asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can see his way to provide means for the removal of the anomaly whereby ministers of the United Free Church of Scotland are required to pay Property Tax upon their manses on the highest scale, whilst the size of their stipends brings them within the lowest category of those liable to Income Tax?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for the St. Rollox Division of Glasgow on the 5th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the assessment to Income Tax under Schedule B of land occupied as cricket grounds causes no little hardship to cricket clubs which make, or in many cases may make, no profit from the land, charge no gate money, and subsist upon the subscriptions of supporters; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving such clubs the same right as the farmer of submitting balance-sheets, so that, if the profits are less than double the rent, the tax may be paid at the lower rate instead of being assessed on an assumed but non-existent income?

The suggestion contained in the latter part of the ques- tion is based upon a misapprehension. The Income Tax Schedule B assessments in respect of lands occupied as cricket grounds would in the normal case be based not upon the double annual value but upon the single annual value only under the proviso to Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1918. An Amendment in the sense of the proposal now made was moved in the course of the Finance Bill of last year, but it was not found possible to accept it. If my hon. Friend will refer to the Parliamentary Debates, Vol. 106, col. 2420, he will find the reasons fully set out by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether organisations of Civil servants will be taken into consultation before questions concerning the pay and conditions of service are settled?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 11th instant to the right hon. Member for the Platting Division of Manchester.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of the Coal Commission inquiry, he can arrange for a verbatim report of the evidence to be supplied to Members of this House at the earliest possible moment; and how he proposes to publish the Report?

A verbatim report of the evidence and the Report of the Commission when it is published will be presented to the House and printed as Parliamentary Papers in the usual way.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the gratuity granted to active service men in the naval forces has been paid; and, if not, whether information can be given as to when it will be paid?

The gratuity is not yet being paid to such men. It is, in fact, not due until the prescribed terminating date of the qualifying war period has been reached, and meanwhile increments of war gratuity are being earned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant the release on compassionate grounds of Pioneer S. S. Thompson, No. 325845, A Depot, Royal Engineers (Signals), Bedford, who attested voluntarily in December, 1915, but was placed Class W and returned to civil employment until June, 1916, in view of the fact that his brother and sole partner, who enlisted in September, 1914, was killed in action, that his father who attempted to carry on his business is now incapacitated by ill-health, and that his business is consequently seriously damaged for want of his personal supervision?

There is no trace of any application on compassionate grounds having been received regarding Private Thompson; neither is he registered by the War Office as "pivotal" nor for "special release." If my hon. Friend will furnish a statement giving full particulars of the compassionate grounds on which release is claimed, with particulars of the man's dependants, or obtain a similar statement vouched for by a doctor, justice of the peace, or clergyman, his case will be considered. I would point out, however, that applications on business grounds solely do not warrant their being dealt with as compassionate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private G. S. Bray, No. 349409, A Depot, Royal Engineers (Signals), Bedford, for whose release application was made early in January last by his employers, Messrs. James Farrar and Sons, pattern makers, Halifax, has not yet received his discharge; whether, in view of the fact that other employés of the same firm who were applied for in the same form and at the same time have already been discharged, he will inquire whether the delay in the release of Private Bray is due to a mistake; and, if this should prove to be the case, whether he will now grant this man his discharge?

There is no trace of this man having been registered by the War Office either as "pivotal" or for "special release." It would appear, therefore, that the applications made by the employers were either the usual "contract" offers of employment or such, as to obtain Private Bray's registration, as a "slip" man. The fact of being, registered as a. "slip" or "contract" man does not entitle a man to immediate demobilisation. Private Bray's demobilisation is dependent on his being, eligible under current instructions. If he is eligible he will no doubt be released, in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the cause of the delay in the release of Private W. Alberts, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 101015, Military Hospital, Purfleet, who enlisted in August, 1915, and is, therefore, not liable for service under the Order of 29th January, and for whose release several applications have been made, the first being by E. D. 406 on 9th December, 1918 and whether, in view of these facts, he will, now grant this man his discharge?

There is no trace of Private Alberts having been registered by the War Office, either as "Pivotal" of for "Special Release." An application ort behalf of a man on E.D.406 simply causes him to be registered as a "slip man." The fact of his having been so registered does not entitle him to immediate demobililisation. If the date of this man's enlistment is as stated, he will no doubt be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of a boy who enlisted in April, 1916, aged sixteen years and two months, been twice wounded, and also suffered from shell-shock, which has left, him unfit for further military service, and that he is now working in a field bakery near Boulogne; and, in view of the fact that his presence is urgently required at home, will his release be recommended on compassionate grounds?

An application should be made to the Secretary, War Office (Mobilisation), giving full particulars of the case, showing the nature of the compassionate grounds on which the release is requested, and it will receive consideration. The application should be vouched for by my hon. Friend or by a justice of the peace, doctor, or clergyman. The statement should include particulars of any persons who are dependent on the soldier in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of a soldier who joined up when war was declared, and is now with the Army of Occupation near Cologne, and that after the Armistice the Board of Agriculture had him put on as a pivotal man; that on the 15th January he wrote that his papers from the War Office for demobilisation had come, and that he might be home any day; and, in view of the fact that his father is near seventy years of age, and his services on the farm are urgently required, he will make every inquiry with the view of his release?

My hon. Friend has sent me further particulars of this case, and enquiries are being made. I will let him know the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has received urgent representations for the release on compassionate grounds of Gunner J. D. Rendall, A battery, 290th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, France; and if he will take into consideration the fact that Gunner Rendall's widowed mother is left without any help on a farm of 70 acres with stock consisting of twenty-two cattle, three horses, one pony, and two sheep, and that unless her son is released she will have to abandon the farm and will have great difficulty in providing for herself and four young girls dependent on her?

I am informed that orders have been issued for the demobilisation of Gunner Rendall on compassionate grounds.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Private M. Downes, No. 52220, Royal Army Medical Corps; whether he is aware that Private Downes joined the Army on 1st January, 1915, and has been in France since June, 1915; that this soldier was before the War employed by the Lambton and Hetton Collieries, Limited, Houghton-le-Spring, county Durham; that his employers forwarded him a declaration certified by the Labour Exchange, of their willingness to re-employ him; that on 18th January last Private Downes handed these papers to his commanding officer at the 56th General Hospital, France, but has heard no more about it; and if he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to Private Downes' release?

This man appears to be eligible for demobilisation under Army Order No. 55, dated 29th January, and, if so, he will, no doubt, be released in due course. It is pointed out, however, that the Royal Army Medical Corps is one of the corps included in the military machinery of demobilisation, and that men serving in these corps can, as a rule, only be released as they can be individually spared or replaced.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Gunner George Macknight, No. 219701, 74th Howitzer Battery, 16th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Rawal Pindi, India; whether he is aware that Macknight joined the Territorial Force in March, 1914, when just under eighteen years of age, and in November, 1914, was discharged as medically unfit, but was called up again in January, 1917, and sent to India in September, 1917; and whether, seeing that his mother is a widow and he is an only child, and she is dependent solely on him for her support, he can be demobilised on compassionate grounds?

This man appears to be eligible for demobilisation under Army Order No. 55, dated 29th January, and the War Office have been asked to consider the question of expediting his release on compassionate grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether N. Crabtree, No. 296528, A.C. 2, No. 6 Stores Depot, Royal Air Force, Ascot, who was applied for by his employers, the Stanley Motories, Limited, Halifax, on 6th January, 1919, has been recommended for release from the Army; and whether, in view of the great need of taxi-drivers in Halifax, he will now issue instructions for his discharge?

No application for the release of this airman has been received either by the Air Ministry or the War Office. It is not considered that the reason given in the latter part of the ques- tion justifies his release out of his turn, as he does not fulfil the conditions laid down for early demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the percentages of rank and file, officers below the rank of brigadier-general, and officers of and above the rank of brigadier-general, all such ranks being held on the 11th November, 1918, who have been demobilised or reverted to their permanent grade between that date and 1st March?

The only figures I have are those for demobilised officers and rank and file respectively, without distinguishing between officers below and above the rank of brigadier-general, but this would not affect the calculations. The percentages are:

	Officers. Per cent.	Other ranks. Per cent.
Dispersed	24·26	38·51
Discharged	3·65	6·27
Total	27·91	44·78

I regret that the figures as to reversions are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Air Mechanic P. A. Hanly, No. 81021, applied for a refund of passage money from Chili to London on 2nd October, 1918, and was informed that Ms claim had been forwarded to the Assistant Financial Secretary, Air Ministry, for his approval and payment on 7th January last; that since that date repeated applications to the Assistant Financial Secretary, to the Claims Department, Air Ministry, and to the regimental paymaster, Central Pay Offices, Working, have had no result, none of his applications being acknowledged; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. Hanly's claim to a refund presents some features of difficulty, and has been under active consideration both at the War Office and at the Air Ministry; it is hoped that a decision upon the question of principle raised will be reached shortly, and a further communication will then be addressed to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the altered circumstances arising out of the conclusion of the Armistice, he can see his way to revise the conditions of leave for soldiers residing in remote parts of Scotland to enable adequate time for travel being added to the normal period of leave?

I regret that no further concession can be made beyond the fourteen days' leave which will be granted from France every six months. I may add that, so far as the exigencies of the service and transportation facilities permit, all ranks serving in the Armies of Occupation will receive twenty-eight days' leave in the United Kingdom each year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 21st February a cable was sent to Gunner A. T. Stubbington, G Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, stationed at Cologne, from Plumstead, asking for leave in order that he might see the last of his child who had died that day, and that on the following Tuesday an official reply was communicated to the mother stating that leave must be taken in rotation, and that no special leave could be allowed at present; and whether he will take such action as will secure more sympathetic consideration in future applications of a similar nature?

I have no information as to the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers, but I can assure him that so far as the exigencies of the Service permit every endeavour is made to treat such applications sympathetically and expeditiously. It must be remembered that as transportation is limited one man can only go at the expense of another who is due for leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of German prisoners are employed at Port Talbot on the construction of the new steel works while at the same time local workmen are unemployed and receiving unemployment donation benefit; if he will say whether a communication has been received from the local advisory board requesting that the German prisoners be removed and local labour employed; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am making inquiries in this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result. The policy of the Government with regard to the employment of German prisoners in this country remains, as I have explained on more than one occasion recently, and I am doing my best to carry it into effect.

asked the Minister of Labour how many German prisoners are at present employed in agriculture, and in which areas is such labour being engaged?

Twenty-five thousand six hundred and twenty-six German combatant prisoners of war were engaged on agricultural work on the 15th instant in Great Britain. They are employed in almost every county in England and Wales. Comparatively small numbers have been employed in Scotland and these are being withdrawn. They have never been employed in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who attested under the Derby scheme in 1915, although for the convenience of the authorities not called to the Colours until 5th March, 1916, will be subject to the provisions of the Army and Navy Bill; whether the fact that men have served in France for upwards of seventeen months will be any grounds for their exemption from service; and what steps will be taken to protect the businesses and secure employment for men who will be subject to the provisions of the measure?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I would point out that it was in no way for the convenience of the authorities that men who attested under the Derby scheme were not called to the Colours till a date later than the date of their attestation. After having attested they were allowed a certain amount of time before being called to the Colours in order to settle their family and business affairs, and this was for their own indi- vidual convenience. The fact of a man having served seventeen months in France or even longer is not of itself sufficient to entitle him to demobilisation if he is not eligible under current instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether J. Peace Staples, of 41, Egerton Gardens, Ealing, who attested under the Derby scheme, Group No. 30/267, No. U 96651, in November, 1915, and who in December, 1916, was called to the Colours and posted to the Royal Flying Corps, was duty enrolled as a soldier and subject to the King's Regulations?

I have no information as to the individual case referred to by my hon. and learned Friend. A recruit attested under the Derby scheme in the circumstances stated was granted pay for one day, and then passed to the Army Reserve until called up for service. While in the Reserve he was subject to the Reserve Forces Acts, and on being called to the Colours he became subject to the Army Act and all Regulations issued under the authority of that Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the terms arranged between the War Office and the managers of the Paterson United Free Congregation for the let of the Victoria Street Hall, Kirkwall; and why the bargain then made has not been implemented?

I will make inquiries, and write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in connection with the distribution of trophies the Woolwich Borough Council asked for special consideration, having regard to the services of the borough throughout the War; whether Woolwich has been allotted two damaged machine guns without stands, and two machine-gun ammunition boxes and belts; and, if so, whether he will reconsider this offer?

The two damaged machine guns referred to by my hon. Friend were offered to the Borough Council of Woolwich as part of a preliminary distribution of unclaimed trophies. In addition, from among the claimed trophies a German 77 mm. field gun, captured by the 2/20 London Regiment, has at the request of the commanding officer been offered to the borough council for safe care and custody.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether C. MacCormack received ten years' penal servitude after trial by court-martial in France; whether this soldier is only eighteen years of age; and whether, in view of his extreme youth, it would be possible to reduce the severe sentence passed upon him?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish the name of the regiment to which MacCormack belongs, and his regimental number, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the table of commutation rates for soldiers printed in Appendix VI. of the Royal Warrant for Pay, 1914, varies, between the ages of thirty-six and fifty, from 15 per cent. to 9 per cent. less than the similar table for officers; and whether, seeing that in 1913 better terms were conceded to officers, he will take steps to revise the aforementioned appendix with a view to increasing the scale allowed to soldiers?

The tables for soldier pensioners were based upon experience, which showed that they were not such good lives as retired officers. In view of changes in the composition of the Army, I will consider a revision of these tables as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is a ware that great delay frequently takes place in remitting to members of the Air Force who have been recently demobilised the ration allowances and gratuities due to them; and if some steps may be taken to redress and remove this grievance?

Inquiries are being made on the subject of the question, and a further communication will be addressed to the hon. Member as soon as the necessary information can be obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of Stats to the Air Minister whether wounded officers and soldiers are being discharged from the Air Ministry while civilians and girl clerks are being retained?

In the reduction of staff which is at present taking place, those airmen who have been demobilised have been so treated at their own request. Several wounded officers, whose work has come to an end, have also been discharged. The work on which girl clerks and civilians are employed is unsuitable for officers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what was the cost, apart from any expenditure in acquiring the site, of erecting and equipping the national factory, the sale of which by the Government has been announced; and whether any part of the profit on the sale of that factory and of the land on which it is built may be attributed to an increase in the value of the site alone?

The cost of erecting and equipping the national factory, the sale of which by the Government has been announced, was £125,732, made up as follows:

	£
Buildings	104,624
Shafting, etc	7,452
Motive power plant	5,519
Water, light, heat, drainage	8,137
	£125,732

The cost of the land was £6,593. It is not thought that any part of the profit on the sale of that factory, and of the land on which it is built, can be attributed to an increase in the value of the site alone.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he has been able to arrange that a supply of surplus high explosives and incendiary bombs should be available on cheap terms for landowners and farmers who desire to blast tree-stumps in order to replough the ground?

As stated in reply to my Noble Friend's question on 17th February, I am in communication with the Board of Agriculture on the subject, and am awaiting an expression of their views.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the number of persons who have been interned or imprisoned without trial in India during the War, and how many have been released since the Armistice?

The Secretary of State has not the information asked for, but he has requested the Government of India to supply it as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary what members of the Government are now serving as Ecclesiastical Commissioners; and if their attention has been directed to the growing dissatisfaction felt by the parochial clergy with the administration of the funds of the Ecclesiastical Commission?

The Home Secretary has requested me, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, and replying for the Ecclesiastical Commission in this House, to answer this question. The Lord Chancellor, the Lord President of the Council, the First Lord of the Treasury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, are always, if members of the Church of England, ex officio Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The dissatisfaction to which the question refers seems to be based upon a mistaken impression that the Commissioners possess large funds which might be but are not used for increasing the incomes of the clergy. The Commissioners' resources are devoted to making better provision for the cure of souls in necessitous parishes. The extent of their present resources, how they are employing them for this purpose, and what they further propose to do, are dealt with in the Report of the Commissioners for the last financial year, which has within the last few days been placed upon the Table of the House.

asked the President of the Local Government Board when he proposes to introduce the new Housing Bill, and what assistance will be given in it to Public Utility Societies in the development of housing schemes?

The Housing Bill was introduced yesterday. A memorandum in regard to Public Utility Societies has been prepared and will be issued within a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, in consequence of restrictions and the difficulty of transport, the copper trade of South Wales has been interfered with; that the Cape Copper Smelting Company are at present reduced to less than half their capacity, and are in danger of being completely closed down for the want of copper ore being conveyed from Port Nolloth; and if better facilities will be given for the transport of raw material so that the industry can be maintained and the number of unemployed be considerably reduced?

I have been asked to answer this question. The policy of the Ministry of Shipping since the Armistice has been directed to increasing, as far as possible, the shipping space available for the importation of raw materials, and I am not aware of any obstacle having been placed in the way of this firm obtaining tonnage in the market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the permitted export of coal from Scotland in the month of December was only 200 tons; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on coal exporters and the increase in freights caused by the prohibition of exports, steps can be taken to increase the permitted amount or to abolish control?

The total quantity; of coal exported from Scotland under licence in December, 1918, was 31,480 tons. In January, as output increased, export under licence rose to 91,256 tons, and in February to 169,535 tons. These figures are exclusive of coke and patent fuel shipments, which amounted approximately to a further 23,000 tons during the three months in question. Export has only been restricted to the extent absolutely necessary in order to provide for essential inland requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether liability for losses incurred in carrying out compulsory ploughing-up Orders and the sowing of cereal crops is admitted; whether the Treasury has provided a fund for the settlement of the claims that have been made; and what steps the Board of Agriculture have taken for the presentation, verification, and prompt settlement of such claims?

Yes, Sir, the Board are liable to pay compensation in these cases. Funds are available, and claims are presented to the agricultural executive committees. These committees submit proposals for settlement to the Board for approval.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that certain allotment-holders under the Middles-brough Corporation have received notice to terminate forthwith their tenancies, although the particular land they occupy was taken on the advice of Inspector Scroggs, of the Board of Agriculture, in February, 1918, who assured them on or about 24th February, 1918, that when this land was required for housing purposes he would see that their interests were protected? Is he aware that representations were made by the Secretary of the Mid- dlesbrough Allotment Holders' Association, Newport Branch, on 23rd February, 1919, and again since, asking for the protection of the Board of Agriculture, but no reply has been received, and will he see that attention is paid to this matter before; it is too late for effective action?

The Board were informed by the Secretary of the Association on 21st December last that the corporation proposed to dispossess a number of allotments. Inquiries were made by one of the Board's inspectors, who ascertained that the land in question was required for a housing scheme which had been approved by the Local Government Board. In these circumstances the Board did not feel justified in pressing the corporation to reconsider their decision, but their attention was called to some adjoining land which would be suitable for allotments, and it is understood that steps are being taken to acquire it under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act. No trace can be found of any communication from the association since December last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, where there are national claims and counterclaims in the Balkans, the Conference will consider the wisdom of instituting, a Peace Commission, with power of keeping order until a plebiscite expressing the true wishes of the people as to self-determination can be held?

I cannot express any opinion upon the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, but I will bring it to the notice of the Secretary of State.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the amounts expended for rents, buildings, and upkeep generally by his Department on behalf of the Ministry of Munitions, the Department of Overseas Trade, the the Ministry of Pensions, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of National Service and Reconstruction, the Ministry of Shipping, and the Ministry of Labour?

The amounts expended up to the 31st March last are as follows:

	£
Ministry of Munitions	689,858
Ministry of Pensions	66,177
Ministry of Food	97,529
Ministry of National Service	70,306
Ministry of Reconstruction	3,890
Ministry of Shipping	423,021
Ministry of Labour	140,782

It is not possible to give figures for the Department of Overseas Trade, the expenditure being merged in that for the Board of Trade. The figures for the Ministry of Labour include expenditure on Employment Exchanges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced by business men from the Midlands and the North in attending the usual commercial meetings in London owing to the lack of hotel accommodation in London; and whether, in view of the fact that this state of affairs greatly hampers business and tends to hinder the re-establishment of British industry, he will press for the release at the earliest possible moment of all the hotels at present under requisition for the use of Government Departments?

As I have repeatedly said, I fully appreciate the position alluded to in the first part of the question, and I am making every effort to release hotel accommodation as rapidly as possible, but I would again remind the hon. Member and the House that the rate at which this can be effected obviously depends upon the reduction of the occupying war staffs, over which I have no control.