asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that the agricultural training and land settlement of disabled and demoblised soldiers and sailors at home and in the Empire is at present being considered and schemes are being prepared by the Department of Agriculture, by the Ministry of Pensions, by the Colonial Office, and by the Irish Office; whether it is proposed that this matter should also be considered by the Ministry of Reconstruction; what steps the Government proposes to take in order to secure the closest co-operation in framing these schemes and to avoid overlapping and the waste of public money in the Departments concerned; and whether the subject will come up for discussion and action at the Imperial War Cabinet now in Session; and (2) whether the Government are prepared to establish agricultural credit banks to provide the necessary capital for soldiers and sailors who may undergo training under any of the schemes now being developed by the Ministry of Pensions, Department of Agriculture, and by the Irish Office and Colonial Office respectively; and what steps the Government proposes to take in this matter?

A Committee appointed by the Cabinet is now considering this whole question. It will also, I have no doubt, be considered at the Imperial Conference.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Departmental Committee on the Cost of Living, and when it is anticipated that the Report of the Committee will be received and published?

I am informed that considerable progress has been made, but it is not yet possible to indicate when the Committee will be in a position to report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the case of small Income Tax payers who have near relatives entirely dependent upon them, for instance a paralysed brother or sister; and whether any rebate will be allowed in these cases?

Provisions for Income Tax relief in respect of dependent relatives, such as these described in the question, are contained in the present Finance Bill.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is now in a position to state the number of the administrative and clerical staff of each of the large Government Departments, and the total?

I regret that I cannot furnish the right hon. Member with in

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the hardship inflicted upon blind tea retailers by the Tea Regulations which have been passed since March, 1918; if he is further aware that the advantage of the concession favourable to the blind has been annulled by the new national registration of tea; and, in view of the fact that numbers of this deserving class have lost their customers and are deprived of their means of livelihood, will he see if something can be done to rehabilitate them?

I am not aware that the advantage of the concession made to the blind tea retailers has been annulled by the new national registration of tea. Consumers were free to register for tea supplies with any retailer, but were specially advised to choose the retailer from whom they usually bought their tea supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the complaints that are being made in regard to the quality of meat supplied to the trade in the Folkestone and Hythe district, some of which has recently been condemned by the sanitary inspector as unfit for human consumption; whether he is aware that individual traders find themselves at a disadvantage as compared with multiple shops as regards the meat they are able to obtain, and in particular that they are altogether unable to procure frozen lamb affording small joints, for which the demand is great; and if he will take steps to provide meat of good quality to the district and to secure its equitable distribution between the various classes of trader?

The meat allocated to the butchers in the districts referred to is of the same quality as that provided for all other parts of the country. It is necessarily inferior to the home-produced meat to which butchers are accustomed, but I am assured that next month's arrivals will be better. Measures have already been taken to ensure the equitable distribution of meat between multiple shops and individual traders, but the present supply of frozen lamb is very limited and quite insufficient to meet the prevailing demand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that during the last three weeks 1,009 quarters of beef were forwarded to Beading in open trucks; that the cloths in which the beef was packed were torn with handling during transit and the goods had been loaded without the least attempt to stitch up the rents in the packing cloths, and that in consequence the beef arrived in a filthy condition; that the local butchers refused to handle it but were forced to do so under threats of the withdrawal of their licences; that 100 of these quarters and a quantity of pieces were afterwards condemned; if he will say who was responsible for this slovenly dispatch and waste; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am informed that owing to the fact that other means of transport were not available at the time some of the meat recently dispatched to Reading was forwarded in open trucks. It is not, however, correct to state that the beef arrived in a filthy condition, though some of the consignment is said to have arrived very soft. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative, and to the fourth part in the affirmative. The damage to the meat was due to the difficulties of transport under present conditions, especially during the recent spell of warm weather. I am glad to be able to add that efforts are now being made to accumulate reserve stocks of meat in all distributing centres so as to avoid the necessity of sending large quantities of meat before suitable arrangements can be made for its proper transport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) on what basis the proportion of fruit is allotted to each individual jam maker; and whether the basis has been arranged after consultation with the Fruit Preservers' Association; and (2) whether, to avoid the wastage of fruit consequent upon sending it to pulping stations at a distance, he will permit jam makers to collect fruit in their own districts, without limit as to quantity, and make it into pulp, the Government then taking its proportion of two-fifths of the pulp, or permit the makers to make the fruit into jam, the Government then taking its proportion of the jam?

There is now no restriction on the quantity of fruit which may be bought and pulped by any individual licensed jam manufacturer. The restriction of quantities on the original licences granted for the purchase of gooseberries for jam was a temporary expedient adopted pending the completion of arrangements for securing the minimum supplies required for Navy and Army purposes.

asked the Home Secretary ii he will consider whether it is possible to re-arrange the times on and off duty of the Metropolitan Police, so that those members of the force who have allotments may be enabled to give some time to their cultivation?

The Commissioner of Police is most anxious to afford facilities to members for the force who have allotments, and duties have been rearranged on a considerable scale with this object in view. In certain inner stations, however, the exigencies of police work make it necessary to adhere to existing hours of duty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that 80 per cent. of the whole output of soap in this country is produced by firms or companies either owned or controlled by Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, and Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Company, Limited; and, if so, will he take steps to see that the proposed executive committees of the new Soapmakers' Association, which is being formed in the national interest at the request of the Government, contains adequate representation of firms or companies having no connection, either direct or indirect, with these two firms, and that every branch of the soap industry is represented?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that in any scheme which may be put forward for the control of the soap-making industry every possible precaution will be taken to safeguard the interests of the smaller manufacturers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Pierse M'Can was arrested on 18th May and is supposed to have been sent to Gloucester Prison; that no news has been received from him; that all letters addressed to him have been returned; and that the governor of the prison has refused information concerning him; whether letters will now be allowed; and, if not, whether P. M'Can's health is satisfactory?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This man is in Gloucester Prison, and has written a postcard and letter to his mother. Letters passed by the Censor have been delivered to him since the 1st June, from which date letters have been permitted. Those received before that date were returned. There is no foundation for the suggestion that the governor of the prison has refused information about this man. On the contrary, he has been thanked by the parents and a clergyman for supplying it. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether contracts for the construction of the railway to Castlecomer collieries have been given to an English firm; and, if so, whether tenders were invited by advertisement or otherwise from Irish contractors?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. I may explain that, in view of the importance of beginning the work at once, in order to ensure, if possible, that it should be brought into use by the end of the year, it was thought best in all the circumstances to give the contract to Messrs. Perry and Company, Limited, who already had inspected the location of the proposed line and had the necessary plant at their disposal ready to be placed on the work at once.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received resolutions respecting the City of Dublin Steamship Company's mail contract, passed by the Kingstown Urban District Council and St. Patrick's Division Urban District Council; and whether he can state the intentions of the Government?

I have received a copy of the resolution passed by the Kingstown Town Council, but not, I think, any communication from the St. Patrick's Urban Council. I cannot, at present, make any statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the present restrictions on navigation and fishing in the Gareloch are of a permanent nature or whether they will be discontinued on the termination of the War?

Every endeavour is being made by the Admiralty to adapt to local requirements the restrictions which have to be imposed at present. But it is not possible now to give any undertaking as to the continuance or abolition of restrictions on the termination of the War.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is his intention to take the necessary steps to secure uniformity in the separation allowances granted to the dependants of men serving in the Navy with those serving in the Army?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, this matter was referred to a Committee presided over by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Dublin University. Their proposals—which provided for equalisation in the lowest grades if certain conditions were satisfied—were considered and accepted by the War Cabinet, and were announced by me in a reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York, on the 4th June. I will forward to my hon. Friend a copy of extracts from the Admiralty orders on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is in order that the allowance to a wife may be partly stopped on account of her husband's debt; and, if it is not in order, why the allowance to the wife of Sergeant G. Woodly, No. 40628, has been reduced by Regimental Paymaster Hamilton from 30s. 2d. to 22s. on account of her husband's debt of about £6?

Inquiry is being made, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War when the appointments of a number of principal chaplains and assistant principal chaplains are to be made; and whether he can make any statement to the House as to the considerations which will govern the appointment of chaplains to these posts?

I hope the appointment of the principal chaplains will be announced almost immediately. It has been necessary to consult the military authorities in the command as to the assistants. I am not sure that I know what the hon. and gallant Member means by the last part of the question, but the main consideration will be the efficient administration of the chaplaincy services of the Army in the United Kingdom on somewhat the same lines as have been adopted with the Armies abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the duties which at present devolve upon the registrars of military hospitals?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a statement which will give him the information he desires. I am afraid it is too long to read to the House in answer to a question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Evans, vicar of Melburne, Dorset, who, with the permission of the Bishop of Salisbury, enlisted as a private in the 4th Hants Regiment Volunteer Battalion in March, 1917, and in September, 1917, was offered and accepted the chaplaincy of the battalion, and who since that date has, with the permission of the commanding officer, cycled from Bournemouth every week-end to his parish, returning on Monday morning, taking three services, and who has now received a communication from the Bishop of Salisbury requiring him within a month to take up full residence in his parish; and whether the Bishop of Salisbury has the authority to call upon a soldier to leave the Army under threat of being deprived of his benefice?

I am not aware of the full facts of this case, but I assume from the statements in the question that the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Evans resides during the week at Bournemouth, presumably to look after the men of the 4th Battalion Hampshire Volunteer Regiment, and that he only devotes his week-ends to the care of his parishioners at Melburne. That Dr. Evans should be required to take up full residence at Melburne would not, I think, necessarily involve his leaving his Volunteer unit, as there appears to be nothing to prevent his cycling to Bournemouth to perform such duties with the Volunteers as may be necessary from time to time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the gravity of the beer which is being sold in military canteens by or through the Army Canteen Committee: and what price is charged for this beer?

The gravity of the draught beer now sold in military canteens by the Navy and Army Canteen Board is 10.30 (ten-thirty), and the price charged is 4d. per pint.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what steps the War Office propose to take to compel an officer who refuses to contribute out of his pay and allowances anything towards the maintenance of his wife and children; and is it to be understood that the maintenance of the family of an officer who declines to carry out his obligations in this respect is to become chargeable to the Poor Rate?

The War Office has no legal powers of the kind suggested, and I have no reason to think it necessary that it should seek to take such powers. The suggestion in the second part of the question is a hypothetical possibility.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that Charles Westley, aged forty-five, of 120, St. Loys Road, Tottenham, who was placed in Grade 1 by the Conduit Street Medical Board on the 4th June, 1918, has for the last two years been and is now suffering from, and is under treatment for, gastric ulcers, which cause pain and vomiting after food, such attacks lasting for two hours, with the result that he has lost considerable weight and has in consequence been rendered incapable of working; whether any abdominal examination of this man was made; and, if so, whether any trace was found of sub-acute gastric ulcers?

This man was examined, as stated; no evidence of sub-acute gastric ulcers was found in examination, and no certificates were produced by the man at his examination. All medical examinations include examination of the abdomen. If this man applies for re-examination, permission will, under the current instructions, be readily granted, provided he can show reasonable grounds for his request.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the case of G. E. Riley, aged forty-five, who on 1st June was placed in Grade 1 by the medical board at Conduit Street; whether he is aware that this man is suffering from a large tumour on the left shoulder, bleeding haemorrhoids, a strained groin, chronic bronchitis, and has a bad family history of tuberculosis, and has lost 1st. weight in fourteen months; whether he is aware that when the man called the attention of the medical board to the tumour, one of the board replied that when he got into the Army it would soon be cut out, and made the same remark with regard to the haemorrhoids; and whether he will consider the question of having this man re-examined with a view to ascertaining whether he is in fact fit for any kind of military service?

This man was examined as stated, and found to have a tumour of a harmless nature on the left shoulder; he complained of bronchitis, but he was considered by the Board fit for Grade 1. If Mr. Riley can show any reasonable ground for dissatisfaction with this decision he can apply for re-examination.

asked the Minister of National Service if, after the last Proclamation withdrawing certificates of exemption on occupational grounds, the head warehousemen and winding masters in cotton mills are excluded from such Proclamations; if head warehousemen and winding masters in cotton mills are included in the term "foremen" in 066 of the Order of 9th April; is he aware that the Director of National Service at Liverpool decided a few weeks ago that head warehousemen and winding masters in cotton mills were exempt under that term, and that later Major Hennisy, of the above office, ruled that these men were not exempt, as a later Order of the Director of National Service cancelled the previous instruction; and which ruling is correct?

I understand that the hon. Member's question refers to the Withdrawal of Exemptions Order. Warehousemen in cotton mills are not included in the term "foremen" in Code No. 066 of the Order of the 9th April, but if by "head warehouseman" the hon. Member means a man who is in fact a foreman in charge of a number of other warehousemen, such a man would be covered by the term "foreman" in the Order. If the winding masters are the same as those men who are more commonly known as winding overlookers, then they are included under sub-heading (a) of 066. I have been unable to identify the decision referred to in the last part of the question, but if the hon. Member will supply me with fuller particulars I will have further inquiries made and communicate the result to him.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have immediate inquiry made into the case of Alexander Bain, a conscientious objector in Durham Prison, who is suffering through his eyes not receiving attention; will he say why the Home Office has ignored the appeal recently sent by Bain for attention to this matter; and, in view of the seriousness of his eyesight and the possibility that blindness may ensue if prompt attention is not given to the case, will he see that action is taken at once.

In April last prisoner was taken at the public expense to an eye specialist, who reported that there was nothing organically wrong with his eyes and prescribed a change of glasses. These were supplied. It is incorrect to say that the prisoner's eyes have not received proper attention.

asked the Home Secretary whether, during the recent visits to the United States of the Attorney-General and His Grace the Archbishop of York, any instructions were issued by the Press Bureau which could have restricted from publication here news or information or criticism which appeared in the American Press?

No such instructions were issued.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of removing the embargo on the sport of short-distance pigeon-flying which has been absolutely stopped by the present Regulation, as it is the popular pastime of a number of poor men who cannot afford long-distance flying where the Regulations are substantially reduced and long-distance racer pigeons are allowed; and whether he is aware that there would be greater safety in permitting the short-distance flying than the long-distance?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 28th May to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Wigan. I regret that the decision has caused disappointment to a large number of men who are interested in this sport, but I am afraid it is quite impossible to remove or modify during the War the restrictions which are essential in the national interest.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether arrangements have been made for the manufactures of kharsivan, neokharsivan, arsenobillon, novarsenobillon, diarsenal, and galyl for a supply of these salvarsan substitutes to local authorities; and, if so, what are the conditions under which they are supplied and used?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These preparations are manufactured under the conditions contained in licences issued by the Board of Trade, and are tested by the Medical Research Committee before sale. The preparations are supplied by local authorities, free of charge, to registered medical practitioners who possess one or other of the special qualifications set out in the circular letter issued by my Department on the 29th August, 1916. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular. The responsibility for the use of these preparations in any particular case rests with the practitioner in attendance on the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to unify and elaborate a common economic policy for the Allies; whether special consideration will be given to France, Belgium, and Serbia, and other Allied States which have been overrun by the enemy during the course of the War; and whether this economic policy is recognised as one of fundamental importance in the establishment of a League of Free Nations?

It is impossible to deal with this subject by question and answer. As has already been announced, a general statement on the subject will be made shortly by the Government.

asked the Secretary for Scotland who is the responsible expert adviser of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland with regard to afforestation schemes; whether different expert advisers have been consulted with regard to schemes submitted to the Board during 1917 and 1918; and, if so, what are their names and qualifications?

The Board have two responsible expert advisers with regard to afforestation schemes, Dr. Borthwick and Mr. Gordon. The latter joined the staff in January last. Both have been consulted by the Board during 1917 and 1918. Dr. Borthwick graduated in Natural Science at St. Andrew's University with first-class honours in botany and other subjects, and obtained a D.Sc. degree for a thesis on arboricultural matters. He had a thorough Continental training in forestry and is a gold medallist of both the Scottish and English Arboricultural Societies. Mr. Gordon is a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and also in forestry. Each of these gentlemen has a wide and prolonged experience of British and Continental forestry.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have married without permission are treated in all respects as if unmarried; that their marriages are not officially recognised or registered at headquarters; that they are not exempted from a deduction of 1s. per week for barrack accommodation although living out of barracks; that they are not paid the lodging allowance of £5 4s. per annum, the usual separation allowance for absence on duty, nor the transfer expenses of their families; and that the widow or children are not entitled to a pension or gratuity under the constabulary regulations; whether it is still considered necessary to inflict such a penalty for this offence, which could be met by one fine or unfavourable record; whether he is aware that the Inspector-General is not empowered to consider the special circumstances of those under ten-years' service, and that many men are paying this penalty for years; and whether, in view of the cost of living and house rent, the scale of pay in the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the necessity that exists for assisting married men to bring up families, he will inflict a fine in such cases and then grant these men the position of men who marry with permission.

Members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who marry without the previous permission of their authorities are, in addition to any disciplinary punishment which may be imposed by the Inspector-General, subject to the disabilities set forth in the question. Up to 1st October, 1914, these disabilities remained attached to the men concerned during their entire service in the force, but, on the recommendation of a Committee of Inquiry in 1914, it was made a regulation of the force that from the date mentioned, when a man who has married without permission has completed ten years' service, the Inspector-General may, if he sees fit, specially sanction the official recognition of the marriage, thereby removing the disabilities referred to, provided that this course would not be injurious to the interests of the public service. The Inspector-General is of opinion that any relaxation of this regulation would be injurious to the interests of the public service.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that during the past four years many Minutes have been issued modifying, but not withdrawing, previous Minutes; and whether he will bring up to date the Regulations of the Board of Education by printing in extenso the various Minutes in full and proper sequence in order that the present Regulations under which Grants are paid and schools are managed may be clearly set out and rendered intelligible to officials, teachers, and other concerned?

I am aware of the inconvenience arising from the multiplicity of unconsolidated amending Minutes, and will give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestion as soon as circumstances permit. The present position is solely due to the necessity of economy in the use of paper and in the demands upon the Government printers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that under the present system of scholarships hardship is often caused through the parents of a winner of a scholarship having to remove to another district and the scholar, in consequence, having to forego the benefit of the scholarship; and whether he will consider the possibility, either by amendment to the Education Bill or otherwise, of instituting a national system of scholarships so that a scholarship winner may derive the benefit irrespective of the area in which he may be compelled to live?

I am aware that cases of hardship, such as my hon. Friend describes, not infrequently arise. The matter has been under my consideration, but it is very complicated, and at present I have found no way of surmounting the difficulties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the London County Council has had an offer of dealing profitably with the whole of the London sludge now discharged into the estuary of the Thames by turning it into a fertiliser for the land; and, if so, whether he intends to take any action?

I have been asked to answer this and the following question. I am informed that during many years the London County Council has received from time to time suggestions for dealing with the London sewage in a manner different from that hitherto adopted. Recently it has been suggested to the council that the whole of the sludge could be profitably turned into a fertiliser, but, in the opinion of the council's responsible advisers, no scheme that would he at once practicable and economical has yet been evolved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of sludge discharged at Barking and Crossness into the sea?

The total amount of sludge sent from Barking and Crossness and discharged into the sea averages about 2,500,000 tons annually, of which over 90 per cent. is water.