist on the penal loss involved in the exclusion of the bonds from deposit under Scheme B, when their deposit, although intended and authorised, could not be accomplished before the issue of the Treasury notice of the 25th January for the reasons stated; and will he say whether all bonds similarly circumstanced have been excluded from acceptance under the terms of Scheme B?

I understand that the American Dollar Securities Committee have considered the special features attaching to the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company bonds, and, provided that they are satisfied that the offer of the securities was notified before the 25th January 1917, they will be prepared to accept deposit of the same under Scheme B.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will authorise the Excise Department of the Board of Customs and Excise to issue instructions permitting the clearance from bond of spirits which have attained maturity by the effluxion of time and should be at the disposal of the licensed victuallers for whom they were bonded?

The restriction on the delivery of spirits from bond for home consumption, on payment of duty, is contained in the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order, 1917, made by the Food Controller under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. I cannot authorise the Board of Customs and Excise to permit the clearance of spirits from bond simply because they have attained an age which would allow of their removal for home consumption under the terms of the Immature Spirits (Restriction) Act, as to do so would be to defeat the object of the Order.

asked the Chancellor-of the Exchequer if he will make arrangements to secure that a suitable supply of malt shall be made available, and at reasonabble prices, for the purpose of producing the necessary home-brewed beer for consumption by agricultural labourers during haysell and harvest?

I have been asked to reply. The supply of malt already available is insufficient to provide for the authorised requirements of brewers for sale. Unless, therefore, further malting is authorised, it will be impossible to provide malt for home brewing, especially as this would, in all probability, assume considerable dimensions in view of the shortage of beer and its present high price.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the prices to Scottish growers fixed as from the 1st April for potatoes for consumption and for seed, respectively; whether the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, or any of the officially constituted Advisory Committees, or any farmers' organisation, or any farmer made any representations that the prices for Scottish potatoes under the Seed Order No. 179, operating to the 1st April, were insufficient; if so, can he say by whom representations were made; if he can give the names of any Scottish farmers who, having held up potatoes while under the March Order, were induced to sell by the higher price under the April Order: can he give any estimate of the total quantity that was held up; if he can give any estimate of the quantity of potatoes bought by merchants under the March Order from farmers and dealers and sold under the April Order, which enabled them to get £3 a ton profit, namely, £2 a ton rise in price and £1 commission; and if he can state what quantity of potatoes the firm of Messrs. Dennis have sold under the April Order?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the terms of the Food Controller's Orders on the subject (Statutory Rules and Orders, 1917, Nos. 178, 179 and 295) in which the prices are clearly stated. These prices were, of course, not special to Scottish growers. As regards the second part of the question, I can only say that the Order fixing the prices as from 1st April was made by the Food Controller, with the authority of the War Cabinet, after consultation with the Agricultural Departments concerned, and with due consideration of all the interests affected. As regards the third and remaining parts of the question I have no information, but in view of the suggestions which my hon. Friend apparently wishes to convey, I would refer him to my reply to his question on the 30th April in which I explained the reasons for raising the price of seed potatoes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether complaints have reached him that some wholesale merchants and middlemen handling food supplies discriminate between their retail customers, withholding even the reduced supplies from some, thus in some instances eliminating competitors; and, this being unfair use to make of the present emergency, whether an effective Order will be issued immediately correcting this treatment wherever practised and preventing it in future?

I am informed that no such complaints have been made as regards Dublin. If the hon. Member will furnish instances in other parts of Ireland I shall cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will state the average increase in prices in the large towns in this country over the pre-war prices of the following articles, namely, eggs, cheese, butter, milk, and the commoner varieties of fruit and vegetables; and whether, in view of the high prices and scarcity of these articles, he will, on behalf of the Ministry of Food, represent to the War Office the desirability of forbidding the supply of these articles to German prisoners in this country?

According to statistics compiled by the Board of Trade, the average increase in prices of eggs, cheese, butter, milk, and potatoes in towns with populations exceeding 50,000, from July, 1914, to 1st May, 1917, was as follows:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state if, in the view of the Department of Agriculture that next to potatoes oatmeal porridge is the most essential and appreciated article of diet in Ireland, the present price of oatmeal per stone of 14 lbs.; and whether there is any intention on the part of the Government to commandeer all the oats in the country for the purpose of manufacture and sale at a price within their means to the workers with a wage so small that precludes them from purchasing either potatoes or oatmeal at present prices?

I have been asked to reply. The maximum price of oatmeal in Ireland has been fixed at 5d. per lb., or 5s. 10d. per stone of 14 lbs. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the scarcity of milk and sugar in Ireland; and if he will consider the advisability of appointing a Food Controller for Ireland to arrange for supplies and regulate prices?

I am in communication with the Food Controller on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Department of Agriculture will take into consideration the value of lime as an insect killer in old pasture land when converted to tillage purposes and as a stimulant to land long under cultivation; and will he suggest to county councils and give them the necessary powers to hire out machinery for the purpose of quarrying the raw material?

I am informed that lime has little or no effect on insects, such as the wire worms or leather-jackets, that attack agricultural crops on old pasture land which has been broken up. Lime applied to land under cultivation for a long time has a most injurious effect in reducing fertility, especially if the soil is in a poor condition. The Department of Agriculture are not aware of the existence of any demand for machinery for the purposes of quarrying limestone.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what basis the award of £50 was made as compensation in the case of the dependants of Miss Margaret Nolan, 6, Lower Wellington Street, Dublin, who was killed on the North Circular Road on the 25th April, 1916; if this was the amount recommended to be paid by the Rebellion (Losses) Committee; if the Committee had taken into consideration the fact that the deceased, who was aged twenty-eight years, had been a forewoman in Jacob's biscuit factory, earning 22s. a week, which went to the support of the household; if an appeal made in the case of Margaret Nolan to have the amount of the compensation increased had not been acceded to; and if, in the circumstances stated, he will have this case reviewed with the object of having adequate compensation awarded?

All the relevant facts as to the earnings of deceased and the dependency of her mother were before the Committee when reporting on this case, and it is not proposed to review the award.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, owing to illness, Mary J. Berney, of 33, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin, was unable to send in her claim to the Property Losses Committee in time for consideration; that during the rising in Ireland the military took possession of her house and furniture; and that her furniture was removed from the house and used to erect a barricade; and if he will see that this case will receive favourable consideration by the Government and ample compensation be awarded?

This claim relating to damage sustained in April-May, 1916, was received by the Property Losses Committee on 15th March last. At that late date the Committee was unable to deal with the claim. The Committee has ceased to exist.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the carters employed by the Belfast and Northern Counties (Midland) Railway Company have been refused the 5s. bonus granted by the Government, and have been asked to accept instead the Master Carters' Association rate of 3s.; and whether he will take steps to see that the right of these men to the fall Government bonus is conceded without delay?

While the increase of wages applied for was 5s. a week, the railway company appear to have been asked to accept whatever arrangement was made between the Master Carriers' Association and the Amalgamated Association of Tramway and Vehicle Workers. I am. informed that the settlement was for 3s. per week, and that the carters employed by the railway company have received bonuses agreed upon between the Carters' Union and the Master Carriers' Association, amounting to 10s. per week.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Government's policy of attempting to interfere with labour organisations is strongly resented in Dublin; and if he will say whether Major Price made the Report which led to the interference of the Government with a labour union in Dublin recently?

The suggestions in the question have no foundation in fact.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the cause of the delay in granting the necessary powers for the construction of the Central Inland Railways, under the Defence of the Realm Act, to enable so much of the undertaking as may be deemed advisable for the transport of coal from the Arigna mineral areas to be proceeded with in order that coal may be available in the neighbourhood for the coming winter; is he aware that the Irish Exploration and Development Company, composed of men of large mining experience and standing, have already commenced mining operations in the district and will shortly be in a position to supply local wants, and that they have made arrangements to start the construction of the railway immediately the powers are granted; and, in view of the urgency of the matter as a war measure, will he grant the necessary transport facilities as he did in the case of the Wolfhill Colliery, especially as the project has the entire support of all the pubic bodies in the country?

The only part of these proposals which could by any possibility be completed in time for coal to be made available by it in the neighbourhood during next winter is a narrow-gauge line from Arigna terminus to the mines, about four miles. This scheme has been twice rejected by the locality, and its value would depend on the certainty of an enlarged output, which is not established. So far as I am aware, the commencement of the work is not dependent merely on the granting of powers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland is he aware that Messrs. Matthew McManus and Patrick J. Keegan were recently charged before the magistrates with having a green flag, with the words "Remember Easter Week, 1916," suspended between their premises at Gurteen, county Sligo; whether he is aware that Maurice C. Hime, Esq., LL.D., Buncrana, had an Irish republican flag with a somewhat similar inscription suspended from his flagstaff, on Saturday, the 19th May, and if the authorities intend to prosecute Dr. Hime; and, if not, why such action is not to be taken?

The two publicans referred to in the question were prosecuted for having a flag suspended between their licensed premises contrary to the provisions of 6 and 7 Wm. 4, c. 38, sec. 8. If the hon. Member will inform me who put the flag which was found on Dr. Hime's flagstaff I will consider the case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the employés of the Board of Works at Kingstown will receive the war bonus of 5s. recently awarded by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board to Civil servants; if he is aware that these labourers receive 20s. and 23s. per week for fifty-two hours, and that this is the lowest rate paid in Kingstown; and if he will see that the Government pay the same wages and bonuses as are paid to labourers by the Kingstown Commissioners?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. The question of the claims to war bonus of the employés of the Board of Works at Kingstown is under consideration. I am not prepared to admit that their wages are below those paid to similar employés in the district.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will extend the area and hours for drift-net fishing around North and North-West Donegal; and whether he will suspend the close season as at present in force in respect of fishing salmon by drift-nets, in the interest of food production?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Donegal East.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether William Malone, of Coolcullen, county Kilkenny, who last July, when only 17½ years of age, was induced by a recruiting officer to say he was 19½ and to enlist, but was discharged after forty-one days' service and subsequently transferred, without his consent, to Class W, Amy Reserve, has since been called up for active service; and, all his brothers being in the Army, he being the only remaining son and much needed for tillage and food production, and conscription not being legal in Ireland, whether he will be released and sent home to his parents?

This man was transferred to the Reserve Class W in October last under the instructions then in force as to the return from the Army of under age soldiers. On attaining the age of eighteen he was correctly recalled to the Colours. Malone enlisted voluntarily and no question of conscription therefore arises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has received a petition from Mrs. Bridget Kilbride, Clontyglass, Raheen, Mountrath, Queen's County, asking that her husband, Private John Kilbride, No. 4212, 7th Leinster Regiment, now serving at the front, would be granted temporary leave in order that he might sow his crops and cut and save turf for the coming winter; and, seeing that it is quite impossible for this poor woman with five young children to do the work herself or employ labour to do it, he will make representations to the proper military authorities to grant this man a short leave of absence in order to do this important work?

This case has already been brought to the notice of the War Office, but I regret it is not possible to arrange for Private Kilbride to be released from the front for the purposes suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will have inquiry made as to the constitution and qualifications of the medical board sitting at Hulme Town Hall; whether he is aware that men previously rejected two, three, and even four times have recently been passed as fit for foreign service at Hulme Town Hall and without proper medical inspection; and whether he will take steps to see that, if this is correct, the medical boards at this station shall in future be properly constituted and take into consideration each man's previous medical history?

I have been in correspondence with my hon. Friend about the matters raised in this question, but was not able to investigate the case he then brought forward in the absence of details. It is necessary to inquire of the recruiting authorities as to the matters which are brought to notice in this question, and I will communicate with him later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that John Joseph Coleman, No. 10677, 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, who recently enlisted at Gorey, county Wexford, is only a little over fifteen years of age and an only son; whether his mother, who is a very poor woman, has claimed his discharge; and, seeing that boys of fifteen years old are not eligible for the Army, will he order his release?

As the birth certicate of this lad shows that he is only fifteen years and four months old, instructions have been issued as a special case that his discharge shall be carried out, if his mother has petitioned for his release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. E. Ribiero, of Manchester, a conscientious objector to military service, is still confined to hospital at Warrington; if so, whether he is still hunger-striking; and whether internal bleeding and vomiting of blood has resulted from forcible feeding?

I am afraid that I cannot answer this question without obtaining information from those on the spot. I have called for this, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether the conscientious objectors recently in Wandsworth Prison who had been reported as insane and mentally deranged were known to be in poor mental health prior to being sent to prison; whether he has official information showing that the subsequent treatment received in prison was the cause of insanity and mental derangement; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take?

Inquiries made at Wandsworth Prison show that there has been no case in that prison of a conscientious objector who has been reported as insane or mentally deranged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. E. Ribiero, of Manchester, a conscientious objector to military service, is still confined to hospital at Warrington; whether he is still hunger-striking; and whether internal bleeding and vomiting of blood have resulted from forcible feeding?

I am afraid that I cannot answer this question without obtaining information from those on the spot. I have called for this, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Israel Bernhardt, of Hull, a conscientious objector, has been at work at the work centre since October last; that on the 8th instant an escort was sent to the work centre to arrest him; and that the agent in charge at Wakefield telegraphed to the Home Office his objection to the man's arrest; and if he will state what was the reason for such action on the Part of the authorities?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The facts stated in the first two parts of the question are correct. As regards the third part, by inadvertence the new agent at Wakefield was not informed that the War Office had been requested to recall this man to the Army, and when the escort called for the man he applied to the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors for instructions; but it is not the case that he expressed any objection to the man's arrest. The reason why the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors requested the War Office to recall this man to the Army was that he had failed to observe the conditions on which he was released from prison and excused from military service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities are compelling John Joseph Costello, 5, Seymour Street, Portman Square, to join the Army; is he aware that Costello is a native and resident of Wexford county, and who, although visiting London for the past eighteen years, did not spend eight months in this country all that time; and will he say, under these circumstances, if Costello is liable for military service?

Inquiries have been made into the facts of this case, and the recruiting officer concerned reports that Costello was called up to report for service with the Colours on the 30th January, 1917. As he failed to comply with the notice and no communication was received from him, the matter was placed in the hands of the police, who, on making inquiries, reported that Costello was a butler and was at present in Ireland. Subsequently a letter was received by the recruiting officer from Costello claiming that he was not liable to military service as being an Irishman not ordinarily resident in Great Britain. Costello was then asked to forward some evidence in support of his claim to be excepted from the liability to service, and sent to the recruiting officer a baptismal certificate signed by the parish priest of his native village in Ireland. The recruiting officer states that he is at present in communication with the Royal Irish Constabulary with a view to obtaining corroboration of Costello's claim to be not liable for service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Military Service Act will be used against Irish Government employés transferred or about to be transferred from their offices in Ireland to positions in Government offices in Great Britain; and if he will see that these men will not be held liable for military service if compulsorily transferred or volunteer to go to Government employment in Great Britain?

The men referred to in the hon. Member's question would, if ordinarily resident in Ireland, in the event of their being transferred to Government offices in Great Britain, be excepted from the liability to military service under the Military Service Acts. It is open to such men to obtain evidence from the Government Department in which they are working to the effect that they are ordinarily resident in Ireland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Joseph Hammersley, 95, Seaford Road, Pendleton, Salford, attended at Pendleton Town Hall on 14th May and was classified A, fit for general service, that he is over forty years of age, married, with a family, and that his chest measurement is only 30 inches and his weight 8 stone, and that twice before he was rejected as totally unfit for service; and whether, in view of these facts, he will state on what evidence this man is now classified as A?

:I have called for a report and will let my hon. Friend know as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether A. Montier, 2, Temple Dwellings, Temple Street, Bethnal Green, has been classified as C1 in spite of previous rejections; whether he is still only 6 stone 10 lb. in weight; and whether he can state what improvement in his health justifies this classification?

I am afraid I cannot answer this without obtaining further information. I will write to my hon. Friend later.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private W. Murphy, No. 51905, 3rd garrison battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, has received from the paymaster at Shrewsbury a statement of account showing that he is still £3 17s. 4d. in debt, notwithstanding the fact that he has only drawn £2 of his pay since the 9th of November last, when it was stated he was out of debt; if he is aware that this man appeared in regimental orders for Class I. service pay and not for Class II. service pay, as appears from the statement of account received from the paymaster at Shrewsbury; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am making inquiry and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council issued a command to the Director of Fortifications and Works and to the Director of Barrack Construction to release immediately any members of their staff still employed in their respective directorates who were eligible for military service other than those classified as B3 and C3; and, if so, whether such command has been acted upon in each directorate and all such men released?

The instruction issued in regard to the release of men from the Directorate of Barrack Construction for military service did not differ in any material respect from that given to all other directorates of the War Office. This instruction is to the effect that, with the exception of those whose services are regarded as indispensable for the performance of the work on which they are engaged, all men above the classifications B3 and C3 are to be released for military service. This instruction has been acted upon.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of drillers employed on urgent Admiralty work at Rosyth have been served with notices and taken into the Army in spite of the fact that drilling is included in the Schedule of protected occupations, and that there is a great scarcity of drillers at the present time; whether these men were taken with the consent of the responsible authorities; and whether he proposes taking any action with a view to the men being returned to their work?

I will inquire, and inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received further information as to whether George Frederick Mitchell, of Scarborough, was actually examined by the specialists stated to have been present when Mitchell was before the special medical board in London; and whether, in face of the certificates of local medical men of undoubted professional skill and integrity, one of whom has just completed twelve months' service in the Army, and of the result of the two previous medical examinations, it has been decided that Mitchell is a man fit for general service in the Army?

The man in question was actually examined by the two specialists, as is the invariable practice. In view of the opinion of the special medical board there is no reason to suppose that Mitchell is unfit for general service in the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any of the certificates issued on medical examination or re-examination bear a private mark indicating anything concerning the man's case which is not stated in plain words which the man himself can understand?

The only marks which are authorised and upon which action can be taken are those which state plainly the medical category in which a man has been placed. I have no reason to think that any other marks are put on the certificate, but I am quite ready to inquire into any specific cases which my hon. Friend may care to bring to my notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. W. E. S. Hose, a Post Office telegraphist, suffering from occupational neurosis, who has been passed for general military service by the medical board at Woolwich; whether he is aware that Mr. Hose has been under treatment at the Miller Hospital, Greenwich, and the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, from both of which he was discharged from treatment owing to the incurable nature of his disease; whether he is aware that Dr. J. S. Collier, physician to St. George's Hospital, physician to the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, and captain in charge of nervous diseases at the 4th London General Hospital, has certified Mr. Hose as being incapable of ordinary exertion with his upper limbs, and any strain or fatigue will make them progressively worse; and whether he will arrange for Mr. Hose to be re-examined in the light of this impartial medical testimony?

I am making inquiries about this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that a number of skilled men who have passed the Royal Engineers' trade test, but who were classed as B and C men and who joined Infantry works companies in the Southern Command, were promised when they joined these companies that if they worked at their trades they would be paid at Royal Engineers' rates; that they were paid at these rates up to 31st December, 1916, when it was stopped; and whether he will state why the above promise has not been kept?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on the 13th February last, working pay ceased universally in Infantry works companies from the 1st January last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Office of Works has increased and utilised its staff on War Office works services, and that such staff included, and still includes, members eligible for military service; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The permanent staff of the Office of Works has been heavily reduced by enlistment, and temporary assistance has had to be obtained for the purpose of dealing with urgent works for other Government Departments including the War Office, of which works the War Office share is by no means the greatest. No new men are engaged who are fit for general service; in fact, most of the additional members of the staff are either over military age or have been medically rejected. The staff of my Department is specially organised for dealing with works of construction, and I have no reason to believe that its work has given anything but satisfaction to the Departments, who entrusted their urgent war services to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers gazetted out of the Army on account of wounds or illness incurred while serving in the Army are allowed to wear the uniform of their old regiment or any badge to distinguish them from the conscientious objector?

Officers gazetted out of the Army on account of wounds or illness may belong to three classes—( a ) Officers who retire or who are placed on retired pay, and who are permitted to wear uniform after retirement. ( b ) Officers of the Reserve of Officers, Special Reserve or Territorial Force, who resign their commissions and who, being qualified by length of service, are granted permission to retain their rank and wear the prescribed uniform. ( c ) Officers who relinquish their temporary commissions and who are granted honorary rank in the Army, but who, not being otherwise qualified, are not permitted to wear uniform. The wearing of uniform by those in the first two classes is restricted during the War to special occasions. Officers who have served since 4th August, 1914, and have retired, resigned, or relinquished their commissions on account of wounds or sickness, are eligible for the silver badge if their disability unfits them for further military service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Surveyor-General is now responsible for the system of accountancy in the administrative branches of the War Office; and will he say what duties of those hitherto carried out by the finance member of the Army Council are now assumed by the Surveyor-General?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative. As regards the latter, the Surveyor-General has taken over the administration of the Contracts Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Colonel of the Middlesex Regiment, stationed at Canterbury, recently on a very hot day, at 6.30 a.m., ordered D Company, 2-7th Battalion, Old Park Camp, for a route march; that he loaded each man with pack and ammunition to the weight of 90 lb.; that those who finished did some seventeen miles before getting back to dinner, that dozens fell exhausted on the road, that several collapsed on reaching camp, that three men have died in hospital, and that one man has gone blind as a result of this treatment; and what steps the War Office intend taking to put a stop to this method of training?

The facts are that the troops to which my hon. Friend probably refers were ordered to do a route march. They were equipped in ordinary marching order, and marched 12 miles, starting at 6.30 a.m. Out of a total of some 2,500 men three only were brought in by ambulance. No death or any case of blindness has occurred in the battalion referred to. Unless men are trained to march they will not be capable of doing so when they are required to in an emergency.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how the certificates of death of soldiers returned to their relatives for burial are forwarded; whether the arrangement can be improved; and whether any precautions are taken when the cause of death is a disease of an infectious character?

The death is notified to the next-of-kin by telegram by the Officer in Charge of Records. If the body is sent home for burial, a burial certificate is obtained from the Civil Registrar and sent by post. I understand that in cases of infectious disease the railway companies will only accept bodies if enclosed in a lead shell.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if something will be done to give more frequent leave to the soldiers employed with the Royal Defence Corps at Douglas, Isle of Man, many of the men being given leave only once in six months, though when they took up these duties they were told they would be given passes every three months?

No official promise or undertaking was given at any time that leave passes would be issued every three months. Leave is granted, however, when it is possible, if a man applies for leave on matters of necessity or for urgent private affairs.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Director of Fortifications and Works and the Director of Barrack Construction have been responsible for the erection of large camps, hospitals, and other war buildings in the United Kingdom; whether such services have been satisfactorily performed under their respective direction; and, if so, why services of a similar nature for the War Office have been allotted to His Majesty's Office of Works instead of to the directors under the War Office control, who had technical staff available, capable of increase if necessary in the subordinate classes?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, it has been necessary from time to time to relieve the pressure on the War Office and Command Staffs, and the Office of Works have rendered much assistance generally, and in certain instances they have carried out, as agents for the War Department, works for which they had special facilities. They have not, however, constructed any large camp for troops.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. O'Connor and Mullins, Irishmen banished from Ireland last February without charge or trial and interned at Wetherby, have been absent from that district any night during that time; whether he is aware that they have been accustomed to go away for a day, returning the same evening, and that, on mentioning last Saturday their intention to visit Leeds and return the same evening they were, again without charge, arrested and imprisoned in the police station by order of the military; and will he specify the Statute under which the military thus assume control over civilians, the charge in this case, when the accused are to be tried, and whether by a civil or by a military Court?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put his question down again later, as I find it necessary to make some inquiries about the matters brought to notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men of the French and Belgian Armies who have served at the front wear a distinguishing mark on their coats when they return, in the case of the French Army the said distinguishing mark being a white arrow on the left sleeve for the first six months' service at the front and an additional white arrow for every succeeding twelve months served there; and whether, having regard to the fact that British soldiers who have Served at the front are only distinguished by special marks on their clothing if they have been wounded, and that a slight wound after short service at the front entails far less hardship than a long period of service in the danger zone free from wounds, he will recognise this fact and allow decorations for active service to be worn as well as decorations for wounds?

This matter is still under consideration, but I hope a decision will be reached shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if a sum of 6d. per day is added to the pension of a soldier who holds the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and if no addition is made to the pension of a soldier who has won the Military Medal; and whether something will be done to give a substantial recognition of the bravery of the holders of the Military Medal as well as of those who have the Distinguished Conduct Medal?

The Military Medal was instituted with a view to providing a form of decoration in recognition of bravery in the field which did not reach the standard of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and so did not call for the addition of the gratuity and extra pension which the latter carries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have been made for allowing soldiers in uniform, whether on duty or not, to pass free of toll over Haslar Bridge, which is on the direct road between Haslar Camp and Gosport?

During the present emergency soldiers in uniform, whether on duty or not, pay no toll.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a captain of the Royal Army Medical Corps serving at a military hospital is entitled to charge a fee for filling up a statement required by a life association in reference to a man who has died under his charge?

I am not aware of any reason why any fee ordinarily payable by a life association should not be charged.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the men employed at the Balmoral Remount Depot, Belfast, are now paid only 29s. for a fifty-four hours' week and are obliged to work nine hours on Sunday at the ordinary day rate; whether he is aware that when this remount depot was opened the pay was 5s. per day and 7s. 6d. for Sundays; and whether, considering the nature of the work and the cost of living, he will take steps to ensure that these men are paid in future at the original rate of 5s. per day and 7s. 6d. for Sundays?

These men receive 29s. a week, and are paid overtime on Sundays at the same rate. The special rates to which the hon. Member refers were applicable only to the immediate emergency of mobilisation. They ceased after the first weeks of war and cannot be renewed. The present rate has been very recently increased to cover cost of living, and I am not aware of any justification for any further rise at present.

asked the Pensions Minister if he can take any steps to secure representation upon the pensions statutory committees of discharged soldiers and saliors' associations where such are in existence?

The constitution of a local committee under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915, is determined by a scheme framed by the local authorities concerned. Except for a few counties in Ireland, schemes have been framed for all areas, and are now in operation. The local authorities when at any time revising their schemes will no doubt consider the advisability in the discharged men's interests of appointing to the committees direct representatives of those interests.

asked the Pensions Minister what steps have been taken or will be taken to inform sailors and soldiers who have already been given gratuities in lieu of pensions that if they consider that they ought to have received pensions instead of gratuities they will be entitled to have their cases reconsidered by the appeal Court about to be set up?

I shall cause a notice to be sent to the Press regarding the setting up of the appeal Court.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of the late Sergeant J. Turner, No. 253, late Manchester Regiment, killed in France 21st December, 1914, whether he is aware that his mother, Mrs. Turner, of 38, Broadway, Trafford Road, Salford, was for twelve months receiving 5s. a week in respect of Sergeant Turner, which was reduced for a time to 1s. 9d. and then raised again to 2s. 6d. from April, 1916, to October, 1916, and then ceased; whether the 5s. or other sum so paid was in the nature of a pension; and, if so, why it has been discontinued?

Mrs. Turner was partly dependent on other soldier relatives, and the varying amounts granted in respect of her son, Sergeant J. Turner, were such as could be given within the total amount (12s. 6d.), which, under former Regulations, would be paid to a mother as a separation allowance. Under the new Warrant, Mrs. Turner will be granted a pension of 5s. in respect of Sergeant Turner without regard to any amount she may be receiving on separation allowance in respect of other soldiers.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Corporal Alfred Thomas Wall, late 3rd Loyal North Lancashire, who served in the Boer War, whether he is aware that he joined on the outbreak of the present War and was passed as medically fit, in spite of an accident he had previously had in January, 1912, when working for the Manchester Ship Canal; that on the 6th April, 1916, he underwent an operation and was discharged from the Service on the 28th May, 1916, as medically unfit for further service; and that, as a result of his service and of the operation which he underwent while still serving, he is now under serious disability for civilian work; whether he has been refused all claim to a pension; and, if so, whether his case will be reconsidered?

Corporal A. T. Wall was discharged on the 28th May last on account of a disability which was the result of an accident sustained in civilian occupation in 1912. Under the previous Warrant it was decided that he was ineligible for an award. His case is, however, covered by Clause 7 (2) of the new Warrant, and is at present being assessed for gratuity.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Private James Morrissey, late No. 11,102, 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, and now of 6, Brindle Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, whether he is aware that £1 10s. has been withheld from his pension for claims in respect of national insurance; whether he will say if this deduction has been properly made; whether he is aware that Morrissey has been under treatment in the local hospital, and that during the time of such treatment an additional 1s. a day has been deducted from his pension; whether he will say if this has been rightly deducted; and, if so, what benefit does he derive from his contributions to the national health insurance both before and after entering the Army?

The sum of £1 10s. has been correctly withheld from the pension of James Morrissey under Section 1 (2) of the National Insurance (Part I.—Amendment) Act, 1915, to meet any claim that the approved society may have owing to Morrissey's pension having been raised to the total disablement rate and the consequent reduction in the rate of his sickness benefit. He will be given any balance that may be found due to him after settlement of treatment. The 1s. a day deduction is on account of maintenance, which is supposed to be covered by the pension. With regard to the last part of the question, inquiries as to the benefits under the National Insurance Act should be addressed to the Controller of the Household.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Private John Finnigan, No. 12,462, 3rd Durham Light Infantry, who served for twenty-two years in what was formerly the 4th Durham Militia, joined the 3rd Durham Light Infantry shortly after the outbreak of war and was discharged on 23rd June, 1916; that for five weeks after his discharge he received a pension of £1 a week from the Chelsea Commissioners, and that on 5th July he was informed that the Commissioners decided that he had no claim to a pension; and whether he will say if this soldier has a claim to a pension?

Private Finnigan joined the Durham Light Infantry on the 31st August, 1915. He had previously served 130 days in the Northumberland Fusiliers. The twenty- two years' service to which the hon. and gallant Member refers appears to have been unembodied service in the Militia. In the opinion of the medical board his disability was neither caused nor aggravated by his service in the present War, and his earning capacity subsequent to enlistment was not lessened. The sum of £1 a week was a temporary allowance paid during the consideration of his claim to pension, for which under the previous Warrants he was found not to be eligible. His case is now being assessed for a gratuity under the terms of the new Warrants.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of Mr. Ackerley, of Regent Square, Salford, whose son is serving in the 1/7th Battalion Welsh Regiment, and has been so serving since January last, whether he is aware that the papers with regard to the separation allowance have been mislaid; whether he will have inquiries made as to whose fault it is that the papers have been mislaid; and whether he can have prompt steps taken to see that the proper allowance is arranged for?

My hon. Friend has been misinformed. The papers were not mislaid, but the claim was under investigation by the old age pension authorities. Arrangements have been made for immediate payment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) with regard to the case of Mrs. Smith of 3, Jennings Street, off Phœbe Street, Salford, whose husband, Private W. Smith, originally No. 45,782, 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, is now No. 73,040, 16th Battalion Liverpool Regiment, in France, whether he is aware that she was by certificate L496,488 granted 28s. for herself and three children; that on the 2nd April her book arrived at the post office with a wrong number, and that the military authorities have made a confusion with the numbers and in consequence she has had no money whatever since the 2nd April; and whether he will have the case at once inquired into; (2) with regard to the case of 2A /M, H. Howard, No. 62,489, 83rd squad machine gun, Royal Flying Corps, now at Spittle-gate, Grantham, whether he is aware that he joined up in February, but that his mother, Mrs. Howard, of 58, Wilburn Street, Regent Road, Salford, who is entirely dependent on him, has so far received no allowance; whether the delay is due to the pensions officer or to any other cause; and whether the matter can at once be expedited?

I will answer this and the next question together. Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why, in the case of Private T. W. B., to whose unmarried wife separation allowance had been paid for two years, this was suddenly stopped on the 3rd February, 1917; by whose authority was this stoppage made and under what order; and when the payment may be expected to be resumed?

This payment was discontinued by the Paymaster because it was not due under Regulation, though ignorance of the fact had led to its being made in the past. As I have already explained, the resumption of payment is a question for the Statutory Committee, to whose knowledge the case had been brought. Arrangements are in hand to secure that in any future similar case there should be no interval between the cessation of payment by the War Office and commencement by the Statutory Committee.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Mrs. Broughton, of Willow Bank, Little Moss, Ashton-under-Lyne, widow of Rifleman R. Broughton, No. 12,534, 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifles, who joined 4th May, 1915, and was killed 17th February, 1917, whether he is aware that up to January, 1917, 13s. 6d. was paid to her, namely, 5s. for each child and 3s. 6d. allotment, that subsequently 16s. 6d. was paid, and that it is claimed that there is now £15 owing from her; whether 11s. 1d. is now being paid; if so, whether the reduction is made so as to pay off the £15; and whether, as she was in no way responsible for the error, the £15 debt can be cancelled?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. I have called for a report on the matter and will write to my hon. Friend about it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in March last Mr. Art O'Brien applied for permission to visit Mr. John MacNeill, an Irish political convict at Lewes, and in April was informed by the governor that his application was not allowed; whether he is aware that Mr. Art O'Brien is president of the Gaelic League of London and secretary of the London branch of the Irish National Aid and Volunteer Dependants' Fund; whether his activities in these capacities are deemed disreputable and criminal; if not, will he state on what grounds Mr. O'Brien's application has been disallowed; and will he state on what grounds the similar applications of Dr. Matthew Russell and Alderman Thomas Kelly, of Dublin, to visit other Irish political convicts at Lewes have also been disallowed?

I must decline to discuss the grounds upon which applications for visits to prisoners have been refused.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware of the indignation in Ireland caused by the ill-treatment and detention of Countess Marckievicz and Irish male prisoners in English prisons; if he is aware that this detention is causing embarrassment to the American Government; if he is aware that the number of Irishmen in America and Australia exceeds the present population of Ireland, and that the release of the prisoners would tend to improve the relations of Great Britain with the Irish-Americans and Irishmen the world over who were compelled to emigrate since 1847 to friendly foreign countries; and if he will order the release of the prisoners and remove the ill-feeling to the Government of the Irish people at home and abroad?

I am not able at present to add anything to the answers I have lately given on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that on Sunday evening two Australians, one without a leg, were forcibly abducted by two women opposite a restaurant, and that it is believed the porter of the restaurant assisted them; and if he will make further inquiries into the case?

The information which reached the hon. Member had also reached the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, who at once instituted an inquiry. The result of this I shall be happy to communicate to the hon. Member as soon as it is known.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is in a position to furnish an estimate of the number of voters now on the Parliamentary Register in Great Britain, and of the additions to the register which would result from adoption of the Government proposals in the Representation of the People Bill in respect of male and female voters, respectively; and whether, in the case of female voters, he will furnish alternative estimates on the basis of minimum ages of thirty and thirty-five, respectively?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the figures given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his speech on Tuesday. The raising of the age of women electors from thirty to thirty-five might make a difference of perhaps a million in the female electorate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the working of the Bridgwater Canal has now been taken over by the Government; whether there is considerable difficulty still with regard to the transport of coal, sugar, and other necessaries to the Manchester district; and whether arrangements will be made for better transport to the Manchester district by means of the Bridgwater Canal?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the question which he asked on the 3rd May respecting transport facilities in the Manchester district, and I may add that the Bridgwater Canal undertaking is one which has been taken over by the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a co-operative society in Stirlingshire re- quiring petrol for the purpose of delivering bread and groceries has been refused a permit; and whether he can explain why there is such an abundance of petrol for the luxurious motoring of idle indulgence at horse-races and touring and so little for the urgent needs of the people?

I am not aware of the circumstances of the particular case the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in mind, but I can assure him that the supplies of petrol are by no means abundant for any purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recent Order prohibiting the hiring out of cars not licensed as hackney carriages seriously interferes with farmers carrying on their business, veterinary surgeons, and traders in rural districts, who in many cases have no other way of carrying on their business; and will he therefore consider modifying the Order when the cars are used for business purposes only?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the recent Order prohibiting the use of petrol by vehicles for hire which are not licensed as hackney carriages will cause hardship to many classes of the community living in scattered country districts, particularly in view of the present restricted train service; and whether he can see his way to divert to the country districts some of the petrol at present used by private cars in London and other large towns where the facilities for public travel are much greater than they are in the country districts?

As I stated yesterday in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland, I realise the hardship caused by the Regulation referred to. Arrangements which I hope will have the effect of mitigating its severity are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, in view of the shortage of petrol and the necessity for economy in its use, he will immediately take steps to suspend the using of all private motor-cars having six cylinders or, if four cylinders, exceeding four inches in diameter?

The hon. Gentleman has perhaps overlooked the fact that it makes no difference in the supply of petrol wheher the limited amount allotted for special reasons to owners of private cars is used in cars of high or low power, but it is obviously to their interest to use the latter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action the Coal Controller has taken in regard to the retail price of coal in the Isle of Wight, which, at the present time, approaches 60s. a ton; and if he intends to take any further steps in the matter?

The inquiries which have been made by the Controller of Coal Mines indicates that the main element in the high prices of coal in the Isle of Wight is the sea freight rather than the colliery prices or the distribution charges made by the importers of coal into the island who have furnished statements showing that the trade has been carried on in some cases at a considerable actual loss to them. The question of sea freights is one for the Ministry of Shipping, and the Controller of Coal Mines is in communication with the Shipping Controller regarding the transport of coal to the island.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, seeing that the Aran Isles fishers, off the Galway coast, have not yet benefited by either the promised return of their empty boxes or the promised relief from pre-payment of carriage, and their work is thereby impeded and the supply of food reduced, whether the Board will immediately make those two promises good to those people as to other fishing communities?

I will bring the hon. Gentleman's question to the notice of the Irish Railway Executive Committee, but, as I informed him in reply to the question which he asked on the 25th April, I fear that delay in the return of empty boxes cannot be avoided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that since the Government assumed control of the railways the passenger fares in Ireland have not been raised, whilst the fares in Scotland have been raised by 50 per cent., he will now, in justice to Scotland, give orders that the Scottish fares be again reduced to their former level?

The conditions of railway transport in Ireland and Great Britain differ materially, and I fear that there is no prospect of the adoption of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion in present. circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the Irish coal mines have been taken over by the Board of Trade, he will say what the Board of Trade has done or proposes to do respecting the development of these mines?

The Controller of Coal Mines has obtained expert reports on certain of the mines and is considering them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Controller of Mines has appointed a representative for the county of Durham; and, if so, will he state the name of the gentleman appointed, his salary, his qualifications for the post, and his age?

The Controller of Coal Mines is appointing a representative to serve on each of the district coal and coke supplies committee. These representatives will be gentlemen of general business experience, and will serve in an honorary capacity. No definite appointment has yet been made in the case of the committee for Durham. Officials have also been appointed in different districts to deal with transport questions affecting the coal trade. They are all gentlemen with long railway experience.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the importation of safety matches, which has been prohibited from Scandinavian countries since June, 1916, has led to a shortage at the present time; whether his Import Restrictions Department continues in the face of that to refuse licences for importation; and, if so, will he give the reason of this continued prohibition?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for the Bridgetown Division of Glasgow and for North-West Lanarkshire.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to make night duty compulsory for women telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office; whether he is aware that the women are paid less than the men because of the difference in the presnt hours of attendance; and whether he will give an assurance that if the present conditions demand the employment of women telegraphists on late duties at night, the rate paid to the women shall not be less than that previously paid to the men?

There is no intention at the present time of employing women telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office on all night duty. In consequence, however, of the continued withdrawal of male telegraphists for military service it has now become necessary to assign to women certain duties which terminate shortly after ten o'clock in the evening. These duties will be taken in rotation, so that individual telegraphists will probably not be required to perform them more frequently than one week in three. The principle of differentiating between the pay of male and female employés has been endorsed by Parliamentary Committees which have examined the wages and conditions of service of the Post Office staff. I could not regard the temporary liability to night duty as a sufficient reason for disturbing the relation between the wages of the two sexes.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any Returns from county war agricultural committees are now available as to the extent to which existing arable land has deteriorated in condition from lack of labour or other causes, so as to render it incapable of producing normal crops per acre?

No Returns are available, but from the information provided by the war agricultural committees it would not appear that any considerable proportion of the arable land of the country has fallen off seriously in condition.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether service under the National Service scheme is approved employment as defined in Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1914?

No, Sir; but the Treasury has approved of absence from the Civil Service in the case of volunteers under the National Service scheme being treated as leave without pay, an administrative decision which in the case of Civil servants has the same result.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) on what date and by what means the Government first became aware that English prisoners were employed on the German fronts either in France or Russia; and whether the German Government gave any notice of such intention?

The first allegation as to the employment of British prisoners on the Western Front reached His Majesty's Government on 29th March as a result of statements by French refugees in Switzerland. Similar information as to the Eastern Front was first definitely received here on 9th May through a letter from a British prisoner. In the case of both fronts the German Government formally threatened to send our prisoners into the firing zone after they had in fact already done so.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government will grant or refuse the documents affecting the privilege of the hon. Member for South Longford, of which Notice stands on the Order Paper; in the former case, when will the documents be available; in the latter case, will he state the reasons for the decision?

In my view no such privilege as that suggested exists. It is therefore unnecessary to produce papers until a primâ facie case of privilege has been established.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Arthur Black, B.L., was arrested at the Galway Arms Hotel, 55, Rutland Square, Dublin, charged before Mr. Swift, the Southern police court magistrate, on the 13th December, 1916, with having obtained from John P. M'Cabe, 39, Maine Street, Blackrock, the sum of £4 10s. by false pretences and with intent to defraud, and was remanded for a week on bail; that he was charged on the 21st December, 1916, with having fraudently converted to his own use a gold watch, value £10, the property of Miss Jennie Manning, 54, Rutland Square, and again remanded on a week's bail; that on the 27th December he was committed for trial to the Sessions on the two charges; that at the Sessions on 12th January, 1917, a true bill was found, and, through the application of his counsel and the consent of the Crown, the case was allowed to stand over till March, 1917; that M'Cabe, one of the complainants, was subpœnaed by the Crown to appear as a witness in January, but no subpœna or notice was sent to him for the trial in March; that M'Cabe, understanding that the case was not listed for bearing, wrote to the Chief Crown Solicitor on the 31st March, 1917, which was acknowledged, and for the first time intimated that the case was adjourned to May; that the Sessions opened on the 15th of the present month and no notice has been sent to M'Cabe as witness, nor to the police or the aggrieved parties; is he aware that this man received a Government appointment in a munitions works in England, although he has issued several cheques from 30s. to £12 which were dishonoured; and whether he will state, if a warrant has been issued against the man for the cheque frauds, how it is that the case was not tried in May and when it will be tried?

When the case referred to came on for hearing in January it was adjourned to April on the application of defendant's counsel. At the April Sessions a similar application was made, and the case was adjourned to July when it will be finally disposed of. Due notice will be given to the Crown witnesses. I understand one of the grounds on which an adjournment was asked for was that the defendant was employed at a munition works. I am not aware of any other complaints against this man.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended that the new Education Grant shall be applied solely for educational purposes; whether safeguards will be provided in order to secure that object; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Bradford City Council is reported to have reduced the city rates by 6d. in the £, in the expectation of receiving £39,000 extra Grant for education under the new formula recently announced by him; and whether he will, if necessary, so amend the Regulations as to secure that the new Grant shall be devoted to new and necessary educational expenditure only, and to prevent the application of any part of that Grant for any such purpose as the reduction of the rates?

The answer to the first part of the question is, generally speaking, in the affirmative, but I am not prepared to say that in some areas, where the burden of elementary education is exceptionally high and the expenditure on it is already liberal, some relief of the rates would not be justifiable in the interests of education. I do not consider it necessary or desirable at present to make the Regulations under which the Supplementary Grant will be paid more stringent, as I have every reason to believe that the local education authorities generally recognise the principle. I shall carefully watch their action, but I have to work through and with them, and I believe that it is good policy to trust them. I am inquiring into the case of Bradford, where the rate for elementary education was 2s. 1½d. last year, and will be 2s. O¾d. this year. I understand that the total education rate last year was 2s. 8d., and that this year it will be 2s. 7¼d. I am informed that this year the expenditure on war bonuses and allowances to teachers serving with the forces will amount to £20,000. A rate of 1d. in Bradford for purposes of Aid Grant raises about £6,200.

asked the Home Secretary if he will explain why female prisoners are allowed to have nightdresses but male prisoners are allowed no change of underclothing and compelled to sleep in the clothes which they wear by day?

The great majority of male prisoners are accustomed to sleep in the underclothing they wear by day, and in view of the many pressing demands for additional expenditure at the present time, I do not think that any sufficient case has been made out for incurring the suggested expenditure for night clothes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can state the value of racehorses exported from this country for the three years ending 31st March, 1914?

No official statistics of the value of racehorses exported during the period named are available.