asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that while some employers have recognised the necessity of affording employment to discharged sailors and soldiers this is by no means the general rule; and, in view of the injury which may be done by such refusals, whether he will consider the issue of a public appeal to employers generally to give a preference in employment to those who have served in the War?

I am of the opinion that no such appeal as that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member is necessary at present. I am informed that opportunities for employment are more numerous than suitable applicants.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Reports of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies for the year ending 31st December, 1916, Part A, that small holdings societies have not met with any particular measure of success, that progress is hindered by inability to procure the necessary land, and that where efforts have been made to obtain land from owners in the districts concerned, and circulars have been sent to that end, replies were either not made or were in the negative; also that advertisements were ineffectual, and that application to the local authorities under the Act of 1907 merely opened the way to land at quite unsuitable rents; and what action he purposes taking to meet these claims, particularly in view of the demand which will be made for small holdings by ex-soldiers through these friendly societies?

The Board are aware that the development of small holdings societies has been slow. The reasons for this have been explained in the Board's Annual Report under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act for 1913, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. It is true no doubt that all applicants for small holdings are experiencing difficulty in obtaining land, owing to the present restrictions on borrowing money for the acquisition or equipment of land for small holdings, and the Board are in communication with the Treasury with a view to getting these restrictions relaxed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the stock of brewers' malt, estimated by the Food Controller at about 800,000 quarters on 7th May last, had increased to 1,300,000 quarters on 30th June, as indicated by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Food Controller; how this increase in the stock of malt has arisen in view of the provisions of the Food Controller's Order of 20th February, 1917, prohibiting the further malting of barley; whether any further licences have been issued by the Food Controller for the malting of barley during the period referred to; and, if so, how many?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There has been no increase in the stock of malt. The discrepancy in the figures is due partly to the fact that the earlier census was incomplete and partly to the consumption by brewers being over-estimated at the time when the former estimate was given. The restricted purposes for which malting licences are issued have been specified in my answers to the hon. Member for North-West Durham.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the number of racehorses in the United Kingdom which are at present receiving oat rations and the quantity of oats consumed by them daily?

The daily ration of oats allowed to racehorses in training is 15 lbs. Returns of the actual number of horses now being trained are being procured, and so soon as they are complete I will let the hon. Member have a summary of these Returns.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Dutch Government has decided to get rid of about half a million head of cattle because of the scarcity of fodder; if he is aware that the Dutch Government have decided to export alive some thousands of such cattle; and how many head of cattle will be distributed to the Allies and how many will be sent to Germany?

Reports to this effect have been received. The matter is under consideration. It is not possible at present to make any precise statement.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a communication from the Wexford Meat Supply Company with reference to the negotiation going on between the Department of Agriculture and the Irish cattle dealers to supply the Government with 100,000 Irish cattle after August; whether he is aware that the Wexford Meat Supply Company is in a position to deal with 400 cattle per week and that it is the desire of the company that consideration be given to their business in connection with the proposed scheme; whether the Government will either employ the company to deal with a portion of their requirements or make some arrangement whereby the company can have the ordinary number of cattle for slaughter which would enable them to carry on their business; if he is aware that this dead-meat trade has been built up by Wexford farmers at great expense, sacrifice, and inconvenience; and if he can give any assurance that it will not be injured by the proposed Government scheme?

The Department of Agriculture have received the communication referred to. They have no reason to doubt the statement that the Wexford Meat Supply Company is in a position to deal with 400 cattle per week, but they are not concerned in the matter beyond advising the Committee in charge of the scheme as regards the purchase of the proportion of cattle to be procured in Ireland. I am informed that the scheme will not interfere with the ordinary purchase and slaughter of cattle as at present carried out by the Wexford Meat Supply Company or any other concern dealing with dead meat in Ireland. The cattle will be purchased for the Army, and will be in addition to the normal number slaughtered for the civilian population.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that cheap week-end tickets are not available at Sheerness Dockyard; and whether he will arrange for these tickets to be issued forthwith?

It has been arranged that the Admiralty shall be supplied by the Railway Executive with a number of forms entitling to cheap week- end tickets for the use of its employés. The first distribution of the forms, in which Sheerness Yard participated, was made on the 3rd instant, and will be continued week by week so far as the limited supply will allow.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the circumstances under which pensions have been refused to naval ratings who, previous to the outbreak of war, had become entitled to pension but who had volunteered and been temporarily appointed as chief petty officer instructors to Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve divisions; whether he is aware that such appointments did not involve signing on for any definite period of further service but were determinable without notice, and did not entitle these ratings to receive either extension or progressive pay while so employed; and whether there is any reason why these ratings should not be placed in the same category as other pensioners recalled to active service?

The position of chief petty officer instructors of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve divisions is, so far as pension is concerned, the same as any other member of the Royal Navy, who, at the outbreak of war, was voluntarily serving after completing time for pension. All such men were retained under the Royal Proclamation of the 3rd August, 1914. In a few exceptional cases, where the men had expressed their intention of retiring and where only formalities prevented the discharge taking place prior to the outbreak of war, special treatment has been allowed, and the men have been treated as pensioners as from the date of the Royal Proclamation. No reason is seen, however, for extending this privilege to men who, in July, 1914, were expecting to continue serving in the Royal Navy for considerable periods. The men concerned are in receipt of detained pay and will share in the recently approved extension of that emolument. Instead of the fixed rate of 2d. a day hitherto paid, detained pay will in future be at progressive rates according to the length of the period during which the men are detained after completing time for pension. Thus the allowance will be at the rate of 2d. a day in respect of the first year of detention, 4d. during the second, 6d. during the third, and 8d. during the fourth, with retrospective effect to 2nd August, 1914, but without payment of arrears.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether an order has been issued by the Northern Command to the effect that any officer in the Command who proceeds to a school of instruction and who at the termination of the course of instruction obtains week-end leave has his return railway ticket to his unit cancelled and has at the termination of his leave to pay his railway fare back to his unit; and, if so, whether arrangements will be made to grant to all officers proceeding to a school of instruction weekend leave at the termination of the course and return railway vouchers to their units?

The War Office is not familiar with the Northern Command order, but inquiry will be made, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of courts-martial held in France, in this country, and in the Salonika Expedition during the following periods, respectively: namely, twelve months from 4th August, 1914, twelve months from 4th August, 1915, and twelve months from 4th August, 1916?

It is not considered desirable in the public interest to publish these statistics.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a soldier can be transferred without his consent from a Cavalry regiment or an Infantry regiment to a Machine-gun Corps?

Yes, Sir, under the Army Transfers Act.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what is the estimated number of officer prisoners in Germany who have been captive for over eighteen months?

I am informed that the number is about 660.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that the Central Committee do not accept any responsibility for supplying clothing to our British prisoners of war in Switzerland; and, if this is in accordance with the regulations on the subject, who is responsible for supplying the clothing, where the clothing is sent from, who supplies the list of men and their requirements, and what Department is generally in charge of the arrangements for such supply?

The British Army Ordnance Department in France are responsible for supplying the clothing on receipt of indents from the British officer in charge of our prisoners of war in Switzerland.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that there is now no hostel accommodation provided for troops at the Holborn Stadium, 85, High Holborn; whether, having regard to the fact that a permit was granted in December, 1916, by the Ministry of Munitions to adapt and alter the premises in question for that express purpose, any arrangements were made to meet the circumstances now existing; and whether there were any terms in the documents setting forth the arrangements securing to the Young Men's Christian Association a participation in the proceeds of all boxing exhibitions now being carried on daily?

Two hundred beds are always ready when wanted for the troops at the Holborn Stadium, High Holborn. The Y.M.C.A. use the accommodation placed at their disposal for emergency purposes. There is no change whatever in the arrangements come to between the Y.M.C.A. and the Holborn Stadium Syndicate. In reply to the last part of the question, no boxing exhibitions take place without the written permission of the Y.M.C.A., who receive 10 per cent. of the takings, and, in addition, the syndicate provides heating and lighting at its own expense. Regular contests take place once a week, and additional contests, which are held once a fortnight, are usually arranged to benefit one or other of the various Army and Navy organisations. I understand that the syndicate is loyally carrying out the terms of the agreement.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. Mary Kempster, of 239, Kensal Road, mother of Driver John Kempster, No. 124,985, Royal Field Artillery, called up in March of this year, has up till now had no allowance issued to her; that Mrs. Mary Bird, 370, Portobello Road, wife of Private Harry W. Bird, No. 208,575, 6th Middlesex Regiment, has had no ring paper and no allowance issued although she has five children under ten years of age to support, all legitimate; that Mrs. Ellen Cox, of 43, Queensdale Road, mother of Pioneer Herbert D. Cox, No. 281,890, Royal Engineers, Signal Department, despite the fact that the London War Pensions Committee has written five letters, had up to the 31st July received no Government allowance, and that in consequence Mrs. Cox has been summoned for rent; that Mrs. Emma Rodhouse, of 89, Bramley Road, North Kensington, mother of Private W. S. Rodhouse, No. 42,327, of the 99th training reserve battalion, who was called up on the 14th April, 1917, had up to the 31st July had no Government allowance although the son allots 3s. 6d.; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that Mrs. Fanny Brewer, of 8, Bredon Road, Camberwell, has not yet, in spite of repeated applications, received the separation allowance due to her from her son Albert Edward William Brewer, No. 56,672, E section Royal Flying Corps; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

asked the Pensions Minister if he will issue orders to expedite the payment of separation allowances to the dependants of soldiers and sailors?

As was stated in answer to questions last week, the War Office is in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this subject.

asked the Pensions. Minister whether he is aware that a letter was addressed to the Inspector of Seamen's Wills, Admiralty Office, on the 16th January, with reference to the case of Francis Xavier Brady, wireless telegraphist, first-class officer, No. 222,513, to which only a formal acknowledgment was received, dated the 18th January, saying the matter would receive prompt attention; that no further communication has been received; that a further letter was addressed to the Ministry of Pensions on the 30th April, which received no acknowledgment; that a reminder was sent on the 4th June, and the first acknowledgment is dated 30th July; if he will say whether the correspondence has been mislaid or the facts have been placed before him; and, if so, if he is aware that the claim has been made on behalf of the the widowed mother of Francis Xavier Brady, wireless telegraphist, first-class officer, No. 222,513, who lost his life in the Battle of Jutland, and at the time of his death there was a month's salary due to him, which has not yet been paid to the mother; if he is aware that there is also a sum of money due to him in connection with compensation awarded for participation in the Falkland Islands battle; and, if so, what action he proposes taking in the matter?

I have no knowledge of the correspondence with the Admiralty to which the hon. Member refers, and the question of pay and compensation money due to the deceased man's estate is entirely for that Department. With regard to the claim of Mrs. Brady for a pension in respect of her son, the hon. Member was informed on the 30th July that the Statutory Committee, after investigating the claim, could find no evidence of pre-war dependence. The hon. Member's letter of the 2nd August has been referred to the Committee, and if he has any evidence to support Mrs. Brady's claim it should also be sent to the Committee in order that the case may be further considered.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in future the scale of medical equipment for Indian troops will be the same as for British troops?

The future scale of medical equipment for Indian troops is under the consideration of the Government of India.

asked whether, when the Indian troops were serving in France, the scale of medical equipment in their case was on the English scale?

The Indian troops arrived in France equipped as to medical matters on the Indian scale. Whether it was subsequently found necessary by the Army Council to alter and add to this scale I am not able to say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that any person avoiding military service in Canada on the ground of a conscientious objection to fighting will not be given employment in the Canadian Civil Service?

I have no official information as to the Regulation in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed at a meeting of the Stoke-on-Trent County Borough Council to the effect that, having regard to the importance of municipal supply of electrical energy, the appointment of three Members to represent local authorities on the committee to consider and report on the future supply of electric power for all classes of consumers in the United Kingdom is altogether inadequate, and that the Government be requested to give local authorities at least equal representation on the committee as is granted to commercial corporations and private companies owning electrical undertakings, while local authorities should be permitted to nominate their own representatives; and whether he will give favourable considera- tion to the request for increased representation of local authorities on the committee on the lines indicated in the resolution?

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of the resolution from the Town Clerk, and he is of opinion that the Committee as now constituted is sufficiently representative of all bodies owning electricity undertakings, and he is not prepared to make any further additions to it.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will supply figures relating to the tonnage released for the import of cotton by the increase of home-grown cereals?

No such figures are available. As the President expressly pointed out to the hon. Member for Attercliffe in the Debate on the Third Reading of the Corn Production Bill yesterday, cotton was taken merely as an illustration, because voyages from America with cotton and voyages from America with wheat are more or less comparable. Wool, or indeed any other raw material for manufacture, might equally have served the purpose of the argument.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is the total amount which has been subscribed to the Central Prisoners of War Fund; how many prisoners are looked after by the Central Committee and how many by the regimental care committees; whether Grants are made from the central fund to regimental care committees, who are in need of funds; and whether the Government has considered the advisability of making a capitation grant to the regimental care committees?

I am informed that donations amounting to£57,914, of which£15,000 represents an instalment of the proceeds of the sale of gifts at Christie's, have been received by the Central Prisoners of War Committee. About one-fourth of British prisoners of war in enemy hands are looked after by the Central Prisoners of War Committee, and about three-fourths by the care committees and local associations. The sum of about £28,700 has been paid by the Central Committee to the care committees and local associations, and no application by the latter for funds has been refused. The necessity for a capitation grant to the regimental care committees has not yet arisen.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any proposal has been made to amalgamate the Unions of Ballycastle and Ballymena, county Antrim; if so, on whose suggestion the matter was initiated; and whether, before the amalgamation is effected, the basis thereof will be submitted for the consideration of the ratepayers in both unions?

No proposal to amalgamate the unions of Ballycastle and Ballymena has come before the Local Government Board. The County Council of Antrim, however, recently made inquiries with a view of ascertaining whether the number of workhouses in the county could be reduced.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will see that the workmen of the county Louth obtain a fair share of the Estates Commissioners' land or any other land available in the county?

In the allotment of untenanted land the Estates Commissioners are guided by the provisions of Section 17 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, and they duly consider the wants and circumstances of the residents in the locality.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will extend the scope of the inquiry to be made by Mr. Cowan, of the Irish Local Government Board, as to housing in Dublin so as also to include housing conditions in Cork?

Mr. Cowan must complete his inquiries as regards housing in Dublin before he could undertake a similar inquiry at Cork. The Local Government Board inform me that the case of Cork does not appear to be so urgent as that of Dublin. Under the new Cork Improvement Act a largely increased housing accommodation will be provided independently of the corporation. It would probably be thought advisable to await the completion of the plans for these new buildings before considering the question of what further accommodation the corporation should provide.