asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a letter from the Statutory War Pensions Committee expressing the opinion that their powers under the Act of 1915 should now be transferred to the Pensions Minister; if so, whether he proposes to publish the letter at an early date; and whether the Government will shortly introduce legislation to carry out the suggestion of the Statutory Committee?

The letter to which the hon. Member refers has been published in the Press. The question whether legislation should be introduced is now under the consideration of the Government.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is now in a position to state, by counties, approximately, the amount of tillage in Ireland now as compared with 1916?

As a rule, it is not feasible for the detailed figures in question to be published by the Department of Agriculture earlier than the last week of August; and owing to the special circumstances arising out of the Compulsory Tillage Regulations, it may not be possible to publish such figures this year until a later date. The Department hope, however, to be in a position to issue a preliminary statement in the matter by the middle or end of July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, previous to the Order prohibiting the export of tea, certain exporters of tea who had orders packed in small packets and tins for shipment to foreign markets (Allies and neutrals), the cost of packing having been incurred and foreign labels and foreign printing matter employed, making such goods useless for this market, have not been, and are not to-day, allowed by the Food Controller to ship the goods, although it is believed that the War Trade Department is quite willing that such shipment should be made; whether the Food Controller is aware that if these goods are not allowed to be shipped the value locked up cannot be returned to this country; and whether, under the circumstances, he, in conjunction with the War Trade Department and his Majesty's Customs, will allow the houses who have made application to the War Trade Department to ship the goods which they have already packed, and which were packed previously to the prohibition Order being made?

I have no doubt that the prohibition of export in the case of tea, as in the case of many other commodities, affects goods which had to a greater or less extent been prepared for export before the prohibition was imposed. It cannot, however, be suggested that the packing and labelling of tea for foreign markets makes it unfit for consumption at home, and, in the circumstances, having regard to the very short supplies of tea, the Food Controller is not prepared to recommend the issue of licences for export in the cases indicated in the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the promised Return of Purchases of Sugar in the year 1916 by the Sugar Commission

ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE SUGAR SUPPLY. Return of Purchases of Raw Sugar,1916. Date. Country of origin. Quantity. Price. Conditions. Tons. Jan. 17 … Mozambique … … 30 16s. 9d. c. and f. Jan. 31 … Peru … … 200 18s. 0d. c.i.f. Feb. 14 … British West India … … 5,000 16s. 3d. f.o.b. March 13/20 … Java … … 600 11.25 fl. Store March 13/20 … Java … … 500 11.25 fl. f.o.b. March 18 … Java … … 6,000 11.13 fl. f.o.b. March 18 … Java … … 2,500 10.25 fl. f.o.b. April 12 … Java … … 2,400 10.50 fl. f.o.b. April 12 … Java … … 5,000 10.50 fl. f.o.b. April 12 … Java … … 9,000 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 12 … Java … … 3,000 10.25 fl. f.o.b. April 12 … Java … … 2,400 10.37½ fl. f.o.b. April 13 … Java … … 7,500 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 13 … Java … … 4,500 10.25 fl. f.o.b. April 13 … Java … … 3,000 10.25 fl. f.o.b. April 13 … Java … … 6,000 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 13 … Cuba … … 40,000 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 13 … Cuba … … 16,000 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 14 … Cuba … … 6,000 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 14 … Cuba … … 6,400 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 14 … Java … … 16,500 10.50 fl. f.o.b. April 14 … Java … … 4,500 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 14 … Java … … 10,000 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 14 … Java … … 6,000 10.35 fl. f.o.b. April 15 … Cuba … … 4,500 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 15 … Java … … 7,000 11.00 fl. f.o.b. April 15 … Java … … 11,000 10.75 7. f.o.b. April 17 … Cuba … … 2,900 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 17 … Java … … 1,200 11.12½ fl. f.o.b. April 17 … Java … … 9,000 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 17 … Java … … 3,000 10.75 fl. f.o.b. April 17 … Java … … 9,000 11.00 fl. f.o.b. April 18 … Cuba … … 700 4.65 c. f.o.b. April 19 … Java … … 41,200 11.72 fl. f.o.b. April 25 … Cuba … … 1,300 4.65 c. f.o.b. May 3 … Cuba … … 50,000 5 c. f.o.b. May 3 … Cuba … … 20,000 5.20 c. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 5,500 11.50 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 3,000 12.25 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 6,000 12 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 3,000 12 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 9,000 12 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 3,000 12.25 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 1,200 11.75 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 10,500 12.25 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 2,500 12.25 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 9,000 12.50 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 6,000 12.50 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 6,000 12 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 5,500 11.75 fl. f.o.b. May 13 … Java … … 1,800 balance. May 31 … Cuba … … 18,000 4.90 c. f.o.b.

is now ready for circulation amongst Members?

The Return in question is now ready, and arrangements are being made to publish if in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Date. Country of origin. Quantity. Price. Conditions. Tons. June 2 … Cuba … … 3,000 4,8988 c. f.o.b. June 3 … Cuba … … 3,857 4,8988 c. f.o.b. June 7 … Cuba … … 10,000 4.90 c. f.o.b. June 9 … Cuba … … 15,000 4.95 c. f.o.b. June 14 … Cuba … … 300 5.10 c. f.o.b. June 20 … Cuba … … 25,000 5.c. f.o.b. June 20 … Cuba … … 12,000 5.20 c. f.o.b. June 22 … Cuba … … 15,000 4.95 c. f.o.b. June 23 … Cuba … … 15,000 4.95 c. f.o.b. June 26 … Peru … … 5,000 19s. 6d. f.o.b. July 7 … Peru … … 2,200 25,s. 6d. c.o. f. July 8 … Cuba … … 20,000 5.10 c. f.o.b. July 11 … Java … … 20,000 12.75 fl. f.o.b. July 11 … Peru … … 1,000 19s. 6d. f.o.b. July 14 … Peru … … 1,200 19s. 6d. f.o.b. July 14 … Java … … 6,000 12.87½ fl. f.o.b. July 14 … Java … … 3,000 12.62½ fl. f.o.b. July 14 … Java … … 1,000 12.50 fl. f.o.b. July 15 … Cuba … … 30,000 5 c. f.o.b. July 20 … … … 20,000 4.90 c. f.o.b. July 25 … Java … … 15,000 13 fl. f.o.b. July 27 … Peru … … 600 19s. 0d. f.o.b. July 27 … Peru … … 1,600 19s. 0d. f.o.b. July 27 … Peru … … 3,000 19s. 0d. f.o.b. Aug. 5/7 … Cuba. … … 5,000 4.70 c. f.o.b. Aug. 7 … Cuba. … … 5,000 4.65 c. f.o.b. Aug. 9 … Peru … … 2,500 18s. 6d. f.o.b. Aug. 9 … Peru … … 2,250 18s. 6d. f.o.b. Aug. 9 … Peru … … 1,200 18s. 6d. f.o.b. Aug. 15 … Peru … … 300 18s. 9d. f.o.b. Aug. 17 … Peru … … 110 18s. 6d. f.o.b. Aug. 23 … Peru … … 700 18s. 6d. f.o.b. Aug. 23 … Peru … … 1,250 18s, 6d. f.o.b. Aug. 28 … Peru … … 4,000 18s. 0d. f.o.b. Aug. 28 … Peru … … 300 18s. 0d. f.o.b. Aug. 29 … Brazil … … 1,000 21s. 6d. c.i.f. Sept. 28 … Peru … … 2,900 16s. 3d. f.o.b. Sept. 28 … Peru … … 1,000 16s. 3d. f.o.b. Sept. 28 … Peru … … 1,000 16s. 3d. f.o.b. Sept. 28 … Peru … … 1,100 16s. 3d. f.o.b. Sept. 29 … Peru … … 2,250 16s 3d f.o.b. Oct. 2 … Peru … … 1,500 16s 3d f.o.b. Oct. 2 … Peru … … 1,000 16s. 3d. f.o.b. Oct. 2 … Peru … … 1,500 16s. 3d. f.o.b. Oct. 5 … Brazil … … 8 000 21s. c. and f. Oct. 6 … Cuba … … 3,500 4.75c. f.o.b. Oct. 21 … Peru … … 1,000 18s. f.o.b. Oct. 24 … Peru … … 300 18s. f.o.b. Oct. 24 … Peru … … 2,500 18s. 3d. f.o.b. Oct. 24 … Peru … … 800 18s. 3d. f.o.b. Oct. 26 … Java … … 22,000 12.25 fl. — Oct. 26 … Java … … 10,000 13.25 fl. — Oct. 26 … Java … … 10,000 13 75 fl. — Nov. 21 … Cuba … … 6,000 3.60c — Dec. 2 … Cuba … … 100,000 3.60c. f.o.b. Dec. 2 … Cuba … … 100,000 3.60c. f.o.b. Dec. 8 … B.W.I. … … 5,500 16s.6d f.o.b. Dec. 8 … Cuba … … 5,000 3.50c. f.o.b. Dec. 15 … Cuba … … 5,500 3 60c f.o.b. Dec. 27 … Demerara … … 5,500 15s 9d. f.o.b. Return of Purchases of White Sugar, 1916. Jan. 6 … America … … 5,000 4.35 c. f.o.b. Jan. 6 … America … … 6,000 4 35 c f.o.b. Jan. 10 … America … … 2,000 4 35 c f.o.b. Date. Country of origin Quantity. Price. Conditions. Tons. Jan. 18 … America … … 20,000 4.50 c. f.o.b. March 4 … America … … 46,500 Exchanged For raw. March 11 … America … … 5,500 5.50 c. f.o.b. March 14 … Canada … … 1,500 5.55 c. f.o.b. March 14 … Canada … … 3,500 5.60 c. f.o.b. March 15 … America … … 5,000 5.80 c. f.o.b. March 15 … America … … 5,000 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 15 … America … … 2,000 5.85 c. f.o.b. March 15 … America … … 2,000 5.93 c. f.o.b. March 15 … America … … 1,000 5.93 c. f.o.b. March 16 … America … … 2,100 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 13–20 … Java … … 6,000 12.25 fl. Store. March 13–20 … Java … … 1,500 12.25 fl. Store. March 18 … Java … … 6,000 12.25 fl. F.o.b. March 18 … Java … … 500 12.25 fl. Store. March 21 … America … … 318 5.75 c. f.o.b. March 21 … Java … … 900 12.25 fl. Store. March 23 … Java … … 500 12.37½ f.o.b. March 24 … Java … … 8,500 12.25 fl. Store. March 25 … America … … 724 5.75 c. f.o.b. March 27 … America … … 893 5.75 c. f.o.b. March 27 … America … … 2,500 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 27 … America … … 2,500 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 27 … America … … 2,500 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 27 … America … … 2,500 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 27 … Canada … … 4,500 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 29 … America … … 4,000 6.00 c. f.o.b. March 29 … America … … 2,000 6.00 c. f.o.b. March 29 … America … … 161 5.75 c. f.o.b. March 29 … America … … 500 5.90 c. f.o.b. March 30 … America … … 6,000 6.00 c. f.o.b. March 30 … Java … … 1,500 12.25 fl. Store. March 31 … America … … 1,400 6.00 c. Store. April 4 … America … … 125 5.90 c. Store. April 12 … America … … 6,000 6.00 c. Store. April 12 … Canada … … 5,000 6.00 c. Store. April 13 … America … … 5,000 6.10 c. Store. April 13 … America … … 6,000 6.10 c. Store. April 13 … America … … 10,000 6.10 c. Store. April 13 … America … … 10,000 6.10 c. Store. April 13 … America … … 3,500 6.03 c. Store. April 13 … Java … … 2,500 11.75 fl. Store. April 14 … America … … 100 6.10 c. Store. April 14 … America … … 143 6.60 c. Store. April 15 … Java … … 1,800 12.00 fl. Store. April 17 … Java … … 600 12.25 fl. Store. April 17 … Java … … 15,000 12.25 fl. Store. April 17 … Java … … 40,000 12.25 fl. Store. April 17 … Java … … 4,200 12.25 fl. Store. April 17 … Java … … 1,000 12.25 fl. Store. April 17 … Java … … 30,000 12.50 fl. Store. April 18 … America … … 5,000 4.40 c. Store. April 19 … Java … … 4,500 13.00 fl. Store. April 19 … Java … … 3,000 12.50 fl. Store. April 19 … Java … … 2,500 13.00 fl. Store. April 19 … Java … … 1,500 12.50 fl. Store. April 19 … America … … 5,500 6.20 c. Store. April 19 … America … … 1,100 6.10 c. Store. April 19 … America … … 10,000 6.15 c. Store. April 19 … America … … 6,500 6.20 c. Store. April 19 … America … … 3,000 6.20 c. Store. April 20 … America … … 5,000 6.30 c. Store. April 20 … America … … 3,000 6.30 c. Store. April 25 … Java … … 3,000 12.25 fl. Store. April 25 … Java … … 6,000 12.75 fl. Store. Date. Country of origin Quantity. Price. Conditions. Tons. April 25 … Java … … 4,000 12.50 fl. Store. April 25 … Java … … 1,200 12.62 fl. Store. May 13 … Java … … 12,000 13.25 fl. Store. May 13 … Java … … 3,000 13.25 fl. Store. May 13 … Java … … 9,000 13.25 fl. Store. May 13 … Java … … 16,000 13.25 fl. Store. May 13 … Java … … 8,000 13.25 fl. Store. May 16 … Canada … … 300 6.40 c. Store. May 16 … Java … … 3,800 13.04 fl. Store. May 16 … Java … … 8,000 19s. 4½d. Store. May 22 … America … … 32 6.40 c. f.o.b. May 23 … America … … 1,400 6.40 c. f.o.b. May 23 … America … … 2,000 6.40 c. f.o.b. May 25 … America … … 2,200 6.35 c. f.o.b. May 25 … America … … 2,250 6.35 c. f.o.b. June 2 … America … … 650 6.45 c. f.o.b. June 13 … America … … 6,300 6.30 c. f.o.b. June 13 … America … … 2,500 6.30 c. f.o.b. June 14 … America … … 3,700 6.40 c. f.o.b. June 14 … America … … 7,500 6.40 c. f.o.b. June 14 … Canada … … 120 6.30 c. f.o.b. June 14 … America … … 12,000 6.40 c. f.o.b. June 14 … America … … 16,000 6.40 c. f.o.b. June 15 … America … … 4,000 6.40 c. f.o.b. June 15 … America … … 500 6.35 c. f.o.b. June 16 … America … … 700 6.45 c. f.o.b. June 17 … America … … 1,000 6.35 c. f.o.b. July 11 … America … … 20,000 6.35 c. f.o.b. July 11 … Java … … 3,900 13.07 fl. f.o.b. July 12 … America … … 10,000 6.35 c. f.o.b. July 12 … America … … 1,000 6.35 c. f.o.b. July 14 … America … … 7,000 6.35 c. f.o.b. July 20 … America … … 20,000 6.30 c. f.o.b. July 20 … Canada … … 5,000 6.29 c. f.o.b. July 20 … Canada … … 4,000 6.25 c. f.o.b. July 21 … Mauritius … … 158,478 18s. 2d. f.o.b. July 22 … America … … 10,000 6.25 c. f.o.b. July 24 … Canada … … 1,000 6.25 c. f.o.b. Aug. 29 … America … … 850 5.65 c. f.o.b. Sept. 8 … America … … 4,000 5.00 c. f.o.b. Sept. 12 … America … … 5,000 5.00 c. f.o.b. Sept. 30 … America … … 6,800 5.70 c. f.o.b. Oct. 7 … America … … 1,700 5.75 c. f.o.b. Oct. 9 … America … … 1,500 5.80 c. f.o.b. Oct. 17 … America … … 300 6.85 c. f.o.b. Oct. 17 … America … … 300 6.85 c. f.o.b. Dec.31 … Java … … 5,200 12.52 fl. Store.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the alleged payments for the maintenance of the Irishmen deported by the English Government from Ireland last February without charge or trial are the amounts properly incurred by them for that purpose; if only part of that amount, who provides the balance; if a scale has been fixed, what is the rate paid to or on behalf of each deportee at Bromyard, Leominster, Ledbury, Kington, Wetherby, and Fair ford, respectively; what is the number of dependants of each of the deported; whether he is aware that, immediately on the deportations last February, dependants were notified by those from whom they had been accustomed to get their supplies that, owing to war conditions, goods could in future be supplied only on a cash basis; what aggregate rate of maintenance is alleged as being paid to those dependant on each of the deported; whether these payments have been made as from the date of the deportations; if not, will he say why not; what reason there is for considering the payments to either deportees or their dependants adequate while the current prices of necessaries prevail; the payments being insufficient for food alone, when and on what scale are payments to be made to the deportees for clothes and other necessaries, and to their dependants for clothes, rent, rates, taxes, and usual necessaries; what compensation is to be made, and when, for loss of business from indefinite prolongation of banishment; will he explain how it is that some of those banished have not yet received anything for the early weeks of their banishment, that their dependants have not received any payment, and that their circumstances have not yet been investigated; when will the arrears be paid; and why the account furnished on the 17th April by Mr. J. J. O'Kelly for expenses of himself and his family has not yet been paid?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 3rd May, the rate of maintenance for the deportees was at first fixed at from £l to £l 5s. per week, but this has been exceeded where the expenses of maintenance made it necessary. As regards dependants, inquiry has been made into the circumstances of each family, and the rate of maintenance, namely, 10s. a week for a wife and 3s. a week for each child, is the same as that paid in the case of the families of interned aliens. The allowances have been paid from the date when the Government undertook liability. A case has arisen in which the question of the provision of clothing for a deportee is being considered, but no decision has yet been reached. The other matters referred to cannot be discussed in reply to a question in Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary what guarantee is there that applications for the making of deportation orders, although regular on the face of them and plausible as to the reasons assigned, may not be due to indirect and vindictive motives; is it permitted to a person against whom an order is sought, or after it is made, to be afforded an opportunity of challenging the allegations made against him and of having the same tested by cross-examination; and whether, in view of maintaining the hitherto universal belief in the integrity of British justice and the inviolable right of sanctuary, he will consider the advisability of altering the practice so as to afford the person affected a chance of showing cause against the order being put into operation?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the replies given to his questions on this subject on the 8th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when unmarried miners of military age who can at present-be spared from coal and other mines will be called to the Colours?

Arrangements are at present being made for the recruitment of miners, with the exception of certain skilled grades, who have entered the coal mining industry since 4th August, 1914, and were on that date of military age. As soon as it is possible to form an estimate of the probable results of that measure, the Government Departments concerned will be in a position to determine whether more miners can be spared from the mining industries, and, if so, how many.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a conscientious objector, named Durston, whose case has been found genuine by the Central Tribunal, is now in Carnarvon Gaol; and whether he will be allowed the opportunity to do useful work under the Home Office scheme?

This man has already been given an opportunity of working under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, but he failed to carry out the conditions of his release. He was therefore recalled from Army Reserve W to his unit, and is now serving a further sentence imposed by court-martial.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the total amount of public money spent on the acquisition of the site, building, and equipment of the factory at Henbury which is now being shut down?

I am not in a position to reply to the hon. Member's question at present. The actual money expended to date is not a large amount, but there are large liabilities in respect of plant and machinery ordered. It is hoped, however, that many of these can be cancelled without loss. It will take some months to ascertain the actual loss involved through the closing down of the factory.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether William M'Hugh, of Dublin, lent by the tramway company to Woolwich Arsenal, has been refused compensation for injury to his thumb on 30th January, which became poisoned and has completely disabled him; whether the ground of refusal stated to his solicitor by the acting superintendent on 10th May is that the incapacity would have been avoided if M'Hugh had obtained medical aid on 30th January instead of 18th February; is a workman who has a wife and seven children solely dependent on him, and who came to England at the instance of the Government, to be reduced to beggary on such grounds; does it often occur that workmen do not realise the danger of apparently slight wounds; and is M'Hugh to be penalised for his lack of surgical knowledge?

Compensation is not, in fact, payable in this case. It was refused on the ground that the medical certificate indicated that the incapacity of the workman would have been avoided if he had secured immediate medical attention. In view, however, of the fact that M'Hugh was specially lent to the Arsenal authorities and was possibly not cognisant of the arrangements at the Arsenal for dealing with slight injuries immediately they occur, my right hon. Friend is considering whether he cannot make a special application to the Treasury to allow some compensation as an act of grace.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any local authorities have refused war bonuses to the teachers in their employ; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of appointing an arbitrator in such cases to adjudicate between the teachers and the local authority?

My attention has not been called to any such cases, and I have not been approached on the subject of arbitration in any case except that of London.

asked the Home Secretary who is responsible for drafting the terms of Royal Proclamations; and whether he can explain the inconsistencies that appear in certain of these documents?

His Majesty's Government is responsible for the terms of Royal Proclamations. I do not know to what inconsistencies the hon. Member refers.

asked the Home Secretary whether the number of persons in prison has continued to decrease during the War; whether he can state the figures compared with May, 1916; and whether any further prisons have been closed since May, 1916?

The number of inmates of local and convict prisons at the commencement of the War was 14,384 males, 2,343 females; total, 16,727. On 30th May, 1916, 7,487 males, 1,664 females; total, 9,151. On 29th May, 1917, 7,378 males, 1,654 females; total, 9,032. Since May, 1916, the following prisons have been closed: Bodmin, Cambridge, Derby, Lancaster, Ruthin, Warwick, and Dartmoor.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been called to and whether he has considered the statements contained in the statutory declaration of Mr. S. Mendelson, a naturalised British subject of Russian origin, but for some twenty years past resident in this country (which declaration has been forwarded to the Foreign Trade Department), with reference to the conduct of Mr. Alfred Mosely purporting to act as chairman of the Diamond Export Committee, and in particular to the manner in which the applications to him by or on behalf of Mr. Mendelson to pass diamonds for export to France and Holland have been treated and delayed, as well as the conduct of Mr. Mosely towards witnesses tendered to him as to the origin of such diamonds; and whether he will cause an independent inquiry to be made into the conduct of Mr. Mosely and the manner in which the proceedings of the Diamond Export Committee are conducted by him, and in particular into the matter deposed to by Mr. S. Mendelson, including the attempt to hamper and restrict the export to France of stones for cutting and polishing in that country; (2) whether his attention has been called to the organisation in Paris of the diamond co-operative societies of Paris and of the Jura distirct, and its official connection with the Chambre Syndicate des Ouvriers Diamantaines, which is the official body representing the diamond trade in Paris, to whom the constitution of the French Import and Export Diamond Committee has been entrusted by the French Ministry of Commerce; whether he is aware that some 200 workmen are employed in Paris for the cutting and polishing of diamonds by the said diamond co-operative societies, which is managed by M. Felix Behr; whether he is also aware that the operations of this society have been considerably restricted by the refusal of the Diamond Export Committee in London, acting under the Foreign Trade Department, and in particular by the action of Mr. Alfred Mosely, the chairman, to pass diamonds in the rough intended for cutting and polishing in the Paris factory of the above-named society; whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the proceedings of the Diamond Export Committee, whereby undue preference is given to trade with Amsterdam, to the detriment of French interests; whether his attention has been called to the statements contained in the statutory declaration of M. Felix Behr (which has been forwarded to the Foreign Trade Department) as to the manner in which French interests have been and are being prejudiced by the action of the chairman of the London Diamond Export Committee; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; (3) whether he is aware that Mr. Alfred Mosely, the chairman of the Diamond Export Committee, set up by the Foreign Trade Department for the ostensible object of preventing trade in diamonds of enemy origin, is himself engaged in dealing with diamonds of South African origin, and that, acting as the chairman of the committee, he has shown a preference for the policy of exporting diamonds in the rough from this country to Holland for cutting and polishing, as against exports to France for the like purpose; whether he is aware that, as a result of such conduct, applications to the committee to pass stones for export to Paris for cutting and polishing have been delayed and prevented by his attitude to the detriment of the Paris industry, and that such action has given rise to considerable friction and dissatisfaction; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and (4) whether he is aware that the proceedings of the Diamond Export Committee, purporting to act under the direction of the Foreign Trade Department, continue to give rise to dissatisfaction to the trade by reason of the conduct of Mr. Alfred Mosely, the chairman of such committee, whereby, owing to frequent differences between him and the two other members of the committee, Mr. Litkel, one of such members, has ceased to attend the meetings of the committee, and that Mr. Breit-meyer, the remaining member, while attending the meetings, has been overruled and his opinion ignored, with the result that the control of the proceedings of such committee has drifted predominantly into the hands of Mr. Mosely, with the result above indicated; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Board of Trade are in communication with the Foreign Trade Department on the subject referred to in the questions, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that thirty girl probationers are employed on Sundays in the Central Telegraph Office; whether he is aware that the length of attendance is usually five hours and that the rate per hour paid is 3d. or 4d.; and whether, seeing that the sum paid is insufficient to meet the cost of dinner, plus travelling expenses, he will cause the employment of these girl probationers to cease on Sundays?

The facts as stated are substantially correct. The necessity for the employment of girl probationers on Sundays has arisen owing to the depletion of the force of boy messengers in consequence of the War. I regret that it is not practicable to discontinue such employment, but I shall consider whether any alteration can be made in the rate of pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, seeing that Mr. Bartle Daly's passport from the Government of the Argentine Republic, which he sent in the usual way to the British Foreign Office last November, and which was subsequently returned to him, is valid until the present month, why Mr. Daly has not been allowed to proceed to the Argentine on his usual business; and whether he will now be allowed to do so?

The passport in the possession of Mr. Bartle Daly was issued by His Majesty's Consul-General at Buenos Aires, and is not valid for leaving the United Kingdom again without re-endorsement. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 8th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the reports that Thessaly is a place where pro-German intrigues and pro-German plots and plans are actively fomented, he will advise that the area of authority of M. Venizelos may be extended?

No, Sir; I could not pledge myself to the particular solution of the Thessalian question recommended.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the exact sum paid annually to the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha; whether payments have been made to her during her residence in Germany; and, if so, by what channels?

An annuity of £6,000 has been paid during the War to the Duchess of Edinburgh under licence, and the payment is being continued in consequence of the terms of the Treaty of 22nd January, 1874, between Great Britain and Russia.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the people of Mallow complained of the conduct of the police on the 22nd May; if he will inquire into the allegations that a number of the constabulary followed certain defendants who had been acquitted and with their sympathisers were marching from the town hall in processional order to the railway, that as they were entering the station from the public road, without calling upon them to disperse, the police batoned several of them, including girls;. that this was carried out by the directions of Head-Constable O'Sullivan, although no violence or breach of the peace had been committed, that everyone in the procession was unarmed, that this was done with the concurrence of the district inspector who was on duty, that Sergeant M'Gill and Head-Constable O'Dwyer used violence against the successful defendants and against an ex-prisoner (who had been acquitted by the advisory committee) named Daniel Hegarty, of Mallow, and that an attempt was made to baton Father Sheehan, which was prevented; and will he, in the interest of the peace of the district, refuse to accept ex parte statements by the accused police and grant an independent inquiry?

I have received a report of the occurrence in question, which indicates that the action of the police was rendered necessary owing to an attack made upon them by a procession unexpectedly organised in the streets of Mallow. The affair lasted only two or three minutes. No women or girls were batoned, and there is no foundation for the suggestion that an attempt was made to baton Father Sheehan.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of teachers in the service of the National Board of Education who have twenty years' service and upwards, and the number with ten years' service and under twenty years?

The preparation of a Return giving the information desired would involve the examination of over 8,000 school records, and the particulars cannot be given without seriously interfering with the work of the Office of National Education.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the disappointment among teachers in secondary schools that the new Grants are not attended by definite conditions as to their application; and whether, in view of the fact that the administration of these Grants will be largely in the hands of county councils, which have hitherto shown little sympathy with the educational ideals put forward by him, he will now replace the suggestion contained in the Regulations for Secondary Schools [Cd. 8541], Explanatory Note I. (1), by a definite stipulation that the Grants be applied to the increase of teachers' salaries?

The passage of the explanatory note, to which the hon. Member refers, states that, in the Board's opinion, the present inadequacy of salaries is not due to the failure of school authorities to appreciate the vital importance of the question, and I do not think that any sufficient reason exists for modifying the Secondary School Regulations in the manner suggested.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the responsibility for providing a substitute for a postman about to take holidays rests with the postman himself or with the sub-postmaster or postmaster of the area in which the postman operates; whether any regulations exist defining the conditions under which an auxiliary postman may obtain cycle or horse allowance; and. if so, what the regulations are?

The answer to the j first part of the question is that the responsibility rests with the Post Office. As regards the latter part, the conditions applicable in the case of a postman whose duties require him to use a horse or cycle depend necessarily on a number of circumstances, and perhaps some more precise indication can be given of the point on which information is desired.