asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the British Firms (Debts Due from Enemies) Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made 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 the perpetuation of this Committee is proposed?

The Enemy Debts Committee submitted an interim Report in April, 1917, and I am informed that a further Report has just been signed and is being submitted. The Committee has held twenty-five sittings during the last six months and no changes have been made in its personnel in that period. The expenditure of the Committee is about £400 per annum. Its work will continue for the present.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Defence of the Realm (Licensed Trade Claims) Commission; how many sittings this Commission has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Commission during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Commission, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether the perpetuation of this Commission is proposed?

Reports have been received from time to time from both the Northern and Southern Divisions of this Commission submitting their recommendations on applications coming before them. Only one formal sitting has been held in the past six months, during which period no changes of personnel have occurred. The Southern Division of the Commission uses the offices and staff of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission. The remaining expenses of the Licensed Trade Claims Commission are estimated at about £1,000 per annum. The Commission is being continued in the meantime.

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

Thirty Reports on accommodation questions (including recommendations as to the provision of. houses and hostels) have been made by the Board and forwarded to the appropriate Departments. The Board, the' Chairman of which is the hon. Member' for Wakefield. have held twelve sittings. during the last six months and the following changes have been made in the personnel:Mrs. H. J. Tennant, C.H., and Captain W. Edge, M.P., have been added to. the Board, and Mr. W. Wrench Lee, has. beer. substituted for Mr. A. Warne. Browne to represent the Admiralty.Sir Robert Carlyle has been appointed one of the Ministry of Munitions representatives during the temporary absence. of Mr. R. V. Vernon.The annual cost of the Board on Public' Funds cannot be precisely stated, but is approximately about £2,500 per annum, inclusive of the expenses of fifteen local billeting committees. The Board will remain in operation so long as the Billeting of Civilians Act continues to be in force.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the National Advisory Committee on War Output; 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 the perpetuation of this Committee is proposed?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Within the last six months the National Advisory Committee has hold two meetings. The last meeting took place on 16th October, 1917, when the Committee was dissolved. During this period there was no change in the personnel of the Committee. No final Report was made by the Committee when it was dissolved, for the reason that its various recommendations had always been dealt with as they were made. The greater part of the personnel was absorbed in the new Trade Union Advisory Committee, which the Minister set up shortly after taking office. With regard to the cost to the State in rent, rates, taxes, printing, postage, stationery, etc., the Committee was provided with accommodation and office necessaries in the same way as a Department of the Ministry of Munitions, and accordingly no separate record is kept of the cost. No salaries have been paid to members or officers of the Committee.

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

I have been asked by the Prime Minister to answer this question. The Advisory Board of the Controller of Coal Mines has met nine times during the past six months. No changes in the personnel of the Board have been made during this period The Board is part of the organisation of the Controller of Coal Mines, and assists him in an advisory capacity; it does not report, and its existence involves no separate financial charge. The duration of the Board is expected to coincide with that of the Government control of coal mines.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a general feeling of resentment is felt by the searchlight operators of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Anti-Aircraft Corps, at the proposal to discharge them after three years' service, in view of the fact' that they have frequently been commended for their efficiency during raids; whether, as these men are either over military age or ineligible for general service, they may be offered the opportunity of continuing in the corps by giving duty on alternate nights in accordance with the conditions under which they agreed to serve in the corps; and if he thinks that a band of Volunteers who have admittedly rendered good service should be superseded at a time when the man-power question is receiving so much attention?

The valuable work which has been performed by these members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is fully recognised; but, as I have explained, recent developments in search, light work, and the great importance attaching to it for the efficient defence of the country against enemy aircraft, have necessitated a far higher degree of training for the searchlight detachments, and the necessary efficiency cannot be maintained with part-time men only.

asked the Prime Minister whether the supply of paper to newspapers, including weekly provincial papers, will rank next in priority after Government requirements have been met; and whether sufficient quantities of paper can be reserved and allotted to them?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which the President of the Board of Trade gave to a question addressed to him on 31st January by the hon. Member for Wilton.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the sanction of the Treasury is obtained by a Government Department seeking new accommodation; whether this has to be obtained before the application goes to the First Commissioner of Works; and whether the Commissioner of Works furnishes in detail the estimate of the cost of the buildings which he suggests for the purpose before any final decision is arrived at?

Departments are required to apply to the Office of Works (not direct to the Treasury) with regard to new works, structural additions, alterations, and hiring, in order that their applications may be considered by the technical experts and that estimates of cost may be prepared. In normal times, the previous authority of the Treasury is required before any service costing over £100 is commenced. This practice is observed at present in the case of services which are not urgent, and in the case of services which, though urgent, involve considerable cost or are likely to raise controversy or difficulty. In other urgent cases it has been decided that it is in the public interest that authority should be requested ex post facto when the Treasury have full opportunity of criticising what has been done and of making suggestions for the future. In addition, for the past year questions of accommodation for War Departments (in London, but not elsewhere) costing more than £1,000 per annum have been dealt with by a War Cabinet Committee with the First Commissioner of Works as Chairman; and premises are hired or requisitioned and fitted up on the decision of this Committee, without prior Treasury authority. In these cases also Treasury authority is requested ex post facto.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Sir John Bradbury's Committee will make separate Reports with regard to each Government Department; and, if so, whether he will see that these Reports are brought without delay before the Cabinet Committee on Office Accommodation?

It is open to the Committee under their terms of reference either to make a single Report covering all Departments or to report upon each Department separately, and I understand that they propose to adopt whichever method appears to them to be the more convenient and expeditious when they have completed the general survey of the whole subject-matter of their inquiries. I fully appreciate the importance of keeping the Cabinet Committee on Office Accommodation informed of the progress made and of the conclusions from time to time arrived at by the Committee.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if it is contemplated to use the British Museum or any part of it for the work of Government Departments?

A number of empty galleries in the British Museum will, with the approval of the trustees, be utilised for two small non-combatant Departments. Since April, 1916, accommodation has been provided in the museum for certain noncombatant Government Departments.

asked the First Commissioner of Works to what extent the County Hall is being utilised, the number accommodated on the premises, and whether it is intended to make arrangements so that, a further number may be housed at the County Hall?

A large portion of the County Hall is being prepared for official occupation. The work is being carried out in four sections. The first section, which is now practically ready for occupation.., will, it is estimated, accommodate a staff of 350, the second section 350, the third section from 500 to 600, and the fourth section from 500 to 600, making a total of from 1,700 to 1,900.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will have regard to the Reports of the Committee appointed by the Government to inquire into office staffs of Government Departments when lie is commandeering new buildings and allotting them to those Ministers which have applied for increased accommodation?

I will study the Reports with care when they are published, but it should be understood that I have no power to inquire into, or place any restriction on the extent or composition of the staffs of the Government Departments applying to me for increased accommodation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the quantities of printed matter which have been sent from England to Ireland in connection with Government Departments; if he is aware that quantities have recently been delivered to the Food Control Committee; and if he will see that printing for Government use in Ireland shall be done in Ireland?

Copies of statutory rules and Orders issued by the Ministry of Food and the Food Journal are sent from England to Ireland for the use of the Irish Constabulary, the Dublin police, and the Dublin Food Control Committee. These publications are printed for the Ministry of Food, and the small number of copies required by Irish Departments is supplied to them. In two or three cases some special forms issued by the Ministry of Food were printed in England and sent to Ireland. The usual rule is, however, that printing for Government use in Ireland is done in Ireland, and this rule will be adhered to so far as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether copies of Halleck's "International Law" are supplied in embassies, legations, and public offices; and whether this authority is regarded as the soundest or official exponent of the law of nations and is supplied as such?

Very few copies of Halleck's "International Law" have been supplied to any Departments of the Public Service other than naval libraries. Since August., 1914, about 200 copies of this work have been furnished to naval officers' libraries. The Stationery Office is guided by the opinion of the Department requiring books on technical subjects in regard to the selection of the authority whose works are supplied.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the returns of the United States Customs service in relation to exports of food during the month of November, namely, bacon, England, 15,799,279 lbs., Netherlands, 14,250,389 lbs.; lard, England, 174,779 lbs., Netherlands, 28,641,519 lbs.; lard compounds, England, 30,313 lbs., Netherlands, 3,101,663 lbs.; and under what arrangements has the excess to the Netherlands been fixed in view of the shortness of bacon and lard in this country?

It is presumed that the figures referred to as exports to the Netherlands are those of exports from the United States for the relief of Belgium. According to our information, 7,862 tons of bacon and 16,107 tons of lard were imported from the United States by the Commission of Relief in Belgium viâ Rotterdam during the period 25th October-25th December. There is a fixed ration for such imports. No imports of bacon are permitted to the Netherlands, and no lard for the Netherlands has been imported for some months past.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the largest producer of milk supplying Grimsby delivers such milk to the town at 1s. 9d. per gallon, carriage paid, and that this milk is being retailed to the general public at 2s. 8d. per gallon, or at a profit of over 50 per cent. on the cost price paid to the farmer; and whether the Food Controller will. take immediate steps in the interests of the public of Grimsby to' reduce the retailer's price to 7d. per quart, so that the public may receive the full advantage of the reasonable cost price, and thus bring Grimsby wholesale and retail prices into line with neighbouring towns and cities?

Yes, Sir. Local food control committees are empowered, subject to the approval of the Food Controller, to reduce the retail price of milk within their area, and Lord Rhondda has intimated to the Grimsby committee his. opinion that the retail price of milk in that borough should not exceed 7d. per quart. In default of action on their part, he will himself reduce the price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when lie proposes to put in force the milk scheme which he has already foreshadowed for a special supply of milk at a reduced price for the use of young children in large towns?

The details of this scheme are at present receiving the consideration of the Food Controller. It is hoped to bring it into operation shortly, but I cannot specify the precise date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution of a Mr. Bloomfield, J.P., by the local food committee at Halstead, in Essex, for using meal made from barley grown by himself to feed his stock of 200 pigs instead of selling it to the maltster, as it was the cheapest food he could obtain; and why sanction is given for such food being used to make beer while the great scarcity of bacon continued?

If Mr. Bloomfield had adopted the ordinary and proper course of selling his barley to a miller at 62s. 9d. per quarter he would not have been fined. The use of grain for feeding pigs is less economical than its conversion into malt for brewing purposes.

asked the Parliamentary ·Secretary to the Ministry of Food by whom the permits for the slaughter for food of lambs will be granted; and whether, if the permits are granted by his Department, an appeal in case of dispute will be allowed to the Board of Agriculture?

By arrangement with the Board of Agriculture, these permits will be granted by the Food Controller through the Live Stock Commissioner for the area in which the flockmaster resides. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the poultry keepers in and around Rochford, Essex, are com- planning about the preservation of foxes in that district for the benefit of the Essex Union Hunt; if he is aware that the same people are complaining about the expense that they are put to of erecting wire-mesh fences and building strong poultry-houses to keep their live stock from being caught and devoured by foxes; if he is aware that not only do the foxes destroy domestic poultry but many wild rabbits; and if he will take action in the matter?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. It is usually considered a wise precaution for poultry keepers to build reasonably strong poultry-houses for the protection of their stock. For the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave last Wednesday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that tile dealers and sellers of Irish cattle at Birkenhead complain of high charges; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made on this point and other matters suggested by those concerned?

The Food Controller is causing full inquiries to be made into the complaints referred to in the question. He has invited a deputation of Irish dealers to come to London to discuss the matter, and has arranged to send representatives of the Ministry to Dublin to confer with the dealers and sellers of Irish cattle at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before issuing Regulations under the Cattle Sales Order, 1917, constituting the Birkenhead Irish Cattle and Meat Supply Association, the sole authority for the sale and distribution of cattle at Birkenhead, Woodside, and Wallasey lairages, he consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legality of such Regulations; whether he is aware that such a Regulation is a restraint upon trade and is against public policy; and will he reconsider the Regulation with the view of restoring the freedom of sale and purchase of cattle at Birkenhead as such exists at all other centres of distribution?

The Law Officers were not consulted in regard to the Regulations referred to as no specific point of law arose in connection therewith upon which it was necessary to take their opinion: As to such Regulations being in restraint of trade, I may point out to the hon. Member that practically all the Orders made by the Food Controller under the Defence of the Realms Act, in the exercise of duties imposed upon him by Act of Parliament, are, and must necessarily be, in restraint of trade. The Regulations for the purchase and sale of cattle at Birkenhead provide for the control of cattle sales on the same basis of valuation as that in operation at all other centres of distribution in Great Britain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is advertising the advantages of the salted herrings purchased by the Government, and of which large stocks are available; if so, where are such herrings to be purchased and what is the Government price.; and can they be purchased by the barrel for home consumption, so as to save the use of meat?

The Food Controller has advertised salted or pickled herrings, and the available stocks are already so far depleted that no further advertisement is necessary to secure the consumption of actual and prospective supplies. The herrings can be purchased from the Ministry of Food direct or from wholesale traders, and the prices charged by the Ministry vary, according to quality, from 38s. to 44s. per barrel.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received resolutions from Scotland protesting against the inadequate- representation of thee co-operative societies upon the West of Scotland Live Stock Commission.; and whether he will take steps to secure fairer representation of the co-operative interest upon this Commission?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A second representative of co-operative societies has been added to the West of Scotland Live Stock Advisory Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether local committees or authorities are authorised to make Orders under which butchers may supply to any customer half the amount of meat purchased by the customer last October; and, if so, whether, seeing that the effect of such Order is to favour the person who was extravagant in meat last October as against the person who was patriotically economical, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Food control committees have power to give directions to retail butchers as to the conduct of their business, so long as these directions do not conflict with Orders or Regulations made by the Food Controller. The present Regulations merely limit the amount of a butcher's purchases of cattle and meat in each week, and leave room for adjustment in sales to individual customers, pending the introduction of definite schemes of rationing. No doubt the effect of the Regulations is that in general customers are restricted to half the amount of their purchases in October last; but, as I have suggested, food control committees may give special consideration to cases such as those referred to by the hon. Member, with a view to meeting the reasonable requirements of those persons who have patriotically rationed themselves in the past.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the seizures of diseased tuberculous cow-beef recently made in Smithfield Market, lie will give the names of the persons who purchased these animals on behalf of his Department.; the price paid for the same; the places where. slaughtered; the total number slaughtered in Birkenhead and forwarded to London in each of the last three weeks, respectively; and the names of the persons who supervised the slaughtering and loading-of the dead meat?

I am causing inquiries to be made, and will convey the information to the hon. Member as soon as it has been obtained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that at a meeting of the Liverpool, Deeside, and District Meat Traders' Association allegations were made against wholesale houses and dealers concerning an all-round system of bribery; whether he will ascertain who were the persons making the charges, and have the matter inquired into and these persons examined on oath; and whether, in view of the diseased and unsatisfactory character of the meat sent from Birkenhead to London recently, he will inquire to what extent bribery has been used to retain the better class of animals within the local area while the rubbish and culls have been forwarded to London?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, if the hon. Member will furnish further particulars as to the date of the meeting and the address of the association referred to, I will cause inquiries to be made. The Food Controller has no information as to the malpractices described by the hon. Member in the last part of the question, but will take steps to investigate the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that only 7½ million cwt. of fish were landed in the United Kingdom from January to November last, while in 1893 nearly 25 million cwt. were landed; and whether, in view of the shortage of many articles of food and the resources of our fish supply, something more will be done to increase the available fish supply?

I am aware that the supplies of fish have been reduced owing to the shortage of men and boats and the restriction of fishing areas, in approximately the proportion mentioned in the question. The importance of increasing the fishing fleets is fully realised by the Food Controller, who, in conjunction with the Admiralty and the Fishery Boards, is taking all practicable measures to augment the supply of fish.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the weight of meat allowed daily per head in the Army, Navy, and mercantile marine, respectively, and also the weight. per head he proposes to allow under the rationing scheme for civilians; and if he will state the weight allowed per head of the other principal foodstuffs, to enable a similar comparison to be made as is indicated in the first question?

The points raised in the question are under consideration by the Food Controller and the Naval and Military authorities, in consultation with their several scientific advisers. I cannot at present make any definite statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether tickets will be given to soldiers returning on leave from France which will enable them to get extra rations on arrival in this. country, in view of the fact that many of them are unable to obtain food on their journey home?

Arrangements are under consideration by the Food Controller and the Army Council, by which adequate provision will be made for soldiers on leave from France.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether-the necessary steps have been taken by his Department to render uniform the fineness of the 90 per cent. extraction wheat flour now being milled generally in accordance with Government Regulations; and whether he will bear in mind that its digestibility depends on its. proper degree of fineness?

As I informed the hon. Member on 27th November the limited supply of labour and machinery available for flour millers renders any attempt to secure absolute uniformity impracticable. I understand, however, that flour millers in the interest of their personal connection have always endeavoured. to secure the highest degree of fineness attainable in the milling of flour while conforming to the requirements of the Flour Mills Control Committee as to the percentage of extraction to be obtained from different types of wheat and diluent cereals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the fact that the use of drugged candy is affecting adversely the beekeeping industry and the production of honey; whether he will arrange for beekeepers to have the necessary supplies of sugar without deleterious drugs and without manipulation by any monopolist firm; and whether he can give the name of the expert or experts who are responsible for recommending the present arrangement?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. I have previously stated that the object of medicating the candy with a disinfectant is to prevent its use for other than agricultural purposes. The arrangement was made by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a further restriction is contemplated of the sugar allowed to makers of confectionery; whether he is aware that the restrictions already imposed have brought many retailers of sweetmeats, whose business consists chiefly or entirely of such sweetmeats, near to the verge of ruin; and whether he will consider, if further restrictions should be inevitable, some plan whereby such retailers shall be differently treated from others whose sweetmeat business is only a small part of their general trade?

I stated last week that no further restriction was at present contemplated. If further restrictions should be found necessary, the point raised by the hon. Baronet will he borne in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of food in the West-End and Western and South-Western suburbs of London; whether he is aware that meat, bacon, cheese, butter, margarine, tea, and other articles of food have for days together been unprocurable; whether he is aware that scraggy chickens cost as high as 12s. 6d. each, and that rabbits, since the maximum price has been fixed at Is. 9d., appear to have disappeared; whether he is aware that in some Western and South-Western districts many people have to wait in queues of great length for hours in the hope of obtaining food, only to find in course of time that it is unprocurable; and whether stores and shops in this portion of London have been raided by the Food Controller and their contents transferred to the East-End of London?

The answer to the first four parts of the question is in the affirmative; the answer to the last part is in the negative. It is hoped that the scheme of distribution for London and the Home Counties which will come into operation in three weeks' time will alleviate to a considerable extent the undoubted hardships which at present prevail.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the lack of supplies of food at Hinckley, in Leicestershire; and what steps lie is taking to remedy this state of affairs?

On receipt of my hon. Friend's letter on this subject, inquiries were at once instituted with a view to taking such action as might appear to be necessary.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is the present amount of food of all kinds per head per day allowed for German officer prisoners of war at Donington Hall, whether provided for them or permitted to be purchased by them?

The food which is issued or may be purchased by prisoners of war (including officers) is the subject of constant consideration, and is varied in accordance with the food situation. I will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT the amounts to which the purchases of officers are limited at present at Donington Hall.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the present meat ration of German and of other prisoners of war in this country; and whether any revision of that ration is being contemplated, in view of the shortage in the nation's supplies?

A ration of 6 ozs. of pickled beef is issued on two days a week and 6 ozs. of fresh meat on three days a week. The whole scale of rations for prisoners of war is under revision.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that mulch cows continue to be exported from Ireland; if he will state the number which was exported since 1st January, 1918; if he will state the number of calves shipped from Ireland for the same period and also the number of sheep; if he is aware that in many parts of Ireland the people cannot obtain sufficient milk for their children; and that 1,500 milch cows were exported in the month of January, whilst the shortage of milk was increasing; and what steps he intends to take to prohibit exports of food required by the Irish people for home use?

The Department of Agriculture made an Order, which came into force on the 1st December, prohibiting the export of milch cows except under licence. Since the Order came into operation the number exported has greatly diminished. Licences are given only to regular shippers to the extent of one-fourth of the average shipments during the past year. In January 2,070 milk-yielding cows were allowed to be shipped, and 2,103 calves and 28,581 sheep were exported. Few, if any, of the calves were sucking calves or heifers. In some localities there is no doubt still a shortage of milk, notwithstanding the restricted export of milch cows; but it is necessary to bear in mind the desirability of maintaining the cross-Channel competition in prices as an incentive to production. The elimination of this competition would certainly react unfavourably on both the cattle breeding and the milk supply in Ireland. There is no immediate intention of withdrawing the existing Orders restricting export of livestock. The question of prohibition of exports of food will, I believe, continue to be dealt with by the Food Controller, who is advised in matters relating to Ireland by an Irish Food Control Committee.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether stocks of feeding-stuffs are being held up by merchants in Ireland; whether difficulties have arisen in consequence of these persons having been officially urged to purchase feeding-stuffs at prices exceeding those now permitted to be charged; and what steps are being taken in the matter

I understand that a question as to certain existing stocks of feeding cakes has arisen between some merchants in Ireland and the Ministry of Food, but I am not acquainted with the facts relating to the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Maximum Prices Order of 5th November, 1917, fixed the price of linseed and cotton cakes considerably below the price at which they could be imported and also considerably below the value of the stocks existing in this country; whether this was done deliberately to save tonnage; and, if not, whether it has had the effect of stopping the import of this form of cattle food from America and elsewhere, and so increasing the shortage in this country while also unduly discouraging Home production and trade?

The importation of linseed cake and cotton cake from abroad is a. question of freight space, and not of price, and cattle feeding stuffs must give place to more essential commodities. The fixing of a moderate price for these cakes does not discourage home production, as the crushing mills are controlled by the Government which supplies them with raw material.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that numbers of persons have left these shores for the purpose of fox hunting in Ireland and are maintaining in that country a number of persons of military age as grooms and horse-keepers; that these persons defy all Regulations of the Food Controller and have collected stocks of all kinds of food supplies, together with supplies of cereals for their animals; and that they get the pick of all the best meat slaughtered in Ireland while leaving tuberculous and diseased cow meat to be sent from that country to Smithfield Market, as evidenced by the recent seizures; and whether, as working-class Englishmen are only allowed to visit Ireland under permit, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Inquiries which I have caused to be made in what are popularly known as hunting counties in Ireland lead me to suppose that the hon. Member is misinformed in the suggestion contained in the first part of the question; and the Irish Food Control Committee inform me that they know of no grounds for the imputation in the second. I know of no case of export of diseased meat from Ireland to Great Britain, and I do not believe there is such a practice. The hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that working men require a permit in order to visit Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the acreage of land in Ireland under arable cultivation in 1916 and in 1917; and what is now estimated to be the acreage in 1918?

The extent of land ploughed in Ireland in the year 1916 amounted to 2,400,328 acres, and last year to 3,037,730 acres. I am not at present in a position to estimate the figures for this year. Under the new Tillage Orders, occupiers of holdings over 10 acres are required to till 15 per cent. more than the area tilled in 1916, and occupiers of 200 acres and over 20 per cent. more than in 1916.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is satisfied that the Board of Agriculture is exercising the powers conferred on it under the Defence of the Realm Act; and, if so, will measures be taken, if at all possible, to prevent mob rule in the ploughing up and spoiling of grazing land and the driving and ill-treatment of cattle, in view of the shortage of meat that exists outside Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. During the operations under the Compulsory Tillage Scheme of 1917 local trouble occurred in only a few isolated cases. I have no reason to anticipate that the experience in connection with the scheme for this year will be less satisfactory.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in estimating the amount of tillage required to be undertaken by landlords of estates in Ireland, he will take care that the tillage by tenants, as, for instance, in conacre plots, is not counted?

Under the Corn Production Act, 1917, the occupier of a holding is responsible for the cultivation of the prescribed proportion of his holding in 1918. He may have the necessary cultivation carried out directly, or may arrange for its being carried out indirectly, as, for example, by lettings under conacre agreements. If a landlord of an estate is the occupier the tillage carried out in the estate must be credited to him, but if the tenant is the occupier any tillage on the portion of the estate held by him must be credited to the tenant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the gambling in land for grazing and food-producing purposes; if he will take steps to fix the price of land that is required for food production; and if he will take steps to introduce a rent-fixing Clause for land required for plot holders?

I would refer the hon. Member to the concluding portion of an answer I gave to questions by the hon. Member for North Kildare on 21st January.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, seeing that he recently declared that only one-ninth of the whole of the grass land of the country was required w be ploughed out, what steps are being taken to ensure that each holding shall be called upon to furnish its fair proportion of the total acreage required?

It is the duty of the agricultural executive committee in each county to allocate the contributions to the area of grass land required to be ploughed by the county, the totals of which for all the counties amount to about one-ninth of the grass land of the country. In selecting grass land for ploughing the committees are expected to choose that which is most suited for arable cultivation. Consequently no fixed proportion for all holdings can be assigned, and the amount that may fairly be asked for from each occupier is left to be determined by the experience and local knowledge of the executive committees.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps he is taking to assure himself that the members of the war agricultural committees who are occupiers of land at e themselves ploughing out their due share of the land required?

I have full confidence in the patriotism and the public spirit of the members of the agricultural executive committees, and am satisfied that there is no ground for any suggestion that any of them are evading their duty or failing to make their proper contribution to the increased food supply that is required. This being so, I do not propose to make any inquiries which might throw doubt on my confidence in them.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Lancashire War Executive Committee has granted to the governors of the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School a certificate exempting the old football field in Waterloo from cultivation; whether he is aware that it was taken for this purpose since the War began, that it is only used for a few hours in the winter months by a small number of children, and that there is land near the grammar school suitable for a playground but not fit for cultivation; whether he is aware that every inch of the ground has been applied for as allotments, and that the owner is in favour of its being cultivated; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Inquiries have been made into this matter by the inspector of the Department, who recommends that the field in question should be taken for allotments. The town council have been informed accordingly, and the Board have written to the Lancashire Agricultural Executive Committee urging that they should give their sanction to-the proposal.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether instructions are being issued to war agricultural committees to secure the planting with potatoes of any definite proportion of the grass land already ploughed up and not sown, with a view to providing additional food for pigs; and, if so, what steps are being taken to obtain and distribute the necessary seed?

Agricultural executive committees are being asked to increase the area devoted to potatoes to the maximum possible, but the Board have not suggested the definite proportion of the newly broken grass land which should be devoted to that crop. The conditions vary so greatly in different counties that it is considered best to leave the matter to the discretion of each agricultural executive committee. The Department do not anticipate that there will be any difficulty in procuring the necessary seed.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the acreage of land in England and Wales under arable cultivation in 1916 and in 1917; and what is now estimated to be the acreage in 1918?

The acreage of land in England and Wales under arable cultivation in 1916 was 11,051,101 acres, and in 1917 11,246,106 acres. No trustworthy figures can as yet be given of the probable area under tillage this summer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a. certain cargo vessel has for some time past been carrying home-grown wheat from Sutton Bridge, King's Lynn, and Wisbech to Newcastle, her average number of trips being two a week, and some few days ago was sunk with a cargo of about 1,200 quarters of such home-grown wheat on board; and, if so, whether, in view of the recognised shortage of food in this country, such cargoes will be conveyed in future by land?

I have been asked to answer this question. I regret to say that the vessel in question was sunk by the enemy. Foodstuffs are carried coastwise only when there is an absence of inland transport facilities, and the Shipping Controller is constantly in touch with the railway executive on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will take steps to release a proportion of the trawlers at present employed on naval patrol in order to increase the supply of fish for the home market?

I am afraid that in view of the constant and growing demand for trawlers it is only possible to release those trawlers which from time to time are found to be no longer of sufficient use to justify their retention by the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he hat received a request that he should use his influence with the Admiralty to release a certain proportion of trawlers at present used on naval patrol, in order that the supply of fish may be increased; and what action he has taken to secure the compliance of the Admiralty with this pertinent demand?

The Food Controller is in censtant communication with the Admiralty on this important question, and is satisfied that the Admiralty are doing everything in Their power to release trawlers for fishing whenever they can be spared from naval duties.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the daily increasing urgency of the food shortage in London at the present time and the inability of mothers, who have to stand in queues all the morning, to cook dinners for their children, and the absence from school of many children in order to stand in queues themselves, he has consulted the Ministry of Food; and whether he will now take the responsibility of urging upon the local education authority the desirability of at once instituting school dinners on an extensive scale for the poorer districts of the Metropolis?

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry of Food are preparing a scheme for dealing with communal feeding, which embraces the feeding of school children in all densely populated areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the normal import of China tea into this country is represented by the 3,000,000 lbs. just sanctioned; whether, as this requires less than 1,400 tons accommodation, he can permit an increase if neutral tonnage can be arranged; whether British merchants in the Far East are in favour of generous action on these lines from reasons of sentiment and national trade interest; whether he can. state how the tea sanctioned will be purchased on the Chinese markets; what will be the profit allowed; whether this will be pooled among the firms in the business; and what will be the final price of the commodity to the British consumer?

I have been asked to reply. The proposed purchase of 3,000,000 lbs. is about 28 per cent. of the average annual net import of China tea during the years 1914–16; it is, however, only proposed to buy and import the better grades of China tea, whereas normally a large percentage of the imports was common tea. Moreover, the shipping space required will considerably exceed the 1,400 tons mentioned by my hon. Friend. The question of further purchases will be considered when the first purchase is completed. The tea will be purchased through Messrs. Matheson and Company on a commission to be agreed by the Ministry of Food; the commission will be pooled among the firms in the business. This was considered to be the most economical way of effecting the purchases. The final price of the commodity to the consumer will depend upon freight and other considerations which are not yet known.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a shortage of milk and meat in this country at the present time and that trouble is likely to arise in consequence; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of things?

The question of the shortage of winter meat and winter milk in the country is closely bound up with that of the shortage of animal feeding-stuffs. Every effort is being made to maintain the supply of both.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) why an Order has recently been issued to plough cut a large additional area of good grass land; and whether he is aware that such an Order at this late season of the year is calculated to largely increase the shortage of meat and milk; and (2) if he will consider the advisability of postponing the ploughing out of meadow land until the hay crop has been secured and of good pasture until the autumn, when much milk and much meat will have been cheaply produced from it?

There has been no increase since June last in the quantity of grass land which each agricultural executive committee has been asked to secure for ploughing and the production of crops. Any postponement of the ploughing until the summer or autumn would not only reduce the production of food from the coming harvest, but by deferring the preparation of the land for cropping in 1919 would still further reduce the production in that year. The Board believe that the increased production of corn, potatoes, and roots, for which they have asked, does not as a consequence involve any necessary reduction in the production of meat or milk.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can give any information as to the conditions under which sugar beet can be profitably grown in this country; if so, whether the Board will issue a leaflet on the. subject; and whether and, if so, how intending growers can obtain the necessary seed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool on the 29th January. It must be regarded as still unsettled whether sugar beet can be grown profitably in this country, and an estate in Nottingham has been acquired, through the action of the Development Commission, for the erection of a sugar factory and the thorough testing of the question of the growth and manufacture of sugar from English sugar beet, The Board have published a pamphlet [Cd. 6162] giving full particulars of the cultivation of sugar beet. They are informed that there is little seed of good sugar-producing quality in the country at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will state the reason for the resignation of Mr. John Wardle; and whether, in view of the manner in which he had secured the unanimity and cooperation of all sections of the refrigerated produce industries, any efforts were made to induce him to reconsider his decision?

As stated in the reply given to a previous question on the same subject, the former Director of Cold Storage and Inland Transport resigned because he was unable to carry out the duties entrusted to him within the limits rendered necessary by proper Treasury control of public expenditure. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether type-written circulars have been issued from his Department inviting numbers of London meat salesmen to apply for posts in the Ministry of Food; whether the circular is headed London Wholesale Meat Trade Association, and suggests that the applications should come through this organisation; whether the circular promises employment in the Home Counties from £250 to £350 a year; whether retail tradesmen have not been circularised, and are apparently intended to be excluded; if he will explain why, if he wants efficient and able men, he does not advertise these posts in the "Meat Trades.' Journal," "Cold Storage," the "Municipal Journal," and one or two of the live-stock papers, and make the posts dependent on competitive tests and if he will define for what purpose these officials are required?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. Retail traders have already been selected to fill the positions mentioned by the hon. Member, and are, therefore, not excluded from the scheme. The number of applications already received. together with those obtained through trade organisations, affords sufficient choice without recourse to advertisement. The organisation in question is being set up for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of meat required from time to time in each of the controlled areas, and of regulating supplies accordingly, under the direction of the Ministry of Food.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland). whether any arrangement has been come to between his Department and the railway and shipping companies as to the Irish egg trade; and whether the notice has been withdrawn to which the merchants took exception on the ground that under its terms eggs would only be carried at owners' risk.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 24th January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that a quantity of rabbits, hares, game, and wildfowl cannot be placed upon the markets owing to the refusal of the Petrol Committee to allow owners of motor cars already in possession of petrol to use the same for the purpose of obtaining such supplies and placing them on the markets; and, if so, will he take steps for permitting the use of the petrol mentioned?

I have been asked by my hon. Friend to answer this question. The use of petrol for driving private motor cars to shooting parties, or for any other form of sport, is not permissible under the recent Restriction Order, but its use for the conveyance of supplies to markets has not been prohibited. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot advise any relaxation of the Order for the first-mentioned purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Justice Atkin when passing sentence upon Mr. Alfred H. Gibbings; by whom the appointment of Mr. Gibbings was made and upon whose recommendation; what inquires were made at the Ministry of Munitions before he was appointed, and why his salary was fixed upon a scale much in excess of the remuneration he received when employed by the Ministry of Munitions?

Mr. A. H. Gibbings is not, and never has been, an official of the Food Production Department, nor is there any record in the Department of any temporary appointment having been given to him. In November last a temporary official of a section of the Department, which was then in process of being transferred to the Ministry of Food, required the immediate services, in a temporary advisory capacity, of an electrical engineer in connection with the installation of a fruit pulping plant at Kidderminster. Acting within his discretion, he engaged for this purpose (at a fee of £2 a day and out-of-pocket expenses) Mr. Gibbings, who had been city electrical engineer of Bradford, and whose technical qualifications were beyond reproach. Mr. Gibbings's total period of employment was seventeen days, and the amount paid to him was £39 0s. 3d. in all. No other connection ever existed between him and the Food Production Department. As regards the alleged knowledge by the official who engaged Mr. Gibbings of the offence for which he has since been tried at the Old Bailey, it has been ascertained that whilst the official in question was aware that Mr. Gibbings had been called upon to resign his post at the Ministry of Munitions, he was given to understand that Mr. Gibbings had done nothing of a criminal or dishonest character, that he had been guilty merely of an indiscretion, and that no cause existed why he should not be employed by another Government Department.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Alfred Horswill Gibbings, who was on Wednesday last sentenced to four months' imprisonment for dishonourable communication of official documents and who was called upon to resign his post in the Ministry of Munitions, was afterwards appointed, at a higher rate of pay, to the Food Production Department of the Board of Agriculture; and, if so, what explanation can be given of such an appointment?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will state the circumstances in which A. H. Gibbings, who was sentenced last week at the Old Bailey to four months' imprisonment, was employed by the Food Production Department; whether this man, whilst employed by the Ministry of Munitions, was proved to have attempted to disclose to a foreigner a confidential report belonging to the Department and was compelled to resign; whether he was then employed in an advisory capacity at £2 per day and out-of-pocket expenses by the Food Production Department; whether the Department obtained references as to his character, and, if so, from whom?

In reply to this question and to Question No. 136 by the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield, I beg leave to refer to the answer which I gave to an unstarred question by the hon. Member for the Loughborough Division on the 1st inst. It is being printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-day.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the poor in Dublin have to pay 3s. 10d. and 4s. per bag for coal; and when steps will be taken to reduce the price?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 22nd January, the price of coal in Dublin varies from 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. per bag. The Coal Controller is in communication with the Corporation of Dublin as to the question of fixing prices under the Retail Coal Prices Order.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when canvas and other fittings of the small wooden boats utilised on board destroyers, small cruisers, and other craft are reported as having been washed overboard, the officer in charge is called upon by his Department to make payment of the losses?

If the loss were accidental, no charge would be made; but if it were due to negligence, the officer or rating responsible is liable for the value of the article lost? There may, however, in very exceptional cases, be circumstances connected with the loss which would justify the remission of the whole or a portion of the value.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether early in January an American destroyer was employed in protecting the mail packets between Kingstown and Holyhead; whether this has now been withdrawn; and, if so, having regard to the importance of this passage, whether an efficient substitute will be immediately provided?

Every attention is given to the safety of these vessels, but my right hon. Friend will realise that a definite answer to his question cannot be given, as it is most undesirable to publish the disposition of any of the Allied Forces either in the past or future.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what further arrangements have been made to protect the cross-Channel traffic seamen and passengers on mail and other steamers?

I am sure my hon. Friend will, on consideration, realise that an answer to this question would be of great benefit to the enemy, without conferring any additional safety to the cross-Channel traffic. His object of course is, as ours is, to secure the latter, at the same time avoiding the former.

asked the Secretary of the Admiralty if he can now state the result of his inquiries into the alleged nonobservance in certain particulars of Agreement A 1 of 11th June, 1917, so far as the clerical staff at Woolwich and Deptford are concerned?

I regret to say that it was found, on inquiry, that, by a misunderstanding, the pledge given had not been redeemed in its entirety. Authority has, however, now been obtained to remedy the omission, and orders are being issued to-day to give effect to the additional concessions necessary to carry out the pledge in full.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any cases of spotted fever have recently occurred at the Crystal Palace; and, if so, whether any steps are being taken in the matter?

I regret to say that eight cases have occurred since 31st December last. All necessary steps are being taken.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the reason why the assistant paymasters of the Royal Navy are not to receive the recent advance of pay, and if they are not as much entitled to get married as the combatant officers; and what is the explanation of their difference of treatment?

These officers rank with and receive the same pay as sub-lieutenants, Royal Navy. There is, there- fore, no difference between the treatment accorded to them and to officers of the military branch.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that overseas British soldiers have in certain cases concealed the fact of their being already married and have become engaged to, and have married girls in this country; that such girls and their friends, especially if in humble circumstances, have no means of acquiring information independently of the men themselves; that at the headquarters of all Dominion troops all information from the soldier's file is refused under the King's Regulations. except that the Australian headquarters will state whether a soldier on joining described himself as married or single; whether he will consider if a change in the Regulations permitting some information to be given can be made; and will a copy of the. whole of the information about overseas soldiers upon the file be afforded if application for the same is made by the soldier himself?

I have made inquiries, and find that the practice of the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand military authorities agrees with that of the Imperial Authorities in regarding the information recorded in a soldier's documents as confidential. All that the documents of a soldier can show in this respect is whether he declared himself married, single, or widower on enlistment, and whether he has married with permission during his service. It is the practice of the Canadian Authorities to refer a bonâ fide inquirer to the man's Commanding Officer, whose permission is necessary to the marriage, and who would not give it if he was aware of an impediment. The Australian Authorities inform inquirers whether a man is married or single so far as is known from the records. An inquirer therefore already has facilities for finding out the point at issue, in so far as it is ascertainable from a man's documents. As regards New Zealand, I would refer my hon. Friend to a letter which appeared on the 2nd February in the "Times" from the High Commissioner. I understand from the New Zealand military authorities that inquiries made at their office as to whether a soldier is married or not have always been answered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the attention of his Department has been called to the. case of Lieutenant John G. Frew, a prisoner of war at Holzminden, but now removed to Sweidnitz, a medical student of nineteen years of age, who has lost the use of both arms by machine-gun bullet-wounds; is he aware that exchanged prisoners coming home have conveyed the urgency of having this lad exchanged in order that necessary operations may be performed; and will he take steps to represent to those who deal with this matter the advisability of having this man exchanged without delay?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A British officer recently repatriated informed the Army Council that the- medical officer of the camp had asked him to draw their attention to the case of Lieutenant Frew. The Council were, however, already aware of the officer's condition, and included his name in a list sent to Germany in November last of cases for special consideration.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he can now give any further information as to the progress of the negotiations regarding the British and Indian prisoners of war in Turkey?

The agreement relative to British prisoners of war in Turkey and to Turkish prisoners of war in British hands, which was signed at Berne by British and Turkish delegates, was ratified by His Majesty's Government on 15th January, and we hope shortly to hear of its ratification by the Ottoman Government. So soon as that has taken place, it is proposed to lay its text before Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the concession of the privilege of travelling at half the old fare when proceeding on furlough granted to soldiers may be extended to members of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, many of whom are employed at a great distance from their homes?

The question of granting some concession to members of the mobile section of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps when travelling on leave is under consideration, and I hope a decision will be given very shortly.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether representations have been made to his Department that the Lee Arrow Shell Factory, which was established in Cork to assist in the production of munitions and financed by local capital, has found itself unable to continue its work owing to the recent reduction in the price of shells, thereby disemploying about sixty hands; and whether, seeing that his Department is itself carrying on munition work in Cork in another factory, he will arrange to take over the Lee Arrow Factory as a controlled establishment., and thereby make use of the plant, machinery, and staff, thus preventing the disemployment which otherwise will necessarily ensue?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is regretted that it is not possible to take over the Lee Arrow Company's premises as a national shell factory. If arrangements could be made for other persons to take over the plant and premises, my right hon. Friend will be prepared to continue the shell contract at the standard prices given to other contractors.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that permission to deal in ore coming from Morocco was refused to a British merchant and was given to a Dutch firm of German origin, W. H. Müller and Company, which enabled W. H. Müller and Company to purchase 35,000 tons of the same ore, for which a special authority was given by the Ministry of Munitions to sell to a British ironmaster; whether he is aware that all cargoes sold by the Dutch firm of German origin are invoiced from The Hague and so escape British taxation; and, having regard to the national interests, why he excludes from any part of the ore trade in this country any British firm from which Income Tax and Excess Profits Duty can be collected, and permits a Dutch firm of German origin, which is not accountable for taxes here, to do the business and to make the profit at our expense?

The British merchant to whom I understand my hon. Friend to refer is on the approved list of merchants for shipment of iron ore from ports in the North of Spain and from Seville in the South. The firm applied late in 1916 for permission to extend their trading facilities to cover ore from Spanish North Africa, but as they were unable to satisfy the conditions laid down in the Regulations governing such extensions, permission was refused. At the end of 1917 the ore position at a large smelting works became extremely critical and, as an emergency measure, special permission was granted to the smelters to purchase a quantity of ore through a merchant on the approved list, Messrs. W. H. Muller and Company (London), Limited. The Dutch firm, W. H. Muller and Company, is not on the approved list and the transaction referred to was with W. H. Muller and Company (London), Limited, which is an English company liable to Income Tax and Excess Profits Duty, as are other English companies.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department have given any contracts for the supply of shellac; if so, whether the price of this article has increased from 90s. per cwt. to:375s. per cwt.; and whether he will make inquiries into the cause of this increase in price?

Arrangements have been made by which the shellac required for munitions is obtained direct from India and supplied at 144s. 6d. per cwt. to all Government contractors who can produce evidence that they require the supplies for Government orders. The present high market prices appear to be due to speculation which is outside the control of the Ministry and with which, as supplies for munitions are not endangered thereby, the Ministry of Munitions has no authority to deal.

asked the Minister of Munitions if the Dublin Corporation has complained that the rights conferred upon them by Act of Parliament as to the supply of electricity have been unduly interfered with by a Government order to a Dublin company to give a supply to a private consumer; if he is aware that the Dublin company is prohibited by Act of Parliament from giving any such supply; if he is aware that the Dublin Corporation, having expended £750,000 on its electricity undertaking, is in a position to give the supply in question provided the necessary permits for some additional material are issued from the Ministry of Munitions; and if he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am looking into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether it has now been decided to apply Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Act to the Dart-ford munitions area to prevent the eject-ment orders which are being applied for being granted?

As my hon. Friend is aware, this matter has been the subject of inquiry by the Central Billeting Board. Conferences have been held with local labour organisations, and as a result action on the Board's Report is deferred pending further representations which these organisations may desire to make.

asked the Minister of National Service whether, seeing that Mr. P. M'Dougall, Commissioner of Live-stock in Scotland, and three of his six Sub-commissioners are of military age, he will cancel the exemptions they obtained from local tribunals on the ground that their services were required on their farms, which cannot be pretended now that they have undertaken other duties under Government, paid at £1,000 and £500 a year, respectively, while men of greater ex- perience as farmers and in respect of livestock are available among men over military age; whether one of the Sub-commissioners is only twenty-six years old, and the exemption of another, Mr. Picken. as a farmer has been cancelled by the local tribunal; whether these Commissioners and Sub-commissioners are members of an. organisation called the Farmers' Union, which is not recognised as truly representative of Scottish farmers and the secretary of which is a lawyer of military age who obtained exemption on the ground that he looked after the farm of a relation; and whether he will, in view of the feeling which prevails in and beyond Scotland. and of the resulting detriment to the cause of recruiting in the United Kingdom. cancel the exemptions obtained by these gentlemen as soon as the Military Service Bill becomes an Act of Parliament?

If these officers are to continue to be exempted from military service it will be on the ground that their services in their present capacity as public servants are indispensable to the State, and certificates will be issued to them by the Ministry of Food under Section 2 (2), of the Military Service Act, 1918, which will supersede the exemptions previously-held by them. The issue of such certificates requires the concurrence of my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service, and he is carefully considering all the circumstances of the case in conjunction with the Ministry of Food.

asked the Minister of National Service whether steps are being taken to call up for military service Dr. Ross, of Chatburn, Clitheroe; whether he is aware that Dr. Ross is the only medical man in the village and that there is no other medical man nearer than two miles in one direction and nine miles in the other; whether he is aware that Dr. Ross holds five public appointments, that his practice is the largest country practice in the district, and that serious consequences will result if he is taken away from the district; and whether he can see his way to cancel the, calling-up notice?

Dr. W. H. Ross, of Chat-burn, Clitheroe, is aged thirty-seven, single, and Grade 2. All the facts in connection with Dr. Ross's practice are known to the Central Medical War Committee and the local medical war committee, and his ease has been fully considered. Both committees are satisfied that the arrangements proposed by the local medical war committee for carrying on Dr. Ross's practice in his absence are amply sufficient to meet the needs of the civil population of the district and to safeguard Dr. Ross's interests. The doctors in Clitheroe, rather less than two miles away, have arranged to combine in order to release one of their number to devote himself primarily to medical work at Chatburn. In view, therefore, of the urgent. need for medical men it has been decided that -Dr. Ross's services can be utilised to better advantage in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Minister of National Service why there are still over forty men of military age, nearly all of whom are English, Scotch, or Irish, doing clerks' work at Australia House at an average. salary of between £200 and £300 a year?

The hon. and gallant Member's question appears to refer to the Income Tax Repayment Branch of the Inland Revenue, which is at present quartered at Australia House. I am informed by the Board of Inland Revenue that there are at present thirty-one men of military age in that branch, all of whom are over thirty-two and most of whom are over thirty-five years of age. The branch, the work of which is highly technical, has already been greatly diluted, having lost 114 men out of an authorised establishment of 184, and I am satisfied that further reduction of the skilled staff would not be in the public interest.

asked the Minister of National Service if there is any order by which members of local tribunals should be debarred from sitting on cases in which the applicants are relations to or employed by the members; and whether such cases should by law go to county tribunals?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Regulations contain a provision that "a member shall not take part in the consideration of, or vote upon any question relating to, an application in the decision of which he is personally interested… "I may also point out that the National Service representative has an unrestricted right of appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.

asked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to the fact that, owing to the action of the military authority in Lerwick calling up a soldier discharged as having been found medically unfit for further service, the town of Scalloway and surrounding districts is threatened with. very serious disaster, namely, unburied dead; what is the use of calling up a soldier already discharged as being unfit for further service; and will he give immediate instructions to cancel the action of the Lerwick military authority; and (2) the Minister of National Service if. his attention has been directed to the fact that the people of Scalloway and surrounding districts are threatened with the greatest possible trouble, namely, unburied dead, by the action of the military authority in Lerwick calling up a soldier discharged on account of being medically unfit for further service; and if he will give the matter his earnest consideration?

The man in question,. George Nicholson, has not been called up from Lerwick. He was before the Appeal Tribunal on the 3rd January, who refused exemption but recommended he should not be called up before 1st April next. The hon. Member must, I think, be under a misapprehension in supposing that Nicholson has been called up for service.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the waste of labour entailed by breaking up Highland crofts for the cultivation of corn for which the land is unfit, and of the loss to the Army resulting from the grant of exemptions from military service to able-bodied young men on the ground that they are required for agriculture in the innumerable cases in which older men can equally well perform all the functions required; whether be is aware of cases in which farmers have dismissed. their hands above military age and obtained exemption for their sons as indispensable to take their places; and whether, if young men must be retained for agriculture, they will be sent to work where they can work with the best results?

In answer to the first part, I will refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary for Scotland. As to the remainder of the question, I can assure him that exemptions from military service arc only granted to able-bodied young men in cases where they are personally indispensable for the cultivation of the land. The Department have not received any reports of cases where farmers have dismissed their hands above military age and obtained exemption for their sons in the places of the older men. As a general rule, it is probable that when a young man is retained for agriculture he will do better service if he is loft to carry on his work than if he is transferred by Governmental action to work somewhere else.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the importance at this juncture of the agricultural industry, the applications for demobilisation of farmers and sons of farmers who are in occupation of holdings, and have completed three years' military service, will be considered in order that they may resume agricultural work?

I am afraid that in the present situation as regards manpower it is impossible to lay down a general rule as suggested. Individual cases, however, which are referred to the War Office on compassionate grounds, always receive most sympathetic consideration, and a considerable proportion are made available for agricultural work.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he can make any statement concerning his conferences, especially at Liverpool and Glasgow, with engineers, and the progress made in carrying out his man-power proposals?

The meetings at Liverpool and Glasgow to which the hon. Member has referred were mass meetings of the members of the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades. The Minister of National Service received invitations from the district presidents to be present at these meetings and to explain the Government proposals. These invitations he accepted, and in each case received a fair hearing. The work of raising men for the forces is proceeding not unsatisfactorily, well over 40,000 men having been posted since 1st January.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what arrangements are made for medical services in connection with the United States of America Air Force; and whether this force has its own medical staff distinct and separate from that of the American Army and Navy?

I understand that the medical arrangements for the two branches of the United States Air Service are under the charge of specially qualified officers of the military and naval medical Departments.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the question of the financial position of pensioned teachers and is able to make any announcement of the intention of the Government to deal with the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which were given to the right hon. Member for the Ashford Division on 20th June, 1917, and to the hon. Member for West Newington on 10th July, copies of which I am sending him.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Committee, without. any German element, appointed for buying raw hides in Calcutta has been abolished; and whether it is proposed to reopen this business to all firms, including those of well-known German origin, which prior to the War entirely dominated this important trade in India?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Proposals regarding an alteration in the method of purchase have been made by the Government of India and are now being considered in consultation with the War Office, which is the Department principally interested in the supply of hides during the War. A decision has not yet been reached. These proposals do not involve the employment of all firms in the trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in conjunction with the representatives of our Oversea Dominions, a practical scheme is being devised for the settlement in Over-sea Dominions of soldiers and sailors of the Imperial Forces who may desire to do so on the termination of the War?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Report of the Empire Settlement Committee, of which Lord Tennyson was Chairman, which has been published as Cd. 8672.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether an estate has been acquired in the neighbourhood of Hull at a cost of £334,000 with the object of providing a number of small farms for discharged soldiers and sailors; and, if so, what progress has been made with the scheme?

An estate of 2,363 acres at Patrington, near Hull, has been acquired on a lease of ninety-nine years, at a yearly rental of £3,277. The approximate amount expended up to 31st January, 1918, on equipment, adaptation, erection of cottages, and the provision of the necessary working capital, is £49,250. The estate is at present being farmed as a whole; twenty-three pairs of cottages are in course of erection, and fifteen other pairs have been completed, and it is anticipated that about sixty ex-Service men with their families will eventually be placed on the property. The receipts since the Board obtained vacant possession on 6th April last amount to about £5,500.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether, apart from the appointing of a Committee, anything practical has yet been accomplished with a view to settle on the land as owners or holders sailors or soldiers who may desire to take up an agricultural life on the termination of the War?

Under the Small Holdings (Colonies) Act, 1916, three estates, with an aggregate acreage of 4,513 acres, have been acquired, and the purchase of a fourth of 1,345 acres is being arranged for the settlement of sailors and soldiers discharged from the Army. Full particulars of the progress made with regard to these colony schemes is contained in a Report of the proceedings under the principal Act which will be presented. to Parliament at an early date. In addition, 300 acres have been given for the purpose by a private donor.

asked the Home Secretary how many naturalised persons have been interned during the War?

Internment orders have been made under Regulation 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations against fifty-one naturalised British subjects of German origin, four of Austrian origin, and one of Turkish origin.

asked the Home Secretary how many uninterned alien enemies have sons fighting in our Army; and whether he has taken any steps in regard to the internment of all the others in regard to whom there are no national grounds to the contrary

As regards the first part of the question, I regret that no figures are available; but it is certain that a very considerable number of the uninterned alien enemies have sons fighting for this country or her Allies. As regards the second part of the question, I cannot do more than refer the hon. Member to the full statement which I made in the Debate on the 17th December, when I explained the principles on which I had acted with regard to the internment or repatriation of alien enemies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has communicated with the Home Office in reference to the cases of naturalised aliens who are unfit to have a licence to trade in non-ferrous metals with a view that steps may be taken for their internment; and, if not, whether he will do so forthwith?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is forwarding to the Home Office particulars of certain naturalised British subjects of enemy origin to whom he referred in the Debate on the Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Bill as having conducted their business since the War without proper regard to the interests of this country.

asked the Home Secretary whether the internment of J. B. Askew, under the powers of Regulation 14 B still continues; when this man's case was last reviewed by him and the Advisory Committee; and whether there is any ground of public policy which can be stated to the House to justify this man's continued internment considering his personal character and reputation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This man's case was considered by the Advisory Committee in February last. I reviewed the case last month, and decided that it was not one which I would be justified in asking the Advisory Committee to reconsider. The internment Order was made on the ground of Askew's strong and recent hostile associations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether cases of gin from Holland were imported into Hull in December, 1917; if so, how many cases; whether gin is on the list of prohibited imports; and why this commodity was allowed to take up tonnage space which could have been devoted to Dutch butter, margarine, and bacon?

Twenty-eight thousand and ninety-two gallons of gin were brought to this country from Holland in December last for transhipment to West African ports. The number of cases is not known. Gin is a prohibited import, but a general licence is in operation which permits the carriage of prohibited goods to the United Kingdom for transhipment if they are brought in neutral vessels. Such was the case with the gin now in question, and I understand that no food or other essential commodity was shut out by virtue of this shipment. No gin was imported in December for Home consumption under licences issued by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the whole of the traffic, both goods and passenger trains, at Saffron Walden was entirely held up at certain periods during Wednesday, 30th January, 1918, and also during Wednesday, 23rd January, 1918, and frequently at other times on the Great Eastern Cambridge main line whilst the running of special trains takes place; whether he is aware that this causes a number of business men and others whose time is valuable to be shunted for considerable periods, causing loss, inconvenience, and annoyance; whether this state of affairs will be obviated by placing special carriages on to ordinary expresses at least during this time of restricted facilities for travelling; whether for at least three days lately no goods traffic has been able to get through to the borough of Saffron Walden during at least one of which days the above trains upset the traffic; and whether he proposes to take any action?

I have asked the Great Eastern Railway Company for their observations on this matter, and I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman upon receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the House an opportunity of considering the suggestion to raise tramway fares before any action is taken?

Many tramway authorities have powers enabling them to increase their existing fares subject to the statutory maxima. As my right hon. Friend informed the lion. Member for West Newington on Thursday last, the question whether the Board of Trade should seek powers enabling them to increase statutory maximum tramway fares is under consideration, and if it is decided that steps should be taken in this direction, Parliament will certainly be consulted. The object of any increase would be to enable tramway authorities to carry on their essential work.

asked the President, of the Board of Trade whether at the commencement of the War some 10,000 persons, firms, or companies of enemy nationality were carrying on business in this country, and in how many of such cases orders to wind up or discontinue business have been made up to date; and how many Orders have been made vesting the property of enemy subjects residing in this country in the Custodian under the provisions of Section 4 of the Trading With the Enemy Act, 1916?

I am unable to say how many persons, firms, or companies of enemy nationality were carrying on business in this country at the commencement of the War. I do not know how the figures mentioned by the hon. Member wore arrived at, but they would no doubt include persons whose businesses owing to internment, repatriation, and other causes have ceased to exist. The total number of cases in which Orders to wind up or discontinue businesses have up to the present date been made under Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, is 502. It is believed that most, if not all, businesses of any importance have been dealt with under the provisions of the Act of 1916, but if the hon. Member is aware of any case which he thinks has escaped the notice of the Board, my right hon. Friend will be glad to have it investigated upon being furnished with particulars. The total number of Orders made by the Board vesting property in the Custodian under Section 4 of the Act of 1916 is 943. Out of this number 132 were Orders relating only to the property of enemy subjects residing in this country; some. of the remaining Orders have dealt with the property of enemies as well as that of enemy subjects residing in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the air raid on London all trains were running on the District Railway except to Richmond; that passengers for Richmond, including young girls, women, disabled soldiers, and soldiers on leave, among others were detained at Turnham Green Junction after midnight for three or four hours, including nearly two hours after "All clear!" had been given, though no damage to the line had been done, while several trains to Ealing were run with carriages half full, and the authorities refused to send a train from the next station, thus causing anxiety to families whose relatives were needlessly detained; and whether he will make repre- sentations to the railway company with a view to prevent the recurrence of these hardships?

I have communicated with the railway company on this matter and am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of their reply.

asked whether it is intended that the Advisory Council and the Trade Committees which it is proposed co set up in the scheme for the reorganisation of his Department will contain. representatives of trade unions and co-operative societies?

The composition of the Advisory Council and Trade Committee referred to in the scheme to which the hon. Member refers is not yet determined. The point he raises in connection therewith will be carefully borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, now that Irish railways are under State control, he will take steps to have a connection made between the Cork and Macroom Railway and the Cork. Bandon, and South Coast Railway at Cork; whether at present traffic on the Macroom Railway is cut off from access to the port, and also from rail connection with the rest of Ireland, with the result that all through traffic for Macroom has to be carted or driven through the city of Cork; whether he is ware that a connection between the two lines mentioned formerly existed, that the land for the purpose is still available, and that only a few yards of rail are necessary to make the connection; whether repeated complaints have been made from Macroom that their fairs and markets are injured by the fact that that town, from the want of the connection referred to, is cut off from both direct communication with the rest of Ireland over the Cork link railways and also from port facilities, all traffic having to be transshipped at Cork, and that many buyers for that reason refuse to attend; and whether he will state the reason why the connection is not made?

I am making inquiries in this matter, and so soon as these have been completed, I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Whitley Report, now issued in pamphlet form wit. the letter of the Minister of Labour, will be placed in the Vote Office and made available for the Members of this House; whether the Second and Third Reports of the Whitley Committee will be issued in like form; and how soon they will be available?

I shall be very glad to make the pamphlet in question available for Members of the House, and will see if the necessary arrangements can be made. With regard to the last part of the question, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Reconstruction, to whom the Reports in question are addressed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what was the amount of mercantile tonnage built in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1913, 1914. 1915, 1916, and 1917?