asked the Food Controller whether the Order that pigs being fed for bacon are to be killed before Christmas applies to pigs being fed on house and garden or farm refuse, if he is aware that pigs can be kept growing. and in some cases practically fattened, on waste where it is good in quality; and if he can urge local authorities to develop the compulsory collection of house and garden refuse in their area, so as to maintain pig clubs and so keep up the supply of pigs in the country?

There is no Order to the effect that any pigs are to be killed before Christmas. The misunderstanding appears to have arisen from the announcement that there was no prospect of any imported feeding-stuffs being available for store pigs after Christmas. The Food Controller fully appreciates the value of waste in the feeding of pigs, and the National Salvage Council, on which the Food Ministry is represented, is taking all possible steps to encourage the collection and utilisation of such waste so far as the limited supply of labour and materials admits. I may refer my hon. Friend to the Press notice on the subject which appeared on 25th October,

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the Barton-on-Humber fat stock market has recently been closed for a fortnight and for a third week only open to receive a small quantity of cattle for local requirements, while other markets in North Lincolnshire are being kept open weekly, thus preventing the farmers who are tied to this area from selling their stock to the best advantage, and at a time when it is ready for sale; whether he is aware of the inconvenience and loss caused by taking stock to and from a closed market; will he arrange when the market is closed for due notice to be given to prevent unnecessary transport of cattle; and whether he will see that in future equal treatment is accorded to all markets, both small and great, throughout the districts, so that farmers who have an excess stock of cattle shall not have to keep them back, but such surplus shall be graded and sent to London or other markets weekly?

Owing to the abnormal amount of fat stock coming forward at the present time, it has been necessary to close a certain number of markets which are not conveniently placed for the disposal of any surplus. It was for this reason that Barton-on-Humber was closed while other markets in North Lincolnshire were kept open. It is hoped that this market will be reopened during the coming week. The Food Controller is fully aware of the inconvenience that has been caused to farmers, and every possible step is being taken to alleviate it and dispose of surplus stock.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that only a small number of Irish farmers may be termed stall-feeders; that there is not housing enough in Ireland for 5 per cent. of the cattle which the Government propose should be stall-fed and kept over for months and that there is not feeding-stuff to maintain them; whether he is aware that in this event the grass-fed cattle of Ireland will lose their flesh if they are to be kept on or otherwise pass into the hands of the English farmers at prices which will be ruinous to Irish farmers; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and if he will take into consideration the effect of the making of this Order will have on the various Orders emanating from Government authorities as to extra tillage, etc., next year?

The Food Controller is aware that Irish cattle for slaughter are chiefly matured on grass, and not stall-fed; he is not aware of any instructions having been issued to hold over fat cattle for a definite period. For the moment it is not possible to take all the cattle marketed and consequently Ireland is called upon to keep back, quite temporarily, her share of the United Kingdom supply. The extra tillage in Ireland, which will naturally produce more fodder and roots, should help to relieve the position, which is also materially assisted by the prolonged open weather.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that English sheep and cattle are being turned back from market on account of the quantity of Irish meat that is coming into the country; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. When it became necessary to place restrictions on the quantity of fat stock accepted for slaughter in Great Britain steps were taken to impose a similar restriction on fat stock from Ireland.

asked the Food Controller whether it is proposed to fix a price for Irish store cattle?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Food Controller whether, in view of the great expense of time and money occasioned to farmers and butchers by the system under which cattle and sheep killed for food have invariably to be sent to a Government slaughter-house, he will consider the possibility of allowing the Regulations to be relaxed under conditions approved by local food committees?

The Noble Lord is under a misapprehension. Cattle and sheep may be sold for slaughter by the farmer in a live-stock market, or, on a deadweight basis, through wholesale dead meat salesmen, as well as to a Government authorised slaughter-house. The Food Controller is not, therefore, prepared to relax the Regulations in the manner indicated.

asked the Food Controller if English meat is being sent at the present time to feed the peoples of Lille and Belgium generally?

No English fresh-killed meat is being sent to the civilian population in Belgium, but I understand that arrangements are being made by the War Office to supply certain quantities of meat out of Army stocks.

asked the Food Controller (1) how many million forms (L.F.S. 1) for the supply of concentrated feeding-stuffs under the Cattle Feeding-Stuffs (Distribution) Order, 1918, were printed and on what basis was that figure determined; and when and through what agency they were distributed:

(2) Whether he is aware that application forms (L.F.S. 1) for concentrated feeding-stuffs under the Cattle Feeding-stuffs (Distribution) Order, 1918, made on the 14th instant, which forbids the purchase of any feeding-stuffs whatever after the 17th November next unless application is lodged by the 1st November, have been so distributed that, whilst the private traders and manufacturers have received abundant supplies of such forms, the farmers' co-operative societies have received inadequate supplies, so that their members have been obliged to leave them and register with private traders; whether he can state approximately how many were printed and how many were sent to the agricultural co-operative societies and why a step so prejudicial to agricultural co-operation has been taken by the Ministry; and whether farmers who, under the above circumstances, have registered with traders and desire to transfer their registration to a co-operative society will be allowed to do so immediately; and

(3) Whether his attention has been called to a telegram received by the Agricultural Organisation Society from the Preston Farmers' Society on 24th October, stating that only twenty L.F.S. I forms had been received, although they required at least 2,000, and had made repeated applications to the commissioner at Chester without result, and that the members were registering with competitors who have an unlimited supply of forms; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the subject?

About 1,200,000 application forms for supplies of concentrated feeding-stuffs have been printed and distributed to the various live stock areas through the agency of the Live Stock Organisation of the Ministry of Food, which has issued supplies to all licensed dealers; the number of forms printed was calculated according to the estimated number of persons entitled to apply thereon, an ample margin being allowed for all contingencies; the bulk of the forms were dispatched before the middle of October. I regret that information with regard to the number of forms sent to agricultural co-operative societies is not available. The Food Controller is not aware of any foundation for the suggestion that application forms have been distributed inequitably as between private traders and agricultural co-operative societies. Owing to extreme difficulties in printing and railway transport, some forms were late in reaching their destination, but all forms have been distributed equitably as they have been received among all dealers, private and co-operative. I understand that the Preston Farmers' Society has now received a full supply of application forms. With regard to the registration of farmers with licensed dealers, it is hoped that it will be possible to allow any farmer who has good reason for wishing to change his supplier to do so at the end of a period of ten weeks.

asked the Food Controller whether there are only about 70,000 tons of cattle-feeding cake in this country at the present time as compared with the 350,000 tons in farmers' hands at this time last year; whether all the certificates issued for cake up to November will have to be withdrawn; and, if so, whether he can make any statement as to the probable supplies of cattle and pig-feeding stuffs available for the months of December, January, and February?

The figures quoted in the first part of the question are approximately correct; the answer to the second part is in the negative. It is anticipated that actual and prospective supplies will enable the prescribed rations to be satisfied.

asked the Food Controller on what date the arrangement was come to that Ireland should be supplied with 12 per cent. of the feeding-stuffs available, with arrears from 1st June; whether this quantity is below the amount to which Ireland is entitled, in view of the numbers of live stock in the respective countries; and is he aware that even the 12 per cent. is not being supplied while British stock owners are receiving their proportion?

The agreement whereby Ireland is allotted 12 per cent. of the available supply of cattle cakes and meals was made on 1st August, 1918, between representatives of the Irish Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food, the allocation to the various parts of the United Kingdom being based on the consumption of these feeding-stuffs in the year 1913. Owing to the reduced imports, the British stock owner has not received since 1st August the full supply which was anticipated when the agreement was made. Consequently the supplies to Ireland have fallen proportionately. It is hoped to make good the arrears due to Ireland in respect of the months of June and July.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that there is a hortage of butter in certain districts in London, consumers only receiving one ounce from shopkeepers; and can he see his way to release any from storage in order that consumers may obtain their usual rations?

The hon. Member would appear to be under a misapprehension; since 21st October the butter ration throughout the country has been 1 oz. per head per week; the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the price of English butter is fixed at 281s. per cwt. as against 245s. per cwt. allowed for Irish butter; is there any reason for supposing that the latter commodity is not equal in every way to English butter; if so, will he say how this can be substantiated; and is it the intention of the Food Ministry to re-sell the Irish butter now bought at 2s. 1½d. per lb. at 2s. 6d.?

The maximum price obtainable for a producer in Great Britain for butter sold in bulk to the Ministry of Food is 240s. 3d. per cwt., while the price paid by the Ministry of Food for Irish butter in bulk is 245s. per cwt. f.o.r. The second and third parts of the question do not therefore arise. With regard to the last part of the question, the Ministry of Food releases all Government butter, including Irish butter purchased by it, at a uniform rate which enables it to be sold at 2s. 6d. per lb. retail; this includes the cost of distribution and the retailers' margin of profit.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that a public caterer who supplies half a partridge is entitled to demand from the customer half a coupon, and, seeing that the caterer has only to give one coupon for two partridges, will he state what becomes of the surplus coupons he receives?

The coupon values in the official schedule of equivalent weights for caterers are values by which the caterer accounts for his supplies, and are not values by which the customer purchases from the caterer. In order to enable him to serve a reasonable helping of butcher's meat for one coupon, he is allowed to take half a coupon for a portion of poultry, notwithstanding that the quantity served is less than the actual coupon value.

asked the Food Controller if his attention has been drawn to the Report of the American Commission on the Meat Trust; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in regard thereto?

I understand that this Report has been submitted to the President of the United States. It would be clearly improper to express any opinion on the subject until the President has intimated his decision I may, however, point out that British and Allied interests are safeguarded by the fact that their supplies are obtained from the packers through the United States food administration at the same prices as those paid by the United States Army and Navy.

asked the Food Controller how many forms per month a country butcher is expected to fill up and send to the various food authorities; and whether, in view of the shortness of all shopkeepers' staffs, it would be possible to reduce the number of forms they are required to fill up?

A country butcher must fill up one form for uncooked butcher's meat once a fortnight, and if he sells sausages, canned meats, poultry or other miscellaneous meats, one other form must be filled up once a fortnight; both these forms must be forwards to the local food control committee. It would be impossible to reduce the number of forms required.

asked the Food Controller how many tons of bacon have been imported from America and elsewhere during 1918?

502,845 tons of bacon have been imported from America and elsewhere into the United Kingdom from 1st January to 26th October, 1918.

asked the Food Controller whether he can state the circumstances under which Mr. S. J. Chilcot, of Tiverton, had his shop closed by order of the local food committee; whether the action of the local food committee was endorsed by the Ministry of Food; and, if not, whether it is proposed to pay any compensation to Mr. Chilcot?

The case of Mr. S. J. Chilcot has been brought to the attention of the Food Controller, who understands that Mr. Chilcot is contemplating legal proceedings in respect of the action alleged to have taken by the local food committee in relation to his shop. As the facts of the case are in dispute it is undesirable to make any statement on the second and third parts of the question.

asked the Food Controller whether he has notified the manager of Farmer's Flour Mills, recently erected at Kilshane, county Tipperary, Ireland, not to take more than 2 per cent. of bran out of the wheat; whether, in view, of the value of the offal for pig-feeding, he will permit the manager to extract a greater percentage of bran out of the wheat and thereby increase the amount of available feeding-stuffs in this district?

Millers who grind wheat on commission only are allowed to make wheat meal without admixture of diluents if they extract up to 98 per cent. Normally—that is, where he prescribed admixture of diluents is used—they extract up to 75 per cent., leaving 25 per cent. offals.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has any balance sheet yet made of the cultivation schemes in 1918 of Bushey Park and of Richmond Park; and can he say whether they resulted in profit or in loss?

It is not possible to present a balance sheet of this year's cultivation in the two Royal Parks until the cereal crops have been threshed. It it unlikely that this will be completed before next spring, when a balance sheet will be prepared. I am, however, confident that the year's operations will show a satisfactory result.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the appointments of Mr. Edwin Savill and Mr. J. M. Clark to assist in inspection the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission, and referred to in paragraph 7 of their Third Report, entail payment for their services; and, if so, will he say on what terms such payment is made?

These gentlemen are paid £5 5s. a day each, together with travelling expenses for each day occupied on the business of the Committee. Mr. Savill and Mr. Clark expressed their willingness to accept this scale in view of the public interest involved in the work, though on any other ground they would be unable to accept so low a fee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that evidence given at a court-martial held at Ship Street Barracks, Dublin, on 14th September and following days, revealed that in June last 40,000 rounds of rifle ammunition were sent by rail from Belfast to Dublin and elsewhere; whether expert evidence has established that a large part of this ammunition was of pre-war type; who were the consignors of this sending; and whether the original holders of it have been prosecuted and punished?

I wrote to my hon. Friend on the 22nd October for particulars of the persons tried, and on receipt of this information I shall be happy to cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what changes will be necessary in the Rules and Regulations of the Commissioners of National Education in view of the decision of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board that the Irish national teachers are Government employés?

As the Conciliation and Arbitration Board has not determined that national school teachers are Government employés, no change in the Rules of the Commissioners of National Education would appear to be required.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if a joint petition was recently presented to the General Prisons Board from the officers of the Mountjoy Male Prison praying that they be exempt from the position of having to stoke a large boiler while performing night duty; if he will state the Board's reply; if he will state the meaning of having officers at this particular prison examined by the medical officer, and if stoking boilers is part of a prison warder's duty, seeing that in his appointment no mention whatever is made with reference to this duty; whether the Treasury have long since sanctioned a sum of money to be paid to a competent person for performing this duty; whether this duty is being performed at any other of our Irish prisons by warders on the permanent staff while performing night duty in turn; if he will now take the necessary steps to see that officers will no longer be asked to perform this task of stoking; and will he see that in future any other petition which may be presented to the General Prisons Board will meet with the consideration it deserves?

A joint request by a number of warders on the staff of Mount-joy Prison was recently made to the General Prisons Board for exemption from the duty of stoking the boiler. This work is necessary for the heating of the prison and the preservation of the health of the prisoners. It is part of the duty of a warder, and has been satisfactorily done by the permanent warders of the prison for the past fifteen years. The Board do not consider they would be justified in employing a person other than a warder for performing this work nor has the Treasury assigned any funds for such a purpose. On receipt of the petition it was decided that the prison doctor should in future examine any officer who might complain that the performance of this duty was injuriously affecting his health. In other local prisons night duty is done by temporary warders who have been substituted for permanent warders and these men attend to the fires, but this course is not practicable at Mountjoy Prison.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the normal precautions for saving of life adopted on the Royal Mail steamer "Leinster" previous to the torpedo attack upon her come within the scope of the Admiralty inquiry into the disaster?

No, Sir; the matter is one for the Board of Trade. But, of course, here, as elsewhere, if in the course of the examination of the Reports which would come to us it appeared necessary to refer any matter to the Board of Trade, we should so refer it.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the transfer to shore service of Seaman George Arthur Wales, His Majesty's ship "Terrible," in view of the fact that his father was killed on 1st July, 1916, that he is now the only support of his mother, and that he is wanted by a firm employed on Government work?

I am obtaining particulars regarding this case, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the position in regard to coal-mining, he will give instructions for the release of Gunner W. E. Unwin, No. 14522, Royal Marine Artillery, a miner, formerly manager of a large colliery in Nottingham, who has been employed in Eastney Barracks since May, 1917, as an officer's servant?

I informed my Noble Friend, in a letter of 23rd October, that instructions had been issued for this man's discharge.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Dench, Brancaster, Staithe, King's Lynn, whose husband, George Dench, a naval pensioner with three medals and over forty years' service, recently died at the age of eighty, leaving his widow with no pension and destitute; and whether the Royal Navy possesses any funds to deal with cases such as this?

The facts as to Dench's service are as stated. I regret, however, that there are no funds at the disposal of the Admiralty from which any assistance could be granted in such a case.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the pensions of Navy and Army veterans who were in receipt of pensions before the outbreak of the present War have been increased in proportion to the rise of prices, or at all, since 1914; and, if not, whether he will take steps and, if necessary, obtain power to ensure that men who served the country for long periods of years and are now too old to obtain employment are not overlooked and allowed to suffer destitution owing to the fall in value of their nominal pension?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Enfield.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether steps will be taken to see that, should an armistice be arranged, commissions will not be given to cadets then in officers' training schools, at least pending the conclusion of the armistice?

I am afraid I cannot give any such undertaking. The question of granting commissions to those qualified to hold them must depend on the requirements of the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, when officers of military age who have not been overseas and others who have reached the age for retirement, now serving in headquarters and other offices and on the staffs in various places at Home, will be relieved by the available wounded and disabled officers?

Whenever they can be spared, officers who have reached the age for retirement are relegated to unemployment. Every endeavour is made to employ wounded and disabled officers provided they are physically capable and professionally qualified for the duties they would be called upon to perform.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the concession which has been made whereby non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force who were embodied under Army Order 281 of 1914, and who either before or after the date of embodiment signed an agreement to serve outside the United Kingdom, are to be allowed to count embodied service in the ranks twofold as qualifying service for the award of the Territorial Force efficiency medal, he can see his way clear to recommend a similar concession with regard to the period of service necessary to qualify a Territorial officer for the award of the Territorial Decoration?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral reply which I gave to-day to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Knutsford.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning Private William Raistrick, No. 45389, Yorks and Lanes Regiment, Depot, Pontefract, who is awaiting his third court-martial as a conscientious objector, was recently in hospital eight weeks on account of hernia, has since undergone an operation, and is now in a very weak state of health; and if he will consider this man's case with a view to his release on the ground of ill-health?

I am making inquiry, and will acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service how many employés of industrial co-operative societies in the United Kingdom have received protection certificates from military service since the issuing of the National Service Instruction No. 123, of 1918, on 4th July, 1918, which granted concessions to that particular class of traders?

The hon. and gallant Member appears to be under some misapprehension as to the purpose and effect of National Service Instruction 123 of 1918. It did not give concessions to the employés of industrial co-operative societies, but was designed to protect the retail distribution of food from dislocation through the ordinary working of the recruiting machinery. No man of the old military age has under it received protection, unless he formerly held some form of exemption, and many men who were formerly exempted have been made available for recruitment and are now serving in the forces. I have not got complete figures as to the number recruited, but it is considerable, and has been effected without real injury to the retail distribution of food. So far as retail food distributers of the new military age are concerned they are protected under the List of Certified Occupations R. 136 revised, whether they are one-man business men or employés of private traders or co-operative societies.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Circular R. 237, dealing with the maintenance of the businesses of men with the forces, was drawn up after consultation with proprietors of one-man businesses; and how it is proposed that traders should arrange amongst themselves how to carry on their businesses during their absence without sacrificing their goodwill and revealing to their competitors business secrets?

The circular was drawn up in consultation with gentlemen who are assisting the Local Government Board in connection with schemes of co-operation, and is based upon the experience acquired in actual cases where schemes have been successfully initiated. The general views of traders have been ascertained at numerous deputations. The arrangements suggested are intended to mitigate as far as possible hardship to men who are required to join the Colours. No doubt they are open to the criticism that they involve some risk of revelation of trade secrets, but these risks are not comparable to the hardship which would be entailed by the closing of businesses, which the schemes are designed to avoid. The loss of goodwill is clearly greater if a business has to be closed than if it can be, in whole or in part, maintained.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any provision has been made in the conditions under which licences are issued to scutch mills in Ireland providing for safe lighting and heating of the mills or as regards the fans fitted to exhausts or the distance at which flax should be stacked away from the mill; and whether, in view of the number of fires which have taken place by causes connected with these matters, he will consider the propriety of issuing further Regulations dealing with these matters, in order to prevent the loss of valuable commodities and to enable millowners to effect insurances on their premises and on the stocks committed to their care?

No provisions have been made in the conditions under which licences are issued to scutch mills, providing for any special type of lighting and heating, or as regards fans fitted to exhausts, although suggestions as to the best and safest methods are always made by the inspectors of the Ministry of Munitions. The majority of Irish mills are very primitive, and the owners are not in a position to carry out the most modern methods. If licences were granted only under these conditions, the industry would probably be discouraged and supplies of flax would be prejudiced. With regard to the stacking of flax, one condition of the licence is that only a normal four weeks' output of flax may be stacked around the mill—any balance must be elsewhere. This condition has already had the effect of a quantity of flax being saved in recent fires. The Ministry of Munitions does not propose to issue further Regulations dealing with these matters. The largest mill-owners insure their stocks of flax at the present time.

asked the Minister of Munitions what is the maximum price a hotel keeper is entitled to charge for a bottle of whisky; and is it a breach of any Regulation for a hotel keeper to refuse to supply a customer staying at the hotel with a bottle of whisky but to supply him with a decanter of whisky, call it eighteen glasses, and charge 18s.?

I have been asked to reply. The maximum price which a hotel keeper may charge for a bottle of whisky 30 u.p. sold elsewhere than in a public bar for consumption on the premises is 13s. for a reputed quart or 6s. 6d. for a reputed pint. The right of the hotel keeper to sell his whisky in such amounts as he thinks fit is not affected by any Statutory Order except that under Clause II. of the Spirits (Prices and Description) No. 2 Order, 1918, whisky must be sold by certain specified measures.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether it is intended to take 105 acres of land in Suffolk for the purpose of an aerodrome; and whether he is aware that this is good agricultural land under cultivation and that there is available heath land in close proximity?

It is not now intended to proceed with the proposal referred to in the right hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware that boys of 17 years of age who recently joined the Air Force in Dublin have been drafted overseas; and if he will see that boys will not be sent out of Great Britain and Ireland until they reach the age of nineteen years?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The terms of enlistment of these youths, which are stated on their forms of attestation, provide for liability for service overseas, and it is not proposed to make any change in the existing practice to which no objection is seen having regard to the conditions of service in the Royal Air Force abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what progress has been made in the proposed application of parachutes to aeroplanes for the purpose of saving life; whether it has been decided to sanction their use for aeroplanes at the front; and whether any will be allotted to training machines in this country?

Sufficient progress with experimental parachutes for use for aeroplanes has been made to justify their provision for certain types of machines. The policy is to provide them first for machines in use in France.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has already required any education authority to submit a scheme under Section 1 of the Education Act, 1918; and, if not, when he intends to use his powers in this respect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not yet in a position to make any announcement as to the appointed day for the purposes of Clause 1 of the Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is by his orders that Henry Gogol, of 21a, St. James Road, Higher Broughton, Manchester, has been arrested; whether any reason can be given for the arrest; and whether any charge will be made against him?

Gozol was arrested for the purpose of deportation, in pursuance of an order which I made on advice that he was a Russian concerned with Bolshevist propaganda whom it was desirable in the interests of this country to deport. He left en route for Russia on the 27th of this month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among prison warders in view of the fact that their service in the Army or Navy is not allowed to count towards their retiring pension; and whether he will take steps to ensure that service in the armed forces of the Crown is allowed to count equally with service in the prison staff for purposes of Civil Service pension?

Prison officers who have been released for naval or military service during the War are allowed to count such service towards pension. Service in the Army or Navy before joining the prison service does not count for civil pension, but I am not aware that any dissatisfaction exists with regard to this rule, which obtains throughout the Civil Service.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are a few policemen in the Metropolitan Force who, although entitled to retire on pension on years of service, were retained in the force under the Police Emergency Act, 1915, and who have recently been retired on account of ill-health and have only received the old pension rate, having missed the recent increase of pay and pension by a few weeks; and if he will consider as to giving special inquiry into these cases with a view of granting these men the advantages of the new pension scheme which they have only missed owing to ill-health caused by their years of service?

All Metropolitan Police pensions are calculated, at the maximum statutory rate, on the officer's annual pay at the date of his retirement. The law does not permit of revision on the ground of any increase of police pay being granted after the date of the officer's retirement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Order of the Coal Controller that schools are not to be rationed applies to all schools?

There is no Order of the Controller of Coal Mines stating that schools are not to be rationed. So long as schools consume less coal than the maximum allowance agreed by the Controller they are, in a sense, not rationed, and, as the consumption of public elementary schools falls below the scale applicable to schools in general, a misunderstanding has arisen in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the Coal Controller's Regulations to householders who, for reasons connected with the War, have given hospitality to members of their family and have rooms occupied which before the War may have been empty or only occasionally used, and where, in consequence, now a fire may be required the whole day; and will he give instructions for the local fuel overseers to deal sympathetically with such cases?

The Controller of Coal Mines is not aware of any hardships arising out of the circumstances mentioned in the question. Where more than six persons are habitually resident in a moderate-sized house an extra ton of fuel is allowed under the general scale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the coal shortage is not wholly or mainly due to absenteeism on the part of colliers; and whether, if colliers worked five days a week, nine hours per day from bank to bank, and there were no absenteeism or strike, the supply of coal would be sufficient for all requirements?

I am aware that, as the hon. Member suggests, the coal shortage is not wholly or mainly due to absenteeism, although a decrease in avoidable absenteeism would largely mitigate it. I do not anticipate that any material increase in the output of coal would result from an endeavour to arrange a working week of five days of nine hours each bank to bank. If there were no avoidable absenteeism or strikes a considerable part of the shortage would be made up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in collieries and underground workmen are not permitted to work more than eight hours from bank to bank; and whether on an average an eight-hour day from bank to bank means less than seven hours' actual work?

Section 1, Sub-section 1 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908, enacts that subject to the provisions of the Act, a workman shall not be below ground in a mine for the purpose of his work and of going to and from his work for more than eight hours during any twenty-four consecutive hours. As some time may be expended in going to and from work the actual period of work at the coalface may be, and often is, considerably less than eight hours.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Vale of Leven Co-operative Society, who have some 20,000 customers, have been compelled to refuse all orders for the delivery of coal owing to their inability to obtain any supplies; and whether he will take steps to remedy this as speedily as possible, in view of the inconvenience and hardship caused by the present state of affairs?

Inquiry is being made into the matter referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the darkness in which the northern suburbs of London are at present plunged owing to the necessity of economy of fuel on the part of the local authorities, the shading of what weak lights are shown as a precaution against enemy aircraft, and the utilisation of a good part of the lighting and fuel available by newly erected factories engaged on urgent war work; and can he hold out any hopes of an early improvement in suburban conditions of lighting?

I will see wheher anything can be done in this matter, but it is not an easy one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to ensure that the national uniform now authorised for the Merchant Service, with the requisite stripes, can be purchased by those entitled to wear it and, particularly, whether any difficulty has been placed in the way of the supply of the necessary lace; and, if so, whether he can take steps to see that these difficulties are removed?

An Order was made under the Defence of the Realm Act in July prohibiting the use of gold lace otherwise than for the uniform of His Majesty's Services and the Mercantile Marine, except under special licence from the Board of Trade. The object of this Order was to ensure that the requirements of the Services and the Mercantile Marine for gold uniform lace should be met so far as the shortage both of labour and material in the gold-thread industry would permit.

asked the Postmaster-General if his Department have considered and decided what Regulations they will issue as regards election matter cent through the post in view of a General Election; if any decision has been come to as regards the size of the post packet that will be delivered free under the new Act; and if there will be any restrictions on the ordinary circular postage for election purposes?

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements he is making for the dispatch of candidates' addresses at a General Election; if he will issue full particulars as to the dimensions and weight; and what facilities are being made for posting to the absent voters?

I have approved Regulations, which will be published in a few days, regarding the communications which candidates are entitled under Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act to send without payment of postage. The ordinary postal regulations will apply to any other communications sent by candidates.

asked the Postmaster-General whether adequate precautions are taken to ensure that Civil servants who joined the Army, were wounded, discharged, and have returned to duty at the Post Office, have, as far as possible, as equal a chance of rising in the Civil Service as they would have had had they not been wounded; and is there, in view of possible hardship to these discharged men, any official in his Department to whom they are entitled to personally bring their ease?

Every effort will be made to prevent Post Office servants who have been discharged from the Army on account of wounds from suffering in prospects of advancement in the service. Representations from such persons respecting their prospects should be made to their superior officers, and in the event of their being dissatisfied with the result, an appeal will always lie to headquarters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange the postal time-table so as to avoid passengers arriving at Euston at 3 a.m., which causes much inconvenience?

If an earlier arrival at Euston is to be of any substantial advan- tage to passengers it should be not later than midnight. This object can be attained only by an earlier departure of the packet boat from Kingstown, and a sacrifice, pro tanto , of postal to passenger interests. I am making inquiry in the matter, but am not yet in a position to arrive at a decision.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any official information showing that an aeroplane postal service is about to be started between New York and Chicago; and whether he will consider the advisability of starting an aeroplane mail service between London and Dublin?

I am aware that mails are being conveyed by aeroplane between certain cities in the United States. The question of establishing aerial mail services between places in the British Isles is being kept in view, but I cannot say when it will be possible to bring any services into operation.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any arrangements are being made whereby Army horses and stores will be made available after the War for the use of men engaged in, or who may take to, agriculture at home; whether it is proposed that Army horses, wagons, lorries, and stores shall be sold direct to agriculturists and not in gross to dealers who may re-sell them; and, in particular, whether he is considering that the sheds, huts, and other temporary buildings now in use by the Army might be employed for equipping farms and small holdings with stables, pigsties, fowlhouses, and other outbuildings?

The President has set up a Departmental Committee to consider and report upon the question of how Governments Stores, which may become available after the close of the War, can best be utilised for agricultural and horticultural purposes. When this Committee has reported, the President will at once consider their recommendations with a view to submitting a scheme to the Army Council.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the difficulties which have arisen with respect to traffic between Barr and Girvan, in the county of Ayr, by reason of the destruction of the roads by motor transport of heavy timber and the inability or unwillingness of the road authorities to interfere with such transport or to put the road in a condition to withstand its effect so as to permit of the simultaneous continuance of the ordinary traffic which is essential for the supply and business of the parish and district of Barr; and whether he can and will take steps to remedy the grievance of the farmers, tradesmen, and other inhabitants of that parish and district in the matter?

I have obtained a report on this matter from the local authority which substantially confirms the statements in the question as to the condition of the roads. The report indicates that the situation is due to circumstances beyond the local authority's control. I am making further inquiry, and will communicate the result to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will, by introducing legislation or in some other way, remove the obstacles which their existing Royal charters put in the way of women being admitted as members of the three societies of chartered accountants in Scotland?

I am not aware to what extent there is a demand on the part of women for admission into the chartered accountants' societies. The usual procedure, in the event of these bodies desiring to amend their charters, would be that they should present an application to the Privy Council for this purpose, and I cannot, of course, anticipate the decision upon such an application, or express any views regarding it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the number of cases appealed to the sheriff-principal of Ross, Cromarty, and Sutherland was eight during the year 1916 and two in the year 1915, according to the Judicial Statistics of Scotland; whether the salary paid to the sheriff of these counties is £700 per annum, with permission to continue his private practice as before his appointment; and, if so, whether it is proposed to economise in war-time by reducing the number of sheriffs-principal in Scotland?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third, I have nothing to add to the replies given to my hon. Friend's similar questions on 24th and 29th October.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is making arrangements for setting up a film-producing studio for the construction of propaganda films; whether he is arranging with the Players-Lasky Corporation of America to provide a head for each Department; and whether he has been unable to find anyone among British-producing? companies to undertake this work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the other parts of the question do not arise.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many hotels in London have been taken over by the Government; whether those that have been left are wholly insufficient to supply the needs of the public, and particularly of officers returning from or to the front; and whether any steps have been taken, or are being taken, to supply such needs, or to prevent hotel proprietors taking advantage of the shortage of accommodation to extort extravagant prices?

Nineteen, of which three were not at the time in use as hotels. The remainder of the question does not come within the province of my Department.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the maximum amount sanctioned by the Board for the maintenance of boarded-out children; what is the lowest amount paid for any boarded-out child by the Bideford Board; whether any steps are taken by the Board's inspectors to point out inadequate payments; and whether any further steps are taken to bring negligent guardians into line?

The maximum amount sanctioned by the Local Government Board for the maintenance of boarded-out children is 10s. per week. The inspector reported that in the Bide-ford Union, where the payments in respect of the seven children boarded out ranged from 6s. to 4s. 3d. per week, complaints were made that the maintenance allowance in certain cases—for example, 6s. 6d. in one case mentioned—were insufficient. It is the practice of the inspectors to call attention to inadequate allowances, and this was dons in the Bideford cases. If in any case further action appears to be necessary, the Board would themselves commnuicate with the guardians.

asked the Postmaster-General whether John Dwyer, Chapel Street, Cappawhite, county Tipperary, was entitled to the vacancy of rural postman to Lackenacombe; whether he is aware that John Dwyer has been in the employment of the Post Office for fifteen years as substitute, and that he was promised the next vacancy by the postal authorities in the district as well as being recommended by several influential persons; and why he has been passed over and another person without any experience appointed to the position?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in the month of July last, he received from the keeper of the General Register of Sasines, Edinburgh, nominations affecting the promotion of four officials in that office; if so, when these appointments are to be made; and whether, in view of the delay that has taken place in making the appointments, these will take effect from the date of the vacancy?

A vacancy occurred in the Sasines Office at the end of July, in regard to which I have been in communication with the keeper. The vacancy will be filled, and the consequential promotions made, in due course; but I can give no undertaking in the sense suggested.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether legislation will be necessary to secure for teachers in Scotland advantages corresponding to those contained in the Bill affecting English teachers now before the House?

This matter is under consideration. As at present advised, I am of opinion that it will be advisable to proceed by legislation.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he has received representations as to the inadequacy of weekly allowances under the National Insurance Act, 1911; and whether he will institute an inquiry as to further legislation to recast the finances of the Act and bring them more into line with the altered level of wages and standards of living?

Any general increase in the rates of benefit under the, National Insurance Acts would involve a corresponding increase in the contributions either of the employers or of the employed or of both, and I have no reason to believe that there is any general desire for legislation which would have any of those effects.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he will, by legislation or otherwise, obtain power to substitute for the £160 income limit for national insurance purposes some more reasonable figure in the circumstances now prevailing, such as, say, £260, and to abolish the hitherto existing distinction between manual and non-manual workers?

The £160 limit to which my hon. Friend refers applies to the rate of remuneration and not to the income of the employed contributor. There is no power to deal with this matter except by legislation, and there would obviously be difficulties and considerable controversy in making such changes as are suggested in the question.