asked the Prime Minister if he will by legislation or otherwise compel employers in Ireland to pay an increase in wages similar to the increase in the cost of living since the outbreak of war; and if he will say when the Industrial Unrest Committee will visit Ireland?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. It is not proposed to introduce legislation such as is referred to in the question. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer to the answer I gave the hon. Member last Monday.

asked the Prime Minister if he can state the number of industrial insurance policies which have been lapsed since the outbreak of war; if he will give the number lapsed by each company; and if he will state the position of lapsed policy holders under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The particulars asked for are not included in the returns made under the Assurance Companies Act, and I am unable to furnish the information. The Courts (Emergency Powers) Act prevents the lapsing of industrial policies for amounts not exceeding £25 on which premiums had been paid for two years before the beginning of the War without an application to the Court, and I am not aware of any such application having been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received from the rural district council, Ballinrobe, a resolution protesting against the quality of the bread produced from the present Regulation flour, and recommending that the first war-grade flour should be used; and can he state what steps will be taken in the matter?

My attention has been called to this resolution, but I am afraid that it is impossible to continue the use of admixtures or revert to the lower percentage of extraction laid down by the first Milling Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can state the amount of malt and other ingredients required to produce a barrel of beer at the lower standard of gravity provided under the Order sanctioning an increased output of beer during the present quarter?

The amount of malt required to produce a barrel of beer at the gravity of 1036 degrees is 53 lbs. If sugar or other malt substitutes are used, the amount of malt required is proportionately less.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to the unanimous protestations of county councils, district councils, and agricultural bodies in Ireland against the fixing of the price of cattle after the 31st December next at 60s. per cwt; if he is aware that this price, taking into consideration the price of feeding stuffs, labour, etc., will not cover the cost of production; if he is aware that unless the price is increased there will be a shortage of home-fed beef during the spring months with a consequent shortage of farmyard manure for the increased area under tillage; and whether, before the above-mentioned price was fixed, Irish agricultural authorities were consulted?

Lord Rhondda has received a number of protests from various bodies in Ireland against the proposed maximum of 60s. per live cwt. for January. He is unable to admit that this price, which is an advance of at least 63 per cent. on the prices obtaining in the correspond-month in 1914, will not cover the cost of production, or that its result will be a shortage of home-fed beef during the spring months. Further, the maximum prices for Army cattle in September and October will allow of even better returns to the Irish farmers than they are receiving on the present admittedly high prices, and have been receiving for a considerable time past. As I have already stated in reply to questions by other hon. Members, the Irish Department of Agriculture was consulted before the January price was fixed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department is responsible for the issue of the leaflet, F.C. No. 31, on bee-keeping with the object of recommending persons to keep bees in order to provide honey as a substitute for sugar; whether his attention has been called to criticisms of the leaflet as containing inaccuracies and displaying ignorance of the facts of bee life and the principles and practice of modern bee-keeping; whether he is aware that there is a large number of British associations of bee-keepers which repudiate the association recommended by the Government in this leaflet; whether he will state the name and qualifications of the writer employed by the Government to write, or who wrote, this leaflet; what amount of public funds was expended in its publication; and whether he will now withdraw it?

The leaflet in question was issued in connection with the Food Economy Campaign at a cost of £4. It was withdrawn shortly after publication in deference to the criticism of British bee-keepers, who did not agree with the views which it expressed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that there is at present a very large accumulation of over 150,000 chests of tea at Chittagong, of which 70,000 chests consist of last season's tea that have been awaiting shipment for more than six months, and that since the 26th April only one ship has cleared from that port—namely the "Clan M'Lean," which took away roughly 10,000 chests; whether he is aware that if freight is not provided for this present accumulation there is fear of at least the portion consisting of last year's manufacture (70,000 chests) becoming unfit for consumption; and whether, in the face of the existing increasing scarcity of tea at home, he can see his way to provide at least sufficient freight to clear off the balance of last year's crop that there is by sending round a special ship for that purpose?

Representations to this effect have recently been made, addressed to the Ministry of Shipping, and are now under investigation. At the moment it would appear that the question is in the main one as between Chittagong and Calcutta. There are accumulations of tea at both ports, and from the point of view of economy of tonnage I am advised that the latter is the more convenient port. To send a special ship to lift an exceptionally light cargo of this description is not a course which could be recommended. The general tonnage dispositions which are being made will, however, it is hoped, afford sensible relief.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that men working on the construction of the Athy Wolfhill Railway cannot obtain beer or porter owing to the inadequate supply of these commodities to the local traders in the district; and whether, under the circumstances, extra supplies will be given to the licensed traders in the districts through which the line runs to enable them to supply the reasonable requirements of the men working on the line?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If representations are made to the Food Controller that this work is of national importance, and that its completion is being retarded by undue shortage of beer, the reasonable requirements of the workers will be met so far as available supplies allow.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Mr. N. Cunningham, of Ballymore, county Westmeath, made application more than five weeks ago for a permit for the supply of 50 gallons of whisky, to which he is entitled under the restrictive Orders made regarding supplies of spirits, and that this permit has not yet been granted; and whether he will cause the permit to be issued immediately so that this man's trade may not be permanently injured?

An authority to obtain delivery of 51 proof gallons of spirits was issued to Mr. Cunningham on the 8th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what action has been decided upon in the direction of excursion facilities with a view to utilising fully the present train accommodation to Irish seaside resorts?

The Irish Railway Executive Committee inform me that in the case of local travelling for the period beginning the 1st July, 1917, the number of passengers shows an increase as compared with 1916, though carried at ordinary fares. People who usually go to the seaside in summer appear to be going there this year in spite of the withdrawal of facilities, but for the most part to places nearer home. The Committee consider that increased travelling facilities should not be given.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the object of the Order prohibiting the export of horses from Ireland; whether he is aware that it will lead to a glut of horses on the Irish market; that it will penalise the farmers; and that it will benefit only a few horse-dealers; and whether further inquiries will be made to ascertain whether there is really any scarcity of horses such as could justify the Order?

The Horses (Prohibition of Exportation from Ireland) Order, 1917, came into operation on 21st July. It was issued by the Department of Agriculture with a view to maintaining in Ireland a stock of horses sufficient for the increased cultivation of the land and for general purposes. The Department were satisfied that such action was necessary, and, so far, they have no reason to anticipate the consequences feared by the hon. Member. They will, however, keep in close touch with the situation, and take such further action as may seem to be called for.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the Government's proposals for the relief of unemployment in Dublin during the coming winter?

It is not possible at this period of the year to state what unemployment there will be in Dublin in the winter, or whether any additional measures of relief will be necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Government are taking any steps similar to those which are being considered and prepared by the Local Government Board of England for the provision of houses for the working classes at the conclusion of the War; whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the President of this Board that the provision of these houses appears to be one of the most pressing of post-war problems for which immediate preparations should be made; whether he is aware that this is particularly true of the cities and towns of Ireland; and whether, seeing that the Government are providing substantial financial assistance from public funds to-local authorities in England, he will state whether any similar provision is being; made for Ireland; and, if so, its nature and extent?

I would refer to the answers I gave to questions by the hon. Members for North Sligo on the 3rd August and the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division, of Dublin on the 6th August.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Instruction which he has issued to the Chief Engineering Inspector of the Irish Local Government Board as to the preparation of a scheme for re-housing 14,000 families in Dublin contained any indication of the financial basis of the scheme to be prepared; what proportion of the difference between the annual expenditure upon the 14,000 dwellings to be erected and the income from their rentals is it proposed shall be borne by local ratepayers and the Exchequer, respectively; and whether, in the absence of definite information upon this point, it is possible for any officer or committee to frame definite or detailed schemes as suggested?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second question is premature. The officers of the Local Government Board will be able to supply the information which is required.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the necessity for a constant and adequate supply of ice at Baltimore as a means of conserving fresh fish, he will see that the ice stores and plant proposed to be erected by the Congested Districts Board are erected as near deep water as possible; and whether he will request the Board to consult the fish-buyers, fishermen, and representative men in the district as to the best site for the purpose?

The Congested Districts Board do not propose to make and supply ice for the fish trade at Baltimore them- selves. They are endeavouring to have measures adopted which will secure a sufficient supply of ice for the carriage of fish to market. The negotiations have not reached a stage when the site of the ice-mating plant can be discussed. A deputation of Baltimore fish merchants and fishermen have been told how the matter stands.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will recommend to the Government the advisability of paying in Ireland the same wages as are paid in England for similar work in Departments controlled by the Government?

No change has occurred in the conditions dealt with in this question since I answered a similar inquiry on 12th March.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any and, if so, what reforms have been introduced in the system of government in Ireland since he became Chief Secretary to enable the Irish Government to deal with the rapid and violent changes caused by the War in economic conditions in Ireland; whether the Ministry of Labour, the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Munitions, and other important Government Departments and Commissions frequently arrive at decisions and issue orders from London which vitally affect Irish interests without consultation with the Irish Government; what new machinery, if any, has been set up by the Irish Government since the beginning of the War to enable it to advise upon such questions as are referred to it by the Ministry of Labour, the Food Controller, or other persons or Commissions who daily issue orders affecting Ireland; whether the proposal that the Irish Government as at present constituted and staffed is in a position to add the duties of the Ministry of Reconstruction in Ireland to its existing functions is seriously intended; and whether, having regard to the differences between English and Irish social and economic conditions, he will, in consultation with the Minister of Reconstruction, at once arrange to establish a special advisory body equipped with an adequate staff to prepare proposals adapted to meet the special difficulties which will face the Irish Government at the end of the War?

I cannot deal with these matters in the limits of an answer to a question in the House.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the case of Mr. Thornton, national teacher, of Furbough, Galway, will be reconsidered on the ground that he has never been tried for his alleged connection with the rebellion, and that if a fair opportunity was given to him he could show cause why his previous position should be restored?

The Commissioners of National Education considered this case and decided to withdraw recognition of the teacher. They inform me that they do not propose to reopen the case. Mr. Thornton was given an opportunity of being heard by the Advisory Committee upon his internment as a person concerned in the rebellion, and they decided that he ought to remain interned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to a resolution of the Stradbally, Queen's County, Farmers' Union and other agricultural bodies in Ireland protesting against the proposed minimum price for corn under the Corn Production Bill for the last three years covered by the Bill; and whether it is his intention to give effect to the demands and opinions of practical agriculturists in Ireland by increasing the prices under the Bill for the last three years?

This matter is dependent upon the decision of Parliament, not upon any action of the Irish Office.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Post Office authorities have entered into a contract with the Irish Board of Works to carry out the electric wiring and lighting of the Coleraine House premises, Dublin; whether there was a saving in this transaction; and why the Board of Works are entering into competition with and to the detriment of ratepayers and taxpayers of the City of Dublin?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject yesterday, to which I can only add that there is no contract, and that the Post Office estimate for the work, which is not yet finished, was little more than half the lowest tender received.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the average overtime worked by men in the Works Departments at the different Royal yards, and how this compares with the overtime worked in the Constructive Departments; whether he will transfer some of the men now working ordinary time in the Works Departments to the Constructive Departments, and thereby utilise their services as well as give them an opportunity of earning more money to meet the extra cost of living; why the assistance of contractors is called in to do work that can equally well be done by employés of the Works Departments—for instance, are not sashes and frames put out to contract when they might just as well be made by the men in the Works Departments; and will he consider the advisability of instituting reforms in this and kindred matters?

I am calling for a report on these matters, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to resolutions from public bodies in Ireland asking that the price of first-crop hay in Ireland should be fixed at £7 10s. per ton up to the 31st December, 1917, rising to £10 per ton up to the 30th May, 1918, and that no hay should be commandeered below these prices; and whether it is intended to fall in with the views of practical Irish agriculturists and fix the price of first-crop hay as above indicated?

The War Office has no information as to the resolutions referred to. I am making inquiries, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the discontent amongst the female cooks and waitresses at the camp at Crookham with the absence of free railway passes granted to males under military authority performing similar duties; and, seeing that the women referred to come from distant parts of the country, whether the question of granting them free passes on the railways will be considered?

I am afraid that the general restrictions on railway travel make impossible any further travelling concessions. I would remind my hon. Friend that it is not the case that free railway warrants are given to males other than soldiers

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to the correspondence between his Department and the proprietors of Bonnington Tannery concerning the delay in the issue of a certain priority certificate desired in order to secure the upkeep of a machine working entirely on Admiralty and War Office material; and whether he is prepared to make any statement on the matter?

There is no trace of any such correspondence. An application for a priority certificate for this tannery was made by the War Office on the 9th instant and the certificate was dispatched on the 11th instant.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether licences must still be obtained for repairs costing over 10s. to sporting guns; and whether the hindrance to the obtaining of food by killing game and rabbits which such restriction has imposed will be at once removed if the Regulations have not been already altered?

The answer to the first portion of the question is in the affirmative. No complaints have been received of any hindrance such as is suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps, if any, he proposes to take with regard to the deportation of Mrs. Besant?

Mrs. Besant has not been deported, as that term is generally understood, but ordered to reside in that one of six prescribed areas which she preferred. I understand that she proposes, with the consent of the Government of Madras, to go to Coimbatore next week. Subject to the above, I have nothing to add to previous statements.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the approximate number of Russian and Polish Jews in London and other parts of the country?

The approximate number of male Russians over the age of eighteen in the Metropolitan Police district is 31,000, and in the rest of England and Wales 14,000. I cannot give any further details.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Wilhelm Schmahl, a naturalised German passing under the name of William Small, is actively motoring about the country and in particular the South Coast and in prohibited areas; and have any steps been taken to note the activities of this person and to keep the authorities informed of his doings, especially in view of the fact that letters of naturalisation are no guarantee that Germans by birth are to be relied on for loyalty to this country during the War?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which was given last Tuesday in reply to his unstarred question in similar terms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that two of the Dunns who secured exemption as conscientious objectors are now working on a farm belonging to Lieutenant Roberts at Ickleford, near Hitchin, that these men lodge and feed with the bailiff, and are practically leading their own lives in their own way, and that Lieutenant Roberts is supplying them with petrol to run a motor-cycle and sidecar; what authority is responsible for seeing these men do the same amount of work as other men engaged in similar occupations; and why are they allowed the use of a motor-cycle and side-car, and who authorised Lieutenant Roberts to supply them with petrol?

I understand that, if the military authorities are not satisfied that these men are fulfilling the conditions of their exemption, it is open to them to apply for a revision of their certificates of exemption. There is no trace of the issue of a licence to Lieutenant Roberts, and he has no authority to supply Messrs. Dunn with petrol.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the total number of motor-spirit licences issued which are at present still current, giving the number of licences issued and still current (as distinguished from the percentages) under each category?

I do not think that it is in the public interest to add to the information which I supplied to the hon. Member on Tuesday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the difficulty of transport, householders are unable to obtain coal at the present moment; that it is quite impossible to fill cellars or to store coal for the winter; and, seeing that there is every probability unless more coal is allowed to be brought into the Metropolis during the remainder of the summer months of a coal famine in the near future, will he say what action he will take?

I am informed by the Controller of Coal Mines that, in spite of an unusual pressure of orders throughout the summer due to the instructions issued to the public to lay in stocks before the winter, distribution in London Has more than kept pace with demand, and the tonnage of orders awaiting execution continues to decrease, while the amount of coal now stored in collars is unusually great. This result is largely attributable to the arrangements which have been in force for several weeks past for securing additional supplies of house coal to London. These additional supplies are still being increased, and will be continued throughout the winter, and there is no justification for the suggestion of the danger of a coal famine in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of requiring that the name and address of all persons to whom a licence to have a supply of petrol is granted for other than strictly naval or military purposes should be exhibited in post offices and on church doors in the same manner as is done in the case of those taking out gun or game licences, as a means of checking the issue of licences to those who have no real right to have them?

This proposal would entail a large increase of work, and my right hon. Friend does not think it desirable to adopt it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he will state the names of the various shipping firms of good standing with whom arrangements have been made for the management of the ships built in Canada; and what remuneration is to be paid for the work entrusted to the managers?

I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the companies which have been entrusted with the management of ships building for His Majesty's Government in Canada. The remuneration for management is £300 per annum per steamer for the first two steamers, £250 for the next two, and £200 for each steamer above four, with an allowance of £50 per annum per steamer for the services of a superintendent engineer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what steps are being taken to supervise the construction of ships, other than steel steamers, being built in Canada for the Government; and what expert advice has been obtained to ensure that they shall not only be serviceable for the trade of the moment but suitable for specific trades after the War is over?

The arrangements described in my reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend with regard to steel vessels on the 6th instant apply generally to the wooden steamers now under order in Canada. Arrangements have been made with Lloyd's Classification Society to appoint resident surveyors experienced in the building of wooden ships, who will undertake the survey of the vessels during construction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the proclamation setting out that all men in the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are to stay in the Navy for five years from the date of the commencement of their active service affects Post Office servants in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; whether these men will have to serve for five years; and whether they will be relieved at the end of the War and be allowed to go back to their work at the Post Office?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by me on this subject on the 9th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, for the year ended March, 1917, the number of old age pensioners, men and women separately, giving the number at the various weekly rates; the total amount paid in State pensions, and the cost of administration separately; the number of State pensioners who were in receipt of the special Grant under Cd. 8373, giving the weekly rates, men and women separately; the total amount paid in special Grants under Cd. 8373; the number of applicants for old age pensions and for the special Government Grant which have been declined; the number of deaths of pensioners; and the number of new applicants for old age pensions?

supplied the following particulars:—

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the evidence, expert or otherwise, on which the Local Government Board held that the income of Cornelius Shea, of Adrigole, county Cork, exceeded £31 10s. a year; whether he can state the proportion of that income attributable to the farm in the occupation of his son and the proportion of his income attributable to the shop and room in the occupation of his daughter; and whether he will request the Local Government Board to get some reliable person to report to them on the circumstances of this man so as to enable them to arrive at a just decision, and so secure to him the old age pension to which he is entitled?

I answered this question fully on 2nd August. The Local Government Board have supplied me with full particulars, and the case appears to have been carefully considered. I am satisfied that the claimant's means were far over the statutory limit. There is no authority for such a reference as is suggested in the latter part of the question, nor does it appear to be necessary.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has received any communication from the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education, Ireland, respecting the allocation of a Grant for the establishment of a serum institute; and, if so, whether he can state the amount suggested and when it will be allotted?

I have been asked to reply-to this question. I cannot add anything at present to the answer I gave to the hon. Member's question on the 2nd July.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether in an overcrowded and badly equipped national school the following report would be regarded as good or as very good: English oral, good to very good; English written, very good; arithmetic, very good; history, good; geography, good; singing, good; drawing, good?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they could not reply to this question without having a report before them which would show all the circumstances of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Patrick Higgins was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude for an offence committed during the labour war in Dublin in 1913; if he is aware that on the occasion of this man's first trial the jury disagreed, and, on being retried at the City Sessions he was found guilty, although Constable M'Garry stated that the prisoner was not the guilty man; and if, having regard to the state of the city of Dublin at the time, and considering the disagreement of the jury, and that Higgins has now been in prison for four years and his wife and two children have been supported by friends, he will now recommend the release of Higgins?

This case has been repeatedly considered by the Lord Lieutenant, and no reason was found for mitigation of the sentence. There is no ground, so far as I can ascertain, for any doubt as to the justice of the conviction.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state how much money was allocated, and how much was spent, for drainage purposes on the Johnston estate, situate at Finisden and Cornaveagh, county Roscommon, now in the possession of the Congested Districts Board; whether the Congested Districts Board intend clearing the obstructions in the Finisclin River partly made and improved by them; whether, if by their action in leaving portions of the Finisclin River undone, the tenants in the town-lands of Cornaveagh and Finisclin are in a far worse position with regard to the flooding of their holdings than previous to the Board taking over the estate; and whether, if the Board intend to improve the water-course between Finisclin and Cornaveagh running into the Finisclin River, the Irish Land Commission will send an inspector on this estate before an advance is made to the Congested Districts Board?

A sum of £450 was allocated for drainage on the Johnston estate, of which £400 has been spent. The remaining £50 will be expended on drainage in connection with the development of the bog still in the Congested Distrcts Board's hands. The board do not intend to carry out further improvements on the Finisclin River or any other drainage works on the estate. The position of the tenants' holdings as regards flooding is better, not worse than before the Board took over the estate. The tenants have signed purchase agreements, which have been lodged with the Land Commission. It is the usual practice of the Land Commission to inspect the holdings of tenants on estates before making advances of the purchase prices.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that no rise in pay has been given to the engine-room artificer class for the last fifty years; that the only additional amount received has been 1d. a day for each good conduct badge and ½d. additional pension; that the average wage of the shore mechanic fifty years ago was 30s., while the Admiralty paid their engine-room artificers 38s. 6d.; and that to-day the shore mechanics are earning from £5 to £10 per week, while the engine-room artificer is still receiving his 38s. 6d. for practically doing the same work; and whether he will consider the advisability of reconsidering the pay of the engine-room artificers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave on the 1st instant to the Member for Barrow, in which the general question of the position of the engine-room artificer class was dealt with.

With regard to the specific points raised in my hon. Friend's question, the following are the facts:

The rates of pay were as follows:

1877: 5s. 3d. to 6s. 6d. a day; chief engine-room artificers, 6s. 9d. to 7s.

1882: 5s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. a day; chief engine-room artificers, 7s. to 7s. 6d.

There has been no increase since 1882, except those mentioned in the second part of the question. But since that date, of course, warrant rank, commissioned warrant rank, and the rank of mate (E) have been established.

38s. 6d. a week is the pay of the junior grade of engine-room artificer, but a comparison of that payment with the rates earned outside by engineers does not complete, as my hon. Friend knows, the value of the emoluments received by the man in the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in a recent action in the district Court of Kandy for damages for the wrongful killing of Walgampahe Basnayaka Nilame, the lay chief of the Galademya Temple, the finding of the Court was in harmony with the Report furnished by the Inspector-General of Police to the Colonial Secretary on 28th October, 1915, and published in the Blue Book, Correspondence Relating to Disturbances in Ceylon (Cd. 8167); and, if not, whether any steps will be taken by way of reparation or disciplinary action or both?

The Court dismissed the action against the Inspector-General with costs. Some inaccuracies of detail in the Report furnished by the Inspector-General on the 28th October, 1915, were commented on by the judge, but the Attorney-General of Ceylon, who has reported on the case, considers that, in view of the very trying experiences which the Inspector-General went through at the time of the riots, it is not surprising that there were inaccuracies of detail in his Report, and that the Report in substance is a correct account of his impression of the events referred to. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can give instances from typical unions of the improved allowances to widows and children; and whether he can state the measures he proposes to take where the general increase has not been granted?

I will send my hon. Friend some instances from typical unions of increased allowances. I have no power to order an increase of relief in any particular case; indeed, the Local Government Board are expressly prohibited by law from so doing. The Department have, however, frequently drawn the attention of boards of guardians to the importance of giving sufficient relief, especially in cases of widows and children, and the reports which I have received show that this is very generally recognised.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps he intends taking to prevent the use of rotten or diseased timber in the building of new houses for the working classes in order that they may be permanent and not of the jerry-built character so often found in workmen's dwellings and small property in London and in big towns?

Local authorities have already considerable power under by-laws of preventing the use of unsuitable timber. I may add that my right hon. Friend has the general question of the control of building under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Sub-committee appointed by the Government and presided over by the Chairman of Ways and Means, to inquire into the relations between employers and employed, the Government has yet taken steps to obtain the acceptance of the workers' application to the directors of the Dublin and South Eastern Railway Company for representation on the Board, there being two vacancies, and more especially in view of the fact that the men's nominee is an experienced railway man and capable of increasing the revenue of this company, so urgently needed, and to which company the British Treasury has recently advanced a considerable sum of money; and if he will see that labour obtains its proportionate share of representation on boards controlled by the Government?

The Report to which the hon. Gentleman refers recommends the formation of joint standing industrial councils, and I do not gather from it that the Sub-committee suggest that railway employés should be represented on railway directorates. The appointment of the directors of the Dublin and South-Eastern Railway Company rests with the shareholders of that company, and the matter is not one in which the Board of Trade can intervene.