asked the Food Controller whether margarine is now being sold at 8d. per lb. compared with 1s. per lb., formerly 1s. 2d. per lb., from July to September last; whether the cost of refined cocoanut oil, for the first eleven months of 1918, as imported, was 70s. per cwt.; cotton-seed oil, refined, 110s. per cwt.; ground nuts, £32 10s. per ton; and palm kernels, £26 3s. per ton; whether these prices for the first two months this year are 74s. for cocoanut oil; 115s. for cotton-seed oil; £32 15s. for ground nuts; and £25 15s. for palm kernels; and why it is now that the raw materials are dearer margarine can be sold at 6d. per lb. less than when they were less expensive?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The prices of raw materials are not, however, correctly stated by the hon. and gallant Member. During the year 1918, up to 26th August, refined cocoanut oil was delivered at £85 per ton, refined American cotton-seed oil at £115 per ton, refined deodorised ground nut oil at £80 per ton, and refined deodorised palm kernel oil at £67 per ton. From 26th August to 19th September, 1918, raw materials were delivered to the manufacturers at the flat rate of £100 per ton, which was subjected at the latter date to an all-round allowance of 7s. 6d. per ton for all loss due to leakage, super-tare and short weight. This arrangement remained in force until 22nd February, 1919, when the following reduced prices were substituted: Per ton delivered. £ s. d. Refined cocoanut oil 77 17 6 Refined American cotton seed oil 95 0 0 Refined deodorised ground nut oil 80 0 0 Refined deodorised palm kernel oil 67 0 0

On 31st March these prices will be further reduced respectively to £64 10s., £64, £65, and £63 per ton delivered. The last-named prices will represent a loss to the Ministry. The low price of margarine at which a number of manufacturers are now selling is the result of the resumption of normal trade competition; with the object of securing increased turnover firms are willing for a time to sell the finished products at less than the cost of the raw material. I may add that in order to safeguard the quality of margarine the Ministry of Food propose to continue the arrangement by which margarine manufacturers are licensed and weekly samples are submitted.

asked the Food Controller whether he will state the profits of the Oils and Fats Department of the Ministry for the three months ending March, June, September, and December, 1918, respectively?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 14th November, 1918, to a question put by him as to the profits made by the Oil and Fats Division of the Ministry of Food during the first three months of 1918. These profits can only be stated at any given date if a correct valuation of stocks has then been taken. As no formal stock-taking was made at the other dates mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member I regret that I cannot provide the additional information required; complete accounts will, however, be prepared as at 31st March, 1919, which will show the exact results of the trading operations of this Division of the Ministry during the previous twelve months. I hope to have ready a provisional summary of the trading of the Ministry immediately after the Whitsuntide recess.

asked the Food Controller whether he has received representations from the Federation of Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Trade Associations of Glasgow in reference to the difficulties which fruit traders are experiencing owing to the embargo which has been placed on the importation of wicker empties from Holland; and whether, in view of the shortage of homemade articles which exists in this country at the present time and is likely to exist for some time to come, he is prepared to take any steps to assist the trade in this difficulty?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Fruit and vegetable baskets are at present being freely licensed from Holland for the reasons referred to in the question, but I would at the same time draw the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the answer to a question on this subject which appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 27th February, and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind agreed on a 15s. a week State assistance, and made such recommendation to the Government in July, 1918; and if he will now state when that recommendation will be acted upon and assistance be granted to this most deserving class of the community?

The recommendations of the Advisory Committee are at present under consideration by the Irish Government and the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Corporal V. C. Spain, wireless operator, Royal Air Force, attached 90th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, British Expeditionary Force, enlisted in September, 1915, and submitted the necessary certificate from the postmaster of Dover to the headquarters of the squadron during the week ending 18th January, 1919; whether the Royal Air Force authorities say he can only be demobilised by the Royal Garrison Artillery; whether the Royal Garrison Artillery say it is nothing to do with them, as he belongs to the Royal Air Force; and whether he will issue the necessary instructions to settle the question of authority?

This case is for the Air Ministry to settle, that Ministry being responsible for all Royal Air Force personnel—the name of Corporal Spain has been registered for release, and he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War why numbers of the Royal Army Medical Corps men who enlisted in 1914 and 1915 have been informed that there is no prospect of their demobilisation at present; and whether the same rules are being applied to their release as prevails in other branches of the Service?

Men of the Royal Army Medical Corps who are eligible for demobilisation are being demobilised as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit. If temporarily required for the military machinery of demobilisation, they are liable to retention until they can be replaced or their services dispensed with, but every effort is being made to replace so retained as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private H. G. Stanbridge, No. 48087, East Surrey Depot, Kingston-on-Thames, who has been urgently applied for by Mr. Stanbridge, farmer, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, for farm work, can now be demobilised, especially as he is classed as a pivotal man?

Instructions concerning Private Stanbridge's demobilisation were issued some time ago. Inquiries will be made into the cause of the delay, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now give favourable consideration to the desirability of demobilising Private Groat on compassionate grounds, his father being a very old man and Private Groat's services eagerly demanded by the inhabitants of Longhope, Orkney, to provide supplies of bread to the island?

If my hon. Friend will inform me of Private Groat's regimental number, initials, and regiment, and will furnish me with a statement giving full particulars of the compassionate grounds on which release is claimed, or obtain a similar statement vouched for by a doctor, justice of the peace, or a clergyman, the case will receive consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider whether it is now possible to demobilise Private James Coghill, No. 32835, 3rd Cameron Highlanders, on compassionate grounds; and whether the War Office have Coghill's demobilisation papers and why they have not been sent back to him?

Instructions concerning Private Coghill's demobilisation were issued some time ago. Inquiries will be made into the cause of the delay, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has received urgent representations for the release on compassionate grounds of Private I. J. Levy, No. 99904, Royal Army Medical Corps, 79th Sanitary Section, Salonika Forces; and if he will take into consideration the fact that his one-man business, closed down temporarily on his joining the forces, is the sole support of his father, suffering from chronic bronchitis, asthma, nervous exhaustion, and heart weakness, and of his mother, crippled by rheumatism, who are totally unable to do work of any kind and whose allowance of 28s. 6d. per week, supplemented occasionally by £1 a week received from their lodger son, recently demobilised with health certified as 40 per cent. due to gastric catarrh, is entirely inadequate to meet their special and distressing circumstances?

Inquiries are being made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a special request was made before the 1st ultimo for the release of Sapper W. J. Moseley, No. 222275, 6th Corps, Signal Company, attached to the 22nd Army Signal Company, Cologne; whether the return of this man is urgently required by the postmaster of Aldershot; whether his name appeared on the list of indispensable men supplied by the secretary of the General Post Office; and whether he will give an assurance that this man shall be released at the earliest possible moment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Govan on the 18th instant. The result of the inquiries has not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the application made by Mrs. Mack, 98, Crookston Street, Glasgow, S.S., for the release of her son, Private Thomas Mack, No. S.29703, 53rd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, on compassionate grounds, has been refused by the officer commanding the battalion; that the father of the family, Mr. Peter Mack, is over 62 years of age and unable, for medical reasons, to follow any occupation; that the mother is 61, and of the three other sons two have been killed in action and one has been discharged to pension as medically unfit, and of the two daughters one is earning 22s. per week and one is still at school, and this family's income, which before the War was nearly £6 per week, is now reduced to just over £3; and whether, in view of all the above circumstances and the fact that this case has been personally investigated, he will issue instructions for Private Mack to be forthwith released on compassionate grounds, as he has employment awaiting him?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Captain J. H. Young, 1/5th Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment; whether this officer joined the forces in August, 1914, and has served in Mesopotamia for three years; whether he was applied for as a pivotal man (an accountant); whether, notwithstanding these facts, the military authorities have decided to retain him as a local audit officer at Baghdad; and whether he will cause the case to be reconsidered and the officer to be demobilised?

Captain Young is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that there is no trace of his having been so certified or recommended by his Department. All officers are liable to retention unless they fall within certain exceptions set out in Army Order 55 of 1919. Captain Young does not appear to fall within any of the specified exceptions. If this officer's services are not required he will no doubt be released as soon as they can be dispensed with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the reasons that have delayed the demobilisation of Sapper A. S. Pearce, No. W.R 276753, 236th Forward Light Railway Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, who joined for service in September, 1914, and who has been applied for by his pre-war employers, Messrs. Hitchcock, Williams, and Company, St. Paul's Churchyard, E.C.?

Sapper Pearce is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that there is no trace of this man having been certified or recommended as such by his Department. It would appear that the applications made by the employers were either the usual "contract" offers of employment or such as to obtain Sapper Pearce's registration as a "slip" man. Neither "contract" nor "slip men are entitled to immediate demobilisation. If this man's service is as stated he would appear to be eligible for demobilisation unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service, and has not completed his Colour service. If he is eligible he will no doubt be released in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the housing requirements, he will expedite the demobilisation of Bombardier Gann, No. 374502, 396th Siege Battery, Salonika, owner of a builders' business in East Finchley, N.?

The demobilisation of Bombardier Gann is dependent on whether or not he is eligible under current instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the demobilisation Regulations under which men who enlisted before 1916 will be demobilised as quickly as possible applies to troops in East Africa; and, if so, whether it will be possible to repatriate men serving in East Africa, and entitled to be demobilised, before June of this year?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Such men as are eligible for demobilisation are being brought home as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service and transport facilities permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can, in accordance with his promise, now make any statement on the proposals entertained by the Government for the preservation of the chief battlefields on which British arms have especially distinguished themselves?

I hope to make a statement in the course of the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of issuing more frequent communiqués concerning the operations of the forces employed in Northern Russia, in view of the anxiety on the part of the relatives of these men; and can it be made clear in the casualty list as to which are the casualties sustained in this area?

Yes, Sir. I will see that more frequent communiqués are issued. During the period 1st January to 12th March, 1919, the total British battle casualties to the Archangel force amount to about 1 in 100 of the British troops in that theatre. Excluding wounded, the figure is about 1 in 300. For Murmansk during the same period the total battle casualties amount to about 1 in 500. I cannot undertake to specify casualties by theatres, as this gives information to the enemy, but I hope the figure stated may afford some reassurance as to the character of the fighting.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to allow men of the Motor Transport sections with the Serbian Army to return to this country; and whether, in view of the fact that in the opinion of the medical officers these men, many of whom have been there for over two years, and have suffered from malaria and dysentery, are absolutely worn out, he will endeavour to expedite their return?

It is hoped that the British Mechanical Transport personnel with Mechanical Transport units attached to the Serbian Army will be completely withdrawn before the 1st May next. To what extent they will be required for the purposes of clearing up in the Balkans is still being considered, but they will be treated in this respect on exactly the same lines as Mechanical Transport personnel serving with British units in that theatre.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the circumstances which led to the dismissal as canteen manager of H. O'Donnell, who has been canteen manager at Ballincollig Barracks, Cork, Queenstown, Monasterevan, Curragh, and Coolooney; whether he is aware that H. O'Donnell is an old soldier and ex-member of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and if he will see that employment in the Canteen Department is given to ex-Service men as against civilians?

I have had careful inquiries made into the circumstances of this case, and I am informed this man has been employed at six different canteens in Ireland, and in each case the management has proved unsatisfactory. In these circumstances, though an ex-Service man, it was obviously impossible to retain him. As I have previously informed the House, ex-Service men, who are available and qualified, are given employment by the Canteen Department in preference to any others.

asked the Secretary of State for War if opportunities can be afforded the public to purchase huts, surplus to requirements, at Shoreham Camp; and, if so, to whom application should be made?

I have been asked to answer this question. These huts have not yet been declared surplus by the War Office. As soon as they are handed to the Ministry of Munitions for disposal, the public will be afforded an opportunity of buying, and any applications should be addressed to the Secretary, Disposal Board, Ministry of Munitions, Whitehall Place, S.W.I.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the mother of a soldier who marries or remarries during his service is entitled to a pension; if not, under what article of the Warrant is a pension refused in such circumstances; and, if pensions to remarried mothers are refused on grounds of other than ineligibility under the Royal Warrant, whether he will state the nature of those grounds?

Pension is refused in the circumstances stated on the ground that on marriage or remarriage a mother ceases to be dependent on her son. The intention of the Warrant on this point is faultily expressed in Article 21 (4) and an opportunity will be taken when the War- rant is revised to make the position clearer. I may add that a pension under Article 21 (1) ( b ) may be granted to a mother so marrying or remarrying if at any time she becomes incapable of self-support from age or infirmity, and is in need.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a Select Committee of the House of Commons reported in favour of service with K Company, Royal Engineers, being reckoned as pensionable service; whether service in K Company was performed in the Post Office under civilian conditions and civilian control and was followed by established service; whether it is within the power of the Treasury to direct that this service shall count for pension under Section 3 of the Superannuation Act of 1887, and whether, if the Treasury have no statutory authority to count service with K Company for purposes of pension, they will recommend the Government to introduce the necessary amending legislation in accordance with the recommendation of the Select Committee?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer of the 26th February. Though the service was in the main spent under civilian conditions and civilian control, it was definitely military service and reckonable for military service if the necessary number of years were given to it, and the Treasury have no power to count it also for civil pension under Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887. For reasons already explained, the Treasury are not prepared to introduce the desired legislation.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men in the Mercantile Marine who volunteered as mine-sweepers are entitled to a gratuity or bonus on demobilisation?

If the question relates to men engaged under the Mercantile form of Agreement, T. 124 Y, for service in the Auxiliary Patrol, and not to men regularly enlisted in the Royal Navy or Naval Reserves, the answer is in the negative. The pay of such men was based upon Mercantile rates, and they are eligible for the Naval war gratuity, which is issuable only to Naval ratings paid at Naval rates. Should any of the men in question, however, have rendered any service prior to the Armistice at ordinary Naval rates of pay, they would be eligible for a gratuity calculated on such service under the usual conditions.

asked the Pensions Minister why the mother of Private L. G. Timbs, No. 62026, 53rd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, has not received a dependant's allowance in respect of her son, who joined for service on 8th August, 1918, and has since that date made a voluntary deduction of 3s. 6d. weekly from his pay in her favour?

Mrs. Timbs has been in receipt of a provisional allowance of 3s. 6d. a week from Army funds, not recovered from her son's pay. His claim appears to have been mislaid (not in the War Department). A duplicate is being obtained, and when the dependence has been assessed, payment will be made as from date of enlistment.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has made any representations to the Foreign Office as to the importance to the peace of India of retaining under Moslem control the ancient church of St. Sophia, in Constantinople?

Yes, Sir. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that Indian interests in such matters have not been and will not be overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can furnish the House with the latest reliable information from Afghanistan?

No fresh developments have been reported since my last statement was made. According to the latest accounts, Amanulla Khan continues to control the situation, and no disturbances appear to have occurred. European employés of the late Amir, who arrived at Peshawar from Jalalabad on the 13th March, reported all quiet at Kabul up to the 8th March and at Kandahar up to the 9th. Nasrulla and Inayatulla are believed to be under surveillance. The Government of India have received a letter from Amanulla couched in friendly terms, announcing his accession and expressing his desire for co-operation with the British Government.

asked the Home Secretary how many conscientious objectors are on hunger strike in Wandsworth Prison; how many are being forcibly fed; how many are in hospital or in the doctor's hands; and how many are at present being punished or deprived of their privileges?

No conscientious objectors in Wandsworth Prison are on hunger strike or being artificially fed. Four are at present in hospital, and five others are being treated for minor ailments. Five have been deprived of their privileges, but no conscientious objector is undergoing any other punishment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the official Circular of the 6th February on housing, issued by his Department, it is stated that the Department will withhold assistance where the best rents are not in fact being obtained, and, if so, will he explain the intention of this?

The Circular to which the hon. Member refers states that the Local Government Board will reserve the right of reducing the amount of the Exchequer subsidy in any case in which there is evidence that the best rents obtainable are not in fact being obtained. The intention is to secure that the rents charged by local authorities for houses provided under the proposed terms of financial assistance shall approximate as nearly as circumstances permit to economic rents.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether local bodies are allowed to pay for war memorials out of public rates under any circumstances; and, if so, under what circumstances?

The Local Government Board are aware that a number of local authorities contemplate expenditure out of the rates in providing war memorials or contributing towards meeting their cost. Where this cannot be done under existing powers, the Board would be willing in cases where the accounts of the local authority are subject to Government audit to sanction, under the Local Authorities (Expenses) Act, 1887, reasonable expenditure for purposes of a useful character. The proposals for local war memorials vary in different districts. The provision of certain kinds of memorials, e.g., in the form of recreation grounds, or buildings to serve as libraries or hospitals, is ordinarily within the statutory powers of a local authority, who would in such cases, no doubt, proceed in the usual manner; but in other cases ( e.g., where the provision of social clubs or village halls or institutions is suggested), sanction by the Board under the Act of 1887 would generally be required to authorise the expenditure. In many cases a public appeal for voluntary subscriptions from the inhabitants is contemplated by the local authority before they have recourse to the rates; and the Board's general view would be that such appeals should be encouraged. My right hon. Friend is afraid he could not state in advance the precise limitations in expenditure or rating which ought to be observed by a local authority, but he thinks it would be desirable that the general opinion of the inhabitants of a district should be ascertained before the local authority commit themselves to any proposal involving large expenditure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the approximate number of petrol licences current at the end of February last, indicating separately the number of full-duty, half-duty, and free of duty licences?

The approximate number of motor spirit licences current at the end of February was 294,000. The numbers of the different classes of licences making up this total are: Full-duty, 163,000; half-duty, 10,000; free of duty, 121,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is still necessary to continue existing restrictions in regard to the importation of fruits from abroad; and, if so, for what reason?

Certain restrictions are still being maintained on the import of fruit, as well as of other articles, on account of the position of the exchanges between this country and the countries of export.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction if he is aware that an attempt is being made to corner the petrol supply, and that in addition the petrol ring has also cornered home-produced benzol, with the object of keeping up the price of motor spirit and, if so, and in view of the urgent necessity of cheap transit, is it his intention to apply for similar powers of control contemplated by him under the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill as regards the control of electricity?

I have been asked to reply to this question. My attention has been called to a report of the amalgamation of two of the large companies which deal in motor spirit, but I do not understand that there is danger of a corner in petrol. The petrol importing companies have been marketing certain quantities of benzol, but there is no corner in this product, and it is hoped that a large proportion of the output will eventually be distributed by the producers. A scheme for carrying out such distribution is under consideration. In these circumstances action in the direction contemplated in the last portion of the question would not seem to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour if a skilled thatcher, who can earn good wages at his trade, in summer and autumn, but by reason of physical disability is unable to do ordinary farm work, and is having great difficulty in getting odd jobs of easy work until thatching work begins, is eligible for unemployment benefit?

The facts stated in the question are not inconsistent with eligibility to out-of-work donation, but I cannot give a definite opinion without the full facts of the particular case which the hon. Member has in mind. I should add that in cases of doubt the final decision whether the conditions of eligibility are fulfilled rests with the Umpire—an independent judicial officer appointed by the Crown.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has taken any steps to remedy the inadequate postal facilities existing in the Chiswick district; if he is aware of the serious state of affairs which exists through the non-provision of any post-office accommodation in the Chiswick High Road for a mile east of No. 257, High Road, and that portion of Chiswick lying south of the High Road between Turnham Green Common and the boundary of the district at Hammersmith; if he is aware that three sub-post offices have been closed, with the result that persons desiring to post parcels or send telegrams have to traverse great distances at serious inconvenience to themselves; and if he has received and favourably considered urgent communications on the matter from the Chiswick Urban District Council and the Chiswick Chamber of Commerce?

Efforts have been made to reopen post offices in the neighbourhood of those formerly existing at 88, High Road, Chiswick, and Church Street, Chiswick, but so far there has been difficulty in finding suitable candidates. The inquiries are being continued. The office formerly in existence in Devonshire Road was little used, and it is not proposed to reopen an office in that locality, if any office in a more suitable locality can be obtained. I am about to send replies to the communications on the subject which I have received from the Chiswick Urban District Council and the Chiswick Chamber of Commerce.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the number of persons at present accommodated at 12, Princes Street, Hanover Square, the rental of which is £2,000 per annum, does not exceed twenty-five, while the premises afford accommodation for, approximately, some 400 to 500 additional persons; whether such premises have been requisitioned by His Majesty's Government and placed at the service of the National Society during the occupation by the Government of the premises of that society, which have been commandeered; whether he will furnish, for the information of the House, a statement showing what premises other than hotels have been taken by the Government in London for Government staffs; for what number of persons has office accommodation been requisitioned; and what is the number of persons in actual use of such accommodation; and whether, with a view to further economy being exercised in the disbursement of public money, he will cause inquiry to be made and reduce the accommodation to some reasonable proportion in relation to the national need?

As regards the first part of the question the explanation of the small number of staff is that the premises are utilised by the National Society not as offices only, but as their shop and the distributing centre for their literature. As regards the second part, the premises were not requisitioned but hired by agreement for the reason stated in the question; as regards the remaining part, I regret I am unable to give the information asked for, as its preparation would involve a considerable amount of time and labour, but the hon. Member may rest assured that the War Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, of which I am Chairman, is making every effort to secure the fullest utilisation of all premises acquired for Government staffs, and the surrender with the least possible delay of surplus space as a result of diminution of staffs. I must, however, once again emphasise the fact that neither I nor my Committee have any control over the numbers of staffs of Government Departments.