asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that there is more tonnage available than there are cargoes for, and seeing there is a glut of wheat in America, whether the Government or the Allied Powers are taking steps to release immediately the blockade and to ensure that the wheat available will be used to feed the starving peoples of Europe, and especially the children, in those countries most needing relief?

The revictualling of Europe is in the hands of the Supreme Economic Council in Paris, who are doing everything in their power in this matter.

asked the Food Controller whether he has considered the resolution of the South Devon Area Food Control Committees' Conference relative to the headage charges levied on cattle and sheep; and whether he can now promise any reduction in such charges, in view of the burden they impose on the consumer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The headage charges will be reduced as from 3rd March from 11s. 4d. per cwt. to 2s. 4d. per cwt. in the case of cattle, and from 1s. 8d. to 2d. per completed 10s. of value in the case of sheep. The charge on both cattle and sheep sold by dead weight is reduced from 2d. to ¼d. per lb.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the prices recently announced for the 1919 corn crop, namely, wheat and rye 75s. 6d. per quarter of 504 lbs., oats 47s. 6d. per quarter of 336 lbs., and barley 70s. per quarter of 448 lbs., brewing barley only, and 57s. for other barley in England and Wales are to be maximum prices or minimum prices; and, if these prices are minimum prices, is it contemplated fixing any maximum prices?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the question addressed to me to-day by the hon. and gallant Member for Antrim, a copy of which I have sent to him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the fixed price of corn for 1920?

The only figures that I can at present give are those mentioned in Section 2 (1) of the Corn Production Act of 1917.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the maximum prices for cereals in 1918 are to be the minimum prices for 1919, he intends to issue an order stating in figures what the minimum prices for the 1919 crop will be, in order to remove a feeling of uncertainty from the farming community?

The precise method for giving effect to the guarantee given by the late Government of the prices for the 1919 cereal crops is under consideration. An announcement will be made at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, in Ireland that in the event of the Government putting Home Rule in operation all the Unionist members of the Government will resign; whether this speech was delivered with the authority of the Government; and, if not, what steps will be taken to restrain the growing practice of members of the Government making unauthorised declarations of Government policy?

As I understand it the speech of the Vice-President which referred to the possible imposition of Home Rule on Ulster expressed his own views and did not claim to be any expression of the policy of the Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether members of the Royal Irish Constabulary are permitted to become members of the Police and Prison Officials Union; and, if not, why they do not enjoy the same rights as other police forces in the United Kingdom?

It was decided by the Government that the Royal Irish Constabulary could not be permitted to join the National Union of Police and Prison Officers, inasmuch as the Royal Irish Constabulary is a semi-military force directly under the control of the Crown, and subject in many respects to the same conditions of employment and discipline as the Army and Navy forces.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution unanimously passed by the Kerry County Council on the 22nd ultimo, warning the rate collector of the Waterville district that if he continued to employ a pensioner of the Royal Irish Constabulary to collect the rates the council would be obliged to immediately supersede the rate collector, as ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary could not be allowed such employment; and will he, in consequence of the disability for employment under which they labour, consider the increasing of the pensions at present paid to ex-members of the force, more especially in the case of the older men?

The Kerry County Council, on the 20th ultimo, forbade Collector Reilly to continue to employ a man named Dolan as a deputy rate collector without their authority, but made no reference whatever to the Royal Irish Constabulary in their resolution. I understand, however, that Dolan is an ex-sergeant of police. The duties of a poor rate collector are required to be performed in person and not by deputy, save in the case of illness which is likely to be prolonged, and the deputy must then be approved of by the county council, the collectors' sureties, and the Local Government Board. The county council, therefore, were acting within their discretion. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday to a question on this subject, asked by my hon. Friend the Member for the Woodvale Division of Belfast.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will request the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to instruct their inspectors to refuse to consider complaints against teachers unless they have been put in writing and a copy supplied to the teachers concerned; whether he is aware that the existing practice is causing much discontent in the ranks of teachers; and whether he is aware that many Roman Catholic clerical managers make confidential reports to inspectors, so as to avoid the inconvenience of submitting the cases to their bishops?

The Commissioners of National Education have no grounds for supposing that their inspectors allow their judgment to be affected by statements not supported by evidence, which may be made to them regarding the teachers. The inspectors are not invested with authority to decide upon charges made against teachers, and no action is taken by the Commissioners in such cases until the teacher concerned has been made fully aware of the ground of complaint and has had an opportunity of meeting it. The Commissioners are not aware that there is discontent amongst the teachers on account of the practice alleged in the question. It is, of course, open to a manager to place before the inspector his views regarding the manner in which a teacher is discharging his duties, but the Commissioners have no reason for believing that any section of the managers abuse this privilege.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the railway companies in Belfast have increased the workmen's tickets 33 1–3 per cent.; and, as this matter is causing great dissatisfaction amongst the working men in Belfast, will he take immediate steps to cancel this increase on the workmen's tickets?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for the Falls Division of Belfast, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the acting rank of paymaster of the Royal Naval Reserve is open to officers whose seniority dates back to 1904; whether four volunteer officers have been granted the acting rank; what, if any, is the disability which prevents an accountant officer of the Royal Naval Reserve from advancement extended to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and what sea time, if any, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve acting paymaster commanders have served?

I assume my hon. Friend refers, in the first part of his question, to the acting rank of paymaster-commander, Royal Naval Reserve. This rank is open to officers of the Royal Naval Reserve on attaining eight years' seniority as paymaster lieutenant-commander, Royal Naval Reserve. It is true that four officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve have been granted the acting rank referred to, and there is no disability which prevents accountant officers of the Royal Naval Reserve from this advancement, except the fact that there are no Royal Naval Reserve accountant officers of sufficient seniority as paymaster lieutenant-commander, Royal Naval Reserve, to justify the grant of acting rank at present. As regards the last part of the question, three of the officers referred to have no sea service; the fourth served at sea from August, 1915, to November, 1918.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether Royal Naval Reserve engineer officers who signed on under T.124Z Articles are eligible for gratuity on demobilisation; and, if not, whether he can state why this class of officer is so treated?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on Monday to the right hon. Member for Woolwich, in which I stated that the question of a gratuity for these officers is under consideration.

asked the Minister for Blockade what, if any, restrictions are put upon fishing by German fishermen and for what reasons?

I have been asked to answer this question. German fishing vessels are debarred from operating on the high seas by the stipulation in the Armistice which provides that the blockade is to continue. The Allies have, however, made a concession to the extent of allowing German fishing vessels to operate within certain limited areas adjacent to the German coasts.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the advisability of the construction of a deep-water ship canal between Forth and Clyde, either direct or viâ Loch Lomond, has been considered; and whether, if such a scheme is shown to have economic advantages, it would be supported upon strategic grounds by the Admiralty?

This question was considered, and as stated by the Minister of Reconstruction in June last, the Government decided that no operation should then be undertaken in connection with any scheme for a ship canal between the Forth and the Clyde. The views of the Admiralty and of the other interests concerned were considered before the decision was reached.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if, considering the distance between Longhope and Thurso, he will explain why it is considered necessary to keep a first-class mail steamer like the "St. Ninian" for this short journey, especially in view of the fact that the mail service to Shetland is thereby quite upset; and if he will see if it is possible to have the steamer released at once, and the officers use some of the numerous cruisers they have stationed in Scapa?

The service on which the "St. Ninian" is employed is necessary to secure the comfort and convenience of the large body of officers and men which it is necessary to retain at the isolated and remote anchorage of Scapa.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a number of reserve sick-berth attendants at the Royal Naval Hospital, Bighi, Malta, have not had any leave for over two and a-half years and that they were given to understand that they would not be required to serve more than two and a-half years without leave; and whether he will have the case of these men considered?

Steps have already been taken to bring home all Reserve ratings from Malta Hospital who have been out over two and a-half years, with a view to demobilising them. This will release thirty-three out of forty-one sick-berth reserve ratings now in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men on the staff of the senior naval officer, River Tyne, are not being demobilised; whether some of them have important civil occupations to go to on discharge; and whether he can say how soon these men may expect to be demobilised?

The River Tyne is still an important base for clearance of mines and demobilisation of the Navy. The senior naval officer has orders to reduce his establishment as far as possible, consistent with carrying out the above duties, and I understand a considerable reduction is expected after the 31st March.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether skippers in the Royal Naval Reserve or R.N.R.T. on being demobilised are only allowed one week's grace, whereas other ranks are entitled to 28 days' pay and allowances for wife, children, and civilian clothes; what is the reason for the differentiation; and whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction with the treatment of these skippers, who volunteered for naval service in the early days of the War, and whose sacrifices have been very great when viewed in the light of the earnings during the War of the skippers engaged in the fishing industry?

Skippers (Trawler Section) R.N.R., when demobilised, are granted gratuities under the scale applicable to all temporary officers, R.N., R.N.R., and R.N.V.R. These gratuities are payable to them in respect of their position as officers, and result in their receiving more than the amounts paid to the men by way of dispersal leave pay and allowances, plus war service gratuity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists in consequence of a number of demobilised Mercantile Marine men being unable to get money due to them after demobilisation; if he is aware that the wives and children of some of the demobi- lised men are suffering hardship in consequence; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am advised that the pressure of work in the pay offices, especially at the depots, is very great at the present time. This involves delay which I regret, and which I am afraid is inevitable. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish particulars of the cases now represented, every effort will be made to expedite a settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for War when orders were issued that the force known as the Kent Force was to be disbanded; what are the numbers of staff officers still serving on the various staffs of this force; what are the numbers of regimental officers; what are the numbers of the rank and file; and is he aware that the fact that such a large number of staff and other officers is being retained to administer such a small force as this force now consists of is causing comment of a very unfavourable kind?

The orders for the disbandment of the Kent Force were issued on 22nd October, 1918, but various measures of reorganisation following on the Armistice have necessitated a partial suspension of these orders. The numbers asked for are: Eight staff officers, 144 regimental officers, and 1,379 other ranks. The staff officers are employed on completing the demobilisation of units, the administration of the rest camps at Canterbury, and the administration of the cadres of certain Cavalry units which are being reformed. It is recognised that the number of regimental officers is large in comparison with the number of other ranks, but their temporary retention has, I understand, been unavoidable pending a general review of the number of officers available and required on reorganisation. It is expected that disposal of all surplus personnel and the entire disbandment of the units comprising the Kent Force will now be completed very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men before being demobilised have to sign a form before leaving their unit stating that they are suffering from no disability; that a great many of those who have recently come from Germany, although quite fit when they left their unit, have contracted severe chills owing to the conditions under which they were brought back, often in open cattle trucks with no form of heating and insufficient nourishment, and when having reached Boulogne many have been kept standing three hours on parade to wait for a hot bath; whether he is satisfied that these conditions have now been altered; and what steps he intends to take to assist those who have suffered in health owing to this journey?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the report from General Headquarters, France, which was circulated in the Official Report of the 24th February in answer to a question put by the hon. Member for Morpeth. The report shows that closed trucks are used and ample arrangements made for heating the trucks and for supplying hot meals on the journey. In addition, the men are supplied with blankets. Only two cases have been brought to the notice of the War Office where soldiers have been taken ill on the journey home. Before leaving their units, men sign Army Form Z 22, in which they either claim to have a disability or they state they do not so claim. The question of whether they are suffering from a disability or not is then one for the medical officer of the unit. If, after dispersal, a soldier is taken ill during his demobilisation furlough, he should report to the nearest Military Medical Authorities. If, after being demobilised, a soldier wishes to claim to be suffering from a disability contracted on service he should make a claim to his Local War Pensions Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and men who were recommended as pivotal or on special grounds by the Ministry of Labour prior to 1st February are eligible for release from the Army even if they do not fulfil the conditions as to age and service set out in the Army Order about the Armies of Occupation which was published in the Press on 30th January; and, if so, whether officers and men are similarly eligible for release in whose case it can be shown, either that application for their release was made in the prescribed form and submitted to the Ministry of Labour some time prior to 1st February, although it appears that the Ministry of Labour have failed to recommend their release, or that, owing to the distance or inaccessibility of their station, or to delays or mistakes in the post, they were, unable to forward forms of application for release to the Ministry of Labour before 1st February?

The answer to the first part of my right hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative, provided they were registered by the War Office as pivotal before the 1st of February, 1919, or that recommendations for their special release were received by the War Office from the Ministry of Labour before that date. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers enlisted in 1914 and 1915 have recently been included in drafts sent from the 56th (London) divisional signal company, Royal Engineers, to be second and fourth Armies of Occupation; and whether, in view of the promises made that soldiers enlisted in these years shall be demobilised, he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have no information as to this, but am making inquiry of the Military Authorities in France, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Rifleman. A. W. Mason, No.345129, 6th London Regiment, lately a prisoner of war, in ill-health, reported after the usual leave at Westminster depot on the 12th February last; that he has been since ordered to various places, including Gravesend, Tilbury Fort, Farringdon Street, Maidenhead, and West Ham; that no bed or food has been provided, and no pay given to him, as he is said not to be on the strength; whether representations have been made in writing of these facts to the headquarters of the London district by Mason's mother, who has been merely referred by letter C.R.L.D. 3/28688/A. to the Eastern Command; and whether the Secretary of State for War will at once give orders for the demobilisation or release of Mason so that he may return to his home at New Maiden?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Lance-Corporal Alexander W. Govan, No. 200254, D Company, l/4th Battalion Somerset Light infantry, now with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, an engineer's apprentice to the Golden Valley Paper Mills, Bitton, near Bristol, has not been discharged; whether he has been abroad in Army service for four years, is only twenty-one, and his career is being seriously injured by the delay; if three applications by the employer have been sent in for this boy; and what course he is taking to grant discharge in this and other like cases?

Inquiries will be made into this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private C. Blackman, No. S/28928, 5th Battalion Rifle Brigade, after serving overseas came home with neurasthenia, was sent home pending discharge, overstayed his leave three weeks, then reported at his depot in uniform, was not charged with desertion, but was informed that his trial was dispensed with and that his service would be forfeited on account of desertion; and whether he will have this case reconsidered and the war gratuity granted to this soldier?

I am inquiring into the facts of this case, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man who attested under the Derby scheme in 1915 and joined the Colours in April, 1917, is now eligible for demobilisation or whether men who joined the Colours in 1914 and 1915 only are qualified, other conditions being similar?

Men who attested prior to the 1st of January, 1916, but joined the Colours for immediate or continuous service subsequent to that date are not eligible for demobilisation unless they fall within certain exceptions which are specified in Army Order 55 of 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a man who attested under the Derby scheme but was not called to the Colours until after 1st January, 1916, and who has been for more than six months in hospital as a result of his, war service but not from wounds, can be placed in the same class, as regards demobilisation, as those who joined prior to 1st January, 1916, and who were twice wounded?

I regret that I cannot entertain my Noble and gallant Friend's suggestion. I would point out that in order to be eligible for release on the ground of wounds a man must be entitled to wear at least three wound stripes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of a family having three sons soldiers, two having been killed; and, if so, if he will release the third one, who is the only support for the family?

Under the existing Regulations, releases may be granted on extreme compassionate grounds. In a case such as that to which the hon. Member refers, if an application is made on compassionate grounds it will receive careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in December last, and twice since, the pre-war employers of Private William Jackson, M/415591, Mechanical Transport, 50th siege battery, Ammunition Column, British Expeditionary Force, France, made application for his demobilisation, but that up to the present nothing further has been heard of the matter; and whether, in view of the fact that the soldier is forty-two years of age and application was made for him in the proper way, he will take steps to secure his early release?

From the information given Private Jackson would appear to be eligible for demobilisation on account of his age, and, if so, he should be released in due course, unless temporarily required for the military machinery of demobilisation in accordance with Army Order 55 of 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will appoint an officer or a small committee to consider and de- termine cases of special hardship to individual soldiers due to their retention in the Army or, alternatively, if he can widen the present definition of compassionate cases to include other grounds than family hardship?

In view of the requirements of the Armies of Occupation, I regret I cannot entertain my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have been made to transport men home from Egypt who have served in the Army since early in the War?

As explained in my statement on Vote A and the Vote on Account, and on previous occasions, the great majority of the men who joined up before the 1st January, 1916, will undoubtedly be brought home for demobilisation as fast as shipping becomes available, while the small proportion it is necessary to retain will, I hope, be granted leave on the same scale as the men in the nearer theatres.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to demobilise those dockyard apprentices, who have received the necessary certificates?

It is not clear what certificate my hon. Friend is referring to, but if he is referring to men who have been registered by the War Office as pivotal before the 1st of February, 1919, or in respect of whom recommendations for special release have been received by the War Office from the Ministry of Labour before that date, such men are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the large number of communications Members of the House are receiving from their constituents as to the demobilisation of soldiers and the period of two to four weeks which usually elapses before a reply can be got from the War Office to a letter from a Member of the House, he will, to avoid delays, set up a Department of the War Office to deal promptly with letters received by Members and thus avoid the necessity of asking questions in the House?

A Department of the War Office already exists to deal with all inquiries on the demobilisation of soldiers, and any inquiry addressed "The Secretary, War Office (Mobilisation)"will be promptly attended to. An examination of the correspondence dealt with by this Department shows that a reply is generally sent within a few days, and when there is any delay it is due to the fact that the letters involve making inquiries of the Record Office or of the unit concerned. The practice of asking questions in the House about individual cases is undesirable, and I hope it will only be resorted to in exceptional circumstances. I may add that the special facilities which I promised last Monday for assisting Members to obtain information at the House about matters of detail connected with demobilisation, etc., were put in operation this afternoon, and will continue to be available in future on Mondays and Thursdays after Question Time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, for the purpose of demobilisation, a man who enlisted in the Royal Scots at Manchester and received a uniform in March, 1915, but was returned to civil life as medically unfit on reporting to his depot at Edinburgh, is to be deemed to have enlisted before 1st January, 1916, although his continuous service only dates from re-enlistment in the Flying Corps on 23rd August, 1916?

From the information given it is not clear whether the man in question actually joined for service with the Colours. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give specific particulars of the case in question inquiries will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state approximately when demobilisation will take place of the Women's Royal Air Force; and when Form Z 527b will be issued?

Demobilisation in the Women's Royal Air Force has commenced, and Form Z 527b, to which I understand the hon. Member to refer, has been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private C. Hawkins, No. 155980, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) depôt, Grove Park, was applied for as a pivotal man; that his demobilisation was approved by the Ministry of Labour at Carlisle on 30th January; that this man was in hospital for more than twenty-eight days from 9th November; and whether he will issue instructions for this man's immediate demobilisation?

Inquiries will be made into this case, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as early as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he has received representations, on behalf of the Somerset Farmers' Union, indicating the state of threshing operations in many districts of Somerset owing to lack of suitable labour, principally drivers; and what steps he is able to take at once in the matter?

The position as to the release from the forces of threshing engine drivers is dealt with in my answer to the question addressed to me to-day by the hon. Member for Twickenham. No special representations have been received as to the position in Somerset.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the scarcity of engine drivers for agricultural purposes throughout the country, and that the position in regard to threshing and steam ploughing, etc., is becoming very serious; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The scarcity of engine drivers to take charge of threshing and steam plough engines has received the attention of the Board for some considerable time and the release of a number of such men from the forces had been arranged before the date of the Armistice. Practically all such drivers who are known to be with the forces have been applied for to be demobilised as "pivotal" men. The War Office are not yet able to furnish the Board with definite information as to the number of these men who have actually been released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among Irishmen who volunteered in 1916 for the period of the War because of their being given no option as to their further service in the Army of Occupation; and, if no such option be possible owing to recent Army Regulations, whether they are assured of all the advantages offered to those who have volunteered for the Army of Occupation, and if they will enjoy any priorities as to earlier demobilisation or otherwise?

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Waterford yesterday, to the effect that Irish soldiers are treated on exactly the same footing as other soldiers, and that no discrimination whatever is made.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent American soldiers are forming part of the Army of Occupation in Germany?

The Third American Army, consisting of eight divisions, forms part of the Allied Armies of Occupation in Germany. The establishment of an American division is, of course, much larger than that of a British or French division.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the outbreak of War Territorial units were called upon to take over coast defences; that many of these men were anxious to take their part in the operations oversea but were told that they were on active service of a most vital character; that it was not until early in 1916 that they were sent out to join the Expeditionary Force; that these man feel they are entitled to receive the 1914–15 Star; and would he consider the possibility of considering their claims?

The good services rendered by these men are fully realised, but I regret that no exceptions can be made to the existing conditions governing the award of the 1914–15 Star.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now announce the names of the proposed Committee to inquire into the existing system of courts-martial?

I hope to make an announcement shortly both of the terms of reference and of the composition of the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will extend the scope of the promised inquiry into court-martial procedure so as to include the whole question of punishments and the administration of discipline in the Army, with a view to amendments of the Army Act, if found desirable?

No, Sir I am not prepared to extend the inquiry in the manner suggested. To do so would be to lose the prospect of a precise and practicable reform in a vague and an indefinite investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of German prisoners of war who are at present in England and what work they are engaged upon; can he state the number of British soldiers who are serving in labour companies in France; and can he say what kind of work they are engaged upon?

The number of German combatant prisoners of war in England is 100,358, of whom 62,697 are employed. They are employed on agriculture, drainage, forestry, quarrying, flax de-seeding, national shipyards, buildings, roads, etc. (under the Office of Works and Royal Engineers), salvage, filling in trenches (under the military authorities), cement production, hay pressing for oversea forces, routine duties in all prisoners of war camps, and on miscellaneous work. The number of men in labour companies in France is 61,000. These companies are employed in salvage, on roads and railways, at ammunition depôts, in docks, on the construction of demobilisation camps, and on miscellaneous labour duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of dispensing with police reports, in cases of serious illness of relatives of soldiers, as a condition of the granting of special leave?

Applications for special leave are not referred to the police for a report when accompanied by a medical certificate regarding the serious illness of a near relative. In cases submitted without a medical certificate or without verification by a clergyman or justice of the peace, the local police are asked to report. It is necessary to ensure that the application is bonâ fide, and the assistance of the police is invoked in order to avoid expense to the applicant in obtaining a medical certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will order the immediate handing back by the military authorities to the Aberdeen School Board of the Aberdeen Girls' High School and the Central Higher Grade School, now used as hospitals, as there are at the present time amply sufficient hospital beds elsewhere?

I am making inquiries, but am not yet in a position to give a definite reply. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 24th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade has been in India for more than three years; that it is composed mainly of men voluntarily enlisted at or immediately after the commencement of the War; and that it contains between 400 and 500 men over forty-one years of age, of whom the majority are over forty-five, many over fifty, and some even over sixty years of age; is he aware that the large majority of these men are married and have families and that a considerable number have situations at home that have been kept open for them; and whether, in the interests of justice, he can take immediate steps to bring these men home before the hot season commences?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement, regarding the withdrawal of the personnel of the Territorial units from India and the Far East, which I made on the 25th February, in reply to questions asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton and my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers and men who joined the Forces in 1914 are still in Siberia; whether he can say when these officers and men will be demobilised; whether there is delay in the delivery of mails; and whether they are still censored?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 24th February to my Noble and gallant Friend the Member for Aldershot, to the effect that the demobilisation of troops in Siberia is not taking place at present, as active operations are still proceeding in that theatre. I am afraid it is impossible to avoid delay in the delivery of letters to the troops in Siberia, but I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to ensure as rapid and regular delivery as possible. The mails to British Forces in Siberia are not censored.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been directed to the ingenuity and heroism of the late Chief Artificer Gibson, of Belfast, who, on two occasions, was instrumental in raising submarines sunk in thirty-two fathoms of water by an ingenious and scientific discovery, thereby saving the lives of the crews from certain death; whether this device, of which he was the discoverer, has been brought to the notice of the Admiralty; and whether any suitable recognition of this great achievement has been made by the Admiralty in respect of his dependants, seeing that this man ultimately lost his life by the sinking of his submarine by collision with His Majesty's ship "Fearless," on the night of the 31st January, 1918?

Chief Engine-room Artificer Gibson was serving in a submarine in September, 1914, when the boat accidentally sank to about 170 feet. She was brought to the surface by her commanding officer and crew by the aid of the usual mechanism installed. Except in so far as, with others, he performed his ordinary duty, Mr. Gibson did not specially contribute to bringing the vessel to the surface. At a later date Mr. Gibson, in conjunction with his commanding officer, devised the adaptation of means for raising the boat from an even greater depth. I am advised that as this device was developed in the normal course of duty, and was not in the nature of an original invention (being, in fact, fitted in all other classes of submarines than in commission), it is regretted that the question of financial recognition does not arise. I regret to say that Mr. Gibson lost his life, as stated in the last part of the question, on the 31st January, 1918. His widow and orphans are, of course, entitled to the usual pensions, etc., administered by the Ministry of Pensions, and any sum earned by him on account of war gratuity and prize will be payable to his estate.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether officers in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers will be, granted one month's leave with full pay and allowances from the date of their disembarkation in the United Kingdom?

Officers of the Indian Army Reserve sent home for demobilisation are liable, in accordance with War Office rules, to be demobilised at once on arrival, upon which the issue of pay ceases; but usually an interval occurs before their cases are finally disposed of, and in the meantime they continue to receive pay. They receive, on cessation of pay, gratuities varying, according to the length of their Army service, from three to seven months' full pay of their last Indian appointments.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he proposes to take any steps to make public information concerning the progress of housing schemes in various parts of the country?

Yes, Sir. I am proposing to issue periodically information showing the progress and development of housing schemes.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can give a date when he intends to introduce the Housing Bill?

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce the Housing Bill at the end of next week or the beginning of the week after.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he will indicate the steps proposed to be taken by his Department in reference to the very serious flooding which took place last month on the west side of the River Lea, particularly in the urban districts of Edmonton and Tottenham, which resulted in hundreds of workmen's dwellings and many public thoroughfares being flooded to a depth of over 3 feet; and whether he will suggest to the Middlesex County Council the desirability of taking immediate steps for the straightening and deepening of Pymmes Brook, with a view to minimising future troubles in these flooded regions, pending the execution of a complete scheme for the relief of the whole of the Lea Valley watershed;

I am aware of the flooding which took place on the west side of the Lea Valley last month, and I am arranging to have the matter investigated by one of the Board's engineering inspectors.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether upon the Departmental Committee now sitting to inquire into the superannuation of local government officers there is any representative from Scotland; and, if not, will he consider the appointment of a Scottish representaive holding office under a Scottish authority?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland to the question of the hon. Member for the Camlachie Division on the 3rd instant.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, when next dealing in any way with public libraries of the United Kingdom, he will seriously consider the doing away with the present library rate and leave to each locality power to levy such a rate as will meet the requirements of its own districts, and thus give to the people a greater educational chance?

The suggestion of the hon. Member will be borne in mind when legislation on the subject of public libraries is being undertaken.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many persons are entitled to, and would be receiving, the old age pension but for the fact that they are inmates of workhouses; how many are males, and how many females; and can he state the cost per week of their maintenance in these institutions?

The number of persons over seventy years of age in England and Wales in receipt of relief in institutions, was, at the end of December, 36,386, 19,597 being men, and 16,789 women. Of the total, 2,523 were in receipt of old age pensions, the relief which they were receiving not being such as to disqualify them. I regret that I have not information as to the cost of maintenance. It has to be remembered that most aged persons who would be entitled to old age pensions, but are in institutions, are so placed because, by reason of exceptional infirmity, they require special care which they could not otherwise receive.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the grave and serious condition of the locality known as Radford Woodhouse, situated in Nottingham, in consequence of there being no system of drainage; whether he is aware that the above named place has a population of over 400, and, owing to the serious state of affairs, parents have threatened to refuse to send their children to school because of the danger to their health; and will he make representations to the local authority with a view to these conditions being altered?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for drawing my attention to this case, and I will communicate with the responsible sanitary authority.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the complaints which are being made concerning the treatment of applicants for permits to leave the country, he will cause a small independent committee or tribunal to be set up to hear appeals against a refusal to grant a permit, or any matter in relation thereto?

:I do not think that any general complaints, such as are suggested in the question, are directed against any system of permits administered by my Department; and as a fact the Home Office Permit Offices, through which a special control was exercised over certain classes of passenger traffic as long as was necessary, were closed at the end of last month.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the need for most of the war-time lighting restrictions no longer exists, he can see his way to remove the Regulation requiring the rear-lighting of bicycles, in view of the convenience which would be thus afforded to cyclists?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to questions on this subject on the 13th February and 4th March.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increasing death rate in lunatic asylums as per Report of the Board of Control, 15th January, 1919,and to the opinion expressed that it is mainly due to the reduced rations; if the Board of Control advised the Ministry of Food to insist upon reduced rationing in asylum boards despite protests from visiting committees in Lancashire and Cheshire, who claimed the right to arrange their own schemes of rationing the insane?

I have seen the Report referred to. It was issued to asylum authorities at the request of my predecessor. In it the Board of Control expressed the opinion that the unavoidable reduction in quantity and deterioration in quality of the food supplied to patients were the main, but by no means the sole, factors in the recent increase of sickness and death rate in institutions for the insane. The Board did not advise the Food Controller to insist on reduced rationing in asylums, though they agreed with him that in the serious condition in which the country was then placed by the submarine campaign it was not possible, or indeed right, that the inmates of asylums should be exempted from the restrictions with which members of the general public were faced. The Board always recognised that the visiting committees had discretionary powers as to the fixing of asylum dietary scales, and never went beyond expressing a strong hope that the requirements of the Food Controller should be observed.

asked the Home Secretary how many officers, clerks, servants, workmen, and others will be under the control of the new Minister of Ways and Communications if the proposed Bill is passed into law?

As stated in the reply to a question addressed by my hon. Friend to the Leader of the House yesterday, it it not thought that the numbers directly employed by the new Ministry in the immediate future will be greatly in excess of those now employed in the Departments from which the functions will be transferred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has been advised by means of communications from responsible trading organisations that there have been during the past few months numerous complaints from traders as to the action of railway companies in trying to impose new conditions in connection with claims for loss, new conditions of carriage, and withdrawal of facilities; and whether he will afford an early opportunity for a deputation to lay these matters before him?

A certain number of representations of this kind have been made. While the Board of Trade are always ready to look into specific grievances I doubt whether, especially in view of the proposed formation of the Ministry of Ways and Communications, I could, at the present time, usefully discuss with a deputation the general questions referred to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Government will be in a position to put an end to the paper restrictions, seeing that there is plenty of paper and pulp available for all commercial purposes; and will he further say whether he will consider the advisability of immediately withdrawing what is known as the No Returns Order?

My right hon. Friend has arranged for a considerable increase in the allowable import of paper and paper making material for the months of March and April, and it is proposed to withdraw the control at the end of the latter month. The question of the "No Returns" Order is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether import licences have been recently granted upon the basis of 1916 imports; and whether he is aware that such a policy favours those countries which were neutral in 1916 at the expense of our Colonies; (2) whether he is aware that considerable feeling exists in Canada in consequence of the policy adopted by his Department in regard to the licensing of prohibited imports; whether licences have been issued for the import from neutral or Allied countries of goods in respect of which permission to import from Canada has been refused; and whether he is prepared to give an assurance that in cases in which import prohibitions are not absolute, but are qualified by licensing, licences will in future be granted automatically for the import of goods from British Possessions?

It is no doubt true that owing to their geographical position and to the difficulties arising out of shortage of tonnage the policy adopted in regard to import restrictions had the undesired effect of discriminating in some cases against Colonial goods. Now that the tonnage situation is easier, I hope it will be possible to avoid this discrimination. I may add that the matter is under consideration and that an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the extension of the closing hour for the public-houses in the neighbourhood of Ashford from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., to bring the closing hour into line with the public-houses in the surrounding districts, seeing that the public-houses in this area were ordered to be closed at an earlier hour than those in neighbouring areas because of the number of troops billeted within the district during the War and that the larger portion of these troops have now left?

The question of allowing an extension of the evening closing hour shall be considered, but I am informed that the present closing hour for the neighbouring area is 9 p.m. and not 9.30 p.m. as stated in the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, as representing the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), if he is aware that at the instance of the naval and military authorities in the Shorncliffe area the closing time for that area was fixed during the War an hour earlier than for the rest of the county of Kent; whether he is aware that now, when the fighting has ceased, no objection is raised by the naval and military authorities or by the civil police in the districts concerned to removing this inequality between the Shorncliffe area and the rest of Kent; and whether he will accordingly extend the hour of closing in the Shorncliffe area from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Central Control Board is considering the question of the extension of the closing hour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the children of a postmaster who is British but whose mother is of enemy nationality are allowed to work in the post office where their father is postmaster; and, if not, will he give the reason why they are not?

No person who is of enemy alien parentage on either side is eligible for employment in the Post Office at the present time.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will say, in view of the practice of museums and art galleries transmitting through the post artists' studies and other works of art for loan purposes and for the use of students, what steps he proposes to take for their protection, seeing that serious works of art have recently been destroyed by officers of his Department, possessing no qualifications in art, acting under Clause 63 of the Post Office Act, 1908; and whether, to avoid further destruction, he will appoint a panel of experts to whom articles alleged to come within the Section shall be submitted in future before destruction?

I have no reason to think that museums and art galleries require any such protection, but I shall be pleased to consider any representations they may make to me on the subject. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster General, with reference to the destruction by officials of his Department, possessing no art qualifications, of etchings by Felicien Rops, a serious artist of worldwide repute, whose etchings according to the Postmaster-General possess considerable technical merit and command high prices, why he did not exercise the power conferred upon him by Section 6 (ii.) of the Foreign and Colonial Post Warrant, 1907, and return or give the etchings up to the sender rather than destroy the whole packet, including those which the Postmaster General himself admits were not of an obscene character?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, in reply to a question which he addressed to me on the 24th ultimo, the destruction of the whole packet was in pursuance of a deliberate policy, the object of which is to suppress the traffic by post in indecent and obscene wares.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any aerial post services have yet been started in this country; if not, whether it is intended that any such services shall be established at an early date; whether he will state if any experimental services have taken place either in this country on in connection with the postal services to Ireland and the Continent; and, in view of the establishment of such services in other countries, if he can make any statement on the subject?

No regular air post services have been established in this country, and I am not in a position to say when the establishment of any such services will become possible. There has been no recent experiment in air mail conveyance within the British Islands. I understand that an experimental service for Army mails only was begun a few days ago between Folkestone and Cologne, with intermediate points in Belgium.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that a war bonus of 6s. per week on 1st July, 1918, and a further bonus of 4s. per week on 1st November, 1918, were granted to permanent clerks in the A. G. Department of the Post Office and was refused to the temporary clerks employed in the same Department, and that after several petitions had been presented temporary clerks were paid a fixed wage of 56s. per week, which in practice only means an increase of 1s. 6d. per week as against 10s. extra war bonus paid to permanent clerks; whether he is aware that the extra cost of living affects equally both classes of clerks; and, as both are performing exactly the same work, will he reconsider at once granting the temporary clerks an equal war bonus to that paid to the permanent clerks?

The increases to permanent staff were granted in accordance with awards made by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government emplyoyés, but no such awards were made with reference to temporary staff. The Board at the beginning of last year recorded their opinion that it was impossible to deal with claims for war bonus from temporary employés in the same way as with claims from permanent employés. The pay of temporary clerks throughout the Civil Service was accordingly considered separately and certain scales inclusive of war bonus were introduced by the Treasury as from the 1st July last The male clerks in the Accountant General's Department did not receive much benefit from the new scale on which they were placed, but the question of placing some of them on a higher scale is under consideration.