asked the Prime Minister for how many sailors and soldiers discharged from the Navy and Army as unfit for further service small holdings have been provided in country districts, and how many are actually on these small holdings; and whether he can give the percentage of discharged sailors and soldiers who have been found regular employment up to the present time?

In reply to the first part of the question, the Board have not sufficient information as to the changes of tenancy in the country to enable them to say how many discharged soldiers and sailors have become small holders. In reply to the latter part of the question, I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that of the men discharged from the forces who registered at Employment Exchanges about 50 per cent. have been placed in employment by the Exchanges. The position of employment for discharged men is at present the subject of special consideration and inquiry by the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the uncertainty of the petrol supply, it is intended to issue quarterly licences to the owners of motor-cars, thus assuring the revenue from many cars which would otherwise be laid up?

I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion made in this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is permissible for owners of motor-cars who have a licence from the Petrol Committee to use their cars for the purpose of attending church on Sundays; and, if not, will he see that Roman Catholics, who are under an obligation to attend church on Sundays and holy days, will be permitted to use their motorcars for this purpose when they are a long distance from their places of worship and when other modes of conveyance are not convenient or available?

I am afraid I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 6th December to the hon. Member for West Cavan, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, or cause to be published in Ireland, the names of Irish victims in the Halifax explosion, or if there is any list of those missing?

I have no information later than that given in my reply to the hon. Member for the Chertsey Division on the 17th instant, but I am making further inquiries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many tons of grain are being brewed for beer and munition purposes in Great Britain; whether he can state the quantity of grain used in Ireland; and whether he can arrange to allow Ireland its ratio share for pot-still manufacture?

The quantity of grain used for the brewing of beer in Great Britain is at present about 31,700 tons per month. The corresponding quantity used in Ireland is about 5,300 tons per month. It is not desirable to state the quantities of materials used in the manufacture of munitions. It is not possible to reconsider the decision to prohibit the distillation of potable spirit in any part of the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the shortage of sugar, flour, and maize meal in county Donegal; whether this shortage is due to difficulties of shipment; and if he can state the quantities of the above commodities received by wholesale merchants in Londonderry during the past three months?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if any steps are being taken to avert a threatened bread famine throughout Ulster, liable to be caused by the failure of local millers to supply 10 per cent. of the flour required by bakeries in Belfast and Londonderry; is he aware that the situation is rendered more difficult by the fact that supplies of flour from Liverpool and other ports are diminishing and are irregular; and will he consider the desirability of releasing sufficient supplies at the Controller's price of 44s. 3d. per sack from the stock of Government flour now stored at Belfast, so that the compulsory closing down of various bakeries may be obviated?

So far as unequal distribution is concerned, I can add nothing to the answers already given. I am unable to state the quantities of sugar, flour, and maize meal received by wholesale merchants in Londonderry during the past three months. As regards the suggestion that stocks of imported flour now at Belfast should be sold at 44s. 3d. per sack, there is a ready sale for such stocks at the current prices, which exceed 44s. 3d. and are the equivalent of G.R. flour ex mill at 44s. 3d.; any reduction in the price of foreign flour would, consequently, result in loss to the Exchequer, increased profit to the baker, with no advantage whatever to the consumer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a cow or heifer carries its young nine months, and, after giving birth to its calf, begins to produce milk; that farmers who have dairy farms have to make their plans nine months in advance to produce supplies of milk; and that milk contracts are usually made as from Michaelmas to Lady Day and Lady Day to Michaelmas; and if, in view of the above, he will at the earliest possible moment announce at what figure he proposes to fix the price of milk for the producer as from Lady Day to Michaelmas next, and in future give the producer at least nine months' notice of his decisions?

The Food Controller intends to announce at the earliest possible date the figure at which he proposes to fix the price of milk to the producer covering the period from Lady Day to Michaelmas next, but he cannot undertake to give producers at least nine months' notice of any future decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether there are large quantities of West African palm kernels stored in this country by neutrals; if so, whether the Food Controller is now going to commandeer this produce; whether there are large quantities of coffee stored in this country for German or neutral account; and, if so, what action the Food Controller proposes to take?

The Food Controller has requisitioned all palm kernels in the United Kingdom belonging either to neutrals or to British subjects. He has further called for returns of all coffee stored in the United Kingdom whether on neutral account or otherwise.

asked whether any arrangements are in contemplation to enable farm labourers to brew their own beer?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the fact that herrings can be bought on the beach at 1½d. each when landed at Brighton, while in London shops they are sold at the rate of 5d. each; and whether his Department can take steps to prevent this increase of cost to the London consumer?

The Food Controller is aware that the retail price of herrings in London has recently reached the figure mentioned in the question, but apart from the fact that prices vary considerably in relation to the size of the fish, the prices realised on the coast recently have generally been in excess of the figure mentioned as having been paid at Brighton. The whole question of fish prices is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is now able to outline the measures which are proposed for increasing the cultivation of fresh-water fish and eels, on the lines of the organisation adopted by Continental countries, where these sources have become an important factor in national food supplies.

I understand that the Fresh-water Fish Committee's Report on the cultivation of eels will be submitted at an early date. The Committee is now considering what, if any, action is practicable and desirable in regard to the increase of stocks of fresh-water fish, which will form the subject of their final Report.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the scarcity of feeding for milch cows in Dublin and surburbs, he will endeavour to obtain sanction for increased brewings and distilling to provide grains and wash for feeding purposes?

I cannot add anything to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Food on the 5th inst.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether there are any spirits being made in Great Britain beyond what is used for munition purposes; whether more spirits are being manufactured than are required for munition purposes; whether the manufacture in Scotland is almost equal to that of the pre-war period or a greater quantity than is required for munition purposes is being manufactured; and, if so, what is intended to be done with the overplus?

The spirit now being made in the United Kingdom is used for the manufacture of munitions and for other war purposes, and also for certain essential industrial trades. The total output is insufficient to meet these requirements. The manufacture in Scotland is at present about equal to the pre-war output.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a man named Michael Hurley, of Toehead, near Castletownshend, who served twenty-two years in the Navy as a stoker, and since the War served on a "Dreadnought" and destroyer, and subsequently on the submarine leader "P 22," lost the sight of one eye, after six months on the latter vessel, and was discharged in February last, at the age of forty-two, on a pension of 5s. 10d. per week; whether he is aware that, to enable Hurley to live, his mother arranged that he should get a lease of about one-third of the home farm, and pay one-third of the annuity to the Land Commission, but that the Land Commission have refused to consent to the sub-letting without giving any reason; and whether, if it is the declared policy of the Government to provide land for discharged soldiers and sailors, he will take steps to obtain an exception being made to the Land Commissioners to break their rule as to sub-dividing small holdings, so as to enable Mr. Hurley to support life on his small pension.

The first part of the question was answered by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions on the 10th December. As regards the second part, I am informed that the holding of Catherine Hurley is situated in a scheduled congested district in West Cork, and consists of only 22 acres 23 poles, for the purchase of which an advance of £262 was made, under the Land Purchase Acts, in the year 1912, the purchase annuity being £8 10s. 4d. Catherine Hurley, as the registered holder of the holding, applied to the Irish Land Commission, as required by Statute, for liberty to sub-let 6 acres 3 rods 20 poles of it to her son, Michael, for a term of 900 years, at the rent of £2 17s.; but the Commissioners considered that the proposed sub-letting, which would have created an uneconomic holding, would have diminished the value of the entire holding, and, in the exercise of their discretion, they declined to permit the holding to be leased as proposed.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the tests carried out by the Department, at the request of the hon. Member for South Kerry, as to the suitability of Phormium tenax (New Zealand flax) for paper making have resulted in this raw material being utilised; if so, can he state whether the variety of Phormiwn tenax which grows luxuriantly on poor land in Kerry is suitable for the purpose; and whether he proposes to call the attention of the Kerry County Committee of Agriculture to the fact with a view to the propagation of Phormium tenax on land which is unsuitable for food production?

The tests referred to indicated that it was unlikely that Irish-grown New Zealand flax could be used remuneratively in the manufacture of paper, nor are the Department aware that it has been so utilised. It is understood that the question of the utilisation of this plant is being investigated by the British Flax and Hemp Growers' Society, whose inquiries the Department will take care to keep in touch with. With the information so far at their disposal, however, they do not feel in a position to recommend the growing of this plant, nor to take the action suggested in the concluding portion of the question. The whole matter will continue to receive their attention.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether inventors have been offered a reward for the discovery of any device, contrivance, machine, or other means for counteracting the operation of enemy submarines?

The policy of offering rewards for suggestions of this kind is not considered necessary or advisable by the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many sailors developed small-pox in the year 1916; what was the condition of the cases as regards vaccination and re-vaccination; and whether any of the cases were fatal?

One such case occurred during 1916; the man recovered. No particulars are available regarding vaccination or re-vaccination in the case in question, but as the man was a stoker, Royal Naval Reserve, he was liable to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated as a condition of his entry into the Royal Naval Reserve.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the official estimate of the net reduction of British shipping, ocean-going tonnage, or ships of over 1,600 tons, up to 1st November, 1917, of 2,500,000 tons, or 14 per cent., is calculated for percentage purposes on the original ocean-going tonnage prior to the War?

The calculation is based on total ocean-going tonnage of ships of 1,600 tons and over at 31st July, 1914.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping what is the proportion of British shipping over 1,600 tons which goes to Army and Navy supplies, including vessels taken over and armed for naval purposes, the proportion placed at the service of our Allies, and the proportion used for any other purposes such as trading services for the Empire abroad, so as to leave as a remainder only that proportion engaged in carrying supplies for the United Kingdom.

It would not be in the public interest to give the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Henry Harfst; whether he is aware that this man is the son of a naturalised alien of long and honourable residence in this country, that upon approaching the age of eighteen years he presented himself at the Crystal Palace for enrolment in the Royal Navy, that the officer in charge upon learning his name at once rejected him, stating as his reason that Harfst was an enemy alien; and whether, in view of the fact that Harfst is liable for military service, he will make inquiries into the case and accept him in the Service if he is otherwise eligible?

Candidates for entry in the Royal Navy are required to be sons of British-born parents. The son of a naturalised alien is, therefore, not eligible for entry in the Royal Navy, and the fact that the man referred to in the question is liable for military service does not affect his ineligibility for entry in the Royal Navy.

asked which is the proper authority to call a man up from Reserve W to the Colours, the Ministry of National Service or the War Office?

The authority to call a man up from Class W Reserve at present resides in the Ministry of National Service under the Ministry of National Service Order, 1917.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the hardship on masters and men involved in the calling up of indentured apprentices who have paid a premium and served part of their time, he can see his way to having Section 96 of the Army Act again put into operation?

This is a question which should be addressed to my hon. Friend the Minister of National Service.

asked whether John Taylor, No. 23162, D Company, 3rd Battalion Essex Regiment, has been discharged from the Army; and, if not, where he now is?

I will enquire, and inform the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will now make public the result of the inquiry into the death of Lance-Corporal Quinn, Royal Irish Rifles?

I have not yet received the proceedings of the court martial.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the hardship of the rule of recruiting officers that sea-going engineers are not allowed more than a fortnight as exemption from Army recruitment in which to prepare for and undergo Board of Trade examinations for certificates of competency; and if he will, in the interest of mercantile marine efficiency, request the War Office to extend the permit of exemption for preparation and examination to not less than one month?

I was not aware that such a rule was in operation, but I will make inquiries, and communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, before soldiers who have previously suffered from shell-shock or other nerve troubles are executed for alleged failure in military duty, such men are examined by a medical board containing at least one specialist in nervous diseases?

I am afraid 1 can add nothing to the previous answers, which I have given on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that before soldiers who have been invalided suffering from shell-shock, or other nervous trouble, are sent back to the front they are examined by a medical board containing at least one specialist in nervous diseases?

I cannot give this assurance at present, but under the new arrangements it is hoped that this desirable end will be attained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state the approximate number of soldiers that have been withdrawn from the Eastern Frontier during December and sent to the Western Frontier?

I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest to answer this question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if a sum of money representing the balance due to the Irish prisoners of war interned at Frongoch Camp, as agreed credit to them for purchases at the camp canteen, and which money was the exclusive property of the prisoners, was handed over to his Department by the Home Office, after correspondence between his Department and that of the Home Secretary; that copies of all the accounts in connection with these transactions were handed to his Department at the same time, and that these accounts, together with the money, have now been in the custody of his Department for several months; that since the month of July last his Department has received repeated applications from the honorary secretary of the Irish National Relief Fund, in London, for the return of the money in question on behalf of its owners; that many of these applications have been ignored, but that on 31st August, 1917, his Department wrote that it was hoped to dispose of the matter shortly; on 8th September, 1917, that the matter was the subject of correspondence between his Department and that of the Home Secretary, and that a further communication would be sent as soon as possible; on 26th October, 1917, that the matter had not been lost sight of, and a definite statement might be expected shortly; that, despite all these promises of a settlement, nothing has so far been done; if it is the intention of his Department to deprive the Irish prisoners of this money; whether this procedure has the sanction of the Cabinet and has been adopted on its Instructions; and, if not, if he will see that the matter is dealt with without further delay?

I am looking into this, and hope to be in a position to give the hon. Member a definite reply at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if an officer who has already received £250 wound gratuity is still in hospital after twelve months is entitled to a further gratuity at the rate of £250 per annum for any period over and above twelve months?

No, Sir; the gratuity of £250 covers the first year only. Any further payment is made in the form of a pension of £50 or £100 a year, according to the nature of the wound.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War in what way the terms and conditions of service of an officer in the Regular Army differ from those of officers in the new Army and the Territorial Force?

Regular officers hold permanent commissions, and are liable for service in any part of the world during peace or war. Territorial officers hold permanent commissions. In peace they are liable for home service only. During the present War Territorial officers of military age have become liable for service abroad. New Army officers hold temporary commissions for the duration of the War. Their liability for service is the same as that of Regular officers. There are, of course, other differences as regards pensions and retired pay, which my hon. and gallant Friend will find in the Regulations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why, in the case of the late Private James Clyne, No. 8043, Irish Guards, who was killed in action on 19th October, 1915, his dependants, consisting of his father, two sisters, and a brother, who is delicate, are only receiving the sum of 4s. per week, although they received 6s. 4d. per week up to 15th May, 1916, when it was reduced to the former amount; and whether this case will be reconsidered, as this soldier was their only breadwinner?

The 4s. a week granted to the sister represents the support given by the soldier prior to the outbreak of war. The 6s. 4d. paid during his service in the Army included a voluntary excess allotment of 2s. 4d. a week from his pay. The question of the possibility of transferring the pension to the father at an increased rate under the recent concessions is being taken up.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the dependency claim of the mother of Private H. Coffin, No. 34719, 47th Battalion Training Reserve, has not yet been settled; and, seeing that her son joined up on the 22nd May last and the mother has not yet received one penny separation allowance, though many applications have been made to the authorities, will he see that the case is settled at once?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that a number of soldiers' wives have received a notification from the secretary of the Civil Liabilities Committee that the grants for the quarter ending 31st December will be reduced owing to the increase of soldiers' pay; and if he will take action in the matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. No grants have been reduced as a result of the general increase of soldiers' pay. Where reductions have been made these have been in view of special rates of pay in individual cases.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of Seaman Henderson, which is stall before the Stepney A War Pensions Committee; whether he is aware that this man is dangerously insane; whether under war pensions Regulations the case should be dealt with by the Admiralty; has his attention been called to the fact that this case comes up every week, and that so far the only steps taken by the Admiralty are to send this man £5 compensation money; and will he say what action he proposes to take to deal with this case?

The question presumably refers to David Henderson, a mercantile rating who was employed for a short time and discharged as unfit on 24th July last suffering from functional disease of the brain, for which he had been treated in a naval hospital from 22nd June. He is not, as far as I am aware, dangerously insane. He is not entitled to the war pension Regulations applicable to the naval and military forces of the Crown, but his case has been dealt with under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act of 1914, and he has been awarded an allowance at the rate of £52 13s. 9d. per annum for twelve months, with effect from the 22nd June last, subject to further consideration at the expiration of that period. He was informed accordingly on the 8th instant, an advance payment of £5 having previously been sent to him.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that on 5th September, 1917, John Kavanagh, of Monasterevan, county Kildare, while at his work at Messrs. Cassidys, was interviewed by Constable Merry and an Army officer with a view to acquiring his field at Cloghan for accommodation of 200 Army horses and 50 wagons, Kavanagh stating he would require £10 for damage; that on 28th September the paying officer tendered £3, which was refused, that on 3rd October 220 Army horses, and on 4th October 210 horses with wagons and six guns, stayed in the same field, and that nothing has been offered for damage on these occasions; whether he is aware that Kavanagh claims £30 for damage done to his field on these occasions; and whether steps will be taken to compensate Kavanagh for the damage done?

A field of 4 acres, the rent of which is £7 10s., was occupied by troops on the line of march for one night in September last. No damage was done, but claimant was offered £3 and refused to take less than £15. Nothing is known at the War Office of a later occupation in October, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that munition workers in the Birmingham area are not under the protection afforded to tenants by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1917, and that as a consequence many cases, involving hardship and distress have arisen; and whether he will consider the desirability of declaring Birmingham an area for the purposes of the Act?

The Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1917, is of general application, and munition workers in the Birmingham area are not excluded. Probably my hon. Friend has in mind the application of Regulation 2A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which provides in effect that in any area declared to be a special area for the purposes of the Regulation no person shall, without the consent of the Minister of Munitions, take proceedings for the ejectment of munition workers from their dwellings. A full investigation has been made into conditions at Birmingham, and a decision as to whether this should be declared to be a special area for the purposes of the Regulation will be given at an early date.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will state the number of accidents during the last two years to our own soldiers caused by the premature explosions of the time-fuse grenade in use by the War Office; whether a percussion grenade, called the D. G. safety grenade, has been subjected to the severest tests by the Ministry of Munitions Department during the last twenty-one months and reported favourably upon by the bombing experts at Lyndhurst and Claremont; whether any accident has occurred during the many tests it has been subjected to; whether the inventor of the time-fuse grenade in use by the Army has been engaged on one of the councils which select the grenade to be used; if so, whether his services are still retained by the Department; if he will state why the 1,000 D. G. grenades that were to be sent to the Front some three months ago for a final test have not yet been ordered; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will consider the advisability of an investigation by a small committee to ascertain the facts with regard to the D. G. grenade in the interests of the War and of administration?

In answer to the first question, it is not possible to state how many accidents have happened. In answer to the second and third questions, the grenade known as the D.G. safety grenade gave unsatisfactory results on each occasion on which it was shown to the advisers of the Ministry of Munitions; no accident to personnel happened, but on each occasion prematures took place, and it has only recently had such modifications made to it as may possibly render it a serviceable munition of war. The answer to the fourth question is in the negative. As to the fifth part of the question, the hon. Member has been misinformed; the grenades have been ordered. My right hon. Friend does not consider that any useful purposes would be served in the inquiry suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Committee on Modern Languages; 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 has held three meetings during the last six months and its Sub-committee three meetings. No changes in personnel have occurred during that period. The total ascertained cost of the Committee since its appointment in August, 1916, has been £716 12s.; but this does not include the cost of office accommodation which is provided by the Civil Service Commission, or of printing and stationery, which is included in the expenses of the Stationery Office. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Science 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 has met on seven days in the last six months, and its Sub-committee on thirty-one days. No changes of personnel have occurred during that period. The total ascertained cost of the Committee since its appointment in August, 1916, has been £896 13s. 6d., but this does not include the cost of office accommodation, which is provided by the Board of Education, or of printing and stationery, which is included in the expenses of the Stationery Office. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Inebriety 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?

There is no such Committee connected with my Department. But on the assumption that the reference is to an Advisory Committee on Alcohol appointed in November, 1916, by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), the Board have furnished the following information: The Committee have prepared a Report, which is now being printed. In the year to November, 1917, in addition to frequent consultations and meetings of sub-committees, etc., fifteen meetings of the full Committee were held, of which three were held in the last six months. No changes have been made in the personnel of the Committee since its appointment. No salaries are paid to any members for their services on the Committee. The cost to the State for the first year, including an estimated apportioned charge for some of the details enumerated in the question, will be rather less than £200. There is no intention of discontinuing the Committee, and it is hoped that the members will continue to serve upon it.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Cocaine 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 Cocaine Committee was appointed by the Secretary of State at the time when Defence of the Realm Regulation 40B (which regulates dealings in cocaine and opium) was made for the purpose of advising upon any applications for permits under the Regulation that might be referred to them. A considerable number of applications were referred to and reported upon by the Committee. It has not been necessary for the Committee to hold any sittings during the last six months, but it is proposed to continue it in existence to deal with cases which may arise from time to time. There has been no change in its personnel, accommodation and secretarial assistance have been provided at the Home Office, and no special expenditure in respect of salaries, rent, printing, etc., has been incurred.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Prize Claims Committee; will he say 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?

Two interim Reports have been received from the Prize Claims Committee. I am informed that the Committee has held over 120 sittings, of which thirteen have been in the last six months. One change has been made in the personnel during that period. The annual cost to the State of the Committee is under £600 a year. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Control of Butter Imports 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?

I know of no such body as the Control of Butter Imports Advisory Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Tea 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 Committee has held eleven sittings during the last six months. Changes have been made in the personnel of the Committee. Its work has involved no cost to the State and will, for the present, be continued.

asked the Minister of National Service if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Russian Subjects Tribunal; how many sittings this tribunal has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this tribunal during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this tribunal, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this tribunal is to be continued?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The hon. Member seems to be under a misapprehension. This tribunal is a body appointed not to make recommendations but to decide applications for exemption from military service made by Russian subjects. I receive information from time to time of the progress made by the tribunal. The tribunal held its first fitting towards the end of September last and has held thirty-four meetings. No changes have been made during this period in the personnel of the tribunal, except that some additional members have been appointed. The estimated expenditure of the tribunal during the six months ending March, 1918, is £1,700. The services of some officers and also premises are lent to the tribunal free of charge.

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

The Munitions Council was established in August last by the Minister of Munitions to assist in coordinating and controlling the extending business of the Ministry. A full explanation of the reason leading to this departure was made public at the time. In the period of four months—from 18th August to 18th December of this year—175 meetings of the Council, or of Committees of the Council, have been held. The only changes made in the personnel of the Council have been the inclusion of three additional new members. In nearly every case the members of the Munitions Council are serving and have been serving since the formation of the Ministry of Munitions, without salary. The creation of the Council has not imposed any new administrative charges upon the Exchequer. There is no intention of dispensing with the Munitions Council, which, with its Committees, has become the principal instrument through which the business of the Ministry of Munitions is discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he had received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Cotton Growing in the Empire 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 answer this question. The Committee on Cotton Growing in the Empire was appointed in July last, and has up to the present held five meetings. No Report has yet been presented. Two members have been added to the Committee since the date of its appointment. As regards the cost of the Committee, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 12th December to his question concerning a number of Committees set up by the Board of Trade to consider the position of certain trades after the war. The statement then made applies also to the Committee on Cotton Growing. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has completed his inquiries and is prepared to make a statement as to the steps the Government propose to take to prevent the evasion of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, and the eviction of the tenants from houses in which they have resided for years, by purchasers who have bought at enhanced prices in order to obtain possession?

I regret that I am not at present able to add anything to what I stated in reply to the questions which my hon. Friend addressed to me on the 15th ultimo.

asked the Home Secretary if an additional war bonus has been granted to the prison staffs and to other Civil servants; and, if so, what is the amount granted?

The Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés delivered an award on the 17th instant raising the war bonus hitherto granted to certain classes of full-time permanent employés in Civil Departments to the following amounts:

The Treasury is taking steps to give effect to this award and to extend it to other similar classes of permanent employés, including the permanent prisons staff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in reissuing the Patents and Designs Bill next Session, he will cause it to be prefaced by an explanatory memorandum?

Yes, Sir, and it is also proposed to publish a memorandum explanatory of the Bill in the "Board of Trade Journal" for 3rd January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Patents and Designs Bill contemplates the extension of one year's life to patents which have already had an extended term, especially when they have had increased use in consequence of the War; and if the repeal of Section 38 of the Principal Act will enable a patentee to insert conditions that entire equipment must be ordered from such patentee although they are only makers of a comparatively small part of a whole installation?

The Bill does not contemplate the extension of one year's life to patents which have already had an extended term. As regards the second part of the question, Section 38 of the Principal Act is not repealed, but only Sub-section (4), which enacts that the insertion by a patentee in a contract of any condition voided by the Section shall re available for the defence in an action for infringement of the patent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any spirits, rum, or molasses are at present being imported into the United Kingdom; and, if so, in what quantities and for what purposes?

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the quantities of home-made and imported spirits and rum at present in bond, and also the quantity of spirits in bond to which the provisions of the Immature Spirits Act apply?

The total quantity of home-made and imported spirits in bonded warehouses on 30th November was 139,000,000 gallons. Figures are not available of the quantity to which the Immature Spirits Act applies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at the exhibition of toys and fancy goods held at the Victoria and Albert Museum last February many manufacturers were unable to execute the orders taken owing to the lack of materials and labour; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to ensure manufacturers obtaining such materials and labour as are necessary to supply the orders which they may obtain at the exhibition he proposes holding in Shadwell, London, E., in February, 1918?

I have no doubt that some manufacturers may have been unable, owing to shortage of materials or labour, to execute all orders taken at the British Industries Fair of 1917. I am afraid that under war conditions it is not possible to take such steps as are suggested in the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is free trade in wool in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada; if he will state the prices paid for the wool in these countries; whether the Government have commandeered the wool in any of those countries; and, if so, will he state the price paid for the article?

I have been asked to answer this. I should be glad if the hon. Member would postpone his question.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether a Sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee has been appointed to consider and report on the steps to be taken to ensure the better co-ordination of public assistance in England and Wales; and, if so, whether any representatives of the Association of Poor Law Unions of England and Wales have been selected to serve on that Committee?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made in reply to similar questions on the 12th December, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the Port of London Authority has placed at the disposal of the Board of Trade warehouses with immense floor space for the holding of exhibitions of toys and fancy goods; and, if so, has he considered the advisability of using such buildings instead of commandeering expensive hotels or erecting new buildings?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Buildings of the type of that referred to are quite unsuitable for office purposes.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what steps are being, taken to arrange the exchange of the British prisoners of war in the hands of the Bulgarians?

Thirty British incapacitated non-commissioned officers and men were repatriated in August last, and I have no doubt that further similar exchanges will take place from time to time. The question of the transfer to a neutral country of British combatant prisoners of war who have been interned in Bulgaria for eighteen months or more, is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a memorial from the Royal Irish Constabulary Pensioners' Association requesting that the men who had retired under the pensions scheme of 1883 should be placed on a level with those who had retired under the Pensions Act of 1916; if he is aware that those who retired under the 1916 Act receive from £15 upwards more than those who retired under the 1883 Act; and, in view of the present cost of living, if he will deal favourably with the representations made to him?

The memorials have been received. Owing to recent increases in the pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary the difference between the maximum pensions of members of the force retiring under the rates of 1883 and 1916 is:—

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that an increase in the lodging allowance of Irish prison warders not occupying prison cottages or quarters was announced at the various Irish prisons by circular on 13th June last; what is the cause in the delay in paying this allowance to the staff, seeing that it is a part of the new scheme of pay, the operation of which dates from 1st April, 1916; when this increased allowance is expected to be paid; and will he take the necessary steps to see that it is paid at least before Christmas?

I have not yet received a reply to the inquiries I have addressed to the Prisons Board on this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the tenants on the estate of Major Collins Gerard, situate in the townlands of Kinkeen and Doheran, near Ballinamore, county Leitrim, who have not as yet purchased their holdings, will get an opportunity of doing so, thus placing them on terms of equality with the tenants who have purchased; and why the landlord refused the right to one of the tenants, John Curran, to purchase his holding as a second-term tenant, considering that the decision of the Land Court fixing a fair rent in his case was given on 18th November, 1908, about which time the property was sold?

Proceedings were instituted for the direct sale of this estate under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the holdings in respect of which purchase agreements were signed have been vested in the purchasing tenants. No agreements were signed by eight tenants, of whom John Curran was one, and if the agreements are now signed the purchase money will be payable in Guaranteed Three per Cent. Land Stock, and the annuities will be at the 3½ per cent. rate, as prescribed by the Irish Land Act, 1909.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will arrange for compensation to be paid for any injuries which may be caused by the lymph issued from the Local Government Board depot in Ireland for vaccination purposes?

The calf lymph distributed Toy the Local Government Board for public vaccinations is, prior to its issue, guaranteed pure by the Board's bacteriologist. This class of lymph has been in general use since the year 1900. No case of injury resulting from it has, up to the present, been established, and no question of compensation has arisen.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, for the reason that the conservation and improvement of the public health calls for the exercise of wide powers of local government, touching the lives of the people at many points, and involving questions not only of public medicine, but also of engineering, economics, and finance, which powers have been for many years entrusted to publicly elected bodies under the supervision and regulation of the Local Government Board, and for the reason that under this system there has been a steady and progressive improvement in the health of the people, the Government will arrange that if any further consolidation or extension of public health powers is desired such should be attained by a development of the existing organisation?

This question involves matters of policy upon which my right hon. Friend cannot at present give any specific reply, but the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend would, of course, be entitled to, and would receive, great weight in framing any further public health measures.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Percy Wiseman, aged twenty-nine years, under treatment in a sanatorium at Grays from 13th September, 1916, to 11th April, 1917, who is suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, and has been allowed by the Essex Insurance Committee to become a pauper; whether he is aware that the guardians found it necessary to refuse an application for out-door relief as the man was residing in a cottage with only two bedrooms occupied by four other persons; that subsequently the man became a pauper, although a member of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, because the Essex Insurance Committee stated that they were only authorised to provide extra food and nourishment to insured persons suffering from tuberculosis in cases where there is a reasonable chance of a cure or where there is a prospect of the patient being sufficiently improved as to return to work; whether the insurance committee were, in the opinion of the Local Government Board, justified, under the circumstances, in casting upon the guardians the responsibility of making suitable provision for the insured person in question; and whether arrangements will be made so soon as a favourable opportunity offers, under which insured persons will not be compelled to resort to the Poor Law for assistance which it was understood would be provided under the Insurance Act?

My attention has been called to this case. I under- stand that the patient received seven months' treatment in a sanatorium on the recommendation of the Essex Insurance Committee, but that his condition does not appear to have improved materially as a result of the treatment. I have no jurisdiction over the administration of sanatorium benefit by an insurance committee