asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the provision that vacancies in the permanent Civil Service will, from the commencement of demobilisation to one year subsequently thereto, be reserved for ex-officers and ex-soldiers, similar opportunities will be accorded to second division clerks, who have seen active service, to obtain posts in the first division; and whether the prospects of promotion for second division clerks under Clauses 34 and 36 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, will continue as heretofore?

Second division clerks who have served in the forces will be eligible to compete with other ex-Army candidates for first division posts. They will also, as second division clerks, retain their prospects of special promotion under Clauses 34 and 36 of the Order in Council.

asked the Food Controller if instructions have been issued by the Flour Mills Control Committee that all home-grown barley is to be offered to a maltster or brewer on the terms set out in the Grain Prices Order, 1918; and, if so, what arrangements have been made for farmers to get barley to feed their stocks?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. On application to a grain officer a farmer may obtain release of 20 per cent. of his threshings of barley or the whole of his damaged barley, tailings, screenings, and dressings, whichever is the greater, on condition that the balance is sold either to a licensed manufacturer or to a recognised dealer in grain.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of estates on the all-cash register yet remaining to be completed in county Longford; whether the delay arises from want of money to pay off the arrears or is due to legal difficulties which have arisen; and will he urge the Estates Commissioners as soon as the War is over to urge forward the completion of these sales?

Estates are entered on the priority registers of pending sales under the Land Purchase Acts according to their priority dates as determined under the Regulations, and not by counties. It appears that of the estates on the all-cash registers of direct sales and sales to the Estates Commissioners twenty-eight are situated in county Longford. The purchase money of estates on these registers are advanced as rapidly as practicable by the Estates Commissioners, according to their priorities on these registers and in so far as the moneys available will permit, and on compliance with the Commissioners' requisitions as to title, etc.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the tenants on the Reynolds estate, Bally-shin, county Longford, have been deprived of their turbary, although purchased out under the Land Acts; and, as the residential portion of this estate in fee is now on the market, including this turbary, if he will request the Estates Commissioners to come in and purchase the bog for division amongst the tenants?

Holdings vested in purchasing tenants under the Land Purchase Acts continue to have appurtenant thereto and to be subject, as the case may be, to any previously existing easements, rights, and appurtenances. The lands referred to in the second part of the question are not the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, but it is open to the owner to institute such proceedings.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the total number of estates sold, either direct of through the Estates Commission or Land Commission, to the tenants in county Longford under the Land Purchase Acts, 1885 to 1909; what is the total default of loss to the State by default during that time; and whether, in the case of estates not yet vested, he can hold out a hope that these cases will soon be dealt with?

Advances have been made under the Land Purchase Acts, 1885–1909, in respect of 6,147 holdings situate on 260 estates in county Longford. Of the purchase annuities payable in respect of advances made in this county only £2 3s. 3d. has, up to this, been deemed uncollectable, the other arrears outstanding being in daily process of recovery. The pending sales will be dealt with as rapidly as practicable in their order of priority on the register of sales, and in so far as the funds available for land purchase permit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will secure the release of all Irish political prisoners; and if he will state the condition of the health of the Irish prisoners in Holloway?

With regard to the first part of the question, I can add nothing to the previous answers on this subject. The medical officer of the prison reports that the health of the Irish prisoners in Holloway is good.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he intends to take any steps to carry into effect the unanimous Report of the recent Irish Licensing Committee?

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

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the reason for the delay in applying to the Irish prisons staff the 10s. in pay granted on the 18th September to the other prison services; and whether he will take immediate steps to grant this increase retrospectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question of the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin on this subject on the 7th instant, to which I have nothing at present to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that previous to the increase in railway fares, the Dublin and South-Eastern Railway Company had a system of zone or weekly tickets at cheap rates which were used by workmen as workmen's tickets, and that since this increase in railway fares-has been in operation the zone tickets have been withdrawn, with the result that workmen residing in Dublin and working in Kingstown have to pay an increase of 103 per cent. on pre-war fares; and if he will take steps to compel the railway company to issue cheap workmen's tickets to Kingstown?

I am afraid that I cannot add to the letter of 12th November, which was addressed by the President to the hon. Gentleman on this subject.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that Eugene O'Neill, a member of the Great Southern and Western Railway Health Insurance Society, has, since 15th August last, applied to the insurance committee for the city of Cork for sanatorium treatment, and that the committee are willing to provide such treatment but are unable to do so owing to the limited amount of funds at their disposal, and have, in fact, thirty cases waiting such provision in priority to O'Neill; whether the Irish National Health Commission have made representations to the Treasury with a view to having additional funds placed at the disposal of insurance committees for this purpose; and whether, in view of the danger to the health of the individual sufferers as well as that of infection to the community resulting from delay in providing adequate sanatorium treatment, steps will now be taken to provide such funds as are necessary to enable it to be given?

I am making inquiry into the matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that ship-riggers in His Majesty's dockyards are in receipt of wages amounting only to 35s. per week, whereas the maximum rate of wages for skilled labourers is 37s.; and whether he can see his way to bring the wages of the riggers up to the maximum of the skilled labourers?

The facts are as stated in my hon. Friend's question, subject to this qualification: The maximum rate of 37s. is not available for skilled labourers as a class, but only for those who are qualified to perform special classes of work, such as riveting, iron-caulking, or other class of operative work. Further, in both cases the rates stated are at present increased by war advances. The permanent wages of the riggers were advanced from 30s. 6d. to 35s. a week on 2nd September, 1917, and no further change in the permanent rate is at present contemplated.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number, respectively, of the male and female clerical staff of the senior naval offer at Inverness; and what is the nature of the premises in which this staff is housed?

The number of male and female clerical staff is eighteen. So far as the lodging of this staff is concerned, accommodation is found in a boarding-house and certain hotels which have been taken over and whose main uses are for office purposes, for male officers' quarters, and for accommodating numerous naval ratings attached to the depot.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men in the Navy who have left businesses which are being seriously interfered with through their absence can now be permitted to return to the management of their businesses?

We should be altogether unmindful of the services the officers and men of the Fleet and its auxiliaries have rendered to the country at this time if we did not make every endeavour to do the very best we can in the matter of returning those, who have joined us for hostilities, to civil life, in such a way as to secure to them the greatest possible advantage. It may very well be that until the safety of the country at sea is fully assured officers and men cannot be relieved. We are fully confident that this will be cheerfully accepted as being at once the burden and the privilege of the Empire's first line of defence. My hon. Friend no doubt followed the statement made last Tuesday by the Minister of Reconstruction on the whole question of demobilisation, Navy, Army, and Air Force. He has also doubtless read the pamphlet issued by the Ministry of Reconstruction on demobilisation. We shall work along the lines therein indicated, in close co-operation with the War Office and the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether upon demobilisation priority will be given to those who have served the whole period of the War, and particularly to those who have served in the Far East without home leave?

As has already been stated in this House, the scheme of demobilisation provides for a percentage of men who have served longest in theatres of war to be included in each party for dispersal; every effort will be made to bring back men from the Far East as rapidly as shipping permits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are numbers of men employed on duties at bases and elsewhere who have been invalided out of the fighting ranks; and whether, in the changed circumstances of the War, it is possible to grant these men early discharge?

I am afraid there is no likelihood of these men being considered for early discharge. There is no intention of treating them unsympathetic-ally, but it should be remembered that priority of discharge must be governed primarily by national requirements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any obstacle will be put in the way of any officers who were Regular soldiers before the War resigning their commissions when peace is declared in order to take up civil employment, or will they be compelled to remain in the Service indefinitely?

This question is at present under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what procedure is to be adopted with regard to releasing men from military service; and whether commanding officers are to select the men to be released, or should the employers or the men themselves make applications?

As explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Reconstruction, on the 12th November, subject to military needs, men will be released from military service in accordance with a general scheme of industrial priority which is being prepared by the Ministry of Labour. When demobilisation begins, dispersal drafts will be formed by officers commanding units strictly in accordance with instructions, which have been laid down, wherein the principle of a priority on industrial grounds is combined with that of a limited priority on other grounds, such as marital condition, length of war service, etc.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state what Regulations, if any, will be in force on the return of officers or men of our Expeditionary Forces in regard to dogs which have been adopted by or have adopted them?

The entry of dogs into the United Kingdom is subject to the Regulations laid down in the Importation of Dogs Order, 1914. The dogs can only be landed under licence, and then must be detained in quarantine on the premises of a veterinary surgeon for a period of four months. The recent outbreaks of rabies have proved the necessity for the strictest precautions with regard to the introduction of dogs from abroad, and the Customs have been requested to exercise the utmost vigilance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that until recently there was a very well-built and equipped camp accommodating about 1,400 men, all the huts being on concrete blocks, on the west side of Bidston Hill, near Birkenhead; that this camp was recently dismantled and taken up, including the concrete foundations, and the equipment removed; that the military authorities have now again requisitioned the site for use as a camp for German prisoners of war and are now engaged in rebuilding it, and whether he will give full particulars of the causes of this waste of public money and see that those responsible are held to blame?

Owing to the difficulty in obtaining supplies of new hutting it became necessary in August last to transfer some of the sectional hutting at Bidston to provide accommodation for American troops. Recently, at the urgent request of the National Union of Railway-men, it was decided to give up the occupation of the convalescent home at Leasowe Castle belonging to the union. To enable this to be done it was necessary to transfer a number of German prisoners of war, and as there was no other accommodation available for them, it was considered that the most economical arrangement was to use what was left of Bidston Camp and provide additional accommodation required by the erection of some hutting which was available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men in the Army who have left businesses which are being seriously interfered with through their absence can now be permitted to return to the management of their businesses?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether arrangements will now be made for the prompt release from military service of the proporietors of one-man businesses?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether proprietors of businesses now serving in the Army can be released at an early date, especially in view of the close proximity of Christmas?

In reply to these questions, I would refer to my reply on Tuesday last to my hon. Friend the Member for Tavistock.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can now be made for disabled men who have been transferred to Class W Reserve obtaining their final discharge in cases where immediate employment of a satisfactory kind is open to them?

There is no intention at present of discharging Class W Reservists.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to cancel the calling up, fixed for 1st January, 1919, of the only surviving son of Mrs. E. Draper, of 13, Friendly Street, Deptford, S.E., in view of the fact that the eldest son was killed on the Somme in July, 1916?

My right hon. Friend's question should have been addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service. I have, however, been asked to refer him to a reply given on Thursday last to my hon. Friend the Member for the College Division of Glasgow.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lance-Corporal Percy Sills, No. 165174, a telephonist in the 506th Home-Service Employment Company at Grimsby, was billeted at the Methodist church schools, Flottergate, Grimsby, when on 29th October last he reported sick with influenza, that he reported daily sick till on 2nd November he was first seen by the doctor, and that he died of pneumonia on 6th November, and that his friends, on being summoned to his death-bed, and after his funeral, were pressed to say that they were satisfied that everything had been done, but refused to do so; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter?

My attention had previously been drawn to this case. Inquiries are being made, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will order the release of Walsh, Joyce, and Higgins, at present in prison in Oxford Barracks, Warrington; and if he is aware that these three Irish workmen were only three weeks in Great Britain when they were conscripted?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the names of the regiments to which these men belong and their regimental numbers I will have inquiry made.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the cessation of hostilities, if he will consider the possibility of conscientious objectors employed under the Home Office committee being allowed to return to their own occupations?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether boys who are at secondary or other schools as members of Officers' Training Corps, and who have already applied, or are about to apply, for admission to Cadet battalions, will be required to do military service in those battalions provided that an assurance is given of their intention to continue some form of higher education?

Members of Officers' Training Corps, who have not yet been ordered to join officer cadet units, will not, under present conditions, be called upon to serve in the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War in what particulars do the regulations governing promotion to fill vacancies in the rank of regimental lieutenant-colonel in the Regular Army differ from those for promotion to field rank; on whose recommendation are they made; and whose is the responsibility?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on the 7th instant, promotion to field rank in the Regular Army 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. Promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Regular Army is made to fill a vacancy in an establishment and on the recommendation of the selection board. The responsibility rests with the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieutenant L. C. Russell received his commission as second lieutenant on 7th January, 1915; that he was immediately given command of a company; promoted to the rank of lieutenant in September, 1915, and was given temporary rank of captain; that owing to injuries received in a riding accident he had to return to England in September, 1915; that on recovery he commanded a company in England from January to May, 1916; that in May, 1916, he returned to the front and received command of a company in the 2nd Royal Fusiliers; that in the battle of the Somme he was given a special command, on which occasion he was wounded and taken prisoner; that after seventeen months' imprisonment he escaped; that on his return to England he was recommended for promotion; that having failed to obtain promotion in his own regiment he obtained employment in the Royal Air Force, since which he has been twice recommended for promotion by his squadron-commanders and once by his brigadier; that he was refused permission to return to the front on the ground that he had been a prisoner of war; that now he remains a lieutenant and is in a worse position professionally and financially than he was in two and a half years ago; whether he can explain why this officer, who had the misfortune to be wounded and taken prisoner, has been treated in this manner; and whether he will arrange that he will forthwith he promoted to the rank to which his services entitle him, with the pay and allowances from the date on which he received command of a company at the front?

My hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. Temporary Lieutenant Russell relinquished the temporary rank of captain in August, 1915, when he ceased to be employed with a Regular battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, Promotion in the Infantry is governed by seniority, and Lieutenant Russell's turn had not arrived when he voluntarily transferred to the Royal Air Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to continue cultivating land which is at present being cultivated by troops in England until the end of the harvest of 1919?

Where land is retained in the occupation of the War Department and for military reasons cannot be relinquished to the owner, the present cultivations will be continued as far as possible. Where land has been rented by the Army solely for cultivation, arrangements can be made to hand it over to the owner at his request should he find himself in a position to continue the cultivation of it. Otherwise cultivation will be carried on by the Army until the end of the harvest of 1919.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ascertain the exact number of men of Irish birth who were serving in the Army at the outbreak of war, and of those of Irish birth who subsequently joined the Army in Ireland and in Great Britain?

I regret that it is impossible to answer this question, but I might say that the number of recruits taken in Ireland during the War up to the 31st October last was 135,069.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that only a month remains before the closing of Archangel by ice; and whether our soldiers will be withdrawn from that port this season, or whether they must expect to winter till spring in that Arctic latitude?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will now, or before the House rises, state what progress has been made in the preparation of the plaques and the scrolls to commemorate the services and sacrifices of those who perished in the great War?

I am glad to be able to say that the difficulties to which I alluded in my reply to the question put to me on this subject by my hon. Friend at the end of July last have been overcome, but the additional work thrown on the record offices in connection with the Parliamentary Register is delaying the work of the verification of names and the identification of next of kin.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will now give the British casualties since the beginning of the War, distinguishing those on the Western Front, in Gallipoli, in Mesopotamia, in Salonika, in the German Colonies, and in the various other fields of operation?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement before the House rises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War for what reason Serbian troops and isolated Serbian bands have been allowed to enter Montenegro; whether he is aware that these troops or bands have been and are executing their Montenegrin political opponents on the protest that they are pro-Austrian, and are spreading the report that Montenegro has been abandoned by its Sovereign; and whether, pending the Peace Conference, British, French or Italian troops can occupy Montenegro to preserve order and to avoid all possibility of unfair dealing?

The task of clearing Montenegro of the enemy naturally devolved on the Serbian troops which were operating in the vicinity. I have no confirmation of the allegations made against the Serbian Army by my hon. Friend, and pending the Peace Confer- ence, I am afraid I cannot discuss publicly the question of the military occupation of Montenegro, which will be determined by agreement between the Allied Powers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether facilities can now be granted to representatives of British firms who desire to proceed to Belgium for business purposes connected with reconstruction?

My hon. and gallant Friend should, I think, address his question to my hon. Friend who represents the Department of Overseas Trade. As far as my Department is concerned, every possible facility will be given to authorised persons whose passages have been taken and whose visits are approved by the Belgian Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in conformity with the increased award of the 1914 ribbon, and in view of the original intention to specially reward those who fought in France and Belgium in the first three months of the War, he will consult the then Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force with a view to the addition of a clasp or other distinctive mark for those who actually took part in the campaign east of a definite geographical line?

The creation of a distinction such as is suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend has been carefully considered, but has been found to be impracticable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the altered conditions of the award of the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, and Distinguished Conduct Medal, which came into force on 1st August this year, some distinctive mark will be added either to the ribbons or to the clasps which attach the ribbons of such of these decorations as are awarded after that date; and whether those who received awards before that date may be permitted to submit claims to have their decorations similarly altered?

My hon. and gallant Friend's proposal was fully considered by a committee composed mainly of officers serving in France, and was not recommended.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government will take steps to publish in a collected form the citation of the gallant actions for which officers and men have won decorations on all fronts during the War?

I cannot say whether the authorities concerned will be able eventually to compile such a record, but it certainly could not be undertaken at the present moment. As my Noble Friend may be aware, several unofficial publications have already been issued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that medals and decorations have been awarded to those soldiers who participated in the first battle of Mons and in the retreat therefrom, he will consider the question of granting medals and decorations to the soldiers who drove the enemy from Mons and captured its fortifications on the 10th and 11th instant?

I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that medals and decorations were not, in fact, issued for the first battle of Mons and for the retreat therefrom. The "1914 Star" was granted in recognition of services rendered during the earlier phase of the War, namely, between 5th August, 1914, and midnight, 22/23rd November, 1914. There is no further intention of granting commemorative medals for special incidents of the War.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a pension of 6d. per day is awarded to soldiers discharged with pension who have gained the Distinguished Conduct Medal; if he is aware that if the Distinguished Conduct Medal is won the second time a clasp is given instead without any award of pension in respect of the additional clasp; if he is aware that if the holder of the Distinguished Conduct Medal was discharged without a pension he would receive a gratuity of £20 for the Distinguished Conduct Medal and £20 for every additional clasp; and if he will see that a pension is paid for the clasp?

I am afraid I am unable to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that over 400 civilians of military age are employed under the Canteen Board in Ireland, instructions will be forthwith issued that will ensure that wherever qualified and suitable ex-Service candidates are available, they shall replace those civilians who are unable to give satisfactory reasons for having failed to serve during the War?

It is not thought that at the present time any good purpose would be served by the issue of any further instructions. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on Tuesday last, ex-Service men who are available and qualified are already given employment in preference to any others.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the staff sergeants' pay in the Forage Department, Army Service Corps, was in 1914 6s. per day, with 1s. per day bicycle allowance, the men living outside barracks and providing themselves with everything, including uniforms; whether, on the increase of soldiers' pay by 50 per cent., an order was issued by his Department that there would thereafter be a free issue of clothing; whether, when-such is applied for, it is refused unless the old articles of clothing paid for by the men are returned to the quartermaster's stores; and if he will say whether this action has the sanction of his Department?

These men were first engaged in 1915 on the terms stated in the first part of the question. In February, 1917, an additional 1s. per day was granted, and in November of that year a free issue of clothing was allowed. No orders as suggested have been issued, but if the hon. Member has any specific cases in mind I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the amount paid per hour to German prisoners of war now or lately employed in the construction of the aerodrome at Hollinwood, near Oldham?

I am informed by the military authorities that these men are interned aliens, and as such receive the full local rate of wages, less the amount charged to them for board and lodging.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will cause inquiries to be made at the military hospital for prisoners of war at Belmont as to whether a woman has been employed there as masseuse to German prisoners?

I am informed by the military authorities that two women massage nurses were at one time employed at the Belmont Prisoners of War Hospital, but have now been replaced by male masseurs. The last female massage nurse was withdrawn on 20th July, 1918.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the increased pay granted from the 30th September, 1917, has not been placed to the credit of Private H. Brereton, No. 64726, B Company, 2nd King's Liverpool Regiment, although repeated applications have been made for this to be done; and will he see that the soldier it at once credited with what is due to him?

This soldier was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, in March, 1917, and has since, been in the pay of the Indian Army authorities. I am communicating with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India with a view to inquiries being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of American-made boots for ladies' wear of a height in the leg forbidden to be sold in British manufacture have recently been imported and are being offered for sale under permit, while there are large quantities of British-made boots, manufactured before the issue of the Order forbidding their production, the sale of which is now prohibited; and if he will issue permits immediately for the sale of these stocks of British-made goods?

Yes, Sir. An amending Order withdrawing the prohibition on the sale of the boots referred to is about to be published.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will make some inquiry into the reason why the wife of Private E. Lindsey, No. 97539, police guard, Royal Air Force, Farnborough, who is the mother of Private A. Lindsey, No. 13718, West Riding Regiment, is only receiving 12s. 6d. a week on account of her husband and a voluntary allotment of 1s. 9d. on account of her son, although she has made application for the 5s. dependence grant?

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

asked the Pensions Minister if he can now state what the war bonus on existing pensions scales is to be?

I am not yet able to announce a decision in this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Mrs. Kent, the mother of the following three soldiers, is receiving the proper allowances in respect of them: Company Sergeant-major W. Kent, 7/8th King's Own Scottsh Borderers, Private H. Kent, No. 44518, 3rd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and Private A. Kent, No. 97317, 52nd Grad. Battalion, Manchester Regiment?

Mrs. Kent is at present receiving a weekly allowance of £2 2s. 7d., including a voluntary allotment made by Company Sergeant-Major W. Kent The claim in respect of Private H. Kent is under consideration by the Appeals Committee and pending their decision a provisional allowance of 12s. 6d. is being paid on his account. If the Committee assess the dependency on this claim at over 12s. 6d. the weekly allowance will be increased accordingly, with arrears from 8th June last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention was in July last called to the case of the mother of Private John Smith, No. 6253, 6th Durham Light Infantry, whose allowance was stopped owing to her son being reported missing; whether the repeated communications made to him are still without a definite answer; whether he has been able to investigate the case; and, if so, whether the payment of Mrs. Smith's allowance will now be resumed with arrears?

I deeply regret that it has not even yet been possible to ascertain the fate of the soldier referred to. In these sad cases allowances from public funds are continued for a period of six months, but in this case the allowance in question was a voluntary allotment made by the soldier.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Committee on Production is set up to deal with and adjudicate upon the wages of men employed on munition work only, with powers limited to that extent, or whether it is entitled to exercise its powers over the whole field of labour, including men engaged in ordinary civilian work?

The Committee on Production is an arbitration tribunal under the Munitions of War Acts, appointed to hear and determine differences between employers and employed engaged on munitions work, but the Committee has also acted as an arbitration tribunal on differences connected with work other than munitions work in cases where the parties have agreed to submit their differences to the Committee.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether it is the intention of the Government to send the War Munition Volunteers or the Army Reserve munition workers who are Grade 2, up to thirty-five years of age, out to France for reconstruction work; and, if so, whether it will be compulsory on the men to undertake this work?

It is not the intention of the Government to send War Munitions Volunteers to France. The release of these men from their obligations has already been announced in the Press. As regards Army Reserve munitions workers, I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether vaccination is a condition of employment in any Government ordnance or other factory?

So far as I am aware, vaccination is not a condition of employment in any Government ordance or other factory owned by the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Minister of Munitions what is the arrangement existing between the Government and the yeast-making distillers for the disposal of the patent-still spirit produced in the process; whether the Government are purchasing and paying for this spirit and what is the price; to what purpose is it to be applied; what is the total quantity at present remaining in warehouse; and what is the number of gallons now being produced per month?

The patent-still spirit produced in the yeast-making distilleries is being purchased, paid for, and warehoused by the Government, except spirit required for industrial purposes. In view of the cessation of hostilities, the purpose to which the spirit is to be applied is a matter which is now under consideration. The total quantity in warehouse on the 14th November is approximately 3,450,000 proof gallons, and the average recent monthly production is slightly over 2,000,000 proof gallons.

asked the Home Secretary whether any steps have been taken to adopt the principle of the Whitley Report to the staff employed by the Prison Commission; and whether it is proposed to allow any regular opportunities for the staff to be consulted on matters affecting their welfare and the improvement of prison administration

A representative board of prison officers is now being formed for the purpose of enabling officers to bring before the Commissioners any matter connected with their conditions of service or general welfare. The board is elected by the warders and will have regular opportunities for direct access to the Commissioners on such matters.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of her age, her delicate state of health, and the provocation to which she was subjected, both by his immoral life and violent pro-German sympathies, he will recommend that the sentence of six months' imprisonment passed at the Old Bailey on 12th September on Mrs. Wohlgemutt for attempting the life of her German husband be remitted?

Full weight appears to have been given to these considerations in passing sentence, and I see no sufficient ground for a reduction of the sentence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the altered conditions, further allowances of petrol will be made to candidates and their agents at the forthcoming election; and if he is aware that if the present quantities are adhered to candidates will not be able to visit many parts of the constituencies?

As stated in the reply to a supplementary question by the hon. Member for Chippenham on the 14th of this month, it has been decided to increase the allowance of petrol, both for candidates and their agents, by 10 gallons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a candidate for Parliament may use part of his petrol allowance in travelling to meetings outside his own constituency?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that a notice, dated 15th October, varying minimum rates of wages for men and women in the sugar confectionery and food preserving trade was forwarded to him by the Sugar Confectionery and Food Preserving Trade Board on that date with the request that he should sign the notice on or before 28th October, the date which had been provisionally adopted by the trade board for the operation of the rates, he will say whether the notice was signed before the 28th October; if not, whether he will say why the notice was not signed, seeing that the failure to do so will delay the rectification of the wages of the men and women, some of whom are ill-paid, in the sugar confectionery and food preserving trade; that if the order was not signed before 28th October the effect of the failure to sign it may be to necessitate an additional meeting of the trade board; and, if so, will he state the estimated cost to the country of the additional meeting?

The facts of the case are not as stated in the hon. Member's question. On 30th September the trade board fixed certain minimum rates for female workers. On 31st October the Minister made an Order confirming these rates and specified 2nd December as the date from which they should become effective, in accordance with Sub-sections (2), (4), and (5) of Section 4 of the Trade Boards Act, 1918. By Sub-section (5) of Section 3 of the Act, a trade board cannot, without the Minister's consent, give notice of a proposal to vary a rate until it has been effective for at least six months, and he is not allowed to give his consent unless he is satisfied that the special circumstances of the case render it desirable that such notice should be given imme- diately. On 15th October the trade board applied for his consent to the issue of a notice of a proposal to vary the rates fixed by them on 30th September, which had not then been confirmed, and stated that they desired to issue the notice on 28th October. After consideration of the rates fixed on 30th September, which he confirmed on 31st October, and of the proposal to vary them, the Minister decided that he could properly give his consent to the issue of the notice of proposal, and a communication to that effect was sent to the trade board on 12th November. It does not appear that any additional meeting of the board will be necessitated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what action has been taken by the Government with respect to each of the Recommendations contained in paragraph 69 (10) of the First Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure for Session, 1918, in paragraphs 12 to 16 and 28 of the Fourth Report, in paragraphs 1 to 14 of the Fifth Report, and in the Sixth and Eighth Reports?

issued the following statement:—