asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether for some months past bodies of the Irish Republic Volunteers have made a habit of marching out from Dublin to the. range of hills situated some seven miles south of the city and carrying out a regular course of field training, including trench digging, loop-holing of wells, signalling, combined route marching, scouting, and bivouacs; whether the inhabitants of the neighbourhood have protested against the carrying out of this field training on their property to the local police force and to the competent military authority; what answer have they received; and what action does he propose to take?

For some time past small bands of men from Dublin, not wearing uniform or carrying any weapons or tools, have made a practice of marching on Sundays to the adjacent parts of the county. Some of these parties have visited the hills south of the city, and have always been kept under observation, but no trench digging or loop-holing has been reported, and no complaints by the owners of property appear to have been brought to the notice of the constabulary authorities. On Sunday last the police came upon one of these bands engaged in drill and dispersed them. Six of the ringleaders were arrested and dealt with summarily next day, five receiving terms of imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now decided to grant certificates to discharged soldiers to act as tramcar drivers on the Metropolitan tramway systems at the age of nineteen?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether, now that he has agreed to air-raid warnings at night-time, any arrangements have been or will be made by which air-raid shelters in London will be opened for anyone who wants such shelter after the warning has been given; or, if it is impossible to open all or any of such shelters, will he have public notices issued forthwith stating what shelters will be closed or the hours when they will be closed.

Arrangements have been made for adequate shelter to be available for all persons who are likely to be in the open if an air-raid warning should be given in London during the night. Some of the shelters are closed at night, and the Commissioner of Police is arranging that in every such case notice shall be given of the hour of closing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, having regard to the recent tragedies at air-raid shelters, of not permitting a warning or notice to be put up saying that an air-raid shelter is available unless a certifi- cate has been received from a competent authority that such place is an adequate shelter?

I will make inquiries about that.

asked the Home Secretary whether the differences as to conditions of employment which have existed some time between the London taxi-cab drivers and the taxi-cab owners have now been settled; and, if not, what difficulties, are now standing in the way of an arrangement?

I am not aware that differences as to conditions of employment have existed between the London taxi-cab drivers and taxi-cab owners, except in the case of one company, which has withdrawn its cabs, of which about 633 were on the streets, because an increase of 50 per cent. on present mileage rates has not been approved. The remaining cabs —about 3,500—are at work.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the burden of enforcing the Food Controller's Orders in Ireland is thrown on members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who, as a rule, previously acted as inspectors under the Food and Drugs Act; if these men have to perform their ordinary duties in addition to the new food control duties; if the food control duties are very laborious, involving the inspection constantly of all the business premises in the country, and these men do not receive one penny additional pay; if district inspectors have been allowed£1 per week, and 1s. per day for a clerk to assist them for any extra duty under the food control Orders; and whether it is intended to grant additional pay to the men on whose shoulders the real work in connection with carrying out food control Orders has been thrown?

The duty of enforcing the Food Controller's Orders in Ireland rests with all members of the constabulary and no special duty in connection with the Orders has been imposed on the members of the force who act as inspectors under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875. Each district inspector in charge of a dis- trict is the local executive officer of the Food Control Committee for Ireland, and as such has to perform duties in addition to his ordinary duties, for which he receives an allowance of£l a week. A grant of 1s. a day is allowed to a constable for acting as clerical assistant in carrying out the duties under the Food Controller's Orders. It is impracticable to grant additional allowances in respect of the carrying out of duties under the Food Orders by ordinary members of the force. As the hon. Member is aware, the Royal Irish Constabulary have recently received additional remuneration by way of an increased war bonus.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the compulsory retirement of many non-commissioned officers and men in the Royal Irish Constabulary has created discontent in the force in view of the fact that these men, after faithful service, are now being discharged on pensions entirely inadequate to maintain themselves or their families; if as peace officers these men have been compelled to discharge duties incurring public odium and are thereby handicapped in obtaining employment in civil life; if it is intended to help these men by giving them an increased pension, by making the present war bonus pensionable, or by paying them a war bonus in addition to pension after retirement; and if he can arrange for the employment of all such pensioners in munition factories in the United Kingdom and facilitate the transfer of men resigning from the Royal Irish Constabulary on the grounds of insufficiency of pay to the better-paid police force in England without loss of service?

Sixty non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been called on to retire on pension between now and 1st June. Half of them are over sixty years of age, and are considered, owing to age, infirmity, etc., not fully qualified to discharge arduous duties during the present juncture. The remainder are between fifty and sixty years of age, and are being retired for various reasons affecting the efficiency of the force. There is no reason to suppose that discontent will be caused in the force by these proposed retirements, as suggested in the question. The full pensions to which the men are entitled by rank and service will be granted. There is no power to award increased pensions in respect of the war bonus, nor to grant a war bonus in addition to pension after retirement. The Inspector-General will do everything he can to obtain suitable employment for worthy men whose services are dispensed with.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in regard to the Hickman estate, Knock, West Clare, he is aware that soldiers have been drafted into Knock in order to facilitate seizures by the sheriff; and whether the Government will suspend the use of armed force at least pending the findings of the Irish Convention?

I have no information as to the matter referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is necessary for a schoolgirl at school in London or Dublin to obtain a passport before being able to return to her parents in Clare?

Under the terms of the notice issued by the competent military authority declaring county Clare a special military area no permission to enter the county is necessary in the case of a female ordinarily resident therein.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that although it is not necessary it is still being enforced, in certain cases as I have described, that schoolgirls returning are compelled to obtain a passport?

There is no difficulty in any young lady obtaining the right to enter by applying to the proper authorities.

But the point is, is it necessary or not for her to have a passport?

If she is ordinarily resident in Clare it is not necessary

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 would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday, as published in the official report.

Was that answer given in respect to this question?

It is the same question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received resolutions passed by the urban councils of seven seaside towns in the North of Ireland urging that all alien enemies shall be removed to a distance of at least ten miles from the coast; if certain reasons were given as to why the suggestions were made; and if he intends to take any action?

Resolutions on the subject referred to have been received from the urban district councils of Bangor and Donaghadee. I am informed that there are eighty-eight alien enemies at large in the maritime countries of Ulster. They are all under the supervision of the police in accordance with the Aliens Restriction Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether, if there is likely to be a shortage of tobacco in this country, he will explain why prisoners of war should be permitted to purchase tobacco from our already depleted stocks; and whether British prisoners are permitted to purchase tobacco in Germany?

The amount of tobacco which prisoners of war are allowed to purchase or procure in this country has been strictly regulated, in consultation with the proper authorities, and is now fixed at ¾oz. per head per week. I have no official information in regard to the latter part of the question, but have reason to believe that at most camps in Germany the prisoners may purchase tobacco.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that recently at Chichester the civilian population were unable to purchase supplies of fresh fish whilst at the same time fresh fish was being delivered at a German prison camp, sometimes twice a day, by rail; and, seeing that this has caused local indignation, will he consider the advisability of better arrangements being made?

I have been asked to reply. I was not aware of the facts stated in the question, and am having inquiry made. I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether, bearing in mind that two of our flying men have suffered about a month's imprisonment for dropping pamphlets it is proposed to inflict a reprisal on two enemy flying men in order to show the German Government our determination to secure proper treatment for British prisoners of war in their hands; and, in future, will he consider the advisability of at once taking reprisals for acts committed by the German Government against our prisoners of war instead of giving a time-limit during which period British prisoners are suffering such treatment?

His Majesty's Government are fully determined to take all necessary measures to secure redress for British prisoners of war improperly treated by the enemy. We understand that the two British airmen in question have been released. As regards the second part of the question I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that both Governments are bound under The Hague Agreement to give a month's notice before reprisals are started.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me if it is a fact that German officers have been transferred from the West to the East Coast of this country?

It has been thought desirable to transfer a number of German officers from the West of England to the East Coast, but this must not be regarded as a measure of reprisals or punishment. The climate of the Kent and Essex coast is at least as good, and probably better, than that in a number of prison camps in Germany.

asked what remuneration is paid by the German Government to British prisoners of war who are working in the Westphalian mines and other German industries in which British prisoners of war are engaged?

The remuneration ranges from 30pfg. to 80pfg. per day, the average rate working out at about 40pfg. per day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to employ the powers given him by the new Order in Council in connection with aliens addressing public meetings to insist that such aliens shall have on their person at the time of addressing any public meeting a Home Office permit so to do, and that the police shall have instructions to request, at their discretion, the production of such permit at any meeting at which, in their opinion, a revolutionary gospel is advocated?

The Order in Council does not require that any alien addressing a public meeting shall be in possession of a Home Office permit enabling him to do so. It empowers me by Order to prohibit an alien from addressing or taking part in meetings and from engaging in propaganda. I shall make Orders whenever the information in my possession shows it to be necessary, and the police will be given all necessary instructions as to the enforcement of any such Order.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by the time he gets that information the damage is done? Are we to understand that he has not authority to restrict aliens addressing meetings on revolutionary subjects or insisting on a permit being issued, but can only take action by Order in Council after the damage has been done?

It is usual to have information before the meeting is held, and we usually know something about the alien and can take action accordingly.

asked the Home Secretary if he will grant an interview to delegates from the London City, Metropolitan, Manchester, and other provincial police forces in order that they may place their views before him on the questions of increased cost of living, the recognition of their union, and other questions, and also, seeing that in one police area the chief constables and watch committees have decided that 30s. per week is a living wage, they would be grateful for an opportunity of discussing this point with him?

The question of the pay of the county and borough police is primarily a matter for the local authorities, and no useful purpose would be served by my receiving members of individual forces for the purpose of discussing it.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the cost of the various buildings now being erected in St. James's Park; and what number of people they are intended to accommodate?

The extension to the Ministry of Shipping will cost about £27,200, and will accommodate about 800 persons. The building intended for the Admiralty on the old road, near Storey's Gate, will cost about £18,200, and will accommodate about 600 persons. The building for the Ministry of Munitions will cost about £8,400, and will accommodate about 200 persons. The extension to the Ministry of Shipping canteen—which will be used by various Departments—will cost about £4,700, and will provide for 2,000 diners in three relays.

Does that include any charge for the land in the centre of London and does it include the cost of the elaborate system of piping and trenches?

It does not include any cost for the land, as there is no reason why it should, but it includes all other costs.

May we take it that these entirely typical buildings will be done away with after the War?

Certainly, as far as I am concerned.

Is it proposed to keep an equal space of open land—

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is proposed to eject the Canadian Red Cross from their existing premises at 14, Cockspur Street; and, if so, whether the matter will be reconsidered in view of the inconvenience which would be caused by a change of address to relations of Canadians resident in Canada, to Canadian prisoners of war in Germany, and to the Canadian troops in France who have been accustomed during the past three years either to communicate with, or personally visit, the Red Cross office at its present address?

I very much regret that it was found necessary to find new quarters for the Canadian Red Cross, and this step was only taken after the most careful consideration by the War Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, but the necessity of extending the accommodation of the Mechanical Warfare Branch of the Ministry of Munitions was most urgent.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) why the employés termed temporary employés have not been paid the award of 17th December, 1917, and which has been paid to all other Government employés; and will he take steps to pay this award to these employés so as to make them equal with all other Government employés?

War bonus has been paid to established and unestablished employés and temporary messengers in the service of the Department of Agriculture on the same footing as in other Public Departments in accordance with the award to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he gave an interview on the 15th March to Dr. Trumbitch; whether the interview had reference to the reconciliation of Italian and Yugo-Slav aspirations on the Adriatic coast; and whether he can state that any results have been achieved?

The Prime Minister does not think that it is desirable that he should give information with regard to the persons to whom he grants personal interviews or to the subjects discussed.

As this information was obtained from the "Times," will any notice be taken of the way in which the "Times" newspaper disregards the wishes of the Prime Minister?

I am afraid there is no law, or even a Defence of the Realm Regulation, which will put it in our power to punish anyone who disregards the wishes of the Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have yet been taken to appoint a Director of Propaganda for the proper dissemination in the United Kingdom of the war aims of enemy countries as regards the British Empire?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's question 011 this subject on the 4th March.

Is it not very desirable that there should be someone to devote his sole attention to this very important subject?

My hon. Friend knows that the Minister of Propaganda's main duty is to co-ordinate the work of propaganda in all Departments. The special work of making our aims plain is supposed to be undertaken by the War Aims Committee.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the very valuable propaganda bearing on this very subject of Germany's intentions in Middle Europe which is being undertaken by the Earl of Denbigh, who delivered a lecture on this subject to the House, and can he not take some steps to assist the Noble Lord in conducting that propaganda through the country oh a more extensive scale?

I have already answered that question to the effect that I do recognise the value of this work, and the Government are prepared to cooperate in any reasonable way.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the proposal I made to him last year that the Government should publish as an official document an exact account of the statements made by eminent statesmen in regard to their war aims which are not known in this country?

That hardly arises out of the question.

asked the name of the firm with which a satisfactory agree-anent has been come to by the Government to sink trial bores for oil; if this agreement gives this firm exclusive rights so to sink within any and what areas; if the Government is prepared to enter into agreements with colliery companies and others possessing freehold and surface rights over large districts and the necessary boring tackle, within and without the areas, if any, subject to the above agreement; and, if so, on similar or what terms?

At the moment the Government have under consideration applications to bore for petroleum from three different firms, and negotiations are practically completed, but, pending definite conclusion of the agreements, it is not proposed to publish the names. The agreements would give exclusive rights to bore within certain denned areas. Outside those areas, applications by colliery companies and others possessing freehold and surface rights over large districts and the necessary boring tackle will be carefully considered on their merits.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have been refused permission to bore?

I must have notice of that question.

Will the names of the firms be made public?

The answer I gave was that pending definite conclusion of the negotiations it is not proposed to publish the names.

Will this agreement involve any compensation to the landowners other than making good any damage done?

I must have notice on the question of terms.

asked whether an opportunity will be given to this House to discuss the question of the responsibility of Prime Ministers in regard to the recommendations they submit to the King for the bestowal of honours?

I have no reason to think that there is any general desire for such a discussion.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that an ex-Prime Minister declared that he had made a recommendation for the Garter on account of the wounds inflicted by newspapers?

I heard that statement, but it was not quite in that form. The two things occurred simultaneously, and it did imply that the value of Lord Kitchener's services were impressed upon his mind at the moment by the attacks.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the rumour that the Minister of Reconstruction, in one of his schemes, proposes to make everybody a knight after the War?

That does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the surprise created by the title which has been bestowed upon the Mayor of the borough that he represents?

That does not arise out of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to recommend to the Prime Minister that in future, when any gentlemen are recommended for these distinctions, their respective qualifications should be discussed in this House before the titles are conferred?

I am hardly prepared to make that recommendation. If it were possible to have such a discussion, it would have to be at a time when the other Members did not want to be present.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the congestion of goods traffic on the railway system of this country and to the facilities offered by the canal system of the country for the transport of heavy goods, he will recommend the various Departments of Government concerned with the transport of war and other stores to utilise the canals to their fullest capacity?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The various Departments of the Government concerned with the transport of war and other stores are fully aware of the desirability of utilising the canals to their fullest capacity, and they are arranging for the transport of any commodities that can suitably be conveyed by canal so as to relieve the railways. Representatives of the War Office and of the Ministry of Munitions sit on the Canal Control Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether all these boats now existing on the canals have been manned?

Yes, I believe so.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the information afforded by Lord Reading, containing a request that the publication of the disclosures by Mr. Rathom, of the American Secret Service, should be discontinued; would he say if this request is at the instigation of the American Government or of Lord Reading personally; if he would say whether it is proposed to accede to this request; and for what reasons it is considered in the public interest that such publications, which have appeared in all the Allied Press, should not be permitted to appear in the British Press?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the statements as to the identification of Government officials in the operations of German wireless undertakings, he will consider the desirability of setting up a Committee to inquire into and report upon all Government transactions in connection with wireless undertakings during the past- ten years?

The answer is in the negative.

Having regard to the public feeling in this matter, which was discussed in this House the day before yesterday, does not the right hon. Gentleman consider it in the public interest to clear the Government's connection with this extraordinary political ramp?

The hon. Member is-asking the same question, but in rather-longer words.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the attempt made by Mr. Godfrey Isaacs to blackmail a Member of this House while he was Postmaster-General for the purpose of forcing him to grant a Government concession favourable to the Marconi Company; and whether the Law Officers of the Crown have considered the desirability of instituting criminal proceedings against Mr. Godfrey Isaacs in this case?

I can add nothing to the statement made by the Attorney-General on the adjournment on Tuesday last.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to a leading article in one of the official organs of His Majesty's Government this morning to the effect that this case should be brought for public trial, and are we to understand that that has the approval of the Government or are we to understand that the Government wish to hush this matter up?

The hon. Member need not understand the last part of the question. As regards the first part. I have not seen the article in the paper to which he refers.

May I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the leader in the "Daily Mail" this morning?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a statement that Germany is prepared to refrain from air attacks on this country providing British raids over German territory cease; and whether, having regard to the avowed policy of the Government that British air raids into Germany were in no sense reprisals but legitimate acts of war, he will accept this indication from Germany as an expression of the success of our new aggressive air policy, and, in consequence, redouble British aerial activity over German towns?

As regards the first part of the question, I have seen certain statements in the Press. As regards the second part of the question, the Government are doing everything in their power to make the raids into Germany effective.

Can this House understand that the raids which are being carried out into Germany are considered by His Majesty's Government as legitimate acts of war, and will not be discontinued in the event of the enemy squealing on the point of reprisals?

The House does understand that they are, in our opinion, legitimate acts of war, but I by no means say that they are not undertaken as reprisals.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the increased coat of living amounts to more than 100 per cent. since the allowance to soldiers' and sailors' dependants was determined, if he will consider the need of a 50 per cent. increase in all allowances

I can add nothing to previous replies on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that men are discharged from the Army under medical jurisdiction alleged to have contracted diseases prior to the War, although passed as medically fit, he will take steps to secure the relief of necessitous cases of the men and their dependants?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to take this question, but I am not quite clear what it is that the hon. Member wishes to be done. If a man is discharged for a, disability which he is considered to have had on entering the Army, which has not been aggravated by his service, he is given a gratuity; if the disability is shown to have been aggravated by his service he may receive either a gratuity or a pension, according to the degree of his disablement, on discharge. I have no reason to think that the State is doing otherwise than discharging its full responsibility towards these men.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the number of discharged men awaiting training, whether he is now able to make any further statement as to more satisfactory arrangements for payment of allowances to them in the interim period before their training begins?

I am pleased to be able to announce that the payment of allowances to men who are awaiting a course of training is now sanctioned, and that, subject to certain conditions, men in this position shall receive the equivalent to the full disablement rate of pension, with children's Allowances in addition, for a period which will ordinarily not exceed four weeks. An instruction setting forth the precise terms of the arrangement will be issued as soon as possible.

Is the period of four weeks dated from the date of selection?

As soon as a man has been selected as suitable for training, the allowance will be made payable for a period of four weeks while waiting to be taken into the place.

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Private T. Maxwell, late No. 17752, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, son of Mrs. Maxwell, who lives at 16, Richmond Place, off Cross Lane, Salford, whether he has now ascertained under what circumstances the deduction of £8 19s. 7d., referred to in the correspondence with the Ministry, was made; whether he is aware that this correspondence has been going on since December, 1916; and will he say why the Ministry or the Paymaster, who states that he has sent all the correspondence to the Ministry, have not settled the matter?

Pension has been issued in full to Mrs. Maxwell from 4th April last when she became entitled to a Grant under the Regulations which came into operation on that date. There appears to have been an over-issue of separation allowance during the soldier's life time but no recovery is being made from pension on account of that, which is a matter for the paymaster and the War Office.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in the case of the death of the wife of a soldier with children, any allowance in addition to the motherless rate for children can be paid for a guardian or foster-mother; and, if so, by whom and under what conditions?

If the home of the soldier is being maintained, a local committee may make up the motherless rate for children to the amount which the wife was receiving in respect of herself and her children under ten (a) Part II., of the Special Giants Committee's Regulations.

Do I understand that if the same home is being kept up, the addition may be made, but that if the children are removed to any other home, it may not be paid?

Yes; that is so.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that a number of cases have come before the Dundee Parish Council of the insufficiency of the pensions allowed, one case being that of a woman with four children, whose husband was killed in France last April, who received 31s. a week for six weeks, and was then given a pension of 28s. 9d. a week, upon which it was impossible for them to exist, and that the council granted temporary relief and contended that these amounts should be increased; and if he will say what steps, if any, are being taken to remedy this state of matters?

I have had many representations made to me as to the inadequacy of the pensions and allowances for widows and children which can be granted under the existing Royal Warrants. The question of increase is at present under consideration, and until it is determined I cannot usefully make any further statement.

asked the Pensions Minister what powers, if any, local pensions committees have to grant allowances to guardians of motherless children whose fathers are killed or die while serving in the Navy or Army or as a result of wounds or sickness attributable to such service; and if any instructions covering such cases have been, or will be, issued to local committees?

Local committees have no direct power to grant allowances to guardians of motherless children in the circumstances set out in the hon. Member's question except that they may continue for twenty-six weeks following the death of the father any allowance granted by them under Part II., Regulation 10 (a). Where, however, there are-special circumstances it is open to a local committee, after the expiration of the period of twenty-six weeks, to make a recommendation to the Special Grants Committee, who are prepared, in suitable cases, to sanction a temporary allowance to a guardian of a soldier's children who has been acting in that capacity in the home of the soldier to support the home until suitable arrangements can be made.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a number of Russian officers and officials employed in the Commission Internationale Ravitaillement have been relieved of their duties; and what steps the Government proposes to take to secure employment cither in the Army or else where for these officers whose services have been dispensed with through no fault of their own?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, such steps as are possible are being taken to meet these cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a committee of ministers of the Presbyterian Church of England has called his attention to a grievance under which they believe they suffer in having to pay Income Tax, Schedule A, for their houses at the rate of 5s. in the £, no matter how small their earned incomes may be; whether he is aware that it was owing to a mistake or oversight in drafting that relief in such cases was not granted in 1914; and whether he will, in the forthcoming Finance Bill, provide that any person occupying a dwelling-house in respect of any office or employment shall be entitled to relief from Income Tax in respect thereof at the same rate as on his earned income, except so far as he is entitled to recover the tax from some other person or persons by way of deduction or otherwise?

In 1894 the Courts upheld the contention of a minister of the Free Church of Scotland that the annual value of his manse could not be regarded as part of his income for Income Tax pur- poses in determining his claim for the allowance of the statutory abatement. Consequently, a minister of a church occupying his manse under similar conditions is entitled to exclude the annual value of his manse in calculating his total income from all sources for purposes of exemption, abatement, or children's allowance—a privilege which is inconsistent with the present contention that the annual value of the manse should be included in his income for purpose of obtaining "earned" income relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the desirability of advancing to county councils loans of money which would be available to enable suitable and approved returned soldiers and sailors to stock small holdings they might wish to settle on?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture to answer this question and to refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Committee on the Settlement of Soldiers and Sailors on the Land presided over by the hon. and gallant Member for North Bucks, Part I. (Command Paper 8182), which did not find itself able to recommend advances of capital to ex-service men for the stocking of small holdings. At present the Board do not propose to depart from this recommendation.

asked whether it is necessary for the Minister of State for Air to apply to the Treasury before making a special Grant to all officers in His Majesty's Air Force to cover the initial cost of the new Air Force uniform now to be instituted; if so, if such application has already been made; and whether the Treasury have considered or are prepared to favourably consider it?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative, and the application is now under consideration by the Treasury.

When is it likely to be announced, having regard to the fact that many of these officers have been called on to buy their uniforms, and it is essential to their financial status that they should know whether they are to be called on to pay for it or not?

Nobody has to buy the uniform? It is distinctly stated that they can wear out the old uniform.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the present Order has created a chameleon-like condition among these officers?

The hon. Member must not monopolise the whole of the time of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the rates of pay in the Serbian Army are, owing to the high cost of living, insufficient to meet the needs of the soldiers of our Ally; whether he can state if any recommendations have been made to the Treasury with regard to this matter; and what steps he proposes to take to see that these recommendations are carried into effect at the earliest opportunity?

No evidence is before me in regard to the first part of the question, and no recommendations have been made to the Treasury since the rates were originally agreed with the Serbian Government.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Government have taken over Larbert Asylum, near Glasgow; if so, for what purpose it is to be utilised, and how many persons it will accommodate?

I have been asked to answer this question. The building referred to has not yet been taken over by the Admiralty, but it is under consideration to do so for naval hospital purposes. The number of sick and wounded that can be accommodated, as at present arranged, will be about 1,200

asked the Minister of Labour what decision has been arrived at with reference to the war bonus being paid to insurance agents; and is he also aware of the dissatisfaction existing among these people on account of the rise in the price of foodstuffs?

The inquiry is proceeding as rapidly as can be expected, and until the Report of the Committee has reached me I can make no announcement.