asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government intend to take to safeguard the interests of British subjects who have property in Germany; and whether arrangements have been made to satisfy such claims of British subjects in British currency out of German property held in this country?

This matter is being fully considered in connection with peace terms, but I do not feel able to make any definite announcement at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the reduction in the output of gold with the British Empire, namely, from a value of £58,400,000 in 1913 to £51,600,000 in 1918, and the utility and value of gold in our economic system, the Government are prepared to offer substantial encouragement in order to stimulate the increased production of gold within the Empire?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, I have recently appointed a Committee to consider this question. I hope to receive their Report at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to issue Treasury notes for 5s.?

I do not think it necessary to take this step at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any rebate of premiums paid for bombing and air raid insurance will be allowed, seeing that the risk has now ceased?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The question whether some refund of premium could be given has been carefully considered by the Aircraft Insurance Committee, and they have come to the conclusion that it is not practicable.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the position in which many superannuated Civil servants are placed owing to the depreciation in the value of their pensions due to the increased cost of living; and whether he can see his way clear to recommend the granting of some special bonus?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made yesterday on this subject in the course of the Debate on the Consolidated Fund Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food for what purpose the present stocks of maize in this country are being reserved; whether any maize is being used for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages; and, if so, what quantity?

The limited stocks of maize in this country are reserved for the feeding of horses employed on work of national importance. No potable spirit may be distilled from maize. No figures are available as to the amount of maize used in the brewing of beer. But the quantity is believed to be negligible.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that publicans in Ireland, who had not purchased their shops in the datum year and so were not in trade, are now wholly deprived of any supply of porter, notwithstanding that Messrs. Guinness are able and willing to supply such persons if allowed to do so; and will he direct that the datum year be extended to cover such cases?

Any publican who has succeeded to the licence of a trader who was receiving supplies in the datum year has the same right of obtaining datum supplies as that enjoyed by the original trader.

asked the Food Controller whether, in view of the near approaching end of the War and the practical withdrawal of the U-boats, he can now see his way to modify existing food Regulations in Ireland and throw open the markets to free competition of all?

The limited degree of control affecting supplies, price, and distribution of food in Ireland will be gradually relaxed, but no relaxation of the nature indicated in the question can be effected at the moment.

asked the Food Controller what responsibility or action is taken by him where local food committees, in carrying out orders or under instructions from Food Ministry officials, contract bad debts?

Any case of the description suggested in the question would be dealt with on its merits, after consideration of all the circumstances. No such case appears to have been brought before the Ministry by any Food Control Committee, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case he may have in mind I will inquire into it.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that the railway and steamship companies refuse to return empty hampers consigned by poultry and rabbit dealers in Ireland to England, and that the dealers are consequently forced to send their consignments in wooden boxes, which are unsuitable for the purpose, and render much of the meat unfit for human consumption when delivered; and will he take steps to move the railway and steamship companies to accept empty hampers for return to consignors in Ireland?

A delay in the return of empty hampers to Ireland occurred some time ago through congestion of steamboat and railway traffic, caused by enemy action in the Irish Channel. My Department has been in communication with the Director of cross-Channel Transportations, and undertand that there is now no ground of complaint on the score of delay.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of deer which have been slaughtered in the Highland counties in order to increase the food supplies, in addition to those slaughtered by way of sport, in this and last year, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that no official statistics are available as to the number of deer slaughtered in the Highland counties in this and last year respectively.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the grazing farm of Oldbrock, on the Major Boyle estate, and situate in the Cloonoghil East division, Tubbercurry union, county Sligo, is about being sold by private treaty; and that the tenants formerly in occupation of this farm were evicted from their holdings some forty years ago although having their rents paid up to date; and, if so, whether, seeing that the descendants of these tenants still reside in the neighbourhood, some living on uneconomic patches of reclaimed bog and others having no land at all, immediate steps will be taken by the Congested Districts Board to have this farm acquired for distribution amongst these people and other landless people in the district?

The Congested Districts Board are not aware of the proposed sale of Major Boyle's Oldrock Farm by private treaty, and have no information as to the evicted tenants referred to. The Board have been obliged to suspend negotiations for the purchase of further estates since April, 1915, and cannot negotiate for this estate. The Board have no power to give land to landless persons or to persons to whom the Evicted Tenants Act does not apply, and who are not otherwise eligible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the position of men invalided from the dockyards desiring to obtain a position in the yards for their daughters; whether any preference is given to these men's dependants; and, if so, what?

No special instructions have been issued regarding the particular class of cases referred to. But in the ordinary course the local officers would take account of the circumstances, and give such preference to the applicants referred to as is compatible with preference being given in other cases in accordance with Admiralty Orders; for example, to applicants who are widows and orphans of men who have given their lives for their country in the Naval Service, as referred to in my hon. Friend's question of 12th July, 1917.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the position of the enemy in East Africa; whether General von Lettow has surrendered; where he now is; and when the troops operating in East Africa will be able to return home?

On 12th November the small German force under General Von Lettow Vorbeck was approaching Kasama from the direction of Fife (on the Northern Rhodesia-German East Africa border) pursued by a column of our African troops. Measures have been taken to acquaint the German commander with the terms of the Armistice. The release of our troops from active operations must depend on his compliance with these terms.

asked whether the military censorship has been or will now be relaxed; and whether printed matter, including newspapers and official Reports of Parliament, can now be sent to persons in neutral countries?

The matter generally is under consideration, and a statement will be issued at an early date. Certain publications (including the Parliamentary Debates), the foreign circulation of which has hitherto been restricted, will in future be allowed to proceed to foreign destinations, if dispatched by authorised persons.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if the military are still calling up men from the already depleted country villages; and whether, under existing conditions, he will give immediate instructions that all such notices should be at once withdrawn?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I am not aware that men are still being called up from country villages. As I have already stated in the House, Instructions were issued on 11th November suspending all recruiting under the Military Service Acts, and cancelling all outstanding notices calling men up for medical examination or for service.

asked whether arrangements will be speedily made to enable cadets who do not now desire to obtain commissions to return to civil life, and thereby permit students and others to complete their examinations and take up scholarships that are in abeyance, and also to save the expenditure on kit allowances and gratuities on discharge that will be entailed if commissions are granted?

It is not possible at present to allow any cadets to leave their cadet units until orders for demobilisation are issued. No more cadets will be put forward for commissions unless hostilities are resumed, and therefore the expense of kit allowances and gratuities will not be incurred.

asked the Under-Secretary for War what steps are being taken to repatriate the medical men detained as prisoners of war in Germany; and whether, having regard to the dearth of doctors in this country, special efforts will be made to expedite their repatriation?

As I stated yesterday, the whole question of moving prisoners from camps in Germany under the Armistice will be dealt with at an International Conference which opens to-day in Belgium.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) the present address of Private R. J. Ireland, No. 89039, 17th King's Liverpool Regiment, at present a prisoner of war in Germany, as his relatives have not heard from him for some months?

I am informed by the military authorities that the only report they have respecting this man is that he is a prisoner of war in Germany, but the camp in which he is interned is not known.

asked the Pensions Minister why the pension of £1 14s. 2d. a week paid to ex-Private Gerrard, No. 24,341, King's Own Lancasters, was stopped on 10th September; and whether, in view of the man's helpless condition, the pension will be immediately resumed?

Private Gerrard was discharged on account of epilepsy, which, according to his invaliding medical report, originated before his enlistment. The medical board were of opinion that his disability, although not caused by his military service, had been aggravated thereby, and on that account he was awarded a conditional pension which after two renewals expired in September last. He was re-examined by a medical board in August, and after careful consideration of his case it was decided that any aggravation caused by his military service had passed away. Consequently no further award of pension could be made. As indicating the generous view which was taken when the original award was made. I may mention that this soldier had only one week's effective service.

asked the Pensions Minister why the pension of ex-Private E. Moore, No. 365649, Labour Corps, was reduced without notice or without a medical board on the 23rd October, from 31s. 4d. a week to 15s. 8d. a week, seeing that the previous pension had been granted up to the 19th November, 1918; will he also have this man brought immediately before a medical board in order that his disability may be properly assessed; and, in the meantime, if he will see that the payment of the higher rate of pension previously paid is continued?

This soldier was invalided in June, 1918, on account of an injury to his back, which he himself alleged was due to an accident at physical drill occurring twelve months previously. The somewhat exceptional circumstances rendered inquiries necessary, and while they were being pursued a provisional award was made. The medical officers of the Ministry have now decided that the disability could not have been caused by the accident, but existed before enlistment. A final weekly allowance of 15s. 8d. for twenty-six weeks is, therefore, all that can be granted.

asked the Pensions Minister if Mrs. Rushton, of 117, Higher Audley Street, Blackburn, the mother of Private W. Rushton, No. 61423, Machine Gun Corps, and Gunner A. Rushton, No. 48697, Royal Garrison Artillery, killed in action, was receiving a total pension of 16s. a week, is entitled to an increase of this amount in view of the fact that she is a widow with two daughters, one of whom is of school age, and the loss of her two sons has deprived her of practically her only means of support?

Mrs. Rushton has been granted an allowance of 6s. 8d. a week for her younger daughter, who is under sixteen years of age, in addition to the pension for herself of 15s. a week—the maximum for a parent.

asked the Pensions Minister if immediate attention will be given to the letters of Mrs. M. Walmesley, of 47, Fielden Street, Blackburn, about a special grant on account of her son, Private William Walmesley, No. 12367, 6th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, as she can get nothing but printed replies saying that the case is receiving attention from the Department?

I am writing to my hon. Friend on this matter.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will give immediate attention to the case of John Nolan, 4, Pink Street, Blackburn, who served for nine years in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, served in the South African War, was discharged medically unfit with a temporary pension of 1s. 3d. a day for eighteen months, volunteered during the present War on the 3rd August, 1915, was discharged on 3rd December, 1915, and received neither pension nor gratuity for two years when he was paid £15; whether he is aware that, after filling up the same form four times between November, 1917, and. February, 1918, he was informed on 1st August, 1918, that a pension had been granted to him to date from the 11th February, 1918, and since that time he has heard nothing respecting the pension; and, in view of the man's state of health, will he see that immediate attention is given to this case?

I have not been able to trace this matter from the particulars given, but if my hon. Friend will give me the man's regiment, regimental number and rank, I will have inquiry made, and will see that the case is given immediate attention.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why Mrs. Dean, of 36, Bonsall Terrace, Blackburn, the mother of Private H Dean, No. 107598, Liverpool Regiment, is receiving a weekly payment of 5s. only; and whether in this case she should also receive the soldier's allotment of 3s. 6d. a week?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the separation allowance has been stopped in the case of Private W. H. Holden, No. 18534, Welsh Fusiliers, in the following circumstances: the man having been transferred recently to the Army Reserve, Class B, for colliery work in South Wales, his wife residing at and having to maintain a home in Blackburn out of what her husband can spare from his wages after maintaining himself; and whether the husband is entitled in such circumstances to a pension or the subsistence allowance, or whether the wife ought still to receive her separation allowance?

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

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Oakley, of Union Terrace, York, whose son, Second-Lieutenant R. Oakley, Yorks Regiment, was killed in the War, thus depriving the parents of the help their son had promised them towards the maintenance at a secondary school of a younger member of the family; and, in view of the circumstances of the case, if he will consider whether a compassionate gratuity for the purpose can be made?

I regret that there is no regulation under which a gratuity can be granted in such a case. Mr. Oakley is not eligible for a pension, as neither he nor his wife were dependent on their son, and his age and pecuniary circumstaces are not at present such as to justify an award. I am having the case referred to the special grants committee for consideration.

asked (1) the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Army pensioners, having served in the present War and with a long military record in addition, are being charged Income Tax under Schedule D on a sum as little as 19d. a day, and that thus a man who receives £29 annually has to pay £3 5s. 3d.; and whether this is the usual custom in similar cases of the kind; and asked (2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Army pensioners receiving as little as 19d. a day are being assessed for Income Tax under Schedule D, and therefore have to pay in duty a considerable amount of their income; and, if so, whether he will consider the possibility of removing this alleged hardship?

Liability to Income Tax depends upon the total amount of the income, and not upon the nature of the income. No pensioner whose total income does not exceed £130 a year bears any Income Tax. Incomes above that limit bear tax at the appropriate rates after the allowance of the various statutory dedueterms—abatement, children allowance, wife allowance, etc.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any portion of the Parliamentary Grants made to universities and university colleges is devoted to securing pensions for university teachers and officers; if so, what is the total amount which has been so contributed up to the present time; and what system of superannuation is available for such teachers and officers?

The annual Exchequer Grant of £149,000, which has been distributed among the sixteen universities and colleges concerned since 1st April, 1911, has included a sum of £8,400 for superannuation purposes. The administration of the Federated Superannuation System for Universities is not in the hands of the Board, but is entirely controlled by a central council composed of representatives of the participating institutions, now I believe about thirty in number

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the position in which retired superannuated teachers are placed owing to the depreciation in value of their pensions as a result of the increased cost of living; and whether, particularly in view of the fact that their position is aggravated by their exclusion from the new teachers' superannuation scheme, he can see his way to grant them some special bonus or allowance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Newington on the 10th of July, 1917, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps are being taken to ensure that soldiers who have recently been discharged or transferred to the Reserve, or who may be in future before the polling day, can record their votes; and whether he will arrange that all such soldiers receive Army Form W 5052 before leaving discharge centres or hospitals in order that they may request their late commanding officers to forward their ballot papers to their addresses on discharge or transfer to the Army Reserve?

It is understood that all soldiers on discharge or transfer to the-Reserve are given notices directing them to furnish to the registration officer their addresses for the purpose of ballot papers being forwarded to them at an election. In cases where no such address has been notified to the registration officer, it is proposed to provide that the qualifying address may be regarded as the recorded address to which a ballot paper will be sent. As to the latter part of the question, communication is being made with the Army Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he cart state what the present coal requirements of the brewing and malting trades amount to and the stocks of coal at present in their hands; whether any system of coal rationing has been applied to these industries; and, if so, what scale of allowances has been fixed?

The present requirements of the brewing and malting trades may be roughly estimated at about 900,000 tons of coal per annum. The stocks held by individual trades are not at present available. No system of rationing has yet been applied to any industry, but I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Lincoln as to the steps which have been taken with a view to securing a reduction in coal consumption in the brewing trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the shortage of coal supply in the borough of Derby and neighbourhood, the closing down of the Kilbourne Colliery, the inability of dealers to supply their registered customers, and the depletion of stocks set aside for winter emergencies; and what action he proposes to take to meet present and prospective requirements?

The closing of the Kilbourne Colliery withdrew supplies from the borough of Derby. The allocation of these supplies to other collieries presented considerable difficulties, in view of the prevailing shortage of output, but arrangements were made to transfer as many of the men as possible to neighbouring pits, and the position has now been restored. To fill the gap during the period of dislocation an emergency supply of 200 tons was sent to Derby.

asked whether the Order of the Road Transport Board restricting the deliveries by retail traders to a radius of 10 miles can now, in view of the conclusion of the Armistice, be suspended?

The operation of the Instruction issued by the Road Transport Board restricting deliveries by retail traders to a radius of 10 miles has been deferred until further notice.