asked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet has considered the position of the men who have served in the old Regular Army and are now in receipt of pensions for long service; and whether, having regard to the fact that the increased cost of living makes it impossible for these men to exist in any degree of comfort on the small allowance that is made, steps will be taken similar to those that increased the grant to old age pensioners to meet the claims of Army veterans now receiving from 6s. to 7s. per week as pensions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, a service pension is not intended to be of itself a living wage, but is granted for life at an age when the soldier is normally able to earn his own living, as part of the contract of service.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the position of the food supply of Dublin; and if he will see that foodstuffs required for Ireland are not exported until the requirements of the Irish people are secured?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Foodstuffs required for home consumption in Ireland have not been and are not being exported, and all necessary care will continue to be taken to safeguard Irish interests in this respect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the average increase in the cost of articles of food now as compared with the cost at the end of July, 1914?

According to the Returns published by the Department of Labour Statistics, the average increase in the cost of articles of food on 1st November, 1917, as compared with the cost at the end of July, 1914, is 106 per cent. This calculation assumes, however, that the various commodities are consumed in the same proportion as before the War. Allowing for the considerable substitution of commodities which are still plentiful for those which have become scarce, the average rise in cost between those dates may be put at 90 per cent.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many persons were summoned in the Sutton, county Dublin, district for using petrol in contravention of the Regulations; if he is aware that numbers of cars pass to and from well-known golfing resorts in this district without any interference on the part of the authorities; if he is aware that a gentleman named Percy MacEntaggart was summoned and convicted on four charges at Howth Petty Sessions Court on the 26th November, being fined £1 and 1s. costs in each case; and if he is aware that on the four days on which Mr. MacEntaggart was charged for contravening the Regulations he was using his car on business of national and public importance?

Two persons were fined recently at Howth Petty Sessions for infringements of the Motor Spirit Restriction Order. I am informed that it is not the case that motor cars are permitted to travel to and from golfing resorts in the district. The gentleman mentioned in the question was summoned for using a motor car between his residence and his place of business in Dublin, when it was stated that ample means of communication by rail and by tramway were available. I understand he has served notice of appeal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the indignation prevailing at Melton Constable in regard to the treatment of a private of the 2/1st Middlesex Regiment by his sergeant, and to the meeting held in the schools on 26th November to voice the public feeling on the matter; what was the finding of the local inquiry; and what action he proposes to take?

No information as to this matter has reached the War Office, If my hon. Friend will give me the names and numbers of the men concerned, and the nature of the treatment stated to have been given. I will have inquiry made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to return to their owners the pamplets, leaflets, etc., seized during the recent raids under Regulation 51 of the Defence of the Realm Acts in cases where they are not made the subject of a prosecution?

Pamphlets and leaflets which do not come within the terms of Regulation 51 will be returned to their owners.

asked for what reason the meetings which have been held for some considerable time every Sunday morning at the corner of Philpot Street, Commercial Road, Stepney, were stopped by the police on 25th November; and under which Regulation of the Defence of the Realm Acts this action was taken?

The intervention of the police became necessary on the 25th November, both to check disorder, which had actually arisen, and to protect the speakers. The police acted in the ordinary course of their duty, and not under the Defence of the Realm Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that an annual increment of £15 accrued due on 13th March, 1905, to Mr. Newell, late inspector of national schools, which was never paid either then or at any time afterwards; and whether there was any reason for this stoppage or non-award except that in October, 1904, Mr. Newell had written the Resident Commissioner saying he had heard from several persons that the latter had a set on him since Mr. Newell's brother towards the end of 1902 protested against the Resident Commissioner's address in Belfast a few weeks before?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for South Fermanagh as to the case of Mr. Newell.

asked if first grade teachers of six years' highly efficient service have been promoted in the new scheme to first section of first grade as per rules of the National Board; and, if not, will such teachers be immediately promoted?

The question of promoting teachers eligible under the rules of the Commissioners of National Education for special promotion to first section of first grade will be dealt with as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners, having allotted portions of the Stewart estate, county Donegal, to persons who were wholly outside the scope of the Land Acts, certain of the allottees are now unable to work their new holdings, which are being put up for auction this season in consequence; and if the Commissioners will take action to ensure that lands allotted by them are used solely for the purposes sanctioned by the Land Acts?

As to the allotment of untenanted lands on this estate, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers to his questions on the 19th February and the 12th March. I am informed that all the allottees worked their allotments last season except three, who got friends to assist in working their portions; and that, so far as regards the present season, there has been no auction of any of the allotments, nor advertisement for such auction.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a number of men belonging to the Dublin Metropolitan Police have notified to the authorities their intention to withdraw their subscriptions to the band of the force; if it is with the Chief Commissioner's authority that certain of the superintendents have instructed the pay-clerks to deduct the subscription from the men's pay except it is specifically demanded every pay-day; and whether he will take steps to see that this order is countermanded?

By direction of the Chief Commissioner, the subscription in question has ceased to be deducted from the men's pay.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution dealing with the Report to the Departmental Committee on the Welfare of the Blind; is it intended to appoint an advisory committee for Ireland, and, if so, when; and is he aware that there is need for improving the conditions of the blind community in Ireland?

I have received several resolutions on this subject. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for St. Stephen's Green.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, seeing that Daniel Coughlan, tenant on the Jagoe estate at Rathravanc, Ballydehob, county Cork, has offered and is prepared at any time to surrender his useless holding, the forces of the Crown will be still available for the landlord in enforcing his demands?

The question refers to a matter with which I dealt on the 22nd November. Coughlan's object appears to be to get the land in question free of rent. There is no reason under the circumstances for refusing process to the owner.