asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Overseas and Government Loans Committee; 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?

This Committee reported in October, 1916, and it has not been found necessary for it to meet again since then. The total cost of the Committee did not exceed £5.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Expeditionary Force Canteens Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held during 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?

The Expeditionary Force Canteens is an independent organisation controlled by the Army Council, and is run as a commercial undertaking on the co-operative system for the benefit of the soldier. The Committee meets every week; certain changes have recently been made in the personnel of the Committee which were necessitated by the change of the control of the organisation in the War Office. The organisation is self-supporting, and there is no cost to the State. It is anticipated that the Committee will be continued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Soldiers' Dependants' Appeals Assessment Committee; 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?

There has been no Report. The Committee, which is unpaid, has done a large amount of very valuable work, holding from one to three meetings every week. There have been no changes in personnel. The annual cost cannot be stated, but is inconsiderable. I have every hope that the Committee will continue to render its valuable services to the public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Leather Supplies Central Advisory Committee; 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?

The answer to the first part is in the negative. The Committee has met on four occasions within the last six months. Certain alterations have been made in the membership consequent upon Departmental changes, and two Irish representatives have been added, one of whom is the hon. Member for St. Patrick's Division, Dublin. The cost to the State of this Committee is nominal. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the War Refugees' Committee; 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?

I have been asked to reply to this question. This is not a Committee for the purpose of making an inquiry, but for the purpose of organising relief for war refugees. It is an administrative body, distributing Government funds, and will continue as long as necessary.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Belgian Refugees Repatriation Committee; 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?

I have been asked to reply to this question. This Committee presented an Interim Report to me on 4th July last. Two meetings have been held during the last six months, and one additional member has been appointed. No expenses have been incurred in salaries, rent, rates, taxes, or printing—the correspondence is conducted from the Local Government Board. The Committee will continue.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Utilisation and Feeding of Horses Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held during 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?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Committee on the Utilisation and Feeding of Horses has held eighteen meetings during the last six months. As a result of a Report made by this Committee, the Board recently decided to appoint a Controller of Horse Transport. The Controller has been appointed, and the Committee, with the addition of two members, has been reappointed as an Advisory Committee to the Controller. Hitherto the secretarial work of the Committee has been performed by an officer of the Board, in addi- tion to his ordinary work, without additional remuneration. A sum of about £900 has been expended in connection with a census of horses which was carried out by the Committee, but the staff engaged has now been disbanded, and the only other expenditure on salaries has been in respect of a shorthand typist. The work of the Committee has been carried out in the offices of the Board of Trade, and no special expenditure on account of rent, rates and taxes has been incurred, while the Post Office and Stationery Office have provided services in respect of postage, and stationery and printing, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Tobacco and Matches Control Board; how many sittings this Board has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Board during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Board, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this Board is to be continued?

The Tobacco and Matches Control Board is an executive body of four members, working under the general directions of the Board of Trade, and they have the assistance of an Advisory Committee for each of these commodities. No member of the Board is paid for his services in connection with the work of controlling tobacco and matches, and the secretary also is a volunteer. At least one member of the Board is daily at their office, and the whole of them attend whenever occasion requires. They have had forty-two meetings since their formation in May last. The only changes in the personnel during the last six months has been the addition of Mr. Charles Duncan, M.P., to the Board in June. The present weekly cost in respect of salaries is about £40; but I have no information as to the cost of rent, rates, taxes, printing, postage, and stationery, as services in respect of these items are rendered by the Office of Works, Stationery Office, and Post Office. The Board is to be continued.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Committee on Release of Railwaymen for Military Service; how many sittings this Committee has held during 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?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The Committee deals with individual cases of railwaymen released for Military Service where it is alleged that the release has been contrary to certain agreed arrangements for the release of railway-men, and meetings have been held whenever the number of cases to be considered required it. One change has been made in the Committee during the last six months. The expenses connected with the Committee are very small, the chief item being a salary of £200 per annum to the secretary. No special office accommodation has been provided. It is proposed to continue the Committee for the present.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Fiars Prices Committee; 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?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Committee on Fiars Prices reported on the 26th July, 1917, when its labours terminated. The total cost to the State involved by the Committee was £155 Is. 2d., excluding a small sum for printing and stationery.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Government Committee on the Treatment by the Enemy of British Prisoners of War; 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?

The duty of this Committee is to collect, verify, and record information as to the treatment of British subjects who have been made prisoners of war (military or civil) by the enemy. With the assistance of a body of examiners, composed for the most part of eminent members of both branches of the legal profession, who ungrudgingly devote themselves to the work, the Committee have collected and systematised a great quantity of most valuable information on all subjects within the scope of their reference, and their communications from time to time to the Prisoners of War Department, and the information supplied by them as required on special points, have been of much assistance to His Majesty's Government. This Committee meets as a rule once a week, but the members devote much of their time to the work, and one of them acts as honorary secretary to the Committee. During the last six months the only change in its personnel has been due to the lamented death of Sir Starr Jameson. Apart from the printing of the depositions, which is an absolutely necessary part of the work, the cost of which depends upon the number of witnesses examined, the annual cost to the State of this Committee does not exceed £350. Its work is most valuable, and it is certainly intended to continue it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give for the last financial year the following information respecting each of the following cities in Ireland, namely, Dublin City, Belfast, Londonderry, Cork, and Limerick, population, gross annual value of property assessed, assessment under Schedule D, assessment under Schedule E, and the total amount of Income Tax or levied.

The figures asked for are as follows:—

It should be remembered that these figures do not convey any indication of the tax actually contributed by the population of the various cities referred to inasmuch as, owing to the system of collection at the source, large amounts of income belonging to other parts of Ireland are centrally assessed in Dublin.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue Department has not yet adopted the new form of initials and numbers of the London postal districts introduced by the Postmaster-General; and whether he will impress on the Department the view of the Postmaster-General that the system will result in considerable saving of public funds?

When the new method of address was introduced in the London postal area by the Postmaster-General in March last, instructions were at once issued by the Board of Inland Revenue for its adoption in their Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements, if any, are made for the payment of Army pensions and separation allowances for Christmas; and if, in order to facilitate shopping, he will see that Christmas week payments are paid a few days in advance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 29th November last to the hon. Member for Bradford West.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, under the Defence of the Realm Acts, the Government have power to call on banks to disclose the income and capital of a client so far as known to them?

I am advised that the Government have this power so far as such disclosure is necessary to secure the public safety and the defence of the Realm.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, seeing that the Government decline to save the pig situation by altering their present Order, they will consider fixing the price of supers at something like 1s. a stone, and see that no persons other than pig breeders are provided with supers until pig breeders have been supplied?

The Food controller is not prepared to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member, which would involve altering the maximum price of millers' offals, already fixed and published.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that British margarine manufacturers are reporting to their customers that they are unable to make deliveries of margarine owing to the fact that quantities of the oils and fats necessary for its manufacture are being sent overseas, with consequential additional risk of loss by the operations of enemy submarines; and if, having regard to the privations now being suffered by poor people owing to the present shortage in the supply of margarine, he will take steps to prevent further exportation of the oils and fats in question?

I am aware that a circular has been issued by Messrs. Dowdall's Buttapat Dairies, Limited, conveying the inaccurate suggestion referred to by the hon. Member. I can, however, add nothing to the very full replies on this subject which I gave on the 12th and 14th December.

asked what steps an infant of nine months, which has become a resident of a household since the household form has been filled up for sugar, must take to make personal application at a, post office for a special permit?

Parents must inform themselves as to the procedure proper to be taken in the case of infants of tender years. Personal application at a post office is not necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to the application of an ice-cream vendor at Worthing for 11 cwts. of sugar for making-ice-cream; and whether he has any power to prevent ice-cream vendors from being supplied with sugar for such purposes?

An Order is under consideration for prohibiting the use of milk and sugar in ice-cream.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to a charge against the Rev. G. W. Daubeny, at Saxmundham Petty Sessions, for being in possession or a sack of sugar contrary to the law dealing with the hoarding of food; that the defendant was only fined £3 and costs; and if he can state whether he has any power to inflict penalties for such offences as severe as those meted out to convicted offenders against the Central Control Board. (Liquor Traffic) Regulations?

The answer to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. The lenient sentence would appear to be due to the fact that the defendant pleaded ignorance of the terms of the Order and returned the sugar so soon as he learned that he had committed an offence. Penalties are decided upon by the magistrates and not by the Food Controller. The same penalties are applicable to all offences committed against the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, if he will state the advantage or benefit to the scheme of sugar distribution arising: from the inclusion of the day, month, and year of birth of an applicant on the form of declaration; whether the scheme of distribution of sugar is based on a system which will grind so small as to make a different amount of sugar available for an individual born on the 1st or 15th of a month; and, if not, what is the purpose of this demand?

I cannot usefully add anything to the answer given last Thursday to the hon. Member for West Newington and the full explanation which I gave in this House last Monday.

asked if the Food Controller has supplied to a manufacturer of ices a large quantity of sugar, 11 cwt.; and, if so, in view of the dangerous results often arising from such compounds, especially to poor children, and of the fact that men and women, whether with money or without, cannot often obtain any for ordinary use, he will take care that such action is not repeated?

I have no knowledge of the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, but under existing Regulations manufacturers of ice cream, like other manufacturers, are permitted to use 25 per cent. of the quantity of sugar which they used for manufacturing purposes in 1915. An Order is under consideration prohibiting the use of milk and sugar in the manufacture of ice cream.

asked how many prosecutions there have been since 1st January last of food producers for making undue profits; and will he also specify the class of food they were producing?

There is no complete record of prosecutions taken under the Food Controller's Order throughout the country. Nor am I altogether clear whether the term food producers is intended to apply to manufacturers as well as farmers or to farmers alone.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Government have already sufficient powers to enable them to deal with producers of food in this country who make undue profits; and, if so, why more food producers have not been proceeded against?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reason why more food producers have not been prosecuted is, I imagine, due to the absence of any evidence that they have made unlawful profits.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the Order preventing the slaughter of all lambs between 1st February and 1st June will greatly reduce the quantity of animal food for the people at a time when such food will be extremely scarce; is he aware that the non-slaughter of lambs will prevent the ewes being fattened for slaughter, and in this way further aggravate animal food scarcity at the most critical time; and what steps he proposes to take?

The object of the Order forbidding the slaughter of lambs between 1st February and 15th June is to prevent the extravagant use of concentrated food necessary to produce fat lamb within that period, it being estimated that for every pound of lamb produced 3½ lbs. of concentrated food is required—whereas 2½lbs. is sufficient in the case of mutton. A greater weight of food will be provided by feeding the lambs as tegs later in the year when their wool will also become of considerable value. It is considered undesirable to fatten ewes which are capable of being kept on for breeding purposes.

asked whether a sterilised meat shop has been opened in Aberdeen; and, if so, is he in a position to issue a Report about the matter?

I am informed that such a shop was opened last Saturday. I am obviously not in a position to issue a Report about the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to a number of communal kitchens which have been started in Sheffield, Bradford, West Ham, and several other towns, for the purpose of economising in food stuffs, and in order to provide food to the people at cheap rates; and whether he is in a position to issue a Report about the matter?

Orders are about to be issued by the Ministry of Food and the Local Government Board conferring special powers on local bodies with regard to communal kitchens. As I have already informed the House, a memorandum was issued by the Ministry of Food some time ago calling the attention of Food Economy Committees to the great importance, from the point of food and fuel economy, of these kitchens, but experience has shown that some financial encouragement is needed, at any rate in the preliminary stage. I am not at present in a position to issue a Report on the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to a scheme under the auspices of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham for rationing the people on voluntary lines for the purpose of distributing butter, tea, and margarine; whether he has sanctioned the scheme; and if he is in a position to issue a Report?

Lord Rhondda has promised the Lord Mayor of Birmingham all possible support and encouragement in the experiment about to be made in that city for the prevention of food queues. The proposed scheme will come into operation on 1st February.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army ration of potatoes has been increased; and, if not, will the authorities consider the wisdom of increasing the ration of potatoes and reducing the quantity of some other food which is in shorter supply and probably brought overseas?

This question is already receiving careful consideration.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if his attention has been drawn to the price of cattle in the Dublin Market on the morning of the 6th instant; if he is aware that the wages paid to the Dublin working classes are insufficient to purchase 1 lb. of beef at the prices demanded and received in the Dublin markets; if his attention has been drawn to the statement of Dr. Forcan Sherlock at the meeting of the Irish County Councils'. General Council in Dublin on the 14th instant; and if the Government will hold an inquiry into the statement and take the necessary steps to enforce the Food Controller's Order as regards the prices of beef?

The Ministry of Food are dealing with the question of meat prices referred to by the hon. Member, and I have forwarded for the consideration of the Food Controller returns of the transactions at the Dublin Cattle Market on the 6th and 13th December and copy of a Press report of the speech of Dr. Sherlock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that members of Parliament are unable to obtain copies of Orders relating to the new sugar scheme from the Ministry of Food; and to whom members should apply for copies of such Orders?

I have been asked to reply. Members of Parliament can obtain copies of the Food Controller's Orders on application in the usual way; they are, moreover, published in the "National Food Journal," a copy of which is sent to every Member of Parliament. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the two Orders relating to the sugar distribution scheme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that friction exists between the experts and the permanent officials in his Department; what steps he proposes to take in order to remove this handicap to the progress of business in connection with the conservation of food; how it happened that the meat experts resigned; and how long ago this event took place?

I am glad to say that the relations between the permanent officials and the experts who are employed in the Ministry of Food in either an administrative or advisory capacity are of an entirely cordial character. Differences of opinion as to policy have, of course, arisen and will, no doubt, continue to arise, but I am not aware that the progress of business in connection with the conservation of food has been affected by any such difference. As regards the last part of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham on 29th October.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the standard year upon which is based the supply of liquors (whisky, gin, rum, and brandy) is the calendar year 1916 or the financial year 1st April, 1916 to 31st March, 1917; whether the wholesale dealer has the option of selecting one or the other of these; and, if so, whether a similar option may be exercised by the retailer?

The supply is based on the calendar year, and there is no alternative option.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a Canadian officer who was placed under close arrest on 6th June last, and tried by court-martial on 9th October, is still under close arrest at Bramshott, Hants; whether there are any special reasons why the decision of the court-martial has not been confirmed or revised; and whether he will communicate with the Judge-Advocate's Department in the War Office, so as to put an end to this delay and to prevent such delay from taking place in other cases?

I have made inquiries, and, on the presumption that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to Captain H. P. Davies, 23rd Reserve Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, I have ascertained that the finding and sentence of the Court was promulgated to the accused on the 7th December last, and that there was no avoidable delay in dealing with the case.

asked the Under-tary of State for War if wounded sailors and soldiers in hospital in this country are, when convalescent, allowed to go to their homes for a few days and then return to hospital or convalescent homes or to their unit, and may then remain in this country for several weeks before returning to France or to their ships without being granted a second period of leave; and whether he will consider the desirability of allowing such men further leave for home-visiting purposes?

Unless for very urgent reasons no soldier patient in hospital receives any leave. On discharge from hospitals, all returned Expeditionary Force soldiers receive a furlough of ten days before joining either a reserve unit or a command depot. A soldier on home service admitted to hospital may, if the medical officer considers it necessary, also receive up to ten days' leave. If a soldier returned from an Expeditionary Force remains in this country for six months after his hospital furlough, he again receives leave for a few days to his home. If a home-service soldier, he receives the same leave after nine months. All soldiers (if the exigencies of the Service permits) receive four days' home leave before being drafted overseas. With regard to sailors, I must refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many soldiers were notified in England and Wales during 1916 as suffering from small-pox; how many of these were fatal; and what was the vaccinal condition of the cases that recovered and of the fatal cases if there were any?

The number of cases of small-pox in the Army in 1916 was ten. Of these six were unvaccinated, five of them recovered and one died. Three were vaccinated in infancy, of whom two recovered and one died. One who was revaccinated at the age of fourteen and fourteen years before his attack, recovered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the suggestions for the grant of medals for various completed campaigns in the present War and of the necessity for avoiding too many separate decorations, the Army Council will consider the advisability of deciding upon the pattern of ribbon for a general service war medal forthwith, and permitting it to be worn by those who have served on any front and who have either become unfit by reason of their active service or have so served for a specially long period?

The whole question of the award of medals (which includes the pattern of ribands) for the present War is receiving careful consideration. With regard to the latter part of the question, there already exists a silver war badge which is awarded to all those who have served on any front and have been discharged as permanently unfit. Length of service in a theatre of war will be recognised in due course by the award of chevrons, as has been already announced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning the case of Pioneer B. T. Heaton, N. 288706, Royal Engineers, signals, wireless, who was discharged as a time-expired soldier holding the rank of sapper in the Royal Engineers but was afterwards called up under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act and only given the rank of pioneer, whether this soldier is entitled to be given his former rank; and if he will make inquiries into the case with that object in view?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service whether any general scheme to preserve one-man businesses when the owner is called up for service has been decided on; and, if so, will he give its details?

Yes, Sir; and a circular embodying the details was issued yesterday to the tribunals. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Circular referred to.

asked the Home Secretary if he will allow the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin to interview John Swift, a young Irishman, now lying in an English prison undergoing a sentence of two years for refusing to allow himself to be conscripted; if he is aware that this man, compelled to leave Dublin to seek employment which was denied to him in his own country, after being in Great Britain for a few weeks, engaged all the time on work of national importance, was conscripted because he insisted on attending church on Sunday; if he will allow the hon. Member to visit him in prison with a view of obtaining evidence that was not brought forward at his trial and thus secure his release; and if he will state the prison in which Swift is being punished and the condition of his health?

I have not been able to trace this case. If particulars of the date and place of conviction are given, inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will see that the same facilities are granted to soldiers in Irish hospitals as are granted to soldiers in English hospitals; and if he is aware that the hours of outdoor exercise (outside the precincts of the hospital grounds), visiting hours, retiring hours, and many other regulations which restrain liberty are resented on the grounds that they are unfair when compared with regulations in English hospitals?

Irish and English hospitals are governed by the same general instructions. If the hon. Member will give me the details of the difference in treatment which he suggests, I will have inquiry made.

asked what arrangements have been completed for the granting of leave in the case of soldiers who have been on active service overseas for a period of one or two years or more?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the frequent answers to questions and to the statements which I have made in Debate on this subject. I would refer particularly to an answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, if wool is to be purchased next season by his Department, he will not force farmers to send their wool to fixed wool brokers, but will give them the option of sending it to any broker in their neighbourhool whom they choose, in view of the fact that wool brokers have taken advantage this year of the War Office arrangement to wipe off all sorts of balances and claims that they had against certain farmers?

It is regretted that, owing to the need for economy in transport and other reasons, it is impossible to allow the farmer to consign to any broker whom he may select, but the district executive officer will always consider any reasonable objection raised. I should add that in only one instance has a complaint been made that a broker has deducted a debt from the value of a farmer's wool. This was in respect of a balance of 8s. for the hire of a manuring machine. Upon inquiry, however, it appeared that such a deduction had not been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if it has yet been decided to increase the wages of the remount depot employés in Ireland?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 3rd December, I am prepared to deal with applications on their merits. An application has been received from the Belfast depot, which is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Munitions if it is proposed to order the ladies employed at the Ministry of Munitions to wear a khaki uniform; if so, whether the supplies of khaki cloth available for Army purposes will be unduly depleted by reason of such order; what allowance will be made by the Government towards the cost of such uniforms; and what advantage is expected to accrue to the State from the proposal?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. The points raised in the remainder of the question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department were first offered before advertisement of sale to-morrow, 20th December, at Woolwich, by the War Office, under the heading of "Obsolete Stores," 175 tons of iron and steel scrap, quantities, of old rubber fittings, 135 tons of old rubber and rubber-canvas, 10 tons of brass, 3 tons of electric cable, 46 tons of old leather, and quantities of worked-up material; if so, whether the Ministry of Munitions, rejected the offer of any of this material; and, if not, whether they will obtain power to commandeer all obsolete Government material which the Admiralty and War Office wish to dispose of?

The electric cable and the ferrous and non-ferrous scrap material referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question were offered to the Ministry of Munitions before being advertised for sale, in accordance with an arrangement which exists with the War Office and the Admiralty with regard to all scrap material from Woolwich Arsenal and the Admiralty dockyards. In this particular case it was decided to allow the material to be sold by tender for breaking up and sorting into the sizes and qualities suitable for various furnaces. I should point out, however, that all furnaces are under control, and that the material does not pass out of the observation of the Department. The rubber and leather goods referred to in the question do not concern the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether discharged soldiers are given preference for vacancies for employment in Government and controlled establishments; and is he satisfied that discharged soldiers when employed at munition work are not again called up for service until all men fit for military service and who have not yet served have been dealt with?

Instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Munitions to all controlled establishments and Government factories that discharged sailors and soldiers should be employed, as far as is possible, on all types of work which they are able to undertake. The calling up of men employed in munition works, whether discharged soldiers or ordinary munition workers, is not controlled by the Minister of Munitions, except in so far as such men are covered by the Schedule of Protected Occupations.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that a fuse-filling firm in the Midlands is endeavouring to reduce the premium bonus rates paid to the workers in its employ to the extent of £1 per week in their earnings; whether he is cognisant of and a party to this proposed reduction; whether he is aware that the employés have been given one week's notice to terminate their employment in order to enable the firm to carry out their intention; whether such action by this firm is in direct violation of promises and pledges given by the Prime Minister that prices should not be cut; and, if so, will he at once institute inquiries with a view to stopping this business?

I understand that the contract now held by this firm on which the present output bonus system is based is coming to an end. The firm has been offered a new contract at a lower price, and is negotiating with its workpeople for such a variation of the output bonus system as the new contract prices will bear. I will inform my hon. Friend of the result of the negotiations.

asked whether, in connection with the construction of aeroplanes in Ireland, there will be provision made for repairing machines?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour if any cases have come before him arising out of applications for the extension of the 12½ per cent. time-workers' advance to piece-workers employed on Government engineering and shipbuilding work; and, if so, what action has been taken thereon?

Yes, Sir. Certain cases have come before the Ministry of Labour, and they are being dealt with in accordance with the procedure governing applications for an increase in wages described in Schedule 1 of the Munitions of War Act, 1915.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any cases have arisen since the issue of the Order granting an advance of 12½ per cent. to time-workers, of piece-workers transferring to time-work conditions?

A certain number of such cases have arisen. The matter is under consideration by the War Cabinet Labour Committee.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the skilled workmen, other than engineers and moulders, employed in Government works and factories have received the arrears of the 12½ per cent. increase of wage due to them; and, if not, will he see that it is paid before Christmas?

The issue of the Orders providing for the extension of the 12½ per cent. bonus will begin to-day.

asked the Minister of Munitions when the accounts of the Central Control Board (Liquor-Traffic) will be presented to Parliament showing the capital sums expended by the Board since the date of its appointment, and also the revenue received and expenditure incurred in running the licensed and other premises acquired by the Board?

So far as the Board's direct control undertakings are concerned, the position is as stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 15th August last. So far as the general accounts of the Board are concerned, they are (as has previously been stated) included in the Appropriation Account of the Vote of Credit which is published annually.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of areas within which the sale of spirits has been prohibited by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) and also the number of districts within which the sale of spirits is prohibited during the week-end, giving in each case the name of the area or district respectively?

The sale and supply of spirits (except for medicinal purposes) is prohibited by Order of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in three areas in Scotland, namely, the North-Western area, the North Coast area, and the Orkney and Shetland area. The prohibition is also in force in the parish of Edderton, in the county of Boss and Cromarty, and in so much of the parish of Kincardine as is situate within the Scotland Northern area. With regard to the prohibition of the sale of spirits at the week-end, this measure has only been applied to one district, which comprises Carlisle and the surrounding part of Cumberland, together with the counties of Kirkcudbright, Dumfries, and a small part of Roxburgh. The exact delimitation of this district is set out in full in an Order of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Pensions Minister how many institutions have mow been provided in Scotland for the treatment of disabled soldiers and sailors, and how many soldiers and sailors are receiving treatment in that country?

The number of institutions available for the treatment of disabled men in Scotland is 230, and further institutions are being provided. The total number of discharged men under treatment is not reported, but the number under treatment who are in receipt of the full allowance in lieu of pension under Article 6 of the Warrant is 638.

asked the Pensions Minister whether there are any training centres for discharged men in Ireland?

In Dublin training is in operation in optical and astronomical instrument making, basket making, carpentry, toy making, gardening, care and management of horses, clerical work, manufacture, etc. of artificial limbs, pipe making, and motor mechanics. In Belfast there is training in commercial subjects, and courses have been sanctioned, but are not yet in operation for cane chair seat making, French polishing and domestic assistance in hotels. Schemes for instruction in boot repairing and box making are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether special efforts are being made to ensure that discharged soldiers are utilised as substitutes for men called up for service for the Royal Small Arms, gunpowder, and national shell factories; and has he been in communication with the Minister of Munitions on the subject?

Arrangements have been in force for some time under which the Employment Exchanges are supplied with particulars of workmen who are engaged upon munitions work and can be released to join the Forces upon the provision of suitable substitutes. Every effort is made to provide the substitutes from among discharged soldiers and any other available source. The provision of employment for discharged soldiers, both in munition works and elsewhere, is at present the subject of special consideration and inquiry, and the Ministry of Munitions, together with other Departments concerned, will certainly be consulted.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of any organisation in this country which subsidises enemy aliens engaged in pro-German propaganda in neutral countries; and. if not, whether, if full particulars be supplied, he will take action?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such organisation, but he is ready to consider any facts that the hon. Member may be able to bring to his notice.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the conference held on Friday last by a body styling itself the "British Council of the World Alliance for Promoting International Friendship through the Churches," and to the statement made at that conference by the Very Reverend William Ralph Inge, D.D., Dean of St. Paul's, that the disunited States of Europe would not be able to exist if they remained armed to the teeth in the face of the United States of America; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps, under the Defence of the Realm Act or otherwise, to discourage public statements of this kind as calculated to comfort the enemy by estranging us from our Allies?

I have seen a newspaper report of the speech referred to, but I do not think that any importance need be attached to the statement in question.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a representative of the Association of Poor Law Unions in England and Wales on the Sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee which has been formed to consider and report upon the steps to be taken to ensure the better co-ordination of public assistance in England and Wales?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in reply to similar questions on the 12th December and on other occasions, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what progress has been made in the preparation of the Return on the increase of public assistance (commonly known as the Drage Return) in an amended form standing on the Notice Paper of this House; and on what date the Return will be published?

I am afraid that I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 5th November last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the owners of a vessel on continuous charter receive payment during any period in which the vessel may not be in use but laid up for repairs.

The Shipping Controller is advised that under the Admiralty charter parties, on the basis of which the Blue Book rates of hire were fixed, hire is not payable for any period during which the vessel is inefficient as defined in the charter party. In practice, however, where a vessel is damaged by war risk, hire is paid less the expenses saved to owners during the period of repair. I should add that special arrangements apply to the case of vessels under the liner requisitioning agreement.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the result of his interview with the representatives of certain industrial life insurance companies; and whether his efforts to persuade the companies to pay their agents a living wage have been successful?

I interviewed yesterday the representatives of the insurance companies and of the agents, and both parties agreed to a Committee of Inquiry being set up and to the terms of reference. I am accordingly taking steps to appoint this Committee at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that it has been impossible to obtain War Savings Certificates at the post office in Treorchy, Glamorganshire; and whether he intends to make arrangements so that these certificates may be obtainable in every post office throughout the country?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether any Report has yet reached him as to the result reached at the conference just held with reference to an exchange of British and Turkish prisoners; and if he can say when any and which of the camps in which British prisoners are interned were last inspected and by whom?

As I have said in answer to previous questions, I am not yet in a position to make a statement in regard to the conference at Berne, which is still proceeding. No inspection of camps has taken place since the visit of the Swiss delegates, MM. Moissier and Vischer, between October, 1916, and January, 1917, the Report of which has been published. The Turkish Government have hitherto refused to allow the Protecting Mission to have access to prisoners' camps, but it is trusted that regular and unrestricted facilities may result from the present negotiations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an invalid women aged seventy-four years can obtain the old age pension whilst her husband earns 21s. 6d. per week; if so, will he state the amount she is entitled to; and in what way she receives the benefit of the extra 2s. 6d. sanctioned by Parliament?

On the assumption that the husband's earnings of 21s. 6d. a week constitute the entire means of the couple, the appropriate rate of pension would be 2s. a week, with the additional allowance of 2s. 6d. But without knowing the full particulars of the case which the hon. Member has in mind, I cannot state whether the claimant fulfils the statutory conditions for this or any rate of pension. If he will furnish me with her name and address, I will have inquiries made and acquaint him with the result.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Mrs. Vardy, of Somercotes Hill, Alfreton, is not allowed the maximum amount of old age pension because she is in receipt of separation allowance on behalf of her son, who is serving in the Royal Marine Artillery; and, if so, why the full allowance of 7s. 6d. is not paid, in view of the announcements of the Government that old age pensions should not be reduced because of the issue of separation allowances?

I have been in correspondence with the local pension officer on the case, and will write to the hon. and gallant Member on receipt of the pension officer's reply to a further communication which I have addressed to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the amended proposals regarding the Supplementary Grant for Irish primary education, as published in the White Paper issued on 10th December, were approved by the Commissioners of National Education; and, if so, will he inform the House of the date when these amended proposals were before the Board and the names of the Commissioners who were present on that occasion?

The Commissioners of National Education were consulted before the new scheme of salaries and Grants was framed, but the proposals embodied in the White Paper were not submitted for, and have not received, the approval of the Commissioners. This scheme is limited to the appropriation of the supplemental amount for Irish elementary education voted by the House in July, and the appropriation is made in substantial conformity with the explanation I then gave to the House.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the position of Dr. Starkie, Resident Commissioner of National Education in Ireland; and whether it is proposed that a man in this position is to be continued to be entrusted with the whole administration of Irish education?

I am well aware of the duties and services of the resident Commissioner. He is a member of the National Board, who are entrusted with the administration of Irish elementary education, and I am not aware of any proposal from a responsible quarter for a change in his position.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the importance of the subject and for the benefit of the future generation of workers, he will consider the advisability of adding the subject of trade union history, its aims and application, to the curriculum in public elementary schools?

I may refer the hon. Member to Articles 2 to 5 of the Code, from which he will see that the Board do not prescribe the subjects of the curriculum except in general terms. The discretion left to local education authorities would enable them, if they thought such instruction useful and appropriate, to include in lessons on history and citizenship lessons on the subject suggested, but it is at least open to doubt whether such instruction could be made suitable to the age and capacity of the scholars in ordinary public elementary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to an advertisement by the Board of Education in the "Bedfordshire Times," issued on the 7th December, 1917, announcing the proposed sale by the governors of Christ's Hospital of the Manor Farm, Kempston Hardwicke, Bedfordshire, together with the residence known as Moat House, the whole containing 377½ acres, for the sum of £9.000: whether he has received from Mrs. Cranfield, who, with her late husband, has occupied the Manor Farm for fifty years, an objection to the sale and asking that the Board of Education will refuse to sanction the sale to the proposed purchaser, one Roberts, of St. Neots, and to authorise the sale to her as sitting tenant at the same sum; whether he is aware that Roberts approached the war agricultural executive committee for the county of Bedford with a suggestion that the committee should evict Mrs. Cranfield for bad farming; whether Roberts informed Mrs. Cranfield that he could get her out in seven days; whether he knows that the war agricultural executive committee, after receiving the report of a surveyor, has decided that no action is necessary against Mrs. Cranfield; whether Mrs. Cranfield employed another surveyor who has been over the farm and is of the same opinion; whether the governors of Christ's Hospital employed a firm of surveyors from London to report to them whether the offer from Roberts of £9,000 was a fair one or whether it was advisable to put the farm up to auction; whether he is aware that Roberts has attempted to plant fruit trees now in Mrs. Cranfield's garden and otherwise is annoying her as if he had actually bought the farm; what steps he proposes to take towards the governors of Christ's Hospital, so that this old tenant, who is eighty-three years of age, can purchase her farm; and whether he is aware that Mrs. Cranfield has never had the offer of buying the farm from the governors of Christ's Hospital?

The Board have received from the council of almoners of Christ's Hospital an application for leave to sell the farm in question to Mr. Joseph Roberts for £9,000. The applica- tion is supported by a report from a firm of surveyors in London recommending the sale at this price. In pursuance of their usual practice the Board directed notices to be published of the sale inviting objections or suggestions. Mrs. Cranfield has objected to the proposed sale and appears to be willing to pay £9,000 for the property. Her letter will be placed before the council of almoners, and the Board, before sanctioning a sale, will give the most careful consideration to Mrs. Cranfield's representations. The Board have no knowledge of the other matters mentioned in the question except such as is derived from Mrs. Cranfield's letter. They do not know whether the council of almoners invited an offer from Mrs. Cranfield, but they were aware that she would be able to make an offer when the notices were published, and appeared anxious that she should have an opportunity of doing so.

asked the Home Secretary whether any action has been taken against Chinese gambling-houses in the vicinity of Pennyfields and Limehouse Causeway as the result of the letter of 14th August, 1917, addressed to him by the Member for Maidstone, in which an account was given of a visit to a number of these houses; and, if so, whether such action is being co-ordinated with the other Chinese centres at Cardiff, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

My right hon. Friend referred the hon. Member's letter to the Commissioner of Police, and received a report which shows that whenever the police are able to obtain sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution the necessary action is taken to enforce the law, and in a considerable number of cases convictions have been obtained. My right hon. Friend has not made special inquiry of the police at the other Chinese centres referred to by the hon. Member; but he has no doubt the police take all possible steps to enforce the law.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now seen the statements of two men who fainted at their work on the Tor Royal working party at Dartmoor; and whether he is now able to explain to the House how prisoners confined in Wormwood Scrubs prison had become so reduced physically unless the present prison dietary is insufficient?

I have seen the statements which the hon. Member sent me. The two men referred to appear to have complained of feeling faint when they began work on the 31st October; they were allowed to rest and were then able to go on with their work. Neither applied to see the doctor on the day in question. One of the men is very strong physically and is doing hard outdoor work; the other is weakly, has been receiving medical treatment, and is engaged in sedentary work indoors. I have no reason, from the facts of these cases or otherwise, to think that the prison dietary is insufficient.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the increase of available balance for 1917–18 for Secondary Education Committees is £143,083 or thereabouts; whether the allocation of this sum is so worked by the Scottish Education Department under its Minute of 28th June, 1912, as to provide the rich central counties of Scotland and the great cities with more than the minimum sum necessary by adding thereto money for Grants under Sub-sections (8) and (11) of Section 17 of the Education Act, and to put the county of Roxburgh in an inferior position by refusing money for Grants under these two Sub-sections; and whether he will take proper measures to put this expenditure on a more equitable footing?

The allocation of the balance of the Education (Scotland) Fund is made in terms of the Department's Minute of 28th June, 1912, which were settled after long controversy between opposing groups of Secondary Education Committees. I think the present moment inopportune to reopen that controversy, in view of the Bill, which I have just introduced in this House, relating to education in Scotland, which, inter alia , proposes to repeal Section 16 (2) of the Act of 1908, the Section upon which the Minute rests.