asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the statement contained in the Fourth Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the organisation and staffing of Government offices that a staff of thirteen clerks was engaged in dealing with about forty communications a day; if he has inquired as to who was responsible for this condition of administration; and whether he will take immediate steps to recover the complete control by the Treasury of all the staffs of Government Departments?

My attention has been drawn to the recent Reports of the Committee on Staffs, and I am communicating with the Departments which were dealt with in these Reports. I am informed by the Admiralty that the staff referred to in the first part of the question has now been reduced to two, and that the Board of Inventions and Research in which they were employed has been amalgamated with the Department of the Scientific Adviser to the Admiralty. The hon. Member may be assured that I shall do all I can to restore effective Treasury control, and I trust that the House will second my efforts not only by criticising the real or supposed laches of the Treasury, but also by refraining from pressing increased expenditure on other Departments and supporting them in their efforts to make economies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury have now made final arrangements with the Bank of England as to their various banking and other charges, both during and after the War; and, if so, what such arrangements are?

In pursuance of negotiations conducted by my predecessor and as announced by the Governor at the meeting of the Bank Court on Thursday last, the Bank of England has agreed to pay over to the Exchequer the entire excess profits for the five years ending 28th February, 1919, thereby contributing towards the cost of the War the whole of the excess profits which have resulted from the War conditions not only in respect of services performed for the Government, but in respect of the business of the Bank generally. The House will recognise this action as being in accordance with the Bank's high traditions. I am still in communication with the Bank in regard to arrangements as to the future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the recent Return issued by the Registrar-General, in which it is stated that during the last quarter, for the first time since the establishment of civil registration, the number of deaths exceeded the number of births by 79,443, and that out of 161, 775 births during the said quarter no less than 10,367 were illegitimate; and whether, under the above circumstances, he will take immediate steps to remove the penalty on marriage and the consequent restriction on the birth of legitimate children occasioned by the present provisions of the law relating to the assessment of Income Tax, whereby the income of a husband and wife are added together and assessed at the joint total?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As has already been indicated, the question of the assessment to Income Tax of married women will be one of the subjects to be dealt with by the forthcoming Royal Commission.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information as to how many taxi-cab drivers in the Metropolitan area are paying Income Tax; and whether, seeing the rich harvest they are gleaning from the London public, he can see his way to take off the surcharge of 6d. which is now allowed to be imposed over the ordinary fare?

I have no information as to how many taxi-cab drivers pay Income Tax. The surcharge of 6d. was granted to meet the general increase in the cost of commodities, and there is no evidence pointing to such a reduction in prices as would warrant the withdrawal of the surcharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to refund to officers the amount deducted as Income Tax from war gratuities before it was decided that such gratuities should be paid free from tax?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 19th instant to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the gross profits of fifteen of the leading brewing concerns in this country in 1915–16 were more than £5,000,000, and in 1917 were more than £7,000,000; and if it is his intention in the Budget to appropriate such profits made out of war conditions in the nation's interests?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am unable to anticipate my Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of local taxation licences taken out for motor vehicles for the present year up to the end of February last, and the total amount of duty paid in respect thereof, indicating separately the number and total duty relating to private motor cars, motor cycles, and hackney carriages?

I am asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The local taxation Licence Returns, which will contain the figures asked for by the hon. Member, will not be finally tabulated until the end of June, and it is not practicable to furnish at the present time the desired information.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the post of deputy-controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office has in the past been filled by the promotion of officials who have risen from the rank and file of the regularly recruited established Civil servants employed in that Department; and why the usual practice has been departed from recently by the appointment to the deputy-controllership of a gentleman who had only been employed in the Department in a temporary capacity for a period of less than six weeks?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The usual practice has been departed from recently because, although there are in the Department several able and experienced officers, none of them possesses, the combination of qualities which would fit any of them for the appointment. It was, therefore, reluctantly decided to go outside the Department and to appoint a gentleman under Clause 7 of the Order in Council of the 10th January, 1910. The gentleman selected had, prior to the War, a distinguished career at Cambridge. He joined the Army early in 1915 as a subaltern. By virtue of his administrative ability he rose to be Lieutenant-Colonel and Deputy-Director of the Army Printing and Stationery Services (Overseas).

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can see his way to modify the conditions upon which ex-soldiers are to be admitted to the Civil Service so as to put ex-soldiers who are already Civil servants in the same position with regard to competitive examinations for appointments in the Civil Service as ex-soldiers who are not Civil servants; and whether ex-soldiers who sat and qualified, but to whose place on the list the available appointments did not extend, will be given the same opportunities for sitting again as would have been afforded them had they not been Civil servants?

I am not clear what conditions the hon. Member has in mind. Generally speaking, I believe that the Civil servant who has served with the Forces will have more favourable opportunities of appointment to higher posts than the ex-soldier who was not a Civil servant before the War. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the precise cases to which he refers, I shall be glad to make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists among Civil servants with regard to their salaries, and that there is a strong feeling among them that a Whitley Council should be established in their service; and, if so, does he propose to take any steps in these matters?

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

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the war bonus award to temporary employés in the Customs and Excise Department, as definitely promised in the General Order No. 1, dated 10th January, 1918, by the Board of Customs and Excise, has not been made?

At the time when the Order in question was issued, the Conciliation and Arbitration Board were considering a claim from certain classes of temporary employés in the Civil Service. They issued their award to these classes on 1st February, 1918, and it was thereupon applied to the members of those classes in the Customs and Excise Department, namely, extra men, temporary launchmen, and female watchers. If the hon. Member will communicate to me the name of the class of temporary employés to which his question refers, I will make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the correspondence regarding the case of Thomas Taberner, formerly a clerk at the Wigan County Court, has been brought to his notice; whether he is aware that this man joined the Army in 1914, at that time being twenty years of age and in receipt of a salary of £44 per annum; that in December, 1918, he was invalided home suffering from neurasthenia and has since been discharged as a B 3 man; that he made application to be reinstated in his employment and was informed that he could commence work again at the same salary of £44 per annum, plus a war bonus of 23s. per week, providing he was not in receipt of a pension, and whether he will take action in this case and inform the responsible official that in the re-employment of an ex-soldier no account must be taken of any pension payable?

There has evidently been some misapprehension. The pension of an ex-soldier is not deducted from effective civil pay in any case. The Registrar of the Wigan County Court had to furnish certain particulars to the Treasury with reference to Thomas Taberner on the latter's return to civil duty as Registrar's clerk, mainly in order to ascertain the excess of his temporary allowance from Pensions Ministry funds over the amount of his pension; any such excess is subject to a deduction from civil pay. The Registrar furnished particulars to the effect that the man had neither temporary allowance nor pension, and the Registrar was then told that, assuming this to be correct, full salary and war bonus might be paid.

asked the Food Controller if he will give a list of the members, and their qualifications, on the Consumers' Council?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on this subject to the hon. Member for Chester on 25th February, and to the hon. Member for Bodmin on 26th February.

asked the Food Controller what the policy of the Government is in regard to national kitchens and restaurants, having in view the fact that 90 per cent. are being run at a loss?

So far as the policy of the Government in regard to national kitchens and restaurants is concerned, I can add nothing to the answers given on 20th February to the hon. Member for North St. Pancras and the hon. and gallant Member for Plaistow. I would point out, however, that the institution of national kitchens was a war measure: they were hastily equipped and were developed on emergency rather than economic lines. The experience of my Department is that under proper management they can be run without loss.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the coast watchers on the South Wexford coast are being paid a lesser wage than ordinary agricultural labourers, though these men do duty in all weathers and during any hour of the day or night; and will he consider granting them a gratuity or bonus for services rendered during the War, having regard to the large amount of property and wreckage safeguarded by them during that period?

I should be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend would put this question down again this day week, in order that I may inquire how far his contention is justified that we are paying a rate lower than that paid to the ordinary agricultural labourer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sergeant Meek C. F. Ford, No. 204691, is still being retained in the Air Force at No. 21 Kite Balloon Base, Lerwick, Shetland, although he joined the Royal Naval Air Service in May, 1915, and has been applied for through the Labour Exchange by Messrs. Bowditch and Ford, builders and contractors, of South Farnborough, Hants, who have urgent work waiting for him to do; and whether, in view of the urgency of the building problem at the present moment, he will give instructions for Sergeant Meek Ford to be immediately demobilised?

I am obtaining the necessary information from Lerwick, and will acquaint my Noble Friend with the decision reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Dr. D. Carmichael, Laurieston House, 2, Albert Drive, Pollokshields, Glasgow, applied unsuccessfully for the release of his assistant, Lieutenant Morris Hyman, M.B., Royal Air Force, Headquarters 233rd Squadron, Dover, although his appeal was backed up by the local war emergency committee; and whether, in view of the shortage of medical practitioners in Glasgow and the prevalence of influenza there, he will agree to have this decision reversed and the above-named officer released?

So far as I can ascertain, no application for the release of Lieutenant Hyman has been received by the Air Ministry, the Ministry of National Service, or the Scottish Central Professional Committee. Medical officers are released from the Royal Air Force in a definite order of priority. Lieutenant Hyman, who is a newly-qualified medical man, aged twenty-six, joined for duty on 14th November, 1918, and I regret that I do not consider that the circumstances would warrant my granting any special priority in his case.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private H. H. Smith, No. S368180, Army Printing and Stationery Department, Boulogne, is still being retained in the Army, although he is over thirty-seven years of age, and has been applied for by his employer as a pivotal man?

Private Smith is not registered at the War Office as pivotal, and I am informed that there is no trace at the Ministry of Labour of his having been certified as pivotal by that Department. If his age is as stated, he will, under the regulation now in force, be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private N. Morrison, No. 62182, 2/lst Royal North Devon Hussars, had his papers completed for demobilisation by 15th January, but that owing to no allotments being made for Scotland his dispersal has never taken place; and whether, as this man attested on 12th December, 1915, and is urgently required by his father in Glasgow in his business, he can now consent to release him without further delay?

Private Morrison is not registered by the War Office as pivotal or for special release. It would appear that the papers referred to were either the usual "contract" offer of employment or such as to obtain his registration as a "slip" man. Neither "contract" nor "slip" men are entitled to demobilisation unless they are eligible under current instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private A. G. Picton, No. 019045, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 18th Section, Didcot, whose case has been for some time under consideration, can now be released, seeing that this man was invalided home from Salonika suffering from dysentery and is classed B3?

As Private Picton is only thirty years of age and did not join the Colours until June, 1916, he is not eligible for demobilisation under the terms of Army Order 55.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private W. Kew, No. 0696, E Company, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Ruddan Camp, Buncrana, county Donegal, Ireland, is still being retained in. the Army, although he has been applied for some months ago as a pivotal man, and whether, in view of the fact that this man's services as an agricultural carter are urgently required to assist with the spring sowing, he will give orders for his immediate release?

Private Kew is not registered by the War Office as pivotal, and I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that there is no trace of this man having been so certified by his Department. His demobilisation is dependent on whether or not he is eligible under current instructions.

asked the Minister of Labour if there is any reason why a delay of two months should occur between the time when a man serving in the Navy at Malta claimed priority release as his own employer as far back as the 29th December and the time when his people were asked for the first time by the Appointments Department to certify his occupation; and if, when that was done immediately, he should still be retained in the Service?

In normal cases a delay of two months would be excessive, but without the facts I am unable to give a definite opinion upon the particular case which my hon. Friend has in mind. If he will furnish full details I shall be glad to make inquiry into the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that S Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, now in Mesopotamia, is largely composed of men whose term of service has expired and who have been away from home for about ten years; and whether, in view of these circumstances, special steps can be taken to facilitate their release and return home?

I understand that my hon. Friend's information is probably correct, but those men whose term of service has expired are eligible for demobilisation and are being demobilised and sent home as rapidly as possible. The cadre of the battery has been ordered home.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Lieutenant Wyndham Walker, Royal Garrison Artillery, now acting as transport officer at Mons, who has served with distinction in. the Army since April, 1917, and who had previously won an exhibition at Emanuel College, Cambridge, as well as a scholarship tenable with such exhibition; and whether, seeing that for the purposes of his education it is essential that he should go into residence at Cambridge in October next, he will accelerate his demobilisation for that purpose?

I am not aware of this. All officers are, however, liable to retention unless they fall within certain exceptions which are set out in Army Order 55 of 1919. If this officer's services are not required he will no doubt be released as soon as he can be dispensed with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men who were sent out to France and Gallipoli in 1914 and 1915 are now detained on cadre duty in France, whilst men who were called up in 1916 are being demobilised; and, if so, can he expedite the release of these men thus detained?

It is possible that men who are eligible for demobilisation may have been included in cadre formations, but this will not interfere with their demobilisation, as cadres are being brought home as rapidly as rail and shipping-facilities permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many motor cars were at the disposal of the Army Council for their use and for the use of the War Office Staff on the 1st of June, 1914, and on 1st of March, 1919?

The numbers of War Department cars at the disposal of the Army Council and for the use of the War Office Staff on 1st June, 1914, were two. The numbers on 1st March, 1919, were forty.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling that those physicians and surgeons who have given voluntary service in war hospitals in this country should receive recognition for their services; and whether he will arrange for a list of their names to be prepared?

The valuable services of those physicians and surgeons who have given voluntary service in war hospitals controlled by the War Office have not been overlooked, and a "Special Gazette" of the Order of the British Empire, published on the 18th February last, included gentlemen who have rendered services of this nature. Further names are under consideration for the "Honours Gazette" of the 3rd June, 1919. It is not possible to prepare a list of all these gentlemen, but the War Office have a, comprehensive list of those who have been recommended for recognition in connection with the 3rd June, 1919, "Gazette," and every endeavour is being made to ensure that deserving services are not overlooked. At this stage, however, the names cannot be divulged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the technical minimum for the Royal Engineers, Signal Section, in Egypt is 4,000 men; whether the total number of men available in that country under the War Office proposals is 1,400; whether the difference between the two figures is being made up of long-service men; and whether, in view of the effect of this procedure on the men over forty-one who volunteered in 1914, he will take immediate steps to find a remedy for this state of affairs?

My hon. Friend's figures are approximately correct. Steps have, however, already been taken to dispatch drafts of men who are retainable in the Army with a view to remedying the state of affairs referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the largely increased hay crop that will be available in France this year, and the number of horses now being returned to civilian use in this country, he will decontrol hay, and thus avoid the unnecessarily heavy charges now made for administrative services?

I am informed that very large quantities of the hay originally intended for the Army have been and will continue to be transferred to civil use, but there is general agreement among pro-producers, dealers, and consumers that the control cannot be removed so far as the 1918 crop is concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention had been called to the case of the taking by the military authorities of "Holmleigh," West Road, Cambridge, for a residence for nurses, though notice had been given that the military authorities proposed to vacate the premises in the middle of February, and whether, having regard to the high value of the premises and to the inconvenience caused to the purchaser, Mr. Lilley, he will cause other arrangements to be made?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether "Borshams," Amersham Hill, High Wycombe, was occupied by the military from 1st November, 1917, to 24th May, 1918; if so, why payment of rent was made to the tenant as from 25th December only; and whether he will direct that payment be now made for the period 1st November to 25th December?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part payment of compensation was made in accordance with the determination of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission who

Name of Officer. Present Employment. Employment in Civil Life. Major A. W. Banner Assistant managing director, national shipyards and chief accountant Accountant. Major C. J. Kavanagh In charge of German Prisoners of War in connection with public works construction Qualified civil mechanical engineer. Lieut. E. Sinkiss Electrical engineer, No. 1 shipyard Constructional engineer. Lieut.-Col. G. E. Cockburn Director of engineering work Chief engineer to Messrs. Livesey, Son and Henderson. Captain C. E. Street Chief general assistant to the director of engineering, national shipyards Partner in firm of Erdman and Sons, surveyors and land agents, Acton. Major D. W. Hole Construction engineer (buildings, Chepstow) Civil engineer. Major J. H. Dosser Resident architect Architect. Captain E. H. Bate Engineer in charge of waterworks schemes, N.S. Civil engineer. Major J. C. Martin Chief architect Architect and surveyor (railway tubes and public works). Captain L. Martin Resident architect in charge of Chepstow housing schemes, N.S. Architect. 2nd Lieut. C. Pain Assistant engineer, constructional department, N.S. Railway and waterworks engineer. 2nd Lieut. R. F. Nathan Assistant engineer Surveyor. Captain Lowenthal Chief technical assistant to the managing director, national ship-yards Civil engineer. Shortly to take position as manager of Brazilian railways. NOTE.—In addition to the officers detailed above, there are certain officers still employed who form part of the military personnel lent as a military unit by the War Office to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to complaints made by soldiers of a shortage of food at the Curragh Camp; and will he have this matter looked into?

Careful inquiry has been made, and all units at the Curragh report that there have been no complaints of a shortage of food.

awarded £140 per annum payable as from the 25th December.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will furnish the names of all officers and ex-officers now working at Chepstow, giving the nature of their present employment and of their former employment when in civil life?

I have been asked to reply. The particulars desired by the hon. Member are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any notice was given to Post Office employés who joined the Colours in 1914 that they would not be entitled to any war gratuity; whether he is aware that Sapper W. H. Grantham, No. 72768, Royal Engineers (Signal Section), was on 22nd February, 1919, refused a gratuity after over four years' service on the sole ground that he was in civil life a Post Office engineer in Manchester; and, if so, wheher such refusal is in accordance with the Regulations as to war gratuities?

The war gratuity is a special grant, outside the terms of service under which soldiers are enlisted, and not approved by Government until December last. It was not possible to anticipate in 1914 the giving of such a gratuity or the conditions that might be attached to the grant. These conditions specifically excluded men in receipt of full civil pay, in-addition to military emoluments, and if as is presumed this is the ground on which Sapper Grantham was refused the gratuity, the refusal is strictly in accordance with the Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer who was gazetted temporary captain in August, 1915, and acted as such until April, 1917, and subsequently reverted to the permanent rank of lieutenant under an Army Order which came into force after he had volunteered his services, is entitled to a war gratuity on the pay he received as a captain?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, as complaints are being received of long delays in the payment of gratuities to discharged and demobilised men, what steps he will take to expedite their payment?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 24th instant to the hon. Member for Belfast (Falls).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Lieutenant Ezekiel Agnew, Army dental surgeon, stationed at the military convalescent hospital, Crownhill hutments, near Plymouth, has been refused a grant by the Civil Liabilities Committee; whether he is aware that Lieutenant Agnew is in receipt of £365 per annum, out of which he has to pay £161 for rent, insurance, and taxes, and £150 for his mess and lodging, and is thus left with £54 to keep his wife and family of three; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will see that a grant is issued to Lieutenant Agnew to help him to meet his expenses while serving in the Army?

I am aware that a grant has been refused by the Civil Liabilities Committee in the case of the officer referred to by the Noble and gallant Member. I am informed that the circumstances of this case, as mentioned to the Committee, did not altogether correspond with those stated in the question; but further inquiry is already being made into the facts

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether a Service aircraft, believed to be a Nieuport Nighthawk, flew from London to Bournemouth on the 14th March with newspapers; whether this is in accordance with the Regulations; and by whose authority this flight was carried out?

The machine in question was being constructed for the Royal Air Force by a firm of contractors, and was undergoing the customary "Maker's Test," consisting of a four-hours' flight carried out by the firm's pilot. No particular route was specified. The Regulations at present in force prohibit civil aviation, except when carried out under Naval or Military Instructions. In the present case instructions for the flight were issued by the Air Ministry authorities, but no permission to carry newspapers was either asked or granted, and the firm in question have been informed that the Air Ministry cannot permit such action pending the re-opening of civil aviation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if the names of Lieutenant W. Hodgkinson, observer. Royal Air Force, and of Captain Lynn Campbell, pilot, Royal Air Force, who were reported as missing after a flight in machine B.F. E2,256, on 9th October, 1918, were included in the list of 2,900 missing men sent to the German Government about 28th February, 1919; whether any information has been received as to the fate of these two officers; and whether he can now state the objective of this aeroplane on 9th October, 1918; so that private inquiries can be made by the parents?

The list recently sent to the German Government included only names of men definitely known to have been prisoners. The names of the two officers mentioned in the question do not come into this category, and were not included in the list. No information has been received regarding Lieutenant Hodgkinson. An unofficial and unconfirmed report states that Captain Campbell was killed. I regret that I am unable to indicate the probable place of descent of the aeroplane, as this might be miles away from the locality over which it was last seen. I have ascertained that this locality was the Foret de Mormal. Further inquiries into this and similar cases are being made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if the Government is prepared to suspend the Order requiring all clinical thermometers to be tested and approved by the National Physical Laboratory before sale until there is a better supply, in view of the influenza epidemic; and what steps are being taken to ensure a better supply and what proportion of clinical thermometers sent to the National Physical Laboratory is rejected?

It was found necessary to make the Order owing to the large number of inaccurate instruments which were getting into the hands of the public, and I do not propose to suspend it. In order to develop the supply of these instruments arrangements are made for the manufacture of the necessary kind of glass, and the instrument makers are given expert advice in the production of the finished article which is now approximately twice as great as before the issue of the Order. An average of 10 per cent. of the instruments submitted by chemists have been rejected.

asked the Pensions Minister what arrangements are being made for the proper provision for the needs and training of the blinded sailors and soldiers; and whether, in view of the exceptional nature of, their affliction, the whole cost is borne by the State, whether in public or private institutions, or is dependent upon private subscriptions?

A blinded sailor or soldier is cared for and trained at St. Dunstan's or at Newington House, Edinburgh. These institutions are maintained out of private funds. The State pays to the man pension at the highest rate with allowances for his wife and family, without any deduction for the cost of maintenance. On leaving St. Dunstan's or Newington House, he receives, in addition, an attendance allowance up to 20s. a week. No deduction is made on account of earnings, and in most cases the training given to the men enables them to secure substantial earnings.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that promotion for executive engineers in the Punjab Irrigation branch is such that there appears to be no prospects of their rising to administrative rank, although fully qualified; and whether he will inquire into this matter and endeavour to remedy the existing state of affairs?

The Secretary of State for India is not aware that the position is as suggested by the hon. Member, but will make inquiry of the Government of India.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that H. G. Sarah, a Wesleyan conscientious objector, who has been in prison or detention since July, 1916, and was released from Wandsworth prison under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act in January last, was re-arrested on 3rd March when suffering from a, bad influenza cold and is now in Plymouth civil prison; whether he is also aware that this man is hunger-striking and is in a very poor state of health; and if he will order his final release on health grounds?

This prisoner was again released under the Act in question on the 21st instant. He is due to return to prison on the 18th April if his state of health permits of it, but it is open to him to furnish medical evidence before that date in support of an application for an extension of the period of discharge.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Isaac Britton, a conscientious objector who was arrested in October, 1916, is at present in Maidstone civil prison and is in a very bad nervous condition and suffering severely from heart trouble; and whether he will order this man's release on health grounds?

There is no medical ground on which this prisoner could be released. He is reported to be in sound health, and on medical examination shows no signs of heart trouble or nervous breakdown.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will order an inquiry into the state of health of H. S. Britton, a conscientious objector who has been in prison or detention ever since November, 1916, and is obviously much broken in health?

I have made inquiry and find that this prisoner is in good health, mentally and physically, and fit for military service. He himself does not support the allegation that his health has suffered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will order an inquiry into the state of health of F. J. Ballard, who is serving his third sentence of hard labour in Wandsworth Gaol and appeared to be very ill when giving evidence in the recent inquiry?

This prisoner has had an attack of bronchial catarrh, but is making a good recovery, and there is no apparent foundation for the allegations of ill-health.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that A. W. Butler, a conscientious objector, who has been court-martialled four times on account of his religious objection to military service, is at present in a very weak state of health in Wandsworth Prison; and whether he will call for a report?

I have called for a report, and find the prisoner is not in weak health and shows no sign of having suffered physically or mentally from imprisonment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Albert Trenwith, a conscientious objector, of forty-nine-years of age, is suffering severely from rheumatism in Wormwood Scrubs Prison; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to this man's release on health grounds?

I have authorised this man's discharge upon medical grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will recommend the release of Captain John Hunter, now imprisoned at Maidstone as a conscientious objector, seeing he has done two years' fighting, proved himself a brave man, and is suffering from shell-shock, which probably is the cause of him being where he is?

I asked my hon. Friend to let me have particulars of the officer's regiment and battalion. If he will do so, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as the month of March is now rapidly passing, he will state on which of the remaining days he proposes to introduce the promised Aliens Bill?

I cannot yet give a date, but the Bill will be taken as soon as business permits.

asked the Home Secretary if he will endeavour at once to procure a greater measure of safety to life and limbs of miners by insisting upon manholes or refuge stations being fixed at closer distances upon all travelling ways underground, and that the same should be lit up by at least one electric light; will he take steps to ensure that proper notice boards should be fixed at danger points to show the rise and swing of journey ropes; and will he have inquiry made as to the numerous fatal accidents arising out of this form of neglect?

Section 44 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, fixes the distances between refuge holes, and provides that every refuge hole shall, if necessary to make it readily visible, be kept constantly whitewashed. The requirements of the Section are based on recommendations of the Royal Commission on Coal Mines, who inquired carefully into the subject, And they are, I am advised, sufficient for safety. At fiery and dusty mines it would not be safe to introduce electricity on some of the roads. As regards journey ropes, I am advised that accidents due to men being unaware of the danger points are very few, but the mines inspectors will be instructed to draw the attention of managers and other officials to the desirability of putting up certain boards at these points.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the need of a better and safer system of signalling in all pit shafts where landings are being worked; is he aware of the numerous fatal accidents in our mines owing to the disregard of a better method of signalling; and will he make inquiries into the fatal accident which occurred last week at the River Level Colliery, Aberdare, South Wales, with a view to minimising such accidents?

I do not know what is the precise danger in the existing system of signalling which the hon. Member has in mind. That system was settled a few years ago after full inquiry, and very few accidents have occurred in recent years which could be attributed to defective signalling. I have called for a report on the accident referred to, and will consider the matter further after that report is received.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what proposals for the building of houses for the working classes by public utility societies were reported in answer to question No. 7 addressed to local authorities by the Local Government Board in its circular dated 28th July, 1917?

In answer to the question, to which the hon. Member refers, 121 local authorities stated that they had knowledge of proposals by private enterprise or public utility societies for the provision of houses for the working classes. The information given by the local authorities as to the extent of the proposals is too indefinite to enable any summary to be made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Memorandum, mentioned in paragraph No. 10 of the Circular letter of the Local Government Board addressed to local authorities, and dated the 6th February, 1919, is yet ready; and what is the scope of the assistance proposed to be given to public utility societies to encourage them to undertake the building of houses for the working classes?

The Memorandum to which the hon. Member refers was issued on Monday last, it being printed as a Command Paper. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the total number of local housing authorities who are to be required to submit housing schemes under Clause 1 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Bill; how many of these authorities are county borough, borough, urban district, and rural district councils, respectively, and how many of each of these four categories have already submitted schemes to the Local Government Board?

The following table gives the information desired: Districts. Number of Local Authorities liable under Clause I. Number of Local Authoritles who have submitted schemes. Metropolitan boroughs 29 1 County boroughs 82 47 Boroughs 246 70 Urban districts 799 147 Rural districts 649 56 Total 1,805 321

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any departure will be made from the usual procedure in connection with municipal elections in November next; and, if so, can he indicate in what direction the change will be made?

As indicated in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Nelson and Colne on the 18th ultimo, legislation affecting the municipal elections in November next is not at present contemplated.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the Government will give effect to a scheme for the equalisation of rates, to be levied on one uniform basis of assessment throughout the country, all rating authorities to collect the rates from the occupier, and the rights of landlords to compound to be abolished?

The present system of assessment of property for rating purposes, and the mode of collecting rates, including the provisions as to owners compounding for the payment of rates, will no doubt receive the attention of Parliament in due course, but it is impracticable to promise proposals for early legislation on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, by the instructions of the Coal Controller, trucks laden with coal for Hastings have on various dates been diverted elsewhere; that thereby people suffering from illness and others have been deprived of coal of which they are in urgent need; and that applications through official channels have failed to remedy this state of affairs; and whether he will take the necessary steps to prevent its continuance or recurrence?

I assume that the trucks referred to were consigned to private consumers. In the present shortage any such trucks for which express permission has not been given under Clause 93 of the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1918, are taken over by the Local Fuel Overseers for genera] use, but I am informed that the immediate needs of the consignees are invariably met. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind, with the dates, I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ask the Great Eastern Railway Company to modify the present form of application for a season ticket on that railway by eliminating the questions relating to national registration, period of residence, nature of occupation and business address, particulars of any previous season ticket held by applicant, and the reason for which the season ticket is required?

I am communicating, with the railway company on this matter, and will let the hon. Baronet know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that doth is being imported from Japan whilst mills are in some cases idle in Lancashire; and what action he proposes to take?

This matter, together with all other matters of a similar character, will form the subject of inquiry by the Committee which is being set up in accordance with the statement made in this House on the 10th March.

asked the Presisident of the Board of Trade if licences are still required for the importation of sugar from British Guiana; and whether it has been decided that no import restrictions should continue to be imposed on goods coming from any part of the Empire in the absence of very special circumstances?

The answer to the first part of the question is No, and to the second part Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General if, since it must now be possible to forecast the probable pace of demobilisation in the future, he can now state, approximately, when the postal and telegraph arrangements in the firuit-growing districts of South Hants will be restored to the same arrangements and conditions of efficiency as in 1914, in view of the importance of an efficient postal and telegraphic service to the interest of the fruit growers and the marketing of the fruit?

I am unable to say at present what improvements in postal delivery arrangements will be practicable, and when they will take effect, but improvement is under consideration. Special arrangements will be made for the disposal of the telegraphic traffic in South Hampshire during the fruit season in the same manner as in former years; but as the general traffic of the country is now greater than before the War, and few of the many thousands of skilled telegraphists serving with the Colours have been demobilised, I am afraid that some time may elapse before telegraph facilities can be provided generally on a pre-war basis.

asked the Postmaster-General whether night telephonists and call office operators are compelled to work longer hours than other sections of the Post Office staff; whether he is aware that on 8th January last the Secretary to the Post Office stated that the men were engaged for night work, and were continuously employed upon it; whether the interim Report of the Master of Balliol's Committee on Adult Education contains special reference to such cases as these; and whether he will take into consideration the interim Report with a view to much needed reforms in his Department?

As regards the hours of night telephonists, I would refer to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member on the same subject yesterday. The class of call office attendants, which was amalgamated with that of night telephonists under a recommendation of the Select Parliamentary Committee on Post Office Servants of 1913, has the same weekly hours of duty. Night telephonists are engaged continuously upon night duty. The Committee referred to took the view that night work, whether periodical or continuous, is open to objection, but they recognised that in certain circumstances it is inevitable. If the requirements of the public for night telephone service are to be met, the only alternative would be the adoption of the shift system, which would involve the employment of women at night and appears to be regarded by the Committee as equally undesirable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can state what is to happen to the Women's Land Army; what steps are being taken to secure the services of the 5,000 additional workers which the director of the women's branch, Board of Agriculture, stated in Oxford on the 8th March were urgently required; whether the army is to be maintained on the land; and, if so, would he say what encouragement is to be given to that army, and how the training centres that have been established at considerable private expense from patriotic motives in order to train women in the most approved methods of agriculture, so to act not only as land workers but as instructresses, are to be utilised?

At present the Women's Land Army is recruited for the period ending 31st October, 1919. To secure the services of the 5,000 additional workers the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour are being utilised, and the enrolment will be effected by the selection boards of the women's county committees in co-operation with these Exchanges. The present Land Army, with the 5,000 additional recruits, will be equipped, maintained, and organised in a manner similar to that which has obtained since its inception. A certain number of the private training centres which were generously offered to the Board during the War for the emergency short courses of training will be utilised this season, taking into consideration the particular training needed to meet the demand in the county in which these centres are situated. It has already been arranged that the preferential facilities offered to the ex-Service men for settling on the land should be extended, with safeguards, to the women of the Land Army.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether the administration of the fisheries of this country is adequately provided for as one of five sub-divisions of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries; and, if not, whether the Board have submitted any scheme to the Treasury for the amelioration of the conditions under which the sea fisheries of England and Wales are administered?

A general scheme of reorganisation of the Fisheries Division of the Board is under consideration and the Board are in communication with the Treasury on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the seven new posts of resident local inspectors or assistant inspectors of fisheries were filled as a result of public advertisement or of an examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners; if not, what method of selection was adopted by the Board in making these appointments; whether the Board attach any importance to scientific qualifications; and, if so, how many of the gentlemen recently appointed to the seven posts referred to possess a degree in science at a British university?

All the appointments referred to are temporary, and were made during the War, when the Board's choice was necessarily confined to men not required for military service. As far as possible the officers were chosen for their knowledge of fishery questions or aptitude for the special work required, though none of them, so far as the Board are aware, possess a scientific degree from a British university. The Board attach great importance to scientific qualifications, but in these cases the duties are administrative or executive rather than scientific.

asked the Lord Advocate if a declaratory summons was issued on the advice of the Lord Advocate of Scotland in 1848 against Richard Anderson Alexander, a Scottish mine owner, the summons having for its purpose the enforcement of the rights of the Crown under the Act 1592, c. 31 (temp. James VI. of Scotland) to the ownership of the minerals worked by him; and if the Government will place the papers relating to this case in the Library of the House, or in such other place where Members interested can examine them?

A summons of declarator was raised by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests against Mr. Alexander of Rochsolloch and Airdrie in 1848. The purpose was to submit for judicial decision the question whether the Act 1592, c. 31 was confined to mines of metals from which gold or silver was obtainable, or extended to mines of baser metals, and iron-ore in particular. The case for the Commissioners was thought by the Law Officers to be attended with much difficulty, and the action was never carried to judgment. The action had no reference to coal, and this was expressly stated in the House by the then Lord Advocate on 20th July, 1848, when a question was asked regarding it. A copy of the summons and defences has been placed with the Librarian, in whose hands they will be available for examination by Members for a week.