asked the Prime Minister to whom the land selected for the site of a flying ground at Loch Doon belonged; what was paid for it; what were the names of those who put forward the scheme; what professional advisers reported in favour of it; and what firms were engaged on the contract?

:The names of the principal landowners concerned are the Marquess of Ailsa, Mrs. McAdam, and Mr. McMillan. No question of purchase of land arises, and the amount to be paid in respect of occupation is for settlement by the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the recent Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure. The main contractors were Messrs. R. Mc Alpine and Sons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he can state the amount of money spent at Doon, and what is proposed to be done with the land; and who was responsible for the expenditure?

Until questions of compensation and of the expenses of restoration have been settled it will not be possible to determine the total expenditure involved by the works of Loch Doon. The land will be restored to its owners. As regards the last part of the question, I can add nothing to the recent Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether under the Budget proposals a farmer whose farming year ends on the Scottish November term day and who, before 31st December, 1918, produces his farming accounts for the year ending 15th November, 1918, will be allowed to pay the first instalment of his Income Tax in January, 1919, under Schedule D on the profits shown in these accounts for the year 1918, or whether all farmers who have not kept accounts for all the three years 1916, 1917, and 1918 must, in the first instance, pay their Income Tax under Schedule B?

In the case suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, if the farmer proves before the 1st January, 1919, that his actual profits for the farming year ending in November, 1918, are-less than the amount of the Schedule B assessment he will be allowed to pay the January instalment of duty on the basis of the reduced assessment, and no repayment claim will be necessary. There would be no question of an assessment wider Schedule D in such a case. The assessment would remain under Schedule B, but would be reduced to the amount of the profits proved to have been made for the farming year ending in November, 1918.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the price for the last week in January on Smithfield Market if Argentine chilled hind-quarters of beef, Argentine chilled fore-quarters of beef, New Zealand, Australian, River Plate, United States, and Canadian hind-quarters, fore-quarters, and top-pieces of beef, what were the corresponding prices for the week ending 28th April at which London butchers were supplied; and what was the total weight of imported meat so London butchers were supplied, and what were the prices at which New Zealand and Australian sheep and lambs were released to London butchers during the month of November last, the corresponding prices for April this year, and the total number of sheep and lambs released in April this year?

The total number of sheep and lambs released by the Government during four weeks in April this year was 213,019 car cases. The answer to the other parts of the question consists so largely of figures that I am causing it to be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food who was the person responsible for drawing up the list of meat offal prices published in the "National Food Journal" for 13th March; and whether he is aware that, while stereotyping the highest market prices for home-killed offal, the price of imported offal has been fixed at a figure higher than ever realised in a competitive uncontrolled market, and that the effect of his control is to considerably reduce the price at which Kensington and Park Lane are supplied, while increasing the price in working-class areas?

The maximum wholesale and retail prices for meat of fals were prescribed by the Food Controller after consultation with representatives of the wholesale and retail offal trades, and were approved by the Central Advisory Committee on Live Stock and Meat Supplies. It is not the case that the prices for imported offal are higher than those ever realised when the market was uncontrolled. I do not see any ground for the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before the War, statistics show that 60 per cent. of our meat consumption was home-produced and 40 per cent. imported; whether, between the outbreak of war and the compilation of the agricultural statistics of 1916, cattle in the United Kingdom greatly increased, and reached on that date a figure for England and Wales alone of 376,000 above the average of the previous ten years; whether sheep in the United Kingdom increased 600,000 in the same period; whether, despite increased slaughterings in the last four months of 1917 compared with 1916, the total cattle and sheep in January, 1918, was in excess of August, 1914, and more still in excess of the average of the ten years previously; whether, as 5,000,000 meat eaters are in the Army and a very considerable tonnage of imported meat and bacon are still supplied to the civilian population, he has fixed meat consumption at an unnecessarily low figure for the public; and if he will consider the possibility of at least a 33 per cent. increase?

The figures quoted in the first half of the question are substantially correct, subject to the qualification that no comparison can usefully be made between winter and summer months. It may, moreover, be noted that the reduction in the weight of cattle and sheep renders mere numerical comparison illusory. The recent action of my Department shows that the rationed quantities will be increased whenever this can safely be done.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the number of illustrated booklets designated Fisheries Notice No. 9 (printer' reference 16,771–9, Wt. p.17.34) printed, and at what cost; how many have been issued, and whether in response to application, or how otherwise; and what purpose is served by issuing to the public elaborate instructions how to catch eels, with diagrams and plates, having regard to paper shortage and the heavy cost of printing?

The number of copies of the leaflet which have been printed is 2,000, at a cost of approximately £14. Applications for 1,500 copies have been received, the majority of them being single applications, and copies have been supplied accordingly. In addition, a few copies have been sent to Boards of Conservators and other similar bodies without application. Applications for further copies continue to be received. The purpose of the issue of the leaflet is to facilitate the capture of eels with a view to the increase of the available supplies of food.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is an unusual scarcity of eels this year in many rivers and streams throughout the country where usually considerable quantities have existed; whether this scarcity can be accounted for, and, if so, what is the reason; whether the Board has had occasion to issue circulars to owners of fisheries or those in control of rivers and streams suggesting the urgent need for restocking these waters with eels; and, if so, why has the Freshwater Fish Committee, appointed by the Board, issued Fisheries Notice No. 9," How to Catch Eels," and invited the public to further deplete the supply?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second, therefore, does not arise. The Freshwater Fish Committee are endeavouring by various means to develop the stock of eels in home waters, with a view to the increase of available supplies. In particular, they have distributed elvers for liberation in suitable waters which it appeared likely could carry a heavier stock with advantage, and in some cases seek to establish new fisheries in suitable waters. These operations of the Freshwater Fish Committee were undertaken in view of the general shortage of food supplies and the desirability of increasing supplies of home-produced food, and not in relation to any known falling off in the stock of eels. On the contrary, it is believed that existing stocks are not exploited to anything like their full capacity. The normal consumption of eels in this country before the War was approximately 7,000 tons a year, of which approximately 6,000 tons were imported. The aim of the Freshwater Fish Committee and of the Board is that this quantity, and, if possible, greater quantities, should be produced at home. The common eel of Western Europe and of Western North America is bred in the deep waters of the Atlantic, from which; source the stock is annually replenished. It is not to be anticipated, therefore, that the capture of larger supplies in British waters can appreciably affect the stock available for capture in those waters. It may interest the hon. Member, if he is. unaware of the fact, to learn that before the War some 3,000,000 elvers annually were exported from this country to Germany for distribution in German waters-The Freshwater Fish Committee have this year distributed in suitable waters some 1,200,000 elvers, and hope to make a larger distribution next season.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his expert advisers have pointed out to him that fresh store and moderately fat cattle under eighteen months of age can be both profitably and economically slaughtered; and consumed, and that the present practice of keeping such beasts for long periods after that age is wasteful of the available foodstuffs of the country; and, if so, whether the Government will take immediate steps to carry out that advice?

The Board's expert advisers have for some time pointed out that an economy in total fodder consumption would result from the slaughter and consumption of cattle at an early age, though it is open to question whether the cake required for the preparation of such.animals for slaughter can be obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that land at Needham Market, Suffolk, which has been used as allotments for over sixty years, and which was part of the Barking Hall estate, has changed hands and the new owner has given the tenants notice to increase the rent by 6d. per rod per year; whether he is aware that without the increase the tenants are paying £2 12s. per acre whilst farmers in the neighbourhood pay no more than £l per acre; and whether he will take steps, legislatively or otherwise, to stop the exploitation of small holders who are contributing in the producion of food?

:The Board are aware of the sale of the Barking Hall estate, but they have no special information as to the allotments on the estate or the rise in rents. The Board have no power to take the action suggested by the hon. Member, and the President is not prepared to introduce legislation providing for the control of rents by the Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food

It is difficult to ensure a reasonable supply of beer to small traders in Ireland who have no statutory claim for a direct supply, and the difficulty is aggravated by the fact that no clear account of actual supplies has usually been kept in the past. In cases were wholesale dealers have declined to serve small traders with a proportion of their accustomed supplies, Messrs. Guinness and other firms have hitherto arranged to send them a certain amount direct. This practice has again been rendered more difficult by the fact that less beer can now be brewed, but I am in communication with the large brewers and hope to be able to effect a satisfactory arrangement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether Messrs. Blanch flower and Sons, Limited, of Great Yarmouth, supply food to the various Government Departments; if he is aware that a number of their employés have been discharged without notice and paid a week's money in advance; whether he is aware that the firm summoned the whole of the employés individually into the office and asked them to send a notice of withdrawal from the National Union of General Workers; if he is aware that the firm had a statement for each individual to sign, stating that they wished to discontinue being a member of the union; if he will make inquiries into the matter; and, if such inquiries are made, whether an official of the union will be invited to attend such an inquiry?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Minister of Labour was not aware of the incidents referred to, but is causing inquiry to be made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction being expressed regarding the proposals submitted by the Admiralty to the dockyard employés, on the ground that the proposals do not embody the recommendation of the Whitley Report in the direction of securing co-operation with the existing trade unions; and whether he will consider the advisability of calling a conference of trade union representatives and Admiralty officials to formulate a scheme which will be mutually acceptable?

The scheme for the appointment of shop and yard committees in the Royal dockyards and naval establishments is a draft scheme, issued for the particular purpose of canvassing the views of officers, workmen, and workwomen upon it. We have received a number of representations. These and others which may come to hand will, of course, receive very careful consideration As regards the last part of the question, we are, as my hon. Friend is, of course, fully aware, always ready to receive, by way of deputation or otherwise, the views of accredited representatives of our employés. As a matter of fact, I am receiving to-morrow a trade union deputation upon this very point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning a soldier who enlisted in February, 1915, has served two years and five months in Egypt, is strained and partially ruptured as the result of carrying gas cylinders in the trenches, is classed B 2, and is now forty-five years of age, whose wife died recently and left two daughters, aged ten and twelve, for whom a grandmother, who has had the care of the two motherless girls thrown upon her, is only entitled to draw 13s. a week separation allowance, although she is without means of her own, whether, having regard to the circumstances mentioned and to the fact that the soldier is by trade a boot maker and would therefore be employed on work of national importance if he were released from the Army, he is willing to consider the case with a view to the release of this soldier?

I will have inquiry made into this case if my hon. Friend will furnish me with the soldier's name, unit, and regimental number.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Private Harry W. Stewart, No. 15604, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, who has been in the 72nd General Hospital (C 1 Ward), France, for four months, has been marked for some time to be moved to England; and if there is any reason for his not being sent to a hospital in this country?

I am inquiring into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War why the Permit Office declines to viséthe passports of the female British motor drivers engaged by Lady Angela Forbes for the Section Sanitaire Y4 of the French Army; whether he is aware that the French military authorities are pressing Lady Angela Forbes for the immediate despatch of these drivers, and that the latter are ready to proceed from this country; and whether he will cause instructions to be given that their passports should be visé without further delay?

By the terms of the arrangement between the British and French authorities regarding the journeys of people from the United Kingdom to the zone of the French Armies, no visa can be given until "an ordre de mission" has been issued by the French Government. As soon as this document is received, visa will be given by the Permit Office without delay.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that some members of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers now in France have been from home for over two years; and whether they can hope for leave at an early date?

I have frequently explained that, subject to the exigencies of the military situation, everything possible is done by the military authorities in the matter of leave for troops serving overseas, but I regret that cases such as those mentioned by my hon. Friend cannot be entirely avoided. It is the policy as far as possible to give preference to men who have been longest overseas, and I am sure that the men of the battalion mentioned will receive sympathetic treatment with others similarly situated. My hon. Friend will, of course, realise that at the present time leave from France has practically ceased.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a soldier who left England in 1914, went all through the Gallipoli campaign, and has, as yet, had no home leave; and, if so, can he state what steps will be taken to obtain home leave for this soldier?

I am sure that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief gives sympathetic consideration to all cases such as that mentioned by my hon. Friend in his question, but owing to the transport facilities being very limited and infrequent, I am afraid that cases of hardship cannot be entirely avoided. I regret that it is not possible to take any special action in the case of the soldier about whom my hon. Friend has written to me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries into the case of Private Richard Hartley, No. 236041, 3rd Troop, 10th Squadron Remounts, A.P.O.L. 5, now serving with His Majesty's Forces in Italy, who has recently been sentenced to sixty days' field punishment No. 1, and in particular if he will ascertain whether this man, who belongs to a very respectable family in Burnley, has hitherto borne an unblemished character; whether the offence for which he was sentenced to this punishment was that of selling cigarettes to an Italian soldier; and whether, if the facts are substantially as stated in this question, he will take some action in the matter?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that numbers of motor lorries driven by Army drivers travel empty by road from Scotland and the North of England to the South; and if arrangements will be made to avoid and end this waste of transport by loading these lorries with food and goods required in the South?

I am not aware that any motor lorries driven by Army drivers have travelled empty from Scotland and the North of England to the South. If my hon, and gallant Friend is referring to lorries delivered by manufacturers it is the practice, whenever possible, to use such lorries for the conveyance of goods. I would also refer him the answer which I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford on the 3rd December last.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is able to state how many German prisoners of war we hold and how many prisoners of war of ours the Germans hold, calculated up to 30th April last or such other recent date as it may be found more convenient to select?

The number of German combatant prisoners of war held by us is 129,213.The number of British combatant prisoners of war held by Germany is approximately 124,000 of all ranks. The figures cannot be given with certainty, as. they have not yet been received from Germany.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether German officers commanding officers" prisoners of war camps have power to inflict punishment without holding a military Court; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of vesting the commandants of officers' prisoners of war camps in England with similar powers?

By international agreement prisoners of war are subject to the laws in force in the Army of the captor State. Our laws do not permit of punishment being inflicted upon officers except after trial by courts-martial It is not, therefore, possible to give such powers to a commandant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that parents are charged £2 15s. a month for bread sent from Copenhagen to their sons who are prisoners of war; and whether, seeing the rations which are allowed to conscientious objectors in this country for doing comparatively little work, he can see his way to supply men who have fought for their country, and had the misfortune to be taken prisoners, with bread rations free of charge to their parents?

The charge made for bread sent from Copenhagen is 10s. per four weeks in the case of officers and 7s. 6d. for other ranks. In neither case does this cover the cost involved. Should relations not be in a position to meet this charge the bread is sent free.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, when British prisoners are sent back from Turkey, it will toe arranged that at least one English doctor shall remain in each of the camps where prisoners are still interned?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Under the Berne Agreement of December last one British medical officer and five medical personnel of other ranks may be detained in Turkey per 1,000 British prisoners. The question of increasing the number, if found to be insufficient, is under consideration. It is hoped that the Turkish authorities will make a suitable distribution of this medical staff. The Netherlands Minister at Constantinople will doubtless include this among the many other points in which our interests are involved under the agreement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any interned Germans employed at an aerodrome at Leighterstone, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, are getting Is. 1d. an. hour; whether some of the British men there are only getting 10½d. an hour; and, if so, what is the reason of this difference?

The pay varies with the skill. Interned aliens employed receive the same rate of pay as the British civilian for the same quality of work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that on 14th May last all the first-class accommodation on the 7.30 a.m. train from Ripon to Harrogate was reserved for German officer prisoners of war, and that British officers and civilians were informed that, in consequence, they would be unable to travel first class; and whether he will explain the reason for this procedure, in view of the policy recently announced?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am making inquiries in this matter, and will let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the treatment to which prisoners of war of British or Irish descent are subjected by the German authorities; that they are starved, systematically tortured, and ill-treated; and if he will consider the advisability of issuing a leaflet shortly setting forth some of the worst cases and circulating the same among our troops and also in the German internment camps and among German prisoners of war?

The question of the treatment of all British prisoners in Germany will, of course, be one of the points that will engage the attention of the British delegates at the forthcoming Conference at The Hague. The suggestion in the second part of the question is a matter for the Ministry of Information.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), whether any of the 1,000 British prisoners in Turkey recently agreed to be exchanged have yet started; if not, will he say how soon it is hoped they will be able to do so; and whether any of the camps in Turkey where prisoners are interned have been inspected since the Berne Agreement, and with what result?

The Turkish Government have not yet given notice of the date upon which the 1,000 British invalid prisoners to be exchanged will be ready for embarkation; and I fear that in the most favourable circumstances it must be a considerable time before the first exchange takes place. It is unnecessary to add that His Majesty's Government have urged the Turkish Government to take the requisite measures at as early a date as possible. No inspections of internment camps in Turkey under the Berne Agreement have yet taken place, but a representative appointed by the Netherland Government to the Netherland Legation at Constantinople for this purpose left The Hague on the 24th instant, so that it may be hoped that the inspections will shortly begin.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, if parcels for English prisoners in Turkey are to be sent to Alexandria for conveyance in ships destined to bring back such prisoners as are repatriated, he will arrange that such parcels shall be carried to Alexandria free of postage and of a greater weight than the present maximum, namely, 11 lbs.

Arrangements have been made for the acceptance at post offices of parcels for officer prisoners of war in Turkey for conveyance via Alexandria. Such parcels may contain only clothing, tobacco, and articles of a personal nature, but not food, and are accepted free of postage if they are addressed to the prisoner in care of the commissioner, British Red Cross Society, Mark's Buildings, Alexandria. My right hon. Friend regrets that it is not possible to accept parcels weighing over 111b. for transmission by post; but he understands that such parcels, if sent to the Commissioner, British Red Cross Society, Alexandria, otherwise than by post, would be duly forwarded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the present scale of living in Constantinople is such that officers have to pay £50 a month for the bare necessities of life; whether the present maximum payment to such officers is £25 a month—namely, £18 from the English and £7 from the Turkish Governments; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to see that the amount is increased?

After taking the best local advice obtainable, an amount was recently agreed upon to enable officers in Turkey to meet necessary expenses. At present we have no further information to enable us to judge whether any revision is necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that householders in London who have soldiers billeted upon them are being asked, pending the establishment of central messing rooms, to undertake the work of messing at the rate of 9d. a day for the first man and 6d. a day for each additional man, to include sleeping accommodation; whether under Army Order 69 of 1918 the rate for providing soldiers with bed and attendance without meals or cooking facilities is 6d. a day; and, if so, whether householders are expected to provide fuel and cooking utensils and to cook and serve three meals a day for a total remuneration of 3d. a day, or 1s. 9d. a week, without regard to the number of men billeted upon them?

Yes, Sir. Pending the establishment of central messing, the recent increase in the rate for lodging only has produced some temporary disproportion in comparison with the rates for lodging with cooking facilities; but I have no reason to think that the latter rates are in themselves inadequate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the conditions under which cheap fares are issuable to relatives of wounded soldiers in hospitals, in cases other than cases of dangerous illness?

Vouchers are issuable at the discretion of medical officers in charge of hospitals which enables relatives, visiting officers and soldiers in hospital in the United Kingdom, to travel by rail at single fare for the double journey without the 50 per cent. war increase, provided that the journey is not less than 10 miles in the outward direction. Only one visit is allowed in each case, unless the medical officer in charge of the hospital considers in exceptional cases that a second visit is desirable. The number of cheap tickets obtainable for any one visit is limited to two full tickets. Relatives must obtain the vouchers beforehand from the officer in charge of the hospital, and if for any reason they do not do so and have therefore to pay the full fare, no refund of money is admissible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, although War Office messengers at Woolwich are in receipt of the 12½ per cent. bonus, the messengers employed in the Ordnance College, Woolwich, are not; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter, with a view to extending the bonus to these men in common with the others?

I am already making inquiries into the wages of messengers at Woolwich.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what progress has been made in regard to possession and fitting up of the examining and receiving depot, Dublin; and when it is expected to be in operation?

Progress is being made with the building work, but it is not yet possible to give any date for the completion of the work.

asked the Minister of Munitions what was the numerical strength of the Trench Warfare Supply Drawing Office and the Trench Warfare Design Drawing Office on the 1st July, 1917, and on the 1st May, 1918, respectively, or the amalgamated office of these drawing offices on the latter date, with the names of any employés dismissed or transferred, with reason for such dismissal or transfer, respectively; have any employés in such offices or the amalgamated office resigned during such period either voluntarily or pursuant to request; and, if so, what are the names of such officers?

The staff employed in the Trench Warfare Design Drawing Office on 1st July, 1917, was sixteen. The staff employed in the Trench Warfave Supply Drawing Office on the same date was thirty-four The two drawing offices were amalgamated on 1st January, 1918, with a total staff of fifty-one. On 1st May, 1918, the staff numbered fifty-eight, and on the 29th May fifty-four. During the period one officer was dismissed owing to temporary reduction of work, coupled with the fact that his presence militated against the harmonious working of the drawing office. He was given the option of a transfer to another drawing office in the Ministry, but refused to avail himself of the offer. Eighteen officers were transferred during the period to other Government Departments and two joined His Majesty's Forces for active military service. These transfers were consequent upon fluctuations in the work. Seven officers voluntarily resigned, and two officers were requested to resign, as it was not considered that their work was of a sufficiently high standard. I do not consider it desirable to publish the names of the officers concerned.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the Shamrock Fund is under the auspices of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society and is supplementing what is done by pensions committees; whether the pictorial appeal to America suggesting that Irish soldiers were neglected by the British Government has since been withdrawn from publication, together with schedules of alleged serious cases of neglect; and whether he is now able to give the appeal his full approval?

When my hon. and gallant Friend first drew my attention to this fund, I did not realise that it was identical with the Dublin Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society, as the title "Shamrock Fund" had never been used in any of our communications with that body. This society has done excellent work in the matter of training disabled Irish soldiers and sailors, acting in co operation with the Ministry of Pensions, and I am glad to have the opportunity of publicly acknowledging the help they have given us. It is quite true that in a pamphlet circulated, I believe, in America under the title "Shamrock Fund" no allusion was made to the Ministry, and it might have been inferred that we were doing nothing. As a matter of fact, we pay for the training given under the auspices of the society. I understand that this circular has now been withdrawn, and another one has been substituted in which the work of the Ministry is duly acknowledged

asked the Pensions Minister if he will have attention given to the case of W. Edwards, No. 148626, late O.S., Royal Naval Air Service, who was awarded a pension, and who applied for forms for the alternative pension scheme in January last, which forms were completed and forwarded early in January, since when he has been unable to get any reply from the Ministry except printed acknowledgments; and will he see that the case receives, early consideration?

Mr. Edwards applied for an alternative pension on the 14th January last. The application was referred to the local committee for the necessary verification of pre-war earnings but was not returned until the 13th April. Mr. Edwards has now been awarded an alternative pension at the maximum rate of £3 15s. a week, provisionally, for a period of twenty-six weeks, pending a report as to his present earning capacity. He was informed of the award on the 14th instant.

asked the Pensions Minister whether any arrangements are being made to reassess the pensions of officers and their dependants; what stage have such arrangements, if any, reached; and when is it expected that the work of reassessment will be completed?

:Arrangements were made for the reassessment, under the Royal Warrant of the 1st August last, of the pensions of officers and their dependants immediately on the Warrant being enacted. Some 3,300 re- assessments have been made, and the work is now complete except for about twenty cases in which special inquiries have been found necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the arrangements, if any, for paying allowances to men discharged as surplus to military requirements or in order to take up civil employment during the period after discharge while these men are obtaining employment; and for how long these allowances are paid?

Normally a soldier discharged to civil employment as surplus to military requirements who is not eligible for pension receives his full Army pay and allowances for seven days after return to civil life. The officer commanding the man's unit is empowered to make such advance of cash when the man leaves as his allowances and the state of his account will allow pending final settlement by the paymaster.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the pensions of certificated teachers who, after teaching for forty-five years, have retired on a pension of under £40 per annum?

Pensions granted under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts could not be increased without legislation. I would refer the gallant Baronet to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for West Newington on 10th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether he receives reports of all Police Court proceedings taken under Regulation 40 d made under the Defence of the Realm Act!

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether prosecutions under Regulation 40d are, or may be, heard in camera; if so, Whether care is taken that the woman charged shall be accompanied by a female friend or companion; and how many prosecutions under this Regulation have been made up to the 31st May?

Prosecutions under this Regulation are not reported to me any more than other proceedings in Courts of summary jurisdiction, and I do not know how many there have been. I am not aware of any power to hear such cases in camera.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a number of landlords in West Ham, Manchester, and other places have added to the rent of tenants the amount of their extra disbursement in rates; whether he is aware that practically the whole of such landlords have enjoyed since the declaration of war the statutory deductions as fixed in their respective areas from the gross estimated rental of their properties in order to arrive at the net rate able value, but in very few cases have made the outlay upon repairs for which the deduction is allowed; and whether, in order to protect these tenants from improper and inequitable profiteering, he will at once issue a circular letter to all local assessment committees directing that a return be prepared of all increases of rent since the declaration of war, together with a statement of the expenditure upon repairs undertaken in respect to the here ditament, and that where such increase of rent has taken place no deduction for repairs under the Parochial Assessment Act shall exceed the actual outlay of the landlord on the property?

I have no means of ascertaining to what extent landlords avail themselves of the statutory provisions which enables them in certain circumstances to increase the rent by an amount corresponding to the increase of rates. As regards the second part of the question, I may point out that the deduction for repairs is intended to cover the probable average annual cost of such repairs, and is in no way dependent upon the actual outlay in any particular year. I do not think it would be possible to obtain the return suggested, and even if it could be obtained, I have no power to give the direction indicated in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that upon application being made to residents by or on behalf of registration officers for particulars as to regimental numbers, etc., of members of the household serving with His Majesty's forces, registration officers have been informed by the heads of households that they cannot furnish the details asked for, inasmuch as they have been warned that to disclose such details is an offence; whether to give information either verbally or on Form A to anyone as to the position held in His Majesty's forces or his whereabouts is an offence; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to enable registration officers to obtain the necessary information without a breach of the law being committed.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not aware that any breach of the law would be committed by the disclosure of the information asked for in the form referred to, which does not include information as to the location of the unit to which the man belongs.

asked the Post-master-General whether his attention has been called to the hardship of numerous Post Office employés who, after retirement, have been recalled to assist the Post Office work, thus releasing younger men for active service, who will now be compelled to pay higher rates for their season tickets on the railways to and from their work; and whether he can see his way to make special allowances towards the increased cost to such employé's of travelling to and from their work?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to grant special allowances for the purpose suggested. He does not think it would be justifiable to relieve retired Post Office servants of the increased charges which fall on season ticket holders generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for stations within the radius of 12 miles from Charing Cross Post Office the railway companies are in many cases increasing the price of season tickets on renewal by 20 per cent instead of 10 per cent.; and, if so, whether he will take steps to secure that the increased charges shall be. adjusted on the zone system rather than on a mileage basis?

The radius of 12 miles from Charing Cross applies only to applications for renewal of season tickets or issue of new tickets, and has nothing to do with the amount of the increase in charge. This depends on the distance of the journey for which the ticket is issued, and applies throughout the country, and this, in my opinion, is the fairest method of dealing with the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution recently passed at a meeting of the Principal Teachers' Union, Dublin; whether his predecessor had arranged to carry out the promise to consider the substitution of a more reasonable standard than that of highly efficient as a condition governing the payment of supplemental salaries to the teachers of large schools; and what has been or is being done?

I have received the resolution referred to. The White Paper presented to Parliament setting out the proposed allocation of the Supplementary Grant for primary education in Ireland laid down that the supplementary salary to principals of large schools was to be granted to those who were highly efficient, and the question whether any modification should be made in this condition will presumably be considered by the Committee which it is proposed to establish to inquire into matters connected with the position of primary teachers in Ireland.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn by the Institute of Municipal Engineers to the irregular manner in which the Sevenoaks Urban District Council has recently filled the appointment of surveyor; if so, whether the Board will take immediate steps to compel the local authority to declare the appointment vacant and the appointment made in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1875, and insist upon a local authority not appointing to paid offices an ex-member of that authority who resigns with the intention of making an application for the appointment; and whether the Board will institute an official public inquiry into such cases?

My attention has been drawn to the case referred to. The appointment of a surveyor is, however, a matter in which the local authority have uncontrolled discretion, and I have no power to compel them to declare the appointment vacant. In the circumstances, I fear I could not usefully direct a local inquiry to be held with respect to the matter.