asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the result of the consideration given to the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the position of modern languages in the educational system of the country; whether it has now been decided, in accordance with a recommendation in that Report, to set up a Committee to inquire into the potentialities of artificial languages and the desirability of encouraging the use of one; if so, can he give the name of the Committee; and, if not, can he say whether the matter is likely to be settled at an early date?

I understand that the Report in question has been referred to the President of the Board of Education and the Secretary for Scotland, and is at present under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether a Committee has been appointed to consider or review forestry schemes; if so, who are the members of that Committee and what are its powers; and whether these powers extend to Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made yesterday on the Report stage of the Supplementary Estimate for Afforestation.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the numerous cases of soldiers who have submitted to transfusion of blood to save the lives of comrades; and whether he can see his way to advise the exercise of the Royal prerogative in favour of the institution of a special medal as a reward in such cases of self-sacrificing courage?

My right hon. Friend has asked the to answer this question. I regret that I can see no sufficient grounds for adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion to institute a special medal for award in such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the hardship to Civil Service pensioners involved in the increased cost of living; and if he will consider the possibility of granting a temporary war bonus to meet the case?

I have nothing to add to the numerous answers given in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to similar questions during the current and the past Session.

asked the Food Controller whether the Department of Oils and Fats has an annual turnover of £70,000,000; what were the total profits of this Department for the first six months of this year, or for whatever period the accounts are made up to; and when is it proposed to reduce the price of margarine?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part the account to which all receipts are paid, and from which the costs of raw material, of manufacturing, transport and other charges, both for current trading and for reserve, have to be met, showed a balance in hand on the first three months of the year of £886,771. As has already been announced, the price of margarine is to be reduced to 1s. per lb as from November 17th.

asked the Food Controller whether he will indicate the main sub-divisions of the 502,845 tons of bacon imported into Great Britain this year; what weight of Wiltshire cut sides, Cumberland sides, hams, short clear backs, bellies, shoulders, picnics, etc., were imported: and what was, approximately, the f.o.b. price for each class of consignment?

I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the Food Controller if he will state how much meat, approximately, was consumed by the public of the United Kingdom from 1st January to 31st August this year; what proportion was home-grown and what imported; and, of the importations, will he indicate the various sources of supply, the weight imported, and the average price c.i.f. of the same?

The estimated consumption of butcher's meat by the civilian population of the United Kingdom from 1st January to 31st August this year was 682,000 tons, of which 70 per cent. was home-grown and 30 per cent. imported. Of the imported meat, 54 per cent. came from the United States, 25 per cent. from South America, 12 per cent. from Australasia, 7 per cent. from Canada, and the remaining 2 per cent. from South Africa, China, etc. The average c.i.f. price at which the Ministry acquired the meat was 1s. 2½d. per lb.

asked the Minister of Blockade if it is the fact that the imports of butter into Britain from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Holland fell from 2,216,000 cwts. in 1913 to 698,000 cwts in 1917; and has he information which shows that these countries did not supply butter to Germany in 1917 instead of to Britain?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the aggregate exports of butter to Germany from the countries named showed a decrease in 1917 as compared with 1913 of 25 per cent., but the decrease is less than the decrease in the imports into Great Britain. In the case of Holland, however, the export of margarine to the United Kingdom increased, according to Dutch official statistics, by more than 760,000 cwts. during the same period.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that insufficiency of feeding-stuffs is due to shortage of shipping; whether he can account for shipping being refused in this respect but allowed to the extent of importing 1,779,336 lbs. of raw silk in the first nine months compared with 793,000lbs. in the corresponding period of last year; why shipping was allowed to import 7,000,000 un-enumerated furs; why 4,231,019 watches were imported and 1,418,943 watch cases; why 45,000,000 yards of silk manufactures were imported and other goods, revealed in the Board of Trade Returns, of a less useful character than feeding-stuffs; and whether a Report will be presented on the subject of shipping control?

I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that shipment of the luxury articles to which he refers has not been made at the cost of importing feeding-stuffs. The articles in question, which in aggregate weight do not amount altogether to more than a single cargo of grain, have been for the most part brought in Japanese and other foreign ships whose employment the Ministry of Shipping is not in a position to control. I should add that there is also a certain importation of luxury articles from France which does not displace food and which constitutes almost the only assistance we can give to the trade of our gallant Allies.

asked the President of the Hoard of Agriculture what action he proposes to take in reference to the case of George Parry, 68, St. Ann's Road, Tottenham, a full statement of which was forwarded to the Food Production Department on 26th September?

Mr. Parry has made a claim for compensation in respect of 4 acres of land belonging to him of which possession has been taken by the Essex Agricultural Committee. The land has been let by Mr. Parry to a tenant on lease for seven years, and as the lease has not been determined, Mr. Parry could recover the rent from his tenant. He has, however, been told that if the tenant will agree in writing that payment should be made by the Board to Mr. Parry, the Board will deal with the claim at once. So long as Mr. Parry claims rent from his tenant, he cannot also recover the amount from the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if any steps have been taken to put into operation the proposals for industrial development outlined by His Excellency at the Belfast Harbour Board on 5th August last?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his previous question on this subject and to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Monday is the market day in Granard, county Longford, and that under the new Closing of Shops Order people coming to town to secure their weekly supply of provisions, etc., were compelled to go home unattended to owing to the new closing Order; and if he will direct the police in such cases not to enforce the Order where people come long distances to get the necessaries of life?

I am aware that Monday is market day in Granard. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to his other question on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department was consulted by the Lords Justices of Ireland before they issued their recent Order for closing business premises in Ireland; whether he is aware that this Order is unsuited to the conditions prevailing in Ireland, where spirit and grocery business is generally combined in one house; and will he take steps to have this Order repealed?

The Board of Trade was not consulted before the Lords Justices made an Order on the 22nd October, under Regulation 10B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations relating to the closing of shops in the evening throughout Ireland, as the matter was by the Regulations one for the exercise of their Excellencies' discretion. As the Order was found to interfere with the conduct of the "mixed" business of the grocery and the licensed trade, which is almost universal in county towns, a further Order was made by the Lord Lieutenant on the 11th instant, cancelling the previous Order, and directing that in towns outside the six county boroughs all such retail shops should be closed at 7 p.m. on five week days, and at 9.30 p.m. on Saturdays. It is understood that this alteration of hours meet with the approval of the traders referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there was any order against the manufacture and distribution of equipment; if so, whether any notice of such order was sent to Mr. Fallon previous to the seizure at his works in Mary Street and Stafford Street, Dublin, in July last; if no notice was given him, why the goods were seized by the police without payment; and what compensation will be paid for the confiscation of Mr. Fallon's property and the disturbance of his business, which was not objected to by any authority since he began the manufacture of equipment in April, 1914?

I am not aware of any General Order of the nature indicated in the first part of the question. No notice was conveyed to Mr. Fallon previous to the seizure. The seizure was made under Section 51 of the Defence of the Realm Act in the interests of the Realm. If Mr. Fallon wishes to maintain a claim for the value of the military equipment seized on his premises it is open to him to apply to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any steps will be taken by the Local Government Board for Ireland under the proposed Ministries of Health Bill to see that Irish doctors are placed on the same footing as their British colleagues in regard to pay and pensions; and whether for this purpose it will be proposed to apply the Bill to Ireland?

It is not proposed to extend the Bill to Ireland at the present time. The subject is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Patrick Collum, who resides at Lettergeeragh, Ballinamuck, has been now for nearly four years deprived of any pension because he refused to take 2s. allotted to him in the first instance; and if the Local Government Board will now reconsider this man's case?

Patrick Collum's claim for an old age pension has been disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on five occasions, and he does not appear to have been at any time awarded a pension of 2s. a week, as stated in the question. The claims were disallowed on the ground that Collum's means were over the statutory limit, and the Board in this case caused a special investigation to be made by one of their inspectors. He has over 1½ acres of potatoes, 1 acre of oats, 2 acres of hay, 8 acres of grass, 100 crates of turf, two cows, two calves, an ass, one sow, and stores and considerable quantity of fowl.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the approximate amount paid in old age pensions in county Longford; the number of persons in receipt of same; and the total increase granted by way of war bonus?

The latest figures available are those for the year 1916–17 given on page 108 of the Eighth Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise (Cd. 8938). In that year the approximate amount paid in old age pensions in the Administrative County of Longford was £30,573, and the number of persons in receipt of pensions was 2,367. At the present time practically all old age pensioners are in receipt of an additional allowance of 2s. 6d. a week as well as of the pensions, and the total amount of these additional payments for Longford will be about £15,000 for the current year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when the boys employed at the Army Ordnance Depot, Island Bridge, Dublin, will receive an increased war bonus?

Inquiry is being made, and I will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that, owing to being paid from 23s. to 25s. per week less wage than is paid to men employed on similar work in the West of Scotland, the building trade employés at an aerodrome near Inverkeithing are on strike; and whether, with the object of ending the dispute, he will bring their wages up to the same rate as that paid at the aerodromes referred to?

Certain men employed by contractors at the aerodrome referred to are at present on strike, and demand to be paid similar rates and allowances to those paid by the Air Ministry contractors on an aerodrome in another district. It is not possible to concede the demand, as the rates now paid in the area in which the aerodrome referred to is situated, have recently been reviewed by the Committee on Production, who decided that the operatives had failed to establish a claim for an increase.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, although the decision as regards the taking of the oath of allegiance was confined to Civil servants in Government offices, workmen in His Majesty's dockyards have been called upon to take the oath also; whether this was done under a misapprehension; whether the Order has now been withdrawn; and whether he can give an assurance that those workmen who were compelled to take the oath have in no way prejudiced their freedom as workmen and trade unionists?

Owing to a misunderstanding, the instructions originally issued to the dockyards on this subject were so framed as to make it appear that they applied to established workmen equally with other classes of established Civil servants. The dockyards were subsequently informed that workmen were not affected by the order. I can give my hon. Friend an unqualified assurance that workmen who have taken the oath have in no way prejudiced their freedom cither as workmen or as trade unionists.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, although it is a rule that the minimum pay for adult members of the male clerical staff should be 1s. per week above the minimum of the unskilled labourer, the pay of the male clerical staff has not yet been adjusted in consequence of the award of 3s. 6d. per week to the manual workers in August last; whether he is also aware that as a result of this award the pay of the male clerical staff since August should be for the London district 58s., and for outports 54s. 6d. per week; and whether he will have this matter adjusted accordingly?

The matter raised in my hon. Friend's question is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many engine-room artificers of the different trades, fitter, coppersmith, boilermaker, have been entered in the Royal Navy for hostilities only from 1st November, 1914, to 1st November, 1918; can he say whether any of such men have been reported as inefficient or incapable of performing the duties required of them; if so, what steps were taken in the matter; and whether he can say what is proposed to be done with two men entered as coppersmiths at Portsmouth depot, who are now undergoing training in this particular trade, and what is to be their rating?

The number asked for are between 5,000 and 6,000, of which the great majority are fitters and turners. There have been a few cases in which unsatisfactory reports have been received on the ability of such men, and the ordinary procedure in these cases would be to give them a further trial before considering the question of discharging them. There are two men entered as coppersmiths now undergoing such a trial at Portsmouth, and the result of the trial is expected shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the skilled agricultural workers now serving in the Army will, in view of the shortage of skilled labour on the land, be released for return to the farms at the earliest possible date and not only after peace has been declared?

Special consideration is being given in the demobilisation scheme to the case of agricultural workers now serving in the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether those business men and tradesmen who have been compelled to close down their businesses owing to their service in the Army will be amongst the first to be demobilised; and whether the men who previously were responsible for a one-man business will also be returned at the earliest possible date to resume their occupation?

I have nothing to add to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Tavistock on 12th November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Lance-Corporal J. B. Welsh, No. 511431, 780 Area Employment Company, Artisan Company, who enlisted in September, 1914, and was successively promoted to tunneller, lance-corporal, and corporal, and who after being wounded and undergoing hospital treatment was transferred to his old Infantry base as a private on private's pay; and will he say if a man can lose his rank and pay on becoming unfit through wounds?

I am making inquiry, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to a further increase in the amount of family allowance and as to an increase in the pay or allowances of specially enlisted men?

I hope to be in a position to give a definite answer before the Session ends, but I regret that I cannot do so to-day.

asked the Home Secretary if J. C. Elliott, a conscientious objector who was released some time ago under the Prisoners Temporary Discharge Act, has been rearrested; if he is now in Pentonville Prison; and will he say what is the prisoner's state of health and if his return to prison was justified by his state of health?

He was arrested and taken to Pentonville Prison on the 31st October, his state of health being such as to justify this course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors can give favourable consideration to the letter sent to them by Mr. W. P., Stoker, of Halifax, dated 6th November, on behalf of Mrs. Collins, the mother of Mark Collins, who has been allowed to take up the exceptional employment scheme; and will the Committee, in view of th helpless condition of the man's mother, permit him to take up work near his own home, where he can give attention to his mother?

This case is under the consideration of the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the altered military situation, the War Office will endeavour, to a greater extent than is now the case, to arrange for the transfer of wounded soldiers from distant hospitals to those in their own neighbourhood, thereby diminishing travelling and lessening the cost to their relatives?

Every effort is already made to send soldiers to hospitals near their homes. I am afraid it is not always possible to arrange it, but, in view of the altered situation, I am hopeful that it may be practicable to do more in this direction in the future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force have now served over three years without leave; and whether, in view of the altered circumstances of the War, he will see that these men are among the first to be granted special leave?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Roxburgh shire. As far as is practicable those men who have been longest with an Expeditionary Force are given priority in the matter of leave.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities have taken over the Poor Law Institution at Pembury for the purpose of a motor training school; whether he is aware that other premises are obtainable; whether he is further aware that the premises serve various purposes, including a remand home for boys and a lying-in hospital for which no other accommodation is available; and if, in all the circumstances, he will reconsider the decision?

I am looking into this matter and 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 whether any decision has yet been reached in respect of cadets at the various Officers' Cadet Battalions who have not yet finished their course, especially in the case of those whose educational course has been interrupted by the War?

Cadets at present in Officer Cadet units will continue training pending the issue of orders for demobilisation, but candidates about to enter Cadet Battalions will not now be required to enter, provided they intend to continue their educational studies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Railwaymen's Convalescent Home, Leasowe Castle, Wallasey, has now been restored to its proper use; and, if not, for what reason?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that steps have been taken to release Leasowe Castle at an early date, so that it may revert to its former use as a railway-men's convalescent home.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many rifle ranges other than miniature ranges have been provided in the United Kingdom since 4th August, 1914, for musketry purposes; the locality of each such range; its length; and the number of targets available?

Approximately, 485 rifle ranges have been constructed since August, 1914, comprising about 7,466 targets. The majority of the ranges are 600 yards in length. To state the exact locality of each range would necessitate reference to the various military commands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force, including the Territorial Force Reserve, who were embodied under Army Order 281 of 1914, and who signed an agreement to serve outside the United Kingdom, are to be allowed to count embodied service in the ranks, including service with the Navy, Regular Army, and Royal Air Force, twofold as qualifying service for the Territorial Force efficiency medal?

Yes, Sir. The necessary directions were published as a special Army Order on the 9th October last, a copy of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that two qualified medical men gave up their practices in 1916, one joining the Royal Army Medical Corps with a temporary commission as captain, the other joining the Territorial Forces as captain, both are now wounded and in the same hospital in this country, the former receiving 24s. per diem and the latter 15s. 6d.; and what is the reason that can be given for this discrepancy?

The officer described as serving with a temporary commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps is presumably an officer serving under the Civil contract, which differs from the Territorial or Regular officer's terms of service in many ways, affecting allowances and terminal gratuities as well as pay. The conditions must be looked at as a whole.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if soldiers who are survivors of a torpedoed steamer are entitled to monetary compensation for loss of kit or private property?

Kit and necessaries are replaced free. Private property is taken at owner's risk.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is a regulation that in the case of a seriously wounded soldier lying in France only one relative can visit him; if so, will he favourably consider modifying this regulation to enable at least two relatives to make the visit; whether he is aware that in a recent case the father and brother of a soldier travelled to London from Scotland, but only one was permitted to cross to France, with the result that railway fares and other expenses were incurred to no purpose; and whether the expenses so incurred could be refunded?

The regulation is that, of the father, mother and wife of the soldier, any two are permitted to go. If only one of them goes and cannot travel without assistance, a relative or friend may also go. Apart from this, only one visitor is allowed, and I regret that, mainly owing to lack of suitable accommodation at the places where base hospitals are situated, it is not possible to allow two visitors in every ease. Where application is made to the police for travelling warrants, they are instructed to explain this clearly to the applicant. I have no knowledge of the individual case referred to, but shall be happy to inquire into it if the hon. Member will give me full particulars.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the amount of separation allowance paid to Mrs. M'Hugh, 63, Scotland Road, Black-burn, for each of her three sons, Private J. M'Hugh, Private. Joseph M'Hugh, and Second Air-mechanic H. M'Hugh; how-much of this in each case is a voluntary allotment and how much the State grant; whether in the case of Second Air-mechanic H. M'Hugh there is a voluntary allotment of 5s. 3d. which should be paid by the central pay officer, Royal Air Force, Woking; and whether this voluntary allotment is being paid to the mother?

Mrs. M'Hugh is receiving a separation allowance from Army funds of 27s. 11d. a week, which represents the maximum allowance of 25s. a week issuable for two dependants on two or more soldiers or airmen, together with an excess allotment of 2s. 11d. a week which was taken over as a State charge from 29th September, 1917. Second Air-mechanic H. M'Hugh was originally allotting 5s. 3d. a week but 3s. 6d. of this became a State charge, leaving him chargeable with a voluntary allotment of 1s. 9d. a week, which is being paid by the Central Pay Office of the Royal Air Force.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will give instructions for the payment of the dependency allowance in the case of No. 511431, Lance-Corporal J. B. Welsh, 780 Area Employment Company, who transferred his allowance from his mother to his wife as from the 12th April, 1918, his mother's payments being stopped on the 12th April but the payments to the wife were not resumed until the 17th June, 1918; and will he see that the payments between these dates are made at once, as the regimental paymaster will not reply to the wife's request?

Inquiry will be made and the hon. Member informed of the result in due course.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. Brodie, 2, Tebworth Road, Tottenham, whose husband, private No. 34712, 1st Wilts Regiment, is missing, and who is entitled to receive a temporary pension, has not yet received notice of that pension, although-Form 45 E.F. 347 (C2 Cas.) was forwarded by the hon. Member for Tottenham filled up correctly to the lieutenant-colonel in charge of the No. 1 Records, No. 8 District, Exeter, in the envelope supplied by the Records Office, on 29th October, and that the marriage certificate and birth certificate were forwarded on 2nd November; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

This case has only recently been brought to the notice of my Department. Separation allowance is payable until the 24th instant, when pension commences, and steps have already been taken to ensure that there shall be no break in the continuity of payment.

asked the Pensions Minister why in the case of the late Private T. Noone, No. 29041, W Company, Lancashire Fusiliers, no allowance or pension was paid to his mother for the period between the 25th July, 1916, when he was reported missing, and June, 1917, when his death was accepted; and whether, in view of the fact that a pension has been granted from the 20th August, 1917, the mother is entitled to either a pension or Army pay daring the eleven months during which he was regarded as missing?

The late soldier did not make any allotment from his pay, and consequently his mother was not eligible for separation allowance under the Regulations then existing, and the case did not come forward for pension when the man was reported missing. The first application for pension was received in August, 1917, and it has been decided that in cases of this nature the pension shall have effect from the date of application. This follows the rule laid down by the War Office for cases of delay in claiming separation allowance. The question as to pay should be addressed to the War Office.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will accelerate the settlement of the case of the pension of the widow of the late Private I. Black, No. 3/28943, 3rd East Lancashire Regiment, which has been before his Department for over twelve months, the man having died in May last and a notice having been sent to him with a railway warrant on 11th September to attend the Appeals Tribunal at Manchester?

I have not sufficient time to ascertain the causes of the delay in this case, but will take steps to do so, and I will also see that the question of the widow's pension is settled as early as possible.

asked the Pensions Minister if, in view of the promise that a flat minimum rate of pension of 5s. a week should be given in cases where no enlistment dependency had been proved, this flat rate of 5s. will be paid for past cases where the amount of pension is less than 5s., or where no pension at all has been granted because the parents were not in an impecunious condition?

The flat rate pension of 5s. a week for the parents of serving soldiers will be paid for past cases where the amount of the existing pension is less than 5s. with effect from the first pay-day in November, 1918. No application by the parent will be necessary in these cases. It will be realised that it will take some considerable time to deal with the large number of cases involved. In cases where no pension is in issue application should be made through the local war pensions committee of the parents' district. Grants in past cases will have effect from the first pay-day in November if application is made by a date to be specified later. A general announcement on the subject will be made through the Press at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will say what grants, loans, advances, or gifts have been made by his Department to employers or manufacturers for the purchase, repair, or upkeep of plant, machinery or factories, or for other purposes; and on what conditions?

No grants or any other payments of the nature referred to in the hon. Member's question have been made by the Air Ministry.

asked the Home Secretary whether the usual Return of Metropolitan Police accidents in the Metropolitan area for the nine months ended 30th September can be published before the Dissolution?

I presume the reference is to street accidents, and I will endeavour to arrange that the Returns shall be published.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in matters affecting their conditions of service, the officials of the Police Union is now recognised as the medium of such negotiations?

asked the Home Secretary whether constables are now at liberty to join the National Police and Prison Officers' Union as at present constituted?

As was stated by the Home Secretary in his speech on the 24th October, the men have been informed that they will not be prevented from joining the union, or any other lawful society, so long as it does not claim or attempt to interfere with the police regulations or discipline, or to induce members of the force to withhold their services, but that if any such event should occur, the members of the force will be called upon to sever their connection with it. The Police Union cannot be recognised as the medium for representations by the police. Representations as to conditions of service should be made to the Commissioner by the Representative Board, the constitution of which the Home Secretary described in his speech.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will give the names of the boroughs entitled by Section 17 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, to the application of Section 17 (1) of that Act as regards the freemen of such boroughs; and state which of these boroughs have, by resolution of their respective councils, become entitled to the exercise of the privilege accorded to their freemen by Section 17 (2) of the Act?

The Local Government Board have no complete information of the boroughs referred to, but from inquiries received during the preparation of the first register it appears that the following boroughs have had under consideration the subject of exercising the privilege accorded by Section 17 (2) of the Act, namely, Coventry, Exeter, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Derby, and Chester. No resolutions on the subject have been notified to the Department, except in the case of Coventry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether permits and licences for the use of cars in election contests are only to be valid from the date of the issue of the writ or from the date of notice of intention to issue the Proclamation?

The special permits and licences which will be issued to Parliamentary candidates and their election agents will be valid during the seven days preceding the issue of the writ as well as during the period between the issue of the writ and the day following the close of the poll.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state exactly what occurred in connection with the registration of certain shares in the Mond Nickel Company in the names of certain enemy shareholders; whether he issued any licence authorising this company to allot shares to Germans; and, if so, on what date was the licence issued?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answers to questions asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Christchurch on the 21st October and by the hon. and gallant Member for the Ludlow Division on the 31st October, of which I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the amount of coal used yearly in brewing, apart from malting, is about 1,100,000 tons; and what reduction in that amount has now been arranged for?

I believe that the amount of coal used in brewing apart from malting in the year 1917–1918 was less than 900,000 tons. In June I arranged with representatives of the Brewers' Society to co-operate with the Controller of Coal Mines in attempting to effect a reduction of 25 per cent. in the estimated requirements for the current year, and active steps are being taken to attain this object. During the quarter ending 30th September 1918, which is the heaviest brewing quarter, the consumption of coal in brewing was under 200,000 tons.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a German woman, by name Rosenburg, is employed at Mount Pleasant Post Office in the ship letter department; and how long she has been there and why?

The officer to whom reference is presumably made has been employed since November, 1915. I am informed that she is a natural-born British subject and that both her parents were natural-born British subjects.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many petitions, resolutions, or protests have been received by him against the continued imprisonment of John M'Lean; whether when first artificially fed M'Lean resisted and was forcibly fed, but now takes food without struggling; and whether John M'Lean's political agent will be allowed to visit him?

I have received about 150 representations of the character referred to in the first part of the question. In reply to the rest of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which he received from me on the 6th instant, and from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 12th instant.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what accommodation will be afforded by the houses at present being erected at Borgie, Sutherland, and the estimated cost of each house?

The houses will consist of four rooms, kitchen, scullery, larder, wash-house, and sanitary accommodation. The cost, originally estimated at £300, will be slightly increased in consequence of the War.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will state the reasons for the delay in making the promotions to His Majesty's Sasine Office, General Register House, Edinburgh; and whether, in view of the Martinmas term, he will now undertake to date the appointments from the day of the vacancy?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on the 30th October, except that I expect to intimate certain promotions within the next few days. I will undertake to consider whether any of them can be antedated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what compensation will be paid to members of the Chinese Labour battalions who have suffered injury from military operations during their period of service in France; and if a Grant will be made to the dependants in China of those who have been killed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In cases of injury from military operations in France, members of the Chinese Labour Corps receive a maximum gratuity of 120 dollars for total disablement, and proportionally less for lower degrees of disablement. In cases of death attributable to service, the widow or other dependant receives a gratuity of 180 dollars.