asked the Prime Minister if he will say when the proposals to increase the separation allowances will be put into operation; and if he will see that childless wives of soldiers and sailors are included in the proposals, as their present allowances are not sufficient to provide the ordinary necessities of life?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Government's proposals which were circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of Thursday last.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that the separation allowance of 12s. 6d. per week to a childless wife is inadequate under present conditions; and, if so, to what extent it will be increased and when?

My hon. Friend will have seen the particulars of increased separation allowances which have, been announced since his question was put down. These increases include a higher supplementary allowance for the childless wife who is unable to work.

asked the Pensions Minister whether special additional allowances over the fixed rate granted by local committees to childless wives are in some cases paid through the Sailors' and Soldiers'. Help Society; and, if so, what connection a charitable institution has with the matter?

I should be glad of further particulars of the cases to which the hon. Member refers. The Sailors' and Soldiers' Help Society, as also the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, has statutory representation on the local committees, and there may be instances where a committee has delegated certain of its functions to the representatives of one or other of these bodies. This should not be done in such a manner as to obscure the fact that the allowances granted are derived from State funds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the further increase in the cost of living, amounting to over 100 per cent., it is proposed further to increase the amount of old age pensions beyond the 50 per cent. increase already granted or to amend the law in regard to the limit of 15s. as the amount, including pension, payable to a pensioner?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Poplar on the 5th August, to which I am unable to add.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed by the Civil Service Commissioners to close the entrance examination to the Indian Civil Service against all candidates who have not studied at a residential university; if so, whether the assent of the Board of Education had been given to the proposed innovation; whether he is aware that there are no residential universities in Scotland, and that such a proposal would, if carried into effect, exclude all Scottish university and other students who do not choose to belong to a residential university in England, Wales, or Ireland; and whether the Civil Service Commissioners have any particular residential universities in view to which this exclusive privilege is to be confined, and, if so, which?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the recommendations in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Public Services in India regarding the training of probationers for the Indian Civil Service. The Commission have recommended that candidates selected for that service on the results of the open competitive examination should pass the period of their probation at any university which satisfies the Civil Service Commissioners that it can give the instruction required and can provide through a system of colleges or hostels adequate supervision over the probationers. The Commission have made no recommendation on this head affecting the open competition. The recommendations of the Public Services Commission regarding recruitment to the I.C.S. are still under examination by the Gov- ernment of India, and I am awaiting their views before communicating with the Civil Service Commissioners and the universities. I have undertaken to give full consideration to any representations that may be made to me on behalf of Scottish schools and universities.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware of the complaint of the Post Office pensioners in consequence of the inadequate pension; and whether the Government have any intention of giving a war bonus in such cases to meet the increased cost of living?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the substance of the numerous answers which were given last Session to similar questions both by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and by myself.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the conditions under which cattle are allowed to graze in the Phoenix Park; and if he will see that dairymen providing milk for the city of Dublin will get preference to the grazing lands?

About 750 stores cattle are taken in to graze in the Phoenix Park every year from May to November at a capitation rate varying with the age of the animal. As the unenclosed lands extend to about 1,300 acres it would be impracticable without forming enclosures to take in dairymen's cattle or to secure them against unauthorised interference, as the park is open to the public night and day.

asked the Food Controller whether he is exploring means whereby the price of milk can be reduced; and, in particular, whether he has considered the stricter rationing of butter and cheese or the coercion of the farmers?

The Food Controller is always exploring means whereby the price of food can be reduced. So far as milk is concerned, a sub-committee of the Com- mittee on the Production and Distribution of Milk has been appointed to consider whether after the machinery for controlling the wholesale distribution of milk has been put into complete operation it will be possible to vary the prices paid to producers in different districts or on any other basis, and, if so, to make recommendations in detail at an early date. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may point out that the butter ration is to be reduced to 1 oz. per head per week as from 20th October, and that in any case the prices fixed for dairy products are such as to encourage the sale of whole milk rather than its conversion into butter and cheese. The Food Controller has always endeavoured to secure the co-operation of the agricultural community in the carrying out of such measures as are deemed necessary in the national interest, and he is confident that this course is likely to yield more satisfactory results than that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been tailed to the inadequacy of pensions granted before the War to retired members of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, having regard to the increased cost of provisions and necessaries, will he have a Clause inserted in the promised Bill dealing with constabulary pay and pensions providing for a substantial increase of the pre-war pensions referred to?

I am aware of the applications made for increase of pensions by retired members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the matter is having consideration, but there are serious difficulties in the way.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the arms of the Ulster Volunteers were imported from Germany in order to resist an Act of Parliament and are now stated to have been surrendered, he can state whether they are now under the control of officers who are covenanted to resist the application of an Act of Parliament; and, if so, whether they will be removed altogether from Ireland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 15th inst. to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin, and to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Lieutenant Russell, of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, and Inspector George Lowe, detective department, Dublin Metropolitan Police, visited the residence of the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin to search his private residence, without any notice being given, and produced no warrant or letter indicating that they had any authority for doing so; what was the object of the visit, by whom it was authorised, and why no written order was given; is he aware that both officers signed a statement to the effect that they were acting under instructions of the competent military authority, under Section 51 of the Defence of the Realm Act, and no further instructions or authority; is he aware that similar raids have taken place in many parts of Ireland by people representing themselves as appointed by the military authorities or by the police, and that property has been stolen as a consequence; and whether he will take steps to render it impossible for anybody without a proper written authority from the responsible parties in power to obtain entry under any pretext to the private residences of citizens?

The facts of the case are as stated. No warrant or written authority is necessary in order to carry out such a search under the Defence of the Realm Act. The house was searched because there was reason to suspect that an offence prejudicial to the defence of the realm was being committed therein. I understand that one case of personation such as suggested did occur in Dublin. In this case however Lieutenant Russell was accompanied by Inspector Love, Dublin Metropolitan Police, who is personally well known to the hon. Member. No cases have transpired to call for special written authority in each case of search, and it is not proposed to alter the existing practice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why an embargo is laid upon the transmission by post to the United States of America of Parliamentary publications and reports of proceedings in this House, except under conditions which apply to neutral countries?

The Order made by the Army Council under Defence of the Realm Regulation 24 B, a copy of which has already been supplied to my hon. Friend, provides that printed matter may not be dispatched to any foreign destination without a permit. The Order was made with a view to facilitating the control of postal packets purporting to contain printed matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a number of Civil clerks employed in the A.A.O., Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, were employed as subordinate clerks in 1915 at a salary of 47s. per week, including overtime; that the overtime was abolished in January, 1917, and a flat rate of 37s. per week substituted: whether there was a war bonus of 4s. per week granted in December, 1916, and a further war bonus of 4s. in January, 1917, bringing the salary up to 45s. per week; why was an additional war bonus of 6s. per week granted to civilian subordinate clerks from December, 1917, not paid to the above; is he aware that the present rate of pay is 2s. per week less than in 1915, while the cost of living has gone up 100 per cent.?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when the war bonus granted under Army Council Instruction 1035, of 1918, will be paid to the temporary male clerks employed in the regimental pay office, Dublin?

The Army Council Instruction quoted is not applicable to employés paid at temporary rates of pay, but the question of some increase to the clerks referred to in the question is receiving consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty are unable to provide torpedo-boat destroyers of sufficient speed to convoy Irish cross-channel passenger traffic, in view of the U-boat menace and the loss of the ss. "Leinster"?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for West Toxteth, on Tuesday, in which I stated that the Admiralty have no craft capable of maintaining the speed necessary in the weather that prevailed at the time of the "Leinster" disaster. My hon. Friend will recognise that it is not in the public interest to refer to the allocation and disposition of H.M. Naval Forces generally.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now announce the policy to be pursued in relation to the placing of German officers of high rank upon hospital ships and passenger cross-channel ships, or the means to be taken in the future to protect those ships against the enemy submarines?

The question of carrying German officers of high rank in hospital ships has received the full consideration of His Majesty's Government, but no decision has been reached in favour of adopting such measures; neither is it proposed to adopt the policy in respect of passenger cross-Channel vessels.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the officer placed in charge of the docks, the shipbuilding, and the garden city scheme for Beaehley and Tidenham, possesses expert knowledge of the requirements of these varied enterprises?

A clear distinction should be drawn between the work of constructing the shipyards and their adjuncts, such as the houses for the accommodation of the workmen and the actual building of ships in the yards when the latter are completed. The work of construction of the yards and the houses referred to is being carried out by Major-General Collard, acting under the direction of the Controller-General, Lord Pirrie, and it is considered that he has every qualification as a trained engineer for such work. As regards the question of ship construction in the yards, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on the 17th July last, when I stated that Mr. Charles Payne, a managing director of Messrs. Harland and Wolff, of Belfast, had been appointed to deal with all matters appertaining to actual shipbuilding at the national shipyards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will reconsider the request of Mrs. Whelan, 12, Mark's Court, Dublin; if he is aware that this woman has seven sons, all joined voluntarily, and her husband at present serving in the Army, and that her appeal for Homo service for one son has been refused; and if he is aware that her youngest son was sent to France under age and without draft leave?

I regret that this ease cannot be reconsidered by the War Office, and I am afraid I can only refer my hon. Friend to the letter which was addressed to him on the 27th September last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private J. J. Barron, No. 07289, Army Service Corps, has been recommended for the fourth time for discharge as being quite unfit for any military service and has, within the last ten days, been moved from Woolwich to the Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital, Whittlesford, Cambridge; and whether, in view of the fact that this man has been kept in different hospitals in this country for over four months, is forty-nine years of age, volunteered in 1914, and has served for three years and nine months, he will state why he is not allowed to be discharged and to return to his home?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private James Whalley, No. 1341, of a Middlesex Pioneer battalion, is at present home on leave from Salonika; that his wife died recently, leaving five young children with no one to care for them; that he is forty-three and has served since 1915; that he has had malaria and is now graded B 2; if he is aware that this man is a skilled coal miner and was so employed for seven years by the New Moss Colliery, Ashton-under-Lyne, and that during his leave he volunteered to return to his work and was at once reengaged by the New Moss Colliery; is he aware that this man has been transferred to home service for three months on compassionate grounds; that although applied for by the colliery company and the Coal Controller he has been refused permission to continue his work as a coal miner and ordered to join a home unit; will he state if this skilled coal miner is now engaged on work of greater national importance than coal mining and the nature of that work; and if he can be allowed to return to the New Moss Colliery, which is near his home, at least during the period of the three months' home service granted to him?

I am making inquiry into this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the miners released from military service since 1st August last are now at work at the pits?

The number of miners who have been released from the Army for coal mining and have reported at the coal mines since the 1st May, 1918, is 26,910. No exact figures are available to me as to the number since the 1st August, but it may fairly be estimated that about 20,000 have been released, and have reported since that date. There are also about 300 who have been released from the Navy and the Air Force for the same purpose. Apart from sickness and accident, it is believed that all the men who have reported at the coal mines are now at work there.

asked the Postmaster-General how many men of thirty-five years of age in Grade 1 above the rank of sorting clerk or skilled workman are retained by the Post Office; and how many men between forty-three and fifty years of age are being called up; and if an instruction has been issued protecting all officers from military service who are above the rank of sorting clerk or skilled workman whilst men of lower grade, who are likely to be less serviceable to the Army on account of age, are being called up?

There are about 350 men in Grade 1 between the ages of thirty-five and forty-three on classes superior to those of sorting clerks and telegraphists and skilled workmen who have not yet been released for military service. No men between the ages of forty-three and fifty are being released from the Post Office for military service at present, and no instruction in the sense indicated has been issued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many British subjects, Who were in France at the outbreak of war enlisted in the French Army in 1914 and transferred to the British forces in 1915; and whether he will consider their claim to wear the red chevron for overseas service in 1914?

The point raised in my hon. Friend's question was carefully considered, and it was decided that service to qualify for the award of chevrons must be service in the British forces. I regret it is not possible to re-open the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the amount already expended on the works at Cippenham and the total amount of the prospective expenditure intended; whether the recommendations of the House of Commons Committee on Public Expenditure are being carried out; whether the works are being designed with a view only to the repair of motor-transport vehicles during the War; and whether, with regard to the work involved on demobilisation, the utilisation of other munition factories and sites has been considered with a view to providing room for such repair and reconstruction of motor vehicles as it is necessary for the Government to undertake direct, without the assistance of the motor manufacturing trade?

The payments to date for labour and materials for the works at Cippenham amount to £343,717, and the total estimated expenditure is £1,750,000. The recommendations of the Select Committee are being attended to. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the question, it is intended to use the works during the War, during demobilisation, and after the War. The possibility of utilising munitions works as suggested by my hon. Friend has been fully considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the construction of the Slough mechanical transport depot is being kept within the limits recommended by the Sub-committee of the Select Committee of the House on Financial Expenditure, having regard to the Sub-committee's expressed opinion that the scheme was not justified on grounds of post-war conditions only, and also having regard to the fact that the position in France earlier in the year, which endangered repair depots there, has now materially altered; whether an offer has been received from motor manufacturers to repair large numbers of vehicles at a cost involving a capital expenditure of one quarter of the sum of £1,000,000 proposed to be spent at Slough, and that the interests of the motor manufacturing industry, as a large employer of labour, are likely to be seriously jeopardised if the scheme is proceeded with on the lines originally projected; and whether, in view of the fact that the expenditure cannot become effective for twelve months, he will consider the advisability of referring the whole project for a fresh review to an independent and expert body?

The caution recommended by the Select Committee is being observed. As regards the remainder of my hon. Friend's question, an offer has been received by the Ministry of Reconstruction from motor firms to undertake repairs, provided the firms are indemnified for new buildings and plant. This scheme was carefully considered, but was rejected by the War Office as not being satisfactory. It is not considered that the interests of the motor industry will be seriously jeopardised by the works at Cippenham. In reply to the last part of the question, I would point out that the whole matter has already received the fullest consideration by experts, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by resubmitting it to a fresh body.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the shortage of horses in this country, he would make arrangements for the return to this country of all Army horses, whether cast, or not, on the termination of the War, and of all cast horses at the present time?

Arrangements have been made, in consultation with the "Advisory Council for the Disposal of Surplus War Stores," for the repatriation of a very large number of the Army horses in France on the termination of the War, but it is not anticipated that shipping facilities will be available to bring back any large number of animals from other theatres of war. It has been decided, after consultation with the Board of Agriculture, not to return to this country horses now cast in France.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Council have considered the Report of the Court of Inquiry which was appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the capture of the hon. and gallant Member for the Holderness Division of Yorkshire, and if he has been cleared of any charge of misconduct in the matter?

Yes, Sir; the Army Council has considered the report of the Court of Inquiry, and the hon. and gallant Member for Holderness is exonerated from any charge of misconduct or any blame for the loss of his dispatches.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Private George H. Ireland, of the Glou- cestershire Regiment, was recommended for a Victoria Cross for his remarkably gallant action on the 29th October, 1917; whether he is aware that on that date volunteers were called for to go out and bring in a wounded officer; that Private Ireland and another man volunteered to go, and went and found the wounded officer and proceeded to bring him in; that in so doing the other man was killed and Private Ireland severely wounded, and that, notwithstanding his wounds, Private Ireland still struggled to get the officer into the British lines, with the result that the officer was got in and Private Ireland is permanently disabled; and if he will say if any and, if so, what recognition has been made of Private Ireland's bravery?

No recommendation for any gallantry distinction has been received in respect of this soldier nor is there any official information of the acts of gallantry referred to. No rewards for service in the Field are initiated by the War Office, and if this soldier is deserving of reward the facts should have been brought to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief in the Field by the Officer Commanding the Unit, through the usual channels.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to secure Home service for war-worn soldiers; if he is aware that several cases have been brought to the notice of the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin where soldiers in Irish regiments were sent to the front-line trenches at the outbreak of the War, received no leave, and are now serving in the front line; and if he will see that justice is done to these men?

As far as the available reserves of man-power permit, war-worn soldiers have for a consider able time past been granted periods of Home service. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware of any cases where men have served in frontline trenches continuously since the outbreak of war and have received no leave. If my hon. Friend will furnish details of any cases which he has in mind they will be sympathetically considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to ensure that all men in the Army, and particularly those of the Notts and Derby Regiment, have equal opportunity, so far as the exigencies of the Service allow, of obtaining leave home to visit their families?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Claude Flint, No. 35666, Herefords, at present serving in France, has served abroad in Egypt, Italy, and France for three years without once obtaining leave; and whether he will at once take steps to secure that not only this man but others who have served abroad for two years shall have leave granted them?

Every endeavour is being made to alleviate the position as to leave, and I would refer my hon. Friends to the answers which I gave on the subject on Wednesday and Thursday last. In the case of Italy and the Eastern theatres of war arrangements have recently been made by which the Admiralty has increased, as far as possible, transport facilities. I think that the following figures, which show the numbers who have received a period of leave since the 1st January last, will interest the House:

In regard to Egypt, as I stated on Thursday, owing to the recent operations which are still in progress, it has not been possible to take full advantage of the recent transport facilities afforded by the Admiralty. As regards the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham (East), there is no reason to suppose that the Notts and Derby Regiment has been placed on a different footing as regards the allotment of leave to that of any other corps. I can assure the House that the Commanders-in-Chief of the various Expeditionary Forces make every en-deavour to ensure that all men are considered in turn for a period of leave.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the travelling expenses caused to officers and men stationed in Ireland going on leave, they will be granted a free railway warrant to their homes once in every six months as is now the case of those troops stationed in France?

Men stationed in Ireland who are liable for service overseas are already in enjoyment of this privilege. As regards other men, I fear it would not be practicable to differentiate in this matter between Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that appeals for money for political purposes on behalf of Mr. Havelock Wilson were typed by the staff of the War Office branch at the Imperial Institute on Government paper in Government time; whether he is aware that money for such purposes is asked for by principals under conditions which make refusal difficult; and whether this has been done with the knowledge and approval of the War Office?

Yes, Sir; a principal clerk in charge of a branch caused a note to be typed by one of his staff and circulated to the members of his branch, saying that in recognition of the gallantry of our seamen and all we owe to them some members of the branch might like to support the "Seamen's Crusade," the objects of which were set out in an accompanying typed document. There was no suggestion in either document that these objects were in any sense political—in any case, they were not regarded as such—and the appeal was made to the staff as members of the patriotic public. The circulation of appeals to the staff in this way, whatever be the object of the appeal, is not in accordance with office rules and practice, and is to be deprecated. The official responsible has been reminded of this.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will place day by day in the Library a copy of the daily review of the foreign Press?

I have made arrangements for this to be done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the war chevron has not been granted to the 59th Division, as it suffered heavy casualties in the Irish rebellion?

Chevrons are only awarded for service outside the United Kingdom, and I regret that the suppression of local disturbances cannot be regarded as qualifying service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a return had been made to the old practice under which lads were not sent into the firing line until the age of nineteen; and, if so, whether instructions can be issued that those lads who, under the stress of emergency, were sent into the firing line earlier in the year shall now be withdrawn until reaching the age of nineteen?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the promise that youths under nineteen years of age should not be sent into the firing line is still in force; and whether he is aware that in many cases these youths have been killed or wounded in spite of the undertaking of the Government that they should not be sent into the trenches?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of at once withdrawing lads in the firing line of 17½ years either to bases in France and Flanders or for service at home; what are the estimated numbers of these lads at present in the filing line or at advanced posts; and what steps has he taken since 7th August to ascertain whether they could be withdrawn without material effect upon the troops with whom they are serving?

As I stated in Debate on the 7th August last, it was decided that from the end of August no soldier under 19 years of age should be sent overseas, and this rule is still in force. The question of the withdrawal of those already in the firing line is for the decision of the Commander-in-Chief. Representations have already been made to him, but in view of the military situation he was unable to agree to their withdrawal. The matter is, however, still under his consideration, and I am sure that as soon as such a step is practicable the Field-Marshal will give instructions for these young soldiers to be withdrawn from the firing line.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will consider raising the pensions of officers who have commanded brigades in the field, and hold the substantive rank of colonel, who have retired at the age of fifty-seven or who hold the honorary rank of brigadier-general?

I will very willingly consider the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I cannot at present express any opinion upon it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (l) if he can state, approximately, the number of British prisoners of war who have died from a lack of food and from medical negligence; and (2) if he will give the comparative mortality and sickness rates of British and German prisoners, respectively?

In answer to this and to No. 31, I regret that it is impossible to give even an approximate estimate which could be relied upon. There can, how ever, unhappily be little doubt that the rates of sickness and mortality are much higher among British prisoners of war than Germans.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now make any statement concerning the policy of the Government for settling ex-Service men who so desire on the land in Great Britain; and whether any and what steps have been taken to frame a scheme?

A copy of the Board's scheme for the establishment of experimental colonies of ex-Service men is being sent to the hon. and learned Member. The larger question of the land settlement of ex-Service men on demobilisation is at present under the consideration of a Committee of the Cabinet.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a warrant officer or non-commissioned officer serving on a peace attestation and with sixteen or seventeen years' service towards pension is compelled, if he applies for and is granted a temporary commission as quartermaster, to forfeit the whole of such service towards pension; whether the effect is to place him in the same position as a civilian who has obtained a temporary commission as quartermaster and served for three years in that capacity; and whether, with a view of remedying this hardship, he will consider the desirability of extending the provisions of Army Order 159 of 1918, so as to include warrant officers and non-commissioned officers granted temporary commissions as quartermasters?

No warrant or non-commissioned officer serving on a normal engagement has been granted a temporary commission as quartermaster unless he has completed at least eighteen years' service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether any report has been received as to the use of parachutes by German airmen as a means of escape from injured aeroplanes; and whether the tenour of the report, if any, indicates that the appliance is effective in life saving?

The reply to both parts of this question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware of the dissatisfaction on the part of the probationary officers, Women's Royal Air Force, at the conduct of the course at Roper Hall, Eltham, beginning 27th August and ending 11th September; and if he will give the numbers, respectively, of acceptances and rejections out of 175 probationary officers attending this course?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of candidates attending the probationary course for officers of the Women's Royal Air Force between the dates mentioned was 170. Of these fifty-one were accepted, 112 were rejected, and seven withdrew at their own request. I am informed that all the rejected candidates who have asked for reconsideration of their cases have since been given the opportunity of appearing before an independent selection board, and that as a result eleven have been interviewed, of whom four have been accepted and seven rejected.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Bill dealing with the restoration of trade union conditions has yet been prepared; and, if so, whether he can state when it will be introduced?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Leader of the House to my hon. Friend the Member for York on Thursday last.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will endeavour to obtain for the women workers living in and around Wallingford, and to the number of about sixty, employed on munition work at Didcot, an earlier train service from Wallingford, enabling them to reach Didcot by rail in time for the commencement of morning work instead of having to walk or cycle in all weathers to Cholsey Junction?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiries into the matter, and will communicate with my hon. and learned Friend as soon as I am, in a position to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether any provision has been or will be made to replace in whole or in part losses proved to have been inflicted on private citizens through burglary in the absence of police during the strike?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the possibility of an amendment to the Workmen's Compensation Act raising the maximum amount payable for loss of life from £300 to £450, in view of the conditions now prevailing?

The compensaion payable under the Act in case of death takes the form of a capital sum which can be invested or otherwise applied in such a way as to make some more or less permanent provision for the dependants, and any proposal for an increase on the ground simply of the present abnormal conditions would present very great difficulties. It was recognised at the time of the negotiations on the Workmen's Compensation (War Addition) Bill last year that the lump sum payments in fatal cases stand on a different footing from the weekly payments in cases of disablement, and it was part of the agreement then arrived at that the amount of the former payments should not be altered. As the right hon. Member will be aware, it is proposed to have a general inquiry into the working of the Act, and the question of the scales of compensation will no doubt then come under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the case of ex-constables rejoining the Metropolitan force during the War such extra service is not counted to the man's credit with a view to the increase in pension on the scale laid down; and, if so, whether he will favourably consider allowing this extra service to count?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the written reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Islington on the 17th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to make retrospective the pensions which have been granted to the widows of the police by the recent decision, in view of the number of widows who are left without support owing to the fact that on the death of the husband the pension lapses?

I am sorry that I cannot see my way to do this. It would involve a very heavy charge which ought not to fall on police funds.

asked the Home Secretary, whether he is aware that there are in the Metropolitan area many hundreds of police pensioners whose pension does not exceed £1 per week, and in some cases the pension is not more than 15s.; and whether, in view of the hardship which the increase in the cost of living is inflicting on a very worthy and deserving class of citizens, he can see his way to increase the pension to the pre-war value, taking into account the rise in the cost of living?

I am well aware of the hardship which the increased cost of living causes to all pensioners and other persons with small fixed incomes. The case of police pensioners is perhaps less hard than that of others, because many of them are able to obtain employment at much higher wages than they could have obtained before the War. I will consult the Treasury on the matter, but I cannot say whether anything can be done beyond the measures which the Government has already taken to restrict or reduce the price of necessaries.

asked the Home Secretary if members of the Metropolitan Police who were allowed to resign in order that they might join the Colours voluntarily will, on reinstatement, receive only the rate of pay at the date of resignation, or what rates of pay will they receive, and in what respect will it differ from that of members who were taken into the Army under the Military Service Act; and what, if any, conditions will govern reinstatement?

It is proposed that these men shall, on reinstatement, receive pay at the rate to which they would have been entitled if they had continued in the police force.

asked the Home Secretary whether an endeavour has been, or is being made, to remove the inequality of treatment between members of the Metropolitan Police Force who obtained leave to resign in order that they might join the Army and those members of the force who were called up subsequently under the Military Service Acts, and in particular to provide that police and military service should count for pension in both cases and not only in the latter case, and that the difference between police and Army pay should be given to the wives and families of both sets of men, so that those who responded voluntarily to the call for men for military service may not suffer an unfair position financially as hitherto?

I assume that the question refers to men who enlisted without the consent required by Section 1 (1) of the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915. If so, I hope to propose legislation which will enable them on reinstatement to reckon their Army service for the purpose of pension, but it does not appear possible to go further.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the numbers of persons employed in coal mining in Great Britain below ground on 31st December, 1013, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and on 30th June, 1918?

The returns collected by the Home Office under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, are returns of the number of persons ordinarily employed during the year. They do not give the number employed at the end of the year, except for 1914, when, in view of the heavy depletion of mine labour due to recruiting in the last five months of that year, owners were asked to furnish, in lieu of the usual return the number of persons ordinarily employed during the period January to July, 1914, and the number employed on the last pay-day in December, 1914. The figures are as follows:

asked the Home Secretary whether a report was made to his Department by the Kingston police that, on or about 22nd August, a naturalised German, William Small, formerly Wilhelm. Schmahl, was stopped at Kingston Hill by a uniformed policeman whilst being conveyed with his wife and family to Paddington Station by motor car; whether the man used the same car to return home on a subsequent day; whether the police satisfied themselves that the ear did, in fact, convey him to and from Paddington Station only, or whether the car took him all the way to Newquay; were particulars taken by the police at the instance of a resident of Broomwater, Teddington, who, with the police, chased Small until such time as another officer stopped him; whether he received on 22nd August a letter written by another resident of Broosmvater drawing attention to these facts and to the fact that, on 4th August, 1917, this man went to Bournemouth with his family for a holiday and, before starting, drew six gallons of petrol on a licence issued to the Anglo-Scandinavian Box Company, No. 555796/56720, such licence being free of duty; whether any prosecution for respecting this man's use of a private pleasure purposes was taken; if not, why this course was not adopted; whether he is aware that continuous complaints have been made to the Teddington police respecting this man's use of a private motor car, and that the local police have stated that they cannot prosecute him because he is always able to excuse himself that he is on business; that on Saturday, 28th September, this nan was in Kingston market place with the same car using it for private purposes; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am having inquiries made to see whether in any of the recent occurrences mentioned in this question there is anything which calls for action on my part.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that some local authorities, the Stepney Board of Guardians included, are refusing to pay to their staffs the war bonus awarded by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board on the 9th July to Civil Service employés; whether he has approved the payment of this bonus to the employés of local authorities; and will he circularise local authorities to this effect?

I am informed that the Stepney Board of Guardians have deferred consideration of this matter until December. I have recently issued a circular to Poor Law authorities intimating my approval of the payment of war bonus on the Civil Service scale to the staffs of those authorities. I am sending my right hon. Friend a copy of this circular.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is proposed to build 250,000 up-to-date houses for the working classes; whether, as there is no likelihood of these houses producing an economic rent until several years after the War, it is proposed that the State, which is to provide 75 per cent. of the capital, will bear the loss on that contribution, while the local authorities will bear the loss on 25 per cent.; and, seeing that the workers in Irish towns are sadly in need of improved dwellings, can he say if Ireland will come into the scheme, and what proportion of the 250,000 houses will be allotted to her?

I have sent the hon. Member a copy of my circular letter of the 18th March last to the local authorities of England and Wales, from which he will see the terms upon which State assistance is to be given to those local authorities who build houses for the working classes at the conclusion of the War. The last part of the question would seem to be one which should be addressed to the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the number of widows of soldiers and sailors who are being maintained by the Poor Law authorities at the present time; whether he can state the number of children of soldiers and sailors in the same position; and whether he will issue instructions that in all such cases the wives and dependants of soldiers and sailors who have fallen in the War or have been disabled shall not be allowed to enter Poor Law institutions but shall be immediately reported as without means to the Ministry of Pensions?

I have no information as to the first part of the question. I obtained a Return in March last of the number of children of men killed in the present War who were being maintained by the Poor Law authorities. This return showed that there were at that time 993 children in this position. I have no authority to prohibit the admission to Poor Law institutions of women and children who are in need of institutional relief, but the Poor Law authorities have already been instructed to inform the Local War Pensions Committees of the admission of any such cases to their institutions.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he can state the date on which will be published the Return showing the number of electors whose names appear on the new registers in the United Kingdom?

The Return will no doubt be presented by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary as soon as practicable after he has received the particulars for the various parts of the United Kingdom. The figures for England and Wales, which my Department is collecting, have not yet all been received, and I cannot say definitely at what date that part will be complete.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the general use of public schools as polling places at the next General Election and of the need of supplying light-resisting blinds where they are not already fitted, he will instruct returning officers to arrange that blinds be fitted without delay in order that such schools may be rendered available whenever required for public meetings?

While I have no authority to instruct returning officers in this matter, I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and I understand that the Metropolitan Police authorities have made arrangements to meet the anticipated difficulty in regard to meetings in schools. As regards the provinces, I am asking my right hon. Friend whether it is possible to make somewhat similar arrangements.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that the addresses of the naval and military voters appearing on the register are insufficient to enable candidates to send their, election addresses to such electors with any chance of their reaching them, and that arrangements are being made whereby the acting returning officers will be provided with the correct addresses in time to send out the ballot papers, the Government will undertake that these addresses shall be at the disposal of candidates in time to ensure that their election addresses may be delivered by post to the naval and military voters before the ballot papers reach them?

I am in hopes that it will be possible to secure that election agents will have access to the latest information available of the addresses of absent voters in order that they may, so far as is practicable, ensure the delivery of the election addresses of candidates to absent voters before the ballot papers reach them. The methods to be adopted for securing this end are at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of Resolutions passed by the town council of Ealing recording a unanimous opinion that no person of enemy alien birth, whether naturalised or un-naturalised, should have any right whatever to vote at Parliamentary or local government elections, and should be disabled from being elected to Parliament or holding any public office, and that they view with considerable apprehension the undesirable eventualities which may arise at the ensuing election should their names remain on the register, and also that the council consider that, for the maintenance of the Empire's integrity, Parliament should immediately pass a Bill whereby all such voters will automatically come off the register; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving effect to such resolutions?

I have seen the resolution referred to. To carry out its purpose would require legislation. That is a matter for the decision of the Government, and not of the Local Government Board. I cannot, however, make any announcement respecting legislation of the kind suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that a large number of public school premises are not fitted with blinds, and in order that such premises may be rendered available for holding public meetings as provided by Section 25 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, he will arrange with the Chief Commissioner of Police for the relaxation during the period of the next general election of the regulations governing the screening of lights?

I understand that the Commissioner of Police has already made arrangements to ensure that the lighting restrictions shall not prevent the use of public elementary schools in London for public meetings of the kind in question. The Education Officer of the London County Council has agreed to have a responsible person in attendance at the school during the holding of a meeting who will put out the lights if and when the maroons are heard.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can make any definite statement as to the position of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who desire to stand for Parliament and who are at present serving with the Forces; and whether leave can be granted immediately to such men on service in order that they may be adopted as prospective candidates?

Officers, non-commissioned officers and men serving at home or with an expeditionary force will be granted leave eight clear days before the issue of the writs so as to enable them to appear before the duly accredited committee or association of the recognised party or body of persons proposing to adopt them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether negroes have been employed in Salford and the neighbourhood; and, if so, whether he will take any and, what steps to protect white labour and to prevent mixed marriages in that area?

I am not aware that negroes have recently been brought to the Salford district for employment. There are a few coloured men employed, as is usual in normal times, in and around the docks, and occasionally such men obtain employment in the town. If the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of what he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour when his Department propose to take steps to put into operation the recommendations of the Industrial Unrest Committee so far as they deal with the insurance agents of Great Britain and Ireland; and why the Report of the Committee of Inquiry is being withheld from the agents?

This matter has received very full consideration, and I regret there is nothing to add to my previous answers to the hon. Member. I would refer him particularly to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newbury on 12th June, 1918.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is preparing, in anticipation of the demobilisation of the Navy and Army, any considered scheme for securing that every disabled man who wants work and is fit for it shall be able to obtain it without unnecessary and disheartening delay; and, if so, whether he has given careful consideration to the proposals put forward by Mr. Rothband, of Manchester?

The importance of making all practicable provision for the re-employment of disabled men is fully realised by the Minister of Labour and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, and Mr. Rothband's proposals have received their very careful consideration. I am not, however, satisfied that all the difficulties would be satisfactorily met by the adoption of these proposals.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Committee appointed by the Ministry of Reconstruction to report respecting war-time labour awards was appointed in consultation with his Department; whether this is not a subject which is already receiving the consideration of his Department; and upon whom it will ultimately devolve to advise the Government on this question?

All the Departments interested in wages are in consultation on the subject. The Ministry of Labour will of course make such representations as may be necessary to the Cabinet.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is now prepared to make his promised announcement with reference to increased remuneration for the staff employed in travelling post offices, having regard to the difficulty which still exists in these men making their weekly budget balance owing to the rise in the cost of living?

I am still in correspondence with the Treasury on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that girl probationers in the Central Telegraph Office are only paid at the rate of 3d. per hour for five hours' work on Sundays; and, if so, will he at once insist on adequate remuneration being paid for this Sunday labour and thus stop the discontent which this payment is causing?

This question depends upon the decision on a claim which is now before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés. I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether all the employés on the mail boats between Kingstown and Holy-head are in receipt of special war-risk allowances; whether this special allowance is paid to Post Office officials; and, if not, will it now be paid to them and be made retrospective as from the date on which it was first paid to other employés on these boats?

Special provision is already made by means of the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 1915, in respect of the war risks incurred by Post Office servants employed on the Irish mail boats. This Act provides for a pension to widows in the event of death, and a disablement pension in the event of personal injury arising out of warlike operations, in addition to the ordinary benefits arising out of the Superannuation Acts; and I do not consider further provision in the form of a risk allowance to be called for.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate acreages under hops in England and America, respectively, for the years 1914 and 1918?

The area under hops in England was 36,661 acres in 1914 and 15,666 acres in 1918. There are no official returns of the acreage under hops in the United States for 1914, but the area in that country in 1915 was 43,900 acres; and this year it is returned at 27,900 acres.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the supply of hops for this year, together with available reserves, will be adequate for the brewing of beer in 1918–19; and, if not, whether he is prepared to allow hop-farmers to replant a proportion of gardens compulsorily grubbed?

My information does not include statistics of the available reserves of hops in brewers' hands. I cannot, therefore, give a definite reply to the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I am considering, in conjunction with the Hop Control Committee, whether it is possible to allow some further planting of hops without running the risk of any material diminution of food crops.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the precise nature of the official appointment, if any, which the Agricultural Organisation Society holds, either from the Board of Agriculture or indirectly from the Board of Agriculture through the Food Production Department?

The society holds no official position under the Board of Agriculture or the Food Production Department. It receives Grants in aid of its works through both the Board and its Sub-Department, as explained in the previous question

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the total amount of the Grants made during the War to the Agricultural Organisation Society for the purpose of promoting allotments; and what proportion, if any, are they permitted to use for the specific purpose of stimulating co-operative trading?

The amount of the Grant to the Agricultural Organisation Society made this year specifically for the purpose of promoting allotments is £10,000. That Grant is administered through the Food Production Department, and the whole of it may be said to be available by the society for stimulating co-operative trading so far as that can be done by (1) supplying organisers to address meetings of allotment-holders on the advantage to themselves and to the State derived from organisation on co-operative lines; (2) assisting in the formation of societies among allotment-holders; (3) advising societies in their trading and other operations. The Grants to the society in the earlier years of the War were applicable both to the promotion of agricultural co-operation generally and to co-operation among allotment-holders. These Grants were as follows:

It should be mentioned also that the Grant to the society from the Small Holdings Account for the current year is £4,000, of which £1,000 is applicable to the society's allotment work.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the fact that Grants of public money are made to the Agricultural Organisation Society, what is the nature of the control, if any, exercised by the Board of Agriculture or the Food Production Department over the operations of the Agricultural Organisation Society; and what conditions, if any, are attached to the payment of the subsidy or Grant?

The control exercised by the Board over the operations of the Agricultural Organisation Society is partly by means of definite conditions attached to the Grants of Government money, and partly through the constant touch which is maintained between the Department and the officers of the Society, and through the work of the two nominees of the Board who sit on the Executive Committee of the society. The Grants to the society are, moreover, annual, and the work of the society comes up automatically for review every year. I will send my hon. and learned Friend a copy of the conditions attached to the most recent Grant of money to the society.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether he can promise an early date for the publication of the first Annual Report of the Ministry of Reconstruction?

A Report is in course of preparation, but I cannot at present name a definite date for its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Indians have been prevented from purchasing land in Mombasa at a recent sale of Government land there; and if the India Office was consulted before this step was taken?

Yes, Sir. The sale was arranged to meet a pressing need for European residences in a part of the island which, in accordance with expert sanitary advice, is intended to be set apart for European purposes. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the Board has given its consent to the garden city scheme for Tidenham and Beachley, Gloucestershire, suggested by the Admiralty?

The answer is in the negative. The Local Government Board's consent is not required.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the cost out of public funds of the renovation and decoration of the Albert Memorial, and the number of men continuously employed on that work?

There has been no renovation nor redecoration of the memorial since 1915. The periodical cleaning down of the statue and lower part of the memorial has up to date this year cost £36. The work is performed by a few men who are responsible for the cleaning of statues, etc., in the charge of the Department.