asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the public feeling which has been evidenced, inter alia , by resolutions of borough and district authorities that no person of enemy alien birth, whether naturalised or unnaturalised, 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 the requisite legislation should be passed under which all such persons will automatically come off the register; and whether he will consider the desirability of meeting the public demand by introducing and passing legislation during the present Session?

I have received a number of these resolutions. Un-naturalised persons of enemy alien birth can neither vote nor sit in Parliament, and as far as the resolutions refer to them they are obviously misconceived. As regards naturalised persons similar proposals were made in this House during the passage of the Representation of the People Bill last year, and in the other House during the discussion on the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill this year, and were negatived in both oases. In the circumstances the Government would not feel justified in asking Parliament to again consider these proposals in the present Session.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the annual cost to the State of awarding a bonus of 5s. a week to all Civil Service pensioners whose pensions do not amount to more than £1 per week.

The cost would be considerable, but I regret that I am not able to state the exact figure or to cause the elaborate inquiries and calculations to be made to arrive at the result. As I have frequently stated, His Majesty's Government cannot undertake to ask Parliament to legislate on this question.

asked the Joint Patronage Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Ministry of Information, whether Dr. Giles, professor of Chinese at Cambridge University, is advising the Ministry of Information; if so, whether he will explain why a journal called "Truth" was produced for circulation in the Far East without expert correction; whether he is aware that Professor Giles has declared that the publications of the Ministry for use in China are of a low type, as from an educated man, childish, and the title "Truth" is, in Chinese ears, absurd; and what action is being taken to recall publications which will appear ridiculous in the eyes of China?

Dr. Giles, Professor of Chinese at Cambridge University, is not acting as adviser to the Ministry of Information. The letterpress of the journal, since the first few issues, has been produced under the expert supervision of Dr. Lionel Giles, of the British Museum. In his opinion the letterpress is not of a low type. The style is neither too literary nor too colloquial, but calculated to make the widest appeal to the general public in China. The title "Ch'eng Pao" is not only perfectly intelligible, but the best possible rendering of "Truth" as the title of a newspaper, and for more than two years, during which time the paper has circulated in China, no Chinaman appears to have taken exception to it.

asked the Food Controller whether, in view of the glut in the fat cattle market and the making and revising of Orders in connection with same, which makes it impossible for farmers to know where they stand, he will now revert to a free sale and a free market?

The suggestion of the hon. Member, if carried into effect, would have the most undesirable consequences for both producers and consumers. In my view, the best method of assisting farmers in the present difficult situation is to increase the prices for cattle and sheep for the months in which supplies will be most needed, with a view to meeting any additional expense which their holding back at the present time may involve.

asked the Food Controller whether, in view of the loss of weight in meat caused by returning to the farms from market animals fattened on the pastures and fit for grading, and the consequent loss to the farmers of money needed by them for the payment of rent and for the purchase of seeds, fertilisers, and feeding-stuffs necessary for their winter operations, he will purchase and pay now for all such animals so sent in and returned, so that the Government will bear the loss inevitable, owing to the failure of the supply of feeding-stuffs necessary to maintain the weight of the animals, and not the farmer?

I have carefully considered this matter, and have come to the conclusion that the best method of compensating farmers for the additional expense which they will be caused in connection with the requisite holding of stock consists in the increase of prices for fat cattle which was announced in this House last Tuesday.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware of the effect upon horses in London of the difficulty of getting sufficient hay and oats released to in any way sustain them; is he aware that the cab owners and poorer carter men are those most affected by the shortage of feeding-stuffs as well as by the prices charged; if he will take steps to meet the evil and have these animals put out of pain and have their owners compensated; which Department of the Government controls the release of hay and oats; and will instructions be issued to this body to deal more leniently with the users of horses?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Government have no desire to deal otherwise than leniently with the users of horses, and my Department, which controls the release of imported oats, is in constant communication with the Central Council for Civil Hay Supplies as to the best means of ensuring sustenance for town horses. Unfortunately, owing to the diminished importation of oats consequent on the paramount requirements of the American military programme, it is impossible to guarantee a fixed ration of oats for horses. The hay rations laid down for working horses in the Board of Trade Order of 25th September, 1918, are sufficient to keep horses in proper condition, but the difficulty recently has been that supplies have not been available to meet the rations allowed. No effort will be spared to ameliorate existing conditions.

asked the Food Controller if the price of Government butter has been raised from 2s. 4d. per lb. to 2s. 6d., and, if so, for what reason; whether it is proposed that the producers of home-made butter shall have a similar advance in price made; if so, will he state clearly whether Irish-made butter comes within the latter group; if not, why is it that the Irish farmer, who has less machinery at his disposal for butter making, and who has far greater expense to incur in marketing his produce, is struck at, considering that the butter he puts on sale is, and has been proved to be, far superior to any foreign stuff outside of Denmark and equal in every way to any butter manufactured in this country; and whether steps will be taken to see that equality of prices will prevail as between all sections of butter producers in the United Kingdom?

The retail price of Government butter was raised on the 16th September from 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. per lb., since it was found necessary to increase the price at which butter was sold by the Ministry of Food to the Trade by 2d. per lb. in order to cover the cost of the butter distributed. The price of butter produced in Great Britain was also increased by 2d. per lb. on 20th October. As regards Irish butter, it has been arranged that all the exportable surplus shall be purchased by the Ministry of Food, in order to secure adequate supplies and their equitable distribution in Great Britain under the rationing scheme. The price that has been given for Irish butter sold in bulk to the Ministry since the 1st August, 1918, is 245s. per cwt. f.o.r., which compares favourably with the average prices obtainable for butter by the producers in Great Britain.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that there are many hundreds of sheep that have been fed on Dartmoor now ripe for the butcher, and if not converted into mutton at once these sheep must lose flesh and probably many will die through being wintered on Dartmoor and there being no inland keep for them; and whether he will issue a permit allowing them to be slaughtered?

Arrangements are already in operation for the slaughter of as many of the sheep in question as can be disposed of in the present circumstances. Dartmoor farmers are notified by the auctioneers of the district of the numbers of sheep required weekly for slaughter, and these are sent in from the various farms in agreed proportions, preferential treatment being given to those farmers who have the least available feed. Every effort is being made to enable farmers to dispose of their stock, and no complaints of special difficulty in the Dartmoor district have been received.

asked the Food Controller if he will explain the delay in putting in force the Order promised to be made for the protection of small licensed traders in Ireland who were getting their supplies of porter through a wholesale dealer so as to secure them a fair average of their supply in the datum year 1916; whether this Order is being enforced by police supervision or by the Excise authorities, or by the Irish food control office; and if he will indicate the remedy which persons still deprived of their stocks can take, especially in cases in which their applications have been refused by the brewery or the wholesale dealer?

The Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) (Ireland) Order has been in operation since 1st October, and is being enforced by the Food Control Committee for Ireland. The remedy open to such traders as are deprived of the proper percentage of their datum year supplies is set forth in the Order and the food control committee will investigate any complaints brought to their notice.

asked the Food Controller whether he will inquire into the refusal of Messrs. A. Guinness and Company, Limited, to supply Mrs. Lizzie Murphy, of Edgeworthstown, county Longford, with porter, notwithstanding the recent Order of the Food Control Board of Ireland; whether he is aware that in their letter Messrs. Guinness throw the blame for ruining this woman's business on the restrictions imposed by the Government; and, in view of the fact that licence duties are exacted from such traders, what steps he will take in such cases?

I understand that no complaint from the lady named in the question has been received by the Irish Food Control Committee with whom the administration of the recent Order rests.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware of the general sense of dissatisfaction amongst home-producers of meat and milk at their failure to obtain supplies of concentrated feeding-stuffs; and if he will state the reasons why these feeding-stuffs cannot be obtained?

A certain degree of dissatisfaction is inevitable, but it should be realised that the shortage of concentrated feeding-stuffs is due to the paramount requirements of the American military programme. Tonnage which would have otherwise been available for feeding stuffs has, by the decision of the Government, been allocated to the transport of American troops. So far as the President of the Board of Agriculture and myself are concerned, we could only accept this decision, which clearly tends towards shortening the War, and do everything in our power to remedy the difficulties with which farmers were bound to be faced. We forthwith arranged a scheme for the equitable distribution of such feeding-stuffs as were available, and with a view to encouraging farmers to hold back their cattle at the present time, we propose to increase the prices for cattle and sheep as from December.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that in some rural districts the price of 2s. 3d. per gallon to the producer for milk is one that would not be paid but for Government interference; and whether he will give to the local food committees the power of regulating the price of milk in areas where production is cheap, and place upon them the responsibility of maintaining the supply in their areas?

I can add nothing to the answer given to the right hon. Member on this subject last Tuesday.

asked the Food Controller whether he has received a deputation from the Islington Board of Guardians with reference to the price charged for milk supplied to the institutions under their cave; and, if so, is he now prepared to consider their request in the interest of the ratepayers that, having regard to the fact that they will require 50,000 gallons in the coming six months, it shall be supplied to them at wholesale prices?

I have received a communication from the Islington Board of Guardians on this matter, but, in view of the fact that the Milk (Winter Prices) Order makes special provision for the price of milk sold to establishments in quantities of not less than 17 Imperial gallons a day, I regret that I cannot make any special exception in their favour.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that worthless substances are sold as pig meal; and whether he will take steps to protect small buyers from being imposed upon by sellers of these mixtures?

I am aware that worthless substances have in some cases been sold as pig meal, but as the hon. Member for Tavistock was informed last week, it is proposed to issue an Order specifically prohibiting the addition of husk and worthless material to the permitted ingredients of meals, and to regulate the prices charged for meals.

asked the Food Controller whether caterers are restricted as to the number of coupons they may demand for any given dish; and, if so, whether it is proposed to continue this system?

In accordance with the provisions of the Rationing Order it is the duty of the caterer to detach and retain a coupon or half-coupon on supplying a meat meal. If the Noble Lord is aware of cases in which caterers are in the habit of requiring more than one coupon or half-coupon in respect of any single meat meal, I should be glad to be informed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the existing dietary scale for enemy officer prisoners of war, and in particular those articles which are the subject of rationing Orders of the Ministry of Food; when was the scale last revised or substantially altered, and in what respect; what articles are allowed to be purchased by these prisoners, whether of food or drink, outside the scale; and are such purchases subject to any conditions or limitations as to quantity or frequency of purchase?

I cannot within reasonable limits give the full dietary for officer prisoners of war, but shall be glad to furnish my hon. and learned Friend with it. Of rationed articles, officer prisoners of war may purchase 14 ozs. of meat, including bone, per week, 7 ozs. sugar, and 4 ozs. of edible fat. The scale was last revised on 18th October last, the material alteration being the substitution of 4 ozs. preserved meat for a similar quantity of ordinary meat. No purchases outside the dietary are permitted. As regards drink, officer prisoners of war are allowed to buy a limited amount of light wines and beer, but no liqueurs or spirits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the existing dietary scale for alien enemy prisoners of war who are non-commissioned officers and men, and in particular those articles which are subject to rationing so far as the civil population is concerned; when was the scale last revised or substantially altered, and in what respect; are these prisoners permitted to make any purchases of food outside the scale; and what are the articles, and under what conditions as to quantity or frequency of purchase?

For the reason given in my last reply, I cannot give the full dietary of non-commissioned officers and men prisoners of war. Of rationed articles these prisoners are entitled to 4 ozs. meat on three days a week, 1 oz of sugar daily, and 3/7 oz. of margarine if engaged on work and 3/14 oz. if not. The scale was last revised on 12th July last, when jam was removed from the ration, cheese reduced from 1 oz. to 4/7 oz. daily, an increased supply of rice and margarine being substituted. No foodstuffs may be purchased, except such as are sold in canteens. Slightly increased rations are issued to prisoners engaged in heavy manual work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received any information concerning the organised insubordination, strikes, or refusal to work on the part of enemy prisoners of war employed in agricultural work in the Parliamentary Division of Uxbridge; whether he is aware that these men have ceased to work and declined to resume unless they received additional food rations from the farmers or other occupiers of the land on which they were put to work; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to compel rigid obedience to regulations and effective and deterrent punishment?

The military authorities inform me that they have received no information respecting the incident referred to. Inquiries are, however being made, and I will inform my hon. and learned Friend of their result.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from representatives of the Antrim, Bally-money, Larne, and Lisburn Boards of Guardians pointing out that these boards had boarded out in other workhouses their healthy inmates, thus leaving vacant the main portion of the workhouse premises in each case, and requesting the Government to introduce legislation to amend the Poor Relief Act, 1838, which only provides for the sale of workhouse buildings or portions thereof, so as to enable such buildings to be let on lease for terms of years; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received the resolution referred to. Legislation would be necessary, but I fear there is no prospect at present of introducing an amending Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a national school teacher on promotion from second division of first grade to first division of first grade loses a war bonus of 6s. per week, or £15 12s. per annum, and is obliged to pay an extra pension premium of £2 17s. 4d. per annum, whereas the increase in salary only amounts to £8 per annum; and whether any arrangements have yet been made to recoup this loss on promotion?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the Treasury sanction was obtained recently for a modification of the Regulations regarding the war bonus payable to teachers promoted to first division of the first grade on and after 1st December, 1917, which secures such teachers against Buffering any temporary loss to income from grade salary and war bonus combined as the result of their promotion. The alteration in the Regulations applies retrospectively and payment is being made at present of the arrears of war bonus due for service given since 1st December last by the teachers who are affected by the concession.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the discrepancy in the pay of head constables in the Royal Irish Constabulary as coin-pared with the pay of a third-class district inspector, the former receiving by way of full salary, emoluments, and allowances an average annual payment of £160 7s. and the latter the sum of £404 10s., and having regard to the fact that the head constable does the entire clerical work of the inspector, will he recommend that the rank of third-class district inspector be abolished and that the head constable be paid an increased salary proportionate to the value of his services and having regard to the abolition of the rank of third-class district inspector?

The average annual pay and allowances drawn by head constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary is £160 7s. The pay and pensionable allowances drawn by third-class district inspectors amount to £240 per annum. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in stating that the entire clerical work of the district inspectors is done by the head constables, but head constables may be required to assist district inspectors if necessary in the clerical work of their offices. I am not prepared to recommend the abolition of the rank of third-class district inspector.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that many of the district inspectors now in Ireland have been promoted from the rank of head constable, and having regard to the experience and capability of a head constable so promoted, he will consider if an educated and intelligent young constable would be competent to assist in office work; and whether he will recommend this course to be adopted, thus considerably lightening the office labours of the head constable and giving him more time to devote to outside and necessary duties?

In a considerable number of cases where the clerical work of a district inspector's office is particularly heavy, the services of a constable as clerk are allowed to assist the district inspector and the head constable in carrying on the work of the office. It is not intended to allow the services of a constable as clerk to every district inspector, as it would unnecessarily withdraw men from their ordinary police duties for which they are much required.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why a sergeant receives his maximum pay as sergeant after four years' service while a head constable must spend five years before receiving the maximum?

The scales of pay of head constables and sergeants of the Royal Irish Constabulary are fixed by the Constabulary Act of 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why, when a constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary is obliged to retire from the force through ill-health or other causes, after having been promoted to higher rank, his pension is calculated according to his pay for the three years preceding retirement, and not according to his then promoted rank; for instance, a sergeant promoted head constable and being forced to retire is pensioned according to his pay as sergeant, and not according to his pay as head constable?

Under the Constabulary Acts the pensions of all men of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have been promoted to a higher rank during the three years immediately prior to the date of retirement must be calculated upon the average anuual amount of their pay during the period of three years prior to their retirement, and not upon their actual pay at date of retirement. This rule is common to the entire public service and is not specially applicable to the Royal Irish Constabulary.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he is aware that the certified attendants in the National Museum, Dublin, according to their terms of appointment were allowed two suits of uniform, one pair of boots, cap, and one greatcoat every two years, as part of their wages, and that this arrangement obtained until November, 1916; if he is aware that the Department of Agriculture at that time issued an Order that one suit, boots and cap as heretofore, and one greatcoat every three years be substituted; if he is aware that no boots or caps have been issued since that date; and, as the uniform, boots, caps, and greatcoats are reckoned part of the wages of the certified attendants, and are calculated as such in pensions and allowances to next of kin, whether steps will be taken to ensure that these men will receive the issue of clothing they are entitled to or that this uniform, etc., be dispensed with, and that its value be added to their present pay?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension on this subject, as the regulations regarding the position in question provide only for the issue of uniform, the number of issues per annum not being specified. It had, however, been the practice to grant two issues per annum, but some years ago the Department, by desire of the Treasury, in view of war-time conditions and the necessity for effecting all possible economies, arranged for uniform to be issued once annually, the material, however, to be of better quality than that previously issued. The question of giving the attendants referred to the option of receiving a cash allowance in lieu of boots and shoes is at present the subject of correspondence, and will, it is hoped, shortly be decided. In regard to the question of the effect of the above arrangement on pensions, the Treasury has intimated that any attendants retiring from the same class as that in which they were serving before the introduction of the new arrangement in regard to uniform, may on retirement be allowed the privilege of reckoning the value of uniform for pension, etc., at the old figures. The Department are not prepared to accede to the proposal made in the concluding portion of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the junction recently made between the Cork and Macroom Railway and the Cork and Bandon Railway at Cork is only allowed to be used for military and naval purposes and that general public traffic is not allowed to pass over it, with the result that cattle forwarded from the Macroom line have to be unloaded at Cork and driven through the city, and coal and other seaborne goods have to be carted to the terminus of the Macroom line at Cork instead of being loaded into railway wagons on the quays; whether application has been made to the Executive Committee of the Irish railways to permit general public traffic to be sent over the junction; and, if so, why the application has not been granted?

The junction referred to was constructed at the expense of the Admiralty for the conveyance of naval and military traffic only, and the Board of Trade have no power to intervene. I may, however, say that I understand that the line could not be made available for general traffic unless considerable further expenditure were incurred on its equipment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is contemplated in the immediate future to restore a two-mail service per twenty-four hours between England and Ireland; whether he is aware that, under existing circumstances, it takes a letter two and sometimes three days to reach its destination either way; and whether he will consider the possibility of making temporary arrangements to either give a second day-boat each way or change existing hours of arrival and departure to secure a better service?

It is contemplated that a two-mail service both ways per twenty-four hours between England and Ireland, by way of Holyhead and Kingstown, shall be restored as soon as the City of Dublin Steam Packet boat, which has been withdrawn for overhaul, is again available. It is hoped that she will be available very shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the demand in Ireland for a full and searching public inquiry into all the circumstances connected with the sinking of the "Leinster" and the refusal of the Admiralty to give adequate protection to the Kingstown and Holyhead mail boats; and whether, in view of the state of public feeling, the Admiralty will reconsider their decision and order a public inquiry?

I explained to my hon. Friend on 15th October that on all occasions of vessels being torpedoed, sunk, or suffering damage, full reports from the senior naval officer, the ships concerned, patrol or escort vessels, or any person who can give information attending the circumstances of the case, are forwarded, These reports, as I said, are thoroughly scrutinised, including the circumstances which led up to the casualty. That procedure is being followed in the case of the "Leinster." As regards a public inquiry, much as the Admiralty would court it, particularly in view of the criticism conveyed in the second part of this question, the proposal cannot possibly be acceded to. The information laid before such an inquiry respecting our methods of dealing with the submarine would be of the greatest possible value to the enemy.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that on Tuesday morning one of the two remaining mail boats running between Holyhead and Kingstown was in imminent danger of being sunk like the "Leinster," a hostile submarine having been sighted well out of the water; and whether the mail boat was on that occasion protected in any way?

No information has been received of this occurrence on the date mentioned, but perhaps my hon. Friend is referring to the previous day, when one of the mail boats reported sighting a submarine which was out of torpedo range. With regard to the latter part of the question, the usual protection and the measures for controlling the Irish Sea were in force at the time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Post Office sorters have refused to go to sea on the Irish mail boats owing to the want of Government protection against hostile submarine attacks and that, in consequence, sorting on board the mail packets has been discontinued; if so, has the Post Office Department made any representation to the Admiralty in favour of protection being extended to those boats; and, if so, with what result?

I am not aware that any of the officers employed in sorting on board the mail packet between Holyhead and Kingstown refused to travel on the boat owing to any want of Government protection against enemy action, and I arrived at the decision to suspend the sorting duties independently of any such consideration. I have transmitted to the Admiralty all representations made to me on the subject of protection. The question whether, and, if so, in what form, protection can and should be given is not one in which I can properly intervene.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether his Department, or any other Department, has yet taken, or intends to take, any steps to provide a boat to take the place of the "Leinster" mail steamer; and whether the City of Dublin Company will now be allowed to proceed with the building of a new boat to take the place of the "Connaught," which was torpedoed two years ago while engaged in the Government service?

I regret that, owing to the demand? of the Naval and Military Services, it is not possible to provide a boat to take the place of the "Leinster," and the mail and passenger services are being maintained by the vessels already available in the Irish Sea. As to the second part of the question, I am sorry to have to add that national requirements do not yet admit of arrangements being made for the replacement of the "Connaught," but the matter is being kept constantly in view, in order that the necessary facilities may be afforded as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what provision has been made by the Admiralty to place officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on demobilisation on the same footing as regards gratuity, etc., as officers of equivalent rank in military employ?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why it is not proposed to pay to temporary naval officers a gratuity on demobilisation, as in the case of temporary officers of the other Service?

I can only repeat that we have been for some time past, and are now, in consultation with the Treasury upon this matter.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Director of Contracts asked some months ago the sub-contractors on the Clyde to send in particulars of their claims for the increased wages paid by them to their workers under the instructions of the Committee of Production, that these have in all instances been sent in, and that repeated applications for the payment of these has been made to the Admiralty by the contractors without success; and if he will say when it is proposed that the money overdue will be forwarded to them?

The Admiralty has no evidence whatever to show that subcontractors on the Clyde as a whole are dissatisfied with the decisions of the Admiralty regarding the necessarily difficult adjustments of price entailed by awards of higher wages. The implication that repeated applications have been made for payment of all the claims in question without any success is not in accordance with the facts. During the last fifteen months at least very large numbers of claims have been received, examined, and paid. Against other claims which require investigation in the public interest, advance payments have been made. In these circumstances I should be glad if my hon. and learned Friend would furnish me with details as regards any money considered to be overdue, indicating the name of the contractor and the nature of the sub-contract. On receipt of these particulars immediate steps will be taken to investigate the statement as to overdue payments.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists among acting commanders and acting captains of the Royal Navy at their status and prospects; and whether he can give confirmed rank to such men who have during the War done their duty well in their acting ranks?

The question of what steps, if any, can be taken to improve the position of the officers referred to is now engaging the attention of the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the special Regulation which adversely affects the payment of increments in connection with the permanently-established rates of pay of engineer commanders as compared with the payment of increments of pay to officers in other branches of the Navy has been waived for the period of hostilities; and whether he will consider the desirability of cancelling this Regulation permanently so that, under the permanently-established rates of pay, engineer-commanders will be paid according to their seniority in that rank in a similar manner to that obtaining in other branches?

The Regulation referred to has been waived for the period of hostilities, at the end of which the question of cancelling it permanently will be duly considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 2,000 men have been compulsorily transferred from Welsh to English regiments, and that the majority of these men are monoglot Welshmen; whether he is aware that the Welsh divisions are being filled up with drafts from English regiments; and what steps he proposes to take, in the interests of national sentiment and efficiency, to allow Welsh recruits to be attached to Welsh units?

I am not aware of the correctness of the statements in the first and second parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, and it would necessitate reference to the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to enable me to reply. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that everything possible is done to foster and preserve local and national sentiments and traditions, the value of which are fully recognised. If these interests have had to some extent to be disregarded it has only been due to considerations of a more vital nature in the military situation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received from the hon. Member for Rotherhithe a communication on the subject of the calling up of Mr. James William England, of 9, Kempslade Road, Deptford; whether anything has been done about this case; and, if so, what is the result?

I have been in communication with the appeal tribunal, and will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy of their reply.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that men wounded in former wars may now receive the same concessions in respect to military service and the same rates of pension as men wounded in the present War, he will also grant them the gold stripe, as given to men who have been wounded since 4th August, 1914?

The wound distinction was introduced to meet the peculiar circumstances connected with the present War, and it is not proposed to extend the conditions of award so as to include men wounded in previous wars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his Department will grant the Gallipoli medal to the 5th Welsh and all other British regiments which took part in the Gallipoli campaign; is he aware that the 5th Welsh got badly cut up upon landing and showed the greatest courage; and will his Department award a medal to all who took part in the Gallipoli campaign?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to questions on this subject on Monday and Thursday last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the fact that women doctors serving in military hospitals discharge similar duties and receive the same pay as men doctors and are entitled to wear the Royal Army Medical Corps badge, he will take steps to rectify the anomaly of their being refused even honorary commissions or to wear badges of rank which would be helpful to them in maintaining discipline; and if he can arrange that they obtain equivalent relief from Income Tax as is granted to men doctors under the Service rate?

I am reconsidering this question. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to ask me a question on the subject next week (Wednesday). The last part of the question is one for the Treasury.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War for what reason the dispatch of Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig describing operations up to the end of April, 1918, has been held up from publication for three months; and whether the dispatch has now been published as written by the Commander-in-Chief, without alterations or omissions?

Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's last dispatch involved matters which it was necessary for the Government to discuss with him. During the heavy and continuous fighting of the last three months it was difficult to find opportunity for such discussion. It is true that some alterations were made, but they were made with the full approval of the Field-Marshal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that numbers of Irish soldiers have been kept serving at the front for three and four years without getting leave home once during that time; will he inquire into the case of some Irish soldiers recently transferred from India, who are now serving in Egypt, and have been four years serving without getting home leave; and will he see that arrangements are made for them to get leave?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on Monday last in reply to questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Nottingham (East) and Nottingham (South).

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Driver A. E. Cook, T. 2, No. 11104, Army Service Corps, 17th General Hospital, Alexandria, who enlisted on 5th November, 1914, who has served in France, Salonika and Egypt, has had no leave for three years and two months; and will he call the attention of this man's commanding officer to this fact and arrange for leave to be given?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on Monday last in reply to questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Nottingham (East) and Nottingham (South).

asked the Under-secretary of State for War if he is aware that men who had been prisoners of war in Germany since 1914 and were afterwards transferred to Switzerland, where some of them received the Mons ribbon, are not allowed to receive pieces of the ribbon to replace what is soiled, or sew on other coats, and that when, in response to a request from a non-commissioned officer in Switzerland, some further pieces of ribbon were despatched, they were returned to the sender on the ground that, while it is permissible to send medal ribbons to prisoners of war, an exception is made in the case of that of the 1914 star; and will he say why this distinction is made and consider the desirability of discontinuing it?

Supplies of the riband for the "1914 Star" for men interned in Switzerland are issued on the application of the general officer in charge of the interned. Additional supplies from other sources are deprecated, as being unnecessary and likely to lead to unauthorised issues.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether the Army Council and the Commander-in-Chief of the forces in India have issued any orders with the object of laying down rules for the guidance of general officers in deciding whether charges against non-commissioned officers should be dealt with by court-martial or by the powers provided under Section 183 (2) of the Army Act?

No such orders have been issued by the Army Council, and I am not aware of any having been issued by the Commander-in-Chief in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner Henry Brown, No. 20770, c/66th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, who was reduced from the rank of saddler-staff-sergeant in December, 1917, when serving in the 61st Battery, Royal Field Artillery; whether he is aware that, arising out of an incident which occurred on Christmas Eve when the battery was out of the line, eight sergeants were reduced, Brown being one of the number, and that, although Brown appealed against this and asked for a court-martial, this was refused him owing to the fact that he was being dealt with under Section 183 (2) of the Army Act; and whether, in view of the intention of this Section, he will have a special inquiry made into this case?

This case has already been carefully inquired into as a result of representations made to the War Office, and I am afraid I cannot reopen the matter. A non-commissioned officer dealt with under the provisions of Section 183 (2) of the Army Act has no right to trial by court-martial.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will abolish saluting in the Army except when on parade; and if he will see that when soldiers are on leave they will be free from this practice?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries regarding the statement that soldiers are being employed in telephone exchanges ostensibly on definite military duties, but are also, especially in cases of emergency, employed on ordinary post office duties; that for the performance of these latter duties the soldiers receive only their military pay; and whether, in view of the fact that the soldiers are under the direct control of the War Office and the question of their pay is not one with which the Post Office can deal, he will give instructions that civilian duties shall be paid for at the proper civilian rates?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the war bounty under Army Order 222, of 1918, is being refused to men who, on the expiration of their engagement on the 31st March, 1918, had completed thirteen years' service and were over the age of fifty-one; and whether he will take steps to have the bounty paid to men irrespective of age in accordance with his promise made in answer to a previous question on this subject?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish particulars of the man to whom he is referring, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that regulations prevent the men who have voluntarily enlisted into the Army from South Africa during 1918 from receiving the repayment of their passage money in the same way as volunteers at an earlier date; what reasons justify any difference being made; and is he now prepared to satisfy such claims if they are satisfactorily proved?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Army Order 275 of September, 1918, which shows the reasons for the decision. The matter has been very fully considered and I am unable to make any change in the decision arrived at.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to state the result of the inquiry into the possibility of recognising the services rendered by the ex-soldier clerks employed in the War Office since 1901, by putting them on a pensionable basis after fifteen years' continuous service?

I regret that I cannot state the result yet. The matter is still under consideration, but I hope a decision will be reached shortly.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he has received from the Lord Mayor of York and the York City Council remonstrances against the proposal of the Ministry to take over the Castlegate elementary school for office purposes, and whether, in view of the fact that local opinion considers that other accommodation could be procured, he will make further inquiries before using these important school premises?

Representations of the nature indicated have been received, and it has been decided to remove the area office from York to Hull.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that Messrs. Atherton Brothers and Messrs. Fielding and Son, both of Blackpool, and the firm of Sutcliffe, of St. Anne's, all engaged upon munitions work, have not complied with the instructions of his Department to pay the 12½ per cent. bonus to their workpeople as from the 11th April, but have only paid it as from the 20th July; and whether he will take further steps to secure compliance with the original instructions?

I was not aware that the firms in question had not complied with their obligations under the Committee on Production Award relating to the 12½ per cent. bonus, and am having inquiries made into the matter.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether steps are being taken to ensure the presentation of the accounts of national factories for the year ending 31st March, 1918, by the 31st January, 1919, the date prescribed in the Act; and when he anticipates being in a position to submit these accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor-General for examination?

The accounts of the 244 national factories, mines, quarries, etc., and the consolidated production statement and balance-sheet, as at the 31st March, 1918, were completed on the 25th September last and presented to the Treasury and Comptroller and Auditor-General on the 3rd of this month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that the new works manager of the National Shell Factory, Dublin, has received instructions to dismiss a number of the girls employed there; if he will say who is responsible for the dismissals; if he will see that dismissals are stopped until such time as the same orders apply all over Great Britain; and why Dublin is selected for the reduction of munition workers?

Certain further economies have been effected in the working of the Dublin National Shell Factory, and it has been possible to reduce the staff somewhat, without affecting the output, the output last week being the best obtained during the operation of the factory. Whenever similar economies are proved to be practicable in any national factories in Great Britain they are at once put into operation.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of our dependence hitherto upon the German empire for the supplies of potash necessary for good cultivation, any and what steps have been taken by the Government to ascertain if potash can successfully be recovered on a commercial scale as a by-product from the manufacture of cement and pig-iron?

A scheme for recovering potash on a commercial scale from the blast furnaces used in the manufacture of pig-iron was approved last year. In consequence the Ministry has encouraged the installation at various iron works of gas-cleaning plant designed to extract from the furnace gases potash-bearing dust. Certain of these plants are now in operation, others are under erection, while others, again, are in course of construction. A factory has also been erected at which muriate of potash, free from deleterious impurities, is being manufactured from such dust. This factory is capable of dealing with all the dust that can be collected by the gas-cleaning plants now under erection and construction. As other gas-cleaning plants are installed it is proposed to erect other factories in suitable localities. A small amount of potash is also being obtained as a by-product of the cement industry, and experiments are, at the present time, being carried on with a view largely to increase the amount so recovered.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, as the result of his inquiries made into the employment of reformatory youths in a Glasgow munitions factory, their hours of labour per day have only been reduced from thirteen to twelve hours for the night shift and from ten to nine and a half for the day shift; whether those hours are the limits imposed upon able-bodied adults; whether he is satisfied in particular with the night-shift arrangements; whether he has satisfied himself that the youths have not to undertake additional work at school; and whether generally he has inquired into the heaviness of work done by these youths and is satisfied that it is either necessary or desirable?

Under new arrangements which have been prescribed after consultation with the Ministry of Munition, no boy from the institution referred to by my hon. Friend will be employed for more than eight hours a day or forty-five hours a week, exclusive of meal times; no boys under sixteen will be employed on night work, and special attention will be paid to boys so employed to ensure that no undue strain is imposed by this form of work; boys will only work on munitions during alternate weeks, and the rule that they should not do work at school on days when they are employed on munitions will be continued; the school authorities will see that the work done by any boy is not too heavy for him. I am satisfied that the work of the boys is most useful, and that under the conditions which have been prescribed it is desirable that it should be continued. The new arrangements are all to be in operation by the 1st November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Belgian Government have decided to pay seamen of Belgian nationality who have been interned by the enemy; and whether the British Government will take similar action in the case of officers and men of the British Mercantile Marine?

I have not heard of the decision referred to in the first part of the question Owners are in some cases paying the wages of the officers and men interned in Germany, either wholly or in part, or are making other ex gratia payments. It would hardly be possible to make the payment of wages during internment compulsory or to pay such wages out of public funds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade respecting patentees who, on account of Army service, have been unable to develop patents that have been accepted and sealed, and for which the prescribed fees have been paid, if he will arrange for an extension of the period of protection equal to the period of the patentee's Army service before the patent rights are allowed to lapse if the renewal fees are not paid?

"Where it is shown to his satisfaction that the applicant, patentee, or proprietor, as the case may be, was prevented from doing the said act or filing the said document by reason of active service or enforced absence from this country or any other circumstances arising from the present state of war which, in the opinion of the Comptroller, would justify such extension."

Every consideration is given by the Comptroller under this Rule in all cases where a patentee is on active service, and in consequence of such service has failed to pay his renewal within the prescribed time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a decision has yet been arrived at as to the policy to be adopted regarding the railways at the conclusion of the War?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether junior officers who receive pay during the War from the Indian Government are entitled to the allowance for children on the same scale as junior officers in the British Army; and whether payment has actually been made in any cases of this allowance, which was agreed in principle as equitably due in July last, or whether the matter is still waiting the agreement of the Government of India?

I understand that my hon. Friend is asking for information about the extension of children's allowance to officers of the British Service on Indian rates of pay. I attach a comparison of the rates of pay for British service officers on British and Indian rates of pay respectively with the children's allowance for which they are eligible. It will be clear from the comparison that the cases where the extent of the grant differs are to be explained by the different conditions of Indian service.

As regards the extension of the allowance to officer of the Indian Army, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer on the 21st of October to a question put by him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the prices per Board of Trade unit of electricity now being charged by certain electric lighting companies in the Metropolis; whether there is any limit for such prices analogous to that imposed by Statute in the case of gas companies; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps in order that such limit may be imposed?

The Statutes under which the undertakings of electric lighting companies in the Metropolis are authorised in all cases fix a maximum price which may be charged. Their position is therefore analogous to that of gas companies having a maximum price.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the reasons why the Housing of the Working Classes Bill is not to extend to Ireland?

The Bill is designed to give certain powers to county councils in England and Wales. I have not understood that its provisions were required for application to Ireland, but if the Irish Government consider that the Bill could be usefully applied to Ireland, the matter can be dealt with by an Amendment in Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the assistant-superintendent of telegraphs at the Admiralty has been superseded; and, if so, on what grounds the change has been made?

asked the Postmaster-General whether it was with his authority that the assistant superintendent in charge of the telegraphs at the Admiralty has been superseded by a man who has had no experience of the special work; whether the man superseded has given every satisfaction to the Admiralty for many years; whether it is part of the policy of the Controller of the Central Telegraph Office to endeavour to secure the whole of the controlling positions in London for his staff; whether the change in question was made on the recommendation of an official who has been closely associated with the administration of the Controller; and whether he will reinstate the official superseded?

With a view to affecting certain necessary improvements in the organisation of the Admiralty telegraph office, I have decided to strengthen the supervising staff, but for the present, at any rate, the officer in charge will not be changed. There is no foundation for the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent declaration of the Government recognising the political independence of the Czechoslovaks was dictated by military, political, or moral considerations?

All three!

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether, in preparation for the task of demobilisation, any careful inquiry has yet been made into the effect of different occupations on the health and physique of women; and, if so, can the result of such inquiry be made public?

In addition to the Reports of the Health of Munition Workers' Committee, which have already been published, the Home Office has undertaken an inquiry into the question referred to. The inquiry is now completed, and the question of publication is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction (1) if the proposed Bill to establish a Ministry of Health has now obtained a new title; whether the proposal has been materially altered; and whether the new Bill has been submitted to any Member of the House; and (2) if the proposed Ministry of Health and Local Government Bill abolishes the National Commissioners for Wales, on what grounds has this deprivation of national right been decided upon; and whether the Members for Wales and Mon-mouth will be consulted before the Government abolishes a body whose administration has been such a marked success?

I will answer these two questions together. I cannot undertake to anticipate the terms of the Bill; and as regards the last part of question No. 128, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on the 22nd April.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the number of cases appealed to the Sheriff-Principal of Caithness, Orkney, and Shetland was four during the year 1916 and two in the year 1915, according to the Judicial Statistics for Scotland; whether the salary paid to the sheriff of these counties is £775 per annum, with permission to continue his private practice as before his appointment; and, if so, whether any war-time economy is contemplated in the way of combining sheriff-ships or otherwise?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third, for reasons which I have often given to my hon. Friend, in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to advertisements for small dwellings with offer of rewards of from £3 to £10 in each case that have appeared recently in Glasgow newspapers; if he is aware of complaints from tenants who have been compelled to pay similar rewards to house-factors before they could obtain possession; and what steps he intends to take in order to put an end to this method of evading the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act?

Advertisements of the description mentioned have not been recently brought under my notice. As pointed out in the reply given to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow on 7th March, 1917, such exactions by landlords or factors on their behalf are contrary to the express provisions of Sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Increase of Rent, etc. (War Restrictions) Act, 1915. Where such payments have been required, the amounts may be recovered from landlords or deducted from the rents payable to them. Aggrieved tenants, therefore, have the remedy in their own hands.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the teachers at technical colleges, such as that of the College of Technology, Manchester, will receive the benefit of superannuation under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Bill now before the House?

This college is not a university or a university college, and is not, therefore, excluded by the words enclosed in brackets in Clause 16, line 29, page 11. I cannot, however, without further examination, say whether all its teachers would be pensionable under the Bill in respect of their service in it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, in view of the danger arising from the existence of rabies in the country, he will issue information to the public as to what facilities there are for obtaining Pasteur treatment and as to the steps that should be taken by individuals who may be bitten by suspected dogs?

A circular on the procedure to be adopted was sent to medical officers of health in Devonshire and Cornwall as soon as the Local Government Board were informed of the presence of rabies among dogs in these counties. It has now been revised, and a copy of the revised circular will be sent to the Press.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Florence Wood, a telephonist at Bradford, who, at the end of twenty years' service, was receiving only 26s. a week wages, plus 3s. a week as instructress, exclusive of war bonus amounting to 12s. 6d., and who, on leaving the service, has relinquished her right to a gratuity of £70 in the event of marriage, and to the similar case of Miss Ada M. Fawcett, also of Bradford, who was receiving 26s. a week wages, exclusive of war bonus, and who has had to relinquish her right to a gratuity of between £55 and £60 in the event of marriage; and if, having regard to the fact that marriage gratuities are taken into consideration in fixing the rate of pay for women in the service of his Department, he will arrange some method whereby women who leave the service for other good reasons than for marriage may have restored to them the amount of deferred pay they have contributed towards the value of their contingent claim to a marriage gratuity?

Marriage gratuities are ex-gralia payments authorised by the Treasury for established female officers of the Civil Service who are required by Departmental regulations to resign on marriage. They are not of the nature of deferred pay, and I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that women counter clerks in the Eastern Central district who are taken ill on duty are kept waiting for as long as two hours before they can see the medical officer; and whether, having regard to the dangers of keeping a number of sick persons together, he will cause arrangements to be made to improve the official medical service?

I will inquire into the matter, and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that fourteen women counter clerks and telegraphists in the Eastern Central district, some with a considerable amount of service, have resigned during the last twelve months because of the wages paid by the Post Office and the better pay obtainable outside; whether their places have been filled in many cases by inexperienced and junior officers; and whether he is aware that the cases of sick leave in this district among the women are due to the pressure and strain placed upon the staff by the demands which are made upon their physical and mental powers?

I will inquire into the matter, and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the acreage of Crown land in the county of Holland; what is the average rent per acre; and how much of the land in question is held in allotments and small holdings?

The acreage of Crown land in the county of Holland is 7,336 acres, let at an average rent of 35s. per acre. Of this area 4,020 acres are held in allotments or small holdings.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the prevalence of contagious abortion in dairy herds; and what, if any, steps are being taken by him to investigate the causes and to prevent the spreading of this disease?

The fact that contagious abortion exists in many parts of the country is well known to the Board. Its nature and cause have been very fully investigated in this and other countries. Considerable information on the subject may be found in the Report and Evidence of the Departmental Committee on Epizootic Abortion, 1905–1913. The conclusions of that Committee have since been amply confirmed. The steps taken by the Board to hold the disease in check are at the present time practically confined to the issue of a vaccine which enables owners of infected herds to immunise their animals against it and eventually free their herds from infection. Advice is also given by means of lectures, leaflets, and correspondence on this and alternative methods of dealing with the disease.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether any consideration is being given to the number of persons unable to obtain sanatorium treatment under the provisions of the National Health In-Insurance Acts by reason of a lack of accommodation; and whether any hope can be held out of early measures to meet the shortage of accommodation?

Some 30,000 insured persons annually have, since the National Insurance Act, 1911, came into operation, received residential treatment for tuberculosis in sanatoria and hospitals, in addition to the large numbers who have received dispensary and domiciliary treatment. But this still leaves a regrettable number of cases for which accommodation is lacking. The War has made serious difficulties in regard to building operations and other matters involved in providing more institutional accommodation. This part of the question is one for my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, with whom I am in constant communication in regard to the matter, and I may perhaps refer my hon. Friend to the answer to a question on this subject on Tuesday last, circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that cases have arisen where women, insured under the National Insurance Act, have taken advantage of the workhouse for their confinement and subsequently drawn the maternity benefit; and will he consider the advisability of making some provision so that, in cases of this kind, guardians may be in a position to apply and receive some portion of this benefit?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In view of the provisions of Section 111 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and Section 20 of the National Insurance Act, 1918, I could not take the action suggested in the latter part of the question.