asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps have been already taken to increase the available supply of freshwater fish and eels; and whether a further Report of the Committee on Freshwater Fish is shortly expected?

The Freshwater Fish Committee has issued two Reports, the first in August, 1917, the second, on Eel Fisheries, in December last. The first Report contains certain suggestions for facilitating the capture of freshwater fish, such as the curtailment of close seasons and the removal of certain restrictions, all of which have been put into effect. In addition, boards of conservators and other bodies have been urged, usually with success, themselves to undertake or to facilitate increased captures of coarse fish. Practical steps are being taken to give effect to recommendations of the Committee for the development of the stock of eels and the capture of a greater proportion of the available stock. The German-owned station at Epney on the River Severn for the capture of elvers was taken over and worked, and about 1,100,000 elvers were distributed from that source to suitable waters elsewhere. Active preparation is being made for the capture of migrating eels during the autumn run, in suitable waters, both inland and on the coast. Practical advice and assistance have been given to numerous persons desirous of making arrangements for the capture of eels in private waters. A leaflet on the capture of eels has been published, 2,000 copies of this leaflet have already been disposed of, and the demand still continues. Measures are now under discussion for the control and development of waste waters in various localities which are suitable for eel culture. A further Report will be issued by the Committee in due course, but it is not yet possible to suggest an approximate date for its publication.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the total acreage of land in Lancashire scheduled under the Wart Disease (Potato) Orders as infected prior to June, 1915; and, further, what additional acreage was scheduled in Lancashire in the years June, 1915, to June, 1916, June, 1916, to June, 1917, and June, 1917, to June, 1918?

The figures relating to the actual acreage of lands scheduled under the Wart Disease of Potatoes Orders in Lancashire cannot be readily stated. The spread of the disease is indicated by the fact that the number of individual premises scheduled has increased from 896 on the 1st June, 1915, to 2,235 on the 1st June, 1918, while during, the same period the number of infected areas declared under the Wart Disease of Potatoes (Infected Areas) Order of 1914 has increased from twenty-two to fifty-five.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why his Department fixed so high a retail price for new potatoes in Scotland as 2½d. per lb. during the first half of July, equal to £23 6s. 8d. per ton, in view of the fact that £6 to £6 10s. per ton. is considered a satisfactory price for late potatoes, which cost quite as much to grow and do not permit of a second crop on the land; and will he say whether his Department consulted only early potato growers in fixing these prices?

I cannot usefully add anything to the answer given last Thursday to a similar question on this subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the most marked preference is given in Scotland to the grower of new potatoes over the grower of others?

It is not that a preference is given to the grower of new potatoes as compared with the grower of other potatoes, but that quite different circumstances apply to the new potatoes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the present shortage of beer is in any way due to the refusal of brewers to brew the whole of the quantity permitted under the restrictions laid down by his Department, one of which is that the average gravity or strength of the beer shall not exceed 1,030 degrees in Great Britain and 1,045 degrees in Ireland; if so, whether he will take steps to ensure the full quantity being brewed in future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Practically the whole of the permitted output is being produced, and the only known exception is due to shortage of labour. I may add that this denial equally applies to the suggestion that the charge for brewing for munition workers has affected the supply of beer in munition areas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is his intention to appoint a small Committee to inquire into the financial questions raised by the recommendations of the Astor Committee in connection with the milk supply; and, if so, whether the Treasury and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries will be represented on the Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have invited each of the Departments mentioned to nominate a member to serve on the Committee, and I have made a similar request to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Reconstruction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether, in view of the fact that in the instructions issued (L.G. 5) for the guidance of licensees under the new Tea Distribution Order it is stated that buying indents are only to be accepted from retailers whom the licensee was supplying during the datum period, and that the tea available for any licensee in the period from the 14th July to the 28th December, 1918, will not exceed the quantity entered by the licensee on his return to the Tea Control Committee, in order that the distribution of tea shall be kept during the War in the existing channels, he will say whether the ballot that has now taken place has been carried out on these lines; if these arrangements are being set aside, in accordance with what principles will the distribution of tea take place in the future, and how the firms will be selected to whom any monopoly which may be created will be entrusted; (2) whether the supplementary instructions issued on the 25th June to licensees under the new Tea Distribution Order stating that each licensee will receive all the tea necessary to meet the requirements set out on indents which he has obtained irrespective of the quantity of tea he may have distributed during the datum period will be adhered to; whether his attention has been drawn to the method by which large indents for requirements have been obtained in many instances; whether the effect of carrying out this amended plan will be to establish a different principle in the distribution of tea from that which has been set up with regard to any other great commodity and to give advantages amounting to a substantial monopoly to firms, companies, and societies who have disregarded the Orders of the Ministry and to punish those who have endeavoured to adhere to them; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I can only repeat the answer which I sent the right hon. Gentle man last Thursday. The ballot, which took place on the 28th June, was carried out in accordance with the supplemental instructions mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman. The wholesale distribution was, and in future will be, based upon the indents received from retailers, which were in turn based upon the number of their registered customers. The restriction of retailers to not more than three wholesalers in any case for their supplies is due to exigencies of transport. I have no knowledge of any illegitimate methods by which large indents for requirements have been obtained, nor will the arrangements made give advantages amounting to a substantial monopoly to any firm. If the right hon. Gentleman has any knowledge of contravention of the Food Controller's Orders, I shall be glad to have particulars.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. Member for Islington (Mr. Lough) has furnished a number of cases? Will he consider those cases?

I saw that information, but I did not regard the information as being particulars of definite cases, but rather as illustrating the general complaint.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for the production of home-grown food, he will consider the transference of the Feeding-stuffs Distribution Committee from the Ministry of Food to the Board?

I am informed that every effort is being made to improve the method of distribution of feeding-stuffs, but the suggestion in the question is not, I think, practicable.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether difficulty is being experienced by the workers at the Ruislip stores depot in finding suitable housing accommodation, many of them having to travel long distances to their work; and what steps the Government propose to take to afford proper accommodation for the workers in this district?

No complaints have been received indicating a shortage of housing accommodation for munition workers in the Ruislip district, but inquiries will be made if the hon. Member will send me particulars of the cases to which he refers.

asked the Minister of Munitions why in Scotland money contributions towards the erection of churches have been given to the extent of £6,500 to the Episcopal Church, £5,500 to the Roman Catholic Church, and only £4,000 for the combined use of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland; and for what purpose the unallocated balance of £1,500 is to be given?

The Grants to the various churches at Gretna and Eastriggs are as stated in the question. The lower Grant to the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church is explained by the fact that they have not built a church at Eastriggs. An application for an additional Grant will receive favourable consideration if and when they propose to build there.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that for the churches at Gretna the Episcopal Church got £5,500, as compared with £4,000 for the Presbyterian Church?

Yes; I am aware of that.

On what authority is the Ministry spending money on churches?

Grants were made for these churches because a large new population was brought into this area, and it was thought to be desirable to attend to their spiritual needs.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why the largest Grants were made to the smaller churches?

The Grants were proportionate to the number of the people of the faith at the place, and also proportionate to the amount of money that was to be provided from private sources for the churches.

Does this money come out of the Vote of Credit?

Yes.

Are we to understand that the policy of concurrent endowment of all churches is part of the policy of the Ministry of Reconstruction?

That question; must be addressed to the Minister of Reconstruction.

Was a spiritual or religious census taken before these Grants were allocated?

I am not sure that I can answer that without notice.

Are these Grants absolute gifts or only loans?

These are gifts.

That is endowment!

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether steps are being taken to grant allowances to the wives and children of those who lost their lives and to those who were disabled in the recent explosion in a Midland munition manufactory?

Immediate steps were taken to deal with the situation arising from the recent explosion. The funeral expenses will be paid by the Government. Advance payments are being made to relieve cases of immediate necessity. Compensation for loss of life and injury will be paid under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, to ensure prompt settlement of the claims. Mr. L. C. Turner, the managing director of the Essex and Suffolk Insurance Office, now on the finance staff of the Ministry, has visited the factory and set up the necessary organisation. In addition, in proper cases ex gratia Grants will be made to ensure the maintenance of the families of the dead and injured employés and the medical treatment of the injured and their care during convalescence.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware of the work that is being done by the firm of Desouther Brothers, 51, Baker Street, W., in the manufacture of special artificial limbs; whether one of the brothers, who alone is able to actually manufacture the limbs, is under notice to join up; and whether, in view of the fact that the work the firm, is doing will have to cease, he will, even having regard to the age and military fitness of the man, grant him a further period of exemption?

My hon. and gallant Friend's question refers no doubt to the firm of Desoutter Brothers, of 51, Baker Street, who, I understand, are artificial limb makers. The industry is covered by the Schedule of Protected Occupations, and the release for military service of men engaged in it is controlled by the Ministry of Munitions. The Ministry of Munitions, after consultation with the National Health Insurance Commission, have decided that they are not justified in giving further protection to this young man.

What is to happen to all the officers who require artificial limbs?

I do not think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware that this young man is only twenty-three.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the two members appointed by the Board of Inland Revenue as their representatives on the Military Service Committee to decide what officials of the Board shall be released for military service are themselves men of less than forty years of age; and will he say why these two officials are held to be exempt from military service and nominated to decide whether or no men older than themselves are or are not to be released for service?

My hon. and gallant Friend has been misinformed. Only one of the official representatives on this committee is under forty years of age, namely, the deputy-chairman of the Board, who by his position is obviously indicated as a suitable representative of the Department for this purpose.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War why Private F. Broadbent, No. 203327, Rifle Brigade, now transferred to the 3rd Air Mechanic, No. 143190, Royal Air Force, has not been transferred to the Reserve for employment as a substitute, seeing that the Director-General of National Service made an application to the War Office in April last to this effect; and will he see that is done at once?

The negotiations in this case have now been completed, and I understand that Private Broadbent has been released to take up civil employment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the application of Gunner Gubbins, No. 220719, R.A.C.D., Ripon, who is a skilled plumber by trade, made to his commanding officer for transfer to shipbuilding work some time ago has not been considered; and, in view of the declared need for more skilled labour in the shipyards, will he see that this man's application is immediately considered?

This man's application is being considered with others. From his trade card it would appear that he has had no shipyard experience, in which case he would not be eligible for release.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether 200 men in the Army Pay Corps at York were re-examined by a travelling medical board of 31st May; whether the examination in each case was performed by a single doctor; whether 30 per cent. were passed A or B1; whether before this examination the men had been examined by the medical officer of the corps, and none had been passed for a higher category than labour; whether in October a travelling medical board had classified all these men C3; and, if so, whether this change in classification indicates that there has been a lowering of the medical standards in the Army?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on the 12th June to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Edinburgh. I am, however, having inquiry made into the statements contained in the question, and will acquaint the hon. Member of the result in due course.

Can the right hon. Gentleman elicit anything in addition to the answer given to my hon. Friend?

That is just what I am trying to find out.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Captain F. D. C. Shaw-Kennedy, of Kirkmichael, is employed on military duties at Ayr; if so, what is the nature of his employment; whether he is aware that Captain Shaw-Kennedy is occupier and proprietor of the farm at Aitkenhead, which consists of 70 acres; that in an action in the Ayr Sheriff Court on 19th June it was admitted that in addition to three civilians, two soldiers, Driver J. W. Potts and Private Monaghan, were employed on this farm last winter; and whether he can explain for what reasons, and by whose authority, the services of these soldiers were granted for the cultivation of this farm?

Captain Shaw-Kennedy is the officer commanding a Territorial Force depot at Ayr. I understand that he is the owner and occupier of Aitkenhead Farm. I am not aware of the action in the Sheriff's Court, but I am informed that two soldiers were employed on the farm during last winter, and are still working there. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that soldier agricultural labour is placed out on farms by the local agricultural committees.

Can my right hon. Friend state what justification there is for giving two soldiers to a farm of 70 acres, where there are already three civilians employed?

In the last part of the answer to the question it is stated that the giving of soldier labour to any particular farm is at the discretion of the local agricultural committees.

Is there anybody responsible for the action of those committees here?

In this particular case it is the Secretary for Scotland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any influence was exercised by Captain Shaw-Kennedy on the local committees to get these men on to this 70-acre farm?

I have no knowledge of that.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, in a recent draft for overseas service made from Lovat's Scouts, there were men well over forty years of age, whilst in the same regiment there are men remaining at home whose age is under thirty years, and who have not yet been out in active service?

I have no information regarding the particular draft referred to, nor have I received any complaint.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman the names will he look into the matter?

Most certainly!

asked the Minister of National Service if he is aware that 250 soldiers are required to take the place on the land of men taken for the quota in the western division of Devon; that recently application was made at Exeter for men, and only seven or eight were available for the whole county; and will he say what steps are being taken to remedy this state of things, in view of the near approach of harvest.

As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that, approximately, 250 men will be taken from the western division of Devon, and that it is necessary that these men should be replaced by some other form of labour. As regards the second part of the Question, owing to the needs of the Army, few men of low medical category can now be spared for transfer in agricultural companies; as regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture has already made a statement in the House as to the available supply of labour for the harvest.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this division there are some small farms without any men on them at all, very many without any able-bodied men, and that consequently the food supply is seriously menaced unless outside help is provided?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman we quite realise that. We are doing everything we possibly can to provide additional labour.

We should like to know what is being done.

I am afraid I cannot carry it any further to-day.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will postpone the date up to which men over forty-five can volunteer for work on the land from 6th July to 13th July; and if he is aware that many of these men do not yet know that they have the choice of work on the land or military service?

My hon. Friend seems under a misapprehension. The date, the 6th July, applies merely to men actually under call at the time when the scheme was established, and gave them the same opportunity as those not then under call. Under the War Agricultural Volunteer scheme men over forty-five can apply for work on the land now or at any future date, provided they volunteer before they receive a calling-up notice and have not been finally refused exemption by a tribunal. Endeavours have been made to give full publicity to the scheme, both in this House and in the Press, but if my hon. Friend will let me know of any part of the country where information is not available, I shall be pleased immediately to take steps to have further publicity given in that area.

asked the Minister of National Service if he is aware that the Ashbourne district of Derbyshire, with a population of 4,000, is served by three doctors, of whom one is under forty years of age and has a partner able to carry on the practice, while the Shire-brook district, with a population of 12,000, has only two doctors; and whether an arrangement will be made to bring about a better and fairer distribution of the medical service available?

The number of doctors in the Ashbourne district is as stated by my right hon. Friend, but he is misinformed as to the age of the practitioner referred to, who is over forty and fit for home service only. For the reasons stated in the reply which I gave to my right hon. Friend on 24th June, the number of doctors in the Ashbourne district is considered to be no more than adequate, and it would not be wise to reduce it further. Endeavours will be made, so far as circumstances permit, to supplement the existing medical provision for Shirebrook.

asked the Minister of National Service how many men have been returned from the Army to the shipbuilding and engineering trades since 1st January, 1918; and how many men have been enlisted into the Army from the shipbuilding and engineering trades since that date?

During the first half of this year approximately 12,000 men have been released from the Army for work in shipyards. It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the second part of the question, but the hon. Members may rest assured that steps have been taken to give adequate protection to men engaged on essential work in the shipbuilding industry.

Is the number less than 12,000?

I must have notice of that question.

Is 12,000 anything near the promise made in this House of the number who will be returned?

That question had better be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the danger of loss of life and property by fire that will occur if the fire brigades in provincial cities and boroughs are left without sufficient staffs of skilled and experienced firemen; whether the tribunals have power to exempt men who are indispensable to the proper working of fire brigades; and, if not, whether instructions will be given that fire brigades are not to be entirely depleted of competent firemen?

I would refer my hon, Friend to my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Southwark on the 4th July on this subject. The Ministry of National Service is fully alive to the importance of maintaining the efficiency of fire brigades in provincial cities and boroughs, Tribunals have power to grant exemption to men employed by fire brigades if valid applications are made to them in accordance with the Regulations, and men solely employed in connected with public fire brigades are, subject to certain conditions of age and fitness, included in the list of certified occupations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether he carried out any special inquiries before stating, in the introductory note to the Return on the Civil Staffs employed by Government Departments on 19th June, that the number of persons now employed by Government Departments cannot be considered excessive; whether he was aware that a Treasury Committee was appointed at the beginning of the year to inquire into this particular matter, and that this Committee has not yet reported; and whether his statement in the introduction to the Return was made for the purpose of hastening the issue of the Report of the Treasury Committee?

It is obvious from the White Paper that detailed inquiries were made as to the number of staff employed in each Department. As regards the expression of opinion mentioned, it does not refer to the staffing of particular offices, and thus does not anticipate in any way the findings of the Treasury Committee which is inquiring into this matter. It is the duty of the Ministry of National Service to review the distribution of man-power retained on civil work of national importance, and I was alluding to the fact that the figures do not suggest that an undue proportion of the males of the country are employed in the Civil Service as a whole, which is now employing 57,000 less men than it was before the War.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he would add the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service to Sir John Bradbury's Committee on the Staffing of Government Departments, in view of the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary is already in possession of evidence which enables him to state a considered opinion on the subject which this Committee has been appointed to examine, as shown by the introduction to the Return on Civil Staffs employed by Government Departments dated 19th June.

I do not think there would be any advantage in adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.