asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the fate of the inhabitants of Shankursk and of other territory recently evacuated by British troops on the Archangel front?

It has been reported that the town of Shankursk was pillaged and burnt by the Bolsheviks after evacuation by the Allies and Russian troops, and that many inhabitants of that town and of the territory similarly evacuated have been massacred by the Bolsheviks. Further information has been asked for.

Is it not the case that in all previous cases of retirement the Russian population associated with the British troops have invariably been massacred?

I should not like to answer that off hand.

asked the Pensions Minister what is the number of totally disabled officers, non-commissioned officers, and men at present in receipt of a 100 per cent. disability pension; and what is the estimated total, including all claims awaiting adjustment and all those at present in hospital?

The number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men at present in receipt of retired pay or pension for total disablement is approximately 35,500. I have no sufficient data to enable me to reply to the latter part of the question.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the Government have any intention of paying a war bonus on officers' pensions on the same lines as on the men's pensions?

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Pensions Minister whether soldiers working on the land in uniform and under military discipline are not allowed to draw any war gratuity in respect of the time so served, even although they may be suffering from the effects of wounds or illness due to military service?

Myright hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Soldiers employed on agriculture work do not count such service for war gratuity after three months continuous civil employment. If they are suffering from disabilities due to war service which render them unable to earn a full civil wage, they can claim examination with a view to discharge to pension.

Why is the time not counted after three months?

After the three months they are in receipt of full civil pay. It is not considered reasonable that they should ask for a gratuity as well.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the fact that there is considerable discontent with the war gratuity among the men who joined the forces at the commencement of hostilities, a larger gratuity can be given to those who enlisted in the early years of the War?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The war gratuity, as already announced, increases with length of service. The scale was decided upon by the Government after very full consideration of all the circumstances, and I am not prepared to reopen the matter.

asked the Pensions Minister whether provision has been made, or is about to be made, for such increase of the pensions of the Indian Mutiny, the Crimean, and other veteran pensioners as will approximately correspond to the increased cost of living?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Soldiers under the age of seventy who are drawing special campaign pensions have been granted an extra 2s. 6d. a week. Old age pensioners get an extra 2s. 6d. a week. Soldiers discharged as unfit through injuries or sickness as a result of service in wars prior to 1914 may be granted increased pensions by the Ministry of Pensions if totally incapacitated.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that that does not apply to any pension at all unless it is on the same scale as a specific disability pension; there are hundreds of thousands of men involved?

This question deals specifically with Indian Mutiny and Crimean veterans.

That is precisely what I am asking: whether my hon. and gallant Friend is aware that the veterans of the Indian Mutiny and the Crimea do not receive pensions now on this specific disability scale, and never did? Will he use his influence with the War Office to get them an increase on account of the increased cost of living?

I shall be glad to submit that question to the Financial Department.

asked the Pensions Minister whether Engineer-Lieutenant Wilson. His Majesty's ship "Ajax," was in 1915 invalided out of the Service because of creosote poisoning; whether in July, 1915, Lieutenant Heron applied for consideration of his pension allowance, and was then informed that the matter would receive attention; whether a further application in 1916 received a similar reply; and whether, as this officer is now in poor health, his case will receive early consideration?

The case of Lieutenant Heron was first brought to the notice of the Ministry in December last. It has been taken up with the other Departments concerned, namely, the Admiralty and the Ministry of Shipping, to ascertain whether the conditions of his service entitle him to pension.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Private F. Burrell, No. 2689, of the 2/24th London Regiment (The Queen's), was passed fit for service as an A1 man and joined the Army on 5th September, 1914, and was discharged on 13th July, 1915, as no longer physically fit; that after repeated correspondence it was ascertained that about two months ago the case was referred to the Appeal Tribunal; that up to the present time this discharged soldier has received neither pension nor gratuity; and will he take steps to have the case settled without further delay?

I have ascertained from the Pension Appeal Tribunal that this case is due to be heard on Monday week.

Has there not been an enormous and unnecessary delay in this case, and will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to speed up the machinery so that such delays will not occur again in the future?

My hon. and gallant Friend is aware that the local pensions committee and the medical referee in this case do not agree, and there is an appeal; consequently there has been delay, and this cannot be helped until we are able to extend the number of appeal tribunals.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that the period spent by Civil servants who served in the Navy or Army during the War should continue to count towards their civil pensions?

I am not quite sure that I understand the meaning of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. If he refers to pensionable Civil servants who are compulsory retained in the Navy or Army as part of the Army of Occupation and its naval equivalent, I can readily give him the desired assurance. But a Civil servant who, being eligible for demobilisation and required for early return to civil duty, prefers to remain with the Forces, must be regarded as being on leave of absence without pay from the Civil Service, the period of absence not to count either for increment or for pension.

Are we to understand that all Post Office employéswho have been in the Royal Engineers or other branches of the Army during the War will be allowed to count their War service towards Civil pension if they return to civil employment?

I would rather have notice of that question.

This question has been put down ever since Parliament met, and we have been so far informed that the matter is receiving consideration. Is the hon. Gentleman aware there is grave discontent among the men in the Telegraph Companies of the Royal Engineers in consequence of the refusal of the Government to give an answer on this point?

asked the Pensions Minister if he is now in a position to make any statement in regard to the maintenance charges to officers and men in hospitals?

I cannot yet make a statement on this matter.

May I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he can indicate when it will be convenient for me to repeat these two questions, which I have already put down twice?

My hon. Friend will understand that I myself am very anxious that we should be able to reply specifically to these questions. May I suggest that he should put them down again this day week?

In case of the Government doing this, will they make the payment retrospective, to make up for their delay?

I do not think there has been any undue delay. It is a very difficult matter to settle. It is a matter of policy, and my right hon. Friend will be in the House later.

asked the Pensions Minister if he can give any indication when the scheme approved by the Government for the training of officers and men, including disabled men of good educational promise, is likely to be sufficiently organised to enable him to make a statement on the subject?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Government scheme for training officers and men of good educational promise will, it is expected, be m full operation by the 1st May. In the meantime, however, it will be possible, at an early date, to make immediate payment of Grants to candidates whose cases are of special urgency.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has considered the advisability of instituting factories and village centres for the partially disabled who, owing to age or lack of educational advantages, cannot be trained in the ordinary way and who, with proper guidance and supervision, might, under such a scheme, become at least partially able to support themselves and their families?

In the division of training functions between the Ministry of Pensions and the Ministry of Labour, men who still require medical care and attention, or whose disablement is such as to make it undesirable that they should take part in ordinary industrial life—as, for example, the severely disfigured—will be trained by the Ministry of Pensions, and the question of the manner in which this special training can best be given is engaging my right hon. Friend's attention. I am sending my Noble Friend a copy of the circular issued to the local war pensions committees on the subject.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the fact that the arduous character of work in mines makes it exceptionally difficult for the disabled soldiers to follow their employment and earn their pre-war wages, arrangements will be made by the Pensions Minister to secure means of an adequate livelihood for disabled men who before the War were engaged in mining or other forms of industry where heavy labour is necessary?

A disabled miner who is prevented by his disablement from following his former occupation is eligible for training in some new occupation suited to his physical condition. Men desiring such training should apply to their local war pensions committees. If a man so trained is still unable to command the wages he earned before the War, and his pension and children's allowances do not make good the difference, he is entitled to apply for an alternative pension.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is now in a position to state what arrangements, if any, have been made for the medical treatment of demobilised men, suffering from impairment of health due to war service, resident in Ireland; whether he is aware that constant complaints have been made that these men either have to seek treatment under the Poor Law medical service or pay for it out of their own pockets; and whether he will at once take steps to have proper treatment provided through the Irish Health Insurance Commissioners similar to that provided by the Insurance Commissioners in Great Britain?

I cannot yet make any announcement on this matter. It is under consideration and will, I hope, be speedily settled.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman promise to have it very speedily settled; it should have been settled when the aliens question was dealt with?

I will do my best.

Will the hon. and gallant Member say if any differentiation is made between disabled Irish soldiers and disabled soldiers in this country?

I will myself endeavour to jealously safeguard the interests of Ireland.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that long delays frequently intervene between the demobilisation of soldiers and the payment of their gratuities, and that such delays frequently cause much hardship; and whether he will take steps to accelerate the payment of these gratuities as much as possible, or to pay a substantial portion thereof immediately on demobilisation and to pay the balance as soon as possible thereafter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The gratuity due to a demobilised soldier is deposited for him in the Post Office Savings Bank, and the Savings Bank book should be ready for issue at the local Post Office on the due date, namely, the last day of the man's dispersal furlough on which day he ceases to be a soldier. Cases of delay at the present time are, I understand, quite exceptional, but if my hon. and learned Friend will give me particulars of any such cases I shall be glad to have them investigated.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Law Officers of the Crown have expressed the opinion that the deductions which the Postmaster-General has been making from the pay of Post Office servants are illegal, and that refundment is to take place; whether these men volunteered in the knowledge that they were entitled to the usual gratuity on discharge; and whether he will consult the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legality of the Army Council Instruction, issued in 1917, which varied the conditions of the men who had volunteered two or three years previously, and which laid it down that they were not to be paid the gratuity to which they were entitled under their term of enlistment?

asked the Postmaster-General whether in the early stages of the War, when the Army was in need of trained signal personnel, an offer was made that Post Office officials joining the Signal Service would be granted full civil pay, in addition to their Army pay; whether officers now being demobilised are informed that, in consequence of this arrangement, they cannot be given any gratuity; if he will give the date on which these restrictions came into operation; whether officers who joined previous to any notification of exclusion of the gratuity are to receive the same; and, if not, on whose authority these gratuities are being withheld?

I beg to refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Wednesbury on the 26th instant.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the difficulty found by tuberculous ex-soldiers to find employment, and in order to establish an effective system of treatment of such men, he will establish special work centres such as exist in New York, where they can work under hygienic conditions and medical supervision, and also a number of village settlements, where, as at Kinson Farm Colony and Papworth, the tuberculous can follow the occupation of agriculture or gardening, or any form of employment to which they are adapted?

I have been asked to reply to this question, as its subject-matter is within the province of the Insurance Commission and the Local Government Board. Both these Departments have been and are most anxious to encourage, under suitable conditions and on approved standards of efficient working, such centres or colonies as are referred to in the question.

Does not my hon. Friend think that the time has now come when a Committee should be appointed to inquire into the after-care of the tuberculous men?

If it had not been that my presence was required here yesterday in connection with the passing of the Ministry of Health Bill I should have been presiding at a conference to go into this very subject. I can assure my hon. Friend that it is receiving constant care and attention by the Departments concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Convention reported unanimously in favour of a scheme to complete land purchase in Ireland; and whether he intends to introduce a Bill upon those lines?

The Irish Convention did agree in their Report as to a scheme of land purchase, but it is not proposed by the Government to introduce legislation on the subject at present.

Is the Government going to allow the question of land purchase in Ireland, as well as every other question affecting Ireland, to drift?

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend if unanimity of all parties in Ireland is an obstacle to getting legislation for Ireland?

Answer.

asked whether there is in existence a full Report of the proceedings of the Irish Convention; whether he proposes to have that Report published; and, if not, why not?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has no knowledge of any fuller Report of the proceedings of the Convention than that which has been already officially published.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chief Secretary for Ireland has no knowledge of anything in Ireland?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a full Report was taken of the proceedings at the Convention, that it was proposed to publish this Report, and that a small minority of the members refused to allow this Report to be published; and whether, in view of these facts, he will now give his assent to the wish of the overwhelming majority of the members of the Convention?

I am not prepared to give any further answer on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take into consideration the question of copyright when he considers the matter of publication?

asked what steps are being taken to prevent interference with hunting on the part of certain persons in Ireland; how many packs of hounds have ceased hunting as a result of such interference; and whether he is aware that in some cases firearms have been used with the result that at least one valuable horse has been destroyed?

In several cases hunting has been interfered with by parties of men who stated that they were acting on the order of the Irish Republic, and that hunting would not be permitted until the prisoners now interned were released. The particular hunts in such cases were abandoned, but it is not possible to say how many packs have ceased hunting. On the 19th instant the Ward Union Stag Hounds were prevented from hunting by a party of men who fired two or three revolver shots and wounded a horse belonging to one of the hunting party. The case is under investigation. This is the only case so far in which arms are known to have been used.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what protection, if any, is afforded at the meets of these hounds?

If it is anticipated that a disturbance will take place the police are there.

Would the right hon. Gentleman let the prisoners out, and they can hunt as much as they like?

In the interests of horse-breeding, will he do his utmost to protect these hounds?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the proposals of the Government for dealing with the acute shortage of housing accommodation in the principle cities and towns of Ireland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the question of the hon. Member for Falls Division of Belfast on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will grant a Return showing the number of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police who have been killed, maimed, and wounded in the discharge of their duty from 1st January, 1916, to date, or to 31st December, 1918, if more convenient?

There is no objection to furnishing the Return asked for, but it will take some time to prepare. If the hon. Member will put down notice early next week he will get a written reply.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the constant raiding and seizing of arms by parties of armed and masked men in all parts of the country; whether he is aware that on the 14th instant three men at four o'clock in the afternoon boarded the schooner "Gostone" lying in Cork, produced a warrant from the Irish Republican Army authorising the removal of any arms on the vessel, and proceeded to confine the captain in his cabin; and what measures are being taken to deal with this state of things?

A considerable number of raids for arms by parties of armed and masked men have been reported from various parts of Ireland. The facts as regards the incident in Cork are correctly stated except that the occurrence took place at 3.15 p.m. on 12th instant. No arms were found on the schooner raided. Every effort is being made to put a stop to these raids, but it is obviously undesirable to state precisely the police measures which are adopted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any raids have been made for arms upon the quarters of the Ulster Volunteers in Belfast or elsewhere?

Can he say if arms were received by the Nationalists from Germany?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for the Duncairn Division of Belfast (Sir E. Carson) dined with the German Emperor before the War?

May I say that that is an absolute falsehood.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the committees of certain technical schools in Ireland have recently passed resolutions with the object of preventing discharged soldiers and members of His Majesty's Forces from receiving instruction; whether he will give a list of committees who have passed such resolutions, with dates; whether any steps are being taken to prevent such action; what amount of voted money is granted to such schools; and whether he is taking any action to have such grants withdrawn?

Two committees (county Clare and Tralee urban district) passed resolutions excluding "soldiers" from technical classes, whilst four others (county borough of Cork and county borough of Limerick, county Kilkenny, and Queen's County) decided to take no action upon letters received from the Department of Agriculture asking them to provide special courses of instruction for soldiers pending demobilisation, or where the numbers were small to arrange for their admission to the ordinary classes of the school. The dates on which the resolutions were passed, or decision arrived at, respectively, were county Clare 3rd February, Tralee urban district 4th February, Cork county borough 27th January, Limerick county borough 31st January, county Kilkenny 17th February, and Queen's County 17th February.

Where committees have declined to organise special classes for soldiers pending demobilisation, the Department is seeking, as far as possible, to supply instruction directly in cases where the local statutory committees decline to co-operate.

The Grants from voted moneys made to these committees are variable, the amounts for the past Session being approximately. county Clare £560, Tralee urban district £1,300, Cork county borough £5,500, Limerick county borough £1,550, county Kilkenny £1,150, Queen's County £130. These Grants are braced mainly upon capitation, and are made in accordance with the published Regulations of the Department. Any vindictive attitude adopted towards any section of the community, particularly towards members of His Majesty's Forces, is highly reprehensible, and the question of withdrawing Grants from voted moneys for technical instruction from committees adopting such attitudes is viewed in that light and will be considered.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having these demobilised soldiers sent to the North of Ireland where they could be trained in the technical institutes?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Report of the inquiry held by Mr. Justice Dodd at Belfast upon the alleged treatment of Sinn Fein prisoners in Belfast goal has yet been received; and, if not, when it is expected to be available?

The Chief Secretary has just received from Mr. Justice Dodd a Report of the inquiry recently held by him at Belfast under the Special Commission (Belfast Prison) Act, 1918.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the amount of monetary damage done by these men?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question if he wants that information.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will advise His Majesty to appoint a Royal Commission or some other suitable body to inquire into the relations established and maintained during the War and since between the Sinn Fein movement and its leaders, and German and other alien enemies of the British Empire, and persons engaged in fomenting disturbances in Government dockyards, shipbuilding yards, factories, and industries within the United Kingdom engaged in producing war material, contrary to the Regulations made under the Statute of the Defence of the Realm and other Acts providing for the public safety?

The Government do not think that any useful result would be secured by adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time the public knew of the facts with regard to the conspiracy?

It is very desirable to know the facts, but I do not think that a Commission would be more successful than the ordinary departmental machinery.

Will the Government prevent anything from being made public with regard to it?

Will the right hon. Gentleman appoint a Royal Commission to consider the relations between the Ulster Unionist party and the German Government before the War?

May I say that I shall support any such inquiry.

In view of the unanimity of opinion—

It s really time to stop these nonsensical bickerings.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that T. S. Steed, a conscientious objector in Maidstone Prison, has been in a very bad state of health for more than a year; that constant representations have been made to the Home Office about his case without avail; that he is now suffering from dermatitis of the legs in addition to general weakness; whether the prison doctor refused to give him proper treatment; and whether he will order a special examination with a view to this man's release on health grounds?

The allegation referred to is contrary to fact. The prisoner is reported to be in good general health, free from any indication of organic defect, fit for military service, and not likely to be hurt by further imprisonment. He has increased in weight since reception. He has some eczema on his legs, but there is nothing in his condition to justify his discharge.

asked the Home Secretary whether F. A. Lewis, a conscientious objector of forty-four years of age, now serving his second sentence in Winchester Prison, is in the prison hospital suffering from rheumatism; whether he is aware that this man has suffered terribly from this complaint for the last fourteen years, and will be entirely crippled if he is debarred from the necessary treatment; and whether he will order his release on health grounds?

The report I have received on this man's health justifies his discharge from prison, and I have given instructions accordingly.

asked the Home Secretary in what prisons conscientious objectors are now being forcibly fed; when this form of discipline was introduced; is it increasing; and, if so, will he state the reason?

Cases were reported last week from Newcastle and Pentonville. Forcible feeding is not a form of discipline, but a medical measure applied only for the purpose of preventing self-imposed starvation. As there is no such form of discipline, the last two questions do not arise.

asked the Home Secretary if he has set up a Committee to deal with police pay and service; if he has, will he give the names of the members constituting the Committee; and whether he intends to grant facilities for the officials of the National Union of Police and Prison Officers to lay the case of the rank and file before them?

Yes, Sir; the Government is setting up such a Committee. I hope to announce the names of the members in a few days. Representatives of the rank and file of the police will have facilities for laying their case before the Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government now recognise the National Union of Police and Prison Officials?

No, Sir.

Is it proposed so to do?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether, during the War, the only disability attached to the issue of new shares was that they could not be dealt in on the Stock Exchange unless their issue was made with the consent of the Treasury; and that since the Armistice Regulations have been issued under the Defence of the Realm Act prohibiting not only the issue and the sale and transfer of all new shares except with Treasury licence, but also making the prohibition of purchase, sale, or transfer retrospective, so as to effect stocks or shares issued within the last four years with no other disability than the refusal of the Stock Exchange to deal in them; and whether he will take steps to have this Regulation rescinded, if not wholly at least in so far as the same has retrospective effect?

It has frequently been publicly announced since the outbreak of war that it was regarded as essential in the national interests that new issues of capital should only be made after the assent of the Treasury had been obtained, and not only have dealings in stocks and shares issued without the consent of the Treasury been prohibited by the Emergency Regulations of the Stock Exchange, but all persons dealing in stocks and shares outside the Stock Exchange had been publicly requested to observe the same restrictions.

The effect of the new Regulation is to make such dealings illegal except under licence from the Treasury, and I do not think that this can be regarded as a serious hardship to the promoters of or subscribers to such issues, regard being had to the repeated warnings which had been given that the issues made without Treasury assent have been throughout regarded by the Government as being contrary to the national interest.

I may, however, observe that the Regulation is not an absolute prohibition of dealings in unauthorised issues, but only a prohibition subject to licence, and that the Committee acting for the Treasury will be quite prepared to give favourable consideration to applications for licences in all cases in which hardship to an innocent holder is likely to be created if permission to sell is withheld.

The Treasury will also be prepared to give covering approval for issues already made in all cases in which the issue was originally made without the Committee acting for the Treasury assent owing to the requirement not having been understood, and where such assent could properly have been given if it had been applied for at the time the issue was made.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that this new Order is creating almost a panic in reference to many business transactions; is it not the fact that the only prohibition existing under the Defence of the Realm Regulations was that if these share transactions took place there could be no Stock Exchange quotation, and that there was no absolute prohibition, and is not the effect of the present Order by retrospective action to upset gigantic financial arrangements which have been entered into?

Has not a great deal of debenture stock been issued under Section 123 of the Companies Act, and are not many of these shares and stocks practically unsaleable; is there not, in fact, about 200 millions of capital affected?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in Lancashire many cotton mills are carried on by means of loans, and that under this Order a renewal of the loans is prohibited. Is he also aware there is almost certain to be a financial panic? May I further ask is it not the case that the Treasury have accepted money for the registration of these companies to the extent of hundreds weekly. I will ask the Leader of the House, as this is so important, whether he will promise us an early day to discuss this?

I will try and arrange an early opportunity to discuss this matter. My belief is that the scope of the Order is misunderstood. My impression is that it takes the form of the Defence of the Realm Regulation but enlarges its scope, and that certainly was the intention of my right hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend, in order that we may get the matter made clear, consent to move the Adjournment of the House a little earlier to-night?

I should very much prefer to hold the matter over till next week, when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be present.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the moment the banks are unable to advance loans on shares or for renewals, and that this will mean certain financial disaster to thousands of people this week?

I really believe that there is a mistake about this. The arrangement was made by my right hon. Friend in consultation with people in the City and with the banks. I will at once see my right hon. Friend and consult him on the matter.

Pending the discussion, will the right hon. Gentleman withdraw the Regulation?

It means ruin to many.

Does not my right hon. Friend see that if his statement is accurate that this has been exaggerated, the sooner we have the Government explanation the sooner will the panic be allayed?

I realise that. It is, however, really desirable that if possible the Chancellor should himself be here. I shall see him this afternoon, however, and will consult him on the matter.

Will my right hon. Friend make a statement to-night after consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is with the view of preventing Ireland participating in those transactions that the private wire between the Dublin Stock Exchange and London has been withdrawn?

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, having regard to the seriousness of this matter, he will suspend the Treasury Order or Minute until we have the full explanation and the matter has been discussed in this House?

It is quite obvious that the Government must be as anxious as any private individual not to have the evils which have been described. I will at once consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and some time to-night I will give a definite answer to the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the repudiation of the proprietorship by the Government of blighted potatoes in the hands of the growers thereof; whether this repudiation is contrary to the pledge given by the late Lord Rhondda at a public meeting at Bristol and by the then Director of Vegetable Supplies at public meetings convened for the purpose of inducing farmers to devote as largo an acreage as possible to the 1918 potato crop at Edinburgh, Cardiff, Doncaster, Boston, Spalding, Oxford, Maidstone, Dunstable, Taunton, and Banbury; and whether he can make any statement on this subject?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller does not propose to repudiate any pledges officially given with regard to the potato crop of 1918. The late Director of Vegetable Supplies has agreed that the pledges given in respect of this crop are embodied in the Report of the Potatoes (Growers' Prices) Commission dated 18th October, 1918. This Report, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, does not include any reference to blighted potatoes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at a public meeting at Spalding the present Director of Vegetable Supplies has, on the part of the Government, repudiated any ownership in blighted potatoes now in the hands of growers?

I am not aware of the details of these things at all, and will bring the matter to the notice of the Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of small-holders who grew potatoes expecting them to be taken over by the Government are in great financial difficulty through the potatoes not being taken over and paid for?

I have no information as to that.

asked the Prime Minister whether Mr. T. D. Jones has been appointed Director of National Kitchens; and what were the special qualifications of this gentleman for this post?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Mr. Jones was selected for this position owing to the ability which he showed in the work which he had already undertaken for the Ministry of Food as Director of Ships Stores.