asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish as a White Paper the terms of the armistice imposed by Germany on France in 1871, and also the treaty of peace, together with a statement of the negotiations leading up thereto?

As the documents referred to will be found in Volumes 61, 62 and 63 of the British and Foreign State Papers available to hon. Members in the Library, I do not think that it is necessary to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will award compensation to those persons who lost personal effects on the steamer "Leinster" recently torpedoed in the Irish Sea?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to make any provision for the widows and orphans of the officers and crew, of the postal servants, and of others who lost their lives in the sinking of the "Leinster" on the 10th instant in the Irish Sea, in view especially of the fact that the Government refused to give any sort of protection to the mail boat in question on that occasion?

It is not the practice to compensate from public funds private persons, who are, of course, able to insure, in respect of losses resulting from enemy action at sea, but special schemes are already in existence to meet the cases of widows and orphans of the officers and crew, and of the postal servants.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in addition to the continued failure of the Coal Controller to arrange for the anthracite collieries in West Wales to work more than three days per week, steam coal collieries producing the most useful kind of manufacturing coal are being kept working short time and have recently been reduced to four or five days per week; and, in view of the loss of production in industries, will he give an early day for discussion of the control of coal production and transport?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to-day in reply to similar questions. As regards the last part of the question, I am not able to give a day for this discussion which can be raised on the Vote of Credit.

asked the Food Controller whether the decision of the official meat graders of the Smithfield Market Control Board is final as to grade and quality.

The Grading Committee of the Smithfield Control Board does not grade or value all the meat coming into the market, but acts only in exceptional cases where retail butchers refuse to accept allocation of meat at the maximum prices on the ground of inferior quality. In such cases the committee revalues the meat, and any retail butcher who may be dissatisfied with its decision can appeal to the Smithfield Control Board, upon which there is a representative of the retail trade.

asked the Food Controller if he can see his way to reduce the standard price fixed for milk in the Aberdeen district, where the cost of production is understood to be less than it is in many districts where the price is the same?

I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given last Tuesday to the right hon. Member for South Molton, in which I stated the reasons for the adoption of a flat rate throughout Great Britain and the prospects of effecting local variations in producers' prices as part of a general scheme of control.

asked the Home Secretary what, if any, is the allowance of butter allowed in alien enemy and prison camps?

No butter is issued to prisoners of war confined in camps under the charge of my Department.

asked the Vice-President of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Department has taken into consideration the protest of the Cork City Allotments Committee against the figure at which the rents of the lands acquired compulsorily for food production have been fixed; whether such rents are as high as from £5 to £7 per acre, whereas the lands acquired voluntarily only cost £4 per acre, though more conveniently situated; and whether, in view of the impossibility of working the plots profitably at such rents, the Department will take steps to have the rents reduced?

The Department have received a communication from the Committee mentioned to the effect stated, and hare (in accordance with the general principle decided upon in connection with the administration of this portion of the Defence of the Realm Regulations) informed the Committee that the Department's Inspector, in estimating the amount of the rents which should be paid in respect of the lands in question, took into account solely the productive capacity of the soil, having regard to the object for which the lands were compulsorily taken over, i.e. , the growing of potatoes and vegetables; and that, in the circumstances they regretted to be unable to see their way to reduce the rents. The rents so fixed are in one case £3 per acre; in another £4; in another £4 2s.; in another £5; in another £6, and in another case £7 per acre. The Department are not in a position to state the rents paid for land acquired voluntarily.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many acres of untenanted land now remain for actual distribution in the hands of the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board?

Excluding mountains, turbary and woodlands the un-allotted lands in the hands of the Estates Commissioners comprise 2,037 acres. Excluding plantations, turbary and cutaway bog and mountain and rough grazing land the untenanted land in the hands of the Congested Districts Board on 31st March, 1918, was 54,167 acres.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any further steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the untenanted portion of the John Boswell estate, parish of Newtowncashel, county Longford, with a view to its distribution amongst the uneconomic holdings in the district?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, these lands are not pending for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, and they do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any further steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to acquire the Baron ranch on the property of H. S. Armstrong, barony of Maydow, county Longford; whether the order of priority for completing the purchase of this estate has been yet reached; and, if not, when he expects it will?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 29th July last. This estate has not been reached in its order of priority on the All Cash Register of direct sales pending before the Estates Commissioners and they are not in a position to state when its turn will be reached, but when reached it will be dealt with as rapidly as posible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a deputation from South Dublin interviewed the Local Government Board recently respecting the disqualification of old age pensioners in the union; whether he is aware that the guardians are of opinion that the word "chronic" does not apply legally to those cases; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the ratepayers on this matter; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend cannot accept the view of the guardians of the South Dublin Union, and the practice of the Local Government Board is the same as is adopted by the English Local Government Board. It is understood that some dissatisfaction exists, but my right hon. Friend can hold out no hope of an alteration in the existing practice which could only be effected by legislation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the cause of the several increases made during the past year in the charge for copies of folios in the Land Registry; whether he is aware that the charge until recently was 2s. for a copy of each folio, such copies being then issued at the local land registry in each county; that it was decided about six months ago to issue copies only from the Central Land Registry; that the charges were then increased to 3s. per folio, and they were recently further increased to 5s. 6d. per folio; whether, in the case of an application made since the 10th instant to the Central Land Registry for a copy of the folio in the case of Mary Cummins, county Tipperary, where the holding is so small that the redemption value of the Land Commission annuity on it is only about £32, the Central Land Registry have charged 9s. for a copy of the folio; and what is the justification for the large increase in the charge, which formerly was only 2s per copy in the case of the largest holdings?

The charges for sealed and certified copies of the folios of the register comprising the titles to registered land in Ireland were found to need revision and were accordingly revised by Order, dated 31st January, 1918, made in pursuance of the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act, 1891. Until the publication of this Order the minimum fee for a copy of a folio was 2s., such copies being obtainable from the proper local office for each county or from the central office. It is inaccurate to say that it was decided six months ago to issue copies only from the central office, but it was suggested that the public could be more expeditiously supplied with copies from the central office than from local offices, where the staff is limited. The charges for copying have not been increased since the publication of the above Order. In the case of Mary Commins the fee of 9s. was correctly charged in accordance with that Order. The size or value of the holding to which the title is registered in the land registry has obviously no relation to the fee payable for a copy of the folio comprising such title; the fee depends entirely on the length of the matter to be copied.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether all claims of loss or damage arising from the Dublin rebellion have been finally disposed of?

The great majority of these claims, which dealt with cases of death or injury to person or chattels, have been disposed of, together with a vary large number of the building claims, but a certain number of these have not yet been paid though the awards have been made, owing to delay in the commencement of the building operations. A few claims in respect of lost title deeds and uninsured rents are still outstanding, but it is hoped that these shortly will be discharged.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the scheme to accommodate the working classes with up-to-date houses after the War, and which is to receive financial assistance from the Treasury, is to extend to Ireland; and, if so, whether the full cost of the scheme is to be met in the first instance by the local authority by means of a loan raised by them, and the State assistance to take the shape of a percentage of the loan charges sufficient to relieve the local authority of 75 per cent. of the annual deficit?

As my right hon. Friend has already stated in reply to previous questions, it is intended that Ireland shall participate in any measures submitted to Parliament for the improvement of housing conditions, and, with regard to, the remainder of the question, he is not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the rifles and other arms surrendered to the Government by the Ulster Volunteer authorities have been counted yet; and, if so, what are the totals?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the numerous replies given to questions on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what Department is responsible for the recent Lighting Order in Ireland; whether he is aware that almost in every case shopkepers in Ireland combine retail grocery trade and licensed trade; that these restrictions will hamper both one and the other; and whether before it comes into force some effort will be made to elicit public opinion in Ireland on the subject.

In consequence of very apparent waste in lighting the position of the coal question, and especially the call on the depleted shipping for the transport of coal, flour phosphates and other articles to Ireland and pitwood, oats and ores from Ireland, the Department responsible for the Irish shipping and Irish coal supplies advised that it was imperatively necessary to economise in every way in the consumption of coal so that the best possible supplies would be available for public utility undertakings, factories, works, the working classes, and the public generally. Consequently at the request of many public authorities and after consultation with the public authorities of Dublin, Belfast, Cork, numerous other bodies and the police authorities, the Order was prepared and issued by the Lord Lieutenant. It is true the shopkeepers in Ireland largely combine retail grocery trade and licensed trade, and the most careful consideration was given to the requirements of these establishments. It is, of course, inevitable that inconvenience will be caused by the operation of the Order, but it is not possible to effect the necessary economy in coal consumption without inconvenience and reconsideration of the Order cannot be promised at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists in North Tipperary over the calling in of farmers' shot guns; whether he is aware that, owing to this calling in, large tracts of corn were eaten this year by rabbits and other vermin; whether he is aware that, in a number of cases, permits for guns are refused when applied for; and whether, having regard to the importance of this matter in connection with next year's crops, he will take immediate steps to have these guns returned?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of the existence of the general dissatisfaction suggested in the question, or of the destruction this year of large tracts of corn by rabbits and other vermin. In carrying out the recent arms Proclamation every care is taken consistent with public safety for the proper consideration of all applications for permits to keep and carry arms.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the cause of the delay in dealing with the claims of the Irish railway companies lodged so far back as last April; whether Lord Terrington's Commission has, after full argument in October, 1917, decided in favour of the railway companies on the principle of their claims, and whether now it is merely a question of the sum to be paid to each railway company; whether he is aware that representatives of the War Office recently proceeded in Dublin, without any previous notice to the railway companies concerned, and were consequently not able to proceed with the investigation of the claims; and what course the War Office intends now to adopt to bring this long protracted matter to a conclusion, with a view to an early payment to the railway companies concerned?

Lord Terrington's Committee decided that the railways might proceed to prove the amount of their claims for loss (if any) directly due to specific military interference. This has turned out to be a very complicated matter, and in spite of every desire on the part of the War Office to bring it to a head the progress made has been slow. Arrangements have been made for an expert to examine the books of the companies this week, and I hope the matter will shortly be brought to a conclusion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will issue a further statement, bringing up to date Parliamentary Paper Cd. 9009, on the subject of mercantile shipping losses and output and the capture of enemy vessels?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be considered. Probably the better course would be to issue a further statement when the complete results for 1918 are available. That shall be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether his attention has been called to the fact that the London Hospital nurses only get two years' training for their certificate; and whether any such nurses have recently been appointed to the Army nursing staff; and (2) whether he is aware that recently qualified nurses appointed to the Army nursing staff from all the chief Scottish hospitals hold certificates showing four years' training, that similar nurses appointed from the great Metropolitan hospitals hold certificates showing three years' training, and that nurses appointed from the London Hospital hold certificates showing only two years' training; and will he explain why this standard of training is accepted from the London Hospital?

No nurse from the London Hospital with less than three years' training and service in the wards of the hospital is appointed to the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War which regiment supplied the firing party that gave a salute over the grave of American soldiers who perished in the transport "Otranto?"

The Port Ellen Company of the National Guard furnished the firing party at the burial on the 11th instant of soldiers of the United States Army who perished on the "Otranto," and at a further burial on the 17th instant the firing party was provided by His Majesty's yacht "Seafly." The Hampshire Regiment supplied a firing party at the burial at Belfast of a United States soldier who died at sea on the "Otranto," and whose body was brought to Belfast after the disaster.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether General Sir John Nixon has replied to the communication from the Army Council on the subject of the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission; if so, whether they have considered this reply; and whether he is now in a position to tell the House the result of their consideration?

The Army Council have received and considered Sir John Nixon's explanation, and have informed him that they regard it as satisfactory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office, in deciding to limit the issue of a medal to commemorate the Gallipoli Campaign to the Colonial troops which took part in it, have overlooked the fact that other contingents than Colonial ones took a prominent part in the expedition and shared the dangers, reverses, and successes with the Colonial divisions; and whether he can see his way to extend the issue of the medal to all the divisions which were engaged?

I regret I cannot at present add anything to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to questions on this subject on the 17th and 21st October.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the commander of the Russian forces at Archangel who engineered the attack on Mr. Tchaikovsky's Government was in any degree in British pay; and, if so, what disciplinary action has been taken, and is he still in British pay?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if Chaplin, the officer responsible for the overthrow of the Tchaikovsky Government in Archangel, was in the pay of the British Government; whether he left Archangel with a British passport granted by the British representative there; and under what name the passport was issued?

Captain Chaplin, the commander of the Russian forces at Archangel, who engineered the attack on Mr. Tchaikowsky's Government, was not at the time or subsequently in British pay. Captain Chaplin has since been relieved of his command by the local Russian authorities, and has been allowed to proceed to the front at his own request. The answer to the second part of the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester is in the negative, and the last part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the last date upon which a promotion to the substantive rank of captain in the Special Reserve Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers was gazetted?

In the "London Gazette" of the 22nd December, 1917.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men who joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1915 and have been on hospital service in Egypt for two and a half years with no leave have been sent to Palestine, forced to go to an Infantry training base, and on refusal placed under arrest and sentenced in July last to two years' hard labour; and will he have special inquiries made into the case of this nature of which particulars were sent him upon 19th September last?

The urgent requirements for men of Category A for service in fighting units have necessitated the transfer to Infantry, under the provisions of the Army (Transfers) Act, 1915, of a considerable number of men who originally enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps. The only grounds on which a man may claim exemption from such transfer are that he holds conscientious objection to combatant service. All claims to exemption are carefully investigated by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief, and no men who can show sufficient proof of conscientious objection are transferred. Before being sent to an Infantry unit, men transferred are sent to an Infantry training centre to enable them to learn their duty as Infantrymen. Any men who may have been punished have presumably been punished for refusing to carry out orders which have been given them after due consideration of their cases. Inquiries are being made into the case which my hon. Friend brought to my notice, but a reply has not yet been received from the military authorities in Egypt. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I receive a report.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many-Artillery horses and chargers have been brought back from France during 1917 and 1918; by what method were they sold and through what agency; and how it is proposed after peace comes to dispose of all horses, mules, etc., not required for any further military purposes?

No Artillery horses have been brought back from France during 1917–18. Seventy-two chargers have been returned, of which fifty came back with general and other senior officers transferred to appointments at home. Eleven have been sold at a valuation to the relatives of the deceased officers to whom they belonged before being taken over by the State on transfer to France, and eleven charger mares cast as unfit for further service have been resold at a valuation to their former owners for breeding purposes under Army Order 380 of 1915. The plans for the disposal of animals on demobilisation are not yet completed. A very large number of the horses in France will be repatriated and sold by public auction.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it has been decided to instal an electric light generating plant at Cippenham; and what are the reasons against obtaining the supply locally?

The relative advantages of obtaining the electrical power supply from the Slough and Datchet Electric Supply Company and the installation of an electric light generating plant at the works at Cippenham has been most exhaustively considered, and it has been decided, for reasons of economy, to adopt the latter proposal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, on 24th August, the Slough and Datchet Electric Supply Company, Limited, wrote to Colonel Hemming making proposals for the supply of electric light to the motor depot at Cippenham; whether these proposals were further discussed with the company; and whether they were given an opportunity to tender for the supply?

About the date mentioned a letter was received from the Slough and Datchet Electric Supply Company. Previous to its receipt general discussions had taken place with the company, who had every opportunity of putting forward their proposals. The letter contained nothing to alter the position materially.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will say, in the case of a soldier who when under military age joined the Colours and was afterwards returned to civil life, and who later was called to the Colours, why the dependence is calculated on the basis of his civil earnings prior to the first time of joining the Colours instead of on the basis of earnings during the period between his discharge from the Army due to being under age and his second joining the Colours?

Under the Regulations, all these claims of boys discharged and subsequently re-enlisted are specially considered by the Appeals Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras (North). I do not think these difficult cases could be in better hands.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Tinson, of 34, George Street, St. Clement's, Oxford, for a pension in respect of her only son. Private H. V. Tinson, No. 3455, attached to the Royal Warwicks, killed in action, upon whom she was partially dependent for support, and her husband, Private Henry Tinson, Army Service Corps, discharged as physically unfit for war service on the 27th December, 1915; and, if so, whether he is prepared to advise a Grant of a small parents' special pension?

The case cannot be traced from the particulars given. Inquiries will be made at once through the local war pensions committee and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the National Stud at Kildare has been a paying concern to the nation; and will he give the amount of profit or loss for each year since it has been taken over up to the 1st of January, 1918?

The accounts of the National Stud, which was taken over by the Government on 1st January, 1916, for the year ended 31st December, 1916, and for the year ended 31st December, 1917, show profits of £2,600 and £3,500 respectively, interest on capital and management not being charged. For the latter the country is greatly indebted to Captain J. H. Greer, who has given his valuable services free.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why no attempt has ever been made to improve the breeding of the light-horse industry in Ireland through the agency of the National Stud at Kildare; whether he is aware that the upkeep and maintenance of the half-bred, three-quarter bred and thoroughbred hunter is more essential to the needs of Great Britain and Ireland than the maintenance of the thoroughbred racehorse; and, if this property was taken over for the purpose of helping in the development and improvement of those classes of horses which the country needs, will some scheme be evolved by which this stud shall be utilised in part for the needs of the light-horse breeding industry?

The National Stud at Kildare was accepted by the Government on military considerations. The property is vested in the Army Council, for whom it is managed by the Board for the breeding of thoroughbred horses as foundation stock for the type of horses required for the Army. The powers of the Board do not extend to Ireland and they cannot, therefore, control the light-horse breeding industry in that country. But Irish breeders have equal opportunities of utilising the services of the valuable stallions of the stud. The Board are aware of the value of the hunter type of horse and hope that the National Stud will prove useful in the future development of light-horse breeding.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state what is approximately the cost of living to an officer now interned in Holland; what are the daily rations served to those interned at Groningen and to the non-commissioned officers in other parts of Holland; and if is possible for the Government to at least arrange for permission to send parcels to British prisoners interned in Holland, the contents of which are limited to foodstuffs not rationed in this country?

I am informed by the military authorities that the cost of living to British officers interned in Holland is 5½ gulden a day, of which, however, only 2 gulden is paid by the officers themselves. In regard to the second part of the question, I am informed by the Admiralty that the daily scale of rations in force at Groningen is:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the promised reconsideration of repayments by civilian prisoners returned from Germany of the moneys advanced to them for their journey home, retrospective consideration will be given to the cases of such men who were obliged to enter into such undertakings, but have found the obligations a burden upon scanty means?

I am informed by the Treasury that inquiry will be made into any case of hardship of which particulars are given.

asked the Minister of Munitions what number of discharged men is employed in each of the national shell and fuse factories in Ireland; and what proportion this number bears to the total of employés.

The figures the hon. Member asks for are as follows:

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that, under Memorandum 669a, men in the inspection department, Woolwich Arsenal, are paid for the tea interval, but that examiners at out-stations are not allowed to participate in this concession; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to these men by being away from home for long periods and the fact that their conditions of service are practically the same, he will make the order applicable to them?

Pay for tea intervals was recently conceded to certain male employés of the inspection department at Woolwich Arsenal on their representing that that privilege was enjoyed by employés of the Royal Ordnance Factories. The concession was made solely on that ground, it being considered that as the two sets of employés were working under the same general rules and in close connection, a privilege accorded to one set could not be denied to the other. This reason does not apply to examiners at out-stations; on the contrary to allow them the privilege would, in turn, probably result in demands on the part of the employés at factories or contractors' works at which inspection department employés were located, for similar treatment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what price per lb. is being paid for wool in Ireland by the Government, and at what price per lb. it is resold to the manufacturers and others who are supplied from Government sources?

Irish wool is purchased from the farmer at a scale of prices based on an increase of 60 per cent. on the corresponding prices for June-July, 1914. After grading, it is sold to manufacturers at prices which vary according to its quality, style, and yield, and are in proportion to the prices charged for Australian and New Zealand wools.

asked the Home Secretary 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?

The Factory Department of the Home Office has been making careful inquiry into the effects of the employment of women in new processes during the War, particularly with regard to the suitability of the work for women from the point of view of health. A report on this subject is nearly ready, and will in due course be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government has promised any support to the British Metals Corporation now in course of formation; if the Government intend to give that corporation any preference to existing or future companies; and, if so, what kind of preference is in contemplation?

His Majesty's Government welcome the formation of a strong British organisation aiming at securing for British interests the predominance in the non-ferrous metal trades of the British Empire hitherto occupied by Germany. But there has been no promise, nor is their any intention to accord to the British Metal Corporation any preferential treatment as compared with other British controlled companies having similar objects.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the importance of improved methods of communication and transport in rebuilding on satisfactory lines our industrial system after the War, he will state whether the Post Office intends, as a part of settled policy, to continue restricted postal facilities and increased charges?

It will no doubt be possible to remove some of the existing restrictions and to improve postal facilities, but I cannot say whether the present postage rates will be reduced.

asked the Home Secretary how many State institutions for the care of mentally defective children have been provided by the administrative committee of the Board of Control set up by the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913; what their accommodation is; and how many applications for admittance into such institutions have had to be refused by the Board of Control on account of inadequate accommodation?

The Board of Control is only empowered to establish State institutions for defectives of dangerous or violent propensities, and the number of defective children of this class has not been sufficient to make it necessary to establish a State institution for their treatment. The board has not received any requests to provide accommodation for such cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in a case tried at Marlborough Street Police Court on 24th August last, all women, including a woman police officer, were ordered to leave the Court while a female witness was giving evidence; whether this is in accordance with the directions of the Home Office; and whether he has taken or will take any action in the matter?

My attention has been called to this case, and I am making inquiry about it. Action of the kind described would not be in accordance with the views of the Home Office.