asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the verdict of the jury attending the Ashe inquest; and whether the Government propose to hold an inquiry into the causes which compelled the jury to bring in the verdict of condemnation against the Government, Dublin Castle, and the prison authorities for their conduct, which caused Ashe's death?

I have been asked to reply. My attention has been called to the verdict, and I am taking steps to inform myself fully as to the parts of the subject which are not within my personal knowledge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government has yet come to any decision on the question of compensation for those injured in air raids; and, if so, can he make any statement on the subject?

I made a statement on this subject in reply to a question on Monday last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the present practice of treating voluntary grants and gifts from trades unions, friendly societies, friends, and relations as part of income of old age pensioners has the effect of preventing such gifts being made, as the effect is to decrease the amount of the old age pension; and whether he will now consider the advisability, in view of the cost of living, clothing, and fuel, of such gifts being no longer treated as part of the income of old age pensioners?

I may remind the hon. Member that, as is stated in the second Section of Cd. 8320, action is not being taken for the withdrawal or reduction of existing old age pensions in consequence of the receipt by the pensioners of temporary assistance from voluntary sources where the amount of allowance (or the increase of an existing allowance) does not exceed 5s. per week and is given for the purpose of enabling the pensioner to meet the increased cost of living. I am unable to extend the scope of this concession.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the new food economy campaign in this country is associated with a similar campaign which is being conducted in Canada and in the United States at the present time; and what steps are being taken in these countries to economise in the use of cereals in food and drink?

There is no direct connection between the new food economy campaign here and the similar campaigns which are being conducted in Canada and in the United States, but the propaganda work in those countries probably owes something to the information supplied by the Ministry of Food. In Canada wheat substitutes, such as oatcakes, potatoes, etc., must be provided in public eating-places at every meal at which white bread is served. And the use of wheat in the distillation or manufacture of alcohol is prohibited except under licence of the Food Controller for manufacturing or munition purposes. In the United States no foods or food materials are permitted to be used in the production of distilled spirits for beverage purpose. I am not aware of any other statutory restrictions on the use of cereals in food or drink in either of these countries, but it is clear that a widespread voluntary effort is being made both in Canada and in the United States to conserve foodstuffs in the interests of the Allied cause.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Control Committee for Ireland has yet started its operations; whether the Committee has an office in Dublin and, if so, in what part of the city is it situated; whether a secretary to the Committee has been appointed and, if so, what is his name, qualifications, and rate of remuneration, if any, and by whom was the appointment made; what other officials, if any, have been appointed to the Committee; what are their qualifications and by whom were they appointed; if any appointments in connection with the work of the Committee are to be made in future, how and by whom is the work of the staff organisation to be done; and what authority, if any, is the Committee supposed to exercise in the matter?

The Food Control Committee for Ireland was appointed on the 31st August, and has been engaged in the work of food control since that date. Its present offices are situated at Kilworth House, Kildare Street, Dublin. The secretary is Mr. Kinnear, Barrister-at-Law, a second-class clerk in the Irish Land Commission. He was appointed by the Food Controller on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Committee, and the Treasury have approved a salary of £500 per annum for this post. Five other clerks of the Land Commission have been seconded for work under the Committee. There is a subordinate staff of nineteen female clerks, one boy clerk, one adult messenger, and four boy messengers. Appointments to administrative posts carrying salaries in excess of £150 per annum are made by the Food Controller. Appointments to subordinate posts are made by the Chairman of the Commission, subject to the covering approval of the Food Controller.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he promised to obtain a supply of sugar for preserving fruit, including apples; whether in consequence applications for authority to procure sugar were made to his Department and were not even acknowledged; and what is the present position?

A supply of sugar suitable for preserving purposes was obtained from the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply through the agency of the Department of Agriculture, and announcements to this effect were duly inserted in the Irish Press. A large number of applications was received from fruit growers, and those which complied with the prescribed conditions were dealt with, and a proportion of sugar allotted to each accordingly. The supply of sugar available for preserving has now been distributed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the desire expressed by many naval chaplains that they should wear some distinctive service uniform as is the case with Army chaplains; and will he cause inquiries to be made with a view of ascertaining whether the suggested change is generally desired in the Service and the reasons given for its desirability?

The Admiralty consider that the wearing of uniform by naval chaplains would not be an advantage. A suitable distinguishing badge, which will indicate the wearer's connection with the Naval Service, has been approved and will be introduced shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the shortage of skilled farriers in Cavalry units; whether he is aware that skilled farriers are being enrolled in Infantry regiments, where their special qualifications are useless; and, under these circumstances, whether arrangements will be made whereby the services of such men will be utilised to the fullest advantage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 23rd October to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Edinburgh.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the complaints which have been made that full use is not being made in the Army of the skilled shoeing smiths who have joined the Colours; and whether the services of these men will be fully utilised before money is spent on training additional men?

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

asked whether soldiers belonging to Kitchener's Army who are stationed in India are liable to be kept in India after peace is declared, or whether they will then be entitled to be discharged with all convenient speed?

The release of men from the military forces at the end of the War will depend on the conditions obtaining at the time. I am afraid it is both impossible and undesirable to forecast now what these conditions will be or what priority can be given to particular classes of individuals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have immediate inquiries made into the case of J. B. Saunders, late Lance-Corporal, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who has served two terms of imprisonment as a conscientious objector in this country, who was eventually sent to France and then to Egypt, where he is at present confined in Gabbarree Prison undergoing sentence of imprisonment for refusing to submit to a trade test which he regarded as an attempt to induce him to forego his conscientious objection to military service; will he ascertain what is the man's present physical and mental condition; and why as a conscientious objector he has not been sent to this country to serve the term of his imprisonment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave with regard to this case to my hon. Friend the Member for Cricklade, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Herbert Evans, of 8, Bolan Street, Battersea, conscientious objector, who had refused to sign the prison inventory books, had all his property returned to him with the exception of his money on leaving Pentonville on 18th October; and why any differentiation was made between his money and the rest of his goods

The non-delivery of the money was due to misadventure, which was at once discovered, and the cash was sent on by next post to the man's commanding officer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to minimise the civil losses of men who joined the forces voluntarily during the first year of the War, and who have been invalided home from the Expeditionary Forces and are now passed from one hospital and convalescent home to another, the Army Council will give these men a right to call for re-examination by a medical board before being sent to their depots, so that, if unfit, as many of them are, for further military service, they may receive their discharge and return to civil life!

I understand that the existing machinery works effectively, and my hon. Friend's suggestion of increasing the medical boards is not considered necessary or desirable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the members of the Army Service Corps mechanical department who are transferred to the Infantry are paid the wage of 6s. per day contracted for, or whether the contracts regarding wages are broken at the same time as those regarding service?

An Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport driver drawing 6s. a day retains this pay unless he is transferred at his own request or for inefficiency or misconduct, or for medical unfitness not due to the Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is able to make a statement respecting Major W. A. Hutchinson, senior major of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who has been on home service since July, 1915; if he is aware that he is drawing extra duty pay as second in command of a Special Reserve battalion; that a draft of that battalion refused to parade when ordered to do so by Major Hutchinson on the morning they left for France in September, 1917; and that the men made observations reflecting upon his military conduct at Chocolate Hill during the Dardanelles Expedition and said they would obey any orders but those of Major Hutchinson?

This officer is second in command and is in receipt of the emoluments allowed by the Regulations. I have no information as to the suggestions in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men having a thoroughly good knowledge of business matters serving in the clerks' sec- tion of the Army Service Corps are employed constantly on such fatigue duties as cleaning horse lines, etc.; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to make better use of such men so that their services may not be to a large extent lost to the country?

No, Sir. So far as I am aware, clerks are not employed on the duties mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. If, however, he possesses any information to the contrary, and will let me have it, I shall be pleased to make further inquiries into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will make representations to the military authorities concerned in favour of leave being granted to a soldier of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force who was sent to Egypt in February, 1915, and from thence to Gallipoli, and has been in hospital three times, once with tropical fever and twice with dysentery, and has recently been an out-patient, visiting the hospital for treatment twice a day for two months, and has had no leave since he left for foreign service on the date mentioned?

It is fully realised that there may be individual hard cases of men serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, but, having in view the transportation difficulties. I am afraid it is not possible to meet every case of hardship. I have no doubt that all possible consideration is given to medical cases such as the one which my hon. Friend instances.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with reference to the re-posting to their original units of officers and men discharged from hospital?

As promised in Debate last week, I have taken an early opportunity of bringing this matter to the attention of the authorities concerned and they are now in communication with the military authorities in France.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the names of the nine claimants for compensation for losses in the Irish rebellion which were reported on by Major Ball; and if he will allow the Reports to be inspected by a Committee apointed from Members of this House?

I am sorry that the word "none" appeared by clerical error as "nine" in my previous answer to the hon. Member on the 5th instant. The fact is that Major Ball did not report on any of the Irish rebellion cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the dispatch by General Sir Archibald Murray on relinquishing command of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force has been received by the Government; and, if so, will it be published without further delay?

I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to a question put to me on the subject by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton on 18th October, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the Army Regulation that a sergeant shall be appointed as caterer to the sergeants' mess, he will arrange that this duty shall not be compulsory upon any sergeant who holds conscientious objection to dealing with intoxicants, and that any sergeant who has such objection shall not be prejudiced?

I think this matter may be safely trusted to the discretion of commanding officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 1st and 2nd November at the Salford Election houses were raided and literature for distribution seized and confiscated, and that one of these leaflets seized, "Three Years of War," consisted of a quotation from the Prime Minister and another from a paper supporting his policy; and who was the competent military authority who authorised this interference with free discussion?

I have seen the leaflet to which, I understand, my hon. Friend alludes, and am satisfied that its seizure was fully justified. The seizure was made by the police.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the statment that Wales had provided more voluntary recruits according to population than England or Scotland, he will now issue a White Paper showing for each county in England, Scotland, and Wales the number of voluntary recruits from the beginning of the War and the percentage of the population?

I regret that this information cannot be given, as its disclosures would be contrary to the public interest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that subalterns in 1914 were paid 7s. 6d. per day plus field allowance in camp; that since then they are not given any field allowance although prices for necessary articles have doubled; that 2s. 3d. in the £ is deducted from their pay every quarter for Income Tax and they cannot reclaim until the following April; that the £50 allowance to which they are entitled is not taken into consideration when the Income Tax is deducted; that many subalterns have been killed during the intervening period and the rebate has not been refunded to their next-of-kin; that the service of Volunteer officers does not count for promotion from the day of their appointments in the same manner as Territorial officers; and if he will take steps to remedy these alleged grievances?

My hon. Friend has been misinformed on some of the points raised in the question. Field allowance is still given to subalterns at the same rate as in 1914. Detailed explanation of the other matters would run to such length that perhaps the hon. Gentleman would confer with me privately.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the increased rates of pay recently granted to junior Army officers are granted irrespective of whether these officers are married or bachelors; whether officers of senior grade are obliged to produce full particulars of their private affairs before claiming family allowance; whether he is aware of the resentment evinced against this Regulation; and whether, under these circumstances, the War Office will institute a system of separation allowances for the wives and families of commissioned officers on active service based on the principle of the allowances made to the wives and families of private soldiers?

The emoluments of officers are under the consideration of the Government, as has already been announced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of a soldier being transferred from a hospital to an asylum for the insane his wife's separation allowance undergoes any change?

In the circumstances mentioned the wife's separation allowance is not affected so long as her husband remains in the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that whilst at the outbreak of war separation allowance was not issued to a soldier's wife on behalf of both her husband and her son, afterwards, owing to the increased cost of living, it was promised by the War Office that separation allowance should be issued on behalf of both husband and son where pre-war dependence could be proved, nevertheless, when an allowance is issued to a soldier's wife on behalf of her son, the allowance for the youngest child is deducted; and whether he will decide to modify this rule, in order that the mothers in these times of high prices may receive allowances at least up to the full amount of pre-war dependence?

The present regulation is that the allowance issued in respect of a child not in the Army may be that issuable as for a dependant of the son in the Army, if more favourable to the house hold than that issuable as for a child of the husband. I understand the hon. Member to suggest that both allowances should be issued in respect of the one child. I cannot see my way to do this.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the case of a man with a wife and children, as well as having the support of aged parents dependent upon him and the partial support of a wounded and disabled brother, having to join the Colours, any separation or other, and what, allowance will be paid to the parents and for the brother over and above the allowance as the result of the allotment to his wife and children?

The regulations of the Special Grants Committee of the Ministry of Pensions provide for the grant of a special separation allowance for the dependants (other than a wife or child) of a married soldier who are ineligible for an allowance from Army funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the present rates of pay for commissioned officers in the Army?

I would refer the hon. Member to the "Royal Warrant for Pay, etc., of the Army." The rates are too numerous to be set out in reply to a question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will grant to civilian clerks employed in prisoner-of-war camps the concessions of occasional reduced railway fares enabling them to visit their families which have been granted to clerks employed in munition works?

The question of extending this concession to civilians employed by the War Office has been and is still under consideration. But, in view of the present difficulties of railway travelling, I am afraid I can hold out but little hope of the extension being possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of industrial alcohol was produced in Canada and the United State of America respectively for the years 1913, 1915, and 1916; and if he will state the amount of petroleum produced in Canada and the United States of America for the years 1913, 1915, and 1916?

The following statement gives the information desired, as far as the particulars are available:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether there is a gentleman of the name of Strohmenger or some such name employed in a Department of the Ministry of Shipping; if he can state what this gentleman's nationality, antecedents, and remuneration are; and whether he can state the number, names, and positions of any officials or employés in the Ministry of Shipping of alien origin and their nationality?

Mr. Strohmenger is a most capable public servant, whose devotion to the national interests is beyond dispute. He is the British-born son of British-born parents. His grandfather, who was a naturalised British subject, married an Englishwoman, and his father, who was a British-born subject, also married an Englishwoman. His remuneration is that attached to his office in the Insurance Department, and is on the scale of £850 a year rising to £1,000 a year. There are four persons of alien parentage in the service of the Ministry of Shipping, and all are British subjects. One is the daughter of an Italian father and an Irish mother; the others are the sons respectively of a French father and English mother, of Norwegian parents.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the number of advertisements appearing in the newspapers for servants in households consisting of one, two, or three persons, where seven to ten indoor servants are already kept; and whether, in view of the increasing demands being made upon the manpower and women-power of the nation, he proposes to take action to limit the number of indoor servants employed in each household to a figure which may reasonably meet the requirements of the household?

The advertisements referred to by my hon. Friend have not escaped the notice of the Minister of National Service. The subject has, in fact, engaged his attention for some time, and he has already taken opportunities of pointing out how essential it is, in the national interest, that no person should employ more servants, male or female, than are absolutely necessary. My hon. Friend hopes that the awakened consciences of those who have in this respect failed to appreciate their duty will provide an immediate and sufficient remedy. If not, in a general statement on man-power, which I understand is to be made by him at an early date, he hopes to be in a position to state definitely the steps which will betaken.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many old age pensioners in county Cavan are still in receipt of 5s. only; and will he have the pension officers instructed to supply applicants with a copy of their reports as to means where they allege that the same exceed £31 10s.?

No separate figures are available showing the number of old age pensioners in county Cavan who are receiving pensions of only 5s. As regards Ireland as a whole, over 99 per cent. of the pensioners are in receipt of the 2s. 6d. additional allowance as well as their pensions. The suggestion of the hon. Member cannot be entertained. The final determination of the means of claimants and pensioners does not rest with the pension officers but with the local pension committee, or with the Local Government Board in cases of appeal.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in view of the fact that Rule 102 ( c ) of the Irish National Education Code has been abolished by the terms of the Chief Secretary's scheme, why those teachers who are entitled to promotion, having fulfilld the necessary conditions, are not yet promoted; and whether he will now see that those teachers debarred through the limitation of vacancies and who have otherwise fulfilled the requisite conditions, be placed in the grades to which they properly belong?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for East Mayo yesterday, no promotions of teachers have yet been made under the new scheme of grade salaries. The Commissioners of National Education have necessarily to await the decision of all the questions involved in the scheme before proceeding to bring it into operation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is able to make a statement respecting the position of workhouse teachers in Ireland, in accordance with his promise; and if he can state the proposals for improving their financial position, when they will come into operation, and from what date they will take effect?

Proposals for improving the position of workhouse teachers are being dealt with in conjunction with the scheme for an improved scale of salaries for teachers in national schools.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the total capital of the Constabulary Force Fund, Royal Irish Constabulary (Benefit Branch), for each of the three years ended 31st March, 1915–17, showing the amount invested in Consols and local loans and their value at market prices; in what year did the excess of expenditure over receipts begin; and what was the amount of stock since sold and the amount realised thereby in order to meet the current demands on the fund?

I shall publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the valuation at the market prices of the securities held for the benefit branch of the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund at the close of the last three financial years. The expenditure first exceeded the receipts in the year ending 31st March, 1909, and securities have been sold to the nominal amount of £30,264, realising £22,856 cash.

[ The following is the statement above referred to. ]

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider, in spite of the recent temporary addition, the congested condition of Hammersmith Post Office owing to the closing of the sub-post offices in Bailing Road and 163, King Street; whether he has approached the Hammersmith Borough Council with a view to erecting a temporary building on the vacant land in Hammersmith Broadway to mitigate the evil; and if he will consider the possibility of reopening one of the offices closed in the Shepherd's Bush or northern end of the borough where inconvenience and hardship is felt?

I am aware that at certain times, when large numbers of separation allowances are being paid, there is some congestion in the premises which have been taken for their payment. I am making further inquiry into the possibility of improving the arrangements, and I am also considering whether the admitted inconvenience is sufficient to justify reopening a town sub-office. In view of the urgent need for economy in all directions, a proposal to erect a temporary building on the vacant site could not be supported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the deferred bonus of £26 a year promised to the members of the Metropolitan Police Force who have completed twenty-six years' service is only granted if the Commissioner thinks fit; whether in the event of a man who had earned the bounty dying in the service the money would be paid to his dependants; and whether the bounty already earned would be forfeited if the Commissioner decided that the further retention of an officer in the service was not in the public interest?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Newington on the 14th February.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any pension or compensation is payable to a rural postman, in Ireland after twenty years' service; and, if so, will he state the scale?

The answer depends on the conditions of the man's employment and on the circumstances in which he retires. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case which he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will now state the name of the architect who designed the new fleche on Westminster Hall roof; and, taking the total cost as £3,200, what was the cost per cubic foot of the structure?

The new louvre was erected from drawings prepared in my Department based upon that designed by Sir John Soane, in accordance with the decision of the Ancient Monuments Board for England, and I do not feel, therefore, that it would serve any useful purpose to give the name of the architect under whose supervision the drawings were made. The cost per foot cube was, approximately, 15s. 6d.