asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of persons taking up 1922 Exchequer Bonds since the issue in April, 1917, to the date of the issue of National War Bonds on the 15th October, 1917, not exceeding £600; and the number of persons investing over £600 during the same period?

The numbers are approximately as follows:

asked the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury 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?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to this question on Wednesday, the 28th November.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether Brazilian brown haricot beans are being sold by the Oats Committee for cattle food at prices varying from £22 12s. 6d. per ton to £25 2s. 6d. per ton; if so, why these beans, which are useful for human food when sound, are being sold for cattle food; how long the beans have been in this country; why they were not distributed earlier for human food; and what is the loss per ton on the quantities sold for cattle food?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Brazilian brown beans were practically unknown in this country before the War, and there has consequently been no effective public demand for them. During the six months which have elapsed since their importation they have deteriorated in quality, and about 5 per cent. have been sold for cattle food. The loss involved on the quantity sold for cattle food is approximately £25 per ton.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the actual quantity of butter and cheese purchased through the Australian and New Zealand Governments, and what was the price paid; whether the price included the freight; if not, what was the freight; and if he can give the price of this butter and cheese delivered in this country?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets on 26th November.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will take steps to safeguard a supply of butter for the Irish people?

The Food Controller and the Irish Food Control Committee are in consultation with the Department of Agriculture as to the butter supply in Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will take steps to prevent the export of milk from Ireland; and if he will see that sufficient hay for cattle feeding is released by the military?

The export of milk from Ireland has been prohibited by the Milk (Ireland) Order, which comes into force on 10th December. Sufficient hay for cattle feeding has been released by the military authorities, and any shortage in certain localities must be attributed to delay on the part of the grower in offering it for sale.

asked whether small farmers in Ireland, who complied with the Tillage Order at considerable inconvenience, will now be granted the promised Government bonus on quantities of potatoes of less than 4 tons which they are obliged to sell under the guaranteed price of £6?

I can add nothing to the answer given last Monday to the hon. Member for the Ossory Division.

asked, with reference to the Potato Order reducing the minimum price for potatoes in Ireland to £4 per ton and leaving a margin of £2 per ton to be paid by the Government, how and when the difference between the guaranteed and reduced fixed price is to be paid; and whether growers will be at liberty to dispose of their potatoes in the market and to potato factors as heretofore?

With respect to the first part of the question, a general licence was issued by the Food Controller on 17th November which has the effect of abolishing the minimum prices for the sale of potatoes. The Potatoes Order (No. 2), 1917, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, explains the methods of assessment and payment of claims for compensation by growers in respect of sales of "ware" potatoes in lots of 4 tons or more at prices below the guaranteed figure of £6 per ton. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the Food Controller's notice impressing upon brewers and distillers in milk-producing districts the importance of using their by-products for the feeding of dairy cattle, and also taking into consideration the safeguarding of milk supply and stock breeding in Ireland by the wise prohibition of exporting milch cows, he will consider the advisability of relaxing the restrictions on Dublin brewers and distillers which has the effect of reducing the quantity of feeding necessary for the Dublin cowkeepers to maintain their normal number of milch cows?

I have been asked to reply. It would not be advisable to relax the restrictions referred to since the use of grain for brewing—making full use of the brewers by-products for animal food—involves a loss on the average of at least 20 per cent. of the human food value of the original gram. In the case of distilling the loss is still higher.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the recent order limiting the price of pigs to 18s. per 20 live weight has reduced the cost of pigs to butchers, and if the price of pork and other uncured pig products to the consumer has been reduced accordingly; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that consumers get full benefit of the reduction in the prices of pigs?

The price of pork was limited by the Meat (Maximum Prices) Order which came into force on 3rd September, 1917. This Order fixed the wholesale maximum carcase price for pork, and limited the retailer's profit upon his sales. The live weight price for pigs was fixed by the Pigs (Maximum Prices) Order, which came into force on the 8th November, 1917. This Order was necessary to enable wholesale and retail butchers to secure pork which they could afford to sell at the prices which the Food Controller had already fixed for the protection of the consumer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that considerable inconvenience is caused and loss sustained by Irish shippers of dead poultry to Great Britain owing to the delay in transit; whether he is aware that consignments from the North of Ireland have been held up at Dublin until the poultry became unfit for use; and, in view of the Christmas trade, if he will take steps to see that perishable goods of this kind consigned to Great Britain will be promptly dealt with?

Every effort is being made by the Director of Cross-Channel Transportation to secure prompt transit of goods between Ireland and Great Britain. The delays which sometimes occur are unavoidable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state his recommendations of the application for war bonus by petty sessions clerks of Ireland; and when they may expect to receive payment of a bonus?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Roscommon on the 17th July.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that there is much dissatisfaction arising from the Regulations respecting the exportation of horses from Ireland; and whether he will make inquiry regarding the utility of exporting horses not required for agricultural or industrial work in Ireland and relax the rules to enable their exportation possible?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 22nd October the Department of Agriculture are of opinion that it would be inadvisable, having regard to the anticipated need for horse labour in connection with the increased tillage scheme for 1918, to modify the Order referred to at present. The Department hope that it may be possible to do so to some extent in about two or three weeks' time.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a war bonus of 10s. per week had been granted to the staff of the Grand Canal Company at James Street Harbour, Dublin, while a bonus of only 6s. per week had been given to the country agents of the same company, some of whom had much longer service than those employed in Dublin, and if he will state the reasons for this differentiation and take steps to see that the country agents are placed on the same basis as regards bonus as the Dublin staff?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I understand that the differentiation referred to in the bonus to the clerical staff has regard to the different conditions (cost of food, etc.) obtaining in Dublin and the country districts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the nature of the duties performed under his Department by Major Lynch, the secretary and general manager of the British Motor Cab Company; and whether such duties are consistent with his retention of his position with the British Motor Cab Company?

The duties performed by this officer are those laid down by the head of the directorate in which he serves, and are in no way interfered with by any interests he may have outside the War Office. Major Lynch is a most efficient and hard-working officer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers in Territorial regiments serving in India and Mesopotamia are kept in a lower rank because other officers' names have been retained on the regimental lists, although the latter have been invalided home for twelve months or more and in some cases transferred to other regiments; and whether this state of affairs can be removed?

If an officer has been invalided home, he must be borne on the establishment up to a total of eighteen months' sickness. If an officer is transferred he is removed from the establishment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of extending the grant of the Territorial efficiency medal to those men who have already earned the Volunteer long-service medal for twenty years' Volunteer service and who have also served an additional twelve years in the Volunteers and Territorial Forces, making thirty-two years in all, no part of the period counting for the Volunteer long-service medal to be counted towards the period for earning the Territorial efficiency medal; and whether, in dealing with this question, he will bear in mind how greatly the concession would be appreciated by men who have served long and faithfully in the Volunteer and Territorial Forces?

This question will receive consideration

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is discontent among Sussex men, formerly of the National Reserve, now of the Royal Defence Corps. 16th Battalion, stationed at Chattenden. Farm Camp, near Strood, Kent; that men over fifty, and even of sixty-eight years of age, who have served since November, 1914, as guards for bridges and other vulnerable points, have recently been placed under young non-commissioned officers, and are now expected to carry full packs, to mount guard, and to do drill on equal terms with younger men lately drafted into the corps; that this dissatisfaction is increased by the belief that such conditions do not prevail in other camps; and whether he will take steps to remedy these grievances?

I am not aware of the conditions at Chattenden Camp being in any way unsatisfactory. Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that farmers in the South-West of Scotland are receiving only 11d. per lb. for Cheviot unwashed wool instead of 1s. 6d. per lb. as arranged by his Department, and that this difference of 7d. per lb. falls into the pockets of the middlemen, the wool brokers, from the fact that all wool called by them broken wool becomes the property of the wool brokers on their payment of the low price; and what sum has been paid by the State to wool brokers in Scotland for this type of wool which has not been passed on to the growers of the wol?

The answer to the first part of the question is that 11d. per lb. has not been paid in any instance for unwashed Cheviot wool, but for broken Cheviot wool which is an entirely different thing. For the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply given to him on the 3rd instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men when leaving France on a fortnight's leave are given money instead of rations; and, in the case of single men, are they allowed money for lodgings?

The answer in the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when separation allowances to the wives of officers and the increased pay of officers will come into effect?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Hertford on the 28th November last.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in engaging discharged soldiers at the Royal Arsenal, care is taken that the work to which a discharged soldier is allotted is suitable to his condition and within his capacity; whether he is aware that recently about twenty-four discharged soldiers were engaged as examiners in the fuse branch but upon reporting for work were sent to another part of the Arsenal and put to work necessitating climbing about boxes, which the men, by reason of their disabilities, could not perform; and whether he will issue instructions that where discharged disabled soldiers are available for light work they will be engaged in preference to women?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, the particular case cited was due to a pure misunderstanding, which was subsequently rectified. With regard to the third part, establishments engaged upon the production of munitions have already been requested to encourage as far as possible the employment of discharged soldiers and sailors, and to give them priority of employment over women. A further circular dealing with the employment of discharged soldiers and sailors is at present in proof form and will shortly be issued. In this circular attention is drawn to the necessity of such men being employed upon light work which is within their capabilities, and not upon work which, as a result of their disablement, is likely to be detrimental or dangerous.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that Messrs. Smith, Stone, and Knight's Avonside Paper Mills, Bristol, is a controlled establishment; if he is aware that an application has been sent in by the National Union of General Workers for an advance of wages some weeks back; if he is aware that the firm are not giving any definite reply to the petition; if he is aware that the management have told the women workers if they left the union they would get an advance at once; if he is aware that a discharged wounded soldier has received a week's notice because they have found out that he is a member of the union; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am making further inquiries into this matter, and will communicate the result of them to my hon. Friend in due course. I understand that negotiations are taking place between the firm and the National Union of General Workers in the matter.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that a workman transferred from the Arsenal to work at the Royal Albert Docks was paid 16s. 9d. per week expenses for seven or eight months and it was then stopped without any reason being given; and whether men so transferred are entitled to out-station or other allowance?

I have no information as to this man, but if my right hon. Friend will give it to me I will inquire and inform him of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service whether Kenneth Southall, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, is of good health, 5ft. 10in. in height, aged twenty; whether he is aware that he appeared before the Birmingham local tribunal on the 20th February last and was given exemption from combatant service on grounds of conscientious objection, but was refused exemption on the grounds of employment; that he appealed to the Warwickshire Appeal Tribunal, which on the 22nd March dismissed the appeal on all grounds, but gave him three months before he was called up; that at the termination of the three months he received notice to join at once, but on the same day presented a B protection certificate on the ground that he was a semi-qualified chemist; whether this certificate is valid; by whom it was granted; and why is this young man being protected from serving his country?

Kenneth Southall was granted a certificate of exemption from combatant service. The facts regarding his age and tribunal history are as stated. He failed to report for medical examination, and was therefore regarded as fit for general service. He was issued with a "B" Protection Card as a chemist, but this was withdrawn by the Munitions Area Dilution Officer, who notified the Munitions Area Recruiting Officer on 26th September, 1917. Inquiries were made from this Department on 20th October as to why Southall had not been posted, and a reply was received that his calling-up had been cancelled, as he produced a certificate of membership of the Friends Ambulance Unit. A communication was then addressed to the Chairman of the Friends Ambulance Unit, who replied that Southall is a born member of the Society of Friends, and was educated at a Quaker school, and that his father, Mr. Wilfred Southall, asked the unit to accept his son as a member. The Friends Ambulance Unit pointed out to Mr. Southall, senior, that they could not accept his son without a reference from the tribunal, and the chairman of the unit states that the certificate which they gave to Mr. Kenneth Southall was granted only on the understanding that the tribunal gave its reference, the certificate being granted as proof of the man's acceptance by the Friends Ambulance Unit, subject to the reference of the tribunal. Kenneth Southall is provisionally serving with the Friends Ambulance Unit, and has applied to the tribunal for variation of his certificate of exemption from one of exemption from combatant service only to one of exemption from non-combatant service also, conditionally on his serving with the Friends Ambulance Unit.

asked the Home Secretary whether the conscientious objector who recently shot with a revolver another conscientious objector at the Princetown Settlement was licensed to carry firearms; and whether any steps were taken to prosecute the offender for a breach of the law?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The man in question absconded from the work centre shortly after the occurrence referred to, and steps are being taken for his recall to military service.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he has any statistics which will show how many tribunals there are in the United Kingdom whose members have in their employment as many as twenty-two gardeners of military age and of military fitness; and will he announce it as a rule of his Department that the members of no tribunal will be allowed more than twenty-two such men, in view of the fact that that number has been permitted to a tribunal in the South-West of Scotland?

If the hon. Member can produce any facts in support of his allegation that the members of any tribunal in the South-west of Scotland or elsewhere have twenty-two gardeners of military age and fitness, I shall be exceedingly pleased to receive them. In reply to the last part of the question, I may say that the suggestion that any Government Department has permitted the retention of twenty-two gardeners of military age and fitness by the members of a tribunal, so far as I am able to ascertain, is deficient in foundation.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the case of Joseph Casey, of Limerick, whom the military authorities at Glasgow are trying to call up for military service, owing to a mistake on their part; whether he is aware that this young man only went to Glasgow in order to join a ship as fourth engineer, at the invitation of Mr. Duff, shipowner, of Glasgow, and only spent a couple of days in that city, and was not in any sense a resident in Great Britain, and that Mr. Joseph Casey has been serving since that time, January, 1916, in the mercantile marine as an engineer; and whether, now that this mistake has been pointed out to the Ministry of National Service, orders will be given not to interfere with this young man, and those orders transmitted to the police at Limerick?

Inquiries were instituted on the 3rd of November into this case. Full information has not yet been received; but if the facts put forward in the hon. Member's question are corroborated, the man Joseph Casey has no liability under the Military Service Acts.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has received any resolutions of protest against the action of his Department in deducting 1s. per day from the pensions of discharged tubercular soldiers whilst receiving institutional treatment under the arrangements and at the expense of an insurance committee; and will he state the reason for making this deduction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The deduction of 1s. a day is made in all cases where any part of the cost of treatment in an institution is borne by the Ministry or otherwise by public funds. In the case of institutional treatment for tuberculosis substantial Grants are made by the Exchequer towards the cost of treatment for discharged disabled men. I may point out, however, that the deduction referred to is made not from the pension, but from the allowance provided for cases of sickness under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant and Order in Council, and the allowance was fixed at the maximum rate of disablement pension expressly in order to provide for the man's maintenance during a period of treatment.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he proposes to issue a new or a supplementary Royal Warrant; if so, when; whether he can indicate the changes contemplated; and whether, before he issues the Warrant, he proposes to consult the pensions group in the House?

The question of a revision of the Warrant is under consideration, but I am unable to give the hon. Member at this stage any information with regard to it.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that Private John Berney, No. 2942, 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, was killed in action on 6th November, 1914, and that his mother, Mrs. Berney, of Strahart, Ferns, county Wexford, who was dependent upon him, has received no compensation or pension since; and if he will have inquiry made into the matter?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the investigation is completed.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will state the total number of soldiers who have been discharged from the Army in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, saying how many of these are being trained in institutions set going by private philanthropists, such as the Lord Roberts Workshops, St. Dunstan's, the Cowen Home, etc., and how many are being trained in institutions set up by local war pensions committees and paid for out of the Imperial fund?

Approximately 2,400 discharged soldiers are now receiving training, including about 900 at the institutions to which my hon. Friend refers. Fresh schemes of training are being organised throughout the country, and trade advisory committees are being set up in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour to regulate the conditions of training, employment, and rates of remuneration in various trades.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether now that this House has directed that conscientious objectors should be disfranchised, he will issue an Order preventing them acting as teachers in elementary and secondary schools, where they have far more opportunities for evil than in any other position?

I have no authority to issue any such Order.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the hardship involved on parents in poor circumstances throughout the country who are making sacrifices in order to educate their children by sending them away to schools and universities, and who find the extra 50 per cent. increase on railway fares a serious burden; and if he can see his way to suggest to the railway executive committee that vouchers should be granted to heads of schools and colleges which they could distribute to their students living at a distance enabling them to obtain railway tickets at the ordinary peace-time rates, arriving at or returning from these establishments?

I have received representations to the effect stated in the question The suggestion made in the second part of the question was most carefully and sympathetically considered some time ago. but I regret to say that it was found impracticable.

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the documents which were seized when raids were made at the offices of the Free International Free Trade League, and at the residences of the chairman, Mr. Robert Blackie, and the secretary confirm the suspicion that this league carried on work in enemy interests?

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that, in the course of an inquisitorial examination by the police of a householder at Redhill some days after a raid for pacifist literature, he was ordered to make a statement as to the activities of the members of his family; can he state whether the facts elicited have been regarded as satisfactory, namely, that of his sons one is a captain in an Indian regiment, another a lieutenant in the King's Own Lancashire Regiment, and has been wounded in France, and another is a private in the London Scottish; and that of his daughters one is a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse, who was in charge of typhoid cases at Alexandria, and has since been on duty in France, another was on duty as a nurse behind the Belgian lines in Flanders, and another is attending the children of soldiers; under these circumstances, does he propose to tender an apology; (2) whether he is aware that, on the occasion of a raid upon a private house at Redhill in search of pacifist literature, the police ordered the householder's wife to remain on the premises during the search which took six hours and forty minutes; that, on representing that she had to meet a son at the local railway station who had been invalided from France after ten months in the trenches and who had been transferred to the local hospital, they permitted her to proceed to the station under the charge of two constables; under what authority this was done; (3) whether, when a raid for pacifist literature is being conducted which lasts for six hours and forty minutes, he will give instructions that the police shall go properly provisioned and so not require to billet themselves upon the householder, as on the occasion of the recent raid at Redhill; (4) whether he is aware that the police, having failed to find any literature with reference to peace or war on the occasion of a raid on a private house at Bexhill, returned several days later and subjected the householder to an inquisitorial examination as to his ancestry with a view to discovering whether he had any taint of German blood; by what authority this was done; (5) whether, in view of the fact that the police recently subjected a householder at Redhill to an inquisitorial examination to discover if he had any taint of German blood in his ancestry, he can say whether such a circumstance is considered to be in itself an incriminating fact; (6) whether, in view of the fact that in the course of an inquisitorial examination by the police of a householder at Redhill some days after a raid for pacifist literature, he was asked whether he had been at a meeting at which aliens, naturalised or otherwise, were present; whether such association is incriminating; and (7) whether, in view of the fact that the recent police raid on a private house at Redhill in search of pacifist literature proved that the authorities had been misled; and, in view of the fact that there is reason to believe that private animosity is the cause, will he state the source of the information upon which the police acted so that redress may be sought by legal procedure?

The documents seized on the occasion of the search made in the offices of the International Free Trade League and in the secretary's residence, shows that this league practically consists of three persons, namely, Mr. Robert Blackie, the chairman, Mr. Arnold Lupton, who has been convicted of infringing the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and Mr. B. Zusman, who is said to be a British subject of Russian origin. The activities of the league appear to be directed to encouraging the resumption of trade with Germany after the War, but no evidence was obtained to confirm the suspicion of direct enemy influence. The police also made a search at the residence of Mr. Blackie at Redhill, and afterwards saw Mr. Blackie and put certain questions to him. The information given to me shows that the police carried out the necessary inquiries in a proper and courteous manner, and that the suggestions contained in the questions of the hon. Member for Hanley are wholly unwarranted. In the search at Mr. Blackie's house no evidence was obtained which reflected in any manner on this gentleman's character or conduct. I understand that he has three sons serving in the Army (two of whom hold commis- sions) and three daughters engaged in nursing or other war work. The questions addressed to him were immediately and frankly answered, and I desire to take this opportunity of saying that while the searches and inquiries appear to me to have been justified in the public interest they disclosed nothing to Mr. Blackie's discredit.

asked the Home Secretary why, as neither Lord Lansdowne nor Lord Burnham are to be prosecuted for the publication of Lord Lansdowne's letter, people who distribute the same letter in leaflet form are liable to be prosecuted under the Defence of the Realm Act if the Censor condemns the letter?

asked whether persons printing and distributing Lord Lansdowne's letter to the "Daily Telegraph" in the form of a leaflet will be liable to prosecution under the new Regulation?

The Regulation does not apply to the newspaper Press. Any leaflet which is a reprint of the letter in question is clearly one relating to the present War, and must, therefore, comply with the Regulation.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Order prohibiting the meeting of the Herald League in Finsbury Park on Sunday, 25th November, which was not produced to the secretary by the police officer, applied to all or any other meetings organised by that league?

The prohibition related only to the particular meeting in question.

asked whether instructions will be given to the directors of the Press Bureau to prohibit under Regulation 27C pamphlets advocating the continuation of the War until the German Government offers unconditional surrender and similar proposals which German publicists quote for the purpose of strengthening the resistance of the German people, and which would hereafter be quoted as published with the approval of the British Government?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at a lecture by Professor Pares at King's College on 20th November it was stated and admitted by the lecturer that a person present had been in the pay of the secret police, Okrana, of the ex-Tsar; that this person was employed by the British Government, and that he was now being dismissed; whether he will state who that person is; and whether he will obtain all possible information from persons like Professor Pares who have had special missions to Russia in the earlier stages of the War?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question are in the negative; the remaining questions, therefore, do not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the action of several London borough councils of exhibiting coloured lights in their districts on air-raid nights; and will he issue an Order to standardise these lights, so that the same colours shall be shown all over London both for warnings and all-clear purposes?

I am aware that several borough councils have adopted this device. The Commissioner of Police has arranged that any local authority may supplement the police warning to "take cover" by exhibiting a suitable red light and the "all clear" by a green or white light.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, whereas most railway companies issue third-class tickets at the fixed annual price payable by four equal quarterly payments, certain other companies make much higher proportional charges in the case of such tickets when taken for periods of less than a year, thereby imposing a fine on the worker who is unable to pay the whole yearly charge for his season ticket at one time; and whether, in view of the fact that the railways are now under the control of the Government, he will take steps in order that the more equitable practice of the majority of the companies shall in future be made obligatory on all of them?

I am aware that the practice of the railway companies varies in this respect. I am afraid I can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on the subject on the 14th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company make a charge of £8 13s. for a third-class season ticket between Manchester and Bolton for the period of one year, whereas that company charges £5 9s. 6d. for such a ticket for the period of six months, and £2 19s. for the period of three months, such last-mentioned charges being at the rate of £2 6s. and £3 3s. in excess of the annual charge, respectively; and, if so, whether he will take steps in order to secure that in future the annual price of such tickets shall be payable, when, so desired, by four equal quarterly payments?

I have been in communication with the railway company on this, matter, and have received a reply, of which I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Railway Executive Committee have issued instructions to all railway companies to insist upon season-ticket holders when unable to produce their season tickets paying the full ordinary fare; that, contrary to the former practice of railway companies, this payment is not now afterwards refunded on production of the ticket; and, if so, what reasons the Railway Executive Committee give for making such condition universal on all railway companies?

The principal objects of the instruction referred to were to check fraud and to relieve the reduced staffs of the railway companies from the labour involved in dealing with applications for the refund of fares from passengers claiming to be season-ticket holders but unable to produce their tickets on demand. I understand that one of the conditions on which season tickets are issued is that they shall be produced on demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the present Government control of railways, it would be permissible for any railway company to withdraw their system of season tickets; and whether, in the event of the sanction of the Department being necessary, he will carefully consider any such application, and before coming to any decision give an opportunity for objections to be lodged and heard?

There is no statutory obligation on railway companies to issue season tickets, but I am not aware that the companies propose to cease to issue them. If any such proposal were made, the matter would receive the most careful consideration of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Coal Controller is endeavouring both to prevent the Carlisle Electricity Committee from buying their whole supply of coal at a colliery 23 miles distant and to compel them to take from a colliery nearly twice as far away coal less suitable and more expensive; what national interest would be injured by allowing to the former colliery and to the committee that liberty to trade which their proximity renders natural; what national advantages are alleged as an offset to the increased railway transport involved in the Coal Controller's scheme; and whether, should he still insist on it, the city can bring before the Losses Commission a claim for the financial loss thereby imposed on the ratepayers?

The arrangements under the coal transport scheme are directed towards securing the maximum economy of railway transport, and a reduction of over 50 miles has been effected in the haulage of coal to the Carlisle Electricity Works. It is, however, necessary at the same time to secure an equitable distribution of trade among the different collieries, and for this reason a portion of the Carlisle supply is brought from a colliery 40 miles distant, though even this compares with the average distance of 100 miles before the transport scheme was brought into operation, and thus secures great economy in transport. I am unable to advise on the point raised in the last part of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether ships now under construction are being finished and furnished in every detail, or whether, in order to bring the largest number into the most speedy use, only such structural and finishing work is done as is consistent with their safety and urgent utility?

The reply which I gave to the similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend on 4th December applies generally to all ships now under construction in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is a naturalised German in charge of the post and telegraph office in Clifton Road. Maida Vale; and whether he will remove all Germans, naturalised or unnaturalised, from the postal service?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that no telegraph business is transacted at the office in question. The sub-postmaster has resided in this country since 1886, and was naturalised in 1907. There are no grounds for doubting his loyalty to this country. With regard to the second, any such men are being carefully watched, and if there is any suspicion of disloyalty they will be immediately removed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that G. Hale, 29, Wellington Road, Holloway, employed as a machinist in the Stores Department, A4 shop, Holloway, has been dismissed; whether he is aware that Hale is a discharged soldier who fought at Mons and has been thrice wounded; why he has been dismissed; and whether the General Post Office can make an effort to retain such men in its employment?

I am making inquiry into the facts of this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Admiralty is taking over the Post Office wireless stations in the British Isles; whether he is aware that many of the operators are men of low category and unfit for general service; and whether, in these circumstances, he will make representations to the Admiralty with a view of retaining the present qualified wireless operators in their present employment?

The Admiralty has taken over most of the Post Office wireless stations as a temporary measure for war purposes. A proportion of the operators hitherto employed at these stations—especially those who have recently been allocated to the work—are no doubt of low medical category; but arrangements have been made to employ these operators on other wireless work, for which they are well fitted. A few have been released for combatant service. In these circumstances the question of making representations to the Admiralty does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what alterations in the Lighting Orders he is prepared to sanction so as to permit of the better illumination of shop windows and streets in populous districts in Scotland during the present winter?

By an Order dated 16th November an additional hour's lighting in the evening was sanctioned for specified counties, including Lanarkshire, and I am not prepared, as at present advised, to make any further alteration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, seeing that a period of six months has now elapsed since representations were first received from the local authorities and federated district trades councils of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire as to the urgent need for providing additional housing accommodation for munition and other war workers in Lanarkshire, and that arrangements have meantime been completed at Barrow-in-Furness and elsewhere, where similar con- ditions prevail, for providing additional houses during the War, he can now state if it is proposed to sanction the carrying out of a building scheme in the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire at an early date; and, if so, whether he can indicate the number of houses for the building of which material will be provided by the Ministry of Munitions and the conditions under which the new scheme will be carried out?

I have been in consultation with the Ministry of Munitions, and I understand that two building schemes are already in progress in Mid-Lanarkshire, one by the Ministry of Munitions comprising 350 houses, and the other, which is nearing completion, by the District Committee, with assistance from the Ministry of Munitions, comprising 200 houses. Owing to the serious shortage of building labour and material, and the large number of claims for additional housing which arc received from many parts of the country, it is necessary to examine the whole position before embarking on a further housing scheme for the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire; but it is hoped that a decision as to this area will be come to at an early date.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, when British prisoners reach Holland, their wives will be allowed to visit them in the same way as the wives of prisoners interned in Switzerland have been allowed to go out?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my reply to question No. 94 by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Southampton yesterday.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are now 100 British prisoners in the sanatorium for mental cases at Ruhleben as the direct consequence of their long imprisonment; whether he still declines to permit a census to be taken of the German civilian prisoners here to see how many over the age of forty-five wish to return to Germany if an exchange could be arranged; whether the Prisoners of War Department at the Foreign Office are in favour of this proposal; and what is the reason of the Home Office objection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, steps were taken last winter to ascertain how many of the interned German civilians over forty-five wished to return to Germany; the third and fourth parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

asked the Attorney-General in how many cases of prosecutions undertaken by the Public Prosecutor during 1917 has Sir Archibald Bodkin been briefed to prosecute; and what is the total amount of fees paid to him for such prosecutions?

My right hon. and learned Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Sir Archibald Bodkin has, during 1917, been briefed to prosecute in thirty-three cases undertaken by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the total amount of fees paid to him for such prosecutions is £1,307 6s. I may add that, in the opinion of the Law Officers of the Grown, Sir Archibald Bodkin has rendered incalculable public service by undertaking the conduct of hundreds of courts-martial since the War began. His fees in relation to such matters would upon any ordinary scale have amounted to thousands of guineas, but he has refused to accept any remuneration, thereby placing gratuitously at the public service his unique professional attainments.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the scheme of salaries put forward by the Commissioners of National Education was rejected by the Irish Office; if so, who was the official, or officials responsible for this recommendation; whether the Commissioners of National Education have had an opportunity of considering the present scheme of salaries; if not, will he state the reason; and whether he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education have not met since the scheme of salaries for Irish national school teachers was outlined by him, and that official meetings of the Board have been put off from time to time?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 21st November the responsibility for the scheme in question rests with the Government and not with the Commissioners of National Education. The Commissioners meet on fixed dates, unless there are exceptional circumstances. I am informed that the usual meetings have been held since July except on one occasion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a permanent official, or officials, is at present touring the North of Ireland informing the principals of large schools what increase they are likely to get under the new scheme, while this information is being constantly denied to the members of the House of Commons; is he aware that the Resident Commissioner stated to a newspaper representative that it is the intention of the Government to hold over about £150,000, out of the £384,000 voted for primary education in July last, to form the basis of a fund which will be used to pay future increases of salaries; in view of more money to be given to English education, will he say when it is intended to pay out the money to Ireland; and in what way does he intend helping the more poorly paid teachers, namely, the assistant teachers, to discharge their present financial liabilities?

As regards the first part of the question, if the hon. Member will furnish the name of the permanent official referred to, inquiry will be made. I am informed that the substance of my statement on the Supplementary Vote for Irish primary education was communicated to a newspaper representative who interviewed the Resident Commissioner. Steps are being taken to bring the new scheme into operation at the earliest possible date. Provision for improved salaries for assistant teachers is made. The details appear in a paper which has been prepared for publication.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to state when he intends to bring forward his new scheme dealing with the pay and promotion of national teachers in Ireland?

The White Paper is in print, and will be circulated forthwith.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if an allowance of £5 4s. for lodgings is made to married men serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary who are not accommodated in barracks; if he is aware that, according to the regulations made by the authorities dealing with this matter, a married man or widower with children over sixteen years of age is not given this allowance, though the children may be living with him and still dependent on him, but that on the contrary he is subject to the deduction of £2 12s. per annum made from the pay of single men accommodated in barracks; whether he is aware of the hardship of this rule on married men with growing families; and if he will take steps to have this Regulation altered so as to allow of the allowance being made in cases of this kind?

Under the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, of 1883, allowances to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary in respect of children cease when the children attain sixteen years of age. It is not in my power to suspend the operation of the Act by any Regulation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the application of Patrick Whelan, Ballacolla, Queen's County, for an old age pension was considered by the local pension sub-committee and a pension of 5s. per week granted by them; that subsequently the claim was refused on appeal by the pension officer on the question of age, as no record of Whelan's age can be found in the parish register or record office; but, as two respectable neighbours, who are old age pensioners themselves, have made a written declaration that they have known Whelan since his childhood and that he is over seventy years, will the case be reconsidered, with a view to granting the claim if sufficient proof of age is established?

The facts are as stated in the question. The evidence, however, is not sufficient to prove that Whelan is seventy years of age. The Local Government Board cannot reconsider a decision once given; but if the claimant can obtain satisfactory evidence of his age it is open to him to make a fresh claim.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the great proportion of sick-berth stewards have to wait for six years and more for advancement, although they have passed the necessary examination, and have qualified for promotion, he will favourably consider the possibility of granting an increase in pay to men who have passed the examination but who, by virtue of the circumstances, cannot get advancement for a considerable period afterwards?

Sick-berth stewards receive an increase of pay after three years' after six years' and after nine years' service as such, and it is not considered necessary to make any additional payment to them for passing the examination for higher rating.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether and, if so, how often men in the service are entitled to leave with a free warrant to and from their homes; and whether in cases where a man, by virtue of his employment, is enabled to visit his home once in three months arrangements can be made to supply him with a free warrant in view of the present cost of railway travelling?

Dockyard men who are employed on detached duty at certain naval bases are entitled to free railway passes once every four months. Other dockyard men in somewhat similar circum stances are entitled to such passes once every six months. The question of making some further extension of these facilities is at present receiving consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that labour Courts are utilised in Australia and conciliation Courts in France; and whether he will make inquiries and hasten the proposed legislation for wages boards and conciliation Courts?

The methods of settlement of wages and differences in other countries including Australia and France are from time to time examined on behalf of the Government. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, my Department has prepared a Bill to amend the Trade Board's Act, which I hope to introduce as soon as Parliamentary exigencies permit. No further legislation in respect to conciliation Courts is at present in contemplation.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can furnish school boards for their guidance with an approximate estimate of the new charges which are in contemplation as a result of the Craik Report?

Individual school boards will be able, without much difficulty, to ascertain the cost of applying the recommendations of the Report in their own districts. It would not be possible, however, to give an approximate figure for the country as a whole without laborious inquiries, which would not be justified at the present time.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will ascertain from the Scottish Fishery Board the approximate quantity of fish landed from Skerries during the last three months; and what quantity of fish the motor-boat will carry, in addition to mails and occasional passengers?

I am informed by the Fishery Board that no fish was brought from or landed at the Skerries during the three months ended 31st October. I understand that the motor-boat can carry approximately 30 cwts. of fish in addition to mails and occasional passengers.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he received a communication from Mr. Thomas Hughes, general secretary of the Irish Insurance Secretaries' Association, pointing out the grievances of secretaries in regard to their remuneration; and, if so, will he consider the suggestions therein and have them included in the Bill at present before the House?

I have received a communication from Mr. Thomas Hughes, and would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to him on 24th and 31st October last.