asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any representations from Post Office pensioners with regard to the amount of pensions paid to Civil servants who retired before the War; whether any increase has been made to these pensions owing to the increased cost of living; and, if not, whether he will introduce the necessary legislation in order that the pensions of Civil servants who have faithfully served the State shall be adequately increased?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. As regards the third part, I have nothing to add to my previous answers on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what are the yearly percentages of the causes of disqualification of applicants for old age pensions for the years 1914 to 1917 under the following headings: Age, means, poor relief, and other causes?

The following are the percentages of the combined number of claims rejected and pensions revoked under the several headings, for the four financial years from the 1st April, 1914:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the specially urgent demands made upon the doctors remaining in civil life, arrangements can be made to allow them the same-scale of rations as is granted to medical men in the Army?

Civilian doctors in general practice receive the supplementary ration for heavy workers, in addition to the adult meat ration. In view of the quantities procurable under these combined rations no further increase is considered necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether practically the whole of the whortleberry crop during the last two years has been diverted from food purposes and used in the dyeing industry owing to the higher prices for the fruit paid by the dye manufacturers; and whether, seeing that there is now an adequate supply of synthetic dyes, and that it is no longer necessary to use natural products for dyeing, and in view of the shortage of cultivated fruits, he will consider the desirability of the utmost effort being made to utilise the whole of this year's whortleberry crop for food, and to this end that an Order prohibiting their use for dyeing purposes be issued?

I am aware that whortleberries are used in the dyeing industry, and am inquiring into the extent to which they are used for this purpose. I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion when these inquiries have been completed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the United Irish League, of St. Patrick's Division, Dublin, has recently passed a resolution protesting against the further delay in renewing the mails contract with the City of Dublin Steamship Company; and, seeing that dissatisfaction exists, whether he can make a statement on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member's question on the 17th June. The matter is still being considered by the Postmaster-General.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Albert Morrow, No. 34670, 71st Training Reserve, has been sent to France; is he aware that this boy is only just over eighteen years of age, and that a promise was given to the mother of the soldier, by his colonel, that he would not be sent overseas until he was nineteen years of age; is he aware that the father of this boy has been in France for over two years; and whether he will consider the question of bringing this soldier back again until he is nineteen years of age?

Instructions have been given for Private Morrow to be withdrawn from the firing line pending the result of inquiries which are being made. I will write to my hon. Friend later.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if a man belonging to the Royal Flying Corps who does not desire to be transferred to the. Royal Air Force claims his discharge under the Air Force (Constitution) Act, 1917, what period elapses between the dates of discharge and rejoining the Army; if a Grade 3 man over thirty-five years of age is required to rejoin the Army; and if he is given a fresh medical examination?

I am afraid my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. In such a case as that mentioned there is no question of discharge, but only an annulment of the transfer, and the man would then automatically become a soldier again. There is no interval between the annulment of the transfer and the rejoining a military unit, and the second and third parts of my hon. Friend's question do not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will state the contribution fixed for each of the counties of Scotland to the total quota of 5,500 men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-one, inclusive, agreed to be provided for Scotland; and what is the number of men posted to the Army from each county and the number still remaining to be posted?

The contributions to the total quota of 5,500 agriculturalists between the ages of eighteen and thirty-one was fixed locally by agreement between the Scottish Board of Agriculture and the Director of National Service in Scotland. I am making inquiries, and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of National Service what was the total number of men examined and the number of men passed Grade 1 by the National Service medical boards at Bristol for the weeks ending the 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th May and the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd June last, respectively; and what number of such men were between forty-three and fifty-one years of age?

It would be contrary to the public interest at the present time to give the figures asked for by my hon. Friend, but I may say that, excluding re-examinations, the percentage of the total number of men of the old military age examined at Bristol during May and the first fortnight of June who were passed Grade 1 was 71 per cent., while the percentage of the total number of men over forty-three examined who were passed Grade 1 was 18.6 per cent.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now obtained a copy of the leaflet which fell from Mr. Walke's pocket when leaving the hostel at Princetown; if so, whether he compared the print entitled "The Brethren of the Common Table" with the leaflet in question, and will he say in what way the two compare with each other; and whether any further steps have been taken to prevent further propaganda at the Princetown centre by Mr. Walke.

My hon. Friend has sent me what is described as a copy of the document which fell from Mr. Walke's pocket, and Mr. Walke has sent me a printed draft of the leaflet which he proposed to publish. The two versions do not differ substantially. The Committee have considered both these papers, and have informed Mr. Walke that he cannot again be permitted to visit the centre.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will favourably consider the case of Private Chalder, who enlisted on 28th October, 1914, went to Salonika 24th August, 1916, served there till March, 1918, when he went to France, and who-has never had any leave?

As I stated on Monday last in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member of Mile End, owing to the restricted facilities for transportation leave to troops serving at Salonika and other theatres of war in the East is-necessarily limited. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that everything possible, consistent with the military situation, is being done to increase the numbers to whom leave is granted, and I know that the General Officer Commanding in Chief gives preference to those who have been longest without leave. I am afraid I cannot take any special action in the case of Private Chalder.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the grievances of Army interpreters (Interpreter Corps) acting in prisoners of war camps; whether he is aware that these officers, although commissioned as lieutenants, have to carry out duties such as would be performed by military officers, and yet cannot get higher rank than that of lieutenant; if he is aware that such officers (Interpreter Corps) receive no ration or field allowances; and, having regard to these disabilities, will the War Office investigate the matter, with a view to remedying the disabilities stated?

These officers receive special rates of pay, and it is not considered that they have any legitimate ground of complaint.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) why the auctioneers in Ireland have been stopped selling meadows on foot by auction and told they must sell standing meadows by weight, which is practically impossible; (2) whether he is aware that it is the custom all over Ireland for small farmers and others not owning or occupying good meadow land to buy standing meadows from those who are not able to save all they have; and, seeing that the present Order of the Area Administrative Office of Ireland stopping such sales, which are now just beginning, will have the effect of causing much loss of good and much needed fodder, will he say what action he proposes to take?

It is necessary for all sales to be based on an estimated weight in order that the price paid by the purchaser when added to the cost of harvesting may not exceed the maximum laid down by the Army Council for best quality hay. No action has been taken by the Area Administrative Officer to discourage harvesting of the maximum quantity of hay in Ireland, nor is it considered there will be any loss such as the question anticipates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if it is proposed to spend a large sum of money in converting the old Cavalry barracks at Ballincollig into an ordnance store; if he will state its distance from a railway; and whether a more suitable site could be obtained near a railway or seaport?

In order to place certain other buildings, which are urgently required, at the disposal of the Admiralty it has been decided to use Ballincollig Barracks as an Army ordnance store. A sum of about £12,000 is being expended for alterations and additions to the barracks and on railway facilities. The barracks are situated at a distance less than half a mile from the railway. All possible sites were considered, and it was decided to utilise Ballincollig Barracks for the purpose as being the most economical and convenient scheme.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted on officers who are temporarily demobilished without pay on the ground of ill-health; and whether he can see his way to grant some pay during such temporary demobilisation?

The question, as I understand it, refers to officers whose sickness is not due to military service and who have exhausted the regulated period of sick leave with pay. That question is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that officers holding Staff appointments, which are temporary rather; than acting, on being wounded receive ninety-one days' pay at the rate appropriate to the Staff appointment, the Regulation under which a regimental officer holding acting rank on being wounded drops the pays of the acting rank to receive that of his substantive rank can be modified in the direction of removing this distinction of treatment as between wounded officers serving in Staff appointments and with their regiments?

The treatment of Staff officers in this connection has no bearing on the Regulations relating to the acting rank of regimental officers. The regimental officer holding temporary rank does not drop his pay.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether orders have recently been given for a particular make of machine denounced as dangerous many months ago, which is in any case obsolescent and which could be replaced by another well-known machine with advantages to the force and to the satisfaction of the pilot; and, if so, why this has been done?

The value and reliability of the type of machine to which my hon. Friend presumably refers has been demonstrated in the field, and it is necessary to maintain its supply until newer types can be produced in sufficient quantities.

asked the Undersecretary of (State to the Air Ministry what proportion the fatal casualties in flying in his country bore to those at the front for the year 1917 and for the first five months of this year?

The proportionate figures asked for in this question would be entirely misleading in the absence of a, comparative statement as to the number of pilots under instruction, standards of training, and number of hours flown. Considerations of public interest do not allow this information to be made public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many aeroplanes are now in stock waiting for engines; and when there is any hope of engines being provided in a sufficient quantity to utilise these machines?

A considerable quantity of aeroplanes are at present in store, but it is not in the public interest to state the actual number. It is anticipated that all machines at present surplus to requirements will be fitted with engines before long.

asked the Tender-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what percentage of the output of British engines promised to the House of Commons by the Prime Minister in the Secret Session of July, 1917, on the authority of Sir William Weir has been fulfilled?

I have been asked to reply to this question. No record is available of statements made at the Secret Session, but all estimates made by the Aircraft Production Department of the Ministry have been substantially justified by the results. The deliveries of aeroplanes for the three months, of March, April and May, 1918, were 116 per cent. in excess of the deliveries during June, July and August, 1917, whilst the excess in the deliveries of engines was 105 per cent. The increase in the fighting value of the aeroplanes is very much higher than these figures would indicate, as the engines delivered during the three months just completed are of a much higher and more powerful type than those delivered during the three months of last year.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that timber is being sent out of the Cumberland and Furness mining districts into other areas; and whether he will take steps to see that this is prevented in such cases, and that such proceedings shall be confined for the future to the statutory areas prescribed for each district?

A certain quantity of mining timber is being sent out of the Cumberland pitwood area, partly in completion of old contracts, and partly by mutual arrangements between the Pitwood Asociations. The timber in the Cumberland area suitable for use in mines in that area is sufficient for a number of years. An Order is now in preparation under which no pitwood will be allowed to pass from one area to another except under special permit from the Timber Controller.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any further information of the state of affairs in the Kaira district; and whether he proposes to call for a complete Report and keep himself in close touch with events as they transpire?

The latest information I have is given in a Press note issued by the Bombay Government at the end of April, containing a detailed narrative of the proceedings up to date. I shall be happy to send my hon. Friend a copy of it. The matter is one which was left to the local government, in whose competence it obviously was, and I gather that it is now practically closed. If there is any particular point on which my hon. Friend desires information I will be glad if he will let me know; but it is hardly a subject which can usefully be discussed or judged here.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to officers and men in the mercantile marine by the closing of the mercantile marine office in Clydebank; and if he can see his way to have it reopened?

The attention of the Board of Trade has just been called to this matter, and I will inform the hon. Member in due course of the result of the inquiries which are now being made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has finally decided that information under Form K is to be exclusively distributed to two selected organisations in the United Kingdom or whether, in view of the fact that such information should receive, under such conditions as may appear necessary, the widest possible circulation, he will arrange for organisations who can prove or have proved their representative character to be recognised for the purpose?

The organisations which have been selected as channels for the dissemination of Form K Commercial Information Reports are, in my opinion, sufficiently representative of the export trade of the country, and their membership sufficiently extensive, to ensure the widest circulation, consistent with the desire to avoid duplication.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many individuals of German or Austrian nationality are at present employed as British Consular servants?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Kent on the 24th instant. It will be seen that there are no Consular officers at the present time of German or Austrian nationality.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the moneys granted to M. Nabokoff, for the upkeep and salaries of the Russian Embassy house and staff in London, are regarded by His Majesty's Government as a gift from this country or as an advance to be repaid?

The moneys advanced to M. Nabokoff are regarded in the light of a temporary advance to be reclaimed later from the Russian Government. I understand that M. Nabokoff was only willing to accept the Grants referred to on this condition.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Japanese syndicate have obtained possession or control of an important iron mining concession in the Yangtse River area; whether this area is one more particularly reserved for British enterprises; and, if so, whether the British Ambassador or Foreign Office were consulted before the concession was asked for or granted?

His Majesty's Government are aware that negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition by a Japanese syndicate of the Feng Huang Shan iron mines near Nanking, but they have no official information that the negotiations have been concluded. The mines are situated in the Yangtse River area, which His Majesty's Government have always regarded as their special sphere of interest in China, in the sense that British subjects possess a prior claim to the favourable consideration by the Chinese authorities of applications which they may make for industrial concessions in that region; but they are of opinion that neither British nor any other foreign claims to spheres of interest in China should be pressed so far as to be inconsistent with the principle of the "open door." The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the duty of keeping in repair the fence between the Regent's Canal and the Regent's Park rests with the canal company or the Office of Works; and whether he will take the necessary steps to maintain the fence in proper repair or to have it so maintained in order that its dangerous condition may not necessitate the exclusion of the public from a large portion of the park to which they have for many years enjoyed access?

The Regent's Canal Company is responsible for keeping the fence in repair, but their difficulty is that people break the fences and take them away for firewood. It is proposed to erect unclimbable iron fences, but, owing to difficulties in regard to labour and materials, this cannot be undertaken until after the War, and, for the safety of the children it is, therefore, necessary to keep these portions of Regent's Park closed for the present.