asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the same facilities will be granted for the supply of petrol to visitors to Ireland during the summer holidays as are allowed to those owning or using cars attending race-meetings or engaged in political work at by-elections?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. No special facilities for the supply of petrol can be granted in the cases mentioned by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Is the supply of petrol allotted from London to Ireland as a whole and not to individuals in Ireland?

Each case is considered on its merits.

That being so, how do these people get petrol to go down to elections?

I suppose that that case was considered on its merits.

Does Ireland get the same proportion of petrol as any other portion of the United Kingdom or is the consumer there in any way favoured?

The individual consumer in Ireland gets the same proportion as the individual consumer elsewhere.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a registered alien of German nationality is allowed to be employed as a barber at the Great Brunswick Street (Dublin) Police Station; and, if so, will he have this man's services dispensed with?

The Government does not interfere with the choice of a barber by the men of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, and I am informed that some of the constables occasionally employ the man in question to cut their hair. As he is registered under the Aliens Restriction Act, and permitted to continue his residence in Dublin, I do not propose to interfere.

Is it a wise thing to have a man of German nationality in contact with policemen in Dublin?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the names of the members of the Local Government Board for Ireland who decide appeals under the Old Age Pensions Acts; and whether he can state the general, special, and private instructions given to the old age pension officers respecting the manner in which they are to inquire into and decide on applications for old age pensions?

The practice is that which has been in use since the Act establishing old age pensions was passed. The members of the Local Government Board who from time to time decide appeals are the President, the Vice-President, and Mr. Edmund Bourke, and such other persons as may be deputed to act on behalf of the Vice-President under Section 102 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 189S. The instructions to pensions officers and committees contained in the Old Age Pensions Regulations, 1911, are issued as a Stationery Office publication.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the practice of the Local Government Board to overrule the decisions of the local pensions committee and also of their own pensions officer? Can nothing be done to prevent this, especially overruling their own pensions officer, who has local information which they have not?

If there is an appeal allowed by Statute it is very likely to result sometimes in overruling the decision in the first instance.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the grounds on which Mrs. Sheehan, of Ballaghbee, Garnish, Castletown Bere, is allowed only 3s. old age pension instead of 7s. 6d. a week, to which she is entitled; whether he is aware that this woman is very poor and occupies a cabin the roof of which affords no protection against wet and inclement weather; and whether he will take all necessary steps to grant her the pension to which she is entitled, namely, 7s. 6d. a week?

This case does not appear to have been before the Local Government Board since 1st October, 1913, when they decided after local investigation by one of their inspectors that the claimant was entitled upon her means to a pension of 3s. a week.

Will the additional 2s. 6d. a week be given in this case?

I cannot decide pensions cases sitting on this bench?

Is not the increase automatic?

If it is, then the lady will get it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will now grant the extra 2s. 6d. being allowed to old age pensioners shall not be affected by any increase in superannuation benefit given temporarily by a society to meet the increased cost of living?

A statement is now being prepared, and when completed will be circulated, showing clearly and in detail the conditions under which the additional 2s. 6d. will be granted. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to await this statement.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the extension of this privilege to other pensioners in receipt of small sums from the Government. Take, for instance, dockyard pensioners receiving 10s. to 20s.?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will explain why, in the case of a number of old age pensioners in Ireland who for some years have been in receipt of 5s. per week, the additional sum of 2s. 6d. is not being paid to them?

The reason why an old age pensioner who is in receipt of a 5s. old age pension has not been granted the additional allowance is either that no application has been made for it, or that, having been made, it has been refused either by the Pension Committee or by the Local Government Board on appeal. Under the revised scheme a very large number of pensioners who were not eligible for an allowance will now receive the 2s. 6d.

:Do I understand that all old age pensioners will now auto- matically receive the 2s. 6d? Is it necessary for them to go anywhere or to make any special application for this addition?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to wait until the White Paper that we are now preparing on the subject is issued.

In view of the dissatisfaction which exists on account of the denial by the pensions officers of the additional 2s. 6d. which had been promised, can the hon. Gentleman say when this White Paper will be issued?

As soon as it can be prepared. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"]

Will Army men who, under the old regime received 1s. 1d. per day, be now eligible for this grant of 2s. 6d.?

That does not arise on the question.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman—I do not want to press him unduly—if the Government have decided—it has been declared by the Chancellor of the Exchequer—to give 2s. 6d. per week additional to old age pensioners, why is the payment of the 2s. 6d. postponed until the White Paper is issued. What has the White Paper to do with it?

This is a Business Government!

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the necessity of forthwith appointing Wages Boards for each county or district in Ireland, and making the terms retrospective; if he is aware that many farmers have refused to increase their workmen's wages to the amount agreed upon by their own association; and that if action is not taken before the harvest the men will have no alternative but to strike?

The Corn Production Bill provides the statutory authorities for a Wages Board for agricultural labour, and I anticipate that immediately the Bill becomes law it will be put into operation in Ireland. Meantime, employers and employed are in most parts of the country making reasonable voluntary arrangements: I have no knowledge on the points raised in the second part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will introduce into the Irish Allotments Bill powers similar to those in the English and Scottish Smallholdings Acts giving power to rural councils to acquire compulsorily or otherwise common pasturage for labourers' cows?

Having regard to the existing legislative facilities and the absence of any general demand from Irish rural authorities for increased powers, I do not see my way to introduce such powers in the Bill now before the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some sort of security of tenure is required by the plot-holders in Ireland similar to what is given in England and Scotland?

That depends on the class of case to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has promised to receive a deputation of the Dublin Property and Losses Association in connection with the losses and other things affecting the owners of the ruined area; and, if so, will it be at an early date?

I have promised to receive a deputation as soon as I am able. Recently my time has been too fully occupied to admit of my doing so

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a number of licensed houses in Ireland have to close their premises two days a week owing to shortage of supplies; if he is aware that this is caused by the restriction on the brewing and distilling industries; and if he will say whether the traders will be compensated or if it is the Government's intention to continue this form of confiscating property and ruining Irish industries?

I have no information as to the closing of licensed premises owing to shortage of supplies except in Dublin, where I am told fifteen public-houses were obliged to close on two or more days a week and several others for a day or a portion of a day. No compensation for the general effect of the War in interference with business interests has been paid in any part of the country, and I cannot hold out a hope of its being introduced.

As a result of these restrictions is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are several cases in Ireland, especially in my own constituency, in which the traders and their wives and children are actually starving, and can nothing be done in this matter?

This is not a matter peculiar to one area of the United Kingdom. The restrictions on liquor are universal in the United Kingdom. They are not restrictions which originated in the Irish Office, and are not under my control.

Are not the conditions in this country totally different from what they are in Ireland?

I am aware that there are particular conditions which differ, but the general difficulty is the same.

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite correct? Are the regulations which have been applied by the Liquor Control Board applied in Ireland also?

I think, generally speaking, that that is so. If the hon. Member wants to have an answer of which I can be certain he must put down a question. There is certainly a degree of restriction in Ireland, due to general regulations. Not having particular occasion to refer to the Irish and English conditions, I thought that they were the same.

Are there any restrictions at all in Ireland 2

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of public servants dismissed in connection with the Irish insurrection of 1916; the specific grounds of dismissal in each case; and whether, with a view of allaying the discontent caused by such action and thereby giving a manifestation of the sin- cerity of the Government in their desire to remove any obstacles likely to hinder the work of the proposed Irish Convention, as well as with a view to accord with the spirit of the amnesty which it was understood would apply to all who were penalised in connection with the insurrection, he will state what steps are being taken to reinstate these men and to compensate them for their loss of employment?

The Committee which dealt with this matter recommended dismissal in twenty-three cases. In each case the ground of dismissal was unfitness for the service of the Crown. As I have before explained, remission of punishment for rebellion is not analogous to re-employment of officials who do not observe the conditions of their service. No question of compensation arises.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received any Report of an attempted attack on the police barrack at Ballybunion, county Kerry, on the 11th instant, in which a man was fatally injured; is he aware that a coroner's jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against constables on duty in the barracks; and will he say what action the Government propose to take?

The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative. I am not yet in possession of a sufficiently clear statement of the circumstances to warrant me in saying what action, if any, it may be necessary that the Government should take.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the witnesses at the coroner's inquest swore that she saw a policeman deliberately aim at a man and shoot him dead; and will the Crown take any proceedings against the policeman for murder?

I have not seen the report of the inquest.

It is published in the Press.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he expects to be in a position to give full particulars of the new Grant for Irish primary education; and whether he will especially consider the following points, i.e., that no settlement can be regarded as satisfactory unless the salaries of Irish primary teachers are levelled up to those of the English and Scottish teachers; that under the new scheme, qualification, merit, and service should be the only factors in determining promotion as from school to school and increase of salary; and that no portion of the Grant should be allocated for special salaries for teachers in large schools?

I expect to make a statement on this subject to-morrow after considering all the matters affecting it, including that mentioned in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the National Board of Education will take into consideration the fact that many teachers with salaries little more than £100 a year have large families, and that with the continual rise in prices living is becoming difficult in such cases; and whether he will devise a scheme to assist such teachers, either by way of bonus or by allowance for each child under sixteen?

This question should be addressed to the representative of the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a Report of a trial of Henry Garnham at the Diss Police Court on 11th July, when Garnham was sentenced to a month's imprisonment without the option of a fine for damage to a memorial tablet erected to the memory of his son; and will he, in view of the fact that the prosecutors were willing to settle the case but for the difficulty raised by the chancellor of the diocese in regard to the faculty, recommend Garnham's immediate release from prison?

Garnham has appealed to Quarter Sessions, and was released on the 14th July pending his appeal. I cannot interfere while an appeal is pending.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Louis Ferdinand Kehrhan was interned in Brixton prison on account of his escape from an internment camp, he will now state by what tribunal Kehrhan was sentenced; what was the length of the sentence; and what the authorities intend to do with the prisoner on the expiration of the sentence?

I explained the facts of this case to the hon. Member in reply to his question of the 13th June. Kehrhan is not serving any sentence.

asked the Home Secretary whether an appeal has been received from A. G. Melhuish, now at the Settlement, Princetown, late of the Non-Combatant Corps, Eastern Company, asking for permission to have his case reviewed by the military service tribunal; and whether, seeing that this request was made on the suggestion of Major-General Dow, the president of the district court-martial on Melhuish at Newhaven Garrison, this request will be granted?

No such application has been received by the Home Office or the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that no application has been received?

I did say that.

I think that is a mistake.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Council have received a request from Mr. A. G. Melhuish, the Settlement, Prince-town, late No. 2125, 6th Company, Eastern Non-Combatant Corps, requesting permission to have his case reviewed by the military service tribunal; and whether, in view of the fact that Major-General Dow, president of the district court- martial before whom Melhuish appeared at Newhaven garrison, suggested that this request should be made, it will be granted, especially seeing that this man is willing to undertake work in the Army Optical Corps of the Royal Army Medical Corps, for which he has special qualifications?

I am afraid that I am not at present in a position to answer my hon. Friend, but I hope to do so shortly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many conscientious objectors of military age are at present engaged as teachers in the national schools coming within the area of the London County Council; whether it was on the advice of the Pelham Committee that these men have been retained in the service of the London County Council; and, if not, will he state the tribunals in each case who have allowed teaching in the national schools to be carried on as work of national importance by men of military age who pleaded conscientious objection?

The first part of my hon. Friend's question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Education. I will, however, make some inquiry from the Committee on Work of National Importance. I regret that I have not the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the need of wheelwrights, smiths, and millers in agricultural districts, he will take steps for an Order being made by which such men shall not be called to the Army without the consent of the war agricultural committee?

The Board recognises the importance to agriculture of the handicrafts in question, and is giving careful consideration to the point.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will call the attention of the recruiting officer at Swansea to the illegality of calling men up for re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act with one day's notice only, seeing that this officer is in the habit of sending out notices giving the necessary fourteen days' notice, then following this a week or ten days later with a letter stating that the man need not report until further notice, and then immediately after calling the man up for re-examination the following day?

I am making inquiries, and will inform my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so. I may perhaps add that it would be an assistance if hon. Members would give me specific instances, which could be more readily investigated.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the military authorities are justified in calling up a man who has been in the Army thirteen years, is a time-expired man, on being discharged was declared to be medically unfit for further service, and has worked at a coal mine for the last fifteen months and during the whole of his working life before enlisting?

If my hon. Friend will furnish particulars of the specific case he has in mind, I shall be pleased to make inquiries, but at present there is not sufficient information to enable me to investigate the matter.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of the Rev. Benjamin Meyrick, who, although ordained minister on 22nd May, his certificate of ordination being received by the recruiting authorities on 23rd May, was summoned to appear as an absentee before the civil Court at Bangor on 3rd July; and whether, seeing that he was fined and handed to a military escort, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

As Meyrick was not within any of the exceptions contained in the First Schedule to the Military Service Act, 1916, upon the appointed date upon which under the Military Service Acts, 1916, he was deemed to have been enlisted and transferred to the Reserve for the duration of the War, it was not considered that he was excepted from the liability to military service, and having been ordained after he had been refused exemption by a tribunal, he was called up for service in the ordinary way. Upon failing to comply with the notice calling him up for service, he was summoned to appear before a Court of summary jurisdiction as being an absentee from military service. The Court having heard the evidence, decided that Meyrick was an absentee, inflicted a fine, and ordered him to be handed over to a military escort. I understand that an appeal is, however, pending in this case to the High Court, and the matter is therefore sub judice.

Seeing that this man came under the Military Service Acts last year and was exempted for more than fifteen months because he was preparing for the ministry, why did the military authorities call him up?

All that is a question of fact which had to be decided by a Court of summary jurisdiction. I believe the Court did try this case, and, having heard the evidence, decided that he was an absentee, and handed him over to the military.

asked whether ministers who have been ordained since January, 1916, are not now considered exempt from military service; if so, what purpose was served by the issue of Army Council Instructions authorising their pursuing their preparations for the ministry; and on what grounds was an ordination taking place in May, 1917, chosen as a test case rather than the first ordination after the passing of the Military Service Acts, stated to be the Anglican ordination of Easter, 1916?

While the War Office has no authority to determine questions of law arising out of the construction of the Military Service Acts, 1916, it is not considered that a man who was ordained subsequently to the date on which he was deemed under the Military Service Acts, 1916, to have been enlisted and transferred to the Reserve for the duration of the War is excepted from the liability to service by paragraph 4 of the First Schedule to the Military Service Act, 1916.

Instructions were issued in May, 1916, to the effect that theological students who had entered on their professional studies for immediate preparation for Holy Orders or for the Ministry were not to be called up for service. These instructions were, however, after consultation with the representatives of the chief denominations, modified in March last, and while it is not proposed to call up for service all men who have been ordained or entered the ministry since they became subject to the Military Service Acts, 1916, particularly men who were ordained before March last, it is considered that men who have been admitted to Holy Orders or the ministry immediately after having been refused exemption by a tribunal are in a different position, and the decision of the tribunal should be given effect to. As I have just stated in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthenshire West, a case in which the question is raised is at present pending before the High Court.

Does not this matter of procedure make a distinction between members of the Church of England and members of Nonconformist bodies?

Is the hon. Member aware that this man has been preparing for the ministry for the last seven years?

That may be so, and it refers to candidates in immediate preparation for the ministry. As a matter of fact, this case is at the present moment under appeal in the High Courts.

asked the Home Secretary whether air-raid warnings are carried out by police officers actually on duty or by those resting or awaiting duty; and, in the later case, what extra pay or allowances it is proposed they shall receive for the execution of these additional duties?

On the occasion of an air raid in the London area all available police officers are called to duty. Those not actually on duty at the time but called up are compensated for the additional hours of work they perform by being credited with an equivalent amount of "time off."

asked the Prime Minister whether the Ministry of Pensions accepts liability for compensation to, or pensions allotted to the dependants of, police officers who may be injured or killed while exposing themselves to military risks in carrying out the instructions of the Home Office with regard to warning the public of approaching hostile aircraft?

In such cases constables who are injured and the widows and children of constables who are killed will receive the pensions granted under the Police Acts, when police officers are injured or killed in the execution of their duty. The statutory liability for the pension, etc., rests upon the police authority, and, without legislation, could not be transferred to the Pensions Ministry.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that textile factories in the West Riding of Yorkshire are not now allowed to run full time, he will withdraw the permission he gave some time ago, under different conditions, to employ women on the night turn in wool-combing factories?

It was agreed at a deputation I received last Friday from the workmen's union that this question should remain for the present in abeyance. The existing War Office restrictions on hours of work apply only to the merino section of the wool-combing trade, and provide only for the stoppage of the Monday day and night shifts, and the night employment of women is still necessary for securing the production required for Army purposes.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that in relation to the merino trade it leaves more labour free, and that women on night turns are less necessary?

That is so; but all I can say is that negotiations are proceeding between the Home Office and the workmen's union and employers, and a little later I may be in a position to report something definite.

asked the Home Secretary why the Press Censor forbade the publication of the fact that General Sir William Robertson spoke at the meeting of the engineering workers addressed by the Minister of Munitions at Woolwich on Friday last; why the Censor withheld publication of the reports until Saturday; why the reports then released differed in material respects from those issued by responsible news agencies; whether the Press was forbidden to mention that certain speakers were interrupted; and, if so, on what ground of national policy this action was taken and at whose request?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday on this subject.

Are we to understand that any public man who at a meeting encounters a reception different from what he anticipated can make use of the Press Censorship to suppress the fact that he was there at all, and was the Press Censorship set up for that purpose?

I cannot assent to the general suggestion which my hon. Friend has made. I explained yesterday that the circumstances of this meeting differed from those of an ordinary meeting, and it was in the national interest that the action of Sir William Robertson was taken.

Was it not certain that the fact of Sir William Robertson's presence at the meeting would come out, and has not a far worse impression been created by this course than if the truth had been told?

Will my hon. Friend ask a member of the Woolwich Arsenal to address the General Staff?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that certain large construction works engaged on Government contracts for aeroplanes and spares have announced their intention of closing down for holidays from 31st July to 13th August; and whether, in view of the necessity for expediting the delivery of aeroplanes, this proposal has received the sanction of the Ministry of Munitions?

I do not know to what particular works the hon. Member refers, nor am I aware of any works where it is proposed to close down for so long a period as is suggested by the hon. Member. The Ministry of Munitions have sanctioned the closing down for holidays according to normal custom, as experience has shown that attempts to readjust holidays leads to disorganisation and consequent loss of production. In certain cases where the demands are of an exceptionally acute nature, arrangements have been made for continuous working.

Is it not the fact that several of these firms referred to are now working on short time?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me the name of the firm to which he refers or of the firms I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that in the Royal Arsenal the scale of payments is such that a manager may be receiving less than an assistant-foreman of a factory, and that an assistant-foreman may be receiving more than a foreman; and whether he will institute a new scale whereby the rate of pay for each grade shall correspond with the duties and responsibilities?

It is not considered practicable under present conditions, and in view of the varying number of hours worked, to guarantee that the earnings of shop managers and foremen in the Royal Ordnance Factories shall in no instance fall below those of assistant-foremen who have reached an advanced position in their scale. As the hon. Member may be aware, the question of the remuneration of shop managers and foremen in these factories has been referred to the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether in the various munitions factories steps are taken to ensure that the examination of grenades is carried out in a thorough manner in the interests of safety, or whether, in the absence of any instructions from the Ministry, examiners are compelled by the management to examine more grenades in a day than can be done properly?

The examination is carried out in as thorough a manner as possible, every single grenade being examined as to all points which could affect the question of safety. As an additional safeguard, about 12 per cent. of the grenades dealt with by each examiner are re-examined by a specially selected staff, so that any carelessness may be at once detected. Examiners are not compelled to examine any fixed number of grenades in a day. It is impressed on them that great care is essential. The number actually dealt with by each examiner varies with the quality of the grenades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the improvements in the men's quarters on the merchant ships now being constructed by the Government, or still better provisions, will in future be compulsorily extended to all merchant ships of the same or greater tonnage the construction of which come under the regulations and supervision of his Department?

The representatives of the seamen have approached the Board of Trade on the question of amending the law as to crew space on board ship, and have been invited to formulate definite proposals with regard to new ships and existing ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping. Controller whether he will state the main improvements in the position and equipment of the seamen's quarters being carried into effect on the merchant ships now being constructed by the Government to ensure healthful conditions?

I am glad to be able to say that arrangements have been made for greatly improved accommodation for the crew in the standard ships. The principal features are that the crew are berthed in the poop instead of the forecastle; separate cubicles, or rooms, are provided, each fitted with two berths; the messing arrangements are entirely separate from the sleeping accommodation; a smoking room is provided for general use; and special arrangements are made for steam heating in the men's quarters. The floor and cubic space provided for the crew's accommodation are considerably in excess of the present statutory requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantities and values of plumage imported into this country in each of the last three months; whether plumage is still being shipped at foreign ports for delivery in England, notwithstanding the prohibition against it; and, if so, why such importation is permitted?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the importation of the plumage of wild birds still continues, notwithstanding the fact that such importation was prohibited by Proclamation in February last; will he say what quantity of such plumage was imported into this country during the month of June last; whether he is aware that the greater part of the plumage so imported consists of skins and feathers of protected insectivorous birds which have been illegally destroyed in, and smuggled from, British India and our Dominions and Colonies; whether he is aware that this trade is almost entirely in the hands of Germans; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the Proclamation prohibiting such imports shall be strictly enforced?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the plumage section of the London Chamber of Commerce is dominated by Germans, or by men of German origin, many of whom are engaged in the feather trade; whether, in spite of the Proclamation made in February prohibiting the import of plumage, feathers are still being brought into the United Kingdom in large quantities; and whether he can give the ultimate destination of the stores of wild birds' feathers which are being piled up in London at the present moment?

A certain quantity of feathers has been brought in since the importation was prohibited, under the standing concession for the admission of goods en route to the importers or paid for by them before the date of the prohibition. The statistics of imports asked for are being printed in the Official Record. I am not aware of the ultimate destination of the imported feathers. If there is evidence that any of the plumage was derived from birds illegally destroyed in British Possessions, or was smuggled I shall be glad to receive that evidence for transmision to the authorities concerned. Apart from those already mentioned, the only feathers now permitted to be imported are ostrich feathers from South Africa, which come in vessels not available for ordinary cargoes, and a limited quantity of feathers admitted from France at the urgent request of the French Government to mitigate the hardship caused by the prohibition to French industry. I have no knowledge of the existence of a plumage section of the London Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Trade have the advantage of the assistance of a Committee selected in part by the textile section of the chamber in connection with the licensing of French imports, but I have been assured that it contains no member of German nationality, origin or association.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer that part of my question as to what was the quantity of feathers, not ostrich feathers, imported in the month of June last?

I will publish the figures in the Official Record. I can give them to my hon. Friend, but I thought be would prefer to have them accurately in the Official Record.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in India the export of feathers is entirely prohibited, and that all feathers coming from India are smuggled out of that country into this, and will he proceed against the people who import them into this country, the same as he would receivers of stolen goods?

Any information that the hon. and gallant Gentleman can give us on that point will be acted upon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Padkin, of 37, Brook Street, Hull, who paid an assurance policy regularly from 1908 to December, 1914; and whether, as this policy has been lapsed by the London and Manchester Assurance Company and was for less than £25, he will say whether, in view of the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, he proposes to take any and, if so, what action in the matter?

My attention has been called to the case referred to, and I am sending the hon. and gallant Member copies of two letters which have been received from the insurance company in which they say that the facts have not been fully stated by the policy holder. The Courts (Emergency Powers) Act does not give the Board of Trade power to take any action in the matter and the policy holder should take such steps as she may be advised to recover any amount which she may consider to be due to her.

How can poor people possibly make use of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act if the Government do nothing to help them? Is it not impossible for the mass of the working people to go to law with rich insurance companies?

That is a question for Parliament. The Board of Trade exercise the powers that Parliament confers upon them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that public meetings have been held in many places over Ireland protesting against the new Regulations governing brewing, distilling, and distribution; and whether, in view of this fact, will the Government consider the advisability of modifying the Order?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member last Monday.

Are we to understand that the question is to remain as it is, notwithstanding the protests from a practically united Ireland, and that these Regulations will not be reconsidered?

No; the brewers in question may elect to come under the Order, but until it is known how far they elect to do so, any reconsideration of the question cannot be dealt with.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the present supplies of sugar are sufficient to permit an allowance of ½lb. per week per head to each family in the United Kingdom; and, if not, what amount per head per week does the sugar supply permit?

It is impossible, owing to difficulties of distribution and transport, to guarantee that every member of the public shall be able to draw at all times any particular ration of sugar from any particular shop to which application may be made. The total supply of sugar should be sufficient to give on an average the allowance referred to in the question.

May I ask, in view of the fact that the total allowance is sufficient, whether the hon. Gentleman will see that the co-operative stores, who have so many families on their books, receive the allowance of ½ lb. per head?

Is there any record of the number of persons comprised in a family?

Certainly. With regard to the question of my hon. Friend, I can only say that everything is being done to see that the regulation is complied with.

May I ask the hon. Member whether the Ministry is not now considering the possibility of an entirely new system for the distribution of sugar, on the basis of the registration of customers, working through existing agencies?

That is so.

Will the hon. Gentleman say from his personal knowledge why it is so difficult to get any sugar in the House of Commons?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether there is a penalty for selling bread made of wheaten flour adulterated with any material save flour derived from rice, barley, maize, oats, rye, or beans; and, if so, will he say what body or official is responsible for discovering such adulteration and for taking proceedings to enforce the penalty when necessary?

The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875, prohibits the sale of articles of food not of the proper nature, substance, and quality, and imposes on the local authorities the duty of detecting adulteration and of taking such proceedings as may be necessary to enforce the penalty imposed by that Act.

Is it the intention of the Department to call the attention of the local authorities to the powers which they possess, and to suggest that they should make use of them?

The Department is in consultation with the local authorities on all those powers of administration.

Are those powers valid now against Government orders?

That is not a point covered by the question.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that in the parish of Westhide, Hereford, there are four small cottages belonging to the parish; that a person who acted as treasurer invested in the War Loan in his own name in September, 1915, all the money belonging to the parish from these four cottages, without consulting the person who was acting for the parishioners, and for some time refused to produce the accounts at the parish meeting; whether the Commissioners now contemplate a scheme in connection with this property, making this treasurer one of the trustees; whether the parish meeting has lodged any objection to this appointment; whether the Commissioners have received a petition from the majority of the parishioners against the appointment of any person against their wish; and whether further consideration will be given to this matter, and no person appointed as trustee who has not the confidence of the parish?

The attention of the Charity Commissioners was called to the charity referred to by the person who held the accumulated surplus rents and had, in the view of the Commissioners, properly in vested the amount in war stock. The Commissioners, on the application of this person and of two other inhabitants of the parish, have established a scheme for the administration of the charity by which scheme a body of trustees is constituted, consisting of the councillor for the time being representing the parish on the rural district council of Hereford, two representative trustees to be appointed by the parish meeting or parish council of West-hide and one co-oprative trustee, the first being the person before referred to. No steps were taken by the parish meeting in the matter until the scheme was published. The parish meeting objected to the appointment of the person referred to, and a petition in the same sense signed by thirty-five persons was received by the Commissioners, who, after careful consideration of all the objections, came to the conclusion that no sufficient ground had been shown for excluding from the trusteeship the person who has been mainly instrumental in securing the funds of the charity and obtaining the establishment of the scheme. The Commissioners have no evidence of any refusal to render accounts to the parish meeting, though an allegation to that effect has been made. The Commissioners have asked that a full account may be rendered to them.

asked the Prime Minister whether during his absence as chairman of the forthcoming Irish Convention a deputy will be appointed to answer questions addressed to the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland?

Arrangements will be made for answers to be returned to questions addressed to the Chief Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that dissatisfaction with the composition of what is called an Irish Convention continues to grow rapidly in Ireland; whether the vast majority of those who may attend it will not be in a position to say that they represent anyone but themselves, he will abandon the proposed assembly and leave to the Irish people in their own way to work out the form of government they most desire; and whether he is aware that the latter course is the one advocated by President Wilson for small nationalities?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether the French and British Forces have been withdrawn from Thessaly and the port of Volo; and, if so, why this step has been taken?

I am afraid I could not make any public statement as to the movements of Allied troops at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether the prohibition against the circulation of the "Nation" newspaper in foreign countries is still in force; and, if so, on what grounds the maintenance of the prohibition is based?

Yes, Sir. The policy of the prohibition of printed matter, however, is now under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the complete list of the Committee it has been stated is inquiring into the air defences of London, particularly in relation to the recent raid; and will the House be informed of the results of the inquiry?

The Committee, as has already been announced, consists of the Prime Minister and General Smuts. They have been in close consultation with the representatives of the various Departments concerned. The report, which must necessarily be confidential, has been considered by the Cabinet, and the recommendations made are being carried into effect.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether certain air squadrons were recently with- drawn from the London defences; whether any protest was made by Lord French; whether such protest was in writing; and, if so, whether he will lay the same upon the Table of the House?

I have nothing to add to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the Secret Session.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a newspaper with a big circulation makes this definite statement and challenges the Government to suppress it, and is any action going to be taken?

The hon. Member must not mind what the newspapers say.

Can we definitely know, in view of the position held by Lord French, whether this is true or not?

May I ask whether Lord French's reputation is to be sacrificed or not?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any complaints have been received from aeroplane manufacturers concerning the quality of recent Government purchases in Seattle, United States of America, of silver spruce used in the construction of aeroplanes; and whether he is aware that there were no complaints of this kind when purchases were made through private traders?

No, Sir. The timber which is now being supplied to contractors is the best available.

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 com- pared with concentration on one firm, especially where it involved providing special facilities, organisation and tools.

Are not the reasons for delaying the output of engines because approved designs are altered by the official experts?

No; I do not agree.

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 pre sent 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 pliant of the manufacturing firm.

Would the hon. Gentle man consider the advisability of cancelling all those orders for parts which have been given for engines which themselves are already cancelled?

I do not think my hon. Friend can point to any such instance; if he can, I shall be obliged if he will let me know.

I shall do so.

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.

Is not the action of the Government, in fact, limited in placing orders for parts which are covered by any patent to the firm which holds those patents?

No; that is not so. The Government have full power to place any orders for any parts, whether or not they are covered by patents, wherever they think they can get the best production.

asked, in view of the fact that our official reports of air losses at the front refer only to machines that are missing, whether any official record is kept of the number of our machines lost by crushing or being shot down behind our own lines; and whether the figures are published?

Yes, Sir; official records are kept, but they are not published.

Will my hon. Friend They whether papers will till be allowed to suggest by headlines that there has been a considerable success owing to only a portion of our losses being published?

I am not responsible for what appears in the papers. They are, like human beings, liable to be wrong.

Can my hon. Friend edit, the Commander-in-Chief' s report, which suggests this to the papers?

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the number of aeroplanes now being turned out by our aircraft factories; and whether he is prepared to consider the question of placing increased orders with firms who are in a position to execute them?

More aircraft could, no doubt, be used if they could be produced; the fullest use is being made of manufacturing facilities, and in creased orders have been placed with those firms which are in a position to execute them.

Is it not the case that some aeroplane factories are being closed down for want of orders?

It is not possible for me to judge of questions on those lines because two things have to be balanced—aeroplanes and engines—and very often some shops have to go short because other parts are not coming forward in time.

asked the Prime Minister whether; when cables to our Dominions are stopped and disallowed by the Censor, the sender is informed of the fact?

No, Sir; this was expressly announced in the notification that was issued through the International Bureau at Berne on the 3rd August, 1914, in compliance with the provisions of the International Telegraph Convention.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the reason for that?

I cannot well say what is the reason, but I am assured it is for a very good reason.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the reasons why the second number of a periodical entitled the "New Republic" has been prevented from appearing?

I had this marked down as being answered by the Home Office, but my right hon. Friend says that he has not got it. Perhaps my hon. Friend would put it down again.

On a point of Order. I have several times endeavoured to bring this matter before the House in order to have the opportunity of moving the Adjournment of the House, but through no fault of mine I have been continually defeated in that purpose. Can I have the opportunity to-day of moving the Adjournment of the House?

I do not think I could call this a matter of urgent public importance. The hon. Member will have the opportunity of discussing it next week, I understand, on the Vote of Credit.

I will raise the point of Order after questions so as not to delay questions.

I understand that the hon. Member put his question down yesterday as an unstarred question.

That is not so.

My answer was given to an un starred question yesterday by the hon. Member, and I will repeat the answer now. The paper in question was submitted to the Press Bureau by the printers, who stated that they were anxious to safeguard themselves against printing anything contrary to the Defence of the Realm Regulations. As it contained matter which would have amounted to a breach of those Regulations it could not be passed.

May I now, Mr. Speaker, raise a point of Order? In the first place, the right hon. Gentleman is not correct in saying that I put this question down as an unstarred question. The brief history of the matter is this: On Monday I received notice that this paper had been suppressed. I obtained a copy of the paper, and I saw in it absolutely nothing of an offensive or personal nature, and the question of republicanism was discussed in a purely academic manner. In view of the fact that the paper had been suppressed I immediately put down a Private Notice Question, but you, Mr. Speaker, ruled that it was not urgent, and, therefore, it was you, and not I, who put the question down to be answered in the ordinary course, not as a starred, but as an un starred question. Nothing had been done—a pure inadvertence, no doubt. I had the question put down to-day as a starred question. I maintain—and I think there is a precedent for it—that I am en titled to move the Adjournment of the House as was done by an hon. Member before on a similar occasion for the suppression of another newspaper. The fact that two or three days have elapsed since its suppression is not my fault, but it is due to the fact that the procedure of the House has been used against me, and I claim my right to move the Adjournment.

I say that the matter is not one of urgent importance, and it also appears rather difficult to say it is not one of public importance. I am con tent to say that the suppression of a news paper is not necessarily a matter of urgent public importance. The hon. Member's position is not damnified because I said earlier in the course of questions that he would have an opportunity of raising the matter on Monday next or when the Vote of Credit is taken next week. With regard to the circumstances under which the question appeared on the Paper as an un-starred question, I received a note from an hon. Member just before the House rose, and I wrote to him and told him at the time that the matter was not one of urgency and I could not allow it to be put as an urgent question, but as I presumed he was anxious to get an answer as soon as possible I handed the question in to the Clerks at the Table, and it was through my mistake that no star appeared upon it. It did not occur to me at the moment to put a star upon it, as I am not in the habit of handing questions in.

I would like to say a few words in reply. In the first place, I did not for a moment intend to cast any reflection at all upon you. I am sure that it was pure inadvertence, and I regarded it in that way. With regard to my privilege of raising this question on the Vote of Credit, I may say that I have reserved a subject of even more importance for that, because I have the deepest distrust of the whole administration of this country.