asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Civil servants retired before the War have to pay Income Tax on their superannuation allowances on amounts in excess of £120 per year, now exempt; whether, seeing that the amount previously exempt was £160, he will explain why Income Tax is imposed on this difference of £40 never intended when the amount of superannuation was fixed; whether he is aware that superannuation in the case of Civil servants is deferred pay duly earned during the service; whether, as these retired officials are prevented by age and habits of employment from supplementing their pensions by any kind of subsidiary business or labour, he will recommend a grant or war bonus similar to that granted to those who are yet in active service; and whether, seeing that a pension of, say, £160 in prewar times is, owing to the imposition of Income Tax and the cost of living, equivalent to less than £70 at the present time, he will take steps to alleviate the condition of these men?

I can add nothing to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for the Christ-church Division on the 6th June.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total amount of Ireland's taxation for the past three years.

I would refer the hon. Member to the figures given for 1914–15 in Paper 309 of Session 1914–16, and for 1915–16 in Paper 119 of last year. A similar return for 1916–1917 will be issued in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Report on the north-west area of the Commissioners of Inquiry into Industrial Unrest has been received; and whether it will be published promptly in a cheap form?

I have been asked to answer this question. The reply to the first part is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, copies of the Reports on each area will shortly be laid on the Table.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will recommend the appointment of a Committee to report on the causes of unemployment and inadequate wages in Ireland, with power for the Committee to make recommendations for the relief of unemployment and the payment of a living wage; if he is aware that labourers in the Department of Agriculture are being paid 18s. per week, labourers employed in the Irish Lights Board 25s., and Dublin mail-cart drivers 23s.; and when the Government propose to abolish sweating in their Departments in Ireland?

With regard to the first part of his question I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the questions put by him on the 8th May, 8th June, and 27th June on this subject. Inquiries as to the rates of wages paid by Government Departments in Ireland should be addressed to the particular Departments concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the proposed reduction in the gravity of Irish manufactured beer and stout is resented in all parts of Ireland, and is considered to be made for the purpose of ruining the trade of the Irish breweries; if he is aware that the products of the Irish breweries are world-famed and that any attempt to interfere with its gravity is looked upon with distrust and suspicion, as it will bring the product of Irish breweries to the level of small breweries in Great Britain; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

It has already been pointed out that the new Order is entirely optional. If the Irish brewers are not prepared to brew an increased quantity of beer and stout at a reduced gravity they are quite at liberty to continue on their present lines. The Food Controller proposes to confer with the Irish brewers for the purpose of removing the misconception which appears to have arisen.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many ships of the Danish East Asiatic Company have been torpedoed?

The only case of an attack on this Company's ships which we have on record is that on the ss. "Samso," a motor vessel of 388 tons, which was shelled by a submarine, but finally escaped.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men and youths are being accepted in the Royal Naval Air Service who have no service experience and in many cases very little trade experience; and that some of these men are made leading hands and petty officers without passing any examinations, while men who have been in the service a considerable time and who have passed examinations are passed over; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

It is practically impossible to obtain men from civil life who possess service experience. Men accepted for entry into the Royal Naval Air Service as "mechanic" ratings are required to undergo a trade test, and are rated according to the skill they show in this examination. Only a very small number have been granted higher rates on entry, and they were men of exceptional qualifications, who were specially recommended on that account. All men in the Royal Naval Air Service are now required to pass examinations for leading and petty officer rates, but actual promotion is dependent upon the number of vacancies. Men passed but not promoted on this account are placed on a roster for promotion as vacancies occur.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in connection with the anti-aircraft gunnery, there is in existence any thoroughly satisfactory range-finder; whether the want of success in dealing with hostile aircraft is due to the inadequate means of ascertaining their range; and whether the Comptroller of Inventions has had any useful range-finder submitted to him recently?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, although I should not like to claim finality for any existing instrument; and the answer to each of the remaining questions is in the negative.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the medical officers whose conduct is criticised in the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission belonged to the Indian Medical Service or to the Royal Army Medical Service?

The three senior medical officers whose conduct is criticised in the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission are all surgeon-generals, and belong to the Army Medical Service.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will state what replies were sent to telegraphic offers by the British Red Cross Society in September and December, 1915, to supply motor ambulance transport and other medical and surgical necessaries for the troops engaged on the Mesopotamia Front?

The following telegraphic correspondence passed in July, August and December, 1915, regarding the supply of medical equipment for Mesopotamia by the British Red Cross Society. So far as I am aware no telegrams were sent in September, 1915, on this subject.

On the 17th July, 1915, Sir William Garstin, director of the stores of the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, sent the following cable to Sir John Nixon:

"Can British Red Cross help in any way with hospital supplies with your force? Will gladly do anything we can in sending gifts if you will let me know what you require."

To which the following reply was received on the 23rd July, 1915:

"Many thanks your kind offer. Would most appreciate two good open motor launches for hospital work. If sent by first available boat would be invaluable."

On the 5th August, Sir William Garstin cabled to Sir John Nixon advising him that one motor launch was leaving on the 7th August, and on the 12th August cabled as follows:

"Second motor launch leaving 14th August. Do you require skippers? Are you in need of any other stores?"

On the 15th August the following cable was received from Sir John Nixon:

"Greatly indebted for valuable gift of two launches. Many thanks for offer of engineers, but men are available here. May I wire requirements of other stores later if needed? "

"Please wire requirements of stores when needed."

On 16th December, 1915, Sir William Garstin cabled to Sir John Nixon as follows:

"Can Red Cross help in any way towards providing comforts, garments, or surgical necessities for your sick and wounded? Will be glad to help in any way you indicate, and will arrange to send out anything you may require by first steamer sailing for Basra."

Sir John Nixon replied on the 28th as follows:

"Many thanks your wire of Kith. Nothing required at present. If anything needed in future will not hesitate to ask you."

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if any progress has been made with the organisation of the volunteer field ambulances; and whether any appointements have yet been made to field ambulances in the county of London?

Substantial progress has been made with the scheme, and a number of field ambulances are in process of formation. London has not so far been asked to raise any ambulances, and I am not at present in a position to say anything definite as to London. As this subject cannot be dealt with conveniently by way of question and answer, I will write to my hon. Friend and give him fuller information privately.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the publication of the British casualties for the first month of the Somme offensive would be calculated to provide information of value to the enemy, seeing that they have been included in lists already published?

It is undesirable to publish the British casualties for the first month of the Somme offensive. It would provide the enemy with information which he is not at present in possession of, as he is not able to distinguish these in the General List.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he can state, regarding the British casualties totalling 24,439 published for the week ending 14th July, 1917, how many come under the category of missing?

In the total number of casualties published for the week ending 14th July, among ranks other than officers, there were 884 missing.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the instructions to the Army Medical Service for the physical examination of recruits in respect of standard of vision provide for the case in which one eye has been lost; whether a man whose right eye has been removed is to be regarded as fit; and, if so, in which category, if any, he should be placed?

Men who have lost their right eye, if otherwise physically fit, are classified under sub-heads (ii) and (iii.) of Categories B and C according to their physical fitness.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in the case of Mr. William McAleer, of 193, Castle Street, Glasgow, a married man with five children, who is certified by two doctors who have attended him to be suffering from valvular disease of the heart and rheumatism, and who received conditional exemption from the local tribunal, the Army Council have refused to allow him to be re-examined by the special medical board; and whether, in view of the nature of the disease from which he is certified to be suffering, this decision will be reconsidered?

William McAleer's application for exemption from military service has been before the local and Appeal Tribunals at Glasgow. On the 26th April the Appeal Tribunal refused exemption, but recommended that he should not be called up for six weeks. A calling-up notice was accordingly sent to him requiring him to report on the 7th June. A tribunal is entitled on certain grounds to rehear an application for exemption although already finally disposed of, the principal ground being the discovery of new facts, but when a man has had a calling-up notice sent to him the Regulations provide that the consent of the Army Council is required before the case can be reheard. McAleer applied in June for consent to the rehearing of his case by the Appeal Tribunal. A report was obtained by the War Office locally, from which it appeared that there were no new facts discovered since the tribunal's decision, and consent was not given. It is only incidentally that this refusal affected the question whether McAleer should be examined by the special medical board, since examinations by that board are authorised on the recommendations of tribunals in cases which are before them in the ordinary course. It is open to any man on reporting for service with the Colours to ask for a medical re-examination if he claims that there has been a change in his physical condition since his last previous examination.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has yet come to a decision as to the payment to the assessors and collectors of Income Tax who are serving in the Home forces of the difference between their Army pay and civil remuneration; and, if so, will he inform the House what is the decision?

Yes, Sir. The Treasury, while unable to sanction the payment of the difference between Army pay and civil remuneration, has arrived at the conclusion that the proper method of dealing with these cases is for the parties concerned to apply to the Military Service (Civil Liabilites) Committee.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that prison officers who are passed for the Army, and may be called up at any time for service on seven days' notice, are, not allowed to have their ordinary leave because they have been on the sick list during the current year; and whether, in view of the effect of this arrangement on the men who are unable to obtain a few days' home leave before joining up, he will look into the matter?

It is possible that cases may have occurred in which a prison officer has exhausted his annual leave owing to absence on sick leave before he is called up for service in the Army. In such cases the governor is allowed full discretion to grant special leave, and the Prison Commissioners believe that this is done freely. They have had no complaints, but if any case of hardship is brought to their notice they will make inquiry.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in dealing with claims for exemption from military service made by or on behalf of men with highly special training occupying positions of essential importance, e.g., executive officers and principal managers in insurance companies, it is the policy of the Government to recognise the work of insurance as of national importance and, if so, will he recommend the tribunals to give special consideration to applications for exemption of men who are indispensable to the companies employing them and whose services cannot be replaced?

Essential insurance business is, no doubt, of national importance, but it is for the tribunals, on the evidence placed before them, to decide according to the merits of each particular case whether or not it is expedient in the national interests to give exemption to any individual. Special directions have not been issued to tribunals with regard to the particular classes of men to which the hon. Member refers. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is neither practicable nor expedient to give directions respecting every class of men whose cases may come before tribunals.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that in May, 1917, it was announced that temporary Government employés of eighteen years and over on full time who get not more than £250 a year are to have 4s. a week war bonus if men, and 3s. a week if women, payable from 1st January, 1917; whether he or any official authorised this announcement; why it has not been acted upon; and when it was decided that only clerical and not manual workers were to benefit by this bonus?

The awards referred to were those of the Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, and were specifically limited to clerical employés.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that financial losses have been sustained by Dublin factors by reason of the fact that last season they got no commission on the hay and straw purchased for military purposes which formerly passed through their hands; will he state why these factors are not placed in the same position as the wool brokers and merchants who have been appointed by the Government as its agents for the purchasing of wool in their own districts; and if he will see that the services of these factors are utilised by the military in obtaining supplies of hay, straw, and corn, thus releasing many young officers for duty elsewhere?

A very small proportion of the officers to whom the hon. Gentleman refers are of military age. Those who are are being sent overseas as soon as they are sufficiently trained and medically fit. Merchants normally engaged in business connected with hay and straw have recognised the national necessity for War Office action, and practically no complaint has been received.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that a petition was put before the Committee on Production for an advance of 10s. per week on existing rates for all time workers and 5s. per week for youths under eighteen years of age, and a proportionate increase on piece rates for the workers engaged in the engineering and foundry trades, shipbuilding, and ship-repairing industries; if he is aware that the Committee on Production has given an award of 3s. per week to the time and piece workers on existing rates of pay, and 1s. 6d. per week to youths and another 1s. 6d. per week when they arrive at the age of eighteen years; and if he intends notifying the managers of the controlled firms that they must pay their various workpeople an advance of pay in accordance with the Committee on Production's award?

I am aware of the recent awards of the Committee on Production giving the advances stated by my hon. Friend as from 1st August. So far as firms are concerned who are members of the Engineering Employers' Federation or of the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation, no action is required, as the awards are binding on them under the provisions of the Munitions of War Act. I am, however, arranging to notify non-federated firms in the engineering and foundry trades of the award in these trades, in the same way as they were notified of the previous national engineering advance, and the Admiralty will, I understand, take the same course as regards shipbuilding firms.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the Sheffield Munitions Court, from which it appeared that six Irishmen were brought over from Dublin to be trained to learn nickel and brass casting at the Sheffield University Applied Science Department with a view to their being fitted for work at munition making; whether he is aware that it was stated that the cost to the Government of training these men was £5 each and their railway fares, and that the men were to be paid £2 a week for the month's training; and whether, seeing that there exists in Ireland a college of applied science under the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction capable of giving Irishmen the training required, he will say if the Ministry of Munitions has applied to that college for facilities for this purpose?

I am aware that certain Irishmen were trained for munitions work at the Sheffield University. The cost of their training is as stated. I understand that no institution exists in Ireland with facilities for giving the kind of training for casters on cupro-nickel which these men were afforded at Sheffield.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the rates of pay of munition workers in Ireland are the same as those paid in Great Britain, and, if not, can he say what is the difference; whether munition workers in Ireland are paid these rates; whether their work is good or bad; what is the percentage of bad work in each centre; are there any indications of work being deliberately badly done; and are known Sinn Feiners employed in munition works in Ireland?

The conditions of pay for munition workers in Ireland are the same as in Great Britain. I am informed that the work of munition employés in the Irish national factories is satisfactory, the percentage of rejects being low. There are no indications of work being deliberately badly done. No inquiry is made by the management of national factories into the politics or religion of the workers.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will have inquiries made into the case of ex-Private Phares Holden, of 25, Kime Street, Burnley, who joined the 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment on 5th October, 1914; whether he is aware that this soldier was sent to the Dardanelles after contracting rheumatism whilst training at Southport without medical examination, that in consequence he became rapidly worse, getting defective eyesight and other diseases, and that after serving over two years in the Army he was discharged on 21st October, 1916, medically unfit, on a pension of 4s. 8d. per week; and whether he will take steps with a view to getting this soldier an increased allowance?

The disability for which No. 2548 Private Phares Holden, late East Lancashire Regiment, of 25, Kime Street, Burnley, was invalided out of the Army was stated at the time of his discharge not to have been due to or aggravated by his military service. I will have inquiry made as to the conditions under which Mr. Holden carried out his training at Southport, and I will let the hon. Member know whether the circumstances justify any increase of pension or, alternatively, the award of a gratuity. Some little time must elapse before a reply can be sent, as the information must be obtained from the regimental authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Governor of Madras has prohibited Mrs. Besant and her colleagues from attending or taking part in any meeting, from delivering any lecture, from making any speech, and from publishing or procuring the publication of any writing or speech composed by them, and placing their correspondence under censorship; whether this lady, who has spent her life in benefiting her fellow men, is now confined to certain specified districts in India, which do not include her headquarters near Madras; whether she has conducted her propaganda on strictly constitutional lines; whether her paper has been frequently confiscated and heavy penalties imposed; whether she has persistently opposed all seditious pro-German propaganda carried on hi India; and whether these restrictions will be reviewed with a view to their removal?

The Secretary of State would refer my hon. Friend to previous answers to questions on the subject, a collection of which will be sent to him.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state how many persons of German parentage have changed their names by deed poll or otherwise since the outbreak of war; whether all such applications are closely scrutinised; and if it is within his power to prohibit all such declarations until the conclusion of hostilities?

The answer to all parts of the question is in the negative. Persons of enemy nationality are prohibited from changing their names, but I have no power in regard to other persons.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can say if the head of the typewriting department at the Press Bureau, and who is also assistant to the official secretary of the Bureau, is a man named Anderson; whether Anderson's real name is Heydenreich; and whether, in view of the fact that the most confidential messages relating to the War pass through the Press Bureau, he will take steps to have this man, who is believed to be a naturalised Austrian, removed and a true-born Britisher appointed in his place?

Mr. Arthur Vere Anderson is supervisor of typewriters at the Press Bureau; his original surname was Heydenreich, but in 1916 he adopted his mother's surname of Anderson. He has been for upwards of ten years in Government service. He is not a naturalised Austrian, but a British subject by birth, and I understand that both his parents were British-born.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the firm of F. W. Roggen and Company, of which F. W. Roggen is the proprietor; can he say whether this man is an unnaturalised alien of enemy origin and, if so, why he is allowed to trade here on the same terms as our own people; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. My attention has recently been called to this firm, and I am informed that the proprietor is a subject of Uruguay, born in that country of a father who was German by origin but was naturalised in Uruguay in 1885. As he is a subject of a friendly Power and has not himself given cause for suspicion, I am not in a position to take any steps with regard to him at the present moment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the War Office announcement that Russians serving in the British Army will be granted free certificates of naturalisation after three months' satisfactory service; whether legislation will be required to carry out this pledge to our Allies; and, if not, whether he proposes by Defence of the Realm Regulation or otherwise to get over certain formal or legal obstacles?

The announcement was that Russians serving in the British Army would be granted certificates of naturalisation without fee after three months' satisfactory service if they applied to the Home Office and satisfied the statutory conditions. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the allowance of sugar per head in the military and civilian rations of the various hospitals and in the camps for interned Germans?

The ration of sugar for prisoners of war is 1 oz. daily. Fixed scales cannot be laid down for military hospitals, but medical officers in charge have been informed for their guidance that it is considered that 8 to 10 lbs. of sugar should usually be sufficient for 100 patients for one day.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is now in a position to state the actual quantity of meat condemned in the City of London and the Boroughs of Finsbury, Southwark, and Bermondsey during the three months ending 30th June; whether he can state the total condemned during the same period by the Port of London Sanitary Authority; and what were the principal causes for the seizure and condemnation?

I am making inquiries in regard to this matter, and will send the information to the hon. Member us soon as I obtain it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will explain the paragraph in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Food Prices which states that in the early part of the War a British-owned line of refrigerator boats was allowed to run between the River Plate and New York, but that the amount of meat carried by it was relatively small, and latterly that line, too, has been restricted for meat to British service; whether he is aware that during July, August, and September last, when the Committee were preparing their Report, this line loaded 15,000 sheep in July, 4,000 sheep and 5,000 lambs in August, and 4,000 sheep and 7,000 lambs in September, and discharged the same at a New York port, and in November loaded 7,000 beef quarters, 12,000 lambs, and 26,000 sheep for the same destination; whether the Committee were informed of these facts before preparing their Report; and who was responsible for misinforming the Committee concerning the restriction of this line to British service?

I think that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that any refrigerated meat was loaded for New York by these boats in the months named. All the cargoes to which he apparently refers were discharged at Liverpool from the vessels into which they were loaded in the Plate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before he makes public any scheme for coal supply in London during the winter months, he proposes to submit his proposed scheme to a further conference of local authorities in the Metropolitan area; and, if not, will he consider the desirability of obtaining the help and support of local authorities in order to make any scheme a success?

The Controller of Coal Mines has circulated a draft of his scheme for coal supply in London to local authorities for their suggestions and observations. He is desirous of having the support of all local authorities concerned, and relies upon their help to make a success of his scheme for the distribution of coal in the Metropolitan area during the coming winter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as regards the Government standard ships now building, he is in a position to furnish details respecting the accommodation to be provided for the officers similarly to those which have been given as regards provision in this way which is to be made for the seamen and firemen?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The accommodation for the officers in the standard ships is arranged so as to secure the most favourable conditions. The principal features are as follows: The officers are berthed in a deck-house situated on the bridge superstructure; the rooms are electrically lighted and provided with efficient heating and ventilation arrangements; each executive and engineer officer is provided with a separate cabin; and a smoking room is provided for the general use of the officers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 100 railway engineers, members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, have been out on strike in Dundalk for the past seven weeks; if he is aware that their demand is for 54s. per week, a rate now paid to the local railway boilermakers and to all railway fitters and boilermakers in Newry, Portadown, and Belfast; and if he will issue instructions to the Irish Railway Executive to pay these men the 5s. demanded and that is paid in Belfast for similar work?

I am informed that the engineers at Dundalk have resumed work and requested that their claims may be referred to arbitration. Steps are being taken to arrange a hearing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that motor chars-à-bancs for which licences, were taken out in 1916 were prevented from running by Government order owing to the failure to obtain petrol; and whether a rebate will be given on the licences for the months of September, October, November, and December, during which such chars-à-bancs were not used?

My attention has been drawn to this matter. There is no statutory authority under which a rebate of Licence Duty could be allowed as suggested in the question, nor do I think that the circumstances are such as to call for one.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the total number of male and of female certificated teachers in the public elementary schools of Scotland, and the number of male certificated teachers at present serving with the Colours, respectively?

With regard to the first part of the question, I assume that my hon. Friend desires information as to the normal staff of the schools before the War. On 30th June, 1914, there were 4,448 male and 14,739 female certificated teachers in primary schools in Scotland. It is not possible to state precisely how many teachers are at present serving with the Colours, but the number who have been notified to the Scottish Education Department, as leaving schools of all grades to undertake naval or military service is 1,642. It is probable that there are others of whom the Department have not yet been informed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his Department are committed in any way to the acceptance of the plans of the Mid-Scotland Canal at present in their possession; whether the estimate works out at 33⅓ million pounds; and whether it is definitely arranged to proceed with the work at the termination of the War?

The answer to the first and last part of the question is in the negative; any inquiry regarding the estimate should be addressed to Messrs. Armstrong, by whom it was submitted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the recent improvements made in the new scheme of payment for Irish prison warders, as officially announced to the officers, only provided for the levelling up of the pay of married officers not living in prison houses with that of those living in prison houses; the cancelling of the Order depriving single warders and female officers of their fuel and light allowance; and an increase in the maximum rent allowance; that these improvements will not remove the warders' grievances; the first two simply repair blunders which should never have been made; whether he will now give in detail the further improvements, if any, which have been made as a result of his recent inquiry; at what date the warders may expect payment of the improved rates; and will they date from the first coming into effect of the new scheme?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on the 28th June last said that he thought the new scale of pay for Irish prison officers had been amended so as to remove every reasonable grievance. Effect will be given to the amendments which have been arranged for as soon as the necessary formalities are completed.

asked the Home Secretary whether an officer at Wormwood Scrubs prison who is leaving the service on medical grounds has been put on half-pay; if so, is there a precedent for this case; and is such a rule applied to the higher ranks?

This man having been on sick leave with full pay for six months, is now allowed further sick leave on half-pay. This is the course applicable to all branches of the Civil Service.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) what provision is made for the study of modern languages in the training colleges for teachers; what proportion of the students study French and German during the whole period of their attendance there; and (2) what proportion of students at the Scottish training colleges undergo systematic instruction in Latin and Greek during their course of training?

Candidates for recognition as teachers of modern or classical languages must reach the standard of an Honours degree in those languages before entering upon their special course of training. Other students may, during training, devote such time as the demands of the purely professional subjects of their curriculum permit to the revisal or development of their knowledge of subjects of general education, including languages. If qualified, such students are encouraged to pursue such further study at University classes. But for those who cannot do this optional classes in modern and classical languages are provided at the training centres. Complete figures are not available, but the numbers taking these languages at University classes were, in 1913–14: Latin 82, Greek 12, French 101, German 8.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he will grant the Return dealing with cases of Sheriffs Principal in Scotland standing in the name of the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow,—[Return "showing the number of cases taken before each of the Sheriffs Principal in Scotland (with the exception of the Sheriffs of Lanarkshire and Midlothian) during the year 1916; the amounts of the salaries paid to these Sheriffs Principal; and the number of days in that year during which their Courts sat?"]

The Government is not prepared to grant the Return suggested, which for the reasons explained in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland to my hon. and learned Friend's question of the 28th February last, would be quite misleading as an index to the duties falling on Sheriffs Principal. Particulars as to the appeal work of the Sheriff Courts are contained in the annual volume of Judicial Statistics.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, since the passing of the Vaccination Exemption Act, the form of conscientious declaration for exemption has been so drawn as to allow of either parent making the declaration; whether the declaration of either parent has always been accepted; whether the chief vaccination officer, C. J. Huddart, has now instructed vaccination officers to refuse and return declarations signed by the mother unless the father is in the Army; on what authority such action has been taken; and, having regard to the inconvenience of compelling the father, who may be from home or working late, to make the declaration, and the injustice of depriving the mother of the equal power she has hitherto been given in this matter, he will instruct the chief vaccination officer to withdraw the instructions he has given?

The history of the Bill of 1907 in Parliament shows that the intention was to limit the power of making a conscientious declaration in ordinary circumstances to the father of the child, and I am advised that this is the effect of the law. The form of conscientious declaration follows the wording of the Act. Where, however, the father is absent from home on naval or military service, or is otherwise prevented by reason of the circumstances of his employment from making a declaration, the Local Government Board and their officials have impressed on vaccination officers that they should accept declarations made by the mother as valid.