asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the number of question to Ministers appearing in the Order Paper, and to the fact that between 100 and 150 questions appeared on several days last week; if the preparation of the replies to such questions entails an amount of labour in the various Departments, which must be detrimental to their work in the prosecution of the War; and if he will consider the desirability of limiting such questions to three per day for each Member during the War?

I quite recognise the hardship imposed on Government Departments by the facts stated in the question, but, so far, the Government have not felt justified in proposing any restrictions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can fully inform the House as to what Departments, and what work apart from Departments, the right hon. Member for the University of Dublin is at present engaged on?

I do not think that it would be right to give details of the particular duties undertaken by any Member of the Cabinet.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Channel Tunnel Executive Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing posting, and stationery; what are the terms of reference of this Committee; and whether this Committee is to be continued for the successful prosecution of the War?

As this is not a Government Committee, I am not in a position to give any information.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Central Prisoners of War Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery, and whether this Committee is to be continued for the successful prosecution of the War?

"We desire to call attention to the organising capacity and the great zeal that have been displayed in creating the establishment at Thurloe Place. It was an undertaking of great magnitude, and the success now attained reflects much credit upon all concerned."

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Defence of the Realm Regulations Amendment Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this Committee is to be continued for the successful prosecution of the War?

The Committee exists for the purpose of co-ordinating all proposed Amendments of the Defence of the Realm Regulations put forward by the various Government Departments in the course of their work. The Committee make no Reports; but the Amendments and additions to the Defence of the Realm Regulations which are published from time to time are an indication of the number of references made to them. The personnel of the Committee is composed of members of the various Departments concerned, and varies with the subjects to be considered. Its deliberations entail no cost to the State, and it will continue its existence during the War. The number of meetings held during the last six months is eleven.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Central Advisory Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rents, rates, taxes, printing, posting and stationery; and whether this Committee is to be continued for the successful prosecution of the war?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply. The Central Advisory Committee was a Departmental Committee attached to the late National Service Department, representing employers and employed, and met for the purpose of advising the Department on general questions of policy. No salaries were paid to any members for their services as members of the Committee, though several paid officials of the Department served on the Committee in the ordinary course of their duty. Any expenses of an incidental nature which may have been incurred, such as stationery, postage, were included in the general expenses of the Department. On the reorganisation of the National Service Ministry in September last, the Committee was dissolved, though I am happy to state that the Minister of National Service invited each member of the Com- mittee to continue to help the Ministry in a similar capacity, and was fortunate enough to secure their consent to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Committee on Examinations in Handicraft for students in Training Colleges; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Committee during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this Committee is to be continued for the successful prosecution of the War?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this, question. This Committee reported to the Board of Education in 1915, and a memorandum embodying their recommendations was circulated to the Training Colleges in February, 1916. Since that time the sittings of the Committee have been suspended owing to circumstances arising from the War, and no expenses have consequently been incurred.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to allowing the Monday before Christmas to be included in the holidays for bank officials?

It is not proposed to declare any Bank Holidays at Christmas over and above the normal holidays on the 25th and 26th instant, with which, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Newington on the 4th instant, it is not proposed to interfere. This decision has been reached with the concurrence of the Committee of Clearing Banks.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the urgency of the question, when the Government intend to buy the land in the various counties for the purpose of providing land and small holdings for returning sailors and soldiers, and for men of the mercantile marine who have been under the Admiralty during the War?

There is nothing, as yet, which I can add to the reply given by me to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member on the 28th of last month.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that statements are being circulated by enemy agents amongst the Australian soldiers throughout England and France that, in the event of the Referendum resulting in favour of compulsory military service in Australia, the pay of the Australian soldiers will be reduced to 1s. 6d. a day; and will he take steps to have this officially contradicted at once?

I have no information on the subject, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of exempting all sailors' and soldiers' pensions, both Service pensions and disability pensions, from Income Tax?

Unless the total income from all sources of a pensioner exceeds £130 a year, no Income Tax would, of course, be payable on pensions of the kind referred to. Where a pensioner's total income does exceed £130 a year, I do not see my way to introduce legislation to relieve the pensioner from taxation borne by all other persons of similar means.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a renewed protest from the Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow regarding the obstacles placed in the way of selling National War Bonds in Scotland through the delay in the issue of the Treasury Regulations under which the reforms introduced in the recent Budget are to be operative; and what reply he has sent to the faculty?

I have received a resolution from the faculty, who have been informed that the draft of the Regulations (which involve many intricate and difficult points of detail) is almost completed, and that their issue is being expedited to the utmost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to secure the fullest possible response to the appeals made through war savings committees and other channels for the investment of money in War Bonds and Stock, he can give an undertaking that neither the money so invested nor the credit of the State will be employed for the purpose of purchasing the liquor trade?

In the event of any general scheme of State purchase of the liquor trade being decided upon, which as I have already said would not be undertaken without the preliminary sanction of the House of Commons, special financial arrangements would require to be made. No part of the proceeds of the war borrowing which is now taking place will be employed for the purpose of such a scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government, through the Minister of Munitions or other Departments, have advanced, or agreed to advance, a sum of money, about £1,500,000, to the British America Nickel Corporation, Limited, on the security of the debentures on prior lien bonds of the company; and, if so, with what object was the advance made or promised to be made?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. His Majesty's Government have agreed to make a loan of 3,000,000 dollars to the British America Nickel Corporation, subject to certain conditions as to control. The object of the loan was solely connected with the prosecution of the War, and it would be contrary to the public interest to give any further particulars.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why no decision has been arrived at on the appeal claim for separa- tion allowance by Mrs. Simpson, of Blackburn, on account of her son, Private R. Simpson, No. 126474, 3rd Battalion, Machine Gun Company, such appeal having been before the authorities since the 27th August last; and will he take steps to have the matter settled at once?

I am making inquiry in this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Pensions Minister if he has received from the Blackburn War Pensions Committee a resolution declaring that the scale of pensions to disabled men is inadequate, and that they request him to reconsider the question of an increase in the scale; and what reply has been sent to this resolution?

I have received and have acknowledged the resolution to which the hon. Member refers, and am giving it consideration.

asked the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury if Mr. William Sunday has been invited to visit this country; and, if so, for what purpose?

No invitation has been extended to Mr. Sunday by the War Aims Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the effect on appeals for voluntary food economy of his recent statement that he had no further fear of the submarine and suggesting that the submarine danger was past; whether he is aware that in the three weeks ending 1st December forty large vessels of 1,600 tons or over were sunk; and whether he desires to modify his previous statement?

I cannot accept as accurate the statement in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a speech by Lord Rhondda deprecating premature optimism because tonnage sinkings have decreased in any one week; and whether this statement represents the view of the Government?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a communication from the manager of a controlled establishment in Manchester, employing about 1,600 workpeople, that the men are complaining bitterly to him that they are unable to obtain an adequate supply of food to maintain themselves in physical efficiency; if he is aware that for many days past they have been unable to purchase butter, margarine, bacon, and other fats, and that for their meals they have had to eat dry bread; whether he is aware that the requirements of the industrial population of Manchester and district are not properly provided for, and that workpeople are unable to do their best to turn out munitions of war; whether he is aware that discontent is arising out of the unequal distribution of food-stuffs; if he is also aware that the wives and mothers of these men are having to stand in queues for hours in the wet and cold weather, and then to be told in the end by the shopkeepers that they have no food to sell; and whether his Department is prepared to take any steps to remedy this evil?

As I stated yesterday, the Food Controller is fully conscious of the difficulties caused by the shortage of certain food-stuffs. With his approval, experiments in distribution are being instituted by food control committees in different districts, in order to remedy the hardships of which complaint is made. The shortage of food at Manchester has been made the subject of inquiry. I must, however, repeat that in view of the restricted imports it is, of course, impossible to provide the quantities which people have been accustomed to consume in normal times.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, instead of setting up a new authority for the purpose of area livestock advisory committees and provisional feeding-stuffs committees, he will make use of the county war agricultural committees, and so avoid further duplication of returns and forms which farmers are expected to fill up?

The functions of the area live-stock advisory committees and provisional feeding-stuffs committees differ so considerably from those of the county war agricultural committees that it has not been found possible to avoid the setting up of new authorities for the discharge of new duties, nor should there be any duplication of returns or forms. The county war agricultural committees have given valuable assistance in nominating farmers to serve on the committees responsible for the control of live-stock.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the menu of a luncheon given by the Mayor of Reigate on retiring from office; whether he is aware that the publication of this menu has affected adversely appeals for food economy in the district, as it was described by Alderman Malcolmson himself as a simple little meal; and whether his Department proposes taking any action?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative; if the hon. Member will furnish me with further particulars I will consider if any action should be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of butter and margarine throughout the country, and the impossibility of securing reasonable household supplies; whether British manufacturers of margarine are being compelled to close down their works, owing to their inability to procure oils and fats; whether quantities of these commodities are being exported to Holland and other foreign countries; and whether steps will be taken to secure an adequate supply to home producers, in order that the present serious situation may be alleviated as speedily and as fully as possible?

The Food Controller is aware that there is a shortage of butter and margarine, due to war conditions; but steps are being taken to improve the dis- tribution of available supplies and to increase the production of margarine in this country. Crude oil is only exported to Holland for the purpose of being returned to this country in the form of margarine, as the capacity of the English refineries is not at present equal to using all the oils available. The Food Controller is not aware that British manufacturers of margarine are being compelled to close down their works owing to their inability to procure oils and fats. No exports are allowed until the British refineries are supplied to their full capacity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that his policy is seriously jeopardising the supply of pigs; that last week in a well-known market in Norfolk, where it is usual to see some 200 pigs put up for sale, only two pigs were sent to market; and, if it is not the intention of the Government to shut off this supply of food altogether, will he take immediate steps to amend the present Regulations, which are proving so detrimental to the pressing needs of the nation?

I know of no grounds for the suggestion made in the first part of the question, and the facts referred to in the second part have not been brought to my notice previously. I am not aware of the precise Regulations to which the hon. Member refers in the third part of the question, but I may point out that in fixing maximum prices for pigs and pork regard must be had to the fact that high prices for pigs may tempt farmers to feed them with grain suitable for human consumption. Any increase in the present maximum prices would probably have that result, and would, therefore, be contrary to the national interests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can state the conditions under which smallholders and small growers of potatoes will be permitted to pool their potatoes so as to come within the provisions of the Potato Order requiring delivery of at least 4 tons of potatoes within a week, if advantage is to be taken of the £6 guarantee?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Ossory Division on 26th November.

asked what reduction in the price of potatoes sold to the consumer has been effected as a result of the fixing of the base prices of £5, £4 10s., and £4 in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively?

The price of potatoes to the consumer necessarily varies in accordance with the cost of transportation and distribution, and it is therefore impossible to give a precise estimate. It seems probable, however, that the reduction effected will be found to represent 2d. per stone in England and Wales, 2½d. per stone in Scotland, and 3d. per stone in Ireland, so far as potatoes consumed in the country of origin are concerned.

asked whether, owing to the difficulties of transport in many districts, the Food Controller will be prepared to extend the period of one week within which the delivery of 4-ton consignments of potatoes must be made by growers of potatoes if they are to secure the advantage of the guaranteed price of £6 a ton?

The guarantee given by the Government was confined to potatoes put on rail or on boat in quantities of 4 tons and upwards, and the arrangement by which the delivery of carted potatoes may be spread over seven days is considered to be a sufficient concession.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a resolution from the Romford Urban Council in regard to the menu of a Masonic banquet on sumptuous lines in that town: whether he has read the many items of expensive food included in the menu; whether he has considered the effect of the publication of such menus on working-class women waiting in long queues for the barest supply, when obtainable, of tea, sugar, and margarine; and whether he intends to issue any Order dealing with such banquets during the period of the War?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the negative. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars, I will consider if any action should be taken.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) to what extent Mr. Frank Callaghan, of Dubber, near Finglas, county Dublin, complied with the Order for tillage last season?

As I have previously stated, the Department of Agriculture do not think it is in the public interest to furnish particulars as regards individual cases. Whenever occupiers are found to have failed, without reasonable cause, to comply with the Regulations, steps will be taken to secure the requisite cultivation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state, as regards the claim of Mr. F. M. O'Reilly, national teacher, for the loss of moulds and plates during the rebellion in Ireland, who was the assessor dealing with the case, and if he had any technical knowledge of printing; whether the current rate for composition of intricate mathematical work at the time the award was made was at least four times the amount allowed, and that as a result the replacement of the moulds and plates could not be effected without a loss of nearly £150; whether any appeal is allowed in these cases, or were the assessors free to make any award they wished; and if he will consider Mr. O'Reilly's offer to have this case arbitrated on by any Dublin lawyer and printer selected by himself, the claimant undertaking to deposit £10 against the expenses, to be forfeited in case the decision goes against him?

I cannot add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 29th November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received representations from the presidents of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Surveyors' Institution as to the position in which members of the staff of the Royal Engineer services are placed by the fact that they are only given honorary as opposed to substantive rank; whether he is aware that substantive rank has been given in other cases, such as the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Army Veterinary Corps, where persons possessing professional qualifications accept military appointments, and why a distinction is drawn between the Royal Engineer services and other specialist branches of the Army; and whether, in view of the higher professional qualifications required of members of the staff of the Royal Engineer services and the value of the work which they have carried out at Home and abroad since they were mobilised for active service, he will now consider the justice of their claim to be put on an equality with other specialist branches and accord them the substantive rank for which they ask?

Representations have been received, and the request for substantive rank has been refused. The essential difference between the staff for Royal Engineer services and such corps as the Royal Army Medical Corps and Army Veterinary Corps is that substantive rank is necessary for the latter officers for purposes of command in their corps. This necessity does not arise in the case of the staff for Royal Engineer services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that considerable differences of opinion existed between the local Indian military authorities and the officers commanding battalions sent out to India for garrison duty to replace troops withdrawn for active service in the field as to the physical capacity of many non-commissioned officers and men in such substituted battalions who were suffering from ( inter alia ) v.d.h., rupture, varicocele, chronic bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism, and frost-bite, to perform in India the ordinary duties of native garrison battalions or sound and seasoned European troops; and whether any commanding officers have been removed from their command because of their action in limiting the duties of such substituted battalions to work which their physical condition would allow them to perform having regard to the climate?

So far as my information goes, the answer to both parts of my hon. and learned Friend's question is in the negative. I should, however, be glad to receive any information which he may have in his possession.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many non-commissioned officers and men belonging to battalions sent from home for garrison duty in India have either died or have been invalided to England within the past eighteen months; and to what extent such deaths and invaliding has been attributable to their unsuitability for full garrison duty under the climatic conditions of India?

I am afraid that this information is not available, and that it will be necessary to refer to India.

asked whether inmates of military prisons at home or abroad are under the same restrictions as to sending or receiving letters and receiving visits as inmates of civil prisons?

The information my hon. Friend desires will be found by reference to the Rules for Military Detention Barracks and Military Prisons, which, as I have frequently had occasion to state, are statutory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether No. 7 military prison is in France; how many inmates it contained on any date in November; and if inmates of military prisons are allowed to send letters to their friends to say where they are?

The information asked for in the first two parts of the question cannot be furnished; the last part is answered in the preceding reply.

asked how many military prisons there are in France; and what was the total number of prisoners in them on any date in the last two months?

It is not in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office are now in a position to find further employment for sub-area commanders whose work in the recruiting areas has been finished; and whether he is aware of the number of capable men now seeking employment?

Every endeavour will be made to find employment for these officers.

asked the Minister of National Service how many clergymen are acting in Scotland as representatives of his Department in the way of getting recruits for the Army; and whether, although excluded by the Act of Parliament from conscription for military service, they have been found to be the most efficient representatives in so far as bringing in of recruits is concerned?

As stated in the answer which the Minister of National Service gave to my hon. Friend on the 6th of November, there is, as far as I know, only one clergyman acting in Scotland as a representative of the Recruiting Department.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the sum of £1 2s. 6d. has been stopped from the pay of Private R. Johnson, No. 434139, Agricultural Company, Chester, who has been working on a farm for forty-three days; and whether it is the practice to make deductions from soldiers' pay and the wives' allotment when they are employed upon such work?

Inquiry is being made into this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Home Secretary why the Rev. William Riley, Congregational minister, of Devonport, has been prohibited by the Home Office Committee from visiting the men in the settlement at Princetown; and will this prohibition be removed?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for the Elland Division on the 26th November last.

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 he is aware that members of the labour battalions working on the docks and shipbuilding yards on the Clyde at civilian rates of pay, when fined for any breach of discipline by the forfeit of so many days' pay, are fined at the civilian rate of pay although they are only occasionally drawing that pay, while members of other battalions for the same offence are fined at Army pay rates; under what Regulation this heavier fine is imposed, and where the money goes raised in this way?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the present scale of expenses allowed to viewers in the equipment and stores inspection division, Woolwich Dockyard, when away from home is precisely the same as it was over twenty years ago; and whether, in view of the increased cost devolving upon men, especially when they are away from home, he will favourably consider the possibility of granting some increase in the scale?

The subject is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether intimation has yet been sent to Scraesdon informing the officials that the range wardens stationed there are to have the same war bonus as the men stationed in Plymouth and Devonport; and whether the authority has yet been given for holiday pay for last Christmas and Easter to those of the men who worked on those days and have not received days in lieu?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the latter part, I am making inquiries, and will let him know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to state what increases in the scales of grants to voluntary hospitals, in respect of treatment of wounded soldiers, have been decided upon, or whether the matter has been referred to a Committee for consideration; and, if so, what is the reference to, and the personnel of, such Committee?

The maximum grant for Class A. Auxiliary Hospitals has been raised from 3s. to 3s. 3d., and for Class B. from 2s. to 2s. 6d.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been directed to the conduct of a Civil Liabilities Commissioner named Rose, who, after asking insulting questions of a woman applicant, concluded by slapping her face; whether he is aware that this Commissioner has been ordered to pay £20 damages and costs by a Glasgow Court; and whether it is intended to continue the services of this gentleman?

asked the Pensions Minister whether the representative of his Department as Civil Liabilities Commissioner, recently fined in Glasgow Sheriff Court for assaulting a soldier's wife who was claiming a grant from the commission, is still in the employment of the Department; and, if so, in what capacity?

asked the Secretayr for Scotland if he is aware that Mr. William Kinnaird Rose, one of the Commissioners of the Military Service Civil Liabilities Department in Glasgow, has had an action of damages for assault brought against him by Mrs. M'Cormick, the wife of a soldier in France, for striking her in the face in the course of her application for assistance from that Department, and that Mrs. M'Cormick was awarded £20 damages and expenses against Mr. Rose for this assault at the trial of the action by Sheriff Lyell last week; whether his attention has been called to the evidence in the case and to the observations made by Sheriff Lyell on Mr. Rose's conduct; and whether steps are being taken to dismiss Mr. Rose?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. My attention has been called to this matter. Mr. Rose has ceased to act as Commissioner.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any and, if so, what facilities will be allowed to munition workers who are at factories away from their homes to avail themselves of the Christmas holidays; and if special railway fares will be allowed these workers in order to enable them to visit their homes during these holidays?

It is proposed that the customary holidays for munition workers at Christmas and the New Year should not be interfered with. As regards travelling facilities the railway executive committee have placed at my disposal an increased but limited number of cheap railway vouchers which will be available for munition workers who are employed in controlled establishments for the purpose of visiting their homes during the holidays.

asked the Minister of Munitions if his attention has been called to the condition of housing in a part of the eastern counties; whether he knows that at the beginning of the War Messrs. Kynoch turned out eighteen tenants from their houses; that these tenants have since been living in tents, which are frequently under water; that there are several old people and children living in this way, and that doctors say they can- pass another winter in this state; that although several of Messrs. Kynoch's houses are empty they are refused to the villagers, who have offered them and other property-owners six months' rent in advance; and whether the Munitions Department will erect houses or huts for the accommodation of the munition workers or the villagers?

I am informed that in May, 1915, Messrs. Kynoch's gave notice to twelve of their tenants on the ground that the houses were required for their own employés. Eleven of the displaced tenants have found other cottages in the district. The twelfth is understood to be living in a tent. Messrs. Kynoch's report that they have no vacant houses of any kind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that the eviction of munition workers owing to the sale of houses in Plumstead and the neighbouring district is causing unrest among the people there; whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Leaver, of 98, Griffin Road, who is threatened with eviction because her landlord has disposed of his interest in the house, and the new owner is demanding immediate possession; whether he is aware that Mrs. Leaver's son is a gunner with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and was formerly an employé in the Arsenal, where his position is being kept open; that four girl munition workers live in this house; that they all have to take their turn at night work, and must live near the Arsenal; that it will be a national disservice to break up such homes for women munition workers in this district at present; and whether the Minister of Munitions will at once declare this an area where no munition worker can be evicted without his consent?

Particulars of Mrs. Leaver's case have already been received, and an inquiry is being carried out in the Plumstead area and adjoining districts to ascertain whether an Order is required applying Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to that district.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will state the terms of reference to the Committee re- cently appointed by him to inquire into the accommodation in civil hospitals in Great Britain and the names of those composing the Committee; and whether any representatives of the voluntary hospitals are included among the members of the Committee?

The terms of reference to the Committee recently appointed by me for the survey of institutional accommodation and facilities of treatment in Great Britain are as follows:

"To ascertain the accommodation in civil and other hospitals and institutions (not being poor law institutions) for the treatment of sick persons and the facilities available for medical and surgical treatment and care, other than that given by general practitioners, in Great Britain; to consider, regard being had both to the needs of disabled men discharged from naval or military service, and to those of the civilian population, the extent to which, and the means by which, such accommodation and facilities should, if necessary, be increased, and to report thereon at an early date."

The members of the section of the Committee which will deal with England and Wales are:—

Sir A. G. Boscawen, Chairman.

The Hon. Sir A. Stanley, Red Cross.

Sir A. Newsholme, Local Government Board.

Dr. J. Smith Whitaker, National Health Insurance Commission, England.

Dr. H. Meredith Richards, National Health Insurance Commission, Wales.

Sir George Bullock and Colonel Webb, R.A.M.C, War Office.

Colonel Sir J. Collie, Sir A. Pearce Gould, Mr. C. F. A. Hore, Assistant Secretary to the Ministry.

I propose to appoint a separate section of the Committee to deal with Scotland.

I have considered the desirability of appointing a member to represent the voluntary hospitals, and various names have been suggested to me for this purpose. I shall be glad to discuss the matter with the hon. Member.

asked the Pensions Minister if he has received from the Black- burn war pensions committee a resolution recommending that the Ministry of Pensions should endeavour to have convened a national conference of the executives of the various unions of the trades in which it is considered desirable for discharged and disabled soldiers and sailors to be trained with a view to a definite line of action being taken; and whether he is prepared to adopt this recommendation?

I am unable to trace the receipt of the resolution referred to. As the hon. Member is aware trade unions are consulted at every step in the training of discharged disabled men, and they are represented on the advisory boards which are being set up throughout the Kingdom. In the absence of further information as to the results which a national conference might be expected to secure, I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion that such a conference should be summoned.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as the result of the seizure by the police of the belongings of the International Free Trade League, 28, Victoria Street. S.W., any evidence was forthcoming that the league was even indirectly, or in the remotest degree, under enemy influence?

No evidence of enemy influence was found among the documents seized.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the memorandum of objects of the International Free Trade League, 28, Victoria Street, S.W., which was seized by the police, shows that the objects of this League are to convince the men and women of this country that a trade war, involving as its condition precedent the return of this country to Protectionism, would be injurious in the highest degree to the material interest of the British people, fatal to Europe's regeneration and to the setting up of a League of Nations designed to ensure a lasting world's peace, and to advocate the universal practice of the principle of the open door be- cause of the permanent moral and material benefit which, as the outcome of such practice, would accrue to all the peoples of the world; and whether he will withdraw his assertion that the League's activities are merely directed to encouraging the resumption of trade with Germany and allow it to pursue its real objects without interference?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 5th instant to questions on this subject, and to which I have nothing to add.

asked how many of the Metropolitan Police have been released for war service during the War; and how far this has been made possible by the special constabulary?

Without counting 1,413 men who were already serving at dockyards and military stations on the outbreak of war, 5,051 Metropolitan Police officers are engaged on war service. In addition, a very considerable number of men still employed in the Metropolitan Police District are engaged, wholly or in part, on duties directly arising out of the War. It is impossible to estimate how many of these could have been spared if there had been no special constabulary; but I may say that the special constabulary, though not able, generally speaking, to give more than a portion of their time to police duty, have rendered invaluable service, both in protection duty, in daily watch and ward, and on the occasion of air raids.

asked the Home Secretary what is intended to be comprised in the words "service of a naval or military character," which are used in relation to the proviso preserving the franchise to certain conscientious objectors in the Representation of the People Bill; and whether the performance of clerical and other staff duties in connection with the Territorial Force Association would bring a man within the proviso, seeing that he would be paid out of money provided by Parliament?

I regret that I cannot express an opinion as to the effect of a particular Clause of this Bill, which has now passed the House of Commons and is under consideration in another place. If the Clause becomes law without alteration, the responsibility for interpreting it will rest with the registration officer, subject to the appeals provided by the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, in conjunction with the Petrol Control Committee, consider the possibility of allowing chief constables to issue permits authorising residents in country districts to use their motor ears for the purpose of attending places of worship on Christmas Day and the first Sunday in the New Year?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he or any Board under his supervision authorises the translation and publication in this country of enemy books and pamphlets; whether, in the case of licences given for this purpose, any or all profits go to the publisher or to the National Exchequer; if not, how are they otherwise dealt with; and whether a licence has been given for the publication in English of a German work on complementary marriages?

Under the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy (Copyright) Act, 1916, all copyright in works first published or made in an enemy country during the War is deemed to be vested in the Public Trustee in his capacity as custodian under the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1914. Similarly, copyright in works held by an enemy prior to the War may, by Order of the Board of Trade, be vested in the Public Trustee, under Section 4 of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916. Applica- tions for licences to publish translations of such works may be made to the Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks, and where such licences are granted the royalties are payable to the Public Trustee. An application has been made for a licence to publish a translation of the pamphlet referred to in the question, and this application is now under the consideration of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any recent reliable estimate exists of the amount of money which would be required to enable the Government to buy up the railways in the United Kingdom according to the existing provisions of railway law; and, if so, how such figure compares with existing and recent market quotations for railway stock?

The option of purchase conferred on the Treasury by the Railway Regulation Act, 1844, does not apply to all railways, and also leaves the terms of purchase in some cases subject to arbitration. In these circumstances I am not in a position to give any such estimate as is referred to in the question.

asked what proportion, approximately, of the shareholders in British railways are owners of holdings of not over £500 stock; and whether the tendency within recent years has been towards the increase of small holdings or otherwise?

The hon. Gentleman will find the latest information available with regard to the average holding of railway companies' shares in Parliamentary Paper No. 400, of 1902. No later Return on this subject has been obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the total of the dividends on the ordinary shares of British railways in the last complete pre-war year amounted to about £18,000,000 sterling, and that of the dividends upon the preference and guaranteed stocks to over £17,000,000 sterling; whether increases in railway workers' wages since 1914 represent between £25,000,000 and £26,000,000 sterling a year, a sum equal to the whole ordinary dividends together with about one-half of the preference and guaranteed dividends; and whether he can say to what extent, if any, such increase represents a rise in real wages as distinct from an allowance in respect of increased cost of living?

The figures as to dividends mentioned by the hon. Gentleman are approximately correct, but I think he underestimates the increase in wages. I cannot say exactly what portion of the increase in railway workers' war wages represents a rise in real wages, but regard has been had to the cost of living in dealing with the increase of wages.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of horse-boxes carrying race-horses to and from Newmarket, often by special engine and for long distances; and whether, in view of the congestion on the railways, it is proposed to take steps to reduce this traffic?

My hon. Friend will be aware that only a limited number of race meetings has been held during the last season, and that special facilities for race meetings which were afforded in normal times have been withdrawn. I have not heard that any very serious inconvenience has been occasioned by the conveyance of race-horses to and from Newmarket, but I will make inquiry.

asked whether the Paper Restriction Consolidation Order, dated 22nd October, 1917, precludes manufacturers and traders from announcing to consumers the prices of their goods by any means whatever except by hand or type-written announcements, and by advertisements through the Press after 31st January, 1918?

The distribution of advertising circulars (including tradesmen's catalogues and price lists) is permitted within the weight limit prescribed by the Order quoted. A general licence of the 8th November allows the free circula- tion of catalogues and price lists from trader to trader. The method of distribution is immaterial. The Order and general licence cover the period ending the 31st January, 1918. A new Order dealing with a period after that date is under consideration, and will be published at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to use the powers conferred upon it by urgent war measures passed by Parliament to deprive British manufacturers, traders, merchants, and retailers of the economical means of making known the prices of their goods and of necessary advertising by compelling them to advertise widely in the Press, as they are compelled to do by the Paper Restriction Consolidation Order of October, 1917; and is he aware that this Order will largely augment the cost of trade and therefore of all articles required by the public?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. No, Sir; the object of the recent Consolidation Order, as of its predecessors, is to secure some limitation of the amount of paper which may be devoted to advertising by means of posters and circulars, whilst not precluding altogether the use of these methods. The limitation of the use of paper for these and all other non-essential purposes is absolutely necessary in view of the shortage of tonnage.

asked the Prime Minister whether questions affecting the industrial conditions of women are to be referred to the Government Labour Committee; and, if so, why this Committee includes no woman member?

I have been asked to reply to this. The primary duty of the War Cabinet Labour Committee, to which, I presume, the hon. Gentleman refers, is to co-ordinate wage advances and labour conditions affecting the Government Departments concerned, and the appropriate Department will continue to deal with the industrial conditions of women as hitherto.

asked the Postmaster-General whether special investigation has recently been made into the possible use by enemy agents of the old cable that connected Valencia, in Ireland, with Emden, in Germany, and which was discarded about the year 1880 but not taken up?

The circumstances are such as to make it impossible for enemy agents to use the former Emden—Valencia cable in the manner suggested.

asked whether the firm of Siemens Brothers are operating cable-repair ships around our coast; and what precautions have been taken to make it impossible for this firm to act in the interests of the enemy, seeing that the firm is of German origin and was closely allied with the parent firm of this name in Germany when war broke out?

A cable ship belonging to this firm has recently carried out work for the Government, but at a considerable distance from the British coast. The firm is under Government control, and the ship was working under the direction of responsible officers of the Navy and Post Office during the whole of the operations

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether any representative of the Association of Poor Law Unions in England and Wales has been appointed to act on the Sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee, which Sub-committee was appointed to consider and report upon the steps to be taken to ensure the better co-ordination of public assistance in England and Wales and upon such other matters affecting the system of local government as may from time to time be referred to it; and, if no such representative has been appointed, will he consider the desirability of appointing such representatives?

As I have previously explained in reply to similar questions, the members of the Committee referred to were chosen several months ago for their personal qualifications rather than in a representative capacity. The Committee has made much progress with its work, and, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chairman of the Committee, it is evident that no useful purpose would be secured by adding to the Committee at this time. I am, however, asking my right hon. Friend to afford an opportunity to the Association of Poor Law Unions for placing their views before him. The Committee is examining the whole subject with great care, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the considerations he has in mind are not being lost sight of.

asked the Assistant-Director to the War Trade Department what proportion of the last annual profits of the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company consisted of dividends from their Swedish investments; and whether at any time since the declaration of war he intimated to the company the desirability of restraining the management of their Swedish-controlled businesses from disposing of the output of the works in such a manner as to permit the same reaching the hands of the enemy?

I have no information as to the first part of the question. I am informed that the Kellner-Partington Company gave instructions to the Swedish as well as to the Norwegian companies to observe the regulations binding on British firms, but one of the Swedish firms, while stating that it was not trading with the enemy, appeared to question the right of the Kellner-Partington Company to dictate its policy on the ground that it was a Swedish firm with Swedish directors. Steps were therefore taken which, for obvious reasons, it is undesirable to specify, but which proved effective to ensure compliance with the wishes of His Majesty's Government and of the directors of the company.

asked the Assistant Director of the War Trade Department whether he is aware that the greater part of the output of the four wood-pulp mills controlled by the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company, in the Karlsbad dis- trict of Sweden, has since January, 1916, been shipped from Gothenburg, Malmo, Trelleborg, and other ports into Germany; whether he will state the capital of this company and the extent of the Kellner-Partington Company's holding in the same; and if he will say what action the Department takes when it finds an English company with a controlling interest in the shares of a foreign concern which is supplying the enemy with munitions of war?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that the Kellner-Partington Company hold the majority of the shares. The answer to the third part is that the Department requires the English company to fulfil its legal obligations by exercising such control as it possesses over a foreign concern to prevent such concern from trading with the enemy. If any question arises as to the power of the English company to control the policy of the foreign firm other means of pressure are also employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the Board of Trade felt it incumbent to apply to the Courts for the appointment of a controller under the Trading with the Enemy Acts in the matter of the Aramayo Francke Mines, he will indicate in what manner that case differs from that of the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company except in so far as the productions of the Aramayo Francke Company were products of Bolivia and could therefore be blockaded from enemy destinations, whereas those of the Kellner-Partington Company are so produced as to render possible delivery to Germany within twenty-four hours?

The sale of the shares of the Kellner-Partington Company will leave the undertaking the property of an English company, subject to English law, whereas the company to which it was proposed to transfer the undertaking of the Aramayo Francke Mines Limited was to be established in a neutral country, and would not have been subject to English law.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the proposed Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company's sale, he has considered the facts placed before the Prize Court on 21st, 22nd, and 23rd June last and reported as the Axel Johnson and the Drottnung Sophia (L.T. 117, 412), in which were revealed the methods adopted by enemy firms to utilise the manufacturers and importers of Gothenburg in order to secure supplies of wool from Argentina; whether in this instance the entire cargoes of wool were sent into Germany to be combed, the enemy accepting as mode of payment the retention of the noils, wastes, and fats for use in their munition factories, and retaining also and paying for such portions of the cargo as were acquired by the Swedish importers on German account; whether he is aware that the Swedish firm wrote to their Argentine clients not to indicate in any way whatever, either in the invoices or in any other papers, that the wool was intended for combing purposes in order to avoid drawing the attention of the English to the lots; and whether, in view of the number of commercial agents for Germany in Gothenburg, he will see the urgent necessity of retaining British control over the assets of the Kellner-Partington Company?

I have seen a report of the case referred to by my hon. Friend. The Kellner-Partington Company will remain subject to English law, notwithstanding a sale of the shares to foreign subjects.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is the present position of the negotiations with reference to British and German prisoners being sent to Holland; whether ships for the conveyance of the German prisoners have yet been obtained; and what is the cause of the continued delay?

The delay which has arisen is due to the necessity for settling certain difficulties which have been raised at the eleventh hour. In this connection I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Southampton on the 3rd instant. It is hoped that the points of difference are now in process of solution, and there seems good reason to think that some of our prisoners will have arrived in Holland by Christmas. His Majesty's Government deeply regret the delay, but are in no way responsible for it.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the conference in Switzerland between Turkish and British representa- tives with reference to a suggested exchange of prisoners has yet taken place; and whether he is in a position to make any statement on the subject?

The conference is nowsitting, and we trust that a satisfactory solution may be arrived at. I am not, however, yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked whether at any time since the War an agreement has been entered into between this country and Austria for the exchange or repatriation of interned civilians; and, so, when the agreement was made, what are its terms, and to what extent it has been carried out?

The arrangements concluded with the Austro-Hungarian Government from time to time provide for the repatriation of:—

( a ) Women, and children of both sexes.

( b )Boys under seventeen years of age at the date of the first application for their release.

( c ) Civilians who are over fifty-one years of age or who subsequently attain that age.

( d ) Qualified doctors of medicine.

( e ) Ordained ministers of religion.

( f ) Civilians between the years of seventeen and forty-five whose state of health renders them unfit for military service.

( g ) Civilians between the years of forty-five and fifty-one who are unfit for service in the field.

I should explain that provisions ( a ), ( b ), ( d ), ( e ) and ( f )have long been in force, and that it is hoped that provisions ( c ) and ( g ) will be brought into active operation as soon as the necessary transport arrangements can be made. These arrangements apply to all British and Austro-Hungarian civilians whether interned or not.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the War Library is open to students or the public without payment; if so, on what conditions and between what hours; and whether any German or Austrian publications are there accessible or only pro-Ally literature?

The War Library of the Imperial War Museum is at present only in course of formation and cannot therefore be open to the public. Every description of war literature is being collected and will eventually be available to visitors to the Library.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will give the names of the London hotels taken over by the various Government Departments in addition to the Great Central, the Buckingham Palace, the Cecil, the Grand, the Metropole, the Victoria, the De Keyser's, the St. Ermin's, the Windsor, and Horrex's; and if he can state the rent which is being paid in respect of all these hotels?

The London hotels requisitioned by the Office of Works for purposes connected with the War are the Metropole, Victoria, Grand, Cecil, St. Ermin's, Windsor, Goring, Horrex's, Carter's, De Keyser's, Holborn Viaduct, and Covent Garden. For those taken over by other Departments I would refer my hon. Friend to the Ministers concerned. Rent is not paid in respect of these hotels, but the owners are entitled to submit a claim for loss entailed by the action of the Government to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the practice of the Special Commissioners, in assessing a railway for Income Tax under Section 8 of the Revenue Act, 1866, to make a single apportionment under Schedule A and Schedule D together or to apportion the assessment between these schedules?

There is no separate assessment of the properties occupied by a railway company for the purposes of its undertaking. The whole profits of the company are included in a single assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is proposed to take the promised Supplementary Estimate for Irish intermediate education; and when the Regulations under which it is proposed to distribute this grant will be circulated?

I have been asked to reply. The Treasury inform me that the Supplementary Estimate for Irish intermediate education could not conveniently be taken before the Adjournment for Christmas, but I shall be in a position to circulate the proposed Regulations at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that his predecessor stated in the House of Commons on 9th December, 1911, that the paper-promoted teachers had a good case and that the Treasury were prepared to meet it if the Commissioners of National Education would let them do so, he will state on what grounds the Treasury refuse the payment of the arrears of salary withheld, considering that the Commissioners have urged the Irish Government on at least two occasions to meet this demand of these teachers?

The observations of my predecessor to which the question refers appear to have been made on the 15th December, not the 9th December, 1911, and they had reference to the case of certain teachers promoted before that date in respect of whom he was prepared to make a recommendation to the Treasury with a view to the expansion of the standard numbers to meet their case on condition that the Commissioners of National Education undertook to make no further promotions save on the occurrence of vacancies. The offer was declined and the practice of making promotions without increase of salary continued until September, 1913, the number of teachers affected being thereby much increased. The undertaking was ultimately given, and an increased number of places for teachers to whom first grade salaries might be paid was made available as from the 1st April, 1913. This concession enabled the Commissioners to allow payment of first grade salaries from that date to all the teachers who had not theretofore obtained increases of salary consequent upon their promotion. If the hon. Member will refer to the answer given to the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh on the 19th February, 1914, he will see that my predecessor was unable to recommend the claim of the teachers in respect of the period previous to the 1st April L913, during which they were awaiting vacancies.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is possible under existing conditions for an assistant teacher in the third grade to reach a maximum salary after nine years of £101 15s. men, and £88 5s. women; whether this maximum salary includes capitation grant, Birrell grant, and bonus, if trained; if so, will he say if he proposes still to fix the maximum salary for those teachers at £102 men, and £88 women; and, if so, does this new maximum salary include capitation grant, Birrell grant, and bonus, if trained?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the maximum salaries mentioned may be reached by trained assistant teachers under the present rules, provided they are serving in schools with sufficient pupils in average attendance—namely: a first assistant in schools of 95 average or over; a first and a second assistant in schools of 140 or above; and so on. The maximum salaries include capitation grant, Birrell grant, and bonus. The new maxima of the third grade are as stated in the question, and also include capitation grant, Birrell grant, and bonus where payable; but the new maxima are open to all trained assistants, and not merely to those in schools of high average attendance, and may be reached in six years instead of nine. They may also be increased by payment of a special bonus of £10 to £112 and £98 respectively.

asked when the Regulations dealing with pay and promotion of Irish national teachers will be published; and whether an early opportunity of discussing these Regulations will be given by the Government?

The White Paper giving details as to the allocation of the additional Grant for primary education in Ireland has been published. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House stated yesterday that he could not at present find time for this discussion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Irish Land Commissioners, who purchased portion of the Grattan Bellew estate, county Galway, in 1915, do not vest the same in the Congested Districts Board, who have since purchased the O'Rourke lands on the same property, so that all the grass lands promised by the landlord at the time of sale may be made immediately available for distribution amongst the uneconomic tenants around Moylough; and will he ascertain from the Commissioners the name and acreage of the farms specified or described as grass lands by the landlord, Sir Henry Grattan Bellew, when he originally offered this portion of his property for sale?

The lands acquired by the Estates Commissioners on the estate referred to were divided some years ago, and purchase agreements were signed by the allottees, who were put in possession of the allotments. I, therefore, do not understand the suggestion of the hon. Member that the lands should be transferred to the Congested Districts Board for distribution. In September, 1914, the Congested Districts Board agreed to purchase part of the estate, comprising an area of 1,072 acres, in the townlands of Moyloughmore, Tomree, and Caltra. A preliminary agreement for purchase has been signed, but this portion of the estate has not yet been vested in the Board. It includes 409a. 1r. 30p., in the townlands of Moyloughmore and Tomree, held by Mr. C. D. O'Rorke under judicial and other tenancies. Mr. O'Rorke's interest in these lands has not yet been acquired. I have no information as regards "grass lands promised by the landlord" or the farms so described.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will see that the Local Government Board insist on owners who let their grass lands on the eleven-months' system renting a portion of it to the labourers, even at an increased rent?

The Local Government Board have no power to proceed in the manner suggested.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulty which rural labourers in county Louth experienced in trying to obtain potato plots or allotments; and if he will formulate some scheme whereby rural councils could obtain compulsory purchasing powers, as apart from the benefits such a scheme would be to the labourers it would also be a source of increased food production?

I am informed that representations as to the alleged difficulty of obtaining allotments for rural labourers in county Louth do not appear to have been made by the rural district council. The council have already provided 1,030 cottages and plots under the Labourers' Acts. In order to obtain compulsory powers under Section 12 of the Labourers (Ireland) Act of 1886, it would be necessary to show that all reasonable efforts to get land by agreement had been made by the council, and also to comply with the preliminaries as to making of schemes, service of notices, local inquiry, Provisional Order, Appeals, etc., and the cost of purchasing the lands would involve large capital expenditure for which loans from public funds are not available.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the representations he has received from landed interests in Scotland on the subject of fiars prices is in favour of permanent legislation; whether he has received an authoritative expression of opinion on behalf of the Church of Scotland, over the signatures of Lord Balfour of Burleigh and Mr. J. A. S. Millar, clerk to the board of management of St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, that permanent computation of all grain stipends into money is desirable, and that any measure of a temporary, partial, and emergency character is not; whether, if the landed interest and the Church are at one in desiring permanent legislation, there is a difference of opinion between them as to terms; whether the Departmental Committee appointed on 4th April, 1917, considered itself debarred from considering or reporting upon anything else than temporary legislation; and whether, in view of this, he will recommit the matter on somewhat wider lines to the Committee, with or without the addition of further members, in order that permanent legislation may be considered?

I have received many and varying suggestions on this subject from different sources, including a statement on behalf of the committee appointed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. I am not prepared in an answer to a question to summarise the contents of the documents to which my hon. Friend refers, but there is doubtless a divergence of view, which is receiving my consideration. At the moment I am unable to add to the terms of my answer of 10th inst.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether any publication of the audited account of the London Insurance Committee in a form accessible to the general public has taken place; if so, on what dates and where; and, if no such publication has taken place, will he say for what reason this information was withheld from the general public in each of the years from 1912 to 1915?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but monthly statements of receipts and payments have always been furnished at the monthly meetings of the committee, which are open to the Press and public, and have been circulated to the Press before those meetings. In the absence of any statutory obligation on the point, the question of publication of audited accounts is one for the consideration of the committee. I am informed that the completed account of the committee up to the end of the year 1916 are to be presented to the committee at their next meeting, and will be published immediately thereafter.