asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the correct annual return is to an investor in the new national war bonds?

Making allowance for the annual value of the redemption premium on a 5¼ per cent. basis, the annual return to the investor on Five per Cent. National War Bonds is as follows:

asked, for the guidance of trustees required to differentiate between capital and income, whether the premium upon the repayment of the new National War Bonds falls to be treated as income, though tax free, or as capital?

In the opinion of my legal advisers the premium on redemption of the National War Bonds clearly falls to be treated as capital; but my hon. Friend will understand that this is a general question of law which the Treasury has no authority to decide. I may add that the premium is not chargeable with any Income Tax, except in the rare type of case in which dealing in securities Constitutes a regular business the profits of which are assessable under Case 1 of the Income Tax Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to giving the greatest possible publicity to the new issue of Exchequer Bonds, advertisements will be inserted in the principal weekly county newspapers?

I understand that arrangements for advertising National War Bonds in the manner suggested are being made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is the intention of the Government to have indicted and tried all the accomplices and accessories to the Portobello murders, Easter, 1916?

No new proceedings are contemplated.

asked if it is the intention of the Government to have printed and published forthwith the evidence taken at the Inquiry by the hon. Member for Walthamstow?

As I stated, in reply to the hon. Member for East Mayo on 21st February, the publication of this evidence in Blue Book form is not regarded as a matter of sufficient urgency to warrant the necessary work and expenditure at present. The proceedings before the Commission were fully reported in the Irish Press at the time of the Inquiry.

asked if it is the intention of the Government to have Captain Colthurst tried for the murder of Coade and other crimes?

Captain Bowen-Colthurst was tried by court-martial in Dublin on the 6th and 7th June, 1916, for the murder of three men and was found guilty, but insane. It is not intended to take any further proceedings.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is the intention of the Government to have justice done to Sir Francis Vane?

This case has been frequently reviewed, and it is not proposed to take any further action.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why large supplies of sugar and flour for His Majesty's ships in the Egyptian command are sent from home, thus depleting the stocks in Britain and using up badly-needed tonnage, although these commodities, especially sugar, are plentiful in Egypt; and if a similar practice prevails at other places, such as Mudros, Suda Bay, and Malta, or any of them?

Supplies of flour are not sent out from England for His Majesty's Naval Forces in the Mediterranean, Egypt, or Gibraltar, all requirements being met locally. It is still necessary to send out a certain quantity of sugar from England to the Mediterranean. But the naval authorities are fully alive to the importance of obtaining all supplies, not only of sugar but of foodstuffs generally, from sources other than England where the attendant difficulties can be overcome. All ships leaving Malta, for the East are instructed to obtain supplies in Egypt, both going and returning, supplies only being made from Malta when not obtainable in Egypt. It may be added that arrangements have been made to render the Naval Forces at foreign bases other than in the Mediterranean independent of supplies from England to the fullest extent possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who were in the Regular Army in 1914 and Reservists who were called up at the outbreak of the War are now liable to be drafted to labour and garrison battalions after leaving convalescent camps; and, if so, whether some preference can be given to these men when returning them to duty, such as special posts as orderlies at depots or training establishments?

No differentiation is made between the men to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers and others now serving in the Army. Their employment is governed by their medical category and any special skill which they may possess. Orderlies at training establishments are found from employment companies of the Labour Corps.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any allowance has, since his enlistment been paid to the mother of Pioneer F. Love, No. 424299, B Company, Royal Engineers, stationed at Stevenage, Hants; and, if no allowance has been made, will he say why it has been withheld?

Inquiry will be made, and my hon. and gallant Friend informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who have enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as mechanics are put to their election either to enlist for eight years or to be transferred to an Infantry battalion?

The answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any buildings in London have been taken over by the Government since the House adjourned in August; and whether any new buildings are required at the present moment?

The number of sets of premises acquired by this Department since the rising of Parliament is twenty-five. Several additional buildings are required to meet the demands already made for further accommodation.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether a port of embarkation has been agreed upon for the carrying out of the exchange of prisoners arranged at The Hague Convention; if so, are adequate facilities being granted; and when are the exchanges likely to commence?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to question No. 100 of my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Bassetlaw yesterday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board in England have under consideration a scheme for the erection of 200,000 workmen's cottages by the local authorities in England; and whether he will take steps to secure the adoption of a similar scheme by the municipal authorities in Ireland and, in the event of financial aid being given for housing in England, that Ireland will secure its proper share?

I am informed that the Local Government Board have recently issued a circular dealing with the question of the provision of houses for the working classes in England at the conclusion of the War. As regards Ireland, I can at present add nothing to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Sligo on the 3rd of August, and to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin on the 6th of August.

asked if the charge allowance has been withdrawn from sergeants in charge of Royal Irish Constabulary stations; how long were they in receipt of this charge allowance; what was the amount of this allowance, if withdrawn; and what was the amount of increased salary?

The allowance of 2s. per week to men in charge of Royal Irish Constabulary stations was granted in 1903 and withdrawn as from the 1st October, 1914, on the recommendation of the Irish Police Committee, 1914. The rates of pay of sergeants in 1903 were increased by 1s. per week in 1908, a further 5s. per week in 1914, and a further 3s. per week in 1916.

asked whether special salaries granted to Royal Irish Constabulary sergeants inspectors of weights and measures have been reduced during the past three years; and what remuneration is now received by these inspectors per annum for a district in Ireland compared with England?

It has been necessary to reduce the rates of reward given to ex-officio inspectors of weights and measures in recent years owing to a falling-off in the receipts from fees for verification of weights and measures. Before the year 1913–14 the rewards to an inspector were £6 for one Petty Sessions district and £3 for each additional district. For the next three years the rates were reduced to £5 and £2 10s. respectively, and in 1916–17 they were still further reduced to £4 and £2. Special rates are given in cities and certain towns. I have no information as to the remuneration of inspectors of weights and measures in England.

asked what is the pay of a constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary during his probationary period; what is the pay of a senior constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary; what is the pay of a surgeon of the Royal Irish Con- stabulary; how many recruits joined in the last twelve months; and have any memorials been recently received from the rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary for increase of pay and pensions?

During a probationary period of six months the pay of a constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary is. 20s. per week; the pay of a senior constable is 34s. per week. The salary of the surgeon to the Royal Irish Constabulary is £400 per annum. In the year ending 30th September, 1917, 484 recruits enlisted in the force. I am informed that memorials for increase of pensions and pay have recently been submitted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a number of urban councils and townships are precluded from carrying out a general revaluation of their respective districts by reason of the fact that such revaluation is confined under the provisions of the Act 15 and 16 Vic., cap 63, sec. 34, to a barony, Poor Law union, or county, and under the Act 61 and 62 Vic., cap 37, sec. 65, to county boroughs; and whether he will take steps by legislation to remove the grievances arising from the present state of the law in this regard?

I am advised that under the existing law urban district councils and town commissioners cannot initiate a general revision of the valuation of their rating areas, and I fear there is no prospect of legislation to deal with the matter at present.