asked the Prime Minister if he will define the relative importance of the War Office, Ministry of Munitions, and Board of Agriculture; and whether in all respects the interests and necessities of agriculture are subordinated to the demand of the War Office and the Ministry of Munitions, thus severely straining agricultural industries and the supply of food?

I fear that I am unable to give the definition asked for in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Government's announcement of their intentions to introduce a Franchise Bill based upon the Report of Mr. Speaker's Conference, he will now convene a similar conference with a view to obtaining an agreed settlement in regard to the restoration of the powers of the Upper Chamber?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs yesterday.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he exercises authority over the Health Department of the Statutory Committee; and, if not, what Minister has authority over this Department?

I regret I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 29th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the gross assessment brought under the review of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the financial years 1913–14, 1914–16, 1915–16, and 1916–17?

The gross income brought under the review of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the years mentioned is as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether steps are being taken by the Food Controller to secure that the War Savings Committees, in making their appeal for the exercise of economy in the consumption of food, shall also encourage heads of families to cultivate war gardens and allotments and thus provide by their own exertions a large part of the food that they consume?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether be is aware that numerous applications have been made to the London County Council for seed potatoes by small cultivators in many parts of London; whether he is aware that all the forms and regulations have been complied with and even the money paid for the seed potatoes by the applicants over six weeks ago; and why many of these people have not yet received the seed for which they have prepared their plots of land?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. Part of the consignment has been delivered, and the greater part of the balance is now in transit. The weather during the past six weeks has been very unfavourable for bringing seed potatoes from Scotland, frequent frosts have interfered with the loading, and made the railway journey risky. The potatoes in question are maincrop varieties, suitable tor planting until the end of this month. In view of the present weather it will be undesirable to plant the majority of the plots to which the hon. Member refers before the middle of the month.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Michael Thornton, principal of Furbough national school, county Galway, now a deportee in England, was arrested and sent out of Ireland by force because of a visit paid by him to the central executive committee of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, which met at the offices of the Gaelic League in Dublin on 17th February last with a view to getting the teachers' executive to obtain the withdrawal of his dismissal by the National Board of Education after his unconditional release from Frongoch; whether this visit of Mr. Thornton's to the teachers' executive which happened to meet in the Gaelic League offices was seized on as a pretext for his rearrest in order to justify the action of the National Board of Education in setting itself up as a legal tribunal to try and condemn teachers on groundless political' charges without evidence; whether he is aware that Mr. Thornton took no part whatever in the rebellion of last Easter, and that his manager, appointed by the Commissioners of Education themselves, could see no reason to dispense with his services after his release from Frongoch or why he should be subsequently deported; and whether he will take immediate steps to repatriate Mr. Thornton and restore him to his school?

There is no foundation for the suggestions in the question as to the reasons for Mr. Michael Thornton's arrest. I have no information as to the matters mentioned in the latter inquiries in the question. As to future action, Mr. Thornton's case will be dealt with on the same -considerations of public safety which relate to the whole question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the case of Private Rixon, Mo. 45767, 15th Infantry Labour Company, Royal West Surrey Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, France, who was classed C 1, joined the West Surrey Regiment, Labour Company, at Mill Hill on 22nd February, and was sent to France on 13th March without further medical examination, and was further refused draft leave before embarkation?

As this man was classified C 1, he was eligible to proceed to France with a. labour company, and there would not appear to have been any occasion for further medical examination. I would remind my hon. and gallant friend that leave is a privilege and not a right. Draft leave is given wherever possible, but military exigencies may render it impossible. I have no information as to the particular case referred to in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether the War Department have had to consider whether Article 17e of the Rules of Procedure is legally valid, in view of the provisions of Section 128 of the Army Act, which provides that the rules of evidence at courts-martial are to be the same as those which are followed in civil Courts; whether, at a court-martial under the article referred to, the abstract of the evidence taken before the commanding officer at the preliminary investigation is in the hands of, and is read by the members of, the Court and used by them for the purpose of questioning the witnesses, so that it must necessarily influence their minds; and whether, seeing that in a civil Court no preliminary statements made by witnesses are submitted to, or allowed to be read by, the Court, the War Department will be advised as to whether the procedure directed by Article I7e is not a violation of Section 128 of the Act?

The Rule of Procedure 17 e is not inconsistent with Section 128 of the Army Act, and there is nothing in it contrary to any rule of evidence followed in civil Courts in England. The Summary of Evidence is, under the Rule of Procedure referred to, sent to the President of the Court, and witnesses may be questioned upon it with regard to any variance between the evidence given by them at the trial and the statements made on the taking of the Summary. The judge at a criminal trial in England has a copy of the depositions, and witnesses may similarly be cross-examined upon any variance between their evidence and the depositions.

asked what arrangements have been or will be made for an ambulance service or for regimental medical officers in connection with the Volunteers?

The appointment of medical officers to Volunteer battalions has been sanctioned. It has not yet proved possible to proceed with the formation of volunteer field ambulances owing to changes of organisation consequent on the passage of the Volunteer Act. Proposals, however, are now under consideration, and it is hoped that the matter will be settled shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the assistant military secretaries of the seven Home commands will be given an opportu- nity of appearing before the Committee on Promotion, presided over by the right hon. Member for Dundee?

It is open to the chairman to call such evidence as he considers necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the services rendered by the Territorial Forces, especially at the commencement of the War, the War Office will now consider the advisability of slightly shortening the qualifying period for the Territorial Force decoration and long service medal, in order that those who had given long service in the Territorial Forces prior to the War and have, so far, survived may feel that their valuable services in times of peace are appreciated?

It is not considered advisable that any alteration should be made in the qualifying periods for the Territorial decoration or the Territorial Force efficiency medal to which I assume my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Sir Robert Armstrong Jones, late medical superintendent of Claybury County Asylum, is employed in any capacity under the War Office; if so, what are his functions and remuneration; and has he any duties in regard to the care of uncertifiable soldiers or ex-soldiers invalided through nerve-strain?

Sir Robert Jones is employed as an honorary consultant in mental diseases. His duties are largely connected with the care of uncertified soldiers. He does not receive any pay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who served in the Royal Engineers {Special Reserve) for several years and have been transferred to Infantry battalions have had their pay reduced, and whether he will take steps to remedy this injustice?

The only cases in which a soldier compulsorily transferred from one corps to another does not retain his old rate of pay if more advantageous are when the transfer is due to misconduct, inefficiency, or medical unfitness not contracted in and by the service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has received resolutions from War pensions committees in Ireland urging that the system of basing separation allowances on pre-war dependence needs reconsideration and giving reasons there for; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

The hon. Member has sent me a copy of a resolution on this subject. I understand the original went to the Statutory Committee, and I suggest he should address his question to the Minister for Pensions. As far as the War Office is concerned, I think the hon. Member will readily realise that it is not possible to give separation allowances to all applicants, whether there was pre-war dependence or not.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that a woman has been appointed to test the measurements of parts of aeroplanes at the works of the Martinnyde Aeroplane Company; and, if so, what qualifications she possesses that fit her for this position?

The company referred to have two aeroplane works. Seven women viewers of the Aeronautical Inspection Department are stationed at one and one at the other. Women have now been employed in the Aeronautical Inspection Department on the examination of aeroplane parts since July, 1915, and have been found satisfactory for the class of work upon which they are engaged. They work under close supervision and have no discretion in tile carrying out of their instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the promised Report upon the case of Mr. W. P. Singo, of Ceylon; whether this man met his death after the nots had ceased; whether the death was certified as homicide; and whether he is satisfied that Singo was properly tried and condemned by a regularly constituted Court?

I have not yet received the Report of the Inquiry into this case which the Governor ordered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Ceylon Government has yet brought to trial Mr. P. H. A. Silva: and, if not, whether he is prepared to suggest to Sir John Anderson that Mr. Silva should be brought to trial without delay, or that some steps should be taken to compensate this man for the personal injury and financial loss he has suffered and is still suffering?

The Governor of Ceylon has furnished a full Report in this case. Silva was removed to Trincomalee under the provisions of an Order of the Queen in Council of 1896. In view of the information furnished by the Governor, I see no reason to intervene on his behalf.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number and percentage of deaths that have taken place among the civilian aliens who are interned in this country?

There have been 105 deaths among the alien enemies interned in camps under Home Office control, giving an annual rate of about three per thousand of the average population of the camps.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that by letter from the National Service Department, Scotland, Agricultural Section, dated Ellerslie, Melrose, 19th March, 1917, Mr. W. J. Oliver, of Denholm Mill Farm, Denholm, in the county of Roxburgh, was informed in respect of an application for the temporary release of Private W. Brown, No. 3509, of the 4th Battalion (Reserve) Royal Scots, whom he had found extremely valuable in the management of a travelling stallion, that, owing to the time taken and correspondence necessary before men can be released from the Army, it has been decided that all applications remain in abeyance meanwhile; and whether he can name the authority that has passed this decision, and if it is to apply to all applications made before the stallion season begins in April for the services of soldiers competent to undertake this work.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. On 8th March Mr. Oliver applied to the National Service Department for a general farm worker and requested the release of Private Brown of the 4th Reserve Battalion Royal Scots Regiment. The Agricultural Commissioner for Scotland at once applied to the commanding officer of Brown's regiment for his release, but was advised on 14th March that he had been transferred to the Leicester Regiment. As a considerable number of general farm workers were at the disposal of the Agricultural Commissioner and in view of the necessity for immediately placing men, Mr. Oliver was advised that so long as there were skilled men immediately available, special applications for the release of particular men would be held in abeyance meanwhile. Mr. Oliver again applied for Brown's release on 22nd March, and for the first time explained that Brown had special qualifications for the work. Application was again made to Brown's commanding officer who replied that Brown's release could not be granted as he was required by the Army as a stallion leader. This reply was at once communicated to Mr. Oliver. The action of the Agricultural Commissioner had reference only to the general questions raised by Mr. Oliver's application, which made no reference to applications for horsemen for the stallion season.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the dearth of labour for the repair and manufacture of agricultural and dairy machinery, he will communicate with the proper authorities for the release of skilled men for this purpose, especially taking into consideration the fact that the production of food is even more important than sending additional men for the Army?

The provision of labour for the manufacture and repair of agricultural machinery is a matter for the Ministry of Munitions, and, in view of the need of largely increasing the supply of such machinery, the Board have asked that Department to take what steps are necessary to secure to manufacturers an adequate supply of skilled men.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that under the heading salaries, wages, and allowances in the Irish Prison Estimates for the year 1917–18 a decrease of £577 is shown as compared with the year 1916–17 under the same heading; whether this decrease means that the warders' pay has been reduced and not increased by the new scheme; and whether he will now take steps to have those Officers pay substantially increased so as to meet the cost of living, especially in view of the fact that it is nine years since the Irish prison warders last received an increase in their salaries?

No, Sir. The anticipated reduction is due to an expected decrease in the necessary number of prison officers consequent upon a largely reduce prison population.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now state the result of his negotiations with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company with reference to expediting the transit of the mails between Amiens Street and Kingsbridge; whether he has drawn the attention of the directors of that company to the statement made by their then chairman at the meeting of the company on the 15th February, 1896, when the question of the acquisition and construc- tion of the Drumcondra link line, which afterwards cost the company £400,000, was being discussed, that its construction would enable the company to ran the distance from Kingstown to Inchicore in little more than half the time then occupied, and also to the chairman's statement to the shareholders on the 8th August, 1893, when he made the same observation, and added that the time consumed between Kingstown and Kings-bridge was most preposterous, and that when the link line was constructed nearly half an hour would be saved; and whether the company has offered any explanation of the fact that the expenditure of the sum mentioned has not produced any acceleration of the journey?

As regards the first question, my right hon. Friend understands that the object of the hon Member is to obtain an earlier arrival at Cork of the train which brings the incoming night mails from Holyhead, viâ Kingstown, Amiens Street, and Kings-bridge. After communicating with all the railway companies concerned, he is assured that this object cannot be attained without incurring additional cost, which would be unjustifiable, especially in present circumstances. The omission of the stop at Westland Row has been suggested, in order to save time between-Kingstown and Kingsbridge, but that would retard the delivery of letters in some important Dublin districts. As regards the second and third questions, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question of the 21st December, 1916, in which I explained that it does not come within the province of the Postmaster-General to criticise a railway company's expenditure.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will circulate a statement showing for each day in December, January, February, and March the extent to which the night mail to Ireland was late in arriving at Holyhead and Kingstown, and also showing the delay each day between the arrival at and departure from Kingstown and the arrival at and departure from Kingsbridge?

My right hon. Friend will have the statement prepared and will send it to the hon. Member.