asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for sanction for promotion to the first division of second division clerks have been received since August, 1914, giving the names of the Departments making application and stating in how many cases sanction has been given?

Since the 1st August, 1914, six applications have been received from Departments for sanction to the promotion to the higher division of second division clerks, or clerks holding staff posts the scales of which are within the second division scales, namely, one each from the Home Office, India Office, Colonial Office, Board of Trade, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Inland Revenue Department. In addition, five applications were received from the India Office for sanction to the promotion to the higher division of clerks holding staff posts, normally filled from the second division, carrying a maximum in excess of the maxima of the second division scales. Treasury sanction to the promotion was given in the case of all these applications. Second division clerks have also been promoted to four vacancies which have arisen for second class division clerks in the Supreme Court Pay Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that uncertainty exists in Ireland as to the price of oats under the Corn Production Act and Food Prices Act, in so far as it relates to any particular weight per bushel; whether in the purchase of oats for War Department purposes by the Irish Oats Advisory Committee the military authorities were correct in stating, at a conference recently held in Dublin, that the minimum price of 38s. 6d. per quarter of 312 lbs. is for oats bushelling 39 lbs., inasmuch as no bushel weight is set forth in the Corn Production Act, 1917?

I have been asked to reply. There was some uncertainty as to whether grain would be purchased by weight or by measure, and I am informed that the Department of Agriculture have issued a leaflet dealing with the matter: 38s. 6d. per quarter of 312 lbs. is the price at which the War Office have been instructed to buy. A question has arisen as to the effect of these instructions, and will be decided without delay.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether all contracts involving labour with councils, corpora tions, committees, etc., in Ireland are rendered unenforceable since the coming into operation of the minimum wage; if legislation will be necessary to render such contracts valid or binding; and, if so, when will the same be introduced?

I am making inquiries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under a recent Proclamation, men of the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Fleet Reserve and officers and men of the Royal Naval Vounteer Reserve are required to continue in actual service for the period of five years from the date of their coming into actual service if their services be so long required; and, if so, whether it applies to men who voluntarily enlisted in either of these units for the period of the War and to men of the Royal Naval Air Service who so enlisted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 9th August to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford, in which I stated that it was not the intention to use the power given under the Royal Proclamation of the 17th July last to extend the services of these men beyond the period covered by the expression "the duration of the War." The Proclamation does not apply to men of the Royal Naval Air Service entered for the period of the War, but it does apply to all the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Fleet Reserve, and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to allow representatives of the lower deck to sit upon the canteen boards?

It is on the whole considered that the present system by which canteen committees are elected by the men themselves from their own number in the respective ships in the Navy is fully calculated to enable those responsible for the conduct of canteens to become acquainted with the wishes of the men and any views which they may hold on canteen management. But my right hon. Friend's proposal shall be further considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is proposed to allow representatives of the men in the Army to sit upon the canteen boards?

It is not considered that any advantage would accrue by the appointment of a private soldier to the Navy and Army canteen board. It is considered that the present system, by which canteen committees are elected by the men themselves from their own number in the respective units of the Army, is best calculated to enable those responsible for the conduct of canteens to become acquainted with the wishes of the men and any views which they may hold on canteen management.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are a number of men in S Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, Mesopotamia, who have been in India and Mesopotamia for the last nine years and have never had any furlough; whether he is also aware that a number of comrades of these men have succumbed owing to their continued residence in these climates; and whether he will consider the possibility of bringing these men, of whom there are now more than about thirty, home to England in order that their health may be recuperated and that they may again see their families?

The particulars given by my right hon. Friend are not known in the War Office. In view, however, of the necessity of utilising the services of all available fit men, I am afraid that it is not possible to adopt my right hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any definite system exists on which men are granted leave from the Western Front; and whether he is aware that there are married men who have, been on active service in France since the early days of the War and have have had no leave for nearly two years?

I can add nothing to what I said in Debate on this subject on 31st October.

asked the Under- secretary of State for War whether he has now completed his inquiries regarding the circumstances under which Private R. Wareham, of the Machine Gun Corps, was sent to France, although his commanding officer had a certificate showing that Wareham was only seventeen years of age; and what action he proposes to take both as regards Wareham and the commanding officer in question?

I have recently been in communication with my hon. Friend and have fully explained this case to him. Steps have been taken to retain Private Wareham on home service till he attains nineteen years of age, but in the circumstances it is not proposed to take any action with regard to the commanding officer.

asked if proficiency pay for service applies to the men in the Royal Army Medical Corps as to other units in the Army and on the same terms of service?

No, Sir; men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, unless transferred from other corps, with reserved rights, draw corps pay instead of proficiency pay.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the names of the members of the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors: whether any are in receipt of remuneration or expenses out of the public funds, what office accommodation is provided, what staffing, and the salaries paid?

The Committee consists of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Gloucester, and Major E. W. Briscoe, one of His Majesty's Prison Commissioners. They receive no remuneration for their work as members of the Committee, but their travelling expenses are repaid. Accommodation is provided in the Home Office. A considerable part of the administrative work is performed by officers of my Department in addition to their ordinary work, and without extra remuneration. The special staff consists of a secretary and an assistant officer, each with a salary of £200 per annum; an inspector who receives £50 per annum in addition to his salary as a prison governor; and the subordinate clerical staff, numbering thirteen, of whom ten are women, and whose pay amounts in all to £22 9s. per week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that several of the conscientious objectors released last week, 29th October, to do work at Dartmoor arrived from Wormwood Scrubs Prison in such a weak state, through under-feeding, that they fainted at their work on the roads at Dartmoor; and whether the practice of starving prisoners will be immediately put an end to?

I have made inquiry into this statement. Nothing is known at Dartmoor of any man fainting, nor has any man made a complaint. There is no foundation for the allegation in the last part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of conscientious objectors who had accepted the Home Office scheme up to 5th November; the number of such men who had been recalled to prison or the Army for alleged breaches of Regulations; and the number of such men who have voluntarily left the various settlements, camps, or work centres rather than submit any longer to the tyranny of the Home Office Committee?

Up to the 3rd November employment under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors had been offered to and accepted by 3,218 men. Two hundred and sixty-eight have been sent back to prison or recalled to the Army for breaches of the Regulations. The last figure includes 76 who have "voluntarily left the various settlements"—that is, who have absconded. Most of these left after being guilty of misconduct. There is no foundation for the suggestion of "tyranny" on the part of the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an attested man who has been granted four periods of exemption by a local tribunal and who had reached the age of forty-one before the first period of expired, can now be called up for service?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Courts have decided that an unattested man who attained the age of forty-one years after the appointed date upon which he was deemed to have been enlisted and transferred to the Reserve for the duration of the War is not excepted from the liability to military service. In order that attested men might not be in a worse position than unattested men instructions were issued in October, 1916, that attested men who attained the age of forty-one years before the appointed date which would have been applicable to them if unattested are not to be called up for military service. Unless the man referred to in the hon. Member's question attained the age of forty-one years before the 2nd March, 1916 (if unmarried), or before the 24th June, 1916 (if married), he will in the absence of any certificate of exemption be called up for military service in the ordinary course.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the names of the members of the Central Tribunal?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The members of the Central Tribunal are: Lord Hambledon (Chairman) Mr. J. F. L. Brunner, M.P. Sir Robert Carlyle, K.C.S.I., C.I.E. Lord Richard Cavendish, C.M.G. Sir Algernon Firth, Bart. Sir Francis Gore, K.C.B. Sir Cyril Jackson, K.B.E. Mr. J. O'Grady, M.P. Mr. G. J. Talbot, K.C. Sir Osmond Williams, Bart. Sir George Younger, Bart., M.P.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Director-General of Army Services has entire control over the Royal Army Medical Corps attached to the British Expeditionary Forces in France?

The answer is in the negative. The Commander-in-Chief in each theatre of war exercises entire control over all troops under his command.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that as far back as 27th August last the Cambrian Railway Company had, at the request of the War Office, constructed. certain sidings at a place between Fenns Bank and Bettisfield stations in connection with the Government peat-moss litter works, situated between those stations; whether on 26th October last a letter was written by the administrative member of the Forage Committee to the general manager of the company requesting that passenger trains should stop, as from the following Monday, at the sidings, in order to set down women employed at the works, although there was no platform at the sidings; whether until that date no intimation had been given to the railway company that a platform would be needed; and whether, as the present arrangement causes risk to these women, especially as on the return journey the train has to be boarded in darkness, he will make inquiries as to the cause of delay in instructing the railway company to provide a platform?

It was not until 26th October that it was decided to convey these women to and from Ellesmere. The question of a platform was raised with the Cambrian Railway, who replied on the 30th. Authority to incur the expenditure was given last Thursday. The urgency of the matter was due to inability to secure winter quarters locally for women who had hitherto been under canvas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether a sergeant who finds he has been reduced to the ranks without his knowledge is entitled to demand a court-martial or other inquiry if he has failed to get any explanation: from his company officer; and (2) whether, when a non-commissioned officer is stated, in spite of his denial, to have reverted to the ranks at his own request, it is possible to ascertain if any written application of his to that effect exists?

My hon. Friend may be contemplating summary reduction under the provisions of Section 183 (2) of the Army Act, in which event the question of court-martial or other inquiry would not arise. If, however, he will give me details of the case he has in mind, I will inquire into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to remove the distinction of honorary rank for quartermasters, riding masters, and officers of the Indian Department?

Quartermasters, as such, are commissioned in the Land Forces. The commission itself confers no rank, and the honorary rank is derived from the Royal Warrant. Officers holding such honorary rank have peculiar benefits in the matter of pay and retired pay, and they are not required to pass professional examinations. On the other hand, they are not permitted to exercise executive command except in relation to soldiers immediately concerned with the duties of their office. To consider the variation of the existing status of quartermasters is not practicable or desirable at the present time, nor is it clear that quartermasters as a class would benefit by the proposed changes. I must refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India in regard to the officers mentioned in the last part of the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the recent Committee on promotion recommended that quartermasters should be promoted captains after three years' service but without emoluments?

The Pay of quartermaster is governed by length of service as quartermasters, and not by rank

asked the Under-Secretary of state for War whether he can state the exact date in 1914, up to and including which entitles men to the award of the Mons medal; and whether it includes the-battle of Festubert?

An Army Order will shortly be published giving full information as to this decoration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether private car licences will only be renewed now on condition that the owner places his car at the disposal of the Army in case of invasion; if so, what arrangements have been made as to the conditions upon which they will be taken over by the military, in particular; and whether the owner or the War Office would be responsible for the risk of damage to the car?

I am afraid that the details of the new scheme have not yet been fully worked out, and I am not at present in a position to add anything to the announcement made by the Board of Trade which appeared in the Press on the 25th October. The points which my hon. Friend raises will receive full consideration.

asked whether the inoculation of soldiers on the transport "Empress of Britain," which resulted in a number of deaths, officially admitted, was carried out against the warning and protests of a military officer on board, who predicted that, under the insanitary conditions of the ship, inoculation would almost certainly cause fatalities?

I have nothing to, add yet to my answer of 29th October.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War if he is aware that some 400 shell-shock patients are being treated at the 4th London General. Hospital at Denmark Hill and other similar cases at Golders Green, where their condition is aggravated by every air raid; and whether he can see his way to removing these cases to a quieter area?

As, regards Golders Green, I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Pensions. It may be possible to discontinue the neurological centre in London as a treatment centre in connection with changes which are now being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of soldiers are engaged in erecting dormitories, officers' quarters, gunnery school, etc., for the Royal Naval Air Service at Eastchurch; that this is considered by the civilian workmen and by the soldiers themselves as conscription of labour; that this system is causing discontent; and whether he will take steps to discontinue the employment of soldiers on this class of work?

I am not acquainted with the matters to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am making inquiries, and will let him know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the hardship of compulsorily retiring officers against their will, he will consider whether officers hitherto engaged in recruiting duties, and now proposed to be transferred to the National Service Department, can be allowed to continue on the military establishment and to wear their uniforms?

These officers have not been retired. They retain their commissions, but wear plain clothes as their duties are purely civil.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state the price paid for the 1,000,000 gallons of whisky which were recently purchased for the supply of officers' and sergeants' messes?

I regret that confidential information of this nature cannot be made public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the announcement some weeks ago that hospital stoppages were to be discontinued also applies to officers; if so, whether his attention has been called to the fact that officers after being several weeks in hospital are still receiving demands on account of stoppages; and whether he will cause this matter to be inquired into?

The announcement made deals entirely with the pay of men. The question of officers will not be overlooked.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the fact that officers who have commanded units in the field for six months, with acting rank of major or captain, after being wounded and invalided, have their pay cut down to that of a lieutenant; and whether he will consider the continuance of temporary rank and pay to those who have held higher rank and service for a definite period, such as six months, pending their return to duty?

This question has been fully considered, and the present practice is in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions, Command Paper 8642. It is not proposed to make any alteration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is proposed to increase the pensions of the few remaining old soldiers who served through the Indian mutiny, most of whom are in straits at the present time owing to the increased cost of living?

The answer is in the negative. I regret it is not possible to deal with this class of pensioners by themselves.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the chemists and dispensers of the hospitals in the Eastern Command were appointed at a salary of £2 2s. a week, with rations which were reckoned at 12s. 3d. a week, and that these rations in kind were taken off seventeen months ago and an allowance of 6s. 3d a week made in lieu of these rations; whether he is aware that a war bonus of 11s. or 15s. a week has been given to the other civilian employés while the chemists and dispensers have only been given a bonus of 4s. a week from 1st January, 1917; and, seeing that this sum, together with the 6s. 3d. allowed, does not come up to the original value of the rations in kind apart from the increase in prices, will he consider the claims of the chemists and dispensers to an increase of their war bonus?

I am having the matter considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has noticed the statement made in South Africa that the cost of the German East Africa Expedition has already exceeded the cost to Britain of the whole Boer War; and whether an estimate of the cost of the Indian and Expeditionary Forces in East Africa up to date can be given?

I have not seen the statement referred to. I regret that the preparation of any reliable estimate of the cost of any particular operations in the present War would involve an amount of labour altogether disproportionate to the value of the result and beyond the strength of an already overtaxed Department.

asked the Prime Minister when the Munitions Mineral Oil Production Department was founded, and what production it has shown since that date; whether this body still exists; and why it was abolished?

The Munitions Mineral Oil Production Department was founded in July last and is still in existence. It is not in the public interest to state the amount of oil which has been produced since that date.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Petroleum Research Department has presented any Report or made recommendations; whether such recommendations, if made, have been acted upon, and, if not, why this has not been done; whether differences of opinion have arisen between the director of the Munitions Mineral Oil Production Department and the director of the Petroleum Research Department which have resulted in the abolition of both Departments; whether the former director of the Mineral Oil Production Department has been appointed director of the new Petroleum Executive and, as a result, the senior officials of the Research Department have refused to serve under him, and why; and whether, in consequence of the above state of affairs, the annual production of oil in the country to the extent of 122,000,000 gallons of Navy fuel oil, 14,000,000 gallons of petrol, and large quantities of paraffin wax is entirely suspended?

The Petroleum Research Department has presented Reports and made numerous recommendations, many of which have been acted upon by the Government Departments concerned. The Munitions Mineral Oil Production Department and the Petroleum Research Department are now both attached to the Ministry of Munitions: harmonious relations have always existed between their respective directors and each Department has been able to render valuable help to the other. The former Controller of the Munitions Oil Production Department has been appointed director of the new Petroleum Executive; the officials of the Petroleum Research Department do not and have never been asked to serve under him. As regards the last part of the question, the production of oil, petrol and wax has not stopped; on the contrary, it is steadily increasing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether Irishmen working in munition factories in Great Britain will be given the railway facilities at present enjoyed by English, Scottish, and Welsh men similarly employed to enable them to visit their homes and families during Christmas?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 7th November last to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division, Dublin.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the 12½ per cent. increase in wages recently granted to engineers and moulders applies to carpenters and joiners employed in engineering works?

The terms of the Order prescribing the bonus of 12½ per cent. do not include carpenters and joiners employed in engineering works.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has seen the form of service for a special day of penitence and humble prayer on 4th August issued by the Metropolitan of India; and whether, seeing that the bishop is a public servant, he proposes to take any action with regard to the bishop's statements addressed to the clergy upon democracy, female franchise, self - government or home rule in India, and the probable results of the War?

The Metropolitan of India in the exercise of his functions is by law subject to the general superintendence and revision of the Archbishop of Canterbury. I am not aware that any revisionary action is contemplated in respect of the form of service to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that of the £1,175,000 legal currency in Malta there are £800,000 in gold coin (British) and only £300,000 in Treasury notes; and whether gold will be withdrawn from Malta to strengthen the financial position?

I have no information as to the present condition of the currency, in Malta, but the matter to which the hon. Member refers is primarily for the consideration of the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of motor vehicles dispatched to East Africa since 4th August, 1914?

I have not the information which the hon. Member desires.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the wool clip in South Africa has been commandeered or bought for Imperial purposes; and, if so, what price has been paid?

His Majesty's Government have purchased a portion of this season's South African wool clip on the same terms as the wool clips of Australia and New Zealand.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in giving his consent to building schemes under which considerable areas of horticultural and agricultural land are intended to be taken and built upon, he, while recognising the value of such schemes, will, in view of the present necessity for increased supplies of home-grown food for the population of our large towns and the shortage of available building materials and labour, consider the deferring of such schemes until the situation as to food supplies has been relieved?

It is not contemplated that schemes for the erection of houses for the working classes will be carried out until after the close of the War, except in a few cases of a very urgent character in connection with the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the names of petrol users in county Cavan for 1917, with the present supply of petrol allowed to each user, and also the supply allowed each user for the term November, 1916, to May, 1917?

It would involve a considerable amount of labour to take out this information from the records of licence holders, which are kept alphabetically, and not geographically, and I do not think that the results to be obtained would be justification for the work done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company have recently increased their season-ticket rates for certain stations on their line; upon what authority this is done; and what steps he is prepared to take to remedy the injustice to the season-ticket holders whose fares have been increased?

As was stated in reply to the hon. Member for West Newington on Monday last, I am making inquiries on this subject. I will communicate with the hon. Baronet as soon as the inquiries are completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what principle the Match Control Board makes its distribution to traders throughout the country; whether he is aware that in some localities it is impossible to buy matches; and whether the manufacturers in London who have a practical monopoly can refuse orders sent by traders simply because they were not purchasers previous to the War?

The distribution of matches is effected by the Tobacco and Matches Control Board, who make distribution to all traders pro rata on the basis of their purchases of matches, both imported and British, in 1915, with due allowance for subsequent displacement of the population. I understand that there is no information in the possession of the Control Board to indicate a serious shortage of matches in any part of the country, but every effort is made to deal with any local shortage that may arise. The Board will be glad to consider any cases of hardship which my hon. Friend may put before them. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Government have yet come to any definite decision with reference to the large number of orders for steamers which have recently been placed in this country by neutrals; and, if not, whether they will favourably consider absolutely prohibiting any British shipbuilder commencing a vessel for a neutral owner till after the losses of British vessels through the War have been made good?

I regret that I am unable, at present, to add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 31st October; but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the policy which he urges is being most carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether, in view of the readjustment of trade relations owing to the War, he will take steps to procure the use by the public of the names of chemical substances formerly made by patented processes and now registered as trade marks by alien enemies?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused in the prescribing of medicines under the medical benefit of the National Insurance Acts by the continuance, by means of registered trade marks, of the monopoly by alien enemies of the names of drugs and chemicals made by processes formerly the subject of letters patent; whether he is aware that this continued monopoly of the names of chemical substances made by expired patents increases the cost of drugs chargeable to the Drug Fund established by the National Insurance Acts; and whether he will make representations to the Board of Trade that such names should be removed from the register of trade marks, or that the Board of Trade should otherwise use its powers to see that manufacturers and the public are able freely to use the names of the chemical substances referred to?

It is the duty of the doctor attending an insured person to prescribe the proper and sufficient drugs and medicines that are necessary for the efficient treatment of the case. I am not aware of difficulties of the kind suggested in the question having been occasioned in the work of national health insurance, but if the hon. Baronet will furnish me with particulars of the circumstances he has in mind I will cause inquiries to be made. The points raised in the last part of the question are already being considered by the Board of Trade, as stated by my right hon. Friend to-day, in reply to another question by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received from women clerks of the Savings Bank Department a complaint that a clerk of only twenty-one months' service was transferred to a post in the Agricultural Wages Board while those senior to her on the list of applicants for transfer were disregarded and passed over; and whether this list will in future be made use of?

I have received the complaint to which the hon. Member refers. The Agricultural Wages Board applied for the transfer of the clerk in question and it could not reasonably have been vetoed by me. The list to which the hon. Member refers is kept in connection with transfers to Post Office Departments in Ireland whether the selection is in my own hands.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state for each year for the ten years last past what amount of money has been advanced or paid by the Government for beet-root sugar cultivation or factory work in Great Britain?

During the ten years previous to the current financial year the. following payments or advances have been made in connection with the cultivation or manufacture of sugar beet: £ In 1910–11 94 In 1911–12 39 In 1913–14 11, 000 During the current year £5, 125 has been advanced, and a further sum of £125, 000 will be advanced, for the purchase of an estate to be used as soon as circumstances permit for the cultivation of sugar beet and the erection of a factory.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received and considered a memorial from the paper-promoted national school teachers; what action has been taken by the Commissioners as regards the claim; and whether the Commissioners will now pay, without further delay, the sum of £10 6s. 2d., arrears of salary and increment due to Mr. Daniel O'Shea, Cahersivane, N.S., roll number 9,806?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received and considered a memorial from the paper-promoted national teachers and ascertained from the Commissioners whether their claim is a just one, and, if not, will he do so and state their reply?

I have seen a copy of the memorial submitted by the class of teachers referred to and a report from the Commissioners of National Education on the subject. The application is for payment in respect of promotion without increase of salary sanctioned by the Commissioners of National Education as a recognition of meritorious service to teachers who were not eligible for the increased salary of the first grade owing to the authorised number of places in that grade being filled. I am informed that in September, 1913, a concession was made to these teachers by increasing the authorised number of places for teachers with first-grade salary, and I regret I cannot hold out any hope of securing a further concession in respect of such promotions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Larkin, B.A., head master of St. Laurence's Secondary School, Bray, has within the last few days been informed that the school has been removed from the list of intermediate schools; whether the members of the Intermediate Board of Education for Ireland have been cognisant of this step; and, if not, on whose motion the action has been taken; and on what basis the schools are selected for receiving the Parliamentary Grants, when according to the published reports this school with eight pupils has got no Grants for the past three years while several schools with only six or seven pupils have got the Grants?

The Assistant Commissioners inform me that according to Rule 95 of the Rules of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland, "school" means any educational institution, not being a national school, affording classical or scientific education in any grade, and having at least seven students eligible as regards age to enter for the Board's examinations in the junior, middle, or senior grade, who shall have attended such institution from the 1st day of October, and each of whom shall have made at least 100 attendances at that institution within the educational year immediately preceding the examinations. They, therefore, point out that St. Laurence's Secondary School, Bray, is not a school as defined by the Rules, and so is not eligible to receive Grant from the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many years have elapsed since the Congested Districts Board acquired the estate of D. G. FitzGerald, county Mayo, and what the Board have done to relieve the congestion on the estate; whether he is aware that the Board have now advertised the letting for grazing of a farm in the townlands of Middletown and Cloughboley on this estate, and containing about 150 acres; that immediately adjoining this farm, there are twelve tenants the valuations of whose holdings do not exceed £7 each, and four whose valuations are less than £12 each; and, having regard to the threatened food shortage, if the Board will withdraw the notice of grazing lettings and have the farm referred to immediately divided amongst the neighbouring small landholders, who are badly in need of land for tillage?

This estate was vested in the Congested Districts Board on the 25th March, 1915. I am informed that in the year 1916 forty small holdings were enlarged out of untenanted land on the estate, and that the distribution of the remainder of the untenanted lands is proceeding. It is hoped that all the untenanted lands will be distributed before, the coming spring The Board have not advertised the grazing of the farms referred to. They will be distributed this winter amongst the uneconomic holders in the vicinity,

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the feeling of disappointment and unrest that has been caused throughout the congested districts by the suspension of land purchase; and, in order to have this feeling allayed and food production considerably increased, will he take steps to have the suspension removed at least as to cases in West Mayo, to which his attention has already been called?

No doubt the restrictions on the operation of land purchase have been felt by the tenants of unsold holdings in the congested districts in Ireland, but in existing financial conditions it is impossible to deal with the matter. The increase of food production can be accomplished apart from the settlement of questions affecting land tenure.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Lord Barrymore in the period of 1878–80 secured loans for the erection of houses for labourers under the Land Improvement Acts within the Tipperary electoral division at a, lower rate of interest than could in 1884 be had by the board of guardians, the sanitary authority of the district, and that cottages and half-acre plots erected by the board of guardians under their improvement scheme of 1884 are let on an average at a rent of 1s. per week while Lord Barrymore's inferior cottages, with plots of not more than 5 perches in any case, are let at an average rent of 3s. 6d. per week; if he will say whether loans to Lord Barrymore, originally given at £5 per cent. rent-charge covering principal and interest for a period of thirty-five years and reduced by the Public Works Loans Act, 1889, to a £4 per cent. rent-charge, have yet been repaid; if not, when will they be redeemed; whether he is aware that when the loans are repaid Lord Barrymore will enjoy a revenue of £400 per year from forty-four cottages erected in the Tipperary urban district (in 1878–80 a portion of the Tipperary electoral division), as referred to by the Chief Secretary in his letter of 3rd November, 1916, addressed to the hon. secretaries of the Association of Municipal Authorities in Ireland; and whether, seeing that the loans obtained for the houses in question have not been used for the purpose for which the money was advanced by the State, he will hold an inquiry with a view to placing the responsibility for the diversion of the money from the objects laid down by the Statute and for the non-enforcement of the covenants there under regulating the issue of the loans?

The rate of interest charged in 1878–1880 on loans under the Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Acts was 3½ per cent., as prescribed by Statute, and the period of repayment was thirty-five years. The rate of interest chargeable in 1884 in respect of loans for the same period to boards of guardians for the erection of houses for labourers was 3¼ per cent. All the loans made to Lord Barrymore will not be paid off till 1925. I am informed that there are no arrears, that the rent-charges are paid regularly, and that any revenue derived out of the cottages after the loans have been paid will obviously be in respect of the capital expenditure by Lord Barrymore. I have no official information as to the rents charged for cottages by the Tipperary Board of Guardians and by Lord Barrymore respectively, but if only 1s. per week is charged by the guardians it is insufficient to meet the loan charge, apart from any question of repairs. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous question on the 29th of October.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether certain Irish banks have amalgamated with English institutions recently, giving the names of the different banks; is he aware that over twenty-two millions of Irish moneys have been transferred to England; has the Irish Government taken any steps to secure that this money can be made available for Irish purposes or enterprises; have the owners of the deposit accounts been consulted; and is it contemplated that they will get equal treatment as regards interest, etc., as is given depositors in the English banks concerned?

I understand that there has been no amalgamation of English banks with Irish banks, but the London, City and Midland Bank have recently acquired an interest in the Belfast Banking Company, and the London County and Westminster Bank has acquired an interest in the Ulster Bank on the following lines: The English banks have bought a certain quantity of the shares of the respective Irish banks from the shareholders in the latter, and payment has been effected by the issue to the shareholders of the Irish banks, who have accepted the proposal, of shares in the English banks on certain terms in exchange for their shares in the Irish banks. The London, County and Westminster have made a cash payment in addition to each shareholder. The result is that the accepting shareholders of the Irish banks have parted with their holdings and become shareholders in the English banks, while the English banks replace the Irish shareholders on the registers of the two Irish banks. The constitution of the Irish banks remains exactly as it was before, and there is no alteration in their status. There is no reason to suppose that the policy of the Irish banks, whose status remains unaltered, will in any way be changed to the detriment of Irish interests. The position of the depositors in the two Irish banks, whose deposits amount to about twenty-two millions, should be strengthened rather than impaired by the change. Depositors in the Irish banks are evidently not in any way prejudiced by these arrangements. Whether the bankers consulted them as to the proposed arrangements before making a public announcement, I do not know.

asked on what grounds the old age pension of Mrs. Mary Diggin, Coolnaharrigle, Glenbeigh, county Kerry, has been restricted to 4s. instead of 7s. 6d., to which she claims to be entitled; and whether full investigation has been made by the Local Government Board into her claim?

The pension in this case was reduced from 5s. a week to 2s. a week on the ground that the claimant's means exceeded £26 5s., and did not exceed £28 17s. 6d. a year. I am informed that the pensioner is in receipt of separation allowance and excess allotment, in respect of a son in the Army, of 8s. 9d. a week; and she has, in addition, a small piece of land, with a cow, a calf, and some poultry. She is now receiving the additional pension allowance of 2s. 6d. a week.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the maternity benefit is withheld from the wife if and when a petty officer in the Royal Navy is promoted to mate; and will he consider whether, in the best interests of the Navy service, this disability on promotion can be removed?

When a man is promoted to commissioned rank, he ceases to be under any obligation to contribute under the National Insurance Act, 1911. His wife is, therefore, thereafter not entitled to maternity benefit. He could, however, like other persons who have been employed contributors, continue in insurance by becoming a voluntary contributor, provided he is a member of an approved society and had insured for five or more years at the date of his promotion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 12th October the Long Ashton, Somerset, magistrates sent a boy of eleven, named Stokes, to a reformatory till he was 16 for keeping bad company; that the only charge against him was for taking money from a schoolboy's pocket, which was returned soon after, and that the boy's parents were too poor to employ legal defence; and whether he will inquire into the case with a view to mitigate the punishment?

I have made inquiry, and find that this boy was committed to an industrial school (not a reformatory) on a conviction for theft. At the hearing of the case evidence was given that the boy had formed habits of pilfering, and was becoming incorrigible, and the boy's father admitted that his son was beyond his control. The justices decided that, in the boy's own interests, a period of discipline and training in an industrial school was desirable. I can find no ground for interfering with the sentence of the court; but if the boy behaves well and profits by the training the question of releasing him on licence will be considered long before the end of his term.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the picture by Mr. Solomon J. Solomon on the staircase leading to the Committee Rooms corridor of the House of Commons, petitioning Queen Elizabeth to marry, is to be varnished with the object of bringing out the colouring and preserving the surface?

At my request the Director of the National Gallery has examined the picture referred to by my right hon. Friend and he does not recommend varnishing it, anyhow until Mr. Solomon has been consulted, as this artist achieves his effects by methods peculiar to himself, and varnishing would tend to darken the tones and lessen the visibility and decorative effect of the panel. Mr. Solomon is, I understand, at present engaged on national work abroad, but I will take the earliest opportunity of seeking his opinion on this matter.