asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to Government action, the country is paying £2 to £3 per quarter more for wheat than it need; and whether this is due to lack of ships or to the desire to keep up agricultural prices?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller's attention, has been called to this statement, which is based on a misapprehension of fact and is incorrect. Where tonnage and finance can be made available, every possible effort is being made to secure cheap supplies of grain. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement recently made on behalf of the Government on this subject in the House of Lords.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will have recourse to measures for increasing the stocks of wheat held in this country by taking steps to offer storage room rent free, for both home-grown and imported wheat, in stores into which ocean steamers could be directly discharged, and so that the wheat could be sold ex-store upon c.i.f. terms, i.e.,., to carry out the experiment recommended by the Royal Commission on Supply of Food and Raw Material in Time of War, 1905, as indicated in paragraphs 261 and 262 of the main Report, and described in detail on pages 81 to 86 of the Report?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller does not propose, for the present, to take any action in this direction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is a fact that during January the Wheat Executive shipped approximately 500,000 tons of wheat to Europe and that it still holds over 3,000,000 tons of wheat abroad; and what steps will be taken by the Govern- ment to enable British farmers to realise the price for their wheat which has been guaranteed to them but at which they are unable to sell?

The Board are informed that the quantity of wheat shipped on account of the Wheat Executive during January last is correctly stated in the question, but that the quantity of wheat still held abroad is less than 2,500,000 tons. The Board are aware that in some cases farmers have found difficulty in finding a market for their wheat at the maximum price, but where such cases have been reported steps have been taken by the Wheat Commission to endeavour to remove the difficulty. If my hon. Friend will inform me of any cases of the kind within his knowledge, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he proposes to lay before the House the Government proposals for the protection of allotment holders, in the tenure of their allotments?

Fresh legislation is not necessary as regards the allotments provided under the Cultivation of Lands Order. The Board have power under the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Act, 1916, to remain in possession of the land in question for a period of two years from the end of the War, and they intend to avail themselves of this power except in cases where they are satisfied that the land is required at once for building or other special purpose or where the compensation for continued occupation would be prohibitive. As regards allotments held on agreements between the local authority and the owner, the Board possess no power to intervene, but the existing law puts upon local authorities the onus of providing allotments within their area. As to strengthening those powers, I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Bill.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a general order has been given that assistant-paymasters and writers are not to be demobilised at present; whether he is aware that a number of fully-qualified chartered and incorporated accountants and clerks bound under articles to chartered and incorporated accountants are being held in the Navy under this general order, although in some cases not being called on to do duties from which they can be spared; and whether, having regard to the fact that in the case of those in practice their practices are being seriously prejudiced and in the case of articled clerks their future professional careers are being jeopardised and the passing of the examinations delayed, he will give instructions that each individual case shall be considered on its merits?

The position of writers in the scheme of demobilisation is fully set forth in the reply given by me on 20th February to the hon. Member for Newcastle North, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend. No general order has been issued that assistant-paymasters are not to be demobilised at present. They are, in fact, being demobilised as they can be spared and an increase in the rate of release is anticipated in the near future. The gentlemen referred to in the second part of the question are not being called upon, as far as is known, to do duties for the performance of which other ranks and ratings are available. It will be realised that chartered and incorporated accountants and clerks have been or are, from their previous training, of great value in speeding up demobilisation of the Fleet. Instructions have been given that each individual case is to be considered on its merits, subject to the requirements of the Naval Service being met. Amongst the writers those men are released first to whose claims the Ministry of Labour has given the highest priority as pivotals.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in relation to one-man-business men, applications for their release received before 3rd January will be treated in the same way as applications for pivotal men and their release ordered irrespective of their ages; and, if so, whether the appeal sent in on January 16th on D.F. 2a form on behalf of Private E. Whittaker, No. 47666, B Company Headquarters, ⅛th Lancashire Fusiliers, will be sent to his officer commanding with instructions for his release?

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York on the 25th of February. Proprietors of one-man businesses for whom recommendations for special release were received by the War Office from the Ministry of Labour before the 1st of February, 1919, receive the same priority as pivotal men registered by the War Office before that date; this applies irrespectively of age or service; and I am assured that instructions concerning Private Whittaker's demobilisation have been sent to the officer commanding his unit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers and men who are serving in an Eastern theatre of war and whose homes are in the East are brought to this country to be demobilised and repatriated, and that pending repatriation they have to live in this country at their own expense; and whether, in view of the expense caused to the taxpayers and the men, other orders will be issued to cover these cases?

I am informed that officers and soldiers serving in an Eastern theatre of war, and whose homes are in the East are not brought to the United Kingdom to be demobilised unless they so desire. They are allowed to elect for an immediate or deferred passage. If electing an immediate passage they are dealt with as follows:

(i.) Demobilised locally,

(ii.) Sent to the Repatriation Camp, Egypt, or

(iii.) Sent direct to their homes from the theatre of war, if more expeditious than proceeding to the repatriation camp, Egypt.

In such cases they continue to draw pay and allowances until they embark and, in addition, in the case of officers until the expiration of the standardised voyage period, and in the case of soldiers until the expiration of the standardised voyage period and twenty-eight days demobilisation furlough. If they elect a deferred passage they are entitled to come to the United Kingdom to be demobilised, and retain the right to claim repatriation within six months of being demobilised. In the event of their electing a deferred passage and returning to the United Kingdom before being repatriated they cease to draw pay and allowances in the case of officers from the date of dispersal in the United Kingdom, and in the case of soldiers from the expiration of twenty-eight days after dispersal in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can have the case investigated of Gunner A. Godfrey, No. 73308, 1st Kent heavy battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, who volunteered early in 1915 and for whom many letters have been stamped and forwarded by the Labour Exchange at Exeter; and when this gunner, for whom his late place as manager in a firm is being kept open, is likely to return?

No application has been received by the War Office in respect of this soldier either as a pivotal man or for special release. I presume that the letters to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were the usual "contract" offers of employment. It is not quite clear from the information given whether Gunner Godfrey actually joined the Colours in 1915, but his demobilisation will depend on his eligibility under existing Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the duties and obligations of men placed on demobilisation in Class Z Reserve, and, particularly, will they be required if necessary to intervene in labour troubles or other civil disturbances?

The only immediate obligation on men passed to Class Z Army Reserve is that they have to notify change of address to their record offices. This in any case is necessary in order that they may receive their medals in due course. Soldiers in Class Z will be liable, at any time before the end of the War, to be recalled to the Colours in case of urgent military necessity only.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Hugh B. Semple, No. 234293, 13th Sub-section, C/245 Battery, Royal Field Artillery. British Expeditionary Force, France, was passed by the Ministry of Food as a pivotal man, and that his father, Mr. James Semple, 12, Pollok Street, Glasgow, S.S., who is his employer, was informed of this fact on 29th January; that Gunner Semple is at present at home on leave with instructions to return to France on 9th March; and whether, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Food informed Mr. Semple on 29th January that his son would be forthwith demobilised, he will issue instructions for this man's immediate demobilisation and obviate the necessity of his return to France?

In view of the dissatisfaction which was occasioned in the Army by allowing men to be demobilised whilst on leave, it was decided that all men proceeding on leave from France after the 12th January must in all cases return to their units on the expiration of their leave, and they are so informed before beginning their leave. I am told that instructions concerning Gunner Semple's demobilisation have already been sent to his unit, and he will no doubt be released without undue delay, but in the meantime he must return to his unit on the expiration of his leave. This is an invariable rule for all ranks on leave from France.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any Regulation by which men who have been for many months prisoners of war in Germany working in the mines under appalling conditions, and who under a recent Army Order are liable to service in the Army of Occupation, can be released?

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for Kettering and Bishop Auckland on the 25th of February, in which I stated that if men are fit in bodily health they must be treated alike, according to the age and categories prescribed, irrespectively of whether they are repatriated prisoners of war or not. The physical fitness of the men referred to by my hon. Friend would be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the approximate strength of the British force at Taranto (Italian Expeditionary Force); for what specific purpose the force is now maintained there; and how long the camp is likely to be occupied by a British force?

The present strength of the British force at Taranto is approximately 9,000. This force comprises six battalions of the British West Indies Regiment, which are at present awaiting passage home. In addition, one British battalion is temporarily stationed at Taranto for the purpose of maintaining order. The Port and Rest Camp Staff, amounting to some two or three hundred, is required to deal with the large number of men passing through the port, proceeding home for leave or demobilisation. The camp will be required for such time as men continue to be demobilised from the Eastern Mediterranean and Armies of Occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer who joined the Army in the ranks and served there for two or three years, only obtaining his commission in 1917 or 1918, is only entitled to a war gratuity in respect of his commission and gets nothing in respect of his service in the ranks; and, if so, why the latter service is not allowed to count?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on Wednesday last to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dorset (South), in which it was stated that an officer promoted from the rank receives a soldier's gratuity in respect of his services from the ranks and an officer's gratuity in respect of his commissioned service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the gratuity provided under Pay Warrant 1914, paragraph 497, is payable to dental surgeons?

No, Sir. Dental surgeons have been engaged under a special contract which does not carry a right to the Pay Warrant gratuity, but as a special concession a gratuity of £50 for each year or part of a year has recently been approved for these officers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the parent of a soldier that is killed is entitled to the war gratuity of £5, and the allowance of 10s. or 5s. per month for each month, after six months' service?

Any war gratuity admissible forms part of a deceased soldier's estate, and as such is payable to the persons legally entitled to receive, or to share in, the estate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the members of His Majesty's Forces have been declined service gratuities when serving in the West African campaign; and whether he is aware that men suffering from malaria and other tropical complaints contracted with the West African Frontier Force are being placed in a disadvantageous position as compared with soldiers engaged in other theatres of war?

No, Sir, I am not aware of this, but if my hon. Friend will give me any further particulars in his possession, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that a discharged man has to bear the cost of obtaining proof of his disability to place before the appeal tribunal; and whether he will direct that such expenses shall be paid by the local war pensions committee?

The policy of the Ministry is that appellants should be liberally treated. They are left to bear very little expense in connection with their appeals. The examination by the medical referee is paid for, as is also any specialist's opinion obtained by the local committee with the sanction of the Ministry. Appellants, moreover, are slanted their travelling expenses to and from the tribunal together with a small subsistence allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that two different rates of wage are being paid to the carpenters and joiners employed at the Mechanical Transport Depot, Salt Hill, Slough, viz., 1s. 9d. and 1s. 7d. per hour, and that this is causing discontent among the workmen; and whether he will remove the cause of this by paying all these workmen 1s. 9d. per hour?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 27th February to a similar question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe, to the effect that the supply of local labour has had to be reinforced by London workmen, whose wages are at a higher rate than those of the local men. They are both trade union rates and the War Department has no authority to alter them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the drainage from the works at Cippenham could have been disposed of by the use of the Slough Urban District Council sewage scheme, which passes close to the scheme now proposed, thus saving 25 acres of valuable agricultural land and also saving a large expenditure of money and a considerable loss to the tenant of the land?

I am informed by those who have been concerned in this enterprise that it would have been possible to utilise the Slough Urban District Council scheme, but in this case the pipe line would have been considerably longer, and the expense to the War Department greater. There were also other technical considerations which influenced the decision. Before arriving at this decision, the existing facilities for dealing with sewage in the neighbourhood were exhaustively examined, as were also the possibilities of any extensions which were likely to be required in the near future by the district councils in the area. Several possible alternatives were considered, and the advantages and disadvantages carefully weighed. The balance of expert opinion was in favour of the scheme finally adopted in conjunction with the Eton Rural District Council, who will shortly be requiring an extension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are two different scales of wages for civilian labourers in the Army Ordnance Department working at Southampton and at Portsmouth; and whether the wages paid to these labourers at Southampton are below the wages paid for similar work at the port of Southampton, and also below the wages paid to the same class of men at Portsmouth?

The wages paid to unskilled labourers in the Army Ordnance Department to-day are lower at Southampton than at Portsmouth. The rate of wage is fixed in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution of the House, and, consequently, varies with the locality. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any reason to believe that the rate at Southampton is below that now paid for similar work by other employers in the locality, I shall be glad to have full particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those who have Been active service during 1916–17 and 1918 are to receive any recognition in a similar way to those who served in 1914–15, bearing in mind the character of the fighting during that period?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the question asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich on Monday last, in which it was stated that a comprehensive statement embodying the conditions of award of all medals to be sanctioned in recognition of services during the present War will shortly be published.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause a further inquiry to be made into the case of Private H. Statham, 3rd Battalion, North Lancashire Regiment, who enlisted on 19th August, 1914, and was discharged on 1st May, 1918, with only twenty-four days with the Colours, in view of the fact that this man was sent home suffering from shell-shock, and, while under the effects of this, absented himself and was consequently declared a deserter, though he had no intention of deserting, and did, in fact, give himself up as an absentee when he recovered his normal state?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 4th Reserve Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, a full strength unit, is to be disbanded, and the officers and men posted to units below strength other than Royal Welsh Fusiliers; and whether, in view of the undertaking given that national sentiment would be respected, he will take steps either to send the battalion as a complete unit to form part of the Army of Occupation, or to issue instructions forbidding the drafting of the officers and men to battalions other than the Royal Welsh Fusiliers?

Owing to the military situation, a certain reorganisation of the Infantry at home is taking place, involving the demobilisation or disbandment of certain battalions, amongst which is the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I regret that it is not practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion that the battalion should be sent out as a unit to form part of the Army of Occupation, but I can assure him that the personnel will be posted to other battalions of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as far as this is possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if there is to be permanent increase of pay for Regular Army officers irrespective of the Army of Occupation?

The permanent rates of pay for officers of the future Regular Army are at present under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that under the new Regulations members of the military massage service are required to sign an agreement which states that the general officer commanding of the command in which the member is serving may give her a month's notice in writing during her year's service, but there is no clause which gives, her a similar right; and whether he can see his way to have this difference removed?

I am aware that this is the case. The arrangement is considered necessary in order to secure continuity of service on the part of these members, while retaining the right to dispense with their services if these should no longer be required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that there is considerable discontent in the military massage service at the new rates of pay; and whether he can see his way to grant a 2s. 6d. increase after the first six months' service and a further one at the end of the year?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question asked by the hon. and learned Member for Cambridge University on 26th February, to the effect that the rates were adopted after very full consideration, but that certain representations regarding them are at present under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to paragraph 3, Category A, of Army Council Instruction, No. 65 of 1919, where it states that masseuses who are not fully qualified can be enrolled in the military massage service; and whether, in view of the interests of the patients or of those who are fully qualified, he proposes to reconsider this provision?

Category "A" includes those holding the certificate of the Incorporated Society of Trained Masseurs or of such universities, training colleges, medical schools or hospitals as may from time to time be approved by the Advisory Council for the supply of massage personnel to the War Office and Pensions Ministry. The intention was to enrol under Category "B" those masseuses who did not possess the qualifications necessary for Category "A," but who at the same had received a bonâ fide training, were well recommended by medical practitioners, and were approved by the Advisory Council. The question of the advisability of retaining the paragraph dealing with Category "B" under present conditions is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will expedite the increase of pensions to retired officers of the Indian services, as recommended in the Montagu-Chelmsford Reform Scheme, and made necessary owing to the depreciated sterling value of the rupee; and when he will be able to make a definite announcement on the subject?

I would ask the hon. Baronet to refer to the answer given by me on the 26th instant to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the New Forest and Christchurch Division. The sterling value of the rupee, I might remark, has actually appreciated since the commencement of the War.

asked the Home Secretary whether in connection with the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of service of the police force, opportunity will be given to the men to express their views?

Yes.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Walter Bone, a conscientious objector, who died in Winchester Prison on 22ndFebruary, had been suffering from gastric trouble for a considerable time and had been in the prison hospital for six weeks; and if he will explain why this man was not released on health grounds?

The prisoner was in hospital three times for indigestion, but this afforded no sufficient ground for discharge, and he had recovered, from his last attack of indigestion before he caught the influenza.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of his staff are engaged in the medical inspection or treatment of persons employed in factories or workshops, or otherwise engaged in matters relating to such doctors?

I understand the hon. Baronet to refer only to the medical side of the Factory Department. The present established staff, which numbers about 200, includes three medical inspectors who supervise the work of the factory certifying surgeons. There are also three temporary women inspectors with special hospital training.

asked the Home Secretary if he will immediately circulate with the Votes a list of the Acts of Parliament and Orders there under which will be affected by the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill?

Even if it were possible to prepare such a list the task would involve the expenditure of an immense amount of labour which would hardly appear to be justified.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any representations calling attention to the inadequacy of the penny library rate; and whether he will consider either the entire removal of any limitation of the rate or its very substantial augmentation?

A few representations have been received, but my right hon. Friend has no indication of a widespread demand among local authorities for an alteration of the rate, which would require legislation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether a Bill has been prepared by his Department to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Motor Cars which reported in 1906, and in particular Recommendation No. 19 with regard to the endorsement of the licences of drivers of motor vehicles; and, if so, when the Bill will be introduced into this House?

No Bill on this subject has been prepared. Under the Bill recently introduced it will, I apprehend, fall to the Ministry of Ways and Communications to deal with the question of the control of motor cars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish a comparative statement showing for the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively, for the years 1886, 1906, and 1912 the number of tons of coal per wage earner per annum, and the value of a ton of coal at the pit mouth?

I propose to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving such of the information desired by my hon. Friend as is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish a comparative statement showing for the years 1886, 1906, and 1912, for the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively, the value of output per worker?

Figures of the kind required are not available, and no comparative figures of any kind exist for the years quoted. I am, however, sending to my hon. Friend a memorandum which may be of some interest to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the results of any experiments conducted indicating the presence of considerable quantities of coal gas, sulphate of ammonia, and lubricating oil in town sewage; whether these substances can be profitably extracted from town sewage and converted to economic use; and whether, if reliable experimental results are not available, exhaustive measures will be taken to determine sewage value as a source of supply of coal gas, sulphate of ammonia, lubricating oil, and fertilisers?

Proposals for the conversion of sewage and sewage sludge into products of utility are now receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government. The Local Government Board are, I believe, at present engaged in investigating the matter, and a Report is in course of preparation by the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to remove the restrictions on the importation of motor vehicles and parts; and, if so, from what date?

This question, together with all other cognate questions, is under careful consideration, but I am not at present able to make any definite statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information in respect to the action of the Director of Raw Materials in recently extending the character of the samples approved by the Director of Raw Materials to materials and specifications which are more appropriate to those classes who can afford to pay the present market value for their boots and shoes; whether he will use his influence for the gradual withdrawal of the war-time boot scheme and exercise control in restricting the profits made by manufacturers to the percentage of profit which prevailed before August, 1914; is he aware that the Association of Distributors has protested against the extension of the war-time boot scheme as likely to depreciate in value their existing stocks; and will he withdraw the extensions and embellishments objected to preliminarily to the gradual withdrawal of the war-time boot scheme?

I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the full explanation on the subject of war-time boots given on the 26th February last, in reply to questions of the hon. Member for Wellingborough and the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth. It is true that at different times complaints have been made by sections of the trade regarding particular details of the scheme, but the Department is satisfied that great benefits have been secured to the publicthrough their being enabled to obtain 14,000,000 pairs of boots of excellent quality at controlled prices, and at the same time the trade as a whole undoubtedly recognises that its legitimate interests have been respected.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the invitation to labour offering employment to 6,000 men at the Stonor works is causing labour unrest in the district by creating competition between Government-controlled and private works, and by depleting every source of engaged labour; and whether he will give the matter his early consideration?

I am in communication with the War Office and the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company on this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he is aware that when the foremen at the national shipyard No. 2, Beachley, were engaged, one of the conditions was that those who were compelled to live away from their homes should be paid 9s. per week in addition to their wages, and that this was paid for one week and then, without giving the men notice, it was stopped; and if he will lake steps to resume the payment of this allowance?

All workmen on construction are paid and taken on in accordance with Clause 7 of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Building Trade Joint Council code of working rules, dated from the 1st November, 1918. Workmen compelled to live away from their homes are paid 9s. per week subsistence allowance in addition to their wages. These workmen are generally paid at a rate of so much per hour. The arrangement under which the subsistence allowance referred to is paid to workmen at the national shipyards does not apply to foremen, who are, as a general rule, paid what is called an up-standing rate, that is, an inclusive rate of so much per week. If in any case foremen have been paid this allowance for the first week the payment must have been made in error.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that inconvenience and loss are caused to the inhabitants in the Glenisla and Lintrathen districts through the continued curtailment of the postal facilities; and will he consider the advisability of employing suitable labour from the ranks of those at present drawing out-of-work donations, and so restore the pre-war postal facilities, and thus remove one of the causes which operate against the letting of houses, etc., to summer visitors?

I am sorry I can add nothing to the letter which I sent to the hon. Member on the 30th of January about the postal service in the district referred to.

asked the Postmaster-General why cables to or from the Far East may take a week to ten days before they are delivered; and whether he is aware of the feeling in business circles as to the inefficiency, from whatever cause, of the cable service?

The heavy delay on private telegrams to and from the Far East is due to several causes. In the first place the traffic has largely increased, being now two and a half times as great as before the War. A large proportion is Government traffic, which takes precedence over private telegrams. Further, owing to the stoppage of the auxiliary routes through Russia and Germany, the whole of the traffic is concentrated on the marine cables. Two of the seven which start from the United Kingdom are at present interrupted, but the companies are doing all in their power to restore them. I have urged the various Government Departments to reduce their telegraph traffic as far as possible; and I am endeavouring to supplement the cable service by an auxiliary wireless service by means of existing Government stations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that at the Northampton Post Office notice of dismissal has been given to male temporary workers, some of whom are discharged soldiers, while female temporary workers are being retained; and, if so, whether this is the general policy of the Department?

The standing instruction is that ex-soldiers who have been discharged owing to wounds or illness should be given a preference for retention over all other members of the temporary force. The latter, whether male or female, will be discharged in the inverse order of length of temporary employment. I am inquiring into the circumstances at Northampton.

asked the Postmaster-General when he can frame any estimate as to the present and prospective loss on the telegraph service as compared with the annual loss of about £700,000 in 1904, and as to how far that loss is due to the facilities provided for Press telegrams?

The estimate for the loss for 1917–18 is £556,000, but the conditions are abnormal, and this estimate is not an adequate criterion of the financial results of the telegraph service in normal times. A full statement will soon be published in a Parliamentary White Paper. This estimate is framed on commercial lines, and on a different basis from that for 1904 which my hon. and gallant Friend has quoted. Before the War the loss on Press telegrams was estimated at over £200,000 a year; there has since been a considerable reduction in the volume of Press work, though the resultant saving has probably been offset by an increase in wages and in cost of materials.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Land Settlement Bill will contain any provision which will abolish the system of tied cottages in country districts?

I am afraid I must ask my hon. Friend to await the introduction of the Land Settlement Bill.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the President of the Local Government Board has appointed a Committee to consider whether it is desirable to introduce a scheme of superannuation applicable to the persons in the employment of local authorities in England and Wales; whether representations have been addressed to the Scottish Office towards the extension to Scotland of the Committee's inquiry or the appointment of a separate Committee of inquiry for Scotland; and what action he is prepared to take to place the superannuation of local government officers and servants in Scotland on an equal footing with such officers and servants in England and Wales?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am prepared to consider the expediency of an inquiry as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Leader of the House when he expects to be in a position to place before the House the Government scheme in detail for housing, the acquisition of the necessary land, and the steps now being taken, or to be taken for the provision of the necessary building material?

A Bill has been drafted and it is hoped that it will be possible to introduce it shortly. The Ministry of Munitions have made, and are making, contracts for material.