asked the Food Controller whether he is aware of the indignation among large sections of the population at the system of free trade in American and Chinese bacon and pork while British bacon and pork is still regulated by coupons; and whether he will now bring the coupon regulations to an end?

No coupons have been required for any bacon since the 28th July, 1918. All bacon, both imported and home-cured, is distributed to the trade under a uniform scheme. No Chinese bacon has been issued by the Ministry of Food for British consumption.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what steps are being taken to lessen the loss in agricultural produce due to the plague of rats?

A Rats Order was issued by the Ministry of Food on the 28th August last empowering local authorities to take such measures as they should think proper for the destruction of rats. At the request of the Ministry of Food the Board undertook the supervision of the Order in England and Wales, and they have appointed an expert adviser and set up a special branch to deal with the subject. The need for strong and energetic measures has been brought to the notice of local authorities, and steps are being taken to distribute advice as to methods and facilitate the supply of materials.

asked the Prime Minister, why, while the law guarantees a price of 55s. a quarter, His Majesty's Government is in fact guaranteeing a price of 75s. 6d. a quarter; and whether His Majesty's Government are putting any obstacles in the way of the importation of cheap corn into the country?

The price of the 1919 wheat crop represents the considered opinion of the late Government on the price that would be necessary in 1919 to induce the farmers to grow wheat as extensively as in 1918. I am informed that His Majesty's Government is selling imported wheat and flour to the public at less than cost price. Fifty-five shillings per quarter in the Corn Production Act is calculated on a quarter of 480 lbs. The 75s. 6d. mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member is based on the quarter of 504 lbs. The corresponding figure is, therefore, 72.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has received complaints from allotment holders at Crayford at the action of the Crayford Estate Company in taking away the land from the allotment holders in order to plant shrubs; and if he will prevent the people who have cultivated the land being deprived of it?

Representations have been received from the allotment holders on this subject, and inquiries are being made, the result of which will be communicated to the hon. Member.

asked the Food Controller if some measures can now be adopted whereby sick persons will be able to obtain a small amount of spirits of proper medicinal quantity at a reasonable price?

The whole question of the supply of spirits is now before the Cabinet, and a decision may be expected within a day or two. I can at present add nothing to the answers already given on this subject.

asked the Food Controller when an increased supply of beer and spirits will be allowed to workingmen's clubs.

These clubs now receive their due proportion of the total supplies available. The question of releasing additional supplies is now before the Cabinet, and a decision may be expected within a day or two.

asked the Food Controller what arrangements are being made for increasing the supplies for producing malt, so that the agricultural labourer can have more beer?

This question is now under consideration. I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he has received resolutions passed by the town councils of North Wales seaside resorts relative to the release from Admiralty service of a steamer, or steamers, of the North Wales Steamship Company to ply during the summer months between those towns and Liverpool; and, if so, the matter being of the greatest financial moment to the residents dependent for a living on the summer visitors, what steps he proposes to take?

The North Wales Steamship Company have been informed that one of their paddle-steamers (S/s "Trillo") is to be released from Admiralty service during the next week. The remaining vessels of the Company employed on mine-sweeping, in common with other hired mine-sweepers, are to be released on or about 31st March.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether over a year ago the Board called for reports as to whether it was advisable to continue the naval police; and whether the Board can now state definitely whether it is their view that the naval police should or should not be continued as an organised force?

Certain reports as to the continuance of the ship's police were called for at the end of November last. The question is now under consideration in the light of these reports, and it is hoped that it will be decided shortly.

asked the Pensions Minister if, in view of the increased cost of living, he will take steps to base the alternative pensions of widows of deceased sailors and soldiers and disabled men on current rates of wages instead of the rates prevailing between 1913 and 1914, or supplement such pension by a substantial bonus?

The question of war bonus on alternative pensions is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the gratuity is for services rendered; whether it is, therefore, the intention to pay the gratuity to all alike for the services they have rendered; whether it is the fact that pensioners are only to be paid one-half the gratuity given to active service and hostilities only ratings; and if discrimination is to be made against pensioners, whether he will state the reason for such discrimination?

My hon. and gallant Friend will be glad to know that the increment to gratuity in the case of the man in receipt of pay and pension is to be the same as the increment to the men in receipt of pay only.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the case of demobilised officers desiring to resume their interrupted studies in universities, the qualification for an interim grant from the Board of Education is at Oxford and Cambridge that the student has such capacity and attainment that he might expect to obtain a third class in a final examination for an honours degree, whereas at provincial universities he cannot be given this aid unless he has likewise already passed the intermediate examination; and whether he will take steps to remove this disability under which such students at provincial universities are suffering?

In the announcement of the 20th January it was stated that an applicant for an interim grant should be "fully up to the standard of a pass in the intermediate examination for a university degree, or, in the case of an Oxford or Cambridge student, have such capacity and attainment that he might expect to obtain at least a third class in a final examination for an honours degree if he followed a degree course."The phrase used with reference to intermediate examinations was not free from ambiguity, and in a note circulated on the 7th February to provincial universities it was explained that an applicant who was "sufficiently advanced in his studies to enter such an examination

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of factory inspectors now carrying out their duties; the number who have to perform additional duties owing to the withdrawal of inspectors; the area of the district in which each inspector is engaged; and the number of women now acting as inspectors of factories?

The total number of factory inspectors now actually serving is 169. This includes 35 lady inspectors, of whom 15 hold temporary appointments for the period of the War. Arrangements are made in each division for employing inspectors when necessary outside the areas to which they are ordinarily attached, and in this and other ways the duties of absent inspectors have been distributed among the staff and almost every inspector has been called upon to perform some work outside his ordinary duties. These arrangements are varied locally from time to time as circumstances require, and it would hardly serve any useful purpose to give the precise area in which each inspector is for the time being employed; but if the hon. Member has any particular area in view, I shall be pleased to supply him with the desired information in regard to that area. I may add that inspectors serving in the Army and in other Departments are being recalled, and that the staff will be restored to its full strength as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether British commercial travellers are being denied passports into Belgium while American commercial men are allowed into that country?

The answer is in the negative. Every facility is accorded to commercial travellers both by the British and Belgian authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the out-of-work allowances granted to munition workers on discharge; and how these out-of-work allowances compare with the allowances granted to officers and men on demobilisation?

Civilian workers, including munition workers, are entitled under certain conditions to receive out-of-work donation for a maximum of thirteen weeks during the six months from 25th November, 1918, at a weekly rate of 29s. for men and 25s. for women, with supplementary allowances for dependent children. Demobilised members of His Majesty's Forces below commissioned rank are entitled to out-of-work donation at the same weekly rates, but for a longer period, namely, for a maximum of twenty-six weeks during the twelve months following their personal demobilisation. They also receive four weeks' furlough with full pay and allowances after leaving their units, a suit of clothes, or cash allowance in lieu, as well as a special gratuity. The scheme of out-of-work donation does not apply to commissioned officers, who, however, receive a special rate of gratuity.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the abuses that have arisen in Great Britain in relation to the scheme for granting out-of-work donations and the administration of such scheme; and what steps he proposes to take to check these abuses; (2) whether he is aware that the present scheme for granting out-of-work donations in Great Britain has led to widely-extended idleness and refusal to work, to scarcity of labour for industrial, agricultural, and other purposes, and to a waste of public money; and whether he will at once take steps to stop this waste of public money and to hand over the money so saved to the Government to be extended on useful purposes?

The administration of the out-of-work donation scheme is being carefully watched, with a, view to preventing any abuse of its provisions. I am not aware of any facts which would justify a restriction of the scheme in Great Britain, but if the hon. Member will supply me with the information on which he bases his suggestions I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the manager of the Unemployment Exchange in Belfast has issued a circular to the women workers stating that every worker who has domestic ties, and who has been in receipt of out-of-work donation for a period of four weeks, and is still unemployed, is required to find work within a fortnight, and that, failing this, the donation benefit will be suspended; whether he can say on whose authority this document has been issued; and will he explain its meaning?

The procedure which is referred to in the question, is not quite accurately described. The circular mentioned relates to the cases of women with domestic ties for whom suitable local employment is not available, and who refuse employment away from home. In such cases it is necessary to guard against the abuse of the donation scheme which would arise if these women were allowed to remain indefinitely on donation, irrespective of the circumstances. Instructions have accordingly been issued that when such a woman has been on donation for four weeks she should be given a period of a fortnight in which either to find employment for herself in her own neigh- bourhood or to make such arrangements, as will enable her to take up work available in another district. If she fails to do either, the matter is referred to the local Court of Referees for decision, and the woman concerned has a full opportunity of stating her case to the Court.

asked the Minister of Labour who is the head of the Officers' Appointments Board; where the Department is housed; what is the cost of maintaining it; how many demobilised officers the Department has succeeded in placing in appointments in civil life; and whether he will consider the advisability of making information respecting the facilities offered by the Department more accessible both to employers and to demobilised officers?

1. The officer in charge of the Appointments Department of this Ministry is Mr. C. Home McCall, C.B.E.The headquarters staff of the Department is housed in the west wing of St. Ermin's Hotel, Westminster, and there are in addition about 100 district branches in Great Britain and Ireland.The cost of maintaining the Department for the year 1919–20 has been estimated at £404,680, but it is hoped that an appreciable saving will be made on this estimate.Since the formation of this Department, in April, 1918, to the 15th February, 1919, 136,430 officers andmen of similar professional and business qualifications are known either to have been placed in civil life or to have received intimations through the Department guaranteeing employment on demobilisation. In addition to this work the Department is responsible for the selection and allocation of officers to the various training schemes which have been inaugurated, of which I will forward a complete list to the hon. and gallant Member.Information regarding this Department has already been made public to His Majesty's Forces through the Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry. Officers of the Department are in attendance at dispersal stations, and information regarding the facilities offered by the Department to candidates and employers is published from time to time in the Press.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in the proposed re-organisation of his Department, special attention will be paid to that side of it which deals with fishery matters and such arrangements made as may satisfy the large number of persons interested that the growing importance and great prospective development of the industry are recognised and will be provided for?

Close attention is being given to the requirements of the Fisheries Division and of every branch of the Board in the proposals for the reorganisation of the Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what is the definition, as accepted by the Agricultural Wages Boards, of a market gardener; and how are the wages of men defined when the employer carries on with the same staff the joint business of farming and market gardening?

The Agricultural Wages Board have not finally accepted a definition of a market gardener. They have published a notice of proposal to fix a differential minimum rate of wages for workmen of 21 years and over in Essex, who are employed wholly or mainly in connection with the use of land for a market garden, by an employer who is engaged in the trade or business of market gardening. Any objection to this proposal may be lodged before the 4th March next. After that date the Agricultural Wages Board will consider all objections and decide whether an Order shall be made on the subject; and, if so, in what terms.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the supplementary grants made during the financial year 1917–18 to retired Scottish teachers whose pension or disablement allowances were less than £52 per annum are being continued for the current financial year; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to ensure that they are so continued in all cases?

The supplementary allowances referred to by my hon. Friend are being continued in necessitous cases in accordance with the terms of the Minute of the Scottish Education Department dated 30th July, 1918.