asked the Prime Minister whether it is the considered policy of the Government with regard to air reprisals to bomb German towns until an end is put to these attacks upon the civil population of this country; whether any of our Allies or the United States is a party to this policy; and whether a public announcement of this policy has been made in such a way as to reach the German Government with the force of an ultimatum?

I cannot add anything to the statements already made on the subject. I have no reason to doubt that these statements are within the knowledge of the German Government.

asked the Prime Minister if it is proposed to apply the Military Service Act, cap. 15, 6 and 7 George V., and, if so, at what date, to Members of this House; if not, if he will give any reason for the same; and, if Members are to be excused on the ground of health, if such dispensations will only be granted by the usual medical boards and in the usual manner?

The War Cabinet have decided that Members of Parliament who are at present serving should have the choice either of serving or remaining in the House of Commons. In view of this decision and the fact that a tribunal has held that a Member of Parliament has been elected by his constituents to perform work of national importance, the option is given to Members who are not serving to serve or to continue their work as Members of this House.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Class W men enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers are free to leave their employment by giving due notice?

Under the terms of his enrolment as an Army Reserve munition worker a Class W reservist undertakes to remain in the employment of the firm to which he is allotted, unless he is transferred by the Minister of Munitions to another employer.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether a man discharged with overseas service, called up under the Review of Exceptions Act, passed C 2 and put in Class W, and is an Army Reserve munition worker, is entitled to discharge; and, if so, how can he obtain it?

Orders have been issued that a man who had been called up under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act after having been discharged in consequence of disablement or ill-health and had served overseas in the armed forces of the Crown was to be discharged forthwith provided he had made good his claim to be discharged as coming under the above conditions and had made his claim before the 31st August, 1917.

asked why the officer commanding at Castle Hill Barracks, Aberdeen, who recently had under his charge a conscientious objector, named W. Main, refused Main permission to communicate with his friends or to receive letters during the time he was awaiting court-martial; if this is in accordance with Army Regulations; and, if not, what steps are being taken by the War Office to make this commanding officer acquainted with his duties?

I do not know whether my hon. Friend suggests that the provisions of Rule of Procedure 13 have been violated, but if he suggests that the accused soldier has not had the opportunity of communication with his witnesses and with his legal adviser or friend within the meaning of Rule of Procedure 87, I will make inquiry if my hon. Friend will give me definite particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Edward Carolan, No. 2/22,672, B Company, 77th Training Reserve Battalion, Barry Camp, Forfarshire, was passed by the Kilmarnock Tribunal for non combatant service only, and that a certificate to this effect was granted to him; whether such certificate was obtained from Carolan by the recruiting officer at Ayr on 7th July last and was retained by that officer in spite of requests for its return, and is still so retained; whether the case of Carolan was recently before the Railway Release Committee, who recommended him for railway work or return to civil life; whether, in spite of the decisions of the tribunal and the Railway Release Committee, it was proposed to place this man on service with a cycling corps; whether the military doctor refused to pass him for such service; and whether the recommendation of the Railway Release Committee will now be carried out.

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the results as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in May last the Railway Executive Committee issued instructions that only men in Class A were to be released from railway service for the Army, and that it was arranged that men who, when called up, were placed in a medical category below B 1, or, if in B 1, had attained the age of thirty-one years on the 31st January, 1917, were to be returned to the railways; whether he is aware that John Franks, North-Eastern Railway, Goole, married and thirty-eight years of age, reported for military service at Doncaster on 3rd August last, was sent to Pontefract, and on being re-examined was classified B1 and posted to the Army Ordnance Corps at Woolwich; that the fact that this man was not returned to the railway was reported to the War Office, but the Director of Recruiting replied that the release of Franks could not be considered, because at the recruiting office he had not disclosed the fact that he was a railwayman; and whether, in view of the fact that before a railwayman can join up he must have the special permission of the railway company, and when joining must state on his paper his civilian occupation, he will have inquiries made into the case with a view to the arrangement before referred to being carried out?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Franks when called up was in category A; on re-examination he was placed in category B 1; on registration he had described himself as a "clerk." There was nothing in his documents to show that he was a railway employé, and on being asked, after reclassification, whether he had any form of protection or exemption he did not reply. As he did not claim to be a railwayman, he was posted in the usual manner. Under the circumstances there is no ground for releasing him from service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men belonging to works companies and who are sent to work for farmers are entitled to any allowance over and above the 25s. per week when the rate of pay is only 25s. per week; whether he is aware that some of these men have to pay from 17s. to 19s. per week for their board and lodgings; and whether under these circumstances he can see his way to make some allowance?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on Thursday last to the hon. Member for the Thornbury Division of Gloucestershire.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, although under Army Council Instruction 2084, of 1916, soldiers compulsorily transferred from one corps to another retain their rate of pay and allowances if more advantageous, paymasters are in many cases refusing to credit noncommissioned officers transferred with more than private's pay of their former corps; and whether he will take steps to ensure that such non-commissioned officers are not penalised even if there are no vacancies for non-commissioned officers in their new corps?

Where the transfer is made under conditions entitling the soldier to retain his pay and allowances a non-commissioned officer retains his rank and pay if the rank is substantive. But if the rank is acting, unless he can be absorbed in his acting rank in his new unit, he reverts to his substantive rank on transfer, and draws the pay and allowances of that rank for his old or new corps, according to which is the more advantageous.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why so many rejected men are being called up at the present moment; whether it is to take advantage of examining them before the old type of medical boards prior to the erection of the new medical boards; and whether, in view of the almost immediate working of these new boards, he will give orders to suspend all further examinations until they have begun work?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The hon. Member has been misinformed. Only the normal number of rejected men are being called upon to present themselves for re-examination, and I can assure the hon. Member that no unusual steps are being taken to anticipate the new system of medical examination. I may remind the hon. Member that if there are any rejected men now under call for medical re-examination who are found fit for service and are due to report for service before 1st November, they can ask to be medically re-examined on so reporting. Men at present under call for medical re-examination who are not due to report for service until on or after 1st November will come under the system of medical examination and appeals to Appeal Tribunals which I described to the hon. Member for Chester (Hyde) on the 24th instant.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government have given consideration to the position of young men not having completed their apprenticeship period at the date they were taken into the Army; whether he is aware that, in the circumstances, these young men will be placed at a disadvantage in respect to their original trades and occupations on demobilisation; whether there is any intention of conferring with the employers' organisations and the trade unions in the matter; and if so, how and when will such action be taken?

I appreciate the importance of this matter, and am giving it my careful attention. It is one which should be dealt with by agreement between the employers' organisations and the trade unions in the various trades, and with special regard to the particular circumstances of each trade. It is essentially a question which could best be dealt with by industrial councils for their respective industries, but until such councils have been established arrangements have been made for the matter to be brought before the Trade Advisory Committees which have been set up by this Department for a number of the principal trades in which the question will arise, and I anticipate that a similar procedure will be followed in other trades, so far as it may be necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the profits obtained by retail butchers out of the sale of Government imported beef, mutton, and lamb from the Australasian Colonies; whether he is aware that in some cases bribes are paid by butchers to salesmen to secure possession of these goods, and that in many others the privilege of sale is abused by compelling the purchaser to take other goods as well; and whether he is prepared to issue a special price list, which shall limit the retail prices of Government-imported meat to the same rate of profit as other classes of imported meat?

The gross profit on sale of meat, whether imported or home killed by retail butchers is, under the Meat (Maximum Prices) Order, 1917, limited to2½. per lb. or 20 per cent., whichever is less, on the actual cost to the butcher of all the meat sold in the fortnight. It therefore follows that the more profit the butcher takes on the imported meat he sells, the less he must take on his home killed meat. With regard to the suggestion of a special price list, I may point out that the local food control committees have full power to fix scales of maximum retail prices for their respective areas, distinguishing between home killed and imported meat. As regards the abuses to which the hon. Member refers, any complaints made to the Ministry of Food will be promptly investigated and appropriate action taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has fixed the Irish price of dead pigs at 133s. per cwt.; is he aware that bacon curers are charging retail dealers up to 214s. per cwt.; and, as 25 per cent. would be a fair profit, will he discontinue the control prices and thus enable consumers to obtain supplies at fair prices while retailers of pigs receive an equitable share of the profits?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The wholesale and retail prices of bacon are not at present controlled, and the control of curers' prices is only partial. Prices will be fixed at all stages as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will say who were the persons who drew up the wholesale meat prices for Smith-field Market, and what was the reason for imposing the condition that the best Scotch wethers and the plainest old ewes should be sold at the same price; and whether he is aware that this Regulation has reduced the price of Scotch mutton 3d. a lb. while raising the price of inferior mutton in Hoxton and the East End by a similar figure as compared with the middle of August last?

The Schedule of maximum prices for wholesale cuts of meat for London and the home counties was settled by the Ministry of Food in consultation with an advisory committee which includes representatives of both the wholesale and the retail meat trade. The prices fixed for the various cuts are in all cases maximum prices, and no condition is imposed that different qualities of meat must be sold at the same prices, though it may happen that on a short market the demand for the lower qualities of meat may force prices to the maximum. I may also point out to the hon. Member that local food control committees have full power to fix maximum retail prices for the meat sold in their respective areas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has seen a statement from the Wexford Trades and Labour Council complaining of the price of potatoes being fixed at £6 per ton, whilst many farmers are disposed to sell them for less money; tea at 4s. per lb., whilst it is supposed to be sold at from 2s. 4d. to 3s. per lb.; also complaining of the action of the Government in sending around agents to buy milk at 1s. 4d. per gallon, thereby encouraging the export of milk from Ireland, whilst it is well known that the children in the towns and cities cannot get sufficient milk owing to scarcity and high prices; and, seeing that there are fears that the working classes will soon be unable to procure food enough for their sustenance, if the Food Controller will look into this matter before it is too late, and try to arrange live-and-let-live prices?

The statement referred to in the question does not appear to have reached the Ministry of Food. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that the Food Controller is fully alive to the neces- sity of securing to the working classes an adequate supply of food at prices reasonably within their means.

asked whether the Food Controller made any and, if so, what statement to a deputation from the Irish farmers' co-operative societies which he received last July with reference to utilising these societies as agents for the Government in connection with the scheme for the purchase of grain for the Army; whether any of these societies have been so appointed; and, if not, why this has not been done?

The statement made to the deputation was that the matter would be considered. It subsequently appeared that these societies had no considerable experience of dealings in oats, and could only offer very limited warehouse accommodation. It was not, therefore, found possible to utilise their services as buying agents.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Egyptian cotton seed cake cannot now be obtained at all; whether he is going to carry out his undertaking that the price of such cake would be soon reduced; and whether he will ensure not only a reduction in price but a sufficient supply?

"Whilst every effort will be made not only to get cheaper supplies of feeding stuffs but also adequate supplies, the situation as to feeding stuffs is controlled by the general shortage of shipping and the need of shipping for other purposes. Therefore I cannot give any guarantee."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, in view of the prices being charged in some districts for tea retail, he will have the retail prices for tea, as stated for the various grades, posted up throughout the United Kingdom for the information of the public?

The Food Controller will consider the advisability of having the retail prices for tea, as stated for the various grades, exhibited by all retail dealers, so soon as the Government purchases of tea are available for distribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for the exemption of the traders in fish in Ireland from paying carriage on fish despatched from Irish railway stations, In accordance with the undertaking given earlier this year?

The arrangement under which fish traffic sent by passenger train from Irish ports is exempted from the requirements as to prepayment of carriage has been in force for some months. If the hon. Baronet has any information to the effect that the arrangement has not been adopted in any specific case, perhaps he will be good enough to furnish particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state what arrangements have been made to meet the demands for threshing machines, elevators, and engines for the 1918 harvest; whether any British firms have been authorised to prepare for such demands; and to whom a farmer requiring such machinery should apply for permission to purchase?

The question of machinery for the 1918 harvest is receiving careful consideration, but I regret I am not able at the moment to make any statement. But if the hon. and gallant Member will kindly put down a question later on, I hope to be able to give him some information on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the reasons assigned by Mr. Sidney Young and Mr. Robert Fraser in dissociating themselves with the work of his Department in respect to control of meat prices; what were the exact duties of these gentlemen; and whether anyone has been appointed in their place?

I am glad to say that Mr. Young has not dissociated himself from the work of the Department, but the Food Controller felt with him that his services could be used to better advantage in an advisory capacity than in the detailed work of administration, with which Mr. Young was unfamiliar and which was uncongenial to him. Mr. Fraser has not held any executive post in the Ministry, but continues to act in an advisory capacity. Mr. Young's duties as Director of Meat Supplies were to prepare measures for controlling prices and for regulating the distribution of supplies. He also prepared schedules of maximum wholesale prices for meat and supervised the fixing of retail prices of food control committees. The Food Controller has offered the appointment to Mr. F. T. Boys, the London manager of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, who has accepted the offer, subject to certain arrangements in New Zealand being satisfactorily concluded.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to grant powers to the Irish Exploration and Development Company, Limited, for the construction of railways applied for by their engineer in a letter dated 24th April last for the purpose of developing the coal and iron in the Arigna district; whether he visited the district recently at the invitation of a company who are opposed to the new company, heard their case, and gave no intimation to the new company of his intention to visit the district so that he might be shown the property of the new company as well as that of the Arigna Mining Company; whether he is aware that the Arigna Mining Company have lodged an application to construct only three miles of railway, which would only be an extension of a practically useless narrow-gauge line which would only benefit the Arigna Mining Company and would be detrimental to the interests of the new company; whether he has favoured this in preference to the larger scheme; and, if so, if he will say why he has done so; if he is aware that, as the extension of the narrow-gauge line would seriously hinder the proper development of the coal and iron in that district, the allocation of any public money to any scheme that would hinder such development would be bitterly opposed by the people of the district and consequently by their respresentatives in Parliament; and what course he purposes adopting in the matter; and if he is aware that the Arigna Mining Company has been in existence for the last twenty-six years; that during that time they have never increased their output from 10,000 tons a year; that they got extensive royalties; and that they never offered to construct this narrow-gauge line of three miles until the new company came forward and started operations on a large scale in the district?

The question of granting any possible facilities for increased output of coal at Arigna has been engaging my own attention and that of my advisers. I am not prepared to discuss publicly the relative merits of proposals which have been submitted to me.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a report of an interview between the representative of the Press Association and the Lord Mayor of Dublin with regard to an interview which the former had with Sir William Byrne, the Under-Secretary for Ireland; if so, has he made any inquiries since the interview has been reported with reference to the statements therein made by the Lord Mayor; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

I have nothing to add to what I stated in reply to questions of the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin on 19th October and 25th October.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any arrangement has been made to allow the export of horses which are not required or are unsuitable for agricultural work as heretofore to Great Britain?

The Horses (Prohibition of Exportation from Ireland) Order, 1917, forbids the shipment of horses except under Army authority or licence from the Department of Agriculture. I am informed that licences are freely granted for horses which do not exceed 14 hands in height, and for thoroughbreds, including horses for racing and stud purposes, and yearlings. Under exceptional circumstances licences may be granted for exporting other horses.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what compensation is allowable to the widow and children of John Deacon, of Kilmichael county Wex-ford, who lost his life in the "Jane Williamson," of Arklow, recently sunk by German submarines; and to whom they should apply for it?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Compensation will be granted in this case in accordance with the Government Compensation Scheme for loss of life at sea through war risks, particulars of which I am sending to the hon. Baronet. The case is already being dealt with by the Liverpool and London War Risks Association.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the ports of Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Water-ford, and Sligo have been affected by the commandeering of vessels; and whether he can hold out any hope that some of those ships can be restored for commercial transit?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. All ports in the United Kingdom have necessarily been affected by the withdrawal of vessels for essential war services. The most careful consideration is given to Irish interests in selecting vessels for requisition, and no vessels will be retained upon Government service longer than is necessary, but in view of the continuing and increasing strain upon tonnage no definite prospect of the return of vessels to commercial work can be offered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any Army commanders or corps commanders an France have been relieved of their commands since the commencement of the Somme offensive on 1st July, 1916?

I am sorry that I cannot give my hon. and gallant Friend this information, as it is not considered advisable to make it public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether large numbers of unskilled men are being trained as shoeing smiths for Army requirements while practical shoeing smiths of many years' experience are being put into infantry regiments; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability in the national interest of employing these skilled men in the first place?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 23rd instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Edinburgh.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disparity between the rates of promotion of Regular commissioned officers in the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Garrison Artillery; and whether he proposes to take any steps to rectify this disparity?

This question has been considered, and a considerable augmentation was approved for the Royal Garrison Artillery, so as to equalise promotion between the two branches eventually, though not immediately. Promotion in the Royal Field Artillery has, however, gone more quickly than was anticipated, and temporarily the balance is against the Royal Garrison Artillery.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the number of Irish soldiers in France for the past two years without leave; when arrangements will be made to give leave to soldiers according to their turn and the length of time they are away; if he will see that provision is also made to grant leave to soldiers in Salonika, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; why soldiers going on leave should take a kit with them almost three stone in weight, and if he will see that this Regulation is altered?

In regard to the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh East, and in regard to the last part to the answer given on 18th October to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has any information about the state of the transport "Empress of Britain," on the voyage in which ten deaths from inoculation are officially admitted to have occurred, showing that the ship was filthy, verminous, and rat infested, the food bad, and that medicine ran short; that water was so insufficient that the men had only one wash in four days; that a second inoculation was cancelled owing to the illness and the inflamed arms of seventy-five men; that the arm of one of these men had to be amputated, and that others had to have their arms strapped to their sides when lowered into the boats for landing; and, if so, if he will say what steps have been taken to protect troops from similar conditions on this and other transport vessels?

The matter to which my hon. Friend refers is the subject of investigation and inquiries are being made in India and elsewhere. I think it would be best to defer answering this question until the investigation is complete.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that W. J. Walsh, No. 083,410, convalescent camp, 799th company Army Service Corps, 16th A.H.T.S., Salonika Army, is suffering from malaria, is over forty-eight years of age, and has applied for leave to go home; and whether, as he is over age for foreign service, he will be transferred to the Home service, getting a short period at home for the improvement of his health?

This man was attested in 1915, the age given on enlistment being 37. The question of his return home on medical grounds is one for the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief on the recommendation of the medical authorities.

asked whether the silver badges promised to officers and men who have been invalided out of the Army after serving abroad have yet been given to them; and, if not, when this will be done?

The Regulations were published on 10th August last, and I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. Applications from officers should be addressed to the War Office, and from men to their respective officers in charge of records.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any lieutenant-colonels whom it is proposed to replace with commanding officers who have done service in France belong to any other battalions other than those in command of the Territorial Forces; whether it is intended to treat Territorial Force commands in the same manner as other Reserve units; and whether it is proposed to supersede officers who have done Foreign service in the War in the same manner as those who have not been overseas?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the last part is in the affirmative, if their replacement is recommended by their superiors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the allot- ment made to his parents by Private (now Lance-Corporal) Thomas Dodds, Royal Army Medical Corps, at present serving in India, has not been paid; and whether, as this soldier was an apprentice before joining the Army, under such circumstances, his parents are entitled also to a separation allowance?

The soldier claimed an allowance for his mother and offered an allotment, but it was found that the allowance was not admissible because she was not dependent on him before enlistment, and the soldier then cancelled the allotment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that pensioner Sergeant Arthur Jolly, No. 10105, Royal Field Artillery, served twenty-one years and was pensioned eight months before war broke out; that, after serving in France, he was injured and transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery, No. 9120, and is now at work in the A.A.C. and has been told he is in debt and has been paying back since October, 1916; that Mrs. Jolly has been paying back 8s. 2d. a week since January, 1917; that Sergeant Jolly and Mrs. Jolly are unable to get any account of this debt and do not know why money is being deducted; and that there are five children to be supported; and if he will see that some account is rendered to Sergeant Jolly, inasmuch as it is possible that a mistake has been made?

Inquiries are being made, and I will write to my hon. Friend later.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any proposal has been considered for extending the scheme by which gratuities are paid to officers and men wounded in the War and to those who are stricken by illness attributable directly to their service in the Army or to the climatic conditions prevailing in the country in which they serve; and, if not, whether there is any intention of giving early consideration to this matter?

It is not proposed to extend wounds gratuities to cases of sickness.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lance-Corporal Patrick Roche, No. 10144, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, joined the Army 3rd December, 1910, was in India and later in Salonika, where he was killed in action 21st November, 1916; whether his aged parents applied for a pension or lump sum for the loss of their boy and were refused anything, only £4, which was the soldier's own money, which he bequeathed to his mother; and whether, seeing that this poor woman has to keep house and support a delicate husband over sixty years of age, a daughter ten years old attending school, and a son who is only able to contribute 12s. per week towards the upkeep of the house, he will order an inquiry into this case with a view to doing justice to the soldier's aged parents?

Pension was originally refused in this case as there was not sufficient evidence to show that Lance-Corporal Roche had been contributing to his parents' support while serving in the Army prior to the outbreak of war. The case, however, is being reconsidered in connection with the recent concessions to parents.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if a decision has been arrived at in the case of the Government workers of Dublin and Kingstown; and, if so, when it is proposed to increase the wages of these men to that of a living wage, as they only receive 29s. per week, whilst the men at Woolwich are in receipt of 42s. per week for doing the same class of work?

I hope that a decision will shortly be announced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in framing the scheme about to be promulgated for increasing the pay of Army officers, regard was had for the inferiority of the existing pay of junior Infantry officers as compared with any other branch of the Army, and to the further fact that in respect to casualties and risk the Infantry have had to bear the largest share in the dangers of the present War, and to the further fact that according to the present value of money the pay of second-lieu- tenants is not worth more than 3s. 6d. per day; and if, having regard to all the facts of the case and to the services rendered, the discrimination which has been practiced against the Infantry officers will be removed?

My hon. Friend's question is a little premature. I can make no statement at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiry made into the working of the Army postal service to Salonika in view of the fact that soldiers serving there complain that they never receive letters from home although letters from them are received regularly?

Mails are dispatched regularly from this country to the troops at Salonika, and I am not aware of any general complaints as to the working of the service. Many of the losses complained of are probably due to the fact that several of the outward mails for Salonika have been lost at sea by enemy action.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether lance-corporals of eighteen months' service are eligible for transfer to Holland as prisoners of war?

The German delegates at the recent Conference at The Hague refused to entertain the proposal for the transfer to Holland of able-bodied combatants below the rank of corporal.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) how the question of exchange of prisoners of war between this country and Germany of those men who have been prisoners over eighteen months now stands; when he expects that the first exchanges will be made; and how long he anticipates that the work will take to complete?

We have had great difficulty in coming to an agreement with the German Government as to the port of embarkation and disembarkation in this country to be used for the prisoners and we only heard on 11th October that the German Government definitely agreed to Boston being used. Points have arisen with reference to the charter parties of the vessels which are to transport the prisoners, and we are making every effort to settle these somewhat complicated questions with all dispatch. With regard to the last part of the question, the vessels to be used will run to and from Holland on this service exclusively until all the prisoners have been transported. It is not at present possible to estimate how long it will take to transport all the prisoners as we have no experience to guide us. The difficulty which is being experienced in procuring accommodation in Holland must also be taken into account.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board (1) if he is aware of the distribution of markets in Ulster for the purchase of flax; if he is aware that in an agricultural constituency like South Tyrone, where there is a heavy crop of flax to be sold, there is not a market fixed within its area; and, seeing that under present arrangements farmers in the constituency will be obliged to cart their flax for twenty miles before arriving at the nearest market, will he see that the market existing in Aughnacloy last year will be reopened this year for the convenience of the farmers of the constituency and the neighbouring districts?

I have been asked to answer this and the following question: It is a fact that there is no flax market in South Tyrone, but I am informed that the railway facilities to other markets are good. The distribution of markets in Ireland, however, is about to be reviewed, and the advisability of reopening the market at Aughnacloy will be considered by the Flax Committee, on which the farmers and scrutchers are represented.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board if he is aware that in purchasing flax in the markets in Ireland under the Regulations farmers are not paid a sum as between the maximum and minimum prices of 35s. and 25s. per stone, respectively, but that in many cases portions of flax out of lots on exhibition are thrown aside and compulsorily purchased at 10s. per stone; that the trade is not allowed to compete for this flax nor is the farmer permitted to withdraw it from the market to have it redressed if necessary; and will he state what steps he proposes to take to remove the alleged grievance?

All flax is purchased on grade value in accordance with the terms of the Order in Council. Six grades are recognised at prices varying between 35s. and 25s. per stone. Flax not good enough for the sixth grade is bought at its relative value; this is very rarely less than 20s. per stone, and no price so low as 10s. per stone has ever been brought to the notice of the Ministry. It is impossible to allow open competition in the sale of controlled material, and my information is to the effect that in ordinary circumstances flax which has been rejected is ordered to be re-dressed, and is not compulsorily purchased at a prohibitively low figure. If my hon. Friend has any definite instance in mind, and will communicate with me on the subject, I shall be glad to have inquiries made.

asked the Home Secretary how many men of the Metropolitan Police have joined the Navy and Army since the commencement of the War; how many have been killed or died of wounds; how many have received commissions; and how many have been decorated for bravery in the field?

Three thousand one hundred and fifteen Metropolitan police-constables have joined the Navy and Army since the commencement of the War. Of these 201 have been killed or have died of wounds; 50 have been granted commissions; 59 have been decorated for bravery in the field; and 13 have been decorated for other services. I should perhaps add that 2,691 Metropolitan police officers, in addition to the above numbers, are engaged in protecting His Majesty's dockyards and military establishments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the pre-war price of home-grown timber purchased for Government requirements; the increase in price which has taken place since the outbreak of War; and the cause of such increase?

Before the War, practically no standing home-grown timber was purchased by Government Departments, and no records are available of prices paid by timber merchants for standing timber, for resale to Government in a converted form. The following table gives the approximate prices now being paid for standing timber, together with those nominally ruling in July, 1914:

The pre-war prices were for relatively small quantities then offering, and did not in fact yield in many cases a commercial return on the cost of production. The rise in price is due largely to the greatly increasing demand for home-grown timber owing to restricted importation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether wagon-weighmen at collieries are entitled to the increase of wage recently awarded to workmen at collieries by the Coal Controller; whether the award applies to all colliery employés; and, if not, will he state the class of employés it does apply to?

The war wage does not apply to the clerical staffs of collieries, in which category wagon-weighmen are for this purpose included, and their remuneration remains, as heretofore, a matter for the discretion of the colliery owner. The scope of the application of the war wage is defined in circular instructions which have been issued to the collieries and of which copies have been sent to the trade unions with whom the negotiations took place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the district of Furness and South Westmoreland has been compelled to draw its supplies of fuel from a new area that entails a haulage of from two to three times the distance as when drawn from its natural source of supply at increased cost; if he is aware that the Controller more than two months ago promised that rates should be arranged to ensure supplies at no greater cost than those then in force; is he aware that this promise has not been kept and no satisfactory answer can be obtained; and will he take immediate steps to remedy this imposition?

It is the fact that, with a view to securing necessary economies in railway transport under the coal transport reorganisation scheme, a portion of the supplies of coal to the areas mentioned is now to be drawn from Durham and Northumberland instead of from Yorkshire and Lancashire. In some cases longer haulages have had to be introduced in order to effect greater economies elsewhere, but the distances have not been increased to the extent suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. The Controller of Coal Mines is in communication with the Railway Executive Committee with a view to arranging adjustments in the railway rates in those cases in which any very appreciable increases in prices are involved, but it is impossible to undertake to avoid altogether variations in price as a result of the substitution of different qualities of coal from different districts, and I understand that no such undertaking has in fact been given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of the Coal Controller has been directed to the shortage of coal in that part of the No. 13 district which is within the New Forest Parliamentary division; whether he is aware that both at Ringwood and at Brockenhurst merchants are absolutely without coal; that at Lymington the supplies of coal are only half the minimum requirements of the local merchants; whether he is aware that the supplies coming into this district are derived to a small extent from Leicestershire and South Wales and to a large extent from the Bath and the Forest of Dean districts, and that as regards the latter complaint is universal that the quality of the coal is exceedingly bad; and, in view of the fact that one price has been fixed for all coal coming into the district irrespective of its quality, whether he will issue fresh instructions to ensure that consumers shall no longer pay the highest prices for the worst coal?

Inquiry is being made into the cases which the hon. Member mentions, and special efforts are being made to get coal into the district referred to. The fixing of retail prices of house coal in accordance with the Retail Coal Prices Order is in the hands of the local authorities, and where local authorities have considered it desirable to fix an average price for all coal sold in the district for house purposes the Controller of Coal Mines does not think he can question their discretion. I may add the pit price of a large proportion of the coal now supplied to No. 13 district from Monmouthshire was recently considerably reduced by the Controller of Coal Mines, with a view to maintaining retail prices at a reasonable level.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a circular issued by the Petrol Control Committee (Ireland), in reply to applicants for petrol licences, stating that the licence will be granted upon production of the receipt for the payment of motor-car tax for the current year; and if he will say what authority is vested in the Committee for imposing such a condition, and whether this condition will be withdrawn?

I understand that it is the practice of the Petrol Control Committee (Ireland), when considering an application for a full duty motor spirit licence, to require proof that the duty in respect of the car to which the application relates has been paid. I do not think that this is an unreasonable requirement on the part of the Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Dublin Port and Docks Board, in reference to the transfer of the management of the cargo boats of the City of Dublin Steamship Company to the representative of the Shipping Controller in Dublin, have passed a resolution to the effect that the sailings should take place under the control of the company, subject to the orders of the officer for cross-Channel transport; and, if so, whether the views of this body on this subject will be favourably considered without delay?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, with reference to his undertaking to consider at a later date whether the management of the cargo vessels of the City of Dublin Steamship Company could be restored to the owners on receiving adequate assurances that the vessels would be properly employed, whether the company was always ready to give such assurances on condition that the Government would take the risks of sending them to sea; whether, now that the Government have undertaken the risks by requisitioning the boats, the company is perfectly ready to give the assurances required; and, if so, whether the management of the boats will be at once restored to their owners?

I will ask leave to answer this and the following question together. The attention of the Shipping Controller has been drawn to the resolution passed by the Dublin Port and Docks Board in relation to the management of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company's vessels. This company's boats were not fully insured, and the company by laying them up endeavoured to force the Government to grant them a concession extended to the vessels of no other shipowner running on owner's account, namely, to guarantee the company against loss in the event of their vessels being lost at sea. The company's action led to the loss and deterioration of valuable food, and the Shipping Controller had no alternative but to requisition the company's boats and to put them under a management which would employ them promptly. The Controller cannot see his way to restore the managament of the vessels to the company under existing circumstances.

asked the post-master-General if he will say why the protection of the large modern building of the Manor Gardens Post Office, Upper Holloway, which was given on the occasion of a recent air raid and availed of by a large number of people, is now denied to the local residents, most of whom live in small houses which afford no adequate protection; and, as it is assumed that he would not place business convenience and even the avoidance of the risk of damage or loss before the safety of the public, will he explain this refusal on the part of a Government Department when private owners of strongly-constructed buildings are being urged by the authorities to place them at the disposal of the public?

Large numbers of currency notes, money orders, and postal orders, war savings certificates, and other documents, the safe custody of which is of importance, are stored and are being daily dealt with in this building. For this reason it is impossible to admit the public to the rooms. The passages are intersected with lift and light wells, and, apart from other objections, afford little or no protection. In fact, the staff have been instructed to vacate them as being unsafe as soon as a warning is given. From a personal inspection of the building I do not consider it is suitable for use as a shelter for the public.

asked the Postmaster-General how many increases in prices have been made during the War in articles supplied by the Post Office; whether the packet of commercial penny postage envelopes hitherto supplied at twenty-three for 2s. is now being retailed at twenty-two for this price; and whether he will state the principle on which these advances are being made?

The prices of the embossed postage envelopes sold at post offices were raised on the 1st January last, and the prices of postcards, letter-cards, wrappers, and registered letter envelopes on the 1st July last. The charge for commercial envelopes bearing a penny stamp is now 2s. for a packet of twenty-two. The prices were raised in order to meet the increased cost of manufacture, and the principle adopted was generally to maintain the original price per packet and to reduce the number of articles in the packet.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the vicinity of Plymouth there is a camp of Chinese; can he state the reason for the presence of these Chinese in this country; and whether there is any intention of utilising them on work of any kind usually done by British labour?

I am informed that there are not now any Chinese encamped at Plymouth. A certain number of Chinese who are to be employed in France arrive from time to time in this country, and have to be kept temporarily in a camp near the port of arrival whilst they are awaiting transhipment. It is a case of this kind which my hon. Friend apparently has in mind. I can assure him, however, that there is no intention of utilising these men in this country on work of any kind usually done by British labour.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction, whether there is a British chemist on the Committee that was recently set up to consider the best means to be adopted for dealing with the chemical trades after the War; and, if not, whether he will put one on the Committee?

The Committee was appointed to consider the best methods of establishing advisory relations between the Ministry of Reconstruction and the Chemical Trades, and it is about to issue its report. It contains amongst its members Dr. Charles Carpenter, D.Sc., and Professor J. G. Lawn, and the following manufacturing chemists, whose names were suggested by the Advisory Council of the Association of Chemical Manufacturers: Sir William Pearce, M.P.; Right Hon. J. W. Wilson, M.P., and Mr. J. F. Brunner, M.P.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction what Committees are sitting on the subject of education, with the names of their members, their terms of reference, and the date of their appointment?

issued the following particulars:

COMMITTEE ON THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE.

Appointed August,1916. )

Sir J. J. Thomson, O.M., F.R.S. (Chairman).

The Right Hon. F. D. Acland, M.P.

Professor H. B. Baker, D.Sc., F.R.S

Mr. Graham Balfour.

Sir W. Beardmore, Bart.

Sir C. H. Claughton, Bart.

Mr. C. W. Crook.

Miss E. R. Gwatkin.

Mr. A. D. Hall, F.R.S.

Dr. Henry Head, F.R.S.

Sir H. Hibbert, M.P.

Mr. D. H. Nagel.

Mr. W. Neagle.

Dr. F. G. Ogilvie, C.B.

Dr. Michael Sadler, C.B.

Professor E. H. Starling, M.D., F.R.S.

Mr. W. W. Vaughan.

Mr. F. B. Stead, His Majesty's Inspector, Board of Education (Secretary).

Terms of Reference.

"To inquire into the position occupied by natural science in the educational systems of Great Britain, especially in secondary schools and universities; and to advise what measures are needed to promote its study, regard being had to the requirements of a liberal education, to the advancement of pure science, and to the interests of the trades, industries and professions which particularly depend upon applied science.

In considering the provision of scholarships, bursaries, etc., the Committee will take into account the report of the Consultative Committee of the Board of Education on this subject."

COMMITTEE ON THE TEACHING OF MODERN LANGUAGES.

( Appointed August, 1916. )

Mr. Stanley Leathes, C.B. (Chairman).

Mr. C. A. Montague Barlow, M.P.

Mr. E. Bullough.

Mr. A.C. Coffin.

The Right Hon. Sir Maurice de Bunsen, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O.

Miss Margaret Gilliland.

Mr. H. C. Gooch.

Mr. J. W. Headlam.

Mr. Laurence D. Holt.

Dr. Walter Leaf.

Dr. George Macdonald, C.B., F.B.A.

Mr. Albert Mansbridge.

Mr. Nowell Smith.

Miss M. J. Tuke.

Sir James Yoxall, M.P.

Mr. A. E. Twentyman, Board of Education (Secretary).

Terms of Reference.

"To inquire into the position occupied by the study of modern languages in the educational systems of Great Britain, especially in secondary schools and universities, and to advise what measure are required to promote their study, regard being had to the requirements of a liberal education, including an appreciation of the history, literature, and civilisation of other countries, and to the interests of commerce and public service.

In considering the provisions of scholarships, bursaries, etc., the Committee will take into account the Report of the Consultative Committee of the Board of Education on this subject."

COMMITTEE ON ADULT EDUCATION.

( Appointed June, 1917. )

The Master of Balliol.

Mrs. J. Baker.

Sir Graham Balfour.

Mr. E. Bevin.

Mr. Wilson Clayton.

Mr. R. Clymie.

Mr, C. T. Cramp.

Mrs. T. Huws Davis.

Mr. J. H. Doncaster.

Mr. R. G. Hatton.

Mr. Frank Hodges.

Sir Henry Jones.

Mr. A. Mansbridge.

Sir Henry Miers.

Mr. J. Morton.

Rev. Canon Parry.

Mr. R. H. Tawney.

Mr. T. H. J. Underdown.

Mr. B. A. Yeaxlee.

Mr. E. S. Cartwright (Secretary).

Mr. Arthur Greenwood (Assistant Secretary).

Terms of Reference.

"To consider the provision for and possibilities of adult education (other than technical or vocational) in Great Britain and to make recommendations."

asked the Controller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, why the insurance benefits have not been paid to Mr. J. Mills, 11, Plantation Square, Accrington, who was informed on the 22nd December, 1915, by the National Health Insurance Commissioners that he had been admitted to benefits out of the Army and Navy Insurance Fund, and who later received a communication, dated 31st January, 1916, from the clerk to the insurance committee at Preston, stating that he had certified to the Insurance Commissioners for payment to be made?

This man was not insured before joining the Army, and during his Army service of a little over four months the number of contributions paid in respect of him was twenty. After discharge from the Army only three contributions were paid by or in respect of him prior to the date when he claimed sickness benefit. As the number of contributions necessary to qualify for sickness benefit is twenty-six no benefit was payable. On his admission to the Navy and Army Insurance Fund a notification that he was entitled to medical benefit was sent to him, together with instructions showing the conditions on which sickness benefit is payable. The man completed the qualifying number of contributions on 17th April, 1916, but made no claim for sickness benefit after that date. When he next makes a claim for sickness benefit he will be entitled to benefit if the usual conditions are satisfied.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the amount of £278,854 of the Constabulary Force Fund includes both the benefit and the rewards branch; is he aware that only 580 men are now serving out of 4,930 original subscribers; as there have been no new entrants since 1883, is the actuarial result that, on the death of the last subscriber, a balance of a quarter of a million would be left; if so, could he see his way to recommend that the fund should be used to increase the pension of subscribers who have been pinched by war prices; and, seeing that some widows of constables only receive £10 a year, could this amount during the War be increased to that paid to old age pensioners?

No rewards to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary Force are payable out of the capital fund of £278,854, held in trust by the National Debt Commissioners for payment of gratuities to widows and orphans of subscribers to the Constabulary Force Fund. When the fund was closed to new entrants in 1883 there were upwards of 17,000 subscribers to the fund (including pensioners). The number at present is about 4,930, including 580 still serving in the force. The possible balance foreshadowed by the actuary as likely to arise after the death of the last subscriber is about £68,000. As to the rest of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Enfield Division on August 2nd. No portion of the fund can be diverted without statutory authority, and having regard to its past history I could not recommend legislation for the suggested purposes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take the necessary steps for winding up the Constabulary Force Fund and meantime arrange for an increase of the pensions or the granting of a war bonus to the subscribers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Enfield Division on 2nd August to which I may add that no portion of the constabulary force fund could be diverted to the payment of war bonus to present or past subscribers without statutory authority, and having regard to the history of the fund, I could not recommend legislation with that object.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any abstract of the accounts of the Constabulary Force Fund were published for the information of the subscribers up to the year 1891; whether he is aware that in that year the fund was found to be insolvent to the extent of £150,000 by the then actuary to the Treasury, Mr. Finlaison, although the fund had then been in existence nearly fifty years disbursing grants to widows and orphans and rewards for meritorious police work, and that Mr. Weathvill, the actuary in 1914, reported on the state of the fund that when all the future claims have been paid there will be a substantial amount of the Grant of £150,000 available for repayment to the Exchequer; and, if the subscribers have no voice in administering this fund, although compelled to contribute, the Government still adhere to this decision?

No annual statements in connection with the Constabulary Force Fund were published to the Force before 1891, but the accounts were always audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. It was anticipated for some time that the fund could not fulfil all the contingent obligations undertaken unless supplemented, and, in 1891, after actuarial assistance had been obtained, £150,000 was placed provisionally to the credit of the fund. The Government actuary investigated the fund in 1914.His report showed that about£82,000 of this sum would be required to meet the past deficits. The Statutes provide that the fund shall be administered under rules framed by the Lord-Lieutenant. They give no voice whatever to subscribers in connection with its management. It is optional with pensioners to continue subscribing to the fund.

asked the chief Secretary for Ireland if, in connection with the deputation recently received by him of Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners in connection with their grievances and the winding-up of the Constabulary Force Fund (Benefit Branch) either by State purchase of the subscribers or their acceptance of a surrender value of existing claims, he is aware that almost all the subscribers will have retired on pension within the next few years, the fund thereby becoming the sole property of the pensioners; whether from such time children are passing over the age limit and in a few years will altogether cease to be a charge on the fund; whether in cases where the wife predeceased the husband and left no children or in cases of boys over age all subscriptions are lost and no grant made to bury the woman who would have received the full grant had she survived the husband; whether he is aware that grants made to motherless unmarried daughters of the rank and file are only one-third of deceased's month's allowances and in many instances so small as to not reach the sum contributed to the fund by the deceased parent; and whether, in view of the future cost of administering this fund, he will see the necessity of closing the fund immediately in order to meet the pressing wants of the majority of the subscribers with small pensions under the Act of 1883 who are compelled to subscribe 20s. per cent. in order to gain 10s. per cent.?

In six or seven years all, or nearly all, the subscribers to the Constabulary Force Fund will have retired on pension, but the fund does not thereby become the property of subscribers. It will still be held in trust for widows and orphans. Any balance of the grant provisionally made in 1891 to prevent the insolvency of the fund reverts to the Exchequer. Benefit lapses continually in the ways mentioned and has always done so from the inception of the fund. The liberal scale of grants paid when claims mature is based on this contingency. Subscriptions cease when all possible benefit lapses. Ordinary grants in respect of children are only one-fourth of the mother's share, and are not payable after the child reaches the age of eighteen years; but if an unmarried daughter (or daughters) is left without a mother she (or they collectively) receives a grant equal to one third of the mother's share, irrespective of age. There is ordinarily no charge on the fund for cost of administration. One half per cent. on the pension drawn by a deceased subscriber is paid in the grant to the family, but 5 per cent. on all the pay drawn is repaid in the widow's share alone. No provision is made in the statutes for repaying any sum to subscribers, and, inasmuch as the capital raised by their subscriptions was insufficient to provide for payment of grants at existing rates, nothing can be said, in equity, to be due to them from the Fund.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what representations he has recieved from public bodies or representatives of the ratepayers in Ireland in favour of assimilating the law in Ireland to that in Scotland and in England in the matter of vaccination?

Resolutions in favour of the extension of the "Conscience Clauses" of the English Vaccination Acts to Ireland have been adopted in forty-seven unions, marked "read" in thirty-two unions, not adopted or rejected in seven unions, "no action" taken in eleven unions, deferred in four unions. The minutes of fifty-four unions contain no reference to the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Irish warders are likely to be paid the extra lodging allowance which was approved from 1st April, 1916; when facilities will be granted for the warders to have their alternate Sundays off at Waterford Prison; and if married officers, who were married since 1st April, 1916, when the new scheme of pay came into operation, are not being paid the extra 1s. 6d. weekly granted to married officers from the date of their marriage?

The details of the scheme for increased lodging allowance for Irish prison officers is under consideration. As I have already stated the question is complicated, but it is hoped that an early decision will be arrived at. No date has yet been fixed from which the new allowances will take effect. Owing to the nature of the duties and conditions it is not practicable in every case to grant the warders alternate Sundays off duty. Such arrangements as are possible will be made at Waterford to give leave on alternate Sundays or alternative leave in lieu. I am making inquiries as to the last part of the question.

asked if the warders of Mountjoy Prison who have been deprived of their alternate half Saturday and Sunday leave since the 22nd ultimo, and who also have worked overtime on weekdays during the greater part of the period from the 22nd ultimo, are to get any special leave or cash allowance in lieu sufficient to compensate them for the additional duty imposed on them?

Owing to the abnormal conditions recently prevailing in Mountjoy Prison and the extra work which had to be performed by the staff, it has not been possible to grant the privilege of alternate half Saturday and Sunday leave generally. This leave is liable to suspension during emergencies. The governor of the prison, with the approval of the General Prisons Board, intends to give alternative leave as soon as conditions allow.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will arrange that every tube of calf lymph issued from the official laboratory in Ireland shall be guaranteed in writing as absolutely pure and free from all harmful germs?

It would be impossible to issue a guarantee in writing with each tube of vaccine. The Local Government Board take every precaution to ensure that the lymph is absolutely pure, and their bacteriologist reports that no purer lymph can be produced by any known means than that supplied and distributed by the Irish Vaccine Department. The results of the thousands of vaccinations performed each year afford the best possible experimental proof of its harm-lessness.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the application of Kyran Coady, Inch, Bouladuff, Thurles, made on the 1st August, 1917, has been considered by the Local Government Board; and, if so, can he state the Board's, decision?

The Local Government Board on the 1st of May last confirmed a decision of the local pension committee disallowing the claim of Kyran Coady for an old age pension.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland to state why the appeal of John M'Loughlen and his wife, of Lis-farrell, county Longford (Ballinahe Joint Committee), was refused by the Local Government Board, although they were prepared to prove by valuation that their means were within the statutory limit; why in such cases the word of the pension officer should be preferred to the statement of a life-long respectable man and woman; and will he cause further inquiry to be made?

No claims by the persons mentioned in the question have come before the Local Government Board in recent years. The last one appears to have been in 1912.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Bernard Carolan, of Drumlish, an old age pensioner who was in enjoyment of the pension for seven years until last March, when he was suddenly deprived of it for no cause assigned except that his means exceeded £31 10s. per annum; whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas Keenan, J.P., auctioneer and valuator, had forwarded a copy of his valuation of this man's effects to the Local Government Board showing that after all allowances his income from all sources was only £17 16s.; and whether he will now direct the Local Government Board to restore this man s pension?

The Local Government Board determined on the 16th instant that Bernard Carolan was not entitled to a pension on the ground that his means exceeded £31 10s. per annum. A valuation of his holding was furnished to the Board, as stated, but I am informed it was fragmentary and incomplete.

asked why the application of Thomas Devine and his wife, of Castlebaun, county Longford (Bunlahy Pension Sub-Committee), was refused; and will the statement of age preferred to be made on oath by an old age pensioner whose age is admitted be accepted in the absence of Census or registration proof of age?

These claims were disallowed on the ground that the claimants failed to show that they had reached the statutory age. A statement made on oath by an old age pensioner is not, necessarily, conclusive evidence of a claimant's age.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the reason which guided the Local Government Board for Ireland in refusing an old age pension to Alexander Montgomery, Mucknagh, Killoe (Ballinalee, county Longford, Pension Sub-Committee); whether he is aware that in this case the pension officer recommended a pension of 3s. weekly, which recommendation the Local Government Board upset on appeal by the pensioner for a larger sum; what facts had the Board before them to enable them to overrule the pension officer; whether he is aware that the assignment on marriage to his son was produced; was it a legal one; and will he request the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision?

This claim was disallowed on the 19th ultimo on the ground that the value of claimant's maintenance was worth over £31 10s. a year. The fact of the farm being assigned to his son was taken into account. It is not open to the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the decision of the Local Government Board on the grant of a weekly pension of 5s. to Mary Bermingham, of Clontern, Longford; whether he is aware that this woman has no claim to the place she lives in nor any right of main- tenance there, having lived some years in America and being now entirely dependent on her brother for support; and whether he can state why the pension was not granted at once, as the woman is in urgent need of financial assistance, being over seventy-two years of age and feeble?

The Local Government Board determined on the 24th instant that this claimant was entitled to a pension of 5s. a week.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland upon what grounds the Local Government Board have decided that the income of Mrs. Margaret Doyle, of Drumphea, county Carlow, exceeds the statutory limit and disentitles her to the old age pension awarded to her by the Fenagh Old Age Pension Sub-committee; what are the details of her alleged income as calculated by the pension officer; and, if on further investigation it is found that Mrs. Doyle's income does not exceed the statutory limit, will he advise the Board to sanction the decision of the sub-committee?

The claim of Mrs. Margaret Doyle was disallowed on the ground that the benefits and privileges enjoyed by her on her son's farm were worth over £31 10s. a year. The decision having been given the case cannot be reopened.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the holding of Timothy Murphy on the estate of Baron Lisle, county Cork (Registered No. E.G. 9019), situate as Lisrobin West, rural district of Kanturk, county of Cork, was vested in Timothy Murphy in the month of June last regardless of the fact that there is no right of way of any kind into the holding, and that the Estates Commissioners had been duly notified of the fact; whether the Commissioners were in negotiation with the other tenants to secure such right to Timothy Murphy; and whether any steps will now be taken to secure such right, having regard to the fact that the holding is at present absolutely unapproachable, and therefore unworkable?

In the proceedings for the direct sale of this estate to the tenants no agreement was signed by Timothy Murphy in the first instance. The Estates Commissioners suggested to the owner's solicitor that an improved right of way to Murphy's holding might be obtained by arrangement with the adjoining occupiers, and an agreement was subsequently signed for the purchase of the holding for £250, but it did not contain any reference to the right of way. It was stated that the owner had agreed to accept this considerably reduced price in view of the nature of the existing passage, and the Estates Commissioners decided to make the advance applied for.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been directed to the fact that the farm called Johnson's Farm, Ballywilliamroe, county of Carlow, is to be offered for sale on the 30th instant; whether he is aware that a number of tenants of uneconomic holdings reside in the immediate neighbourhood, the division amongst whom of this tract of land would be, in the highest degree, expedient, especially at the present time; and, if so, whether the Estates Commissioners can, and will, take immediate steps, by purchase of the land in question, for resale in lots to the small landholders mentioned to secure that the interests of the community shall be safeguarded against the dangers of the aggregation of holdings in the hands of individuals?

The lands referred to are subject to a land purchase annuity, and the Estates Commissioners are precluded by Section 9 (4) of the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1891, from making any further advance so long as the lands are subject to the annuity.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the estate of Sir H. G. Burke, Marble Hill and Woodford, county Galway, was sold to the tenants many years ago; whether he is aware that the hanging up of the estate for so many years without vesting it in the tenants is causing dissatisfaction; and when the tenants will be turned into annuitants?

The estate of Sir Henry Burke known as the Marble Hill Estate, has been vested in the tenant purchasers, save in the case of one holding, which will be vested as soon as practicable. As regards the Woodford Estate, undertakings have been signed by the tenants for the purchase of their holdings, and the Estates Commissioners anticipate that they will be in a position to vest most of the holdings in the purchasers during the present financial year.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the average contribution paid by the guaranteeing areas of the county Leitrim, and Cavan, towards the Cavan and Leitrim Railway per annum, and how much of that liability does the Treasury pay back to the ratepayers; if he is aware that the ratepayers favour any undertaking that would reduce their liability in the guaranteeing area, and that the Irish Exploration and Development Company have offered to reduce the ratepayers liability to not exceeding 6d. in the £ in the county Leitrim, and 3d. in the £ in the county of Cavan, and that the ratepayers have approved of this, and what effect, if any, he is giving to the wishes of the ratepayers; and if, in view of the liability of the Treasury in perpetuity to this line, the Treasury will consider the advisability of giving a free Grant of their liability to a company who would construct a wide-gauge line and wipe out the liability of the ratepayers and the Treasury altogether?

The Cavan and Leitrim Railway consists of two undertakings which are financially independent. On the working of Undertaking No. 1, which carries the guarantee of certain parts of county Cavan, there is always a credit balance, while on Undertaking No. 2, guaranteed by certain parts of county Leitrim, there is generally a loss on working. The guarantors are liable both for the interest on capital and loss on working. Under Section 9 of the Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883, the Treasury contributes one-half of the amount required to pay the guaranteed dividend, with a limitation that the Treasury contribution shall not exceed a sum equal to 2 per cent. per annum on the paid-up capital. The average gross contribution by county Cavan (Undertaking No. 1) for the seven years ended 1st May last was £1,416 and the average recoupment by the Treasury was one-half of this amount (£708). The average gross contribution by county Leitrim (Undertaking No. 2) for the same period, including loss on working, was £8,234 and the average recoupment by the Treasury was £2,979, being 2 per cent. on the paid-up capital. If the amount required to meet the county guarantee exceeds a sum equal to 6d. in the £ on the rateable value of the area concerned, a sum equal to one-half of such excess is repayable out of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account in so far as the funds available are sufficient to meet the charge. The ratepayers would, no doubt, favour any undertaking that would reduce their liability, but I have not yet seen any practical and properly guaranteed proposal which would be likely to have this effect. I see no prospect of adoption of the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the housing accommodation in the Tipperary Urban Council district; whether he is aware that Lord Barrymore has obtained the loan of several thousand pounds of public money at a nominal rate of interest from a fund dedicated by the Legislature for the improving of labourers' dwellings in Ireland and diverted the money from the objects intended and employed the money in speculative building for profit; whether he is aware that those houses have never been used for the purpose for which the money was advanced by the State, namely, for labourers' dwellings; and if he will hold an inquiry with the object of recovering for the State the difference between the current interest and the interest paid on the loan?

I have consulted the Departments concerned and my legal advisers and I am quite satisfied that the Government has no power to intervene in this matter now. The loans advanced under the Land Improvement Acts were not at a nominal rate of interest, but at the rate prescribed by Statute, 3½ per cent., subsequently reduced by the Public Works Loans Act, 1889, to 3⅛ per cent.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the reason for delaying the Grant made some time since to establish a serum laboratory in Dublin; whether he is aware that owing to the absence of this treatment the mortality of pigs from swine fever is much greater in Ireland than in those countries where this method is practised; and whether he is aware that this loss of food would be largely prevented by the adoption of serum treatment?

The Department of Agriculture understand that the adoption of the serum treatment in the case of swine fever outbreaks in Great Britain has conserved swine life considerably. I have no information as to the comparative mortality from swine fever in different countries. The building of a laboratory in Ireland was postponed on the outbreak of war in common with other similar building schemes. The Department have submitted an application to proceed with the work, but, as I have already stated in reply to the hon. Member on October 18th, no decision has yet been given.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, as a result of the reduction in the Department's Grant for agricultural purposes in county Louth, the county committee of agriculture have been constrained to strike out three county schemes and seriously curtail several others in connection with the allocation of funds for 1918-19; and, seeing the difficulty of getting such schemes on their feet again once they have been dropped, and more particularly in view of the necessity of increasing the nation's food supply, whether the Department will afford financial relief to the Louth committee at least for the present year?

I believe the facts are generally as stated. The Department of Agriculture regret they are not in a position to make a Supplementary Grant to the county committee. A deputation in the matter was received on the 23rd instant, and the position was fully explained.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is proposed to increase the letter postage rates from Ireland to America?

The rates of postage from Ireland to America are the same as from Great Britain, and no alteration would be made in the case of Ireland which did not apply to the whole of the United Kingdom. There is no proposal at the present time to increase the rates of postage to the United States.