asked the Prime Minister what steps, whether by reprisals or otherwise, he proposes to take in order to stop the bombing of English hospitals by the Germans?

I cannot make any statement on this subject. The Report to which I referred in reply to a Private Notice Question on 28th May by my hon. Friend the Member for Mile End has not yet been received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to publish the evidence taken by the Banks Amalgamation Committee?

In view of the importance of securing economies in labour, paper, and expenditure at the present time, it is no longer the usual practice to publish the evidence of committees except in special cases where there is a widespread demand for publication. It is not proposed, therefore, to publish the evidence taken by the Bank Amalgamation Committee.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction that prevails at the delays that occur in the granting of pensions and allowances; whether these delays are to some extent caused by the fact that some of the work of inquiry is being done by Excise officers and other part-time officials; and if he will see that sufficient full-time officials are appointed to carry out the work without, unnecessary delay?

I am afraid I can give no general answer. There are many varieties of pensions and allowances, and several Departments are responsible for their administration. The only claims that are investigated by Excise officers are claims for dependants' separation allowances, and the latest information available discloses no avoidable delay in dealing with these cases. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that competent full-time officials are not under present conditions readily available.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether an officer who refuses to contribute out of his pay and allowances anything towards the maintenance of his wife and children can be compelled by the Army Council to make some allotment in order that his family may not be chargeable to the poor rate?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Government fixed prices for beef, mutton, butter, and all agricultural produce are fixed on the basis of the cost of production of the various animals; and whether he will consider the desirability of adopting the same principle in all dealings with agriculturalists?

:I have been asked to reply. It has always been the policy of the Government to fix the prices paid to the producer on the basis of the cost of production, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that this policy will be adhered to in the future.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that there have been large seizures and condemnations of food in the city of Liverpool during the last month, including thirteen tons of meat mostly diseased; whether this diseased meat consisted of tuberculous cattle from Ireland, or, if not, what was the nature of the disease; and how did it arise that, under the regulations and licences for cattle-buying, the public money is wasted on the purchase of such animals, and transit misused in the carriage of such?

I am informed that 13¼ tons of meat of various kinds were condemned in Liverpool during last month. The meat condemned consisted of the carcases of nine cattle found to be tuberculous none of which came from Ireland, and other meat which was unfit for human consumption by reason of emaciation, dropsical conditions, or putrefaction due to delay in transit. The last paragraph of the hon. Member's question appears to be a matter for the Food Controller, but I may say that I am informed that none of the meat in question is wasted, but when unfit for human food is devoted to other purposes—mainly, the extraction of fat and the manufacture of poultry food and pig food.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he can state the total weights of meat, bacon, fish, poultry, and rabbits condemned as unfit for human food during the months of April and May, respectively, in the ad- ministrative county of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, and Hull, respectively?

I am having inquiries made, and as soon as the necessary information is available I will communicate it to the hon. Member.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether men who joined the National Reserve for Home service only are now liable for foreign service; and, if so, whether any form of appeal and, if so, what is open to such men?

Men who originally joined the National Reserve and are attested for service in the United Kingdom only are, if of military age, liable for service overseas. It is not, however, intended to make use of their services overseas without giving them the opportunity of an appeal to a civil tribunal.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the benefits prescribed for conscientious objectors in prison under Rule 243 a; and whether instructions have been issued to governors of prisons as to the administration of the rule, and can the nature of these instructions be communicated to this House?

I will send the hon. hon. Member a Memorandum which will answer the first part of his question. The instructions issued to governors have dealt with matters of detail and such points of difficulty as may have arisen from time to time in the administration of the Rule.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the present internment of conscientious objectors within the Wakefield Work Centre and its prejudicial effect on the health and spirits of the men, he will allow them to work in the open air outside their workshops where that was previously the custom?

:I regret that, with the exception of the garden and building parties, numbering about 100 men out of a total of 450, it is not practicable to permit men to work outside the workshops.

asked the Home Secretary how long it is proposed to keep the men employed at the Wakefield Work Centre within locked gates; on what ground these men are placed under this forcible restraint; and how far he intends to be guided by the advice received from the local authority, who are hostile to the conscientious objectors?

I regret that I am not able to say how long it may be necessary to continue the present precaution of confining the men employed under my Committee at Wakefield to their quarters. The precaution has been adopted in the interests of the men's safety and the good order of the town. The matter is obviously one in which I must give great weight to the opinions of those who are responsible to their fellow citizens for the preservation of the peace.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that there is a feeling that a considerable number of men have been exempted from military service for inadequate reasons; and whether, with a view to creating greater satisfaction, he will give instructions that wherever possible two or three members of each tribunal shall be discharged soldiers?

I am aware of the existence of a feeling that men have been exempted from military service for inadequate reasons, but I have received no reliable evidence that there is ground for this belief in the case of men who come before tribunals, and I may remind the hon. and gallant Member that these cases can be reviewed from time to time and that there is an unrestricted right of appeal from the local tribunals to the Appeal Tribunals. A large number of men are, of course, protected from military service otherwise than through tribunals. A general instruction on the lines suggested is not, I think, required, but in making appointments to tribunals I shall be happy to bear in mind the claims of discharged soldiers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended at an early date to appoint a number of principal chaplains and assistant chaplains, representing the Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Nonconformist denominations; and, if so, whether he will give an assurance to the House that all these posts are given to chaplains who have had long service and experience at the different theatres of war and are, therefore, fully conversant with the needs of this important work?

It is proposed to make certain appointments of the character indicated. When chaplains are being selected to fill these posts, the considerations referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend will be borne in mind.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if the award of a Military Medal to a private carries with it any monetary advantage either in pay whilst serving or in pension on discharge?

No, Sir; the Military Medal does not carry with it a money reward.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the temporary civilian clerks in the War Office referred to in his replies to questions on 14th January of this year and subsequent dates have been granted war bonuses by the Army Council, under Treasury sanction, without their claims having been laid before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board?

When I stated in the replies referred to that the claim of these clerks was before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board, I had reason to believe that an award of the Board applying to them was shortly to be given. In this I was misinformed, but the case has now been disposed of as stated in the question.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has refused to provide the capital funds necessary to equip the training centre which the Northern Counties Joint (Disablement) Committee propose to establish at Rutherford College; whether he will explain the reason for this refusal in view of his repeated declarations that facilities for training disabled soldiers will be provided by the State; and whether the necessity to raise voluntary subscriptions for this purpose will involve delay in the provision of adequate training for disabled soldiers in the northern counties?

:The question of providing capital funds to equip Rutherford College as a centre for training disabled sailors and soldiers was raised at a meeting in Newcastle. On the day of that meeting an offer was made to provide the necessary funds privately, and the offer was accepted on behalf of the Ministry. It is hoped to instal the machinery at an early date, and it will then become the property of the institution, and will remain for the use of the locality when the need for training disabled men no longer exists. There will be no delay in the application of the funds above referred to the provision of adequate training for disabled soldiers in the northern counties.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the reason why the increase of pay and allowance for children granted during the War to junior officers in the British Army serving on the continent of Europe or at home are not granted to officers of the same rank serving in India; and whether, in view of the exceptionally high cost of living in India and the consequent financial embarrassment of many junior officers now serving there, the scale of their remuneration and allowances can now be raised to that obtaining elsewhere?

Children's allowances have been approved for junior officers of the British Army on Indian rates of pay, and have been made retrospective to the 1st October, 1917, the date applicable under the Royal Warrant to officers on British rates of pay. The question whether an increase is necessary in the Indian rates of pay of junior officers of the British Service, in view of the higher rates of pay granted by the Royal Warrant of 25th January, 1918, to officers in receipt of British rates, is being considered by the Government of India. Indian rates of pay are still generally higher than British rates.

asked the Home Secretary how many appointments to the Order of the British Empire were made in connection with the recent birthday honours; what is the total number of appointments made since the institution of the Order; what is the total cost of the insignia of the Order sent to each member of the Order; and what other expense falls upon the nation in this connection?

His Majesty, on the occasion of his birthday, has been pleased to approve the appointment of 2,983 persons to the various classes of the Order. The total number of appointments made since the institution of the Order is 5,950. The remainder of the question should be addressed to the Treasury.

asked the Home Secretary what was the nationality of Mr.Gustave Jarmay, who was awarded the title of Knight Commander of the British Empire in January last; when did he become naturalised in this country; and for what services rendered was the honour awarded?

This gentleman was by birth a Hungarian. He was naturalised in November, 1914, after thirty-eight years' residence in this country. He was recommended for the honour by the Ministry of Munitions on account of invaluable services in connection with the manufacture of high explosives.

asked the Home Secretary whether Julius Rittershaussen, 145, Leadenhall Street, E.C., of the firm of J. Henry Schroeder and Company, is of enemy birth, when he was naturalised, what reasons were given for his naturalisation, who were his sureties, and whether he was described at that time as a partner in the firm of Messrs. Schroeder; whether he is the same person who was convicted of an offence under the Petrol Regulations in 1917; and whether he holds any exemption from military service, and, if so, the terms and conditions thereof?

This man, who was born in Germany, was naturalised in September, 1914, and on the 16th November, 1914, the Home Secretary explained, in reply to a question in this House, that he was. satisfied that his naturalisation was clearly in the public advantage. It is not the practice to publish the names of the persons who support an application for naturalisation. He was not described as a partner in the firm of Messrs. Schroeder. The answer to the second part of the question is, I understand, in the affirmative, though I have no official information. As regards the third part, I have no information.

asked the Home Secretary if he will cause inquiry to be made into the reasons recorded by the general purposes committee of the town council of the borough of Godalming for refusing a licence to drive a taxi-car to Mr. G. W. Hill, late bombardier, 117th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and as to whether any reason for the refusal was given to him in writing or otherwise and by whom; and whether it was in consideration of the following facts: that Mr. Hill was recently honourably discharged by the military authorities as a man of high character after fourteen years' service as a good soldier; that he wears the riband of the Mons campaign; that he has a wife and seven children to support; and that, in order to make an honest livelihood and after making arrangements with the proper authority for the supply of petrol allowed to discharged soldiers driving taxi-cars, he purchased a car which has been lying idle ever since in a district where there is much need of motor cars?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The matter is not one in which I have any control over the town council, but I have addressed a letter of inquiry to thorn on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) have increased the price of season tickets from Belfast to certain stations by 150 per cent.; if such an increase is in accordance with the Order recently issued; and if he will have inquiries made and suitable action taken?

I am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. Gentleman know the result.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into industrial assurance agents' war bonus?

Yes, Sir. I.appointed a Committee consisting of the right hon. Sir Walter Phillimore, Bart. (Chairman), Mr. Samuel G. Warner, president of the Institute of Actuaries, and Mr. Frederic John Young, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. They were requested to inquire and report whether the financial position of the respective companies and collecting societies who (were parties, together with their commitments, would permit of a war bonus being granted. It was agreed that the Committee would not sit as a Court of arbitration, but would report to me separately for each company or collecting society.The agents were represented by counsel, and submitted to the Committee their case on six of the companies and societies. Witnesses were called, and facilities were given for cross-examination.After the cases of these six companies and societies had been heard, counsel for the agents requested the Committee to give some intimation of the opinion that they had formed on the cases. The Committee did so, and were thereupon informed that it was not desired to bring other cases forward. The Committee inferred from this that the agents did not consider the remaining cases would put their claim in a more favourable light than those already heard.The Committee reported separately on the six cases, and in no case did they consider that the financial position of the companies or societies would permit of the agents receiving a war bonus of 10s. per week, the amount of the original claim. In certain cases the Committee thought that a small war bonus might be payable, but this would generally be of a negligible amount, and could be paid only at the expense either of the ordinary policy holders, who were entitled to a return on their policies out of surplus, or by using the whole of the next dividend in paying the agents by way of anticipation.In coming to this conclusion the Committee emphasise certain considerations which were before them. All insurance companies have suffered by reason of the War, in the general depreciation of Stock Exchange securities and such investments as freehold ground rents, and this situation necessitates the creation of substantial reserves.All companies have paid on the death of civilians who had voluntarily enlisted in the forces and been killed, although such payments were not in all cases legally binding. They have made allowances to members of the staff who enlisted.They have also suffered owing to the increased losses due to the increase of deaths of men of military age over the actuarial expectation of mortality on which the premium tables are founded, and this is particularly the case with the companies which do industrial business.Finally, the operation of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, has weighed heavily upon industrial assurance companies, because it forbade the lapsing of industrial policies not exceeding £25 in value which had been paid up for at least the two years preceding the war. This provision has been used largely, and whatever may be the position of these policies when the Act is repealed, the immediate burden of them upon the companies is heavy, as in the case of any payment the companies are entitled to deduct only the amount of the premiums unpaid but no interest, whereas interest lies at the root of all premium calculation.The task before the Committee was not easy, and I desire to place on record my appreciation of the way in which they carried out their inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet decided to publish the Report of the Committee that sat on the insurance agents' bonuses; and, if so, when it may be expected?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer which I am giving to-day to the hon. Member for New bury.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to apply to the postal service the principles of the Whitley Report; if he is now in a position to state his policy on this question; whether he can explain the delay of his Department in view of the attitude of the various postal unions; and whether he is aware that private employers, who are officially urged to set up these joint committees, take the view that Government Departments should set an example in this matter?

:I regret I cannot add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on the 29th May. The question of applying the principles of the Whitley Report to Government Departments is a matter which does not concern the Post Office alone, and pending a decision of the Government on certain general questions, I am not in a position to make any announcement.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture how much money has been allocated by the Board towards the improvement of light-horse breeding during the last four years; whether, prior to the War, farmers were urged by the Government to breed light horses as a patriotic duty; and whether, having regard to the present cost of production, the production of light horses is a remunerative industry in this country?

The sum allocated to the improvement of light-horse breeding in the Estimates of the Board during the last four years was £122,400, or an average of £30,600 a year. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, the Board consider that, although at the moment the industry may be comparatively unremunerative,it is hoped that with the return of normal conditions the breeding of the best classes of light horses will again attract the farmer.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, in view of the high prices, he can increase the present weekly advance of pay of 5 francs given to interned British prisoners of war in Holland, in order to enable these men to purchase a few extras of food, and also to be in possession of some pocket-money?

:Arrangements are being made for the pay books of prisoners of war in Holland to be sent to the officer in charge by the regimental paymasters at home showing exactly what sums are available for issue locally. Many pay books have already been received, and advances have been increased in some cases to £3 per month, and in other cases to larger sums. As the remaining pay books arrive the provisional issue of 5 florins per week (not 5 francs) will be increased wherever possible. The food question is at present being looked into.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state the approximate number of children in the elementary schools under the control of local education authorities who have not exercised their power to provide medical treatment; whether he can state the approximate percentage of children in these schools suffering from the following defects: Defect of vision, defect of hearing, ear disease, adenoids or enlarged tonsils, injurious decay of the teeth, un-cleanliness of body, ringworm of the head, tuberculosis, heart disease, and malnutrition; and whether he can state the approximate number of children in these schools suffering from these defects?

The approximate number of children in elementary schools under the control of local education authorities who had not in 1916 provided any facilities for medical treatment is about 500,000. The Board are not in a position to give percentages of defects for these particular areas, but from an investigation made in 1915 of the figures given in the school medical officers' reports for ninety areas of the defects found among children at the routine inspections conducted by the staff of the School Medical Service it appeared that the percentages of defects were roughly as set out below. The Board have no reason to suppose that these percentages have materially altered. In the case of vision the figures were based on the inspections in thirty-four areas, and for tuberculosis in fifty-two areas.

	Percentage Defective
Defect of Vision	17
Defect of Hearing	11
Ear Disease	2.5
Disease of Nose and Throat (adenoids and enlarged tonsils)	20
Dental Disease	70
Uncleanliness of Body	6
Skin Disease, including Ring worm of the Head	1.8
Disease of Heart and Circulation	3.5
Malnutrition	13
Tuberculosis	.5

It should not be assumed that the field within which treatment should or could appropriately be provided by local education authorities is co-extensive with the field of ascertained defect.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many of the local education authorities have exercised their power, under sanction of the Board, for the creation of machinery or facilities for the provision of medical treatment and how many have not done so?

The number of local education authorities who, during 1916, provided facilities for one or more forms of treatment was 276. The number providing no facilities was 43.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of the importance of utilising the school time of the children to the best advantage, he will give encouragement to the movement for a simplified system of spelling by which it is estimated that about two years of the school time of each child may be saved?

:I understand that experiments in the use of a form of simplified spelling are being carried on in a few schools. I am always desirous of encouraging promising experiments.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among the women teachers of the London County Council at the recent scale of salaries adopted by that body; and can he state if he has any power to impose a minimum scale of salaries for women teachers with education authorities as a condition of the extra Grant being paid to them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Monday last to the hon. Members for West Ham South and North Somerset. The Board have not taken power to prescribe any minimum scale of salaries.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has received petitions from large numbers of school boards in Orkney, namely, Orphir, Kirkwall Landward, St. Ola, Shepirsay, Stronsay, Eday, Ronsay, Egalshay, South Ronaldshay and Bursay, Holm, Sardwick, Cross Burress, North Ronaldshay, Lady Sarday Wells, Flotta Westray and Ocha Westray, Evie and Rerdall Birsay, and Harray, and also from the county council of Orkney against; the application of the Education Bill to Orkney; and if he will give his most favourable consideration to the same?

I have received and considered the petitions referred to in the question. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the terms of the Education (Scotland) Bill, which I hope to introduce on an early date.