asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the differences in the recruiting practices of the Allies, especially that the military age in this country is several years higher than the age up to which men are conscripted in France and Italy; that British soldiers are sent into the trenches at an earlier age than French or Italian soldiers; and that exemptions from military service are much more freely given by the Italian than by the British military recruiting officers; and whether, in order to attain unity of effort and sacrifice, he will alter our methods in this regard so as to make them more closely in accord with those of our Allies?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question on his behalf. The statements made in the first three parts of the question. cannot be accepted, and the reply to the last part is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, seeing that the Food Controller lately issued an appeal through the Press and otherwise to farmers to keep back store cattle, stating that such cattle would, during the next few months, make a very considerable addition to their weight, and that such addition would be in flesh and not in bone, he will say whether this appeal was issued with the authority or approval of the Board of Agriculture; and whether such a statement is in contradiction to the best recently expressed scientific opinion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Press notice referred to by the hon. Member was issued by the Food Controller with the approval of a strong committee of farmers representing the chief agricultural organisations in the country. I should have thought that scientific opinion favoured the view that a large proportion of the increase of weight would be in flesh and not bone.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that, under the Defence of the Realm Act, persons selling margarine in Orkney, Shetland, and the Hebrides were entitled to charge ½d. per 1b. over and above authorised prices, and that persons selling retail were entitled to charge 2d. per lb. over fixed prices, and that in March, 1918, a new Order was issued by which importers, retailers, and the general public in the islands were cut out of the privileges obtained by the previous Order, and that in consequence confusion exists, and that it is very difficult to obtain margarine under existing circumstances; and whether he proposes to take any steps in this matter?

In view of the difficulty of obtaining supplies in such remote districts, a licence was issued permitting persons selling margarine in Orkney, Shetland, and the Hebrides to make the extra charges mentioned by the hon. Member. This licence was revoked by the Margarine (Retail Prices) Order, dated 23rd March, 1918, which was ex- tended to Scotland by a notice dated 11th April, 1918. The margarine distribution scheme now in operation in Scotland provides for supplies to these islands, and the Ministry of Food will consider any special claims for expenses incurred by wholesalers consigning margarine to very remote parts of the country.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the report of a case tried before Mr. Clarke Hall, a Metropolitan Police magistrate, in 'which it was proved that a woman named Genis, the wife of a Russian who had elected to return to Russia rather than join the British Army, was in receipt of a pension or separation allowance of £l a week; for what reason such payment is being made; and in how many cases payments are being made to the dependants of Russians who have refused to join the British Army?

I have been asked to answer this question. My attention had not been previously called to the case mentioned by my hon. Friend. The allowances referred to are being paid to the necessitous dependants of Russians who returned to Russia for military service in compliance with the terms of the Anglo-Russian Military Service Convention. His Majesty's Government have agreed to provide the necessary funds on the understanding that the sums expended will be recovered from Russia at a later date. Allowances are being paid at the present time to approximately 1,200 adults and 2,300 children.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Government propose to introduce a Bill dealing with pensions for teachers; and, if so, when such Bill will be introduced?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The preparation of the measure has, owing to the great pressure of other business, not been completed, but if circumstances permit I hope to introduce it this Session.