asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements, if any, are, made to supply pilots of seaplanes and all airmen bound on long-distance oversea nights with emergency rations and with facilities for obtaining drinking water when flying in machines with air-cooled motors or for tapping the radiator for drinking water in machines with water-cooled motors?

Emergency rations, consisting of malted milk, Bovril, and chocolate are supplied to Royal Naval air stations for the use of pilots of seaplanes and airmen engaged in oversea flights. Drinking facilities are provided for by the issue of Thermos flasks. No facilities have been provided for tapping the radiators of water-cooled motors, the contents of which are more likely to act medicinally than otherwise.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the dealings of the military authorities with the West Common, Lincoln; whether he is aware that the Lincoln Corporation gave their consent to the erection of aeroplane sheds on this common on the distinct understanding that the sheds should be removed at the end of the War; and whether the War Office have any intention of departing from that understanding?

Under the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Act, 1916, the War Department is precluded from continuing in possession of common land for an indefinite period after the War, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that there will be no undue delay in the removal of the sheds; but I am afraid it is impossible for the Department to give any definite undertaking, as that might hamper their action in exigencies which cannot at present be foreseen.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War why the Lincoln Corporation, as the freeholders of the West Common, Lincoln, were not consulted before buildings other than aeroplane sheds were erected and other works executed on this common by the military authorities; why the whole of the common has been closed to the public and cleared of stock when only about one-half is required for military purposes; whether he is aware that 90 per cent, of the milch cows in Lincoln were pastured on the common until the military authorities took it over, and that many stockholders had acquired their stock on the strength of their legal rights to pasture them on the common; and whether he will now take steps to prevent unnecessary interference with the milk supply of the city?

I find that the Lincoln Corporation were not consulted as regards the additional buildings, and I regret the omission, which was due to inadvertence. The common was closed to-obviate the serious risk both for the aviators and for the public involved in continued public use. Grazing had temporarily to be stopped over the whole area, but in order to meet the requirements; of the milk supply the question was immediately taken up as to the extent to which grazing facilities could be arranged for, and fencing is now being erected to divide off the area—roughly, one-half—which can be allowed for this purpose.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that between fifty and sixty trees belonging to the Lincoln Corporation have been, felled by the military authorities on Salsey Green Farm, Hanslope, Bucks, without any notice to, or authority from, the Corporation or their tenant; whether he will state by whose authority these trees were felled; and why notice was not given to the Corporation or their tenant?

As the Corporation have already been informed, the omission to inform them was due to a local misunderstanding, for which regret has been expressed. I am informed that it was absolutely necessary for the safe use of the landing ground that the trees should be felled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many accidents, fatal or otherwise, have occurred on RE 8 machines flying in this country since the introduction of this type?

I regret that I am unable to supply the figures for which the hon. Member asks. They would be entirely misleading unless they were accom- panied by a statement of the number of machines of this type in use and of the pilots who fly them which it would be against the public interest to give.

asked what type of aeroplane Second Lieutenant Cyril Harvey Trollope was flying when he was killed at Doncaster on 4th May; and also what type of machine Lieutenant Fletcher was flying when he was killed in this country last month?

Both the casualties referred to occurred on an RE 8 machine.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in the notices calling up rejected men for re-examination the paragraph stating that the recruit will not be called up for service with the Colours if again rejected is now being struck out; by what authority is this being done; and whether it is the policy of the War Office to cripple the Army still further by enlisting men medically unfit in addition to those already filling our hospitals?

There is no paragraph in the form of notice calling rejected men up for medical re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, 1917, stating that the recruit will not be called up for service with the Colours if again rejected. It is not the policy of the War Office to enlist men for any form of service for which they are medically unfit.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if, as stated by the military representative to the Carnarvon Borough Tribunal, unless they have applied to a tribunal for exemption within thirty days after the date of the notice calling them up for re-examination, rejected men who on re-examination are again rejected may later be conscripted into the Army without the right of appeal; if so, by what authority the right of appeal up to date of final calling up for service conferred on all men by Act of Parliament is being denied; and whether he will instruct his officers to discontinue breaking the law?

A man upon whom a notice under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, 1917, has been properly served is deemed to have been enlisted and transferred to the Reserve under the Military Service Acts, 1916, upon the "appointed date," which date is the thirtieth day after the date of the notice. Under the Military Service Act a man's right of application to a tribunal for exemption extends only to the appointed date. There is no statutory right of appeal up to the date of final calling up for service. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension on this point. It has been recognised by the War Office, however, to be undesirable that when on a first examination a man has not been accepted for service his application should be considered and decided by a tribunal on a date at which he is not available to be called up for military service. It has therefore been arranged that when a first application has been lodged with a tribunal before the appointed date, but has beer, withdrawn after the man has not been accepted for service, or when no application at all has been lodged in a case where a man on re-examination has not been accepted for service, then, if on a later date the man is again re-examined and accepted for some form of service and has been called up for service, the tribunal should entertain an application on his behalf, although technically out of date, if such application is lodged within seven days after the date of the notice calling the man up for service. This concession is being embodied in a circular letter to tribunals which I am informed is on the point of issue by the Local Government Board.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called by letter, dated 4th April last, which letter was accompanied by documents showing that before being called up for re-examination and passed into the Army, classified C2, for home service, Private Arthur Walker, No. 47612, 12th Lincolnshire Labour Battalion, had been several times rejected on account of rupture, bad feet, bad eyes, and rheumatism; whether, notwithstanding his physical condition and his medical classification for home service, Private Walker has since been sent to France and has been employed there on heavy railway work; if he is aware that it has been necessary to send Private Walker to a convalescent camp owing to the effect of the heavy work referred to on his rupture; if he will ascertain whether Private Walker was given the special medical examination to which Class 2 men are entitled before they are sent overseas; and if he will also ascertain what is his present condition?

I have already informed my hon. Friend in a letter of the 22nd May. This man has proceeded overseas, and if he should not feel able to do his work he can report sick and be medically examined. I am, however, making further inquiries as to his present condition.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any special instructions have been issued to Army medical authorities in connection with re-examinations under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act; whether such instructions were approved by and issued after consultation with the Chief Army medical authority; and if he will supply copies to Members of this House?

No special or secret instructions have been issued to the Army medical authorities in connection with these matters beyond those which have already been placed in the Library of the House

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the United States Government is offering full, immediate, and gratuitous naturalisation to all aliens of Allied or neutral nationality who join the United States Army; and whether he will insert in the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Bill a provision by which aliens joining, or having previously joined, the British Army will receive on application a grant of British citizenship?

I have no information on the subject referred to in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As at present advised, it is not proposed to insert in the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Bill any such provision as that suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will add to the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Bill a new Clause enacting that, as far as possible, aliens shall be placed in companies of their compatriots and officered by men qualified by descent, by linguistic, or by other attainments to lead them?

It is not proposed in insert such a provision as my hon. Friend suggests in the Bill. The question of the organisation of military units is one which is more properly dealt with by administration than by Statute. Many considerations are involved in the matter referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that Rifleman G. Tooth, C Company, working battalion, 33rd Division, British Expeditionary Force, was when he attested under the Derby scheme and when called up promised that he would be allowed to serve with his elder brother, Staff-Sergeant A. Tooth, No. 29 Supply Column, British Expeditionary Force, and that, prior to the enlistment of G. Tooth, Sergeant A. Tooth was told by the recruiting officer at Gloucester that if his brother enlisted he would be entitled to claim his transfer to the Army Service Corps for service with him: whether he is aware that on the faith of these promises and statements G. Tooth enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment; that he has repeatedly applied to be transferred to the Army Service Corps for service with his brother; and, seeing that Sergeant Tooth has repeatedly applied for the transfer of his brother, and instead of so transferring him A. Tooth has been transferred to a rifle regiment and refused transfer to the Army Service Corps, whether he will consider the desirability of the War Office making good the promises and representation on the faith of which Rifleman Tooth enlisted?

I am inquiring whether any promise was made to Rifleman Tooth on attesting; but as I have informed my hon. and gallant Friend the transfer cannot be granted in ordinary circumstances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that women volunteers for service in France who have been passed as fit medically and in every other respect are being informed that vaccination and inoculation are conditions of such service, to which no exception can be made, and rejected solely on the ground of refusing them; by what authority his department enforces on women conditions not legally compulsory on men; and whether it is the policy of the War Office to deprive the country by such differential treatment of the services of patriotic women?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These conditions apply only to women who volunteer for service in France, and are laid down by the Army Council as part of the conditions, for which women are asked to come forward.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether in the recent case of arrest of officers at Ley-bourne Camp, these officers were placed under arrest pending further instructions; whether any investigation took place; whether they were put under arrest for any definite charge; whether the charge was later entered as disobedience of orders; and whether in fact the order which these officers were presumed to have disobeyed had ever been conveyed to these officers; and (2) whether, on the occasion of the recent air raid, certain officers at Leybourne Camp were placed under arrest; if he will state on what charge these officers were arrested; and whether these officers are still under arrest?

asked whether one or more officers of the Royal Flying Corps, or any other corps, have been courtmartialled at Shorncliffe or elsewhere in connection with the recent enemy aeroplane raid on the South-Eastern counties; if so, for what reason was this court-martial held; and what was the finding of the court?

I have not received any information as to the matters suggested in the question, but I will make inquiries.

asked the tinder-Secretary of State for War at what time of the day the first notification was received in London at the Horse Guards, or other office concerned, during the recent daylight raid in the Folkestone area that the enemy machines had been seen on their way to this country and had actually arrived from overseas upon their destructive mission, respectively; and if he will state at what time any warning was sent either to the military or civil authorities of the area either that a raid was to be expected or that our own machines and guns should be in readiness for a possible attack?

The information asked for would disclose to the enemy the measures taken in this country for defence against aerial attack, which it is most undesirable should be made public.

asked whether, during the recent raid on Folkestone and the neighbourhood, any British aeroplanes or seaplanes capable of rising to a similar altitude as that at which the German machines were flying were and are held in readiness for ascent and fighting within the area; and whether any orders were sent through to any flying stations within the area that any such machines should take the air in readiness for defence or attack before the appearance of the enemy?

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

asked whether in connection with the recent raid in the Folkestone area, any warning at all was sent, either to the military or civil authorities of the area or of the Canterbury or the Ashford area, that enemy machines had arrived or were about to arrive over the Eastern or South-Eastern coasts; whether air defence of any kind was either available or, if available, utilised against these particular raiders within the area attacked; and who or what authority was responsible for the neglect to provide any adequate and efficient defences against such a raid in this area?

Air defence of various kinds was both available and utilised. It would not be in the public interest to discuss the extent of the defences or the system of warning.

asked whether some fifteen minutes after the German machines concerned in the recent raid in the Folkestone area had left our shores an order from London or elsewhere that certain of our own machines should take the air was sent to any of the flying centres within the area; whether machines suitable for actual defence were known, to be in readiness in this area; whether it was only after such an order had been received that any of our own machines did go up in pursuit; whether the machines then sent up were of such a type as to be capable of climbing swiftly to an altitude of 14,000 or 15,000 feet and there meeting the German machines which came over on terms of equality; and how many of such British machines did actually go up in pursuit while the enemy were near enough to be caught up before reaching the protection of their own lines?

There is no foundation for the allegations in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative, and the fourth part does not arise. It is not in the public interest to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked how many, or whether any, anti-aircraft guns, exclusive of any at Dover, were in use in the area affected or its immediate neighbourhood during the recent raid in the Folkestone area; whether all or any of these guns, if any, had a sufficient range to reach to a height of 14,000 or 15,000 feet; and, if so, how it was that the shells -which were seen from Folkestone to be fired after the machines had left appeared to burst at a very much lower altitude?

Information as to the numbers, disposition, and efficiency of the guns available for anti-aircraft defence would be exceedingly valuable to the enemy, and cannot therefore be made public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether the properties of flavine were known to the medical profession in January last when a preliminary report was published in the British Medical Journal; and whether up to this time substantial quantities of flavine cannot be obtained for the treatment of wounded soldiers in any hospital either at Home or abroad; and (2) whether the War Office has received information as to the properties of the new antiseptic flavine; if so, what steps have been taken to obtain it; to whom was the order given for the supply of flavine and within what time was the order executed; whether there has been any delay in the execution of this order; and, if so, what is the reason?

The antiseptic properties of the substance referred to were described in a Preliminary Report published in the Medical Press in January last, giving the results of experiments with a small supply of this complex substance specially made for these experimental purposes in a Government laboratory. Arrangements were made at the same time for further trials in various military and other hospitals and steps were taken with a view to a commercial supply being made available in the event of these trials proving sufficiently favourable. The trials have been in progress since January, and the effects so far obtained are under careful comparison with those of other antiseptics. Before the substance can be placed on the market a licence must be obtained from the Board of Trade as the substance was already the subject of a patent obtained before the War. Applications were made to the Board of Trade by various firms in the middle of last month. The hearing took place on the 24th ultimo, and I am informed that the requisite licences are now being issued to five firms. There would, therefore, seem to be no doubt that the supply of the substance will be made available as rapidly as the several firms can produce it.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that Albert Walsgrove, aged fifteen, son of Mrs. Walsgrove, of Vivash Road, Fratton, Portsmouth, was placed in the Newport Market Training School, Westminster, on the distinct understanding that such schooling should in nowise pledge him to Army service, and that he has been placed (17th July, 1916) as No. 13111, King's Royal Rifle Corps, band boy, Barton-on-Sea, without any reference to Mrs. Walsgrove; if Alfred Walsgrove allots 2s. 4d. to his mother, who is a widow with five younger children to look after, and Mrs. Walsgrove was promised (War Office letter W.O. 2 DK/WAS/1873) financial assistance instead of the release of her son, and that now this financial assistance is denied her; and if he will inquire into the matter and release the boy, at least temporarily, so that he may assist his mother in supporting the family, or, if he is kept as a band boy, that Mrs. Walsgrove should receive financial assistance?

Inquiries are being made, and the result will be communicated to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that in spite of repeated assurances the instructions issued by the Army Council in November last continue to be disregarded by Army officers, and that the commanding officer of the 23rd battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers has recently instructed officers commanding companies to give greater facilities for leave to men who have been inoculated, and less to those who have not; and whether he will see that the Army Council's instructions shall be observed which make leave depend entirely on the health conditions of the place to be visited, and not on the fact of inoculation?

I have no information that the case is as alleged, but a report has been called for, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether a large number of American doctors have recently been sent, by arrangement with the British Government, to treat British wounded soldiers in France; whether the American degrees of such doctors have been recognised for this purpose; whether he is aware that American osteopathic doctors hold similar degrees and diplomas to those held by the doctors so sent to treat British wounded in France and are equally qualified to practice in the United States; and whether, in view of these facts, he will give permission to American osteopathic doctors, duly qualified in America, to attend to and treat British wounded in this country in cases where the patients may so desire?

A large number of doctors commissioned in the Army of the United States have been sent to Europe, and many of the most eminent practitioners in the United States are included. The American Government has commissioned the officers sent, and it is not proposed to look for any other security that these officers are qualified for the duties assigned to them.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether many Training Reserve battalions are much under their establishment and in some cases 50 per cent, below establishment; and, if so, whether he will take steps to effect a great saving and to release a number of officers for service at the front by reducing the number of such battalions?

The establishment of Training Reserve battalions is based on the number of men required to be undergoing training, in order to furnish the necessary reinforcements. Owing to the uncertain inflow of recruits, some battalions necessarily on occasions fall below their establishment. I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is not in the circumstances practicable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will now consider the promotion of recruiting officers who have done exceptional work since the, commencement of the War or, failing that, whether a higher honorary rank could be granted to those who have especially distinguished themselves in recruiting work for the Army?

The question of the promotion of recruiting officers has been considered and a scale of ranks was drawn up for the various appointments on the recruiting staff. General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of Commands have been asked to submit recommendations for promotion under these terms and a number of promotions have already been carried out. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the question of the promotion of recruiting officers is not being lost sight of, and the excellent work done by the whole of the staff throughout the country during the heavy stress of work is fully appre- ciated, but he will realise that it is quite impossible to recognise this by giving promotion in every individual ease.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will give an undertaking that no officer who has done good service in the War, and who has for no fault of his own been relegated to unemployment, shall be recalled to a service without his consent in writing previously given and obtained, except in the rank and with the pay and allowances which he was drawing at the time he became unemployed; and whether, in the event of such an undertaking being given, it will include any officers who may have already been recalled from unemployment?

Normally an unemployed officer, if again taken into employment, is recalled in his own rank and with the pay and allowances of his rank. If an officer has been holding an appointment carrying pay higher than that of his rank, he does not revert to that rate of pay if he is recalled after unemployment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of deaths, during the first two years of the War, amongst prisoners of war in the custody of the British authorities?

I have not the requisite information to enable mo to reply to this question to-day, but I am making inquiries through the Prisoners of War Information Bureau, and would ask the hon. Member to put down the question again in a week's time.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he has been able to make further inquiries into the rate of pay of Driver E. J. Phillips, Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport); why Private C. White, No. 149,871, Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), who was enlisted in the Isle of Wight at the 6s. rate in November, 1915, and is serving in France, was informed over a year afterwards that his pay was reduced to 2s. 4d. per day; and if, in order to mitigate the inequality of pay in this corps amongst drivers who joined about the same time, and the unfairness of reducing a man's pay after a long period through no fault of his own but through a possible official error, the War Office will arrange that all drivers who joined this branch of the Service during 1915 shall receive the 6s. rate?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave him on 30th April. Driver Phillips and Private White did not apply for enlistment until after 10th November, 1915, and have, therefore, no claim to continue in receipt of pay at 6s. a day. I cannot hold out any hope of adopting the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing among the British troops on active service in East Africa at their differential treatment with regard to pay, rations, and leave from that accorded to the Union troops; and whether he will consider the advisability of standardising the pay, rations, and leave regulations of all Imperial troops operating in the same territory?

I am not aware of any dissatisfaction. British troops in East Africa are in receipt of their usual pay and allowances. I am not aware that any difference exists as regards rations. The grant of leave rests with the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that quartermasters serving in the field for whose families lodging, fuel, and light allowances are being allowed at home are not entitled to similar allowances for themselves; whether it was intended to debar quartermasters under allowance Regulations from this allowance (paragraph 286 c ); whether in the present circumstances an unmarried quartermaster is permitted to draw this allowance in the field whilst the same privilege is denied to married quartermasters; and whether the married quartermaster on active service is placed in this respect on less favourable terms than the married quartermaster who is serving in this country?

My hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. A quartermaster in the field, like any other officer so situated, is provided with accommodation in kind or in cash, irrespective of any issue that may be made in respect of his family.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the Government are at present exporting wool, or have the Government exported any wool within the past twelve months; and whether the Government received for exported wool 9d. to 1s. per lb. more than was paid the farmer from whom the wool was commandeered?

Less than 2 per cent, of the wool clip of the United Kingdom, consisting of Scottish Blackfaced wool, has been exported at a profit of about 4d. per lb.

asked the Under secretary of State for War if he is aware that the baling of hay purchased by the Government has not been commenced in the Stradbally district of Queen's County; if he is aware that this hay since purchased has lost about 20 per cent, in weight by drying, and the farmers will consequently lose proportionally in price; if he is aware that the farmers have been kept out of their money since last September with the bank rate of interest at 6½ per cent, while the Government only pay 5 per cent. on the unpaid purchase money; if he is aware that the farmers require their hay sheds, at present filled with unbaled Government hay, to store the coming crop; if he is aware that when the baling is deferred to this period of the year it means having to take away men from important crop work to attend to the baling; and whether he intends to take action to relieve the farmers from the losses sustained by them owing to the delay in the baling of the hay?

The conditions of purchase in Ireland, as in all parts of the United Kingdom, are that delivery is to be made when required, and this condition is one of those on the actual purchase note which each vendor agrees to and signs. Clause 3 of the purchase note also provides for dryage being paid at 5 per cent, for each of the months of January and February, and 10 per cent. in March, or a total of 20 per cent, on deliveries made on or after 1st March. Interest at 5 per cent, is also paid on all final payments in respect of each purchase from 31st October if purchased prior to that date, or from date of purchase, if at a later date, to date of completion of delivery. It is obvious that all hay bought cannot be baled at once, and that it must of necessity be spread over the twelve months, consequently some districts must be left to the last, but endeavours are always made to arrange that those districts that were last one year are taken first the next. It is hoped to complete entirely the baling of all hay bought in Ireland by 31st July this year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that surveyors of local authorities, who have volunteered at the request of the Road Board for work in connection with military road-making in France, have been compelled to pay their own railway fares to London when attending at the request of the Director-General of Military Railways for interview and for medical examination, and again when attending to report at the War Office previously to a commission being granted to them; whether he is aware that in one such case a married man with a child, earning a salary of £175, had to pay over £4 in railway fares irrespective of personal expenses; and whether he will issue instructions that such railway fares, the paying of which by those who volunteer for service is considered a hardship, be refunded?

In accordance with the general rule of the public service, candidates for commissions pay their own fares for interviews and on first joining.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that 8,805 artificial limbs have been made for our soldiers by private firms, at a cost of £127,293; that over 7,000 additional men who have already lost their limbs have still to be supplied; that the suggestions and experience of limbless men are now being taken advantage of by private firms; that the cost of renewals and repairs will be a continually recurring one; and will he, in view of these facts, and in the interest of economy and efficiency, institute an investigation into the cost of production, in order to ascertain whether these limbs can be made by the Government?

The figures given in the question are approximately correct, and it is the case that the cost of renewals and repairs will be a recurring one. Whether it would be more conducive to economy and efficiency to undertake manufacture by the State than to continue to get the appliances from the firms engaged on the industry is a question on which opinion is divided. The Pensions Ministry would not hesitate, however, to adopt the former alternative if there was reason to suppose that the prices charged by the firms in question were considerably in excess of intrinsic value. The careful watch that is kept by the Ministry on the cost of production as compared with the prices charged does not indicate that the action suggested in the question is called for at present.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the treatment of Frank J. Murphy, 2, Temple Street, Dublin; if he is aware that this man was invalided on 17th January last for gastritis, which is considered to have been aggravated by his service in the Royal Navy; that he was awarded a pension of 5s. a week which was later increased to 5s. 6d.; that this man is a mechanical engineer and left a good position to join the Navy; and that he is now rendered unfit to follow his trade; if he will say whether 5s. 6d. is the maximum amount allowed to discharged soldiers or sailors who are compelled to take up light employment at small wages; and if he will see that this, man will be awarded the maximum gratuity to enable him to start a small business?

I am aware of the facts of Frank Murphy's case. The amount of pension awarded to him is in accordance with the extent of his disablement as assessed by the naval doctors by whom he was invalided. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the scheme of alternative pension provided under Clause 3 of the Order in Council of the 30th March last, which is intended to deal with this class of case. The man should lay the facts of his case before his local committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of Private A. Sinnott, who joined the 48th Training Reserve Battalion on 14th November, 1916, and has since been transferred to the l/7th Welsh Regiment, No. 29540, B Company, at Whitley, whether he is aware that he is the sole source of maintenance of his mother, Mrs. Sinnott, who lives at 179, Robert Hall Street, Salford, and that since he joined she has received not one penny of allowance in respect of him; and if he will inquire why this delay has occurred?

It will be necessary to inquire into this case. I have called for a report and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private J. G. Rogers, No. 13564, 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, enlisted on the 17th of October, 1916, and made an allotment of 3s. 6d. per week in favour of his mother, whose claim to be his dependant was allowed, but who has not received separation allowance, although she made application for it more than eleven weeks ago; and if he will give instructions for the arrears due to Mrs. Rogers to be paid without delay, and for the separation allowance to which she is entitled to be paid punctually for the future?

Inquiries will be made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the case of William Plant, father of Rifleman E. Plant, Rifle Brigade, No. 30599, who was called up on 3rd January, 1917, allotted 3s. 6d. to his father, and claimed dependant's allowance for him; whether he is aware that the pensions officer did not call to investigate the claim for more than four months after the soldier's enlistment, and that as the result of this delay, the son having been killed in action on 4th May, 1917, the dependent father has been instantly deprived of the 3s. 6d. a week allotted by his son, whereas if the investigation had been carried through in a reasonable period, and the claim proved, the father would have been in receipt of a dependant's allowance in addition to the allotment and would have continued to draw this for twenty-six weeks after the death of his son; whether he will take steps to remedy the injustice which appears to have been caused in this case; and whether measures will be taken to expedite the investigation of dependants' claims, which is seriously in arrear?

I am having inquiry made into this case and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that exporters of cotton and other goods to India are now forced to case or pack their goods, in compliance with the directions of the Director of Timber Supplies, in a manner different from the requirements called for by contracts with their Indian buyers and whether he will initiate legislation or take other legal means so that buyers may not have the right to refuse goods if cased or packed in compliance with the instructions of the Director of Timber Supplies?

I am aware of the situation created by the order made by the Army Council under the Defence of the Realm Act and am in communication with the Government of India on the subject. I think that it should be possible without great difficulty to make arrangements which will be satisfactory to all parties.

asked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the suppression of the "Kew Bulletin" by the Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office; and, if so, whether the India Office was consulted before this journal was suppressed?

I have seen the notification regarding the temporary suspension of the "Kew Bulletin." The answer to the second question is in the negative

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the suppression of the "Kew Bulletin" by the Comptroller of His Majesty's Stationery Office; and whether the Colonial Office was consulted before this decision was arrived at?

To the first part of the question the answer is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a person has recently been arrested on a charge of surreptitiously conveying a letter to an enemy alien interned in an internment camp; and, if so, what was the name of the interned person to whom the communication was addressed, by whom it was sent, and if the prosecution is being proceeded with?

I do not know to what case the hon. Member refers.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Representation of the People Bill, if passed into law, will make any and, if so, what difference in the obligation laid upon Members of the House of Commons to seek re-election on accepting certain offices or places of profit?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much tea was imported into this country from Java during the year 1916; if any tea is now allowed to be imported from that country; and if he is aware that Java tea is largely in the hands of Germans, and that they directly or indirectly benefit by the sale of it in this country?

The quantity of tea imported from Java in 1916 was 30,403,840 pounds. No licences are now being issued for Java tea. I have no knowledge of the facts suggested in the last part of the question, but I should be glad to receive any information the hon. Gentleman may have on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it was with his authority that Messrs. S. W. Smedley and Company published an advertisement threatening Evesham growers that their stocks of fruit would be commandeered unless they agreed to make contracts with this firm; whether this firm is authorised to describe itself as official buyer for the Government of fruit; for what reason the prices fixed for fruit are so much in excess of the ordinary market price; whether he is aware of the effect that this will have upon the price of fresh fruit and jam during the coming summer; and by what authority was the price of gooseberries fixed at £20 a ton, seeing that the Army Canteen Committee has already made considerable forward contracts for the supply of gooseberries to the troops at prices varying between £12 and £14 a ton?

The advertisement in question had no official sanction and has been withdrawn.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before releasing the present Food Controller from his obligations in connection with his administration of the Ministry of Food, he will call upon him to hand in a list containing the names and addresses of all persons known to have speculated in and/or profited by the fluctuation in prices, occasioned either directly or indirectly by the operations of his Department, of meat, bread, and other food essentials of the people?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that Continental nations have for many years arranged conditions whereby partially tuberculised meat is sterilised, marked, and sold at a cheaper rate with benefit to the working consumers, whether he will make similar arrangements so that the meat food supply may be fully availed of?

I am in communication with the Ministry of Food with regard to this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any protests from local authorities with regard to the insufficient representation of such authorities on the Committee he has appointed to consider and report on the supply of electrical power in the United Kingdom; and whether, having regard to the part taken by municipalities in the supply of electrical power, he will give increased representation on the Committee to the local authorities?

The Board of Trade have received from local authorities complaints that they are insufficiently represented On the Committee and are giving them careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there will be a general holiday in the Clyde area for some ten days, about 12th July; and whether he will take steps temporarily to increase the train service in order to enable the workers to spend their holidays away from the large towns?

This matter is receiving attention. I hope it will be possible to provide reasonably adequate railway facilities during the holidays for the workers in the Clyde district.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the appointing to the Sugar Com- mission representatives who are interested in sugar production within the Empire?

I have been asked to reply. There is, I understand, no present intention to enlarge either the scope or the personnel of the Sugar Commission. I may remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Commission is concerned with the purchase and importation of sugar, but not with its production.

asked the Minister of Labour whether an employer who is not engaged on any munition work has authority to withhold his insurance card from a workman who has left his employment; whether the employer has a right to hand the card to the local labour bureau; and whether the local labour bureau has authority to retain this card until the man has brought his late employer before the tribunal to demonstrate the fact that he was not doing munition work?

I assume that the reference is to unemployment books. On this assumption, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If an unemployment book is lodged at an Employment Exchange by an employer on the ground that the workman was engaged on or in connection with munitions work to which Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act, 1915, applies, and left his employment without a leaving certificate, the exchange issues to the workman a temporary unemployment book pending the decision of the question by the appropriate tribunal.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) if he will consult the chairman of the Road Board as to -whether he is in favour of a full and careful inquiry into every aspect of the New Transport Company's scheme for handling goods at railway termini and relieving the traffic on the streets; and, if so, whether he will order such an inquiry to be undertaken at once with a view to obtaining an authoritative decision on this question before the termination of the War?

No, Sir. This matter does not appear to be within the province of the Treasury.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Government contemplate taking over the Victoria and Albert Museum for Departmental offices; and, if so, whether the injury to technical training in applied arts has been considered as well as the-desirability of keeping such art centres open for the pleasure and advantage of wounded men?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The whole position was most carefully considered, and it is hoped that as it will still be possible to keep open a substantial portion of the Museum that provision can be made for both the objects which the hon. Member has in view.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether the insurance premium paid under the National Health Insurance Act represents as to 7s. 6d. a year of it the amount paid to the panel doctor for medical attendance; and, if so, how is that 7s. 6d. a year applied in the case of soldiers who receive medical attendance free from officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps?

The weekly contribution payable under the National Insurance Act by a serving soldier is 1½d. only, as compared with 4d. payable by a civilian. The difference between the two rates arises partly from the fact that a soldier, being provided with medical attendance by the military authorities, as my hon. Friend points out, is relieved from contributions in respect of medical, benefit under the Act.

asked the Attorney-General, seeing that the notice on the Order Paper of a Motion for the record and other documents constituting the authority for the detention of the hon. Member for South Longford follows the precedent of the Government in the case of John Mitchel in 1875, that the present case is, like that, one of imprisonment before election, and that there is greater necessity for the record and other documents owing to the trial and conviction having been secret throughout, if he will state the grounds of differentiation so far as regards withholding the documents in the present case?

The production of the record and other documents constituting the authority for the detention of John Mitchel was a discretionary act on the part of the Government of the day, which was no doubt decided upon after the consideration of the relevant circumstances. No considerations of public interest such as arise to-day entered into the decision which was reached in time of peace. In the present case, as the hon. Member points out, the trial was (on public grounds), conducted in camera, and the publication of the proceedings would, therefore, not be in the public interest. This conclusion obviously makes it impossible for the Government, in a discretionary case, to take the course suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Stanley H. J. Cadman, who was killed on diving duties whilst employed in His Majesty's dockyard at Chatham as a shipwright on 17th October, 1916; whether he is aware that Cadman served his six years' apprenticeship in His Majesty's dockyard, and up to the time of his death had eight years and seven months' hired time as a journeyman and eight and a half months' established time, a total service of fifteen years and three months, therefore entitling him to the grant of a gratuity under Section 2 (1) of the Superannuation Act, 1909; and will he inquire into the case and arrange for the gratuity provided under the Act quoted to be paid over to the legal personal representatives of Cadman?

Awards under Section 2 (1) of the Superannuation Act, 1909, are permissible only in cases in which a Civil servant has completed five years' pensionable service or upwards. For this purpose, time served as an apprentice is excluded, and half only of unestablished (or hired time) is allowed to count. Cadman served for 8 years 272 days as a hired shipwright and 207 days as an established shipwright. His total pensionable service was therefore 4 years 343 days, which was insufficient to qualify for an award under the Statute in question. I may inform my hon. Friend that an award of £300 as compensation for the death was awarded under the scheme of 1913 framed under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the depredations of grey squirrels in localities where in recent years they have been introduced; and whether, in view of the increase in numbers of these pests, the damage caused by them in gardens, orchard, and plantations, and in the interests of the present and future timber supply of this country, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to see that their numbers are reduced?

The Department have no information that the grey squirrel is doing exceptional damage in plantations, and if my hon. and gallant Friend has information on the subject, I shall be glad if he will send it to me.