asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the French Government have accepted the same liability for dependants of air-raid victims as of military casualties; if dependants in cases of death in this country are being offered lump sum payments in commutation of their claims by reference to the precedent of the Workmen's Compensation Act; and if he will order no lump sum payments to be made in future in any case where a local committee advises that it will be insufficient to provide such permanent maintenance as may be necessary?

I have no information about the practice of the French Government. The dependants of persons killed in enemy air raids are receiving ex gratia from public funds compensation generally on the principles of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, in-accordance with the pledge which I gave in the House of Commons on 28th June last. I am not prepared to give the instructions suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether compensation is paid under Government aircraft insurance policies in respect of damage caused by maroons used for warnings of air raids?

No, Sir. There is no liability under the policy. I understand, however, that claims for damage of this kind in the Metropolitan Police district are dealt with by the Receiver for that district, whose address is New Scotland Yard.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he and his advisers can see their way to bring in a one-Clause Bill, as an agreed measure, to enable employers to increase their allowances to their old pensioners without causing these pensioners to lose any part of their old age pension by reason of such increased allowance?

I regret that I am unable to accede to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether field allowance to officers and men of the Royal Naval Division was stopped temporarily by orders of the Treasury but resumed on condition that this unit went under canvas; if so, in view of the fact that these officers and men receive pay and separation allowance at Navy rates, will the Treasury authorise the resumption of field allowance which has been granted to this unit since the beginning of the War, and which has constantly been advertised as an inducement to men to join without any condition being attached; and, if this condition cannot be removed, whether field allowance at Navy rates will be again stopped when the men are obliged to cease living under canvas next autumn?

I have been asked to answer this question. Consequent on the transfer of the Royal Naval Division Reserves from Blandford to Aldershot, where most of the units were accommodated in barracks, instead of in hutments as formerly, payment of field allowance to all Royal Naval Division units was suspended from 27th April, the men being accommodated in barracks. On the 5th June the Treasury agreed to the payment being continued for the interim period, on condition that the War Office made the necessary arrangements to place the units either in hutments or under canvas. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot imagine that anyone would wish the men to remain under canvas in wintry weather as a mere condition precedent to the receipt of field allowance. I presume, when the time comes, the men will be transferred to quarters suitable to the time of year; and if, before that, no fresh arrangement is entered into regarding the Division, they ought not, in my opinion, because weather conditions compel them to live under proper cover, to be deprived of the field allowance which they received while in huts at Blandford.

asked the Joint Patronage Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the War Aims Committee, how many lectures and addresses have now been delivered by their speakers on the subject of the war aims of our enemies as against ourselves; and who has been appointed specially to organise this part of their work?

The approximate number of lectures and addresses delivered and arranged by the speakers of the National War Aims Committee is 9,800. At all meetings and lectures the war aims of our enemies as well as the war aims of the Allies are dealt with. The arrangements for holding meetings and lectures are carried out by the Meetings Department of the War Aims Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the basis on which national food kitchens are to be run by local food committees; is all or any of the capital cost of establishing such kitchens found by his Department; and will he state that if there is any loss on the maintenance account whether his Department make good such losses or whether they will have to be a charge on the local rates of the district where the kitchens are established?

Local authorities are empowered to establish and maintain national food kitchens within their areas, and they may delegate their powers to local food committees. The Treasury has sanctioned the grant of a loan, free of interest, for the full amount of the approved capital outlay upon the establishment of any kitchen, such loan to be repaid by the local authority in ten yearly instalments. Any loss on the maintenance account would be a charge on the local rates of the district where the kitchen is established, but given careful management there is no reason why these kitchens should not be self-supporting, as in most cases they already are.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a communication from the Nottingham local food control committee pointing out the need of granting supplementary rations to women doing heavy work, particularly those whose occupations involve constant exposure to weather; and whether he will issue instructions that supplementary rations be issued to such workers?

The communication referred to has been received. Women, such as those employed in agricultural labour, who are doing heavy work under exposure to weather, are already entitled to supplementary rations. It is not, however, clear that the class indicated by the Nottingham Food Control Committee require more than the comparatively generous allowance which the present ration provides.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that several applications have been made to the Wandsworth Borough Council by working men for permission to establish co-operative piggeries on land cultivated in allotments under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 1917 (No. 2), and that the Board of Agriculture have informed the borough council that they have no power to sanction pig-keeping on such land; whether he is aware that land of this character is considered by experts to be most suitable for the purpose of pig-keeping owing to the abundance of vegetable food available for the animals, and that the impasse is causing dissatisfaction among working men in that locality; and whether, seeing that the Department is urging the keeping of pigs wherever possible so as to increase the production of food, he will at once take steps to extend the Cultivation of Lands Order in order to facilitate the operations of local co-operative societies as suggested by the Wandsworth Borough Council; and (2) whether he is aware that difficulties have been felt in the case of a scheme to establish co-operative piggeries on a site on Putney Lower Common by a body of working men at Putney, who have raised a capital of nearly £500 for the purpose, the conservators of the common raising no objection to the proposal and the site being one which the Wandsworth Borough Council consider to be eminently suitable, as it is far removed from any dwelling-house and on a part of the common little used by the public; and what action he proposes to take?

I have asked for a full report on the schemes referred to, and am fully alive to the anxiety of allotment holders and others in the borough of Wandsworth to keep pigs. The Board at present have no power under the Defence of the Realm Regulations to empower local authorities to acquire land for the establishment of piggeries. The use of common land for this purpose is a problem which presents many difficulties. Meanwhile the question of acquiring the necessary powers is receiving the careful consideration of the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has now set up an Advisory Committee to hear representations of the persons in Ireland interned during May; whether he invited any hon. Member of the Irish Nationalist party to become a member; if so, how many such persons declined to serve; who is the chairman of this Advisory Committee; whether its sittings will be public; whether it will sit in Ireland or in England; and whether its sittings will begin shortly or whether there will be still further and indefinite delays before the conditions imposed on the Chief Secretary by Regulation 14B are complied with?

No Advisory Committee has been set up as no interned person had given notice of appeal within the time allowed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received from P. F. Burke, an interned Irishman, a representation, dated 22nd May, from Arbour Hill, Dublin, and another, dated 23rd May, from Hull, urging that since his release from former internment he had been studying medicine and was hoping to pass a medical examination on 12th June; whether he is aware that recently P. F. Burke has taken no part in Sinn Fein movements, devoting himself to medical study, and is not a member of any Sinn Fein club or Volunteer corps; whether any reply has been given to, or any notice taken of, P. F. Burke's representations; and whether he will be allowed to continue his medical studies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and that to the second part in the negative. The representations submitted by this man have been considered, and he will be allowed medical books while in prison.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish interned persons now in British prisons are only allowed to receive three letters weekly; whether the governors of prisons or the Press censors use any discretion as to which letters should be given them if more than three are in any one week sent by post or otherwise, or whether the first that come to hand are given to the prisoners and the others ignored; whether he is aware that these prisoners in some cases complain that they get letters less welcome and important than the family letters from friends, which are never given them; whether the prisoners are now allowed to write letters, if so, how many; whether they are allowed books, daily newspapers, and the society of fellow prisoners, or whether they are kept in solitude and silence; whether they are allowed daily any open-air exercise; and whether he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the rules and regulations under which these internments are controlled?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. These prisoners are entitled to write and receive three letters a week, and are allowed books and newspapers. Additional letters may be allowed for business purposes or other special reasons. If more letters are received for an interned prisoner than he is entitled to, fie is informed of the fact and the names of the writers, so that he may choose which shall be given to him. Open-air exercise and association with their fellow prisoners are allowed. I will consult my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, on his return, as to the publication of the rules.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a resolution was recently passed by the Limerick Board of Guardians declaring that it was the duty of every man, if conscripted, to fight not for but against England, to hinder and impede the British Army, and in particular to destroy munitions, stores, and other supplies, and appealing to all Irishmen to withdraw from the British Army; and is it his intention, as President of the Irish Local Government Board, to dissolve the sitting board of guardians and order the election of a fresh board, or what action does he propose to take?

A resolution was passed as stated in the question. Some of the guardians were prosecuted for unlawful assembly, but the case was dismissed by the magistrates as there was not sufficient evidence that any of the defendants were present at the meeting at which the resolution was passed. I cannot at present make any further statement as to this case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether questions as to the removal or internment of aliens in important coastal areas in Ireland are dealt with in consultation with the local navy and military authorities direct or with the higher authorities of both forces; and whether he will give the approximate date of the most recent consultation and decision to leave enemy aliens at large on the county Antrim coast?

Consultations take place sometimes locally and sometimes through Headquarters. I am not aware of any such decision as that referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the strictness of the Press censorship, which precludes Members from keeping themselves informed of current events in Ireland, he can himself give the House any information as to an improved state of the country resulting from the recent determination of the Government to revert to a policy of enforcing statute law?

I was not aware that the censorship precluded hon. Members from keeping themselves informed of current events in Ireland. The rules of the censorship are based on the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and are common to the United Kingdom. The matter referred to in the last part of the question is not one which can be discussed in reply to a question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a petition from the prison officers in Ireland for a further bonus of 6s. per week to meet the increased cost of living; and whether, in view of the loyal service of these employés and the comparatively high wages now current in industry, he will give the petition his favourable consideration?

Petitions, have been received, and are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that men of the Royal Marine Engineers are engaged upon the construction of a railway in Hampshire; that men who have applied at the Gosport Employment Exchange to be put on the work have been informed that no more civilian labour is to be engaged; and whether he can give an assurance that the men in the Royal Marine Engineers are not being employed on work on which civilian labour ought to be employed, and for which civilian labour is available?

About ninety Royal Marine engineer pioneers are at present assisting civilian labour in constructing a railway in Hampshire, owing to the deficiency in supply of the latter. I am not aware that labourers, applying at the Gosport Employment Exchange, are informed that no more civilian labour is required on Admiralty works. On the contrary, priority demands for labourers still stand at all Employment Exchanges, but the number of men so obtained up to the present is little more than sufficient to replace ordinary wastage. In the circumstances, I can assure my hon. Friend that Royal Marine engineers have not been, and are not now employed on work, for which civilian labour is available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether due attention is being given to the case of Private E. Atkinson, No. 271305, 27th Company Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), reported by a medical board to be permanently unfit for military transport and recommended for work of national importance, in respect of whom application has been made through the Ayrshire District Agricultural Committee for his release or transfer to one of the agricultural companies at Ayr, and which application was referred by the Ministry of National Service to the War Office early in May last; whether the War Office have been informed that the application is made with a view to enable a business of potato merchants and potato-seed growers to be carried on in spite of the present shortage of labour, this man having been before enlistment co-owner with his father of this business and co-tenant of farms belonging thereto, and having acted as manager of a material part of the business; and whether, under the circumstances, the War Office will expedite a decision and enable the father to provide for the continuity of this business of national importance?

Instructions were issued by the War Office on the 5th June for Private Atkinson to be made available for agricultural work. He will be posted to an agricultural company at Ayr, if this has not already been done, and should be available for the work mentioned.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the complaints of men with small businesses that they are being granted altogether insufficient time to wind up these businesses or to arrange their affairs; that frequently when fair treatment has been meted out by local tribunals their decision is overruled by the Appeal Tribunal at the instigation of the National Service representative; that this state of things is in various districts arousing much feeling; and whether he proposes taking action in the matter?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the Regulations issued by the Local Government Board governing the applications to the tribunals for exemption from military service permit of an appeal being lodged against the decision of the local tribunal by either the applicant for exemption or the National Service representative. Where the Appeal Tribunal, after hearing the necessary evidence, are satisfied that the decision of the local tribunal should be varied, it is open to the Appeal Tribunal to grant such period of exemption as, in the opinion of the tribunal, will meet the case, and in these circumstances I do not consider that action is called for.

asked the Minister of National Serivce whether he will investigate the case of F. M. Thompson, Grange-over-Sands, whose appeal has been dismissed by the Ulverston Tribunal; whether he is aware that this man, placed in a category lower than that of general service and forty-two years of age, is a widower having in his charge nine children, the eldest sixteen and the youngest one year, and has no one in whose charge these children can be left; whether he is aware that this applicant has faithfully carried out the conditions imposed upon him by the local tribunal that he should put in two days a week on agriculture; and whether, in all the circumstances, he will take steps to have this decision modified?

Inquiries are being made, but I would remind the hon. Member that it is for the tribunal to decide whether exemption should be granted in any individual case.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that a man who is blind in one eye, partially paralysed, and suffering from hæmorrhage of the lungs, was, on the 5th June, placed in Grade 1 by the medical board sitting at Conduit Street, W.; whether such a decision is in accordance with the instructions issued to medical boards by the Department; and whether it is proposed that a man suffering from these disabilities should be taken into the Army either in Grade 1 or in any capacity?

If my hon. and learned Friend will supply me with further particulars I will have inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of dentists employed by the Canadian Expeditionary Force in their professional capacity?

I understand that there are 201 dentists employed with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, despite an explicit pledge to the contrary, dentists are still being taken for ordinary combatant service and the nation and the Army thus deprived of a kind of medical assistance of which they stand in the greatest need?

I am not aware of any pledge of the nature suggested, but, on the contrary, I stated in reply to a question on the 4th March last that the dental needs of the Army were not such that all qualified dentists serving in the Army can be used for their professional work. I am afraid it is not possible to give an undertaking that no qualified dentists will be posted to combatant units in the first instance, but should any of these be subsequently required for dental service in the Army, they will be reposted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many of the 640 dentists holding commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps are serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France?

At the present time ninety-six dentists are so employed, but the dental service in France is being reorganised and the numbers of dentists considerably increased.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War (1) whether the German Government has threatened punitive measures on all British airmen falling into their hands who are discovered to be in possession of printed matter for propaganda purposes; if so, whether the threats will have any influence on our activities in this direction; and what retaliatory steps the War Office proposes to take in the event of any punishment being inflicted upon our airmen by the German military authorities; and (2) whether German Gothas have recently been brought down near Paris carrying leaflets and other printed matter; and what steps are being taken to distribute propaganda and leaflets in enemy countries through the medium of the Air Service?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 13th instant, to which I can add nothing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the "Manual of Military Law," published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, is now out of print; and whether it is intended to publish a new edition without delay?

The "Manual of Military Law" is not out of print, but I understand that the stock of sale copies is temporarily exhausted. More copies are being printed, and will shortly be available. Meanwhile, should any officer or cadet require a copy of the Manual, one will be supplied on application being made to the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the increased regimental pay of 1d. per day for each year of service, to which Royal Engineers' signallers are entitled, is being refused to the men who served in Gallipoli with the Royal Naval Division, and that the sums already paid are being deducted; whether he is aware that these men were in receipt of military rates of pay whilst serving with the Royal Naval Division; and whether he will see that these men do not suffer a loss of pay because part of their service was performed with the Royal Naval Division?

I have been in communication with the Admiralty on the subject, and hope to be in a position to arrive at a decision shortly.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the pension of 7s. 6d. per week granted to Mrs. Smith, of 102, Craddock Street, Spennymoor, county Durham, can be increased so as to more adequately compensate for the loss of a son killed in action who, in peace-time, was contributing from £4 to £5 per week to the family budget?

The particulars given do not enable me to identify the case in the records of my Department. If the hon. and gallant Member will state the name, rank, regiment, and regimental number of the son who was killed in action, I will make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many motor omnibuses receive any financial help or Grant from his Department for services they provide in the South-Eastern district of London; what routes do these omnibuses serve and are they in competition with any municipal tramway services; and can he state on what basis the Grant or payment is made, if it is an annual sum or is based on the mileage run?

Financial Grants are made in respect of about 200 omnibuses in the South-Eastern district of London. These omnibuses serve seventeen routes, particulars of which I will give the hon. Member should he desire it. On several of the routes trams are also running. The amount of the present Grant is based on the difference between the average earnings per mile of the omnibuses in the South-Eastern area as compared with the earnings of the omnibuses in the remainder of the Metropolis, subject to certain conditions. Negotiations are proceeding with the omnibus company concerning future Grants.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has now considered the case of Ivor Pugh, who was seriously injured by an explosion in a South Wales munitions factory some twelve months since; and whether, in view of this man's gallantry and the saving of life and property due to his action, some special financial consideration may be accorded to him?

The gallantry of Mr. Pugh has already been acknowledged in this House, and I understand that the Treasury are authorising a settlement of this claim on terms which will be communicated to the applicant or his solicitors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the Coal Order recently issued, he has power to remove coal from private cellars on information being received that an excess of coal is in stock; if so, what steps he has taken to inquire into the amount of coal stored by Baron Schroeder, of Englefield Green; what amount of coal this German is allowed to keep under the Order; and what amount of coal he actually has in stock?

In reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman I have to say that a new Coal Order has not yet been issued, but I hope it will be issued this week, and it will permit of coal being removed from a private cellar when there is an excess of coal in stock. The supplies of coal to Baron Schroeder were cut off on 7th May, except for a consignment of anthracite which was en route at the time. When the Order is issued it will comprise the whole of England, Scotland, and Wales, and as anthracite and coke will be included in the regulations, no excessive consumption by any class of the community will be permitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the export of newsprint has been prohibited from the United Kingdom; and, if not, how much has gone out each month since the 1st January last?

The exportation of newsprint is not prohibited. Newsprint is not distinguished from other descriptions of paper for printing in the official trade accounts. The total exports of paper for printing of all kinds amounted to about 1,150 tons in January, 1,400 tons in February, 1180 tons in March, 980 tons in April, and 950 tons in May.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to statements made by representatives of Government Departments, including Mr. Benn and Mr. Hope, at conferences of employers and workmen in various industries, including the starch and blue industry and the rope and hemp industry, to the effect that Protection was no longer a party question but a business question, and that the Whitley Industrial Committees might set to work on the matter and could probably settle it in a satisfactory way without the intervention of Parliament; and whether it is the intention of his Department that matters of political controversy should be referred to these industrial councils?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. Complaints have reached me that statements of the kind referred to have been made at joint conferences of employers and workmen. I understand that Mr. Benn has never given expression to the views indicated in the question, but I believe that Mr. Hope has from time to time expressed opinions on Protection at these conferences, though I cannot say whether he has done so in the precise terms referred to in the question. Apart from any work which they may be asked to undertake on behalf of Government Departments, it will, of course, be competent for joint industrial councils to discuss any matters which they believe are of importance to the industry, but I should, of course, deprecate most strongly any attempt on the part of representatives of my Department to use these councils for the purpose of fiscal propaganda whether on behalf of Protection or Free Trade.

asked the Assistant-Director of the War Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience and unnecessary loss caused to traders through the refusal of the War Trade Department to extending the period for export licences which have been previously granted for goods to be shipped to Italy, and which have expired owing to the Government having commandeered the shipping space which had been arranged for the carriage of the licensed goods; whether he is aware that in many cases where goods for which an export licence has been granted have had space allotted to them by the Italian Commission the War Trade Department have refused to extend the licence so as to enable the shipment of the goods to be effected, and have taken no notice of appeals both by telegram and letters from traders, who are thus left with goods on their hands which have been specially manufactured and packed for the Italian market, and for which there is no demand in this country; and what action he proposes to take to remedy these matters?

The War Trade Department is always anxious to facilitate the export of commodities to our Allies when home supplies render it possible. It occasionally happens, however, that, owing to the changing conditions of the War, sudden demands upon home stocks arise, and it then becomes neces- sary to prevent supplies from being further depleted. The inconvenience and loss that is thus sometimes caused to private traders is greatly regretted, and it is only the paramount necessity of national requirements that obliges the Department to refuse the extension of licences that had formerly been permissible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any decision has yet been arrived at rgarding the levy of fees on Consular invoice certificates, certificates of origin, legalisation of bills of lading, and suchlike documents by British Consuls abroad as is done by foreign Consuls in Great Britain, with a view to the provision of funds towards the improvement of the British Consular Service, as well as for putting foreign merchants abroad on the same footing in this respect as British merchants in this country?

No decision has yet been reached, and the point is being considered together with a number of others that are involved in the development of the Consular Service. As the hon. Member is aware, any decisions that may be reached on these points can only have full effect after the conclusion of peace.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, in the negotiations regarding the internment of British and Turkish prisoners of war in a neutral country, the possibility of using Java as a suitable and convenient neutral country was duly considered, considering how easily Turkish prisoners in Burmah could be transported there?

The possibility of the internment in Java of Turkish prisoners from Burmah was duly considered, but no action was taken in regard to it, in view of the fact that Java is some 2,000 miles from the place where the prisoners are interned, and that their transfer thither in present circumstances would therefore present serious inconveniences. I may add that it seems very doubtful whether the Turkish Government would have been ready to accept the internment of their prisoners in a territory which, although neutral, is more distant from Turkey than Burmah, and in which they would be exposed to a trying climate. In any case we could not contemplate Turkish prisoners being sent to Java unless British prisoners were also sent to a neutral country under proper conditions of climate and otherwise, and, unfortunately, it did not seem practicable to make such an arrangement. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, an agreement has now been made for the direct exchange of certain classes of British and Turkish prisoners, and it is probable that any extension of this agreement will proceed on the same basis and not on that of transfer to a neutral country.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the differentiation obtaining in the case of the claims of relatives of pauper patients alleged to be of unsound mind as contrasted with the rights of the relatives of the well-to-do; and whether, in view of the existing overcrowded condition of infirmaries and pauper asylums, he will take immediate steps to have posted up near the entrance to the observation wards of Poor Law infirmaries under his control the provisions of Section 22 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, whereby the rights of the relatives of pauper patients are recognised, provisions which have been hitherto disregarded?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and I do not think there would be any advantage in adopting the suggestion contained in the latter part. There is no reason to suppose that the justices would make an order for detention if the alleged lunatic could be properly taken care of by his relatives, or that the guardians would desire to undertake the cost of maintaining in their institution a person who could be safely discharged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total cotton crop by weight produced in each of the British Colonies during 1917?

The exports of cotton from Colonies not possessing responsible Government and Protectorates during 1917 were as follow. Figures of production are only available in the cases marked with an asterisk, and in those cases are the same as the export figures. Statistics in the cases of Nigeria are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for India what was the total cotton crop by weight produced in India during 1917?

The Indian Estimates of the cotton crop relate to the financial and not to the calendar year. The production in 1916–17 was 4,502,000 bales of 400 lb. The provisional Estimate for 1917–18 is 4,036,000 bales.