asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on page 236 of the Report of the War Cabinet (Cd. 9005) the United States is given as member of the Supreme War Council; whether this indicates a change in the constitution of the Council meeting at Versailles; and whether President Wilson is now represented in the Supreme War Council by any person who exercises voice and vote on an equality with the other Prime Ministers who attend?

The United States are represented on the Supreme War Council through their military representative at Versailles, who has taken a most active and important part in contributing to the decisions of the Council. As the political representatives on the Supreme War Council consist of the Prime Minister and one. Cabinet Minister of the Governments concerned, the Government of the United States is not similarly represented.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, in view of the hardships inflicted on ex-Civil servants by increased cost of living, now 106 per cent. above pre-war rates, include in the terms of reference of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board the question of granting them a war bonus for the usual period?

It would not be practicable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion. The non-effective pay of the Civil Service is regulated by statutory authority and could not be increased except by legislation. His Majesty's Government is not prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose for reasons which have frequently been explained in answers to similar questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of recommending that a decoration may be given for the Gallipoli campaign and a general service medal to all those who have fought in the various theatres of war, observing that the majority of men who have been fighting for three and a half years have nothing whatever to show for it?

As regards the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question I would refer to the oral answers which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Melton and Clitheroe. The suggestion in the second part has received careful consideration. As regards the last part I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that men who have served during this War are eligible to receive the following outward and visible signs of service: (a) "Gold stripes" if they have been wounded, (b) "Chevrons" to denote length of service, (c) "Silver War Badges" if they have been discharged as unfit for further military service.

asked the Prime Minister if, in the event of a General Election, opportunity will be afforded to hon. Members in His Majesty's Army in distant parts to return to England in order to offer themselves for reelection; whether such leave will be granted, as special leave, without prejudice to hon. Members' military position, on the understanding that immediately after the election they either return to their military duties or apply for demobilisation; and whether his attention has been called to the fact that, unless some such special arrangement is made hon. Members in such a position will have no alternative but to apply for leave in the ordinary way, with the probability of having to wait for months before their leave is granted, or else to apply to be demobilised before they proceed to England?

It has been decided by the Government that any individual, officer or man, who is an accepted candidate by a recognised political organisation for Parliament, should be allowed to leave to address his Constituents if and when an election is pending.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts of revenue were received from the Income Tax and Super-tax, respectively, during the year ended 31st March, 1917?

As shown on page 5 of the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the year ended the 31st March, 1917, the amounts of Income Tax and Super-tax paid into the Exchequer in the year were £185,930,000 and £19,103,000 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to giving confidence to those willing to invest in Government loans and needing large sums for capital and trading purposes after the War, an inquiry could be held with bankers and finance houses as to the best means to render Government loans available as good collateral security either by Government accepting payment of taxation at issue values of loans in such securities or by other effective means to prevent over-selling with its consequent depreciation, the fear of which may retard investment now and limit enterprise afterwards?

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by any general inquiry into the matters referred to in the question at the present time. I need hardly say that I fully appreciate their importance, and am in constant consultation with those most competent to advise me on these subjects. As my hon. Friend is aware, very valuable rights of tender for the purpose of payment of taxes are already attached to the various War Loans, but it is obvious that such rights cannot be indefinitely extended without endangering the capacity of the revenue to provide the cash necessary for carrying on the public service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can, state the names and the terms of reference of the Committee to be appointed to inquire into the extent of the increase in the cost of living during the War?

I have appointed a Committee with the following terms of reference"To inquire into and report upon (

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the payment of the war bonus awarded by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés as from the 17th December last is being withheld from the temporary clerical staff employed in the National Health Insurance Commission (Ireland), Dublin, while payment is being made to similar classes in other Departments; and whether, inasmuch as the non-payment of the bonus is causing hardship and discontent amongst the staff mentioned, he will issue instructions to-have the bonus paid immediately to the officials concerned?

The award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board of 17th December last did not apply to temporary staff, but in view of a subsequent Treasury announcement of awards to certain special classes of temporary employés in Revenue Departments the Commissioners have reopened the matter and are now in. correspondence with the Treasury.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the finances of the Cork Borough Insurance Committee, under the National Health Acts, have proved wholly inadequate to meet the demands upon them, owing to the number of insured persons, requiring treatment in the local sanatorium and other institutions; that several insured persons in the advanced stage of tuberculosis have been recommended for treatment by the committee, but cannot obtain the same owing to the lack of funds; that the majority of those persons are obliged to reside with their families in crowded slum areas, and that the medical officers of the borough declare that the lack of segregation of such cases is a danger to public health, and entirely opposed to the objects for which Section 16 of the Insurance Act, 1911, was passed; whether the insurance committee of Cork borough claim capitation allowances in respect of 26,000 insured persons, and are only credited with allowances in respect of 18,000; whether the Irish Commissioners will explain the divergence between the figures claimed for and those upon which the allowances are based; and whether the Irish Commissioners, in the case of the Cork borough and other committees similarly badly off for funds, intend to take steps to obtain a special Grant to enable those bodies to carry out their duties and obligations to insured persons, and especially to enable them to obtain the services of a qualified nurse for Cork borough to visit and attend those insured persons who have returned from or are about to be sent for institutional treatment?

I am aware of the difficulties referred to by my hon. Friend, but I must remind him that, in addition to the funds made available by Parliament under the National Insurance Acts for the treatment of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis, other funds have been made available by Parliament to local authorities undertaking, in agreement with insurance committees, a comprehensive scheme of treatment for all the tuberculous persons in their area, whether insured or uninsured. But I am informed that so far no such comprehensive scheme has been adopted in Cork. I am asking the Irish Commission to send my hon. Friend a note explaining the basis upon which the Cork Insurance Committee's credits (to which he refers in the question) are calculated. With regard to the last part of the question, I am in communication with the Treasury on the subject of the diminution of sanatorium benefit income which insurance committees are suffering owing to war conditions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the British and Allies Merchants' and Brokers' Association has recently made a further application to the New Capital Issues Committee for permission to issue shares; whether the application was refused; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that other companies have been allowed to issue capital, he will state why permission has been refused to the above-named association?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The application was refused because the Committee did not consider that it wag in the public interest that an issue of capital should be made in this ease.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the demand for light French wines and the difficulties of meeting that demand created by the action of the Liquor Control Board, the Government will instruct the Liquor Control Board to modify its Order respecting the output of these wines, so as to release some of the considerable stocks of light French wines kept in bond in this country, and which can be distributed without interference with the transport of other goods?

I have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member was informed last Monday by the Home Secretary, the limitations of the amount of wine available for consumption are not consequent on any Order of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), nor is it the fact that there are any considerable stocks of light French wines kept in bond in this country at the present time. Instructions have been recently given which modify the restrictions on the release of these wines and raise the quantity available for consumption to the level of those released in the year 1916.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when the new restrictions on the manufacture of beer will come into operation and the proportion of the new authorised output of beer of 12,590,000 standard barrels which is to be allocated for the use of munition and other industrial workers and the proportion which will be available for the use of the general public?

It is hoped that the new restrictions on the manufacture of beer will come into operation on the 1st April. The amount specially allocated for the use of munition workers is about 1,120,000 standard barrels, while the Army get 1,000,000 standard barrels. The amount allocated for the use of the general public is 10,470,000 standard barrels, a certain unknown proportion of which will be consumed by munition workers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the quantity of barley in the hands of the brewers and maltsters as at 1st March, 1918, and the number of tons requisitioned from them by the Order issued on or about that date?

Complete returns have not yet been received. They include barley in the hands of maltsters malting for distillers (making yeast), vinegar brewers, and malt extract manufacturers, the whole of which stocks have been requisitioned. It is estimated that the quantity eventually to be received will amount to at least 150,000 tons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the quantity of barley and other cereals, respectively, required for the production of the new authorised beer output of 12,590,000 standard barrels?

Presuming that the permitted output of beer remains at the rate of 12,590,000 standard barrels for twelve months, then the materials required will be about 512,000 tons, of which 400,000 tons will probably be cereals.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is open to farmers in every county to grow potatoes upon their scheduled land in preference to spring corn if they prefer to do so; and in that event whether, as the return from potatoes on land now being ploughed is likely greatly to exceed that from spring corn, he will make it clear to war agricultural executive committees that such an option is permitted?

Yes, Sir; executive committees were instructed on the 28th ultimo that any occupier who desires to do so should be allowed to grow potatoes on any scheduled land. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the circular letter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has inquired into the case of twenty barrels of fish which lay at Temple Mead Station, Bristol, from 10th to 17th March, and were then unfit for food; and whether care is to be taken to prevent food being spoiled by long delays in transit?

I have no knowledge of this case, but I have caused inquiries to be made. I am assured that the utmost care is taken to prevent food from being spoiled by long delays in transit.

the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, with a view to rapidly increasing the manufacture of margarine and its by product, feeding-cake for live stock, all possible steps by way of provision of buildings, plant, etc., and importation of the palm-nut kernels and other oil seed are now being taken?

Yes, Sir; we are lifting from the West African Colonies practically every seed, nut, and kernel for which freight space is available. Of the resultant refined oil, the largest proportion is allocated to margarine manufacturers, and the average weekly output of margarine has risen from 1,500 tons in 1913 and 1914 to 5,038 tons in February, 1918. Every effort has been made to increase the available plant, and to the greatest possible extent edible oils have been withdrawn from all industrial uses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether, in view of the shortage of imported meat consequent on the diminution in available tonnage, he will consider the advisability of making arrangements for the frozen beef, both as supplied to the Armies of the Allies and for home consumption, which is now imported in quarters, being boned before exportation and shipped inboxes, crates, or packages, whereby a saving of 50 per cent. would be effected in the cubic space occupied on board ship, and any increase in the cost would be fully compensated by greater economic facilities for the storage and handling of the beef from the exporting docks right up to the hands of the Army cooks or the local butchers?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Experiments in this direction have been made, and they indicate that the difficulty involved in obtaining the necessary labour and materials for boning the beef and making the necessary boxes on any considerable scale is insuperable at the present time. I am informed that in any case the saving of cubic space would not be so great as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what payments are made from the 30s. paid by a butcher above the cost price on his receiving a graded fat bullock; and, in case any such animal proves to be tuberculous and the meat destroyed, would the butcher be compensated from the 30s. fund?

There is now no per-head charge on cattle and sheep payable by the butcher, as the necessary distribution charges on meat are now borne by the Central Live-stock Fund. These charges include insurance against the condemnation of animals found to be suffering from tuberculosis, and the following items: Auctioneers' charges, railage, grading and valuation, market tolls and weighing charges, administration charges, droving, slaughtering, slaughter-house dues, meat market dues, refrigerating and sheeting, feeding and lairage, cartage and porterage from slaughter-house to meat market, further railage, Government agents' charges, and Wholesale Meat Supply Association agents' charges.

asked whether, inasmuch as a liberal allowance of butcher's meat is essential as a means of restoring strength to certain classes of patients, latitude will be allowed doctors in ordering extra supplies of meat for such patients?

Food control committees may allow extra, rations of meat in the case of certain specified diseases on the recommendation of a doctor, but until there are adequate supplies available, it is not proposed to extend the privilege to patients suffering from diseases other than those specified.

asked whether, in the event of any increased ration of meat being authorised for manual workers, an appropriate additional ration of meat, or its equivalent, will be allowed for all growing boys and girls of all classes up to the age of nineteen years?

It is hoped, as soon as adequate supplies, are available, to increase the meat ration for manual workers and for growing boys and girls, but the manual workers will have priority.

asked whether the Food Controller has received protests from cooperative 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?

The answer to this question was printed in yesterday's official report.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, in view of the uncertainty as to the prices to be paid for the several grades of controlled fat bullocks, will he state what they are; is he aware that it was considered present prices were to be continued throughout the year, but recent statements alluded to the price as continued to 1st June only; and, in order to prevent a check to production, will he say what is intended?

I have been asked to reply. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of prices which will be printed in the official report. I may add that the maximum price of 75s. per cwt. live-weight for cattle of the first grade, or its equivalent in dead-weight, will not be lowered before 1st June, 1919.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the practice of pickling eggs for consumption during the autumn and winter is to be regarded as hoarding; and whether, having regard to the interest taken in this question, he can make a full statement indicating the views of the Ministry of Food on the subject?

There is no objection to a person pickling and preserving eggs produced by his own birds. The question in what circumstances the pickling of bought eggs amounts to hoarding is a question for the Courts, and no expression of the views of the Ministry would conclude the matter.

asked the parliamentary secretary to the ministry of Food in what way the communal kitchens are being supplied with the meat; and if any alteration has been made during the past four weeks?

Under the London and Home Counties rationing scheme national kitchens are classed as catering institutions; kitchens outside the areas of compulsory rations are dependent on the local arrangements made by their committees of management. The precise arrangements for the registration and supply of these kitchens is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the present shortage of cake for cattle feeding in this country as compared with the pre-war period; whether imports of cattle cake into this country, previously large, have been virtually cut off by the action of the Food Controller in fixing so low a maximum price to the farmer of imported cattle cake; and whether the Food Controller will in the national interests take such steps as will lead to the amelioration of the position?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is, however, incorrect to state that imports of cattle cake have been cut off by reason of the action of the Food Controller in fixing maximum prices. Owing to the present shortage of tonnage, it is vitally important that freight space should be reserved for products directly essential for human consumption. Large quantities of oil seeds, nuts, and kernels are being imported into this country, the oil from which is used in the manufacture of margarine, while the by-products are glycerine, for the manufacture of explosives, and cattle cake. It is, therefore, obviously more in the national interest to import oil seeds than to import cattle cake direct. I regret that, under existing conditions, little hope can be held out of any improvement in the position with regard to tonnage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been called to a circular, dated 1st March, issued to shopkeepers by the executive officer of the Islington Food Control Committee advising them to arrange to open their shops on Sundays if they are unable to supply all their customers on Saturday nights; if such official recognition of and incitement to Sunday trading has his sanction, and if he will ensure such steps being taken as will render any such course unnecessary?

The attention of the Food Controller has been drawn to the circular in question, which was issued by the committee with a view to overcoming some of the difficulties arising out of the initiation of the London and Home Counties Rationing Scheme. The Food Controller hopes that the improvements in meat distribution effected since the first week of the scheme will render the opening of shops on Sunday unnecessary in future.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the proposed Committee to settle the immediate steps necessary for the control of the collection, utilisation, and distribution of milk will hold its sittings in public, will have power to summon as witnesses and to take evidence from officials of the Government and members of the public, and will have placed at its disposal all material information possessed by the Ministry of Food?

This Committee will have the powers, and receive the information referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, but it is not proposed that it shall hold its sit/tings in public or have power to summon witnesses. All material information possessed by the Ministry of Food will be placed at its disposal, and the Committee will welcome any communication that may be made by the hon. Member or any members of the public whose names he may suggest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he realises that the willingness of cottagers in the West of England to join pig clubs and fill their styes with pigs depends upon their being allowed to retain the first pig produced from their cottage and garden refuse for consumption by themselves and their families; and whether, in order to stimulate productive effort, particularly in mining areas, and thus reduce the drain on the common stock of meat, he can now say that such retention will be permitted?

The Food Controller fully realises the importance of giving every encouragement to the self-suppliers of pigs, whether acting individually or collectively, and he is prepared to adopt the suggestion of Lord Somerleyton's Committee that members of a group or club or association should be treated as self-suppliers. Lord Rhondda has also decided to go beyond the recommendations of the Committee and to allow the first pig killed for the consumption of the self-supplier or his dependants to be consumed free altogether of any Rationing Order. The consumption of such food may extend over a period of twelvemonths. The recommendations embodied in Lord Somerleyton's Committee's Report as to home-fed pigs beyond the first pig killed in any year will probably be adopted, but no actual decision as to this and the other points recommended by that Committee has yet been decided upon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the refusal of the Watford Urban District Council to increase the number of Labour representatives on the local food control committee; whether he is aware that there are only two Labour representatives on the committee and that the Watford Trades Council asked that three more should be appointed; and whether he will make representations to the urban district council on the matter?

The question of Labour representation on the Watford Food Control Committee has recently been brought to the Food Controller's notice. He is making inquiries through the Food Commissioner as to the present position, and will consider, on receipt of the Commissioner's Report, whether the case is one in which further action is required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to eases 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 answer to this question was printed in yesterday's OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether, in view of the fact that the importation of coffee has almost entirely ceased, he will endeavour to take advantage of any possible facilities which may offer in order to bring home some of the British-Indian coffee from Malabar and Coromandel ports?

It is anticipated that all space available in the near future will be required for commodities of which there is a pressing need, and in the circumstances the Shipping Controller would not feel justified in facilitating in any way the shipment of coffee of which he understands there are at present ample stocks in this country.

asked the Minister of Munitions if steps will be taken immediately to provide Messrs. Butell Brothers and Company, of Enniscorthy, with a supply of premier jus to enable them to carry on their margarine factory, which is now practically stopped by reason of the lack of this ingredient; and when Messrs. Butell may expect a shipment of it?

I have been asked to reply. Five tons of premier jus were allotted to Messrs. Butell Brothers, of Enniscorthy, on the 12th March, out of a shipment which had just arrived at Liverpool, and which was the first available for some considerable time. Weekly allotments of refined oil have also been made to this firm in sufficient quantities to enable them to manufacture margarine without the use of animal fat.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he has received protests from the Isle of Wight against only one centre being authorised in the island for the slaughtering and distribution of animals for food; if he will give instructions to the. Department concerned that at least one other centre shall be established in Ryde or elsewhere, for this purpose; and, if not, will he state his reasons?

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are being made for the establishment of an authorised slaughter-house at Newport and Ryde for the purpose of dealing with cattle sent in for sale on a dead-weight basis.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will ascertain from the Wheat Commission if, with a view to increasing the supply of offals for feeding pigs and poultry, the percentage of millers' offals may, concurrently with an increase of the supplies of wheat imported and home grown, be increased; and, in the meantime, what crops does he recommend should be grown by way of village communal supply or privately for the feeding of pigs?

The percentage of extraction of flour from wheat will be reduced as soon as the position in regard to the supply of wheat and other cereals warrants such a change. A corresponding increase in the supply of millers' offals would follow. When pig clubs or private persons are able to cultivate grassland under the terms of the concession recently announced they may be recommended to grow barley and dredge-corn, and, later, artichokes or sunflowers for the feeding of their pigs and poultry.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a petition signed by 195 working-men residents of Teddington in favour of facilities being granted for allotments in the paddocks at Teddington and Hampton Wick; whether ho is aware that if these facilities can be granted the allotments will be within easy reach of the petitioners and that every advantage will be taken to produce foodstuffs; and whether he will take whatever stops are necessary to grant the petition?

The Board are aware of the demand for allotments in the localities referred to, and arrangements have been made for sufficient suitable land for the purpose in Bushey Park.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the delay in the preparation and issue of forms of application for supply of linseed oil for the manufacture of veterinary medicines is causing serious results to cattle in need of such medicines; whether he is aware that a number of orders for such cattle medicines are being held up in consequence of Departmental delays; and what steps does he propose to take to insist that no further trade interruptions shall be permitted?

There is no evidence in the possession of the Ministry of Food to show that the delay in the issue of the forms of application for supplies of linseed oil for veterinary purposes has had the effect described by the hon. and learned Member. As I have already stated, temporary arrangements were made for the supplying of linseed oil by the local oilseeds supply committees in cases of urgent necessity, and arrangements have now been completed for the issuing of priority certificates by the Linseed Oil Consumers' Association. I may add that since it is necessary seriously to restrict the consumption of linseed oil, it is inevitable that all claims for priority should be carefully scrutinised, and that the magnitude and intricacy of this work can scarcely be realised except by those engaged in it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any figures showing the relative tonnage losses of British, Allied, and neutrals from mines for a recent period as compared with twelve months ago; and, if not prepared to give figures, whether he can state if the losses from this cause have been considerably reduced?

Cases are not infrequent where it is impossible to say definitely whether a ship has been mined or torpedoed, but it can be stated with certainty that the losses from mines during the last seven months arc very much fewer than during the previous seven months.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his Department utilises the services of the Land Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue in purchases of land by the Admiralty; it so, whether the work is done to the satisfaction of his Department; and whether any charges are made for the work done?

The services of the Land Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue in purchasing land for the Admiralty have been utilised almost from the beginning of the War. The work has been done to the complete satisfaction of the Board. No charges are made, but I may tell my hon. and learned Friend that in the cases of the three National shipyards the arrangement for the occupation and purchase of the areas required has been, and is being, made through the Lands Directorate of the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Matthew Watt, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who has been wounded three times, is again under orders for overseas service; that his five brothers all joined His Majesty's Forces; that two of them have been killed; that his sixth brother is about to be called to the Colours; and whether, in view of the repeated promises that men who have been several times wounded should be retained on Home service, he will take steps to employ this soldier at home?

Private Watt is being retained at home pending investigation of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend draws attention.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of a sapper serving in the Territorials at the outbreak of war who, at the invitation of his commanding officer, transferred into the Regulars, and is now told that his prompt and patriotic action has cost him the sum of £15 to which he would have been entitled had he resigned and been re-enlisted instead of transferring without delay; and if he will take steps to prevent this man from being penalised on technical grounds for coming forward promptly when called upon at a time when his services were greatly needed?

My attention has already been drawn to this case by my hon. Friend, and I am having it inquired into further.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the waste of manpower in connection with young soldiers' battalions in this country; whether, in a battalion 1,090 strong, they have 285 instructors, including employed men; and whether this waste could be avoided by running these young soldiers' battalions on the lines of schools of instruction and not on the lines of battalions?

The establishment of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers is based on the minimum number required for the training and administration of the battalion, a larger number of non-commissioned officers being required in a young soldiers' battalion than in other battalions, as the A. IV. boys in the former are too young to allow of non-commissioned officers being found from within their ranks. Similarly the number of men allowed for employments is based on the minimum number required for this purpose; and, as it is essential that the special training in young soldier battalions should not be interrupted by using the boys under training for employments, the number allowed for this purpose is higher than in regimental Reserve battalions. The strength of these battalions is considerbaly higher than that stated in the question. It is not considered that the conversion of these battalions into schools of instruction would result in any saving of personnel.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner Daniel Herriot, No. 1270, Motor Machine Gun Corps, at present attached to N Battalion, Tank Corps, stationed at Wool, Dorset, who has been twice wounded and has lost one eye, medical classification C l, suffering from shell-shock after treatment in hospital at Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, Grantham, and Sheffield; is he aware that Gunner Herriot has been ordered to proceed to France on 15th April; is he aware that Gunner Herriot wax a shipyard worker before he voluntarily enlisted; and in view of his medical classification, and the need for shipyard workers, will he inquire into the matter?

This man has not been ordered to proceed to France. His category is B 2, and if he is a shipyard worker by trade, and is accepted by the Admiralty authorities, he will in due course go to ship construction.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for War gave a promise that the practice of successive punishments for conscientious objectors would be discontinued, he will give directions that all who have suffered imprisonment for two years shall not again be called up for the Army?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Secretary of State for War stated that the Army Council intended to leave whatever sentences may have been passed by courts-martial undisturbed in view of the fact that the clemency of the Army Council in the way of granting remissions of sentence had been abused and the men concerned, on return to their unit, had invariably again disobeyed orders, thus giving rise to the erroneous impression of repeated trials for the same offence. In regard to the latter part of the question, my hon. Friend no doubt realises that the question of calling up on the termination of any particular sentence does not arise, in view of the fact that the men concerned are serving soldiers who have never been relegated to the Reserve.

asked the Home Secretary whether special leave will be granted to Jewish conscientious objectors employed at the Home Office camps to return to their homes during the feast of Passover— that is to say, from Thursday, the 28th March, to Thursday, the 4th April, inclusive in order to enable them to observe the rites and ceremonies enjoined by their religion?

All leave is suspended, but Jews will not be required to work, and will be allowed either to travel to the nearest synagogue or to meet together for service. Facilities will be given for obtaining special food. All Jewish conscientious objectors at Princetown are-being transferred to Wakefield, where there are better facilities.

asked the Minister of National Service whether Mr. M'Dougall and his subordinates, who are of military age, still occupy the posts of Commissioner and Assistant-Commissioners, respectively, for Live Stock; whether the duties of these posts are really performed by the live stock auctioneers; and whether it is finally decided that no suitable occupants of these positions who are not of military age can be found in Scotland?

My right hon. Friend, on the urgent representations of the Noble Lord, the Minister of Food, concurred in the temporary exemption of these men from military service. I understand that they are still occupying the respective positions of Commissioner and Sub-Commissioners of Live Stock, the duties of which are entirely distinct from those of the live stock auctioneers, and that in present circumstances there does not appear to be any immediate prospect of finding suitable substitutes who are not liable to military service.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Haverfordwest Tribunal in cancelling the conditional exemption of Thomas Francis, married, aged thirty-four years; whether he is aware Unit, although other agricultural labourers, including boys of eighteen years of age, were granted exemption, Francis's exemption was cancelled, presumably because he was temporarily unemployed owing to a difference with his previous employer in regard to hours of work and wages; and whether In: will have inquiries made into the case and secure its reconsideration before the 30th April, the date when Francis is ordered to report for military service?

The Department have no information about this case. The result of the inquiries which are being made will be communicated to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that a representative of his Department made application to the Haverfordwest Tribunal for the cancellation of the conditional exemption of Thomas Francis, married, and aged thirty-four years; whether he is also aware that, although this tribunal granted exemption to all other agricultural labourers, including boys of eighteen years of age, Francis's exemption was cancelled; and Whether he will state the grounds upon which the National Service representative applied for its cancellation?

Inquiries are being made as to the matters referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men in the Volunteer Force who are engaged on work on the rota system in connection with the London defences have had to sleep in tents during the recent cold weather; whether most of these men are over military age; and whether it would be possible to safeguard their health by providing huts as is done for the Regular soldiers?

With the exception of three instances, all Volunteers doing duty in the London defences are accommodated either in wooden huts or hutments, with adequate heating arrangements and sleeping accommodation installed. In the case of the three exceptions mentioned, ordinary bell-tents are in temporary use. These, however, are pitched in sheltered positions, and, in addition to oil stoves being provided, the men have also been supplied with bed boards, palliasses, pillows, and four blankets to each man. In the majority of cases the Volunteers are men over military age. The fact is fully recognised, and the necessary allowances are always made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the financial arrangement existing between the Lunacy Board and the War Office by which accommodation in asylums or annexes of asylums, together with the services of the heads of asylums and of their staffs, are secured for the care and treatment of soldiers transiently invalided through uncertifiable nerve-strain; is the salary of these medical superintendents increased when gazetted to the Royal Army Medical Corps; what is the effect of such measures upon the industrial future of soldiers so detained; and will he consider the desirability of so altering the present arrangements as to protect from the risk of undeserved stigma soldiers who have been disabled in fighting for their country?

The War Office has taken over the whole of the staffs, whose pre-war salaries the War Office continues to pay. The quarterly bill of accounts is sent to the War Office by the visiting committees. The salaries of the superintendents are not increased, but they have the option of drawing the Army rates of their rank. So far as is known, these measures have no effect on the industrial future of soldiers so detained. There is no risk of stigma upon soldiers in these institutions, as they are now war hospitals, and the arrangements have worked entirely satisfactorily during the whole period of the War. If my hon. Friend would come to the War Office, I shall be glad to have the matter fully explained to him personally.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the fourteen days' leave from France is to be reduced to ton days; and whether men engaged in office work are to have seven days' leave after six weeks' work?

I have no information as to the suggested changes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the complaints of the men at the front on account of their letters that are sent by their wives and children being opened by the Censor; and will he put a stop to this practice in the future, as the men resent it?

I am glad that my hon. Friend has given me the opportunity of removing a false impression. It is not, and never has been, the practice to censor letters addressed to men at the front from this country, though such letters are, and must remain, liable to censorship. It is necessary in the interest of the safety of the troops to make an occasional examination, in order to guard against the possibility of enemy agents being employed among the forces in the field, or of enemy propaganda designed to undermine the moral of the fighting forces being enclosed in the mails. One such examination was instituted during the month of January, and led to some resentment on the part of the men, who imagined that the censorship was intended for other purposes. It was discontinued more than six weeks ago.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the fact that Mr. Charles Higgins, F.R.C.S., has by experiments established the fact that triplex glass, properly ground and treated, is a most valuable protection for the eye from projectiles, splinters, stones, and such substances as are scattered broadcast by shell bursts, and that such triplex glass does not itself splinter and cause wounds when broken by a blow, by shot or otherwise; that it is also a protection in the case of the breaking of windows in cabs, cars, railway and other carriages, as a result of collisions; and whether he will inquire into this matter and see whether our troops can be supplied with such glass if the results of his inquiries are satisfactory?

The properties of triplex glass are known to the War Office. Some two years ago the question was considered of substituting this glass for ordinary glass in spectacles for soldiers, but it was decided not to adopt it in view of the expense involved and of certain optical objections and difficulties in producing the enormous quantities of lenses required. Trials have also been made of vizors fitted with triplex glasses for eye protection for the troops, but they have not been recommended for adoption.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office proposes to take immediate possession of a considerable portion of the offices of the district committee at Hamilton; whether he is aware that there is ample accommodation elsewhere in Hamilton, and that in particular there are huts previously occupied in the barracks, fifty-six vacant houses in the town, and that there is also Hamilton Palace; and whether he will reconsider the question before putting the district committee to the inconvenience of removing their staff from their offices?

Inquiries are being made with regard to this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is within his authority to place in the Army Reserve W lads who were improperly accepted for service when only sixteen years of age; whether Army Reserve W was created for this purpose; and, if so, under what Act, and why are such lads not discharged until wanted?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to lads who made false statements as to their ages on enlistment, and I cannot admit that, in such circumstances, they were improperly enlisted. Army Reserve Class W was not created for the specific purpose stated in the question, but I know of no reason why these lads should not be transferred, until wanted, to this section of the Army Reserve.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the employés in the boots department, Royal Army Clothing Department, White City, are entitled to the 12½per cent. bonus awarded to time-workers; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that these workpeople have not received any war bonus, he will favourably consider their claims in view of the increased cost of living?

These workers are not entitled, under the Statutory Orders of the Ministry of Munitions, to the 12½ per cent. advance, but the question of extending it to them awaits the decision of an arbitrator. I am making inquiries as to the alleged non-receipt of any war bonus, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a decision has yet been arrived at as to the bonus and payment to the chemists and dispensers in military hospitals?

Revised rates as from the 1st January last were authorised for hospitals in the London area on the 8th instant. These rates have now been extended to other hospitals in their neighbourhood.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has commandeered the whole stock of hay, clover, and mixture crops in the country, and is arranging a system by which the proportion not required by the Army will be distributed; whether he is aware of the shortage of fodder of all kinds in London, and that the machinery which has been devised for meeting the supply is not in working order; and whether he will take immediate steps to prevent the suffering, loss, and difficulty which must ensue through his interference with the ordinary channels of distribution?

A system of Landing over in bulk all available hay and straw to the trade for distribution through their ordinary channels is being inaugurated with the object of meeting a shortage of supply due mainly to unequal distribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the usual trade channels for the purchase of hay, clover, and mixture crops have been closed down; whether the Board of Trade Returns show a stock of about 13,000,000 tons of these articles available, while the Army requirements are only about 1,000,000 tons; and what provision is ho making for the supply to firms engaged in the horse transport for the Government, docks, railway companies; and general business in London and other great cities?

The trade channels through which hay and straw are supplied to the public are in no way being interfered with; on the contrary, the trade are being assisted in finding supplies for distribution. The average crop of hay in this country is approximately 11,000,000 tons, of which the producer uses about 9,000,000 for feeding his own stock, leaving 2,000,000 to provide for the wants of the Army and the civil consumer. The requirements of each of these are about equal, namely, 1,000,000 tons.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office no what grounds the Army Council have closed the contract of Hall and Sons, Pembroke, for the supply of bread to the troops in that area; and whether he is aware that this firm have been supplying bread to the troops for the last fourteen years, and continuously during the present War, without any cause of complaint?

It was decided to supply the bread from an Army bakery at less cost. I have no reason to suppose that any complaint arose against the late contractors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether local officers of the Army Service Corps have power to cancel contracts of long standing without any previous notice or warning, or whether such action can only be taken after reference to command headquarters?

The power to cancel depends upon the contract conditions in each case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the recent award of 5s. granted to Army Ordnance workers has not been paid to Ordnance workers employed at Curragh Camp, Kildare; if he will see that orders are issued for its payment: and if he is aware that their present wage is only 25s. 9d. per week?

Instructions have now been issued for the 5s. increase to be granted to these workers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will cause an inquiry to be held into the conditions of employment and rates of wages of women workers in Government employment in Dublin; if he will see that a living wage is paid to them; and if he will say when an increased war bonus will be paid to women working for his Department?

The rates of wages of the women in the employ of the Army Ordnance Department, Dublin, have recently been the subject of an arbitration award. Other cases are being considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether certain supplies at Stratford-on-Avon wore formerly guarded by two ex-soldiers at 26s. per week each; whether the men are now in any other employment; whether women were substituted, and, if so, how many and at what cost; and whether they had any other duties?

Watchmen were not found satisfactory, and were replaced by women guards some four months ago. These, in turn, have been replaced by volunteer guards since the 1st March, when all women guards were disbanded.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many soldiers returned to work on the land are living with their families in the houses they previously occupied, and whilst receiving usual agricultural wages are also drawing separation allowances, thus receiving double the income of men doing similar work; and whether this state of affairs is producing discontent among civilians and soldiers, besides being a great waste of public money?

The numbers of such men are not available. When men were first transferred to agriculture they were liable to be moved at short notice from one part of the country to another; now, however, that it is found possible to retain men in their own homes for considerable periods, fresh consideration is being given to the question of their pay and status.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that the late Colonel Arthur Montague Bowles, formerly commanding the 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, retired from the Service in 1896 in a state of impaired health; that his ill-health was due directly to overseas service in hot climates, including military duty in Ceylon, India, Gibraltar, Egypt, and the West Indies; that a year after retirement ho had a stroke of paralysis; that his health gradually declined and that he died on 28th January, 1917; that his widow has been offered a gratuity of £20, the Army Council holding that she was not entitled to a pension on the ground that the deceased officer's retirement was not shown by official documents recorded at the War Office, at the time of such retirement, to Have been occasioned by disability arising from wounds received in action or by ill-health caused by military service; that the widow, who is now fifty-five years of age, is suffering from ill-health and is in very straitened circumstances; and whether, in view of the deceased officer's military record and the moral claim to a pension, he will recommend the Army Council to issue a pension on compassionate grounds?

This case has already been very fully considered on various occasions. When Colonel Bowles applied to retire in 1896, no mention was made of ill-health. He did not marry till 1903 and the Regulation at that time was that the widow of an officer who married after retirement could get a pension only if the retirement was shown by official documents recorded at the War Office to have been occasioned by ill-health. I fear that I cannot admit that any moral claim to a widow's pension can be established by marrying an officer six years after retirement especially if he had had a stroke of paralysis in the interval; and under present Regulations no such pension can be granted whether the officer retired for ill-health or not

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that, under the Royal Warrant for pensions for noncommissioned officers with over twenty-one years' service, a man with eleven years eleven months' rank service is only entitled to the same pension as a man with nine years' service; and whether he will favourably consider altering the scale according to each year of rank service instead of each period of three years?

This question has been fully considered, and I fear the suggestion of my right hon. Friend cannot be adopted.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will announce the decision of his Department with reference to increased pensions to soldiers' and sailors' dependants, and if any increase is to be paid to discharged soldiers and sailors?

I am not yet able to make any announcement on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the increase in the Army pay to Civil servants holding temporary commissions has been deducted from the Civil pay allowances to their wives, with the result that, in some cases, payments formerly amounting to upwards of £1 a week have been reduced to Is. 6d., and in other cases payments have been stopped altogether; and, having regard to the cost of living which the new Army pay was intended to relieve, will the question of resuming deductions at the old rate of Army pay, instead of the new rate, be considered with a view to aiding the wives of Civil servants and Departmental subordinates whose small allowances have been withdrawn or reduced, and so securing that the assistance purporting to be given by the State through one channel may not be nullified?

The principle on which Civil servants who hold commissioned rank in His Majesty's forces are treated for purposes of Civil pay is that they continue to draw their Civil salary less Army pay, but receive Army allowances in addition. In accordance with this principle (under which Civil servants had already been placed in a favoured position as compared with others), the recent increases in officers' pay do not affect their total emoluments.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that, in connection with a dispute between the Warehousing and Transport Company, Selby, and their workpeople, a meeting of the workers was held on Sunday, the 10th of March, at which a police-sergeant and constable were present, under the in- structions of the superintendent; whether this action had the sanction of the Munitions Department; and. if not, whether steps will be taken to prevent a repetition of such action on the part of the police?

I have no information as to the presence of police at the meeting in question. The question of the attendance of police at a public meeting would not in any case be a matter for the sanction of the Ministry of Munitions, and in this case no such sanction was either asked or given. The point raised at the end of my right hon. Friend's question is one for the Home Office.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the Warehousing and Transport Company, Selby, have recently evicted from their cottages five of their employés, one a woman near childbirth, who were unable to obtain other accommodation; whether the action of the firm has received the sanction of the Ministry; and, if not, what steps it is proposed to take to prevent workpeople, some of whom are war-work volunteers, from being turned away from the employers' cottages until other accommodation has been found for them?

I am giving this matter close consideration, and in the meantime I cannot do more than refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for West Ham South on 18th March.

asked the Minister of Munitions what facilities will be given to munition workers for travelling to their homes for the Easter holidays; if he will see that Irishmen performing work of national importance in Great Britain will receive a quarter or half-fare railway tickets or vouchers; and if he is aware that priviliges granted to British workers have been withheld from Irish workmen?

Assigned war munition volunteers, Army Reserve munition workers, and released soldiers will, as before, be entitled to free railway passes to enable them to visit their homes during the Easter holidays. Other munition workers will, if they are employed in controlled establishments, be eligible for cheap vouchers for the same purpose, but the number of these vouchers at the disposal of the Ministry is strictly limited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether an aerodrome is being constructed in the Midland counties; when the works were commenced; at what date it is expected to be completed; what has been expended up to date; what is the estimate of the total cost; whether the land has been bought; if so, from whom and on what terms; and, if the freehold has not been bought, what arrangement has been made with the owners?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for communicating to me privately the name of the aerodrome referred to. The work was begun in August, 1917. The adoption of the system of aircraft acceptance parks, subsequent to the initiation of the work, has rendered less necessary its immediate completion, and the work has been temporarily suspended, in view of the greater urgency of other works. The aerodrome will be completed by a private firm, and the State's contribution is limited to a fixed sum. Part of the land already belonged to the firm in question, and the rest was taken over under the Defence of the Realm Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the Government have considered the question of supplying parachutes to officers undergoing instruction in flying, as a means of avoiding some of the many fatal accidents that now occur; whether officers are now allowed in some cases to provide such parachutes at their own expense; whether these have in fact proved effective; and if he can say what is the reason against their being provided by the Government at all aerodromes where flying is taught?

No case is known of any officer under instruction providing or wishing to provide himself with a para- chute. Experiments are proceeding, but no parachute suitable for use from an aeroplane has yet been arrived at. The last part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry why, in the titles of the Sovereign recited in the Proclamation regarding the name and style of the Royal Air Force, the title Emperor of India is omitted?

The use of the title of Emperor of India in official documents is governed by the terms of the Royal Proclamation of the 28th April, 1876, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he can state the number of aircraft acceptance parks which have been abandoned in this country; whether he will give the reasons for sanctioning the opening of these acceptance parks and the reasons for closing them down; and whether he can state the amount of money spent on these abandoned acceptance parks?

No ground primarily taken for an aircraft acceptance park has been abandoned. An endeavour was made to utilise as an acceptance park one station which had become superfluous to Home defence requirements, but it was found impossible to make the aerodrome sufficiently good for the purpose. The whole amount expended from the first inception of the aerodrome as a Home defence station was £15,000. The material used is, as far as possible, being employed elsewhere, and it is not yet possible to ascertain the net amount of unremunerative expenditure.

asked the Minister of National Service if his attention has been drawn to advertisements in Irish newspapers offering employment to carpenters, bricklayers, lead workers, and labourers in Great Britain; if he is aware that, owing to the attempts of the authorities in Great Britain to compel Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain to register, and that the Registration Act has been used by the recruiting authorities for recruiting purposes, Irishmen will not travel to the work offered unless sufficient guarantees against registration and military service are forthcoming; and if, in order to expedite work of national importance, he will see that the necessary guarantees are given?

With regard to the registration of Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 28th of February by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board. I may add that Irishmen brought over for essential work in Great Britain through the medium of the Employment Exchanges have received cards issued by the Employment Exchanges protecting them against recruitment.

asked the Home Secretary whether the prohibition issued by the Press Censor on the 12th March as to certain matters has been obeyed by all the London papers?

I regret to say that certain newspapers failed to comply with a request issued by the Press Bureau on the date mentioned. The directors of the Bureau have taken the matter up with the responsible editors.

asked the Home Secretary how many prisoners are employed in the Government brush-making factory in the Isle of Man; how many of these prisoners have had previous training in the brush-making industry; what is the financial profit, if any, accruing from this undertaking; and how long the industry has existed?

As this matter is at the present moment the subject of negotiation with the brush manufacturers, I do not think that it would be in the public interest to give these details.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the extent to which people who have profited by the War are penalising those who have not profited by it, not excepting soldiers who are away from their homes serving their country, by buying the houses of other people; and what steps he intends to take to prevent this form of war profiteering?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I cannot give any figures on the subject, but communications have reached me from a good many localities complaining of the purchase of houses and of the eviction of tenants. A Bill has passed the other House which it is hoped will check the hardship complained of.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that persons travelling from Dublin to London have to pay 50 per cent. increase in their fares on the boat as well as the train journey if they book direct from Dublin, and if they book in separate stages the journey is 4s. cheaper; who is responsible for the charge on the boat journey and who is responsible for the increased charge put on within the last ten days; if he is aware that in pre-war days the fare, saloon and third class, was £2 17s. 9d. return, and that all last year it was £3 19s. 4½d. from Amiens Street, and within the last week it has been increased to £4 3s. 4½d.; and whether the boat company or the railway company receive the benefit of the increased charges?

I am making inquiries in this matter, and so soon as these have been completed I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended that some arrangement shall be made by which the widows and dependants of seamen of the mercantile marine, who may be entitled to compensation under the Board of Trade scheme administered by the War Risks Association, may receive a weekly allowance pending a decision; and whether he is aware that the delay in making the award is causing hardship and unnecessary suffering?

Every effort is made to settle the amount of the pensions and allowances under the compensation scheme as soon as possible after the casualty, and it is the practice to grant a temporary pension when the amount of the final pension cannot at once be determined. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case in which it is thought that there has been avoidable delay in making an award, I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total weight of feathers of wild birds imported into the United Kingdom during the months of December, January, and February last in defiance of the Proclamation of 23rd February, 1917, but admitted under the Anglo-French Agreement of 24th August; and whether he will permit an ornithologist to inspect these imported feathers at the docks, and to report whether any feathers of birds the export of which is prohibited by the Government of India or of any of the Overseas Dominions or Colonies are included in these consignments?

The total weight of ornamental feathers, other than ostrich feathers, imported from France in the period specified was 44,377 lbs. The feathers are of French origin, the raw material being declared by the exporters to be the feathers of domestic fowls. In the absence of any evidence that the feathers are not correctly so described, I see no reason to adopt the suggestion contained in the second part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the distress prevailing among a section of the pensioners of the general lighthouse authorities, owing to the increased cost of living over the pre-war rates on which their former pay and present pensions were calculated, who have been refused a war bonus; and if he will, in consequence, allocate a moiety of surplus moneys in the hands of the Board of Trade derived from light dues, ex gratia, to relieve this distress, the existence of which is officially admitted by the Lights Boards of the United Kingdom?

I have already explained to my hon. Friend that I have no power to increase the pensions of former employés of the General Lighthouse Authorities unless those fixed for the Public Civil Service under the Superannuation Acts are increased by Parliament. I regret to add that, owing to present conditions, the reserve in the General Lighthouse Fund is rapidly disappearing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his Department have under consideration the opening of branches of the Overseas Trade Department in various centres; and, if so, will he see that the geographical position of Dublin is recognised and that an Overseas Trade Department is established in the capital of Ireland?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 14th of March to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division to a question on the same subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make any statement concerning the alleged intention to close theatres, music-halls, cinema theatres, restaurants, and other places of public resort in London and the Home Counties at 9.30 p.m. as from the 1st April?

I may refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made to the House last night.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a minimum war bonus has not been secured for the managerial and clerical staffs employed on controlled canals, seeing that railway officials in similar grades are receiving such a minimum payment?

I am afraid I cannot usefully add to the reply on this subject given to the Noble and gallant Lord on the 18th March, except to say that where the staff of a controlled canal company are not receiving the war bonus to which they think they are entitled it is open to them to make representations to the company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Paper Controller is empowered to inquire into the purposes for which paper is to be used, and to refuse to sanction the supply of it if, in his opinion, the proposed usage is against the public interest, or for any other reason?

The Paper Controller does not control the uses to which all paper shall be put, but steps have been taken to secure that the available supplies shall be equitably distributed by manufacturers, merchants and importers among their customers, and that demands for purposes of national importance are given priority over other demands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage by which the total weight of our imports in 1917 fell short of 1916?

The estimated decrease in the total weight of imports, including imports on Government account, is about 20 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Germany, whose representative some years ago examined the Gatton system of transport and expressed his admiration of it as a means of quick mobilisation, has now adopted this system; and whether any and, if so, what means he proposes to adopt to equalise transport facilities between the enemy and ourselves?

I am not aware that Germany has adopted the system of transhipment of goods on railways to which the hon. Member refers, and I have nothing to add to my previous replies on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Regulations of the Air Raid Compensation Committee give free compensation without insurance to owners of property of value not exceeding £500 but to other owners only if the excess value over £500 has been insured under the Government scheme; whether he is aware that the effect of these Regulations is to give full compensation to the person whose house value £500 is destroyed by hostile aircraft and no compensation whatever to the person whose house value £501 is destroyed unless he has paid a premium of one halfpenny in respect of the £l excess; whether these principles have been applied in the case of Miss Tyler's property recently damaged in a London air raid; and whether he will take starts to amend, retrospectively if possible, these Regulations on the ground that their application has proved inequitable?

The Government only undertook to pay compensation, irrespective of any question of insurance, to the poorer members of the community. It was necessary to draw the line somewhere, and after careful consideration by a Committee appointed for the purpose, it was decided that uninsured persons should receive compensation if the value of their uninsured property did not exceed £500. The Committee thought that owners of property above that limit might fairly be expected to insure themselves against loss by taking out policies under the Government Insurance Scheme. No formal claim by Miss Tyler can be traced as having been received, and I would suggest that if there is any reasonable doubt as to whether or not the value of her insurable property is in excess of £500, she should supply particulars thereof to the Compensation Committee for consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) whether his attention has been called to the pre-war growth of German commerce in Egypt; and whether, in view of the importance of the country to British trade, he will expedite the appointment of a trade commissioner; and (2) whether Egypt fulfils either of the possible conditions for delay in the appointment of a trade commissioner as suggested by the Committee appointed by the Foreign Office, namely, because suitable candidates are not forthcoming or, because of temporary confusion in its political and economic condition; and, if either is not the reason, will he inform the House what are the motives actuating official postponement of this appointment?

I am fully aware of the importance of making provision for the adequate representation of British trade interests in Egypt. The whole question is now under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the names of the countries to which his Department has recommended the appointment of trade commissioners without up to the present securing the consent of the Treasury to the necessary credits?

No such case as that indicated in the question of the hon. Member has up to the present time arisen. The present position of the question of establishing certain additional posts in the Trade Commissioner Service was explained to the hon. Member in the reply given to him on the 6th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the provision of £60,000, to include non-recurrent expenditure, included in the Estimates for 1918–19 (Class II., Vote 8 A, Sub-head C), embraces the entire amount now being applied to the appointment of Trade Commissioners; and, in that case, what is the exact proportion of the whole sum?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The amount in question is for the Commercial AttachéService, and does not include any provision for Trade Commissioners. Separate provision of £36,576 is made, for the Trade Commissioner Service under Sub-head D of the same Vote.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Government has yet considered the advisability of having none but daylight sailings to and from Ireland; and if he will cause instructions to be issued for every boat to carry at least six rafts and that the lifeboats shall be unlashed the moment they leave the quayside?

it is not in the public interest to answer the first part of the question; the second part should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he is aware that this week the Bristol boat has been removed from Dublin to a British port; if he is aware that many industries will be injured and the trade of Dublin handicapped owing to the removal of this steamer; and if he will see that this boat is restored to its Dublin trade?

The vessel referred to, in common with others in the home and coasting trades, has had to be withdrawn in order to meet an urgent Allied requirement. Every effort will be made to reduce the resulting inconvenience to a minimum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state the tonnage which will be released as a result of the new restrictions on the output of beer, and the loss of tonnage still involved through the continued manufacture of intoxicants?

As I informed my hon. Friend on 5th February, the total prohibition of brewing as compared with an output of 15,000,000 standard barrels would result in a net estimated saving of 575,000 tons. This figure allowed for the loss of feeding-stuffs, and assumed that these had to be replaced by other imports. The new restrictions, presuming that the standard barrelage remains at 12,590,000 for twelve months, will, I understand, yield a saving or 200,000 tons. This result is arrived at by various economies which were not allowed for in arriving at the figure of 575,000 tons given in the former reply. The tonnage equivalent of the materials to be used in brewing 12,590,000 barrels is, approximately,. 512,000 tons.

asked the Postmaster-General whether: the authorities propose to close the post office at New church, Isle of Wight, at the beginning of April; and, if so, seeing that this is an isolated place and that already the island towns have had their communication with the main land curtailed to a minimum owing to the doubtless necessary action of the Admiralty in carrying out war measures and precautions, will he reconsider the proposed action?

Every effort has been made to find a suitable candidate for the vacant appointment of sub-postmaster, but without success. I regret that there is, therefore, no alternative but to close the office for the present.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the amount of the pensions granted to employés of the Post Office in view of the increased cost of living that has taken place since the amount of pensions was fixed?

As stated in reply to a similar question on the 13th November, Post Office pensioners are in the same position as other retired Civil Servants, and I am not in a position to take independent action in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if any invention or improvement of wireless telegraphy is determined by Marconi experts appointed by the Government; and, if so, what improvement is possible when a vested interest determines any experiment for improvement?

The Post Office has its own experts in wireless telegraphy and does not rely on those of the Marconi Company for the investigation of inventions or improvement in the art. So far as I am aware, the position is the same in the case of the other Government Departments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that Form A221/S, issued under the Defence of the Realm Act by his Board, was posted to reach farmers on the 18th March, by which they were required, under threat of fine or imprisonment, to fill it in with detailed information, and return it on the same day; and. whether, bearing in mind that farmers are not a Government Department and therefore unprovided with a staff to answer letters by return of post, he will instruct his officials to allow a little more time for obtaining the information they require?

The form referred to was posted from the Department to the farmers of the country as rapidly as the addresses could be written between the 11th and 18th instant. I am sorry that those farmers who received the form on the last of the days had so little time to deal with it, although that should in no case have proved very difficult, as only two items of information were required. In the cases to which my hon. Friend refers, however, he may rest assured that every allowance will be made for the unavoidably slow return of the forms.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there is a special dairy section of his Department to collect and distribute information relating to such matters as the quantity and quality of the milk, cheese, and butter supplies; the number, maintenance, and feeding of dairy cows, and the improvement, cost of production, and distribution of these supplies; and, if not, whether he will take steps to establish such a section?

The staff of the Department which deals with dairy matters has recently been increased, but there is no special dairy section of the Board. The collection and distribution of information on the industry are provided for by the Board, or. by institutions closely connected with the Board, in the same way as the collection and distribution of information on other branches of agriculture are arranged for, according to the nature of the subject. In addition, I would remind my hon. Friend of the Committee on the Production and Distribution of Milk, presided over by the hon. and gallant Member for Plymouth, which was set up last April on the instruction of the Cabinet by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board, with the concurrence of the Food Controller. This Committee has already issued two valuable Reports (Cd. 8608 and Cd. 8886) on the milk supply.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Isle of Wight County Council and the Isle of Wight War Agricultural. Committee, and other prominent agriculturists, have protested against the decision of the Agricultural Wages Board, to establish one district wages committee for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as the circumstances and interests of the two counties are dissimilar in so many respects, and it will be impossible for Isle of Wight representatives conveniently to attend meetings held in Hampshire; and, having regard to the fact that the insular position and peculiarities of the Isle of Wight have always been recognised by previous Governments in making it a separate area, as, for instance, in respect to county councils and national insurance and other matters, will he reopen the question with a view to giving the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight a chance of stating their objections?

The determination of the areas for which district wages committees are established, rests, under the Corn Production Act, with the Agricultural Wages Board. I understand that the representations to which my hon. Friend refers have been carefully considered by them, but they adhere to their decision. In many other instances administrative county areas have been combined to form the districts of a wages committee, and the number of members fixed for each committee has been adjusted in relation to the size of the district in each case. District committees may delegate powers to sub-committees, and by this arrangement full opportunity will be afforded for consideration of the special conditions of any part of the district.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that some gross cases of adulteration of pig-meal have come to light recently; and will he request agricultural committees of the several county councils to inform the Board of such cases with a view to prosecution?

I am not aware of any such cases, but if my hon. Friend will report any particulars to the county council concerned, I have no doubt they will be promptly dealt with. The initiative in such matters rests with the county councils, and the Board's legal functions are confined to giving or refusing consent to prosecutions proposed by local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether seeing that the Manchester Corporation succeed in treating sludge and realise 45s. per ton for portable sewage, he will endeavour to see that the sewage of London is similarly treated?

I cannot usefully add anything to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member on the 12th instant. The matter will doubtless receive the careful attention both of the Local Government Board and the London County Council.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will cause instructions to be issued for the same political treatment to Joseph Robinson, now in Perth Prison, as is given to political prisoners in Mountjoy and Dundalk Prisons, Ireland; if he is aware that it has been officially stated that, so far as political prisoners were concerned, the treatment was the same in Great Britain as in Ireland; and if he will see that Robinson receives the benefit of the recent concessions granted to Irish prisoners?

I am not aware of any such official statement as that referred to in the question. The law and practice of Scotland make no special provision for the treatment of political offences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received from the High Commissioner in Egypt the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the creation of a commercial Department in that country?