asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Civil Service Commission have made regulations respecting recruitment for the Civil Service where under many ex-boy clerks are now unable to compete for posts for which, except for the War, they would have been eligible and in many cases now actually filling, and that these regulations will exclude ex-soldiers who have not been to a university or to a school of a high type until the age of eighteen; what is the reason for the academic limitation, which did not exist before the War, which excludes the sons of poorer men; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the interests of these men whose careers are apparently endangered?

The competitive examinations by which the higher grades of the Civil Service were normally recruited have been replaced temporarily by a system of selection as it would not have been practicable to expect men whose education had been interrupted by active service to undergo the usual examination. In the circumstances it was necessary to prescribe some stated educational qualifications to keep the work of the selection boards within reasonable dimensions. My attention has been drawn to the fact that this regulation may adversely affect the chances of existing Civil servants to obtain appointments in the higher grades, and I am considering how this difficulty can best be met.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a scheme for a revision of salaries and extension of working hours of Civil servants is under consideration; and whether, before any decision is come to, arrangements will be made for a joint conference of both sides in view of the delay in establishing Whitley Councils in the Civil Service?

Opportunity will be taken to ascertain the views of Civil servants as to any general scheme for revision of salaries before it is put into effect.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention, in connection with the proposed consideration of the scheme for the revision of salaries for Civil servants, to take representatives of the Civil Service into consultation before the alterations are decided on?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to-day to the right hon. Member for the Platting Division of Manchester.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Manchester Corporation and other local municipal authorities will be afforded an opportunity of submitting evidence to the body to be set up to inquire into the question of old age pensions; and when the body referred to will be established?

It will be for the Committee to decide what evidence it is desirable for them to hear.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in calculating the available means of old age pensioners, he will exclude there from any sum they get by way of a pension as being a surviving dependant of a relative who has been killed in the War

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Mansfield.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that in the North of Scotland stocks of potatoes of the 1918 crop taken over by the Government have not yet been moved from the farms, and that in Morayshire about 6,000 tons are lying in the pits; and whether it is proposed to clear these stocks before all available labour is required in connection with spring work on the farms?

Under the arrangement made by the Food Controller with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the various Scottish agricultural associations, Scottish growers are free to market their potatoes anywhere in Scotland, the exportable surplus being purchased by the Food Controller. Large quantities of potatoes are being shipped from Scotland, and the whole of the surplus will be taken by the Ministry of Food in due course. I may add that it is the practice of the growers in the North of Scotland to keep back a large proportion of their potato stocks until the later months of the season. Complaints were received last winter from Scottish growers that their potatoes were not being moved quickly, but by the middle of May the surplus had disappeared and it was necessary to import potatoes into Scotland.

asked the Food Controller what steps are being taken to utilise any factories for the production of farina; and whether he has received any communications on this question from agricultural organisations?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer to the hon. Member for Deritend on 6th March. As regards the second part, communications have been received from various agricultural bodies requesting information as to the steps being taken for the manufacture of farina in this country, which has been given.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that between 9th December, 1918, and 2nd February, 1919, the Government slaughter-house agent at Salisbury has voluntarily surrendered to the local sanitary inspector 18,340 lbs. of moat, besides large quantities of offals, as unfit for human food; and what steps he proposes to take in future to prevent animals of this quality being sent to the slaughter-house at Salisbury?

Inquiry is being made as to the amount of meat condemned as unfit for human food at the Government authorised slaughter-house at Salisbury during this period. The meat in question was obtained from fourth-grade stock, which had been reared in the surrounding district and had been condemned in some instances owing to disease; in others owing to the emaciated condition of the animals. It is not desirable to send stock of this kind to any other centre for slaughter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will state the respective quantities of millers' offals produced in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918; what proportion of these quantities was available for issue to farmers as foodstuff for live stock; and whether steps were taken to advertise throughout the country the depots or centres to which applications for the purchase of these supplies could be made?

I have been asked to reply. The approximate quantities of millers' offals produced in the years in question were:

1915	1,820,000 tons
1916	1,820,000 tons
1917	1,727,000 tons
1918	719,000 tons

asked the Food Controller whether His Majesty's Government have agreed to permit the export of a large amount of millers' offals to Denmark; whether, in view of the value of millers' offals as feeding-stuffs for live stock, measures have been taken to notify British farmers of the presence of this available supply in the country; whether any applications for offals have been received from British farmers; and whether the needs of the latter will be consulted before millers' offals are exported to Denmark?

The quantity for which permission to export has been given is only one quarter of one week's output. Before export of this quantity was permitted the price in this country was reduced, and farmers were informed of the existence of the surplus and urged to take increased deliveries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the quantity of millers' offals that was exported from the United Kingdom and to what countries these exports were made in each of the years 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918; what quantities were imported into the United Kingdom during those years; what quantities of imported offals were re-exported from the United Kingdom; and to what countries were they sent?

Detailed particulars of the United Kingdom imports, exports, and re-exports of corn offals during the years 1915, 1916, and 1917, will be found on pages 99, 100, 335, 543, and 544 of Volume I. of the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom for 1917. Similar though less detailed particulars for the year 1918 will be found in the Monthly Trade Accounts of the United Kingdom for the month of December, 1918.

asked the Food Controller whether he is satisfied that no foodstuffs are being exported, either by general or special licence, which are required in this country; whether certain foodstuffs are being exported whilst unduly high prices still obtain in the United Kingdom for the same commodities; whether the prices of many foodstuffs are being increased by export being permitted; and whether the export of food is taking place at the expense of the British consumer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In no case are the prices of foodstuffs being increased by the permission to export, and I can assure the hon. Member that no export of food will be allowed to take place at the expense of the British consumer.

asked the Food Controller whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Government Department who control the price and sale of Japanese peas are keeping up the price of this article of food and selling it at over 66s. per cwt. ex warehouse, whilst British merchants are prepared to import the same commodity, to pay current rates of freight, and sell to the public on a commercial basis at under 36s. per cwt.; and whether he will take steps to stop what appears to be an instance of Government profiteering in this article?

Stocks of Japanese peas are held in this country which were purchased before the Armistice at prices in excess of those which now prevail. These peas are being offered at 66s. 9d. per cwt. ex store, and next week this price will be reduced to 48s. 9d. It is possible that Japanese peas can be bought at 36s. for March and April shipments c.i.f., but it is improbable that they would reach this country during the season, which ends about the month of June. I may add that it is most unlikely that any profit will be shown in Government transactions in Japanese peas.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to assure himself that the undertaking given to the Sugar Commission by the manufacturers of confectionery that they will distribute equitably all available supplies is being carried out?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller has no reason to suppose that the undertaking in question is not being carried out. No complaints on the subject have been received and there has accordingly been no occasion for special action in the direction which the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is proposed to include Ireland in the operations of the Police Committee appointed to deal with pay, pensions, methods of recruiting, etc.; and whether the failure to include Ireland in this inquiry will lead to widespread discontent in the ranks of the police force in Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but the findings of the Committee will be carefully watched.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a number of Scottish drifters with their crews are still kept in the Mediterranean; whether some of these drifters are being used as dispatch boats; whether other vessels might be substituted for this service; and whether, in view of the necessity for increasing the food supply and the technical nature of a fisherman's calling, these boats with their crews can be sent home without delay?

Yes, Sir. A few drifters are at present employed on the Palestine coast for military communications, as roads ashore are impassable owing to heavy rains. There are no other vessels available for this service. All other drifters manned by British crews (except those required for mine-sweeping, which are manned by volunteers) are being sent home as fast as they can be dealt with.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether alien captains have since the Armistice been employed on British ships; and whether such alien captains include enemy aliens?

The Admiralty have not authorised any alien captains to be employed in command of British ships, but it is possible that some have been engaged by shipowners. As confidential instructions are not now issued, there is no check on such employment, except that the employment of enemy aliens is not permitted. A regulation has, however, been prepared by the Board of Trade and the Admiralty which will forbid the employment (except with the sanction of either of these Departments) of anyone as master of a British ship unless he is a natural-born British subject, and the son of parents who were at the time of his birth British subjects by birth or naturalisation. This regulation will be issued very shortly under the Defence of the Realm Act.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that many of the fishermen from the Moray Firth who enlisted at the beginning of the War in the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and were employed until the signing of the Armistice on mine-sweeping and boom defence, are still stationed at Scapa Flow and elsewhere and have not yet been demobilised; if he is aware that these men depend mainly for their livelihood on their earnings during the herring fishery season, which starts in April; and if it is proposed to release them in time for them to return home for the coming season?

I am advised that most of the fishermen in whom my hon. Friend is interested belong to the trawler section, Royal Naval Reserve, and that there can be but few of them who enlisted at the beginning of the War and have been employed on mine-sweeping still stationed at Scapa. There may, however, still be some such who are volunteers for mine-clearance employed at the Orkney base. As regards boom defence work, these vessels are not manned by the trawler section, Royal Naval Reserve. They are manned by T. 124 men, and orders have been issued for the remaining boom defence trawlers and drifters to be released by the end of this month. Skippers on Agreement T. 124 have been demobilised when the craft they commanded were paid off, and fishermen under that agreement are allowed to go when the vessels on which they serve are released from Admiralty service.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Lance-Corporal H. C. Viner, W.R., No. 177117, of the 29th Light Railway Operating Company, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, France, has not been demobilised, but has been sent with the Army of Occupation, in view of the facts that he joined up in September, 1914, interrupting his apprenticeship, which still has three years to run, his present age being twenty-two and a half years; and whether this and similar cases should have special consideration?

From the information given by my hon. Friend, Lance-Corporal Viner would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, he will no doubt be released in due course. Every effort is being made to replace as early as possible men who, though otherwise eligible for demobilisation, are temporarily required for the military machinery of demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the men who enlisted in 1914 and were subsequently, on account of wounds or illness, allotted to clerical, telephone, and similar work, are now classed in the demobilisation schedule as unskilled and are being retained in the Army on that ground?

No men are being retained in the Army solely on the ground that they are unskilled. Any men who have been allotted to sedentary duties on account of their low medical category will be released provided they are eligible for demobilisation under current instructions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is on the recom- mendation of the Treasury that Civil servants who have been in receipt of civil pay during their service in the Army are not receiving the service gratuity on discharge from the Army; and, if so, will he state the reason for this discrimination?

I presume that by service gratuity the hon. Member refers to that payable under Art. 1117 of the Pay Warrant. The majority of Civil servants who have been in receipt of the balance of civil pay while serving in the Army have been entitled to this gratuity from the first, and directions have now been given that it shall also be issued, to the only class of men who have hitherto been excluded from receiving it, namely, Post Office servants in receipt of full civil salary in addition to their Army pay and allowances.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government with regard to the war service gratuity of temporary naval officers?

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that, as I stated in my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton, temporary naval officers will receive a war service gratuity on the same scale as that granted to temporary officers of the Army, namely, 124 days' pay for the first year of service, and sixty-two days' pay for each succeeding year or part of a year of service.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the advisability of making local war pensions sub-committees into committees and so obviate the delay which now occurs between subcommittees, county councils, and the head pensions office?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The proposal of the hon. and gallant Member would not be practicable as regards all the 1,700 sub-committees. There are already 332 committees in direct relation with the Ministry, and from time to time, where a special case is made out, sub-committees are converted into committees. If the hon. and gallant Member has any special case in mind and will bring it to my right hon. Friend's notice, it shall be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the name and address of the medical officer who was in charge of the dressing station in the village of Beaumetz on the night of 22nd March, 1918, or the following morning?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to my right hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of allowing men who enlisted for the duration of the War to change their duration service to a period of six years, which would give six years with the Colours and six years on the Army Reserve?

The period of service to be applied to normal engagements for both duration of the War and ordinary recruits is now under consideration. The suggestion of my hon. Friend will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether ranker executive officers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and quartermasters attached Royal Army Ordnance Corps, when performing administrative duties, only receive extra duty pay at 2s. 6d. per diem, whilst the attached regimental and temporary officers, with less knowledge of their duties, receive 5s. per diem; and, if so, will he take steps to place all officers performing equal work on the same scale for extra duty pay?

Executive officers of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps receive, besides their regimental pay, continuous additional pay varying from 1s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. a day for the performance of corps duty. The extra duty pay of 2s. 6d. a day is a further addition granted when administrative duties are performed. The comparison made by my hon. and gallant Friend is not, therefore, a comparison of like with like.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is contemplated to transfer some of the temporary officers of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps to the administrative staff; and, if so, will an opportunity be given to the executive officers of competing, the latter officers having considerable experience in Royal Army Ordnance Corps duties and many of them having already filled important administrative positions during the War?

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to refer to the full statement made on the 18th February in answer to three questions on this subject put by my Noble and gallant Friend the Member for Aldershot, in the course of which it was explained that as a tentative measure, it is under consideration to extend to certain carefully selected executive officers the same facilities for acquiring technical and administrative training as is found practicable for entrants from elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any difference, and, if so, what, between the pay and allowances of the administrative and ranker class of officers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, whilst the latter are performing administrative duties as Ordnance officers, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd class or A.D.O.S. or D.A.D.O.S?

The pay of an executive officer of the Royal Army Ordnance Department performing administrative duty varies from 14s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. a day, according to length of service and departmental grading. That of an Ordnance officer of the administrative establishment varies from 22s. 6d. (4th class) to 35s. (1st class). The allowances are dependent upon circumstances, and are too varied to be stated in reply to a question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office refuses to promote the ranker class of major, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and quartermasters to lieutenant-colonel as a reward for war service unless they have eighteen years' commissioned service, in spite of the fact that paragraph 331, as amended, of the Royal Warrant, 1914, lays down that a step of rank up to lieutenant-colonel may be conferred for distinguished service in the field or of an exceptional nature other than in the field?

Eighteen years' commissioned service on full pay is normally required before an officer of the quartermaster class can be advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, but exceptions may be made in the case of an officer who has rendered exceptionally good service, and has served in the field during the present War for an aggregate of two years. In this case promotion is permissible after fifteen, years' commissioned service on full pay I think my hon. and gallant Friend may have overlooked the fact that the normal period of commissioned service required under the Royal Warrant for promotion to major is fifteen years. During the War ordinary promotion to major has been allowed after thirteen years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the strength of the Regular officers of the administrative section. Royal Army Ordnance Corps, together with the total number of honours, decorations, and brevet promotions, awarded to them since 4th August, 1914; and the strength of the Regular officers of the executive (rankers) section, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and the total number of honours, decorations, and promotions awarded to them since 4th August, 1914?

There are 127 administrative and 177 executive officers of the Regular permanent establishment of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps now serving (exclusive in each case of retired officers re-employed). The total numbers of honours, decorations, and brevet or other promotions conferred on these officers sire, respectively, 169 and 55.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are about 500,000 men in the Labour Corps, many of them below Grade B 1 and cannot enlist in the new Army; if he is aware that the Labour Corps was not formed until 1917; what position these men are in seeing that the Army of Occupation men are men called up after 1916?

The number of men in the Labour Corps is 231,000. Although the Labour Corps was not formed until 1917, a very large number of the men are eligible for demobilisation. The remainder are liable to be retained for service in the Army of Occupation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the Temperance Institute, Greenock, which was rented and utilised by the military authorities during the War, has now been evacuated; and will he give instructions for the use of the premises to revert to the proprietors?

I am informed that the Temperance Institute at Greenock will be vacated and surrendered to the proprietors within the next week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can give the total amount of funds received from disbanded formations and units; and what it is proposed to do with the money so received?

The amounts are being collected and transferred to the custody of the Army Trustee, who has received approximately £21,000 to date. It is impossible at present to state what the total amount of such funds will be. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Wandsworth Central on the 24th February, to the effect that such funds will be utilised generally for the benefit of those from whom they have been derived and their dependants, except where subject to the conditions of a special trust.

asked the Minister of National Service if he can make a statement detailing the number of part and full-time officials and employés of his Department, the amount expended for salaries, fees, expenses, office rents, and upkeep for the entire establishment, including branch and provincial offices, as well as for headquarters staffs; and whether any measures are being taken, or are in contemplation, for drastically reducing the staffs and expense of the Department?

Most drastic action has been taken, as the hon. Member will see from the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Elland on 26th February. The expenditure for the financial year which is just closing was approximately £3,000,000, while, as the hon. Member is aware, the Estimates for 1919–1920 are £167,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he will communicate Air Force Orders to the Press on the same conditions as Army Orders and Army Council Instructions are communicated under the authority of the Secretary of State for War?

Air Ministry Orders are published in a weekly series, and, following Admiralty precedent, are not generally issued to the Press. I am considering what further steps can be taken to issue to the Press such orders as are of special general interest or importance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in view of the fact that no transfer of land and buildings on death or sale takes place without the Treasury obtaining, through the Board of Inland Revenue, an opinion of value from the Valuation Department of that Board, he will give instructions that no surplus land or buildings are to be disposed of on sale without first obtaining an opinion of value from the Valuation Branch of the Board of Inland Revenue?

I regret that I do not see my way to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he has received a request from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen, Royal Ordnance Factories, that a deputation should be received to discuss their claim to being placed on a pensionable basis; and whether he will give the request his favourable consideration?

Yes, Sir, the request has been received and the proposals have been under consideration. I hope arrangements will be made for receiving the deputation very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he can make a statement detailing the number of part and full-time officials and employés of his Department, the amount expended for salaries, fees, expenses, office rents, and upkeep for the entire establishment, including branch and provincial offices as well as for headquarters staffs; and whether any measures are being taken, or are in contemplation, for drastically reducing the staffs and expenses of the Department?

The number of officials and employés in headquarters and local area offices of the Ministry, who are engaged on part-time duties, is 106, and the number on full-time duties is 17,925. The amounts expended for salaries, fees and expenses for both branch and provisional offices, as well as for headquarter staffs, is as follows:

	£
For year ending 31st March, 1916	312,202
For year ending 31st March, 1917	1,177,429
For year ending 31st March, 1918	2,895,970
For period 1st April, 1918, to 26th February, 1919 (11 months)	4,145,032

These figures do not include office rents or the cost of maintaining heating and lighting buildings, such charges being paid by His Majesty's Office of Works.The increased expenditure for the year 1918–19 is largely accounted for by considerable expansion of the Aircraft Production Department during that period, and by the cost of various missions sent by the Ministry of Munitions to the United States of America.Since the date of the Armistice the number of staff in every Department has been under constant revision, with a view to reduction to the lowest point consistent with the proper performance of work that still continues. In order to secure that the reduction may proceed as rapidly as possible, a committee consisting of four business men was appointed on the 30th January last to consider and advise the Minister as to the steps that can best be taken for that purpose. The reduction already effected in the staffs of headquarters and local offices is 9,178 persons, including 2,541 transferred to the Resettlement and Demobilisation Department of the Ministry of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary schools have been used as military hospitals during the War; how many have already been evacuated; and, having regard to the shortage of school accommodation, he will take steps to secure that the buildings shall receive preferential treatment as the hospitals are reduced in size?

According to the information in my possession the number of public elementary schools which have been used as military hospitals during the War is 132. Of these twenty-two have now been vacated and in the case of twenty-six others the War Office have stated that it is hoped to release them shortly. I am in constant communication with the War Office regarding the release of schools occupied for military purposes. I understand that schools are already given preferential treatment as regards such release.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in numerous cases during the War children of German parentage born in this country have been excluded from public educational institutions or deprived of other educational facilities; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent local education authorities and school authorities discriminating against children who are British subjects?

My attention has been called to several cases of the kind mentioned, in which children of alien parentage born in this country were excluded on the ground that their admission in the then state of public feeling would have been prejudicial to the welfare of the schools. I sincerely hope that local education authorities and school authorities will now reconsider the matter, and that they will find it possible to admit these children to the benefits of the public system of education without prejudice to the schools. It cannot be in the interest of this country to treat as if they were enemies children who are British by birth, and to deprive them of the influences and associations which will ensure their growing up as loyal British subjects.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in fixing the appointed day for the purposes of Section 8 (1) and (2) of the Education Act, 1918, he will give local education authorities at least three months' prior notice of the date so fixed, in order that in those areas when hitherto a considerable proportion of the children have been able to leave school before attaining the age of fourteen the authorities may have sufficient time to make necessary arrangements?

As regards Section 8 (1), I would refer the hon. Baronet to the last paragraph of the Board's Circular 1095, of which I am sending him a copy. Section 8 (2) merely empowers local education authorities to raise the age of compulsory school attendance to fifteen, and it hardly seems necessary to give the authorities three months' notice of the day on which it will come into force.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received representations from teachers relating to the effect of the provisions of the School Teachers' (Superannuation) Act in regard to teachers' superannuation allowances and gratuities, owing to the varying scales of salaries in similar districts being under different authorities; and whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy this alleged grievance?

Teachers have from time to time written to the Board on the subject of salary scales adopted by or under consideration by local education authorities, and in such letters the connection between salary and pension is occasionally referred to. The Board are watching with close attention the effect of the new Grants and Regulations upon the scales which authorities are fixing, but I do not think that at present any further action by the Board is required in relation to the general body of authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, according to law in India, women are still permitted to work sixty-six hours per week and children thirty-six hours per week in textile factories; is he aware that the hours of work in Great Britain and Ireland are about fifty-six per week for women; and will he take steps to ensure that in future the hours of work of women and children in textile factories in India shall not exceed those obtaining in Great Britain and Ireland?

The Indian law limits the employment of women in a textile factory to eleven hours a day and of a child to six hours. The Factory Act fixing these hours was enacted in 1911 after prolonged inquiry into the conditions of factory work in India and in this and in other respects effected a considerable improvement on the previous law and practice. The Secretary of State is not aware that the length of these hours is the subject of complaint or agitation among the workers, and he has received no representation from any section of the Indian public. He does not consider the present moment opportune for inviting the Indian Government to undertake fresh factory legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations have recently been made to him on the part of the people of Demerara on the improvement of the sugar industry in that colony; whether he is aware that 1,000,000 tons of sugar per annum can be produced in British Guiana, where climate and soil are favourable for the growth of sugar cane, and that the immediate need of the sugar industry in this colony is an adequate supply of suitable labour; whether, in view of the stoppage of the emigration of indentured labour from India to British Guiana, an arrangement can be made with the Indian Government for the employment of free labour; and whether, seeing that Chinese coolies desire to work in British Guiana, and that the people of British Guiana are willing to employ them, an arrangement will be made with the Chinese Government for the emigration of Chinese coolies?

Representations have been received with regard to the improvement and development of the sugar industry in British Guiana, and to the difficult problems connected with the supply of labour in the colony. My hon. Friend can rest assured that His Majesty's Government are alive to the possibilities of expansion of the industry, and are prepared to give careful consideration to any practical suggestions put forward with a view to improving the labour situation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that J. W. Hill, a conscientious objector in Liverpool Prison, has been in prison for two years and nine months, is in a very poor state of health both mentally and physically, and is being seriously affected by his abnormally long imprisonment; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to his release on health grounds?

There is no reason to think this man's health is being injured by imprisonment. He sleeps well and has increased in weight since his reception in prison in January last. He cannot be certified as unfit for military service.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the bricks, joinery, locks, etc., that he has ordered are to be sold direct to municipal and local authorities for the purposes of their housing schemes, or through the agency of local merchants; and whether such sale will be at cost price or plus a profit to the Government?

The bricks and other building materials for which orders have been placed by the Ministry of Munitions will be supplied directly and at cost price for the use of local authorities undertaking housing schemes approved by the Local Government Board.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the report of the Medical Officer of Health of the City of Manchester states that ten houses were condemned as unfit for human habitation in 1917; whether he is also aware that these houses have not been demolished; and whether the Manchester City Council or the Salford Borough Council have ever been notified of his intention to exercise the power conferred by Section 11 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative. It does not appear, however, that the section referred to would apply to the case mentioned in the first part.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the number of dwellings that have been condemned by local authorities as being unfit for human habitation during the last five years?

I am not in a position to give the desired information in respect of any year subsequent to that ended 31st March, 1915. The Board's information was derived from returns made under Section 44 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, but by the Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1916, the making of the returns was suspended during the War. So far as returns were received from local authorities in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1915, they show that closing orders in respect of houses unfit for human habitation were made as regards 8,630 houses.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will make inquiries as to how many housing inspec- tors have been appointed in Manchester and Salford under Article 2 of the Housing (Inspection of Districts) Regulations and the date of such appointments, and the number of houses inspected up to date under the above Regulations; whether the Manchester City Council and the Salford Borough Council have been notified that such inspections are obligatory; how many notices have been issued by the Manchester and Salford councils under Section 15 of the Housing and Town Planning Act; and inhow many cases have the respective councils deemed it desirable to execute work in default of the owners carrying into effect the notice given.

My right hon. Friend has received communications from the Corporation of Manchester and Salford in regard to the subject matter of this question, and I will send a copy to the right hon. Gentleman. These Corporations cannot be regarded as inactive in carrying out their duties in regard to inspections of houses, as it must be borne in mind generally that during the War there has of necessity been a considerable slackening of work in this direction.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a number of the forms of Parliamentary claims (R.P. 23a) have been issued containing a material misstatement affecting the annual value required for the qualification of women; find whether, seeing that the use of such forms has probably involved a large number of persons in making false declarations, he will instruct registration officers that the use of these forms shall not invalidate the claims and that proceedings shall not be taken against such claimants?

My attention had not previously been drawn to the fact that there is a printer's error in some of the forms of claim which have been supplied in the North of England. The forms are not supplied by the Local Government Board. I will communicate with registration officers in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of a discharged and crippled soldier who was an applicant for the post of registrar for the sub-district of Carlton, Notts, but was unsuccessful in securing the appointment; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances of the appointment and advise special consideration of applicants who have served in the War?

The appointment to which the question refers is made by the board of guardians, and is approved by the Registrar-General if the person appointed appears to be duly qualified. The Registrar-General advises that the claims of eligible men discharged from the forces should be preferentially considered by guardians in making these appointments, but he has no power to insist on the appointment of particular individuals.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Treasury sanction has been obtained to meet the necessary cost in connection with the schemes formulated by the advisory committee for the assistance of the blind; and whether these schemes are to be carried into effect without delay?

At the moment I can only say that the matter is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that many people will soon desire to make the necessary arrangements for much needed holidays, he can now state if cheaper travelling facilities will be provided on the railways; and, if so, at what period the same will be brought into operation?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Gentleman on this subject on the 25th February, the question whether any cheap travelling facilities can be granted this year is under consideration. My right hon. Friend is not, however, at present able to say if, or when, it may be found practicable to reinstate such facilities or to what extent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the terms of reference for the Committee proposed to be set up to inquire into the question of industrial insurance; and whether it is proposed that the Committee should inquire into the remuneration of insurance agents and the advisability, or otherwise, of instituting a national system of industrial insurance?

The terms of reference to the Committee to be set up to inquire into the question of industrial assurance are under consideration. I am, therefore, unable to state at present whether the matters referred to by the hon. Member will come within the scope of the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the London and South-Western Railway Company to abandon the Alton and Basingstoke Light Railway, the rails of which were pulled up and sent abroad during the War; whether he is aware that this line has for some years served a large agricultural neighbourhood; and whether, in view of the Prime Minister's pledges, during the recent General Election, to improve communications in the agricultural interest, he will immediately bring pressure to bear on the London and South-Western Railway Company to restore and reopen this line as soon as possible?

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the London and South-Western Railway Company on this matter, and understands that, while they have not yet arrived at a definite decision, they see no prospect in existing circumstances of the light railway being relaid and reopened for traffic in the near future. The general question of improvement of communications will be one for the consideration of the Ministry of Ways and Communications when it is established, and in the meantime my right hon. Friend could not usefully take action, as suggested, in this particular case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any proposals are under consideration or any decisions have been come to with regard to restrictions on imports, particularly of cotton hosiery; and, if so, can he state their nature?

My right hon. Friend has at present nothing to add to the answer which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Moss Side Division of Manchester on 27th February, and of which I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the question as to taking steps to ensure that no goods of enemy origin shall be imported into this country unless they, bear a clear indication upon them of the place of manufacture; if he will arrange that this requirement shall apply not only to complete articles, but also to all goods and articles in cases in which only a portion thereof or of the materials used in manufacturing the same are of enemy origin; and if steps will be taken to consult the Dominions Governments with a view to uniform action in this matter?

My right hon. Friend has decided to appoint a Departmental Committee to advise him as to the desirability of amending the existing provisions of the Merchandise Marks Acts, so far as concerns the indication of the origin of imported goods. It will be one of the tasks of the Committee to ascertain the wishes of the Dominion Governments in regard to this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to publish a full report of the evidence taken by the Select Committee on Transport?

The hon. Member will find a report of the evidence in Houses of Commons Paper No. 130/136of last year.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can make a statement detailing the number of part and full time officials and employés of his Department, the amount expended for salaries, fees, expenses, office rents, and upkeep for the entire establishment, including branch and provincial offices as well as for head quarters staffs; and whether any measures are being taken, or are in contemplation, for drastically reducing the staffs and expense of the Department?

In view of the large amount of clerical work involved I regret that I do not see my way to furnish the statement indicated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, the staff of my Department is subject to close and periodical scrutiny and every opportunity is taken of effecting reductions when the volume of work permits.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that expenses were incurred by representatives of the Railway Committee of Craft Unions, Eastleigh, in attending a Court of arbitration to submit evidence with regard to certain rearrangements in the railway shops, as a result of the adoption of the forty-seven hours' week; that the representatives travelled to London to attend the Court at invitation of the Department; that, when the Court had disposed of another matter, it was ruled that the questions for which these representatives had attended could not be dealt with; and whether, in these circumstances, the Department will refund the expenses incurred in consequence of the advice given by the Department?

Representatives of this committee attended a further meeting of a Court of arbitration to consider questions relating to the running sheds at Eastleigh. This Court was convened at the request of the committee and the matters to be decided were well understood. The committee, however, came prepared to deal with the grievances in the shops as well as in the sheds, but the former question was not before the Court and was not dealt with. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, expenses of parties to arbitrations cannot ordinarily be defrayed by the Government, and after careful consideration no special reason was seen in this case for departing from this practice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the temporary clerks in the Employment Exchanges, whose wages, are only 35s. per week, receive a bonus of 19s. whereas the permanent staff receive a bonus of23s.; and whether he will consider the possibility of increasing the bonus to the full 23s. and give instructions that, in accordance with Award No. 65 of the Conciliation Board, the bonus shall be added to the rate in determining the amount of overtime rate?

The grant of war bonus to temporary clerks is a matter for the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, and their Lordships have notified heads of Departments that on the information before them they are not satisfied that the extension to temporary clerks of the increased war bonus granted to permanent clerks under the terms of Award No. 65 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board is justified. Their Lordships have decided, however, that the principle laid down by the Board that war bonus shall count for overtime pay as from 1st November last shall apply to temporary clerks, and the following increases in the rates of payment for overtime have accordingly been granted in the case of temporary clerks:In the case of men over twenty-one years of age, 6d. an hour.In the case of men over eighteen years of age, but not over twenty-one years of age, and women over eighteen years of age, 4d. an hourIn the case of persons under eighteen years of age, 3d. an hour.

asked the Minister of Labour if his Department is dealing with the question of finding employment for ex-soldiers, officers and men, overseas; if so, will he give the House some explanation of the procedure which is being adopted; whether he is aware that the Central Emigration Board, for several years before the War, were engaged on similar work, but that its operations are now in abeyance owing to the difficulties of shipping accommoda- tion; and whether the Ministry of Labour is able to offer any special facilities in this respect?

The Ministry of Labour, which is acting in close co-operation with the Committee recently appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, has, since January, included an Overseas Appointments Bureau, which deals with the placing in training or appointments overseas of ex-officers and men of suitable professional and business qualifications. The Ministry is aware that, in view of the need for repatriating the various Expeditionary Forces, little or no shipping will be available for any other persons desiring to proceed overseas before the autumn, and regrets that it is impossible to offer any special facilities in this respect at the present time. It is intended that full information with regard to openings overseas for ex-Service men shall be available at all Employment Exchanges. In addition to the use of these official channels, there is every desire to encourage the work of private organisations which are endeavouring to obtain information as to openings overseas for ex-Service men, and various organisations are at present engaged in this work.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in August, 1918, it was necessary to suspend the pension of an ex-Civil servant of Bristol, namely, Mr. H. J. Batchelor, of 10, Maxse Road, Knowle, Bristol, who, at the age of 51, was forced by the Government to perform work of national importance; why, under the circumstances brought about by the War, together with the cost of living, it was necessary to inflict this treatment on this man; and whether the same Regulations were enforced in all other cases where ex-Civil servants in receipt of pensions were called upon by the Military Service Manpower Bill to again take up work under the Crown?

Under the Superannuation Acts the pension of a Civil servant has to be reduced or stopped if, when he is re-employed by the Government in a civil capacity, the pay he is receiving together with his pension exceeds the pay he was receiving when he retired. In these circumstances, it was necessary to suspend payment of part of Mr. Batchelor's pension during his temporary employment under the Government. The Superannuation Act in question applies to all pensioners from the Civil Service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it now takes from twelve to twenty-five days for replies to wires between Manchester and Karachi or Bombay; whether he knows that merchants are of opinion that this is adding to the difficulties in resuming a normal export trade; and what he proposes to do in the matter?

As I explained in reply to questions asked on the 20th ultimo and the 3rd instant, the delay in telegraphic communication with India is due to the great increase of traffic, which unfortunately has to be concentrated on a very limited number of cables, owing to the stoppage of the auxiliary routes through Russia and Germany which were in existence before the War, and the interruption of certain of the submarine lines. The increase is largely in Government messages, and I am constantly urging the Departments concerned to do their utmost to curtail this traffic. An auxiliary wireless service has just been established by means of existing Government stations, and meanwhile every effort is being made to repair the interrupted cables.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received petitions from Bishop's Waltham, Botley, and the adjoining neighbourhood calling his attention to the very inconvenient postal arrangements now existing there; and whether, as this part of Hampshire is an important centre of market gardening and fruit growing, he will endeavour to improve the postal arrangements as soon as possible?

Representations on the subject have been received. The question of providing better postal arrangements in this neighbourhood will be considered in connection with the general measures which are about to be undertaken for the improvement of postal services.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any complaints regarding the condition in the telephone system in Manchester; whether he is aware that a snowstorm on 4th January put a number of telephones out of order and repairs have not yet been effected; and whether some additional measures will be taken immediately to expedite the work of repair and put an end to the inconvenience now being suffered, especially by business firms?

Complaints have been received concerning the telephone service in Manchester. Approximately 15,000 subscribers' lines were broken down by the snowstorm in the Manchester area, in addition to a large number of main telegraph and telephone lines. Every available man has been employed in making good the damage. In the absence of many skilled men on military duty, the local staff is much below normal strength, and it has therefore been augmented from other districts and by military units. About 11,000 subscribers' lines have already been repaired, and the work which still remains to be done is being expedited.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the women in the Savings Bank Department have for several years past been working ten hours a day with an interval of fifty minutes only for meal time; and whether any steps have been taken to deal with this matter and also to appoint representatives of such Departments on a Whitley council?

The pressure of work in the Savings Bank Department is still heavy, notably in connection with the payment of gratuities to demobilised men of the Navy and Army. The overtime performed by women clerks is now restricted to twelve hours a week, and every effort is being made to restore normal conditions. There should in any case be a material improvement when the special causes of the present pressure have ceased to operate. The application of the Whitley scheme to the non-industrial staffs of Government offices is under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the Highlands and Islands Medical Service Board was passed to meet the urgent necessities of the poor and that it has been a success; and, if it is found essential that it should be merged in the Ministry of Health, whether provision will bemade that the funds allotted to the Highlands and Islands will be secured to these districts under the new Act?

The Highlands and Islands (Medical Service) Grant Act 1913, makes provision for the administration of the Fund constituted by the Actin the event of the powers of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service Board being transferred to another authority. The Act provides for the payment of £42,000 in every year for medical service in the Highlands and Islands and any transfer of powers would not affect this specific appropriation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if and when the representatives of Montenegro are going to be recognised at the Peace Conference?

General Grozdanovitch, Montenegrin Minister at Washington, was heard before the Peace Conference on the 5th instant as representative of the King and Government of Montenegro.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been directed to the subject of Rule 1(f) of the Rules of the Supreme Court (Ireland), which empowers Irish judges to order service of an Irish writ on a defendant domiciled in England whenever a cause of action has arisen upon a contract made within the Irish juris- diction, whereas the Rules of the Supreme Court in England contain no similar rule empowering judges in analogous cases to order service of English writs in Ireland; whether he is aware that this puts a considerable disability on English traders desiring to sue Irish debtors; and will he take the necessary steps whereby English traders should be put on the same footing as Irish traders?

The difference pointed out in the question between the Irishand the English rules undoubtedly exists, as does also the consequent disability on English traders. Attention has been called to this difference on several occasions, and it is now being considered (along with other matters) by the "British and Foreign Legal Procedure Committee, 1918," appointed by Lord Finlay when Lord Chancellor, which is presided over by Lord Sumner, and whose report is expected shortly.

asked the Attorney-General whether a judge of the High Court sitting without a jury, by virtue of the provisions of the Juries Act, has before him, before giving his verdict, any information as to the amount, if any, that a defendant has paid into Court?

Yes, he has—in the sense that the amount paid into Court appears in the plea—and the judge has the pleadings handed to him when the case is called on.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when the new County Hall will be available for the use of the London County Council; and what steps he is taking with reference thereto?

asked the Food Controller when he proposes to give up possession of the County Hall; and whether he is aware that the London County Council is desirous of resuming building operations at the earliest possible moment?

So far as the portion of the new County Hall occupied by the Government is concerned, accommodation is being released to house a London County Council staff of 330. This space will be surrendered in the course of this month. Further portions of the building will be surrendered to the county council as the staff of the Ministry of Food diminishes. I have been in consultation both with the authorities of the London County Council and the Ministry of Food on this question, and I am doing ray best to expedite matters. I would, however, point out that if it had not been for the work carried out by the Government on this building during the War no accommodation of any kind would have been available for at least another six months. Arrangements have been made in consultation with the London County Council authorities which will permit the remaining building work being resumed almost immediately.