asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that, owing to the restrictions surrounding the purchase of flour and the impossibility of procuring foodstuffs for the feeding of cattle, pigs, and poultry, many small farmers in the West of Ireland have this year grown crops of wheat with the double object of procuring flour for themselves and securing bran and pollard for stock-feeding purposes; and, if so, whether the Order prohibiting the grinding of such corn by small mills specially erected for the purpose will be either cancelled or modified?

There are no restrictions on the grinding of wheat by small mills provided the millers are registered and comply with the instructions governing the manufacture of flour. The use of wheat except for purposes of milling or of seed is prohibited, and it is impossible to contemplate any relaxation of this restriction. I may repeat that every effort will be made to relieve the shortage of feeding stuffs, and while the prospects of further importation in the near future are small it is hoped to arrange for increased supplies in the autumn.

asked the Food Controller whether he is able to announce any improvement in the quality of the bread at present sold in Ireland; whether he is aware that in some cases serious illness has been produced by the use of bread made from the war flour on sale in that country; and whether, in view of the prospect of increased wheat all over America, Australia, and the Home country, some less deleterious article could now with safety be given to the public?

Some improvement has been already effected in the quality of the loaf by reducing the length of extraction from the wheat ground, by reducing the percentage of diluent cereals in Government regulation flour and by increasing the percentage of imported flour. The amount of dilution necessary to maintain such supplies as will admit of bread distribution without rationing will be settled from time to time in conjunction with our Allies. I am not aware that serious illness has been produced by the use of bread made from war flour. Careful investigations have frequently been made into this subject, and there is a consensus of opinion that the dietetic value of bread during the War has been satisfactory.

asked the Food Controller if he will state the prices of the 4-lb. loaf on 1st July, 1914, and 1st July, 1918, respectively; and if he can give a comparative table of their food properties?

The Board of Trade returns show that on 1st July, 1914, the price of the 4 lb. loaf varied from 4½d. to 7d., and having regard to the larger quantity sold at the lower figure, it was estimated that the average price for the whole Kingdom was 5½d. per quartern loaf. On 1st July, 1918, the price of the 4 lb. loaf in the majority of districts was 9d., as fixed by the Flour and Bread (Prices) Order, 1917. In areas where it appears that, by reason of exceptional circumstances, bread cannot be sold by retail at the maximum provided by this Order so as to provide a reasonable profit, the Food Controller has issued licences accordingly, and in the majority of these areas the quartern loaf is now sold at 9½d., and at 10d. in a few instances. The Royal Society has from time to time carefully investigated the food properties of bread, and has carried out elaborate experiments over a considerable period of time. I think it can be fairly stated that there is extremely little difference in the dietetic value of bread on the two dates mentioned.

asked the Food Controller (1) whether any accounts of the National Restaurant in New Bridge Street, E.C., have yet been received by his Department; whether they have been submitted to any audit; and what is the result of the trading up till now; and (2) whether his Department propose to establish in London and provincial cities further national restaurants on the lines of the existing one in New Bridge Street, E.C.; whether he can state the number so proposed and the districts they will be placed in; and will he consider the desirability of awaiting the financial result of the first one established in New Bridge Street before he expends further money on these experiments?

The accounts of the restaurant in New Bridge Street from the date of opening, 26th June, are being made up to 3rd August. It is proposed to establish twelve restaurants, four in London and eight in provincial towns—namely, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, and Brighton. I have no anxiety as to the financial results of the establishment in New Bridge Street.

asked the Food Controller what further steps, if any, he has taken to secure a proper supply of feeding-stuffs for Ireland?

As I have already stated, my advisers are in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland with regard to this matter. It is hoped that it will very shortly be possible to make a further announcement on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the storage of cotton-seed cake, except in very dry places, results in a deterioration that renders it dangerous for cows producing milk; and, seeing that the milk supply for next winter is threatened because of the scarcity of hay, will he provide and protect as much cotton cake as is possible?

I do not think that my hon. Friend need fear any deterioration in the supplies of cotton-seed cake at present in store. Instructions have, moreover, been given to crushers to reduce the moisture contained in this cake to 12 per cent., with the object of increasing its keeping qualities. The temporary restriction on the issue of supplies has been established solely for the purpose of conserving a supply for use in the autumn and winter months, and every effort will be made to provide as much as possible for purposes of winter milk production.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the average price of fat cattle in Dublin markets on 25th July was 65s. per cwt. live-weight, equivalent to 1s. per lb. dressed, that the prices of mutton and lamb were about the same, namely, a 1s. per lb. dressed, and that consequently best cuts could be sold by the retailer to the public with reasonable profit at 1s. 4d. per lb.; and, if so, will be say what steps he proposes to take?

The information at my disposal does not bear out the suggestion contained in the first part of the question. Recent quotations of prices at the Dublin fat cattle market show that the average price for best bullocks and heifers on the date mentioned was 75s. per cwt. live weight and for second quality 68s. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may point out that retail meat prices are not fixed in Ireland. The butcher, however, must not exceed in any fortnight a gross profit of 2½d. per lb., or 20 per cent. on the cost of the meat to him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that much of the frozen meat supplied to butchers in Devon lately has been of very poor quality, some of it being quite unfit for human food, and has he seen the report that 3,000 lbs. of frozen meat had to be destroyed at Plymouth last week, and the statement that some of the meat had been in cold storage for four years; and will he take steps to prevent a recurrence of this?

I was not aware that any of the frozen meat supplied to butchers in Devon was unfit for human food or that 3,000 lbs. of this meat had to be destroyed at Plymouth last week. I am making inquiries into the truth of these allegations, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, seeing that barley has proved so valuable in contributing to the bread supply, he will consider the desirability of grading this grain and fixing a price according to quality, so as to encourage the growth of the finest quality?

The question of differentiating between different grades of barley has been carefully considered, but there are serious difficulties in the way. Seed barley will remain, as last year, uncontrolled.

asked the Food Controller whether it is the case that tea has been rationed by the Ministry of Food; and, if not, whether it is obligatory on the customers when purchasing tea from those with whom they have registered to produce stamped slips for their weekly supplies?

There is no national scheme of rationing for tea. Each food control committee has power to ration tea in its district at the rate of 2 oz. per head. In districts where tea is rationed the national ration book must be produced, and marked off on the occasion of each purchase. In other districts retailers may have found it necessary to require their registered customers to produce on purchase some document to show that they are entitled to be supplied. Catering establishments and institutions must present an official order form for each purchase, whether tea is rationed in their district or not.

asked the Food Controller whether he will encourage allotment holders who grow marrows by allowing them some sugar for making jam?

Under the scheme for the issue of sugar for the domestic preservation of fruit, discretionary power was given to local food control committees to authorise the use of sugar for the preservation of marrows in districts where they are commonly preserved, and it is not proposed to interfere with the exercise of this discretion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a firm has been appointed as the sole buyer for Government sugar; and, if so, what is the name of this firm?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Wexford Co-operative Meat Supply Company, whose turnover is about £200,000 annually, is placed in an unfair position by the Ministry of Food as compared with the exporters of live cattle and English co-operative societies; is he aware that the exporter in live cattle has freight commission and insurance paid for him as well as shrinkage, and receives payment at the port of landing, and is relieved from all further risks, whilst in the case of dressed meat all these charges are paid by the exporter, and as the sale of dressed meat is at least 3d. per stone of 8 lbs. less than that made by the live beast it is equivalent to 21s. of a bonus on a beast of 6 cwt. shipped alive; why, when the right of free sale is withdrawn and the produce placed under control, the Wexford Society cannot obtain the same terms offered to the new societies in England, which receive a bonus of 1½ per cent. on the value of their meat, 5s. 6d. cost of collection, a free slaughter-house, and payment of meat off the hooks; is he aware that English co-operative societies get an indirect bonus of about £1 per head compared with the Wexford Society, while its established customers are taken away from it and an extra 2½ per cent. added to the commission on the sale of its offal when consigned to the wholesale meat supply in London; and will he look into this matter and see that no difference is made with regard to the Wexford Meat Supply Company?

It is certainly not intended to discriminate between different classes of Irish exporters. While exporters of Irish cattle have sea freight to the port of landing and other charges paid, the slaughterer of cattle in Ireland obtains the full benefit on the sale of offals, representing a difference in his favour on such sale of about 13s. on a 10 cwt. beast. The live and dead-weight prices are as nearly as possible on a parity. Nor is it the case that any preference has been given to the Farmers' Co-operative Societies in England. The charge of 5s. 6d., referred to in the question, is a flat rate to cover slaughtering and other standing charges, and no indirect bonus of £1 per head is given to any English Co-operative Society by the Ministry. I will consider the question of the commission payable on offal exported by the Wexford Society.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he can state the number of men and women who since the outbreak of war have been fined or imprisoned for unlawfully entering upon land in Scotland for the purpose of cultivation or grazing?

I am not in a position to state the figures asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the farming industry views with anxiety the possibility of an Order being issued compelling farmers to plough up a further acreage of grass land this winter; if a decision has been arrived at with reference to this matter; and, if so, the nature of the same?

The Board have informed the agricultural executive committees that any large new ploughing programme is impracticable till the labour position is substantially or permanently improved, or until a fresh emergency arises, and instructions have been issued that no fresh Orders to plough up grass land should be served before the 21st August. In the case of any Order served after that date, the owner or occupier will have a statutory right to have such Order referred to arbitration, and in default of agreement the arbitrator will be appointed by the President of the Surveyors' Institution.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Middlesex War Agricultural Committee had represented to the county council the serious condition of the agricultural industry in that county owing to the number of key men of highly skilled capacity who have been called up; and whether he intends to take any action with regard to the report?

The hon. Member probably refers to a paragraph in the report of the Middlesex War Agricultural Committee, dated the 11th ult., which relates to the effect of the depletion of skilled labour on any programme of increased tillage for the 1919 harvest. That effect has been met by the suspension of the compulsory programme of increased tillage which was announced by the President at a meeting of the Federation of War Agricultural Committees on 3rd July, and which was indicated in the President's statement in this House on the 18th ult. I do not think that in the existing circumstances it is practicable for me to take any further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the military authorities have issued an Order quite recently in the Ardee district, county Louth, prohibiting any hay from being sold until they issue a permit; and whether he is aware that this has caused injury to the farmers, inasmuch as they usually sell the hay when it is raised in cocks or lumps in the field; that they have at present many purchasers; and that loss may be sustained if this Order is retained in force and a permit not issued immediately?

For many months it has been necessary to obtain a permit before hay can be sold in Ireland. In all cases of meadow hay at the present time this is readily granted, but not in cases of seed mixtures, which will undoubtedly be required for the troops overseas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning Private No. 142089, son of two blind parents, aged sixty-seven and seventy-three respectively, whether, having regard to the fact that the only other member of the family is Private Muff's sister, a married woman residing in London, who is obliged to go out to work and cannot either offer a home to or contribute to the support of her parents, and that prior to his joining the Army Private Muff managed the affairs of his blind parents and, since he joined, Private Muff's father has had a paralytic seizure and is now unable to walk across the floor of his cottage without assistance, and, having regard to the further fact that in civil life Private Muff was employed as a warehouseman by a firm engaged on Government contracts, he will consider all the circumstances of this case with a view to Private Muff's discharge from the Army, or, alternatively, his transfer to the Army Reserve for so long as his blind and aged parents require his care and support?

Inquiries are being made, and this case will receive careful and sympathetic consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Bernard Heron, No. 27040, C Company, Seaforth Highlanders, who is not yet eighteen years of age, a miner by trade, and one of a family of eight children; and whether this youth can be sent home to work at his trade till he has reached military age?

I am making inquiry into this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men whose national status and liability for military service under the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Act, 1917, remain to be determined and who are entitled to submit their claims to exemption from service to a Civil Court comprising a judge and jury have, under a mistaken view of the law as to the jurisdiction of stipendiary magistrates to do more than commit such men, been handed over to a military escort; whether he is aware that direct orders have been given by the War Office to commanding officers of Labour battalions that, so long as a man who challenges his liability to serve is not released from service, he is to be treated in the same way as any other man and included in drafts for dispatch abroad; and if he will further consider the regularity of this course, and, in the meanwhile, give directions that such men shall be retained in this country for Home service?

I am not aware of any cases where men have been handed over to military escorts in the circumstances stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards other men, when applications have been made by individuals, they have been retained on Home service whilst inquiries have been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers and men classed by the medical board as C2 are regarded only fit for office work; if any such persons are sent to general service work, and, if so, are there many such cases; and whether it is contrary to the usual practice to have men so classified sent to work of this description?

Category C2 has for some considerable time been incorporated with Category B2. Such men are considered fit for service in Labour units, or on garrison or regimental outdoor employment at home or in North-West Europe, and in other theatres of war, subject to special medical examination as to their fitness before proceeding overseas. The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative, and the third part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, particularly in the older ages, a man certified by his medical attendant to be suffering from some affection of the heart is, when before the medical assessors, examined by a specialist in diseases of the heart; and, if not, whether, in view of the importance of the matter both to the men and the nation, he can arrange for such examination to be made by some eminent consultant?

Each group of examining assessors includes a physician who is one of the leading consultants of the profession and who is competent to decide on disabilities of the heart; in addition, if in any case the examining assessors think it necessary, they are authorised to refer the man for examination by a specialist.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any decision has been arrived at for extending the existing power to exempt from military service the last surviving son of a widow, so as to give power to exempt the last surviving adult son of a widow or of a woman whose husband is a prisoner of war when at least one son has been killed or has died as a result of service?

The restriction as to the last surviving son of a widow applies only to men who come under the recent Proclamations. I understand that it is not proposed to alter the terms of these Proclamations; but that the Minister of National Service has given discretion to the regional directors of National Service to give administrative protection in exceptional cases of grave domestic hardship outside the strict limits of the Proclamation.

asked the Minister of National Service whether a farmer, hitherto holding a certificate of exemption for agriculture, but of military age, can be called up before an opportunity has been afforded him to appeal to the local tribunal for exemption, both for national and for personal reasons; and, in a case where such a farmer has actually been taken by the military authority before his appeal has been heard, whether he can indicate what steps can be taken by the farmer to obtain a hearing?

Certificates of exemption held by farmers on occupational grounds were cancelled by the Military Service (Agricultural Exemptions) Order, which came into force on 11th June last. Any man whose certificate was thus cancelled had the right to lodge an application within four days to a tribunal for a certificate of exemption on personal grounds. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the case to which he refers, I will have inquiries made, and inform him as to the position.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, by an agreement made between the representative of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the National Service representative, the tenant of the farm of East Greenland, Caithness, which extends to 100 acres, of which 70 acres are in cultivation, has been called up for military service; whether he is aware that the farm was being worked without assistance by the tenant, and has, since his calling up over three weeks ago, been left derelict; whether the facts of the case have been brought specially to the knowledge of the Board of Agriculture; and what action it is proposed to take to ensure that the farm will not remain in a derelict state and that the season's crops will not be lost?

The man referred to is aged twenty-two and became liable for military service under the Proclamation of 20th April. He was at that time employed on another farm, and did not enter on the tenancy of East Greenland Farm till Whit-Sunday last. No application for exemption was made by his employer nor did he make an application on personal grounds. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have made special inquiries and inform me that as the man's father has a croft in the immediate neighbourhood of the farm, the district agricultural executive committee consider that suitable arrangements can be made by him for the management of the farm during his son's absence.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether two men of military age have been, and are being, retained in the service of the Scottish Smallholders Organisation, Limited, and of Scottish Central Markets, Limited, respectively, on the recommendation of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland?

I am informed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland that they have on agricultural grounds supported appeals made on behalf of the Secretary of the Scottish Smallholders' Organisation and the manager of the Scottish Central Markets, Limited, to the tribunals, who apparently have taken a favourable view of the appeals and granted exemption to both gentlemen.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that an employé, after being refused admission at two gates to a large North Midland munition works, was afterwards found on the works late at night and in a drunken condition, for which he was prosecuted and fined; and whether these works are sufficiently guarded, especially seeing that explosions causing many deaths have recently occurred there?

This case had not previously been brought to my notice. If my hon. Friend will give me privately the name of the factory, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. R. W. Bates, formerly assistant to Mr. Lambourne at the M.M.O.P., and now with Sir A. Churchman, who has applied for a patent for an annular low temperature retort, based on the Tozer annular retort; whether Mr. R. W. Bates was frequently, in the course of his official duty, at the Battersea works supervising tests in, and had access to all the details of, the Tozer retort; whether unrestricted permission was given to Mr. R. W. Bates by the head of his Department to apply for this patent, and whether Mr. Bates, in preparing his application, used Government time and materials; and whether he will now grant the inquiry asked?

Mr. Bates has applied for and has been granted a patent for an improvement in vertical retorts. I am advised that it is a combination which has nothing in common with the claims for the Tozer intermittent retort except that both relate to the same general class of apparatus. Mr. Bates' duties were as described, and he had access to such details as can be observed when the plant is in use and when standing. The permission given to apply for the patent was not unrestricted; on the contrary, the Government have the right of free user and assignment. The improvement to existing forms of intermittent annular vertical retorts was worked out for the use of the Department to which Mr. Bates belongs, and so was done during ordinary working hours with Government materials. As I am satisfied that the sanction to Mr. Bates application for a patent was granted by the head of his department in a proper manner, I do not see the necessity of holding any inquiry.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is in a position to give wide and authoritative publicity to the facts relating to the gallant conduct of the staff of a munitions works in the Midlands that was recently the scene of a serious disaster; and what public recognition, if any, is to be accorded to the surviving members of the staff?

I should like to give the widest possible publicity and recognition to the magnificent conduct of all concerned, which was beyond all praise. A list of recommendations for conspicuous bravery has been compiled, and will shortly be submitted to the Home Secretary, but there has been the greatest difficulty in singling out individuals, partly because the explosion was a matter of a few seconds and there were no resultant fires, and partly because inquiry in all cases could elicit no more than that "they only did their duty." The great mass of workers returned almost instantly to assist in the work of rescue, and I may state that production was resumed within two days on the remaining portions of the factory, working three shifts, with the result that the factory was turning out over 50 per cent. of its former production within a week, and this has since been continually improved upon. In the past, presentation of honours for similar acts of devotion has been made the occasion for a public function at the factory, presided over by the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, and I am considering the best means of securing public recognition of those who have deserved so well of their country on this occasion.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that no change has taken place in the treatment of the boys from an institution in a certain munition works; whether he has

The inquiry which I promised has been made, but I have not yet received the Report. I am informed that it will reach me very shortly, and I shall give it my careful consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the event of a General Election, the votes cast at home will be counted before the arrival of the ballot papers marked by the soldiers who are away from home?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether means are being taken to secure that, in the event of a General Election, the ballot papers marked by soldiers away from home cannot be opened until they reach the returning officer of the constituency in respect of which the votes are cast?

The procedure in connection with the method of voting by absent voters is now under consideration and the point taken by the hon. Member will be noted.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, as he is aware that the registration officers have now organised their staff and offices for registration purposes under the Representation of the People Act, he can make any statement now as to the preparation of the second register, the occupying time for which would be October next; and whether he proposes to issue any instructions to registration officers on the matter, and, if so, when?

A further Order in Council will be necesary fixing registration and other dates in connection with the second register. As soon as the Order in Council is issued instructions will be given to registration officers, but I am not in a position at the present time to make any definite statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether registration officers in Scotland have made arrangements to grant no local government vote to lodgers living in houses rented at under £15 a year in burghs, nor to lodgers living in houses in counties rented under £13 a year; and, if so, can he state the authority under which this action has been taken?

I have no information as to the observance by registration officers in Scotland of any general rule such as that mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. As he is aware, the qualification for the lodgers' vote for local government purposes is the occupation of lodgings of a yearly value of not less than £10 if let unfurnished. I can imagine that in making up the electors' lists registration officers have found it necessary, if the value limit was to be given effect to, to proceed upon some such working rule as is suggested. It is, of course, open to any lodger who considers that his name has been wrongfully omitted from the lists to claim to be registered, and any disputed question of yearly value will then fall to be determined as provided by the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the firm of Weiss, Biheller and Brooks, Limited, carrying on business in London and the United States, now consists only of two naturalised Austrians; whether this firm is closely associated in offices and management with Rothschild, Meyer and Company, a New York firm of alien enemy origin; whether Weiss, Biheller and Brook, Limited, has on more than one occasion of late received preferential treatment as regards shipping space from the British authorities in New York; and, if so, for what reason?

The answer to the first two parts of this question is in the affirmative, except that I have no information that the firm of Rothschild, Meyer and Company, of New York, is of alien enemy origin. The last part of the question should be addressed to the Minister of Shipping.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the products of the concern at Bergen, in which Holzapfels, Limited, hold shares, are in any way available for the use of enemy warships or other vessels owned by or trading with the enemy?

I am informed that shortly after the outbreak of war the company obtained an undertaking from the company at Bergen that supplies sent from England would not be used to supply enemy countries, cither directly or indirectly. There is no knowledge of any supplies being made to enemy warships or other vessels owned by or trading with the enemy by the Norwegian company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there will be any impediment to the retransfer to Mr. A. C. A. Holzapfel, or his nominess, after the War of the shares recently transferred by him to his children and son-in-law without valuable consideration?

I am informed that a written undertaking has been given to the company by the transferees that the shares transferred to them will not be retransferred to him either during or after the conclusion of the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proceeds of the 89,856 shares formerly held by Mr. Max Holzapfel have been invested in National War Bonds in his own name; and, if not, in what names the investment has been made and for whose account, where these bonds now are, who is their custodian, and under what authority they are acting?

I am informed that Bonds for £800 are registered in the name of Max Holzapfel; that Bonds for £19,600 are registered in the joint names of the British Bank of Northern Commerce and Max Holzapfel, and are in the custody of the bank, and that the remainder of the Bonds are in the custody of Messrs. Criddle and Ord, of Newcastle. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the persons in whose names they are registered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade have, during the last three years, made any important purchases of cotton or cotton-waste from any firm in this country of which any of the partners are of enemy birth; and, if so, will he state the name of such firm and the total amount of business transacted with them?

So far as I am aware, the reply to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.