asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether equal treatment will be allotted to all sections of the people of this country which may desire to confer upon peace terms with sections of foreign populations, including sections of the enemy States?

Each case as it arises will be dealt with on its merits by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information as to what war taxation has been imposed in the Isle of Man?

Since the outbreak of War the duties on beer and tobacco have been doubled and the following increases made:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of ex-officers of the Civil Service who are now in receipt of pensions of less than £100 per annum; if he is aware that many of these persons, who through age or infirmity are unable to supplement their pensions, are at present placed in difficult circumstances owing to the cost of living; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the pensions or granting a war allowance to those whose income does not exceed the figure stated?

I fear that I have nothing to add to the answers given to similar questions on previous occasions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why London, the most difficult centre of population to supply, was selected for the rationing experiment; and when it is proposed to extend the system of rations to the Midlands and the North?

Local rationing schemes are being put into force in all parts of the country, and very many of these are already at work. The only difference in the case of the London scheme is that the committees in the London and Home Counties divisions asked the Ministry of Food to prepare, on their behalf, a uniform scheme for the whole area, and this was accordingly done. There would clearly have been grave disadvantages in applying different local schemes to different parts of a single town like London. As the result of local action, practically all important centres of population already have or will very shortly have, schemes of rationing for butter and margarine in operation. In respect of meat, the Food Controller has decided to apply a uniform system of meat rationing to the whole of Great Britain as from 25th March. In the meantime, committees in districts where queues are still prevalent are being urged to adopt temporary registration schemes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will favourably consider the issuing of an Order making it compulsory upon retailers of sugar to supply the net weight, as in the case of tea?

There seems to be no reason under existing circumstances for departing from the ordinary practice of the trade.

asked the Secretary of State far the Colonies what steps he is taking to promote wheat growing within the British Empire.?

The Dominion Governments are fully alive to all aspects of the question, and I am not aware of any action that I could usefully take.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that 20 tons of bottomland hay has been commandeered from Mr J. W. Young, of Brockley Park, Stradbally, at 10s. per ton under maximum price; if he is aware that hitherto Mr. Young sold this bottomland hay to small holders in the district for the feeding of their stock at full market price; and whether it is intended to commandeer all bottomland hay in the district which is necessary for the feeding of the stock of small holders; and, if so, what provision will be made for the feeding of such stocks

I am not aware of this particular case. Bottomland hay is not commandeered as suggested, but some of it is bought for Army purposes on a purchase note agreed to and signed by the vendor. It is priced according to its actual value, which is always less than the maximum. Sufficient hay is left always in a district to meet the needs of small holders.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the differential treatment in respect of gratuities of temporary officers in the Navy and the Army to the disadvantage of the former; whether this differentiation is due to the absence of any authority to make such gratuities; whether the Admiralty will seek such authority from Parliament; and whether he will take steps to test the feeling of the House in respect of putting all land combatant officers who give their lives or their health for their country on precisely the same footing?

I am unable at present to supplement the replies I have already given on this subject to my hon. Friend and other Members.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many temporary officers in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve or in the Royal Marines have lost their lives or been incapacitated by reason of their service, and who would had they been in the Army in a corresponding position, have benefited by the authority to pay either to them or to their dependants the regulation gratuity?

As it will take some time to extract the information asked for, perhaps my hon. Friend would put his question down again a week hence.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken to provide opportunities for leave to the motor patrol boat engineers who have been serving in the Eastern Mediterranean for unbroken periods of eighteen months and over; and whether, in view of the physical strain involved in the nature of the work, some special effort will be made to arrange to relieve men who have served for this period without relief?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 19th November, except to say that we are doing, and shall continue to do, our best to relieve the men who have been longest abroad.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a gratuity for war services is payable in the case of a midshipman, Royal Naval Reserve, who served as such during the War, who was subsequently promoted to the Royal Naval Air Service and gave war service in this respect, and who was then demobilised owing to ill-health?

No gratuity for war service is payable from Naval Funds in the case indicated. The case of an officer demobilised owing to ill-health would, however, be dealt with, in regard to pension or other allowance on discharge from the Navy, by the Ministry of Pensions. The question of instituting a gratuity for the benefit of officers rendering temporary service during the War is receiving consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the hardship and inconvenience caused to soldiers' wives by the arrangement made in regard to London area allowance, stoppage of which frequently occurs through the soldiers' wives moving out of the London area for a temporary or indefinite period; if he is aware that in the case of Mrs. Owen, 337, Essex Road, Islington, wife of Private Owen, No. 30780, 1st Garrison Northants Regiment, rent allowance has been refused altogether because this woman, whose home was in London, went out of the London area to be married and remained outside for a few months, although she had been paying rent in London during the whole of the period of her absence from it; and, if so, will he take steps to remove the grievance complained of?

Inquiry will be made into this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Home Secretary what is proposed to be done with conscientious objectors who have been imprisoned for months or years for disobeying military orders upon the expiration of their sentence; are they to be sent back to their regiments and to go through the same process of disobedience, trial by court-martial, and a term of imprisonment; or will the Government, being satisfied with the genuineness of these men's convictions, either order their release or deal with them in some other way?

Such soldiers as have convinced the Central Tribunal of the genuineness of their conscientious convictions have the opportunity of securing immediate release under the terms which have been so often stated in this House. Such soldiers as are not considered by the Central Tribunal as genuine in their conscientious convictions will, on the termination of their sentences, be dealt with in accordance with the Army Act.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will state for what reason A. P. Catherall, No. K.D.990, Army Service Corps, a conscientious objector, was removed from Bristol Prison before he had finished his term of imprisonment and rent to France; and whether instructions will be issued to have him returned to this country?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with any reason why Private Catherall should not have been sent to France I will consider the matter. At the present moment I cannot see that any irregularity whatever has been committed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the full text of Prison Regulation 243a, governing concessions to conscientious objectors who have served twelve months' imprisonment?

I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked whether, on 11th January, a conscientious objector named Pugh was punished at Winchester for having pieces of newspaper; whether, believing that he was punished contrary to regulations, he refused food; and whether he was then removed to Pentonville that he might be forcibly fed?

This prisoner was punished on the 14th January for being in possession of newspaper cuttings and passing them to another prisoner, and also on the 17th January for refusing to work. He refused his food and was forcibly fed at Winchester. He was removed to Pentonville on the 21st and refused to take his food there. Forcible feeding was continued until 2nd February, when he resumed taking his food naturally.

asked the Home Secretary if he will obtain the sanction of the Treasury to securing for conscientious objectors who may take up exceptional employment cash allowances for boots and clothing and railway fares to their homes or places of employment, inasmuch as these men have been deprived of any opportunity of earning their living for the last eighteen months?

It is not proposed to ask the Treasury to sanction these allowances. The men while employed under the Committee wear boots and clothing supplied by the Committee, and while under exceptional employment they are allowed to earn full wages, which should suffice to cover all their expenses.

asked the Home Secretary how many conscientious objectors on the Home Office scheme have served twelve months or more; how many of that number have been held to be qualified under the new Rules for exceptional employment; and whether he will place the administration of these rules in the hands of persons who have not the bias against conscientious objectors exhibited by the members of the existing Committee?

1,630 men have served twelve months and upwards under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors. The Committee have not yet been able, with the limited staff at their disposal, to consider the cases of all these men; but out of 588 eases considered by them, they have decided 120 to be qualified under the new rules, and others are still under consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I am satisfied that the administration of these Rules by the existing Committee does not exhibit any bias against conscientious objectors.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have a careful inquiry made into the state of health of Tom Mellor, a conscientious objector at present in Carnarvon Prison, who is hearing the end of his third sentence of imprisonment; and, in view of the man's state of health and the long imprisonment he has endured, will he order his discharge?

This man was discharged from prison on the expiraton of his sentence on Friday last There were no indications of his being in ill-health, and he made no complaints of illness.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have a careful inquiry made into the state of health of Ethan Shallcross, a conscientious objector at present in Ipswich Prison, where he has been for the last twelve months; and, in view of the allegations that his present treatment has seriously undermined his health and reason, will he, to avoid the likelihood of another death in prison, order the man's immediate discharge?

I recently received a communication as to this prisoner's health, and immediately asked for a medical report. The report was to the effect that the man is in good mental and physical health. He has gained weight while in prison, and has made no complaint There appears to be no reason to think that his mental or physical condition has deteriorated or is likely to deteriorate.

asked the Home Secretary on what principle the rules providing for exceptional employment of conscientious objectors who have been working under the Home Office Committee for twelve months are being administered; whether he is aware that many men who have have had no charge brought against them for more than twelve months are being deemed not to be qualified; and whether he will take steps to see that the administration of the new rules is carried out by impartial and responsible persons in a judicial spirit?

The privilege of exceptional employment is intended for those men whose industry and conduct during a period of not less than twelve months' employment under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors has been exemplary; and the fact that a man has not had any charge brought against him during that period does not in itself qualify him for the privilege. I have no reason to doubt that the administration of these rules is carried out in the manner suggested at the end of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give an undertaking that no conscientious objector employed by the Home Office Committee, or employed under the rules regulating exceptional employment of conscientious objectors, will be returned to the Army or sent back to prison, or otherwise penalised for taking part in a strike, lock-out, or other industrial dispute concerning wages, hours of labour, or trade union customs and regulations?

I cannot give a general undertaking of this kind. The action of the Committee must depend on circumstances. It is obvious that conscientious-objectors cannot be allowed to refuse the work for which they were released, but the Committee have no intention of using their labour for the purpose of interfering with an industrial dispute on the part of others.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to restore leave with free passes to their homes to the conscientious objectors employed in Home Office camps and work centres other than those who are authorised to take up exceptional employment under the new rules?

It is not proposed that any such leave should be granted.

asked if the rations of the conscientious objectors under detention have been reduced to the same scale as those of the population in the neighbourhood of their prisons; and are they allowed to purchase or receive presents of other articles of food over and above their rations?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to conscientious objectors in work centres. The dietaries for these men are within the rationing scales now in force. They are not allowed to purchase or receive any addition to the dietary of those articles which are subject to compulsory rationing, and steps are being taken, in consultation with the Ministry of Food, to prevent their obtaining excessive supplies of other articles.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received letters and resolutions in reference to the case of Daniel Huxstep, a Salvationist and market gardener, now undergoing imprisonment as a conscientious objector; will he say where D. Huxstep is now; what sentence is he serving; and whether, under the circumstances, this man will have the benefit of the policy announced by Earl Curzon on 4th December, 1917?

I have received several letters and resolutions with regard to this man. I find that he was discharged from prison on expiration of his sentence on the 23rd of last month, and thereupon passed again into the jurisdiction of the military authorities. I understand that he has since returned to prison, but I have not yet been able to obtain full particulars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department is making any representations to the Admiralty against their calling up fishermen, in view of the increasingly vital importance of the fish supply to the nation; and whether, seeing that the position of these men is analogous to that of the agricultural labourers, he will say how many have up to the present been withdrawn from what is now a staple industry?

The Food Controller appreciates the vital importance of increasing our fish supplies to the utmost possible extent, and is satisfied that the necessary representations have been made to the Board of Admiralty by the Fisheries Departments, to whom this matter more directly appertains. There are no figures available which would enable me to state the number of fishermen withdrawn from their customary occupation.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he has received a request from the executive committee of the Fawcett Association and the sorters' trade union to receive a deputation on the question of the operation with reference to recent instructions calling up more men from the postal service to the Army; and whether he proposes to receive the deputation, and, if so, will he say when?

The Ministry of National Service is in communication with the secretary of the Fawcett Association on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Regular and Territorial Artillery captains who were in command of batteries in the early part of the War and were sent home wounded before December, 1916, at which date batteries, with the exception of howitzer batteries, were augmented to six guns, and became a major's command; whether by an Army Council Instruction, August, 1917, officers in this position who were captains and had been given the acting rank of major were allowed to retain this rank on return to England; whether temporary officers who have obtained command of batteries after December, 1916, and been subsequently sent home wounded or sick have been allowed to retain the rank of major; and whether the Army Council will grant acting majorities without pay or allowances to officers who have commanded batteries, say, for six months or more, before December, 1916?

At the time referred to the batteries mentioned were not majors' commands, and the battery commanders, therefore, never held the rank. I am afraid, therefore, that the suggestion in the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question cannot be entertained.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what is the state of leave in the Salonika force; and what is the average length of time during which the private soldiers have no leave?

I hope to make a statement on this subject to-morrow.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all soldiers at the front are provided with body shields?

The whole of the troops at the front are not provided with body shields, but all demands of the Commanders-in-Chief have been met.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that discontent has been caused in the Army medical service by the late list of promotions to the higher ranks of that service, colonels and surgeon-generals, as a result of which a large number of officers, some of whom possess distinguished records for professional work, have been passed over for promotion; whether these promotions were the result of consideration of the qualifications of the officers by an impartial and formally constituted board of senior officers; and, if so, what was the constitution of that board; if such a board was constituted, what instructions were given to it to guide it in making its selection; and, alternatively, if no such board was constituted, on what system was the selection made, and was due attention paid to scientific and professional qualifications as apart from purely administrative ability?

The recent promotions were made in some instances among officers who perform purely professional duties and in others both professional and administrative capacity were duly considered. The promotions were made specially for the purposes of the War, and officers not so selected are still eligible for promotion in the ordinary course. The recommendations of General Officers Commanding were obtained and carefully considered, and the selections were made by the Adjutant-General, in consultation with the Director-General, Army Medical Service, after exhaustive inquiry, and were finally submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether a scheme exists for allowing officers who are under hospital treatment to attend short courses at the university; and if there is any reason for limiting that scheme to the University of Oxford?

The scheme of instruction at Oxford University is an experiment, and it is not proposed to consider its extension to other universities until the result of the trial has been ascertained.

asked the Undertary of State for War why the courses of instruction for officers at a university, referred to in Army Council Instruction, No. 91, of 1918, are limited to Oxford University; and whether similar opportunity will be given without delay to other universities to start similar courses?

The scheme of instruction at Oxford University is an experiment, and it is not proposed to consider its extension to other universities until the result of the trial has been ascertained.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the firm of A. Forbes and Company is not on the list of the Kip Committee for the supply of kips to the Government; and, having regard to the facts that the members of this firm, which belongs to the London Chamber of Commerce, are all of British birth, that the head of this firm is a recognised expert in the kip trade, and that before the War the firm was the largest shipper of hides from Calcutta to England, whether the Secretary of State for War will take steps to rectify this omission?

Responsibility for the composition of the Kip Buying Committee in India rests with the Indian Government and not the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if military interpreters serving at prisoner-of-war camps are at present drawing consolidated pay, plus a lodging allowance of 15s. per week in the event of no quarters being available in camp, but no ration allowance; and, if so, if the War Office can see their way, in view of the high cost of living, to grant a ration allowance to these officers, who are usually the only ones in the mess not drawing rations and also have no military sugar cards issued to them?

The facts are as stated. These officers are paid at civilian rates, which are intended to cover the cost of board, and they are not, therefore, entitled either to rations or an allowance in lieu. A substantial improvement in the scale of pay was made in May last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, although cooks in war hospitals have recently been awarded a bonus of 4s. per week, this is the first-bonus they have had; that, apart from this, their wages only amount to 28s. per week, and that they have to work seven days a week and often late at night; and whether, in view of these facts, he will favourably consider a further increase commensurate with the increased cost of living and approximating to the total amount of bonuses awarded to other workmen?

I think my right hon. Friend is referring to men cooks at the Royal Herbert Hospital. I am inquiring into their case.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the weekly wages of the civilian subordinates employed by the War Department at Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, is only 27s. 6d., including 4s. war bonus, that an increase on this bonus to 5s. was given on 7th April, 1917, under No. 773 Southern Command orders, at certain stations only, namely Portsmouth, Plymouth, Devonport, and Portland, making a total of 9s. war bonus, that under Southern Command orders, 4th June, 1917, No. 1213, Weymouth was added to the list, and that under Southern Command orders, 27th June, 1917, No. 1412, Portsea, Gosport, including Forts Gomer, Grange, Rowner, and Brockhurst were added to the list of stations, that on 4th August, 1917, under Southern Command orders, No. 1752, an increase of 3s. at certain stations apply to the same conditions laid down in Southern Command order No. 773, making a total of 12s. war bonus, and that under 22nd December, 1917, Southern Command orders, No. 2831, an increase of 5s. at certain stations, as laid down in Southern Command order No. 773, making a total of 17s. in all, was granted; if he will explain why the Isle of Wight has been left out in issuing these increases, considering it is part of the Portsmouth garrison; if he is aware that food in the island costs more than on the mainland, and that the men have to pay £2 14s. 2d. a ton for coal, and also have to clothe and feed themselves; and if he can see his way to have the above-mentioned increase given to certain Southern Command stations also extended to the Isle of Wight?

Inquiries will be made as to whether local conditions in the Isle of Wight justify any increase in the present war bonus.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the commutation of officers' pensions has been suspended; and, if so, whether he can make a statement as to the reasons for this step and also as to the future intentions of the military authorities?

Yes, Sir. The chief reason for suspension is the desirability of avoiding capital disbursements as much as possible during the War.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why permission was refused for Messrs. F. J. Knight, H. G. Russell, and A. G. Serpell to work for Messrs. Cadbury at Bournville, but was given for them to work at Badsey and Knighton, at which places no openings were available; and whether the Pelham Committee will permit these men to work at Bournville?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. It is not the practice of the Committee on Work of National Importance to place any considerable number of men in any one establishment. In declining to permit the employment of the men referred to at Bournville, the Committee acted on this principle.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the Orders in Council constituting the Air Force have yet been made?

No, Sir. I hope on the Estimates of the Air Ministry to make a full statement as to progress in establishing the Air Force.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in assessing the Income Tax payable by police constables, war bonus, special duty money, child allowance, and boot money are included?

The whole of the pecuniary emoluments, including war bonus, etc., fall to be regarded as income for the purposes of assessment to Income Tax, but the hon. Member will, of course, bear in mind that exemption is allowed where the total income does not exceed £130, and that the statutory abatements and children allowances are deductible until the £700 income limit is exceeded.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Committee appointed to examine literature recently seized under Regulation 51 will hear parties interested, either personally or by counsel or solicitor, or whether the Committee intends to order destruction without hearing arguments against destruction which the authors or owners of the literature may desire to submit to the Committee?

The Committee in question is an Advisory Committee, without any power to give directions or issue orders. It is free to determine its own procedure, but I do not doubt that it will be able to judge of the leaflets submitted to it without assistance.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on Wednesday, 2nd January, four detectives visited 52, Anderton Park Road, Birmingham, the residence of the secretary of the Birmingham Fellowship of Reconciliation, and seized a number of copies of a booklet named "Our Roll of Honour"; and what was the reason for this seizure?

Yes, Sir. The booklet was seized because it contravened the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

asked the Home Secretary if Mr. Lovat Fraser's article attacking Sir William Robertson, which appeared in the "Daily Mail" of 21st January last, was submitted to and passed by the Censor; and, if not, whether any action is to be taken?

The article in question was not submitted to the Press Bureau. It is under the consideration of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has reconsidered the case of R. C. Wallhead, who was sentenced at Neath under the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether he can now see his way to remit some portion of the punishment inflicted?

Wallhead has completed the first of two sentences of two months' imprisonment, and as he has petitioned expressing his regret for having made the false statement complained of and undertaking not to repeat the offence, I have felt justified in advising the remission of the second term of imprisonment. He has accordingly been released.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the land and effects of Mrs. Knowles. of Moor House Farm, Scruton, North Yorkshire, have been taken over by the War Agricultural Committee, that the compensation due from the Defence of the Realm (Losses) Commission has not yet been paid, and that this woman has no money for the maintenance of herself and family or to provide another home; and whether, seeing that she is in such straitened circumstances, he will accelerate the payment of the compensation due to her?

Possession was taken of the land comprised in Moor House Farm, Scruton, on 11th October, 1017, as well as of the stock and produce on the farm. Mrs. Knowles has not yet given up possession of the farmhouse. This action was taken under Regulation 2m of the Defence of the Realm Regulations and compensation for direct and substantial loss is in such cases paid upon the determination of the Defence of the Realm (Losses) Royal Commission. Mrs. Knowles' claim for compensation for loss due to possession being taken of the stock and produce and for loss of tenant right is dated 24th January, 1918. No time has been lost in dealing with the claim since it was received: the War Agricultural Executive Committee have forwarded it to the Board of Agriculture with a report prepared by an experienced valuer in accordance with the instructions of the Losses Commission, and the claim and report are now being forwarded to that Commission with a request that they will be good enough to expedite the hearing and, if possible, to make to Mrs. Knowles some payment on account. Mrs. Knowles has not made any claim for loss of occupation value, but is being asked to do so.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the cases of theft which occurred during the last two air raids on London and the suburbs and to the losses of fowls and property which were suffered by many persons of small means; if the present punishments have been found insufficient to meet the exceptional conditions which prevail during raids and the helplessness of the people; and will he consider the question of obtaining further powers?

No case of fowl stealing was brought to the notice of the police on the occasion of the last two air raids; but twenty-three cases of larceny from shops or dwelling houses in the Metropolitan police district were reported, six arrests being made. Such offences can scarcely be prevented if premises are left with no protec- tion whatever. I have no reason to think that the powers possessed by the Courts are inadequate.

asked the Home Secretary whether the gentleman known as Mr. E. D. Morel or as Mr. Morel de Ville, or however otherwise designated, has been released from imprisonment under the Defence of the Realm Act; whether he was, prior to the War, a professional promoter of ill-will between England and Belgium and a notorious atrocity-monger; if so, whether he will now be interned; and, if not, why this course is not to be adopted?

This man has been released from prison, having served the sentence passed on him. I must not be understood to agree with the hon. Member's view as to Mr. Morel's activities before the War, but in any case they would not justify me in now making an Order for his internment.

asked the Home Secretary whether consideration has been given to the increased requirements of printers for labour, paper, type, and space if the new registers of voters are to be compiled and kept up for revision twice a year; whether a definite estimate of each of these requirements has been or is being made; and whether the Government will give every possible facility for a prompt preparation of the new voting lists?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The matters referred to are not being lost sight of, and the hon. Member may be assured that all practicable steps will be taken with a view to a prompt preparation of a new register.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the preparation of the voters' lists under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, is now proceeding; and if he can state the earliest date upon which those lists will be available for use either at a by-election or at a General Election?

An Order in Council will be issued as soon as practicable with a view to the preparation of a new register of voters. The date to be fixed for the coming into force of this register is under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will issue an election Order admitting of the election of parish councillors by ballot, in substitution for, or as an alternative for, the existing custom of electing them by show of hands, that will be available for use at the triennial election of parish councillors in April, 1919?

The matter will receive consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, although taxi-cab proprietors are not using more than their authorised allowance of petrol, they are prohibited by the three-mile limit from driving officers and men of both services from the towns to camps, forts, and stations where they are quartered which are beyond the prescribed distance, and in many cases to which trains are not available, thereby causing inconvenience and loss of time when they are returning from leave or joining for the first time, and hardship to those officers and men whose only relaxation is obtained by an occasional visit to the town; and, if so, whether an exception can be made in the case of all service men?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. I am aware that some, hardship has been caused in a few areas, particularly in the neighbourhood of military camps owing to the limitation of the radius of operation of taxi-cabs, and I am now causing inquiry to be made into the circumstances in each licensing area with a view to an extension of the three-mile limit where necessary in the interests of the travelling public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a person having had granted to him a licence for a certain quantity of petrol per month and purchasing that quantity but who, for reasons of economy, does not use the whole of the quantity of petrol to which he is entitled per month, but uses it frugally and thereby acquires a surplus stock for use in any following month or months, is to be considered a hoarder and punished for his economy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question put by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 22nd January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has obtained from the Home Office particulars of the business carried on by all alien enemies who have been interned and of all who have been excused internment by the Advisory Committee; what is the number of such cases; and how many have been wound up under the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916?

The Board have been supplied with lists of enemy subjects who had been engaged in business and who had been either interned or exempted from internment. The number of the interned list was 423, while the number on the exempted list was 295. In regard to the former, 32 orders to wind-up the business have been made, and in regard to the latter 19 such orders have been made. I should at the same time point out that upon investigation of the cases set out in the lists it was found that the winding-up provisions of the Act were not in a great many instances applicable, on the following grounds:—

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the effect of Mr. Justice Eve's judgment in re Jobson upon the intentions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act to the power of a mortgagee to call in the principal unless the mortgagor consents to pay interest at an increased rate to what has been heretofore paid; and if he will say whether further legislation will be introduced in the matter?

The question docs not state accurately the result of Mr. Justice Eve's judgment. Under Subsection (2) of Section 1 of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, the Court has an absolute discretion to defer the operation of a mortgagee's remedies for such time and subject to such conditions as to the Court seem fit. In the case referred to, Mr. Justice Eve indicated the general rules by which ho was guided in ordinary cases in the exercise of this discretion and stated, among other things, that in certain cases the suspensory period might be extended if the mortgagor was willing, as a condition of obtaining such extension, to increase the rate of interest to 5 per cent. In practice a large number of mortgagors, when they apply for relief under the Act, voluntarily offer to submit to this condition, and any legislative restriction on the power of the Court to impose such a condition for extended relief would deprive mortgagors of the opportunity they now have of offering a consideration which, as a general rule, affords them substantial grounds for seeking and obtaining considerably extended relief. Further legislation upon the matter is not at present proposed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is able to state the decrease in the amount payable to the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland under the provisions of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, for the financial years 1915–16 and 1916–17; whether such deficiency has been supplied from any other source; if so, will he state the same; whether he has taken note of the claim set forth in the Report of the Board for the year 1916 for a balance of £86,000 per year due to Ireland for secondary education, having regard to the Grants made to England, Scotland, and Wales for that purpose; whether he proposes to satisfy the claim and, if so, how; and whether it is intended at an early date to give effect to the desired reforms in the basic principles and administration of the intermediate system as indicated in the Reports of the Board for 1912– 16?

The Grant payable to the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland under the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, varied from year to year. Between the years 1900 and 1909 it decreased from £71,400 to £46,566. To prevent any further decrease in the funds of the Board, a fixed annual Grant of £46,563 was provided by the Revenue Act, 1911, in lieu of the sum formerly payable under the Act of 1890, and under the Intermediate Education Act, 1914, the funds of the Board were increased by the Teachers' Salaries Grant of £40,000 a year. I have seen the Report of the Intermediate Education Board to which the hon. Member refers; but, as the means by which funds are provided for intermediate education in different parts of the United Kingdom are not the same, any financial comparison is misleading. In Ireland there is an endowment fund from the Irish Church Surplus, and Grants for technical schools and science classes are also made through the Vote for the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. In the rest of the United Kingdom there are considerable contributions from the rates. Conclusions arrived at by disregarding these facts arc, in my opinion, of little real value. Some of the recommendations of the Intermediate Board will be carried out under the Rules for the application of the new Parliamentary Grant of £50,000. Legislation with regard to the system of Irish intermediate education is not practicable at present.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the assistant masters of the county school, Barnard Castle, have in open meeting passed resolutions protesting against the allocation of any part of the Fisher Grant towards the establishment of a pensions scheme, he has sanctioned the action of the governing body in allocating 65 per cent. of the Grant towards a pensions scheme and the action of the governing body in allocating only 35 per cent. of the Grant towards increases of salaries; whether, in view of the fact that the governing body of the school contend that they can allocate the Grant to any objects they choose and that they can distribute the portion of the Grant allocated to salaries in any proportions they choose amongst the masters, he will issue further Regulations setting out definitely the objects besides increase of salary to which the Grant may be applied and the manner in which the Grant should be distributed amongst masters, whether equally all round or in proportion to years of service; and whether, seeing that some of the masters in the school have not yet received any share of the Grant for the year August, 1916–17, he will take steps to ensure that they receive their share without delay?

In reply to the first part of the question no representations have been made to me and no sanction has been asked for. In reply to the second part, I do not think the time has yet come for defining, as a condition of grant under the Board's Regulations, either the purposes to which the increased Grant must in whole or in part be applied, or of the methods of its application towards improvement of teachers' salaries. The question will be considered when full information as to what has actually been done by school authorities is available With regard to the last part of the question, I am making inquiry.