asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the effect on persons of British nationality who depend largely for their income on investments of capital in enemy countries or countries invaded by the enemy, by reason of the stoppage of the payments of dividends or interest upon such investments; whether he is aware that enemy subjects in the United Kingdom are permitted to receive periodically the income from investments made in British securities; and whether the Government will take steps to impound the income of the latter class and formulate a scheme under which British subjects may be enabled to receive equality of treatment until a final adjustment can be made?

The effect of the trading with the enemy legislation of the belligerent countries is, of course, to deprive persons resident in one group of belligerent countries from receiving payment of interest on capital invested in the other. The Trading With the Enemy Acts provide machinery for the recovery of money owing by an enemy company in cases where funds are held in this country for the account of the same enemy company, but those Acts do not enable a British subject to attach the private property of an enemy subject resident in the United Kingdom for the purpose of satisfying his claims against other enemy companies or States. The question of the measures to be taken to secure payment of debts due to British subjects by enemies has been fully considered by the Enemy Debts Committee, and I do not think that it is possible to consider isolated claims or classes of claims, or to make interim arrangements apart from the general question.

asked the Food Controller of he will hold an inquiry, by persons not connected with his Department, into the actual disposal of the feeding-stuffs that have been available for livestock during the first nine months of this year with a view to determining if such disposal is in strict accord with regulations and the declared policy of his Department?

I am aware that owing to the difficulty of setting up provincial organisations it has not always been possible to secure the precise priority which I desired to give. Now that a fresh scheme has been introduced and an adequate organisation brought into being I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry into possible past shortcomings.

asked the Food Controller what specific steps have been taken to reduce the financial burden of the bread subsidy by equalisation of the costs of production and distribution, as indicated in the recent Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure?

The Ministry of Food have been giving very careful consideration to the observations on the bread subsidy contained in the Eighth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure. The Report showed that the Committee realised the difficulty of putting into practice any scheme of equalising the costs of production and distribution, and they gave no indication of their views on the subject. In the absence of instructions from the Cabinet, I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion to abandon the 9d. loaf, but I am hoping by other measures to secure some reduction in the costs of baking. I am now appointing a Committee to work out the details of a scheme of combination among bakers. I may add that I have adopted the one specific recommendation made by the Select Committee, namely, to increase the cost of flour used for the manufacture of proprietary brands of bread.

asked the Food Controller if he will state when the Central Agricultural Advisory Committee was constituted; on what basis was it formed; whether English farming interests are represented on the committee by any persons outside of officials of the Board of Agriculture, and, if so, to what extent; what representation Irish interests have on the committee; what are the names and addresses of the Irish representatives; whether any of them are unconnected with the Irish Department of Agriculture; and, if so, at whose suggestion were they appointed?

The Central Agricultural Advisory Council was constituted early in July and held its first meeting on 16th July. Its constitution is based upon electoral representation, i.e. , the principal agricultural societies in the United Kingdom, including the Royal Dublin Society, were asked to elect representatives to serve on the Council. The Royal Dublin Society have appointed Mr. B. H. Barton, of Straffan, co. Kildare, and the hon. Member for Fermanagh. In addition to these Gentlemen the Irish Department of Agriculture have nominated eight representatives, all of whom I understand to be unconnected with the Department. I will send the hon. Member the names and addresses of these gentlemen if he so desires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received a resolution from the Central Associated Chambers of Agriculture protesting against the breach of faith with farmers by the recent action of the Ministry of Food in sending back from the markets fat cattle and sheep and refusing to allow them to be sold although ripe for the butcher; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As was stated yesterday, the holding back of cattle at the present time is the only policy which will secure the necessary meat ration for the first five months of next year. No undertaking was ever given to accept all stock which farmers might desire to sell regardless of national requirements, and there is, therefore, no breach of faith involved. Any additional expenditure incurred will be met by the increased maximum prices which have now been sanctioned. I am confident that farmers will meet this difficult situation with the resource and energy which they have already displayed.

asked the Food Controller whether he has received a resolution from the committee of the Cork City and County Bee-keepers' Association claiming that bee-keepers should receive the same facilities for the purchase of sugar as is given to fruit-growers; and whether he is prepared to accede to this request?

The resolution referred to in this question has been received by the Food Controller. Arrangements have been made to increase the supplies of bee candy, and a system of rationing the supplies of bee food to bee-keepers is in contemplation. It is not considered advisable to issue for use as bee food sugar which is suitable for domestic consumption.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on Thursday, 9th May, a party of men returning from an Anti-Conscription meeting in Magherafelt in brakes and other vehicles, carrying disloyal emblems, instead of returning by the road on which they went to the meeting attempted to pass through the village of Tobermore, and made use of provocative language and abuse of soldiers serving with the British forces; and whether, in view of the proportion of men from Tobermore now serving and of the fact that it is known as a peaceable village, no serious disturbance having ever before occurred in it, he will say if any inquiry has been made, as promised by him into the matter and how many, if any, of the processionists have been made amenable?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on Thursday, 9th May, a procession of Anti-Conscriptionists attempted to pass through the village of Tobermore, county Derry, carrying disloyal emblems and using expressions abusing our troops; whether he is aware that a number of persons from the village are serving in the Army, and that a disturbance was caused; whether he is aware that three weeks afterwards, on the morning of the 30th May, at 3 a.m., a party of police arrested six inhabitants of the village, including two wounded soldiers, and brought them before the resident magistrate some miles off, when, without having an opportunity of producing evidence or procuring legal assistance, they were bound over to keep the peace; if inquiry has been made by him as promised; and why, after the lapse of three weeks, the parties were not summoned instead of being arrested in the middle of the night?

On the 9th May, 1918, an Anti-Conscription meeting was held at Magherafelt. A number of persons in a brake carrying a flag with the words "No Conscription" and accompanied by cyclists, who had made a detour on the way to the meeting to avoid Tobermore, were attacked with stones and sticks by women and men when passing through the village on the direct return journey. None of the party were heard by the police, who accompanied them, to abuse the Army. The disturbance lasted for about fifteen minutes, and a number of shots were fired from back yards in the village. Six inhabitants of the village and one of the Anti-Conscription party were arrested on warrants which were executed on 30th May between 4 and 5 a.m. in order to avoid possible conflict and disorder. The defendants were conveyed to a special Court at Magherafelt. They all admitted having taken part in the disturbance. None of them asked for an adjournment for the purpose of procuring legal assistance or producing evidence. They were required to enter into a recognisance in the sum of £10 each, with one surety of £5 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for twelve months, and on their entering on bail they were at once discharged. Two of the defendants were discharged wounded soldiers. Tobermore has a good recruiting record, and has hitherto been a very peaceful village. The disturbance is for this reason all the more to be regretted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to the rise in the cost of living, pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who, by reason of their age or infirmity of health are unable to get employment, are suffering hardship; will he inquire into the case of ex-Constable Mullooly, of 21, Barrack Street, Waterford, who, after thirty-one years in the force and with the King's Medal for meritorious service, is now a paralytic, and with his wife is endeavouring to subsist on 18s. a week; and will he say if any fund is in existence from which this man's case can be helped?

There is no fund out of which any assistance can be given to the ex-constable referred to, and there would, therefore, be no advantage in making the inquiry suggested in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on 27th June last four soldiers and two policemen visited the house of Edmond Noonan, of Ballylanders, county Limerick, and searched it with some ulterior object, and net result of the search being that, after the searchers had left, Mrs. Noonan missed from her room a gold watch, value £13, a silver watch, marriage ring, and a gold cross and chain, all of which had been carefully stowed away in a box; whether he is aware that this matter was immediately reported, to the police, who, after making inquiries, said they could not see their way to prefer a charge against the man who was in charge of the search party, as he had long service and a good character; and whether immediate steps will be taken to have a thorough investigation into this matter, and adequate compensation granted to the owner of the stolen property, as well as punishment to those who may be found guilty?

On the 27th June last the house referred to was searched by two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary accompanied by four soldiers. The police authorities have made careful inquiries as to the allegations contained in the question and are satisfied that no such larceny ever took place. No such statement as that suggested in the question was made by the police.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the present strength of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force; how many superintendents there are and their ages and years' service; what is the age limit at which members of the force are now retired; whether the chief superintendent has been ineffective since 19th April, 1918; and whether the condition of his health at present is sufficiently good to permit of his taking charge of men.

The present strength of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force is 1,116 men of all ranks. There are at present one chief superintendent and seven superintendents of the force. Their ages and years of service are as follows:

The chief superintendent was non-effective since the 29th April, 1918, less thirty-three days, but, although not yet fully restored to health, has sufficiently recovered to enable him to discharge the various duties connected with his office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the residents of Banbridge, county Down, including manufacturers, merchants, magistrates, and clergymen of all denominations asking for the reinstatement of the sub-postmistress of Church Square, Banbridge; and whether, in view of local opinion on the subject, his decision will be reconsidered?

My right hon. Friend has received the memorial in question, but for the reasons already explained to the memorialists he regrets he could not comply with it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a report on the health of Mrs. Gonne MacBride, now interned in Holloway, which advises her release without delay; and whether she will now be released?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I have received a report on the health of Mrs. MacBride, and, with the concurrence of the Chief Secretary, I am prepared to release her to a place where her health can receive special attention. I understand that arrangements are being made by her friends for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Mr. Burke, a medical student, interned in Lincoln, applied three times since his arrest on 21st May to be taken before the advisory committee, namely, on 22nd May, in Arbour Hill Barracks, on 23rd May in Hull Prison, and on 11th June in Lincoln Gaol; why none of his letters are said to have been received by the Government; that he is now suffering from a nervous breakdown and unable to write; and on what grounds is he detained in prison or refused an inquiry into the grounds of his complaint?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary that three letters were received from Burke, but in none of them were representations made against the internment Order, which gave sufficient ground for a hearing by the advisory committee. I am not aware that it has been stated that these letters have not been received. In view of the prisoner's illness, arrangements are being made which will, I hope, permit of his release in a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that Edward Murphy, of 1, Green Street, Dublin, has passed the necessary qualifying examination at Dublin Castle in 1872; that he was subsequently for nineteen years in the service of the Ordnance Survey Department; whether he will ascertain the competency of the officer that witnessed against Murphy after his 22½ years' service; if he will explain the reason for retaining an inefficient man for so many years; and if he will ascertain the circumstances under which the report was made against Mr. Murphy?

In reply I will refer my hon. Friend to the answer given in this House on the 11th August, 1898, by the President of the Board of Agriculture at that time. I fully agree with the terms of that answer and see no reason for reopening the case. With regard to the hon. Member's point as to efficiency, I may perhaps say that in the last years of service Murphy became inefficient, and on two occasions prior to his discharge his pay was reduced owing to bad work. I am convinced that there is no ground for the allegation that he was dealt with unjustly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether H.M.S. "Vinditctive" is in a condiction in which it would be practicable to salve and to preserve her as a memorial in this country of glorious naval achievements?

My hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will be considered, but no answer can be given at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiries made into the case of Sapper W. Sagar, No. 266077, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, France, who on two occasions since 9th September has had his pay stopped for comparatively slight offences, the total period of deprivation of pay amounting to sixty-six days; and if, in view of the hardship that is thus inflicted on the man's wife and family, he will take steps to have the case reconsidered?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the transfer to home service of Driver William Joseph Sanders, No. M/333854, Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, in view of the fact that, after serving in France in 1914–15, and receiving his discharge in consequence of wounds, he patriotically volunteered to re-enlist, and has a wife now suffering from an amputated leg, with seven small children to look after?

I will have this case carefully considered, and write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Dr. R. M. Danks volunteered to serve for one year or the duration of war, whichever was the shorter period, on 1st March, 1917; that he served in France from 17th March, 1917, to 12th February, 1918, was invalided home, appeared before a medical board and had his category reduced from A1 to C1, tendered his resignation, which was accepted, received the King's certificate of discharge in May, 1918, and has since been called upon to return the King's certificate and to report for service with the Colours; and whether, in view of the fact that he fulfilled his engagement and was invalided home on medical grounds, he will extend to this doctor complete exemption from further service under paragraph IV. ( a ) of the First Schedule to the Military Service Act (No. 2) of 1918, and to return to him the King's certificate of discharge?

Dr. R. M. Danks held a temporary commission from 1st March, 1917, to 28th February, 1918, when he relinquished it on the expiration of his contract. He was not invalided from the Service, but was found fit for active duty at home, and only temporarily unfit for Category A. The King's certificate was issued to him in error, and has accordingly been withdrawn. He remains liable for further service, and cannot be granted complete exemption.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the prejudice which is inflicted upon officers belonging to the Special Reserve in the matter of promotion in substantive rank as compared with officers belonging to other units; and whether there is any limit to the period during which an officer of the Special Reserve may hold superior acting rank on active service without obtaining any permanent promotion in his substantive rank?

The system of promotion in the Special Reserve of Officers up to the rank of captain is identical with that of officers of the Regular Army. Captains of Special Reserve units are promoted majors to fill vacancies in the establishment and in the Regular Army other than Cavalry, they are promoted to the rank of major on completion of 15 years' commissioned service. As in the case of officers of the Regular Army and Territorial Force, there is no limit to the period during which an officer of the Special Reserve may hold superior acting-rank on active service without obtaining any permanent promotion in his substantive rank.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of certain dissatisfaction, he will give direction that decorations gained for actual fighting or for action involving risk of life, shall be worn on the left breast, and that decorations gained for other services shall be worn on the right breast, or vice versa ?

I am afraid that the suggestion of my hon. Friend is not practicable. The proposal affects other Departments, and cannot be considered by the War Office independently. I may say, however, that the position in which various Orders and decorations are worn is regulated by precedence, and the decorations themselves give an indication of the nature of the services for which awarded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that colour-sergeant instructors of musketry who were recently promoted to the rank of warrant officers Class II. are being compelled to continue wearing their non-commissioned officers chevrons; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has been caused by depriving these warrant officers of the proper mark of their new ranks; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?

Under the existing regulations the badges of rank of a company sergeant-major instructor in musketry (formerly colour-sergeant instructor in musketry) are a crown and crossed rifles. If my hon Friend will furnish me with particulars of the cases he has in mind I shall be happy to make inquiries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is prepared to reconsider his former decision not to give the increased separation allowances to children above the age of fourteen and to continue to reduce their old allowances between that age and sixteen in view of the fact that the pension allowances paid to children whose fathers have been disabled or killed are issued intact up to the age of sixteen and sometimes twenty-one, even if, in the case of the latter casualty, their widowed mothers marry again?

The decision in question was not a War Office decision but that of the War Cabinet, and I fear I can add nothing to my answer of 22nd instant to the hon. Member for Westhoughton.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he can see his way to double the increase of 2s. 6d. which was granted to the special campaign pensioners, all men above the age of sixty-five in May last?

I am afraid I cannot do as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests. The increase already given to these pensioners is the same as that given to old age pensioners at age 70.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of his responsibility in connection with the restoration of trade union customs, he can give an assurance that he is using his best endeavours to secure the early introduction of the promised Bill to amend the Munitions of War Acts, seeing that the present delay is giving rise to unrest amongst the trade unions?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Leader of the House to my hon. Friend the Member for York on 17th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will say what number of discharged soldiers are employed at the various aerodromes now in process of construction in Ireland; and what proportion in each case their number bears to the total of employés?

The particulars asked for are as follow: Tallaght: 360 discharged soldiers, being 25 per cent. of the men employed. Baldonnel: 192 discharged soldiers, being 16 per cent. of the men employed. Gormanstown: 120 discharged soldiers, being 13 per cent. of the men employed. Collinstown: 60 discharged soldiers, being 6 per cent. of the men employed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that the salaries offered to teachers in many elementary schools in rural areas are quite inadequate to provide for the reasonable necessities of life, in view of the increase in the cost of living; whether he is aware that many teachers in village schools in Oxfordshire are in receipt of salaries amounting to less than 25s. a week, and that when a vacancy occurs in the teaching staff the school managers have difficulty in obtaining anyone to fill it; and whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to secure that local education authorities shall pay adequate salaries?

In their Minute of 14th February, 1918, the Board of Education prescribed certain minimum rates for the salaries of qualified (certificated and uncertificated) teachers, and none of these teachers are now in receipt of salaries less than 25s. a week. The Board have not seen their way to prescribe minimum salaries for supplementary teachers whose recognition is purely temporary and limited. It is, however, of course, my view that no local education authority or other employer should pay any employés less than a living wage. The question of the adequacy of the salaries paid in Oxfordshire and in other areas for the purpose of Articles 3 and 4 of the Supplementary Grant Regulations will receive careful scrutiny, and I can assure the hon. Member that I am very fully alive to the importance of the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that steamers owned by British subjects were seized by the Turks in the early stages of the War previous to time having elapsed for communications to be sent to London to insure the same against war risks; whether he is aware that this has entailed hardship upon such British owners; and whether the Government are prepared to make reparation now instead of waiting until after the cessation of hostilities?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases he refers to, I will look into them, but if the steamers were not covered under the Government insurance scheme, it is, I am afraid, impossible to grant compensation from public funds.

asked the Postmaster-General whether meal reliefs are provided for under the Post Office regulations; whether he is aware that at the Mossley Exchange two telephonists performed eighty-two and eighty-nine and a half hours' excess time during the period February, 1914, to May, 1915, owing to the failure on the part of the responsible official to comply with the published regulations; that the efforts of the girls to secure payment for the overtime worked have been resisted; if so, if he will state the reason for this state of affairs; whether he is aware that at the wireless station at Murcar no provision was made for meal reliefs between the opening of the station and 2nd September, 1917; that it has been found impossible to provide reliefs except at an expense which the Department refuse to sanction; and that as an alternative, authority has been given for the meal period to be paid for as overtime; whether he will explain why the claims for the time worked in excess during the previous months has been disallowed; whether he is aware that between April, 1916, and October, 1917, the postmaster failed to provide meal reliefs at Lerwick on Sundays, and that requests for payment have been repeatedly refused on the ground that the loss of meal reliefs has been no real hardship; and whether, seeing that in each case the overtime worked was due to the failure of responsible officials to carry out the explicit regulations, he will allow these claims, or, alternatively, allow them to be submitted to arbitration?

It has long been the rule that monetary payments cannot be made in respect of the loss of meal reliefs, and I am not prepared to set the rule aside in these cases. The normal weekly wage covers an attendance of forty-eight hours, and, although in ordinary course the normal hours of actual work are reduced below this limit by the concession of meal reliefs, I cannot regard this as a sufficient reason for waiving the principle in exceptional cases such as those mentioned.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have taken up to the present time for the investigation of the disease of louping-ill in sheep?

An investigation into diseases affecting sheep, including louping-ill, is at present proceeding at the Glasgow Veterinary College, and the relative expenditure is being met by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland from the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund. A similar investigation was begun at the Royal (Dick) College, Edinburgh, but has been suspended meantime, as those engaged in the research have been called up for service with the Army Veterinary Corps.