asked the Prime Minister what increases of separation and dependants' allowances, in addition to those which came into operation on the 1st October last, have been sanctioned by the War Cabinet for the wives and dependants of sailors, soldiers, and airmen?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will reconsider the scale of separation allowances and consider the possibility of extending the additional rate to all children within the age, withdrawing the limitation which confines it to the first two children?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state what the increases in separation allowances are?

The War Cabinet has approved of the following recommendations of the Cabinet Committee which has been reconsidering the present rates of separation allowances payable to wives and children and other dependants; and the issue of allowances to parents of unmarried apprentices, students, and youths on progressive wages:

( a ) That the flat rate now payable to wives should remain at the present figure.

( b ) That when a childless wife is, for any reason, unable to work, an addition of 6s. 6d. shall be made by the local war pension committees to the flat rate.

( c ) That with reference to other dependants who are unable to work, the supplemental allowances now payable by local war pensions committees up to 33⅓ per cent. of the assessed dependance should be increased to 50 per cent. of the assessed dependance.

( d ) That where there is one child under the age of fourteen in the family, the weekly rate of separation allowance shall be increased by 1s.

( e ) That where there are two children under the age of fourteen in the family, the weekly rate of separation allowance shall be increased by 2s.

( f ) That where there are three children under the age of fourteen in the family, the weekly rate of separation allowance shall be increased by 4s.

( g ) That where there are four children under the age of fourteen in the family, the weekly rate of separation allowance shall be increased by 5s., with an increase of 1s. for the fifth and each subsequent child.

( h ) For motherless children under fourteen years of age, the weekly rate of separation allowance for one child maintained in a home shall be increased by 1s.

( i ) That the weekly rate of separation allowance for the second and subsequent motherless children maintained in one home shall be increased by 1s. for each child.

( j ) That the flat rate allowance of 5s. a week shall be payable to parents of unmarried sailors, soldiers, and airmen who have attained the age of eighteen years and who were under twenty-six on enlistment. ^*

^* Owing to administrative difficulties, there may be some delay in the first payments.

( k ) That the new flat rate increases shall be payable as from the first pay day in January, 1919, and the supplemental increases referred to in paragraphs ( b ) and ( c ) and the parents allowances referred to in paragraph ( j ) will be payable as from the first pay day in November, 1918.

2. It is estimated that the cost of the increases to separation allowances will be, approximately, £9,765,000 for the three Services, but it is impossible to estimate with any accuracy the amount which will be payable for the supplemental rate to the wife without children under the new proposals. A sum of £500,000 has, however, been included in the above total, as an estimate of the amount which will be payable.

The estimated cost due to the lowering of the age at which parents' allowances are payable is £6,500,000.

The total estimated cost is, therefore, £16,265,000.

Childless Wives

1. In approving an increase to the supplemental allowance payable to the flat rate to wives without children, consideration has been given to any possible defects in the present system of administration.

It is clear that women are not made sufficiently acquainted with the fact that these grants are payable, and the Ministry of Pensions is issuing a special notice calling their attention to the supplemental allowances which may be granted to wives under certain circumstances.

The administration by the local war pensions committees of these allowances is, undoubtedly, very unequal. The Ministry of Pensions is consequently issuing a Circular, calling the attention of such committees to the alterations in the Regulation dealing with this grant, as approved by the Government, and pointing out that the grants for the childless wife are to be paid as a matter of course in every case where the woman is unable to work, was unaccustomed to work, or where she is unable to obtain work without change of residence. The Regulations of the Special Grants Committee are being amended accordingly.

Other Allowances Payable by Local War Pensions Committees and the Civil Liabilities Committee

In addition to the 6s. 6d. mentioned above payable to the childless wife, it should be noted that further grants are payable in all cases by local war pensions committees and the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee, which may be summarised as under:

( a ) An allowance up to 12s. a week towards rent, insurance premiums, hire-purchase payments, mortgage interest, if she can show that her present income is less than her income before her husband's enlistment, after taking into consideration the saving in expenditure resulting from his absence.

( b ) Grants up to 10s. a week during serious illness.

( c ) Grants from the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee, if the total of her rent, insurance premiums, etc., exceed 12s. a week.

( d ) There are also allowances for school children over fourteen, and for other purposes, and emergency grants for maternity cases and for funerals,

In calculating the allowance payable under ( a ), the income taken into consideration is the income of the household as it was or would have been in January, 1918, but for the husband's enlistment.

Separation Allowances for Children

It will be remembered that, in addition to the increases to rates for children which came into force in March, 1915, January, 1917, and October, 1918, respectively, and those now approved, the Government relieved the soldier of all compulsory allotment in October, 1917, and raised the minimum pay of all ranks to 1s. 6d. a day in November of the same year, besides approving of the payment of proficiency pay after six months' service, and 1d. a day for each year's service since the outbreak of hostilities. Hospital stoppages were also at his time abolished, similar increases being granted to the Navy, including the issue of free kit. These increases added more than 3s. 6d. a week in every case to the pay of the lowest rank in the Services, and more than 7s. a week when he had dependants.

A statement is appended showing the rates of wives' and children's allowances for the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force as now approved, and at the various periods when they came under review and were increased.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether an allowance on account of civil liabilities fixed for a soldier is liable to reduction whilst the facts on which the allowance was made remain unaltered; whether he is aware that many reductions under such circumstances have recently been made; whether, if such reductions are not ultra vires , they are made on any fixed principle, if so, what; whether the victims have any right of appeal against reductions; and, if so, to whom and in what form?

I have been asked to answer this question. I shall be glad to inquire into the cases the hon. Member has in mind. All grants made by the Civil Liabilities Committee are subject to revision, and they may be increased, reduced, or withdrawn, in the event of a change of circumstances or the discovery of new facts. Otherwise a grant which had been properly made would remain unaltered. The Committee are willing at all times to consider any representations which an applicant may wish to make regarding the grant made to him.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what has been done in regard to the bounty to which Private Walsh, No. 14476, 131st Field Ambulance, 38th Welsh Division, became entitled as a time-expired man in August, 1917; whether two-thirds of the amount of £20 has been invested in War Bonds; if the remaining one-third has been placed to his credit; whether the War Bonds certificate has been given to the soldier; if not, why this has not been done; and whether the one-third said to be standing to his credit can now be paid to him?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, as from the 7th October, 1918, family allowance is in effect separation allowance plus 10s. 6d. a week for the keep of the soldier; whether this amount compares with a ration allowance of 14s. 7d. a week payable to the unmarried soldier and to the married soldier living apart from his wife; and, if so, whether, in view of the continued increase in the cost of living, steps will be taken to make this discrepancy less marked?

This question is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the refusal of the war bounty under Army Orders 209 of 1916 and 222 of 1918 to men whose original discharge was on grounds of wounds or ill-health presses very hardly on those whose time, plus the extra year, expired whilst they were actually in hospital and who have voluntarily rejoined the Army again, as well as those whose treatment was prolonged for months beyond the limits of their engagements; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

It is not quite clear to which classes of men my hon. and gallant Friend refers. Men who are discharged for wounds and are not time-expired are not liable to recall under the Military Service Acts, and are not entitled to the bounty if they rejoin. Men who are discharged for wounds immediately after completing their term would be granted the bounty if they rejoined, and had not already received it. The position of the men who are kept in hospital some little time after completing their engagement but do not rejoin the Colours is now under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many separation allowances at 5s. per week have been paid as a result of the new Regulation coming into force?

Actual payment has not yet taken place, but some 30,000 claims have been dealt with and will come into payment immediately.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the first intimation that Second-Lieutenant C. B. Long, late Coldstream Guards, who appeared before a medical board on the 8th December, 1917, received of the result was a notice which appeared in the "Gazette" of the 21st February, 1918, to the effect that he had relinquished his commission (22nd February); that this officer's allowances were paid up to the 22nd February; that the Ministry of Pensions has recognised that his disability is due to his military service; and why he has only been credited with pay up to the 3rd January, 1918?

This officer was demobilised on the 3rd January, his sick leave having expired previous to that date. As a demobilised officer he was not entitled to pay or allowances after that date.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Private J. Buss, No. 18835, Royal Marines, who was discharged on the 31st August, 1912, with a gratuity of £5, and who rejoined the Marines 4th September, 1915, with a pension of £10 13s. a year for eighteen months; whether the award of £5 made in 1912 was deducted from the award made in 1915; and if he will give the Regulation authorising this procedure?

Private Russ was invalided from the Marines in 1912 after five years' service, and granted a gratuity of £5, at the rate of £1 for each year's service. He was again invalided in 1915 after a service of 250 days, which, under the Regulation then in force, would have given him no claim to pension or gratuity. It was found possible, however, to take his service as a whole, and to award a pension of 7d. a day for a total period amounting to three months for each year's service—that is, eighteen months for his six years' service—but to avoid double compensation it was, of course, necessary to set off the gratuity of £5 previously granted.

asked the Pensions Minister why the pension of 5s. a week awarded the sister of Private William Knowles, No. 22750, Grenadier Guards, who was killed in action in September, 1916, was cancelled when another brother residing with the pensioner increased his contribution towards the upkeep of the house from 20s. to 25s. weekly?

Under Article 22 (1) of the Royal Warrant a pension to a dependant (other than a parent) of a deceased soldier can only be granted if the dependant is wholly or partially incapable of self-support and is in pecuniary need. From information given by Miss Knowles in June last it appears that she receives the sum of 65s. a week from her two surviving brothers for the maintenance of the household of three persons and the conditions for a grant are thus no longer fulfilled. In these circumstances the issue of pension terminated, but on cessation Miss Knowles was granted a final gratuity equal to the amount of twenty-six weeks' pension.

asked the Pensions Minister what decision has been reached in the matter of the application of Mr. Michael King, Killabona, Ballinskelligs, county Kerry, father of the late Private James King, No. 12075, Irish Guards, for an increase of pension?

Mr. King's pension has been increased to the maximum rate of 15s. a week with effect from the 17th June, 1918, under Article 21 (1, a ) of the Royal Warrant. Payment at the increased rate was authorised on the 1st instant.

asked the Pensions Minister what pension, if any, is now being paid to Captain W. F. Shaw, late of the Middlesex Regiment, Territorial Force Reserve, who in May last was awarded a gratuity of £60 and refused pension, although totally incapacitated from following any employment; whether he is aware that, in consequence of his pecuniary needs due to his incapacity, distraint has been threatened; and what, if anything, it is proposed to do in the matter?

The officer's disability was at first held not to be attributable to or aggravated by service, and a gratuity of £60 was awarded him. On consideration of an appeal aggravation by service was admitted, but the amount of temporary retired pay which could be given was not greater than the gratuity, since his disability was assessed at 30 per cent. only. Treatment was offered, but the officer was unable to accept it. I regret to learn of the officer's distressed circumstances, but he is ineligible for further assistance from the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Pensions Minister if his attention has been called to the case of Lieutenant James Jefferson, late of 50, Lambeth Street, Blackburn, and now residing at 191, Preston New Road, Blackburn, who enlisted as a private soldier and was later granted a commission in the East Lancashire Regiment, being passed fit for service, and later broke down in health and was gazetted out of the service a broken man, and who, though a gratuity was awarded him, is now, in consequence of his disability, dependent, with his wife, upon his parents for maintenance; and will he state what further action it is proposed to take in the case?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that Second-Lieutenant Jefferson has received a gratuity only. He appealed to the Appeals Board, who, in spite of great doubt, allowed the appeal, and retired pay has been, and is being, issued. I have recently addressed a letter to the officer in regard to a number of complaints which he persistently makes without good cause, and do not propose to take any further action.

asked the Pensions Minister what pension, if any, Second-Lieutenant A. M. MacNaughton, late of the Essex Regiment, is now receiving?

This officer is now receiving temporary retired pay at the rate of £35 a year. The present award expires on the 15th January, 1919, when the question of renewal will be considered.

asked the Pensions Minister what pension has been awarded Second-Lieutenant Thomas F. Griffin, late of the Royal West Surrey Regiment; and when the retired pay authorised in October, 1917, was paid?

The retired pay awarded to this officer has been three shillings a day (additional to wound gratuity) from 3rd October, 1917, to the 31st March, 1918, and £175 a year from the 1st April, 1918, to 30th November, 1918. Payments are issued on the officer's application by the Paymaster-General, the exact dates of issue being unknown to the Ministry of Pensions. Through an unfortunate confusion with another officer of the same Christian and surnames, an erroneous award was authorised in October, 1917, but this was corrected, with an apology, the next month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the widow of a second-lieutenant who was killed in action when acting as captain receives a pension as the widow of a second-lieutenant or as the widow of a man who was a captain, in fact, when killed?

The pension is the same for either rank. If the officer had been gazetted to the acting- rank of captain and still held that rank at the date of his death, the gratuity awarded to the widow in addition to pension would be at the rate for a captain's widow.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government propose to summon a conference of the representatives of all the Allied and associated Powers with a view to reconsider, in the light of present circumstances, and to re-state on behalf of all the Allied and associated Powers, the economic and other aims they have in view?

No statement can be made on this point at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House an early opportunity of discussing the proposed formation of a League of Nations?

A very full debate upon this subject took place on the Vote of Credit on 1st August, and I hardly think that the House would desire a further discussion at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an application by the New Transport Company for permission to increase its capital has been refused; if so, for what reason; and whether, in view of the importance attached to this company's proposals by a number of Members of Parliament and their belief that those proposals, if adopted, would largely solve the transport problem, he will permit the company to raise the capital necessary to enable them further to demonstrate the practicability of the Gattie system?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The application was, I understand, refused by the Fresh Issues Committee because it was not considered in the public interest that the proposed issue of capital should be made at the present time, and, pending the Report of the Select Committee on Transport, I see no reason to interfere with the decision arrived at.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Committee set up at the request of the British Cellulose Company for the purpose of reporting on the entire position of that company and the allegations made against them is going to meet, as the company were under the impression that the Committee would have met at the time, otherwise they would have taken other steps to answer the utterly unfounded allegations made against the Ministry of Munitions and themselves?

The Committee is about to hear witnesses in connection with the inquiry, but it has been necessary in the first instance to investigate the documentary material relating to the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will publish as a White Paper the programme laid down by President Wilson in his message to Congress on 8th January, 1918, his subsequent declarations, and especially his speech of 27th September, 1918, to which reference is made in the Austro-Hungarian, German, and Turkish Notes of 12th October, 1918; and, if so, can he say upon what day it will be issued?

I think this is hardly necessary. The various declarations made by President Wilson have been fully reported in the Press and there seems no sufficient reason to republish them in the form of a White Paper. I will, however, have placed in the Library of the House a copy of such declarations as I have received officially from Washington.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what steps have been taken by the War Aims Committee to counteract the Bolshevist propaganda carried on in factories, workshops, mining districts, and market places, by popular lectures in such places explaining what Bolshevism means and leads to?

Every activity of the War Aims Committee has for one of its objects the resisting of insidious influences of an unpatriotic character.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware of the dissatisfaction and alarm of graziers and farmers at the present chaotic state of the fat cattle market, many of them having had their fat cattle returned to them from market whilst many markets are closed pro tem , for the reception of fat cattle; if he can say whether Irish fat cattle are still being sent over for sale in England, still further glutting our markets; if so, how many were landed in each of the last two weeks; and if he will consider the advisability of altering the flat rate as the only means of making it possible for graziers to retain their fat cattle to later dates in the interests of the country without serious loss to themselves?

The views of my Department on the difficult situation which has arisen owing to the dearth of feeding-stuffs were explained to the House yesterday by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food. During the week ending 5th October, the imports of Irish fat stock were: Beasts, 13,236; sheep, 12,590; and during the week ended 12th October: Beasts, 13,181; sheep, 13,277. As from next Saturday the quantities of Irish stock to be accepted at English ports will be reduced to the same extent as those of English farmers. The prescribed price for fat cattle during the winter months is not a uniform rate, but provides for an increase of 1s. for each of the months from December to March, inclusive. A further modification is now being considered, and an early announcement will be made.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that the price of Government butter has been raised from 2s. 4d. a lb. to 2s. 6d. a lb.; will he state why, if it is found impossible to sell Government butter at 2s. 4d., a farmer is compelled to sell a superior article at that price; is he aware that the price that the Government has put for producers of milk—namely, 2s. 3d. per gallon—will have, in the opinion of the Shropshire farmers, the result of stopping all butter-making in the district; and if he will consider the desirability of avoiding this misfortune from a national and agricultural point of view?

The retail price of imported butter reverted on 16th September to 2s. 6d. per lb., after being temporarily reduced to 2s. 4d. per lb. It is proposed to effect a corresponding increase in the retail price of home-produced butter as from 20th October. During the winter months all the milk that can be produced will be required for direct consumption, and, as butter substitutes are obtainable, the partial cessation of butter-making should be regarded as a private inconvenience rather than a national misfortune.

asked the Food Controller if he can issue with the Votes a statement of the calculations which induced him to agree to fixing the price of milk at 2s. 3d. per gallon?

The calculations on which the average price of 2s. 3d. were based are contained in a Report of the Winter Prices Sub-committee on the Production and Distribution of Milk. A statement of these calculations will shortly be published in the third interim Report of the parent Committee, of which the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food is chairman.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that bakers in various parts of the country have for the last two months been purchasing potatoes at market prices for use in bread, and if he will explain the reason for the decision that these should now be supplied by the State at £3 10s. per ton; and whether the subsidy of at least £4 per ton has been granted on the advice of those responsible to the Food Controller for the supply and distribution of potatoes?

I am aware that bakers in various parts of the country have for the last two months been purchasing potatoes at market prices for use in bread, but the number of bakers now using potatoes is relatively small, and mainly consists of those bakers who have always used a small percentage of potatoes as a bread improver. The subsidised price was fixed on the advice of those responsible for the supply and distribution of bread. The money expended on potatoes is more than counterbalanced by the saving effected on the bread subsidy, to say nothing of tonnage considerations and the relief of American exchange.

asked the Food Controller the average difference between the prices paid for bacon in the United States of America and the prices charged for it to consumers in this country, and if such difference exceeds the average charges actually incurred?

Any calculation as to averages is apt to be misleading, but I understand that the difference between the prices paid for bacon in the United States and the prices charged for it to consumers in this country amounts approximately to 16½ per cent. on the average value of the goods. This difference is absorbed by charges incurred for freight, war and marine insurance, handling charges, commission and brokerage claims for loss in weight and defective condition, reduction in the price of certain cuts, and establishment charges.

asked the Food Controller how much the Ministry of Food adds to the cost of imported bacon to cover the expenses of the Department; what percentage this is on the purchase value; what the total so added amounted to on the quantity imported during the first six months of this year; and how the money so obtained is used?

The Ministry of Food adds 2½ per cent. to the F.O.B. cost of imported bacon to cover expenses of the Ministry, together with administration in the U.S.A., bank commission there, and interest on unsold stocks in this country. The F.O.B. value of the bacon imported during the first six months of this year was some £50,000,000 on which the 2½ percentage amounts to £1,250,000. The amount so obtained has been absorbed by the charges actually incurred.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has considered the formation of a Committee to provide sufficient land in the form of allotments to produce food for each household; and, if not, whether such a Committee will be formed with all speed to consider this important subject?

The Board possess the necessary powers for the provision of land for allotments, and have delegated them to the agricultural executive committees and to the urban local authorities. I can assure the hon. Member that these powers are being exercised freely wherever there is a demand for more land for allotments.

asked whether local councils can be given power in future to borrow money for the specific purpose of the freehold purchase of land in order to lease it for food production?

Power to purchase freehold land for small holdings and allotments is already provided by the Small Holdings and Allotments Act of 1908. It is at present in abeyance owing to the fact that the Government have discontinued making advances out of the Local Loans Fund for such purposes during the War.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will provide and arrange for an Allotment Department of the Board of Agricultural Organisation, so that allotment-holders throughout the country may be able to obtain all necessary information without having to go through various county and local committees?

A special branch of the Food Production Department of the Board is already charged with the duty of promoting the allotment movement. Every information as to allotments will be supplied on application to the Director-General of Food Production.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in order to provide for extension of tillage and increased employment on the land for men returning from the fighting services at the end of the War, he will introduce any legislation to provide that, where the land of commons and other wastes would become the sole property of lords of manors because of the commoners disap- pearing or losing their rights, the benefit of such escheats of property shall be in whole or part for the advantage of the State or the remaining commoners in connection with improvement of the land or other agricultural expenses?

The Board has no information to show that common land is likely to become the sole property of lords of manors owing to the cause indicated in the question. I do not, therefore, see any occasion to introduce legislation on the subject. But the point raised shall be carefully watched.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, to provide means of living for men returning from the fighting services and their wives and children, he intends to propose any Amendments of existing legislation in order to simply cheapen and increase the number of small holdings in Scotland, or whether he intends to postpone such reform of the land laws till after the War is over?

The Government have this matter under their urgent consideration, and their intentions will be announced without any avoidable delay.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that no protection whatever has been given to the mail boats travelling between Kingstown and Holyhead against submarine attacks for nine-tenths of the journeys performed by them during the last three years; whether, during the same period, the mail boats voyaging between Larne and Stranraer have been constantly convoyed; and what is the reason of the distinction made in the two cases?

The circumstances are not as represented by my hon. Friend in the first part of the question. Continual protection of various forms is given from day to day. The orders as regards the Holyhead-Dublin and Larne-Stranraer routes are identical.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that no destroyer was fast enough to act as a convoy to the "City of Dublin" boats, he will say if destroyers, American and British, have several times accompanied those boats, and far outstripped, keeping in advance of them, and even crossing and recrossing their bows, even in rough seas; whether, if destroyers sufficiently fast are not available as convoys, it has ever been considered that aeroplanes carrying depth charges could be employed as escorts; and will any new means be immediately tried to prevent such another disaster as overtook the "Leinster"?

Destroyers undoubtedly have accompanied these boats, but not in such weather as prevailed on 10th October. The employment of aircraft as a means of protection, carrying suitable charges, has been considered, and even utilised, on this particular route for some considerable time, but aircraft are subject to even greater drawbacks than destroyers in the winter months. With regard to the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that a large number of experienced naval officers are devoting their whole energy to avoiding disasters of this kind.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there are peculiar circumstances connected with the Holyhead mail packets which entitle them to receive the same class of protection as is afforded to the boats plying between England and France; and why that protection has been denied to the Holyhead mail boats?

The implication in my hon. Friend's question is that the Holyhead mail packets do not receive the same protection as those between England and France. They receive, in the different forms in which protection is given, at least the same protection as is given to the cross-Channel passenger steamers referred to. My hon. Friend will recollect the loss of the passenger mail boat steamers, "The Queen," "Normandy," and "Sussex," all three of which were sunk in the Channel, and none of which were under convoy or immediate escort. As regards the general question of the protection afforded to the Holyhead mail packets in particular, and the frish cross-Channel service generally, I should be glad to arrange for my hon. Friend to see the Naval Officers at the Admiralty responsible for this work. He would then be in a position to assure him- self, as far as a civilian can, of the ceaseless and tireless way in which they apply the means at their disposal.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that one hour and twenty-five minutes elapsed after the sinking of the "Leinster" and the arrival on the spot of the first rescue ship, and how he accounts for this delay; and whether the spot where the "Leinster" was torpedoed is only twelve miles from Kingstown Harbour?

The "Leinster" sent out her S.O.S. signal at 9.25 a.m., which was received by the Senior Naval Officer, Kingstown, at 9.50 a.m., and within ten minutes of the receipt of the message all available vessels in Kingstown Harbour—seven in number—were clear of the harbour. The faster of the craft arrived at the scene of the disaster at 10.40, where torpedo boat destroyers from patrol were already engaged on salvage operations, having arrived there at 10.30. Any delay, if the term delay describes it, is due to the heavy weather, which delayed the vessels in arriving as fast as they otherwise would have done. The scene of the disaster is about twelve miles from Kingstown Harbour. I would like, if I may, to refer to the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on Tuesday with regard to the sinking of two coal boats within twenty-four hours previous to the sinking of the "Leinster," and of six such vessels within three days previous. I am glad to be able to inform the House that the hon. Member is misinformed. No vessels were sunk on the dates in question. The facts are that one small vessel was sunk at 6 a.m., on 11th October, some sixty miles to the northward of where the "Leinster" was torpedoed, and one at 2 a.m. on 12th October, at a distance of ninety miles; and I may add that, apart from the "Leinster," these are the only two vessels which have been sunk in the Irish Sea during the current month up to the date given.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty the total number of British and foreign war and merchant vessels which are now under repair, or awaiting repair, in the United Kingdom, and their aggregate tonnage?

I cannot undertake to give the particulars asked for as regards British and foreign warships. As regards merchant vessels, I have not had time to consult those who can advise me as to whether it is desirable to give these figures. If my hon. Friend will put his question on this point down again next week, I will have the matter gone into further.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused in the Navy by the omission to appoint representatives of the lower deck to sit on the Committee that recently considered the naval prize money awards by the too liberal appointment of shares to flag and senior officers, by the service qualification which will deprive of a full share men who were disabled in the battle of Jutland, for example, and by the inclusion by virtue of rank of many outsiders who have been given commissions in the Fleet over the heads of competent and experienced men of long and meritorious service; and whether, in view of these other grievances, he will constitute a new Committee who shall be truly representative of all ranks and ratings to reconsider the question?

During the passage of the Navy Prize Bill in July last I expressed the readiness of the Admiralty to hear the views of any Members of the House and others on the number of shares allotted in the Draft Proclamation to various ranks and ratings in the Service, and to enable this to be done withdrew all the Draft Proclamation except the first five paragraphs which declare the pleasure of the Crown to grant prize. In pursuance of the above undertaking, I have arranged to meet some of those interested next week, and full consideration will be given to all the views that may be advanced. Perhaps I may have the advantage of my hon. and gallant Friend's presence on that occasion.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many dockyard pensioners are resident in Plymouth; and if on some of them volunteering to go back and work they were informed that the money paid to them as pensions would be deducted from the wages earned for working?

The figures requested by my hon. Friend are not readily available. As regards the latter part of the question, the position is not quite as suggested, as a workman employed in a dockyard receives the full wages appropriate to his grade of employment. Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, prescribes, however, that a pensioner re-employed by the Government shall receive only so much of his pension as together with his re-employed wages equal his rate of remuneration prior to retirement, or should his re-employed wages equal or exceed his formal remuneration, then no portion of the pension is payable. War bonus and overtime are excluded for the purpose of applying the Section.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction at the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham among a number of men formerly attached to the Royal Naval Air Force because their right under the Air Force Constitution Act to have their attachment to the Royal Naval Air Force annulled in order to be given the option of entering the Royal Navy or of being discharged from the Service is not conceded; and will he see that the men are given the right to be discharged from the Service in order that they may come under the Military Service Act with the rights of appeal for exemption which that Act confers?

The question seems to indicate some confusion between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Naval Air Service. Under the Air Force Constitution Act, 1917, men belonging to the Royal Naval Air Service at the date to be fixed by Order in Council could be transferred or attached to the Air Force without their consent, but if any such man gave notice within a specified time that he did not desire to be so transferred or attached, the transfer or attachment was annulled. The men referred to in the question are presumably men of the Royal Naval Air Service whose transfer or attachment to the Royal Air Force has been annulled. This process does not, however, give them any right to release from their previous naval engagements, and where they can be usefully employed under the Admiralty they are being retained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware that when the Royal Naval Air Service was transferred to the Royal Air Force a number of second-class air mechanics were reduced to third-class air mechanics, and that these men were promised when they were transferred that they would not be reduced; and whether he will inquire into this matter and restore the men to the rank they held when in the Royal Naval Air Service?

The Air Force gradings of air mechanic, first, second, and third-class, respectively, correspond to the previous Naval Air Service gradings of air mechanic first class, acting air mechanic first class, and air mechanic second class. No loss of pay or relative rank was involved by the new nomenclature, and there has been no breach of undertaking in regard to the conditions of transfer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he can state the reason for the delay in discharging from the Army Third-Air-Mechanic Private F. J. Tanner, Royal Air Force, in order that he may be able to return to civil employment; whether he is aware that this man was by mistake enrolled in the Army; and whether, in this and other similar mistakes, a delay of three months is necessary before a release can be obtained?

The case of Private Tanner was first brought to the notice of the Air Ministry on 9th September. I regret the delay that has occurred in the arrangements for his discharge. Telegraphic instructions were issued yesterday that he should be released forthwith.

asked the Under-Secretary for War what arrangements have been made for housing the men employed at the new military works at Cippenham, near Slough; and what is the average weekly cost of constructing this depot at the present time?

A hutted camp for about 700 men has been erected, and further huts will be added as required. A large canteen for use of all the workmen has also been provided. The German prisoners of war employed at Cippenham are at present under canvas, and huts for them for the winter are now being provided. The average weekly cost is about £6,000 for wages and a similar sum for material.

asked whether any decoration awarded to Dominion troops who took part in the Gallipoli campaign will be given also to other troops who took part in those operations?

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware of the feeling in the South of Scotland that the Gallipoli star should be given to British troops who had served there as well as to Australian troops; and whether he can announce an extension of this grant to the King's Own Scottish Borderers and other regiments?

I would refer to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave this afternoon to a similar question put by my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Manchester.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will say when it is proposed to make arrangements for soldiers in Salonika, Mesopotamia, and Egypt to get leave; and if he is aware that there are many cases of soldiers not having received leave since the outbreak of war?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave this afternoon to an oral question by my Noble Friend the Member for Nottingham, South.

asked the Under-Secretary for War what steps are being taken to grant home-leave to the men in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force who have had no leave for over three years?

As stated yesterday a regular leave service from Salonika has been arranged, and I am pleased to say that the number proceeding on leave is now about 5,000 each month. In the case of Egypt it has not been possible, on account of active operations, for the authorities to take full advantage of the opportunities which have been offered to them recently. Arrangements have been made for the conveyance of 2,600 from Mesopotamia, and other opportunities will be taken advantage of as they occur. I would remind the House that the opportunities available from these parts are necessarily dependent on the shipping situation and the number of troops required to be moved for urgent military requirements, but every effort is made to provide facilities to the extent of the shipping available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an Army Order has been issued to the effect that all lieutenants with four years or more commissioned service are entitled to promotion to the rank of captain?

In order to provide sufficient captains for the new Service battalions, it was decided early in September, 1915, to give the temporary rank of captain to all Regular lieutenants of over four years' service. It is considered that the reasons for this decision have now ceased to exist, and the discontinuance of such promotions is now under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all men transferred to Class P Reserve are entitled to the silver war badge provided they have been invalided after over-seas service and are in receipt of pension or disablement gratuity?

Under the existing Regulations no individual is eligible for the award of the silver war badge unless he has left or been discharged from the military forces in consequence of disablement or ill-health.

asked the Under-Secretary for War (1) whether our commanders know, either from the Germans' own announcements or from interrogating prisoners or from other sources, the names of the generals in command of the opposing forces; whether there is any reason to doubt that the Germans know who are the generals commanding our divisions, corps, and brigades; and, if so, what advantage there is in concealing the services of our own officers and regiments? (2) Whether, seeing that the War has now become one of movement and our Allies the French invariably in their reports mention the names of the divisional and corps commanders who are participating in the conflict in the different areas, he will consider the possibility of a like course being adopted in the British Army in which recognition by name has been so scantily given to commanders of divisions, corps, and brigades as well as to regimental officers?

The names of generals in command of the opposing forces are generally known to the Allies, and it is probable that the Germans are in possession of a corresponding amount of information on the subject. There is no restriction on the mention of the names of corps commanders. The names of other individuals who are considered deserving of mention are brought to notice in the official dispatches, and the achievements of those who receive rewards for gallantry and leadership are fully stated in the published lists. It is considered most undesirable to mention in official communiqués names other than those of the higher commanders, since, owing to the incompleteness of the information on which the communiqués are necessarily based, obvious unfairness would be caused to those individuals whose prowess had not been brought to light by the time the communiqué was issued. Where, however, the gallantry of individual actions has been confirmed by subsequent inquiry, steps are being taken to give the names and details of the story to the accredited correspondents.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that Private A. Tilley, No. 114667, 2nd Machine Gun Corps, 47th Reserve Company, Grantham, served as a stoker on H.M.S. "Birmingham" in the early days of the War, and was discharged with a broken ear-drum due to gunfire and given a disablement pension; that he was recalled and is now in Category B3; and that he has applied in vain to be transferred to Class W or Class P, Army Reserve, in order to resume his former work of national importance in Portsmouth Dockyard; and whether, in view of this man's former record and service, he will consider whether the transfer in question might be arranged?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Private A. Tovey, No. 86947, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, has been refused release to return to coal mining in consequence of having recently been placed in medical category A; and whether Private Tovey had been upon two occasions refused enlistment upon medical grounds and upon his ultimate acceptance was placed in medical category B2?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiry into the case, and I will write to my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service why John Gerrard, of Crag Bank, Carnforth, Lancashire, was arrested by the police on October 3rd last as a deserter and taken before the magistrates and fined £5, and was handed over to a military escort, seeing that in September, 1916, this man was totally rejected as unfit for any kind of military service, and in the meantime had not been called to the Colours; and will he order his immediate release?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who, after serving overseas, have been given a badge and a King's certificate and their discharge endorsed, "Surplus to military requirements," are to be regarded as having been finally discharged?

The fact of a man being in possession of a King's certificate on discharge and being discharged as surplus to military requirements does not in itself constitute a final discharge. If the discharge certificate (Army Form B.2079) of such a man, however, has been endorsed by an authorised official of the Ministry of National Service as permanently and totally unfit for further service this would constitute a final discharge. The Silver War Badge is not awarded to men discharged as surplus to military requirements.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been drawn to the cases of Alexander Fraser, of Wester Limekilns, Dava, and John Cruickshank, of Wester Dreggie, Grantown-on-Spey; if he is aware that both these men are sons of widows; that they were the only men left to work their mothers' farms; and that, in the opinion of the local agricultural committee, they were both entitled to recommendation for protection vouchers; if he is aware that, owing to ignorance and misunderstanding on the part of these men, who live in remote country districts, they failed to make application for exemption and were consequently called up; and if, in view of the representations made by the agricultural executive committee for food production of Morayshire and the position of the two farms, he will recommend the release of these two men from the Colours in order that they may return to their previous occupation?

These two cases have been considered by me in conjunction with a large number of equally difficult ones of the same general type. There is no doubt that in both of these cases the recruitment was legally in order. If any new facts are brought forward, I shall be very willing to give them full consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received representations from Wales with reference to the necessity of releasing the skilled ploughmen called up for military service since 1st May last; and whether, in view of the present agricultural conditions in many parts of Wales, he can give an assurance that the skilled ploughmen referred to will be released and allocated to the counties in which they were recruited?

I regret to say that I am aware of the shortage of skilled agricultural labour in parts of Wales, and that it is impossible to obtain the release of the men referred to in the first part of the question. But the War Office hope to be able to provide some 2,500 skilled ploughmen for England and Wales on two months' furlough. These men will, as far as possible, be returned to the county of their origin, and Wales will receive a proportion.

asked the Minister of National Service how many miners have been released from military service since 1st August last?

I can add nothing to the reply which was given on Tuesday last by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for North Somerset.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to the number of British prisoners of war working in salt or coal mines in Germany, and the number working in various positions within shell-fire?

The military authorities inform me that they have no reliable information on these matters, as the number engaged in any one class of work is continually changing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any Liverpool men who are prisoners at Ruhleben or elsewhere in Germany have been required to give an undertaking to repay sums advanced to them by the British authorities to enable them to return to this country; if so, will he state whether any inquiries were made, before demanding such an undertaking, as to whether the men were in a position to bear the cost of their journey home; and what course the Government will pursue in regard to the men who, on their return home, find that the discharge of this undertaking is a severe burden upon their scanty means?

Hitherto undertakings have been required from British civilians in Germany to repay any moneys advanced to them out of public funds. The question, however, is now being reconsidered.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether any effort has been made to ascertain the number of German prisoners suitable for working in coal mines in this country; and how many of them are so employed?

The answer to the first part of the question is that prisoners of war are classified according to their previous occupations, and the number of miner prisoners now in England is approximately 1,400. They are not at present employed in coal mines.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is now the exact position with regard to permission to send food to British prisoners of war now interned in Holland?

The rule is that food parcels may not be sent. The general position as to the feeding of the British interned prisoners has improved, but we have reason to think it is capable of further improvement and the matter is under anxious consideration at the present moment.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what steps are being taken to obtain the release of British and Indian prisoners of war in Turkey?

The Turkish Government and the Governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary have been notified that a British ship will be sent to Scala Nova on a fixed date with 1,000 Turkish prisoners of war to embark a thousand British invalid prisoners of war. It is understood that the Turkish Government are collecting the latter at a point near Smyrna. The ship in question will also convey stores for the use of our prisoners in Turkey who cannot be immediately repatriated.

In addition to the above steps for carrying out the Berne Agreement, His Majesty's Government have proposed to the Turkish Government the repatriation of all British, including Indian, prisoners of war in Turkey who have been over eighteen months in captivity, against that of similar numbers and ranks of similarly situated Turkish prisoners of war in British hands. To this proposal no reply has yet been received, and the Turkish Government have therefore been informed that His Majesty's Government must insist on an immediate answer.

As my Noble Friend is no doubt aware, instructions have been given to General Allenby that in the event of an armistice being concluded with Turkey, the immediate and unconditional return of our British prisoners should be required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that under Army Council Instruction No. 1,035, of 1918, awarding a bonus to certain classes of employés in War Department employ at Home stations, the majority of temporary employés are definitely excluded from participation, although the bonus has been awarded in recognition of present abnormal conditions which affect all classes alike; and whether the case of the temporary employés is receiving separate consideration?

It is hoped to issue instructions at an early date as regards temporary employés.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the issue of quarterly statements of accounts is now being made to all soldiers?

I am afraid we cannot issue quarterly statements of accounts to all soldiers. The practice is as described in the replies given to the hon. Member for North-West Durham on 29th April last and the hon. Member for West Bradford on 5th November last.

asked the Minister of National Service if he has received a letter from Mr. E. Southworth, of 271, Maryvale Road, Bourneville, Birmingham, a war worker volunteer asking to be transferred to his home at Blackburn, where he has been promised work in a controlled establishment; and whether, in view of the man's circumstances, his wife's bad health, and his large family, he will grant the request?

Yes, Sir; and I am glad to be able to state that arrangements are being made for Mr. Southworth's return to his home at Blackburn as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service (1) if he is aware of the discontent among the miners of New Seaham, Silksworth, and district in Durham who were drafted into the shipyards at the delay of payments due to them under promise at time of engagement; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and (2) if he can state definitely when the overdue war bonus, to which the miners of New Seaham, Silksworth, and other districts in Durham are entitled to, as workers in shipyards, will be paid?

I am not aware that there has been any delay in making payments to the miners who were transferred to shipyards as war work volunteers, but if my hon. Friend will communicate with me, I shall have full inquiries made and if the facts are as stated, will have the matter dealt with promptly.

asked the Minister of National Service whether the concession as set forth in paragraph 4 ( b ) of the Military Service Act (No. 2) of 1918 affects all men discharged on medical grounds under paragraph 392 (iii.), paragraph 392 (xxv.), or other paragraph of the King's Regulations, in addition to the men discharged under paragraph 392 (xvi.); and, if not, whether he will issue instructions to that effect?

The concession strictly speaking applies only to men discharged under sub-paragraphs (iii.) and (xvi.) of paragraph (392) King's Regulations. It is, however, extended administratively to time-expired men discharged under sub-paragraph (xxi.) while in receipt of pensions awarded on account of illness attributable to active service. I am always prepared to consider the case of any man who claims that his discharge was in fact due to disablement or ill-health.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the numerous regulations relative to the starting of new businesses militate against the settlement in civil life of discharged sailors and soldiers who are unable to follow their pre-war occupations by reason of wounds or sickness contracted in the service of the country; and whether, having regard to the importance of the question of the rehabilitation of such men in civil life, he will give special facilities to help them in this respect?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the Retail Business (Licensing) Order. No licence is refused under that Order to a discharged sailor or soldier unless the proposed new business appears likely to injure the interests of a man serving with the Forces.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Civil Liabilities Committee have yet drawn up any scheme for the rehabilitation of discharged and demobilised men in civilian life?

I appointed a Special Committee to consider the question of continuing the Civil Liabilities scheme after the War in connection with the general scheme of demobilisation. The Committee have reported, and their recommendations are at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the British company which manufactures carbide of calcium for the Government is unable to obtain payment from the Ministry of Munitions of accounts due in respect of supplies to the Government and capital expenditure on behalf of the Government; that the company has for many months past pressed the Ministry for payment without result; and that the Ministry, after settling the terms of a new contract with the company, has called upon the company to act upon it but refuses or neglects to complete the contract or to act upon it; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the state of disorganisation existing within the Ministry and the consequent difficulty of conducting business; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I cannot agree that the statements made in my hon. Friend's question accurately state the facts. The company referred to has received considerable financial assistance from the Ministry. On balance, the accounts show that the company owes the Government money. The company's accounts are settled as promptly as possible, and any delay has arisen mainly from difficulties raised by the company. The new contract referred to was recently sent to the company for signature. The facts of this case do not bear out the statements contained in the last part of my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the managers of certain controlled establishments are refusing to give employment to their apprentices who joined the Army without their permission and who have since been discharged from the Army; and whether he will take steps to compel these firms to give these young men employment, and thus enable them to finish their apprenticeship?

If my hon. Friend will inform me of the cases he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether authority was delegated to the authorities of a Midland factory in which an explosion recently occurred to deal with payment of claims for injuries up to five months' ordinary pay, or up to five months' injury pay?

As was stated in an official communication to the Press on 24th August, authority to deal with claims up to five months' injury pay was delegated to the factory authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether copies are now available for the use of Members of this House of the Report submitted in March last by the Committee appointed under the presidency of the Hon. Mr. Justice Rowlatt to inquire into revolutionary activities in Bengal; and whether he can explain the cause of the delay which has taken place in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have to-day made to a question on the same subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Roxburghshire.

asked the Secretary of State for India who are the colleagues of Mr. Justice Rowlatt in the commission of inquiry into treasons, conspiracies, and the use of seditious speeches and writings and other abetments of crimes, with intent to destroy the British Government in India and to wage war against the King; on what date the commission has sent in its Report; whether it includes an examination of such crimes committed outside India by subjects of the Crown in North America, Burma, Siam, Germany, and other countries; on what date it will be presented to Parliament; and whether Members of Parliament will receive it as presented by the Commissioners or after any deletions by any executive authority in India or this country?

Mr. Justice Rowlatt's colleagues were Sir Basil Scott, Chief Justice of Bombay; Diwan Bahadur, C.V.; Kumaraswami Sastriyar, Judge of the High Court of Madras; Sir Verney Lovett, Member of the Board of Revenue, United Provinces; and Mr. Provash Chandra Mitter, a Vakil of the High Court of Calcutta. The report is dated the 15th April, 1918. It gives an account of the connected conspiracies in countries outside India. I greatly regret the delay which has occurred in presenting the Report, and I am sure that the House will accept from me an assurance that there was every desire to furnish Parliament at the earliest possible moment with this most important document. Indeed, the suggestion that there had been any reluctance to publish in London what had already been published in India cannot be seriously entertained. The Report was addressed to the Government of India, and when I heard in July last that that Government had decided to publish it, I instructed them by telegraph to send me 2,000 copies for presentation to Parliament. I was informed that they would be ready for despatch in August. In reply to a further enquiry in September, I was informed that 1,000 copies had been dispatched on the 26th August. It was only last week that I heard that though the Controller of Printing had made over the copies on the date named for dispatch through some unfortunate oversight they had not, as a matter of fact, been actually sent. I immediately arranged for the Report to be reprinted here with all possible expedition, and I hope that it will be ready for presentation in the course of the next week or two. I am not reprinting the maps which are included in the Report as published in India, but they will be obtainable in the copies of the Indian edition when received. In publishing the Report, the Government of India, in the public interest, made a few small omissions which do not in any way affect the arguments or conclusions of the Report. The nature of the slight changes is explained in a resolution of the Government of India, which will be published with the Report. The reprint of the Report will follow the Indian text.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any accounts of recent disturbances in Calcutta and Madras; and whether any persons were killed or wounded?

Disturbances occurred in and near Madras last month connected with attempts to loot grain and cloth shops caused by high prices. In Madras city extensive damage was done, but there were no casualties, and quiet was soon restored. An Conjeeverem the police and military forces were compelled to fire. Three rioters were killed and nine wounded. In Calcutta on the 9th and 10th September there were more serious riots by Mohammedans. Mohammedan opinion had undoubtedly been inflamed by the republication in Calcutta papers of a foolish and offensive article describing African Mohammedans in Paris. An organised agitation was carried on by leaflets and three newspapers, one of which urged active defiance of the Government. Collisions occurred on these two days between crowds and the police, who were assisted by troops, and sixteen rioters were killed by their fire and others wounded. A large number of arrests were made. By the 11th September all was quiet. The editors of the three papers, who do not belong to Bengal, have been removed to their own provinces.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction existing among pensioned police constables who rejoined the Metropolitan Force in 1914 for the period of the War, and have since been performing work similar to that done by the members of the force who are not yet in receipt of pensions, at the differentiation in treatment, under the recent pension award, between them and the younger constables; and whether he will consider the advisability of extending the present pension scheme so that the new service of pensioned constables may be recognised, when their present service expires, by counting the increased pay in calculating their future pensions, as in the case of other constables performing similar duties, and by including their widows in the benefits to be now given to the widows of police officers?

Pensioners who rejoined the force for war service continue to draw their pensions and receive in addition a high rate of pay on the express condition that their pensions shall not be increased. No superannuation deductions have been made from their pay. The widows of pensioners who had rejoined for service, and who were actually serving as constables on the 1st September, 1918, will be entitled to pensions.

asked the Home Secretary if he will reconsider the case of Mr. Kehrhahn, who has been interned for about two years in Brixton Prison and elsewhere, seeing that this man is now willing to give an undertaking not to engage in political propaganda during the War?

I regret that, for the reasons given in previous answers, I can hold out no hope of releasing this man in present circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of men employed underground in coal mines to whom compensation was paid on account of injuries received while at work in the year 1917?

I regret that the information asked for is not available as the returns of compensation do not distinguish between underground and surface cases. The total number of cases in which compensation was paid during 1917 in respect of men employed at mines is estimated (on the basis of the returns received, which cover the great bulk of the compensation) at about 120,000. This figure includes a small proportion of cases continued from the previous year. The great majority of the cases would be underground cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a statement made by the secretary to the Aliens' Advisory Committee that enemy aliens whom the action of the Committee had caused to be sent out of the country would return in shoals after the War and could not be prevented save by fresh legislation; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing at an early date an effective measure to prevent repatriated German subjects from being allowed to permanently reside or carry on business in the United Kingdom for a definite period of years after the conclusion of the War, and to prevent any German subject from acquiring or holding real or leasehold estate in the United Kingdom?

I have seen the newspaper reports referred to in the question. The question of restricting the admission of aliens (and particularly the subjects of the present enemy countries) after the War has been fully considered by a Committee, and the Government will be ready with proposals on the subject at the proper moment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what are the numbers of electors registered and entitled to vote in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, specifying the numbers of women electors in each; also the total number of military electors entitled to vote at the next General Election; and how many of these are abroad or afloat?

The particulars of the number of electors are being collected and will be published as a Parliamentary Return. It will not, however, be possible to indicate how many naval or military voters are abroad or afloat. The number of these is constantly varying.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, if a General Election takes place during the continuance of hostilities and of the present difficulties of printing, etc., the statutory period between the Royal Proclamation dissolving Parliament and the polling day will suffice to allow of all the naval and military voters receiving the election addresses of candidates before the ballot papers are delivered to them; and, if not, whether the Government will introduce legislation to alter those dates, so as to ensure that there will be sufficient time for such communications to reach those electors in time to enable them to know the view of those who seek their suffrage?

The point raised by my right hon. Friend has not been overlooked. I am in hopes that it may be possible to meet it without recourse to legislation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the address and description of naval and military electors on the absent voters' lists are those that were ascertained in June, and are such that without further information supplied by the War Office as to the whereabouts of these electors communications addressed by using these lists will have little or no chance of reaching them; whether a corrected list of addresses will be provided to the returning officer for the purpose of sending out the ballot papers; how long before the polling day will the corrected lists be in the hands of the returning officers; and whether the Government will give instructions that such corrected lists shall be available for candidates in such time and manner as will render it possible for their election addresses to be in the hands of sailors and soldiers before the ballot papers are sent out?

Arrangements have been made, in co-operation with the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry, to provide for information being supplied to the returning officers when an election is imminent of changes of posting and address. The record offices of the Army and Air Force, which cover the great majority of naval and military voters, are engaged in preparing from the information supplied to them by the registration officers card indexes of all the registered electors on their records, arranged under the constituencies in which they are registered. From these indexes, when completed, the information as to address will be supplied as rapidly as possible, and as at present arranged the information will be posted to the acting returning officers by officers in charge of records within seventy-two hours of instructions being received. I propose to request returning officers to do what they can to make the information available for the agents of candidates.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is aware that copies of the absent voters' list had not up to Saturday last been ready for delivery in a number of registration areas in London; and whether he will inquire as to the cause of the delay in publication?

In several cases there has been delay in publishing the absent voters' lists in London constituencies, but I find that at the present time there are only three Parliamentary boroughs for which the lists have not been printed off for supply. I understand that in one case some delay has occurred on account of alterations in polling districts, necessitating corresponding alterations in the lists, and that generally there has been difficulty in immediate publication on account of the necesity of carefully checking the lists with the registers. I am assured that the lists will be ready by the end of the present week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made for the supply of paper to candidates in the event of a General Election?

Final arrangements have not yet been made, but I have caused a tentative scheme to be prepared by which, in case of need, a certain provision of paper for election purposes could be made available for each candidate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made for the supply of petrol to candidates in the event of a General Election?

Arrangements have been made under which every bonâ fide candidate and his election agent will be entitled to obtain a motor spirit licence for the purchase of a limited quantity of petrol and a special permit enabling each of them to use a motor car for the purposes of the election. Application for such licence and permit must be made by the election agent, and forms for this purpose will be obtainable from the registration officers. The permit and licence will be valid from the day of the issue of the writ until the day following the close of the poll. The allowance of petrol will vary, according to the size of the constituency, from 10 to 80 gallons.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what arrangements he has made for the preparation of the second electoral register; and whether he has yet fixed the necessary dates in connection therewith?

It has been arranged that the qualifying period for the second register shall be from 15th July, 1918, to 15th January, 1919, and that the register shall come into operation on 15th May, 1919.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that coal merchants in the country districts in East Sussex, more especially at Berwick, Jevington, Alfriston, and Polegate, have been unable to get any adequate supply of coal, with the result that small cus- tomers have been for weeks without any coal at all, in one case the only baker in the district has had for the last two days to borrow coal for keeping his bakery going; and if he will see that immediate action is taken to remedy this state of affairs.

Inquiries are being made into the matter, and I will let the hon. Gentleman know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is that smaller dealers in East Sussex have been unable to obtain coal, whilst the larger firms in the towns and private owners have been able to get a certain number of trucks through; and if he will see that an increased supply is given to the district, and that it is distributed in such a way that the small consumers in the country who are dependent on country merchants shall be treated in a more equitable manner?

Inquiries are being made into the subject raised in the hon. Gentleman's question, and it would be of much assistance if he would kindly let me have some more precise details bearing on the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what arrangements are being made for the supply of coal to schools; whether the Coal Controller is prepared to give the same facilities to boarding schools and preparatory and private schools as to public elementary schools; and whether, in allocating coal, consideration will be given to the need for warmth for growing children if they are to derive benefit from their education?

All schools of whatever kind are being rationed for fuel and lighting in accordance with their requirements. The public elementary schools are being maintained at a reasonable standard of comfort and efficiency, and the same arrangements will, as far as conditions permit, apply to all other schools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange with the Board of Tobacco Control to give the same priority to the various recognised county prisoners of war funds for tobacco and cigarettes as is given to military hospital funds?

Manufacturers who produce to the Tobacco Control Board orders on behalf of recognised prisoners of war funds are granted permits for the clearance from bond of sufficient tobacco to execute these orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the inequality of prices charged by the Tobacco Control Board for cigarettes and tobacco as between war-hospital funds and prisoner-of-war funds, and why the latter are charged 25 per cent. more than the former; and whether he will make arrangements for the prisoner of war organisations to be placed on the most advantageous terms?

The Tobacco Control Board regulate the home and export prices to be charged on the basis of the prices ruling when the Board was established. The export prices are higher than the home trades prices for various reasons— e.g. , the more expensive form of packing. Military hospitals at home come under the Home Trade Regulations, and prisoners of war funds under the export rates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether returns have yet been received from Canada, Brunei, Basutoland, and Sarawak, of the enemy property located in those territories; and, if so, whether complete returns of enemy property located within the British Empire have now been received?

The Public Trustee informs me that he has received returns from Basutoland, but so far has not received any return from Canada, Brunei, or Sarawak. Information from all other parts of the Empire has been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now decided to issue torpedo badges in a distinct form suitable for officers of the Merchant Service; and whether officers and men of the Merchant Service will be authorised to wear the same chevrons as are issued to the Navy?

I am arranging for the issue of a torpedo badge of a distinctive colour in the case of officers. The question of chevrons is being considered by the Departments concerned, and I hope to be able to inform the hon. Member of the result shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in 1916 an order was made for the winding up of the Armourduct Manufacturing Company and that such winding up is still going on; whether he will explain why the company is not offered for sale as a going concern; whether particular care will be taken that it is not purchased by Wilhelm Schmahl or his co-directors in Magic Appliances or the Anglo-Scandinavian Box Company; whether it has been ascertained that the man Small has now become a director of the Anglo-Scandinavian Box Company; whether he has changed the name of Magic Appliances to the Westminster Trading Company; whether either of these two companies to-day have War Office contracts; and, if so, why they are not given to firms of undoubted British ownership?