asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the yield per 1d. of the Income Tax apart from Super-tax during the last financial year for which the figure is available?

The yield for each 1d. of the standard rate of Income Tax for 1916–17 the latest year for which final figures are available—was £3,360,612.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was the practice during the War to allow for canteens for workers in controlled establishments being erected out of revenue instead of out of capital, the State thus contributing part of the cost in reduced Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax; whether this practice is now abolished; and whether, in order to improve the conditions of labour and provide facilities for properly-cooked food at reasonable prices to workers whose homes are distant, he will favourably consider restoring the practice referred to in the case of all establishments?

The allowances which have been made in computing the profits of controlled establishments for purposes of Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax in cases in which canteens have been erected are allowances to compensate for the difference between the cost of the canteens and their post-war value. These allowances are made under the authority of Section 40 (3) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, and Section 39 of the Finance Act, 1916, as amended, and their extent must be governed by the provisions of those Sections.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state who is responsible for the Regulations considered to be necessary for the realisation of the stocks of aeronautical plywood in this country at the date of the Armistice or contracted to be purchased by His Majesty's Government at that time; whether he will cause inquiries to be made of the S.M. 7 Department (Aircraft Supplies) as to whether any and what offers were received by that Department for the purchase of the entire stock re- ferred to; whether, on the 28th day of January last, a firm offer extending over three weeks was received of 47s. 6d. per 100 square feet for the purchase of such entire stock; if he will state whether, on the intervention of the Timber Controller or that of some other and what controller, the provisional arrangements made by the S.M. 7 Department (Aircraft Supplies) to accept the offer above referred to were overruled; if he will state whether 2,500,000 square feet were placed by the Timber Controller with Messrs, Foy, Morgan and Company, timber brokers, for disposal; whether Messrs. Foy, Morgan and Company, in the absence of any adequate accommodation for the storage of the plywood at Liverpool, stacked the same in open sheds and that, consequent on weather conditions, the value has deteriorated; and if he will likewise state the amount of loss occasioned to the Treasury consequent upon the cancelling of the provisional order previously referred to?

I have been asked to take this question. The Ministry of Munitions is responsible for regulating the disposal of surplus aeronautical plywood which is being carried out under the Timber Controller, who is also Controller of Surplus Timber Disposal under the Surplus Government Property Disposal Board. Certain offers were received for the purchase of the entire stock referred to, including an offer in the terms mentioned in the question, but no provisional arrangements were made by S.M. 7 Section of the Aircraft Production Department to accept that or any other offer. With regard to that offer, the Timber Controller was consulted, and, as the price offered was less than half the c.i.f. cost to United Kingdom port, he considered that it would be unwise to accept the offer before asking other manufacturers and dealers to tender for the plywood. The Aircraft Production Department agreed, and the offer was refused.Considerable quantities of plywood have been placed with Messrs. Foy, Morgan and Company, as brokers, and have been stored in Liverpool and London. A representative who has just returned from Liverpool states that the goods have been properly stored in dry warehouses, and have not deteriorated in any way No loss has resulted from the refusal of the offer referred to. I may add that it has been decided that publicity should be given in. every ease as to the disposal of surplus Government timber, and that, where possible, sales should be by public auction or public tender.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury have communicated any decision to the heads of Departments with a view to restricting the promotion of assistant clerks to the second division to the proportion of one promotion to four vacancies; and, if so, whether he can state the Order in Council or other authority authorising the fixing of such ratio of promotion?

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

asked the Secretary to the Treasury with reference to the letter, 4,155/19, dated 29th January, addressed to the heads of all Government Departments from the Treasury, requesting them to forward a list of the names and qualifications of their established staff suitable for promotion to posts in other Departments, whether it is intended that the names of permanent women Civil servants should be included in the lists of recommendations; and, if so, whether this can be made clear to the heads of those Departments where permanent women are employed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a Treasury Circular, dated the 26th February last, which was issued with a view to removing any misapprehension on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether merchants are at liberty to accept consignments of wheat and barley from foreign countries for shipment to this country, or whether it is the intention of the Government to divert such foodstuffs to neutral countries?

I have been asked to reply. Merchants are at liberty to accept consignments of wheat and barley from overseas, but the cargoes must be notified on arrival and must be dealt with as the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies may direct. This limitation, however, has been withdrawn in respect of Californian, Oregon and Chilian barleys. There is no intention on the part of the Government to divert such foodstuffs to neutral countries.

asked the Food Controller if the small increase in the beer supply is all that may be expected; and whether he will make a statement which will allay the indignation and unrest to which the continuance of a reduced supply is everywhere giving rise?

I can add nothing to the answers which I have already given on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will now state what reasons of public policy or interest now justify the continuance of any restrictions upon the supply of spirits from bond; (2) if he is aware of the grave resentment and unrest caused by the failure of sick persons to obtain spirits when medical certificates have ordered such; and if he can state the reason for withholding the necessary supply?

I have been asked to reply, and will deal with these questions together. I can add nothing to the answer already given on this subject.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that, notwithstanding the recent decision of the Government to release an increased quantity of spirits, numerous complaints are made by medical men and others of the difficulty in obtaining brandy and whisky for persons suffering from influenza; and whether he will consider the practicability of making special provision for the supply of such stimulants under an order from a medical man?

The decision on this question does not rest with the Ministry of Food, and I can add nothing to the answers which I have repeatedly given on this subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that on 1st November last the Lindsey Division of Lincolnshire had in stock 180,000 tons of potatoes and on 1st February of this year 28,000 tons only had been taken over by the Government; and if immediate action can be taken in the matter to relieve farmers of their stock?

I have been asked to reply. It was estimated that the stocks of potatoes in the Lindsey Division on the 1st December, 1918, were 182,538 tons. Of this quantity 12,295 tons were moved during December and 18,561 tons during January. Potatoes in this and other districts are being lifted as rapidly as possible. I may add, that the Food Controller has made large contracts for the export of potatoes to the continent of Europe, which will assist materially in the rapid removal of the present stocks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the dissatisfaction, especially of senior officers of the Navy with the recent scale of advances of pay, he will make accessible to hon. Members the Report on Naval Officers' Pay, by Committee A, of the Grand Fleet, presided over by Vice-Admiral Oliver?

I am afraid I cannot add to the answers already given on this subject on the 26th February and the 12th March, in which it was stated that the Report in question had been put in Admiral Jerram's hands for the better information of his Committee. As to publication, no decision can be come to by the Board until the Report of Admiral Jerram's Committee has been received.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether be is aware that Stoker Donald W. Sime, No. K.27173, who originally joined the Royal Marines in June, 1915, and was transferred to the Royal Navy, was drafted to the "Caspian" when his late ship "Monitor No. 22" was put out of commission; and whether, in view of the length of this man's service and the fact that he is an apprentice who has not yet completed his time, he will issue instructions for his release at an early date?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain firms refused to make application for the demobilisation of apprentices who were in their employment previous to the War, on the ground that these apprentices enrolled as war munition volunteers and had to leave their employment on being transferred elsewhere by the Ministry of Munitions; and whether, in view of the fact that these apprentices answered the country's call for volunteers, special consideration will be given to applications for their demobilisation provided employment is guaranteed for them?

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Torquay on Tuesday last to the effect that students and apprentices are being treated on the same footing as regards demobilisation as other soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that No. T/422505, Driver Samuel Neill, No. 1001 Company, Royal Army Service Corps, attached 4th Cavalry Divisional Transport, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, has been on active service in Egypt since May, 1915, having originally belonged to the l/7th Scottish Rifles, and that this man is an apprentice; and whether in this case, and in other cases where apprentices joined before 1st January, 1916, he is prepared to issue instructions for such man to be given priority of inclusion in dispersal drafts?

Apprentices who are eligible for demobilisation under current instructions are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit, and are included in dispersal drafts in accordance with the order of priority at present in force. Each dispersal draft includes, as far as possible, a proportion of men of all classes as laid down in the order of priority.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that men who joined the Army after the 1st January, 1916, after having endeavoured unsuccessfully to join in 1914 or 1915, shall be for purposes of demobilisation classified as having joined the Army before the 1st January, 1916?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man who volunteered for the Army in 1914 and was rejected, and was twice rejected in 1915, but ultimately was admitted in 1916 and was placed in Category B 3, is ineligible for early demobilisation under Army Order 14, on the ground that he did not join before 1st January, 1916; and, if so, will he consider this case if particulars of this man are supplied?

Men rejected medically unfit before the 1st January, 1916, and who subsequently joined the Colours after the 1st January, 1916, are not eligible for demobilisation under Army Order 55 of 1919, unless they fall within certain exceptions specified in the Army Order. The case stated by my hon. and gallant Friend does not appear to have any special aspect which would warrant any departure from the Regulations in force.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many veterinary surgeons have been demobilised since 11th November, 1918?

One hundred and thirty-two veterinary surgeons have been demobilised since 11th November, 1918.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that returned prisoners of war were promised early demobilisation under a recent Demobilisation Order, he will give instructions that these men should be released at the expiration of their furlough instead of being ordered to rejoin their units for further service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the Members for Kettering and Bishop Auckland on the 25th of February. Repatriated prisoners of war who are eligible for demobilisation under current instructions may be demobilised during or at the end of their two months' furlough, if they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet reviewed the application for the release of Guardsman F. Burland, No. 22650, 2nd Battalion Cold stream Guards; if he is aware that his employers, a railway company, have endeavoured to secure his release; and whether, seeing that he is the only surviving son and main support of an invalid father and an old mother, their two other sons having been killed in France, he will take steps to release this man on compassionate grounds at an early date?

I am informed that instructions have been issued for the demobilisation of Private Burland.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give every consideration to the representation for release from the Army on compassionate grounds of Corporal J. R. Cray, No. 253320, Royal Engineers, Signals; why no reply has been sent to urgent representations already made; if he is aware that this soldier expects to be sent to Russia shortly; and to what part of Russia it is proposed to send him?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with a statement giving full particulars, and the grounds on which the claim is made, or obtain a similar statement vouched by a magistrate, doctor or clergyman, the case will be considered. As regards the latter part of the question, any soldier who is not eligible for demobilisation is liable, to serve in any of the Armies of Occupation unless he is under twenty years of age. There is no trace of any application having been received by the War Office in respect of Corporal Cray, and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will let me have details of the representations to which he refers.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the demobilisation of Private S. G. Saint, No. 80241, No. 3 Troop, B Squadron, 5th Dragoon Guards, who was sent to France in 1914 with the Essex Yeomanry, and has therefore served through the whole of the War, and whose employers, a firm of electrical and mechanical engineers, applied for his release on 6th January, 1919?

Private Saint is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and from the information given by my hon. and gallant Friend it would appear that the application made by his employers was the usual "contract" offer of employment or was such as to obtain his registration as a "slip" man. Neither "contract" nor "slip" men are entitled to early demobilisation, but they are registered and if eligible they receive a certain priority of release. Private Saint would appear to be eligible for demobilisation on account of his length of service and, if so, will no doubt be released in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private P. Murphy, No. 63121, 6th G.N. Battalion, D Company, Royal Welsh Fusiliers; whether he is aware that this man has seen sixteen months' active service in Palestine; that he was wounded, and was afterwards sent down the line suffering from chronic bronchitis; that he still suffers from this complaint and is classified B 2, and has been sent forward to rejoin his unit in Bulgaria; that in consequence of his condition he has been excused guard duty, but is regularly employed on sanitary work unsuitable for a man in his condition of health; that one brother was killed at Suvla Bay and another crippled in France; that the soldier himself has a wife and three children and other dependants to maintain; and whether he will order this man's return home and demobilisation on compassionate grounds?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with full particulars of the other dependants Private Murphy is stated to maintain and also the ages of the children, or obtain a similar statement vouched by a magistrate, doctor or minister of religion, the case will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether orders have been issued not to demobilise men in France belonging to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps; whether he is aware that many of these men belonged to the original Expeditionary Force, with two and three wound stripes; whether their work in disposing of the horses is being rapidly completed; and if he will issue instructions for the immediate release of those who are eligible?

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Henley on Tuesday last, to the effect that men of the corps referred to who are eligible for demobilisation under the Regulations at present in force are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit, and subject to the liability to retention for the military machinery of demobilisation until they can be relieved or their services dispensed with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man who enlisted in the Territorials in 1910, was mobilised on 4th August, 1914, and served in France until November, 1915, when he was discharged as time-expired, who was recalled to the Colours under the Military Service Act in June, 1916, and was a prisoner of war in Germany for seven months, is now entitled to be demobilised as a time-expired man of 1910, or is he only to be classed as a conscript of 1916?

In such a case the man would be eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those warrant officers and quartermasters now serving in India who have attained the age of retirement can be returned home in order to enable them to find employment in civilian life.

I would refer my Noble and gallant Friend to the full statement, regarding the withdrawal from India of personnel entitled to relief, which I made on the 25th February in answer to questions by the right hon. Member for South Molton and the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor. I am afraid I can add nothing to that statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the question of releasing a man whose demobilisation papers were in order before 1st February, and who actually would have been demobilised but for the fact that he was retained in hospital till after that date?

If the man referred to by my hon. Friend was registered by the War Office as pivotal or for special release before the 1st February, 1919, the fact of his being in Hospital will not interfere with his demobilisation in due course. If he was not so registered, his demobilisation is dependent on his being eligible under current instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether paragraph 392 (vi.) (b), King's Regulations, discharge of boys under eighteen years of age who gave wrong age on enlistment, applies to the Royal Air Force; and, if not, what the regulations are which govern the release of such boys?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative The rules governing the release from the Royal Air Force of boys who gave a wrong age on enlistment are contained in an Air Ministry Order which directs their discharge if they enlisted without the written consent of their parents or guardians, provided that their age at the date of application for discharge does not exceed seventeen years.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the total number of foreign decorations granted to officers in the Army during the War; and how many of such decorations have been granted to officers of general's rank and officers who have served in any branch of the Staff during the War, and officers other than general officers and Staff officers; (2) if he will say what is the total number of officers who have held general's rank during the War and officers who have served in any branch of the Staff during the War who have received more than one foreign decoration; and the total number of officers not included in these categories who have received more than one foreign decoration?

The number of foreign decorations conferred on officers in the Army during the War is 5,931. The rest of the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available, and I regret it is not possible for the Department concerned to undertake the compilation of a return of this nature, which would involve a great deal of laborious research.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of the late Gunner Harry Edward Andrews, No. 124,967, Royal Garrison Artillery, who enlisted in October, 1916, and classified A1, and who was demobilised on 17th January, being then classified B3, and who died on 15th February; whether the War Office at first refused a gun carriage for the funeral; whether the amount of the funeral expenses was obtained by charitable subscriptions and that at the present time his widow and six children are in receipt of 35s. from the local board of guardians; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am not aware of the circumstances of this case, but I will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the amount of the Army and Air Estimates, he will present to Parliament an analysis of the table in the White Paper (Army and Air Estimates for the year 1919–20) showing precisely what are Peace Estimates and what are War Estimates, that is to say, what amounts apply exclusively to peace conditions and what amounts represent commitments arising out of the War?

I am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is wholly impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Thetford Camp, Norfolk, was used as a training camp up to the end of November, 1918; whether orders were then given to have the said camp altered to a dispersal camp by 1st January, 1919; what was the cost of such alteration; whether orders have now been given to have Thetford Camp changed back to a training camp; and what was the cost of such alteration?

Thetford Camp was used as a training camp up to the 18th November, 1918, when it was converted into a dispersal camp, the cost of such alteration being £l,250. Owing to the satisfactory progress made in demobilisation, it has now been found possible to close the camp as a dispersal camp. It will be reconverted to a training camp at a, cost of only £250.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information in respect to five young soldiers who were selected as alleged ringleaders of 5,000 men who refused to parade, as a protest against unsatisfactory food conditions, and were sentenced to death but whose sentences were commuted to ten years' penal servitude, which sentences they are now serving in Wandsworth Gaol; and whether, as a result of inquiry, he will take measures to mitigate or annul the penalties imposed?

I am informed that the soldiers concerned were convicted by court-martial for joining in a mutiny. They were not sentenced to death, but to ten years' penal servitude. On arrival in this country their sentences were reviewed in accordance with the usual practice, and in consequence commuted to two years' detention and noted for further review at the end of six months.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, on the 29th of January of this year, Private W. Scholes, No. 187017, Royal Garrison Artillery, was demobilised on medical grounds; whether he was arrested on the 4th of March as a deserter, locked up all night in Birmingham Police Station, and appeared in the dock at the Birmingham City Police Court on the 5th and was discharged on production of his demobilisation papers; and whether the War Office will tender an apology for the blunder of their Department and make a small gratuity in acknowledgment of the false imprisonment which this soldier has suffered at their hands?

I have no information as to the statements contained in my hon. Friend's question, but I am having inquiries made and will write to him as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a large number of enemy prisoners of war are employed at the Royal Engineers' depot at Canning Town, West Ham, E.; and whether, in view of the great dissatisfaction that exists amongst the workers in the locality, including a large number of demobilised soldiers and sailors, he will arrange for these; prisoners to be removed, and have the work done by British labour at full trade union rates of wages and conditions of employment?

I am informed that orders have been issued for the replacement of these prisoners of war by British labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the conditions under which soldier clerks, deputy superintendent clerks, and officers are employed in record offices; whether he is aware that the pay received by soldier clerks and deputy superintendent clerks compares very unfavourably with that received by civilian male and female clerks; whether dissatisfaction exists among officers on account of the rates of pay and absence of prospects of promotion; and whether he will retire all officers over fifty-five years of age, and institute an inquiry into the organisation and conditions of the Army record branch of the Service?

I am informed that the pay and allowances of soldier clerks and military deputy superintending clerks employed in record offices compare favourably with the rates of pay of civilian clerks. In addition to pay and allowances, all military personnel of record offices receive uniform, and are in receipt of the bonus authorised by Army Order in January last. The pay of civilian clerks is based on standard rates prevailing in the area in which each record office is situated.I am not aware that dissatisfaction exists among the officers on account of the rates of pay and absence of promotion prospects, and according to my information there is no ground for any general dissatisfaction on this account. I understand that no officer is employed in a record office without his consent, and the conditions of pay and service are fully explained to all officers. There is no intention of retiring all officers over fifty-five years of age, and at the present time, when the record offices are feeling the heavy strain of demobilisation, any sweeping change of this nature would be most inadvisable. I do not think the situation calls for any such inquiry as my Noble Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men coming back from France and Italy are still being brought back in cattle trucks; and, if this is the only means of conveyance available, could he arrange for some hammocks to be placed therein to enable the men to lie down?

As regards the trucks which are being used, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Bradford East. They are closed goods wagons, with solid sides, and shutters for ventilation, and those used for demobilisation purposes are provided with stoves. I do not know whether my hon. Friend's suggestion as to the use of hammocks is practicable, but I will certainly have it considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that troops and reinforcements at Havre, Rouen, and other base depots in France dwelt in tents in their passage through these depots during the whole period of the War and without regard to the period of the year, and that since the signing of the Armistice orders have been given for the erection of hutments to take the place of these tents; whether such hutments are now being erected; and what is going to be the cost?

A report has been called for from France, but has not yet been received. If my hon. Friend will repeat his question next week, I hope I shall then be in a position to reply.

asked the Secretary of State for War, with regard to the undertakings given by the Government that relatives of soldiers who have fallen in France shall have an opportunity to visit the graves, whether he can now state how it is proposed to carry out these arrangements; and whether, in the case of Territorial or locally-raised units, opportunity will be given for relatives from a locality to visit France together?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Southwark Central, on 13th February. The Committee there referred to, which has been considering this question, has not yet reported, and until their report is received I am not able to make any definite pronouncement as to the procedure to be followed. It is hoped that the report will be ready in a few days' time. The suggestion in the last part of the question will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Post Office officials who were invited by Post Office circulars to enlist in the Royal Engineers, postal or signal section, and promised full civil and military pay, are being, or will be, paid in conformity with that promise?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The men in question are receiving full civil pay, and, so far as I am aware, full military pay under the terms of the Pay Warrant which governs their case.

asked the Secretary of State for War why officers holding dental commissions are not eligible for war gratuity?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the written reply to a similar question put by the hon. Member for New Forest and Christchurch on the 3rd March. Dental surgeons have been engaged under a special contract which does not carry a right to the Pay Warrant gratuity. As a special concession, however, a gratuity of £50 for each year or part of a year has been approved for these officers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, under Army Council Instruction 344 of 1916, soldiers who were sent to work in munition factories are entitled to the war gratuity for the period they were working in those factories; and, if not, will he explain what this Instruction means?

The Instruction of 1916 reserved to the soldier munition worker his ordinary Army emoluments up to the date of starting work in civil employment, and thereafter such civil pay as he might earn, but no Army emoluments save as specified later in the Instruction. War gratuity was not so specified, and the Royal Warrant granting that gratuity expressly excluded these men for the period during which they drew full civil wages.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the very onerous work of officers employed in the Censor's Office, the War Office will consider giving them the same gratuity as awarded to officers in other branches of the Service, and especially to those employed in France, where they have considerable expense in consequence of the War Office not making any provision for their accommodation?

The pay of the posts in the Postal Censorship at home is on a civilian basis, and officers paid on that scale are not therefore eligible for the gratuity issuable to officers on Army rates of pay. Officers in the Censorship in France are graded as military staff officers, and are eligible for the usual gratuity.

asked the Pensions Minister if he has considered the question of allowances for the children of disabled officers whose disability is 50 per cent, or lower; and, if so, can he make any statement on the subject?

My hon. Friend presumably refers to the Regulation of the Special Grants Committee which in special cases permits the grant of supplementary allowances to a married disabled officer with children where the disability is assessed at more than 50 per cent, I am glad to be able to state that I have now approved an amendment of the Regulation which will permit the grant to be made in proper cases, whatever the degree of disability.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he has received a resolution from the Bermondsey Local War Pensions Committee urging the immediate necessity of making provision for grants for men discharged or demobilised without pension similar to those made from the King's Fund to men discharged with pension; (2) whether any steps, as promised, have yet been taken to meet the needs of men discharged or demobilised without pensions who desire funds to restart businesses closed owing to their military service?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. I understand that the resolution of the Bermondsey Local War Pensions Committee was not addressed to the Civil Liabilities Department, and it does not appear to have reached that Department. With regard to the scheme for giving assistance in suitable cases to officers and men demobilised from His Majesty's Forces, I may refer to the reply which is being made to-day to a question put by the hon. Member for West Woolwich.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the approximate percentage of national schools in England and Wales in which scientific physical training in the open air is given to the pupils; in what proportion of cases is the training given by expert teachers; and how many hours per week are given to this form of education?

I am afraid that it is not possible to give the percentages asked for by the hon. and gallant Member, but it may be said that it is the general practice in public elementary schools to take physical training in the open air, whenever the weather conditions permit; some schools possess open-air sheds suitable for the purpose. The instruction is given by the regular school staff, and the Board endeavour to secure that they shall possess the requisite knowledge. Some schools have a daily period of twenty minutes, but more often three periods of twenty minutes each are given to the subject each week.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the approximate percentage of pupils trained in primary schools under his control who afterwards proceed, without payment of fees, to a full-time training in secondary schools?

The Board have no tabulated figures later than those for 1913–14. In that year, 3.2 per cent, of the pupils who left public elementary schools in England and Wales proceeded, without payment of fees, to secondary schools on the Grant List. These free places cover the whole school life of the pupils in the secondary school to which they proceed. The percentage is probably now appreciably larger, but I cannot estimate, even approximately, the amount of its increase.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a table showing the reductions in the convictions for drunkenness in each county or district during each of the six months from 1st January, 1915, distinguishing the districts which have been subject to Orders of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) and those in which, in each of the half-yearly periods, no Orders of the Board were in force?

The statement on this subject which I have already promised is nearly complete, and will, I hope, be published very shortly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he proposes to take any action with regard to the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by Minute of the 9th March, 1915, to consider the law and Regulations relating to the construction and use of road locomotives and heavy motor cars?

The answer is in the negative. It will, I apprehend, fall to the Ministry of Ways and Communications to take any action that may be necessary upon the Report of the Committee to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee of experts to investigate the whole question of the supposed value of salvarsan as a cure for syphilis, seeing that it has been stated by eminent authorities on the use of salvarsan and its substitutes that deaths have taken place through its use?

A Special Committee was appointed in 1918 by the Medical Research Committee to consider the matters referred to in the question. It comprises representatives of the Medical Departments of the Admiralty and War Office, of the Medical Research Committee, and of the Local Government Board. Its constitution and terms of reference are set out in the Board's V.D. Circular 22.With that circular the Board, at the request of the Medical Research Committee, circulated copies of a memorandum prepared by the Salvarsan Committee, in which a definite opinion as to the value of Salvarsan was expressed. I am forwarding to the hon. Member copies of these documents.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is giving any consideration to the objections to the draft Order for a trade board lodged on behalf of the aerated waters industry in Scotland; and can he state why a poster was issued by the Ministry, dated 5th March, 1919, inviting nominations to a trade board?

After careful consideration of the memorandum submitted by the Scottish Federation of Aerated Waters Manufacturers' and Beer Bottlers' Associations, and of the representations made by a deputation from the federation to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, as to the desirability of establishing a separate trade board for Scotland, I have made an Order, which was published on the 11th March, applying the Trade Boards Acts to the aerated waters trade. The poster referred to in the question was issued in order to bring the proposed establishment of a trade board or trade boards to the notice of workers in the trade and to give them the opportunity of nominating candidates in good time, so that there might be no undue delay in the formation of the board or boards.

asked the Minister of Labour if he intends to insist upon establishing a trade board for the aerated waters industry notwithstanding the strong opposition of the industry in Scotland; and is he aware of the unanimous opinion in Scotland that there should be a separate trade board for Scotland as there must be for Ireland?

As indicated in the answer to the previous question, I have made an Order, after full consideration, applying the Trade Boards Acts to the aerated waters trade. I am giving sympathetic consideration to the question whether, in the circumstances of the case, it would be advisable to establish separate trade boards for England and Scotland instead of a joint board for Great Britain, in accordance with the usual practice.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that there is a considerable delay in obtaining from His Majesty's Stationery Office, Peter Street, Manchester, the various Orders and Instructions made under the Representation of the People Act, 1918; that it is sometimes possible to obtain these Orders at His Majesty's Stationery Office, Abingdon Street, Westminster, some weeks before the same forms are obtainable in Manchester; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing instructions whereby a sufficient number of copies are at once forwarded to the Manchester office, in order to meet the demands of regular subscribers?

The various Orders and Instructions made under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, are usually available in Manchester on the day following publication in London. No complaints have been received so far from regular subscribers or the general public as to inability to obtain these Orders and Instructions from His Majesty's Stationery Office, Manchester. No case is known where these Orders have been obtainable in London weeks before the same forms were obtainable in Manchester.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the failure of the Railway Executive Committee to supply adequate railway wagons to the Middlesbrough district, one of the largest steel works in the area, employing 2,000 men, has been forced to close down its mills this week, and that other steel works are on the eve of being compelled to do so; is he aware that the stocks of steel in the Middlesbrough district, exclusive of shell steel, amount to over 60,000 tons, and that in consequence of the congestion of stocks, due to the insufficient supply of wagons, they are unable to continue operations; that this stoppage will seriously affect the shipbuilding and engineering industries on the North-East Coast, and will have the effect of creating unemployment in the adjacent coal mines and the local ironstone mines; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with the situation?

This question is now being dealt with by the Railway Executive Committee, and arrangements are being made which will, it is hoped, effect an improvement within the next few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if the London traffic branch of the Board of Trade, established in 1907, is still in existence; and what the annual cost of this Department has averaged since its formation?

The London Traffic Branch of the Board of Trade ceased to exist in June, 1916. The average annual cost of the branch was about £2,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for the circulation to Members of this House of the minutes of evidence taken by the Departmental Committees appointed to consider the position of the electrical, engineering, iron and steel, shipping and shipbuilding, and textile industries after the War?

For reasons of economy the evidence given before the various Committees, which was of a very voluminous character, has not been printed; and much of it was given in confidence. In these circumstances I regret that I do not see my way to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member, especially as the evidence is very fully summarised in the reports themselves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large number of members of the Mercantile Marine who are now unemployed, he will take into consideration the advisability of preventing the employment of Chinese crews on British ships?

The prohibition of the employment of seamen of Chinese nationality, who are subjects of a friendly Government, would require very strong reasons to justify it, but the whole question is being carefully watched. Measures are being taken to relieve the situation by repatriating coloured seamen who have come to this country during the War, and are now destitute, and further action will be taken if necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General who is responsible for authorising the priority use of the telegraphic and telephone services by Government Departments; what limitations are imposed upon such use; and if, having regard to the urgent need of the mercantile and commercial communities to secure the free use of these services in the effort to re-establish the industrial position of the country, he will take steps to restrict such Government priority within the narrowest possible limits?

Priority for telegrams and telephone calls on urgent Government business is a practice of long standing. After the outbreak of war the demand from Government Departments for priority facilities greatly increased, and it was then hardly practicable for the Post Office to check such demands. Since the termination of hostilities, the matter has been receiving constant attention and already various steps have been taken to restrict Government priority and so improve the service afforded to the public. I am continuing to seek the co-operation of the various Departments in limiting the number of telegrams and telephone calls for which priority is demanded, and I hope that before long the number will be greatly reduced.