asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information about the arrangements made for the manufacture of potato flour; whether the necessary machinery has been supplied and to whom; and to what authority will be entrusted the business of buying potatoes and selling the potato flour?

It would be premature to give any detailed information on this subject at present. The Food Controller, in co-operation with the Departments of Agriculture, is actively engaged in developing projects for the manufacture of potato flour, and it is hoped that a considerable proportion of the surplus of this year's crop of potatoes can be used in this way.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has completed his purchases of dried fruit in Greece; and, if so, will he say when the public may expect to purchase the same?

It has not at present been found possible to obtain the currants required from Greece at reasonable prices. Action is, however, being taken to effect the necessary purchases on satisfactory terms.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of statements publicly made by Members of this House to the effect that stores of food are being held up in this country and that if it were not for the action of the food hoarders the price of staple foods might be reduced by 50 per cent., he will say if his official information shows that stores of food are being so held up as alleged; and, if so, what action the Government proposes to take in the matter?

I have no information to the effect that stores of food are being held up in this country in the mariner indicated in the statements referred to in the question. The Food Controller has adequate powers to deal either with holding up or with hoarding; the difficulty in such cases is to obtain definite evidence. A number of prosecutions under the Hoarding Order have already taken place, and substantial fines imposed in many cases; further prosecutions are pending.

asked whether any schemes have been adopted by municipalities or by hotels or other private associations for the feeding of garbage to pigs?

It is the practice of hotels and restaurants to dispose of swill to fat wash contractors and swill boilers, and a ready market is found among pig keepers for the material remaining after fat has been obtained through boiling. Experiments have been tried by municipalities, notably at Liverpool, for the collection of organic refuse in the interests of pig keeping, but these experiments have hitherto met with only partial success. The main obstacles are (1) the necessity of providing each householder with two refuse receptacles. one for organic and the other for inorganic garbage; (2) the difficulty of inducing householders to separate the two classes of garbage; (3) the difficulty of collection owing to the depleted staffs of local authorities; and (4) the provision of the plant needed for sterilising the material before it can be used as stock food.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the duties of the person known as Major Price in Dublin Castle; what military service he had and how he became qualified to hold the title of major; if he will state his salary; if he still draws his salary as an officer of the Royal Irish Constabulary; to what Department he is now attached; and if he has had any service in the present war?

So far as I am aware, the officer to whom the question relates has no duties in Dublin Castle or under any of the Departments of the Irish Execu- tive. Major Price was granted his present rank when he volunteered for service at the commencement of the War, and had no previous military experience. In this particular he was treated in the same manner as other constabulary officers of his seniority. Major Price draws pay amounting to £390 per annum as a Royal Irish Constabulary officer, but receives no pay from the military authorities. He also draws allowances for lodging and a servant, which are recouped from Army funds. There has been no change since I last answered a question on that subject on 18th October.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many bags of sowing flax seed the Government took over from Irish seed merchants at the end of last season; whether this seed has been offered again to the trade for distribution; whether the Government sold all the sowing flax seed which they took over from the Irish merchants at the end of last season, together with the flax seed which they had purchased in Russia, to one merchant without taking into consideration the needs of other seed merchants in regard to this seed; and will he say what price the Government paid for this seed when they took it over and at what price they sold it to the merchant referred to?

I am informed that 1,000 bags of Dutch sowing flax seed were taken over from the seed merchants by the Government in accordance with an undertaking; and that this seed was not offered to the trade for distribution, but was resold to the merchants from whom it had been taken over at their request. The residue of the seed in the hands of the Government amounted to 4,900 bags only of Russian and Dutch flax seed, and was sold to one firm on condition that it should be redressed and recleaned, for which purpose special machinery is required. The Government took the seed over at cost price, including all charges incurred, and sold it at a price which merely covered actual expenses.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the public statement made by the Lord Mayor of Dublin at the corporation meeting on the 5th inst., namely, that the Under-Secretary for Ireland had charged his lordship with having sympathy with disorder, criminals, and suicides, he proposes to dispense with the services of this official?

I cannot add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member last Thursday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the rates of pay for Scottish warders and Royal Irish Constabulary are considerably higher than that which existing Irish warders are in receipt of; that the Royal Irish Constabulary are in receipt of a war bonus for their wives and children as well as for themselves; that neither the Scottish warders nor the Royal Irish Constabulary have suffered any deprivation or loss in their boot allowance; that the Irish warders have been deprived of two free issues of boots, plus free repairs, each year; that the deprivation did not take place until the authorities failed to secure a contract to supply the warders' boots at the rate of 26s. for two pairs; that the Irish warders obtained no war bonus other than that given to the entire Civil Service of Great Britain and Ireland; that the war bonus was intended to help to provide the necessaries of life for the warders' families, and not to purchase articles of uniform, which, according to the terms of their appointment, they should have entirely free of charge; and if he will now take steps to have their grievance redressed and removed from amongst the warders?

I understand that the new scale of salary for Irish prison warders is the same as that of the Scottish warders. The duties of the Royal Irish Constabulary and prison warders are different, and there is no basis for comparison of their rates of pay. Up to 1915, Irish prison warders were allowed boots made by prison labour, and repairs of same, but on the recommendation of the General Prisons Board an allowance of 26s. per annum was substituted. This is the rate of the boot allowance for warders in Scotland. No attempt was made to obtain a contract on the terms stated in the question. The reasons for the change were the impossibility of continuing the manufac- ture of boots in prisons owing to the shortage of labour, and the desire to meet the complaints of prison officers as to the quality of prison-made boots and allow them to select their own. The war bonuses for warders are those given to the Civil Service generally, and have been granted to Government employés in respect of increased cost of living resulting from the War. They are given to married and unmarried warders alike.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the fact that Syria and the Adriatic may be the scene of naval operations and that such maps as are in the Tea Roam resemble school-boy maps where the sea is coloured blue, whether he will exhibit in the Tea Room some charts or supply them to the library?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this question. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will apply to the librarian of the House, giving particulars of the charts which he desires to be supplied. Any maps or charts for which the librarian may ask the Stationery Office will be supplied at once.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, seeing that the Admiralty have granted storeholders of the Naval Ordnance Department a war bonus of £50 per annum, as from the 1st September last, and that such subordinates are paid for overtime worked at the flat rate of 2s. per hour, he will extend the same privileges to storeholders of the Army Ordnance Department, whose duties are practically identical with those of Naval Ordnance Department storeholders?

I will inquire into this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to paragraph 38 of the Report of the Committee on Public Accounts and to the statement that, under an agreement made by the Egyptian command in January, 1915, retrospective to the beginning of the War, for receiving meat, etc., from this country, whilst the contractor's annual profits before the War averaged £6000 to £19,000 a year, they were for a period of sixteen or eighteen months under the agreement not less than £40,000, and possibly much more; whether the gentleman who made the agreement on behalf of the Government still retains his position; and, if so, why no disciplinary action was taken?

My attention has been called to the paragraph referred to. The agreement was made by the local military authorities in Egypt after reference to, and approval by, the War Office. The terms of the agreement were reasonable at the time when it was made, but owing to the pressure of business in the command the necessity of revising it in view of the altered conditions which subsequently obtained, was lost sight of. The agreement was not made on the responsibility of any one individual, and owing to the pressure of work in Egypt it is to be presumed that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief did not consider there was a case for disciplinary action.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many non-commissioned officers on being transferred are reduced to the rank of private; and will he see that Instruction No. 1701, which was issued to meet these cases, is carried out?

I am not aware that the instructions on this subject are not being carried out. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases which he has in mind inquiries will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction with the practice of appointing non-commissioned officers to acting rank higher than their permanent rank, and, in the event of the man being admitted to hospital in France, reverting to his permanent rank with little prospect of recovering his acting rank; and whether men who have acted in a higher rank satisfactorily for a few months can be promoted to that rank?

Acting rank in the field is given to fill temporary vacancies, and is given up immediately the vacancy is permanently filled or the holder ceases to perform the duties of that acting rank. The answer to the second portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that wool brokers in the South-West of Scotland are paying only 10d. per lb. for unwashed black-faced wool and 11d. for unwashed Cheviot wool, arbitrarily calling the whole output of farmers broken wool; at what prices such wools are taken over by his Department, and who reaps the profit between the farmer and the War Office; and whether he will put an end to this system, which enables the wool brokers to take advantage of the farmers, whilst ascribing the responsibility to the War Office?

I regret that my inquiries into this matter are not yet complete, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Private Jones, No. 53296, 2nd Section, 9th Machine Gun Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, who was admitted to hospital on 28th August last as a shellshock victim, officially described as suffering from neurasthenia, but who a few weeks later was discharged and classified A and is now in the trenches; and whether it is the usual practice to send back shellshock victims into the firing line?

I would refer the hon Member to the answer given on the 13th instant to the hon. Member for North Somerset, which refers to this case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any troops undergoing training are now stationed at Chiseldon Camp; and if so, whether, in view of last winter's epidemic of cerebro-spinal meningitis, he will have a special Report made as to the present condition of the hutment section of the camp, in view of the report that the whole training area in question surrounding the hutment camp is waterlogged and generally in an unfit state for training troops?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hutment section of the camp has been greatly improved; the huts have been vacated in turn and thoroughly cleaned and distempered. They are well ventilated, warmed, and drained. The training ground is heavy, but not waterlogged, and training has been carried out satisfactorily for the last three years. The health of the troops is reported to be very good, and there is no reason to anticipate any heavier sick rate at this station than at others.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to issue a medal for those who served at Gallipoli; and, if so, whether such medal will be issued without further delay?

Any commemorative medal which may be sanctioned for issue to those who have served in a theatre of war will be granted to those who served at Gallipoli. The matter is under consideration, and I am afraid no issue can be made at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any special recognition has been given to those officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who joined the Territorial Force in pre-war days and who volunteered for service abroad soon after the declaration of war, but are retained in this country on coast defence; and will he consider their claims to be included with the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men entitled to wear the red chevron for 1914 service?

The chevron is intended to mark the wearer as having proceeded overseas for service, and would therefore lose its point if it were allowed to be worn by men who, for whatever reason, had to remain in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, despite his assurance, soldiers are being employed on civil work in telephone exchanges on the East Coast; whether he is aware that. a soldier is performing a duty in the trunk exchange and another soldier a duty in the local exchange at Grimsby, and whether these two soldiers are being employed to cover civilian vacancies; whether he is aware that two soldiers are taking the place of a temporary night operator at Immingham, and that other soldiers are acting as substitutes for one established and two temporary night. operators at the Grimsby local exchange; and whether he will see that soldiers are not employed to reduce the present low wage standard of the Post Office telephonist?

I will make inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that under Army Council Instructions, No. 1252, of 1917, Regular officers who joined up again for this War are allowed to count their past services towards seniority, plus certain additional time if they were on the Reserve, the same Regulation can be made to apply to Territorial officers?

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office has taken over Mr. Patrick Murphy's holding at Irishtown, Gormanstown, county Meath, and the greater parts of the holdings of Mr. John Mullen, Mr. Thomas Morgan, and Mr. Laurence Branagan, all of Irishtown, county Meath; what is the compensation they are to get; whether it is to be monetary or equivalent land; whether he is aware that Colonel Peppard, of Bulgarth Castle, who is their landlord, has large estates joining the holdings, including an area of untenanted land; and will the War Office purchase from Colonel Peppard sufficient of his land to make equivalent grants of land to the above tenants, and thus enable them to pursue their industries?

The facts are substantially as stated, but Mr. Murphy's house has not been taken. The tenants will be entitled to such monetary compensation as the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission may decide in respect of any direct loss which they may suffer. If the landlord of the dispossessed tenants has other land which is unoccupied there should be no difficulty in their coming to an arrangement with him for the tenancies of that land.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that quite recently there was a happy Canadian camp at Shoreham and a happy London command depot at Sea-ford; that there is now a discontented Canadian camp at Seaford and a discontented London command depot at Shoreham; whether he is aware that the Canadians moved to Shoreham three months ago at a cost of nearly £4,000; that the stables at Seaford were converted into drill sheds and are now being reconverted into stables; whether he is aware that Shoreham was a good training centre and Seaford a bad one; and will he state the object of this exchange of troops and the actual cost of the double move?

My hon. Friend is not correct in saying that the Canadians moved to Shoreham three months ago. About two-thirds of Shoreham Camp has been occupied by Canadians since October, 1916. The move has enabled a concentration to be made of Canadian troops on the one hand and of the Command Depot on the other, while previously both were divided between the two places. I am informed that the move has resulted in increased efficiency in Canadian training and administration and in a considerable reduction in administrative staff. I am afraid that I have no details of the cost of the move, but I may say that the reconversion of the stables, which is taking place in certain cases, is facilitated by the fact that the material was kept for the purpose of reconversion. Both Shoreham and Seaford are good training centres.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the detchment of the 18th Battalion Rifle Brigade, now stationed at Fort Blair, Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal, the average age of the men is forty-five, some of the men being fifty-five; that when they volunteered they never anticipated being sent so far from home for such a long period; and whether, in view of these circumstances and of the fact that the men are beginning to suffer from the climate, arrangements can be made for these men to be exchanged and brought home?

No information to the effect that these men are suffering from the climate has been received. I am afraid that the military situation does not enable me to hold out any hopes of an exchange except in the case of men who are invalided.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the blankets in which men who have died for their country are buried are debited to the men's accounts after death; and whether blankets are issued free on joining the Army?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydvil. Blankets are issued free for the use of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, but remain War Department property.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Royal Field Artillery officers serving with siege batteries of Garrison Artillery do not receive armament pay, the reason given being that they are not shown in the Army List as in the Garrison Artillery; whether if a Field Artilleryman is thus transferred he would lose seniority; and whether a Field Artilleryman doing garrison battery work will receive the pay of that service?

Regular Royal Field Artillery officers are not transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery. A few temporary and Special Reserve officers have been transferred, and these lose regimental seniority, but retain Army seniority. A Royal Field Artillery officer serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery does not receive armament pay, which was instituted as a special inducement to officers to join the Royal Garrison Artillery as a career.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, in the case of No. 19,323, A/sergeant Cecil Boulton, 3rd Battalion Essex Regiment, who was, Owing to the exigencies of the Service, irregularly promoted A/company quartermaster-sergeant, which position he held for ten months, and was then directed to revert to his previous rank and to refund the sum of £216s. 2d., whether this decision may be reconsidered?

I am having inquiry made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether soldiers whose correct age is proved, in accordance with Army Council Instruction No. 832 of 1917, to be between seventeen and eighteen and who are retained as ordinary soldiers in the Army, under Army Council Instruction No. 1,184 of 1917, only receive the pay of 8d. per diem until they attain the age of eighteen?

My attention had not been drawn to this matter previously. I will look into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have an immediate and thorough inquiry into the ease of Private Smith, No. 212754, A 384 Labour Company, Royal Flying Corps, Fort Grange, Gosport, who it is alleged, when on active service in France, was repeatedly given field punishment, deprived of his pay, and actually remitted for court-martial for complaining to the doctor of illness due to an accident, which complaints were proved to be well-founded and, in consequence of which, when he came under the notice of a different doctor, he was invalided home and put in hospital; and will he have inquiry made into his present physical condition and his fitness or otherwise for further service?

Inquiries are being made in this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked whether Class W men can claim to be examined by a medical board for the purpose of getting their discharge from the Army?

Provision has been made for all Class W Reservists who have been transferred otherwise than under the instructions of 30th July, to be asked whether they consider they were suffering at the time of their transfer from any disability which was contracted in or aggravated by military service. Men who answer in the affirmative appear before a medical board, and if found to be suffering as I have indicated, are discharged forthwith. Since 30th July medical boards are held in every case before men are transferred to Class W, unless the transfer is on compassionate grounds.

asked whether Class W men are entitled to any payment or allowance; and, if so, from what source do they receive it?

These are men temporarily allowed to leave the Army to take, up situations in civil life.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that, although an agreement was signed between his Department and the workmen's committee at Gretna that no men who enlisted in the A.R.M.W. should be called to the Colours without his written permission, a man named A. Watson, enrolment number 2/90,322, has been compelled by the military authorities to join up; and whether he proposes to ignore or repudiate the agreement?

I will make inquiries into the case mentioned, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of National Service if he has given notice to review the certificate of exemption granted to Mr. Albert Inkpin, Secretary of the British Socialist Party, on the ground that, as secretary of this organisation, he sent a packet of literature, by request, to a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps; and, if so, whether this appeal for the withdrawing of Mr. Ink-pin's certificate of exemption is intended to hamper the activities of a political party?

No instructions were issued by the Ministry of National Service with regard to the review of Mr. Inkpin's certificate. Action in connection with the review of his ease was initiated by the National Service representative, in accordance with the usual procedure, whereby, if fresh information comes to his knowledge, which in his opinion should be brought to the notice of the appropriate tribunal, he acts without reference to higher authority.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that skilled working mechanics in controlled establishments have by a series of advances increased their incomes beyond the pre-war rates by over 50 per cent., whilst in many cases works managers, draughtsmen, and clerks have only received increases on their incomes of about 10 per cent.; and whether, under the circumstances, he will take the matter into his consideration, and issue an Order enacting that members of the staffs of controlled establishments in receipt of salaries of under £350 per annum, pre-war rate, be paid increased remuneration at the same rate of increase as the mechanics?

The Minister is aware that in some cases members of the staff in controlled establishments with salaries under £500 per annum have not received increases commensurate with the increased expenses they have to bear. There is no power to make the suggested Order in the case of men in receipt of salaries, but favourable consideration will be given to any proposals made by employers for increasing the remuneration of their staff on salaries not exceeding £500 per annum in proportion to the advances awarded to men working in the shops.

asked whether it is proposed to use potatoes for the manufacture of industrial alcohol during the present season?

Experiments are being made in order to ascertain whether potatoes can be used for the production of spirit for munition purposes.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any experiments have been made in the use of immature whisky and other spirits at present held in bond for munition or industrial purposes; and whether these experiments have proved successful?

It is believed that bonded spirit could be made suitable for munition purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, in the case of a technical temporary officer of one of the Services who may have made important war inventions for which he has been required to take out secret patents and assign these to the Government, what is the financial position of such an officer in respect of these patents, and in what manner and on what basis he is remunerated for his inventions?

Such cases are dealt with under the King's Regulations, which apply to these temporary officers as well as to permanent members of the Services, and which provide that the terms for payment for the assignment of such inventions to the Government will be decided by the Government Department concerned, subject to the approval of the Treasury. They further provide that, in deciding those terms, regard will be paid to any facilities in originating, working out, and perfecting the invention which the inventor may have enjoyed by reason of his official position.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that cases are repeatedly occurring of landlords giving notice to munition workers to give up pos- session of the houses they live in for occupation by the owners in districts where no other houses are available; and if it may be understood that he will afford protection against ejectment in such cases until accommodation has been found by or for the munition workers concerned?

Cases such as those referred to have been brought to the notice of the Minister, and, where the facts show a primâa facie case for action, local investigation is made. In districts where such investigations show that it is necessary to do so, the Minister proposes to exercise his powers under the Defence of the Realm Regulations 2 A to protect munition workers against unjust ejectments.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been directed to the housing conditions in Woolwich, Southall, and Enfield, and the surrounding districts, owing to the proximity of munition works and the consequent increased demand for small houses and tenements in these areas; whether, although landlords are prohibited from increasing the rents of such houses since the passing of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, they are in many cases endeavouring to procure possession of houses on the plea that they require them for their own occupation; and, if so, whether he will declare these areas munition areas under the Order in Council of 29th September, 1917, and thus prevent munition workers from being disturbed and turned out of their houses without his authority?

The attention of the Minister has been directed to the housing conditions in the districts referred to, and investigation is being made by the Department with regard to Woolwich in order to determine whether the Minister should exercise his powers under Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations for the protection of munition workers against unjust ejectments.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been directed to the case of Mr. J. F. Earney, a foreman at the Woolwich works of Messrs. Siemens Brothers; whether he is aware that this man, in accordance with the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, had refused to pay an increased rent demanded by his landlord; and the landlord had threatened to turn him out of his house, and had been given an order for possession of the house on the plea that he required it for the occupation of his son-in-law; that another munition worker was also lodging in the house, and that both men were compelled to leave, although there was no other house to be let in the district; and whether, in view of the fact that because of this removal Mr. Earney had been compelled to lose seven days' work upon an important Government contract in connection with aeroplanes and that other similar cases existed, he proposes to take any steps in regard to the matter?

The Minister has had his attention directed to the case of Mr. J. F. Earney, who has been seen by an officer of the Department. The facts as to the ejectment of Mr. Earney appear to be as stated in the question, but the Minister was not aware that Mr. Earney had been compelled to lose seven days' work in consequence of his removal from his house. An investigation is being made by the Department as to the number of similar ejectment cases of munition workers from their houses in the Woolwich area with a view to determining whether the Minister should exercise his powers under Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board whether he has any information showing that a ring has been formed by aircraft manufacturers with the object of keeping up the prices of aircraft material?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of James Price, discharged soldier, of 3, Bromley Street, Wolverhampton, in receipt of a pension of 10s. 6d. a week; whether he is aware that on the 25th October the man's wife went to the pension office at Wolverhampton, on account of her husband's illness, and was informed that nothing could be done until her husband had been examined by a doctor; whether he is aware that as the man and his wife were in absolute want he had to rise from his sick bed and go and see both the committee and the doctor; that the first payment by the local war pensions committee was not made until the 30th, five days after the first application, and that the man subsequently died; and, seeing that the jury, in returning a verdict of death from natural causes, protested against the system instituted by the Pensions Ministry, at present in vogue, whether he will so arrange a system of immediate relief as will prevent men who have fought for their country from ending their days in such circumstances?

My attention has not been drawn to this case, and, in the absence of particulars of the man's regiment and number, it is not possible to find his papers on such short notice. I have, however, telegraphed to the Wolverhampton local committee, and, on receipt of their reply, will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked what arrangements have been completed between the David Little Memorial Homestead, Congleton, and the Pensions Ministry?

No arrangements have been concluded between the charity to which the hon. Member refers and the Ministry of Pensions nor are any arrangements in contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to a speech delivered in Council by the Viceroy of India at Simla, on the 26th September last, in which he stated that, provided the various views placed before Mr. Montagu and himself were consistent with the main principles of the policy formulated by His Majesty's Government, they would receive sympathetic consideration; and can he see his way to make known to this House what are the main principles of the policy formulated by His Majesty's Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement with regard to India made by the Secretary of State on behalf of His Majesty's Government this House on 20th August. I am not able to add anything to what is there stated as to the principles that will guide His Majesty's Government in dealing with the question of political advance in India.

asked the Home Secretary if he can make better provision for the warning of a night air-raid to those people who live in the miles of side streets and who are unable to hear the warning whistle in the larger thoroughfares?

As I explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Newington on the 30th October, the Government decided, after mature deliberation, that the existing method of giving warning is the most suitable for the night hours, and the question cannot now be reopened.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered the problem of infant mortality in relation to the loss of life sustained in the War; whether he is aware that the future of this country is endangered by the needless sacrifice and maiming of infant life; whether he has made representations to the War Cabinet on this question; and, if so, whether he will continue to make representations until drastic action is taken?

The answer to all the four parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether his attention has been called to the action of certain property owners in the western districts and suburbs of London to defeat the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, by the sale of houses within the protection afforded by that Act to purchasers who are, under present conditions, willing to pay an enhanced price for possession; and whether, to prevent this attempt to avoid the provisions of the Act, he will introduce an amending Bill to limit the operation of Section 1, Sub-section (3), of the Act to those landlords who were owners at the time of the passing of the Act, or to give discretionary powers to the County Court or the justices before whom an application for an order of eviction or for possession may come to withhold such order for the duration of the War and for such reasonable period there- after to tenants who have regularly paid their rent and performed the conditions of their tenancies; and (2) whether he is aware that in the western districts of London and the suburbs houses which are within the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, are being sold at enhanced prices with possession, and that thereby tenants who otherwise are entitled to the protection of that Statute have received notice to leave houses which they have occupied for years and are unable, owing to the demand for houses in the neighbourhood, to get other premises and are in jeopardy of being compelled to leave the district in which all their interests are centred; and whether he will introduce an amending Bill to prevent these evictions during the period of the War?

The point raised by these questions, which is admittedly one of some difficulty, is receiving careful consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will provide a return of all ejectment orders applied for and granted in County Courts and in Police Courts since the passing of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, with the reasons for which such applications were made and granted?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I regret that it is not possible to give the Return asked for, which would involve a long inquiry and would impose a great deal of labour on Registrars of County Courts and clerks to justices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made to secure the supply and proper distribution of coal throughout Scotland during the present winter?

Regarding coal for domestic purposes, arrangements have been made with a view to organising the supplies and distribution of coal throughout Scotland by means of local coal committees set up in towns of 20,000 inhabitants and upwards. Supplies in Scotland are satisfactory, and these committees are dealing with the question of distribution in the manner best fitting their locality.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the use of tonnage for the importation and exportation of rum and potable spirits is at present being sanctioned by the Shipping Controller; and whether he can state the number of ships which were required to carry the 4,500,000-gallons of spirits exported during the nine months ending 30th September?

The importation of potable spirit is prohibited, subject to Board of Trade licence, and no arrangements have been made to provide space for this commodity, although no objection would be raised to the shipment of any consignment duly licensed by the Board of Trade if space not required for essential commodities or Government stores happened to be available. Outward shipments are not controlled by the Ministry of Shipping since, broadly speaking, there is no shortage of tonnage for outward trade.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in his Department, ways and means are being considered for the future employment in the Post Office of wounded and discharged soldiers not previously in the postal service; whether there is under consideration any proposal for redistribution of work; if so, who are the persons considering such proposals; and what is the nature of schemes under consideration?

I am anxious to find as many places as possible in the Post Office for disabled soldiers not previously in the postal service. No proposal for redistribution of work is at present under consideration, but, as I have previously stated, I am considering the appointment of an Advisory Committee to discuss questions arising out of the employment of disabled men.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is the intention of the Government to remove the present restrictions upon the importation into the United Kingdom of live cattle, store or otherwise; if so, is the necessary legislation to be introduced during the present Session; and will he, before introducing such legislation, in view of the risk to our pedigree herds entailed by such removal, consult with the representatives of the various breed societies and give them an opportunity of making such representations as they may think fit?

It is not the Government's intention to remove the present retrictions upon the importation of live cattle into this country. In the case of Canada no legislation will be introduced unless and until the importation of live cattle born and reared in that country is found to be both practicable and consistent with our domestic policy after the War. Before any legislation is proposed, the Board would naturally take steps to obtain the views of breed societies upon this subject, and to impose whatever measures might be thought necessary to ensure that no appreciable risk of the introduction of disease should be run.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture why Mr. W .F. Randall, of Andover, who was employed to plough with tractors from March to June, 1917, and was then promised that five Mogal tractors should be sent to him under the new scheme at the end of June, has never received any machines and has not been appointed to plough; and whether Mr. Randall was informed that his work was satisfactory?

Mr. Randall was one of three engineers employed under the old tractor scheme in the Andover district, being responsible for only one tractor. When the new scheme came into operation on 1st July there were only sufficient tractors in the district to form two half-units. The duty of keeping these in repair was allocated to two other well-qualified engineers who had been in charge of more machines than Mr. Randall. He was, accordingly, informed that if at any time the Hampshire Agricultural Executive Committee considered that the amount of work in the Andover district justified the sending of another half-unit of five tractors to that area, his claim for appointment as district engineer responsible for repairs and maintenance would be favourably considered so soon as the required number of tractors became available. Under the new scheme district engineers have no responsibility for ploughing, which is controlled in Hampshire by the ploughing committees of the county organization.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that the London Panel Committee, representing the medical practitioners engaged in insurance practice in the Metropolitan area, have advised their constituents to refuse to carry out the new Regulations re invalided seamen, marines, and soldiers, issued by the Commissioners; and whether he can state the number of doctors who have notified the London Insurance Committee to this effect?

Since the date referred to in the question the London Panel Committee have been in communication with the Commissioners, with a view to the elucidation of various points in connection with the new Regulations; and it is not, therefore, possible yet to know what course individual doctors in London may decide to adopt in regard to the matter referred to in the question.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is the present state of the negotiations relating to the carrying out of The Hague agreement as to an exchange of prisoners with Germany; whether ships have yet been secured for carrying the German prisoners from England; whether English prisoners in Germany will leave at the same time as German prisoners in England; and what accommodation has been secured in Holland for their reception?

I am happy to say that the German military authorities are prepared at once to repatriate 800 British prisoners. Shipping is available, and I am informed that the prisoners will be able to start as soon as the German Admiralty give their consent to the route between Rotterdam and Boston proposed by the Dutch Government. Accommoda- tion for the prisoners to be interned in Holland has been secured in the neighbourhood of The Hague, and will be available next month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the amount of malt exported from this country in 1915, 1916, and 1917; and what was the destination of such malt exported?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The total exports of malt from the United Kingdom were 1,240,000 cwts. in 1915, 530,000 cwts. in 1916, and 161,000 cwts. in the first ten months of 1917. Particulars as to the destinations of the exports in each year are given below: Countries to which Exported. 1915. 1916. [...]10 months -Jan. to Oct., 1917. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. Sweden 42,502 — — Norway 56,926 21,782 — Denmark (including Faröe Islands) 9,618 621 — Netherlands 472,771 140,832 — Belgium 4,658 18,053 15,617 France 71,994 58,951 3,179 Switzerland 200,157 20,281 14,417 Portugal 15,472 5,366 4,371 Spain 1,530 — — Italy 161,946 98,549 81,771 Greece 7,926 3,200 — Turkey, European — 1,602* — Foreign Countries out of Europe 70,869 5,576 20 Total to Foreign Countries 1,116,369 374,813 119,375 Channel Islands 7,942 7,742 4,141 Egypt 31,114 53,304 13,445 Union of South Africa 63,405 81,566 20,783 Australia 14,072 4,995 653 New Zealand 622 504 115 Canada 2,755 2,960 1,162 Other British Possession 3,401 4,084 1,372 Total to British Possessions 123,311 155,155 41,671 Total to all Countries 1,23.9,680 529,968 161,046 *Exports to territory formerly Turkish but now in the occupation of the forces of the Allies.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is to be understood that the general practice throughout the Civil Service to count for pension under Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, so much of temporary service as is similar to the established service following is no longer in force; and, if so, under what circumstances that general practice came to be abolished?

I am not aware of any change in the practice of the Treasury in administering Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that married Irish prison warders not residing in prison cottages or quarters, the property of the General Prisons Board, were granted an increase in their rent allowance as far back as 13th June last, he will see that this increased allowance be paid forthwith?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 22nd October, the details of this matter are very complicated, but it is hoped that a settlement will soon be arrived at.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a man named Joseph Harmon was arrested on 8th July last on suspicion of having caused the death of Inspector Mills; that he was returned for trial and detained in custody until 3rd August, when a none prosequi was entered by the Crown, the Attorney-General stating that the evidence would not entitle him to ask a jury to find a verdict against him; whether he is aware of the expense to which Harmon has been put in preparing his defence and summoning twenty witnesses; and, as the Crown had by their action in withdrawing the charge admitted that a mistake had been made and Harmon's innocence established, he will consider the granting to Harmon of adequate compensation for the imprisonment he had been forced to suffer, the degradation he was subjected to, and the expenses he has been put to?

As I informed the hon. Member by letter ,on, the 24th August, all the circumstances of the case referred to have been carefully considered, but it has been decided that the case is not one in which compensations as suggested can be paid.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Dublin Corporation have passed a resolution in favour of having municipal elections in July instead of January, as is now the case; and if he will see that their wishes are put into operation and have this alteration included in the Representation of the People Bill now before the House?

The Local Government Board have received a copy of the resolution of the Dublin Corporation on this subject, but I am told that no similar resolutions have been received from other municipal bodies in Ireland, and the subject does not seem to me one which should be dealt with differentially.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will grant a Return showing the religion and birth of every official permanently or temporarily carrying on his work in the block of Irish Government offices which pass by the name of Dublin Castle?

I cannot see that any useful public purpose would be served by the suggested Return.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has yet considered the Report of the Commissioners of National Education on the national teachers' memorial; and, if so, will he state his recommendations for the advancement of the teachers?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question on Thursday last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the whole of the direct taxation and an appreciable part of the indirect taxation of Southern Rhodesia is borne by the natives; whether he will consider the desirability of requiring the demarcation of the boundaries of the reserves to be regarded as a legitimate charge upon Government; and whether he is prepared to intimate to the British South Africa Company that His Majesty's Government cannot accept the recommendation set forth in paragraph 84 of the Rhodesian Reserves Commission that the natives should themselves contribute the greater part of the labour necessary to the work of demarcation?

The native tax amounts to nearly one-third of the revenue of Southern Rhodesia. I. cannot say what proportion of the remainder, the largest item of which is Customs amounting to another one-third, is borne by the natives, but it is presumably not very large. With regard to the cost of demarcation, my predecessor contemplated, and I see no reason to dissent, that it should be borne by local revenue. With regard to Section 8 of the Report, I would say that the recommendations of the Commission have been approved, and I am not prepared to alter the decision.

asked whether, before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council reports upon the Rhodesian land question, the British South Africa Company will be permitted to demand rent from natives now occupying land which it is proposed shall be withdrawn from the reserve areas.

The Reserve Commission in Section 44 of their Report made special recommendations on this subject which were accepted by the Chief Native Commissioner as adequate, and I see no, reason for going beyond these.

asked the Minister of" Labour if, for the purpose of giving particulars as to earnings for publication in the "Labour Gazette" and other official publications, he will adopt a different form of inquiry to the one now in use which will separate the various employments from each other, as, for instance, in regard to the weaving industry, one that, instead of stating that so many work-people employed in the weaving industry as a whole earned so much, would state the number and earnings, respectively, of the workpeople employed as weavers, over-lookers, burlers, dressers, twisters, etc.?

The figures published in the " Labour Gazette " as to numbers employed and amounts earned in certain industries give a good indication of the state of employment in those industries, and for the returns on which these figures are based the Ministry is dependent on the good will and assistance of a large number of employers. It would be impracticable to obtain, month after month, the detailed statements suggested by my hon. Friend.