asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the reason that the Supplementary Order to the Spirit Prices Order has not yet been issued; whether the delay rests with the Food Controller or with the Treasury; and whether, in view of the disturbance to the wine and spirit traders and the demands of the public, he can see his way to have the Order issued as soon as possible?

I have been asked to reply. The details of the Amended Order are under discussion with the several Departments and the trades concerned, and it is hoped that the new Order will be issued shortly. The matter is one of considerable complication, and there has been no undue delay.

asked the Food Controller whether a gentleman of German origin grants licences for trading at the Ministry of Food; whether he has adopted his wife's name; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

I am unable to trace the case which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. Perhaps he can give me more definite information on the subject.

asked the Food Controller whether there is an assistant director in his office who is of enemy birth; and, if so, whether his position will be filled by a British-born subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This case will come up for the consideration of the Committee whose appointment and terms of reference were announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will grant a Return giving the period of service in the Royal Irish Constabulary for the two latest promotions made to the rank of sergeant in Armagh, Tyrone, Monaghan, and Down; whether steps will be taken immediately to keep a register at the Castle of all constables who have passed the qualifying examination for promotion; and whether he will promote them as vacancies occur, irrespective of the topographical environment?

The length of service of the two latest promotions from the rank of constable to rank of acting-sergeant or sergeant in each of the counties named is as follows:—

• Co. Armagh—19 years, and 15 years 9 months.
• Co. Tyrone—25 years, and 24 years 10 months.
• Co. Down—22 years 8 months, and 23 years 6 months.
• Co. Monaghan—15 years 9 months, and 17 years 2 months.

With regard to the latter part of the question, the subject was fully considered by a Constabulary Committee of Inquiry held in 1914, who reported that they were unable to recommend a departure from the present system of separate county seniority promotion lists, and I am not prepared to depart from this recommendation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the war bonus recently granted to the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Royal Irish Constabulary has not satisfied the demand of the men or resulted in any increase in their pensionable pay; that it has been raised by only 3s. per week since October, 1914, and that this increase did not even redress the pre-war grievance; if it is the intention to introduce legislation to deal with the claims put forward by the men in their bodies last year; and whether, in view of the fact that the police are not now permitted to have any union organisation to protect their interest, it was arranged to receive an elected deputation from the rank and file of both forces and hear the views of the men in friendly conference?

As regards the war bonus, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked by the hon. Member for North Kilkenny on the 30th ultimo on this subject. No legislation to increase the permanent pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary or Dublin Metropolitan Police is at present contemplated. I am not aware of any such definite arrangement as that indicated in the last part of the question, but every possible facility is given to men of these forces to represent their claims to the proper authorities.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that certain borough councils in London, for the purpose of ensuring fuel for the poor, have purchased and laid in stock supplies of coal, which they retail in small quantities; and whether, bearing in mind the boon that such a system is to those most in need, he will see his way to empower public bodies in Ireland to act similarly and immediately?

The whole question of the distribution of coal in Ireland is being carefully considered by the Coal Controller and myself.

asked the Minister of National Service whether a man of fifty-one, graded B2, who is employed as gardener and groom by a farmer, is entitled to be employed as an agricultural volunteer on the farm on which he is already employed?

Under the existing arrangements between the Ministry of National Service and the Food Production Department no man is enrolled as a War Agricultural Volunteer unless the particular work for which his services are required by a farmer has been "sanctioned" by the County War Agricultural Committee, as agricultural work for which the employment of a War Agricultural Volunteer is necessary. It is not intended, of course, that a man should be enrolled as a War Agricultural Volunteer for work as a gardener and groom. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish me with full particulars concerning the case I will cause inquiries to be made as to whether or not it is one in which the man can properly be enrolled as a War Agricultural Volunteer for employment on bonâ fide agricultural work.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he can state the rates of pay and their appointments of Members of Parliament serving in his Department?

The following Members of Parliament are serving in my Department:

• Sir Courtenay Warner, Bart., Director of National Service for the East Anglia Region—unpaid.
• Major Lionel de Rothschild, Assistant Director of National Service for the London Region—unpaid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a large number of persons of alien enemy birth are in this country and have registered as the subjects of neutral countries, some of whom have, as a precautionary and temporary measure, procured themselves to be naturalised in such countries; and is it proposed to investigate the circumstances of these cases by the Advisory Committee, and to intern all those who are unable to prove an effective and binding denaturalisation from the point of view of German law?

:I have no evidence which supports the statement in the first part of the question, and I shall be obliged to my hon. Friend if he will send me any information on the subject which is in his possession.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has taken any steps to scrutinise or inquire into the registrations of professed neutral aliens, and, in particular, Swiss; what are the means taken to test the accuracy of the statements, and whether by examination under oath; to what extent has it been found that Germans have registered as Swiss; and what has been the practice as to internment in cases where technically a Swiss domicile has been obtained though the person is otherwise German?

Every alien is required to register with the police, and for this purpose to produce adequate documentary proof of the nationality he claims. Confirmation can usually be obtained from the Diplomatic or Consular representatives here of the country to which the alien claims to belong. If there is any doubt on the point the onus of proving his claim lies upon the alien, and, if necessary, proceedings are taken to enforce registration as an alien enemy, when evidence on oath is taken. As regards the rest of the question, there have been a few cases in which persons born in Switzerland of German parents have claimed Swiss nationality, but such claims have not been accepted unless the alien has been in a position to prove that he has actually acquired Swiss nationality. No question of domicile arises.