asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the suggestion that a national conference, representative of employers and trade unions and Government Departments, should be called for the purpose of discussing the possibility of establishing machinery by which dislocation in industry due to industrial disputes may be reduced to a minimum; whether the Government will favourably consider the calling of such a conference in view of the national necessity for industrial peace, especially during the reconstruction period; and whether, in the event of the conference being convened by the employers and trade unions, the various Government Departments concerned will send representatives with a view to the State co-operating, if possible, in any scheme there decided upon?

The Government is giving very serious attention to the question of industrial peace during the reconstruction period, and my hon. Friend's suggestion will certainly receive every consideration; but I am not in a position to make a further statement at present.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether he has received any Report from the Surplus Government Property Advisory Council; and, if so, will he make the same public?

I have received an interim Report from the Surplus Government Property Advisory Council, but, as the questions arising out of that Report are now being considered by the Cabinet, I do not see my way to making it public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Committee appointed in March to inquire into the amount of the actual increase in the cost of living since June, 1914, under the chairmanship of Lord Sumner, is likely to Report?

The Report of this Committee was presented to the House on Tuesday last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that persons in Ireland bought Local Loan Three Per Cent. Stock, redeemable after 1st April, 1912, and that delay in redemption is regarded not only as unfair but a breach of promise by the Government; and whether this stock can be offered in exchange for War Bonds?

Under Section 8 of the National Debt and Local Loans Act, 1887, Local Loan Stock is not redeemable at any fixed date, but consists of perpetual annuities which may be redeemed at par subject to the provisions of that section on or after the 12th July, 1912, at the option of the Government. No promise to redeem within any period of time has ever been given by the Government. Local Loans Stock is not accepted in exchange for National War Bonds; the only securities so accepted are War issues, in respect of which it was one of the conditions of issue that they would be so accepted.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what administrative posts in the Civil Service were open to women before the War; how many new administrative posts have been opened to women since the beginning of the War; what salaries they receive; and what relation their salaries bear to those paid to men doing similar work?

A general statement of the administrative and other posts open to women in the Civil Service before the War will be found in Chapter X of the Fourth Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service (Cd. 7338 of 1914). Full details as to the salaries paid to women holding permanent appointments and to men in similar situations are contained in the volume of Civil Service Estimates; but as regards temporary appointments, I fear that full information could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the offer of £180 to Mrs. Black-borough as compensation for the death of her husband and of her only son, killed in an enemy air-raid on Tower Hill, E.C., 7th July, 1917, is considered so unsatisfactory by the local (Limehouse) committee that they decline to administer this; and if he will reconsider the decision to stop weekly payments to Mrs. Black-borough?

I will cause enquiries to be made into this case, and I will communicate with the hon. Member later.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the inconvenience and loss which has been caused to general traders in country towns in Ireland by the new closing Regulations for retail licensed houses; and whether he will be prepared to consider an alteration in the hours of closing of such houses which would make it possible for rural residents to transact their business in the country towns during the daylight hours?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for East Antrim on this subject on 31st ultimo. An amending Order is in preparation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the changed situation in the Mediterranean, any change has yet been made in the Regulations which prevent British wives from crossing the seas to join their husbands?

In the opinion of the Admiralty, the changed situation in the Mediterranean does not as yet justify any alteration of the existing Regulations.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether officers of the Royal Naval Reserve who served in this War are entitled to gratuities for each year of service, on death or discharge, in the same way as officers of the Army; and, if not, whether an immediate decision will be come to in this matter?

The matter is under discussion with the Treasury.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have yet come to a decision with the Treasury regarding the position of temporary officers of Marines respecting the grant of gratuities to relatives in case of such officers meeting their death on the battlefield?

The question is still under discussion with the Treasury.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Mrs. Fitzmaurice, of Maryborough, Ireland, the mother of Private Louis Fitzmaurice, M/415867, Army Service Corps, 3rd Company, No. 7 Hut, Osterley Park, Middlesex, has not been granted separation allowance?

I understand that the local old age pensions sub-committee on 1st October last adjourned this case for a month to give the claimant an opportunity of attending to support her claim. I am making further inquiry, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Pensions Minister what is the yearly expenditure by the Ministry of Pensions in respect of Grants or allowances to soldiers, discharged soldiers, or the wives or dependants of soldiers, either paid direct or through war pensions committees under discretionary powers, and apart from the graded statutory separation allowances or the graded statutory provisions?

On the assumption that the right hon. Member refers to Grants made under the Regulations of the Special Grants Committee, the estimated expenditure for the financial year ending 31st March, 1919, is £3,000,000. This figure covers Grants to discharged sailors, soldiers, or airmen, and to the wives and dependants of those serving. No Grants or allowances are made to serving sailors, soldiers, or airmen under the Regulations of the Special Grants Committee.

asked the Pensions Minister what the war bonus on existing pension scales is to be?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the Government allowance for an indentured apprentice can be supplemented at the ratio of the advance of his wages under the terms of his indenture?

Under the Special Grants Committee's (Part II.) Regulation 7 (1) F, the separation allowance payable to the parent of an apprentice, serving in the forces, can be supplemented, if an additional allowance is necessary for the support of the parent and it can be shown that the son would, if he had remained in civil life, have been in a position to make a contribution in excess of the amount of the separation allowance in issue.

asked the Pensions Minister whether any change has been made on the basis of a supplementary allowance payable in proper circumstances to the childless wife of a soldier who is unable to work and finds it impossible to keep the home together on her separation allowance; and, if an extra allowance is payable, what it would be in the case of a woman whose husband was earning 35s. a week at the time of his enlistment, but would now have been in receipt of 50s. had he remained in civil life in the same employment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A childless wife unable to work can now be granted an additional allowance of 6s. 6d. a week without the inquiry which was formerly necessary as to her standard of comfort before the War.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that Harriet Bailey has received no dependance allowance in respect of her grandson, Corporal E. J. Ward, No. 13058, Royal Air Force, for five weeks, ring certificate No. 53,483; whether he is aware that the central pay office writes that the book has been forwarded but the post office, 149, High Road, South Tottenham, N 15, reports that it has not been received; and whether he will take any steps to see that this grievance is remedied?

Inquiry is being made into the case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the Admiralty is giving any financial assistance from public funds to a housing scheme at Partick, Glasgow; if so, to what extent; and will he say in whom the ownership of these houses will vest, and what obstacles there are, if any, to this scheme being undertaken by the local authorities?

I have no information as to financial assistance having been given to a housing scheme at Partick, Glasgow. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me further particulars.

But I must inform my hon. Friend that we have already given financial assistance to housing schemes, promoted both by local authorities and by companies engaged on war work, to house the additional employés whose presence in the locality is rendered necessary by the result of war conditions. As regards ultimate ownership, in all these schemes we have endeavoured, as far as possible, to secure to the public interest considerations in respect of the financial assistance rendered.

As regards the local authorities, while, of course, I should not presume to pass any comment upon their attitude in this matter, it must be remembered that there is, particularly with building costs what they are to-day, a natural disinclination to burden local rates with the cost of erecting permanent dwelling-places for a population which may only be transitory. In any such well-established case we must I think endeavour to meet the local authority as far as we can.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the estimated quantity of bricks required for the building of 300,000 houses after the War; and whether he can state their cost or the price the Government would be prepared to allow for them?

I am asked by my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. I understand that the quantity of bricks required for the building of 300,000 houses is estimated at approximately 6,000,000,000. It is, however, obvious that in any estimate which may be made, there are a good many variable factors, as, for example, the consideration of alternative methods of construction. With regard to the latter part of the question, it is not possible, under existing conditions, to give a reliable estimate of post-war prices.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received a communication from the Easington Rural District Council drawing attention to the prices being quoted by various landowners within their area for land for the erection of houses, and suggesting that local authorities should be empowered to purchase land for housing and other improvement schemes at a fair value; and whether, in view of the prices mentioned by the district council, he is prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested?

The Local Government Board have received the communication referred to. As the hon. Member is aware, a Committee appointed by the Minister of Reconstruction is considering the questions involved in the acquisition and valuation of land required for public purposes. When the Report of that Committee on the subject of valuation has been received the question of any alteration of the law will be considered, but, meanwhile, I may refer to the special powers already available for the acquisition by local authorities of land for housing purposes, as contained in the First Schedule to the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, which can readily be put in force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Walter Boughton, No. 130487, Machine Gun Corps, enlisted on the 11th October, 1916, was shortly afterwards sent to Doncaster Military Hospital, remained there for some weeks, and then rejoined his unit, within a few weeks of rejoining was again ill and was sent to Dane John Hospital, Canterbury, remained there eight weeks, was then transferred to Shorncliffe Hospital and from there transferred to Camp Hospital, Eastbourne, then returned to his unit and sent to France, and was within three weeks returned sick to England and sent again to hospital, where he is still suffering from chronic gastritis; and will he make inquiries into this case?

Inquiries are being made, and I will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner A. Birch, No. 168966, Royal Garrison Artillery, has been urgently appealed for by his late civil employers for work of national importance; that Gunner Birch's medical category is B2; and that the Ministry of National Service have recommended that this soldier should be released, provided that his medical category was lower than A; and what action the War Office proposes to take in the matter?

Orders have already been issued for Gunner Birch to be released, provided his medical category is as stated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether certain conscientious objectors who are compositors have been sent to work with printing firms; if so, whether he will say if these men are being employed at the trade union rate of wages; to whom are the men's wages paid; whether the men themselves receive the full sum paid by the employer; if not, what sum is paid to the men and who gets the balance; and who is responsible for the payment of the men's subscriptions to the trade unions?

Seven men, who are by occupation compositors, are employed under the committee's control by two firms of printers. The firms pay the committee 48s. 6d. per week for each of the men, which is, I understand, the rate current in the district. Four of the men are paid 4s. 7d. per week each and three 1s. 1d. per week each by the Committee, who, in addition, provide their food, lodging, clothing, and medical attendance, and pay separation allowances to the dependants of three of the men. The committee cannot accept responsibility for the payment of trade union subscriptions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the quarrymen attached to the 348th Quarry Company, Royal Engineers, employed in France, are not receiving the same rate of pay as the men of the 320th Company; and will steps be taken to see that these men are put upon an equality?

I am having inquiries made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the announcements inviting recruits for the Royal Engineers (Signal Section) it was stated that full civil pay would be allowed in addition to military pay and allowances; why allowances and gratuities have been withheld from those men who accepted service as a result of the promise admittedly made; on whose authority it was decided to ignore the pledge; and whether he is able to announce the result of his consultation with the Law Officers of the Crown?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 6th of August last. The opinion of the Law Officers has not yet been obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has ascertained if escaped and exchanged prisoners of war are forbidden to give information regarding their treatment as prisoners in Germany; and, if so, by whom and on whose instructions such orders are given?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an order was issued on 12th September, 1917, by the War Office entitled, "Instruction for the Guidance of Escaped and Repatriated Prisoners of War"; if so, will he publish the full text of such order and state by whom it was issued; what Departments of the War Office were consulted before its issue; had he personally seen and approved the wording of this order before its issue; and, if not, which Department of the War Office informed him that no such order had been issued?

In reply to these questions I would refer my hon. and gallant Friends to the statement which I made yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps are taken by the military authorities or police to receive escaped prisoners of war in this country on arrival at a British port from Holland?

Escaped prisoners of war are received by civil and military officials on arrival at a British port and sent to London, where they report to the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any special arrangements have been made to notify the relatives of prisoners of war in the hands of the Turks of their safety and, in order to relieve the present anxiety, whether he will see that such notification is dispatched with the utmost possible expedition; and, having regard to the length of time taken for mails and casualty lists to reach this country from Mesopotamia, whether steps will be taken to ensure the early notification of the next-of-kin of the troops recently engaged in battle in that theatre of the War?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed by the military authorities that arrangements are being made for the notification by telegraph to this country of the names of all prisoners of war in the hands of the Turks and of their release when effected, and this information will be at once forwarded to the next-of-kin. With regard to the second part, notifications of all casualties of a serious or dangerous character and of serious sickness have already been telegraphed from Mesopotamia.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all exchanged prisoners of war who were exchanged because they were passed by the Germans as unfit for further service will be immediately discharged and allowed to return to civil life?

All such prisoners of war will be brought before a medical board, and if unfit be immediately discharged and allowed to return to civil life.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will take immediate steps to secure the repatriation of the Rev. J. G. Lane-Davies, chaplain to the forces, who was captured on the Western Front on 21st March, 1918, and who is, under the Geneva Convention, entitled to release?

Representations in the sense suggested have already been made for the repatriation of this gentleman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that King's Regulation No. 451 is to be vigorously enforced, it is to be understood that all soldiers will be refused permission to attend any political meeting if in uniform, and that steps will be taken by the military authorities to enforce this Regulation?

The answer is in the affirmative and in accordance with the War Cabinet decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if at the General Election candidates and election agents serving in the Army must resume civilian clothes or may appear in uniform?

They will be required to resume civilian clothes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, taking into consideration the present military position and the desirability of preserving the lives of candidates at the coming election, he can see his way to abrogating the restriction of Lighting Orders now in force in Sussex and other counties so far as regards the lights on motor cars?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am advised by the military authorities that it is not desirable to withdraw the lighting restrictions at present, and the Orders as they stand enable drivers to obtain sufficient light for safe driving at ordinary speeds.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received representations from the burghs of Motherwell, Wishaw, Hamilton, Coatbridge, and Airlrie protesting against the Order made fixing Glasgow as the place of election for the new county divisions of Lanarkshire, of which these burghs form the centres of population; and whether, in view of the fact that the county divisions in question are almost entirely burghal in character, and that inconvenience, expense, and delay will be caused by taking the ballot-boxes to Glasgow, counting the votes, and declaring the polls there, he will cancel the Order made so far as relating to the county divisions referred to and constitute the burghs of Mother-well, Hamilton, and Airdrie, respectively, the places of election for these divisions for the purposes of the Representation of the People Act?

I have received the representations referred to, and have carefully considered them in consultation with the Sheriff of Lanarkshire, as returning officer for the Lanarkshire constituencies. I am satisfied, however, that in the present abnormal circumstances it is advisable to adhere to past practice, under which Glasgow was the place of election for the county divisions. I am advised that, on grounds of convenience and expedition, this arrangement is much preferable from the point of view of the returning officer. I have, however, every sympathy with local sentiment in this matter, and it may be possible to make a different arrangement when circumstances change. I have already replied in this sense to the representations I have received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have immediate inquiry made into the conditions under which the men of the 8th Company, Non-Combatant Corps, Grateley Camp, near Andover, were working, seeing that these men have to live in tents and, owing to the conditions, several of the men are down with influenza and are not receiving proper medical attention, the nearest military doctor being 5 miles away?

Inquiries are being made, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will have immediate inquiry made into the action of the commander of the 10th East Lancashire Volunteers in breaking into the house of John Ward, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, and arresting him as an absentee Volunteer, although the man had three exemptions definitely relieving him of the condition of Volunteer service; and (2) if he will have immediate inquiry made into the conduct of Major Eccles, commander of the 10th East Lancashire Volunteers, who recently arrested Mr. E. Dawson, of 1, Holly Street, Blackburn, as an absentee Volunteer, and who sentenced him to ninety-six hours' detention at Fulwood Barracks, but, as it was not possible to send him there, kept him in custody at the Sessions House, Blackburn, seeing that Dawson had an exemption from the tribunal from serving with the Volunteers; and will he see that appropriate action is taken?

Inquiries are being made into these questions, and I will acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction is felt among many time-expired discharged men who were wounded in previous wars at the fact that they are neither eligible for the silver war badge nor for the wound stripe; and whether he will consider the grant of these distinctions to such of them as have been honourably discharged or totally rejected for service in this War?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply on the 24th January to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne. In the case of "time-expired discharged men," who have re-enlisted during the present War and have since been discharged on account of physical disabilities, the silver war badge is available for award in accordance with the existing regulations governing its issue.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he has any official information showing that the Young Men's Christian Association huts in France are being used as propaganda centres for certain political views; and whether he will make full inquiry into this matter, so that huts provided by national generosity may not be used in promoting, directly or indirectly, any political cause; and (2) whether, in the Young Men's Christian Association huts in France, trading is carried on at a profit; whether there is independent auditing of the funds of this society; and, if so, who is the independent auditor?

I have no official information which would enable me to answer the first question, but I will make inquiries if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish any information he possesses. The other question does not concern my Department, and I am not in a position to answer it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the certificate of two years' training and two years' service which the War Office accepts from nurses trained at the London hospital as qualifying such nurses for appointment to the Army Nursing Service, represents any period of service by the nurse during which she is taken from her training in the wards and otherwise employed by the hospital?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the several replies which I have already given my hon. and gallant Friend to questions on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the fact that gas shells have not been employed by us in German East Africa; if so, to whom is the refusal to use this means of offence due; and whether, with a view to the saving of life and treasure, he will take steps to warn the German commander that if he fails speedily to surrender, gas shells, which were invented by his own countrymen, will be used against him with a view of terminating the campaign?

Gas shells have not been so far used by us in East Africa, because the circumstances were such that the special conditions necessary to make their employment effective, have not so far existed. No special expedient, which might help to shorten the campaign, such as the employment of gas, will be left untried, should circumstances allow.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the fact that medical officers who are eligible for service abroad have been and are employed on home billets in Ireland by the Royal Army Medical Corps and Minister of National Service; and, if so, whether this is in contravention of the War Office letter of May, 1916, which lays down that no medical officer who is eligible for service abroad shall be employed on any home billet unless he signs on for service abroad in the event of his services being required?

A small number of officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps with recruiting experience have been employed in Ireland to assist the National Service Board. These officers are liable for service abroad if physically fit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can take steps to secure leave for Private H. Stone, No. 40351, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who has been over three years in France and has not had any leave at all?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham (East).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, since our victories over the Turks in Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Syria, the War Office will endeavour to arrange for the grant of leave to the United Kingdom of such officers and men of British regiments who have had no such leave since they volunteered at the outbreak of war in 1914 to go where they were wanted?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that every facility which circumstances admit will continue to be afforded for men serving in the areas of operations mentioned to return home on leave. As I stated yesterday, the grant of leave is necessarily dependent upon a variety of conditions which still prevail after the cessation of hostilities in a theatre of war, but I hope it may be possible to arrange for larger numbers of men who are at present serving in the East to receive leave in the near future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the present military situation, any diminution of expenditure is contemplated in regard to the Cippenham works?

The authorities are in close touch with the Select Committee on National Expenditure regarding these works in view of the military situation. Pending a decision, the expenditure is being curtailed as much as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the conditions and principles under which substantive promotions to field rank to fill vacancies in the Regular Army are now made; and upon whom does the responsibility for such promotions rest?

Promotion to field rank is made either by time promotion or to fill a vacancy in an establishment. In either case the senior officer of the rank below is promoted provided he is duly recommended by his superiors as being in every way fitted for promotion. The responsibility rests with the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made for sending the field guns captured by the 2/22nd Battalion, London Regiment, at El Arish, in Palestine, to the headquarters of the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment, Jamaica Road, Bermondsey?

Captured trophies are, when received in this country, allocated in accordance with the wishes of units if they can substantiate their claim to them. Guns that are serviceable, however, are in many cases retained for use in the country where they are captured. Without knowing the nature of the guns and the registered number, I regret that I am unable to answer definitely my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what are the total numbers of prisoners captured by the British, French, Belgian, and American armies on the Western Front during the year 1918 to date?

I am informed by the military authorities that the approximate number of prisoners captured by the British on the Western Front from 1st January last to 5th November inclusive is 200,000. I am afraid I cannot give definite figures of the captures by our Allies, but, approximately, they are: 140,000 by the French; 50,000 by the Americans; and 15,000 by the Belgians.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Saddler Quartermaster-Sergeant Joseph Wood, No. 850641, 1st Sussex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, has served for twenty-four years, including the South African campaign; that he was mobilised at the outbreak of the War and proceeded to India, returning home in September 1916 after the death of his two sons and as time-expired; that he re-engaged on the understanding of receiving £15 bounty and that £5 was paid to him; and that he was invalided nine months after and the £5 was taken from him; is he aware that all his papers and certificates of discharge have been lost at the Ministry of Pensions; that the Record Office, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, sent for his last discharge certificate; A.F. B2067, and F.511 on the 10th October, 1918, and the same were sent on the 11th; and that all these papers are now missing; and will he have inquiries made into this case?

Enquiry is being made, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of so extending Army Council Instruction 1187 of 1918 as to include provision, if desired, for dental treatment prior to discharge of all soldiers returning from abroad whose teeth have deteriorated during their period of active service, and also to provide for the dental treatment, if desired, of all returned prisoners of war whose teeth have deteriorated during captivity?

This suggestion is not free from difficulty, but I will consider the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that quartermasters, riding-masters, and similar officers who have attained such positions after many years' service in the Army only receive pay equal to that of a second-lieutenant, although they hold commissions; whether he is aware that when the minimum rates for captains, lieutenants, and second-lieutenants were increased officers of the quartermaster class were excluded; and whether he will take into consideration their claim for some increase in pay?

My right hon. Friend does not state the facts quite correctly. A small increase was made in the minimum rate for quartermasters, and they were also given the new children's allowances. All the circumstances were fully considered by the War Cabinet.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the terms of service, as regards pay, clothing, and free rations, under which men enlisted in the Army prior to 4th August, 1914; whether any allowances have been paid to or credited to soldiers who are or have been prisoners of war on account of clothing and free rations not issued to them; and whether any allowances have been made to prisoners of war in Germany or in Holland and Switzerland or credited to their accounts on account of the increased cost of living in those countries and the impossibility of providing these men with the clothing and rations to which they are entitled under their terms of enlistment?

A man enlisted before August, 1914, was entitled to pay and such rations in kind as might be issued to him. As regards clothing, he was entitled in peace-time to an allowance out of which, together with his pay, if necessary, he had to provide his clothing. In war-time he is entitled to no allowance, but clothing is issued to him in kind as may be necessary and practicable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the rates of retired pay are unaffected by Army Council Instruction No. 1164 of 1918?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the 4s. war increase granted to the Army Ordnance Department workers, Island Bridge, was not paid from the same date as to other ordnance depots awarded by the Committee on Production from the 10th May last; and if he will give instructions for these workers to be paid the award from the above date?

The awards of the Committee on Production applying to certain ordnance depots run from different dates. There has been no award of the Committee to ordnance depôts generally, or to Island Bridge in particular. The advance there given was given in the ordinary course of administration, and the date was determined on the usual lines. I am not prepared to carry it further back.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when the employés in the main supply, Kingsbridge, Dublin, and the barrack labourers, Dublin, are to be paid the increase of 4s. of 1st August, 1918, and paid out to other employés, namely, the Army Ordnance Department, Dublin, so as to make all working under the same Schedule equal?

The 4s. advance given in the Army Ordnance Department is the special advance referred to in the hon. Member's preceding question to-day, and is not applicable in other Departments. The rates of wages of the barrack labourers and of workmen employed in the main supply depot are, however, already under consideration, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that on the 10th June last the Conciliation and Arbitration Board awarded an increase of war bonus to all writers and clerks in Government offices, bringing the total war bonus for male adults up to £1, and that, although the discharged soldiers employed in the Army Pay Office of the Royal Engineers at Chatham have repeatedly approached the regimental paymaster with a view to securing the 6s. increase to which they are entitled under the above award, they received no satisfactory reply, although the money is being paid out to the dockyard writers and clerks employed in other Government offices in the district; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this grievance?

The award referred to is an award relating to certain special classes of writers and clerks and is not applicable to the writers and clerks in the Royal Engineers and pay offices. A further bonus has recently been authorised for the clerks in question, and in the case of these paid on permanent scales the total bonus is of the same amount as that awarded by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board to Government clerical classes generally, namely 19s., and in the case of those paid at special war rates of wages the further bonus varies up to a maximum of 5s. a week, according to circumstances.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the increases of salary and war bonus claimed by the foremen in the engineering and allied trades in Scotland; and whether the war advances payable to them will be made restrospective and take effect as from the date when they first claimed, namely, the 1st August, 1917?

This matter is still in negotiation, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement. Foremen in the engineering and allied trades in Scotland cannot be dealt with as a class. The Ministry has asked for particulars of the individual establishments in which the foremen are not paid in accordance with the Ministry's recommendation.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the profit of £167,915 shown by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in the White Paper recently issued was made during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1918, or during the entire period since they entered the retail wine and spirit business?

The profit and loss account to which the question relates covers, as may be seen from the heading to the account as printed in the White Paper, the whole period from the commencement of the Board's acquisition of licensed premises up to the 31st March last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether in the Oxford district four fatal accidents in the Royal Air Force were reported in the week ending 24th August, one in the week ending 5th October, and two in the week ending 12th October; and whether the orders against low flying over the city of Oxford are being obeyed?

Seven fatal accidents have occurred in the past three months at air stations in the district round Oxford in addition to the three accidents which, as I have informed my hon. Friend on the 17th October, have occurred at Oxford itself. The orders against low flying over the city are impressed upon all concerned, and severe disciplinary action has been taken in two recent cases in which they have been infringed. Public attention is being drawn to the orders so that infringements may be reported as fully as possible. The Air Council would be grateful if members of the public would assist them in the matter by reporting the number painted in large block figures on the wings of any low-flying aeroplane.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he had received a resolution from the York branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers protesting against the conditions under which ex-Service men are being sent to Harrogate for convalescent treatment, especially in connection with the fact that there is a deduction of 17s. 6d. from their allowance because they are in private billets, whilst if there had been sufficient room in any institution they would only have had 7s. 6d. deducted; whether it would be possible, where institutional treatment is not available, for such men to be put on the same footing as men who are treated in institutions; and whether the local pensions committees could be empowered to make the best arrangements they can with regard to lodgings for men who have to be treated as out-patients, without being restricted to a maximum payment of 25s. per week?

My right hon. Friend has received the resolution referred to. The relatively unsatisfactory position of men who are lodged in billets for lack of institutional accommodation is appreciated, and the question of giving them more favourable terms is being considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the sense of injustice felt by sergeants and constables who, under the Police Act, 1890, Section 13, paragraph (2), have their pensions docked while in public employment; and whether he intends to stop such further deductions and to make good past deductions by a retrospective payment?

The Bill now before Parliament proposes to repeal the Section in question. The question of making the repeal retrospective is raised by an Amendment to the Bill which is upon the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state why, if the Allied Governments in settling the terms of the armistice with Turkey have considered it necessary to stipulate for the expulsion within one month of all German and Austrian naval, military, and civilian prisoners from the Turkish dominions, the Government persistently declines to get rid of German and Austrian civilians from the United Kingdom where their continued presence is obnoxious to the public and, in view of the continued brutality of the Germans towards British prisoners, is likely to cause a breach of the peace?

Germans and Austrians are required by the terms of armistice to be evacuated from Turkey because their presence there would be detrimental to the interests of the Allies. In this country all Germans and Austrians who could possibly be a danger to the country are interned; and all, or most of these persons will, no doubt, be repatriated as soon as the military arrangements permit.

asked the Home Secretary whether the village clocks in country districts may now be again allowed to strike?

I will consider the point and communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has sanctioned the garden city schemes of Tidenham and Beachley, Gloucestershire; and, if not, whether the control of the schemes rests exclusively with the Admiralty?

The Local Government Board has no authority in the matter, and its consent is not required. So far as I am aware, the control of the schemes rests with the Armiralty.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet come to an agreement with the Treasury with regard to the remuneration of the men employed on travelling post offices owing to the increased cost of food; and is he aware that this matter has been under the consideration of his Department since December, 1917.

It has now been decided that as from the 1st instant and for the duration of the War all trip allowances shall carry a temporary 10 per cent. addition.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any scheme has been prepared for the demobilisation at the earliest moment possible after the termination of hostilities of a sufficient number of men skilled in the building trade to enable the provision of the housing accommodation, so urgently required in every part of the country, to be proceeded with without delay; and whether it is intended to allocate a special number of skilled workmen to Scotland, where the situation calls for immediate action?

The scheme for general demobilisation provides for the early release of men for whom employment is waiting or who belong to a trade to which priority has been given. The claim of the building trade will be considered on their merits when the time arrives. I should add that the Department is in communication with the Building Industrial Council, which covers Scotland, with regard to the selection of a limited number of pivotal men in the trade for whose release in advance of general demobilisation it is hoped that it may be possible to make arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the failure of many of the large insurance companies to provide a war bonus for their agents and employés, he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is unable to add anything to the reply given by the hon. Member for Newbury on 12th June last.

asked the Minister of Labour if there is any reason why the employés of the Short Sea Traders' Association should not receive the full war bonus award granted to the transport workers?

If my hon. Friend refers to the London Short Sea Traders' Association and the Dockers' Award, Great Britain, No. 2567, dated 16th October, 1918, I understand that this association were parties to the hearing, and am informed by this association that they are paying in accordance with the terms of the Award.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether it is by the instructions of the Department that the Royal Irish Constabulary now undertake the enforcement of the provisions of the Corn Production Act as regards a minimum wage for agricultural workmen by criminal prosecution; whether the effect of proceeding in this manner is to deprive the employer of the opportunity of being examined as a witness in his own defence; and whether, seeing that the questions of set-off, part payment, and other issues of a purely civil character arise in such cases, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, for permitting the defendant to be examined as a witness and will meanwhile direct that the institution of criminal proceedings will be restricted to cases where it has first been ascertained that no bonâ fide dispute exists?

In cases where the Agricultural Wages Board are of opinion that an infraction of the Corn Production Act, as to minimum wages have taken place the proceedings must, under the provisions of the Act be of a summary character, and such proceedings are by arrangement with the Department of Agriculture in Ireland conducted by the police. As the offences are summary offences the defendant cannot, according to the ordinary law in Ireland give evidence on his own behalf. Legislation would be required to enable this to be done. Care is taken not to institute proceedings unless in cases where the Wages Board is satisfied that there has been a primâ facie infraction of the Act.

asked the Secretary whether he has received complaints that the new scales just issued of police remuneration for England and Scotland, respectively are to the disadvantage of the Scottish police; and whether he will issue a comparative table showing the two scales and state, if there is a difference in favour of the English police, the reason for such difference?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The complaints are receiving consideration in consultation with the police authorities. The assumption underlying the second part of the question is that the scales are laid down for compulsory adoption. This is not the case, and in the circumstances the suggested comparison would be misleading. The Scottish scales have been framed after due consideration of local conditions, which vary considerably, but with reservation of the right to apply for different scales if thought advisable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a communication from the Educational Institute of Scotland drawing attention to the failure of the great majority of school boards to put in operation the Craik scale of salaries, and call- ing upon the Government to take action; and, if so, what steps, if any, the Government propose to take?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question, is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 17th ultimo to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for North-Eastern Lanarkshire.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that certain local education authorities require that consent should be obtained for a temporary absence of a teacher in a non-provided school; and whether the Board has authorised under Section 7 (1, a ) of the Act of 1902 that any local authority may direct the managers to dismiss a teacher on the ground of absence when such absence has been authorised by the managers?

I am aware that some local education authorities have made regulations prescribing the conditions on which teachers may temporarily be absent from duty. It is not within the province of the Board to authorise or refuse to authorise such a direction as is referred to. Any question whether such a direction is within the competence of the authority can be referred to the Board under Sub-section (3) of Section 7 of the Act, and can only be determined on consideration of the facts of the particular case.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what is the rate of wages paid to a skilled electrician employed by the Post Office after seventeen years' service; and how does such rate compare with that of the wages paid by the Post Office or by contractors for the Post Office to unskilled workmen?

There is no grade of skilled electrician in the Post Office. A skilled electrician might be on one of several grades, according to the nature and responsibility of his duties. The different grades are upon different scales of pay and there is no fixed rate of pay for a man of seventeen years' service. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to answer the question as it stands.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, what is the total sum which up to the present time has been expended under the authority of the Commissioners on medical research and scientific investigations?

The total sum expended up to the present time under my sanction and that of my predecessors, under the National Insurance Act, 1911, by the Medical Research Committee has amounted to about £247,000. Details of this expenditure can be found in the Annual Appropriation Accounts presented each year to Parliament.