asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that large quantities of Californian sardines in tins, bought and paid for by British importers months ago with the knowledge and encouragement of his Department, are now lying in New York incurring heavy charges and suffering the risk of deterioration; whether his Department last winter, in view of the importance of the article, proposed to take over and control these goods and prepared a scheme for this purpose, to which adhesion was given by the importers concerned; whether an embargo was placed in June last upon shipments of such goods for private account; whether such embargo was placed secretly without notice to the importers concerned; whether shipping opportunity for the goods has now been definitely refused although certain space is now and has been for several months past available; and whether the course taken has deprived the country of large quantities of cheap and desirable food, and has locked up £1,000,000 of British capital in America and inflicted a heavy loss upon British importers and upon the revenue of the country?

Certain quantities of Californian sardines and pilchards were bought and paid for by British importers, in February and March, of this year, without reference to and without the knowledge of the Ministry of Food. Subsequent to these purchases, regulations of the American War Trade Board made it necessary for exporters from the United States to present, when applying to the War Trade Board for export licences to the United Kingdom, a permit obtained from the British Licensing Authorities, the Department of Import Restrictions. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As part of the general arrangements for the supply of foodstuffs from the United States, it was considered desirable that Government tonnage should be provided for canned fish, which would then have been bought on Government account. The Ministry of Food were, therefore, unable to recommend licensing of imports on private account. As the needs of the American Army restricted the available tonnage, it was not found possible to include these canned fish in the official programme and the Department of Import Restrictions was thereupon requested to grant permits for these goods to come forward on private account in such chance tonnage as might be available. Owing, however, to the large quantities of miscellaneous goods dependent on such space as their only means of transport, the Department of Import Restrictions has not been able to grant the necessary permits. The Food Controller will lose no opportunity of arranging for the importation of these canned fish as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state, in reference to temporary clerks in Government Departments in receipt of civil pay who volunteered at the outbreak of war and were since killed in action, if the Government will direct the Department to which such soldiers belonged to pay to their dependants the increment of salary or gratuity promised on 23rd January last, and make the increment retrospective to date of joining and to continue for six months after the soldier's death?

The statement that service with the forces counts for increment means that the employé receives while with the forces any increment attaching to his post subject to deductions in respect of military pay. Similarly on the death of an unestablished person serving with the forces his legal personal representatives will receive the gratuity, if any, which they would have received under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, as amended by Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1914, had such service been in the officer's Department. No other increment or gratuity was referred to in the answer of 23rd January.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the names of the estates in Connemara that have been acquired by the Congested Districts Board since its establishment; if he will give the years in which these estates were purchased; and whether he will give the number and names of the estates that were being negotiated for purchase when the War broke out?

Since their establishment in 1891 up to this date the Congested Districts Board have purchased fifty estates in Connemara, comprising the Baronies of Ross, Moycullen and Ballynahinch. The area of these estates is 264,903 acres, and the purchase price £337,539. Of these estates seven at a purchase price of £93,109 are not yet vested in the board. In addition to these there were offered for sale to them twenty-five estates. Offers were issued for thirteen of these, but not accepted before the board were obliged to suspend operations for the purchase of estates. I am sending the hon. Member lists giving in detail the information asked for in the question.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why the additional allotment of 3s. 6d. a week made in October, 1917, by Stoker W. B. Crook, No. 8 mess, H.M.S. "Canning," has never been paid; and why the letters sent to the Admiralty by the mother of this man on this matter have not been answered?

The allotment referred to in the question is presumably the State Allotment Concession. My hon. Friend is doubtless aware that it was left to each man to decide whether he would retain the benefit of this concession for himself by having the allotment charges against his wages reduced, or whether he would allow his dependant to receive the benefit by maintaining the allotment from his wages at the orignal rate. No notification was received that Stoker Crook had signified his wishes in the matter, and consequently the disposal of the concession could not be determined. Enquiry has, however, now been made, and it appears that the man is desirous that his mother shall receive the concession of 3s. 6d. a week, and payment of the arrears has been authorised in her favour. Search has been made, but no letters on the subject from Mrs. Crook can be found.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, when an appeal is made against a decision in the case of a non-attributable disability, a discharged man is examined by the same board that originally assessed the degree of his disability; and whether it rests solely with this board to decide whether the application should be passed or not to the appeals tribunal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of this question therefore does not arise.

Asked the Pensions Minister what was the result of the examination by the Pensions Board of Private G. Bell, No. 31005, Durham Light Infantry, who appeared before the board in August last for the purpose of seeing if he was entitled to an increase of pension?

The result of the examination referred to was that the board assessed his disablement at 20 per cent., confirming the previous award. The decisions of the two medical boards have since been upheld by the Medical Advisors of the Ministry, to whom the case was specially referred.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what has been the result of the appeal made by the mother of Private J. R. Anderton, No. 51974, West Riding Regiment, for an increase in the present dependency allowance of 10s. a week?

Inquiry will be made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a general feeling of dissatisfaction among the members of the Australian and New Zealand divisions who formed the Anzac corps in Gallipoli at the decision of the War Office not to give the Gallipoli medal to units of Regular and Territorial Forces who also served throughout those operations; whether he is aware that great numbers of the Australian and New Zealand troops who are entitled to the decoration have signified their determination not to wear it until it is also extended to the Regulars and Territorials who fought alongside them; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am afraid I cannot add anything at present 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 Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that many Territorials above the age of forty-one have been denied, on re-engaging or continuing in the service beyond the limit of their engagement, the war bounty which has been granted to others under Army Order 222, of 1918, because, prior to April, 1918, they had not served for thirteen years; and whether he proposes to take any action to remedy this injustice?

If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish particulars of the men in question, I will have their eases inquired into.

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in view of the improved war situation, he can extend any special concession to men who have more than five children; and whether it is a fact that none of our Allies recruit men who have six children or more?

The system of exemption in Allied countries is not the same as that which we have in force here. Under our system tribunals judge each case on its merits. With regard to the first part of the question, while it is not possible yet to relax the instructions with regard to recruiting, we may, I think, legitimately hope that before long some relaxation will be possible.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have inquiry made into the state of health of Charles Cheetham, a conscientious objector in Maidstone prison, who is said to be breaking down through his long imprisonment?

I have made inquiry with regard to this prisoner, and find that he is in good health both mentally and physically.

asked the Minister of National Service what is the number of officers who have been relieved of their posts by the Ministry of National Service since 1st March up to the end of October, 1918; and the number of civilians of mili- tary age who have been given administrative posts under the Ministry during the same period?

I only received notice this morning of the hon. and gallant Member's question, and I have called for a report.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, when it can be clearly shown that a discharged, disabled sailor or soldier can obtain permanent employment of a lucrative nature provided that he can be allotted a small allowance of petrol to enable him to use a motor-bicycle, he will be prepared to make the necessary recommendation to the Petrol Committee?

Several applications of the nature referred to have already been received; and after investigation my right hon. Friend has forwarded recommendations to the Petrol Control Department for the issue of petrol licences in such cases, with satisfactory results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether season ticket-holders whose applications for renewal have been refused have any right of appeal against the decision given by Mr. Honoratus Lloyd, K.C., as secretary of the Season Tickets Committee; and, if so, to whom such appeals should be addressed?

As was stated yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for East Finsbury, no appeal from Mr. Lloyd's decision in such cases is provided for.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on the 1st February, 1917, it was admitted that the Post Office had no power to compel a telephonist to remain in the service, and regret was expressed that a contrary impression was conveyed to a lady who had tendered her resignation; is he aware that in August last a temporary telephonist at the Hop Exchange who tendered her resignation, was informed on the 12th August that her resignation would not be accepted, and the reason for this woman's resignation was that the wages she was receiving were below the standard offered by the Minister of Munitions; is he aware that a counter clerk of the Western Central district tendered her resignation on the ground of marriage, and asked for a permit to take up a position in the Ministry of Munitions; that permission was refused, with the result that the woman lost the prospective position, and that his Department subsequently admitted that as the woman in question was compelled to resign on marriage there was no ground for the refusal, but claimed the right to retain the services of anyone under a recent rule; will he state the authority for making such a rule; and whether, in view of the loss suffered by the woman in question who was wrongfully retained, he will consider the possibility of compensating her for the loss of pay and position?

It was laid down in an Instruction issued by the Treasury last June that no appointment should be offered to an applicant who is actually employed, or who has been employed within three months, by another Department, without the consent of that Department or of the Civil Service Commissioners. The Post Office does not compel anyone to remain in its service. Consent to transfers to other Departments is usually only given when the individual concerned can be spared from his Post Office duties. The Post Office agreed to waive objection to transfer in the ease of the counter clerk in the Western Central district office. I do not know whether she has since obtained an appointment under the Ministry of Munitions, but I could not in any case entertain a claim for compensation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether William Fitzgerald, of Glenbeg, Dungarvan, county Waterford, and his wife, Mary Fitzgerald, were both in receipt of old age pensions up to the 25th September, 1915; whether the local pensions officer requested a review of the cases by the local pensions committee on the ground that William Fitzgerald, though well over seventy years, had substantial earnings as a blacksmith; whether the local pensions committee after hearing the facts decided that both the old persons were entitled to the pensions; whether the Local Government Board, on appeal by the pensions officer, refused the pensions; and whether, if William Fitzgerald can now show that his increasing age has rendered him almost totally incapable and that his earnings are much reduced, the Local Government Board will reconsider their decision?

These persons were in receipt of pensions, as stated, up to the 25th September, 1915, when the pensions were disallowed by the Dungarvan Rural Pension Sub-committee, and their decision confirmed on appeal, after local inquiry by one of the inspectors of the Local Government Board. In addition to the husband's earnings as blacksmith, he appeared to have some interest in a public-house and grocery business in Dungarvan, kept by a daughter, and he dealt in cattle for a brother-in-law who lived with him and who had a farm of 30 acres carrying fourteen cows. Since the disallowance of the pensions, these people have made three fresh claims, the last in February of the present year, which have all been disallowed. If they can show that their means have decreased, it is open to them to make new claims.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, under the existing financial code of the Royal Irish Constabulary, when a member of that force becomes a widower and has no children under the age of sixteen years, the allowance allowed to married men of £5 4s. per annum is immediately stopped and that he is compelled to contribute towards barrack rent at the rate of 4s. 4d. a month; if he is aware that this is a hardship on widowed members of the force who have children over sixteen years of age for whom they are compelled to keep a home; and if he will take steps to see that this grievance is remedied, either by having an alteration made in the existing code or a provision inserted in the promised Bill dealing with the pay and conditions of service of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police?

In conformity with Section 2 of the Act 46 and 47 Victoria, cap. 14, the constabulary authorities do not assume liability for the housing of children over sixteen years of age of members of the force, and this applies not only to families who are provided with quarters in barracks but also to those who procure accommodation outside, for which a lodging allowance of £5 4s. per annum is paid from public funds. If a widower has been allotted family quarters in a barrack he is not entitled to remain in occupation of them when all of his children have attained the age of sixteen years nor then to draw lodging allowance. To avoid unequal treatment a widower living out of barracks and drawing lodging allowance must be treated similarly by depriving him of the allowance when all of his children have reached the age stated. For widowers so circumstanced the Section of the Act quoted compels a reduction from pay of 4s. 4d. per month. I cannot recommend that the limit of sixteen years be extended.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if memorials for an increase in pay have been received from the Royal Irish Constabulary in counties Cork, Waterford, Galway, Westmeath, and Wexford; if he is aware that the delay in bringing forward the proposed Bill dealing with the pay and conditions of service of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police forces is adding to the discontent in the rank and file of these forces; if he is aware that in consequence of the action of the London police authorities in reinstating the dismissed officers of that force any refusal to reinstate or reopen the case of the five dismissed constables of the Dublin Metropolitan Police may create trouble amongst the Irish police forces; if, in order to reassure the members of the Royal Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police forces, he will state the amount of the proposed increase in pay which it is proposed to give them under the Bill which is to be introduced, or otherwise deal as quickly and generously with the claims of the Irish police forces as the authorities have dealt with the claims of the London police; and if he will state if there is any objection to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police joining a police union such as has been sanctioned in the case of the London police, or otherwise a lawful trades union, in order to put forward just claims or assist in remedying any grievances which may arise?

The memorials referred to have been received. A Bill has already been introduced to amend the law relating to the pay and pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police, and I am not aware that any discontent exists among the members of these forces regarding the matter. The case of the five dismissed constables of the Dublin Metropolitan Police has already been fully dealt with, and I am not prepared to reopen the case. In view of the freedom these forces enjoy of expressing their views and alleged grievances, the formation of a police union is undesirable.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether those local inspectors and organisers, working under education authorities, who have risen from the ranks of the elementary teaching profession will be included under the proposed scheme for teachers?

Under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Bill as it now stands, local inspectors and organisers who have been teachers will be eligible for pensions on their previous teaching service if in other respects they comply with the provisions of the Bill and the conditions prescribed under it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken by the Administrative Committee of the Board of Control to fulfil its duties regarding the supervision of the administration by local authorities of their power and duties under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, the certification and approval of premises, the provision and maintenance of State institutions, and the administration of grants made out of moneys provided by Parliament under this Act?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The annual report of the Board of Control for 1917, which was recently published contains on pages 53–71 a general review of the progress made in the administration of the Mental Deficiency Act. The financial stringency caused by the War has prevented most local authorities from establishing institutions; and defectives for the maintenance of whom they have a statutory duty have mostly been maintained in institutions provided by private societies or associatons or individuals, or by Poor Law authorities. There are, certified by the Board of Control or approved by them under Section 37, 144 such institutions providing accommodation for over 9,000 defectives. There are also twelve certified houses and twenty-two approved homes providing accommodation for 335 and 337 defectives respectively. The one State institution as yet established accommodates ninety-five female defectives; steps are now being taken towards the provision of a second State institution for males. Grants to 102 local authorities (Section 47) in the year ended 31st March, 1918, amounted to £55,485 and contributions towards the expenses of twenty-three societies (Section 48) to £2,266; the estimate of expenditure for similar services for the year ending 31st March, 1919, being £100,750 and £3,000 respectively. An administrative committee of the Board has not so far been appointed under Section 22 (5) of the Act, the duties of such a Committee as scheduled in the Act being carried out by the board itself.