asked the Secretary to the Treasury when war savings certificates were first issued; and if he will give statistics showing, to the latest convenient date, the number and amount of those of £l and of each of the other values that have been purchased with the aggregate totals?

War savings certificates were first issued on the 19th February, 1916, and the figures of sales to the 16th instant, are as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether the State can make reasonable use of the voluntary services of a man who speaks French and German fluently, who is a partner in one of the largest Anglo-French businesses in the City, who is above military age, but is willing to devote the whole of his time to the service of his country?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with full particulars I shall make inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the practice of the War Office where business men are employed wholly or part time in connection with Government Departments, with or without salary, to give them commissions on the business or contracts they carry through; and, if so, what is the basis on which the remuneration is paid?

No business man employed with or without salary, wholly or part time, as an official of the Department is given a commission on the business or contracts which he carries through. In certain cases firms are employed as agents or brokers, and they are paid on a commission basis for the business done, usually on a sliding scale, with an annual sum fixed as a maximum remuneration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, in regard to home-made spirits during the year ended 31st March, 1917, how many gallons were distilled in England, in Scotland, and in Ireland, respectively; how many gallons of potable spirits were retained for home consumption; how many gallons were exported; how many gallons were used for fortifying wines, ships' stores, etc.; how many gallons were used in arts and manufacturing; how many gallons were methylated; how many gallons were allowed as deficiencies; and how many gallons were there in warehouse on 31st March, 1917.

The information promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 15th instant (OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. XCIV., No. 74, col. 1314) is shown in the following table:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed on Friday last by the County Dublin Food Production Advisory Committee in reference to the difficulties with which the cowkeepers of Dublin have been confronted during the last two years in maintaining an adequate supply of milk for the citizens of the Irish metropolis; whether in view of the impossibility of procuring for cows the byproducts of brewing and distilling owing to the Government liquor restrictions, the suggestion made in the resolutions referred to that arrangements should be made by which the best quality of hay would become available for dairy stock will be taken into immediate consideration; and whether, as is further suggested,

I have not seen the resolution referred to. The question of securing an adequate supply of hay for dairy stock is being dealt with by the Irish Advisory Forage Committee. The question of providing millers' offal suitable for the feeding of dairy cows is also engaging the attention of the authorities concerned, and it is hoped to secure a share of these feeding stuffs for Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry ofFood whether he is aware that there is in various districts a growth of digestive pains and nettle-rash, which is attributed by medical men to the quality of the war bread now being sold; whether he has any information showing that the maize used in certain cases for mixing with flour is not properly prepared; whether he has seen that the inmates of a workhouse near London were taken ill as a result of eating the war bread and that the board of guardians, after investigation, condemned this particular bread as unfit for human consumption; and whether he will cause investigation to be made into the whole matter?

No trustworthy evidence has been adduced to the effect that the ailments referred to are attributable either to the quality of war bread or to the admixture of maize with wheaten flour, nor has my attention been called to the incident mentioned in the latter part of the question. There is, no doubt, a difference in the quality of bread produced by different bakers, and every effort is being made to level up the inferior kinds. Owing to a temporary decrease in the importation of maize the use of this cereal for purposes of admixture has been and is being diminished.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been directed to the different varieties of bread at present being sold in which there is an admixture of from seven to 25 per cent, of malt flour or malt extract, including Veda, Bermaline, Piletex and Yuama, and other malt bread; and whether, having regard to the palatable and nutritious character of these loaves, he will take steps to secure the further use of malt flour and malt extract in baking?

It is not considered that there would be any advantage in encouraging the additional use of such varieties of bread, the demand for which is limited owing to its higher cost.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on what system the sugar for making jam is being distributed, as many cases have occurred of applications being made by those who have acres of fruit being ignored and sugar has been frequently granted to those who have never had enough fruit to make jam in former years?

Application forms' for sugar for making jam were supplied to those private growers of fruit who wrote for them in manner prescribed in the notices appearing in the Press. It is possible that, in dealing with 750,000 cases, some misuse of these forms may have occurred, but wherever sufficient evidence is obtainable to prove an offence under the Sugar (Domestic Preserving) Order, a prosecution will be instituted. If the hon. Member will bring any specific cases of unfair distribution to my notice, immediate inquiry will be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that it is the practice of retail fruit merchants to preserve quantities of fruit during the soft fruit season in order to prevent their being wasted; and whether he proposes to make any arrangements for the supply of sugar to them for this purpose?

I am not aware that the practice referred to prevails to any great extent, but any retail fruit merchant who received sugar for this purpose in 1915 is now receiving 50 per cent, of the same quantity. No additional sugar can be supplied owing to heavy losses and general scarcity of tonnage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that quantities of fruit are preserved at homo by housewives other than those who grow fruit at home; and whether he proposes to make any arrangements for such domestic fruit preservers to obtain supplies of sugar?

I am aware that, fruit is preserved by housewives who do not themselves grow the fruit in question, but I regret that owing to losses of sugar cargoes and scarcity of tonnage no special provision of sugar for such cases can be made.

asked when the replies to applications for sugar for jam making made by private growers of fruit will be made?

Sugar for domestic preserving is now being distributed as rapidly as possible to the retailers and by the latter to their customers in response to the applications made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Government have bought up the whole supply for this season of beef and mutton from Australia, the Argentine, and Patagonia at prices ranging from 6½d. to 7½d. per lb. delivered in this country; and, if so, at what price this meat has been sold to the wholesale distributors, what has become of the difference in these two prices, and what steps have the Government taken to secure that this meat has been resold to the public at fair prices?

The whole supply of Australian meat is purchased by the Government. As was stated by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, in reply to the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets, on the 18th June, the landed cost of this meat in the United Kingdom is 8d. per lb. The importer's commission is 2 per cent., and the wholesaler's profit is limited to ½d. per lb. The South American meat supply is not bought by the Government except to the extent required for Army purposes, but is sold by the importers on the market in the ordinary way. The control of the price of imported meat will be dealt with in conjunction with the control of meat prices generally.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any definition of the word profiteering was agreed upon between the Food Controller and the two deputations who have waited upon him with regard to this matter, and, if so, what it was; whether a case was substantiated in which this evil was proved generally to exist, and, if so, in what trades; and whether he can undertake, having regard to the importance of the subject, to lay before the House at the earliest possible moment any evidence that he may receive and any proposals the Government may have to make in order that Parliament may have an opportunity of considering them before any action is taken?

No definition of the word profiteering has been agreed upon. It would serve no useful purpose to specify the allegations made by the deputations in question, which were of a private character. The Government have promised to give an opportunity for the discussion of the whole matter, but that must not be taken to mean that nothing will be done before the discussion takes place. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that the Food Controller does not propose to act without proper investigation of the facts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any maximum price is to be fixed for new Scottish potatoes, now about to be lifted in immature condition, or is the market in these to have free play, making them available only to rich people; and if a price is to be fixed, when is it proposed to name it?

It is not proposed to fix a. maximum price for new Scottish potatoes, nor is it anticipated that the price of potatoes generally in the month of July will be such as to make' them available only for rich people.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Controller on or about the 14th May last gave a certificate, that the supply of a new maize disintegrator machine to Messrs. Dobell and Company, Limited, of Uxbridge, was a matter of urgent national importance; if so, on what evidence did he base this conclusion, and what new or additional evidence did he receive, and when, to cause him to recall or alter his opinion; is he aware that for six weeks the public have been limited in their supply of maize flour by the departmental delays of his own Department and the Ministry of Munitions during which the machine has remained at the railway station; and will he say what action he now" proposes to take?

No certificate was ever given by the Food Controller, but a machine of the nature indicated was recommended for priority. Subsequent inquiry showed that the precise machine was altogether out of proportion to the total output of the firm. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer given last Monday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that consignments of Danish bacon are still taking as much as ten days to reach London and six days further to reach points as near as Portsmouth; that bacon delivered at Birmingham and Wales is being continually refused on account of its arriving in bad condition; that a consignment which arrived at Portsmouth on the 19th instant was inspected by the sanitary inspector and condemned as unfit for human food; and what steps he proposes to take to accelerate delivery so that this food shall be available for human consumption in the future?

I have been asked to reply, I presume that the hon. Member is referring to portions of the consignments of Danish bacon which reached this country in exceptionally large quantities on or about the 11th June, and, for the reasons already given, I have no doubt that his statements are correct, though I have not been able to verify them. As regards future consignments, steps have been taken to minimise the difficulties and delays of railway transit, and it is hoped that the voyage by sea will not take so long again.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the area of the land held by the Congested Districts Board, including any they have let temporarily, in each county in which they hold land, which is under grass and under tillage, respectively, this year?

Area of untenanted land by counties in possession of the Congested Districts Board on the 31st March, 1917, including lands whether vested or not vested:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the area of the land held by the Estates Commissioners, including any that they have let temporarily, in each county in which they hold land, which is under grass and under tillage, respectively, this year?

Area of untenanted land by counties held by Estates Commissioners on 1st May, 1917, including lands let temporarily:

asked the Secretary for Scotland what provision is being made in Scotland for the supply to small-holders and others of potato sprayers; have these to be procured from the English Board; and is a proportionate number guaranteed by them for Scottish use?

The demand for potato sprayers in Scotland has hitherto been very limited, notwithstanding the encouragement given by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. In existing conditions the only available supply is under the control of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, with whom the Scottish Board have made arrangements which it is hoped will result in securing a sufficient number.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the Government's proposals for the relief of unemployment in Dublin; if he is aware that over 5,000 workers have lost their means of living owing to the Government's restrictions on the brewing and distilling industries; whether the Government will consider the claims of these men for com- pensation for the loss of their employment; and when these claims will be considered?

I am not able to give definite figures, but it is the fact that large numbers of workmen have lost their work by reason of the restrictions upon brewing and distilling. The Ministers of Munitions and Labour and the Director of National Service are doing all they can to assist unemployed men in obtaining employment in Great Britain and in Ireland. The hon. Member's proposal for compensation for loss of employment is not practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Rebellion (Victims) Committee will make their final award; if he is aware that a number of claims have not yet been decided; and when the relatives of the boy Coade who was shot by Captain Colthurst may expect to hear the decision of their claim?

The Rebellion (Victims) Committee will probably complete its work this week. In a few cases the reports of the Committee are under consideration and a decision has not been reached. In the case last mentioned the decision of the Government has been communicated to the boy's father.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if an award has been made on a claim submitted to the Rebellion (Victims) Committee on behalf of Mrs. Conolly, widow of the late Peter Conolly, killed by the military in North King Street during the rebellion, and if an award has been made will he state why there has been no payment of the same; is he aware that Peter Conolly was one of those taken away by the military and afterwards found murdered and partly buried in a cellar of a house in North King Street after the military had been withdrawn; and if he is aware that the widow has a large family of small children, none of them able to earn anything, and is at present in great distress to support herself and children?

The Committee has recently made its report on this case. A decision will be arrived at as soon as possible.

asked if the Government have decided on the building in which the Convention will meet to consider the Irish question; and whether the council chamber of the Dublin municipal buildings has been considered?

The City Hall was considered and has been inspected. The council chamber is too small for meetings of the Convention. A decision as to the meeting place will be announced in due course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any intention of compelling officers or men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to serve for five years instead of for the duration of the War, according to their original contract on enlistment?

The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Act, 1917, gives power to retain the service of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve personnel for a period of five years, if their services be so long required; but it was not intended to utilise this power to extend their services beyond the period covered by the expression "the duration of the War."

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether the prohibition of the sending of newspapers and printed matter to the United States is still in force; and, if so, does it apply to photographs, birthday cards, and similar publications; and whether the Regulations will now be relaxed?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh (South) on the 21st instant.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur Wadman, of 464, Mill Street, Liverpool, who had been rejected in June, 1915, and again in July, 1916, on account of hernia and heart disease, was re-examined by the Liverpool Medical Board, 19th June, 1917, and passed for general service; whether it is in accordance with War Office instructions that men suffering from hernia and heart disease are passed for general service; and, if not, will he give instructions that Mr. Wadman and other men suffering from similar causes shall not be called up?

I have called for a full report on this case, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) frequent cases occur where registration cards are taken away as well as previous rejection certificates, and that the men are told that classification cards will be sent on to them later; and whether he will arrange for classification cards to be delivered to men immediately on the conclusion of the medical examination?

Inquiries have been made and it appears that there have been in the past some instances where classification certificates could not be given to men immediately on the conclusion of the medical examination owing to the supplies locally available having been exhausted owing to various causes. There are ample forms now available to render the recurrence of any such incident improbable. I am not aware of any instances of registration cards being taken away from men who are not called up and posted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can supply any information as to the case of Jack Grey, who was recently released from Wormwood Scrubs and returned to his regiment at Hornsea, who had been before the Central Tribunal and had refused the scheme, but upon returning to his regiment was frog-marched, put in a sack, and thrown into a pond eight times, and pulled out by a rope round his body; whether he can say if under this treatment he has given in; and, if the case can be traced and an inquiry is held, will he see that the evidence of the man Grey is taken?

I have already received a complaint about this case, and I have caused inquiries to be made. No investigation could be deemed to be complete without the statement of the complainant, and under these circumstances the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that the evidence of Private Grey will certainly be required.

asked why conscientious objectors undergoing imprisonment are kept in prison for weeks after they have been passed by the Central Tribunal; and will this practice be ended at once and the men either sent on furlough or transferred to Home Office work immediately the favourable decision of the Central Tribunal is made?

I have recently been in consultation with the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors and the Central Tribunal as to whether the conditions on which these men are released from prison for employment under the control of the Committee should be modified; and meanwhile the release of a certain number of men has been delayed. It is hoped that all these men w ill be released very shortly.

asked under what authority the Committee of Employment of Conscientious Objectors are paying the full contributions, less 1d., of men engaged at Princetown and similar centres, insured under the provisions of Part I. of the National Insurance Act; whether, in the case of sailors and soldiers similarly insured, l½ is deducted; and why this invidious distinction is made?

The Committee are authorised by their terms of reference to make such arrangements in matters of this nature as may appear to them to be proper, subject to the consent of the Treasury which has been duly obtained. The pay of a conscientious objector is less by one-third than the pay of a private soldier, namely, 8d. instead of Is. a day, and the deduction made from his pay in respect of insurance has therefore been fixed at two-thirds of the deduction made from the soldier's pay.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Mr. John Lamb, Wilbraham Cottage, Kirby, Lancashire, was informed by the Civil Liabilities Committee by letter, dated 3rd November, 1916, that he or his nominee would receive a grant of £62 10s. per annum, payable by equal quarterly instalments; whether he is aware that one payment only has been made; and seeing that, in spite of many repeated applications by Mrs. Lamb and her solicitor, no further instalments have been paid, will he state on what grounds only one instalment has been paid?

It is regretted that, owing to the difficulty of tracing and verifying the necessary particulars, there has been delay in dealing with this case. Payment of the last instalment due has, however, now been made, and the next instalment will be paid on the 30th instant.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the military hospitals in France the duties of housekeeper are performed by a trained nurse who has the assistance usually of several Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses; and whether, in view of the shortage of nurses, he will endeavour to arrange for these housekeeping duties to be performed by ladies without nursing experience?

Inquiries are being made of the military authorities in France, and my hon. Friend will be in formed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in promotion which has occurred in the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers; whether he can state the last date upon which a promotion from the rank of lieutenant to captain was gazetted in that battalion; and whether he can take any steps to remove the prejudice which is inflicted upon officers in the Special Reserve by reason of their promotion being delayed and junior officers of service battalions being promoted over them?

The last date on which a promotion to captain in this battalion was gazetted was 4th July, 1916. Since that date no opportunity has occurred for promoting a lieutenant owing to a reduction in the establishment of captains in special reserve battalions. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this matter has recently been under the consideration of the Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Member for Dundee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received a resolution of protest from the board of management of the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, against the request of the local war pensions committee to admit a discharged soldier into that hospital, which stated that unless it could be arranged the soldier must go to Kirkham workhouse infirmary; and whether some of the money expended by the War Office in the building or hire of large offices could be utilised in securing accommodation for men who have served their country in other institutions than workhouses?

I have taken steps to secure that the man referred to shall not be treated in a Poor Law institution. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, explicit instructions were issued last month to local committees on this subject.

asked who is the present commandant of Knockaloo Camp, Isle of Man, and what is his previous experience in this form of service?

Major Graham Taylor, assistant commandant to the late commandant, is temporarily commanding, pending the appointment of a permanent commandant.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will reinvestigate the case of ex-Private Smith, of Mytholmroyd, who lost his right arm in the War, and was pensioned in respect of this loss; whether he is aware that it was afterwards discovered that he was a left-handed man, and that the Pensions Department on this ground wrote him notifying their intention to reduce his pension by 2s. 9d. per week; and whether he proposes taking any further action in the matter?

I regret that it is not possible to trace this case from the particulars given, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with the man's full name, regiment, and regimental number, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can give the name or names of the firm or firms to whom permission has been granted by his Department to manufacture copper sulphate?

No restriction is placed on the manufacture of sulphate of copper, and therefore no permission to manufacture is required. Certain essential materials for the manufacture of sulphate of copper require licences. As far as I am aware, however, is no case has any such licence been refused.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many substitutes for munition workers of military age have been found and placed for him by the National Service Department?

The National Service Department have not as yet been called on to furnish substitutes for munition workers of military age. The Employment Exchange Department of the Ministry of Labour have supplied substitutes required to fill vacancies occasioned by release to the Colours.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what the position now is relative to the scheme for settling soldiers and officers on Crown lands in British East Africa; and to whom applications for such land should be made?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend's previous question of the 21st of February. I have not yet received the Report of the Commission to which I then referred. For the present applications for land would be premature.

asked the Home Secretary whether in reference to the increase of £2,000 in the Estimates, Class IV., Vote 7, Sub-head AA, for expulsion of aliens, he will say how many aliens were expelled in the last two financial years and in the present financial period, respectively; and whether, as the Vote is increased threefold, three times as many aliens probably will be expelled this year?

The hon. Member refers, I think, to Class II., Vote 4, Sub-head AA. The estimate for the current financial year is based on the expenditure for the preceding year, which was considerably more than had been expected, and the increase in the estimate of expenditure cannot therefore be taken as a safe guide to the relative number of aliens to be expelled. I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the hon. Member with the figures he asks for. Owing to the special circumstances which have prevailed from the commencement of the War it has been found impracticable to publish any record which could be used for the purpose of comparison with past years.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a child ten years of age, whose father is serving in the Army abroad and whose mother is engaged on munition work, who has been sent by the magistrate to a certified institution for a period of six years, although the boy had a good character at home and at school up to recent times; whether, in this and other similar cases where the absence of proper parental control is due directly to war conditions, he will advise the magistrates to reduce the period of commitment to reformatories and industrial schools to the period of the War; and whether he will issue a general recommendation on these lines to magistrates?

I will have inquiry made into the case referred to. Orders of committal must be for a definite period; but when a father returns home from the Army it will be open to him to apply for the release of any child who may have been sent to a school during his absence, and if the home is a good one and it does not appear necessary in the boy's interests to detain him further, the application will receive favourable consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that all the large boroughs proposed to be experimented upon are opposed to proportional representation being applied to them to the exclusion of other parts of the country, and also that this House has issued Instructions to the Boundary Commissioners that they are to proceed on the assumption that proportional representation will not be adopted, the Government will withdraw the Clauses of the Representation of the People Bill which relate to this subject?

No, Sir. When the Instructions to the Boundary Commissioners were under discussion it was understood that a further opportunity of debating the question of proportional representation would arise on Clause 15 of the Bill. I hope that this Clause will be considered by the Committee next week.

asked if Mr. Francis Oscar Kroll, head of the firm of Kroll and Company, engineers, of Camden Town, has been interned under the Defence, of the Realm Act; whether Mr. Kroll was engaged for nearly three years since' the outbreak of war in the execution of large Government contracts for war materials; whether during this time the Ministry of Munitions had any reason to complain of the efficiency and devotion of Mr. Kroll; whether since his internment the daily output of the firm has been decreasing; whether this man's wife has received any allowance since her husband's internment; and on what grounds this man has been interned without trial and' taken away from the supervision of a business in which he was rendering useful national service?

Mr. Kroll, who is a German subject, is not interned under the Defence of the Realm Act but as an alien enemy. His internment was recommended by the Advisory Committee in 1915 after consideration of his application for exemption, but it was suspended at the request of the War Office on the ground that his services, were then necessary for the production of war material. I am advised by the Ministry of Munitions that this is no longer the case, and the original recommendation has therefore been carried out. No complaints have been received of Mr. Kroll's business efficiency, but I understand from inquiries I have made that if there is any diminution in the daily output of the firm since his internment it is in no way due to his removal. Mrs. Kroll, not being of British birth, it not entitled to the Government allowance made to British-born wives of interned alien enemies.

asked how many persons of Swiss nationality have been naturalised as British citizens since the beginning of the War; how many of them were of German parentage, and how many of them had by deed poll, or otherwise, changed their names; how many of them have removed from their previous addresses; whether the Home Office is, in all cases, aware of the present address of these naturalised aliens; and whether the question of restricting naturalisation in the case of persons of German parentage, whether Swiss or other nationality, during the War will be considered?

The number of persons of Swiss nationality naturalised since the beginning of the War is 124. The number since the commencement of the present year is eight. None of these were of German parentage, and it is the rule not to grant naturalisation in such cases. The other particulars asked for by the hon. Member are not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping if he can state the tonnage of neutral shipping at present laid up in Allied ports on account of the difficulty of insuring excess values; and whether any means can be devised whereby these ships shall be made available?

I have no reason to believe that the amount of neutral shipping held up in Allied ports on account of the difficulty of insuring excess values is at all considerable. The desirability of securing the services of all available neutral ships is fully appreciated by His Majesty's Government, and every effort to this end is being made by means of negotiation with the countries concerned, the provision of proper facilities for insurance and otherwise.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether I he Government I/as any information as to any recent change in the German regulations as to the delivery to British prisoners of war of tins of food contained in parcels; whether these regulations prevent the delivery to the prisoners of such tins; if not, under what conditions are they given to the prisoners; what arrangements are made for delivery of parcels containing tins to prisoners in working camps; and what steps the Government are taking in the matter?

It appears that the German regulations for the censorship of tins are local regulations and vary considerably. In some cases, such as Wittenberg and Merseburg Camps, the arrangements are very unsatisfactory both as regards the parent and working camps, and the same is said to be the case at Gustrow. It appears that in all camps the tins are removed from the parcels and that the contents only are handed out subsequently, in most cases as required by the prisoners to whom they belong. Where the tins for prisoners at working camps are censored at those camps, there seems to be no substantial cause for complaint; where, as sometimes happens, they are censored at the parent camps, the contents are, of course, usually spoiled before they reach the prisoners. As the actual tins are not delivered to the prisoners, there is a good deal of justifiable complaint that no proper receptacles are available in which to remove the contents. With regard to the last part of the question, telegraphic inquiries were made on 14th May and on a number of subsequent dates with a view to ascertaining the German regulations respecting the disposal of tinned stuff sent to British prisoners of war in Germany. No reply has so far been received. The question is to be discussed at the Conference now sitting at The Hague to consider certain questions affecting British and German prisoners of war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will furnish, on an early date for the information of the House, a statement of the number of accounts in the Trustee Savings Banks which have remained dormant for twenty years or more; also to give the total amount of such deposits?

To ascertain the number of accounts in Trustee Savings Banks dormant for twenty years or more would involve the investigation of nearly 2,000,000 accounts, and I do not feel justified in asking the Trustee Savings Banks with their present very depleted staffs to undertake the task. I have no reason to think that the amount held in dormant accounts in these banks is appreciable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of foreign railway or steamship companies for whose railways or steamships travelling tickets are sold by tourist firms in this country, it has been the practice to require such tourist firms to make Income Tax returns showing the profits earned by such foreign companies through the sale of tickets in this country?

The circumstances that tickets are obtained through a tourist firm in this country for travel by a foreign railway or steamship would not of itself amount to the carrying on of business in the United Kingdom by or on behalf of the foreign railway or steamship company so as to involve liability to British Income Tax. As regards the determination of the Income Tax liability in respect of business carried on in this country by or on behalf of foreigners, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given to his question of 8th and 9th May.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to say whether effect will be given to the recommendation of the Congested Districts Board in favour of proceeding immediately with the harbour works at Burtonport, county Donegal, sanctioned by the Development Commissioners and the Treasury before the outbreak of war?

A date for commencement of works under these recommendations cannot at present be fixed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland upon what ground the application of James Peebles, Magheraclougher, Bunbeg, county Donegal, for an old age pension has been refused?

This case does not appear to have come before the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, in 1915, 8,753 babies under one year died in Ireland; that out of every 1,000 babies born in twenty-seven principal town districts in Ireland twelve die in the first twenty-four hours, thirty-one in the first seven days, forty-three die in the first month, and 134 die in the first year; if he is aware that every year Ireland loses no fewer than 13,000 children under five years of age; if he will state the Government's proposals to grapple with the problem; if he is aware that the wages paid to casual unskilled workers in Ireland is inadequate to provide the necessaries of life for their children; and if he will state the wages paid to labourers in the Board of Works and Irish Lights Department?

I am informed that the figures of infantile and child mortality in Ireland, as stated in the question, are substantially accurate. The Government proposals in regard to maternity and child welfare were communicated to the county borough and urban district councils in Ireland and made public in June last year, and to rural district councils last month. The rates of wages for casual unskilled labour are not fixed by or under the con- trol of the Government. The pay of fully efficient labourers in the constant employment of the Commissioners of Public Works varies from 18s. 3d. to 23s. per week, plus 9s. per week war bonus and privileges valued at 1s. 3d. per week. Labourers employed by the Commissioners-of Irish Lights at the Lighthouse Stores at Kingstown are paid wages of 5½d. per hour, plus war bonus of 3s. per week. The Commissioners pay the rate of wages current in the district where labour is employed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the statement made by the Dublin Police magistrate, MacInerney, on the hearing of prosecutions, to the effect that the police deliberately tried to provoke a riot; if he is aware that this statement was made after Superintendent Bannon admitted having fired revolver shots; if he is aware that Inspector Mills, who was killed at Beresford Place a few weeks ago, was acting under Superintendent Bannon; and if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the capacity of Superintendent Bannon for the position he occupies?

My attention was called to the statement of the police magistrate. I am satisfied, after full investigation of the facts, that the imputation on the police is, and could not be, justified. Personal inquiries among citizens convinced me that the police as a force behaved throughout the recent period of difficulty with discipline, courage and forbearance. Superintendent Bannon has gained, and I believe him to deserve, the entire confidence of his official chiefs, and I regret and deprecate the association of his name with the criminal act to which the question refers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that pressure has been put on the constables of the Dublin Metropolitan Police to subscribe to the fund for the widow and children of the late Inspector Mills; if so, will lie take steps to prevent such exaction being made from people who find it difficult to live on their present income and who, owing to their many cases of penalisation recently, find it difficult to refuse; and whether he will take steps to secure that the Government provides adequate and generous provision for the widow and family of the late Inspector Mills, killed while discharging his duty on the instructions of his superior officer?

There is no foundation for the suggestion in the first part of the question. I answered the latter part on Thursday last in reply to questions of the hon. Members for South Tyrone and Dublin University.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has received representations from the local authorities in Mid-Lanarkshire giving details with regard to the position which has arisen owing to the lack of sufficient housing accommodation; and what steps he proposes to take?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the overcrowding and insanitary conditions prevailing in the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire owing to the shortage of housing accommodation; and whether he will be prepared to receive a deputation from the local public health authorities and from the Lanarkshire Federation of Trades Councils on the subject of providing additional workmen's dwellings during the War?

I propose to reply to this and the following question together. The Mid-Lanarkshire public health authorities are in communication with the Local Government Board for Scotland with regard to suggestions for the early provision of additional housing in the areas where it is most required. I am informed that the details of a proposed scheme have not yet been officially laid before the Board. When the scheme is submitted to me I shall be ready to give full consideration, in consultation with the Board and also to consider any request to receive a deputation in the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he will state the number of children boarded out within the union and beyond the union respectively, the number of children in workhouses, the number of children receiving relief in other Poor Law institutions, and the number of children in receipt of outdoor relief, if convenient distinguishing the number relieved with a. mother, but orphaned of, or deserted by, the father?

The following statement contains the latest available figures:

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he can state the number of resolutions he has received from the various organisations in the different parts of the country for the release of John M'Lean from prison; and if the Government are now prepared to give this man his freedom?

As my hon. Friend is probably now aware, I informed the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow on the 25th instant that I had decided to release M'Lean.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if it is the practice in dealing with pensions to Civil servants in Scotland when they apply for the same to ask them whether they have during their service to the State received a salary or remuneration for outside employment?

It is a condition of the grant of any superannuation allowance under the Civil Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1914, that the "duties of the several offices or situations held since the applicant entered the Civil Service should have required the holder to give his whole time to the public service," and a certificate to this effect is given by the head of the Department concerned in submitting an application for pension.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, what were the total amounts received in respect of tithe rent-charge for 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916, respectively?

The total amounts received by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in respect of tithe rent-charge becoming due in the four years ending 31st March, 1916, were as follows: