asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will meet the persistent clamour from the homes of the people for sugar for jam and other domestic purposes by further limiting its supply for beer, aerated waters, and confectionery?

The use of sugar for manufacturing purposes has been reduced as from 1st June to 25 per cent, of the amount so used in 1915. This reduction applies equally to beer, aerated waters, and confectionery. There is no present intention of reducing still further the supply of sugar for these purposes.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware of complaints prevalent throughout Ireland of the unprecedented amount of damage done to crops this season by crows, rooks, and daws, now more numerous than ever, owing to the restrictions on guns and ammunition; why the Department has not, in the interest of the food supply, taken precautions against this danger; and, seeing that most rookeries are on the lands of persons who do not till, whether an Order will now be issued for the destruction of all rookeries?

The Department of Agriculture are fully aware of the importance of tins matter, and they have been in communication with the police and military authorities as to what practical steps can be taken. I believe arrangements have been made for authority to be given to manufacturers to supply shot to dealers for sale to holders of licences issued by the Royal Irish Constabulary. No additional Order under the Defence of the Realm Regulations appears to be called for.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether permits for the export of potatoes were issued on. 6th June by the Department of Agriculture to Cullen and Allen to export 1,000 tons, to the North of Ireland Produce Company 200 tons, to Warden and Stewart 1,000 tons, and to Messrs. Hugh T. Barrie and Company for a large consignment; whether at the same time permits were refused to Ulster Catholic merchants; and, if so, will he say on what grounds?

On the 4th, 5th, and 6th June licences were issued to Army contractors, including the firms mentioned in the question, for the export of 1,525 tons of potatoes, which had been secured but were not immediately required by the military authorities. Licences are granted only in the case of potatoes actually secured for the military, and there is no ground for the suggestion in the concluding portion of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he intends to empower, by legislation or otherwise, lords of the manor to enclose wastes of the manor for the purpose of allotment cultivation, provided the consent of the tenants of the manor is first obtained?

It is not proposed to introduce legislation dealing with the inclosure of commons and wastes of the manor. Under the Defence of the Realm Regulations local authorities in urban districts, and agricultural executive committees elsewhere, have power, with the consent of the Board, to enter on common land and arrange for its cultivation as a temporary measure.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, under the regulations made by the Customs and Excise, licensed traders are entitled to release from bond for the year ending 31st March, 1918, on paying the duty assessable, 50 per cent, of the quantity of wines and spirits cleared by them during the year 1916, and if it is understood that this amount is to be spread over quarterly periods ending 30th June, 1917, 30th September, 1917, 31st December, 1917, and 31st March, 1918, during each of which periods the quantity allowable would be 12½ per cent. of 1916 clearances; why it is that Dublin traders who made returns in March last have not yet been furnished with authority to clear what they are entitled to for even the first quarter ending 30th June, 1917; whether instalment authorities have been issued for the half-year to the 30th September, 1917, and when traders have applied to be furnished with authority for the balance to which they are entitled they have been informed that when the accuracy of the returns made has been established the advisory committee will authorise the clearance of whatever amount appears to be due; why after the lapse of nearly three months it has not been possible to check the returns; if it is intended to give any fair play at all to a trade which has provided so much revenue for the Government; if certain regulations in restriction of trade have been made; and why officials can make the case still harder by not allowing traders to clear what they are obviously entitled to under the Regulations made by or under the authority of the Imperial Government?

The Regulations-under the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order, 1917, dated 29th March, 1917, provide for the issue of authorities to clear from ship's side or bonded warehouses during each of the two periods of six months ending 30th September, 1917, and 31st March, 1918, quantities of spirits not exceeding 25 per cent, of the total quantities delivered during the year 1916, and the quantities that may be delivered in each period can be cleared at any time in the period. The Board of Customs and Excise are not aware of any case in which a Dublin trader who has made application for an authority and whose application appeared to furnish correct particulars has not yet been furnished with an instalment authority to clear, but if the hon. Member will furnish them with particulars, inquiry will be made into the matter. It is a fact that traders have been informed that authorities for the balances to which they are entitled will be issued when the accuracy of the returns made in connection with the applications for authorities has been established and the delay in the issue of such authorities has been due partly to pressure of work and in some cases to the failure of traders to give cor- rect particulars in their returns. Every effort is, however, being made to issue as rapidly as possible authorities to applicants to clear the full quantities to which they may be entitled.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether compensation at the rate of 10s. per week had been awarded in the case of Christopher Broughal, 133, Foley Street, Dublin, who was injured during the rebellion in Dublin last year, and who was the sole support of his mother, since deceased, and a young sister aged eight years; whether he is aware that on the death of Christopher Broughal in April this year, as a result of the injuries he received, application was made for compensation on behalf of his sister, Mary Broughal, who had been dependent on him, and who, after her mother's death, had gone to live with her half-brother, John Kelly, at 14, St. Joseph's Parade; if he will explain why compensation had been refused in the case of this dependant; and if he will see that provision is made for this young girl's upkeep by having reasonable compensation awarded?

An award of 10s. a week was approved in the case of Christopher Broughal in respect of injuries sustained by him in the Rebellion with effect from the 25th April, 1916, and the allowance was paid down to the date of his death. Application was subsequently made for a grant of compensation to the sister of the deceased, but I am informed that dependency was not established.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if all applications for petrol for industrial and commercial purposes in Ireland should be addressed to his Department?

The recommendations of the Department of Agriculture in regard to the issue of petrol licences by the Petrol Control Committee are confined to cases in which either the production or the distribution of food is concerned.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether measures have been adopted to give Irish fishing boats adequate protection against the operations of enemy submarines?

The Irish fishing vessels receive all protection that can be given to them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why men employed in canteens below category A are not allowed to be called up to the Colours; and whether, in these times, he can make some alteration permitting men at least in category B to be called up?

Men employed in canteens in category B 1 are now being called to the Colours.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the recent Regulation by which a man is precluded from appealing to the Central Tribunal after the receipt of notice calling him up for service with the Colours without the consent of the Army Council has had the practical effect of preventing all such appeals without the consent of the military representative; and if he will inquire into the case of the one-man business of James McFarlane, of Patna, Ayrshire, with a view to enabling the county tribunal to exercise their judgment as to giving leave to appeal, notwithstanding that the man received his notice of calling up before leave to appeal had been applied for?

No recent Regulation has affected the position of a man who wishes to appeal from the decision of an Appeal Tribunal to the Central Tribunal, The Regulations provide for the lodging of such an appeal within three days after the date on which the written decision of the Appeal Tribunal has been sent to the appellant, but such an appeal can only go forward to the Central Tribunal with the leave of the Appeal Tribunal which decided the case, and there has never been any right of appeal against refusal of such leave. No consent of the Army Council is necessary in such a case, nor can the military representative fetter the discretion of the Appeal Tribunal. Tribunals have a certain discretion to rehear cases already finally disposed of, but a Regulation was made in February last, which may be the Regulation to which my hon. Friend refers, to the effect that a rehearing could not be granted by the tribunal without the consent of the Army Council, after a notice had been sent to the applicant calling him up for military service. Mr. McFarlane's case was decided by the Appeal Tribunal of Ayrshire on the 11th May. He received a calling-up notice and applied to the Army Council for consent to have his case reheard on the ground of a recent decision by the Central Tribunal in a similar case. As, however, there were no new facts which had arisen since the case had been decided on the 11th May, and as the decision of the Central Tribunal to which he referred was not a new ruling, but merely a confirmation of the principle laid down by that tribunal in a similar case decided in September last, the Army Council have not consented to the rehearing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are in Training Reserve battalions at home many commanding and other officers in category A who have never served abroad; and, if so, why are they kept at home instead of being sent out?

The large majority of commanding officers are, by reason of their age, unfit for active command in the field and are more profitably employed in training troops at home. Other officers fit for general service take their turn to go out—having regard to the absolute necessity of keeping efficient instructors, without whom the training of the drafts cannot be properly carried out.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the majority of Training Reserve battalions have ever since their formation been greatly under their establishment; and whether it is practically certain that sufficient recruits will not be obtained to bring them up to establishment; and, if so, what reason is there for incurring the expense involved in maintaining a number of incomplete battalions with large permanent staffs?

The Training Reserve is at the present moment being reorganised, and on completion of this reorganisation it is anticipated that all battalions will be completed to establishment, provided the number of recruits forthcoming remains normal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a report of the sanitary officer of Mullingar, with reference to the danger to the public health from an open sewer running from the military barracks there through certain private grounds, has been brought under the notice of the military authorities; and, in view of the danger increasing with the rising temperature, whether immediate action will be taken to have this public nuisance remedied and the public health safeguarded?

No such report appears to have reached the military authorities. No action is contemplated, as the local officers report that the whole sewage system, which is not an open sewer but a properly designed pipe line, is in perfect order.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on what grounds a war bonus of 5s., which has been granted to employés at the War Office depots at Woolwich, Chatham, Dover, and many other centres, is being withheld from the employés at the Army Ordnance Department at York; and whether he will give instructions for the bonus to be paid in future at York and at all War Office depots?

This is a bonus to the engineering trades and does not apply to Army Ordnance Department employés at York.

asked the Minister of Munitions if any arrangement as to the payment of extra allowances to munition manufacturers has been come to in consequence of the increases of wages made by the Government on 1st April, 1917?

In cases of proved hardship my right hon. Friend has power to consider claims made by contractors for increased price as a consequence of the rise in wages.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Indian troops, both Cavalry and Infantry, of the Aden Field Force have not been granted the extra field service allowance similar to that granted to other expeditionary forces; whether temporary promotion with pay to an officer acting in a higher appointment, who holds that appointment for thirty days or more, has also been withheld from the Indian troops of the Aden Field Force; and, if not, will he take steps to have these differences rectified with retrospective effect?

The Government of India report that their recommendations regarding special field allowance for Indian troops at Aden are on their way to me. They also report that by an Order of 3rd May the rules regarding acting promotion (formerly called temporary promotion) were brought into force at Aden with effect from 3rd July, 1915.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Schedule fixing wholesale and retail prices of tobacco to give effect to the new Order under the Defence of the Realm Regulations will be issued; and whether it will preclude the imposition of as much as 2d. per ounce on retail tobacco, which has been charged since the announcement of the increase of 1s. 10d. per pound of additional duty?

The issue of the Schedule fixing the prices of tobacco will be made as soon as the inquiry now being made into the justification of the present prices has been completed by the Board of Control. They hope this will be shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what financial arrangements have been entered into with the coalowners in connection with the State control and management of the coal industry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Cardiff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any charges are made to shipowners or shipbuilders for the services of surveyors on Sundays or before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on week-days; and whether any additional remuneration is paid to these men for their services at such times?

Charges are made to shipowners or shipbuilders who apply for the services of surveyors on Sundays or before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on weekdays. No additional remuneration is paid to surveyors for these services.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the decision that the collecting sheets of the Hospital Saturday Fund could only be sent through the post at letter rates and not as printed matter as hitherto; whether he is aware that this decision is increasing the cost of postage to a considerable extent in connection with this voluntary organisation; and whether the decision can be reconsidered?

Articles of stationery such as blank collecting sheets for the Hospital Saturday Fund cannot be regarded as coming within the definition of "printed matter" merely because they bear printed words upon them, and they are therefore not admissible at the book rate of postage. From June, 1897, until November, 1915, the book rate was identical with the letter rate, except as regards packets not exceeding 2 ozs. in weight, and consequently any packet prepaid more than ½d. then passed at the letter rate, in sealed or unsealed envelopes, without regard to the nature of the contents. Since the latter date, when the letter rate was increased, these collecting sheets, like other articles for which a reduced rate has not been provided, have been liable to the increased rate. While, therefore, I sympathise with the object in view, I regret that the Post Office would not be justified in authorising transmission of such articles of stationery at the book rate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether, on behalf of his Department, five public meetings with public speakers have been held at Wimbledon, 1,800 posters and 23,000 handbills issued, and 8,144 persons canvassed; whether, as a result, forty-nine persons have returned themselves as willing to enrol for National Service under the conditions laid down; and whether he can state the cost of the meetings, posters, handbills, and canvassing in Wimbledon?

The former part of the statement in this question, relating to the publicity campaign in Wimbledon, is substantially correct, the cost of meetings, canvassing, bill-posting, and distribution of printed matter being £69 8s. 8d., but the forty-nine persons quoted as National Service Volunteers obtained are only those who lodged their enrolment forms it regularly with local officers, instead of posting them direct to- the National Service Department, as the form prescribed. One hour's examination of the registers shows that 153 National Service Volunteers were obtained from Wimbledon, and there it no doubt that a detailed examination would show many more for this district; but as this is not a separately defined area for statistical purposes in the Department, the precise number cannot be given without much further labour.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the position of the Irish prison warders as affected by the scheme of payment recently introduced; and whether he is now in a position to recommend the officials in the Irish prison service to be placed on an equality with those on the English service, in accordance with the promises made to them?

I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has authorised certain detailed improvements in the scheme of payments recently introduced, which have been communicated to the General Prisons Board, and will be published in due course.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is intended to reduce the general staff of the Irish prisons service by 100 warders; if the reduction is to be secured by the compulsory retirement of all warders with under fifteen years' service; if he is aware than any further reduction of those officials would mean the imposing of extra and long hours of duty on those retained, and that it would impose untold hardships on the married warders with young and helpless families who would be compelled to retire; and, if such a course is in contemplation, will he say at what date the reduction is to take place, and what provision is to be made for the married warders affected?

There has been no proposal made to retire any warders under fifteen years service. It has been proposed to make use temporarily of the services of such number of warders as are not at present required for prison work on such other public employment as can be found for them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the date upon which the holdings upon the estate of Colonel Alexander, Garristown, county Dublin, were vested in the purchasing tenants?

The holdings were vested in the purchasing tenants on the 13th October, 1910, 16th May, 1912, and 7th November, 1912.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that Captain E. K. B. Tighe, Woodstock, county Kilkenny, possesses fishing rights in the tidal waters of the River Nore which enable him to use a net, which gives him a practical monopoly of the river for a considerable distance; and will he state if the Department possesses powers to negotiate a purchase of these rights for the benefit of the fishing community on the river?

I am informed that Captain Tighe owns and exercises a right of several fishery in tidal waters in the River Nor. No allegation of illegality in the exercise of this right has been brought to the notice of the Department of Agriculture. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received a copy of a resolution passed at the meeting of the child welfare committee of the Women's National Health Association, held in Dublin on Thursday, 10th May, 1917, to the effect that Section 7 of the Poor Law (Ireland) Act, 1862, should be amended so as to enable necessitous children requiring medical or surgical treatment to be sent by the guardians to any hospital or infirmary without insisting on such children being previously inmates of a workhouse, and that further legislation is required for the purpose of enabling the guardians to provide out of the rates institutional care for crippled and other defective children; and if, having regard to the difficulty of obtaining medical treatment for necessitous children in Ireland, he will take the necessary steps to give effect to the terms of this resolution?

The resolution referred to has been received. In the event of a revision of the Poor Law the proposal in question will not be overlooked.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what Irish Department, if any, oversees the conduct of the Town and Markets Committee of Irvinestown, county Fermanagh; who are the present members of that Committee, and when appointed; who is the town clerk, and when appointed; whether the property supposed to be managed by the Committee is the property of the inhabitants of the town; what is the annual revenue from it; to what use is it applied; by whom are vacancies in the service of the Committee filled up; to what latest date have a financial statement, audited accounts, and balance sheet of this pro- perty been published or made accessible to its owners; and whether the production of such statement, accounts, and balance sheet will be required now, and further dealings with the property suspended until the inhabitants of Irvinestown have been afforded an opportunity of electing a new Town and Markets Committee?

The Town and Markets Committee of Irvinestown is not under the control of any Government Department, and I am therefore unable to supply the hon. Member with the particulars he asks for.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the number of principal and assistant teachers, respectively, employed in national schools of all kinds in Dublin city and county and the number of such teachers who are registered as qualified to teach Irish.

The Commissioners of National Education have no returns available to enable them to furnish the information desired.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that when the pensions scheme for foremen writers was accepted by them fifteen years ago it was stipulated that all regular overtime should be remunerated, and that nevertheless three hours per week is deducted from any overtime worked before any pay is granted, although this condition was abolished in the case of all other foremen in August, 1916; whether the effect of the arrangement in force is that a foreman receives no pay for overtime unless he has worked at least six hours overtime in the week; whether women are at present employed as clerks at Dover whose hours of work do not coincide with those of the labour establishment, thereby necessitating work by foremen writers for one and a quarter hours per week, in addition to three and half hours on Saturdays, making a total of four and three-quarter hours per week, for which they receive no pay; and if he will take steps to remedy this grievance by having payment made to foremen writers for all overtime actually worked, without any such deduction as is complained of?

The stipulation made on the introduction of the pension scheme was the exact contrary of that suggested in the question. The claim to pay for overtime was surrendered in consideration of the grant of pension. A special concession is made during the war pressure in the shape of a payment when overtime exceeds six hours a week. The same condition holds good for other foremen. Both foremen writers and writers are at all times liable to complete forty-five hours in the week before overtime accrues, though, when the state of work admits, their normal hours are forty-two per week. I am not aware of any exceptional conditions at Dover.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the foremen writers at Dover are not receiving the war bonus of 5s. now being paid to other foremen there; why Foreman W. J. MacLaren, who was originally a Woolwich foreman, is not receiving the bonus, although he is still being paid at Woolwich rates, and all Woolwich foremen have received the bonus since the 1st April, 1917; and if he will give instructions for the bonus to be paid, with arrears as from the 1st April, to Foreman MacLaren and, with arrears as from the 1st June, to all foremen writers at Dover?

The 5s. bonus to which my hon. Friend refers does not apply to clerical classes. Instructions were issued on the 7th instant granting a war bonus to those classes, including foremen writers at Dover and other out-stations, with effect from the 1st January last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the charge against Henry Stack in respect of which he has been detained in Cumberland Prison since 25th April without trial; whether he will be brought to trial forthwith or admitted to bail; whether he is aware that he is an American citizen; and whether the American Ambassador has been informed of his detention?

I find on inquiry that a man named Henry Stack was detained in Carlisle Prison, on remand and awaiting trial in respect of a criminal charge, from 2nd April to 1st June when he appeared at the assizes, was found not guilty and was discharged. The answer to the last two parts of the question is in the negative.