asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to a petition, sent to the Admiralty on 15th October last, requesting the transference of Stoker Harry Leatt, of H.M.S. "—" to some form of Home service or his discharge for work of national importance on the ground that he is the sole remaining son of a widow who has already lost three sons in the War, one killed in action, one died of wounds, and one died of black-water fever in East Africa, and whose husband died in consequence of a breakdown caused by the loss of three of his four sons, whilst she is herself broken in health by reason of her fourfold bereavement and by the fear of losing her last remaining son; and, having regard to the fact that Mrs. Leatt's health is not likely to be restored so long as the fear of losing her last remaining son possesses her, he will have the petition reconsidered with a view to the request therein contained being granted?

The petition referred to by my hon. Friend was received by the Admiralty, and a reply was sent on the 20th October to the effect that the man himself should make application through his commanding officer in the usual Service manner. No further communication on the matter has been received at the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any representations have been made by the Board of Admiralty, either to the War Cabinet, the Treasury, or the Post Office concerning the disadvantage which men in the Navy suffer in consequence of their being required to bear the cost of letters which they may send to their relatives and friends; and, if so, what were the reasons adduced for penalising men in the Navy in this manner?

Yes, Sir; with the result that the penny rate still applies to letters written by sailors from any ship in the Navy, whether in home waters or abroad, and from any foreign depot. Letters written from home depots and home depot ships have to pay the new l½d. rate. Compared with the Army postage rates, this arrangement leaves the balance in favour of the Navy, compared with the Army at home; but, on the other hand, against the Navy, compared with the Army abroad.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us how those of us who have friends in the Navy can determine when a ship is in or out of home waters, seeing that all letters must go "care of the G.P.O."?

I observe that my hon. Friend asked that question of the Postmaster-General on the 3rd June. I assume the General Post Office have a confidential statement from us to enable them to determine where the ships are.

Do the Admiralty really intend to make representations with a view to putting sailors on active service on an absolute equality with the soldiers?

As regards the sailor in foreign depots, he is in the same position. But remember that the soldier abroad on garrison duty has to pay his 1d. It is the soldier with the British Expeditionary Force who can send letters home free, and if the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Postmaster-General are prepared to agree to that I cannot imagine the Board of Admiralty raising any objection.

Have the Board of Admiralty addressed any representations to the Postmaster-General and the Treasury asking for sailors to be put on an equal footing with members of the other Service?

No. When the new rates were proposed we did make representations for the claims of sailors to be recognised, but, as to the rest, I will put before the Board the opinion expressed by hon. Members that the sailor should be in exactly the same position as a member of the British Expeditionary Force.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press that without any further delay?

I have just said I will bring the matter before the Board.

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will do that without pressure from this House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will say whether an agreement has been reached between the United States and the Allies regarding non-intervention in Russian affairs; and whether it has been decided to give Russia the widest economic help?

There is no truth in the report that an agreement has been reached to abstain from intervention in Russia. We are, of course, anxious to give Russia economic assistance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman go further, and state that there is complete accord between our Government and President Wilson in regard to policy towards Russia?

The hon. Gentleman has gone a good deal further than the question on the Paper.

May I ask if the United States and the Allies are in sympathy with the intervention of Japan?

The hon. Member should put that question down.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether 50 per cent. of the men in the Army Pay Corps at York graded 3 have now been passed B1 or A; and whether, in view of the salutary improvement in health of such occupations, it is the intention of the War Office to use the Army Pay Corps for such purposes in future?

Unfortunately, the hon. Member is misinformed. The proportion of men in these offices raised to Grades A and B is very small. Out of a total of some 850 Grade-3 clerks, only two have been raised to A and thirty-two to B 1.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman the names of the men, will he look into it?

If my hon. Friend is able to satisfy me that something like 400 clerks have been raised from Grade 3 to B 1 or A, I shall be very much surprised.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ensure that voluntarily enlisted or attested men who are over military age, as defined by the Military Service Act, 1918, will not be sent abroad except with their own consent?

I regret that I am unable to give any pledge or undertaking in regard to the maximum age above which a man will not be drafted abroad?

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he is aware that non-commissioned officers of fifty-four years of age who voluntarily reenlisted in 1914 as instructors for home service only are now being medically examined and drafted abroad; and whether he will state under what Regulation or Army Council Instruction this is being done?

There is no intention to draft abroad any noncommissioned officers or men whose terms of enlistment are for home service only, provided that they do not come under the Military Service Acts.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether special instructions have been recently given under which certain Home service companies, composed of men in categories B 2 and B 3, have been examined by a special medical board, and, while their categories remain unchanged, are placed in three classes, namely, Class 1 for frontline trenches, Class 2 for second-line trenches, and Class 3 for digging, etc., in France; whether this policy has included the official announcement that all men. so classified are to be vaccinated, inoculated, and sent on draft leave; whether arms and equipment have been issued to.some of these men, who arc quite untrained with rifle, and, by reason of wounds, physical disability, or mental deficiency, incapable of effective service in the front lines; and whether, in view of the anxiety caused by this policy, he can make a reassuring statement?

The particulars given by my hon. Friend are inaccurate. The examination and classification to which, it is presumed, he refers, represent the usual procedure for the periodical review of soldiers serving at home to ascertain whether they can be utilised on duties better suited to their physical condition. The Army Council are taking every reasonable precaution to ensure that men will be utilised on duties for which they are fitted.

Do I understand then that medical boards only require men of the higher classes who are really fitted for this work to do it?

I have no information to the contrary. If my hon. Friend will mention any specific case, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private P. G. Gumming, No. 615696, joined the 19th London Regiment at Winchester a little over a year ago, went out to France in 1917, and on arriving at the base was examined by a medical board and marked permanently unfit; that he was then sent to No. 46 Prisoners of War Company and, being unable to carry on with the work, was admitted to No. 5 General Hospital suffering from valvular disease of the heart, rheumatics, anæemia, and ulcers on the right thigh; whether from there he was transferred to the East Leeds War Hospital, and was afterwards sent to Ledston Convalescent Camp, was discharged from there unfit and marked Command Depot; that he was then transferred to the London Command Depot at Shoreham; that he was examined by the senior medical officer and marked never likely to become A or B; that at a subsequent medical board he was marked B 3; and, considering that this soldier is only able to do very light fatigue duties, such as picking up waste paper round the camp, and considering that previous to joining the Colours he was managing clerk to a firm of solicitors, will he consider the desirability of either discharging this man or utilising him as a clerk in the Demobilisation Department, Records Department, or some such similar occupation where the State could get some benefit from his services?

I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked what is the nature of discharge certificate B2070; whether men in possession of this certificate are liable for military service; and whether discharged men in possession of certificate E511 are liable for further service?

My light hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the very full answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on 5th June. I may add that certificate E511 is given to Territorials on their discharge, and corresponds to B2070, which is issued to men of the.Regular Forces.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities in Ireland have authorised any statement to be issued as to the number of recruits recently raised in the city and county of Dublin; and, if so, will he state what are the figures?

From the inquiries which it has been possible to make in the time available, it appears that no such statement as that mentioned has been authorised or issued by the military authorities in Ireland.

Are we to understand that the statement issued last week was not only unauthorised, but incorrect?

I am not sure about its incorrectness. but I can say it was not authorised by the military authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the fact that a further call up of coal carmen, loaders, and wharfmen for military service has been made, notwithstanding the arrangement recently arrived at to retain all existing men engaged in this work of national importance; is he also aware that these men cannot be replaced, and that in consequence coal supplies for manufacturing and all other purposes are seriously jeopardised; and will he say what action, if any, ho proposes to take?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to this question on 10th June.

asked the Minister of National Service whether Mr. Davis, who has been adopted as a Parliamentary candidate for Bermondsey, is still acting as the National Service representative at the Bermondsey local tribunal; and., if so, whether he will take immediate steps to terminate his appointment?

Mr. Davis, having become, as slated, a prospective candidate for Parliament for Bermondsey. has been transferred to Battersea.

asked what percentage of men from nineteen to twenty-three years of age previously holding exemptions but rendered liable to service by the clean cut have boon called up from industrial work and from agriculture, respectively; whether fresh exemptions have been granted to those not called up by any authorities other than the tribunals; and, if so, by what authorities?

I regret I have not the information at my command which would permit of my ascertaining the percentage referred to by the hon. Member. In agricultural cases certain men have received exemptions from Appeal Tribunals under the Proclamations; and in war work of an industrial character some men in certain occupations essential to the War have not at present been called up, but no fresh exemptions have been given to them.

asked whether any fresh instructions or circulars have been issued to medical boards either generally or to boards in particular areas; and, if so, whether he will lay these instructions upon the Table of the House?

As I have already stated in my answer on the 10th June to the hon. and learned Member for Ealing, instructions were issued that medical boards might be reduced to three and in case of great emergency even to two, although it has not been necessary to adopt the latter course. It would, I think, be wasteful to print for general circulation the suggestions made to the boards by the National Service Medical Department, but I shall be happy to have typewritten copies placed in the Library, where they will be available for Members. My right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service notes by the Question Paper that there is some anxiety concerning certain medical gradings. He has, therefore, asked me to make arrangements convenient to Members interested for my right hon. Friend to meet them in a Committee Room upstairs, when he will be happy fully to explain the system adopted and to answer questions. Perhaps Monday afternoon would be convenient.

Will the Minister of National Service make a statement in the House on this subject, so that it may be available to the public?

My right hon. Friend would be delighted to do so on the proper occasion, perhaps next week on the Vote of Credit, should the House so desire.

Is this new policy the result of the appointment to the control of the medical boards of an officer who was recently condemned by the Mesopotamia Commission?

I do not know to what officer the hon. Member refers.

Is this his policy?

There is no such officer in the service of the Ministry of National Service.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a strong feeling outside as to secret instructions issued to these boards, and can they be made public in order that we may understand the procedure?

There are no secret instructions?

There are!

This morning I looked through a few files of detailed and almost scrappy suggestions sent out to the medical boards by the Medical Department, and I am going to lay a pile of these in the Library of the House of Commons for hon. Members to see. There is nothing secret about them, and they are mainly suggestions. The official instructions have all been published and they have not been varied in any particular.

Will my hon. Friend see that these instructions are placed in the Library before the discussion on this subject takes place on the Vote of Credit?

Certainly!

asked the Minister of National Service if he will state how many exemptions from military service are held by partners and employés of J. Henry Schroeder and Company, of 146, Leaden- hall Street, E. C.; whether any are held by personal servants of Baron Bruno von Schroeder, Frank Cyril Tiarks, or Julius Rittershaussen of the said firm; and, if so, will he state the terms and conditions thereof?

I am informed that the only person holding exemption from military service in the firm of Messrs. Schroeder and Company is Mr. Rittershaussen, who is thirty-nine years of age, category C 3, and who holds a conditional exemption from the City Tribunal. As regards the latter part of his question, I have no information, but on receiving fuller particulars from the hon. Member I will be prepared to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of National Service if the prosecution of Mr. Joseph Stopps, who was recently fined £25 or three months' imprisonment at Leamington for refusing to submit to medical examination, was ordered by or carried out with his approval; if so, whether he is aware that Mr. Stopps had appealed for exemption on conscientious grounds and was given throe months' exemption because he was doing work of national importance in the meanwhile; and whether, in view of his replies that conscientious objectors who were doing work of national importance were not called upon for medical examination, he will take stops to have this prosecution and the penalty annulled?

I have no information on this case, but inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he has issued an order forbidding British labour to empty the cesspools for German prisoners at Stoke Poges Camp while our prisoners in German camps have to look after their own sanitary arrangements" themselves?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a protest made by the Eton Rural District Council against being called upon to make provision for the clearance of the cesspools of a prisoners of war internment camp; and whether he will explain why these particular German prisoners are not called upon to perform this duty for them selves?

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friends as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 26th May five aeroplanes went up at Cullen, county Cork, and continued to circle very low over a meeting for singing, bagpipe music, and dancing, called an aeridhacht, that flame rockets were dropped repeatedly, and that the public interpreted these manoeuvres as intended to terrify and disperse the gathering; whether this use of the aeroplanes was made on police or military orders; and whether, in view of the greater need of our air forces elsewhere, such air demonstrations in Ireland will be discontinued?

Five aeroplanes did circle over a meeting at Cullen on the 26th May, at the request of the military authorities. The five machines used were for training purposes.

Can we have an assurance that this is a very exceptional incident, and that aeroplanes will not be used to terrorise a peaceful meeting?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that supplementary question, may I ask whether loyal citizens with clear consciences have got anything to fear from British aeroplanes?

No, I think not. I cannot give any assurance such as my hon. Friend asks.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the immense noise made by five aeroplanes flying over a meeting?

When we have 120 questions on the Paper, it is a pity to waste time in this way over such a small matter

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what increases in the prices of wheat, barley, and oats will be fixed so as. to enable farmers to increase the wages of agricultural workers proportionately to the increased cost of living, and the extra labour involved by the calling up for military service of men from the land?

I have been asked to reply. My Department is now engaged in preparing a scheme of prices which will take into account the matters referred to by my hon. Friend.

How soon will that scheme be laid on the Table?

They are now actually working on the matter, and there will be no delay whatever in taking action.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try, instead of an increase of prices, a reduction of rent for the farmers to make good an increase of wages?

That is one of the few matters not within the province of the Ministry of Food.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the increases of tithes, which in some cases amount to 8s. per acre, upon agricultural land; and whether it is the intention of the Government to assist the growth of food by early legislation consolidating the incidence of tithe and providing for its redemption upon terms equitable to all concerned?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The position which has arisen in regard to tithe is well known to the Government, who have the question under consideration. I hope before very long to be able to announce their decision as to what, if any, legislation they deem necessary.

Would it not be possible to repeal the Act which relieves owners of tithes who pay rates?

That comes under the Agricultural Rates Act.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether a decision will be announced before the Debate in this House?

Oh, yes; it will require legislation.

Could it not be done on the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill?

Are we to under stand that legislation will be introduced during the current Session?

asked the amount of extra rations to be allowed to farm workers, especially in view of the harvest?

Male farm workers are entitled to receive the supplementary ration, which allows them an increase of about 50 per cent. on the meat ration in the form of bacon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how the proposed registration of tea consumers is to take place; whether it will be done by way of sugar cards or will those persons registered for meat, butter, margarine, or other food commodities be enabled to obtain their supplies of tea by means of the existing food cards; and, if so, will he state which?

A full announcement has already been made on this point. In London and the Home Counties divisions the food card is being used for tea registration. In other districts consumers may be registered on production of the butter and margarine card issued under a local rationing scheme or of the meat cards. Food control committees have been told to issue instructions on this matter to the public in their several districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the discontent existing in the retail grocery trade caused by notices in the Press emanating from the Ministry of Food that all consumers of tea must register by 10th Juno, suck discontent being due to the shortness of the notice, scarcity of labour in the retail trade, and the fact that two Saturdays and two Sundays occur within the period of ten days only between the issuing of the Order and the date for registration; whether representations have been made to the Department concerned requesting a postponement of the proposed registration date; and whether the date will be postponed, so as to cause less inconvenience to distributors of tea if possible?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of an official notice issued to the Press last week, in accordance with which tea retailers are permitted to accept late applications for registration up to Saturday, l5th June.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the high prices charged by some retailers in London during last week for green vegetables; and can he take any steps in order to prevent this in future?

asked if any steps are being taken to check the prices charged for vegetables beyond the prices obtaining in Covent Garden; and if he is aware that for the same quantity of rhubarb 3d. was charged at Covent Garden and Is. 3d. at shops in the suburbs?

Careful investigation is being made into the prices charged for green vegetables and fruit in the markets and in retail shops. So far as rhubarb is concerned, the lack of gooseberries in the market has inevitably tended to harden prices. In comparing retail prices with wholesale prices it is essential to make sure that the quality of the fruit or vegetables sold is the same in each case. I shall be glad to make special inquiries in any specific case about which hon. Members will give me information, and I am considering what action, if any, can usefully be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary if his attention has been called to the waste of food entailed in the destruction of herrings caught and landed at Lerwick, where upwards of 200 tons of fish were destroyed on several separate days; and if some arrangement can be made to enable them to be shipped or else preserved as kippers or salted herrings?

The Food Controller is aware that some herring landed at Lerwick did not find a buyer on arrival. Owing to the time occupied on the voyage, the possibility of war delays, and the competition of the heavy catches of herring now being landed on the mainland of the North-East Coast of Scotland, the shipment of fresh herring for the Shetlands is not a satisfactory course at this time of the year. The Ministry of Food have made arrangements whereby the transport of kippered herring are considerably improved. The herrings at present caught off Lerwick are hardly suitable when cured for the home markets, and the Food Controller has already informed the trade that he is prepared to give favourable consideration to applications for leave to export these pickled herrings to Allied countries provided that they are put into cure before 15th July.

I know the hon. Member is doing a great deal, but is he really doing everything that can be done to save this great loss of food?

I think so. We have been in close communication with the authorities in all parts of the Kingdom, and if my hon. Friend can put before me suggestions, I shall be glad to have them.

Is it possible in some way or other to deal with this appalling waste of food, remembering that the consumer now pays five or six times more for herrings than they did a short time ago?

A similar wastage was quite common in peace-time, and there is a greater difficulty in war-time, but we are doing everything we can to diminish the wastage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will make inquiries into the reason why the supplies of meat in the borough of Blackburn are so unsatisfactory, fully 90 per cent. of the persons registered with the co-operative societies and private butchers not having had any mutton during the past three months and there having been no week when the full ration has been obtainable, while, on the other hand, the shops of the foreign meat companies have had a plentiful supply of both beef and mutton; and will he see that steps are taken to stop this preferential treatment in the distribution of supplies?

Supplies of imported meat during the past few months have consisted mainly of frozen beef and only very limited quantities of frozen mutton have been available. Complaints have been received that some multiple shop companies had obtained a larger proportion of mutton than private traders, and steps have already been taken to secure a more equitable distribution of the limited supplies. There is no reason why any retailer should not have received the full ration of meat required for the needs of his registered customers, and if any specific instance is given I will cause inquiries to be made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the specific charge made in this question as to what has taken place in Blackburn?

This question is put in rather general terms, but perhaps there will be some advantage in my hon. Friend having a conversation with me about this particular case.

Thank you.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary whether ho will consider the possibility of doing something more to secure a further supply of sugar for the manufacture of sweets and chocolates whereby the public requirements may be met and the position of small shop keepers may be alleviated?

The sugar position, actual and prospective, is not such that any additional issues of sugar for the manufacture of sweetmeats can, at present, be contemplated. The position of the small shopkeeper has recently been dealt with by the issue of the Sale of Sweetmeats (Restriction) Order, which will substantially increase the supplies available for them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received applications from farm workers for a supply of malt and hops; whether he will consider the claim of these men to such consideration owing to the nature of their employment and the hot weather during which this work s performed, and release for the brewing of home-brewed beer the amount of malt and hops asked for; and, if so, can he state when such supplies are likely to be avail able?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In view of the limited stock of malt available for brewing it will not be possible to grant general licences for home brewing, and it would be invidious to make provision for one class of national worker without extending the treatment of other workers whose employment may be con- sidered of equal national importance. It is hoped to make some provision for farm workers on the lines adopted last year.

Is the Department considering the question of so altering the brewing as to increase, the supply of low grade beer and decrease the supply of luxury beer so as to enable farm labourers and others to have a larger quantity during the harvest?

I promised in the discussion last Thursday that that would be taken into account and it is being considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that in the South of Eng land it is the practice to supply casual agricultural workers at hay and corn harvest time with food as well as monetary payment; and, in view of this, will he arrange to supply farmers so requiring and applying for them with emergency coupons to meet such cases?

I am aware of the practice in question. It if, however, thought the needs of the case will be sufficiently met by the present system, under which the cards of persons visiting a neighbourhood are available, when accompanied by a simple declaration, for purchases made on their behalf from retailers in the district.

Will that apply to the men attending the threshing machines who are working a long way from their homes?

This particular class of work does not in any sense affect the procedure that can be followed, and in that case it would apply in the instance mentioned?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will lay before Parliament the proper Estimates for his Department for the year ending 31st March, 1919; and if he will state what his Department has spent in the year ending 31st March, 1918. on the sub-heads: salaries, wages, and allowances, travelling expenses, incidental expenses, food economy propaganda, rationing expenses, national kitchens, subsidies towards the sale of foodstuffs, and Appropriations-in-Aid, respectively?

The form in which the Civil Services and Revenue Departments Estimates are presented to this House is a matter not for me, but for the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. The actual expenditure is, I understand, defrayed out of the Vote of Credit, and is recorded in the Appropriation Account.

Could the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the Estimates of his Department should be given in the usual way, instead of the very obscure and inconvenient form in which they are now presented to Parliament?

I am not well versed in regard to this procedure, and I cannot commit myself to any alteration without further consideration.

Can they not be presented in the usual way?

That question should be addressed to the Secretary to the Treasury.