asked the Prime Minister whether it has been duly considered that the Post Office is charging as much to send a newpaper to our troops in France as it costs to send the said newspaper to India, China, or Africa; and whether newspapers for France can be carried at the inland rate?

The rates of charge in force for the transmission of newspapers to the troops in France,;½d. for 2 ozs., is the normal rate for the transmission of printed papers from the United Kingdom to foreign countries and Colonies. The question of reducing the existing postal charges for the conveyance both of newspapers and of other classes of correspondence has been fully considered on more than one occasion. At the present time 12,000,000 letters and newspapers, in addition to the heavy parcel post, are dispatched every week from this country to the British forces abroad, and the amount of transport required both in the United Kingdom, by sea, and in the field to ensure the regular and rapid delivery of this volume of correspondence is so considerable that I can hold out no hope of any concession such as that suggested by the hon. Member, which would increase the bulk of the mails transmitted to the troops.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what principle the date as from which the Government will grant relief or assistance in case of loss or injury h enemy action was fixed; and why the victims of such action in the earlier stages of the War, when the necessity for insurance was less fully recognised and the means of effecting insurance was less fully available, are excluded from benefit?

It is essential in connection with the administration of any scheme giving a general right to claim compensation that the property damaged should be inspected at the earliest possible moment, and t was considered that the 1st September last was the earliest date from which the scheme now in operation could safely be made retrospective The Government are, therefore, not prepared to ante-date that scheme still further; but, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member for West Carmarthenshire on the 3rd instant, they have under consideration proposals which will enable Grants to be made in cases in which persons of comparatively small means are suffering substantial hardship irrespective of any question as to the date when the damage was done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will sanction the sale of National War Bonds, not only through banks and post offices, which are not always open, but through public war savings associations, which could arrange to be open when the above-named institutions are closed, and could thus materially assist in financing the War?

I am considering every possible means of facilitating the sale of National War Bonds, but I am afraid that it is impossible to arrange for their actual issue through war savings associations. The associations are, however, always prepared to undertake the purchase of these bonds for their members.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the weighing of pigs alive and the fixing of the price for live weight is calculated to stop or reduce the production of pork and bacon; whether he is aware that as the pigs have to be weighed on the cattle-weighs all sales of cattle must be stopped while this is going on, thus causing dislocation of the markets; whether he is aware that experience has proved that the fixed price of 12s. 6d. per stone is too low, as compared with the price allowed for pork; and whether, taking these facts into consideration, he can see his way to abolish the system of live weighing, and thus allow the butchers and others to purchase according to their own judgment?

The live weight maximum price for pigs as prescribed by the Pigs (Maximum Prices) Order, 1917, was fixed to correspond with the maximum dead meat price prescribed by the Meat (Maximum Prices) Order, 1917, which came into operation 3rd September, and is, as nearly as can be ascertained, on a parity with that price. Lord Rhondda is not aware that the weighing of live pigs is causing dislocation of the cattle markets, and does not propose to revoke the Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department have received any representations with regard to alleged scarcity and unequal distribution of food supplies in Birmingham and district; and, if so, whether any action is being taken in the matter?

Yes, Sir. Inquiries were at once instituted, and arrangements have been made for the dispatch this week of additional supplies of margarine, tea, and bacon. The question of distribution is receiving attention.

asked the President of the of Agriculture whether the Order prohibiting the use on farms of dredge for feeding farm horses is operative; and, if so, what national advantage is gained by issuing orders which involve the cartage to market and rail of corn specially grown for feeding farm horses and carting back on to the farm the oats permitted to be fed to the farm horses?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is a matter not of national advantage, but of national necessity, to conserve for direct human consumption all available grain which can be utilised for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will state and, in view of the doubt and ignorance still prevalent, cause his statement to be circulated, by leaflet or otherwise, if the executive committees of the War Agricultural Committees have been empowered under the Defence of the Realm Act by the service of cultivation orders to order an occupier or owner to break up specified lands, and, on failure by such occupier or owner to comply with such order, either to prosecute him for such non-compliance or to terminate the tenancy and enter upon the whole or part of the farm to which such lands belong and cultivate them at the expense of such owner or occupier and, in the event of an owner or occupier making objection on the ground of certain loss and failure to increase production, owing to the nature of the soil, but agreeing to plough and cultivate, as ordered, subject to such objection, to have a record of the land taken by a professional valuer at the expense of the committee, and to forward such record with the claim by the owner and occupier for compensation for damage, if any, to the Claims Commission for assessment by that commission as and when damage shall, by reason of the carrying out of the order, have accrued?

The hon. Member has stated correctly the position as to the powers of agricultural executive committees and as to the procedure in regard to compensation. The Board will be glad to circulate a copy of the question and answer to the committees, so that they may have it reprinted in leaflet form if they think it necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received representations from war agricultural committees that the production of food is being diminished by the number and character of the Orders issued by the Ministry of Food; and if he will represent to the War Cabinet the necessity of increased production and the dangers of the present policy of reducing prices while the cost of production constantly increases?

Representations of the kind referred to have been received from some committees. The whole question is receiving the continual attention of the Government, who endeavour to hold the balance fairly between the interests of producers and consumers.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in order to dispel the feeling of insecurity which is spreading among corn-growing farmers in consequence of the steadily increasing cost of tillage operations and the enforced extension in the national interest of their arable area, he will consider the advisability of continuing in 1918 the present maximum prices of wheat and other cereals?

The question of grain prices in 1918 is receiving the careful consideration of the Food Controller and of the President of the Board of Agriculture.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state the number of ploughing tractors in England and Wales for each week from 6th October; the number of acres ploughed each week; the average ploughed by each tractor; and the total amount of pasture land ploughed by these tractors since the commencement of their work?

The following statement brings up to date the information contained in the reply given to my right hon. Friend on 1st November. As the average acreage ploughed per tractor varies from week to week directly in accordance with the weather conditions, a column has been added to the statement showing the percentage of working hours during which the tractors were idle on account of weather. No separate figures are available showing the different classes of land which have been ploughed.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in estimating the potato crop of England and Wales this year as 3,339,995 tons or one-third more than in 1916, his Department have brought into calculation the increase in production of potatoes on plots varying in size from a few square yards to 1 acre; and, if so, what is the estimated aggregate tonnage of tubers provided from such sources?

The figures for both 1917 and 1916 are for the production of potatoes from agricultural holdings above 1 acre in extent. The Department find it impossible to frame any trustworthy estimate of the production from holdings of an acre or less.

asked whether the sum of £350,000, being the expenditure on the Food Production Department, includes the cost of tractors, fuel, and machinery ordered by that Department; and, if not, what is the total sum involved?

As I informed my right hon. Friend on 13th November, the total gross expenditure of the Food Production Department up to 31st October amounted to £1,425,000, and against this the amounts recoverable, including sums already received, were estimated at £1,050,000. The former sum includes the capital cost of tractors, ploughs, etc. (£375,000), and payments in respect of the working expenses (fuel, spare parts, etc.) of the tractor scheme (£258,000).

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a Report appeared in the "Irish Times," "Freeman's Journal," and "Cork Examiner," of 16th November, regarding the torpedoing of the Cork steamer "Ardmore"; whether this is in accordance with the Admiralty Regulations that particulars of shipping losses are not to be published; whether the Admiralty occasionally, for special reasons, make an exception to the rule; whether he is aware that in the case of the torpedoing of several vessels belonging to Belfast the publication of information has been prohibited; whether he will take steps to provide that the families and friends of crews residing in the North of Ireland should he informed of such matters in the same manner as the families and friends of crews in Dublin and the South of Ireland are informed in such cases; and whether the Admiralty purpose treating all newspapers impartially in matters of this kind?

I am aware of the report referred to in the first part of the question. An exception is made, in some special cases, to the practice of non-publication of particulars of shipping losses. It is true that in the cases of certain vessels belonging to Belfast publication was prohibited. But no discrimination is made between Belfast and any other port, and publication is permitted in any case in which the circumstances are considered to warrant it. In all cases information is supplied by the Admiralty at the earliest possible moment to owners, who communicate with relatives of the crews and passengers. Of course, the Admiralty is strictly impartial in its treatment of all newspapers in matters of this kind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, despite his assurance, soldiers are being employed on civil work in telephone exchanges on the East Coast; that a soldier is performing a duty in the trunk exchange and another soldier on duty in the local exchange at Grimsby; that these two soldiers are being employed to cover civilian vacancies; whether he is aware that two soldiers are taking the place of a temporary night operator at Immingham, and that other soldiers are acting as substitutes for one established and two temporary night operators at the Grimsby local exchange; whether he will see that soldiers are not employed to reduce the present wage standard of the Post Office telephonist; and whether, if definite military reasons call for the employment of such soldiers, he will see that they are not employed on civil work proper to trade unionists or, alternatively, that they are paid the rate of wages current in the district?

As I have informed my hon. Friend, the soldiers are employed in these exchanges for definite military reasons, and, whether civilians are there or not, it is essential that the soldiers should be. I do not think that, under the circumstances, the question off civil wages arises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if it is under Orders of the Army Council that wounded soldiers are to be deemed to be out of bounds if they take their relatives into and purchase food only in a licensed restaurant during prohibited hours; and, if so, whether, having regard to the inconvenience to the wounded soldier who applies for refreshment for his relatives and himself and is refused under such circumstances, and the ignomony placed upon the restaurant-keeper, he will take steps to have the Army Council Order so amended as to apply only, as far as restaurants are concerned, to unprohibited hours?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question on this subject on Monday last.

asked whether Lieutenant Robert Alexander Meyer had been on active service before he became adjutant at Donington Hall in 1915; why he was removed from there; and whether since then he has been at Portsmouth. Didcot, and Woolwich?

This officer has not been abroad. As he is the son of a naturalised German, it was thought better to move him from Donington Hall, although his superiors are convinced of his absolute loyalty. He has served in the Ordnance Department at the stations mentioned, and is reported to be thoroughly satisfactory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for (1) whether certificated and Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses serving in general and auxiliary military hospitals are entitled to half fare return railway vouchers when going on leave after six months' service; whether half fare single journey railway vouchers can also be issued when it is not necessary or possible to use the return voucher; and (2) whether, in cases where certificated nurses or Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses are sent for suddenly on account of serious illness of members of their own families, half fare railway vouchers may be issued by the commandant of the auxiliary military hospitals in which the nurses are serving when it is not possible to obtain vouchers in time from the central or general hospital to which the auxiliary military hospital is attached?

The arrangements vary, according as the hospital is under direct military control and administration or is not administered directly by the War Office, though taking military patients. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of the case he has in mind, I shall be in a better position to answer him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has any evidence as to British prisoners of war in German hands being sent up to work at or near the German front line in France; whether a wealthy interned German was transferred under guard recently from Alexandra Park to the Isle of Man with his valet and his secretary, and excess luggage of a large amount; and whether, in view of the general treatment of British prisoners in Germany, he will consider the desirability of not allowing interned Germans here such consideration?

There is no evidence to show that any British prisoners in German hands are within 30 kilometres of the firing line on the Western Front at the present time. In regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked, with regard to the bronze star to be given to those who fought during the early stages of the War, whether this will be granted, in the case of those who fell in the early stages, to the relatives of deceased soldiers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 6th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk South, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if men who enlisted over military age in the early days of the War and who are now in some cases nearly approaching fifty years of age may, if they are capable of doing work of national importance, such as, for instance, shipbuilding or aeroplane building, be transferred to such work, having regard to their age and their past services?

This is the policy so far as men unfit for military service are concerned. As regards men who are fit for military service, and especially those fit for general service (Category A), I am afraid that the man-power situation does not admit of their being released.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private W. J. Caller, No. 23400, Irish Rifle Brigade, Muxton Camp, Dover, was born on the 14th January, 1901, and is under the age of seventeen; that his father is anxious for the son's discharge owing to his being under the age of seventeen; and if he will at once order his discharge or state his reasons for refusing so to do?

Private Caller's discharge was authorised on the 3rd instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private James Kielthy, No. 5844, 4th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, is claimed by his parents, being under age for the Army, as shown by the certificate of his birth, which states that the date of his birth was 15th July, 1900; and if he will order his discharge?

I presume my hon. Friend is not referring to the case on which I gave him an answer last Monday. Orders have been issued for the discharge of this lad to be carried out provided that the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend, and that he was not enlisted for boy's service.

asked whether, since the beginning of the War, Colonel E. Monteagle-Browne, D.S.O., served without a single adverse report; whether every report of all his superior officers previously was in terms of the highest commendation; and how an officer of this record is to be removed from His Majesty's service without definite inquiry into an alleged case of inefficiency which was reported only 48 hours before his return to England was ordered?

I can add nothing to the answers which I have already given on this subject.

asked whether efforts are being made to ensure that all men serving in the Army have, so far as military exigencies permit, their turn of leave, and that those who have had none will not be forgotten at Christmas?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the answers I have given already on this subject. I can only assure my hon. Friend that the military authorities give all possible consideration to questions of leave, so far as the exigenries of the Service permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that many lieutenants in the Army have held their present rank since the early days of the War, consideration will be given to the extension in such cases of the Army Order under which second-lieutenants, upon the recommendation of their commanding officers, at the end of eighteen months' service as second-lieutenants automatically become promoted to the rank of lieutenant, so that a lieutenant, after a prescribed period of service and upon a similar recommendation, should automatically become a captain?

No, Sir. It is not proposed to do this. The duties of a second-lieutenant and a lieutenant are identical, but not those of a lieutenant and captain.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will cause full investigation to be made into the case of Private Harold Wade, No. 64461, 14th. Battalion Royal Defence Corps, who has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for disobeying a command to carry on with his work; whether he is aware that this soldier enlisted in the 4th Division, 1st Hampshire Regiment, on 15th March, 1915, in order that he might take the place in that regiment of his brother who had been killed, that he has been at the front for twenty-one months, has been wounded twice on the shoulder, elbow, and left arm, also losing the first finger on his left hand, and that he was in consequence returned to England and placed in the Royal Defence Corps; whether he is aware that he refused to go on with his job, being unable to do it because the old wounds were hurting him, and that he was in consequence put in the cells, tried by court-martial, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment; and what action he proposes to take?

Inquiry has been made into this case. Private Wade was sentenced to six months' detention, and not imprisonment. Careful inquiry was made as to the statement made by the soldier that he was physically unable to do the work. He was examined by a medical officer, who reports that there is no reason physically why he should not have done the work. Under the circumstances, the sentence is not excessive. His case will come up for review when he has served a portion of his sentence, but any remission will depend upon his good conduct meanwhile.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Private Stevenson, No. 39801, 3rd Somerset Light Infantry, late of the 304th Labour Company, who made application to be transferred to his old unit, the Royal Field Artillery, volunteering to have his category raised to A 1, in order to qualify for the Royal Field Artillery, and who was transferred, against his wish, to an Infantry regiment and in consequence refused to do parades, and was arrested and has been court-martialled; and whether he can see his way to have the man transferred to the Royal Field Artillery?

I am not aware of the circumstances in the case referred to, but category A is a medical category, and men are not raised to it at their request, but on account of their improved physical condition. Men in the Labour Corps becoming A would usually be transferred to the Infantry, where they are most needed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will inquire into the circumstances under which men belonging to the Army Service Corps and Infantry units were dispatched from Bath on the 20th November for Winchester to appear before a pensions board, all these men being crippled or broken down in health, all having been passed as unfit for further service and had signed up for their discharge papers which only awaited final verification before the pensions board at Winchester, but seventeen of whom on the morning after their arrival at Winchester were ordered to pack up their kits and go back to the depot at Bath; if immediate action will be taken to accelerate the discharge of these men and to investigate the responsibility for the blunder described; and (2) whether men undergoing field punishment No. 2 are fed only on skilly and dry bread, and if this is according to the Regulations; and, if not, will he take steps to prevent this additional punishment being given to men undergoing field punishment at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry?

I will answer No. 130 also. I have not the information available in either case, but I have called for reports, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that H. Grodinsky, No. 48974, D Company, Royal Defence Corps, 14th Battalion, is now at Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth, and has been punished for months for refusal or inability to hold his rifle; that this soldier suffered constantly from fits from infancy till he became a soldier; that after many months of training and discipline all efforts to make him an efficient soldier have failed, and that, as a result, signs of mental breakdown are incipient; and whether this soldier will now be discharged?

I have called for a report, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to men now in Class W, first, whether he can say how many men there are now in this class in this country, and, secondly, how many of these men in this class are now in actual employment?

I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest to give the figures requested in the first part of the question. In regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 22nd ultimo.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on what grounds the Special Grants Committee in London have declined to sanction the recommendation of the local committee at Blackburn to make a grant in the case of Private Harold Hyde, No. 33,976, 57th Labour Company; and whether, seeing that this is a case of real hardship, he will have the matter reconsidered?

In this case the facts placed before the Special Grants Committee were not sufficient to bring the case within their regulation. The local committee have been so informed, and if they submit further facts the matter will be reconsidered.

asked why Mr. H. B. Jones, a conscientious objector, who was five months ago court-martialled and sentenced to two years' imprisonment, has been released from Walton Gaol and taken under escort to Prees Heath Camp, where he has again refused military orders and is about to be court-martialled; and why, in view of the recent declaration of the Secretary of State for War that sentences of imprisonment on conscientious objectors would not be commuted, this man has been released before the expiration of his sentence?

If my hon. Friend will supply me with Jones's regiment and number, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will have inquiry made into the case of W. Entwistle, of 50, Elizabeth Street, Blackpool, who, eighteen months ago, was sentenced to imprisonment by a military court-martial as a conscientious objector, and who later was released from prison on medical grounds, but who has been called up again under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act and again given exemption by the tribunal as a genuine conscientious objector; and, seeing that Entwistle has taken up, and will take up again, the position of an absolutist, refusing to undertake work under the Committee on Work of National Importance, he will say what useful purpose is going to be served by taking this man from his present civil employment to undergo a further term of useless imprisonment?

Inquiries are being made.

asked whether Hubert W. Peet, a Quaker and conscientious objector, has been punished in Pentonville Prison for refusal to assist in erecting a gallows; and, if so, what is the rule infringed and the exact punishment inflicted?

No, Sir; the prisoner has not been punished as suggested.

asked why John D. R. Mackay, a conscientious objector, now undergoing a sentence of one year's hard labour in Wormwood Scrubs, has not been deemed by the Central Tribunal to be entitled to go under the Home Office scheme of work, in view of the fact that he has been for many years a well-known anti- militarist and internationalist, and that the genuineness of his objection to military service is well known to all who are personally acquainted with him; and if steps will be taken to allow him to participate under the Home Office scheme?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am informed that the case was fully considered by the Central Tribunal and that they came to the conclusion that the objection was not such as would justify them in making a report on which the man would be offered work under the Home Office scheme. There does not appear to be any sufficient reason for reopening the case.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that the Postmaster-General has issued a circular to all his officials stating that under War Office instructions the distinctions between categories B and C has been abolished, and that all men in the Post Office service classified C will from the 1st November be automatically raised to B; and whether there is an exceptional arrangement in force whereby the employés of the Post Office do not come under the National Service Department for purposes of recruitment?

Employés of the Post Office come under the National Service Department for purposes of recruiting and there is no exceptional arrangement to the contrary. I have no knowledge of the circular to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that Army Council Instruction 1,595, of 20th October, 1917, states that by an arrangement between the Army Council and the Postmaster-General all men in categories B3, C2, and C3 will be called up forthwith for re-examination; whether this or a similar instruction is of general application; and whether he will give an assurance that the whole of the recruiting work has passed under his control?

The Army Council Instruction 1,595, of 20th October, 1917, referred only to postal employés who are telegraphists and engineering workmen, and was the result of an arrangement between the Postmaster-General and the Army Council before the completion of the transfer of recruiting from the War Office. to the Ministry of National Service, which now has complete control over the whole of the recruiting machinery. The question of the re-examination of these men is now the subject of correspondence between the Postmaster-General and the Ministry of National Service.

asked the Minister of National Service what steps he intends to take to carry out his proposals for obtaining more men for the Army from luxury trades; what trades come within the scope of this definition; and how many men of military age he expects to obtain from them?

I am not quite clear to what proposals the hon. Member refers. The present practice of the Ministry of National Service is to raise every day for the Army some hundreds of men from luxury and non-essential industries in addition to those it raises from other sources.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, respecting the case of Driver George Clyde, No. 9878, at present lying in the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital at Bellahouston, a man with four children under seven years of age, who offered himself for enlistment in the Army three times and was three times rejected, and then offered himself as a motor-ambulance driver to the Red Cross for service in France and was accepted In July, 1916, but, after service in France, fell ill of nephritis in May, 1917, and has remained in hospital ever since, if he is aware that Driver Clyde had received a letter from the Red Cross informing him that, as he would not be fit for service abroad again, his pay and allowances would cease; and, seeing that Driver Clyde is still in hospital and will be unable to follow his own employment again, whether the War Office intend to take any action in the matter?

I will have inquiries made and communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether any payment is made to native carriers in East Africa for their services; if so, will he state the daily rate of pay; and (2) whether any allowance is made to the families of native carriers in East Africa in their absence from their homes; what provision is made for the care of their families; and whether any and, if so, what provision is made for the families of those who die on service?

There are various classes of natives employed on different kinds of work for which the pay varies. Separation allowance is not paid, but in certain cases a portion of the pay is deferred and is payable on discharge or as an allotment to the family. The actual arrangements are in the hands of the local authorities. I understand that the Governor of the East African Protectorate has power to award pension to natives of East Africa. In the case of South African natives, a single payment of £30 to £50, is made to dependants on the death of a native.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the admitted scarcity of hay in the city of Dublin and the consequence resulting therefrom to the Milk supply of the city, he will take into consideration the desirability of releasing all hay within a radius of 20 miles of the city, or giving a licence for the sale of hay within that area to, anyone making application for such licence?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on Monday last to the hon. Member for the Dublin Harbour Division.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the hardships suffered by veterans of the Indian Mutiny and other Army pensioners whose pensions are inadequate to support them at the present inflated cost of living; whether it is the policy and intention of the War Office that these veterans should be the only class of soldier or ex-soldier whose conditions are not to be reconsidered and improved; and, if such is not the policy of the War Office, whether he, will take steps to have these cases reconsidered?

As I have already explained, it is not possible to deal separately with different categories of Government pensioners in the manner suggested.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether mechanics employed in the Army Ordnance workshops at Tidworth on Government work are in receipt only of a war bonus of 4s. a week, whereas similar mechanics employed in the Army Ordnance workshops at Portsmouth are receiving a war bonus of 15s. a week; if so, whether he can state the reason for this difference in the payment of war bonus; and whether there is any reason why there should be this discrimination?

The bonus at Tidworth has now been increased to 7s. As my hon. Friend is aware, the wages at each War Department station are dealt with on their merits. The position at Tidworth is still under consideration.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the weekly allowance of 14s. given to men while waiting for pensions has been increased to 27s. 6d., and, if so, from what date; and whether any and, if so, what increase of pensions to widows and children is contemplated?

Both the matters to which the hon. Member refers are at present the subject of consideration, but no decision has been come to with regard to them.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he continues to receive complaints and appeals in cases of hardship created by the existing Regulations governing the grant of assistance to the dependants of former apprentices; whether a modification of these Regulations is under consideration; and whether he can give hope of an early announcement on the subject?

Representations have been received from local committees, and to meet them as regards special and supplementary separation allowance a modification of the Special Grants Committee's Regulations 9 (b) and 7 (1) (f) is proposed which will make it clear that the test to be applied is not the existence of poverty but that the apprentice would now have been in a position to contribute to the support of his parents, and that the local committee are satisfied there is need for a contribution so that approximately the former standard of living may be maintained in the house. Amendments to the Pensions Warrant and Order in Council are under consideration with a view to obviating hard pension cases of the nature referred to in the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions whether a pension or gratuity has yet been granted to Philip Quinn, late No. 3620, Royal Irish Fusiliers; is he aware that this case was brought under review as far back as the 9th May last; and how many letters and post cards have been used up in the matter to date?

The delay in this case has been mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining the discharge documents and particulars of Private Quinn's service before the War. Before the receipt of these particulars a provisional award of a gratuity of £35 vas made, and Private Quinn was notified of the award on the 21st November. The further particulars now available show that he is entitled to a life pension of 4s. 8d. a week from the 1st October, 1915, in lieu of the gratuity, and steps are being taken to adjust the matter on these lines.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a lad who enlisted at sixteen and afterwards is sent home as too young is placed at a disadvantage when called up at eighteen, in that his dependants' allowance is assessed at what it was prior to his first enlistment rather than his second; and whether, seeing the difference in earning capacity between the two ages, he will instruct that lads relegated to the Reserve as under age, for the purpose of assessing dependants' allowances, shall be regarded as enlisting afresh when eighteen?

The allowance is determined by the degree of dependence before enlistment. I suggest to the hon. Member that steps should be taken to bring the case which he has in mind to the notice of the local war pensions committee.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether Messrs. Ryan and Company, soap and candle manufacturers, of Cork, are contractors for the supplies of glycerine for high explosives; and, if so, whether he is aware that low and inadequate wages are paid by this firm, the average being 20s. a week, and that increases since the War began have only ranged from 9d. to 2s.; and whether he will cause investigation to be made with a view to improvement being effected?

I am advised that whilst this firm holds contracts for the supply of glycerine it is not a controlled firm. The Department has no information as to the wages paid, but, in view of the statements made in my hon. Friend's question, I have directed an inquiry to be made.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Schedule showing the rates of wages paid in munition works to boys and other unskilled workers, and the average weekly earnings of boys and other unskilled workers?

In view of the heavy burden which the preparation of such a schedule would throw on the depleted staffs of munitions establishments, I do not feel that I should be justified in making such a demand upon them.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that four boy munition workers, aged fifteen and sixteen, who were fined 45s. each for damaging cabbages on an allotment, were stated to be earning £3 to £3 10s. per week; whether his attention has been called to many similar cases, in which evidence has been given that boys engaged in munition works were beng paid wages from £2 to £4 a week; and whether these boys are receiving wages at these rates?

The Department has not been able to identify the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers, but, if he will give me definite details, I shall be glad to make inquiries. There are some cases in which boys who show exceptional dexterity are earning considerable amounts on piece-work, but the average earnings of boys on munitions works do not approach the figures mentioned.

asked the Home Secretary who is "T. M. S." who initials the decisions of the Press Bureau under Regulation 27 c of the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether he can inform the House of the qualifications of this gentleman to decide absolutely what is or is not expedient to be published, in view of the complexity and seriousness of the European situation?

The official referred to merely intimates the decision of the directors. The latter part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that leaflets and pamphlets bearing well recognised monograms of printing firms which establish without doubt the identity of the printers have been rejected by the Censor; whether he has noticed that these pamphlets and leaflets have all been printed for some considerable time; and whether, as they in substance provide all the securities aimed at by the first part of Regulation 27 c, Defence of the Realm Act, he will give instructions to allow the circulation of this literature unless for other reasons it is rejected?

Certain pamphlets bearing a monogram have not been passed by the official Press Bureau under Regulation 27 c, on the ground that they have not the name and address of the printer. I would remind the hon. Member that it has been for a very long time an offence for the printer not to place his name and address upon a pamphlet printed by him.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will elucidate his statement that a receipt for the literature taken from the National Council for Civil Liberties was refused on the ground that it would not be convenient to make an inventory then and there, in view of the fact that an inventory was made during the raid by the police officials with the assistance of the staff, although no receipt was given?

As stated in my reply of the 28th November, an inventory was not made by the police. I understand that the staff of the council made a rough list of the documents as they were being taken away by the police, but this would not have afforded a satisfactory basis for a formal receipt.

asked the Home Secretary the series of questions printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th December, cols. 439–40.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to his questions and to that addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Cricklade Division.

asked whether Peter Petroff is still in Pentonville Prison; if not, has he returned to Islington; and is his health satisfactory?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second and third in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has been able to inquire into the case of Edward Theodore Godfrey, of 4, Bagshot Road, Base Hill Park, Enfield, formerly Edward Theodore Eberhard; when Eberhard took powers to change his name, and was he born, or has he become, a naturalised citizen?

I have been making inquiries, which have just been completed. I find that this man was born in Natal, and is therefore a natural-born British subject, and that he came to this country when he was seven years old. As a British subject he is if liberty to change his name, which he did by deed poll on the 9th August last. My inquiries disclose no ground for any action on my part.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the practice of certain landlords of cottage property at Blackpool who endeavour to evade the provisions of the Rent of Small Cottages Act by requiring applicants to pay £5 for the key of each cottage applied for; and whether steps will be taken to put an end to this practice?

I have been asked to answer this question. I do not find that the Local Government Board have received information with reference to the complaint in the hon. Member's question. Neither the Local Government Board nor any other Government Department has authority to intervene in questions under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, but the Act itself empowers a tenant to recover any fine, premium, or other like sum charged in addition to the rent in consideration of the grant of a tenancy, either by proceedings in the Courts or by deducting it from the rent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the interference by the liner shipowners with national interests owing to their inter-conference arrangements, because hundreds of thousands of tons of Manchester and district merchandise are unnecessarily railed to London and Liverpool, and tens of thousands of railway wagon journeys and millions of ton miles of locomotive haulage are being needlessly occupied; whether he is aware that the liner shipowners practically dictate as to which ports merchandise shall enter or leave and that, in consequence, several large ports are penalised in the interests of these inter-conference arrangements; will he inquire into these matters and ascertain if Dublin and Belfast suffer in consequence; and will he exercise his powers to break up these inter-conference arrangements in the interest of national economy?

I have been asked to reply to this question. It is not true that liner shipowners are allowed to interfere with national interests in the way suggested or that they dictate what ports in this country shall or shall not be used. On the contrary, the Ministry of Shipping has control of the voyages of all liners, and, in concert with the Admiralty, dictates the use of ports.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the opportunity afforded to China by the ruling high price of silver of liquidating payments due to this country on terms most favourable to herself is being utilised in order to bring in as much money as possible to the Exchequer at the present crisis?

His Majesty's Government are not aware whether any special measures have been taken by the Chinese Government in the direction suggested, but the advantages of such action have doubtless been considered by the Chinese Government.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether he has received a resolution from the Association of Poor Law Unions protesting against the action of the Government in setting up a Subcommittee to report on the better coordination of public assistance without appointing representatives of the association upon it; and whether he will take steps to remedy this defect in the constitution of this Sub-committee?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I explained, in reply to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay on the 7th November, that no useful purpose would be served by enlarging the membership of the Committee. I am, however, consulting my right hon. Friend the Chairman of the Committee as to the most suitable alternative means of enabling persons or bodies interested in the Committee's proceedings to express their views.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction if he can now lay upon the Table the promised White Paper giving particulars of all the various Committees appointed by the Ministry and the work upon which they are engaged?

asked the Minister of Reconstruction when he will circulate the list of names of members of Committees appointed by his Department to consider the various questions his Department is considering; and will the Return include the references to the various Committees?

The list is in the Press and it should therefore be circulated within a very few days. It will contain the terms of reference to the various Committees.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that every one of the medical practitioners on the York panel, now resident in the area, has refused to attend upon invalid seamen, marines, and soldiers under the Regulations recently issued by the National Health Insurance Commission (England), but has offered to continue to treat them upon the old (capitation) basis of treatment pending negotiations between the Commissioners and representatives of the medical practitioners, and are at present treating them gratuitously; whether he is aware that the National Health Insurance Commission (England) has refused to allow these persons to be treated upon the capitation basis provided for in the agreements between the insurance committee and the practitioners; and what provision is at present made by the National Health Insurance Commission (England) or the York Insurance Committee for adequate medical attention to these insured persons?

In reply to the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to a question on the same subject circulated with the Votes on 26th November last, of which I am sending him a copy. On the last part of the question I may say that I am not aware that any insured persons are not receiving adequate medical attendance in the area in question, nor is there any reason why that attendance need be given gratuitously, for the insurance committee will pay any bills which are sent up in accordance with the authorised arrangements.

asked the Comptroller of the Household whether, having regard to the establishment and financial position of the Seamen's National Insurance Society and the success of the scheme provided in Section 48 of the original Act for men in the mercantile marine, he will take steps to ensure that Section 14 of the amending Bill relating to transfers from one approved society to another be not applicable to seamen; and whether, in view of the fact that the Seamen's National Insurance Society was established primarily for the benefit of seamen under the control of the Board of Trade, he will take steps to ensure that no outside approved society shall be permitted to interfere with the administration of funds set aside for the purpose of providing pensions and additional benefits for seamen?

The matters referred to in the question are being dealt with by Standing Committee A of the House, and I must, therefore, refer my hon. Friend to the decisions of that Committee, which will be reported to the House in due course.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that there are unestablished clerks in the various solicitors' offices of the different Government Departments who have served fifteen, twenty, and more years continuously in the employ of the heads of the particular offices and whose salaries are paid out of moneys provided by Parliament who were also strongly recommended by the Royal Commission on Civil Service in their Report of the 2nd April, 1914, to be placed on the Civil Service establishment with the usual establishment rights and prior service to be accountable for pension, he will give favourable consideration in removing the substantial grievance referred to by the Royal Commissioners by bringing in an amending Bill to the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1914, immediately after the conclusion of the War, so as to ensure that all such unestablished clerks employed either directly or indirectly under the Government, or of the recognised established officers on their behalf, may be placed on the establishment so as to bring such persons within the provisions of the Superannuation Act, 1887, Section 3, provided that a certificate as to length of service, good conduct, and efficiency is submitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury by the head of the Department in which such unestablished clerks have been engaged; and (2), whether he will give favourable consideration to the case of an unestablished clerk in a solicitor's office in a Government Department who, before any proposed Bill becomes law on the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners on the Civil. Service can be fully carried out, may have to resign his position for any of the reasons specified in Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, and arrange that such clerk shall receive the compassionate gratuity on retirement referred to, in the latter part of such Section, provided that such clerk has complied with the terms of the Section in question as to length of service or, in case of death, such compassionate gratuity shall be paid to his legal personal representative?

I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of departing from the rule which excludes from the operation of Sections 3 and 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, service rendered not to Government direct, but to an officer of Government and remunerated from moneys placed at the disposal of such an officer for clerk hire, etc., nor can I undertake to introduce legislation for this purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the present position in regard to the Congested Districts Board obtaining possession of the Caffoley farm, in the parish of Addergoole, North Mayo, on the Saunders Knox Gore estate, and until recently in the grazing occupation of Mr. Gallagher; and, in view of the urgency of increased tillage and pasturage, what steps the Board propose taking to give adjoining small holders access to these lands?

I am informed that Mr. Gallagher is still in occupation of the farm which he held under a yearly tenancy. Proposals which he has made to the Congested Districts Board with reference to these lands and other lands in his father's possession are under consideration. The Saunders Knox Gore Estate is not yet vested in the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to obtain possession of, and to have the same distributed amongst adjacent holders, the farm on the Palmer Estate at Baughadoon, now held by Miss Daly; and whether he is aware that this Palmer Estate has been several years purchased by the Board, and that the need of adjoining tenants to the farm in question is urgent to have increased tillage and pasture land at their disposal?

The Congested Districts Board agreed to purchase the Palmer Estate in October 1911; but it has not yet been vested in them. The Board have been in negotiation with Miss Daly, with a view to acquiring the tenancy interest of her farm under a voluntary arrangement. No arrangement has, however yet been made.

asked when agreements to purchase were filed in the estate of Mrs. Elizabeth Anne Swanzy, E.C. No. 7,960, for the townlands of Killyconan and Currawillan; has this estate been inspected yet; and when are the holdings likely to be vested?

Proceedings were instituted for the direct sale of this estate to the tenants, and purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in October, 1908. I am informed that the estate has not yet been reached in its order for inspection, and that owing to the number of estates in priority to it on the register of direct sales for cash it is impossible to say when the purchase money will be advanced. When reached, the estate will he dealt with as rapidly as practicable.

asked if the Midwives (Ireland) Bill will be proceeded with in the present Session; and, if not, what the intentions of the Government with regard to it are?

As the hon. Member has doubtless noticed, the Second Reading of the Bill has been blocked by Irish Members, and there is little hope of the Bill making any substantial progress unless it can be regarded as non-controversial. I am aware of objections that have been raised to some of the provisions of the Bill, but these objections are based on matters of detail which can properly be dealt with in Committee, and I should be ready to consider any Amendments that may he proposed in order to remove them.

asked how many members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have applied to retire from the force during the three years ending the 31st March last in the provinces of Ulster, Leinster, Munster. and Connaught, respectively, for the purpose of such public positions as petty sessions clerkships, inspectorships in the Department of Agriculture, inspectorships in the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, watchers in the Customs, and positions as prison warders and in the Board of Works; if the above positions are those usually sought for by ex-Royal Irish Constabulary men; and whether, in order to meet the age requirements when seeking such positions, members of the Royal Irish Constabulary must apply to retire on a reduced pension at twenty-five years' service?

From 1st April, 1914, to 18th May, 1915, 205 members of the Royal Irish constabulary retired on pension on their own application. I am unable to furnish particulars as to the reasons for these retirements. On 19th May, 1915, the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act was passed, and under Section 2 of that Act all retirements from the force were prohibited except on medical certificate or for the interests of the public service. During the period from 19th May, 1915, to 31st March, 1917, 180 applications to be retired on pension were received, of which ninety-eight were refused and eighty-two granted. On 10th November, 1916, the Inspector-General issued a circular to the force giving permission to men who had obtained appointments as petty sessions clerks or other appointments in the public service, to apply to be retired on pension without medical certificate, and men have since been permitted to retire in order to take up these appointments. Members of the Royal Irish constabulary retiring voluntarily are not entitled to full pensions unless they have completed thirty years' service and are fifty years of age.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in many cases in various parts of the country the Regu- lations laid down by his Department respecting the application of the Fisher grant are not being complied with by education authorities or governing bodies; if so, what steps he proposes to take to secure compliance with those Regulations: whether it is within the power of education authorities or governing bodies to apply the grant or any part of it to any other purposes than the increasing of teachers' salaries; if so, what are these other purposes; and whether, in view of the fact that in some cases no distribution has yet been made of the grant, available since August, 1916, he will take steps to see that in all cases an immediate distribution of the grant is made?

The answer to the first question is in the negative and the second question, therefore, does not arise. As regards the third and fourth questions, I may refer my right hon. Friend to the Regulations, of which I am sending him copies. As regards the last question, the Regulations provide that the grant shall be payable by instalments. Every authority has been informed by the Board of the amount of grant it will receive and of the dates of instalments, and all instalments have been paid on the dates when due. The instalments are, so far as possible, arranged in such a manner as to produce, when taken in conjunction with the other grants, an even flow of payments from the Board to the authority in each area. I am not aware that the money paid to the authorities is not being expended by the authorities with reasonable expedition.

asked what are the Regulations in regard to the length of a letter which may be addressed by the friends of a man undergoing imprisonment?

The actual length of a letter is not prescribed by rule. In practice, when letters of undue length are received, the writers are told that they must not exceed two pages of foolscap. In special cases when more frequent letters are allowed; the limit is four pages of notepaper.

asked the Home Secretary whether new reformatory schools are being erected and, if so, how many and in what districts; and whether he will take steps to secure that the system of self-government as practised by the inmates of the Little Commonwealth shall be adopted in them?

No new school premises are being erected, but the London County Council recently opened a new reformatory for boys in adapted premises in Fulham and are about to open another in Chelsea. The Church Army have just opened a new reformatory for girls at Huyton, near Manchester. Self-government in various forms and degrees has been tried with some measure of success in several schools, and the Home Office has encouraged efforts in this direction; but I am not prepared to enforce one form of organisation on all new schools without regard to the character of the inmates or the personal qualities of the superintendents.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has seen a resolution passed by the New Ross Rural District Council protesting against the withdrawal of the afternoon postal service from those portions of Wexford county in the Waterford postal area, including Campill, Ballycullane, Fethard, etc.; and, in view of the inconvenience inflicted on all classes, whether he will consider the advisability of restoring the afternoon service to the aforesaid districts?

I have seen a copy of the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. The afternoon mail service in the district was withdrawn in pursuance of the policy of economy which has been forced upon the Post Office by present conditions, and which has been carried out as uniformly as possible in all parts of the British Isles. I should not be justified in treating this district exceptionally.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the residents, and especially to old age pensioners, by the closing of the post office at Virginia Road, county Meath; and whether he will take steps to have one established as early as possible?

I am not at present aware of the circumstances in which the office in question was closed; but I will have inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member.