asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the separation allowance was stopped for a period of several weeks to the wife and six children of a sailor, whose official number is 161,838, on board His Majesty's Ship "Warspite; " and by what means this family was intended to subsist during the period in question?

I am familiar with the case to which this question refers. I should be glad if my hon. Friend would go into it with me. He may then consider whether or not he would wish to put a further question

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the fact that Henry P. Taylor,. M.D., is acting as surgeon to the Admiralty, and has received notice that no more carbide of calcium will be supplied him, and, in view of the fact that, owing to the long nights in the north, much of his work has to be done in the dark, it is impossible to do his work without a supply of necessary light; and if he will give the matter his consideration?

I have been asked to, answer this question. So far as I am aware, no application for a supply of calcium carbide has been received by the Ministry of Munitions from Dr. H. P. Taylor. Owing to the serious shortage of this material it has become necessary greatly to restrict its use for illuminating purposes. In cases, however, where it is proved that carbide is essential for carrying out Government war work, the Ministry of Munitions, through their Priority Department, have arranged to supply sufficient quantities for this, purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps are necssary to enable Private No. 202637, 1/4th Seaforths, wounded in France, and now in Queen Mary's Military Hospital, Whalley, Lancashire, to be removed to a hospital nearer Glasgow, where his friends could visit him, in view of the fact that the lad's recovery is much retarded by home-sickness and a desire to see his own friends?

Instructions have been issued for this man to be transferred,. if he is fit to travel.

asked whether a man holding a certificate of exemption imposing upon him the duty to drill with the National Volunteers may be taken into the Army on the ground that he is not becoming an efficient volunteer; whether the decision on that point rests solely with the local military authorities; and whether the man has no chance of an appeal?

If a certificate of exemption is granted to a man by a tribunal on any condition which it is within his power to fulfil and he fails to comply with the condition, then the certificate never comes into force and the man becomes liable for military service. If a man has complied with the condition for a time, but fails to continue compliance. the certificate ceases to be in force, but the man has a right to apply to the tribunal within the limits of the time laid down by the Regulations and Instructions, for renewal or variation of the certificate. If, therefore, exemption is granted conditionally upon a man joining a Volunteer Corps and he does not do so, the certificate never comes into force. If the certificate is granted on the condition that the man joins the Volunteer Corps and becomes efficient and he joins a corps, but a claim is made that the certificate has ceased to be effective owing to his failure to continue the fulfilment of the condition, it is open to him, if he makes application within the limits of time laid down by the Regulations and Instructions, to reopen his case before the tribunal, when the tribunal would be entitled to accept such evidence as in their discretion they considered applicable on the question whether or not the condition which they had imposed was being complied with, or whether it should be varied. If a man is called up under the Military Service Acts and claims not to be liable for military service on the ground that he holds a certificate of exemption or that he has a valid application pending before the tribunal, the Military Service Act provides that in the last resort the question can be decided only on proceedings before a civil Court.

asked the Minister of National Service whether the Memorandum giving directions as to the standards of physical fitness of recruits and the classification which has superseded the A, B and C categories, whose presentation to the House was promised on 18th October, is now available?

The Memorandum asked for by my hon. Friend is now prepared, and this Memorandum (which is still in proof form), together with the other Instructions issued by the Ministry of National Service to the medical boards of the Ministry, will now be laid upon the Table.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the promotion of temporary Volunteer Reserve officers, attached to the 63rd Royal Naval Division, is a matter which has been transferred from the Admiralty to the War Office; and whether these officers come within the Report of the Churchill Committee and are entitled to be confirmed in the acting rank in which they have served at the front?

The promotion of these officers is carried out by the Admiralty, and I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the result of the promised reconsideration of the question of sending back to the front soldiers who have suffered from neurasthenia?

This question has been discussed with the expert advisers, and the proposal is to classify neurasthenics on discharge from hospital in groups representing the periods during which they should not serve again in the firing line.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Surgeon-General Sir Arthur Sloggett exercises complete control over the Royal Army Medical Corps in France and Belgium; and, if so, whether he was appointed to that position because of his services as Director of Medical Services in India during the period immediately preceding the appointment of Sir W. Babtie?

He exercises control under the Commander-in-Chief France in the same way as any other head of a Department in the field. He was sent to France by Lord Kitchener because no doubt he thought him the best man for the appointment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued by the Army veterinary authorities in regard to the clipping of horses and mules tethered out; and whether the practice of clipping such horses and mules is considered by them to be. a cause of sickness?

Except for animals in veterinary hospitals the functions of the Army veterinary authorities are advisory only. On their advice all Army horses are clipped all over as far as possible before the end of November and subsequently left unclipped except for veterinary reasons. If it becomes necessary, for veterinary reasons, to clip them all over they are placed under cover as far as possible, or provided with two rugs, if tethered in the open. Mules are not clipped except for veterinary reasons. With these precautions and limitations the practice of clipping is not considered by the Army veterinary authorities to be a cause of sickness.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, in view of Section 17 of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces Act, 1915, and Section 54 (1) ( d ) of the Army Act, is it the practice that the death penalty pronounced by court-martial on a New Zealand soldier in France is only given effect to after confirmation by the Commander-in-Chief; if so, whether certain New Zealand conscientious objectors who have been taken to France are liable to the death penalty; and will instructions be given to the Commander-in-Chief not to confirm such sentence if pronounced on these men?

No soldier in France who is sentenced to death suffers that penalty until the sentence has been confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief. I am informed that no men recognised as consoientious objectors by the New Zealand Government have been sent to France. The last part of the question does not, therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieutenant-Colonel MonteagleBrowne, D.S.O., served for thirty-two months continuously at the front during the present War; that he rose rapidly from the rank of captain and adjutant to that of battalion commander; that every step in his promotion was given as a reward for efficient and most meritorious. service; that he several times temporarily commanded a brigade in the trenches in the absence of the brigadier-general, the last time being only a few weeks before he was adversely reported upon; that he was twice recommended for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general; that for over two years, and particularly whilst serving with the 16th (Irish) Division, he was repeatedly reported on for his efficiency, bravery, perseverance, and fertility of resource; and that he was rewarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Order of Danilo, and several times mentioned in dispatches for his handling of the three battalions of the Munsters which he, owing to his special capacity for quick training and leadership, was selected to, command, two of them being mentioned by the Commander-in-Chief in France for their conspicuous gallantry; whether he is aware that all these distinctions and special mentions for himself and his battalions were secured by the express recommendations and reports of his brigadier-general, his divisional general, right up to the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, and that the War Office was perfectly satisfied that he and the battalions under his command were justly and fully entitled to all these honours and awards; and whether, in view of this record of brave and devoted service, this officer's ease will be reconsidered, so that he may be honourably restored to the service of his country and that he may be allowed to continue to serve her as he is anxious to do?

I would refer my hon and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject to my hon and gallant Friend the Member for Ludlow on the 20 th instant, to which I have nothing to add. I am afraid I can hold out no hope of the case being reconsidered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the current Army List contains the names of a very large number of second-lieutenants who on 9th May last had completed at least eighteen months' commissioned service; whether, having regard to the recommendation contained in paragraph 11 of the Report of that date issued by the Committee on Promotion of Officers and to the acceptance by the Government of that recommendation, he will at once cause a notification to be published in the "London Gazette" promoting all such officers to the rank of lieutenant if duly recommended, such promotion to take effect eighteen months after the date of their commissions; and will he cause a communication to be sent individually to the officers in question giving the reasons why the recommendation of the Committee has not been applied to them?

Nearly 20,000 officers have been promoted already. There are a certain number of outstanding cases, which are being dealt with as quickly as possible; but there is often delay in getting the individual recommendations. I think that, having regard to the general pressure of work in the Department, great credit is due to the Military Secretary's Department for achieving so much with such rapidity. I am afraid that the suggestion in the last part of the question is impracticable, as it would only tend to retard the promotions by withdrawing clerks from the work of promotion itself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the majority of reemployed officers of the general Reserve of Officers have failed to obtain any benefit. by the recent Orders under which they are permitted to reckon some of their previous service, owing to the fact that it has been ruled that they are only eligible for promotion when they become senior of their rank in their regimental lists; whether many who can now reckon fifteen years' service are still debarred from automatic promotion to major by this ruling; and whether such officers, if recommended, will be given an opportunity of being promoted into other regiments?

The whole question was most carefully considered by the Committee, and the recommendation made was the result. Assuming that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to regimental officers only, a very large number of officers in the Reserve of Officers have benefited by the new Rules, though, of course, in many cases the benefit has taken the form of continued seniority in. their present ranks. There are possibly a few officers who are debarred from promotion owing to their not being senior captains in their regiments, but these cases are rare, and in any case the same Rules must apply to them as to serving officers.

asked whether it has been decided that mayors of boroughs and others may be appointed as honorary lieutenant-colonels of Volunteer battalions; and whether the senior officers of such battalions, as well as their commanding officers, will be consulted before any such appointment is published, in order to avoid mistakes through personal considerations?

The commanding officer's recommendation for the appointment of an hon. commandant has to be endorsed by the County Commandant and approved by the Lord Lieutenant of the county. I think my hon. Friend will agree that this ensures adequate scrutiny. I have no doubt many commanding officers will consult the senior officers of their battalion, but it is not considered desirable to prescribe such a step.

asked whether, when an officer is entitled to a wound gratuity, the fact that he is so entitled is at once communicated to him?

There is no Regulation requiring any particular person to make such a communication, but I have no reason to think that the conditions under which such gratuities are granted are not generally understood.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will have the case of J. P. Walsh inquired into, as he states that he has three sons serving in the Army, and for drawing his allowance of 12s. 6d. per week his old age pension was stopped and he was debited with overdrawing £31 10s.?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with the address of Mr. Walsh, I will have the case inquired into.

asked the Secretary of state for India whether he is aware that the Hollandia Rice Milling Company, Limited, Rangoon, was at the beginning of the War deemed by the Government of Burmah a hostile firm and placed under control; that it was found that shares in the company were held by a German firm and by a Dutch firm trading in Germany; that one of the directors was resident in an enemy country; whether he is aware that irregularities were discovered; that on 4th May, 1917, it was notified in the "India Gazette" that the firm was to be wound up, but that on or about 1st June the Government of India suspended the liquidation and cancelled its previous orders; whether he will state the reason for such cancellation; and what representations were made, and by whom, to induce the Indian Government to take such a step?

So far as the Secretary of State's information goes the facts are generallly as stated in the first three parts of the question. He has no information that irregularities took place while the firm was trading under control. The business was ordered to be wound up on the 5th May, but on representation from the Netherlands Government this order was withdrawn on the 9th June. The Government of India then reported that the company was being allowed to carry on business pending discussion regarding its possible reconstruction. Further inquiries are being made as to the future position of the company.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that "Young India," by Lajpat Rai, was published more than two: months ago; and why the notification of the alleged dangerous character of this book to the Home Office was postponed till after the Secretary of State's departure for India?

The India. Office was not aware of the publication of the book in this country until some days after the Secretary of State's departure for India.

asked in what country Lajpat Rai is at present; and whether he is at large?

Lajpat Rai is in the United States of America. So far as is known he is at large.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any documentary evidence that Lajpat Rai is subsidised by German agents in America; if this evidence comes from the American Government; and if it can be shown to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme?

It would obviously be against the public interest to answer the first two parts of this question. The third part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary if he will place upon the Paper at an early date the proposed new Subsection in the Representation of the People Bill relating to the conscientious objectors, so that the House may give it full consideration before the re-committal of Clause 8 takes place?

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the date on which he was first approached by the Motor-cab Proprietors' Association with a view to an increase being granted in the fares of taxi-cabs; and on what date he finally gave his decision to grant the bonus of 6d. on every hiring?

The dates were the 9th January and 15th October last.

asked the Home .Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Johann Kein, recently sentenced at a Kentish Police Court to four months' imprisonment after evidence had been given that he had been found in a prohibited area and had openly expressed the hope that the Germans would win; and whether it is proposed that, on the expiration of his sentence, this man shall be interned?

Yes, Sir. I am inquiring into the case, with a view to determining whether this man, who appears to be a swiss subject, shall be interned or deported at the end of his sentence.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether, with view of assisting in the development of the British chemical industry on the conclusion of peace, he will suggest to the Registrar of Trade Marks that he should, at an early date, exercise his powers under Section 35 (3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, and apply to the Court for an order expunging from the Registrar of Trade Marks the names of articles the patents for which have expired, which names have been retained on the register after the expiration of the letters patent?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply given to-day by the President of the Board of Trade to his question on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that there is no ready and inexpensive method by which the public can ascertain what trade marks are publici juris , he will insert provisions in the Trade Marks Bill which he hopes to introduce shortly under which the register of trade marks shall be required to publish annually, or at other intervals, a list of trade marks which, owing to their removal from the register of trade marks, or to other causes, have become publici juris ?

A list of trade marks which have been cancelled or removed from the register through non-payment of fees or any other cause appears every week in the "Trade Marks Journal," published by the Patent Office. Information as to the position of any particular mark can be obtained on application to the Patent Office. How far the proprietors of trade marks removed from the Register have lost all common law rights and the marks have become publici juris can only be determined in a Court of law, having regard to the circumstances of each particular case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that by the Rules drawn up under the Trade Marks (Temporary Rules) Act, 1914, the person applying for the avoidance or suspension of registered trade marks, including those that are the names of articles the patents for which have expired, must prove that he intends manufacturing, or causing to be manufactured, the goods in respect of which the trade mark is registered, also that chemical manufacturers are handicapped, owing to difficulties created by the War, in extending their works and taking up new manufactures; and whether, on this account, he will consider the advisability, in the public interest, of instructing the Registrar of Trade Marks to exercise his powers under Section 35 (3) of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, and apply to the Court for an order expunging from the Register of Trade Marks the names of articles the patents for which have expired, which names have been retained on the register after the expiration of the letters patent?

The effect of the Rules under the Temporary Rules Acts is correctly stated by the hon. Baronet. I am advised that Section 35 (3) only gives power to the registrar to apply to the Court in case of fraud; and that it could not be appropriately employed to effect the removal of the marks referred to. It is open to anyone, however, who is aggrieved by any entry wrongly remaining on the register to apply to the Court for removal of the mark under Section 35 (1). As my hon. Friend will be aware, there are provisions in the new Trade Marks Bill dealing with the removal from the register of word trade marks which are used as the names of articles.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that in connection with the supply of drugs under the medical benefit of the National Insurance Act many insurance committees have issued instructions to medical practitioners and chemists on the panels to abstain respectively from prescribing and dispensing drugs under names which, on account of their being registered as trade marks for articles the patents for which have expired, cause the drugs hearing the names referred to to be sold at a higher price than when such drugs are sold under a name which is not registered as a, trade mark; and, seeing that medical practitioners generally employ the drugs under the name by which these were first introduced, and under which they were known during the continuance of the letters patent, he will cause instructions to be issued to insurance committees directing their attention to the fact than the names of patented articles become publici juris on the expiry of the letters patent?

My hon. Friend would appear to be under some misapprehension as regards practice for national health insurance, and I can only refer him to the suggestion made by me on the 12th November, in answer to his question of that date, that he should furnish me with particulars of the circumstances which he has in mind in order that I may have the necessary inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the return, No. 116, relative to assurance companies, dated 24th July, and occupying over 400 closely-printed pages, was not withheld from publication during the War in the interest of economy of labour and material and a summary substituted; and how many copies were printed?

The return referred to was reduced to the minimum necessary to disclose the positions of assurance companies, and is less than one-third of the volume of the statements lodged under the Assurance Companies Act. I am informed that 1,000 copies were printed.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, under the Defence of the Realm Act, he has power to make Regulations whereby tenants may shoot pheasants found upon their land; and, if so, whether, in view of the damage done by pheasants to newly-sown wheat and other food crops, he will bring such Regulations into force at the earliest opportunity?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. An Order was made by the Board on the 24th May last under which. agricultural executive committees can authorise any tenant of land to shoot the pheasants on his holding if the committee. are satisfied that the pheasants have not been so reduced as to prevent substantial injury to the crops.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government will consider the advisability of assisting in the formation of a representative conciliation board to deal with labour troubles in Dublin city; and whether he can make any statement regarding the establishment of a wages board for Dublin city?

The matters referred to in the question are dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that in a Report issued a short time ago by the Board of Agriculture the relative production of the average 100-acre farm of Great Britain and Germany is given as follows, namely, the British farmer feeds from forty-five to fifty persons and the German farmer feeds from seventy to seventy-five persons, the British farmer grows 15 tons of corn and the German farmer grows 32 tons, the British farmer grows 11 tons of potatoes. and the German farmer grows 55 tons, the British farmer produces 4 tons of meat and the German farmer produces 4¼ tons, the British farmer produces 17½ tons of milk and the German farmer produces 28 tons, and the British farmer produces a negligible quantity of sugar and the German farmer produces 2¾ tons; and, if this comparison is wrong or illusory, will he give the correct figures?

The publication referred to is "The Recent Development of German Agriculture." The figures are correctly quoted in the question, except that the amount of corn produced in Germany per 100 acres of cultivated land is 33 tons, and not 32. The figures were arrived at after a detailed inquiry, and the Board have no reason to suppose that they are incorrect, nor is it considered that the comparison is either wrong or illusory. The actual methods of tillage adopted in the growing of corn, potatoes, etc., in Britain are not inferior to the methods adopted in Germany. But the difference between the two countries in production is chiefly due to the fact that in Britain more than two-thirds of the cultivated land was in grass in the period reviewed, while in Germany less than one-third of the cultivated land was in grass. This fact is clearly emphasised in the pamphlet, winch illustrates the relative importance from the point of view of food production of tillage land and grass

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he realises the increasing burden which the tithe rent charge now imposes and will hereafter impose upon the owners of agricultural land; and whether the Government will introduce a Bill at an early date to enable the charge to be redeemed by a landowner at par value as of right without requiring the consent of the tithe-owner or any Government Department or ecclesiastical authority?

The Board is aware that the burden imposed on owners of agricultural land by the tithe rent charge is increasing, and that the increase is inseparable from the principle on which the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 was based. The whole question is under consideration, and the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member shall he borne in mind.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he can state the number of York and Yorkshire panel practitioners who have notified their respective insurance committees that they are not prepared to accept invalided seamen, marines, and soldiers on their lists under the terms of the new Regulations?

No, Sir; the number of such doctors in the areas referred to in the question is not known to me. I may add that the Regulations. in question are framed in accordance with the express desires of authoritative representatives of the medical practitioners concerned, and that events subsequent to their issue have shown that the Regulations are, in fact, acceptable to the great majority of such practitioners.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if Norman Killick, Royal Naval Air Service, of 8, Bouverie Road West, Folkestone, was under medical treatment from 5th March to 31st March, inclusive; did he receive his weekly certificate as required by the National Insurance Act; is he an insured person under that Act; and, if so, why the National Deposit Friendly Society have declined to pay him benefit for the period of his illness?

I have caused inquiry to be made in the matter, and I understand that benefit has now been paid in respect of the period in question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when he expects to be able to make a statement as to an increased Grant to be made for the purposes of technical education in Ireland?

I cannot at present fix a date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in a Letter of 3rd November, 1916, addressed by him to the honorary secretaries of the Association of Municipal Authorities for Ireland, it was stated that forty-four cottages under the Land Improvement Acts were built by Mr. Smith-Barry, now Lord Barrymore, within the urban district of Tipperary at a cost of £6,500, and that Lord Barrymore's agent, Mr. George C. Townsend, at a local government housing inquiry held at Tipperary on 5th January, 1915, stated that eighty-five cottages were built under loan of £7,800; whether he will state how the information contained in his letter was arrived at; and will he give particulars as to works executed by Mr. Smith-Barry under loans from the Board of Works, namely: 23rd August, 1878, £2,500; 14th February, 1879, £1,080; 22nd October, 1879, £1,500; 31st March, 1880, £500; 11th June, 1880, £3,800; 28th November, 1883, £800; and 13th December, 1883, £300, showing a total of £10,480?

The information given in my letter of 3rd November, 1916, was obtained from the Commissioners of Public Works and was, I believe, correct. I have no knowledge as to Mr. Townsend's alleged statement. The particulars of the loans referred to in the question are: Date. Amount Works. £ 23 Aug., 1878 2,500 Labourers' cottages. 14 Feb., 1879 1,080 Farm house. 22 Oct., 1879 1,500 Labourers' cottages. 31 March, 1880 500 Drainage. 11 June, 1880 3,800 Labourers' cottages, £3,400. Farm house and dairies, £400. 28 Nov., 1883 800 Labourers' cottages. 13 Dec., 1883 300 Hay barn and lime-kiln Total 10,480 Of the amount of £8.200 borrowed for labourers' cottages, £6,500 was expended in the urban district and the rest outside.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what measures are being taken to enable the commencing of housing operations in Dublin; whether he is aware that several schemes, especially in St. Patrick's Division, are required to provide sanitary dwellings for the workers: whether he can state, approximately. when the sites in Farebrothers' Fields will be required; and whether the plot holders in occupation there, will be provided with land in a convenient position?

The Local Government Board have sanctioned all loans applied for by the Corporation of Dublin for the erection of houses for the working classes, except that for the Fairbrothers' Fields area, which will be sanctioned when certain details arranged with corporation as to plans and the lay-out of the site have been completed. I am informed that fully 6 acres of the Fairbrothers' Fields area will be available for allotments for an indefinite period, and that the remaining 16 acres will probably be taken up for building about the beginning of next year. As regards the last part of the question, it was stated at a recent inquiry that the Corporation of Dublin were anxious, if possible, to provide further allotments near Fairbrothers' Fields.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has instituted a searching investigation into the cause of the fire at the Midland goods yard, Kensington, on the evening of the 18th November; and if he has requested the co-operation of the Home Office in the inquiry?

No question of railway working would seem to be involved, and an inquiry by the Board of Trade would hardly seem to be necessary.

asked what quantity of coal was destroyed by fire on the evening of the 18th November at the Midland goods yard, Kensington?

I am informed that approximately 350 tons of coal were destroyed on the occasion in question.