asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in the reconstruction of Embassies, he will consider the advisability of securing among the attachés experienced commercial travellers, with a view of associating our Embassies with British trade as well as other aspects of British policy?

A Selection Committee has been appointed, containing business men among its members, to consider appointments to posts in our Embassies and Legations on the commercial side of the Diplomatic and Consular Services. Capacity to deal with business matters and trade considerations will, of course, be one of the principal qualifications in determining the selection of any candidate.

May I take it that commercial travellers as a class will be represented on that body?

I can give no undertaking as to who will be represented, but in the selection of candidates for this or any other class their business qualifications will be a very important consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir George Buchanan and the British Embassy in Petrograd were subject to any threats, insults, dangers, or other indignities during the last two months of his stay in Petrograd; and whether he can make a reassuring statement on the subject?

Though neither the Ambassador nor Embassy have been subject to any direct threats or insults, it would certainly not be true to say that their position has been free from danger. I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose to go into further detail on the subject at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the compulsory Order to plough up demesne lands involves a considerable amount of fencing and that the price for barbed-wire fencing is now 66s. per cwt.; and whether he will arrange that controlled fencing wire at a reasonable price shall be placed at the disposal of landowners who, under the Tillage Orders, are compelled to put up fencing?

While fencing may be necessary in some cases of the breaking up of demesne lands, if the portion of land to be tilled is selected with a view to availing of existing fences as far as possible, and if the unploughed land adjoining the tillage is meadowed, the need for additional fencing could be considerably reduced, and perhaps obviated altogether. The existing price of barbed wire is approximately as stated in the question. The Department of Agriculture will be prepared to make representations to the Ministry of Munitions in favour of the granting of permits to purchase barbed wire by owners of demesnes where necessity is shown to exist.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps he proposes to take to prevent a repetition of the famine years of 1846–8; if during that time over 1,000,000 persons died of starvation in Ireland, whilst all the time plenteous crops of grain and herds of cattle were being exported to Great Britain; and if he will see that those with the most money will not be allowed to purchase the food supply of the Irish people?

The information which reaches me does not suggest that there is any reason to anticipate a general shortage of food in Ireland. The Food Control Committee are in communication with the Department of Agriculture and other Irish Departments as regards food supplies, and are taking steps to secure equitable distribution. Any prospect of shortage in a particular district will be dealt with when it arises.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the danger of the five largest pork-curing establishments in Ulster closing down and hundreds of men being thrown idle owing to the neglect of the Government to enforce their Orders as to the maximum price and ordering prosecutions for payment of bonus; if so, what action he will take in the matter; and if he is aware that, owing to the system of bonus paid by some buyers, the five largest bacon-curing firms in Ulster, who purchased 17,103 pigs in 433 markets during the four weeks ending 21st December, 1916, were only able to buy 457 in the four weeks ending 21st December, 1917, or 2½ per cent. of their 1916 purchase?

The Food Control Committee for Ireland are fully alive to the position in the pork trade, to which the hon. Member refers. A scheme has been sanctioned, and will be brought into operation forthwith, which it is hoped will put an end to the evils complained of.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the advisability of ordering prosecutions either before the resident magistrate or the High Court? Local benches of magistrates do not give any adequate fines.

I am not surprised at the suggestion my hon. Friend makes in the latter part of the question. These prosecutions are made under the Defence of the Realm Act and Regulations, and the tribunal is there specified. I do not think that the provisions quite admit such a course as my hon. Friend suggests.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the question of maximum prices referred to in the question ought to be considered in connection with these prosecutions, having regard to the great cost of feeding stuffs in Ireland?

The question has been dealt with by the scheme that I mentioned in answer to the hon. Member for Fermanagh. There has been a good deal of difficulty in dealing with the matter, but I hope that the scheme arranged will be satisfactory.

May I ask whether the attention of the benches has been called to the inadequacy of the penalties that they are at present applying in food control prosecutions?

Attention has been called to the matter by answers to questions in this House. I am not sure whether a circular has been issued, but the question has been under consideration. I must say that in the particular interests of Ireland, as well as in the common and general interests, it is desirable that magistrates should have proper regard to the extreme gravity of offences which prevent the proper distribution of food.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what steps he has taken to safeguard the interests of the Irish egg export industry, in view of the terms of the recent notice issued by the railway companies, and of the impression thereby created that after 1st March eggs will only be carried at owner's risk?

The Department of Agriculture have made representations to the railway authorities with a view to the introduction of certain modifications in the notice recently issued by the railway companies, and the matter is at present receiving consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for many years past the Department has had a regular standard type of case, and that now the railway companies of England, in order to avoid liability, say they will accept only another form of case which has been approved by a Government Department?

I am not able, without notice, to answer that question. As I say, the matter is being dealt with between the Department and the railway companies at the present time. If it is not satisfactorily disposed of, perhaps my hon. Friend will bring it to my notice again.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the probable date of publication of the annual Report on the import and export trade of Ireland?

The Report. on the trade in imports and exports at Irish ports for the year 1916 will, I hope, be published early in April.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in accordance with the compulsory Tillage Orders, many small farmers throughout Ireland have small stacks of oats on their farms without the necessary means for their proper preservation; and whether he proposes to take any action to assist these men either to dispose of or preserve these crops, which have been grown in the public interest?

The Department of Agriculture have no information to the effect that farmers in Ireland have stacks of oats which they are unable to preserve. I am informed that at present there appears to be no difficulty in disposing of oats, and that oats properly stacked should keep for a considerable period. I believe a brisk demand for oats is inevitable.

If I bring to the right hon. Gentleman's notice districts in which there are such stacks, will he take steps to see that the crops are not lost?

It is very desirable that not an ounce of food should be lost. The best advantage shall be taken of any information which my hon. and gallant Friend may give me.

asked (1) the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture. (Ireland) whether he has represented to the Ministry of Food that the prohibition of the export of Irish butter will seriously affect the production of butter in the country, and that exporters who have to abandon their trade will find serious difficulty in regaining it; (2) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Irish demand for the prohibition of the export of Irish butter was made by representatives from many parts of the country; whether he is satisfied that the amount of butter being produced at the time of the issue of the Order will be not more than sufficient for the needs of the country; whether the poorer classes in Ireland can afford to pay for butter instead of margarine; and whether he will consider the advisability, in the interests of maximum production, of allowing bonâ fide export firms to continue a proportion of their former trade under carefully controlled licences?

The export of Irish butter was prohibited after consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture and in accordance with representations from many parts of the country. It has become necessary, in order to effect economies in transport, to arrange that Ireland should rely upon her own production of butter and margarine. It is, moreover, clear that the amount of butter being produced there at the present time will not do more than suffice for the needs of the country. So soon as any surplus becomes available those producers and merchants who in 1916 exported butter to Great Britain will be allowed to resume their export trade, subject to the necessary control of distribution by the Ministry of Food.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer that part of question 61 which asks whether he is satisfied that the poorer classes in Ireland are capable of paying the price for good Irish butter?

I understand that there is a certain amount of margarine produced in Ireland which will be at their disposal and which was formerly taken by the Army.

Are we to understand that Ireland is to retain butter on the prewar basis of consumption, while butter is unobtainable in many parts of this country?

I cannot answer the question beyond saying that this action has been taken in close consultation with the Department of Agriculture in Ireland, which knows all about the conditions.

Is this action taken by the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland, in order that he may ultimately become a member of the Sinn Fein Government?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question on that.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that for a great number of years past the winter production of butter in Ireland has never been sufficient for the needs of the Irish people, and that they have always had in years past to import Colonial or other butter in order to make up the deficit?

The hon. Member knows more about these questions than I do. This action has been taken because the export of butter into Ireland has been stopped.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can see his way to distribute butter and its substitutes to retailers and institute a Regulation, with fines for evading the Regulation, that all such retailers open their shops for the sale of these articles at one and the same hour and thus avoid to a great extent the formation of queues and prevent purchasers obtaining double quantities of these articles?

Butter and its substitutes are at present distributed to retailers, and local food control committees have been given powers enabling them to adjust any existing inequalities in this respect. It would be within the power of a committee, under the Local Distribution Order of 22nd December, to apply within their area, with the consent of the Food Controller, the suggestions contained in the second part of the question, but. I am not satisfied that they would have the effect desired.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that many small farmers in Ireland still have large stocks of potatoes in small lots on their hands which were produced in accordance with the wishes of the Government and in the interests of the food supply of the country; and whether he will state what steps he proposes to take to ensure that these potatoes are made use of?

In view of the present position as regards food supplies, the Department of Agriculture consider that except in certain districts, the stocks of potatoes held by small farmers in Ireland are not in excess of local requirements. So far as there are surplus stocks arrangements have been made which, it is believed, will enable them to be disposed of for Army and Navy purposes and to the trade in Great Britain.

Will that include even small amounts, or will it only apply to farmers who have large lots to dispose of?

Small lots will be included, of course. There is no prohibition.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give any guarantee or make any statement of a kindred nature that the farmers of Jersey and Guernsey who are now about to plant early potatoes should not be limited as to selling price and should not have their produce commandeered, and that all possible provision in the way of transport shall be granted them?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller's powers do not extend to the Channel Isles, and there is accordingly no question of his commandeering potato stocks or fixing prices in Jersey or Guernsey. I may add that the Ministry of Food is in communication with the Ministry of Shipping with regard to the question of the provision of shipping for potatoes from the Channel Islands, and it is hoped that adequate facilities will be provided for this service.

asked why small farmers in Ireland who increased their growth of potatoes last year in response to the appeals of the Government, and relying upon the promise of a guaranteed minimum price made by the Prime Minister on the 23rd February, have been excluded from benefit unless they are individually in a position to sell in lots of 4 tons or over, seeing that no such condition was attached to this promise; and why the Ministry of Food refuse to allow such growers to pool their surplus stocks of potatoes and to sell them in bulk through their co-operative societies or other dealers?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answers given on, 26th and 29th November to the hon. Members for Ossory and North Sligo respectively. I have nothing to add to those replies.

The answers referred to did not include the last part of this question, as to the refusal to allow small farmers to pool their stocks and sell them through co-operative societies?

It is a long story to give in reply to a supplementary question, but I shall be glad to have a conversation with the hon. Member on the subject. I think that there must be a misunderstanding as to the actual guarantee which was given. The guarantee given, as was stated from the very beginning, was for 6 tons, which was reduced to 4 tons.

Where in the promise given by the Prime Minister was there any such limitation?

The fact is as I say.

Can you give the date of any statement by any Minister to the effect, that this was limited to growers of 4 tons?

I shall be pleased to give the hon. Member whatever information I have with regard to it.

You cannot give what I ask for because you have not got it.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he has provided sugar-beet seed for growth in suitable counties of Ireland to enable syrup to be made by small holders to alleviate in some degree the shortage of sugar?

No, Sir. The Department of Agriculture are of opinion that the proposition is not practicable. Attempts to substitute beet syrup for sugar in jam-making have, I believe, not been attended with success. I am told, also, that it would be difficult to secure a quantity of beet seed of the kind required.

Has the right hon. Gentleman conferred with the Minister of Agriculture in England on this matter?

I am not sure. If my hon. Friend will repeat the question later, I will have inquiries made.

Which counties of Ireland are suitable for sugar-beet?

I could not say offhand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of condensed milk for children; and, seeing that in November, 1917, either condensed or preserved milk to the value of over £2,000 was delivered by one wholesale firm in London alone to the alien concentration camp at Knockaloe, Isle of Man, and on 6th January, 1918, by the same firm condensed or preserved milk to the value of £8,600, he will say what steps he proposes to take to provide a further supply for children?

I am informed that the payments referred to in the question are on account of a contract made last autumn for condensed milk for Knockaloe Camp, which on the ration prescribed in the dietary will cover a population of 20,000 men for a period of some thirty-four weeks. I may add that it is not proposed to make any further contracts of this nature for the present. The Food Controller is taking steps to provide a further supply of condensed milk for children.

Will the Food Controller not consider the advisability of stopping the supply of condensed milk to these prisoners altogether and give it to the children?

The amount of milk that they get now is a little over half an ounce a day, I suppose. I understand there is some difficulty in getting the necessary food quality in the dietary. After what I have said in my first reply, that provision is going to be made for a further supply for children, and that this kind of contract is not likely to be renewed, I hope the hon. Member will not press his point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of food whether he is aware of the shortage of margarine in this country; whether he is aware of the quantity of premier jus, i.e., refined animal fat, one of the best materials or constituents for the making of margarine, and oleo oil that has accumulated and is awaiting shipment in the Argentine, and that about 8,000 tons per month of these materials could be shipped from the Argentine if shipping facilities were provided; whether he is aware that, by orders from one or other of the various Government Controllers, Directors, Commissions, or Committees, preference has been given to the shipment of cereals, cargoes of which have been sent to France; whether he is aware that protests and representations have been made for a considerable time past to the Board of Trade, to the Director of Oils and Fats, to the Shipping Controller, and to other Government Departments, with a view to permission being granted for shipment of this foodstuff, and that it was only on the 17th instant that permission was given to ship 3,000 tons of premier jus and oleo oil from Buenos Ayres to this country; and whether he can state which of these Government Departments, Commissions, or Controllers is responsible for the holding up of this article of food at a time when the country is short of it?

The answer to the first four parts of the question is in the affirma- tive. The temporary cessation of imports of premier jus, to which the hon. Member refers, is due to the necessity of reserving freight space for other even more important commodities. I am not aware that any restriction has been placed by any other Government Department on the importation of foodstuffs for which priority has been granted to the Ministry of Food.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some portions of his reply are incorrect? Is he also aware that the real responsibility for the shortage of margarine in this country lies with the Ministry of Shipping through want of foresight?

I cannot reply for the Ministry of Shipping, but I will convey what the hon. Member says.

I will put down a question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say who decides the priority in respect of these shipments of different foodstuffs?

The Ministry of Shipping.

The Food Controller decides the priority in relation to the circumstances. I was assured this morning from the Food Controller's Department that in this particular matter they were obliged to give priority to linseed. Priority has been granted, however, for 14,000 tons of this particular commodity.

Is this the decision of the Food Controller or of the War Cabinet, and is this War Cabinet decision owing to local representations affecting particular industries which are strongly represented here?

I can assure the hon. Member it is the decision of the Food Controller.

Has he anything to do with linseed?

asked whether, in view of the loss of fruit bound to occur during the coming season owing to the scarcity of sugar, he will divert some of the 60,000 tons of sugar and glucose assigned during 1918 to brewery purposes to the use of the home jam makers?

The invert and solid glucose which are permitted to be used for brewing purposes are unsuitable for use in the making of jam.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of this glucose could be used for making jam?

I think my hon. Friend will find on inquiry that he is wrong, and that the sugar which has been used for brewing purposes cannot be used for the purposes which he suggests.

I am asking about glucose. I know it has been used.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if there has recently been a further reduction in the allowance of sugar for confectioners; if so, will he state the extent of this reduction and the length of time which it is expected that this rate of allowance will continue; and whether he will bear in mind the fact that this reduction of the sugar allowance is driving many small traders out of employment and causing much hardship?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The rest of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a maximum price to the producers ranging from 1s. 8d. in Ireland to 2s. per gallon in Great Britain has been fixed for milk; whether he is aware that it requires 2½ gallons of milk to make 1 lb. of butter, so that on this basis the cost per lb to produce butter ranges from 4s. 2d. to 5s.; whether the Food Controller still maintains a price of 2s. per lb. fixed in the summer or autumn; whether he has considered the effect of this in discouraging the producers of butter and in accounting for the famine in that article of produce which at present exists; and whether he intends to take steps to deal with the matter?

The maximum wholesale price for milk to producers in Ireland is fixed by the Milk (Ireland) Order at 1s. 4d. per gallon; the corresponding price in England is 1s. 9d. per gallon from December, 1917, to March, 1918, inclusive. The price fixed to the producer for Irish creamery butter is 224s. per cwt.; the corresponding price for British made butter is 230s. per cwt. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, so far as quantity is concerned, but the hon. Member has not taken into account the value of separated milk. The maximum prices for butter and milk were fixed by the Food Controller in order to ensure the fullest possible supply of fresh milk for infants and nursing mothers. It is not considered to be in the public interest to encourage the home production of butter at the expense of the milk supply.

Will the hon. Gentleman admit that the cost of production now is double as much as when these maximum prices were fixed, and that that ought to be taken into account in maintaining and prosecuting this industry?

I am not sure whether the figures are correct, but I will convey the right hon. Gentleman's remarks to the authorities.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what it is proposed to do with milk which is only left over in small quantities? If it is not to be made into butter, how is it proposed to deal with it?

I cannot answer that, but I presume you can make butter from milk left over.

I understood the hon. Gentleman to say that butter making is discouraged?

So it is, in order that milk may be used for the purpose for which it is needed—for children and the mothers of young children.

Is not butter of importance for young children?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Controller is now satisfied that the low prices for British beef fixed by him in the summer and autumn to take effect during the month of January, followed by his orders to kill immature beef and the introduction of an unworkable system of grading cattle, entirely accounts for the meat famine now prevailing; and whether he will take immediate steps to abolish these various restrictions, to relieve the difficulties, and to encourage producers again to place a sufficient supply for the wants of the people upon the market?

The Food Controller is taking all possible steps to alleviate the present shortage of meat, which does not appear to be due to any of the reasons suggested by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state what the daily meat ration of a member of the Home Forces is; whether many of them have expressed a desire that this should be decreased by at least 2 ozs. Daily and other less scarce foods, such as vegetables, substituted; whether this wish arises from the soldiers' desire that their fathers, mothers, wives and children shall have a fair chance of getting meat; whether the reduction of 2 ozs. daily from the ration of 2,000,000 Home Forces would result in a saving of 1,750,000 lbs. of meat weekly; and, if so, whether he will consider -whether along these lines the present meat shortage might be materially reduced?

The daily meat ration at home is 12 ozs. The question of reduction is under consideration, as I stated in reply to a question yesterday. My hon. Friend's arithmetic is correct, but he has based his calculation upon wrong figures.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly supply me with the figures to enable me to make the right calculation?

No; I do not think it desirable to give the total number of the Home forces.

asked what proportion of the prices fixed for sea fish will be received by the fishermen, on whose behalf, as it is stated, the prices have been fixed at their present rate?

The prices received by fishermen vary in accordance with a number of factors; including the cost of transport and the variety of fish. In some of the largest fishing ports fish are not sold by weight, and it is not practicable to establish a fixed relation between the landing and retail prices.

asked how many barrels of salt or pickled herrings of last year's cure are still in stock in Scotland; have prices been fixed by the Controller for these fish; if so, what are these prices, wholesale and retail; and have any steps been taken by any Government Department, and, if so, what steps and by what Department, to bring the food value of such herrings to the notice of the public?

The stocks of pickled herrings of 1917 cure still on hand in Scotland amounts to about 30,000 barrels. The maximum wholesale prices vary, according to grade, from 28s. to 50s. per whole barrel to the wholesaler, and from 30s. 9d. to 55s. to the retailer, to which may be added the cost of transport. The maximum retail price fixed for pickled herrings is 6d. per lb. The Ministry of Food have taken active measures, with the assistance of the fish trade, by means of propaganda and otherwise, to stimulate the public demand for pickled herrings, and these measures have been so successful that no difficulty is anticipated in disposing readily of actual and prospective. supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Irish Food Control Committee and the Food Controller are agreed as to the necessity of pooling the food resources of the two Islands; is he aware that meat is plentiful and flour scarce in one Island and the reverse the case in the other; and what immediate steps does he propose to equalise the supplies of meat and flour among the two populations?

The reply to this question was printed in Wednesday's OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in the Aberystwyth College Magazine, called "Y Wawr," seditious articles are published in the Welsh language such as are calculated, if not intended, to debauch the loyalty of the students and to impede the prosecution of the War; whether this college receives any Grant from public funds; and whether he will inquire into this matter, in view of stopping the publication of such articles and suitably punishing those responsible for their publication?

I have made inquiry of the authorities of the college, and I find that no article answering to the description in the hon. Member's question or to that in the newspaper article on which the question was founded has appeared in the college magazine. There can, I am satisfied, be no question of the patriotism of the teaching staff of the college or of its students, the majority of whom are now training for military service, while a large number of the remainder are men who have been invalided from the Army.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman mistaken? Was not this allegation made publicly in the Press, and not refuted by the college authorities?

It is for that reason that I have had inquiries made, and I am informed that the article did not appear in the college magazine.

asked the Home Secretary whether the books, leaflets, pamphlets, etc., taken during the recent police raid on the offices of the Christian Peace Crusade, 39, Doughty Street, Gray's Inn Road, have been returned; if not, why they are being retained?

The documents seized and retained will be submitted to the Committee recently appointed, who will advise me whether they should be destroyed or returned to their owners.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these documents were originally sent over two months ago, and can he not make arrangements to come to a quicker decision in these cases, either one way or the other?

The Committee has only recently been appointed. A decision, I am informed, will be reached very shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether the new Advisory Committee appointed to report whether pamphlets, leaflets, etc., should be destroyed under Regulation 51 of the Defence of the Realm Acts will be required to deal with any cases of pamphlets, leaflets, etc., which have not been made the subject of a prosecution?

Yes, Sir.

Are we to understand that on the advice of this Committee the right hon. Gentleman is going to destroy pamphlets and leaflets which do not contain a single illegal sentence, and which he does not dare to prosecute before a Court of law?

No, Sir; the hon. Member has no right to assume that. The Committee will act, I have no doubt, according to the Regulations.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the decision of the Government to take no action against the Labour party for its refusal to obey the new Regulation 27c of the Defence of the Realm Act Regulations and to submit its memorandum on war aims to the Censor, the same policy will be followed in the case of other organisations which refuse to obey this part of the Regulation?

No, Sir. The question is one to be determined in each instance according to the merits of the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Labour party refused to obey this Regulation as a challenge to him, in order to show that he would only carry it out against small and weak organisations; and will he either accept that challenge or withdraw the Regulation?

I am certainly not aware of that. I understood that the omission was inadvertent. If I had understood that it was a challenge to me, I should have taken a different course.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Order allowing conscientious objectors in prison their own books subject to the approval of the governor of the prison is, in fact, not being carried out by certain governors; whether the governor of the Newcastle Prison recently told one prisoner to whom his wife had sent books which were held back that it would he Easter or Whitsuntide before he, the governor, had time to look through them; and, if this governor's time or literary capacity is so limited, can he arrange for a substitute to undertake the duty of approving literature given to the prisoners?

I have been unable to discover any foundation whatever for the allegations made. In one case at Newcastle Prison two of the books sent in to a prisoner by his wife were not delivered to him till three weeks after they were received, but this was by his own request, because he preferred the books supplied from the prison library. Other books supplied by prisoners' friends for their benefit have been delivered without delay.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the condition of a conscientious objector, Joseph C. S. Elliott, in Liverpool Prison; whether he is aware that Elliott has lost 4 stone in weight while in prison, and that the governor of the Liverpool Prison has refused to allow him the relaxation recently ordered for conscientious objectors; whether, being declared unfit for punishment, he is in hospital; and whether immediate steps will be taken to prevent a fatal termination of his imprisonment?

Inquiry is being made in this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he has proposed to the War Office at any time to man the farms of the country with soldiers of agricultural experience who have served abroad for two or three years or who have been wounded or gassed but are still fairly fit physically, and substitute there for farmers' sons and others on the land who have up till now done nothing in the way of fighting but who are physically fit for military service?

As stated by the Minister of National Service in his speech in this House on the 14th January, it is the desire and intention of the Government, provided the recruiting situation permits, to give special consideration to men who have been severely wounded more than once. This will apply, of course, to any such men with agricultural experience. The vital need for increased food production does not permit the hope that even if all soldiers now unfit for active service who were agriculturists prior to enlistment be returned to the farms there will be any possibility in the immediate future of withdrawing any highly skilled men from the land.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that a Russian subject., Mark Kravetz, has been called up for military service and sent to Maidstone, though he had his left leg amputated nineteen years ago and has only one leg and a wooden stump to walk upon; and whether it is intended to discharge this man or send him to a line regiment?

This case had already been reported to the Ministry of National Service, and from inquiries which have been made it appears that Kravetz, who was anxious to join the Army, was placed in Grade 3 at his own request, as it was considered that he could perform sedentary work, notwithstanding the fact that his left leg had been amputated. As Kravetz has passed out of the jurisdiction of the recruiting authorities, the question of his discharge is a matter for the War Office.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the decision of the Central Appeal Tribunal in the case of Angus M'Nab Chassels, Coatbridge; what was the constitution of the tribunal which gave the decision; whether this decision reversed the unanimous findings of the local and county appeal tribunals; whether the case put before the Central Tribunal by the military representative contained statements which had been disproved in evidence at former hearings; whether the local tribunal has protested against the decision of the Central Tribunal; whether the treatment given to Mr. Chassels, as compared with other men in the same trade in Coatbridge, has given rise to general dissatisfaction; and whether, in these circumstances, the case of Mr. Chassels will be reopened by the Central Appeal Tribunal so that he may have an opportunity of being legally represented, and thus disproving the untrue statements put forward as the basis of the appeal by the military representative?

Inquiries are being made so far as the question relates to the action alleged to have been taken by the National Service representative. The questions as to the constitution of the Central Tribunal and its relations with the local and Appeal Tribunals are not matters within the scope of the Ministry of National Service.

Is the Minister of National Service not informed as to the constitution of the tribunal which gives the ultimate decision in these cases?

No; we have nothing to do with the tribunal at all

Will my hon. Friend make inquiries as to how many men of military age and fitness are provided with employment?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of National Service if he can state approximately the proportion of men engaged in luxury or non-essential trades who at present hold exemption certificates, and the number of men he expects to obtain from this source under the Military Service Bill?

The number of men of military age who are engaged in non-essential trades is under half a million. This figure includes a large number of men who are not fit for general service. It is hoped, however, to recruit from this section of men, before the end of September this year, considerably over 100,000 men of all categories. The total number of men of all ages in Great Britain engaged in non-essential trades is approximately 2,000,000. It cannot, however, be said that these are all engaged in luxury trades. It must be remembered, too, that many trades which are, as a whole, rightly described as non-essentail may be in part essential.

Why cannot it be done before the end of September?

We take them as we want them.

Do we not want them now?

Can the hon. Gentleman give any examples?

The best examples may be found in the Scnedule to the Restricted Occupations Order. I would point out to my hon. Friend that most of these men are not fit for general service.

Did not the hon. Gentleman say that 100,000 were fit?

No; I said of all categories.

May I ask whether this includes all the men in the Government Departments?

asked (1) the First Commissioner of Works whether his. attention has been called to the fact that his Department are offering for sale old materials, including brass, copper, zinc, and which are now lying in the various depots of the Office of Works in and around London; why these metals cannot be transferred direct to the Ministry of Munitions instead of being sold first to a contractor, who melts them down and eventually resells them to the Ministry of Munitions, seeing that in this way the Government would avoid the profit of at least one dealer and unnecessary labour in advertising and disposing of the goods;. (2) the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the Office of Works are inviting tenders from dealers and others for the purchase of old metals, including brass, copper, zinc, and iron, which they have in the depots in and around London; and if he can arrange to purchase these direct instead of waiting till they have passed through the hands of one or more dealers?

I am aware that sales of scrap are being made from depots under the control of the First Commissioner of Works. As regards scrap iron, it has not been found desirable to purchase, but only to stimulate removal to scrap yards. Scrap iron has to be sorted as to quality and, when necessary, broken to furnace sizes before it is useful either in steel furnaces or in foundries. The quantities of non-ferrous scrap offered are small, and generally require sorting, grading, and cutting up. It is considered that the best results are obtained by controlling prices and employing experts to supervise general arrangements. The trade organisations are in a position to tap sources of supply and to undertake sorting, etc., in a more satisfactory way than a new,organisation could do, and it appears better, therefore, to allow such trade to follow normal channels.

Is my hon. Friend going to adopt the same procedure whether -those supplies be large or small? Cannot he say that the Government will save the middleman's profits?

The only way to save the middleman's profits is to do the work departmentally, and that would probably cost a great deal more than the middleman's profits, and probably not be as efficient.

asked the Minister 'of Munitions whether he is aware that a number of ejectment orders are being granted in the Dartford area, mostly against tenants who are munition workers; and whether it is intended to make an Order under Regulation 2 A. of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to apply to the district?

An inquiry by the Central Billeting Board into housing conditions in the Dartford and neighbouring districts is now in progress, and a decision as to the application of Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations will be given on completion of the inquiry.

Will the hon. Gentleman hurry the investigation, on account of the applications now coming before the County Court, numbers at present being in existence in regard to munition workers?

I hope that the inquiry will be completed at the end of next week.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether it is intended under the Munitions Act, 1917, to increase the remuneration of women time-workers?

An advance in wages for women oh munitions work has recently been authorised, with effect from the first full pay after December 15th. The amount is 3s. 6d. per week for women and 1s. 9d. per week for girls. No distinction is made between time- and piece-workers. The advance will apply to the same establishments as previous advances.

Are we to understand that the arrangement come to by which the increase is limited to 900,000 men has now ceased to exist and that the increase of 12½ per cent. is to be given to all classes of munition workers?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in relation to the 12½ per cent. That has nothing to do with this question, which has reference to periodic advances.

Can the hon. Gentleman state what amount, in excesses of the £14,000,000, the increase will cost the country?

I have stated that this has no relation to the 12½ per cent. bonus.

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir William Robertson and Sir Douglas Haig are considered the best men for their respective positions by the War Cabinet; if he is aware that attacks on these officers have appeared in the Press; and if he will prevent, in the interest of fair play and discipline, attacks being made on soldiers who have no opportunity of replying?

asked whether, in view of the fact that much public uneasiness is being caused by the attacks made from time to time by a certain section of the Press upon high naval and military officers who are precluded by the rules of the Services from defending themselves, any steps can be taken by the Government to prevent the continuance of these attacks?