Written Answers
War
Food Supplies
Rationing Scheme
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if the words "other meat" in the last part of the third instruction on the London and Home Counties meat card prohibits restaurants and clubs from supplying butchers' meat at any meal they supply; if not, what is there to show on the meat card that this is not the intention; if the public can under the new Regulations obtain only four meat meals in a week from a restaurant or club and these must not include butchers' meat; and, if this interpretation is wrong, what is there in the instructions to show the holder otherwise; and (2) if his attention has been drawn to the vague instructions printed on the meat cards; if the Food Controller took the best advice available in drawing them up; if so, what is meant by the first part of instruction No. 4 in respect to how the public are to tell which is the week to which the numbered coupon relates; for instance, can he say to what week the No. 17 refers; does it mean the seventeenth week of the year or the seventeenth week after the holder commences to use the card or the seventeenth week from the date when the Order comes into force or the week in which the seventeenth day of the month occurs; and, if it does mean one of the above, what is there to show on the card to the holder that it does mean this?
Apart from restrictions as to public meals, these is nothing to prevent restaurants and clubs from supplying butchers' meat at any meal in exchange for a coupon or a half-coupon. The instructions on the card are necessarily condensed for lack of space; but, in addition to full Press notices, detailed information is supplied in a leaflet, "How to Use Food Cards and Meat Cards," which can be obtained gratis from all Food Offices and railway bookstalls. As therein explained, the coupon numbered 17 refers to the week ending midnight Saturday, 22nd June.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the limitation of half meat rations imposed on children under ten years of age is in accordance with really experts' scientific advice; and whether, in view of the opinion that the ration is quite inadequate, he will consider the advisability of increasing it, even if it be necessary to reduce the ration allocated to adults who are engaged in sedentary occupations?
The meat ration has been fixed with reference to the amount of meat available in the country as a whole, and cannot be raised unless the supplies are increased. The decision to give half rations of meat to children under ten was taken after consultation with the scientific advisers to the Ministry and with representatives of the Food (War) Committee of the Royal Society, and there is no reason to fear that children will suffer from a low meat ration provided that the necessary supply of protein as a whole is available. I may point out that the great majority of children are living with adults, and that it is open to the members of any household to share their food as they think best as among the adults and among the children of all ages, thus giving practical effect to the suggestion of the hon. Member. Very young children do not need even the half ration. In the case of children at boarding schools the Food Controller will consider the possibility of giving a priority claim for some other article of food—such as fish, eggs or cheese—with a high protein value. The possibility of increasing the ration both for children and for adults will be borne in mind, though I fear that first place must be accorded to the claims of those engaged on heavy physical work. It would not, I fear, be practicable to enforce a lower ration for sedentary workers in general.
Meat Prices
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if, in making any modification of the existing live-weight meat prices, he will consider substituting the following scale of prices for cow-beef: 70s., 64s., 58s., 53s. in place of the present scale of 70s., 62s., and 53s., all per cwt.; and (2) whether it is the intention of the Food Controller to fix a flat rate of price of 1s. 2d. per lb. deadweight for all meat, whether of bulls, cows, screws, bullocks, or heifers, irrespective of the quality of the meat?
In the event of any modification being made in the schedules of maximum live-weight cattle prices, the suggestion made by the hon. Member will receive consideration. If and so far as the system of sale of cattle by dead-weight is adopted by the Ministry of Food, the flat rate price will apply to all carcases irrespective of the quality of the meat. No decision has as yet been arrived at as to the amount of the flat rate. In view of the small quantity of prime beef which can be produced under present conditions, and of the many practical difficulties which would be involved in enforcing a system of different maximum prices for different qualities of meat, it would not appear necessary or desirable to attempt any such differentiation.
Sugar
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if it is the intention of the Government to further restrict the amount of sugar allotted to the Confectionery trade; if he is aware that the present allowance of sugar to manufacturers, namely, 25 per cent. of the amount used by them during the year 1915, when the imports were much lower than in previous years, is barely sufficient to maintain the trade; if he is aware that any further reduction in the supply to manufacturers would lead to a general closing down of the trade and the disemployment of a number of workers; and, as the food value of confectionery is generally recognised, and a further curtailment of the raw material must lead to increased consumption of other foodstuffs, if he will take steps to see that no further reduction is made in the supply of sugar to manufacturers?
Whether the amount of sugar permitted to be used in the manufacture of confectionery will be further reduced must depend always upon the supplies generally available from time to time, and I cannot, there-fore, give any undertaking as to future action in the matter. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Devon-port on 31st January last.
asked the President of the Board of Agriculture for what price the Government could purchase the Cantley Beet Sugar Factory; and whether, in the event of the Government deciding to purchase, there will be sufficient seed to develop this property in 1919?
The Board have never thought it desirable to purchase the Cantley Sugar Beet Factory, having regard to the process there installed, its situation, and the decision to embark upon a full-scale commercial experiment at Kelham, Nottinghamshire. It was considered essential that the experiment, in which public money is to be used, should be carried out under the most favourable initial conditions. The Board understand, that the Cantley Factory was offered to the Ministry of Munitions for other purposes, but no direct proposal was ever made to the Board.
asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that if sugar production had been seriously taken in hand in 1915 this country could have provided 1,000 tons of sugar a day, and the sugar shortage could have been solved; and whether the Board is prepared to grapple with this question, so as to free home consumers from possible shortage in 1919 and subsequent years'?
The hon. Member must be aware that the suggestion contained in the first part of his question is purely a matter of opinion, which does not take into account the consequent expenditure on man power and machinery or the reduction that would follow in the production of other essential foods. I take leave to refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the University of London on the 5th instant and to the previous answer therein referred to.
Outrages, Cork
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if soldiers have recently been assaulted in the neighbourhood of Cork and robbed of their equipment; and, if so, what steps are being taken to prevent such occurrences in future?
Two soldiers were set upon by a number of men at Mardyke, Cork, and robbed of their bandoliers. The Chief Secretary, who is at present in Ireland, has been in communication with the military authorities and police on the subject, and all necessary action is being taken.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if a bomb was recently thrown into a barracks at Cork; and, if so, have any arrests been made and are any steps to be taken in this case?
On the 15th February a bomb was thrown through a window into Drimoleague Constabulary Barrack and exploded inside. Fortunately little harm was done. An arrest has been made.
Closing Order, Dublin
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, a short time ago, a detachment of police was ordered to search a house in the neighbourhood of Dublin where it was suspected that bombs were being made; whether the police found the house strongly fortified and defended, and retired on finding themselves unable to carry out their orders without a serious conflict; and, if so, whether any further action has been taken in this case?
The Chief Secretary is aware of the facts of the case to which the question refers, but the question does not correctly represent them. The house which is apparently referred to has been closed by order of a magistrate, though not on the grounds supposed.
Agricultural, Etc, Committees, Ireland (Officers' War Bonus)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a number of resolutions from committees of agriculture and technical instruction in Ireland and other Irish public bodies requesting the extension of the existing rates of war bonus for the regular Civil Service to the whole-time officers of committees of agriculture and technical instruction in Ireland; whether the rates of war bonus paid in the year 1917 to whole-time officers of agriculture and technical instruction committees in Ireland was based on the war bonus scale adopted for the regular Civil Service in the same year; whether the war bonus scale for the regular Civil Service has been increased since 17th December, 1917; if the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland will be given sufficient additional funds in order to place whole-time officers of committees of agriculture and technical instruction in Ireland on. the same war bonus scale as is now in existence for the regular Civil Service; and if there is any reason for assuming that the cost of living for Civil servants is higher than for whole-time officers of committees of agriculture and technical instruction in Ireland?
The Department of Agriculture have received a number of resolutions such as are referred to in the question of the hon. and gallant Member, and the matter is under consideration.
Naval Officers' Pensions (Commutation)
asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty is still allowing all retired officers not recalled to active service to commute their pensions; whether wounds pensions in the Navy of active and retired officers at any age are still commutable at any time; and whether these officers are now serving or not?
Retired officers, provided they are not likely to be recalled for active service afloat, are allowed to commute their pensions, subject to the restrictions imposed by existing rules, and pensions for wounds may, under the Regulations, be commuted at any time. As regards the last part of the question, of the officers who have commuted their wounds pensions, some are now serving as active service officers and some as retired officers.
Ranelagh Camp, Barnes
asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will have an inquiry made into the conditions prevailing at Ranelagh Camp, Barnes, occupied by the Welsh Guards, where the men live and sleep in stables unfit for human habitation, and in consequence the health of the men suffers?
The stables at Ranelagh have been adapted for the use of the men and are under inspection by the Command sanitary officer, who, as the result of inspection which has just been made, reports that all the conditions which are required for the healthy occupation of troops have been provided. The medical officer in charge of the Reserve Battalion, Welsh Guards, has also reported that the health of the men since their first occupation of the Ranelagh Camp on the 26th September, 1917, has been exceptionally good, and that during the whole time they have been free from any infectious disease and respiratory maladies have been rare.
Aerial Gunnery School (Loch Doon Scheme)
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the initial stages of the Loch Doon scheme, any representations were received by the military authorities in Scotland from private persons acquainted with the site to the effect that parts of that site were sometimes flooded to a depth of 5 ft. or 6 ft, and that parts of the road were sometimes so flooded as to stop all vehicular traffic; and whether any action was taken upon these representations?
Inquiry will be made, but it seems unlikely that such representations could have been made in the initial stages of the scheme, as the original scheme was situated in a part of the country where there was practically no vehicular traffic. I have answered my hon. Friend's three questions, but I think he will agree with me that detailed investigation into this matter cannot be conducted satisfactorily by question and answer in this House. The recent Debates showed a disposition on the part of the House to leave further inquiries to the Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for the Cleveland Division, and I hope he will now await the Committee's Report.
asked whether an attempt was made in connection with the Loch Doon scheme to alter the level of Loch Bogton; and whether white glazed tiles were employed for the work, and at what cost?
The original scheme for the School of Aerial Gunnery, as put forward by the Royal Flying Corps authorities, contemplated only works in the vicinity of Loch Doon. After these works had been in progress for about six months the Royal Flying Corps authorities urged the construction of an aerodrome some three miles further down the valley at the shores of Bogton Loch. To drain this site (which formed no part of the original scheme) every endeavour was made to drain the land, and by straightening out a bend in the river Doon to lower the level of the loch, thus increasing the area of the flying ground. The presence of a bed of peat on this diversion necessitated lining a portion of the channel with a network of tiles, but these were not white glazed tiles. The cost of the work will be reported in due course. It was only in deference to the strongly expressed wish of the Royal Flying Corps authorities that work was, at the late stage of progress, undertaken at Bogton, where it was known that flooding often occurred, and it was essential that every step possible should be taken to reduce that flooding to a minimum by diversion of the stream, etc.
asked at what stage a committee of civil engineers was asked to report upon the work at Loch Doon School of Aerial Gunnery; whether the question of the suitability of the site was expressly excluded from their terms of reference; and whether their Report will be made available to Members of Parliament or the public?
It should be explained that from the very first a civil engineer of special experience in roads and drainage was selected to be superintending engineer of the work under the Director of Fortifications and Works, and he was authorised to consult with local engineers as to the possibilities of the works, and did actually do so. The Committee of the Institute of Civil Engineers was asked to report on the work after it had been in progress for about a year. This Committee was not asked to assemble specially for the Loch Doon works, but for various large works throughout the country, of which Loch Doon was one. The question of the suitability of site was excluded from their terms of reference, in so far as this affected aviation, the reasons for the selection having been decided not by the Works Department but by the Royal Flying Corps authorities. I will consider the question of making copies of their Report available for Members.
Munitions
Discharged Women Workers (Fares)
asked the Minister of Munitions whether it is the intention of his Department to pay the fares of the munition female workers discharged from Southampton controlled establishments and from factories in other districts to their homes in Scotland and elsewhere, in view of the facts that these women have not funds to pay the fares themselves and were induced by advertisements of his Department and otherwise to leave their homes and help the country in its need for munitions?
Representations on this matter have already been made to the Ministry of Labour. I understand that the Minister of Labour is now in consultation with the Treasury in regard to it.
House Bents
asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received any protest from the ratepayers of Bellshill, Mossend, and district against the rents being charged for the new houses being erected by the Ministry on the ground that these rents are out of proportion to the prevailing rates of wages in the district and to the rents charged for other houses; and whether he is giving the matter consideration?
Protests have been received from the ratepayers of Bellshill, Mossend, and district against the rents being charged for the new houses now being erected by the Ministry, and the matter is being given careful consideration.
Penrhyndendraeth Factory
asked the Minister of Munitions how many applications for employment by discharged soldiers have been received by the Penrhyndendraeth Explosives Factory; and how many of these are now being actually employed?
The first part of this question cannot be answered, since the factory keeps no record of men who have applied and not been taken on. A recent report indicated that twenty discharged soldiers were then employed (29th January, 1918).
Displaced Workers
asked the Minister of Munitions whether it is proposed to close down a munition works; whether he has received any protests against throwing into unemployment large numbers of workmen who are unfitted for any other kind of work; and whether the decision can be reconsidered, or, alternatively, arrangements made for the transfer of these men to other work of a similar character?
Modifications in the munitions programme will involve the total or partial closing down of certain munitions works. The decision as to the factories which will be affected will be only come to after a very careful consideration of the case from every point of view. Every effort will be made by the Ministry of Munitions, acting in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of National Service, to effect the transfer of the men displaced to other work of a suitable nature.
asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that about 1,000 women and girls have been given notice to leave their employment at a munition factory; what the Government intend doing by helping them to get other employment; and, in the event of no work being obtained for them, what financial assistance can they expect from the Government?
I would refer my hon. Friend to the very full answer given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield yester day, and to my statement in the subsequent Debate.
Liquor Control Board (Scotland)
asked the Minister of Munitions whether the general manager for Scotland of the Liquor Control Board has resigned; and whether he will undertake that all the operations of the Board in Scotland will continue to be under the management of a special Scottish manager who knows the special Scottish legislation, habits, and sentiment connected with licensing?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, the hop Member may be assured that the importance of the points which he mentions will be fully borne in mind in the arrangements which will be made.
Machine Tool Section
asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the case of Alfred N. Gibbins, who held a position in the machine-tool section of his Department, but who was called upon to resign as he had been discovered sending reports of departmental matters to Germans in Switzerland; whether he is aware that his staff procured for this man, after discovery, a post in the Food Production Department at a higher salary: who was responsible for thus getting a dismissed employéinto the employment of another branch of the service of the State; and whether such servant has himself been dismissed for such action?
I am aware of the circumstances of the ease referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part of the question, the circumstances of the case were referred to in an answer by the President of the Board of Agriculture to the hon. Member for the Loughborough Division on the 1st February. No member of the staff of the Ministry of Munitions procured for Gibbins a post in the Food Production Department, and there is no reason, therefore, for taking action such as that suggested in the last part of the question.
War Bonus
asked the Minister of Munitions whether the 12½per cent. bonus which has been conceded by the Government to workmen engaged in munition works has also been granted to clerical employés in national factories; and, if so, under what conditions and with what limitations?
The 12½per cent. bonus has not been granted to office clerical staff of national factories, but it may be found necessary in some cases to give some increase of wages or salary as an indirect result of the issue of the bonus to male time-workers generally. Cases arising will be considered on their merits on receipt of recommendations from the managements concerned with due regard to the circumstances prevailing in the district.
asked the Minister of Munitions what arrangements have been made with the employers in the engineering trade in Ireland with reference to the payment of the 12½ per cent. bonus recently given to workers in the engineering trade; if the firms concerned have been notified that this amount will be refunded by the Government; what will be the position of firms if they pay this bonus to their employés without such notification from the Government; if he is aware that firms in Dublin are experiencing difficulty in dealing with this matter, as no definite reply can be got from the Department concerned as to the arrangements to be made; and if he will give instructions that the firms concerned shall be at once notified how they ought to deal with this matter?
My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider claims made by contractors for increased prices which are affected by the bonus in question. Forms on which to make such claims have already been issued to firms holding contracts direct from the Ministry. If any firm has not received such forms, application should be made to the Secretary, Ministry of Munitions, Contract Claims Branch, when they will be promptly dealt with.
Arklow Factory (Unskilled Painters)
asked the Minister of Labour if he has received a protest from the Dublin House and Ship Painters' Society against the employment of a number of unskilled men on painting work at labourers' wages at Kynoch's Explosive Factory, Arklow; and whether, in view of the fact that nearly all painting, with the exception of rough work, has been suspended as a war-time economy, he will, in view of the consequences upon the skilled workmen in the trade, prevent the further encroachment upon their position and interests by the employment of labourers upon work the skilled painters have a right to be permitted to do?
The letter referred to by the hon. Member does not appear to have reached the Department, but if he will furnish me with necessary detailed information, inquiry will be made.
Intoxicants (Manufacture And Sale)
asked the Minister of National Service if he can state the number of men at present engaged in the manufacture and sale of intoxicants; and the number of men so engaged who are exempted from military service on occupational grounds?
There is no information available which would enable me to give an accurate reply to the hon. Member, but from the latest figures published by the Board of Trade it is estimated that there are, approximately, 150,000 men of all ages employed, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture and sale of intoxicants. This includes all male employés in licensed hotels and restaurants, but not those in grocers' shops possessing an off-licence. No protection is extended to men engaged in the manufacture or sale of intoxicants other than that which is granted by tribunals in. the ordinary course.
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
asked the Pensions Minister when the new Warrant will come into force under which soldiers disabled and discharged after previous wars will be given equal treatment with those pensioned in the present War?
The Warrant dealing with former war pensions is at present in draft, but I am unable to say at what date it will come into force. I trust this will not be long delayed. The precise terms of the Warrant will be announced at the earliest possible moment.
British Workers' League (Pensions Bureau)
asked the Pensions Minister whether ho is the secretary of a pensions bureau connected with the British Workers' League; and whether pensions grievances came from the British Workers' League to him for settlement?
I am not the secretary of the pensions bureau connected with the British Workers' League, or any other similar organisation, nor has any pensions grievances emanating from the British Workers' League come before me for settlement.
Indian Kip Committee
asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Kip Committee enjoys a privilege amounting to a monopoly in the matter of freight and licences without which other British firms are unable to trade?
:The export of raw hides from India is under present conditions practically confined to shipments on behalf of His Majesty's Government and Allied Governments. So far as this creates a monopoly of freight and licences in the trade, the monopoly is enjoyed by the Government, not by the purchasing agents.
Overseas Trade (Advisory Committee)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the desirability of the appointment of representative commercial travellers on the Joint Committee for the furtherance of British trade overseas; and whether, having regard to the importance of the proper representation of our business interests overseas and the suitability of thoroughly qualified and trained commercial travellers for appointment to posts on the commercial side of the Diplomatic and Consular Service, he will consider the advisability of obtaining the co-operation of the Commercial Travellers' Association in making appointments to these posts?
I presume that the first part of this question refers to the Committee which it is proposed to set up to advise on the work of the Department of Overseas Trade. I have carefully considered the question of appointing a separate representative of commercial travellers on this Committee, but I regret that, in view of the necessary limitation of the number of the Committee, it is not possible to include a special representative of commercial travellers. I hope, however, that the membership of the Committee, which will include representatives of chambers of commerce, of industry and labour, will be such as to provide adequate consideration of the interests of commercial travellers. As regards any representations or suggestions which the Commercial Travellers' Association may wish to make in regard to appointments in the Commercial Attaché and Trade Commissioner Services, I shall be very glad to see that they are fully considered.
Special Constables (Steel Helmets)
asked the Home Secretary whether it is now possible to allow the special constabulary below the rank of inspectors to have shrapnel helmets when engaged on night work during raids; and, if so, whether they can be allowed to keep their helmets at home, as in the case of officers?
We have now had experience of thirty air raids and no constable, regular or special, has received in the course of them an injury from which a steel helmet would have protected him. Having regard to this fact and to the importance of not incurring unnecessary expenditure, it has been decided to make such an issue only of helmets as will ensure that all constables, regular or special, employed on street duty when a raid is in progress or is likely to occur—and also members of air-raid relief parties—shall find available steel helmets if they desire to use them. An increased issue has recently been made with this object in view.
M Litvinoff
asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a statement by M. Litvinoff that he proposes to defy the landlord's legal notice to quit his premises at 82, Victoria Street, given on account of the contravention of the terms of the lease, which provided that these premises should not be used for any political purpose; whether he is aware that M. Litvinoff has also stated that he intends to defy the police in this connection; and what action it is proposed the Home Office shall take?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative. I see no reason at present for any steps on the part of the Home Office or the police in this matter. The landlord will no doubt avail himself, if necessary, of his legal remedies.
Mr Lajpat Rai
asked the Home Secretary whether he received a cablegram from Mr. Lajpat Rai on or about 23rd December, 1917, repudiating the suggestion made in this House that the sender was subsidised by German funds; whether he is aware that a cablegram to the same effect was on the same date sent to a London newspaper, but was never delivered; whether he gave orders to stop the latter being received; and whether he is now in a position to state that Mr. Lajpat Rai has, as he avers, always opposed German propaganda?
My right hon. Friend received the first cable mentioned by the hon. Member on 25th December. There is no trace of the second having been received either by the Cable Censor or the Press Bureau; it was certainly not stopped by the Home Secretary's order. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
Military Service
Conscientious Objectors
asked the Home Secretary whether H. W. Firth, of Norwich, a conscientious objector, died in Dartmoor Work Centre from diabetes; and, if so, will he make a full statement as to the treatment of this man from the time when he first was brought under the authority of the Home Office, showing what were the medical reports in the case?
I would refer the hon. Member to the full reply which I gave on the 26th instant to questions on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Members for West Leeds. North Somerset, and York.
Voters (New Register)
asked the President of the Local Government Board what date has been fixed for the first qualifying period for voters under the Representation of the People Act; and on what date the first register of voters under the Act will be in force?
It is proposed that the last day of the qualifying period shall be the 15th April next, and that the first register under the Act shall come into force on the 1st October.
Prisoners Of War (Exchange)
asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will state the total number of British prisoners of war who have now reached Holland from Germany under The Hague agreement; how many still remain in Germany who are eligible for exchange under the agreement; and how soon it is hoped that they will all have reached Holland?
The number of British prisoners who have reached Holland for internment under The Hague agreement is 313 officers and 1,165 others. It is not possible to answer the latter part of the question, as, owing to the automatic effect of this part of the agreement, the number eligible is never constant.
asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), whether the agreement recently concluded at Berne with reference to an exchange of British and Turkish prisoners has yet been ratified by Turkey; if not, if he can state when the Turkish representatives left Berne; whether any news has been received of or from them since they left; and what is the reason for the delay?
No news has yet been received of the ratification by the Ottoman Government of the Berne Agreement relative to prisoners of war which was signed on 28th December, 1917. Some of the Turkish delegates at the Conference are understood to have returned to Turkey immediately on its conclusion, while others are believed to be still in Switzerland. The text of the Agreement is alleged by the Turkish Government however only to have reached them about the 10th instant. His Majesty's Government are unaware of any reason for delay in ratification and have requested the Dutch Government to ascertain through its representative in Constantinople how the matter now stands.
Dublin Metropolitan Police
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is necessary for a constable who acts as an alien officer in the Dublin Metropolitan Police to hold a qualifying education certificate; if he is aware that Constable Michael Devine, 129E, has been acting in the capacity of aliens officer for some time past without having any such certificate; what are Constable Devine's qualifications for this position, and why several other constables holding certificates which would qualify them for these positions were passed over, thus causing discontent in the force; why Constable Devine was transferred from Irishtown Station in 1913; and if his transfer was in punishment for any offence?
Constables acting as aliens officers are not required to possess a qualifying certificate of education. The constable mentioned has been performing the duties of aliens officer since the outbreak of war. and has performed them to the satisfaction of the Chief Commissioner.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on whose recommendation Constable Glennon, 80E, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, was appointed permanent messman in Terenure station in July, 1917; how long the constable held that appointment, and under what circumstances did the appointment come to an end; if the constable was appointed on the recommendation of Superintendent Kiernan, who is a relative of his; if this constable was appointed without consulting the men belonging to the mess; and if a petition has been sent to the Chief Commissioner protesting against the appointment, and pointing out that it was laid down in the police code that officers of the force should take no part in selecting those who were to take charge of the mess?
Constable Glennon was appointed messman on the 1st August, 1917, on the recommendation of Superintendent Kiernan, and was relieved of his appointment on the 1st September, as the men expressed a desire for a change of messman every month. The constable referred to is, I am informed, not a relative of Superintendent Kiernan.
Elementary Education
asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the latest yearly totals for which figures are available of the following items for elementary schools in England and Wales, in continuation of the summaries which before the War were included in the annual volume of Statistics of Public Education in England and Wales, namely: total receipts from Parliamentary Giants, total receipts from rates and borough funds, expenditure in purchase of land, and erection, enlargement, or alteration of school buildings, salaries of teachers, salaries of officers other than teachers, total accommodation in all elementary schools, and total number of scholars on the school registers?
The only items for which later figures can be given than those published in the Board's statistics for 1912–13 are the following:
| 1915–16. Total receipts from Parliamentary Grants for public elementary schools maintained by local education authorities | £12,164,000 |
| 5915–16. Salaries of Teachers in public elementary schools maintained by local education authorities | £17,148,718 |
| 1917. Accommodation in public elementary schools... | 7,114,023 |
| 1917 (31st January). Scholars on the registers in public elementary schools | 5,979,689 |
Juvenile Offenders
asked the President of. the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a boy under twelve years of age named Herbert Collett was, while under remand, kept from Wednesday, 23rd January, to Monday, 28th January, in solitary confinement in a dark, unwarmed, and ill-smelling tramp cell in Hitchin Workhouse, being deprived of his clothes and made to sleep in a hammock with only two blankets, and that during the night tramps were admitted into the adjoining cells, where their conversation was plainly audible; whether he will state the number of workhouses which are authorised to be used as places of remand and detention for child offenders; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure that the accommodation provided by them is of a suitable character?
I am inquiring into the case mentioned in the first part of this question, and will inform my Noble Friend of the result of my inquiries. Sixty-seven Poor Law institutions are at present authorised to be used for the reception of remand children. Authority is only given subject to there being proper accommodation and sufficient classification, and to the guardians undertaking to provide proper supervision.