asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to the injustice of controlling the retail selling prices of beers without at the same time controlling the wholesale selling prices; and if he can see his way to control the wholesale selling prices so as to enable the retailer to secure a fair profit?

No complaints have been made to me on the point raised by the hon. Member. I cannot admit that it is unjust to control the retail selling prices of certain classes of beer in certain circumstances without at the same time controlling the wholesale selling prices.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the conviction of Mr. James Johnston, of Castlewellan, by court-martial at Belfast on 5th November, what charge was preferred against him; who were the members of the military court; and where he is at present confined?

James Johnston was convicted by a district court-martial at Belfast on the 5th November, of an offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The members of the court were officers detailed for the duty in the usual way. Johnston is not now in prison, having been released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at places throughout Ireland drilling of volunteers pledged to assert by force the imposition of a republican form of government on their fellow citizens, and in defiance of His Majesty's Government, is of daily occurrence, and takes place often without interference from the responsible authority; whether he is aware that at Gun on the 11th instant the local volunteers were put through various drill movements in view of a force of police, who were present while the parade lasted; and that at Listowel Petty Sessions, on the next day fourteen school children were summoned and fined 1s. each for making a collection outside the church of Ballydonoghue for the National Aid Fund; and, having regard to the feeling caused by the Government's refusal to proceed against the ringleaders of the revolutionary movement, will he say what action he proposes to take?

I made a full statement to the House on 23rd October as to the drilling of Volunteers in Ireland, and of the extent to which prevention is in my opinion necessary and practicable. I am informed that a party of young men were put through certain movements recently at Gun under the observation of three officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary and that the fact was reported to the competent military authority. The persons who were fined at Listowel were adults who were summoned for breach of police regulations.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received from the rural district council of Glenties, county Donegal, representations in favour of an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill providing that secretaries of county councils shall in future appoint clerks of unions as deputy overseers in the same manner as is now done for the purpose of checking the rate collectors' books; and if he is prepared to give effect to this request?

I have seen the representations referred to. Under paragraphs 3 and 4 of Rule 38 of the First Schedule of the Bill, provision is made securing that clerks of the union and other local officers, who perform duties under the existing registration system, shall be employed to perform analogous duties under the new system. I think this system will make adequate provision for doing the necessary work.

asked the Chief Secretary whether all contracts involving labour with councils, corporations, committees, etc., in Ireland are rendered unenforceable since the coining 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 not aware of the particular contracts referred to, but if they relate to wages which may be fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board for Ireland under the Corn Production Act, 1917, for workmen in agriculture, I am advised that contracts of local bodies are not affected to any large extent

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the resentment felt by flax growers in Ulster at the manner in which flax inspectors grade the flax in the markets; whether arrangements will be made to allow farmers to remove from the market any flax which the inspectors do not classify in one of the grades, so that they may be enabled to sell it to the highest bidder; and whether a farmers' referee will be allowed to be nominated to cooperate with the Government referee in the various markets?

Certain dissatisfaction on the part of flax growers in Ulster, has been brought to the notice of the Flax Buying Committee, and one matter is receiving consideration. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative; growers are represented on the Committee which appoints the grades.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in county Down the flax yield is only about half as much per bushel as last year, that the flax graders are fixing about 25s. per stone as the price for top-grade flax, instead of 35s. as fixed by Government; whether the price the farmers are obtaining for tow is also much below expectations; whether the Government realises that unless some action is taken with regard to prices, and also with regard to the representation of flax growers on the Committee for fixing prices, the farmers will not sow flax next season; whether farmers will be allowed to hold over their raw flax if unscutched; and what action the Government proposes to take in the whole matter?

The Flax Buying Committee are aware of the yield in county Down, which, according to my information, is somewhat higher than is suggested in my hon. Friend's question. The price for top-grade flax is 35s. per stone. The price varies with the grade, in accordance with the Order in Council, and as the quality of flax of this year's crop is generally low, the average price is considerably below the maximum. The Government is exercising no control over the price of tow. Flax farmers are represented on the Flax Buying Committee: the prices of flax were fixed by the Government after consultation with representatives of the growers, and are very much in excess of pre-war prices. It is the quality of the flax this season which unfortunately is low, and not the prices. No case of farmers holding over their raw unscutched flax has arisen, but the Government are prepared to take action if necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the reason of delay in reconstructing the General Post Office, Dublin; and whether he will arrange that the work shall be commenced at once, with the necessary structural improvements in the temporary sorting, telegraph, and parcel offices?

The reconstruction of the General Post Office at Dublin involves a number of problems. Consideration of these is being expedited as far as possible, but I regret I am unable at present to say when operations are likely to be begun. Various suggestions made by the staff for improving the comfort of the temporary premises are being attended to as far as practicable.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what material improvements, if any, have taken place since the outbreak of hostilities in the pay and prospects of the Accountants' Branch of the Royal Navy; and, in view of the fact that it is more than three years since a Committee reported upon this subject, and taking into account the increase in the cost of living, will he give effect to the recommendations of the Committee without any further delay?

The following improvements in pay and prospects, which include a number of the Committee's recommendations, have been made since the outbreak of hostilities: (1) Three good service pensions of £100 a year each have been instituted for retired officers of the Accountant Branch, and two of them have already been given. (2) Charge pay of 3s. 6d. per day has been granted during the War to the senior accountant officers of certain seagoing ships. (3) An allowance of 2s. 6d. a day has been given to accountant officers borne for victualling duties where the daily average number borne is large. (4) An allowance of 1s. a day has been granted during the War to captain's clerks in ships in which the highest rate of command money is paid. (5) The initial rate of pay of assistant paymasters has been increased from 5s. to 7s. 6d. a day. (6) The title of assistant paymaster of four years' seniority has been changed to paymaster, and that of paymaster to staff-paymaster. (7) Commissioned warrant rank has been instituted for both writers and stewards, six commissioned writers and four commissioned stewards being allowed. (8) The number of warrant writers and warrant stewards has been increased to fifty-two and thirty-seven respectively. (9) Provision has been made for ten promotions to be made to the rank of paymaster from commissioned writers and warrant writers, and six from commissioned stewards and warrant stewards, these totals to be reached gradually and the number of warrant and commissioned warrant ranks to be correspondingly reduced. Half of these promotions have already been carried out. (10) The initial pay of warrant writers has been increased from 7s. to 7s. 6d. a day, and that of warrant stewards from 8s. to 8s. 6d. In addition, temporary acting higher rank has been given to officers in a large number of cases, and the promotion of clerks to assistant paymaster has been considerably accelerated. The question of increased pay in relation to the increased cost of living is under consideration.

asked for what reasons General Sir Archibald Hunter was relieved of the Aldershot Command?

It was considered that an, officer with recent experience in the field in the present War should be appointed to this Command.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men discharged from the Army on account of displaced cartilage of the knee-joint?

I am afraid that there is no information available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the reason why the men of the 5th Southern Non-Combatant Corps Company, Weymouth, which is 110 strong, are allowed leave only at the rate of three men per week; and will he see that reasonable leave is given to these men, and that they are treated on terms of equality in this matter with the men of all other Non-Combatant Corps companies?

I am informed that leave to men of this Non-Combatant Corps company is not limited to three per week. The rest of my hon. Friend's question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the doubts concerning the legal status and rights of men who, having been examined in prison by members of the Central Tribunal, were reported to the Army Council as having a genuine conscientious objection to military service and released to do Home Office work under the work of national importance under the Home Office; whether he has consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to his legal powers to restrict their liberties; and, if so, whether he will make the opinion received known to the House?

I am not aware of any doubts as to the legal status of the men employed under the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors, and no question on this point has arisen on which it has been necessary to consult the Law Officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the star for the decoration of the first Expeditionary Force in 1914 is yet ready for distribution; and, if not, whether instructions have been given that the ribbon may be worn?

An Army Order will be published shortly containing full particulars about the star and riband.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the chevrons which have been granted for service in the field have yet been distributed?

No, Sir; the detailed instructions regarding the issue are being prepared, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that the arrangements for the manufacture of the millions of chevrons required will take time to complete.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to ensure that the movement of troops in the Isle of Wight, and from the Isle of Wight to the mainland, is not seriously jeopardised by the extension to the railway and steamboat services of the strike of some 6,000 men, mostly Admiralty and munition workers at Cowes, due to the alleged failure of the Shipping Controller and the Coal Controller to alleviate the hardship due to the present price of coal there?

It is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in making special arrangements, should it be necessary to move troops to or from the Isle of Wight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what statute empowers the War Office, in the case of an estate which they have occupied for military purposes under the Defence of the Realm Acts, to open up and work a gravel pit on the estate for road-making for a camp on the estate and for surrounding camps without first communicating their intention to the owner, or making any arrangement with him to pay for it?

The powers are contained in Regulation 2 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The owner will be entitled to put in a claim' for any loss which he may suffer to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have sanctioned the issue of motor cycles fitted with cut-out and inefficient silencers; whether he is aware that at the Bromley Police Court recently Company Sergeant-Major Charles William Ward, of the Army Service Corps, was summoned and fined 10s. for using a Triumph cycle fitted with one of these defective silencers and thereby committing an offence against the police regulations; whether his attention has been called to the evidence given in Court by Lieutenant Noble that the machine in question was one accepted by the War Office, and by Lieutenant Sugdon that if the police contention were upheld it would mean the overhauling and possible scrapping of thousands of motor cycle silencers which were now being used in the Army; and, under these circumstances, whether he will institute an inquiry into the case?

This matter has been taken up and is receiving consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the Fair-Wages Clause in the contracts issued by the War Office only provides that the current wages of the district should be paid to women; and whether he will consider inserting in the contracts issued by his Department a Fair-Wages Clause similar to that now inserted by the Ministry of Munitions prescribing that the scale of wages which must be paid by controlled firms shall be paid by all firms, controlled or uncontrolled, engaged in similar work?

I understand that the clause to which my hon. Friend refers has only been adopted by the Ministry of Munitions in the special case of contracts for ammunition boxes made by uncontrolled firms.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that men of the 178th Tunnelling Company, 4th Section, in France, joined up on condition that they would receive 6s. per day on arriving in France and passing the trade test; that up to the present time a number of men have not received the rate of pay to which they are entitled; and if he will state the reason for such breach of agreement?

I am not aware that any men were enlisted on the conditions referred to, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases he may have in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether all the private shipbuilding yards in the United Kingdom are fully equipped with labour and material for completing merchant ships to their utmost capacity?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The private shipbuilding yards are not yet fully equipped with labour and material. Greatly increased quantities of material are, however, now being delivered in the shipyards, and the necessity for further labour now, and as the material increases, is engaging the attention of the Departments concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the expert telegraphists have lately been withdrawn from the Rame Head War Signal Station and Stoke Point; and, if so, whether their places have been filled by equally experienced and equally efficient telegraphists?

One telegraphist at Rame Head and one at Stoke Point have recently been withdrawn as their services were not required. The hon. Member may rest assured that changes of the telegraph staff at naval stations are only made with the concurrence of the Admiralty.

asked the Pensions Minister whether a discharged soldier in receipt of a total disability pension is entitled to receive 5s. per week from an approved society under the National Insurance Acts in addition to his pension?

Under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Part I. Amendment) Act, 1917, a reduction of 5s. a week is made in the rate of sickness or disablement benefit which would ordinarily be payable to a discharged soldier in receipt of a pension in respect of disablement in the highest degree. In the case, therefore, of a man whose ordinary rate of sickness benefit is 10s. a week, benefit would be payable at the rate of 5s. a week up to a maximum of twenty-six weeks, in addition to the amount of his pension.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received a communication from Accrington about the action of the Pearl Assurance Company in dismissing an agent for speaking in support of a war bonus for the staff; what action he is prepared to take to allay the indignation which has been caused by this act of the company; if he is aware of the discontent among insurance agents all over the country owing to the refusal of the companies to give some increase of remunera- tion to meet the increased cost of living; and what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter?

In regard to the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15th November to a similar question set down by the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour; I am aware of the desire of insurance agents for an increase of wages, and I am still in communication with the parties.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether the proposals for land reform, advocated by the Prime Minister in 1913, are being considered with a view to conditions after the War; and whether their adoption or modification will be proposed?

The proposals made in 1913 by the late and the present Prime Minister are under consideration. Certain of these proposals—for example, a minimum wage for agricultural labourers—have in a modified form already become law. I am not in a position to say, at present, how many of the others will be adopted or in what way they will be modified.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the number of cases for decision that came before the sheriff-principal of Ayrshire during the year 1915 was eleven; that the salary paid to such sheriff was £700; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation consolidating sheriffdoms during the currency of the War?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, to the latter part in the negative.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, having regard to the number of Turkish prisoners in British hands, he will consider the possibility of arranging for an exchange of British prisoners in Turkish hands; and whether he will state the numbers of each respectively?

His Majesty's Government have for a long time past made every effort to arrive at an agreement for the exchange of as many invalid prisoners as possible. After much delay we have now heard that the Turkish Government are willing to send delegates to Switzerland to discuss the whole question with British representatives. There is a great preponderance of Turkish prisoners in British hands, their numbers being at present probably 45,000 as against about 8,000 British and Indians in Turkish hands, who are believed to have survived the rigours of their captivity.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mrs. Johanna Cronin, Lomanagh, Sneem, county Kerry, has been granted a pension of 3s. weekly instead of the 5s. to which she is entitled; that her husband died after making a will by which he divided the farm between the two sons, leaving his widow the grass of two cows free; that probate of the will was taken out and the two sons hold separate receipts for the farm from the Land Commission; that the widow has now only one cow and one calf, and has no other means; that the Sneem Sub-Committee passed her claim for 5s.; and will he say what steps will be taken to obtain for Mrs. Cronin the full pension to which she is entitled?

This pensioner has been in receipt of a pension of 3s. a week since 1st February, 1914. She applied recently for an increase, which was refused by the Local Government Board on the ground that her means precluded her from receiving a higher rate of pension. The facts as regards the will are as stated; but the pensioner is receiving maintenance from her sons on the farm, and it is doubtful whether she is now entitled to any pension.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of men drawing pensions who joined the Royal Irish Constabulary during the period from 10th August, 1866, to the passing of the 1916 Act?

There is no exact record, but I am told that about 95 per cent. Of the 7,195 pensioners provided for in the Estimates joined the Royal Irish Constabulary subsequently to the 10th August, 1866.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the approximate average pension of men who retired from the Royal Irish Constabulary between August, 1866, and 1916, is £44 per annum, and, taking into consideration the prices for the necessaries of life and the purchasable power of this pension is approximately £20; will he say what steps he now intends to take to relieve these ex-public servants; if he is aware that a sum of £185,000 of an overplus will revert to the Treasury; and, as this amount is purely money subscribed in Ireland, will he consider the advisability of granting a bonus to the pensioners concerned?

The approximate average pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary are: Ex-Head Constables, £71; ex-sergeants, £53; ex-acting sergeants and constables, £41. I am advised that the forecast of a surplus £185,000 is unfounded. As to the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24th October to a question by the hon. Member for the College Green Division.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a petition has been presented to the Education Committee of the county borough of West Ham on behalf of the whole of their teachers for an increase in their salaries of 7s. per week; that such increase represents a total of £34,300, equivalent to a rate of 7d. in the £; that as the council have received no grants for elementary education under the Supplementary Grant regulations they are unable to accede to this request; that other education authorities who have received increased Grants have been enabled to increase the salaries of their teachers above the West Ham scale, as a consequence of which West Ham teachers are taking service under those authorities whenever opportunity occurs, and education in the borough is likely to suffer in consequence; and whether he will at once make some financial provision in order to enable West Ham to increase their scale of salaries and so retain the services of their teachers?

I have received representations to the effect stated in the question, and am considering the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who hold at present the offices of Chief Justice and Auditor-General of Tonga; whether he is aware that by the votes of these gentlemen the legislative proposal to introduce total prohibition of the sale of liquor was recently defeated; and whether these votes were given on instructions from the Home Government?

The Chief Justice of Tonga is Mr. H. C. Stronge; the Auditor-General is Mr. J. Darrell Wall. These gentlemen are appointed by the King of Tonga. I have no information with regard to the legislative proposal referred to.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the carrying out of any housing scheme for the rural population which may be determined on, the Board will have due regard to the traditional styles of building which distinguish different parts of the country, and will endeavour to secure that the amenities of the countryside and the beauty of English villages shall not be impaired?

I think I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall do our best to secure the amenities to which he refers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if his attention has been directed to the fact that the Northern Isles, Orkney, are extremely badly off, as no steamer now runs from Kirkwall to North Ronaldshay, Ramsay, and Egilsham; and if he will endeavour to co-operate with the Orkney Steam Navigation Company in getting communication established with as little delay as possible?

The matter has engaged the attention of the Shipping Controller for some time past, and I am glad to say that an arrangement has recently been made with the Orkney Steam Navigation Company for a weekly service.

asked the Paymaster-General as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether land at Midsomer Norton, Somerset, known as Ann Harris's Charity, is available for sale to the local authority for a burial ground; and what price was given for the portion of this land sold some years ago to the churchwardens to enlarge the parish churchyard?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. question. The trustees could sell the land of Ann Harris's Foundation with the sanction of the Board of Education. The Board would be prepared to consider any application the trustees might make for the purpose. The answer to the second part of the question is £60.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the mail service to Skerries, he will ascertain what subsidy the North of Scotland would require to run the "Earl of Zetland" weekly, or even fortnightly, from Lerwick?

The present service between Whalsay and Skerries is considered adequate for postal purposes. I understand that the North of Scotland and Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Company are not prepared to undertake a steamer service to Skerries in existing. conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the state of affairs at Skerries, Lerwick; that since then the position is worse, and that the residents can neither dispose of their fish nor get necessary provisions from the mainland; and if he will ascertain whether some relief can be obtained by the assistance of the Post Office, the Highlands and Islands Medical Board, the Admiralty, and the Scottish Board of Agriculture?

The Board of Trade have no responsibility in regard to the disposal of fish by the residents or the provisioning of the island, but are charged only with the interests of the lighthouse service. So far as this service is concerned, the Board of Trade and the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses are prepared to co-operate with other public Departments in endeavouring to secure regular communication with the island by motor boat or otherwise.