asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the grounds on which an old age pension has been refused to Jeremiah Harrington, of Coorycullane, Glengarriffe, county Cork, seeing that his only means are a room in a house and the right to graze a cow, which he is too poor to purchase, on a wretched uneconomic mountain farm the rent of which is under £3 per annum and which, in the ordinary way of family settlement in Ireland, he assigned some time ago to his son?

This claim was disallowed on the ground that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit. He assigned his farm to his son, but not "in the ordinary way of family settlement," as the son was not getting married, and it was held that the claimant had deprived himself of means with a view to obtaining a pension.

May I ask how it is the Local Government Board know that he assigned?

If the hon. Gentleman will put a question down I will get an answer to it.

Is that not always what the Local Government Board say when they refuse pensions?

It may be often the fact.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue instructions that will enable all persons over the age of seventy years to obtain the old age pension regardless of their income or if he will raise the amount which claimants can earn in order to allow deserving cases to receive the pension?

The answer is in the negative. Both of the hon. Member's proposals would require legislation, and the Government are not prepared to go beyond the recent scheme for the grant of additional allowances to old age pensioners as set out in Cd. 8658.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Executive Council of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, calling upon the Government to grant the extra 2s. 6d. to all old age pensioners, irrespective of new administrative concessions, and to make such concessions apply to applicants for old age pensions; and whether, in view of the fact that many old people are suffering hardship at the present moment, he will without delay grant these demands?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, I am not satisfied that it is necessary to go beyond the extended scheme for the grant of additional allowances to old age pensioners which was only brought into operation last August.

Would my hon. Friend bring in a short Bill for granting these concessions to new applicants for the old age pensions, as well as to existing old age pensioners?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling in the country for this alteration?

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my question?

I did not hear the question.

Will the hon. Gentleman bring in legislation for the purpose of making these concessions applicable to applicants for old age pensions?

We have no intention of doing that at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps, if any, are being taken to safeguard a supply of milk and coal at reasonable prices for the poor and working classes of Ireland during the coming winter months?

As regards milk supply, I have been in communication with the Food Controller. As regards coal, I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

In the last few weeks has there not been a considerable increase in the price of coal?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is proposed to make any Grant for the feeding of necessitous school children in Ireland; if he will state the amount to be allowed to England and the amount for Ireland; and if he is aware that this year the sum of £85,000 was allowed to England and nothing to Ireland?

The amount of the Grant provided in the Estimates for the feeding of necessitous school children in England is correctly stated in the question. Generally speaking, the funds available from the rates levied under the Education (Provision of Meals) (Ireland) Act are, I believe, found sufficient to meet the cost of feeding necessitous school children in Ireland.

If these funds are not sufficient, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of a Bill as a War measure to enable the local authorities to increase the rate, which is a penny by Statute?

The hon. Member's suggestion will be very carefully considered.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what arrangements are made to supply the necessary manures and fertilisers to Irish farmers for the coming year, in view of the fact that they will be obliged to increase this year's production by 50 per cent.; and if he can explain why the supply of basic slag has been refused to Irish agents and they are informed that they cannot get a supply until spring?

The Department of Agriculture have made arrangements to secure for Ireland its proportion of the available supplies of basic slag, sulphate of ammonia, and superphosphate. Large quantities of slag and sulphate of ammonia have already been imported into Ireland, and supplies are steadily coming in. Haw materials for the manufacture of superphosphate, which is made in Ireland, have been and are being imported in considerable quantities.

Orders have been already placed for all the slag in the United Kingdom which will be available for Ireland until next spring. Those merchants who are only now placing orders will have to secure their supplies from importers in Ireland.

The hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension in referring to the obligation upon farmers to increase this year's production by 50 per cent. The increased area under tillage which will be required is an additional 5 per cent.— i.e. , a 15 per cent. increase over the amount tilled in the year 1916, subject to the limitation that no farmer will be required to till more than 50 per cent. of his arable land.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the number of farmers in county Meath holding over 100 acres in extent who did not comply with the tillage requirements of 10 per cent.; what was the deficiency; and how it is proposed to deal with them?

Inquiries are at present in progress in county Meath, as in other counties, as to cases in which the requirements of the Compulsory Tillage Regulations have not been complied with. Occupiers of arable land who have without reasonable cause failed to cultivate the requisite area have been asked to undertake to have the areas in default ploughed up by a specified date prior to the end of the present year. If an occupier fails to give, or to comply with, such undertaking, the Department will take such action as may be desirable, in exercise of their powers under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, to enforce the requisite cultivation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what was the total amount of land in Meath in default?

I cannot give an answer off-hand, but there were very few defaulters.

Ought not these facts be known long ago? What time is this to be seeking information?

I think I can satisfy my hon. Friend. They have up to the 31st December to complete this work, and we could not move before that.

I am asking information for last season.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will state the number of additional inspectors, clerks, and other hands employed in consequence of the new tillage Regulations, the remunerations and travelling expenses for each grade, and the total amount for which a rate will be asked?

The additional staff employed at present by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the Compulsory Tillage Regulations is as follows:

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many of those officials are imported from Scotland?

I have not sent to Scotland for any of them.

Are they all Irish?

They are, to the best of my knowledge.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to the prices being charged for articles of food of which there is abundance in the country; why apples, of which there is the heaviest crop on record, are not sold at 2d. a pound instead of from 4d. to 8d., which is the present price, and why potatoes cannot be sold at a halfpenny a pound; and if there is any evidence of a widespread agreement that nothing is to be sold cheaply during the War however abundant it may be?

Owing to the restriction of imports and the increased cost of labour, transport, packing and other items which make up the cost of production and distribution, it is not to be expected that staple articles of food can be retailed now at anything like normal pre-War prices. There is a good home crop of apples this year, but the excess over normal production is not sufficient to compensate for the loss of imports. With respect to potatoes, I must refer the hon. Member to answers given in this House to questions asked on Thursday and Friday last. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the penalty incurred by any person selling potatoes below the guaranteed price of £6 if he finds that he cannot obtain that price for them; and whether he will consider the desirability of modifying any such prohibition of sale, in view of the advantage of bringing into market under present circumstances all available potatoes which are likely to go wrong through further keeping?

I have been asked to reply. The maximum penalties that can be imposed under the Defence of the Realm Regulations for infringements of the Potatoes Order are imprisonment for six months with or without hard labour, and a fine of £100. With reference to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the replies given to similar questions on Thursday and Friday of last week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many persons are under the impression that biscuits are not included in the bread and flour ration and may be eaten in addition to such ration; and will he state definitely whether this is so or not?

The intention of the Food Controller was that biscuits should be included in the bread and flour ration, and should not be eaten in addition thereto.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Rawmarsh local food control committee, Rotherham, are finding it extremely difficult to get an adequate supply of farmers' milk and of tinned milk; and if he will state what be proposes to do to remedy this?

I have not received any complaint on this subject, but I am causing inquiries to be made.

Is the hon. Member aware that the dealers in the City today are holding stocks in scores of thousands of cases of full cream milk; that they cannot get permits to import them into this country; and the result of that last week was that 17,000 cases of this full cream milk was sold to dealers and sent to France?

I will convey that information to the Food Controller.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether the Order prohibiting the importation into this country from Canada of live cattle, either for immediate slaughter or stock purposes, was issued in consequence of the alleged prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether later investigation has proved that at the time the Order in question was issued Canadian cattle were free from such disease; (2) whether it has been decided to remove the embargo upon the importation to this country of live cattle from Canada; if so, whether for immediate slaughter or stock purposes; and when it is contemplated to resume such traffic?

Canadian cattle born and reared on Canadian soil have been for many years so exceptionally free from infectious disease that their exclusion from Great Britain on the ground of health cannot be maintained. I refer the hon. Member to my full answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for Sunderland on 25th May. There is no embargo on the importation to this country of live cattle from Canada for slaughter at the port of landing. Whether, when, and in what circumstances, domestic policy will allow the importation of stores born and bred in Canada, and leaving that country for the first time by direct shipment to a British port, I cannot say. In any case, fresh legislation would be required.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an Order is being issued imposing limitations as to the distance for the delivery of goods by road; whether he is aware that the proposal is causing much anxiety, upon the ground that the effect of such Order will seriously hamper and restrict trade, and by reducing competition cause an increase in the price of foodstuffs in outlying districts where there is already a shortage and difficulty in obtaining supplies?

The Food Controller is considering the possibility of limiting, by agreement or otherwise, the distances over which foodstuffs may be conveyed by road in vehicles owned by competing firms. The object of this proposal is to effect a saving in fuel, feeding stuffs, horses, and manpower. He has consulted the principal firms in London and the leading Provincial centres, and the necessity for such action as a war measure has been generally recognised.

Can the hon. Gentleman say in virtue of what authority the Food Controller is taking these steps, and whether, as a matter of fact, it is the Board of Trade alone that has power to deal with road transport?

I am afraid I do not know the legal position, but I have no doubt that the Food Controller would not have so acted unless he had felt that he was acting within his power.

Is it not common knowledge that none of the new Departments know what the others are doing?

Before an Order is issued, will the Food Controller receive a deputation, so that he may have put before him the views of the distributing firms and their customers?

I will put that view before the Food Controller, and endeavour to get a deputation received.

( by Private Notice ) asked the hon. Member for Halifax, as representing the Food Controller, whether, with a view to discouraging the hoarding of existing supplies of tea, he can indicate when it is expected that the present shortage of tea will come to an end, and whether it is then intended to put any limit upon the retail price?

It is anticipated that the present shortage of tea will be materially relieved by the end of the year. Arrangements are now being made for the purchase of tea in India and Ceylon on Government account, but the bulk of these shipments cannot reach the consumer before January. From that date onwards it is anticipated that normal supplies will again be available and that the retail price of tea will be materially reduced.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state what means of redress labouring men have whose weekly wage was reduced to three-fourths of the minimum immediately after the completion of harvesting operations; whether they should apply to the Wages Board in the district; and if he will state how many Boards will be set up in county Meath and at what centres?

I would refer to the answer which I gave the hon. Member last Thursday. The proposals as to rates of wages which have been published by the Agricultural Wages Board will, I anticipate, be confirmed without any avoidable delay, and will then be mandatory. The Wages Board is empowered by the Corn Production Act to enforce rates of wages. The Board propose to establish one district committee for county Meath, to meet at Navan.

Will local district committees be appointed in every county to fix the scale of wages?

As I understand it is intended to appoint a committee in every district in Ireland. I have seen the scheme of appointment of districts, and I think it will comply with that definition.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if an apology has yet been tendered to the Lord Mayor of Dublin by the Under-Secretary of Dublin Castle; and whether it is proposed to retire the Under-Secretary for his action towards the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who is a delegate to the Convention?

The answer to both parts of the question, so far as my information goes, is in the negative.

Replies like that are calculated to cause deep resentment in Ireland. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

The hon. Member is not entitled to make observations at this stage.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has seen the Lord Mayor of Dublin's statement, published in the newspapers in Ireland, stating that my assertions are quite correct, and does he intend to pass them over?

I not only have seen the newspapers, but I have seen the Lord Mayor of Dublin, whom I know quite well, and I know that he is not inviting these questions on the part, of the hon. Member.

Then my statement is correct. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

The hon. Member has asked his question, and he must take the reply.

I have had no reply. I think I am perfectly right in asking the question, and I have received no reply— only the usual quibbling.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received a request from the jury on the Thomas Ashe inquest to attend and give evidence; and if he will accede to the request?

I have received a letter from the Coroner enclosing a document handed by the jury to the Coroner, which appears to be founded on a supposition that I have some personal knowledge of the facts relevant to their inquiry. An answer will be made in due course.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a number of small licensed traders in Ireland cannot obtain their supply of stout and porter owing to the restrictions; and if he will take any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. As I informed the hon. Member for West Kerry last Friday, I have every reason to believe that the requirements of small licensed traders are now being substantially met. If he will inform me of any case in which a grievance still exists, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state what compensation the Dublin Tramway Company received from the Government or Property Losses Committee, or both, for the loss they sustained in not running the cars during the rebellion; is he aware that the employed were not paid for the time lost through no fault of their own, although the company compelled them to pay the rents of their cottages for all that time; and will he take any action or afford any relief to the men so penalised and secure for them some compensation for the loss they sustained?

The sum of £1,820 5s. 6d. has been paid to the Dublin United Tramways Company in respect of material damage to their property, including buildings, their contents, wiring and pillars of permanent way. The Property Losses Committee was precluded by its reference from entertaining claims for loss of wages of employés, and there are no funds at the disposal of the Irish Government for meeting such claims. The only tribunal competent to consider a claim of this character is the Defence of the Realm Losses Committee, and I understand that it will shortly hear a claim which is regarded as a test case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what amount has been sanctioned this year for the development of forestry in Cyprus; what area of land has been declared State forests; what laws have been issued for the protection of these forests; and what steps have been taken for the encouragement of the growth of the carob tree and other similar products of the island?

The answers to my hon. Friend's four ques- tions are: 1, £40,843; 2, over 700 square miles; 3, the Forest Laws of 1879. 1881, and 1889, the Fuel Ground Law of 1901, and the Goats Law of 1913: 4, improved methods of cultivation and of protection against pests have been introduced, and facilities for instruction in agriculture and forestry have been provided at various centres.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that Messrs. Wilkinson, cabinet makers, Hall Lane, Bradford, are included in the official list of Government contractors to whom contracts were given in June last, the particular contract mentioned in the list in connection with Messrs. Wilkinson being given by the Office of Works; if he is aware that Messrs. Wilkinson is in dispute with the trades union representing the organised workers in the furnishing trade on account of their refusal to sign a fair contracts clause; and if he will make inquiries and satisfy himself as to the wages and conditions of labour under which this firm is doing work for his Department?

Messrs. Wilkinson and Sons of Bradford, who hold contracts for my Department, have signed the usual fair wages clause, and I am not aware of the dispute between them and the trades union representing the organised workers in the furnishing trade. I will, however, cause inquiry to be made into the actual rates of wages paid and conditions of labour obtaining in this firm's workshops.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the position of apprentice boys and their allowances to parents; (2) whether he is aware that labourer boys in His Majesty's dockyards given leave to join the Army are receiving the same pay as they were entitled to as boys, although they have in many cases now become men; and whether, in view of the fact that this system limits the allowances made by the State to their parents, he can see his way to consider more generous treatment?

Under the rules laid down by the Treasury for the Government service generally, employés who enlist in the Army whilst serving as boys are only eligible while on military service to receive the balance of their civil pay as boys, even though, while away, they attain the age at which they would have been rated as men had they remained in civil employ. I may, perhaps, remind my hon. Friend that I have already stated that on return to their dockyard duties at the close of the War, apprentices will be dealt with as if the time spent with the Colours had been served in the dockyards.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to make any statement with regard to the allowances to parents?

No. What I am dealing with is the suggestion that the standard of civil pay should go up in consideration of things that would have happened if the boy had remained on at his work. That proposal would involve the whole of the Government civilian service now with the Colours.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men in the Navy who are employed on a boat belonging to the Dover Harbour Board, but used by the Admiralty as an examination vessel, when called upon to perform salvage work for neutral vessels are referred by the Admiralty for salvage money to the Dover Harbour Board and on their application to the Dover Harbour Board are referred back to the Admiralty; and if he will state definitely to whom such applications should be made and see that the money is paid?

I assume that my hon. Friend's question refers to the crews of the Dover Harbour Board's tugs. These men are not "in the Navy." They are civilians serving under ordinary mercantile articles. There is no knowledge of them being referred alternately from the Admiralty and the Harbour Board. They should make application to the Harbour Board regarding all claims in respect of salvage services.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the possibility of permitting the collectors of sphagnum moss to have their collections carried over the railways of the United Kingdom free of charge to the military hospitals requiring the same, on the same principle as fruit and vegetables are carried to the Fleet?

The Railway Executive Committee have already considered applications for the free conveyance of sphagnum moss, but it has not been found possible to grant exceptional treatment to this traffic.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the shortage of coal supplies in East Sussex, especially in the country districts around Eastbourne, where many of the coal merchants have no supplies whatever, and, as a consequence, fuel cannot be obtained even for heating the elementary schools; and if he will say if the Coal Controller will take immediate steps to arrange for a more equal distribution of coal?

The difficulties in this area are largely due to shortage of tonnage. Special instructions were issued some two weeks ago to all collieries supplying the area that supplies by rail must be maintained at the same rate as last year, and steps are being taken with a view to obtaining some immediate additional supplies for the area.

asked the total number of tons of coal turned out of the various collieries in the United Kingdom for the years 1916 and 1917?

During the year 1916 the quantity of coal raised at coal mines in the United Kingdom was 256,348,351 tons. For the first nine months of the present year the output was, approximately, 187,750,000 tons, or 5,000,000 tons less than in the corresponding period of 1916, the districts principally affected by the decrease being the exporting districts.

asked whether it is proposed to recommit the Franchise Bill as regards the new Clauses concerning redistribution, etc., which have neither been considered in Committee nor on the First or Second Reading?

The procedure to be adopted is under consideration.

When will the right hon. and learned Gentleman be able to express a definite opinion regarding this matter?

I do not quite know, but if the hon. Gentleman puts down a question early next week I will try and answer it.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take into consideration in his answer the question of discussing in Committee a subject that has never been discussed anywhere else?

We will consider that point.

asked when the names of the Irish Boundary Commissioners are to be made known; is Mr. Speaker, as in the case of England and Scotland, to be a Commissioner for Irish boundaries; and whether any opportunity of discussion on the subject is to be afforded to the House?

I am glad to say Mr. Speaker has consented, at the request of the Government, to be Chairman of the Commission. The list of Commissioners will be published in a day or two with the Instructions. I hope that the House will not find it necessary to ask for further discussion on this subject.

That, Mr. Speaker, is the first assurance we have had of anything like fair play.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the fact that the Government are going to carry redistribution in Ireland against the wishes of the Irish representatives, and against the fact that it was not in the Speaker's Conference Report?

The Irish representatives have plenty of opportunity of expressing their views in this House.

It has never been brought before the House in the shape of a Bill.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received from the Scottish branches of the United Irish League a protest against the proposal to retain the existing local government franchise for lodgers on the £10 basis, as now proposed by his Amendment to a Clause of the Representation of the People Bill; and whether, in giving to this Clause as amended the further consideration promised in Committee, he will also consider the representations in that protest as to what should be the amount of the qualifying value for this franchise?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have, however, received a copy of the document in question from my hon. and learned Friend As regards the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that the £10 basis is the existing law, and while I shall consider the representation now before me, I must point out that there are obvious difficulties in the way of adopting a different basis.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that almost every sheriff in Scotland gives a different interpretation of the £10 basis?

That is news to me.

asked the Home Secretary whether interned persons are allowed to receive and send letters; whether visits are permitted to them; if so, under what conditions and with what frequency; and whether British subjects interned under Regulation 14 B are allowed more or fewer facilities of this kind than interned enemy aliens?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the rest of the question, interned persons are allowed to write two letters a week, and there is no restriction on the number of letters they may receive. The facilities in respect of visits vary in accordance with the conditions in the different places of internment. Speaking generally, persons interned under Regulation 14 B receive the same facilities as interned enemy aliens.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that due precaution is taken so that these persons are not allowed to send out dangerous communications?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether a person interned under Regulation 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Act is made aware of the witnesses called before the Advisory Committee; and whether he has any opportunity of confronting and cross-examining them or any subsequent opportunity of meeting the charges brought against him?

I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn on Monday, the 22nd instant, in which I explained the procedure of the Advisory Committee. The points mentioned in this question are in the discretion, of the Committee. In many cases they could not reveal the identity of witnesses without serious risk of assisting the enemy's sytem of espionage, but they take care that the applicant fully understands the nature of the allegations made against him, and has ample opportunity of meeting them and of calling witnesses to support his own statements.

asked whether, in cases of internment under Regulation 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Act, the witnesses before the Advisory Committee are put on oath?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary the number of times Joseph Illingworth, a conscientious objector, so found by the Central Tribunal, has been forcibly fed in Winsom Green Prison. Birmingham; what is the present state of health of this man; and-whether, in view of the medical evidence given at the inquest on Thomas Ashe in Dublin, in which this practice has been described as dangerous and cruel, he will order the discontinuance of forcible feeding and order the man's release on licence?

Illingworth has been artificially fed since 4th September. The medical officer reports that while he is suffering from his refusal to take food in the natural way his general condition of health is fairly good, and that he takes outdoor exercise daily when the weather is suitable. Artificial feeding is a measure taken to preserve the life of a prisoner who would otherwise endanger his life by continued refusal of food; it is not cruel and it is never resorted to except when continued starvation is more dangerous to life. In Illingworth's case I have now under consideration the question whether the time has not come when his temporary release under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Act, 1913, should be authorised.

Why did not you think of that before?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there are numerous cases in which workmen disabled, or partially disabled, by accidents that happened before the commencement of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, are unable to claim the war additions provided under the Workmen's Compensation (War Additions) Act, and are, in consequence, suffering hardship owing to the increase in the cost of living, which has had the effect of reducing the value of their compensation by more than one-half; and if he will take steps to remedy this treatment of those who have had the misfortune to be disabled, or partially disabled, prior to the 1st day of July, 1907?

My attention has been drawn to the fact that there are cases of workmen who are still receiving weekly payments under the Compensation Act of 1897 on account of total incapacity, but who are not included in the War Addition Act. I believe the number of such cases is very small, but it was not intended that they should be excluded, and I hope to be able to arrange for their being dealt with in the same way as cases under the Act of 1906.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether the prison dietary scale in force in the year 1915–16 was carefully framed to provide enough food to sustain health without allowing any needless surplus; and whether any reports were ever received from prison doctors or other authorities to suggest that it was too generous; (2) whether he has made any inquiries as to the effect of the recent diminution and alteration of the prison dietary scale on the physique, health, and efficiency of prisoners; if so, with what result; and whether he proposes to take any further steps with regard to an improved dietary scale?

The prison diets in force during 1915–16 were prescribed in 1901 in pursuance of the recommendations of a Committee who considered the whole subject of diet with a view to avoiding both indulgence and excess. But at the present time the current views on the subject have had to be considerably revised for all classes of the community, and the prison population cannot be exempt from the consequences of this revision. The medical officers of the prisons are responsible for seeing that no prisoner's health suffers from any restriction of diet consequent on a general shortage of food. They have full powers to supplement the ordinary diet for any prisoner whose physical condition may require it, and they use their powers freely where necessary. Close observation maintained in all prisons since the beginning of July last does not point to any need for increasing the dietary.

Will the Home Secretary kindly answer that part of my first question as to whether the original dietary was so framed as to maintain health without allowing any needless surplus, and whether any reports were ever received from prison doctors, or other authorities, to suggest that it was too generous?

I think I have answered that.

It is no answer.

I think, if the hon. Member studies the answer, he will find I have answered his question; but I will answer it more explicitly. The answer to his first question is "Yes," and to his second "No."

asked the Home Secretary whether the Prison Commissioners have considered the results obtained by the Mutual Welfare League established at Auburn and Sing Sing Prisons in New York State; and whether any attempt has recently been made to encourage similar methods in the English prison régime?

The Prisons Commissioners are generally acquainted with the system in vogue at Auburn and Sing Sing. As may be gathered from the Chairman's Report on the Washington International Congress, with its Appendices, they would not be in favour of the adoption of a system which in their viéw does not observe the true proportions between the admitted purposes of imprisonment for crime, that it shall be both deterrent and reformatory?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will break all contracts entered into between the Board of Trade and Henry Randall over the London Emery Works, seeing that Randall made a false statutory declaration and did not disclose that he is related by marriage to Buchholz, who is the German agent in Belgium of the German Emery Company; whether the Board of Trade have supplied this firm with contracts and raw material and intend to continue to do so; and whether the Board will take legal proceedings against Randall for making a false statutory declaration to the effect that he was not purchasing the works in any enemy interest?

I am not prepared to make any statement with regard to the completion of the sale of the business of the London Emery Works to Mr. Randall pending inquiries which are being made. The Board of Trade have not given any contracts to that firm or supplied it with raw material.

Will the Board of Trade bear in mind the speech made last night by a member of the War Cabinet that German businesses ought to be wound up?

We are already bearing that in mind.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the leading article published in the "Northern Whig" newspaper upon the first day of the recent meetings of the Irish Convention in Belfast in which that organ repudiated the moral authority of the Convention, and described its possible recommendations as material for the waste-paper basket; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act limiting the freedom of the Press in connection with the proceedings of the Convention, the Government propose to permit a recurrence of such events?

I am advised that the publication in question did not constitute an offence under the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

Seeing that the "Northern Whig" is controlled by certain prominent members of the Convention, is it in the interests of the Convention that such articles should be allowed to go unheeded?

There is nothing about the ownership of the "Northern Whig" in the question. I have not the least idea who controls the journal. I only know I do not, control it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take the requisite legislative or administrative action to insure the yearly publication at Somerset House of the investments, with the names of the trustees in whom they are vested, belonging to the various political parties and all contributions made to the party funds, with the names of the contributors?

The answer is in the negative.

Has my right hon. Friend, in giving that answer, considered that at the present time, when there is so much political reform in the air, it would not be in the interests of Parliamentary government and of the political parties that the proposals in the question should be adopted, and whether the present Coalition Government is not particularly well fitted to attend to this matter?

There is a good deal to be said for the view expressed by my hon. Friend, but I cannot look upon this as a War measure.

asked whether, when agricultural live stock has been destroyed by the action of hostile aircraft, it is proposed to compensate owners for the losses that they have sustained?

I will see that this point is considered in connection with the new Government scheme for insurance against damage by aircraft.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the permission recently granted by the Treasury to the United Dairies, Limited, a combine of wholesale dealers in which the Nestlé and the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company is a shareholder, to increase their capital to £4,000,000 was given in the interests of the milk producer, the milk consumer, or in whose interest; and if he will state the reasons for giving this permission?

No application has been made to, or permission granted by, the Treasury with reference to an increase of capital by this company.

asked the Home Secretary why Eugen Kammer, an un-naturalised German, was allowed, after his firm had been wound up, when he was Kammer and Company, Limited, to reopen in his daughter's name as S. and C-Kammer in Fenchurch Street?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The daughters of Eugen Kammer, in whose name the business referred to is being carried on, are British subjects, but I am having further inquiries made in order to ascertain whether Kammer is concerned in the business.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire into the antecedents of Lord Milner?

asked the Home Secretary whether Alfonso Palcic, recently arrested in Dublin and interned, belongs to a disaffected Slav race under Austrian rule; whether he is aware that before his arrest a policeman, purporting to act under written authority, endeavoured to intimidate Palcic into enlisting for military service against the country of which he is technically a subject by falsely informing him that he could and would be conscripted if he did not enlist; that the policeman subsequently produced a document which he alleged to be an authority from the Secretary of State for the Home Department and read from it a passage stating that Palcic must prove that he is a friendly alien by enlisting in the British Army or else must be interned; whether at the date of this interview with the police officer there were, and still are, permitted to be at large in Dublin ordinary alien enemy subjects, being males of military age, and not belonging to disaffected races under enemy rule; and whether it is now the policy of the Government to allow a number of ordinary alien enemy subjects to be at large without any proof being required of their friendly dispositions, but to intern all alien enemy subjects belonging to disaffected races under enemy rule unless they prove their friendly dispositions by enlisting in the British Army?

The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. As to the remainder of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him yesterday.

Why is this man interned? Is it by way of punishment for non-enlistment?

No, Sir; by no means. I think the hon. Gentleman will find the information in a written answer which I gave him yesterday.

asked the Home Secretary what was the date of Mr. Laszlo's application for naturalisation, and whether his application was supported by any British subject; and, if so, by whom; whether when or after the Home Secretary made the Order for Mr. Laszlo's internment representations were made to him by persons in this country other than Mr. Laszlo's professional advisers in order to secure his release; and, if so, by whom?

Mr. Laszlo's application for naturalization was received by the Home Office on the 28th July, 1914, and, in accordance with the prescribed procedure, was supported by formal declarations as to his respectability and loyalty made by four natural-born British subjects. These declarations were made several days before the application was sent in. It is not the practice to give the names of the declarants, but, as the present case is exceptional, I see no objection to stating that they were my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Fareham Division of Hampshire, Lord Devonport, and Sir Howard Guinness. I have received no representations on Mr. Laszlo's behalf other than his own statement which was submitted to the Advisory Committee.

asked the Home Secretary where Mr. Laszlo has been interned since the Order for his internment was made; whether he has enjoyed any exceptional indulgences or has experienced the treatment usual in such cases; whether the Advisory Committee have sent in their Report to him on Mr. Laszlo's appeal against his internment; and whether he can state when he will announce his decision?

Mr. Laszlo has been interned in Brixton Prison. He has been accorded no exceptional indulgences, and has received the treatment usual in cases of persons interned under Defence of the Realm Regulation 14 B. I have considered the Committee's Report, and, in accordance with their advice, have decided to confirm the Order for his internment. I may add that, following the Committee's recommendation, I propose to reconsider the case in December.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists owing to the number of wounded soldiers discharged on small, inadequate pensions; if he is aware that in Ireland there are many cases in which soldiers were discharged with 4s. 8d. pension who are unfit for employment and have to seek assistance from their friends; if he will see that the lowest pension shall be 7s. 6d. per week for soldiers discharged unfit; and if he will say when widows' pensions will be increased?

The lowest pension to an invalided soldier whose disability is attributable to, or aggravated by, service is 5s. 6d. a week, but that would only be in cases where the disablement is small, interfering but little with the man's powers. The pensions granted to wounded soldiers are on a generous scale, recently approved by the House. The cases to which the hon. Member refers, where 4s. 6d. only is given, are cases where the disability, almost always disease and not injury, has been found to be neither due to nor aggravated by service. In such cases a man has a right of appeal to the Special Tribunal which has been set up, and if his case succeeds he will receive the pension appropriate to his state of disablement. I regret that I am not in a position to answer the last part of the question.

asked the Pensions Minister whether there is any limit in time to the Appeal Tribunal against the award of a gratuity; and, if so, what is the length of time, and on whose authority was it fixed?

There is no limit in time to an appeal in such circumstances, but it is obvious that in case of a delayed appeal it is much more difficult to establish the connection between a man's present disability and his service, and that delay in appeal must prejudice a man's chances. It is, therefore, the practice to advise men who are granted gratuities because the disability is not considered due to service to apply to their local committees within thirty days if they wish to appeal.

Will my hon. Friend see that the circular sent out to the soldiers is altered? Is he aware that the circular says that they must appeal within thirty days whereas there is no justification at all in law for the authorities saying that?

I will convey the substance of my hon. Friend's remarks to the Pensions Minister.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the War Pensions Sub-committee, Sydenham, London, S.E., is housed in the same building and shares the offices of the district branch of the Charitable Organisation Society, 84, Kirkdale, Sydenham; whether he is aware that the signboards of the two appear one over the other on the gate and door; and whether he will take steps to remove this association of the two bodies?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for having brought this matter to my notice, and I am communicating with the London War Pensions Committee.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that if the facts are as stated in the question that he will separate the two functions in that neighbourhood?

My hon. Friend had better give notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of Private W. Martin, No. 291,836, 3rd Monmouthshire Regiment, whose mother lives at 26, Waterloo Street, off Oldfield Road, Salford, whether he is aware that this soldier joined up in October, 1916, twelve months ago, but, though the boy has allotted his mother regularly 3s. 6d. a week, not one penny of allowance has been paid her in respect of him; and if he will ascertain whether this delay of twelve months is due to the neglect of the pensions officer at Manchester or to the Paymaster's Department in London?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon Member of the result when I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of Private W. Leech, No. 46241, 48th Training Reserve Battalion, whose mother lives at 18, Corbett Street, Liverpool Road, Salford, whether he is aware that though he joined up in May she has received his allotment but no Government allowance; and whether, in view of the fact that no Government payment has been made for six months, he will have the matter inquired into to see whether this delay is the fault of the Pension Officer or of the Pay Office?

This claim was sent by the Pay Office to the Pension Officer in May last, and has not yet been returned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board if he will say what steps are being taken to rectify the shortage of sparer for aeroplane engines; and if he will state who is responsible for this situation?

I have been asked to answer this question. There is no general shortage of aero-engine spares. Shortages occur at times, for special reasons, in connection with individual spare parts. Emergencies of this nature are met, when they arise, by making the best use of the resources at the disposal of the Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board whether any delays occur to manufacturers in the output of aeroplane engines by or through inspectors responsible for the testing of engines refusing to test on Saturdays and Sundays; and, if so, whether the Air Board will make the necessary arrangements, either by paying double overtime or putting additional men on, to remedy this state of affairs?

I am informed that no delays have occurred in the output of aeroplane engines through the refusal of inspectors responsible for the testing of engines to test on Saturdays and Sundays. When the conditions of output are such that additional inspection staff is required, the extra staff is provided, either permanently or temporarily, as may be necessary.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether Mr. J. D. Sutherland, Forestry Commissioner to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, has permanently or temporarily vacated his appointment; and, if so, what is the name of his successor or substitute and what are his professional qualifications and experience?

There is no appointment of Forestry Commissioner to the Board, and no such appointment has, therefore, been vacated. Colonel Sutherland was, however, in general charge of the forestry work of the Board, and during his absence on important military duty the supervision of that work has been temporarily placed in the hands of Dr. Greig, one of the Commissioners of the Board. He has the advantage of the same skilled assistance as was available to Colonel Sutherland in the person of Dr. Borthwick, Forestry advisory officer to the Board. I may add that I am at present taking steps with a view to increasing the Board's skilled forestry staff.

Are we to understand that Colonel Sutherland's appointment in France is purely temporary, and upon that ceasing he will return as a Commissioner to the Board of Agriculture?

That is my understanding.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on what ground it is more difficult to limit the price of Irish store cattle than that of fat cattle; and what increase in the cost of producing such cattle has justified their price having doubled during the War?

The absence of adequate weighing facilities in Ireland makes it difficult to limit the price of live cattle in that country; and the difficulty is increased in the case of store cattle by the impossibility of clearly distinguishing which cattle are fat and which are stores. If the hon. Member can suggest a practical method of limiting the price of stores which will satisfy the agricultural experts, the suggestion will be welcomed. I am not clear that the increased prices of store cattle since the commencement of the War have been justified by the increased cost of production.

Is it not a fact that the price of store cattle is regulated by the price of fat cattle, and the price of store cattle is generally from 5s. to 6s. per cwt. less than the price of fat cattle?

If it is not the case that if store cattle prices are reduced below the price at which they can be profitably produced, the small farmers of Ireland, who produce nineteen-twentieths of the stores, will stop producing, and so lessen the supply of food.

Is he aware——

It has already been pointed out that the hon. Member is answering on behalf of a colleague, and he is Dot in a position to reply to these conundrums.

asked whether it is proposed shortly to ration the live stock of this country; whether any workable scheme has been arrived at which has received the approval of any practical agriculturists; and whether he will consider the desirability, in view of mistakes already made, of putting the farmers of the country on their honour in the matter, rather than attempting to harass them by Regulations which cannot be effectively enforced?

Owing to the supply of feeding stuffs being unequal to the demand, it will only be possible to prevent prices rising by taking steps to enforce fair distribution. Lord Rhondda has appointed a Central Feeding Stuffs Distribution Committee, including representative farmers and representatives of the three Departments of agriculture, to advise him as to the best method of controlling distribution. Any system of rationing which may be adopted will be devised primarily in the interests of stock owners themselves, arid care will be taken to see that they are not harassed by Regulations which cannot effectively be enforced. In the meantime, farmers will be serving their own interests collectively by being as sparing as possible in the feeding of cattle food to other than dairy cows.

Would not the best means of rationing cattle be to reduce the price of cattle food, which has increased by over 300 per cent. since the War began?

Probably it would be, but I do not think it lies within the power of the Food Controller to reduce the price of cattle food.

Is the hon. Member aware that if you ration cattle you can have no fat cattle?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller (1) whether two of the cargo boats of the City of Dublin Steamship Company which have been requisitioned by the Government were ordered on Monday to return on Monday from Liverpool and Manchester unloaded; if so, why, especially in view of the fact that all available tonnage is required for traffic between Irish and English ports; and whether similar orders are to be given in future; (2) whether the cargo boats of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company have been requisitioned by the Government and ordered to be handed over to the representative of the Ministry of Shipping in Dublin; and, if so, why the boats of this Dublin company are to be taken out of the control of their owners, who are ready to obey any orders of the Government, while the boats of the London and North-Western Railway Company, to which the City of Dublin boats are to be handed over, are left under the control of that company though requisitioned; whether the representative in Dublin of the Ministry of Shipping has intimated that he intended to appoint captains, officers, and crews either from the existing staff or otherwise at his discretion; whether the Shipping Controller has contemplated the dangers likely to arise from the throwing out of employment of a large number of men with families, including men working on shore in Dublin; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, the Shipping Controller will see the advisability of dealing with the City of Dublin boats in the same way as the railway company's boats have been dealt with and, particularly, whether he will see that the men employed by the City of Dublin Company will not suffer by any change that may be made?

The City of Dublin Steam Packet Company laid up the four vessels of their fleet which were urgently required to convey cattle and foodstuffs from Ireland to England, and disregarded the orders sent to them to dispatch the vessels. The result was injury to Irish interest, congestion of the port of Dublin, delay in the transport of the cattle, and foodstuffs, together with loss and deterioration. In these circumstances, the only course open to the Controller was to requisition the vessels and entrust them to a management which could be relied upon to employ them promptly and in accordance with orders. Moreover, the deterioration and congestion of the perishable cargoes in Dublin necessitated the immediate return of some of the vessels without waiting for full return cargoes, at the inevitable expense of further delaying non-perishable cargoes from England. The Controller is anxious to retain the services of the officers and crews, and has at no time had any intention of throwing them out of employment. He will consider at a later date whether the management of the vessels can be restored to the owners on receiving adequate assurances that the vessels will be properly employed; but in the meantime he is bound to take measures which will put an immediate stop to the deplorable loss and injury which have been caused by the action of the company in laying up the vessels.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the managing director of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company absolutely denies the statement that they held up the vessels unreasonably? They only waited for formal requisition, and they were prevented from sailing by orders of the Government themselves?

My hon. and learned Friend will find, on inquiry, that this company was the only company of those concerned to hold up their vessels. The other companies obeyed the reasonable orders given to them, and the action of this company resulted in the loss of valuable food, and cattle dying in Dublin.

Does the hon. Gentleman know that, as a matter of fact, the other companies which, as he says, obeyed the orders of the Government were guaranteed against loss, and the only company that was not guaranteed against loss was the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company?

My hon. and learned Friend is misinformed. That is not the case. The companies which owned the other vessels, with the exception of the London and North-Western Railway Company, had no guarantees other than that given to the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company. The London and North-Western Railway Company were in a different position, because they were a railway company whose property came under the control of the Government at the beginning of the War.

If this charge—and a more serious charge was never made—is true, why is it not being prosecuted like the Sinn Feiners?

The punishment is that the vessels have been temporarily taken out of their hands and put into the hands of those willing to manage them.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered one point, which is very important, in view of the statements made in Dublin. The question is, whether or not the people employed by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company on their vessels are to be retained or dismissed, as the manager of the London and North-Western Railway Company, who is also the representative of the Shipping Controller in Ireland, has intimated the possibility of dispensing with them at his discretion?

My hon. and learned Friend will find, on reading the answer which I endeavoured to make clear, that there is no intention of dismissing the employés of this company.

There is one further question which I desire to ask in the general interest. Is there any intention on the part of the Government to use these vessels for any purpose other than the purposes of Irish trade?

Certainly not. The sole purpose of requisitioning the vessels was to restore the Irish trade, which was held up temporarily by the action of the company.