asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the Interim Reports on the Income Tax Bill of the Isle of Man by the House of Keys Committee; whether he is aware that there is practically no direct taxation in the Isle of Man, as impossible conditions were attached to the Estates Duty Bill and the Land Tax Bill was thrown out; whether he is aware that the temptation to follow a similar course in regard to the Income Tax Bill arises from the increase of Customs Duties bringing in a revenue from the British Government's imports of tea, tobacco, beer, spirits, etc., for the enemy alien camps; and whether the Government will request that the revenue so collected be held in suspense while the whole question is examined impartially by an authority set up by the British Government?

My attention has not been drawn to the Reports in question. It is a fact that practically no direct taxation exists and that His Majesty's Government were not prepared to assent to the conditions attached to the Estates Duty Bill. The point raised in the third part of the Question is a matter of opinion upon which I am not prepared to express a definite view. The whole situation is being considered, but I cannot give an undertaking that the Government will adopt the suggestion in the last part.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether complaints have been made by spirit traders in county Sligo and other parts of Ireland of the hardship inflicted on them through the wholesale firm of Darcy and Company, Limited, Newry, going into liquidation, and the sale of their stocks of spirits having been made to Messrs. Chaplin and Company, of London., tans depriving the traders who were supplied by Darcy and Company of the benefit of the supplies to which those traders were entitled under the regulations made by the Advisory Committee of the Board of Customs and Inland Revenue; and what steps the Government are prepared to take to secure for those traders the supplies to which they are entitled, but of which they will be deprived if the transfer of the stocks from Darcy and Company to a London firm is allowed to take place?

I have been asked to reply. I may refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on 11th March. I can only add that the matter will not be allowed to drop.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to the effect of the new Regulations relating to the wholesale and retail prices of tea which came into operation on 18th March last on the earnings of blind persons who are dependent on their small earnings as retail distributors of tea at the houses of people who sympathise with them on account of their affliction, this effect being to reduce the earnings in certain cases from 9s. per week to;3s. per week; and if he will arrange for the national control tea to be issued at a reduced wholesale price to these persons, and thus avoid adding to their difficulties?

I sympathise greatly with the loss of earnings which the new regulations have caused in such cases as are referred to in the question; and I am asking the Department to consider whether any arrangement can be made to afford relief.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the prohibition of concentrated food, except in certain instances, for pigs will result in a large decrease in the number of pigs bred and fattened for human consumption; and whether any action is to be taken to prevent this result?

I am aware that the shortage of concentrated feeding stuffs must of necessity have a prejudicial effect upon the production of all kinds of animals. The Rationing (Animals) Committee has now under consideration the granting of priority to the claims of breeding sows and young pigs, and every effort is being made to meet the reasonable demands of pig producers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department is vested with powers to prevent a butcher from supplying extra meat to a sick person upon the presentation of a doctor's written recommendation?

Yes, Sir. A butcher can only supply meat on production of a meat coupon. Food Control Committees are empowered to grant additional rations in certain prescribed cases of disease on presentation of a doctor's certificate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Controller has received protests from co-operative societies in the Glasgow district against the method of allocating meat supplies, which prevents these societies obtaining the supplies to which they are entitled; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Protests with regard to the method of allocation of meat supplies have been received from co-operative societies in the Glasgow district. The difficulties complained of were due to the fact that, whereas these societies had in the past supplied only a certain number of their members with meat, on the introduction of a temporary scheme of rationing for the district, a much larger proportion of their membership wished to obtain meat, from the societies. Steps have now been taken to ensure the allocation of meat, within the limits of the supplies available, on the basis of the number of registered customers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to cases of charging by retailers of prices above the legal maximum for meat and fish; what are the penalties to which retailers are liable for such breaches of the law, and what action he is taking in the matter; and whether retailers are entitled to include as part of the rationed value a charge for the delivery of meat?

The maximum penalty in cases of the kind referred to is £100 fine and six months' imprisonment, with or without hard labour. the charge limited to a maximum charge of £d. per lb. may be made for delivery of meat, but the charge does not form part of the rationed value.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the pig industry in Ireland is being rapidly destroyed by the fixing of a maximum price for pigs and the interference with fairs which has resulted from that Order; and whether, in view of the importance of the increase of the supply of pork and bacon, he will immediately withdraw the maximum price for pigs and declare an open market?

I cannot agree that the fixing of maximum prices for pigs has had the effect upon the pig industry in Ireland suggested in the question. Lord Rhondda cannot undertake to withdraw these prices altogether, since this would result in an immediate and substantial increase in the prices of bacon and pork to the consumer. He has, however, sanctioned an advance of 3s. per score, or 16s. 9½d. per cwt., as from the 25th March, and he hopes that this increase will have a beneficial effect upon the pig industry in Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received protests from Ireland against the Order of his Department prohibiting the importation of maize into Ireland; whether his attention has been directed to the statement of the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) on the 15th instant that, as the poorest people in Ireland are dependent on maize as a food, it was unthinkable that their food should be stopped short on the 31st March; and whether, owing to the menace to the supply of human food as well as food for pigs and cattle, and the dislocation of trade produced by the Order, he can now give an assurance that the Order will be withdrawn?

No Order has been issued prohibiting the import of maize into Ireland. The policy of the Department is to allot for human, consumption the maximum quantity of maize available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why an Order has been issued that no margarine may be supplied to a retail trader unless he can dispose of 28 lbs. per week; and whether he has considered that such an Order will inflict great injury on the trade of small grocers in country districts who have less than 112 regular customers, and will prevent the inhabitants of country districts from procuring margarine unless they can arrange to have it delivered from distant towns?

No Order to this effect has been issued by the, Food Controller, though, in order to economise transport and to obviate the difficulty of sub-dividing wholesale consignments of margarine, instructions were given to local food control committees that it might be advisable to limit registration to traders able to dispose of the quantity referred to. Committees were, however, permitted to use their discretion with regard to the registration of smaller retailers, and, in view of the representations which have been made on the matter, an instruction that such retailers should be registered has been approved, and will be issued immediately.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the reasons why the Department refuses to grant loans for the purchase of the Austin Killer straight caterpillar tractors?

The Department of Agriculture are of opinion that the tractor referred to is not suited to Irish conditions.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the amount of Irish bacon exported from Ireland in the years 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917; and the amounts exported during the months of January and February this year and for the previous three years?

The exports of bacon and hams from Ireland for the periods referred to were as follows:

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the attendants at the Royal Naval Hospital, Yarmouth, who are remunerated partly in cash and partly in kind, including food rations, had their meat ration reduced on 1st March by 50 per cent., and have had no equivalent given in any other form; if he is aware that the attendants have no objection to sharing in the general reduced ration of meat imposed upon the public, provided that they receive a corresponding increase of money wage; and if he will take action in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The meat ration has been reduced, and it has now been decided to grant compensation as from the date of the reduction in the meat ration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received or is aware of a Report recently made by the Middle-sex Agricultural Executive Committee that derelict land which the committee had brought into cultivation and on which wheat was growing was being used as a camping ground by gypsies who were turning out their horses to graze on the growing wheat; whether he will allow the local authorities to make a special by-law to deal with the matter, or will the Home Office take active and immediate steps itself to prevent further damage by these nomad caravans?

asked the Home Secretary why bands of gypsies are permitted to exorcise privileges over and above any other of His Majesty's subjects of putting their caravans and turning their horses upon the growing wheat planted by the efforts of county war agricultural committees at the cost of considerable labour and expense in the vain hope that it might be allowed to produce food for the people; what efforts, if any, have been made by the Department to prevent this wilful damage and to control the movements of these persons; and whether any instructions have been issued to the Metropolitan Police or to the provincial police authorities?

No complaints of such acts of damage have been received by the Home Office or the Commissioner of Police. The acts specified in the questions would appear to be punishable either under Regulation 2 N of the Defence of the Realm Regulations or under Section 24 of the Malicious Injuries to Property Act, 1861, and any persons who may suffer from such acts should report the matter to the police. No special instructions from the Home Office are necessary. With regard to Middlesex, I may point out that Section 34 of the Middlesex County Council General Powers Act, 1906, gives special powers of dealing with gypsies.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received complaints of a military officer stationed at Kilrush, West Clare, who recently marched a detachment of police and military, with fixed bayonets, through the villages of Doonbeg and Shragh, holding up all and sundry, and threatening with the bayonet people who had committed no offence; whether, between Doonbeg village and Doonbeg railway station, they searched a house and terrified a bedridden invalid; whether they destroyed the musical instruments of a boys' band, the soldiers pointing their bayonets at the boys' breasts to force them to produce their flutes; whether the Government has given a general order advising such proceedings; and, if so, whether the end sought is the pacification of Ireland?

I am informed that on the 10th March the military and police went to Doonbeg to prevent illegal drilling. Band instruments were destroyed at Shragh, and some houses were entered to seize instruments, but nothing is known as to any invalid. The statement that bayonets were used to terrify boys is without foundation. The band referred to as a boy's band was an ordinary Sinn Fein band.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the coal shortage in Ireland and the tonnage difficulties, he will take measures to hasten the connections of Irish coal mines with the main railway lines?

This matter is engaging the close attention of the Irish Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received communications from Sligo and Belmullet relative to the threatened stoppage of the steamship service of the steamship "Tartar" between Sligo and Belmullet; and whether arrangements have now been made between the Government Departments concerned and the owners of the steamship for the continuation of the service?

A resolution on the subject has been received from the Harbour Commissioners of Sligo, and the Irish Government is in communication with the Departments concerned as to the possibility of securing the continuation of the steamship service.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the "Gazette" of 8th March and to the honours granted to non-Church of England chaplains; and whether these awards were recommended by the general officer commanding armies and the general officer commanding lines of communication, as is the case with Church of England chaplains?

No recommendations for services in the field are accepted by the Army Council unless supported by the Commander-in-Chief in the field, who in turn receives his recommendations in all cases through the recognised channels.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Council has given directions concerning the intervals at which leave should be granted to soldiers belonging to different arms of the Service operating in France and Belgium, subject to the approval of the officer commanding in each individual instance; if so, what are the respective intervals between leave for each arm of the Service; if he is aware that there are men belonging to the 2nd Northern Company, Non-Combatant Corps, stationed at Bayonne, France, who have had no leave since October, 1916; and whether this interval is in accordance with Army Council directions in regard to this matter if such directions have, in fact, been given?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 19th October last to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leeds. I would add that the granting of leave is entirely within the discretion of the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are still officers of the Regular New Army and Territorial Forces of all ranks serving at home who have seen no service overseas in this War; and, if so, whether, it unfit for service in the field, they will now be retired in order that officers with prolonged service overseas to their credit or convalescent from wounds or sickness may receive employment and change at home?

I am informed that there are still some officers serving at home who have not seen service overseas, but steps are being taken to replace them, by officers from France who are in need or a rest. The question of getting rid of some of the unfit officers is under consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War how it was that William Goldsmith, now serving in the Army, No. 254471, B Company, 3rd City of London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers, stationed at Dettingen Barracks, Black-down Camp, was enrolled in the Army notwithstanding that, an application for his exemption was at the time pending before the Chiswick Local Tribunal, who had adjourned it for Goldsmith to be medically examined; whether a request was sent by the local tribunal to the War Office on the 20th December last, asking that the man might be sent back to the tribunal as a civilian; whether, in consequence of this communication not having been answered, two further letters were sent to the War Office, namely, on the 9th January and 8th February, 1918, all of which are still unanswered; if he will explain this action and state by whom it was directed or committed; and why the tribunal's letters have been treated with contempt?

The first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is for the Ministry of National Service. As regards the latter part, I regret the delay in acknowledging the tribunal's communications and in keeping them informed of the action taken. The case, however, was one of considerable difficulty, due to the man's non-compliance with the instructions on his calling-up notice. A recommendation has now been received from the Ministry that he should be relegated to Army Reserve, Class B, to enable his case to be heard by the local tribunal.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether a man, whose appeal to a tribunal was dismissed in January, 1916, and whose calling-up papers were cancelled in February, 1916, on the ground that he was medically unfit, but who again received his calling-up papers in January, 1917, has the right to again appeal to a tribunal?

The facts stated in the question are not sufficient to enable a definite statement as to the man's position to be made, but I may say that, if he was not definitely discharged from the Army, it is unlikely that he has a right to make a fresh application on the same grounds as those on which a previous application was made and refused. He can, if the circumstances warrant it, apply for a rehearing of his case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether brush makers on Government work scheduled as munition workers under the unemployment scheme are entitled to 12½ per cent. bonus?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am not aware of any Order or award entitling brush makers to 12½ per cent. bonus.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many firms are now making milk churns; and how many of these firms are incorporated with the United Dairies, Limited, or its subsidiary companies?

One hundred and twenty firms in the United Kingdom have been granted permits to manufacture milk churns during 1918. I have no knowledge as to whether there is any connection between any of these firms and the United Dairies, Limited, and its subsidiary companies.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the Schedule award, as set forth in the Pay Warrant, is issuable in every case of disability corresponding thereto; and whether at any time and for what reasons a reduction may be made from the amount of the Schedule award?

I assume that my hon. Friend's question refers to the First Schedule to the Royal Warrant of the 29th of March, 1917. The rates of pension indicated in the Schedule are issuable in every case of corresponding disability attributable to or aggravated by service during the present War, and not caused by the man's own negligence or misconduct. Reductions from the scheduled rate are made in certain circumstances, as, for example, cases in which the disabling wounds were negligently self-inflicted, or in which a man declines to undergo treatment certified to be necessary to his own interests.

asked the Pensions Minister why a pension awarded for a specified period should be discontinued or reduced before the expiration of that period; and whether, if such reduction be necessary and in accordance with the Regulations, he will provide that the reason should in every case be given to the pensioner?

Pensions may be discontinued if they are forfeited under the Felony Act or if they have been obtained by misrepresentation or by the suppression of essential information. They may also bed is continued or reduced if they have been issued as a result of an official error. It is already the general practice to notify a pensioner of the reason for modifying his pension during the period of an award, and I will inquire whether it is possible to do so in every case.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Private G. Smith, late No. 10194, 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed at Thiepval on 1st July, 1916, why this man's widow, who lives at 130, Slater Street, Seedley, is not entitled to the gratuity of £5, having regard to the fact that this gratuity is expressly provided for the widows of those who fell on or after 1st July, 1916?

A draft for £5 was sent to the widow of Private G. Smith on the 26th February, 1918. The man was originally declared "missing," and this led to the payment being deferred.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Sapper Eachus, late No. 1137, Royal Engineers, whether he is entitled, as stated by the Salford Local Pensions Committee officer, to £3 12s in respect of the Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to him, in addition to the £10 18s. paid him; if so, why this has been withheld; whether he is aware that from 30th June, 1916, being the date of his discharge, to 31st December, 1916, by way of pension and allowance, this man has been paid £24 12s., whereas during that period of twenty-six weeks the amount, on his rate of 12s. 6d. for himself and Vs. 6d. for six children, should have been £26; and why the difference of £1 Ss. has been withheld?

I have had some difficulty in ascertaining the facts of this case, but; I am having inquiries made, and I will see that any sums found to have been improperly withheld from Sapper Eachus are immediately paid.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Joseph Holgate, late No. 218327, Labour Corps, now living at 15, Grosvenor Street, Higher Broughton, whether any reason can be assigned for the admitted loss of papers in this case; whether anyone has been reprimanded for the loss; and whether any and, if so, what steps have been taken to see that proper separation allowance is awarded?

Such losses of papers are liable occasionally to occur in a vast organisation working at high pressure. No specific reason can be assigned in this instance, and no individual can be selected for reprimand. An advance payment has been made, and regular issue of the allowance is being arranged.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the various Government Departments are assisting him to find employment for officers who have been invalided from the Navy and Army by notifying an officers' employment section of the Pensions Ministry of vacancies to be filled; if so, how many invalided officers have thus obtained employment in Government offices during the last six months; and how many of these have obtained employment under the Pensions Ministry?

The Ministry of Labour are in constant communication with various Government Departments, and receive assistance from them in obtaining suitable posts for invalided officers. During the last six months about 100 invalided officers have thus obtained employment in Government offices, of whom eight are employed by the Ministry of Pensions, in addition to thirty officers on light duty.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is a ware that in the Y Division of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary steel helmets are urgently required for every special constable, and that in the largest sub-division in Y Division there are only fifty steel helmets for the use of 240 men, who have to be on duty every time there is an air raid; whether all these men run serious risk of damage from shrapnel in going to their emergency points, as is the case of every sub-division of the special constabulary; and whether, having regard to his statement on the 1st November last year that he had no reason to think there was any insufficiency of metal helmets for special constables, he will take steps to have the shortage of metal helmets in the Y Division remedied at once?

The hon. Member is probably referring to the police subdivision of which Hornsey is one of the stations. I am informed that the Commissioner has issued instructions that the attendance of special constables at Hornsey and at several other stations in the outer area of the Y Division is to be considerably reduced, and if these directions are carried out, the supply of helmets in the Y Division is sufficient.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Kurt Ludwig Wilhelm Bruckmann, about thirty-five years of age, residing at Sydenham, and who continues to have the use of the telephone, was the owner of, approximately, half the capital in the Amber Size and Chemical Company, and that, in consequence of pressure from the Government, he transferred his holding to an Englishman, F. W. Chambers; whether F. W. Chambers is a director of W. H. Muller and Company, Limited, a firm of German association with which Mr. Bruckmann is connected; and what is the reason why this gentleman has never been interned?

I am making inquiries, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that there are in this country many persons technically enemy aliens, but who, as, for instance, in the case of Alsatians, Czechs. Poles, Armenians, or Syrians, are devoted to the cause of the Allies, he will introduce a measure which will regularise their situation and make their services available to the Allies?

I think that every thing which is possible in the direction suggested by the hon. Member is already being done under Articles 25 b and 25 c of the Aliens Restriction Order and otherwise. As at present advised, I see no reason for the introduction of any fresh measure.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the month of September last the Advisory Committee suggested that Miss Hilda Margaret Howsin might be released from internment if suitable arrangements as to her place of residence could be made and bonds for her good behaviour in the sum of £l,000 each were entered into by three British subjects of good standing prepared to make themselves responsible for her; whether he is aware that on 18th February last Miss Howsin's legal advisers submitted the names of three such British subjects as bondsmen, and also arrangements as to her place of residence, and, seeing that up to the present time no answer has been vouchsafed as to whether or not objection is taken by him to the bondsmen or to the proposed place of residence, will he state the grounds upon which the efforts of Miss Howsin's friends to comply with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee have been thus ignored; and why it is necessary further to prolong this lady's internment, which has already lasted over two and a half years?

Proposals of the nature described in the question were received on the date mentioned, and inquiries are being made. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in Hereford and district tenants of small holdings are being given notice to quit on the expiration of the leases; and whether he will favourably consider an amendment of the law to prevent these evictions unless good cause is shown?

If my right hon. Friend will furnish particulars of the case to which he refers, I will have immediate inquiries made with a view to considering whether there is sufficient evidence to justify an amendment of the law.

asked the Postmaster General if he is aware that a number of the members of the Post Office staff who joined the Army in the early days of the War were promised full civil pay plus Army pay and allowances for their wives and children, and that when the allowances were increased owing to the increased cost of living these men's civil pay was reduced by the amount of the increased allowance their families received; and whether it is with his sanction that this reduction in their civil pay is made?

The answer is in the affirmative. The men in question enjoy special privileges in respect of pay. I did not consider that I should be justified in allowing their position to be still further improved. The amount of the increased allowance is, therefore, deducted from their civil pay, leaving the total emoluments the same as before.

asked the President of the Local Government Board why grants made to officers by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee are now liable to reduction because of the recent increases in pay to officers; whether he is aware that such action takes away from the married officer any improvement in his pecuniary position which the increase of pay intended he should have; and whether he will give a similar undertaking to that given in the case of non-commissioned officers and men that such grants shall not be affected by the increase of pay granted?

The Civil Liabilities Committee are only empowered to grant assistance to officers in cases of serious hardship due to the officer's military service, and the grants made have always been subject to review in the event of any changes in the officer's financial circumstances. The Committee are anxious to deal sympathetically with all cases of hardship, but they cannot disregard the recent considerable increases in the emoluments of officers. These may amount to as much as £150 a year and. obviously, may affect very materially the question whether hardship arises in any particular case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, with regard to the Order in Council just issued under the Representation of the People Act, he will amend Forms I. A 2, 4, and 5, I. B, II. 3, 5, 7, and 8, V. B 6, 7, and 8, and IX., Divisions I., II., and III., so as to indicate whether women qualified in their own right are to be addressed as Mrs. or Miss?

I do not think it necessary to amend the Order in Council to meet the point raised by my right hon. Friend, but it will be noted in connection with any re-issue of the Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a number of Lascars are being employed under the South Metropolitan Gas Company at their Greenwich works; if he is aware that this is causing discontent among the workmen; if be can give any reasons why Lascars are engaged on such work; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am informed by the company that there are no lascars employed at their Greenwich works. Two were recently engaged but were not satisfactory, and left after two or three days' service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping if he will state the number of interned enemy and Russian ships in Great Britain and Ireland that have not been used since the outbreak of war; why they are not being used; and if he is aware that there is a sailing ship in Canal Basin, convenient to Westland Row station, Dublin, that has not been used for the past three years?

I am not aware of any interned enemy or Russian ships in British ports which are capable of being used in the war zone and have not been so used since the outbreak of war. With regard to the last part of the question, inquiries are being made regarding the small sailing vessel in Dublin to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken in Ireland to deal with the problem of labour resettlement there after the War; whether it is proposed to set up any special machinery to deal with the separate conditions which prevail in that country; and generally can he state the proposals for the prompt resettlement of Irish soldiers and sailors who have voluntarily given their services in the War?

I am not at present in a position to make a detailed statement on this point, but I may say generally that the proposals with regard to resettlement of ex-Service men will apply to Irish sailors and soldiers in the same way as to men enlisted from Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Advisory Committee with reference to timber on the Building Materials Committee is entirely composed of London merchants; and whether, as building conditions and methods in Scotland are quite different to those in England, and particularly in London and the South, he will appoint Scottish representatives of the timber trade to this Advisory Committee?

My hon. Friend has been misinformed as to the existence of an Advisory Committee on Timber to the Building Materials Supply Committee. The Committee, amongst other evidence taken, has received evidence from representatives nominated by the Timber Trades Federation. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Committee will have regard to the varying conditions which obtain in different parts of the country in so far as they affect its inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any public moneys have been expended during the last four years in making inquiries in Germany into the merits of the Telefunken system?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state approximately the number of girl telegraph messengers that are employed by his Department; on what rates of pay they are engaged and for what time; and is there any future prospect of permanent employment for these girls after their time is completed as messengers?

Approximately 6,000 girl telegraph messengers are employed in the Post Office. The normal rates of pay in London are 8s. 6d. or 8s. a week plus a war bonus of 6s. 6d. a week. In the provinces the rates vary from 8s. downwards, plus a war bonus normally amounting to 6s. 6d. a week. The hours of attendance vary from 36 to 50 a week. The employment is temporary, and while it may be possible to find permanent employment for a proportion of the girls, I regret that no definite prospect can be held out.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether there is any probability of any practical outcome of the recent negotiations with the Turkish Government for the exchange of prisoners of war who have been captive from one to three years?

The agreement signed between British and Turkish delegates provides for the reciprocal repatriation of prisoners of war on grounds of health, but not on the ground of length of captivity.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), whether any arrangements have been made for the exchange and internment in Switzerland or other neutral territory of British and German prisoners of war of military age and fit condition who have been in captivity for less than eighteen months; and whether His Majesty's Government will now consider the desirability of proposing to the enemy Governments, through available diplomatic channels, a general exchange, without conditions as to internment, of all prisoners of war who have been in captivity for a period exceeding twelve months?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I regret that it is not possible to make a proposal in the sense suggested in the second part of the question.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether be has any recent information about the conditions prevailing amongst our prisoners of war in the hands of the Turks; whether any arrangements for the exchange of prisoners were arrived at between our representatives and the representatives of Turkey when they met recently in Switzerland; and whether there is any prospect of these arrangements being carried out and exchanges effected?

A good deal of information has been lately received respecting internment camps in Turkey from a number of British prisoners of war recently repatriated from that country as invalids, and I am glad to say that this information is not more unfavourable than might have been expected. I may say that in general there seems to be a slight tendency towards the better treatment of prisoners in Turkey, but there difficulties are constantly increasing on account of the increasing scarcity and dearness of provisions and on account of the depreciation of Turkish paper currency. The Agreement signed by British and Turkish delegates at Berne in December provided for the mutual repatriation on a wide scale of incapacitated or invalid prisoners. This Agreement has been ratified by His Majesty's Government, and it is to be expected that it will also be ratified by the Turkish Government, to whom its terms will no doubt be satisfactory.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has in recent times received representations from branches of the Town Tenants' Association as to the need for further protective and ameliorative legislation; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

Resolutions have been received from the Kerry County Council and the Skibbereen branch of the Town Tenants' League. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Chief Secretary to a question by the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division on the 20th June, 1917. No further legislation is contemplated.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to lay upon the Table of this House the Report on Housing furnished to him by Mr. P. C. Cowan, Chief Engineering Inspector of the Local Government Board, Ireland?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has stated, in reply to previous questions, that he hopes to circulate Mr. Cowan's Report on Housing. I am not in a position to fix any date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to an alleged speech by the hon. Member for North Westmeath at a meeting held in the Square. Kilcock, county Meath, on Sunday, 3rd March, when he is said to have advised the people to form a deputation and demand land from the proprietors, and, in the event of a refusal being given, to take possession of the land they wanted and act as the Sinn Fein party had done in county Clare; and what action is to be taken in the matter?

The hon. Member for North Westmeath made a speech as referred to in the question. The matter is under the consideration of the Irish Government.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to take any steps with a view to the provision of pensions for secondary school teachers, in pursuance 'of the recommendations of the Committee which was appointed to consider this question five years ago?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for West Nottingham on 5th February last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that in some counties having a high aggregate county rate the whisky money has been the sole source from which, other than a voluntary rate levied on certain secondary school areas, higher education has been maintained, such whisky money will continue to be paid to local education authorities in addition to the proposed new Grant?

The whisky money will continue to be paid, but it will be treated as a Government Grant for the purpose of calculating the Deficiency Grant under Clause 38 (2) of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will favourably consider the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to consider and to report upon the finance of the Education Bill?

After careful consideration, I am afraid that I do not see any reason for the appointment of such a Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has obtained from the county and borough education authorities official expressions of opinion as to the advisability of compelling by legislation young people to attend continuation classes up to the age of eighteen years; if so, were these expressions favourable or otherwise; and, if not, will he take steps to obtain them before the Committee stage of the Education Bill is reached?

I have taken no official steps to obtain such expressions of opinion from the local education authorities in question; but many local education authorities, and also the associations representing those authorities, have written to the Board supporting the proposals referred to.