asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a rotary machinist employed by a newspaper is exempted from military service as a member of a certified occupation, whilst a machinist doing the same work for a jobbing printer employed by the local authorities is not; and if he will take steps to remedy this inequality of treatment?

The list of certified occupations merely acts in the way of strengthening an applicant's case before the tribunal, and this action is reduced within very narrow limits in the case of men employed in connection with rotary newspaper printing machines by reason of the high age limits attaching to the provisions referring to these men in the list. Such protection as is afforded, however, is given on the grounds that newspaper printing must be regarded as an important factor in the conduct of the War, whereas there is nothing of a general nature to show what jobbing printers are engaged on. The fact that a particular jobbing printer happens to be engaged on work for local authorities is not one which can be taken account of in drawing up the provisions of the certified list, but it would be a point to bring before the tribunal which heard the case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board why men serving with the Expeditionary Force canteens cannot apply for a civil liabilities grant?

As my hon. Friend is probably aware, this matter is receiving careful consideration, and I hope that a decision may be arrived at shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will investigate the case of James L. Byrne, of 36, Woodbine Street, Liverpool, who was called up for service on the 23rd June, but on joining the Royal Naval Air Service was examined, and after being accepted was rejected, and who reported to the recruiting authorities on the 27th June, was called up on the 5th July, again examined, passed C3, and sent home to await further calling-up papers; whether he is aware that, in view of these various decisions, this man from the 18th June has been without employment or wages, and has received no payment whatever from either the naval or military authorities and is not entitled to unemployment benefit; and whether, in view of the fact that the man has lost about £14 in wages and has an opportunity of starting again with his old employer, provided his position under the Military Service Acts is made clear, whether steps will be taken to have him discharged from the Army and to compensate him for what he has lost?

I called for a report yesterday on this case, brought to my notice by my hon. Friend, and will let him know the result as soon as I can.

asked whether Mr. Ian Colvin, who is a member of the editorial staff of the "Morning Post" newspaper, is still evading military service; what is his age; is he physically fit; and, if he is of military age and sound physical condition, on what ground is he exempted from military service when married men with family responsibilities, older than he, have been conscripted from the staff of the "Morning Post" newspaper?

Inquiries will be made, and my hon. Friend informed of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has inquired into the case of N. E. Thompson, No. 13832, North Somerset Yeomanry, who was invalided from France in January, 1915, and, after two years in military hospitals, was classed C2 and returned home on leave; whether he is aware that Thompson has been doing light work on his father's farm, but is still suffering; why and by what authority he has been suddenly summoned to the Colours and classed A1; and whether, pending the Report of the Select Committee on Medical Re-examination, this man will be temporarily released?

I was not aware of the facts of the case, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the conduct of a military officer toward a private soldier at the soldiers' and sailors' buffet at York Station, on Monday, 16th July; whether he is aware that the major commanding the regiment seized a pot of hot coffee from a private soldier standing on the platform and poured the contents over the head and neck of this soldier; that this action was witnessed by many people at the station; and whether he will cause full investigation to be made?

:No report has yet been received on the incident to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiries made into the case of Rifleman William Pilling, No. 4/5069, 2/1st Monmouthshire Regiment, now stationed at Lowestoft; whether this soldier was born on 15th August, 1900, and enlisted at Fleetwood in July, 1916, when only sixteen years of age, and has since served in the Army both in France and in England; and, if so, whether orders will now be given for his discharge?

If the facts are as stated as regards this soldier's age, his discharge will be authorised forthwith. We have applied for his birth certificate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will explain the position of Russian Poles whose country is now in enemy hands and to whom the position of citizenship in an autonomous state has been offered, under the Convention recently concluded with Russia for the mutual conscription of friendly aliens; and, if they are not in the position of other Russian subjects, whether they are in any was liable to conscription if remaining in this country?

The Convention draws no distinction between Russian subjects, whether they are or are not Polish.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of John Leach, secretary to the Bleachers, Dyers, and Finishers Insurance Association, who, after various temporary exemptions, was passed into the Army, classified A1, and immediately after joining was re-examined and classified C2; whether he is aware that the Health Insurance Commission informed a deputation from the society that if Leach had been classified C it would have recommended his exemption altogether from military service on account of the importance of his insurance work; whether the interests of the 10,000 insured working people are already suffering from Leach's absence; and whether, as Leach is now able to do work in the Army of comparatively minor value, he can be returned to his work in connection with national health insurance?

Inquiry is being made to verify Mr. Leach's health category, and if it is found that he is in category C2 he will be transferred to the Reserve to resume his civil occupation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether third-year medical students, Class B2, are being called up for military service; if so, will he consider the desirability in the public interest, in view of the shortage of doctors, of not calling up this class; and will he give instructions to the recruiting officers accordingly?

Under the arrangements at present in force medical students, not in their fourth or fifth year, are not in ordinary circumstances called to the Colours if, being under the age of thirty-one, they are classified lower than B1, or if they are thirty-one or over and classified lower than A. The second part of my hon. Friend's question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the cases of Private J. R. Wiggin, No. 203,805, and Private H. Cooney, No. 203,933, of D Company, 4th Reserve East Lancashire Regiment, Tent No. 20, West Cliff Camp, Whitby, both discharged soldiers called up under the Military Service Act; whether these men, in accordance with battalion orders received some three weeks ago, applied for their discharge at once; whether this discharge or a leave pending this discharge has yet been granted; and, if not, whether he will take steps to get them their discharge forthwith?

The officer in charge of records has been requested to take the necessary action, if these men come within the terms of the concession made in the case of discharged soldiers who have served overseas and who have been discharged owing to disablement or ill-health.

asked the Home Secretary why William G. Durston has been recalled from Dartmoor settlement to the Army and sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Carnarvon Gaol; whether such sentence has anything to do with the overstaying of leave on Durston's part some time since; and, if so, whether the sentence will be reviewed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 5th June last. The sentence which this man is now serving was imposed by court-martial in respect of an offence committed after his recall to the Army, and any question as to reviewing his sentence should be addressed to the War Office.

asked the Home Secretary why Alfred Catherall, a conscientious objector lately employed in the Dartmoor settlement, has been returned to the Army; why no reason was given to him for this action on the part of the Committee; if Catherall was first employed under the Home Office scheme at the Wakefield centre where he worked satisfactorily and volunteered for quarrying work at Ditton Priors, where he fell ill, was examined by the Home Office doctor, ordered to cease work immediately, and was allowed to go home on sick leave, being so ill that the doctor permitted him to travel only on his own responsibility for the result; if he is aware that on recovery he reported at Ditton Priors, was immediately sent from there to Princetown, and examined by the doctor, who ordered sick work; that after recovery he again volunteered for tree-felling work at South Molton, where he worked without complaint for eight weeks, when he was accidentally injured by heavy rolling logs, and was off work ill for four days; if his request that a doctor should visit him has been refused; if, after returning to work, he was five days later returned to Princetown, where he immediately volunteered for tree-felling at Minehead, was then placed by the doctor in the sick department again, where, after working three days, he was arrested without notice and without any charge against him, and was informed that his complaint would be considered when he returned to the Army; and if he will, if he has not already done so, make a full inquiry into this case?

This man absented himself from his work without permission for four days, and the explanation which he gave at the time was that he had spent a day or two with a friend. His conduct and industry had previously been unsatisfactory. In these circumstances the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors recommended the War Office to recall him to his unit. I have considered the papers and reports, relating to his case, and see no occasion for further inquiry into the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will inquire into the case of George Basedon Butt, who was adjudged by the Hampstead Tribunal on 14th March, 1916, to be a genuine conscientious objector, and particularly if he will ascertain whether this man was granted exemption on condition of his taking up agricultural work on a fruit farm at Braunton, in North Devon; whether he is now the only remaining labourer on this farm, the proprietor having been called up for military service, so that the proprietor's wife will have to give up the farm altogether in the event of losing Butt's services; whether he is further aware that the Barnstable Tribunal has now cancelled Butt's exemption, and that he is about to be sent in consequence to prison; and whether he will take any steps in the matter?

I have no information respecting this case, but I will make inquiries. If exemption was claimed on the ground of conscientious objection, the tribunals have, of course, to decide the case on this ground. As the hon. Member is aware, there is an appeal from the local tribunal to the Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the exchange value of the British sovereign in New York, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Stockholm in the middle of July in the years 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, respectively?

issued the following particulars:

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the exchange value of the British sovereign in Paris, Petrograd, Borne, and Lisbon in

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the gross assessment to Income Tax for the financial years 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917?

The gross income brought under the review of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in the years mentioned was as follows:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Thomas and Catherine Furlong, of Clasheen, Gorey, man and wife, have been drawing an old age pension of 5s. per week since they attained the age of seventy years; that they applied for the the middle of July in the years 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, respectively?

issued the following figures:

increase of 2s. 6d. per week at the time it was approved of by the Treasury and were granted only 6d. each, which has now been disallowed in the case of Catherine Furlong; considering that they were drawing the full amount of 5s., if he will say if they are entitled to the extra 2s. 6d., as it was given to augment the original allowance to tide the aged poor over the exceptional times existing during the War; if he will direct an independent officer to inquire into this case and report the result to the Pensions Committee; and if he will state the income weekly which debars a person from drawing this allowance, and if a daily wage of 1s. without food is a bar to drawing it?

Catherine Furlong has not been deprived of her additional allowance of 6d. a week. By mistake a pension book for the pension only was delivered when the old pension book expired, but as soon as the mistake was discovered a new book for the allowance as well as the pension was delivered, and payment of the arrear of allowance will be specially authorised. Under the Government's new scheme both Thomas and Catherine Fur- long will probably be entitled to the maximum 2s. 6d. allowance as from Friday, the 10th August.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on what conditions and to what extent are permits issued to buy, sell, or deal in wheat, barley, oats, or rye of the 1917 seed crop or seed potatoes; and whether seed merchants and others will be allowed to carry on their dealings with farmers?

The action to be taken in regard to this matter is under consideration, and an announcement will be made very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he took counsel with any practical farmers in Great Britain or Ireland with regard to the fixing of prices for livestock; whether he is aware that fat cattle cannot be produced in the month of January without feeding in house with expensive materials; if he is aware that the price fixed for that month is totally inadequate and will preclude the possibility of farmers producing fat cattle for the price; whether he is aware that the house-feeding of cattle in winter months is essential for the production of manure to cope with the new Tillage Regulations; and whether he will give agriculturists an opportunity of placing their views before him?

Representative farmers and others familiar with agricultural conditions were consulted with reference to the fixing of cattle prices and the schedule of prices was settled in consultation with the several Departments of agriculture. The points raised by the hon. Member were carefully considered before prices were fixed, but the Food Controller will be glad to receive any further suggestions or representations that agriculturists may care to make.

asked if the special flour to be supplied for the manufacture of bread on doctors' certificates is to be supplied lay chemists or by bakers; if the latter, are all bakers to be supplied with stocks of this special flour; and, having regard to the abuses which will arise under such conditions, will the whole matter be reconsidered?

Special flour, when authorised, is supplied not by chemists or by bakers, but by millers, to whom a licence for a specified supply is forwarded in each case. I am not aware that any abuses have arisen or are likely to arise under this system, and I see no reason to vary it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that in the United States of America, where quantities of maize meal are used, the millers have special plant suited for grinding it to the necessary fineness; and, in view of the fact that the estimates for the present season's crop in America are in excess of the average production, will he consider the advisability of importing the American maize flour direct, thus saving labour in this country and shipping tonnage, the ground flour occupying less than half the space that would be occupied by the maize in corn?

The suggestion made by the hon. Member is in accordance with the accepted policy of the Wheat Commission, who have made and are continuing to make large purchases of maize flour from America.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at a meeting of the Britannia League of Housewives, Upper Montagu Street, West, on the 20th instant, specimens of ropey war bread sent in by members of the league were exhibited; that one loaf, two days old, had quite the ordinary appearance, but emitted, as all the specimens did, an unpleasant smell; and that another loaf was dark and sticky and was alive with treacle-like masses of bacilli, three hours' baking having failed to kill the germs; and, seeing that the statement was made that the bakers were helpless, not knowing the proportions of the various mixtures, what action he proposes to take; and (2) if he is aware that most of the difficulty experienced by bakers in producing a good loaf from war flour is caused by their ignorance of the ingredients used by the millers in making the flour; and will he therefore issue instructions to all millers to declare the names and proportion of the ingredients used on every invoice or, owing to the impossibility of making good bread from an undefined mixture of meals and flour, although an expert baker might be able, by treating all such ingredients separately and each in its own special way, to make digestible bread, will he reconsider the question of allowing the baker himself to do all the necessary blending of ingredients?

From the description given by the hon. Member it is evident that some bad cases of ropey bread were submitted to him. The disease of rope is due to fermentation set up by a definite germ, and the causes and preventatives are being fully explored by scientific authorities. It is already known that this condition is not caused by admixture of other grain with wheat, but the difficulties of milling and baking grain other than wheat have no doubt tended in the direction of unattractive bread. I am glad to say that both millers and bakers have risen to the occasion, and that the reports of bad or even unpalatable bread are growing much less frequent. The suggestion of a descriptive invoice is impracticable owing to the constant variation of the ingredients employed. It is also, I fear, impossible to leave the mixing of ingredients to the bakers. Even if the difficulties in the way of distribution could be overcome, effective supervision of the bakers would be impracticable.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in the interest of food production, he will make arrangements for removing the restrictions on salmon fishing by net in Irish rivers; whether he has made inquiries as to the practice in Great Britain; and will he assimilate the Irish practice to it?

The Department of Agriculture have approached the Food Controller with a view to an extension of the hours during which netting for salmon may be carried on in Irish rivers by duly licensed persons, and to an extension of the open season for netting for salmon in the tidal waters of certain districts. They are not prepared to recommend any general removal of restrictions, which would have a prejudicial effect upon the future welfare of the Irish salmon fisheries. The Department are not aware that any restrictions have been removed in Great Britain. Arrangements which might be considered suitable for Great Britain would not necessarily be suitable for Ireland.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will specify the measures taken by the Department for the protection of food crops from destructive creatures, whether by destruction of rookeries and rabbit warrens or by relaxation of restrictions on guns and ammunition or otherwise; and whether he is aware of the complaints made on this subject?

The Department of Agriculture issued leaflets and notices in the Press advising farmers how to prevent or minimise injury to crops from rooks, pigeons, etc. Similar information regarding rabbits was also given to farmers. As to ammunition, the Department, after consultation with the proper authorities, notified farmers generally that the necessary orders or permits for the purchase of cartridges for the destruction of rooks, pigeons, rabbits, etc., were obtainable on application to the district inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary. A few complaints have been made to the Department concerning difficulties in procuring ammunition.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland who was responsible for the publication in the "Gazette" of Regulations under the Defence of the Defence of the Realm Act concerning the Irish Convention; what is the object of the Regulations; whether statesmen attending there will be allowed to communicate to their supporters what has taken place in secret meeting, with a view to asking their advice; and whether he is aware that the enforced silence of the Press is regarded as a public danger and may have a serious effect on tranquillity of the people who are opposed to it?

The Government is, of course, responsible for the Regulation in question, which is intended to prevent the publication of unauthorised and misleading statements. The wishes of the Convention as to the extent to which its proceedings shall be published will no doubt be ascertained by the chairman, who, under the Regulation, has the authority to sanction publication.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the temporary staff at the Royal Naval Store Depot, West India Docks, are to participate in any bonus as a result of the award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board; and, if so, will he state the amount and the date from which it is payable?

The temporary clerical staff at the Royal Naval Store Depot, West India Docks, are not eligible to participate in any war bonus as a result of the award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board, as their rate of pay has been adjusted from time to time during the War on account of the temporary war increases granted to workmen. On account of these latter increases, the temporary clerical staff are eligible for an increase of 5s. a week as from 1st April last (with arrears), and will receive a further increase of 3s. as from the 1st proximo. Orders to that effect are being issued today.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present scale of daily rations and allowances for the lower deck; and whether any complaints have been received of the insufficiency of such rations and allowances?

The present scale of daily rations in the Navy is as follows: 10 ozs. bread, ½ lb. fresh meat, 1 lb. fresh vegetables, 2 ozs. sugar, ½ oz. tea, ½ oz. chocolate, ¾ oz. condensed milk, 1 oz. jam or pickles, ⅛ pint spirit, mustard, pepper, salt, and vinegar as required, 4 ozs. preserved meat, salmon or rabbit on one day a week in harbour and two days a week at sea.

Preserved meat and salt pork, with their accompaniments, i.e., rice, flour, suet, raisins, split peas, are issued when fresh meat is not procurable, haricot beans and marrowfat peas when fresh vegetables are not obtainable, and biscuit in lieu of bread.

In addition to the daily ration issued in kind, the men receive a messing allowance of 5½d. a day, with which they can take up further quantities of Government provisions, or buy other foodstuffs from the canteen at will.

The daily ration is the same now as in peace, except that the quantity of bread has been reduced from 16 ozs. to 10 ozs., and sugar from 4 ozs. to 2 ozs. The messing allowance in peace was 4d., it was increased early in the War by ½d., and on reduction of the bread and sugar rations the value of the amounts reduced in each case was added to the messing allowance, thereby increasing it by another 1d., i.e., to 5½d. in all.

I ought to add that extra rations can be issued at the discretion of the officer in command at any time when the service on which the men are employed is of a specially arduous nature.

As explained in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Bradford, on the 23rd May, the prices charged for Government provisions which the men can purchase out of their messing allowance are the same now as before the War.

Representations have been received as to the insufficiency of the allowances paid in lieu of Service victualling to men on shore and elsewhere, who have not the opportunity of obtaining Service provisions at the special prices referred to above, and these are now under consideration by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the thefts by a military postman at Trewithian Camp, Cornwall; whether it is proposed to compensate the soldiers who lost money by these thefts; and whether greater care will be taken in future in appointing men to the positions of military postmen?

I have no information as to the case brought to notice by my hon. Friend, and I am making inquiries. When a registered letter or parcel is lost owing to the theft of a post orderly, compensation is granted to the sender as an act of grace within the monetary limits laid down in the post office guide.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War where and in what condition is Patrick Roche, of Mitchelstown, county Cork, recently in military custody at Basingstoke; why he was kept for fifty-four hours in a cell there without exercise; if tried and convicted, will he say on what charge and what evidence; and, seeing that this man has already spent three months in prison in this country without trial and two months in Cork Gaol for singing a patriotic song, will he say whether the continued persecution of Roche is with the knowledge and concurrence of those responsible for the government of Ireland?

There is no information in the War Office which will enable me to identify this man.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have an inquiry made into the allegations of bad treatment of the men attached to the Army Service Corps, Receiving Depot, Harrowby Camp, Grantham, who allege that they cannot get enough to eat and that their pay is withheld?

I have no information on the matters suggested by the hon. Member, but I am inquiring and will communicate with him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Mrs. Katie G. Wilson, wife of Farrier-Sergeant J. Wilson, No. 80,675, 9th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, who was paid separation allowance according to scale until May, 1916, has been paid nothing since but the 10d. a day allotted to her by her husband out of his pay; whether Sergeant Wilson has been informed of this neglect of his dependent wife; what amount she is entitled to according to the present scale; and when the arrears will be paid to enable her to clear off the debts the neglect has forced her to incur?

Separation allowance was stopped because it was found that Mrs. Wilson had not lived with, or been supported by, her husband for some considerable time before his enlistment.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the parents of E. S. Callis, first-class stoker, No. 111,065, who held a Persian Gulf medal for 1910–14, and was reported for a Distinguished Conduct Medal for saving the life of an officer at sea, but who lost his life on H.M.S. "Indefatigable" in the Battle of Jutland, 1915, are receiving no pension, although the father is permanently disabled and has four children to support; and whether he will take steps to rectify the matter?

Stoker Callis had ceased to contribute to his parents' support some years before the War, and for the purpose of qualifying for a pension under the Order in Council of last March it is requisite that a dependant shall have been, in fact, wholly or partly dependent on the man for a reasonable period immediately before the commencement of the War. It is true that Callis began to make an allotment of pay to his parents in May, 1915, but this does not, I regret to say, enable me to award them a pension under the present regulations. These, however, I am reconsidering, and it may be found possible later to make a grant in such a case as this. In the meantime it is being brought to the notice of the War Pensions Statutory Committee, who may, I trust, be able to assist.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that there are many complaints from men discharged from the Services as to the delay in fixing their pensions; and whether he can take any steps in order to urge his Department to speed up their decisions on all pension cases they have in hand?

I am not aware of any considerable number of complaints in the direction indicated, but I may frankly tell the hon. Member that I view with some concern the unceasing, irregular, and vast growth of the work of my Department. Weekly payments have now been authorised to close on 750,000 men, women, and children; the number of "renewals" each month is getting into tens of thousands; the new arrangements for treatment also involve much careful work in a great number of cases; and the preparation of cases for the new Appeals Tribunal promises to add still further to the burden. I have a staff of 3,500, consisting nearly entirely of women. None of these had any pre-war experience in the subject, and most of them have a little more than a year's service. I may say that the majority of cases of real delay are those in which the finding of the medical board on the man's discharge has not been favourable to him, and inquiries have been set on foot in order to make sure that no element of doubt in his favour has been left unconsidered. The transfer of men from Class W to Class P of the Army Reserve with no time in which to award pension, during which they draw pay, has also resulted in complaints of delay. I need hardly add that both myself and my staff are doing everything we can to obviate delay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the desire of relatives to visit their wounded in hospitals in this country and the fact that the increased fares have put it out of the power of the poor, the Government will arrange to grant free passes to such relatives or, in the alternative, tickets at the rates at which they are issued to railway servants?

Arrangements are already in force for the issue of a free warrant in the case of dangerous illness, and of cheap fare vouchers in other cases.

asked the Minister of Munitions if it is proposed to give a free railway pass to their homes for those munition workers who have left home and are living near their factory so that they may take full advantage of the short holiday to be granted them; and if any special holidays of longer time will be granted the girls who are engaged in the work of handling the materials which are poisonous and damaging to their health and appearance?

As regards the first part of the question, I am in communication with my right hon. Friend, the Pre- sident of the Board of Trade, as to whether it is practicable to provide tickets at reduced rates to enable munition workers, who are living away, to visit their homes during the holidays. With regard to the second part, the holidays in the national factories have been fixed with due regard to the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether Joseph Szebenyi, the enemy alien correspondent of the "Morning Post" newspaper, whose correspondence, written in London, was published by that paper for over two years as coming from Budapest, is still interned; if so, is he-permitted to write for the "Morning Post" and afforded facilities for leaving his internment camp to confer with the editor of the "Morning Post"; if so, why an alien enemy, whose forgeries of speeches and editorials in the German interest were given currency by the "Morning Post" even after their falsity had been proved, is afforded special consideration; and whether any action has. been or will be taken with respect to the responsibility of the editor or proprietors of the "Morning Post" for allowing that newspaper to be used for the purposes of pro-German intrigue by Joseph Szebenyi?

Joseph Szebenyi is still interned. I have given him permission to translate Hungarian documents for the editor of the "Morning Post," but he is not allowed to leave the camp in order to confer with the editor. As to the remainder of the question, which consists of charges against the "Morning Post," I can only say that the charges are wholly contrary to the facts, as they appear from the documents in my possession.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of districts around London are served by volunteer fire brigades; and is it his intention to take the course to secure to them their past efficiency as he proposes to take in regard to the personnel of the professional brigades?

I am well aware of the valuable services rendered by the volunteer fire brigades in the districts around London. I have been asked to obtain for the use of the War Cabinet a Return as to the personnel of the fire brigades, and, although the volunteer brigades are not quite in the same position as the professional brigades, I will include them in the Return.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received particulars of the cases of injury and deaths due to shock and other causes directly attributable to the measures the authorities have employed as a means of warning London of approaching danger from enemy aircraft?

The Commissioner of Police reports that three deaths have come to the notice of the police which are attributed in part to fright or shock on public warning being given of impending air raids. One of these occurred on the 14th instant, when the "Take Cover" notices only were used, and two on the 22nd instant when the sound signals were also used.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the incident of an unexploded bomb which fell in the air raid of 7th July and embedded itself where it has lain ever since; that several visits have been paid by the authorities to the place in question; that at the latest visit the officer appeared to think the shell might be left where it is; that its presence causes anxiety to the wife and daughter of the resident in the house who do not appreciate its harmlessness; will be state whether it is a German or a British shell; why it has not been taken away earlier; and will he cause its removal?

I am inquiring into the incident referred to in my hon. Friend's question and will inform him of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in regard to the publication entitled "The New Republic," he can state the grounds on which it was suppressed; and whether it is an offence against the law to use the title "The New Republic," or whether an article suggesting any kind of incapacity on the part of the Government is a sufficient cause for the suppression of a paper?

The answer to the first question is that the paper was not suppressed, but one number which was submitted to the Press Bureau was not passed because it appeared to contain matter which contravened the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The answers to the second and third questions are in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the notices issued by the Boundary Commissioners the new constituencies in England are sometimes called by a place name, sometimes by a point of the compass, and sometimes by both; and whether he will consider the advisability, from the point of view of simplicity and certainty, of adopting from the beginning only one name in connection with each constituency, as has been done in the case of Scotland?

I will draw the attention of the Boundary Commissioners to the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the approximate number of men of military age still employed in the Labour Exchanges; whether the number of men employed in these Exchanges is excessive; and, as the employment of fit men in such Exchanges must of necessity cause annoyance to the workers visiting these Exchanges whether he can give instructions that all the work of registering, filling in cards, etc., shall in future be undertaken by discharged or disabled soldiers and sailors or women?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Norwood on the 5th April, 1917. Since the date of that question arrangements have been made for the release of further members of the staff for military service. The Employment Exchanges are engaged upon very important and responsible duties in connection with the supply of labour for essential industries, but the question of the release of further officers who are fit for general military service is constantly engaging the attention of the Department. It is, however, absolutely necessary to retain some proportion of the trained permanent staff to undertake the more difficult and responsible branches of the work to be done. Every possible use is being made of the services of discharged soldiers and of women, and there are now working in the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain 390 temporary men, practically all of whom are over age or unfit for any form of military service, and 850 temporary women officers in place of over 1,200 members of the permanent staff who are serving in the Army or Navy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since 1913, there has been any deficiency in any year in the net receipts of the railways as compared with those of 1913; if so, to what amount; and, if any excess, to what amount?

As an enormous amount of Government traffic has been carried by the railway companies without charge there has necessarily been a deficit in each year in the net receipts of the companies since the railways were taken over as compared with the net receipts of the companies in 1913. The information available as regards the payments made by the Government to the Railway Executive Committee on behalf of the companies will be found in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the Appropriation Account of the Vote of Credit, 1915–16, House of Commons Paper, No. 54, of 1917.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the experience of the fish trade that the carrying out of the Order in force since the 2nd April last, requiring the prepayment of charges for the carriage of fish by passenger train or other similar service, entails loss, inconvenience, and increase of labour, the exemption which has been granted to Scotland and Ireland may be extended to England and Wales?

In accordance with the request made by the Board of Trade, to which I referred in a reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke on the 20th June, a small Committee appointed by the Railway Executive Committee has conferred with representatives of the fish trade at several places, with the result, I hope, that cause for complaint has been largely removed. As the hon. Baronet will be aware, the circumstances of the trade in England are not the same as at many places in Scotland and Ireland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Government insurance office takes weeks longer than Lloyd's and other bodies in the settlement of claims; and whether he will have the procedure expedited?

I am informed that recently, owing to the large number of claims received, it takes about four to five weeks for a claim presented to the Government War Risks Insurance Office to be settled. I do not know how this compares generally with Lloyd's or other bodies, but in any case the circumstances are so different that a comparison is not really possible. The staff of the Claims Department has been and is being augmented as rapidly as possible, but the work is of a highly specialised character and untrained assistance is of little value. It is anticipated, however, that the measures taken will result in a more expeditious settlement of claims in the near future. The average number of claims settled per day at the present time is about 120.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether £1 2s. was paid as freight for the carriage of corn by sea from Chili in 1914, whilst £16 a ton was paid in July, 1917, on both occasions in British ships; and whether he can say, as the Government controls shipping, why there was so great an increase in 1917?

As I explained in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Blackburn on 16th July, it is not considered in the public interest that the limited freight space available from Chili should be used for the carriage of commodities such as grain which can be obtained from a nearer source and accordingly no facilities are afforded. If my hon. Friend's information is that a consignment was brought forward at the rate mentioned in the question, I should be glad to have particulars in order that inquiry may be made.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what steps he has taken to ascertain the views of the residents in Henry Street, Dublin, as to the proposed extension of the post office in that street: whether it is intended in the event of extending the post office to have a van entrance from Henry Street; whether, having regard to the feeling of uneasiness caused by the rumour of extension in that direction, he will submit to a committee of traders in the neighbourhood a plan or outline of any contemplated new building; (2) who are the responsible parties, official and unofficial, charged with negotiating the purchase of the ruined areas in Henry Street, Dublin; upon whose authority he relied when he stated that he was informed as to the view held by persons trading in the neighbourhood; will he state the nature of the information supplied to him; and (3) whether, since the Rebellion in Dublin, he has acquired or attempted to acquire control of ground landlords' interest in the ruined area to the rear of the General Post Office either by way of purchase or mortgage; if so, whether such control will be or has been used for the purpose of throwing difficulties in the way of people rebuilding; whether such control places him in the position of the head landlord occupied with regard to the approval of new plans; and whether he is aware that the system of acquiring head interests in order to squeeze lower interests has been universally condemned by public opinion in Ireland?

Information that certain residents in Henry Street, Dublin, dislike the proposed extension of the Post Office in that street was obtained naturally during inquiry as to the possibility of acquiring the necessary ground. This is an impression derived from various sources. If it is incorrect no doubt the hon. Member will put me right. As I informed him on the 12th instant, I shall endeavour to give due weight to the wishes both of the residents in Henry Street and the citizens of Dublin as a whole, and I shall be happy to consider any representations laid before me. A van entrance from Henry Street would be a necessary part of a scheme of reconstruction in that direction. No ground landlords' interests have been acquired. If it be decided to reconstruct the Post Office on an extended scale such interests must, of course, be acquired. But no further interference with the schemes of other persons would take place than is necessary to secure the public advantage. I am responsible for any negotiations in this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to the people of Touraneena and Ballinamult, county Waterford, by the withdrawal of the mail car from Dungarvan to Clonmel; whether he is aware that letters that would hitherto have reached their destination in the evening are now delayed until the following day; and whether he will consider the matter and direct the re-establishment of the service?

The change in question was made as part of a general policy which has been forced upon the Post Office by existing conditions and is being carried out, so far as possible, on uniform lines throughout the United Kingdom. So far as Touraneena and Ballinamult are concerned, the effect is that about twenty letters daily, which were formerly delivered in the evening, are not now delivered until the following morning. I should not be justified in sanctioning the expense involved in restoring the former service.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if the question of improving the system of notifying the fact that soldiers had been taken prisoners of war was considered at the recent conference between representatives of the Allies and enemy countries; and, if so, with what result?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Pending the ratification of the proposed agreement by the German Government, I fear I cannot make any public announcement of its terms.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will have inquiry made into the frequent complaints from the prisoners at Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man, about the shortage of food; and, if the complaints are found to be justified, will he have the cause of complaint removed?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am aware that many of the alien enemies interned at Knockaloe complain about their food, but the dietary follows the lines laid down by the Food Controller and has been approved by the Army Council as sufficient to maintain health and strength. I have no reason to think that it is necessary to increase it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the conditions under which it is proposed that assistant teachers will be provided from third to second grade; if he will see that assistant teachers who have given efficient service will automatically be promoted into second grade; if he will state what action the Government intend taking with regard to the number of assistant teachers who are likely to lose their places owing to the effect of the War on the average of the schools in which they are employed; and if he will see that teachers who have lost their places be appointed to vacancies which occur before any appointments of new teachers be made?

The conditions required to be fulfilled in order to warrant the promotion of assistant teachers to second grade will be promulgated as soon as the rules governing the payment of the additional Grant have been settled. A special Regulation has been sanctioned for operation during the period of the War by which assistant teachers are protected against loss of their position consequent upon any falling off in the attendance of pupils at their schools which can be shown to be due to the effects of the War. Appointments of teachers to fill vacancies in national schools are made by the managers of these schools, and the Commissioners of National Education are not in a position to require them to give preference to ex-assistant teachers who are temporarily unemployed.

asked the Home Secretary where and in what condition John Duff now is who was convicted at Warwick in November, 1885, and sentenced to twenty years' penal servitude for alleged manslaughter five years previously, subsequently transferred to Warwick Lunatic Asylum, and not since heard from by his friends; whether he is aware that the evidence for the defence showed that Duff and Gately, the man shot, had been fast friends, and had never at any time disputed that the shooting was accidental, and that it was made clear in the methods adopted by the prosecution, in the questions addressed to the accused, in the guarding of the Court, and in the judge's charge and sentence, that the case was treated as an Irish political case; and, in these circumstances, if John Duff still lives, whether he will now be released and restored to his friends?

John Duff was certified insane and removed to Broadmoor in 1896. When his sentence expired on 11th November, 1905, he was removed as a lunatic to the Warwick County Asylum. His detention there was due solely to his mental condition, and since the date mentioned the Home Office has been in no way concerned in the ease. I cannot now undertake to discuss the evidence on which he was convicted in 1885. I am informed that he is still in the asylum and in good bodily health.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received protests against the inadequate representation of women teachers upon the Departmental Committee formed to consider the principles which should determine the scales of salaries for teachers in elementary schools and urging that more women teacher representatives should he added; and if he will agree to add such further representation to the Committee?

I have received various representations on this subject. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division of Shropshire on the 12th inst., a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps, if any, have been taken by the Llanelly Board of Guardians to secure in the district the proper protection of children placed out to nurse under the infant-life protection part of the Children Act?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed that the guardians have appointed the ladies who visit boarded-out children in the union to act as infant protection visitors under Part I. of the Children Act. The relieving officers who had already been so appointed have been directed to make a report on each case to the guardians at least once every three months. There are only eight cases registered in the union at present.

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?

My hon. and learned Friend is probably unaware of the reply to this question which I gave yesterday, and which appears in the Parliamentary Debates of Tuesday, 24th July.