asked the Food Controller whether he intends to recommend legislation to make permanent the provisions of the Bread Order, 1918, with regard to the sale of bread by weight only, the imposition of heavier penalties for offences than the penalties specified in the Bread Acts, and empowering inspectors of weights and measures to require bread to be weighed and to prosecute in respect of offences?

The question of introducing legislation in order to make permanent certain of the provisions of the Bread Order, 1918, and in particular the provision that bread must be sold by net weight only, is now under attention.

asked the Food Controller whether, in reducing the prices of tea and other household necessities, he will allow an appropriate rebate to retailers in respect of the stocks held by them when such reduction takes place?

I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member for Spelthorne on 24th February.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware of considerable displacement of labour in certain biscuit factories in consequence of slackening of orders, and that employment would be stabilised if the Ministry would reduce the Licence Duty of 36s. per sack of flour; and if he will take action in the matter?

The Food Controlleris not aware of considerable displacement of labour in biscuit factories. Any slackening of orders would appear to be due to the cancellation of contracts for Army biscuits since the cessation of hostilities, but the manufacture of biscuits for civilian consumption has been encouraged, export is now permitted, and adequate supplies of fats and sugar for use in manufacture have been made available. The Licence Duty to which the hon. and gallant Member refers corresponds approximately to the amount of the subsidy on flour. The Food Controller is considering this reduction of this rate as costs decline.

asked the Food Controller whether, in view of the heavy stocks of sugar already in the United Kingdom, amounting to over 360,000 tons, he will remove the embargo which prevents the sale of bitter oranges to the public and at the same time issue a supply of sugar, so that the making of marmalade by householders may be resumed forthwith?

It is proposed to revoke the Order prohibiting dealings in bitter oranges almost immediately. I regret, however, that the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply are unable to make a special issue of sugar since sufficient supplies of white sugar are not available, and other sugar is not suitable for the purpose.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that Danish butter is at present being imported into Ireland, where there is a sufficiency of home-made butter; and if he will direct that such supplies of Danish butter will be for the future retained for distribution in the United Kingdom, where the supply of butter is insufficient?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Food Controller whether it is intended that bacon should be released from control and that private persons will be free to import it; and, if so, whether the bacon imported from America by private persons will be charged the Government freight rate of 42s. 6d. per ton or the North Atlantic shipping ring's rate of 93s. 4d. per ton?

The control of the prices and distribution of imported bacon will be suspended on and after 31st March. Private traders will be free to import bacon into Great Britain from 10th March. They will presumably be changed the commercial shipping rates obtaining from time to time.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that consignments of tea from a garden in. Sylhet, for which a price under 7d. per lb. was paid to the growers, were on Thursday, 27th February, sold by auction by the Government at prices varying from 1s. 6d. to 1s. 10¾d. per lb.; and whether the cost of freight and insurance on this tea was, approximately, 3d. per lb.?

I have no knowledge of the particular consignments of tea to which the hon. Member refers, and am therefore unable to say whether the purchase price and the cost of freight and insurance are as stated in the question, but I am aware that teas purchased by the Ministry of Food were on Thursday, 27th February, sold at public auction for export at the prices mentioned. If the hon. Member will supply the mark and grade of the tea I will have the figures in this case ascertained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how the present supply of home-grown and foreign oats, imported or contracted for, compares with February of the years 1914 and 1918?

No returns of the stocks of grain were officially obtained prior to the outbreak of war, when the Board of Agriculture instituted the present system of periodical returns, but it is estimated that the quantity of oats on the farms of the United Kingdom in February, 1918, was about 3,000,000 quarters, and in February, 1919, about 6,000,000 quarters in excess of the quantity at the corresponding period of 1914, while stocks of imported oats held at the ports were in February, 1918, about 675,000, and in February, 1919, about 800,000 quarters in excess. No information is available as to oats contracted for by the trade in 1914. The Board are informed that contracts for foreign oats are made on behalf of the Allies jointly, and it is not possible to give the quantity contracted for on behalf of this country separately. I may, however, add that the quantity destined for the United Kingdom is at present negligible.

asked the Food Controller if he will remedy at Shebbear, Devon, the lack of alcoholic stimulant that is prescribed by the medical men for cases of pneumonia complications, influenza, and other illnesses?

I can add nothing to the answers already given to similar questions on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister what Department is responsible for the administration of Orders relating to the release of bonded spirits; by what authority have the permanent officials, by administrative action, nullified the recent Order increasing the supply; and whether, if this action is unauthorised, he will suspend and dismiss the responsible official, having regard to the mischief his action has produced by adding to the public discontent at this time?

Authorities for the release of spirits from bond under the orders restricting deliveries are issued under the direction of the Board of Customs and Excise. The hon. Member is mistaken, in suggesting that the recent permission to increase the deliveries has been nullified by administrative action. I presume he has in mind the limitation, of the increase on authorities current for the six months ending 31st March to 10 per cent. of the six months' supply.The position is as follows: Clearances of spirits in 1918 were restricted to 50 per cent. of the quantities delivered in 1916. The Cabinet recently decided to increase this amount to 75 per cent. of the quantities delivered in 1916. The current authorities, which cover a period of half a year, expire on the 31st March. The Cabinet decision became operative on the 24th of February, leaving only thirty-six days or roughly the tenth of a year before 31st March. The Commissioners of Customs and Excise consequently increased the current authorities by 10 per cent. of the six months' supply. The effect of this increase is that the clearances allowable as from the 24th February will amount to 75 per cent. of the quantities due to the corresponding period of 1916.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the recent promised addition of released bonded whisky or brandy of 25 per cent., including in all 75 per cent. over the 1916 quantities, has in practice been nullified by the action of the Department concerned with the administration, by restricting the increase to one month's average, taken over the whole fiscal year, ending 31st March, and that in consequence the quantities thus authorised are so small as to be outside the wholesalers' licence, and, therefore, in spite of the prevailing sickness and deaths, which the use of stimulants would do so much to reduce, the order is inoperative, and the public are deluded by administrative action; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The first part of the question is dealt with in my answer to the preceding question. For the latter part I would refer him to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to the hon. Member for the Everton Division of Liverpool on the 3rd March.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how it is proposed to apply the interim Grant of £250,000 for Reconstruction in Ireland?

The administration of the existing Grant is being undertaken by existing Government Departments under myself, as chairman. The Committee has already held two meetings, and a number of schemes to be carried out under the supervision of the Local Government Board, the Land Commission and the Department of Agriculture have already been, approved and further schemes are being prepared and will shortly come before the Committee.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Approved Societies' Association of Ireland, including the Catholic Young Men's Society, the Limerick County Society, the Dublin Protestant Society, and the Drapers' Assistants' Society, protesting against the application of the English Public Health Bill to Ireland and making a separate demand for a Public Health Bill for Ireland; whether these are only a small number of the organisations representing the working classes in Ireland who are making a similar demand; whether there is any public authority or representative body in Ireland in favour of this English Bill; and whether he will now take steps, in view of the state of public feeling, to introduce a separate Public Health Bill for Ireland?

The resolutions referred to have been received. I am aware that public opinion is divided, and certain sections are in favour of a separate Bill, while others, including a large section of the medical profession, prefer the adaptation of the appropriate, clauses of the English Bill.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, before proceeding further with the proposed Public Health Bill for Ireland, a conference will be called of the representatives of local public bodies, the medical profession, the Insurance Commissioners, and others interested in the public health with a view to the preparation of an Irish Public Health Ministry which would meet the special and particular needs of Ireland?

My right hon. Friend stated in the course of Debate on the Second Reading of the Ministry of Health Bill that he would be glad so far as practicable, to consult the views of such bodies as are mentioned in the question in regard to the application of the Bill to Ireland; and he is in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will give favourable consideration to the claim of Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners for an increased allowance; and whether he is aware that these men are now in distress owing to the increased cost of living and to the fact that outside Ulster they find it difficult to get employment?

I am aware that Royal Irish Constabulary Pensioners are seriously affected by the increased cost of living, and that in parts of Ireland they find difficulty in obtaining employment. The question of increasing pensions was carefully and sympathetically considered when the recent Police Bill was being framed, but it was found impossible to make provision for increasing existing pensions. I regret that I can hold out no hope of securing an alteration of that decision.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the state of primary education in Ireland, and whether he is prepared to take any steps of bring it into line with primary education in Great Britain?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the report of the Vice Regal Committee of Inquiry into Primary Education (Ireland), 1918, presented yesterday, which is having my careful consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, under any scheme to increase the pensions of retired Civil servants, he is prepared to include in the Grant retired police pensioners in Ireland, who are compelled to maintain themselves and their families on pensions which even in pre-war days were inadequate to meet their requirements?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Government are not prepared to grant a bonus to pensioners. This decision applies to retired police pensioners in Ireland as well as to Civil pensioners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the importance of the work of industrial reconstruction in Ireland, he is aware that the existing high railway goods and passenger fares tend to hamper and paralyse trade and transit development as well as inflicting an impost on the travelling public no longer justified by war exigencies; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to forthwith restore the fares to their pre-war rates?

I am fully aware of the objections to high goods rates and passenger fares, but I fear that in view of the present position of the railways in the United Kingdom I cannot hold out any hope of an early reduction either of rates or fares, the former of which have not been increased to any considerable degree generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his investigations into the action of the railway companies in Belfast in increasing the fares of the weekly tickets issued to working men since resumption after the strike; whether it is a fact that on one railway in particular the increase in fares amounts to 14s. per week; whether this action on the part of the railway companies is a breach of the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether he will take steps to have this grievance removed and the former conditions restored?

I am in communication with the Irish Railway Executive Committee on this matter, but I am not yet in a position to give a definite reply on the subject. I will do so as soon as I can.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the general dissatisfaction existing in all parts of Ireland, especially among the merchants and traders, regarding the mail services between Great Britain and Ireland, he will take immediate steps to restore the pre-war conditions, so as to put an end to the injury and inconvenience to Irish trade and industry caused by the continuance of the irregular and delayed Irish mail services?

I am aware that the postal service between Great Britain and Ireland is not so good as it was before the War, but this is the result of war conditions, and circumstances do not at present permit of any improvement.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the serious interruption to business consequent on the defective service of both telegraph and telephone between the Stock Exchanges of London and Dublin, he can now permit the private wire of the Dublin Stock Exchange, discontinued during the War, to be reinstalled?

That portion of the telegraph traffic between London and Dublin which relates to Stock Exchange business is not large enough to warrant the allocation of a wire solely for the Dublin Stock Exchange without prejudicing the interests of the general public in Dublin whose messages would then be subject to still greater delay.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that there is a considerable amount of opinion through- out Orkney that there is an immense amount of useless expenditure of money going on; and if he will make every possible inquiry to ascertain if this is the case?

An inquiry could, of course, be held. But I think my hon. Friend should, in the first instance, supply us with specific indication of the extravagance alleged.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if it is a fact that all men engaged in mine-sweeping are to get ten days' leave as from the 31st March; and if, in view of the fact that in many cases all those days would be exhausted in travelling home and back, he will grant an additional extension to men from the Highlands and Islands so as to give them at least a few days with their families?

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that officers and men from distant bases will receive special consideration to cover their additional length of journeys.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those soldiers who served in the Mesopotamian campaign, and after having been wounded or invalided were posted to units in India, will be eligible for demobilisation before the summer under the present scheme?

Arrangements have been made for as many individuals as possible who have suffered in health from prolonged service in the East and from other causes to be brought home before the hot weather sets in. The men referred to by my Noble and gallant Friend will probably be included among these.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Red Cross men who have served during the War under military discipline are to be recognised on demobilisation as ex-Ser- vice men or discharged civilians, which is an important point to men when applying for employment?

The men referred to are under the direct control of the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Their release is arranged for by this Committee, and on being released their status is that of civilians who have ceased to be employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the application of Mrs. Pfeiffer, Leather Exchange Tavern, 15, Market Street, Bermondsey, S.E., for the release of her son, Private A. F. Pfeiffer, No. 35640, B Company, Detachment31st Battalion Middlesex Regiment, Sevenoaks (Battalion Headquarters, Croydon) on compassionate grounds, has been forwarded to the commanding officer of Private Pfeiffer's unit?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his question of the 24th February. Private Pfeiffer should make an application himself to the officer commanding his unit. Mrs. Pfeiffer's letter has been forwarded to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the command concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in spite of the demobilisation of teachers ordered in December, 1918, the headmaster of a school, whose release was duly applied for, should still be retained on military service at home?

Teachers are demobilised in accordance with Regulations for the time being in force; the Regulations which were in force in December, 1918, were cancelled by Army Order 55 of 1919, and demobilisation is now dependent on the officer or soldier concerned being eligible under that Army Order. It must be borne in mind that demobilisation is at all times subject to the exigencies of the Service. If the headmaster in question has been recommended for release by the Board of Education and was registered by the War Office as a pivotal man before the 1st of February, 1919, his demobilisation will take place as soon as possible without reference to his age or length of service.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Corporal D. R. Macdonald, No. 36390, Royal Engineers, dispatch, rider, 1st Army Signals, British Expeditionary Force, who was passed by the Ministry of Labour in January as a pivotal man, is still being retained with the Colours; and if he will issue instructions for his immediate demobilisation?

I find that instructions as to Corporal Macdonald's release were issued on the 4th of February. I have no reason to doubt that they will be carried into effect as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the "pivotal" and "slip" system is still being followed in releasing Post Office employés from, the Army; and whether, in view of the fact that this system has been abolished in the case of private employés as being an unfair one, he will consider the advisability of applying for the release of Post Office employés from the Army according to age and length of service?

The Post Office was offered the same opportunities as other Government Departments of applying for the early demobilisation of a number of men under the "pivotal" scheme. The men who were asked for have not all been released yet, but no additional men have been asked for as "pivotal" men since the "pivotal" scheme was withdrawn. The military authorities decide the order of release of other Post Office men.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in the release from the Colours of skilled agricultural labourers, duly certified and applied for as pivotal men under the earlier scheme of demobilisation; and whether, in view of the fact that soldiers serving in agricultural companies are now being withdrawn from agricultural employment at a period when farmers are experiencing the utmost difficulty in getting through the necessary cultivation, he will take the necessary action to arrange that such labour shall not be withdrawn, at least during the next few weeks, until the men for whom application has been made have been released?

The Board are aware of the delay in the release of the "pivotal" men required for the agricultural industry, and I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for War on Tuesday of last week to the hon. Member for Kettering, in which he stated that "pivotal" men are being demobilised as quickly as possible. The soldiers of agricultural companies who are eligible for demobilisation under general War Office Instructions are being demobilised gradually, and it is not possible to retain these men. The majority of these men so far demobilised are agriculturists, and are not lost to agriculture, although they may change their employer. Agriculturists are being released from the forces at a greater rate than that at which the agricultural companies are being demobilised.The figures are:

	Men.
Agriculturists demobilised to date	113,000
Soldiers of Agricultural Companies released	33,000
Showing a balance in favour of agriculture of	80,000

Therefore, although farmers employing soldier labour may be inconvenienced, the supply of labour, taking the country as a whole, is gradually improving.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can publish a list of the physicians and surgeons who have given voluntary service at military and auxiliary hospitals during the War, and the periods for which they have given their services?

I regret that I am unable to comply with my Noble Friend's suggestion, as there is no list of the kind available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the next of kin of officers and men who served in the Gallipoli campaign and were killed will receive the Gallipoli medal on behalf of their fallen relatives; and whether a similar practice will be followed with regard to the 1915 star and any other medals or decorations that may be granted?

Yes, Sir. All commemorative war medals earned by individuals who have died before their issue will be given to the legal representative or the next of kin, according to whether the deceased soldier died testate or intestate.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long the road between Sandwich and Margate passing through Richborough Camp is to be continued closed; what is the justification for such action at the present time, in view of the Armistice; and is he aware of the inconvenience caused to local inhabitants?

I cannot say at present how long it will be necessary to keep this road closed. The road runs through the middle of the camp, where large quantities of valuable Government stores are situated. It is realised that the closing of the road must cause a certain amount of inconvenience, although local inhabitants are, as a matter of fact, allowed to use it on production of police passes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is taking care that the men composing the Army of Occupation in Germany will not be induced to buy certain articles which they can afterwards bring into this country (duty free) and re-sell?

Every care is being taken to safeguard this.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now able to state the result of his inquiry into the question of the employment of soldiers in telephone exchanges ostensibly on military duties but, in cases of emergency, employed on ordinary Post Office duties at military rates of pay, to which his attention was drawn on the 1st August and on the 23rd October last year?

It has been decided that these men should receive civilian rates, and instructions have been issued to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the position of dental surgeons, who are now refused any gratuity on leaving the service though their pay is only £1 per day and no bonus; and whether dental officers can be given the same treatment as medical or veterinary officers in this respect even though they have not the right to demand it?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given to-day to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Ripon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any short paper is obtainable which shows the scale of gratuities to which non-commissioned officers and men of, respectively, the Regular and New Armies are entitled on account of their service during the present War; and, if no such paper exists, will he cause a concise statement to be prepared and circulated to Members?

The statement originally circulated, which appears in the Official Report for the 20th November, 1918, shows the general scope of the gratuity. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Army Order promulgating the Royal Warrant, which fully explains the details.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the amount of the gratuity to which a corporal of the Royal Army Service Corps who has served since 4th January, 1915, and has been overseas since 12th May, 1918, is now entitled?

Assuming that the whole of his service qualifies for the gratuity a corporal who joined the Colours on 4th January, 1915, and is still serving, would in the circumstances mentioned have earned a gratuity of £25 10s.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to reply to the letter addressed to him on 30th January last regarding the deduction of Service gratuity from war gratuity; and whether he is aware that the practice is contrary to an undertaking given by the late Lord Kitchener to ex-Service men who were asked to re-enlist for the purpose of training the New Armies?

A reply was sent to the hon. and gallant Member's letter on 28th February, and I hope that this will sufficiently explain the situation to him.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in cases where service pensions were earned previous to the War by a distinct term of service rendered under contract to the State, he will cause such pension to be reckoned in assessing alternative pensions?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member on 13th February, service pensions are regarded, for alternative pensions, as income but not earnings. But as the practice of the Department on this point has recently been challenged, the question, an admittedly difficult one, is being reconsidered.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider the desirability of amending the Regulations with a view to alternative pensions being no longer assessed on the 1913 to 1914 basis of earnings, but that an increase of at least 50 per cent, should be given on this rate?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement to-morrow.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in the case of demobilised men who die whilst on their twenty-eight days' furlough pending discharge from the Army, the widows of such men will be, or are, entitled to a widow's pension?

A full pension will be granted to the widow (if she is otherwise eligible) of any soldier who dies during his twenty-eight days' furlough pending discharge as the result of wounds, injuries or disease attributable to or aggravated by Army service or of disease which was contracted or which commenced on active service.

asked the Pensions, Minister whether he is aware that the absence of institutional clothing for pensioners admitted to hospitals or convalescent homes is a great handicap; that it makes discipline and the acceptance of treatment more difficult; and that men strongly object to wearing out their own clothes whilst they are in the institution on crutches; and whether he will provide such clothing in the same way as serving soldiers are provided with the familiar hospital blue?

Arrangements are being made for supplying, where necessary, underclothing and overcoats on loan to pensioners undergoing treatment in institutions. The details will be notified to the local committees as soon as practicable. Unless they are being treated in military hospitals, and are required to wear the hospital blue, pensioners do not wear uniforms, except in very special cases. I do not think that there is any general desire to do so.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the maximum grant which a local war pensions committee can make in respect of the funeral of a discharged disabled man, whose death is attributable to his war service, is £5; whether he is aware that at the present time it is not possible to arrange for a funeral in London at so small a cost as £5; and whether he will give the local war pensions committee discretionary powers to make a larger grant in cases where it will otherwise be necessary to have recourse to the guardians?

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that Harry Bell, Royal Air Force, who was formerly in the 12th Squadron, then transferred to the 56th Squadron, and is now in the 13th wing H 2, France, and is at present servant to a colonel, applied to have the allowance made to his mother, and that 3s. 6d. only has been paid; whether he is aware that Harry Bell's brother, Robert Bell, who went through an operation and came home in April, 1918, sent the ring-paper straight back, and that nothing more has been heard since; and whether he will have inquiries made into the case?

In the absence of Service number, it is impossible to identify the airman referred to. If the hon. Member will be good enough to supply me with this information, the case will be investigated and the result communicated to him.

asked the Pensions Minister whether it is possible under existing Regulations to increase the pension of 7d. a day awarded to Lance-Corporal Peter Pittock, No. 1685, 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment, who was discharged from Netley Hospital on 16th June, 1896, after being invalided from India with tubercle of the lungs, in view of the fact that this man is now unable to do any work and his wife is no longer able to work; and whether, if any increase in pension is impossible under existing Regulations, he will consider such a revision of the Regulations as to permit of the pension awarded being suitably increased?

The pension of 7d. a day which is being drawn by Mr. Pittock is the maximum amount which can be awarded under the Royal Warrant of 1896 in the circumstances of his case. His disability was not derived from war service, and, therefore, the pension cannot be increased under the recent former War Warrants. A further revision of the Regulations to meet cases of this nature is not contemplated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether flying officers with four years' service are to receive £150 gratuity for each year; whether technical officers are to receive the same amount; and, if not, will he give particulars of the difference between the gratuities to be granted to these two classes of officers, stating at the same time what would be the amount of gratuity to be given to technical officers with the rank of captain with four years' service, and how much would be granted to flying officers of the same rank with a similar length of service?

Flying officers who were granted commissions in the Special Reserve of the Royal Flying Corps (and certain officers who entered the Royal Naval Air Service on special engagements) are entitled to gratuities of £150 for each completed year of service subject to certain conditions. Officers who entered the Special Reserve Royal Flying Corps, as technical officers (originally-termed equipment officers) are not entitled to this gratuity, but receive instead a gratuity of 124 days' pay for the first year of service and sixty-two days' pay for each subsequent year or part of a year. The gratuity issuable to a technical officer of the rank of captain, with between four and five years' service, varies from £316 to £372. That issuable to a flying officer of the same rank and service varies from £353 to £372, if he was not on a Special Reserve engagement, and is £600 if he was on such an engagement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether proposals have been put before the Peace Conference for the total prohibition of torpedo-carrying aircraft?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he has had an opportunity of investigating the history of the development of torpedo-carrying aircraft; and whether he will consider the appointment of a Commission to investigate why this weapon, which might have been a deciding factor in the War, was not further developed, and to apportion the blame accordingly?

The Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry is away ill, and he hopes that the hon. and gallant Member will agree to postpone his question for a week, as it is one that requires personal consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that an announcement was made before the 1st April last that technical officers in the Royal Air Force would be granted technical pay and that this pay was to be according to some system of grading; if he will state what such system was and the rates of pay that were to be granted; whether he is aware that, after the announcement was made, without any further intimation, the original system was abandoned as impracticable and that in September last it was announced that there would be an alteration in the rates of technical pay; if he will state what alterations were then proposed; whether any technical pay has actually been given and, if so, will he state the number of officers to whom it has been granted and upon what basis; and if steps will forthwith be taken to give this pay as originally announced, making it retrospective as and from the date of such announcement, in order that officers who may have been duly qualified, although they may have left the Service, shall obtain the additional pay it was intended that they should receive?

The original Regulations for the pay of the technical branch of the Royal Air Force provided a basic rate of pay, according to rank, with the addition of technical pay of either 2s., 4s., 6s. or 8s. a day, varying according to (a) rank and (b) the nature of the technical duties carried out by individual officers. It was found impracticable to grade officers individually for these rates of technical pay, and it was decided in September last to make the rate of technical pay dependent solely on rank. At the same time the different classes of technical duties carrying the right to technical pay were denned. The classification of officers according to these duties is being carried out and will shortly be completed. In the meantime technical pay at the original minimum rate for each rank has been issued, and any balance will be credited to officers as soon as the work of classifying thorn has been completed.

asked the Minister of National Service if he is aware that Messrs. E. J. Brewer and Sons, expert tea and coffee blenders, have a large and increasing trade from their establishment in Southsea, and that their application for a licence to open a branch business in the north end of the borough of Portsmouth, a borough containing some 250,000 inhabitants, has been refused, although such application had the written approval of the Portsmouth Food Control Committee and if he will inquire into this matter and grant Messrs. Brewer's request?

I have inquired into the matter referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, and in my opinion it was both necessary and right to refuse Messrs. Brewer's application. The premises at which they proposed to open are immediately opposite a shop belonging to a serving soldier, where a similar trade is carried on. There is also another similar business about five doors away belonging to a soldier who has been demobilised since Messrs. Brewer's application was received. I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that in these circumstances the decision should stand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether it is possible to discontinue the manufacture of poison gas at Ellesmere Port, two deaths having recently occurred and several of the inhabitants been injured by an escape of the gas; and whether it can be arranged to remove the poison gas manufactory from the neighbourhood of Ellesmere Port to a less populous and non-manufacturing district?

Arrangements have been made to bring the manufacture of poison gas at this factory to an end.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will cause to be prepared and issued a full statement of the transactions of the Machine Tools Department of the Ministry of Munitions, setting forth the cost and method of distribution of machine tools, the conditions under which controlled firms have obtained them, and details of the numbers and cost of machine tools supplied to our Allies during the War; and will he outline the policy of the Government in respect to the final disposal of all machine tools produced and distributed under the control and direction of the Ministry?

The main function of the Machine Tool Department of the Ministry of Munitions during the War has not been the production and distribution of machine tools by direct Government agency, but the general control of the industry with a view to increasing the supply of machines for urgent war work. It has been left to the machine-tool trade itself to supply the machines under the general supervision of the Department. The reply to the second part of the question is that surplus machine tools are disposed of either by auction or by tender after the fullest publicity. The only exceptions to this general rule are the cases where contractors have an option to purchase certain tools under their contract with the Government. In these cases the machines are disposed of by private negotiation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Munitions if the estimate of £65,000,000 given by him as the cost of Government factories on Monday, 17th February, includes the cost of explosive and chemical works; and will he state the approximate cost of such establishments and to what extent, if any, the actual coat of building and machine equipment exceeds the original estimates?

The estimated cost of national explosive and chemical factories is £28,000,000. This figure was included in the total estimate of £65,000,000 given in my answer of 17th February. The original estimates of cost were revised on several occasions during the course of the War to cover the developments in the schemes rendered necessary by our increasing military requirements. Authority for this increased expenditure was regularly obtained from the Treasury. The last estimate of the cost of the explosive and chemical factories, submitted in March, 1918, was approximately £27,000,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he will issue a statement relative to aircraft stations and establishments for the production of aircraft and aircraft requisites and accessories; how many of such establishments have been completely finished and in use; how many have been abandoned before completion; and what has been approximately the cost of completed establishments and those abandoned?

It is not quite clear what particular classes of establishments my hon. Friend refers to, but I will have prepared and circulated with the Official Report a statement on national aircraft factories erected or purchased by the Ministry' of Munitions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Munitions what was the reason for the retirement of Mr. G. W. Currie, late Member for Leith Burghs, from the post of financial adviser to the Ministry of Munitions; and will the list of contractors be published who were struck off the rolls for various shortcomings?

Mr. G. W. Currie has, during the past twelve months, been acting as assistant and adviser to the Controller of Factory Audit and Costs. He was never appointed financial adviser to the Ministry, and so far as I am aware he has not severed his connection with the Department. As to the second part of the question I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers I have already given.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the grave discontent existing among the elementary school teachers serving under the Northamptonshire County Council; whether he is aware that many of these teachers have received less than a 20 per cent. increase upon their pre-war salaries; and, considering the fact that the Board of Education refunds to the county council three-fifths of all money expended on teachers' salaries, whether any steps can be taken by the Board of Education to secure fairer treatment for the teachers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The county local education authority informed the Board last October that they were still considering the position of the teachers in their service, and had not finally decided upon the regulations which would govern the application to those teachers of the new scale in force from 1st April, 1918. I am not aware of the precise percentage of increase upon previous salary received by the teachers up till now. I do not see what action I can usefully take at the present moment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether a Departmental Committee which was appointed five years ago to report as to giving effect to the scheme of the Haldane Commission on University Education in London and as to the arrangements for that purpose, which would be immediately adopted, has made a Report or whether it has discontinued its labours?

Owing to the War the work of the Committee, which had made some progress, had to be suspended before they were in a position to report. The whole question of the further steps which should be taken to deal with university education in London is receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Government made an Order in Council dated 5th February, 1918, which recognised the Poles, who were formerly subject to Germany, Austria, and Russia, as an independent people; if he is aware that in this Order, by the expression, by race a Pole, the Government has made a distinction between the non-Jew and the Jew who has lived in the country for generations; whether, seeing that whilst German and Austrian Poles have been released from internment camps and police restrictions removed, Polish Jews are still interned and still subject to police supervision, the distinction made by the Government may have encouraged the wholesale slaughter of Jews in Galicia; how the Government can repatriate these people when it has deprived them of their national rights; and whether the Government intend, on the recommendation of the Information Committee for Polish Jews, to release those who are now interned and remove the police restrictions?

The first two paragraphs of the question do not represent the facts quite accurately, and indeed the subject raised by the hon. and gallant Member is too complicated and difficult to be dealt with by question and answer. I can, however, say that the position of the Polish Jew in the present upheaval of nations and the proper course to be adopted in regard thereto is receiving special consideration. I am satisfied that the suggestion in the third paragraph of the question has no foundation in fact.

asked the Home Secretary what has been the total cost of the scheme for the employment of conscientious objectors under the Home Office Committee; and how many officials have been occupied solely in the working of the scheme?

I can only state the gross amount of the payments made, not the net cost to the State after allowing for repayments due, and for the value of work done at the work centres. The gross amount of the payments from August, 1916, to the 31st December, 1918, is £254,992 15s. 9d. The staff of the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors number seventeen, of whom twelve are women. These, and the prison officers employed at the Prince town Work Centre, are the only officials occupied solely in the working of the scheme.

asked the Home Secretary whether Oswald Cox, a conscientious objector, is now breaking down in health in Pentonville Prison; and, if so, whether he will order the man's release on health grounds?

In view of a report made to me this man was released on medical grounds last month.

asked the Home Secretary whether, for the information and convenience of Members, he will have prepared and issued a Memorandum setting out the powers and duties proposed to be transferred to the Minister of Ways and Communications by the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill?

A general statement setting forth the main powers and duties proposed to be transferred is in course of preparation, and will be issued at an early date. I am informed that, owing to the large number of private and other Acts involved, it would be impracticable to supply a statement in minute detail.

asked the Home Secretary what is proposed to be done with the premises 15 and 16, Wyndham Place, Bryanston Square, W., which were formerly occupied as a home for German governesses under the Association of German Governesses and which were closed by official action; and whether, in view of the dearth of houses for the occupation of British-born subjects, he will give directions for the future disposal of these premises and not permit them to be reoccupied by the former tenants?

The premises in question were not closed by official action so far as I am aware, and I have no power to give any directions such as the hon. and learned Member suggests.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the present governor of Wandsworth Prison was commandant of Chelmsford Detention Barracks; that on 20th February, while about fifty conscientious objectors and twelve other prisoners were lined up to proceed to the shops, the governor declared that he would not have the conscientious objectors mixed up with respectable men; that one man who protested against this statement was put in irons in the strong room, although his prison record was absolutely clean; and whether he will inquire into this matter to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future and to determine whether this official should continue to be governor of one of His Majesty's prisons?

The officer referred to has long experience in the civil prison service. He was lent temporarily to the War Office during the War, and had charge of Chelmsford Detention Barracks. He was recently selected to take charge of Wandsworth Civil Prison. A section of conscientious objector prisoners, had been persistently guilty of noisy and disorderly behaviour, and the governor said audibly to the chief warder that he would not have well-behaved prisoners disturbed by these men, and ordered them to the cells. No prisoner was placed in irons or in a so-called "strong room." One prisoner who behaved insolently was placed in an ordinary cell apart from the other conscientious objectors. I have confidence in the manner in which the governor discharged a difficult and unpleasant duty, and I have no reason to think the measures he took were stronger than the circumstances required.

asked the Home Secretary (1) if he is aware that on most week evenings and on every Sunday a number of Russian and other aliens congregate in Hyde Park, near the Marble Arch, where they interrupt orderly religious and other meetings by frequently uttering disloyal and profane remarks; and if he will instruct the police to take additional steps to secure an abatement of this nuisance;(2) if he is aware that an alien named Swazy was recently convicted at Marlborough Street Police Court for an offence committed at a public meeting in Hyde Park, when the police stated he was a consort of revolutionary aliens; if he is aware that this man is one of the principal speakers at the meetings of the Secular Society in Hyde Park, when he utters profane, disloyal, and seditious language; and if he will give instructions for additional police action in the matter in putting an end to the objectionable language, not only of Swazy, but other speakers at these atheist meetings which are largely attended by aliens?

My attention has already been called to the conviction of the alien mentioned. The Commissioner of Police informs me that the police are on the alert with regard to the meetings in question, and any speaker who commits a breach of the law is arrested.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there are still a number of Russian and other aliens resident in the Metropolis who have not taken out their letters of identification pursuant to orders which required them to do so prior to October last; and if he will consider the advisability of increasing the penalties for any breach of this regulation, and instructing the police to give greater attention to the immediate prosecution of defaulters?

I am informed that it is probable that a considerable number of aliens in the Metropolitan police district have not yet provided themselves with identity books, the great majority of the cases being those of Russians registered in the East End of London who disappeared from their residences when called upon for military service. They are gradually being found, and when found are charged with offences under the Aliens Restriction Order. The penalties for such offences are fines not exceeding £100 or imprisonment for not more than six months, and I do not think that any increase in these penalties is called for. The police are exercising all due diligence in this matter and require no special instructions with regard to it. In the East End of London alone there have been during the last two months 163 prosecutions for failure to possess identity books.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the number of housing schemes submitted to the Local Government Board by local authorities during the past three months; whether the whole of these schemes have received the approval of his Department; and, if not, will he give the reasons for the delay?

Twenty-nine schemes for the building of houses were submitted to the Board for approval during the past three months; local authorities in the past have not been prepared to put forward definite proposals until the terms of financial assistance were finally settled. As a matter of fact a large amount of preliminary work has been done during the last year by local authorities, which is enabling them, now that the terms have been settled by the Circular of 6th February, to put forward schemes for approval with increasing rapidity. The whole of the twenty-nine schemes have not yet been approved, as some of them require amendment and are still the subject of consultation between the technical staff of the Department and the local authorities concerned.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the deputation he recently received in connection with the proposal to appoint a joint committee of representatives of the county and local authorities to deal with the housing of Greater London was a self-appointed one, and that their proposal to create a joint committee as an ad hocauthority for Greater London had not received the consideration or approval of the statutory housing authorities concerned; and, if any further consideration of this question is deemed necessary beyond that of the Local Government Board's officials, will, he consider the propriety of appointing an advisory committee to report to his Department in conferences with the Department of the Director-General of Housing in order to secure the best advice available?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the deputation referred to had not been formally appointed by resolution of the Greater London Housing Conference, but he did not consider that this precluded him from hearing the views of members who had taken part in the conference. He understands that the question will be further considered at a meeting of the adjourned conference to be held on Friday next and he does not think that anything would be gained by appointing another Committee to deal with it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is the intention, where housing schemes are sanctioned by his Department, that the Government will appoint architects or surveyors to supervise the schemes on its behalf; and, if so, whether, it is the intention to employ, as far as possible, architects or surveyors practising in the localities where the schemes may be undertaken?

The Local Government Board will appoint architects and surveyors on the staffs of the Director of Housing and the Housing Commissioners only. The local supervision of the schemes approved by the Board will, as a rule, be carried out by local authorities in consultation with the Housing Commissioner. The responsibility for selecting architects and surveyors for the local supervision or execution of schemes will rest with the local authorities, who will, presumably, give preference to local architects and surveyors.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Local Government Board or any county or municipal authority has conducted experiments with a view to demonstrating the possibility of the conversion of sewage into a valuable fertiliser; and, if not, whether experiments with this object in view will be undertaken, and, if undertaken, it will be ascertained how far sewage converted into fertiliser may tend to the relief of local rates and the establishment of opportunities for reproductive employment?

Experiments are being undertaken by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, with the object stated in the question, and are being watched by an officer of the Local Government Board. The answer to the points raised in the latter part of the question will depend upon the result of these experiments.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he is aware of the experience of Dr. Tenison Deane, an American physician, that the Wassermann and Noguchi tests for syphilis show positive in persons recently vaccinated who have never contracted syphilis nor inherited it, and of the fact that Dr. Valentine Knaggs, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., subjected three tubes of calf vaccine lymph to the Wassermann test when they were found to show a strong positive reaction; and whether he will arrange for some experiments of a like character to be carried out by his medical officials?

The Board's Medical Department have not up to the present traced any published account of the experiments referred to in this question, but I shall be happy to consider any facts in regard to them which my hon. Friend will be good enough to supply.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what quantity of stock bricks it is anticipated will be turned out this season at the Peterborough brickfields, and at what price will they be sold free on the railway trucks at Peterborough?

The bricks made in the Peterborough district are known as "flottons," and are not "stock" bricks. It is hoped that 250,000,000 bricks will be made during the current year. I am not in a position to state at what price they will be sold to the public, as the control of selling prices has recently been removed.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that demobilised men whose businesses were abandoned when they were called to the Colours, and who are badly in need of assistance to re-start, are being told by the Civil Liabilities authorities that they are not empowered to help them in any way; and whether, in view of the amount of hardship entailed, he can give any information as to the proper authority to whom these men should apply?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Civil Liabilities Department are engaged in investigating the applications of demobilised officers and men who seek assistance in reopening their businesses. If the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to furnish me with details of the cases to which he refers, I shall cause inquiry to be made into them.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Commissioners give to men who came voluntarily from abroad to fight for this country any grants in respects of liabilities arising outside the United Kingdom in cases where their families are out- side the Kingdom; and, if not, whether he will take steps to have this injustice remedied?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Under the regulations governing this scheme, the assistance given by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department is confined to certain liabilities arising in the United Kingdom. Where men coming from abroad to join His Majesty's Forces have incurred reasonably similar liabilities in the United Kingdom, the Department have entertained applications for assistance from such men. I do not think that it would be advisable, even if it were practicable, to extend the scheme to include liabilities arising in countries outside the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in respect of negotiations by British subjects for the sale of British properties in Russia to Russian subjects, the Board of Trade will require detailed particulars of the properties and names of purchasers, together with the particulars and conditions of sale, submitted to them before permission can be obtained to conclude the deal?

The hon. Member may rest assured that in any case in which the permission of the Board of Trade is necessary, full particulars will be required by the Department before a decision is taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the want of passenger and cargo tonnage to Australia, the Government are taking any steps to secure the use of the enemy steamers now lying in German ports and which were specifically built for the Australian services; and whether he will make arrangements with British shipping companies to run the steamers between Great Britain and Australia?

I have been asked to answer this question. All possible steps are being taken by the Associated Governments in this matter; but it would be premature to make any detailed statement at the present stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can approximately state the quantity of coal mined during the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918?

The output of coal from mines in the United Kingdom during the years named was:

	Tons.
1914	265,643,030
1915	253,179,446
1916	256,348,351
1917	248,473,119
1918 (Provisional estimate)	227,987,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that even though consumers are entitled to certain allowances in accordance with the scale in the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1918, that in the communities of Greater London they are not able to obtain these allowances owing to the shortage of supplies, and that small consumers in Tottenham requiring only 1 cwt. weekly have not been able to get this minimum allowance regularly; whether he is aware that the stocks of fuel in the merchants' depots in North London this winter have been far below those on the ground in the winter of 1916–17; and will he state the intention of his Department with regard to this condition of affairs?

The supply of coal to London during the last four weeks has been increased, and approximates closely to the tonnages of the winter 1917–18. The stringency in deliveries was relaxed on 1st March, and every consumer should be able out of the tonnages available to meet current requirements. It is admitted that the reserve stocks of coal in London are low, and every endeavour is being made out of the increased tonnages now being brought in to raise them to a normal level.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is proposed that only 7,000 of the 17,000 tons of binder-twine required for the 1919 harvest is to be manufactured in this country; that if such proposal is carried into effect the mills of the British firms now engaged in the manufacture of binder-twine will be obliged to close down; that the British firms have offered to manufacture all that is required for the 1919 harvest as cheaply as the Americans; and whether, in view of the need for employment at the present time, and of the additional information which has been privately placed at his disposal, he can now state that British firms will be preferred on equal terms to their foreign competitors, and that the proposed order for a stated amount of American binder-twine shall be cancelled?

On the 21st November last at a meeting held at the Food Production Department the home manufactures of binding-twine asked that 5,000 tons should be imported from America. The Board have recommended the Import Restriction Department to issue licences to import 4,000 tons only, and if they were satisfied that the British makers would meet the home demand at a reasonable price, they would not object that the quantity to be imported should be reduced to 2,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the cessation of hostilities German chemical companies are rapidly reorganising for peace conditions and raising fresh capital for further development; and whether he is satisfied that the chemical and colour-making undertakings in this country are making sufficient progress to secure the supply in quantity and quality necessary to the maintenance of our pre-war export of manufactured goods;(2) whether, having regard to the Prohibition of Import (No. 29) Proclamation, 1919, he will undertake that derivatives of coal-tar and all direct colours which may be prohibited will be produced and sold in this country at the same price as they are, or may be, sold by German producers to other countries engaged in competitive manufacturing industries?

I am satisfied that very substantial progress has been made by the dye-making industry in this country, and I have every reason to believe that it will now become much more rapid. The question of price is one which will, of course, have to be taken into account in determining the extent to which import licences shall be granted, and I would remind my hon. Friend that dye-users are strongly represented on the licensing committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list of all materials which are now subject to control or licence either for import or export, and at frequent intervals with a revised list, so that the House may be kept informed as to the position in regard to these controls and licences?

In regard to import restrictions I hope that it will be possible at an early date to issue a revised and consolidated list of articles affected thereby, and the work is now being taken in hand. When that list has been published it will be easy to publish subsequent amendments and additions as soon as they are decided upon. Lists of export prohibitions have always been and are still being issued at frequent intervals by the War Trade Department, the last consolidated list having appeared on 21st February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if a prohibition has now been placed upon the importation of aniline dyes; and, if so, what steps have been taken or are proposed to be taken to control prices of aniline dyes so that the industries dependent upon these products shall not be prejudiced by the prohibition?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. While it is not proposed to control prices directly, the question of price will have to be taken into account in determining the policy of admitting dyes under licence. In this connection I may point out that the consuming interests have equal representation with the dye manufacturers on the Licensing Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state in detail what articles of import are still subject to embargo, restriction or licence; and in the case of restriction or licence the nature of the restriction and the conditions on which licences are granted, and the names of the several persons or committees advising or consulting with the Board upon these matters, respectively?

At present I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member on the 24th February last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why newspapers and periodicals are permitted to issue contents bills which are designed to attract buyers of papers, when newsagents are forbidden to return unsold copies, thus discouraging sales and hampering the newsagent's business?

The Order prohibiting the issue of contents bills was withdrawn in the month of December last. It was known as the Paper Restrictions (Posters and Circulars) Order, and contained a, number of restrictions which it was desirable to withdraw at that time, as well as the prohibition of contents bills. The question of the No Returns Order is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Paper Controller declines to rescind the No Returns Order, having regard to the larger supplies of paper and the removal of other restrictions; and whether he is aware that the continuance of the No Returns Order causes great hardship to the newsagent?

My right hon. Friend is considering the question of the No Returns Order, but is not at present able to state when the Order will be rescinded. I have been made aware of the attitude of the retail newsagents, and also of the newspaper proprietors towards this Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the constitution of the company described as Brandeis Goldschmidt in August, 1914; who were its directors or partners and what was their country of origin; what was the constitution of this company in November, 1918; whether their business in Australia is closed and their representative there, Max Gorier, a German, interned; whether the British Government has given permission to a representative of Brandeis Goldschmidt to go to Australia; and, if so, whether the approval of the Commonwealth Government has been obtained?

The business of Brandeis Goldschmidt and Company was inspected by order of the Board in November, 1916. The partners then, and apparently also in August, 1914, were Ernest Goldschmidt, of German origin, who was denaturalised in 1879 and became a naturalised British subject in the same year; Paul Kohn Speyer, a British-born subject, whose father was naturalised as a British subject in 1850; Pitt Becker, of German origin, who was naturalised as a British subject in 1884; and Lucien Nachmann, residing in New York, a German, who was denaturalised in 1890 but had not become naturalised either in this country or in America. I understand that Pitt Becker died in 1917 and that Nachmann, who held a minor share in the business, retired from the partnership on 31st December, 1916. In November, 1918, the sole partners in the firm was Ernest Goldschmidt, and Paul Kohn Speyer. I am not at present in possession of the information necessary to enable me to reply to that part of the question which deals with the affairs of the firm in Australia, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the British Government are permitting the American Metal Company to sell and ship lead, chiefly the product of Mexico, to the British market, in competition with Empire production and British and allied firms; whether their capital is divided into the following shares, Metallgesellschaft of Frankfurt, 34,644; Henry R. Merton and Company, in liquidation, 16,736; and various American interests, 18,620; and whether he can state who are the agents acting for the American Metal Company?

There is no power to prevent a firm allowed to carry on its business in the United States from shipping non-ferrous metals to this country so long as the transaction is in the hands of a firm in the United Kingdom duly licensed under the Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Act, 1918. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative except that the shares formerly held by the Metallgesellschaft of Frankfurt, have, I understand, been transferred to the Alien Property Custodian in the United States. I am not aware that the American Metal Company have at present any agents in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the British Government are permitting Messrs. Vogelstein and Company, of America, to sell copper in the British market in competition with British and Allied firms; whether this is a company in which Aron Hirsch and Sohn, of Halberstadt, in Germany, were interested, and which the Custodian of Enemy Property in the United States is controlling; who are the agents acting for Vogelstein and Company in this country; and are they the same as prior to the War?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend, as regards the first part of this question, to the answer I have given to his question in regard to the American Metal Company. I am making inquiry as to the second part of his question and will communicate the result to him. As regards the remainder of his question, any firm acting in this country in the capacity suggested would have to be licensed under the Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Act and the names of all companies, firms or individuals so licensed are published in the "Gazette" and in the "Board of Trade Journal." I could not, however, undertake to give the name of any firm in this country engaged in any particular business.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in the position to give any information con- cerning the Government scheme for the supply of electricity to provincial towns and villages?

My right hon. Friend hopes that it will be possible to introduce a Bill dealing with the supply of electricity in the course of a few days.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the surcharge for telephone service is a general charge upon all users; and, if not, by what regulation the Department is empowered to make two charges for the same service, thereby making a distinction, between one citizen and another?

The surcharge is only levied on new telephone installations and additions to existing installations. It is a single payment (not an annual charge) based on the expenses incurred in installing the apparatus, which are of course much heavier than they were before the War. The surcharge was imposed by virtue of the Postmaster-General's power to fix the rates and charges for the provision, of a telephone service.

asked the Postmaster General why the fee charged to provincial newspapers for private bag and box accommodation has been advanced from £1 1s. to £5; whether the service for which this fee is charged is of benefit to the Post Office rather than a loss; and whether, under the circumstances, he will see his way to remit the charge?

An increase in the charges for private boxes and bags and kindred services was necessary because of the considerable rise in the cost of wages and other expenses, and exceptions cannot be made in the application of the revised scale of charges. In no case has a fee been raised from £1 1s. to £5 under the recent revision.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when he expects the ground in Kensington Gardens used as a camouflage school will be again available for the use of the public?

The military authorities have agreed to discontinue the camouflage school in Kensington Gardens; and, provided the buildings on the site are removed, the ground will be reopened to the public by the end of May.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether additional wooden huts are now in course of erection in Regent's Park on the east of the Broad Walk; to what purposes these huts are to be put; and when this portion of the park to which the public formerly had access will again be available for public recreation?

Huts are now in course of erection on the east of the Broad Walk in Regent's Park to provide accommodation for the Ministry of Pensions. It is difficult at the present time to give any date when this portion of the park will again be available for public recreation, as this depends to a large extent on when permanent accommodation can be found for the Ministry. A scheme to provide such accommodation is at present under consideration. I am very anxious to return this and all other occupied portions of the Royal parks for the public use as soon as circumstances will allow.