asked the Prime Minister if he can see his way to allow every officer to bring home with him or to send home two or more empty shell cases, German, as souvenirs from the front and, if necessary, to limit such officers to two or three such shell cases in each year as a matter of honour?

The answer to my hon. Friend's question is in the negatime. Apart from other considerations, I am afraid the shortage of metal makes it impossible to grant such a request, as the metal involved in the aggregate would be considerable.

asked the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, at a series of War Aims Committee meetings, held on 16th, 16th, and l7th November, at the Town Hall Square,. Portsmouth, the speaker refused to answer questions from women; and whether, in view of the fact that women are being on all sides urged to put forward their best efforts for the furtherance of the War, this action embodies the considered policy of the War Aims Committee?

The meetings to which my hon. Friend refers, and which were some of a large series, were continually interrupted by a number of women who endeavoured to mar the proceedings by putting irrelevant and misleading questions. Perhaps I might add that one of the most persistent interrupters was brought before the magistrate and charged with making statements likely to cause disaffection amongst His Majesty's Forces and amongst the civil population in the Square. This occurred immediately after one of the meetings of the War Aims Committee. As an indication of the seriousness of the case I might add that the prisoner was remanded on a bail of £200.

asked whether the War Aims Committee has published or intends to publish any literature defining and defending the policy of this country in regard to the Tcheco-Slovaks?

The War Aims Committee has no present intention of publishing literature on the subject in question.

asked whether it has yet been decided when the War Aims Committee will issue leaflets and other literature explaining the war aims of the Government?

The war aims of the Government are defined from time to time by the War Cabinet, and the War Aims Committee have already issued leaflets and other literature in explanation of these aims.

asked whether the War Aims Committee has published any leaflets or other literature concerning the Allies' policy for a united and autonomous Poland; and, if not, whether this deficiency will be remedied?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, the War Aims Committee will act as occasion may in future demand.

asked whether, in view of the Government announcement that the present moment is inopportune for discussion of a league of nations to prevent war, it is intended to instruct all speakers at war aims meetings to avoid this subject?

All speakers for the National War Aims Committee are requested to avoid discussion of post-war problems.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a new Order has been issued that all persons who have registered their names for a supply of sugar under the recent Order must now apply to the shopkeeper who supplies them for a weekly sugar voucher; and, if so, why such a condition was not issued with the first Order, so as to prevent the double work and trouble this new Order will entail on the shop- keepers and the consumers?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The coupon system, to which he presumably refers, does not apply to members of registered households unless they have removed altogether or ceased to belong to the registered household. Only a small part of the population will, therefore, apply for ration papers

asked by what method the proposed areas for distribution will be defined; and whether the co-operative stores and other large distributing centres will be confined to the same areas as their smaller competitors in the retail trade?

I am not certain to what proposal the hon. Member refers, but if he will give me further particulars I will Make inquiries.

asked whether any butter from Denmark is now arriving in this country; if so, what price is being paid for it to the Danish Government or other shippers; whether that price exceeds the price fixed at 224s. per cwt.; and, if so, what is the estimated monthly amount of the difference between the two prices, and who pays this difference?

The answer to the first point is in the affirmative. The importer's first-hand price for Danish butter has been fixed at 229s. and not 224s. as stated in the question. The price paid in Denmark must, however, be on a parity with the price paid by German importers, and it is impossible to estimate the monthly difference between the prices, owing to the probability that Denmark will restrict the export of butter in the interest of her own consumers. The difference between the two prices will be met by pooling all purchases of butter made by the Ministry of Food and striking an average from time to time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the prices charged for wild rabbits; and whether, in view of the absence of any increase in the cost of production, steps will be taken to bring the prices down to a reasonable level?

This question is receiving careful consideration and an advisory committee has been appointed to devise and recommend measures for increasing the supply of home-killed rabbits and game, and to consider the question of regulating prices.

asked whether arrangements have been completed for the direct purchase of tea by the Government in India and Ceylon; whether the whole of both crops will be purchased; if not, what proportion; what arrangements as to price has been made with the growers; whether private importations for the United Kingdom will be allowed or purchased by private firms for shipment to the Colonies and foreign countries; and when the new arrangement will take effect?

The arrangements have not yet been completed, but the scheme contemplates the purchase of, approximately, 40 per cent. of the Indian crops and 27 per cent. of the Ceylon crop. The contracts extend from the 1st November, 1917, to the 31st May, 1918. The price is based on the average prices secured for the teas of each garden for the years 1911, 1912, and 1913, subject to certain modifications to meet existing war conditions. Private importations for the United Kingdom will not he allowed, but private firms can purchase for shipment to the Colonies and foreign countries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether Government sanction has been given for the employment of the official design adopted by the Director of National Food Economy in advertising patent foodstuffs and other commodities in the columns of the Press for the purpose of private commercial gain?

The design referred to has been employed at the request of the Director of Food Economy, who urged its use upon a large number of firms with a view to securing wide publicity for the League of National Safety.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the wheat stored at the London Docks and other places is being consumed and damaged by rats and that bacon has been left so long at our ports that it has become unfit fo food; and what steps are being taken to put an end to this waste of food?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise. I may add that, whatever loss may have occurred in the past owing to a temporary glut of certain imported articles, there does not now appear to be any appreciable waste. It would be more helpful if, instead of making vague allegations, hon. Members would furnish me with definite particulars which could be made the subject of investigation.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that five farmers, namely, Mr. John Davies, Penyffordd; Mr. Thomas Partin, Padeswood; Mrs. Grace Jones, Pontblyddyn; Mr. Samuel Rostock, Hope; and Mr. Abraham Peters, Penyffordd, were recently summoned before the magistrates of Wallasey, Cheshire, for an alleged breach of the Price of Milk Order (S.R. and 0., Nos. 68 and 160), and were convicted and fined; that, owing to the expense in- volved, these farmers failed to appeal against the conviction; that when another batch of summonses against several farmers on exactly the same grounds came before the same bench of magistrates the hearing was adjourned pending inquiries of the Food Controller as to the meaning of the order issued by him; that when the hearing was resumed the bench intimated that, as a result of a communication received from the Food Controller, they could not convict, and thereupon dismissed the summonses; and whether, seeing that the farmers above named would appear to have been wrongly convicted, he will take action with a view to their convictions not being allowed to stand and the fines inflicted being withdrawn?

I am in communication with the magistrates who heard these summonses, and will inform the hon. Member when I have received their Report and have come to a decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether orders have been issued in the 29th Division that all adjutants must be Regular soldiers, and that in consequence many officers have had to give up their positions; and, if so, why such an order has been made at the present time?

No information to this effect has reached the War Office. I am making inquiries.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the reasons for the delay in carrying out the discharge of Private J. Anders, No. 130,816, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 2 Military Hospital, Old Park Camp, Canterbury, who is fifty years of age, has had service in France, and was sent back to Scotland and given papers for discharge, then sent to Blackpool and transferred from Blackpool to Canterbury; and will he see that the discharge is carried out immediately?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any allowance in the nature of separation allowance is made to the British-born wives of aliens in the country who have been deprived of their means of supporting their families by compulsory internment; and whether he is of opinion that some provision should be made for these British-born women when they are in want?

I have been asked to answer this question. Allowances from public funds are made by His Majesty's Government to the British-born wives of interned enemies and their children. The maximum allowances are, in London, 12s. 6d. a week for the wife and 3s. for each child, and outside London 10s. a week for the wife and 3s. for each child.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiry made into the case of Private H. Wade, No 64461, 14th Battalion Royal Defence Corps, who has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment by court-martial for refusing to obey the order of his superior officer, under the circum stances that at the time this offence was committed Wade was suffering from a crippled arm, which rendered it impossible for him to do the work he was ordered to perform, and he had been refused' permission to see the medical officer, and had no other course open to him but to refuse to obey orders to get attention to his complaint; and, seeing that this man has been on active service for a considerable time, and has been twice wounded, whether a remission of his sentence will be made?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Private H. Clough, No. 329981, Army Service Supply Column, Tramway Depot, the Common, Southampton, has not been discharged from the Army, seeing that on the 4th October last a communication was addressed to him at his home address by the Minister of Labour saying that he had been notified of Clough's discharge from His Majesty's Army; and will he see that this decision is carried out at once?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any special instructions have been issued with regard to the calling up of men who have been certified as suffering from tuberculosis; and, if so, what the nature of the instruction is?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 26th November to the hon. Member for Derby, in connection with which all the Papers have been laid upon the Table

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in view of the confusion in the public mind as to the new system of re-grading of men liable for military and other services, he can state briefly how the old grading of A, B, and C will be regarded under the new scheme; and whether, in view of the confusion at tribunals and the interest this is to employers and men liable, he will publish in clear language exactly what men are now liable and how they will be graded under the new scheme?

The Papers have been laid on the Table.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is continuing to work with local medical war committees in regard to the appointment of members of medical boards?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of National Service whether the members of the medical boards are appointed directly by him; and whether he will state the exact methods of composing these boards?

Members of medical boards are appointed by the Chief Commissioner of Medical Services on the authority of the Minister. The boards are composed of civilian medical practitioners drawn from a panel set up in the area of each board. The chairman of each board, who is the Deputy-Commissioner of Medical Services of this Ministry for an area, arranges with the local medical war committee a roster of attendances of members at sessions of his board. The panels are formed from medical practitioners whose names have been suggested by the local medical war committee; a board of four requires a panel of eight to twelve members; the nominations reach the Ministry through the Central Medical War Committee, they are reviewed in the Medical Department of the Ministry and by the Chief Commissioner of Medical Services for the region to which the panel belongs and finally the appointments to the panels are made by the Minister and notified to the deputy-commissioner of the area.

asked the Minister 'if National Service whether the Central Medical War Committee have any authority in the maintenance of or appointment to membership of national service medical boards; and, if so, whether he will state the exact terms of their authority?

The Central Medical War Committee have no authority in the maintenance of or appointment to membership of national service medical boards. The committee, through their local organisation have been asked by the Ministry, having in view the requirements of the civil population, to suggest the names of certain medical practitioners fitted to serve on the boards as stated in answer to the former question asked by the hon. Member. The Central Medical War Committee is the statutory appeal tribunal for the medical profession, and any member of a National Service medical board called upon to undertake military service may have his case reviewed by this appeal tribunal. For a full statement as to the authority of this committee I would refer the hon. Member to the Military Service (Professional Committees Regulations) Order 343 of 1916.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he has con- sidered the case of George Hinchcliffe, of Gleadless, Derbyshire, a small farmer and pig-breeder, thirty-six years of age, and working entirely single-handed; whether it is an oversight that this man, solely engaged on food production and who supplied this year 42,000 lbs. of pork and is rearing at the present time 135 pigs for next year's supply, has been called up for military service; has he taken any steps through the usual channels to prevent this stoppage of a regular source of food supply; and will he issue a clear instruction that such men shall not be interfered with while carrying on urgent work of national importance?

The case of George Hinchcliffe has not previously been brought to my notice, but I am now making inquiries. No man can be called up for military service if he holds a certificate of exemption granted by one of the statutory tribunals, and there is additional protection for men whole time employed in agriculture, to whom, in appropriate cases, the County Agricultural Executive Committees can issue vouchers which protect the holders from enlistment. These are the usual channels through which men engaged in food production are exempted from military service, and clear instructions have been given to the recruiting authorities that men so exempted or protected are not to be called up.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will inquire into the case of Henry J. Sargent, of 21, St. James' Street, Hastings, who was given a certificate of exemption from military service on condition that he undertook national work within twenty-one days, which condition Sargent carried out; that later a military representative appealed against this decision to the East Sussex tribunal, when Sargent was ordered to report for military service within fourteen days; why a man has been withdrawn from agricultural work who is recognised by the local tribunal as a genuine conscientious objector, and who will not in any circumstances undertake military service; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am making inquiries into this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether consideration can be given to the possibilities of allowing short leave of absence for men employed under the Home Office scheme?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 5th instant.

asked why the Rev. William Riley, minister of Princes Street Congregational Church, Devonport, who has, with the consent of the manager of the Dartmoor Works Settlement, and the approval of the men's committee, conducted religious services at the settlement with appreciation, has been informed by the manager of the works centre that he has been directed by the Home Office Committee to inform Mr. Riley that they regret that the permission given to him to visit the works centre must be withdrawn

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Elland Division of the West Riding on the 28th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the shortage of bricks for housing purposes, he will put the conscientious objectors now employed on Dartmoor and elsewhere to work in the brickyards which are now standing idle for want of labour?

A certain number of these men are already employed in brickyards, but the Committee have found difficulties in obtaining employment of this nature for conscientious objectors owing to the unwillingness of other workmen to work with them.

asked what reply has been sent to the letter of Mr. H. A. Miles, dated 18th November, complaining that he twice received punishment when in Pentonville Prison for refusing to work on Admiralty work, this punishment being against the instructions of the Home Office?

I cannot trace the letter to which the hon. Member refers. If he will give me further particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he has issued any instruction to the special Russian tribunal sitting in London to refuse to accept or to hear an application for exemption made to them in respect of a person whose business premises are within the area of such special tribunal; if so, what is the date and other particulars of such instruction; and (2) whether he is aware that the special Russian tribunal set up for the county of London is refusing to hear applications from Russian subjects who are resident outside the county of London though carrying on business within it, and so are compelling Russians to appear before ordinary local tribunals who have no Russian representative sitting upon them and therefore are unable to appreciate the special conditions relating to Russians which has been the occasion for making those appointments on the special tribunals and advisory committees in London, and if he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

In reply to the two questions asked by my hon. and learned Friend, the Special Local Tribunal for London 'deals with applications for Russian subjects which would otherwise be made to an ordinary local tribunal in the area of the Administrative County of London. The Special Tribunal would, therefore, be the body to deal with applications on grounds of business or employment if the business or employment is situated in the area of the administrative county, and with application on personal grounds if the place of residence is within that area. I have no evidence that the Tribunal are refusing to deal with applications properly made to them, but I am sending them a copy of the hon. Member's questions and of my reply. The fact that a man is employed in the area of the administrative county does not make the special tribunal the proper authority for dealing with an application by him if the application is on personal grounds and he resides outside the area.

asked the Pensions Minister whether a proportion of the cost for the medical treatment of soldiers who have been discharged from the Army as suffering from tuberculosis, and who were insured previous to their enlistment, is now being borne in Wales by the Welsh National Memorial Association and the contributing county councils, although these men were certified medically fit on their entrance into the Army, and must, therefore, have contracted the disease during the performance of their military duties; and, if so, whether he will take any steps to secure that the whole cost of the treatment of discharged soldiers shall henceforth be borne by the State?

The responsibility for the treatment of discharged disabled men suffering from tuberculosis rests primarily with the Insurance Commissioners and Insurance Committees, under the provisions of the National Insurance Acts, and I have not been informed of the special arrangements made by the Commissioners in Wales. Provision has been made for assisting the Insurance Committeesto carry out their work by means of Grants-in-Aid, and, in addition, I have undertaken to meet the entire cost of treatment of advanced cases of the disease. I am also considering the question of providing, at the cost of the Ministry, treatment in other forms than those ordinarily provided under the Insurance Acts. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, as he has found it impossible to provide a Return of the number of men discharged from the Army in Wales and Monmouthshire who have received special medical treatment or training or the number who have been recommended for such treatment or training, he will take steps to add to his Department a statistical section which will enable him to supply this and similar information in future?

A section devoted to the preparation of records and statistics has already been provided, and full information as to the current work of local committees and of the Ministry is being kept; but, for the reasons I have given in reply to previous questions put by the hon. Member on the same point, it will not, I fear, be practicable to give all the information asked for as regards the past.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will inquire into the reason why Private J. Houlker, No. 30,330, 11th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, has been placed 21s. in debt; if this is alleged to arise because the man was in hospital for twenty-one days; and if this be the reason, as a mistake has apparently been made, will he take steps to see that the man's account is rectified?

I am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the fourpence a night now paid for billeting soldiers causes lodging-house keepers in Blackpool and elsewhere to be actually out of pocket for each soldier so billeted; and what action he proposes to take to relieve a particular section of the public of a burden which is justly a charge on the general taxpayer?

I have been inquiring carefully into this matter, but it has not hitherto been established that the present rates leave the householder actually out of pocket. I shall, however, be glad to consider any further evidence to that effect which my hon. and gallant Friend can send me.

asked the Minister of Munitions what arrangements, if any, have been made for cheap week-end tickets for munition workers employed at Kynochs, Arklow, who reside in Dublin or other towns some distance from the factory?

In view of the very limited number of cheap week-end vouchers which have been placed at my disposal I have found it necessary to confine their issue to workers in controlled establishments. The establishment to which my hon. Friend refers has not been controlled, and I regret that I am not in a position to grant their employés any special facilities.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private A. Graham, No. 2278, of the 9th Argylls, who was wounded in 1915 and subsequently in receipt of a. pension of 27s. 6d. weekly, who began work in 1917 in a motor shop, and whose pension was thereupon immediately reduced by the order of a lieutenant of the Royal Army Medical Corps to 13s. 9d. per week, at which sum it still remains; if so, will he say whether this reduction has the sanction of his Department, in view of the promises made in this House that no pensions would be reduced on the pensioners accepting work; and is he aware that this soldier has been repeatedly advised to have electrical treatment for his wounds, and that nothing is done in that direction by his Department?

The reduction in pension was due not to Private Graham having taken up work but to the material improvement in his physical condition as reported by a medical board on the 25th August last. The board assessed the degree of disablement at 50 per cent. but the reduction in pension only took effect from the 3rd October. Early in the present year Private Graham spent over three months in a military hospital and he subsequently attended as an out-patient. No application for treatment appears to have been received at the Ministry in respect of him, but I have communicated with the local committee asking them to take what further steps are required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the superintendent of the Pension Issue Office, Baker Street, is withholding the sum of £6 15s. from ex-Private J. S. Wilson, 1st Black Watch; whether this sum was withheld for the alleged reason that there might be some sum to deduct received from the National Health Insurance Commissioners; and, seeing that Mr. Wilson never received anything from that source, will the superintendent of the Pension Issue Office be instructed to immediately pay over the money he has withheld and also call upon him to explain why he has not attended to this matter before in response to repeated letters requesting him to do so?

The sum of £6 15s. has been withheld in accordance with arrangements made by the War Office with the Insurance Commissioners under the National Health Insurance Act, 1915, by which 5s. a week is withheld from the arrears of a full disability pension to meet possible overissues of sickness or disablement benefit. I am communicating with the Insurance Commissioners with the view of ascertaining whether the amount withheld in this case can now be released. I am also now proposing to terminate the arrangements by which sums are withheld from a man's pension.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will have attention given to the claim for pension of Mr. V. J. Osborne, of Bournemouth, who was discharged from the 3/5th Hampshire Regiment on the 24th June, 1916, and who has been incapacitated for work ever since and who cannot get any settlement of his case although the Minister of Pensions has been repeatedly pressed to do so?

This man was discharged on the 24th June, 1916, after seventy-five days' service as not likely to become an efficient soldier on account of asthma, which was certified to be neither due to nor aggravated by his service. He has been awarded a gratuity of £7 10s. under Article 7 (2) of the Warrant, and instructions for the payment of this amount are being issued.

asked the Pensions Minister what allowance outside of their pension is made to officers who have been totally disabled for the services of a personal attendant or trained nurse where such officers are unable [...]help themselves in any respect and must have trained attendant; whether he is aware of the feeling among many officers who suffer in this respect; and whether, to allay such uneasiness, he will state the amount per annum allowed in such cases?

Under Article 6 ( c ) of the Royal Warrant of 1st August last, which was published in September Army Orders and in the Press, an officer in receipt of retired pay under that Warrant may, if disabled in the highest degree, be granted an allowance not exceeding £78 a year where the constant attendance of a second person is necessary. The full allowance is only given, however, when it is necessary to have the whole-time services of a paid attendant. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction among officers on this subject, and it is quite open to any officer who fulfils the conditions to apply to the Ministry of Pensions for consideration for the grant.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state how many copies of "Young India," by Lajpat were seized in the recent raids; and whether other owners of the work may expect the attentions of the police?

Six bound copies of this book and a number of unbound sheets were seized. Any copy of this book is liable to be seized under Regulation 51, but it is not proposed to take action with regard to copies that may be in the possession of innocent holders.

asked the Home Secretary whether his advisers have yet come to any decision as to the prosecution of the publishers of "Young India "; and has the India Office been consulted in the matter?

No criminal proceedings are at present contemplated. The India Office has been consulted in the matter.

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 whether Sir Archibald Bodkin is retained in permanent employment by the Home Office; and, if so, since when, and at what salary?

The answer is in the negative. When a few weeks ago I was in need of some assistance in dealing with certain questions relating to propaganda in the interest of the enemy. Sir Archibald Bodkin was good enough to offer his voluntary help, and I gladly accepted his offer.

asked why no copy was allowed to be taken of the warrant signed by the competent military authority authorising the police to search the premises of the National Council for Civil Liberties on the 21st November?

The officer in charge of the warrant cannot permit it to leave his hands. The usual procedure is for the police officer to read it to some responsible person and produce it for his inspection, and that course was followed in this case.

asked why a receipt was refused for the property taken during the police raid on the premises of the National Council for Civil Liberties on 21st November?

A receipt was refused because, owing to the large quantity of literature seized, it was not convenient to make an inventory there and then.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the nature of the directions issued to the Press Censor to guide him in considering and deciding upon leaflets and pamphlets submitted under Regulation 27 c of the Defence of the Realm Act?

I cannot undertake to give this information

asked (1) whether, under Regulation 27 c of the Defence of the Realm Acts, the agenda of a political conference issued in pamphlet form and containing resolutions on war aims and the conditions of peace must first be submitted to the Press Censor before being issued; whether the Censor has power to delete any part of such agenda; whether subsequently a report of such conference in the form of a pamphlet, containing speeches in support of these resolutions and available for sale or distribution, will have to be submitted for the examination of the Censor; whether the Censor will have power to delete any part of the report; and (2) whether, under the new Regulations, leaflets urging the abolition of secret diplomacy, the establishment of a League of Nations, the international reduction of armaments, and the coming into power of real democracy as among the essentials of permanent peace, will have to be submitted to the Censor before publication?

It is impossible to define the leaflets which come within the Regulation in more precise language than the Regulation itself. Any printed matter with regard to which doubt arises should be submitted to the Press Bureau for a decision. As a general rule the leaflet would be either passed or stopped as a whole, but in some cases it may be possible to indicate certain passages the deletion of which would enable the leaflet to be passed.

asked the Home Secretary how he proposes to deal under Regulation 27 c, Defence of the Realm Act, with leaflets in which reference is made to the War and peace, locally issued by the agents of candidates for Parliament during an election or in preparation for a contest, other than the actual addresses of the candidates themselves?

The question of the application of the Regulation to election literature is under consideration.

asked whether a leaflet condemning the terms of Regulation 27 c, Defence of the Realm Act, will be held to be a leaflet relating to the War and unlawful unless submitted to the Censor?

I am advised that a leaflet will not come within the terms of the Regulation merely because it criticises the Regulation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a petition from all those engaged in the prison services for a further bonus to meet the increased cost of living; and whether he will give favourable consideration to their claim?

Petitions have been received and will be submitted to the Treasury for consideration, in connection with other applications from Civil servants, for an increase of emoluments.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a German named Adolphus Frederic Lindemann is living at Sidholm, Sidmouth; whether this man was formerly employed by Krupp's; whether he has been naturalised and, if so, at what date, and under whose recommendation; whether he has recently acquired property in the neighbourhood of Sidmouth; what is his present business or means of support; and whether since the outbreak of war he has been granted a passport to leave England and return?

This man is a British subject, having been naturalised, under the usual conditions, in 1904. He is seventy-one years of age, has resided at Sidmouth since 1884, and has three British-born sons who have done good service for this country since the outbreak of war. I am not aware that he was formerly employed by Krupp's. At the time of his application for naturalisation he described himself as a consulting engineer. I have no information with regard to the fourth, fifth, and sixth parts of the question. The grant of passports to British subjects is a matter for the Foreign Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a young German of military age, known as Kramer or Cramer, who was dismissed from Edinburgh Hospital on the outbreak of war as an unnaturalised German, and was subsequently granted naturalisation papers; at whose instance these were given; whether he is aware that Cramer subsequently obtained an appointment at University College Hospital, London; that a member of the board of this hospital summoned a meeting for the purpose of considering a resolution for his expulsion; and that this resolution was subsequently withdrawn on account of the representations made by the present Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; whether he is aware that this man was known to have with him, in this country, his uniform as an officer in the German Army; and whether he intends to leave this man in his present position?

I find that the man referred to, who is thirty-nine years of age, and came to this country, in 1902, was on the outbreak of war a lecturer in physiology at Edinburgh University, a post which he had held since 1905, and was senior assistant to the professor of physiology. He had carried out research work of great value to this country. He was not dismissed from his post, but resigned voluntarily in September, 1914. He was granted a certificate of naturalisation by the then Secretary of State on 2nd October, 1914, his application being supported by prominent members of the university, including the Chancellor, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I have no information with regard to the matters referred to in the third, fourth, and fifth parts of the question; and as regards the last part of the question, I know of no grounds for any action on my part.

asked whether at meetings in the public parks at which treasonable, seditious speeches have been made the police have been called upon to assist in maintaining order and silencing those who have protested against unpatriotic utterances; and, if so. what action the police have taken and what are their instructions as to the future?

if the hon. Member will give particulars of the occasion to which he refers, I will make inquiry. The police have general direction not to intervene at meetings except to prevent disorder.

asked the Home Secretary if he is yet in a position to state whether the Government possess sufficient powers to prevent the preaching of treason and sedition in the public parks or their use for any purpose calculated to assist the enemy; if so, whether such powers will be promptly and strictly exercised; and, if not, when the Government will ask Parliament to confer the necessary powers?

There are sufficient powers to enable the Government to deal with treasonable or seditious speeches, and these powers will be exercised when ever the necessity occurs.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the inspector of nuisances for the municipal corporation of Warwick, Mr. S. T. W. White, was shot by a purveyor of milk whilst engaged in the duties of his. office this year; and whether the Board are able to grant any compassionate allowance to his widow, seeing that her husband's life was lost in the service of his country and the need at the present time of maintaining the purity of milk?

The facts of the case have been brought to my notice. The Local Government Board have themselves no funds available for the purpose of making compassionate allowances, but in correspondence with the town council I have offered to sanction the payment by them of a gratuity to the widow of the late officer if the council see fit to propose it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has issued a new circular to local government authorities in London and district with instructions as to what should be done in case of any damage or distress caused by enemy air raids; and, if so, what these general instructions are?

Yes, Sir. A fresh Memorandum has been issued containing various suggestions with regard to the relief of distress caused by air raids and describing the Government scheme of compensation. The Memorandum was published in the Press, but I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the announcement that Mr. Randall is not to be allowed to purchase the London Emery Works, he will now place the matter before the Public Prosecutor, in order that action may be taken against Randall for making a false statutory declaration upon the strength of which his tender was accepted?

Proceedings in the Courts have been instituted by Mr. Randall with regard to the sale of the London Emery Works, and I am nut prepared to make any statement on the matter pending these proceedings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many collieries in the county of Durham are working on short time, and that there is much distress among the miners in consequence; and whether he will arrange with the Coal Controller, by regulation of orders or otherwise, to remedy the matter?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to questions asked by the hon. Members for Houghton-le-Spring and North-West Durham.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the delay, inconvenience, and danger that the reduction of trains on the Metropolitan and other systems that serve London and the outlying districts is causing to those compelled to use them; whether he is aware that the reduction of the omnibus service has aggravated the situation together with the shortage of motor cabs; and whether the Petrol Commission is still unable to release a sufficient quantity of petrol to ensure a more frequent omnibus service?

I understand that the services on the London underground railways have not been reduced, but, on the contrary, have been substantially increased during the War. I regret that it is not possible at the moment to increase the supply of petrol for the use of omnibuses.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether licences are being issued by the Board for the importation of inverted burners; and, if so, whether such licences had been granted to naturalised or unnaturalised Germans in other countries?

Licences are being issued to importers in the United Kingdom for the importation of incandescent burners to the extent of 50 per cent. of their imports in 1916. Import licences are never given to firms abroad.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, when tins of petrol are washed up from the sea, the coastguards are provided with nippers to cut off the brass nozzle and cap and the tins and the petrol are then thrown back into the sea; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to stop this waste?

I am not aware of any instance where such a course has been adopted, and it is certainly not general, but if my hon. and gallant Friend can inform me of any case in which wrecked petrol is believed to have been so dealt with I will make further inquiry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if any report has been or will be made on the facilities for a Government shipbuilding yard in Dublin; if he is aware that there is a site with all facilities available at North Wall; and whether the Government will give to Dublin workers a portion of the shipbuilding in return for the war taxation they are called upon to pay?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The resources of Dublin, together with those of other shipbuilding centres throughout the United Kingdom, have been thoroughly investigated, with a view to increasing the output of merchant tonnage. I stated, in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Londonderry, on 6th November, that there is not at present any intention of establishing a national shipyard in Ireland, as it is considered that in that country the object can best be obtained by improving existing yards and encouraging private enterprise. Proposals for extending one of the existing private shipyards in Dublin are now receiving consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wicklow (West) on the 7th November, in which I stated that as regards Ireland generally, every effort will be made to allocate to the various yards as much work as can be advantageously undertaken by them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many British Empire ships of over 1,600 tons, for the ten months of this year, are missing without trace; and whether any of these ships have been included M the weekly Admiralty returns of ships lost through mines and submarines?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The number of British merchant vessels of over 1,600 tons posted as missing during the ten months of this year is twenty. Of these vessels it is considered that three were probably sunk by submarine or mines. Two of them were sunk before the weekly returns were issued, and the third has been included in a weekly return.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the extra duties of the Post Office servants in connection with sugar rationing will be remunera[...]ed, or are to be undertaken without pay, in addition to their present duties?

The Post Office staff generally will be entitled to overtime pay, under the ordinary conditions, for any extra attendance which they may be called upon to give. The question whether any special remuneration is justified in the case of Scale Payment Sub-Postmasters will be considered.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can see his way to effect any relaxation of the present prohibition by the authorities to the use of motor cars to convey parishioners on Sundays to the kirks which they attend and which are often distant from their homes?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I regret that the necessity for the utmost economy in the use of motor spirit precludes the possibility of any relaxation of the Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Dr. Seton Watson, who has at times publicly attacked the Montenegrin nation and dynasty, is employed in the Foreign Office; whether he has had any access to confidential documents dealing with Montenegro; whether he has been invited to make minutes on these documents; and whether, in view of his public attitude towards Montenegro, this will be permitted or, if permitted, whether the Montenegrin representative may see those minutes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Dr. Seton Watson is, I believe, employed in the Department of Information, which is not part of the Foreign Office or subject to the control of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and I am not, therefore, in a position to answer the remaining parts of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. J. Theodore Harris, the secretary of the Hackney Advisory Committee for Juvenile Employment, who is an established Civil servant, has been suspended on the ground that he refused to carry out the circular instructions of the Department for the recruiting of boys between fifteen and seventeen and a half years of age for the Royal Flying Corps, such boys to enlist for the duration of the War or in the ordinary way serving four years with the Colours and four years in the Reserve; whether it is part of the duties of his Department to act as a recruiting agency for military service; whether the officers of the Department are to be punished for refusing to carry out work quite alien to the duties for which they were engaged and against which Mr. Harris, as a Quaker, has a conscientious objection; and what further action it is proposed to take in the case?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The work in question is most important, and is of such nature that it can appropriately be carried out by the juvenile departments of the Employment Exchanges. If Mr. Harris persists in his refusal to carry out the instructions of the Department with regard to this matter, my right hon. Friend regrets that he will have no alternative but to terminate his appointment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mrs. Tyrrell, of 62, St. Dunstan's Road, Hanwell, W. 17, was working at the White City putting straps on buckles for haversacks, and that the straps were too thick for the buckles, which were round instead of square, and that the effort of putting the straps through was so great that the. tendon of Mrs. Tyrrell's thumb snapped on 1st May, 1917; that nevertheless she continued to work till 26th June, when she was obliged to cease; that she had half-pay 13s. 7d. a week till 13th September, when the insurance doctor, Dr. Fletcher Porter, told her that she had one hand and four fingers and was quite able to work, and that Dr. Davidson Glenshee, 256, Uxbridge Road, has certified that she has lost the use of her thumb for life; that on 13th September Mrs. Tyrrell was offered clerical work at the White City, which she was unable to do, and the counting of bags, which necessitated the use of both hands, and that Mr. Bruce. secretary at the White City, said that, as she had done wrong in applying to the Workers' Union, her employers could do nothing for her; and whether he proposes to take any action in connection with this case?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I had not previously heard of this case, and if, as I understand, it is a case of dispute under the Workmen's Compensation Act, I have no jurisdiction to interfere. If it cannot be settled by agreement, it should be decided in the manner provided by the Act.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if any and what action has been taken by the Commissioners under powers conferred upon them by 1 and 2 Geo. V., c. 55, s. 63 (2, b); and, if none, may it be deduced from that want of action that no insanitary conditions of environment calling for their attention exist in England or Wales?

No action could have been taken under this Section until last year, since sickness benefits had not been paid for the minimum period of three years required by the Section until 12th January, 1916. To enable the Com- missioners to proceed under the Section a large amount of material would have to be supplied by approved societies, and, in view of the general it unsettlement of the rates of sickness resulting from the War, it is doubtful whether, even if the data could be obtained in present circumstances, an application would succeed so long as the present artificial standard of normal sickness laid down by the Section remains. Clause 36 of the National Health Insurance Bill now before Parliament provides for the Amendment of the Section in this respect.

asked the Comptroller of the Household whether a complaint reached him regarding the refusal of a panel doctor. T. Laird, of Hornby House, Heywood, Lancashire, to attend during child-birth upon a Mrs. Hutchinson, an insured person, on the ground that he was too busy, and that three other doctors in the district also declined upon professional grounds; that the husband, home on leave from France, and one of the other doctors personally appealed to Dr. Laird, who still refused to attend, when it became necessary to convey the woman to the Bury Infirmary, three miles away, where both mother and child died; and whether, under such circumstances, if steps cannot be taken to remove Dr. Laird's name from the panel, provision will be made in the amending Bill now before the House to deal with similar cases?

Yes, Sir; this very regrettable case has been brought to my notice. It must be remembered that the services in question are not amongst those which the panel doctor is under any agreement with the Insurance Committee to provide, so that the incident affords no ground for considering his removal from the panel, as suggested. In reply to the latter part of the question, I may say that the question of making provision, under national health insurance, for medical attendance for insured women at confinement will not require legislation, as the hon. Member suggests; I recognise the importance of the need for this extension of insurance medical services, and am giving it earnest consideration at the present time.

asked the hon. Member for Wiltshire (Westbury Division), as chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he is aware that considerable waste of food is being permitted in the dining rooms of this House; that bread is served to Members at all meals whether asked for or not; that half portions of food, if asked for, are charged at the full rate, though the full portion is in excess of the requirements of most Members; that sugar is served with every order for tea or coffee whether wanted or not; and whether he will have notices put up in the dining rooms reminding Members that the weekly ration laid down by Sir A. Yapp for men leading a sedentary life is limited to 2 lbs. of meat and 4 lbs. 8 ozs. of bread?

The Committee have fully satisfied themselves that the hon. Member is in error in suggesting that there is waste in the dining rooms of the House of Commons. The scale of rations laid down by the Public Meals Order, as laid down for restaurants, is adopted for all meals served by the Refreshment Department. Only half the ration of bread allowed under the scale is served, unless the ration is asked for. We have considered the question of serving half portions, and decided against it, in view of the complaints from. Members that the portions allowed under the scale are restricted. Sugar is served according to ration, and every care is taken that if not required it is not wasted.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why, in administering Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, the general practice of the Treasury to count for pension as much of temporary service as is similar to the established service following is not followed in the case of those men in the Customs Statistical Office, whose temporary service was precisely similar to the established service following, as witnessed by the Secretary to the Board of Customs in his Report to the Ridley Royal Commission, 10th September, 1888, in which it was stated that, as regards those writers employed in the Statistical Department, there is no difference between the work performed by them and that done by the lower division clerks?

I have nothing to, add to the previous answers which I have given to the right hon. Member on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the rural labourers' cottages under the 1883 Act are superior to forty of the forty-four cottages in respect of which £148 per house by way of loan was given to Mr. Smith-Barry; that seventeen two-storey houses, with modern sanitary and other accommodation, were built by the urban district council in 1900; and that the contract for these was £2,516, or exactly £148 per house; whether he is aware that those houses are superior to the Barrymore cottages and that the cost of labour, etc., was much higher when they were built than in 1878–80, when the Barrymore cottages were erected; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances, he will now agree to order a sworn inquiry into the application of housing loans under the Land Improvement Acts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to his questions yesterday and on the 26th June.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, under the proposed new scheme of salaries for national teachers, lay teachers in convent and monastery national schools paid by capitation Grant will, as regards salary, increments, promotion, and pension rights, be treated on the same footing as assistants in ordinary national schools; and, if so, whether their years of service in the first-mentioned schools will count for the purpose of increments, bonus, etc., under the new scheme?

As to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to his question on the 9th August last. Service given by recognised lay assistant teachers in convent schools paid by capitation will count towards increment and diploma, as at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received representations as to the disappointment caused amongst a large number of principal teachers in Ireland by the construction now proposed to be placed on the expres- sion large school for the purpose of the new scale of salaries; whether, in the special programme of the National Commissioners, schools entitled to three teachers and upwards are classified as large schools; whether, for the purpose of salaries, it is now proposed to exclude from that category all schools having an average attendance of less than 140, though such schools are entitled not to three but to four teachers; whether the effect of this will be to exclude from the benefit of the proposed supplemental salary practically all schools outside Dublin and Belfast and thus deprive of the supplemental salary about 220 teachers of schools in all parts of Ireland within the category of what the Commissioners consider large schools; and whether, in view of the definition of large schools as schools of three teachers and where the reference to 140 pupils must therefore be taken to mean pupils on the rolls as distinguished from those in average attendance, he will extend the supplementary salary to the principal teachers of all such schools?

I am informed that representations have been received by the Commissioners of National Education on this subject. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to his previous question on the 2nd August last as to the proposals with regard to grants of supplemental salary under the new scheme. Excluding convent and monastery schools paid by capitation there are about 350 national schools in Ireland, having an average attendance of 140 or over. About 220 of these schools are in Belfast and Dublin. There is no precise definition of a "large" school in the Rules of the Commissioners, and the supplemental salary was definitely intended for schools with an average attendance of 140 and above.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received representations from the School Meals Committee of the City of Cork representing their want of funds to enable them to continue their work; whether he is aware that the 1d. rate struck by the Corporation will this year only enable provision to be made for forty-eight days, whereas last year the Committee were able to make provision for seventy days and the year before seventy-eight days; and whether, in view of the exceptional distress at present existing in the city and the probability of a trying winter season, he will take steps to enable the Committee to continue its work by a liberal grant?

The Local Government Board have received representations from the corporation of Cork that the provision for supplying meals to necessitous school children is inadequate, and that the 1d. rate for the purpose would only enable meals to be provided for forty-eight days during the coming winter, whereas last year meals were provided for seventy days, and the previous year for seventy-eight days. There does not appear to be any exceptional distress at present in Cork city. The returns during the past three months show considerable decrease, and the figures are less than in the corresponding three months of last year. I am informed that there is a decrease in unemployment due to the number of men who have joined the Army as Reservists or Volunteers and the number who have obtained employment as munition workers. I am introducing a Bill to enable further funds to be provided for feeding necessitous school children in Ireland.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the Reports of the Prison Commission and of the medical commissioner deploring the want of provision of accommodation under the Mental Deficiency Act for prisoners found to be of unsound or feeble mind, and the consequent retention amid criminal surroundings and among ill-conditioned persons of those who are not responsible for their actions; and what steps he proposes to take with a view to remove such persons from unsuitable prison treatment and associations?

State institution for defectives had been provided at Moss Side, where it would have been possible to accommodate a large number of defectives on transfer from prison, but just when it was completed the urgent need of the Army Council for hospital accommodation made it necessary to lend these premises for use as a military hospital. In place of Moss Side a State Institution for women has been established at Farmfield, and proposals are now under consideration for opening another temporary State Institution for men and women. That more accommodation has not already been provided is due to difficulties arising from the War, including the difficulty of obtaining suitable male attendants.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now prepared to reconsider his decision forbidding the police from joining the Police and Prison Officers' Union; and whether, seeing that the union, as now constituted, only aims at the right of conference and collective representation, he will consider the desirability in the interest of the public of withdrawing his embargo and thus preventing the union seeking the general support of organised industry in obtaining these objects?

I can only refer my right hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on the 7th June of this year.

asked the Home Secretary if he has considered the smallness of the pay and allowance to members of the Metropolitan police force of all ranks in relation to their responsibilities and the general level of wages now prevailing; and is it proposed to review the present rates, having regard to the increase in the cost of living and the disparity between the wages of the police and the increased standards authorised by the Government in other permanent occupations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday last to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Mile End.

asked the President of the Local Government Board when effect will be given to the promise made by his predecesor, the right hon. Member for the Cleveland Division of Yorkshire, that, when providing houses for their employés, county councils should be placed in the same financial position as local authorities under the Housing Acts?

The matter is at present engaging my attention.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the state of overcrowding at Scunthorpe and Frodingham, North Lincolnshire, occasioned by the influx of munition workers during the past two years; whether he is aware that in the near future it is expected that the increase of population will be from 24,000 to 25,000 without any provision being made for decently housing the inhabitants; and whether, under these circumstances, he will at once send a Government inspector to hold an inquiry and, if necessary, project a scheme of housing, either by private or public enterprise, to meet the exceptional difficulty which has arisen in this area?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The attention of the Ministry of Munitions has been called to the housing conditions boil at Scunthorpe and Frodingham. Information is being obtained as to the number of munition workers expected to be imported month by month into the district, and as to the number of additional houses consequently required. A scheme for the erection of houses is under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he had noticed that in the list of starvation deaths for 1915 seven were tramps; that again in the list for 1916 six or seven were tramps; that in both lists there were besides several homeless persons; what steps, if any, does he propose to take to prevent like deaths; whether the Local Government Board has been advising many boards of guardians to close their casual wards; whether he is aware that if this advice is followed tramps would in many cases have to walk more than fifteen miles, and in some cases more than twenty miles, from ward to ward; whether letters similar to the letter from the Local Government Board, dated 28th June last, and sent to the guardians of Leighton Buzzard, telling them that if while the casual wards of the union are closed a vagrant makes application for relief and the master is satisfied that he is unable to proceed to a casual ward which is open, and has not the means of obtaining a lodging, the case should be admitted to the workhouse, have been sent to other boards of guardians; whether, having regard to the legal responsibilities of masters of workhouses and relieving officers, and the decision in Clark v . Joslin, he will send round a circular informing them that if while the casual wards of the union are closed a destitute wayfarer or tramp makes appli- cation for relief, and has not the means of obtaining lodging an 1 also necessary food, the master should admit him to the workhouse, unless he is satisfied that the applicant is able to proceed to a casual ward; whether he will also send a similar circular to relieving officers reminding them of their duty of giving an order for the workhouse or other relief in the like circumstances; whether the Local Government Board intend to keep any of the casual wards closed permanently in cases where this would involve more than twelve miles walk from one ward to another; and if he will order that in any case where a tramp has to walk more than fifteen miles from one ward to another he shall be allowed to start on his journey without doing work first, and that he shall not be required to do more than six hours' work on the following day?

If the hon. Member will examine the particulars given in the Return relating to the deaths referred to, he will see that none of them can be attributed to the closing of casual wards. With a view to avoiding such difficulties as the hon. Member has in mind, letters similar to that referred to in the question are sent in every case, in which assent is given to the closing of a casual ward, and I am satisfied that the Poor Law officers concerned clearly understand the nature of their responsibilities. The question of permanently closing any provincial casual wards has not been considered. As regards the last part of the question, the guardians and their officers have ample power under the existing Regulations to relax the provisions as to detention and work in cases of the kind indicated.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can state the chief items of the claim for compensation raised in the Scottish Land Court against the Board of Agriculture for Scotland by Mr. Douglas, of Cavers, to the amount of £13,000 in respect to the constitution of eight small holdings at Kinninghall, on the estate of Cavers, in the county of Roxburgh, and also the number of acres taken and the amount of rent to be paid to Mr. Douglas?

The chief items of the elaim in the case referred to are as follows: £4,000 in respect of existing buildings; £5,100 in respect of loss in the letting value of the estate, allowing for the purchase of the buildings; £4,500 in respect of depreciation in the capital value of the farm and estate; making a total of £13,600. The land taken amounts to (approximately) 335 acres and the fair rent in respect thereof to £249 1s.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how he proposes to deal, in the allocation of she new education Grant, with Catholic teachers in Scotland who are teaching in an eighteenpenny-rate area; are they to be put on an equality with the Board teachers; and are other unrecognised teachers to participate equally with those under the Board?

The cases referred to will be dealt with in accordance with the terms of the minute dated 11th July, 1917, a copy of which, together with an explanatory circular, I am sending to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the delays that occur in getting for teachers in Scotland who have received their training in England or Ireland recognition by provincial committees, in whose hands is placed this recognition; is he aware that these delays result in disadvantages to these unrecognised teachers; and will he expedite their action in this direction?

No complaints as to delay have reached me. But I shall be glad to look into any specific cases which my hon. and learned Friend has in view, if he will be good enough to send me particulars.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a petition from the residents of West Wycombe protesting against the closing of the post office there, and urging that it may be reopened; and whether he will comply with their request?

I have received the petition referred to by the hon. Member. The question of reopening the post office at West Wycombe is under consideration.