asked the Prime Minister whether there has been appointed, or will be appointed, a local government reconstruction committee; and, if so, whether it will be able to report on the advantages of directly elected bodies for education in areas of adequate size and with powers over elementary and higher education?

The consideration of the reform of local government is within the scope of the Reconstruction Committee. I will draw the attention of the Committee to the suggestion made by the hon. Member. The appointment, composition, and terms of reference of sub-committees of the Reconstruction Committee are treated as confidential by the present Government as they were by the late Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, apart from Scotland Yard, the City, county, and borough police, there has grown up a system of Government Departments having their own detectives and police for the detection of spies, undesirables, etc.; and whether he will now take steps to have one authority responsible under one Minister for the detection of all spies, undesirables, etc.?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the amount of revenue from all sources collected in the financial year ending last March in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively, and the estimated true revenue in each country for the same period; and whether he can state the revenue expected from each country for the current financial year?

Full figures for 1916– 17 will be given in the usual Financial Relations Return which will be issued in due course. It is not possible at this stage to give figures for the current year that would have any value.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of game licences and gun licences issued for the years 1914, 1915, and 1916?

The number of game and gun licences issued in the financial years 1914–15, 1915–16, and 1916–17 were as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that under the Food Controller's regulations the Abbeyleix Poor Law Guardians, Queen's County, Ireland, would be entitled to receive a quantity of sugar averaging 56 lbs. weekly, the number of inmates in the workhouse being 116 persons; if he is aware that the guardians are only receiving about 7 lbs. of sugar weekly, and that the aged and infirm poor who are inmates of the union are thus deprived of their proper quantity of sugar; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure that the proper supply will be made available forthwith?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given last Monday to the hon. Member for the Ossory Division.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the price of English Cheddar, which was fixed in April at 145s. per cwt., has been dropped by stages to 132s.; whether he is aware that summer Cheddar is of better quality than spring-made cheese; whether there is any difference made in the price for good, bad, or indifferent cheese; and whether, in view of the fact that the cost of production has gone up 100 per cent. since the War, he will see that, in fixing the price of cheese, adequate production is not discouraged?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. These prices are fixed every fortnight by the Home and Foreign Produce Exchange, Limited, with the assent of the Food Controller. They are maximum prices, so that only the best cheese of its kind will command the price quoted. It has been the policy of the Food Controller during the flush season, when milk is abundant, to encourage the manufacture of cheese; but, now that this season is nearly over, a supply of milk in liquid form is considered to be of prior importance.

asked whether a wholesale distributor of cheese may make application to himself for supplies of cheese for his retail shops?

A wholesaler having retail shops may continue to supply cheese to them, but will only be entitled to remuneration or profit either as wholesaler or retailer, not as both. All cheese sold by retailers is invoiced to them on Government forms at a fixed price, and the quantity is under strict control.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what quantity of the 1916 crop of barley is now held in Ireland by the Wheat Commission, and how it is proposed to utilise it in view of coming crop requirements for storage?

The quantity of barley held in Ireland by the Wheat Commission is 137,000 quarters. An official of the Commission has been for some time in Ireland making suitable arrangements as to its disposal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the supplies of meat drawn from our overseas Dominions are largely used in feeding our Army and Navy; whether the price of meat to our civilian population is determined by the supplies available from home sources and the United States of America or of the syndicates operating in that country; and has his Department, by inspecting the books of cold storage companies and other means, satisfied itself that the action of American rings is not responsible for a part of the prices now charged to the public?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The price of meat to our civilian popula- tion is almost entirely determined by the supplies available from home sources, and I have no ground for supposing that it has been substantially or at all affected by syndicates operating in the United States.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps the Food Controller proposes to take to protect the public against excessive prices being charged for meat during the interval of time which will elapse before the 1st September, when the price of meat is to be fixed by him?

There are indications that the price of meat is tending to fall; it will in any case not be allowed to rise during the interval which must elapse before prices are officially fixed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, upon any Committee formed to fix the price of cattle, he will give adequate representation to the Irish cattle traders and feeders?

Care is being taken to secure that the Irish interests are fully considered in connection with the fixing of the price of cattle, and in any Committees set up in connection therewith the suggestion of the hon. Member that the Irish cattle traders and dealers should be directly represented will be borne in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that bakers are being summoned from time to time for not observing Rule 7 of the 1917 Bread Regulations, which exacts that a loaf when sold shall weigh exactly 1 lb. or a multiple of that weight after it is twelve hours old; and is he aware that owing to evaporation, which causes a loss varying from 1 oz. to 2 ozs. per loaf, that this practically makes exact weight an impossibility; therefore, under these circumstances, will he at once consider the revision of the Order?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot, however, agree with the hon. Member's suggestion that evaporation makes exact weight an impossibility, in view of the fact that the majority of bakers contrive to sell loaves which are substantially of exact weight. The Bread Order has had the desired effect of cancelling a long-standing abuse and of giving the public the weight which they were entitled to obtain. If any incidental hardship has arisen, that may be matter for consideration; but there is no intention to depart from the requirement of substantially exact weight.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, with a view to improved arrangements for food supplies and more effective control of food prices, he will make greater use of the facilities afforded by the co-operative movement, particularly in Scotland, for dealing with the present position?

The Food Controller certainly hopes to avail himself as fully as possible of the assistance and experience of the co-operative societies in dealing with questions of food supply and distribution.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that legal proceedings were taken against the members of the Authors' Club, the Conservative Club, the Sports Club, the Carlton Hotel, the Ritz Hotel, and the Hyde Park Hotel for exceeding the meat ration allowed them under the Public Meals Order, 1917; if he is aware that all the clubs and hotels in question were fined various sums ranging from 40s. to £10; whether he is aware that two of them were fined for using too much sugar; how the sugar is supplied to clubs and hotels and upon what basis; and whether he intends withholding supplies from all the clubs and hotels mentioned for at least six days as a form of punishment for violating the Public Meals Order?

The facts appear to be as stated in the question. Clubs and hotels presumably obtain their supplies of sugar in the same way as private households. In view of the fact that the establishments specified have already been punished by a competent tribunal it would be improper, even if it were possible, to inflict such further punishment as the hon. Member demands. The Food Controller will, however, be prepared to take any steps necessary to secure full compliance with the Public Meals Order.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he proposes to make a statement at the opening of the Debate on the Irish Education Estimates with regard to the distribution of the equivalent Grant; and, if so, whether he will beforehand circulate, in a White Paper, the figures of the proposed method of distribution?

I propose to make a statement at the opening of the Debate. A Supplementary Estimate has been issued, but I am afraid I shall not be able to circulate a White Paper with an explanatory statement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will withdraw the closing Order under the Defence of the Realm Act in relation to the house No. 28, North Frederick Street, Dublin; if not, if he will give the reasons of his refusal; whether the Government have taken the premises over and relieved the lessee from all further responsibilities on the house; and if the Treasury propose to grant the lessee of the above premises any compensation?

The premises were closed under a magisterial order because they were being used for illegal purposes. Such an order gives no claim to compensation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the nationality, age, religion, and general qualifications of Mr. Frederick V. Devine, Mr. John Reid, and Mr. J. J. Brady, the newly-appointed officials under the Director of National Service in Ireland; how were these appointments made; will he state what occupations these gentlemen filled prior to their appointments; and are they or have they been in any way connected with agricultural interests in Ireland or elsewhere?

The Director of National Service in Ireland informs me that he did not make any inquiry as to the nationality, age, or religion of the gentlemen referred to. They were appointed to their present positions by the Director after he had personally satisfied himself of their fitness for the duties they were to perform. Mr. Devere was secretary to the North Kildare Farming Society. Mr. John Reid had extensive experience in various industrial undertakings and possesses a considerable knowledge of the organisation and management of men. Mr. Brady was an assistant overseer in the Department of Agriculture who had special knowledge of migratory labour in county Galway.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any contracts or orders to supply naval establishments or departments have been given to the firm of J. Lyons and Company, Limited, of Cadby Hall, Kensington, since their conviction for tendering putrid meat to the troops at the White City, Hammersmith, in the early months of 1915; whether, in view of the fact that Members of the House of Commons are shareholders in this firm, any influence has been brought to bear to secure contracts or orders on their behalf; and whether, in view of the character of the remarks made by the stipendiary magistrate at the trial of 1915, he will see that this firm is struck off the list of naval contractors?

As I explained to my hon. Friend on the 1st March, 1915, the firm had for many years been established as the sole caterers at the Crystal Palace, and had thus accumulated extensive plant, fixtures, furniture, and requisites, both for cooking and for serving meals there. When in September, 1914, we occupied the Palace, Messrs. Lyons were in a much better position than any other firm to undertake the catering for the men. After the prosecution to which my hon. Friend refers, the continuance of the contract was very carefully considered, and it was deliberately decided that it should not be determined. From time to time, as necessity demanded, modifications have been made in the terms of contract; but it is still held by the firm. It will so be held so long as it remains favourable to the public interest and is properly executed by the firm. There is not the slightest foundation for the implication involved in the second part of the question, and I take leave to express the strongest possible resentment of the suggestion underlying it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a gentleman named Isidore Salmon is employed on responsible work in connection with his Department; whether he is aware that this person is a director of J. Lyons and Company, Limited, a well-known firm of caterers, who were fined £50 and £70 costs for supplying putrid meat to the troops at White City, Hammersmith, in the early part of 1915; whether he is aware that upon that conviction the Secretary of State for War undertook to strike this firm off the list of War Office contractors; what are his reasons for employing the director of such a firm; and whether any influences were brought to bear upon his Department to place this person in a responsible position?

No, Sir. Mr. Isidore Salmon merely gave some temporary assistance to Lord Devonport at the beginning of the year. His connection with the Ministry terminated on 19th March.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the stocks of anti-typhoid vaccine used for the British Army are renewed by the collection of fresh typhoid bacilli; from what source are these typhoid bacilli obtained; and what methods are used to make certain that typhoid and no other bacilli are used in the preparation of the vaccine?

The same strain of typhoid bacilli has been used for many years, and fresh typhoid bacilli are not collected for renewal. The vaccine is thoroughly tested by approved methods at every stage in the manufacture to ensure that no other bacilli are present.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when the labourers and others employed under the Army Ordnance Department, Island Bridge, and Government laundry, Dublin, are going to be paid the bonus awarded to all Government employés of 5s. per week from the 1st January, 1917?

There has been no award of a 5s. bonus to all Government employés. A 3s. bonus has recently been given to the labourers at Dublin.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether dependant's allowance has been made to Thomas Moriarty in respect of his son, Private M. Moriarty, No. 6079, Machine Gun Corps; is he aware that this soldier gave his father 10s. weekly out of his pay before enlistment, being then employed with Mr. Alexander M'Cutchen, merchant, Coote-field; and, seeing that old Moriarty served over twenty-four years himself and that he is now in very poor circumstances, will this claim be specially investigated?

This claim was investigated in November, 1915, when it was rejected on the ground that there was no dependency; and this finding was reaffirmed on appeal in April, 1916. Mr. M'Cutchen, who is mentioned as the soldier's employer, furnished a written statement to the pension officer in October, 1915, that the period of such employment was "about one week in August, 1915." I regret I see no grounds for reopening the case.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will inquire into the circumstances under which Gunner G. F. Page, No. 88,021, Royal Field Artillery, B Battery, 102nd Brigade, 23rd Division, British Expeditionary Force, who has served for two years in France and pre- viously in. Ireland, has been unable to obtain any leave during the whole period of his service?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 11th to the hon. Members for Edinburgh East and Dublin Harbour. I have no doubt that sympathetic treatment will be given to this man, as to all others, so far as the military situation permits.

asked the Home Secretary if a letter has been received by the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors, sent by the men's representative committee at Dartmoor, charging the Committee with instituting a system of deliberate and wanton persecution; and what reply, if any, has been sent to such representations?

I am informed by the Committee that such a letter was received. It did not appear to the Committee to be necessary to send a reply, but since the receipt of this letter my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State has visited Princetown, and he is satisfied that there is no foundation for the complaints.

asked the Home Secretary whether thirty conscientious objectors have been returned to the Army or to prison or have thrown up the scheme in the last few weeks at Dartmoor; whether anything like this figure can be shown with regard to any other settlements under the Home Office scheme proportionate to the men employed; and whether he will consent to an open inquiry before an independent tribunal into the working of the Home Office scheme at Dartmoor and elsewhere?

Since 1st June twenty-three men have been returned from Dartmoor to prison or to the Army. In proportion to the number of men employed this figure closely approximates to the average taken over the whole number of places of employment, and is less than the figure in several such places. There does not appear to be any ground for such an inquiry as is suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Major Terrell, who is a member of the Home Office Committee on Work for Conscientious Objectors, has instituted a system of persecution of the men employed under the scheme at Dartmoor and elsewhere, with the result that more than thirty have been returned to prison or to the Army or have thrown up the scheme within a month; whether he will explain the reason for the appointment of Major Terrell, in view of the undertaking to conscientious objectors employed under the Home Office scheme that they should be under civil control, inasmuch as Major Terrell claims to be of military status; whether Major Terrell offered to take a brigade of conscientious objectors to France; and whether, in these circumstances, he will appoint some person less biassed against conscientious objectors to take Major Terrell's place on the Committee?

The answer to the first, third, and fourth parts of the question is in the negative. As to the second part of the question, I understand that the hon. and learned Member for Gloucester, to whom I feel greatly indebted for the time which he has given to the work of the Committee, retired from the Army in 1916.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that many conscientious objectors have been sent to prison or returned to the Army on the uncorroborated allegations of instructors or warders at Dartmoor; whether he is aware that certain warders have boasted their intention to obtain the return of as many conscientious objectors to prison as they can, and that they will see that not a week passes without some of the conscientious objectors being returned to the Army or prison; and whether some inquiry will be made into these allegations?

The answer to all three parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if Mr. W. B. Trick is chairman of the Neath District Tribunal; if he is also the honorary commandant of the Volunteer Training Corps, with the rank of major; if he is the holder of a farm called Penylan; if practically all exemptions granted by this tribunal are allowed on condition that the persons exempted join the Volunteer Training Corps; if the local Volunteer Training Corps have been paraded at the drill hall in the centre of the town and marched through the town on Sundays with spades, forks, hoes, etc., to work at Penylan Farm for Mr. Trick; if this man's son, son-in-law, and prospective son-in-law have all been exempted; and if his son has been exempted on the grounds of being a farmer, although he has no connection at all with farming?

Mr. Trick is chairman of the Neath rural local tribunal. I have no information as to the other matters to which the hon. Member refers. As he knows, the military representative can always appeal from the decision of a local tribunal.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is satisfied that no increase of output of aircraft engines would be possible if the fundamental principle of rivalry in quality and quantity of the finished product were applied wherever companies could be equipped to turn out the completed engine; and, if so, whether he will take steps to apply this principle at once?

The principle of rivalry is adopted in respect to design only. Once a design has been adopted, quality is adequately ensured by the present method of inspection. The manufacture of the same engine by various firms would not necessarily increase output, and in the case of most engines the total possible output would be diminished, as compared with concentration on one firm, especially where it involved providing special facilities, organisation, and tools.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in the placing of orders for the construction of aircraft engines, orders have been divided into component parts on account of patent rights held by companies for the construction of some essential parts; and whether his Department will inquire whether the output could be accelerated if in any case where orders for parts only are at present placed with any company orders were placed for complete engines?

The placing of orders for parts of aircraft engines is arranged with a view to expedition in delivery, and the existence of patent rights is not taken into consideration in the placing of such orders. Whether orders are placed for complete engines or for parts depends entirely on the existing or potential capabilities of the plant of the manufacturing firm.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether all patent rights over the manufacture of aircraft engines or any other essentials of war have been without restriction placed at the service of the Government; and, if not, whether he will see that immediate steps are taken to place the Government in complete and unfettered control of all these rights for the prosecution of the War?

The Government has full powers over all patent rights under Section 29 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, and full power under Regulation 8 ( cc ) of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to enforce the disclosure of secret processes and designs.

asked the Parliamentary Representative of the Air Board whether he can state in currency the total cost of inspection for the financial year 1916–17; whether he can state how many examiners, chief examiners, and assistant examiners are now employed in addition to the twenty-three inspectors and 104 assistant inspectors; and whether, as the previous occupation and engineering experience is carefully recorded in every case, he will now state how many in each class had previous experience in engineering work?

In view of the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member's question on Monday, I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest now to give the cost of this inspection in terms of money, since a simple sum in arithmetic would give the cost of the material supplied. The Directorate of Inspection at present employs 182 chief examiners, and 1,484 examiners. There is at present no grade of assistant examiner. The Director of Inspection satisfies himself as to the qualifications and experience of every candidate for the post of chief examiner or examiner. The records are not kept in such a form as to enable me to give a detailed reply to the last part of the question at such short notice.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Ivor Pugh who, when working at a munition factory in South Wales, noticed a bucket of explosive catching lire and carried it into the open where it exploded, seriously injuring him; and whether, in view of the fact that many lives were saved by this action, and also much property, adequate compensation will be awarded Mr. Pugh for injuries received?

The case referred to has been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend. The evidence shows that Mr. Pugh's action resulted in averting material damage and possibly loss of life. He is receiving the maximum compensation allowable under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and my hon. Friend is considering the question of suitable recognition of his plucky conduct.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will cause inquiries to be made into the reasons for discontent at Messrs. Kynoch's factory at Arklow; if he is aware that the Arklow branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers made application to Kynoch's, Limited, for an increase of wages and, instead of the firm either refusing or conceding the increase, they put all the members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers on notice and locked them out; if he is aware that, according to the Munitions Act, the company have been guilty of a criminal offence; if he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter; if he will say if this firm is a controlled establishment and, if not, why; and if he is aware that a number of labourers have been treated in a similar manner?

With regard to the general position, the parties have agreed to refer the matter to arbitration. The men returned to work on 11th July pending a settlement, and I understand that the firm have undertaken to pay the men for the time they were out of work. I am taking advice on the legal point raised. Messrs. Kynoch's Arklow works are not a controlled establishment.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether there was any scarcity of ground fireclay for munition purposes in April last; whether the Ministry of Munitions, in letters dated 30th April, 1917, without consultation with the manufacturers in Scotland, had authorised a price of 22s. per ton for ground fireclay as from 1st May; whether the pre-war price of this material was about 5s. 6d. per ton; whether coalmasters are only allowed to charge 4s. per ton over the pre-war price of their coal; why the price of ground fireclay has been authorised at 16s. per ton over pre-war price; whether the current price of ground fireclay in Scotland in April was generally less than 11s. per ton; whether one of the largest producers of ground fireclay wrote to the Ministry on 5th June offering to supply at 50 per cent. less than the price which the Ministry had authorised; whether the Ministry has taken any notice of the said offer; and whether the Ministry will now avail themselves of the supply offered to them at 50 per cent. less than the authorised price?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to a similar question put by the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow on the 4th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many tons of lead were exported from Great Britain during the present year under licence; and who is responsible for the issue of these licences and for the consequent shortage of lead for shot cartridges?

During the six months ending 30th June 4,975 tons of lead and lead manufactures were exported from Great Britain. This figure includes all the lead and lead manufactures exported to our Allies for war purposes and to our Colonies and Dependencies for urgent national needs. The licences were granted by the War Trade Department after consultation in every case with the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the possession of game licences in the season commencing 1st August, 1917, will carry with it the right to pur- chase cartridges, with or without the permission of the war agricultural committee of the county concerned; and, if so, what limitation there will be as to number?

The answer is in the negative, and the second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to his statement that the Mayor of Walsall had written to the Ministry of Munitions to the effect that munition workers in his area required additional supplies of beer; whether that letter really advocated increased supplier of non-alcoholic drinks as substitutes for beer; and whether he will now correct his statement and facilitate the increase of such supplies?

The letter to which my hon. Friend refers was, in fact, an appeal for increased supplies of sugar for non-alcoholic drinks. It was included amongst a number of others pressing for a larger supply of beer. On rereading the letter, I agree that I gave an incorrect impression of its purport. I am obliged to my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity of making this statement. As regards the last part of the question, I am in communication with the Ministry of Food; but I should point out that, owing to the great shortage of sugar, I am doubtful whether it will be found possible to secure the facilities to which my right hon. Friend refers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a request from the County Chief Constable's Association asking that, as the police are very largely assisting in military work, that they should be treated in the same manner as other members of His Majesty's Forces and be granted the privilege of a return ticket at single fare when proceeding on leave; and, if so, whether it has been decided to accede to this request?

I have received such a representation from the County Chief Constables' Association; the matter, however, is one for the Board of Trade, and I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board to a question put to him in this House on the 7th June.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now give any further details as to the scheme decided on by the Government to give public warnings to London in case of enemy air raids?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Monday to a question by the hon. Member for East Hertfordshire. The practical difficulty of arranging an effective scheme of warning for the whole of London is, as was anticipated, considerable, and I cannot make a further statement to-day.

asked the Home Secretary what has been the practice as regards granting a weekly rest day under the Act of 1910 to the Metropolitan Police since the outbreak of war; and whether he is prepared to circulate this practice to watch committees of municipal boroughs and standing joint committees of counties with a view to their carrying out the same practice and so allay the discontent which is prevalent in many forces where the police are obliged to work on their weekly rest day without extra pay?

In the Metropolitan Police all leave was stopped on the outbreak of war, but fortnightly leave was resumed on the 18th August, 1914, and in March, 19I5, it was found possible to allow one day a week again. The matter is one that can only be determined by each police authority; for its own force, and in view of. the present depleted condition of the police and the numerous new duties thrown on them I do not think it would be right for me to put pressure on county and borough authorities in regard to it.

asked the Home Secretary if as a result of his inquiries, he can now order the release of Stephen Treacey, the chairman of the Dublin branch Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists' Trade Union, who left Dublin to obtain employment in Great Britain; and if he is aware that whilst in Dublin Treacey was a member of the local advisory committee to the Government for the past two years?

Yes, Sir. I have advised the remission of the remainder of the sentence of imprisonment imposed in this case, as it appears from the inquiries made that Treacey, although born in America, is a British subject. I may add that he has only himself to thank for his imprisonment, as he represented himself in Liverpool as an American, and pleaded guilty to the charge of entering a prohibited area in contravention of Article 18 B of the Aliens Restriction Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a case recently tried at the Norwich Guildhall Court of Record where a man was committed to prison for twenty-one days in default of paying a debt of £3; and whether, in view of the necessity at the present time of every man's services being utilised to the greatest possible extent in the national interest, steps can be taken to suspend for the duration of the War imprisonment for debt?

This case had not been brought to my notice. I have no power to interfere in the matter, nor do I see any prospect at present of introducing legislation to deal with this subject. I may add that the number of persons imprisoned for this cause in 1916 is little more than one-fourth of those in 1912 or 1913.

asked the Home Secretary whether E. Dickmann, formerly of Old Change, whose, business was closed by the Board of Trade, and who was interned first in the Isle of Wight and removed to Alexandra Palace, has since been released on bail, and has a telephone installed his private house at Dulwich?

The man to whom the hon. and gallant Member appears to refer was repatriated to Germany in January last. He was not released, but was sent directly from the place of internment.

asked whether J. Neuberger, of 10, Bridgewater Square, E.G., was released from internment by order of the Home Office; if so, what was the reason for the release; and whether a telephone is installed in his private house in contravention of the Defence of the Realm Regulation?

The person referred to was naturalised as a British subject seventeen years ago. He has not been interned, and Article 22 of the Aliens Restriction Order (to which my hon. and gallant Friend probably refers) does not apply to him.

asked the Home Secretary whether Messrs. Bethmann and Pulver, formerly in business in Barbican, E.C., were convicted at the Guildhall, Police Court of sending money to Germany; whether the business was closed by the Board of Trade but has restarted at Barbican House, Beech Street; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter

The hon. and gallant Member apparently refers to a firm named Bettmann and Kupfer, all the partners in which are naturalised British subjects. Two of the partners have, I am informed, been interned in Germany; the other, who is in this country, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court in January, 1915, of an offence under the Trading With the Enemy Acts and Proclamations, and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. The business has not been closed by the Board of Trade, and is not one as to which the Board has any power to take such action, but since the conviction has been carried on by a receiver and manager appointed by the Court.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the event of the German-born wives of British citizens having been proved to be entirely hostile to this country and to have openly used abusive epithets concerning the British, he will take the necessary steps to have them interned?

The powers conferred by No. 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations can be used in such cases if internment appears to be expedient in the public interest. Several German-born women have been interned in these cirstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a Roman Catholic war shrine has been maliciously destroyed at Ramsgate; has anyone been apprehended in connection with this outrage; how many cases of a similar kind have been reported to his Department; and what was done in each case?

I have made inquiry of the police, and I am sorry to find that it is the case that a war shrine has been maliciously destroyed at Ramsgate, apparently by some religious fanatic who calls himself in an anonymous letter the "War Shrine Protest Committee." The police are actively endeavouring to trace the offender, but have not yet succeeded. There has been no other similar outrage at Ramsgate, and I have not heard of any elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Departmental Trade Committees appointed by his Department have presented their Reports; and, if so, whether all. or any of them will be presented to this House?

Several of the Committees have made Reports to the Board of Trade, and all their recommendations are receiving earnest consideration. The Government has decided that these Reports shall not be published at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that inconvenience and loss has been suffered by many clergymen and medical doctors in Queen's County by reason of the delay on the part of the Petrol Control Committee in issuing permits for the supply of petrol; and what steps he proposes to take in order to expedite the issuing of such permits?

I am not aware that undue delay has occurred in the issue of petrol licences to many clergymen and doctors in Queen's County, but if the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to let me have particulars of any cases he may have in mind, I shall be happy to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the methods being adopted for appointing local committees for the distribution of coal; whether he is aware that at Portsmouth no representative of the working classes has been appointed on the committee for that town; and whether he will take steps to secure the addition of a Labour representative?

The Mayors of all the principal towns in Great Britain received a letter from the Controller of Coal Mines, dated 25th May, asking them to organise a local committee for the distribution of coal during the coming winter. The suggested constitution of such a committee was as follows:—

The Mayor or Deputy.

The Chief Constable.

Two Coal Merchants.

One representative of each railway.

One representative of each canal, and a Secretary.

The railway and canal representatives to act in an advisory capacity only. A letter suggesting labour representation was sent to each Mayor or Deputy at a subsequent date. I understand that at Portsmouth there are now two labour members on the local committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that the Government authorities insist that unless insurance is effected on cargo before the steamer sails an excess war risk, an extra war risk of £3 3s. above the ordinary war risk, must be charged while at the same time the Admiralty prohibits the giving of advance notice of the sailing of vessels; whether he is aware that in the case of vessels bringing cargo from America, owing to the impossibility of giving notice of their sailing till the last moment, and owing to the delays in the transmission of cables, it is impossible to effect insurances before the sailing of vessels, and shippers are involved in heavy additional charges; and whether he proposes to find any remedy for this state of matters?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, and has forwarded the correspondence which had been sent to the Ministry of Shipping. I will look into the matter and inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Boundary Commissioners have now completed their Report; whether an opportunity will be afforded to the various districts concerned to make representations on the subject of the proposed new electoral areas; and what procedure will be adopted so as to enable such representations to be made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remainder of the question, I understand that the procedure will be as indicated by the Home Secretary in' his reply to the hon. Member for the St. Augustine's Division, on 7th June, namely, by way of local advertisement in every case, and local inquiry where boundaries of existing divisions are proposed to be altered.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what sums out of the Supplementary Estimate for Education in Scotland are to be allocated to the purposes announced by him apart from the salaries of teachers?

After setting aside about £400,000 as a Grant for teachers' salaries and war bonuses, and a small sum for Grants for play centres, the balance of the additional Grant of £530,000 has been added to the sum for distribution to Secondary Education Committees for the purposes of Section 17 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture by whose authority a railway siding is now being made on the north side of the London and South-Western Railway, close to Lyndhurst Road Station, through the oak woods of the New Forest; whether the assent of the verderers has been obtained; how much further into the forest is the railway to be carried; by whom and to whom compensation will be paid; whether any military purpose is to be served; whether the railway is to be used for the transport of timber and, if so, from what parts of the forest it is to be drawn; and whether he is aware of the extent of sidings and loading space already existing on the south side of the station?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The siding referred to is being made with the authority of the War Office and the assent of the Crown under the Defence of the Realm Acts. It is designed to hold thirty trucks, and will not be extended. It will serve the military purpose of enabling timber drawn from various parts of the Forest to be loaded for the use of the Army, and it has been constructed because the extent of the existing sidings and loading space is known to be insufficient. I am not aware if the verderers were consulted, and I do not think that any question of compensation arises in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is incumbent upon farmers at the present time to pay a minimum wage of 25s. per week to their labourers and workers?

There is at present no legal requirement to that effect.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), when the last request was made by the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople for leave to visit camps in Turkey where English prisoners are interned; what was the answer received; whether any, and what, steps are being taken to urge the Turkish Government to sanction such visits; if he can state how many Turkish prisoners are in our hands; where they are interned; and whether any neutral has applied for leave to visit their camps, and with what result?

According to information received yesterday from the Netherland Minister at Constantinople, he has not yet received from the Turkish Government a reply to his request for permission to visit the internment camps. In the meantime, at the request of His Majesty's Government, the International Committee of the Red Cross at Geneva has been good enough to signify its readiness to send delegates to visit the camps, and has applied to the Turkish Government for the necessary permission. The International Committee has based the request on the fact that His Majesty's Government have allowed Red Cross delegates to visit all the camps in which Turkish prisoners of war in British hands are interned, without attaching any restrictions to these visits. The committee has therefore pointed out to the Turkish Government that it is entitled to ask, as a measure of reciprocal right, for permission to visit all camps in the Taurus as well as elsewhere. A prompt reply has been requested. The number of Turkish prisoners of war in British hands is about 34,400, only a few hundreds of whom are civilians. In round numbers they are interned in Egypt, 14,000; in India and Burma, 13,000; in Cyprus, 5,000; with a few in England, at Malta, at Aden, and in Mesopotamia. The United States representatives, when in charge of Turkish interests, had at all times every facility for visits to Turkish prisoners of war, and the same is the case at present with the Swedish representatives. In addition, as I have just stated, the camps in Egypt, India, and Burma have been visited by delegates of the International Red Cross Committee. The Report on Egypt was most favourable. That on India and Burma has not yet been prepared, but there is every reason to believe that it will be of the same character.

asked the Lord Advocate what are the limitations placed on those who hold bonds on properties in Scotland owned by soldiers serving in His Majesty's Forces as to the calling up of the principal sums, the raising of the rate of interest, and the period after the War during which such limitations will continue?

I am not aware of any limitations applying specially to bonds over property belonging to soldiers, but I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Section 8 of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1917, and to the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it has been finally decided to commandeer the Windsor Hotel, an English-owned and English-managed hotel; whether he is aware that the Belgrave Mansions Hotel is managed by a Swiss, that the Goring Hotel is owned by an Austrian and managed by an Italian, and that the Rubens Hotel is managed by a Dutch managing director and entirely under Dutch interests; and, seeing that all these three hotels are not more than five minutes' walk from the Windsor Hotel, whether he will consider the advisability of utilising one of them instead of the Windsor Hotel?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, the question having been fully considered by the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation. The possibility of using the other hotels mentioned in the question has been fully considered, but they have been found to be either too small or otherwise unsuitable.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Parliamentary Debates daily parts are printed on different sized paper for the two Houses, and differ by one letter per line in the printed columns; and whether he will consult with the Committee responsible as to whether uniformity can be introduced?

I am informed that the Lords Debates are set 30½ems to the page, in accordance with the style sanctioned by the House of Lords authorities, while the Commons Debates are set 32 ems to the page, as arranged by the Select Committee on Publications and Debates. I am further informed that the paper used is exactly the same in each case, and any slight variation which may be noticed is due to differences in the trimming. A fresh contract for the Lords Debates is about to be arranged, and the desirability of introducing uniformity of setting will be considered in connection therewith.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Governor of Limerick Prison does not give the senior officers a fair opportunity in acquiring special posts in the prison, and that he has quite recently selected junior officers for photographic and office work; and the staff are on duty in this prison on Sundays from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. with certain relief between those hours; whether he is aware that the assistant matrons are not allowed alternate Sundays off; will he inquire into the various grievances in the Irish service so that the officers may be put on a level with other services; and is he aware that certain officers at this prison are doing about sixteen hours' duty per day?

The General Prisons Board inform me that special posts are filled by the best qualified officers and that, other qualifications being equal, preference is given to seniority. The statements in the question as to the Sunday duties of the prison staff at Limerick are not correct. Owing to" the small number of prisoners there are only three assistant matrons at the prison, and it is, therefore, impossible to allow them alternate Sundays off, but they get equivalent week-day reliefs, and their duties are light. There are no officers doing sixteen hours' duty per day in the prison.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Bawnboy Rural District Council, and passed unanimously on the 9th July, demanding the passage of the Central (Ireland) Railways and Arigna Minerals Bill; and is he aware that this Bill will, if passed, relieve the ratepayers of the Bawnboy Union very substantially in respect of the Cavan and Leitrim light railway guarantee and enable Arigna coal to be greatly cheapened and secure a much larger output?

I have received copy of the resolution referred to. The question of the development of the Arigna coalfield is at present engaging the attention of the Coal Controller, with whom I am in communication.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can give the average produce per statute acre in Ireland of oats and wheat for the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, the six years previous to the introduction of the Corn Production Bill; and whether, for the information of farmers in Ireland who are accustomed to sell corn by the barrel, equal to 14 stone for oats and 20 stone for wheat, he can give the equivalent of a quarter of oats and a quarter of wheat in barrels?

The average estimated rate of produce per statute acre of wheat and oats in Ireland in each year from 1911 to 1916 is as follows:

Taking the quarter of wheat as equal to 8 bushels of 60 lbs. each (480 lbs.), a quarter of wheat is equal to 1 5/7th barrels of 20 stone. Taking the quarter of oats as equal to 8 bushels of 39 lbs. each (312 lbs.), a quarter of oats is equivalent to 1 29/49 barrels of 14 stone.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether in the figures recently supplied in reference to tree planting in county Cavan he included the 98,700 trees planted and supplied by the Cavan County Council; is he aware that these figures would represent a planted area of over 80 acres, and all done during 1915 to 1917; what has been done in respect to tree planting at Ballyhaise and Bailieborough; and are these also included in the recent figures referred to above?

The figures furnished in reply to the hon. Member's question on the 28th June are in respect of the years ended 31st May, 1915, and 31st May, 1916, and include all planting done in county Cavan whether by the county council or otherwise. I am informed that the planting of 98,700 trees would represent an area of approximately 35 acres. During the past four years 44 acres have been planted at Bailieborough with 116,500 trees, and 24 acres at Ballyhaise with 54,400 trees.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that, with one exception, none of the teachers of the creamery students in the College of Science during the recent course were Irish; and whether, seeing that creamery butter making is an essentially Irish industry in the United Kingdom, the Department will provide competent teachers for the coming session, and prevent the prevailing discontent with existing arrangements by appointing suitable Irishmen?

The four teachers who conducted the recent course for creamery students at the Royal College of Science are members of the staff of the Department of Agriculture. Two are Irishmen and two are Englishmen, who have been in the Department's service for the past seventeen years. All of them are competent. The object of the course was to improve the Irish creamery industry by bringing to bear on those engaged in it the training which such men are fitted to impart. The Department are not aware of any foundation for the assertion in the concluding portion of the question.

asked the Hence Secretary whether the effect of the present prison Regulations for cellular confinement has been recently recon- sidered; and whether it is proposed to make any modification in the existing system?

The duration of the period of separate confinement in cells during the early stage of imprisonment has been frequently under consideration, since the Prison Act, 1898, gave power to deal with the matter by Statutory rules. In 1899, after full consideration, Rules were made by which in local prisons separate confinement was restricted to male prisoners sentenced to hard labour and the time limited to twenty-eight days. In convict prisons, the question was last considered in 1911, when the Rule of 24th March, 1911, was issued, limiting the period of separate confinement to one month, except in the case of recidivists, or old offenders, when the limit is three months. The question is one which constantly comes before the Prison Commissioners, but they have no reason to think that there is any reason to alter these limits. They are sufficient to guard against the mischief arising from the association of prisoners during the early part of their sentences, and are not open to the objections which were urged against the long periods once in vogue.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a petition signed by 1,350 persons residing in Melksham, Wiltshire, praying for the reduction of the sentence of six months' imprisonment passed on Fred Gaisford at the Melksham Petty Sessions on 5th April; and whether it is proposed to recommend a reduction of this sentence?

I received this petition, but regret that, on making inquiry in the case, I found no sufficient ground for recommending any reduction of sentence.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in the cases contemplated in paragraph 5 of the minute providing for Grants in aid of the salaries of teachers—namely, that where the general level of salaries is distinctly below that prevailing in districts similarly circumstanced and the school rate is of less amount than 10d. in the pound—it may be a condition of the sum allocated that a specific sum shall be added thereto from the school fund, he is prepared to apply compulsion in such cases in order that the augmentation of salaries aimed at shall be assured?

If and when a case of the kind figured by my hon. Friend arises, it will be considered in the light of its particular circumstances; but I do not think that it would be desirable at this stage to make a general statement upon the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that paragraph 5 of the minute providing for Grants in aid of the salaries of teachers establishes a salary basis for the determination of cases in which the school fund may be drawn upon, he is now prepared to set up a representative Committee for the purpose of inquiring into the principles which should determine the construction of scales of salaries for teachers in elementary, secondary, technical, and other schools?

I have decided to appoint a Committee to inquire into the general question of the remuneration of teachers in Scotland, and to make suggestions for suitable scales of salary. I hope to be able to make a fuller announcement on the subject shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will state the acreage, the numbers of quarters grown, the average number of quarters (carried out to three decimals) per acre, the average prices, and the yield per acre of wheat and oats for the years 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1914, and the total sums of money realised by the growers in each of the years 1909 to 1914 inclusive, upon their sales of 85 per cent. of wheat and 20 per cent. of oats; and whether he will also state what will be the total sums of money realised by the sellers of 1909 to 1914 at the prices of £12 per acre in 1917, of £11 per acre in 1918 and 1919, and of £9 per acre in 1920, 1921, and 1922 for wheat, and of £9 12s. 6d. per acre in 1917, of £8 per acre in 1918 and 1919, and of £6 per acre in 1920, 1921, and 1922 for oats?

I annex four tables giving the information desired by the hon. Member. In the last two tables the prices stated by the hon. Member have been applied throughout in the case of wheat to 85 per cent. of the average acreage under that crop during the years 1909–14, and in the case of oats to 20 per cent. of the average acreage under that crop during those years. I am not certain whether that was the hon. Member's contention, but I trust it will sufficiently meet his purpose.