asked the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State for War, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and the Commander-in-Chief in France were consulted as to the proposals which were adopted by the recent Versailles Conference?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to place all temporary officers in the Navy and in the Army on the same footing as regards the payment of a death or discharge gratuity?

As regards the gratuities payable to widows of deceased officers under Article 11 (3) of the Royal Warrant and Order in Council, the principle of similar treatment for officers of both Services has already been adopted; but as the naval practice before the introduction of the Order in Council was based on a different principle, officers employed before the 1st April, 1917, when the Order in Council came into force, are allowed to retain the benefit of the old system where this is more favourable. Gratuities on discharge are of different kinds, and I do not clearly understand to which of them my hon. Friend is referring in particular. In general, I am not satisfied that complete uniformity is practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of a wounded soldier with a pension in which the pension makes his income come up to or over the Income Tax level, he has to pay Income Tax on his whole income or whether it is only paid on the income in which the pension is not included?

Where the individual's total income from all sources exceeds the exemption limit, regard is necessarily had to the full amount of the income in assessing the Income Tax liability, but my hon. and gallant Friend will remember that the Statutory abatement and children allowances are deductible where the total income does not exceed £700 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of public hospitals which have during the War treated wounded soldiers gratuitously issuing an appeal for donations in order to wipe off debts, any donation made by companies in response to the appeal may be deducted from their assessment for Excess Profits Duty?

General donations to hospitals and for other charitable purposes are not admissible deductions in computing liability to Income Tax and Excess Profits Duty. I may remind my hon. Friend that the legal recognition of such payments as admissible deductions would involve the consequence that the larger proportion thereof would in effect be a contribution by the State, and, as he will realise, it is most desirable that Grants by the State should be made in a direct form.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now ready to make the Return as to Members of this House who hold office under the Crown standing in the name of the hon. Member for the Carmarthen Boroughs, which was promised on 1st November, 1917?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As I pointed out in a letter to the hon. Member on the 29th November last, no action as regards the preparation of the Return asked for on the 1st November could be taken until the Return had been moved for and Ordered by the House. No notice of Motion of that Return has in the meantime appeared on the Order Paper, and the Return which the hon. Member has now put down is not in the same terms as the Return asked for on the 1st November. Steps will, however, now be taken for the preparation of the Return with the additional information which the hon. Member now desires should be furnished.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an Order was issued on the 2nd January, or at all, commandeering all edible fats for the purpose of making margarine; is he aware that these fats used to come into Ireland in other forms; and will he say whether an increased supply of margarine is coming into Ireland since 2nd January, 1918, or whether all margarine is being retained in England and Scotland?

By the Oils and Fats (Requisition) Order, dated the 21st December, 1917, the Food Controller took possession of all scheduled oils and fats, edible and non-edible, in the United Kingdom, on the 1st January, 1918, in order equitably to allocate supplies to manufacturers, first priority being given to the manufacture of margarine. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. It has been found necessary, in order to effect economies in transport, to arrange that Ireland shall satisfy her requirements of margarine as far as possible from her own production, and to this end the importation into Ireland of the materials necessary for the making of margarine has not been restricted.

asked if, in connection with the prohibition of the use of edible oils and fats in the manufacture of soap, involving a reduction in the output of glycerine for propellant explosives, in order that soap-making materials may be used for the manufacture of margarine, the relative importance of the requirements of the nation for margarine and propellant explosives, respectively, has been settled between the Departments concerned?

The answer is in the affirmative. The output of margarine will not interfere with glycerine requirements.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the acreage under potatoes in Ireland, the total produce, and the produce per acre in each of the years 1915, 1916, and 1917?

supplied the following particulars:—

—		Acreage on 1st June.	Estimated Total Production.	Yield per Statute Acre.
		Acres.	Tons.	Tons.
1915	…	594,467	3,710,063	6.2
1916	…	586,308	2,433,846	4.2
1917	…	709,263	4,152,740	5.9

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a ton of salt beef in brine sold on behalf of His Majesty's Government ex prize on 23rd January was destroyed by the Bermondsey Borough Council as unfit for human consumption on 2nd February; what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to ensure that food captured shall not be allowed to go bad in future; and whether it is proposed to indemnify the retailers who purchased the meat at auction?

From the inquiries which have been made it is not possible to identify the transaction referred to. The Admiralty Marshal has, I understand, no record of any sale of salt beef since June last. If particulars can be furnished, further inquiry will be made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any areas closed to fishing previous to the outbreak of war have been thrown open since that date; and whether the Admiralty are taking all possible steps to increase the national fish supply by affording every facility to trawlers to carry on their business?

The Admiralty did not close any areas to fishing before the War and have no power to open any which were then closed. As regards the second part of the question, on the 14th February, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Torquay Division, I stated that it has always been the policy of the Admiralty to remove or relax restrictions on fishing whenever it is considered safe to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, when the soap-makers' stocks of oil and fat which were capable of being converted for edible purposes were commandeered for the production of margarine, soap-makers were given to understand that they were to be allowed prior claim on the stocks of linseed oil; and whether this understanding has been observed?

Certain quantities of linseed oil are being allotted to soap-makers in place of the oils and fats commandeered from them for edible purposes, but no understanding such as that referred to in the question was ever entertained or arrived at with the soap-makers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill to compel those who cut down trees to replant with saplings the denuded area of woods; whether he is aware that quantities of timber have been and are being cut down in Ireland; and that this proposal would help to provide a remedy and restoration?

The proposal to which the hon. Member refers was considered by the Reconstruction Committee on Afforestation. They did not consider it a desirable means of effecting replanting. As stated in reply to previous questions, the whole subject of replanting in Ireland is receiving careful attention.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Private A. G. Steel, No. 16,091, F Company, No. 7 Platoon, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, has been missing since 25th November, 1917; whether the War Office has received any information that he was seen wounded, shot through the lungs, and that he refused a stretcher party, or whether he has been accounted for otherwise; and whether any communication has been made to his relatives at Kelso?

This soldier has just been reported wounded and missing on 26th November, and a notification should now have reached the next-of-kin. There is no further information in the War Office, and I should be glad of any particulars in the possession of my hon. Friend.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether qualified medical men of American nationality are eligible for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps or for employment by the War Office; and whether medical men of Allied nationality holding registerable qualifications in this country are eligible for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

Qualified medical men of American nationality are not eligible to hold substantive commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps, but may be employed by the War Office. Medical men of Allied nationality holding registerable qualifications in this country are not eligible to hold substantive commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he has received complaints as to the insufficiency of food served in the Officers' Training Corps camp at Berkhamsted; whether in consequence of the alleged insufficiency, a number of men have applied to be transferred back to their own regiments; and whether any steps have been taken in the matter?

This area was inspected in November last, and the messing arrangements of the Officers' Training Corps were found satisfactory, but further inquiries are being made, and the result will be communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the distinctive chevrons for service abroad will be authorised, having regard to the fact that men retired or discharged from the Service, some of whom have served in France for three years, have nothing to show for such service or to distinguish them from discharged men who have not been overseas?

Distinctive chevrons for service abroad were authorised by Special Army Order of 20th December, 1917, of which I will send my hon. and learned Friend a copy. Chevrons are only supplied to serving officers and soldiers who are entitled to them. Under paragraph 12 of the Army Order discharged soldiers may, if they wish, wear on plain clothes the chevrons which they would have been entitled to wear on uniform had they remained in the Service, but no issue is made from Government stores.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office has yet taken steps, or intends to take any steps, to inaugurate institutions for nerve-strained soldiers of the rank and file where un certifiable cases can be detained under War Office control for treatment by staffs largely recruited from those accustomed to the care of lunatics; if so, what is the number and location of the institutions contemplated; how many soldiers are to be detained in each; what are the names of the medical men entrusted with, this undertaking; and what definite arrangements will be made for the early discharge of such men to the care of local committees under the Pensions Ministry, with a view to their speedy restoration to industrial civilian life when adjudged to be no longer of any service to the Army?

The War Office is taking steps to establish institutions for the care of nerve-strained soldiers, and medical officers are being specially trained for the treatment of this class of case. Eight are already organised, four are in process of establishment, and others are contemplated. They will take patients in varying numbers up to 500. The medical officers' names are as follows:Lieut.-Colonel Mott, Maudsley Section, 4th London General Hospital, S.E.Major Rows, Red Cross Military Hospital, Maghull.Major Worth, Springfield War Hospital, Upper Tooting, S.W.Lieut.-Colonel Fox, 4th Southern General Hospital, Plymouth.Major Hurst, Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.Major Mackenzie, Glen Lomond War Hospital, Fife.Captain Culpin, 1st Southern General Hospital, Monyhull Section, Birmingham.Captain Clements, Bradford War Hospital, "Abram Peel" Section.The cases will be treated in military hospitals for such time as it is considered necessary to determine whether they will be fit for military service or should be discharged.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will have an inquiry made into the case of Lance-Corporal H. Bury, No. 17,864, 67th Training Reserve Battalion, who joined the Colours on the 4th April, 1917, and who at the time of his enlistment made an allotment to his mother and put in a claim for dependant's separation allowance and owing to some misunderstanding filled in. a second form later when in training, and when, after unreasonable delay, payment was made to the mother the allowance only dated from the 26th July; and, as. repeated applications have been made without effect for the arrears between the 4th April and 26th July to which the mother is entitled, will he see that the outstanding payment is made at once?

Payment of these arrears was made last week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the reason for excluding Army inspectors of works from the benefit of children's allowance under Army Council Instructions dated 24th January, 1918; whether, in comparison with other officers who receive higher pay and yet are entitled to the benefit of the allowance for children, these professionally qualified officers engaged in the inspection of Army works should also be entitled to the allowance, especially in view of their positions in civil life and the standard of living which they and their families have been accustomed to and the considerable pecuniary sacrifice by them of their civil professional incomes on joining His Majesty's Forces?

The pay of these inspectors of works is practically a Civil Service salary, these officers having formerly belonged to that branch of the public service. The permanent inspectors have been granted the bonus approved for Civil servants of similar salaries serving on permanent engagements, and those serving temporarily will be granted any like bonus which may be approved for temporary Civil servants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that a clerk of works in the service of the War Office receives a larger income by some £65 per annum than his immediate superiors, the Army inspectors of works, who are professionally qualified men, many of whom have been in considerable professional practice in civil life; are such clerks of works entitled to the benefit of allowances for children or any grant in addition to their fixed income; what is the reason of giving to a subordinate a larger income than that accorded to men occupy- ing a position of greater trust and requiring special professional qualifications; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to remedy this difference of treatment?

The range of pay for clerks of works is, temporarily, from 7s. 6d. to 20s. per diem, according to the circumstances of each case, the 20s. limit being altogether exceptional; while the rate of pay of inspectors of works is £300 per annum, with £350 for special posts. The statement in the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is not, therefore, quite in accordance with the general position, nor am I aware of the existence of any such case. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the latter part, the whole question was considered six months ago, and it is not proposed to make any alteration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what was the number of men who entered the Army in the year 1916?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The number of recruits who were accepted for service in the Army during the year ending 31st December, 1916, was 1,190,075.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service if the officers of the recruiting staffs which were taken over by the National Service Ministry are paid at a flat rate of £300 per annum, irrespective of their rank; and, seeing that in the case of married officers with families and officers who held the rank of captain this is less than their former scale of pay and allowances, whether the Ministry would increase their pay to the scale at which it was before the transfer was made?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for Bridgwater on the 23rd January, 1918. Officers who were serving on the Recruiting Staff of the War Office, and who have been taken over by the Ministry of National Service, have been appointed to posts which are graded in relation to responsibility, and have no connection with ranks held in the Army. An officer, irrespective of rank held in the Army, might be appointed to a post drawing £300 per annum. If such salary would not adequately compensate an officer for the loss of military privileges in respect of Income Tax and Army gratuity, he would receive an allowance which would bring the aggregate income received from the Ministry up to a level, which is fair in the circumstances of his case at the date of his transfer.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that Messrs. H. Livesey, Limited, Green bank Ironworks, Blackburn, a controlled establishment, are employing a discharged soldier, who has lost one eye, at 10s. a week below the standard wages of the district; if he is aware that this action has caused indignation in the ranks of organised labour in the town; and whether, in view of the menace that such a practice is to the standard of living of the workmen, he will at once take steps to see that it is discontinued?

I am having immediate inquiries made into this matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he-will state 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?

The present firm of A. Forbes and Company traded in India at the outbreak of the War under the name of Stein, Forbes and Company. On account of its composition and association it was held to be a "hostile" firm within the meaning of the Hostile Foreigners' Trading Order of the Indian Government, and was brought under control. The firm then reconstructed itself, and became A. Forbes and Company in India. Stein became J. Stoner, and J. Stoner and Company, of London, became the sole agents in Europe for A. Forbes and Company. In forming a Committee for the purchase of raw hides for the War Office, the Government of India did not select firms which had contained an enemy element or previously had an enemy association. For this reason A. Forbes and Company were not included. It is understood that since then the firm has severed its connection with J. Stoner and Company. In the event of any change in the present arrangements for the purchase of Indian raw hides for the British Government, the position of the firm would no doubt be open to reconsideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the amount of rupee notes issued by the Indian Government at the present time and how much of the issue is of notes below 5 rupees; and also the amount of bullion and cash in coined rupees and gold held in India against the issue of such notes?

The figures of the note circulation and reserve on the 15th instant were as follows:

	Lakhs of Rupees,
Notes in circulation	10.391
Silver coin and bullion	1.345
Gold coin and bullion	2.898
Securities	6.148

Of the amount of notes in circulation on that date not more than 5 per cent. at the outside, on a rough calculation, was represented by notes below 5 rupees.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the net import of gold coin and bullion into India from the closing of the Mint in 1893 to the end of the last century, from 1st January. 1900, to 4th August, 1914, and from the commencement of the War until 31st December, 1917; and will he state the amount of gold held by the Government in India on 31st December, 1917?

The statistics asked for are as follows:

(1) Net import of gold coin and bullion into India from the closing of the Mints on 26th June, 1893, to 31st December, 1900,

• £15,840,900 (approximate).

(2) From 1st January, 1900, to 4th August, 1914,

• £137,922,600 (approximate).

(3 From 4th August, 1914, to 30th September, 1917,

• £19,749,000 (approximate).
• Later figures are not yet available.

(4) Gold held by the Government of India in India on 31st December, 1917,

• £17,816,000.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has observed that the recent Report on the Transfer of the Functions of Poor Law Authorities in England and Wales proposes that the Poor Law Act of 1603 and the amending Act of.1834, which together impose upon the guardians of the poor the duty of giving necessary relief to the necessitous, shall be repealed, and that it makes no provision for imposing this duty of relief on the councils or committees which it proposes to substitute for the guardians; whether this destruction of the obligation to relieve and of the corresponding right of the necessitous to relief given by these Statutes (see judgments of the Court of Appeal in the Merthyr Tydvil case, Law Reports, 1900, Chancery Appeals, 516), has his sanction; and, if not, will he, while President of the Local Government Board, abstain from introducing or supporting any Bill involving the destruction or reduction of the right of the necessitous to relief?

It is not correct to say that the Committee proposed that the Act of Elizabeth and the Act of 1834 should be repealed. In paragraph 15 of this Report the Committee said that in view of the prejudice against the Poor Law "it may be preferable to confer all necessary powers on the Home Assistance Committee by new legislation." The Report recommends certain large changes in the administration of relief to the necessitous. My hon. Friend may rest assured that before any Bill to give effect to these recommendations is introduced the whole subject will receive careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the restriction on the export of yarn and cotton goods to Switzerland and other neutral countries is affecting the Lancashire cotton industry; and when these restrictions will be removed or modified?

Any restrictions on the export of cotton yarn and cotton goods from this country must, I fear, necessarily affect the cotton industry. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, I would suggest that the inquiry should be addressed to the Minister of Blockade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what was the adverse balance of trade in 1917, or, if the figures are not available, in 1916, after the Government imports for our Allies have been deducted; and, in view of the fact that the imports bear the cost of freight and our shipping profits can be fairly set against them, whether he can give an estimate of our shipping profits for the same year and of the value of bunker coal supplied to ships which is not included in exports?

The particulars asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend involve information of a confidential character which I am not in a position to furnish.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether ho has considered that the prohibition of the sale after 1st February of high-legged boots, in so far as it relates to boots already manufactured, not only renders the capital locked up in the existing stocks unproductive during the life of the Order, but necessitates the manufacture of a quantity of other boots with lower legs to take their place, thus increasing the consumption of leather; and why, in view of these disadvantages, the Director of Raw Materials refuses to exercise the power to issue permits for the sale of goods at present in stock, and what national advantages are derived from this policy?

The trade has been, informed that the sale of the goods referred to will be permitted during June and July next. In addition, a general permit has been issued modifying the basis of measurement, thus releasing for immediate sale a large proportion of the boots previously included under the Order. Permits are also issued for the sale of high-legged boots needed for agricultural and other industrial purposes.

asked the Postmaster General whether, in view of the concession which has recently been granted by the Home Office Committee in regard to conscientious objectors employed by them, under which men with twelve months' approved service under the Committee may be allowed to take up private employment, he will request the Committee to place at the service of the Post Office those men employed under the scheme who were previously employed by the Post Office; and will he utilise the services of these men if the permission of the Home Office can be obtained?

I do not consider the re-employment of these men in the Post Office under existing conditions is. desirable.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition from the Institute of Scottish Architects in favour of the appointment of a member of the Institute upon the Committee entrusted with the execution of the proposal to set up a war memorial in Edinburgh Castle; and whether he can make public the constitution and terms of reference of this Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I hope to make an announcement at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the full text of the treaty made by the Great Powers on the entry of Italy into the War?

I cannot do this without the consent of the other Powers signatory of the treaty.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, now that the secret treaty with Italy has been made public, it is the intention of the Government to make proposals for a revision of the terms of that treaty?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the subject of the treaty to which he refers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what allowances are made from public funds for house rent for married head constables and men in the Royal Irish Constabulary; if this allowance is pensionable; when it was fixed; if it has ever been increased in the rural districts; whether the allowance is considered sufficient in the present circumstances; what is the amount of all the other permanent monthly allowances drawn by single and married men in the force; and if any of these allowances are pensionable?

The lodging allowance of a married head constable or other constable whose family are not accommodated in barracks is, in rural districts £5 4s. per annum, with £2 12s. exemption from deduction for accommodation in barracks, making a total of £7 16s. In the cities of Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Derry, Water-ford, and Dublin the total allowance is £10 8s. These allowances are not pensionable. The lodging allowance was first granted in 1883, at the rate of £2 12s. a year with exemption from deduction of £2 12s. It was increased by £2 12s. per annum in April, 1903, for both rural and urban districts. The matter was inquired into by a Committee in 1914, and statistics were obtained from every part of Ireland. The conclusion arrived at was that the circumstances did not justify any increase in the allowance. The amount of the other personal allowances is £1 15s. per annum. They are not pensionable, and the Committee of Inquiry in 1914 were unable to recommend their inclusion for purposes of pension.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a Committee of Inquiry in 1914 recommended that some remuneration should be given to sergeants in the Royal Irish Constabulary who act as inspectors of food and drugs; and if it is intended to carry out this recommendation, as suggested, by arrangement between the Inspector-General and the local authorities?

The Committee to which the hon. Member refers suggested that some remuneration should be given to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who are employed as inspectors under the Food and Drugs Act by arrangement between the constabulary and the local authorities. This difficult question was carefully considered in 1917, and it was found impracticable to carry out the suggestion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what is the maximum pay and pension of a first-class district inspector in the Royal Irish Constabulary; what is the yearly amount of the war bonus at present paid to these officers; what amount is allowed to them as local executive officers to the Food Controller; and what allowance is made to such officers for house rent, servant, forage, and fuel; if any or all of these allowances are pensionable; and if in is intended to make any of the allowances to the rank and file pensionable?

The maximum pay of a first-class district inspector is £300, and he may also receive good service pay of £30. The lodging allowance, £45, and servants' allowance, £55, are pensionable, and the maximum pension without good service pay is £266 13s. 4d.; with good service pay £286 13s. 4d. The war bonus of a first-class district inspector varies from £42 to £48. A temporary allowance of £1 per week is paid to those district inspectors who act as executive officers of the Food Controller. The lodging and servants' allowances of district inspectors are pensionable under Statute, but the other allowances are not pensionable. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that at present single men serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary have deducted from their pay a sum of Is. Per week for accommodation in barracks; and, as these barracks are largely used for public purposes, whether he will recommend that this deduction from the pay of the men should cease?

The deduction named is made under a statutory direction. I am advised that there is no reason for an amendment of the Statute in this respect.