asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Members of this House are entitled to relief from Income Tax upon that portion of their income which, in conformity with a recent Statute, they have expended in securing Parliamentary representation?

The law does not allow any relief from Income Tax in respect of election expenses incurred by Parliamentary candidates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to relieving the country from the financial burden of the War pending the collection of an indemnity from Germany, he will consider the desirability of making an issue of premium or lottery bonds, with a view to enabling small investors, to whom the ordinary war issues do not appeal, to subscribe?

I am not prepared to reverse the decision taken by the previous Government on the matter of Lottery Bond's after very full consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will present a Return showing, year by year for the last ten years as nearly as can be ascertained or estimated, what have been the aggregate savings respectively of the Income Tax paying and the non-Income Tax paying classes of the community, having regard to the vital necessity of considering in connection with any proposals for taxation to what extent such proposals, if adopted, may have the effect of endan- gering the supply of that fresh capital which is required to be provided annually from savings if the home and foreign productive enterprises of the country are to be maintained in an efficient condition?

My right hon. Friend has no material for framing officially such an estimate as my hon. Friend desires.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship which presses upon many municipalities in which air raids took place; whether he is aware that the damage caused to public works and sewers by such action has to be borne by the ratepayers in such municipalities; and whether, considering that it was impossible to provide against same and the immunity from such terrors in some parts of the country, he will take the necessary steps to have such damage made good by the Treasury in order that the costs may be equally distributed over the whole country, and thereby not penalise those districts which have been the victims of enemy action?

I am unable to add to the answer given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on the 6th of November last to the hon. and gallant Member for South West St-Pancras.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Miss J. Cator met with an accident at Woolwich Arsenal in January, 1918, for which compensation was claimed and refused; whether the Ministry after considerable correspondance referred the case to the Treasury on the 1stDecember, 1918, and whether the Treasury are yet in a position to give a decision on the question of compensation?

This case was not referred to the Treasury until last week. As the evidence was not clear, immediate steps were taken to obtain further medical advice, and a decision will be arrived at as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is with the sanction of the Lords of the Treasury that Civil servants who have become entitled to retire with pensions and retirement allowances, but have not yet reached the age for compulsory retirement, are being retired though still fully efficient; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of relieving the Exchequer of this burden?

If the hon. Member will inform me what particular Department or Departments he has in mind, I will cause inquiry to be made into the facts and send him an answer in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the strong views entertained in the country regarding the continuance of the restriction upon the supply of spirits in bond; whether this restriction weighs heavily upon invalids; and when he proposes to take steps to liberate greater supplies of this commodity?

I have been asked to reply. The proposal to authorise the release from bond of an additional quantity of whisky will be decided by the Cabinet at an early date.

asked the Food Controller whether, having regard to the repeated return of epidemics of influenza and the needs of the community, he will authorise the release from bond of a substantial increased quantity of whisky; will he say if he contemplated the withdrawal or modification of the Regulations affecting the sale of alcoholic beverages; and when such withdrawal or modification is likely to become operative?

The proposal to authorise the release from bond of an additional quantity of whisky will be decided by the Cabinet at an early date. The advisability of any withdrawal or modification of the Regulations affecting the sale of alcoholic beverages is not for my Department, which only seeks to regulate quality in relation to price.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a Grant of £10,000,000 has been made to the Road Board; whether this money is to be expended in England and Scotland; and whether any corresponding Grant has been or will be made for Irish roads?

It is proposed to ask Parliament to provide a special Grant of £8,250,000 for road improvement purposes in Great Britain, conditional upon the execution by highway authorities of a specified programme out of their own resources. The question of the provision to be made in respect of Ireland is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in connection with the increased rates of pay to be paid to soldiers retained in the Army, any account will be taken of this increased rate in the case of a soldier receiving assistance from the Civil Liabilities Committee?

It is not proposed to take the bonus into account in the case of soldiers who are already in receipt of grants, and who do not appeal for an increase of existing grants. In cases where application for assistance is made since the 31st January, 1919, or in which a request is put forward for an increase of an existing grant, it is considered equitable that such proportion of the extra remuneration as the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee may determine to be reasonable, should be taken into account in estimating whether there is serious financial hardship such as would justify a grant or an increase of grant, as the case may be.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware of the protest made by the South Devon area Food Control Committee against the excessive head age charges levied on cattle and sheep in that area, causing a serious burden to the con- sumer; and whether, as a matter of public importance, he will reconsider the matter without delay?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the conditions necessitating these per head charges are rapidly being modified, it is hoped to effect an early reduction.

asked the Food Controller when it will be possible to again allow farmers to sell meat direct to butchers and so save to the consumer the 11s. 4d. per cwt. in the case of cattle and the 1s. 8d. per completed 10s. of mutton value in the case of sheep which are now added by him to the price paid to feeders?

It will not be possible, owing to the necessity of regulating distribution, to allow farmers to sell meat direct to butchers until supplies of home-grown and imported meat are equivalent to the anticipated demand from all sources. It is evident that some charge to cover costs of distribution will be necessary during the continuance of control, but it is hoped that some reduction may be possible in the near future.

asked the Food Controller whether, in view of the fact that potato growers are short of labour and were retarded in their work by the wet season, the Government will organise a scheme of distribution which will increase the consumption of potatoes throughout the country and diminish the consumption of bread, and thereby save material loss to the Exchequer?

I have no information to the effect that the present scheme of distribution of potatoes is discouraging their use. There is, of course, at the present time a large surplus of potatoes which it is highly desirable should go immediately into consumption, and every effort is being made to secure outlets for this surplus.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the existing regulations for the distribution and sale of potatoes is causing loss to growers and injury to the purchasing public, and that the system of zones under which each zone can sell potatoes within that zone alone is working considerable hardship, districts such as South Wales being supplied with potatoes from Ireland instead of from neighbouring potato districts, such as Herefordshire, to the detriment of the growers and public in such potato districts; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

It is an integral part of the scheme of distribution by which growers were, guaranteed certain prices for their sound ware potatoes, that certain districts should be closed to certain markets where previously trade existed, but these restrictions are being relaxed where it can safely be done without prejudicing the general scheme of control. Arrangements have been made that a portion of the supplies for South Wales shall be drawn from Herefordshire.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that one of the conditions under which farmers were asked to meet an urgent national situation, by extending their potato acreage under crop in 1918 was that after 1st November of that year the Ministry of Food would bear the risk of damage other than normal wastage; whether he is aware that officials of the Ministry of Food on public platforms throughout the country, in order to encourage producers, defined abnormal wastage as being all wastage other than loss of weight through evaporation; and whether he will now give farmers the assurance that His Majesty's Government will observe these conditions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part is in the negative. With regard to the third part of the question, the conditions under which the Food Controller will accept claims for abnormal wastage are set out in the first note to the Schedule of the Report of the Joint Commission appointed on the 19th July, 1918, by the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Food Controller for the purpose of fixing prices to be paid to growers of potatoes in England and Wales. The note reads as follows

"(a) The increments fixed in the above Schedule must be accepted as covering compensation to the grower for wastage and loss in pits and for deferred delivery. Price, weight, and condition are to be determined in accordance with the scales get out above as at the date when delivery is taken. No grower is entitled to claim further compensation for any losses save those which are quite exceptional in character. In such cases it will be the duty of the grower, when reading application for compensation to satisfy the Government that—

(1) the site of the pit has been properly chosen;

(2) the potatoes were in sound condition when pitted; and

(3) due care was exercised in constructing the pits and in examining the condition of their contents from time to time."

asked the Food Controller whether it has been decided that all tea can be imported by private traders without any restriction as to quantity or price; whether this applies to cargoes now on the seas or whether they will be given the option of free and unfettered entry or Government control; and whether he is evolving any scheme of interworking between free-imported teas and existing Government holdings?

Private traders may import tea without any restriction as to quantity or price. This applies to cargoes now on the seas, but the method of disposal of such imparts has not yet been decided. My Department in conjunction with a committee of private importers is settling a scheme of interworking between free-imported teas and existing Government holdings.

asked the Food Controller if all the Seville oranges have been commandeered by the Government; and, if so, when will they be released?

It was necessary to allocate all available supplies of bitter oranges for the use of jam manufacturers, but I hope to remove the embargo placed upon the trade by the Bitter Oranges Order, 1917, in the near future.

asked the Food Controller if he will inform the House of the membership of the Committee he has appointed to inquire into the possibilities of control with reference to lower prices; whether these inquiries as to prices will affect all articles controlled by the Government; and when the recommendations of this body may be expected to be published?

The Committee to which I presume the hon. Member refers was appointed by myself, on the instructions of the War Cabinet, to examine into the possibility of taking further steps (in addition to those already taken or under consideration) for reducing food prices. It consists, in addition to myself as chairman, of one representative each of His Majesty's Treasury, the Board of Agriculture, and the Board of Trade, of my principal officers at the Ministry of Food, and of two members of the Consumers' Council. I cannot say when the proceedings of the Committee will be completed, but it is proceeding rapidly with its work, and immediate announcement will be made of reductions in price upon which it decides.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the reason for refusing permission to certain persons in Abergavenny to float a private company for the purpose of erecting a flour mill in that district; whether he is aware that the Monmouthshire War Executive Committee wrote recommending that sanction be given on the grounds that it was a matter of great importance to the agricultural community in and around the district; and whether he will now reconsider his decision?

This application has been reconsidered and has now been sanctioned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the statement of the Food Controller that margarine is to be de-controlled in the near future, that many British margarine factories have been established during the War affording employment to large numbers of the working population, and that such factories are estimated to be capable of supplying all the present needs of the community, such measures will be taken as will ensure that this new industry shall be protected from unfair and unnecessary foreign competition?

I have been asked to reply. It is not within my province to decide whether any measure of protection should be extended to the margarine or any other British industry. I can only endeavour to secure the maintenance of a high standard of quality in all margarine manufactured hero. This industry has now been developed to such an extent that it is not only able to supply all the needs of this country, but is also in a position to compete on favourable terms with foreign manufacturers in their own markets.

asked the President of the Hoard of Trade whether any and, if so, what restrictions are still imposed on the import and sale of maize?

I have been asked to reply. There are no restrictions on the importation of maize. Arrivals of 5 tons and more must be notified to the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies by the original consignees and subsequently dealt with as the Royal Commission may direct.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the recent visit of Viscount Haldane to Ireland was a political mission; if so, was the Government or any member of the Government responsible for it; and by whom, to whom, and with what object, Lord Haldane was sent?

The answer to all parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Mrs. Besant is about to deliver a series of lectures in Ireland; and, having regard to her dangerous activities in India, will she be prohibited from lecturing in Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I can, therefore, make no statement as to the second part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to dealing with the problems of reconstruction in Ireland; whether the Lord Lieutenant's Advisory Council has been, or will be, empowered to deal with such questions; whether it was set up for that purpose, and, if not, for what purpose it was set up; whether that body has statutory rights or statutory recognition, and, if not, whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to confer such recognition; what is the total number of members of the Advisory Council; how many of them are members of the Kildare Street Club and how many of them are merchants or manufacturers; and whether it is proposed to entrust the spending of public funds to a body so constituted?

As the name connotes, this body is purely advisory and has no Statutory recognition. No appointment of any committee has been made to administer the reconstruction scheme which is being considered for Ireland.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that there is still a restriction on the exportation of fat cattle from Ireland to this country; whether there is an abundant supply of fat cattle for exportation in Ireland; and, if so, when he proposes to withdraw this embargo?

Restrictions on the number of fat tattle exported from Ireland to this country were entirely removed as from 30th December, 1918. During the last three weeks, the numbers of fat cattle arriving from Ireland show a reduction, and an endeavour is being made to arrange for increased supplies in view of the anticipated shortage of fat stock in this country during the early months of this year.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that many farmers in the North of Ireland are anxious to deliver their stores of potatoes now on hand, but are being informed by merchants that delivery cannot be accepted; whether they are therefore to keep on hand a perishable stock which they are anxious to dispose of and for which there is a public demand whether the Government intend to accept full delivery of the Irish potato crop; and whether he will issue instructions to agents to take delivery from the farmers now, or at least, to take the proportion required from general and not particular farmers?

The Food Controller has agreed to purchase the exportable surplus of potatoes in Ireland, and he is taking delivery as quickly as circumstances will permit. Up to the present over 130,000 tons of potatoes have been exported from Ireland since the 1st November, and the whole of the surplus will be required during the season. As regards the second part of the question, I may say that the Food Ministry are dealing only with the surplus potatoes in Ireland, and growers who wish to dispose of the whole of their crop at once are at liberty to do so by selling them for consumption in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the price of potatoes payable by the Government is fixed, or if the Government reserves the right to alter it; whether he is aware that farmers in the Ards district, county Down, on delivering their loads are given a note bearing the weight of the delivery, but that opposite the word price is written—"At your risk"; whether the merchants who accept delivery on behalf of the Government are presuming on the simplicity of the farmers or the Government is seeking to evade its responsibility; and whether an order will be issued making the matter clear?

The Food Controller is purchasing the surplus of Irish potatoes through Exporting Committees at a price free alongside steamer at port of shipment, but no price has been fixed for domestic consumption in Ireland. The Ministry have no information in regard to the matter mentioned in the second part of the hon. Member's question, but there is certainly no question of the Government seeking to evade its responsibility.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the strictest inspection of the potato crop is in practice, and that in many cases the percentage of rejected potatoes is very high; whether the farmer is prevented from putting such rejected potatoes to any use, and that in one season recently many tons of potatoes were deposited on the seashore as the readiest means of disposing of surplus stock for which apparently the Food Controller, in a time of great scarcity of food had no use and which the farmer did not need; and whether he will state, in view of the world-wide famine conditions prevailing, if a better use could be found for potatoes than the dumping of surplus stocks, not required by the farmers yet rejected by inspectors, on the seashore?

The Food Controller takes delivery from the exporting committee of sound ware potatoes only, and any potatoes which do not fall in that category are refused at the port and are the property of the merchant who has bought them from the farmer. It is obviously to the merchant's advantage to put these potatoes to the best use possible. The Food Controller has no knowledge of the specific instance referred to in the second part of the question. Every effort is being made to find markets abroad for the very considerable surplus of potatoes grown in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that serious dislocation of farming, domestic, and other work in Ireland is being caused through out-of-work donations being given without sufficient discrimination; is a commission paid by the Government to the officials upon the amount of such donations; and will he endeavour to have these donations more strictly confined to those for whom they were intended?

I have been asked to take this question. With regard to the first and third parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 17th February to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York. As regards the second part of the question, officials of the Department engaged in the Employment Exchanges are full time officials in receipt of fixed salaries. In the case of the part-time officials at branch employment offices, there is a smile of remuneration, with a fixed minimum and a fixed maximum in each case, the actual remuneration to be paid within these limits being determined in accordance with the volume of work performed, including the number of payments of out-of-work donation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the grounds upon which the gratuity announced for temporary Naval officers and officers of the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is on a lower scale than that awarded to temporary Army officers; and whether this question will be reconsidered?

The temporary Army officer will get a gratuity of 124 days' pay for the first year of service, and of 62 days' pay for each succeeding year or part of a year. The temporary Naval officer, including the officers of the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve will get a gratuity of 100 days pay for the first year of service and 50 days' pay for each succeeding year or part of a year. The justification for the lower amount in. the case of the temporary Naval officer is to be found in the fact that whilst the gratuity was part of the contract with the temporary Army officer, it was an addition to the conditions of service in the case of the temporary Naval officer, and it was held to be not inequitable, because of that fact, to fix it at the lower rate.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his Department will reconsider its refusal to provide a tricycle for William Thomas Lee, formerly first-class stoker, K 3,437, Chatham Division, in view of the fact that he was discharged from the Service with paralysis of both legs and that his case was recommended on two occasions by the local war pensions committee, and that there are grounds for believing that his disability was attributable to his naval service?

Invalid tricycles can only be provided at the cost of the Ministry to men whose disability is attributable to service. Stoker Lee became a Reservist in July, 1909, and was discharged from the Service in September, 1914, for paralysis of both legs, which in the opinion of the medical board was constitutional and could not be regarded as caused by his service in the Navy. Stoker Lee had the right to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal against the decision that his disability was not due to service.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Forms S.1 and S.1A are the only forms which are now available in cases of applications by childless wives for the 6s. 6d a week supplementary allowance; whether he is aware of the unnecessary questions which are to be answered on these forms, including one asking whether the woman is in receipt of an old age pension; and whether he will at once issue a special form for use in this direction?

A new form of Declaration (of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy) to be made by a childless wife who applies for a 6s. 6d. supplementary allowance is about to be issued to local committees.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Post Office Circular of the 29th September, 1914, invited men with a knowledge of telegraph and postal duties to enlist under the following terms, full civil pay together with all Army pay and allowances, and that this arrangement held good until the separation allowance to married men with children was increased owing to the cost of living; that when this increase was made the Post Office deducted the amount of such increase from the men's civil pay and all subsequent increases, and that the demobilisation gratuity is not paid to such men; and what action he proposes to take in the interest of these postal servants?

The facts are as stated. As regards the deductions from civil pay, I have recently reviewed the whole question, and, on the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, I have decided to cease the deductions and to refund those already made. The question of the gratuity is one for the Army Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Order as to the retention of men for the Army of Occupation applies to students who had commenced their course before enlistment and who now wish to continue their student training?

This question has received very close consideration. The answer is in the affirmative, unless the men referred to are otherwise eligible for demobilisation under the provisions of the Army Orders in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the order that men are to be retained for the Army of Occupation who enlisted on or after 1st January, 1916,applies to men of the Regular or Territorial Army who had completed their term of service, and had been discharged as time-expired in 1915 or 1916, and subsequently re-enlisted under the Military Service Act; and whether he is aware that men are now being refused demobilisation under this order who are wearers of the Mons ribbon and who fought and were wounded at Ypres, and what steps he proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's questions is in the negative. These men are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit, or, if temporarily required for the military machinery of demobilisation, as soon as they can be individually substituted or dispensed with.

asked the Minister of National Service if he can give any reason why Private A. A. Robinson, No. 21672, now attached to the 53rd Y. and S. Battalion, A Company, Hants Regiment, Rolleston Camp, Salisbury, has not been released from the Army, as this man was asked for, with all the necessary papers, in December, 1918, and again on 28th January, 1919, but is still detained, Private Robinson being absolutely necessary for the carrying on of his employer's business (chemist) and the obligations under the National Health Insurance, and as the partners in this business are serving and the staff is so depleted that that business absolutely demands the presence of Private Robinson?

Inquiries will be made into the matter, and I will inform my hon. and gallant friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether troops I who have served in Salonika, India, or Mesopotamia are now serving in Siberia; and, if so, whether he will have them recalled?

One battalion which was serving in India is now in Siberia. A few officers and non-commissioned officers have been sent from Mesopotamia as instructors, and are attached to the British Military Mission in Siberia. It is not at present possible to make any statement as to when these troops will be recalled, but the question of the demobilisation of those who are eligible under Army Order 14 of 29th January is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that junior officers from England have superseded senior officers in Mesopotamia; and can he give any reasons for this procedure?

I am afraid it is not possible to answer a general question of this nature, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases he has in mind, I shall be happy to have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any prospect of those who have lost sons in the War being permitted to place such headstones in the graveyards as they may wish upon the graves in which they are primarily concerned; and is he aware that many of those who have lost sons in the War greatly resent any insistence upon a uniform pattern of headstone, more particularly of one described as a hideous early Victorian pattern?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to a similar question put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Finchley. In considering the design of the headstone the Imperial War Graves Commission have been advised by some of the most eminent artists and architects of the day, whose names are a sufficient guarantee that the pattern to be adopted will not be unsightly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the advance of 6s. per week allowed to Army Ordnance Department, Woolwich, foremen to meet the increased cost of living in June, 1917, is being regarded as a six years' increment in advance; whether he is aware that the wages of assistant principal foremen in the Army Ordnance Department, Woolwich, are 5s. per week less than those paid to subordinate foremen; and whether, in view of the valuable services rendered by these men—one of them having been awarded the Order of the British Empire—he will favourably consider putting their wages on a more satisfactory basis?

I think my right hon. Friend, if he will inquire further, will find that the advance of 6s. a week referred to is not a "cost of living" advance. It is a special advance made under Award No. A. 10, dated 30th July, 1917, of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés. That award confirmed a mutual agreement which specifically states that those who receive it shall not progress beyond the resulting rate until they are entitled to a higher rate by service in their scale. The case of the assistant principal foremen is already under consideration, and it is hoped shortly to notify a further temporary war advance with an antedate which will remove the disability complained of.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will state how many officers there were in the Royal Air Force on the 11th November, 1918; how many have resigned; and how many have been compulsorily demobilised?

The total number of officers in the Royal Air Force on 11th November, 1918, was 30,122; since that date 582 have resigned, and, in addition, 3,359 have been demobilised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the 1d. per day war pay is not applicable to the Royal Air Force; and whether he is prepared to put the members of the Royal Air Force on the same basis as they would have been had they still been in the Royal Flying Corps as regards pay and war pay?

War pay is not granted to members of the Royal Air Force with certain exceptions, for the reason that the rates of pay were fixed on an inclusive basis. Members of the Royal Air Force who were transferred from the Royal Flying Corps were allowed, on transfer, either the Royal Flying Corps rate of pay (plus war pay) or the Royal Air Force rate (excluding war pay), whichever was the more beneficial.

asked the Minister of National Service whether the Retail Business (Licensing)Order, 1918, is to be continued and made permanent so as to prevent aliens, neutral or enemy, from opening new businesses in competition with Service men and their dependants; and whether he is aware of the general satisfaction in the country at the course taken by the Ministry, as evidenced by resolutions of the city councils of most of the principal towns of the United Kingdom?

Arrangements have been made to ensure that the administration of this Order will be continued at any rate during the period of demobilisation. I have bad abundant evidence of its usefulness not only from the sources indicated by my hon. Friend, but also from the various associations which are most closely concerned with the welfare of the serving and discharged soldier.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his Department has kept a list of contractors who have been struck off the Government rolls for misconduct in connection with war supplies; find, if so, whether he will lay the list upon the Table of this House?

A black list of contractors whose names have been removed from the List of Contractors employed by the Minister on account of misconduct in connection with war supplies is kept in the Ministry of Munitions. That list, however, is treated as strictly confidential, and it is not in the public interest that it should be published.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, before or since the conclusion of hostilities, any sales of public property in the control of the Ministry have been made to any paid or unpaid official of the Ministry, or persons who have recently ceased to be officials, or to firms with which such paid or unpaid officials are connected; and, if so, whether he will give particulars of such sales and state whether they were made by public auction?

For the reasons I have stated in answer to other questions, I am not at present in a position to give precise information in regard to past transactions. The Disposals Board have decided that they would not be justified in refusing the highest offer which was made at public auction or by public tender, even if that offer came from official or past officials of the Ministry. In regard to sales of individual stores to such persons by private treaty, the Disposals Board are of opinion that there are cases in which such sales would be justified. They have laid down regulations securing that such sales are only to be permitted after full advertisement that the class of stores affected may be sold by private treaty; that, in the view of the Department, the price charged is the best obtainable; and that a record of all such sales is submitted weekly to the Disposals Board. This record will be open to inspection by Members of the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether in the disposal of surplus motors by the Government preferential terms may be given to discharged soldiers who are desirous of commencing business on their account as motor proprietors?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on the 13th instant.

asked the Pensions Minister why there are only ninety officers now in training under the Pensions Warrant; how many officers are waiting training; and what steps are being taken to expedite their training?

I would remind the Noble Lord that training can only be given under certain specific conditions, one of which is that the officer will be unable through his disability to resume his former studies or employment. The training must also afford a prospect of settled occupation, and the officer must be fit enough to undertake it. Since the beginning of January, thirty-five cases have been approved, and the number of officers now in training is upwards of 100. Some 100 other cases are now under consideration, and their claims will be decided as soon as the necessary investigations are completed. I may add that the scheme approved by the Government for the training of officers and men of good educational promise, which will include disabled as well as fit, will afford further opportunities of training under less restricted conditions, and this scheme is being actively organised by the Appointments Departments, the Board of Education, and the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Pensions Minister whether arrangements have been, made in Great Britain through the Insurance Commissioners for the treatment of men discharged from the forces suffering from impaired health due to war service; if so, on what date these arrangements came into operation; and whether similar arrangements have been made through the Irish Insurance Commissioners for the treatment of this class of discharged men resident in Ireland?

In Great Britain all men, whether insured or not, who are invalided from the forces or certified on demobilisation to be impaired in health by reason of their service, are entitled to free medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts—that is, to the services of a general medical practitioner and the supply of medicines, except in the case of uninsured men whose total income exceeds £160 a year. There is no medical benefit under the Insurance Acts in Ireland, but by special arrangements with the Irish Insurance Commissioners, which came into force in October, 1918, provision similar to the above was extended to Ireland so far as invalided men are concerned, and the question of extending the arrangements to men in impaired health on demobilisation is at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the desire in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire, for a secondary school; and if anything is being done to carry out this request, as these is no school near for this class of education?

I am aware of the strong desire in the locality for the provision of a secondary school as soon as possible. A site was approved by the Board in July, 1914, but during the War it was not possible to make any further progress. I understand that the local education authority, who are in agreement with the Board as to the desirability of the provision, are now considering the steps which can be taken to give effect to the proposal in the immediate future.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider, with a view of securing co-ordination and continuity in education, the propriety of introducing a Bill for the purpose of giving complete autonomy in regard to elementary and higher education to all urban district councils and non-county borough councils in cases where such councils are in a position satisfactorily to assume full responsibility for the satisfactory discharge of all matters relating to elementary and higher education?

The position of urban district councils and non-county boroughs was fully considered in connection with the Education Bill of 1918, which passed into law last Session. I do not propose to introduce a measure for the amendment of the Act in the manner suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether one, Soermus, a Russian subject, who was recently arrested for persistent advocacy of anarchism, has now been deported; is he aware that Soermus was employed as secretary by the notorious anarchist Litvinoff, who was himself expelled from England some time ago; and will he ascertain if others of Litvinoff's associates are still at large in this country?

Soermus was deported from this country on the 15th February. He is not known to have ever been secretary to Litvinoff. The principal associates of Litvinoff left the country with him last year. Certain Russians of minor importance, who are believed to share his views, are still here, but their activities are being watched with a view to any necessary precautions against harmful propaganda on their part.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the danger caused by the Home Office not using the powers given to it by Parliament to deport to Russia or to the nearest available port all those persons of nominally Russian or Polish birth who, from the commencement of the War, have evaded military service and used the protection afforded them to foster anarchy in this country; and what measures he is now prepared to take against those people?

The Home Office is, and has been ready and anxious to send back to Russia the class of persons described in the question, but it has hitherto proved impossible to find any means of getting them back to Russia, except in a few special cases by arrangement with a neutral country. Efforts are still being made which I hope may lead to a more satisfactory result.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the inadequate accommodation for mentally deficient persons throughout the country; and whether he will direct the Board of Control to exercise their powers under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, to provide suitable homes for those mentally deficient persons whose neglected supervision is likely to be a danger to the community?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The provision of accommodation for mental defectives under the Act of 1913 rests with the local authorities, and has necessarily been largely suspended during the War. The Board of Control are, however, fully alive to the urgent need for further accommodation, and a circular letter to local authorities on the subject will be issued in a few days.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what quantity of coal was raised and the value for Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America, respectively, for the year 1918; and (2) if he can state the average output per person employed underground in the mines in the mines inspection divisions in this country for the years 1913 to 1918,inclusive, and in the United States of America for the same dates?

The figures for this country are being prepared, and I will send them to the hon. Member, as well as those for the United States of America, if I find that the latter are available.

asked the Home Secretary if he will lay upon the Table of the House a Return showing the reductions in the convictions for drunkenness in each county or district during each period of six months from 1st January, 1915, distinguishing the districts which have been subject to Orders of the Board of Liquor Control, and those in which, in the periods mentioned, no Orders of the Board were in force?

As I informed the hon. Member for Kettering on Monday last, I am having the figures desired set out so far as possible, and will send the hon. Member a copy when completed.

asked the Home Secretary if the is aware that society, calling itself the Emergency Committee for the Assistance of Germans, Austrians, and Hungarians in Distress, of 27, Chancery Lane, and registered under the War Charities Act, 1916, is sending out circulars asking for money to enable it to send clothing, food, and luxuries as above; and if such things have his sanction?

The circulars referred to are directed, as I understand, to procuring clothing, food, and necessaries for nursing mothers and infants in Germany and Austria, and the committee inform me that they have the specific sanction of the Supreme Council of Supply and Relief now sitting in Paris. No sanction on my part is required.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he will state the character and extent of the housing schemes proposed to be carried out by his Department or county authorities at an early date; whether each householder will be provided with an adequate plot of ground for cultivation; and if the plans of the larger schemes contemplated by the Government will be available for the inspection of Members of the House; and (2) if he will state the intentions of his Department with regard to the desirability of limiting at the earliest possible date the further erection of working-class dwellings to twelve houses to the acre in thickly-populated towns, pending the carrying out of the proposed Government housing schemes and those contemplated by county and local authorities and public utility societies, in order to avoid further congested areas?

It is not the intention that the Government should itself undertake the building of houses, save in exceptional circumstances. In regard to schemes of local authorities and public utilitysocieties, the Local Government Board will as a general rule expect that a standard shall be attained of not more than twelve houses to the acre in urban areas and not more than eight houses to the acre in rural areas.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the new Director-General of Housing is required to give his whole time to the duties of his important office; whether a Deputy-Director-General of Housing and any Housing Commissioners have been recently appointed; and, if so, will he state who they are, their salaries, and whether they are required to give their full time to the duties of their respective offices?

Sir James Carmichael is giving the whole of his time to the Government Housing Scheme, although no specific condition to that effect has been imposed on him. Subject to the consent of the Treasury as to their remuneration, my right hon. Friend is appointing a Deputy-Director-General of Housing and a number of Housing Commissioners. These will be whole-time appointments. My right hon. Friend hopes to circulate a Paper showing the housing staff with their salaries.

asked the President of the Local Government Board on what grounds his Department still decline to entertain applications from local authorities for the sanction of loans to carry out works of private street improvements; and whether he is aware that this policy is accentuating the problem of finding work for discharged men in many large towns?

The Treasury embargo still remains in respect of loans for works of the character referred to. My right hon. Friend, however, is in communication with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of the relaxation of that embargo. There is also a difficulty in obtaining materials for such works at the present time, road stone being strictly rationed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say whether there are at the present time any Consuls in the British service of enemy origin, and, if so, the number, and to what posts they are attached; if any Consuls of alien nationality have been appointed during the last four years, and, if so, the number in each of the years 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918, their names, and to where they were appointed; if he will state whether regulations have been made to secure that in future British nationality and business capacity shall be the only recognised qualifications for such appointments; and if he will lay upon the Table the terms and conditions that now obtain in the matter?

There are no Consular officers of enemy origin in the salaried Consular Service at present, if by enemy origin is meant a naturalised British subject of enemy birth. One or two unsalaried officers of alien nationality have been appointed in the last four years. These have, since the date of Lord Robert Cecil's pledge in the House of 22nd August, 1916, had the personal consideration and approval of the Secretary of State or the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, in accordance with the terms of the pledge. I am prepared to furnish the hon. and gallant Member with their names and the places to which they have been appointed. With regard to the latter part of this question, the old Regulations are still in force, which preclude the appointment to the salaried Service of any person not being a natural-born British subject. Lord Robert Cecil's pledge of 22nd August, 1916, further safeguards appointments to the unsalaried Service. In reference to the final part of the question, a Selection Committee sits weekly to review candidates and ensure that existing vacancies are filled by the most suitable people. As regards the future, this question is dealt with in detail in the reform scheme mentioned in my answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the advisability of completing the (nearly complete) route of the extension of the Central London Railway to Ealing, thereby giving an alternative route from Acton and Ealing, and thereby relieving the desperate overcrowding on the District and Tube railways; and will he also consider whether he can arrange so that the Metropolitan trains can once more run to the Grove station at Hammersmith, and thence by steam trains over the South Western route to Turnham Green and Richmond, thereby relieving the District Richmond route?

I am making inquiries into the matters referred to, and will inform the right hon. Gentleman of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great inconvenience caused to passengers living on the line between Nun head and the Crystal Palace; and when the stations between these two places will be reopened for passenger traffic?

I am making inquiries into this matter, and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the inadequacy of the existing tramway service between Finsbury Park and Edmonton; and if representations have been made to the Metropolitan Electric Tramways, Limited, to improve the traveling facilities at the earliest possible date, and with what result?

My attention had not previously been called to this particular matter. I am communicating with the tramways company in regard to it; but the hon. and gallant Member is, no doubt, aware of the difficulties in the way of providing satisfactory conveyance facilities for the public in the Metropolitan area under existing conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps will be taken to secure that the tramway services of the London County Council and of the Metropolitan Electric Tramways, Limited, shall be co-ordinated go as to avoid a change of cars at Stamford Hill at the boundaries of the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney and the urban district of Tottenham?

I am making inquiries in regard to this matter, and will let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the travelling facilities on the Great Eastern Railway between Liverpool Street and Enfield are inadequate; and whether he will take appropriate action with a view to improving the service on this suburban railway at an early date, to meet the requirements of larger working-class populations?

I am communicating with the Great Eastern Railway Company on this matter, and I will let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proposed, railway from Wolver Hampton via Bridgnorth to Craven Arms is being taken in hand by the Board; and if he is aware of the desire that this line should be carried through the Corve Dale?

No application for powers to construct the proposed railway appears to have been made either to Parliament or to the Light Railway Commission, and no proposals with regard to the line are before the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the present labour unrest in the coal-mining industry, he will cause to be circulated to the Members copies of the summary of the conclusions and recommendations arrived at by the Royal Commission on Mining Royalties, which was appointed in 1889 and finally reported an 1893–4?

The Report of the Royal Commission on Mining Royalties was reprinted in 1912 as a Parliamentary Blue Book (Command Paper 6980), and can be obtained on application by any Member of Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the manufacture in this country of certain fine chemicals such as saccharin, which has been started during the war with the support of the Government as a key industry of national importance, is seriously threatened by the removal of restrictions on import or the removal by foreign countries of restrictions on export; and whether he will consider the advisability of restricting the import of such fine chemicals, in order to preserve the new industry in this country pending the proposed legislation against dumping and for protection of key industries?

The whole question as to the means to be adopted for the maintenance of new industries is now engaging constant consideration, and I hope that it will be possible to make a statement on the subject very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it will be possible to remove the limitations in amount of petrol allowed for motoring on trade or business purposes?

The limitations as regards the amount of petrol allowed to users of motor vehicles were removed at the end of last year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many petrol licences are now in currency; and for what amount of petrol per month?

In view of the recent announcement that the vouchers of motor spirit licences may be used for obtaining supplies during any month, I am unable to state the exact number of licences current at the present date, or the number of gallons which may be obtained per month. The number of licences current on the 15th February is estimated at 270,000, the corresponding amounts of petrol being approximately 10,000,000 gallons per month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and others to the difficulties created by ambiguous Orders from different Departments making the resumption of the export trade in iron and steel almost impossible; and what steps he proposes to take so as to facilitate the resumption of business under normal conditions?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any complaints having been made as to ambiguous Orders with regard to the export of iron and steel. As regards the latter part of the question, all restrictions on business, both in this and in other directions, are being removed as rapidly as circumstances will allow.

asked the Minister for the Department of Overseas Trade whether he is aware that French and American and other companies have lately been formed in order to capture German trade in neutral markets; whether he is aware that the obstruction of the Capital Issues Committee of the Treasury is preventing British interests from competing against these foreign rivals; and whether he has made any representation to the Treasury on the subject?

I am aware that preparations are being made by French, American and other companies for development of trade in neutral markets. The Department of Overseas Trade takes active steps to support before the Capital Issues Committee all applications from responsible persons acting in British interests who desire to further the export trade of this country, and in a number of cases I have reason to believe that the representations made have had the effect desired.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether he is arranging to have large amounts of building material for sale to private builders at cost and long credit; and, if so, when the first of such supplies will be available?

The Government is ordering building material for house construction and for the numerous public works, such as hospitals, schools, etc., to be undertaken by local authorities. Details as to the distribution and supply of this material fall within the spheres of my right hon. Friends the President of the Local Government Board and the Minister of Munitions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that soldiers in the British Army of Occupation in Germany are being paid with German currency; that when the men come home they are unable to make exchange; and whether he can make arrangements for exchange to be made in the various post offices?

Arrangements were made some weeks ago under which German notes are exchanged into sterling for soldiers or their representatives at the larger post offices.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what steps he proposes to take to develop the present telephonic system in Great Britain and to avoid the delay and difficulties that are now being experienced by subscribers and the public and to bring the same to the level of provision and efficiency of other countries; and whether he has conferred with the Minister of Munitions with a view to certain of the administrators of and works established under his Department being utilised for such a purpose; and

(2) what steps he is taking to secure an early return to pre-war postal and telegraphic conditions; and whether he is taking any action whereby auxiliary lines erected for military purposes will become available for public use?

I propose to answer questions 96 and 97 together. I am issuing instructions which will ensure the improvement of postal, telegraphic, and telephonic facilities as soon as the requisite plant can be procured and staff becomes available through discharge from active service. The delay and difficulties experienced by telephone subscribers have been due largely to inability during the War to carry out development works and to the necessity for giving priority to the calls of Government Departments and firms employed by them on urgent war services. Priority has now been withdrawn in a large number of cases, and by this means delay in trunk calls made by the public will be reduced. Circuits when released from naval, military, or munitions control will be available for the general telegraph or telephone services of the country. I shall not hesitate to apply to the Minister of Munitions if I am in want of assistance which he is in a position to furnish.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a resolution from the Town Commissioners of Gilford, county Down, with regard to the present arrangements by the postal authorities for the delivery and dispatch of mails and parcels from the post office in Gilford; and whether anything will be done to meet their requirements?

The resolution has been received. The general revision of postal facilities which have been cur- tailed during the War is under consideration, and I am unable at present to say what improvement it may be possible to authorise in the case of Gilford.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received representations, from the Deptford Borough Council regarding the provision of increased postal facilities in that borough, as at present postal business cannot be transacted after 8 p.m. (on certain days 7 p.m.), and no post office being open on Sundays; and whether he can see his way to give favourable and early consideration to the borough council's representations on the subject?

I have received the representations in question and am making inquiries with a view to seeing whether improvements can be effected in the postal arrangements in Deptford. I will communicate with the borough council as soon as the inquiries are complete.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that for a long time past the residents of Orkney and Shetland have suffered very considerably by the irregularity of the mail service; and if he will endeavour to get it back to normal conditions as soon as possible?

The frequency and regularity of communication with the Orkney and Shetland Islands have suffered through the War, and the mail service has been restricted as a consequence. The matter has been discussed with the steamship company concerned, but I can hold out no hope of an early return to the service on the pre-war scale, as conditions affecting the cost of working are stillfar from normal.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the ordinary methods for the protection of officers dealing with registered correspondence have been set aside at Burnley; that irregular and indiscriminate access is allowed to the registered letter enclosure; and whether he will give instructions that the normal methods for registered letter working should be followed at Burnley?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the great loss sustained by allotment cultivators on the East Hale site, Tottenham, owing to the trespass of sheep; and whether he will sympathetically consider their reasonable claims for compensation, in view of the fact that they responded to the call of the President to cultivate this land for the production of home-grown food during the recent food crisis?

The attention of the Board has been drawn to this matter by the Tottenham Urban District Council, but they have been obliged to inform the council that they regret they have no power to pay compensation in cases of this kind.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he intends to introduce at an early date a Bill dealing with superannuation for Scottish teachers; and, if so, whether it is proposed that the provisions of the contemplated measure be made operative as from 1st April, 1919, in order that teachers in Scotland may not be at a disadvantage as compared with teachers in England?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, in the event of the Bill not becoming law by 1st April, 1919, I propose that its provisions as regards retiring allowances should be made operative as from that date.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the present position regarding the scale of superannuation allowances to retired teachers in Scotland and whether any further improvement is in contemplation?

The present position as regards retired teachers in Scotland is that, in addition to the superannuation allowance to which they are entitled in terms of the superannuation scheme, they may receive a temporary supplementary allowance not exceeding the amount by which their income from the superannuation allowance and other sources falls short of £52 per annum. In a Bill dealing with the superannuation of teachers in Scotland, which I hope to introduce this Session, the position of retired teachers in general will be dealt with.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will take Parliamentary action which will ensure the policing of Rosyth Dockyard by the local police authority?

I have had this matter under consideration. The system of policing Admiralty dockyards by constables of the Metropolitan Police Force, which is of old standing in England and Wales, was introduced in Scotland, after full consideration, by a status passed so recently as 1914. I am in communication with the Admiralty on the subject. I cannot, however, hold out any prospect of alteration in a system which was deliberately adopted and sanctioned by Parliament as the most suitable having regard to the naval and national interests involved.

asked the hon. Member for the Cathcart Division of Glasgow, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether a man who has been discharged to the Reserve for civil work and falls sick is entitled to sickness benefit under the Act; and, if not, will he state the reason?

A soldier who has been discharged to the Reserve for civil work is entitled to sickness benefit under the Insurance Act subject to the usual conditions, so long as he remains in the Reserve and continues to be an insured person. If, however, he is recalled to the, Army, sickness benefit ceases to be payable. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I will gladly have it investigated if he will send me the facts.