Written Answers
Anti-Aircraft Insurance
asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the profit made by the Government on the anti-aircraft insurance, the Government will reconsider their decision to only pay claims for damage done after the 1st September, 1917; how this arbitrary date was arrived at; and is he aware that the withholding of compensation is causing ruin to many poor traders and professional men?
It is not considered practicable to admit claims for damage done by air raids prior to 1st September, 1917, under the Government scheme of free insurance, which was inaugurated in November of that year. The date 1st September was decided upon after full consideration as the earliest period from which it would be possible to ascertain precisely the facts as to damage occasioned by air raids and to assess compensation. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that the Government Committee on the Prevention and Relief of Distress (Local Government Board) were authorised in January, 1918, to assist from Government funds persons of comparatively small means who suffered substantial hardship through loss of furniture, tools, and necessary clothing owing to air raids occurring prior to 1st September, 1917.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Air Raid Compensation Committee are now able to settle the claim made by Miss Nunnerley, of Alport House, Whitchurch, Shropshire, for the damage done to her house by a falling aircraft on 20th January, 1918?
Miss Nunnerley's claim does not fall within the scope of the scheme administered by the Air Raid Compensation Committee, and they are, therefore, unable to award her any compensation. The damage in her case was, however, caused by a British aeroplane engaged in practice flying, and as the Air Ministry are empowered to pay compensation for damage caused in this way, the particulars of the claim were transmitted to that Department on the 27th January last.
Law Courts, Dublin (Appointment)
asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Irish branch of the Ministry of Labour received information at the Law Courts, Dublin, that certain legal positions were available in the Dublin Courts for demobilised barristers or solicitors who had served in the War, and that an assistant registrarship in the King's Bench Division, Probate Court,was one of these legal positions; if that position has recently been filled; what is the name of the person appointed; whether he is of military age and has served in the War; and whether, in all future legal appointments, preference will be given to those officers or men with legal qualifications who have served in the War?
I have been asked to reply to the question. I find that the vacancy in the position of Assistant Registrar was notified to the Appointments Department, who instructed several candidates to apply. The Department were afterwards informed that the vacancy had been filled. I understand that it was filled, with approval of the Lord Chancellor and of the Lord Chief Justice, by the appointment of Mr. Edward H. Kenny, a practisingbarrister of over twenty-one years standing, who had for some time been Assize Registrar. Mr. Kenny was born in 1874 and did not serve in the War. The appointment was made by Mr. Justice Kenny, the judge assigned by the Lord Lieutenant for the disposal of probate and matrimonial business in Ireland.
Income Tax
Assessors And Collectors
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether provision will be made in the next Finance Bill for the appointment of assessors and collectors of taxes to continue at the will and pleasure of the appointing authorities in place of the annual appointment now required by the Income Tax Acts?
The machinery of collection will doubtless form one of the subjects into which the forthcoming Royal Commission on the Income Tax will inquire.
Royal Commission
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now state the character of the Royal Commission which is about to be set up to examine into the incidence and administration of the Income Tax and its terms of reference; and whether the personnel of the same will provide for the direct representation of those officers who are appointed by the General Commissioners of Taxes as well as of those appointed by the Treasury?
I can for the moment add nothing to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend in answer to a similar question on the 26th ultimo. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be in a position to announce the constitution and terms of reference of the Royal Commission.
Civil Service (Ex-Service Men)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Civil servants who volunteered for the Army and who, on demobilisation, will find themselves at a relative disadvantage with other Civil servants who have not been serving in the Army; whether it would not be possible to offer promotion, suitable to their standing in the Service, to the former without requiring them to submit to a competitive examination, in which owing to Army service they must be at a disadvantage; and whether it would be possible to reserve suitable positions in the new Government Departments for ex-soldiers who were formerly in the Civil Service?
I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Treasury Circular of 29th January last relative to the filling of posts in the new Departments, from which he will see that permanent Civil servants who have served in His Majesty's Forces are eligible for selection to posts in those Departments superior in status and emoluments to their substantive posts in the Service. I may add that it is open to a Civil servant who has served in the forces and who satisfies the conditions in other respects to compete under the Reconstruction Scheme for recruiting the Civil Service after the War. The examinations under this scheme are qualifying, not competitive.
Official Naval History Of The War
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the first volume of the official naval history of the War will appear; and whether it will include the Battle of Jutland?
It is hoped that the first volume of the official naval history of the War will appear before the end of the year. It will not include the Battle of Jutland.
Requisitioned Drifters (Release)
asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if there is any probability of two fishing vessels, particulars of which have been furnished to him, commandeered by the Admiralty, being released in time for the summer fishing?
From particulars supplied by my hon. Friend, it would appear that one of the vessels referred to is the motor drifter "Produce,"lately in the employment of the Royal Air Force. If that is so, I am glad to be able to inform him that orders were given on the 12th March for her return to Aberdeen to be demobilised and returned to her owners. If my hon. Friend will furnish the name of the steam drifter, I will make an inquiry regarding her release.
Interrupted Apprenticeships (Government Scheme)
asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of a young man who, on the outbreak of war, had served six months of his apprenticeship to a plumber: that he was called up in August, 1914, and has been in service till now; and that he now wishes to resume his training as a plumber, but that he has no means to pay for his living while going through his apprenticeship; and if the War Office can do anything to assist him?
I have been asked to reply to this question. My attention has been called to cases of the kind indicated.A scheme for assisting these persons, whose apprenticeship was interrupted by service in His Majesty's Forces, to complete their apprenticeship has been approved by the Government.Among other provisions, the scheme provides:
Negotiations with such councils and Committees are now being carried on for the purpose of obtaining their approval.
Food Supplies
Tea
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability, when the time arrives for the release of tea from control, of continuing the present operations of selling tea by net weight only?
I have been asked to reply. The Orders governing the distribution and price of tea are being suspended as from 24th March, but it is not the present intention of the Ministry to revoke or suspend the Tea (Net Weight) Order, 1917.
Mercantile Marine Chaplains (Medal)
asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that a medal is to be awarded to the Mercantile Marine for services during the War, and that chaplains who have given their whole time to the Navy or Army will receive a medal, whether he will secure the Mercantile Marine medal for chaplains who have given their whole-time service to the Mercantile Marine?
Yes, Sir,provided that they have complied with the conditions, including service at sea, which may be prescribed for all recipients alike.
Postal Services
asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now take steps to resume the postal services as they existed generally prior to the War, particularly that post offices be open for public business uninterruptedly throughout the day, and that something like the former number of mail deliveries be made?
Arrangements are now inhand for the improvement, where circumstances permit, of postal services which have been curtailed as a result of war conditions. It is the intention to abolish mid-day closing at all the larger offices, and to increase in the larger towns the number of postal deliveries.
asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the very late hour at which the morning delivery of letters now takes place at Aldeburgh, Suffolk; and will he take steps with a view to effectingan early improvement in this service?
The matter is being considered in connection with the general measures which are now being undertaken for the improvement of postal facilities where the circumstances permit.
Condemned Shipping
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many tons of the 716,520 tons of enemy ships captured by this country have been condemned; whether any neutral ships, and, if so, what tonnage, have been condemned during the War; and whether any neutral tonnage is still awaiting Prize Court decision in which the confiscation of the ship is demanded?
The gross tonnage of enemy merchant ships of over 500 gross tons captured by this country which have been condemned is 322,202. In addition to this 319,316 gross tons of enemy ships have been detained. The gross tonnage of neutral vessels, including American and Greek vessels, condemned is 32,757; in addition to this bail was given in respect of 3,809 tons of neutral shipping which was released and which bail has been condemned. Neutral tonnage awaiting Prize Court decision in which confiscation is demanded is 3,971; in addition to this bail has been given in respect of 28,497 tons, and condemnation is demanded in respect thereof.