asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, now that the London premises of the Deutsche Bank, the Dresdner Bank, and the Disconto Gesellschaft have been sold, those banks have altogether discontinued business in this country or when they will do so; whether Sir William Plender's duties as their controller are at an end or when will they be; have the services of the bank officials and clerks, British and German, been finally dispensed with or when will they be; and what has been done with the securities, books, papers, and correspondence of the banks and under whose control are they or will they be until the conclusion of the War?

The only business which these banks are allowed to transact is that necessary for the liquidation of commitments to non-enemy customers and the collection of assets for this purpose under the terms of the licence. There are still outstanding debts of large dimensions, mostly secured by liens, which it is desirable in the interests of this county to collect as far as may be possible. The difficulties encountered in work of this nature and magnitude are pointed out in Messrs. Leaf and Vassar Smith's report dated 12th January, 1917, published as a White Paper. The work on which the staffs of the banks are now mainly engaged is the scheduling of enemy-owned securities, which are valued at many millions sterling, with a view to vesting them in the Public Trustee. Certain general vesting orders have already been made, but specific orders giving particulars of each individual security are required by the Public Trustee, and the scheduling of the securities takes a considerable time in view of the depletion of the staff; it is hoped that this work will be completed by 31st December, 1917. It is at this moment impossible to say when the services of Sir William Plender, as Controller, and of the staffs of the banks can be dispensed with. Subject to the general vesting orders, the securities are under the control of Sir William Plender, and the books, papers, and correspondence are in daily use at the banks under the supervision of his officers. On the completion of the work they will be vested in the Public Trustee.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, owing to a retirement on account of ill-health, a senior clerkship in the Statistical Office, Customs and Excise, is vacant; if so, how long the vacancy has existed; and when it is proposed to fill it, having regard to the fact that since 1915 vacancies of a similar character have been filled in other Departments of the Customs and Excise?

A vacancy of senior clerk has existed in the Statistical Office since June, 1916. The post, in common with many other posts in the Department, has been filled by recalling to service a man who was on the Retired List. In these circumstances there is no necessity at present for filling the post by direct promotion.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that, as indicated in Customs and Excise General Order, 39/1917, temporary messengers, etc., are accorded a war bonus of 4s. weekly, while the actual payment made in London last Saturday is 3s. 6d., on the grounds that the 4s. was based on a seven days' weekly attendance; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am informed that the men in question are certain temporary employés (extra men) engaged by the day and usually only casually employed, though at present many of them are regularly employed and paid weekly on the basis of a seven-day week. They have accordingly been granted a bonus of 7d. a day. I have given instructions that in future they shall receive a bonus of 8d. a day, subject to a maximum of 4s. a week.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether the War Office will reconsider the calling up of A. Escott, of 2, Sidney Avenue, Bowes Park, N., an owner of a one-man business, who as such was given conditional exemption by the local tribunal, but had the order withdrawn at the instance of the military representative, who appealed to the Appeal Tribunal at Westminster, and an exemption of six weeks granted to 17th July; whether by this decision the right of further appeal was prevented; and will the War Office, in view of the bond fide claim of the applicant that he is the owner of a one-man business that will have to be closed down if he is called up, review afresh the claim for exemption?

Inquiries have been made into this case. Escott's application for exemption was carried in the ordinary course to the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal, which decided that exemption should not be granted, but recommended that Escott should not be called up for six weeks from the 6th June. There is no further appeal from the decision of an Appeal Tribunal without the consent of that tribunal. There are no exceptional features in Escott's case, and, as it has been finally disposed of by the tribunals, no exceptional action is proposed.