asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has been made as to the housing of the Imperial War Museum; and, in view of the desirability of training naval officers for war staff work in close proximity to military officers at Camberley instead of at the great buildings on the Thames known as the Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, whether the War Cabinet will consider those buildings and grounds as a site which could be adapted for the Imperial War Museum with direct tube railway communication provided to London?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The buildings of the Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, have long been used for the Royal Naval College, and it is not proposed to make any change in this respect. The housing of the naval staff training establishment is at present under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present unfinished state of the Government shipyards at Chepstow, it is the Government's intention to proceed with their completion; if he can state the total sum expended on these yards to date; if any vessels have been finished in the new yards; and if he will appoint a Commission of business men to investigate the whole matter?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to the hon. Members for Preston and Salop on the 25th of February. No vessels have yet been completed in the new yards. As regards the last part, my right hon. Friend the Shipping Controller has recently been engaged in a thorough investigation of the whole position and he does not consider that any useful purpose would be served at the present time by the appointment of a Commission as suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual loss to the Exchequer would be, at present rate of Income Tax and Super-tax, if the income of husbands and wives were assessed separately?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Skipton Division.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the provisions of the Married Women's Property Act, the Inland Revenue authorities claim in some cases to be able to make a repayment of Income Tax on a wife's income to the husband?

I am advised that this matter is determined by reference to the Income Tax Acts, and not by the Married Women's Property Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to state on what day he will make his Budget statement?

I regret that it is not possible for me to make the Budget statement before the Easter Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is able to state the total amount of revenue derived under the Land Clauses of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and the total cost of collecting these taxes?

The total amount of revenue derived from the Land Value Duties up to 31st March, 1919, was £4,113,906. The total expenditure incurred in connection with the work of the Valuation Office and with the collection of the duties on Land Values up to 31st March, 1919, is estimated at approximately £4,600,000. It is impossible to distinguish the cost of collection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that before the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, there were more houses in the United Kingdom than were necessary, with the result that rents were low; whether he is also aware that since the passing of the Act building has largely ceased; and whether, in view of the fact that the Land Taxes are preventing building without adding to the revenue of the country and at the same time causing great loss and inconvenience to all classes in the community, he will consider the advisability of repealing those Clauses in the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, which have done and are doing harm to the public?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 27th ultimo to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Finchley.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether unestablished and temporary messengers and all other grades upon similar scales of pay and conditions are Civil servants; if so, why they are not put upon the same scale of sick leave as the other grades of unestablished Government employés who are allowed eight weeks' sick leave every year on full pay less 10s. in the case of men and 7s. in that of women; and, if not, will he extend to the unestablished and temporary messenger class these sick-leave benefits?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that eight weeks' sick pay (less certain deduction) is allowed generally to unestablished employés. Such sick pay is granted only to a limited number of classes, consisting mainly of professional and clerical staff, while the other classes receive the benefits of the National Insurance Acts. These arrangements were adopted by the Government after a detailed review of the sick leave rules in the public service by a Special Committee in 1913, and I see no ground for altering them.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury what was the number of Departments under the financial control of the Treasury, the total number of permanent and temporary staffs to same; and the total amounts annually payable to same on the 31st March, 1914, and 31st March, 1919?

All Departments are subject to financial control by the Treasury in regard to their staffs, although general authorities have had to be granted in a number of cases for the engagement of additional assistance during the period of emergency, without specific reference to the Treasury. A general comparison of the expenditure on staffs may be obtained from the Estimates presented to Parliament, but the detailed figures asked for by the hon. Member are not available. Their compilation would necessitate the preparation of a special return, and in view of the pressure of work on the staffs of all Departments and the very limited value which any return would have, in the present changing situation, I hope the hon. and gallant Member will not press for it.

asked the Food Controller whether the amount of imported bacon and hams last year totalled approximately 12,000,000 cwts., and that 1d. per lb. on this quantity represents roughly £6,000,000; whether, when he speaks of f.a.s. cost, he means free at store or free at ship; and whether he can indicate, approximately, how much per lb. bacon and hams cost in freight, insurance, landing charges, administrative charges, loss of weight, and any other items which go to make up the 2d. per lb. difference between the f.a.s. cost in America and the c.i.f. value in England?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The expression f.a.s. means free alongside ship. As regards the last part of the question, the charges accruing during the month of November last (which is taken as an example) between the f.a.s. cost and the selling price were as follows, the figures quoted being per lb. and in decimals of Id.: Freight .55 Insurance .55 Dock dues (including master porterage) .07 Shrinkage (before arrival) .17 Shrinkage (between arrival and sale) .33 Commission to importers .24 Carriage .11 Discount to purchasers .17 Claims and taint .16 Storage .21 Administration .37 Total 2.93

asked the Food Controller whether during the first eight months of last year 502,845 tons of bacon and hams were imported; whether the highest price paid for Wiltshire cut sides was 160s. per cwt., but considerable quantities were purchased as low as 133s. per cwt., or an average under Is. 4d. per lb.; whether the highest price paid for bellies was 165s. per cwt., and the lowest 129s., or an average under 1s. 4d. per lb.; whether Cumberland cut sides ranged from 140s. to 162s. per cwt., or an average of 1s. 4 5/28d. per lb.; whether short clear backs were from 136s. to 158s. per cwt., or under 1s. 4d. per lb.; hams from 120s. to 158s., or 1s. 3d. per lb.; shoulders from 107s. to 125s. per cwt., or about 1s. per lb.; picnics from 96s. to 101s. per cwt., or 10½d. per lb.; and a few sundry cwts. at 1s. 4d.; whether 457,000 tons were purchased before 6th June last at prices mostly approximating towards the lower quotations; and whether the figure of 1s. 4½d. per lb., indicated as the average price of American bacon for the first eight months of 1918, is the average of the highest prices paid for each respective class purchased, and not the average cost of the whole quantity purchased during the period?

During the first eight months of last year 442,185 tons of bacon and ham were imported into Great Britain, of which 435,346 tons came from North America. It has not been possible in the time available for the figures of the prices paid for each cut, as quoted by the hon. and gallant Member, to be verified, but I propose to forward to him the information for which he asks as soon as possible. As regards the last part of the question, the figure of 1s. 4½d. per lb. quoted by the Ministry of Food represents the average cost of the two principal cuts, namely, Wiltshire and Cumberland sides, which may be taken as representative.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that severe losses have been inflicted on millers and dealers by his Department forcing them to buy Japanese beans so as to obtain supplies of maize, and that these beans are unsaleable; will he state for the benefit of the trade what the beans can be used for; is he aware that cattle refuse to eat them or the flour made from them; have his Department reduced the price from £35 to £20 per ton, thus inflicting further loss on millers; and, under the circumstances, will he take the beans back at invoice cost?

In view of the urgent necessity for economising supplies of maize, beans were for a time sold in conjunction with maize with the intention that the two commodities should be used in combination as a feeding meal for stock. This arrangement proved not unsatisfactory; and I am not aware of the severe losses which the hon. Member mentions. I may say that demands for beans are still being received by traders who desire to grind them in combination with maize As regards the latter part of the question, long notice was given of the reduction in price to which the hon. Member refers, and it is accordingly not considered necessary to adopt his proposal.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Fuel Research Committee to inquire into the utilisation of Irish peat deposits is likely to render its Report?

This question falls to me to answer. The Irish Peat Inquiry Committee have reported to the Fuel Research Board by whom they were appointed, and that Report has been the subject of a Report by the Fuel Research Board to the Committee of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The Report is at present under the consideration of the Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has considered the Report of the Vice-Regal Committee appointed to inquire into the state of primary education in Ireland; and whether, in view of the important recommendations it contains, the Government will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill on the lines suggested by the Vice-Regal Committee?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary hopes shortly to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the increased grant in this year's Estimate for English Primary Education, namely, £12,000,000, he can say if Ireland's claim under the provisions of the Equivalent Grant will be duly recognised; and, if so, what amount has been decided upon in respect of primary education in Ireland?

The question of the future provision to be made for primary education in Ireland is at present under consideration in connection with the Report recently presented by the Vice-Regal Committee on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that if a recognised trade or industry in Ireland is not certified by the Lord Lieutenant, eves though there be a substantial amount of unemployment in these trades directly caused by the cessation of hostilities, no unemployment donation is paid to those out of work; and whether, in view of the suffering endured, he will take action to remedy the grievance complained of?

The Out-of-work Donation scheme for civilian workers in Ireland is limited to insured workmen and workers in a trade certified by the Lord Lieutenant as one in which there is a substantial amount of unemployment directly caused by the cessation of hostilities. The linen and cotton trade has already been so certified, and certain other trades are now under consideration in this conjunction.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has been arrived at regarding the petitions presented in October, 1918, by the employés at the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, and other naval establishments, asking for similar treatment to that applied to other Government employés in these districts, and whether, at present these workmen only receive 24s. per week for a fifty-sax hours week, while other Government workmen doing similar work in the immediate vicinity are paid 24s. for a forty-seven hours week?

Both matters raised in my hon. Friend's question are under consideration, and it is hoped that early decisions will be arrived at. I might perhaps remind my hon. Friend that the rate of pay referred to by him is, of course, the pre-war time rate, to which at present are added war increases amounting to not less than 28s. 6d. a week.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of a petition received from over seventy fishermen and others dependent for their living on the fairway of the Hamble River being kept open, he will take early steps to remove the moorings and vessels with which this fairway is now blocked?

Orders were given on 14th March that as the motor launches in the Hamble River are sold and removed, the moorings should be lifted—beginning at the up-river end.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to stimulate international efforts, statistics may be published from time to time of the number of mines destroyed by different nations, including neutrals, since the Armistice?

The number of mines probably existing in the areas allocated to the different countries vary so greatly that, I am advised, no fair comparison can be drawn by statistical methods between the work of the countries concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether coast watchers are still being employed all round the British and Irish coasts in addition to the force of Coastguard; and what good purpose the former now serve?

Coast watchers are now being employed on the coast of Ireland only—all those on the coast of Great Britain were discharged on 14th January last. Coast watchers are still required to supplement the coastguard in Ireland, as the latter have been considerably reduced in numbers during the War, and it has not yet been possible to complete the force to full complement. It is, however, hoped to do so in the course of the next three months, and as additional Coastguard ratings are drafted to Ireland the number of coast watchers employed will be gradually reduced. The duties of the coast watchers in Ireland are many and varied. These duties include: Protection and salvage of wrecked property—Government and private; reporting of mines and taking steps to safeguard life in the event of a mine being washed ashore; keeping lookout for wrecks and vessels in distress; communicating with nearest lifeboat authorities in the event of shipwreck; assisting to work the life-saving apparatus when and where necessary; pro- tection of the Revenue; general assistance to the Coastguard in the performance of their duties.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he has received most urgent representations from the Convener of the county of Shetland and also from the acting Provost of Lerwick that, owing to the action of the Admiralty in requisitioning the "St. Ninian," the transport service between Shetland and the mainland is likely to be reduced to one steamer a week, and that the whole condition of the islands is seriously endangered?

Yes, Sir! And, as I have already informed my hon. Friend by letter, the only solution, so far as we are concerned, would be for the Admiralty to carry on, by Admiralty craft, the existing service which these vessels perform. I have asked whether this could be done, but am advised by the naval authorities that it is not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sapper V. E. P. Smith, No. 64840, L Signals, Army Post Office, S 117, Crater Exchange, Bapaume Area, has been refused demobilisation; and whether, seeing that this man enlisted in January, 1915, and has been wounded and gassed six times, he will cause immediate inquiries to be made?

If the date of Private Smith's enlistment is as stated, he will no doubt be demobilised in due course. Under the regulations in force due consideration is given to men of long service.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can release from the Army Private R. W. Liddel, No. 58461, 10th Platoon, C Company, 1/4th York and Lancaster Regiment, Cologne, Germany?

Inquiries are being made into the case of Private Liddel, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Corporal R. Middleton, No. 199056, Royal Air Force, No. 2 Cadet Wing, Somerset Barracks, Shorncliffe, who was passed into the Service contrary to the decision of the Stirlingshire Tribunal and has not been yet released, and is graded in Group 3?

I am having inquiries made as to whether Corporal Middleton is eligible for release, and I shall let my hon. Friend know the result. The Ministry of National Service are the authorities concerned in passing men for service, and no notification has been received from that Ministry regarding the tribunal decision mentioned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that his officers are counting the day on which a soldier is demobilised as one of the twenty-eight days to which he is entitled as furlough; whether he is aware that men are frequently demobilised late in the day; and whether he will issue instructions that only days which are free from military duty or attendance shall be counted as part of the demobilisation furlough?

The practice in the Post Office is to count the date shown on the protection certificate as the first of the twenty-eight days' demobilisation furlough. I am consulting the War Office as to the continuance of this practice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man transferred to Class W of the Reserve is considered to be a civilian or a soldier?

A Reservist in Class W cannot strictly speaking be called either a soldier or a civilian, but while permitted to remain in Reserve he is not subject to military discipline. He is, however, liable at any time to be recalled to the Colours for service as a soldier.

asked the Secretary of State for War if an officer of the Special Reserve, Territorial Force or New Army, who during his service had held acting rank from time to time for periods exceeding six months in the aggregate is entitled to retain this rank on demobilisation?

The answer is in the negative, so long as an officer retains his commission on the Active List. The conditions under which retention of rank is granted are laid down in Army Order 376 of 1918. Under this Army Order an officer can only be granted rank on the termination of his commission or relegation to unemployment. To grant such rank to an officer holding a permanent commission in the Special Reserve or Territorial Force on demobilisation would involve the supersession of his brother officers who continued to serve. The same would apply in the case of an officer holding a temporary commission if enhanced rank were granted before he actually relinquished his commission.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and other ranks of the Army of Occupation in Egypt and Palestine are granted leave to the United Kingdom at regular intervals; and what is the average period during which officers and other ranks have been without such leave?

It is hoped that officers and other ranks of the Army of Occupation in Egypt and Palestine will be granted leave for exactly the same period as is being granted to officers and other ranks of the Army of Occupation in Germany, i.e., twenty-eight days in the United Kingdom every year. At the present time, however, owing to lack of transport, and the amount of accommodation on these transports which is necessarily required for demobilisation, it is not possible to grant them leave in every case. I regret that I am unable to state the average period during which officers and other ranks have been in Egypt or Palestine without leave, and this could only be ascertained by reference to the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling of injustice felt among those soldiers who landed in France in August, 1914, and before 22nd November, 1914, owing to the fact that the Star issued to them for this service has been, much depreciated in value by its distinctive ribbon being used in the new 1914–15 Star; and whether he proposes to take any action in regard thereto?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can hold out any hope that the position of interpreters will be reconsidered, with a view to improving their conditions of service, especially with regard to war gratuities?

If, as I understand, the question refers to interpreters at prisoner of war camps, I have already set on foot an inquiry into the circumstances, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the pay office No. 1 at Hounslow wounded soldiers are being dismissed and women retained; and whether it is the policy of the Government that wherever possible wounded soldiers should be retained in the public service?

In the course of the reduction of staffs now in progress some ex-soldiers who were specially taken on to meet the temporary pressure of demobilisation are being discharged, as well as larger numbers of women. Many women clerks are serving under special arrangements extending beyond the termination of the War, and the retention of highly-trained personnel is essential to the efficiency of the pay offices. Subject to these considerations, preference is given to ex-soldiers in determining retention.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that so many of the officers of the new Regular Army have risen from the ranks, it will be made possible for married officers to live out of barracks and draw full allowances and be exempt from mess charges and other expenses connected with the mode of living which was customary among Regular officers of the old Army, who generally had private incomes?

These points are not being overlooked in the general review of conditions of service in the Army which is now in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that storeholders and foremen of the Army Ordnance Department at Aldershot who have worked five hours per week over-time receive no extra pay for so doing?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my Noble Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Conciliation and Arbitration Board granted an increase on war bonus to date back from 1st November, 1918, and that the storeholders, principal foremen, and foremen of the Army Ordnance Department at Aldershot have only received the increase since January and February, 1919; and whether he can state why labourers should receive an increase of 3s. more than foremen?

The award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board mentioned by my Noble Friend is not applicable to storeholders, principal foremen and foremen in Army Ordnance Depots. I will have inquiries made as to the war advances of the foremen in the Aldershot depot and let him know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will state the names and qualifications of the Standing Committee which has been appointed to watch the working of orders regarding civil aviation?

The Committee has been approved as stated in a reply to the hon. Member for East Islington on the 31st ultimo. Its constitution is under consideration.

asked the Pensions Minister under which article of the Pay Warrant a man who on transfer to Class W of the Reserve meets with an accident admittedly due to the disability which occasioned his transfer to Class W of the Reserve is regarded as being ineligible for pension?

Men were not transferred to Class W of the Reserve on account of disability, but because they were deemed to be of more use in a civil than in a military capacity Under the Royal Warrants only disabilities attributable to or aggravated by service can be accepted for pension, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the case to which he refers I will have inquiry made.

asked the Pensions Minister by whose instructions or upon whose authority men transferred to Class Z of the Reserve are refused treatment or training by the local committees?

Local committees have been instructed, in a circular of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, that they can obtain treatment for men in Class Z in anticipation of the award of pension, on the certificate of their medical referee that the disability is due to service. Demobilised men cannot be given treatment at the expense of the Ministry for disabilities not connected with their service. Training is given under the Warrant only to men who have been pensioned for disabilities, and it would not be practicable to put a demobilised man into training until it is definitely settled that he is entitled to it.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware of the hardship undergone by soldiers disabled in former wars owing to insufficiency of pension under existing circumstances; and whether he can see his way to treat these men in the same way as those disabled in the late war?

Men disabled in former wars already have their pensions raised to present-war rates if they are totally incapacitated by disabilities wholly due to service, or if they had wounds or injuries corresponding to those specified in the First Schedule of the Royal Warrant of 17th April, 1918, and to the pensions so raised the war bonus of 20 per cent. is added. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend copies of the Warrants in which these benefits are embodied.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether skilled telegraphists in the Royal Engineers (Signal Service) who joined from the Post Office will receive the war gratuity; and, if not, why it is refused?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pontypool by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 20th ultimo.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Captain Cecil Owen Gray, attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps, who was granted an allowance of £40 per annum by the Civil Liabilities Committee; whether he is aware that this allowance was subsequently cancelled, subject to appeal on the ground that he was in receipt of a family allowance; that this officer has made repeated applications to the secretary of the committee for leave to appeal; and that no notice has been taken of these applications; and whether he will give directions that the officer's appeal may be considered forthwith?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that the Grant of £40 per annum which was awarded to Captain Cecil Gray was withdrawn at the beginning of last year, when all Grants to officers were reconsidered, in view of the provision of children's allowances. The Civil Liabilities Committee is empowered to give assistance only in cases of serious financial hardship due to an applicant having undertaken military service. On the reconsideration of Captain Gray's case, the Committee, having regard to his income before and after joining His Majesty's Forces, were unable to consider that there was any longer in his case such serious financial hardship due to his military service as would justify them in continuing the Grant. I understand that Captain Gray's letters have been answered by the Committee, and that the grounds of the Committee's decision in his case have been communicated to him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is now in a position to state what arrangements have been made, in connection with the closing of certain manufacturing departments at Woolwich Arsenal for stocktaking, to secure provision for employés who, as a consequence, are being stood off from work and to secure equality of treatment?

I am in consultation on this subject with the authorities concerned, but I am not able to make any statement at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a well-known firm of railway engineers in February, 1918, offered to build the projected railway line between Nakuru and Mumias, in Britsh East Africa, a distance of 205 miles, and to procure the entire capital necessary for completing the survey, purchasing material, and building such railway upon terms set out in their offer; whether such offer received the emphatic support of the then acting Governor of the Protectorate, but was refused consideration by the then Secretary of State for the Colonies until after the War; and whether, in view of the fact that the railway is urgently required for the development of the country and for the transport of foodstuffs, he will direct an immediate inquiry to be made as to whether the acceptance of such offer would be of great advantage to this promising Colony?

The facts I are generally as stated in the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question. There is no doubt that the development of the Protectorate would be greatly assisted by this and other capital works which are in contemplation, and the whole question of capital expenditure is now receiving the earnest consideration of the Secretary of State.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Government proposes to issue a national peace medallion for distribution to school children; and, if so, whether arrangements could be made for it to be struck by the hundred thousand and sold at cost price to the local education authorities who might wish for them?

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind, but I have no evidence of a general desire on the part of local education authorities for the provision of such medals. I understand that it would not be practicable for medals for this purpose to be struck by the Royal Mint, the resources of which are already taxed to the uttermost.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a deputation representative of the Cyclists' Touring Club with regard to the present Regulation for the carrying of a rear light on cycles; whether he has considered the representations then made; and whether, as a result, he is prepared to repeal the Regulation in question?

A deputation was received by one of the Assistant Secretaries on the 12th March. I have carefully considered the representations which the deputation submitted, and I regret that, pending legislation on the subject of lights on vehicles, I do not see my way to relax the requirements of the present Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government are considering the advisability of recognising in any way the valuable services that the London firemen and the West Ham firemen rendered during all the emeny air raids previous to the Armistice being signed; and whether the Government will, at the same time, consider the question of recognising the valuable services rendered by the various turncocks working for the Metropolitan Water Board?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Leith on the 24th March, the claims of firemen who have served under conditions of special danger will not be overlooked; the turncocks also will be borne in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that A. K. Brown, a conscientious objector at present in Birmingham Civil Prison, who has already served three sentences of imprisonment, is now in a very serious state of health, being troubled with insomnia, constipation, and throat trouble; and whether he will call for a Report?

I have obtained a medical report in this case. The prisoner is not very robust and suffers from slight throat trouble, but he has no serious illness such as would justify interference with his sentence.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that D. Gillingham, a conscientious objector, who has been in prison or detention for nearly three years, is now in Wands worth Prison in a serious state of health, and appears to be suffering from hæmorrhage of the lungs; and whether he will now call for a report?

The medical officer reports that this prisoner is not in a serious state of health, and has had no hæmorrhage of the lungs. He is in hospital with a slight attack of influenza, but is recovering, and will leave the hospital as soon as the weather improves.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that R. A. Jones, a conscientious objector, who was sentenced in April, 1918, to a second term of two years' hard labour which he is now serving in Walton Gaol, Liverpool, has been confined for many months to his cell and is not being allowed any privileges such as letters, or visits, or even exercise, and is not permitted to attend any religious service; and whether he will investigate the case and call for a report as to this man's health?

This prisoner refuses to do any work in prison and has consequently forfeited the privileges of letters and visits. He has also refused on several occasions to take exercise. He attends the weekly Wesleyan service. The medical officer reports that he has been admitted to hospital with symptoms of indigestion, but otherwise he has no illness.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant a period of furlough to Private A. Kemble, No. 3160, 5th Southern Company, Non-Combatant Corps, a conscientious objector who has been court-martialled three times and was released on the 20th March at the completion of a sentence of two years' hard labour, and whose wife and three children are seriously ill?

Furlough is a privilege which is granted to well-conducted soldiers. A soldier, therefore, who defies all authority and refuses to subject himself to the conditions under which other soldiers serve, cannot expect to be accorded such a privilege. In the event of the dangerous illness of relatives, a commanding officer would, I think, be justified in considering whether under those very special circumstances the soldier concerned might be given the opportunity of seeing such relatives. If, therefore, Private Kemble's relatives are dangerously ill, he should apply to his commanding officer for such consideration as the latter may be able to afford.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the decision of Justices Darling, Avory, and Sankey, 26th October, 1917, in the case of Marshall v. Malcolm, and in view of the many cases somewhat similar, and of extreme hardship now coming before, magistrates as a result of the War, he will take any action to bring about such amendment of Section 3 of the Bastardy Laws Amendment Act, 1872, so that a married woman might secure an order on proof that she was living separate and apart from her husband at the time of conception?

This matter is receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary on which police authority does the liability rest with respect to the pension granted to the widows of policemen under the Police Act, 1918, in the case of a police pensioner who, on 1st September last, was serving in a police force other than the force from which he was pensioned; and whether, seeing that there is some doubt in the matter, he will issue instructions for the guidance of police authorities?

The matter is not one on which I have any authority to issue instructions to the police. The question raised is a legal one which can be decided authoritatively only by Court of law, but where the Home Office has been asked by police authorities for guidance, I have been willing to say that, in my opinion, if the pensioner dies while serving, the police authority by which he was reengaged is liable for the widow's pension, if he dies after his service has ceased, the police authority from whom he drew his pension, become liable.

asked the Home whether he is aware that Clause 3, Subsection (3), of the Ministry of Health Bill, while declaring the intention of abolishing the guardians and transferring their powers, says nothing about transferring their duties and preserving the legal right of the necessitous to relief whether, seeing that restitution is one of the great causes of larceny and other robberies, the Government have, any intention of recognising the statutory right to relief; and whether, having regard to the general unrest prevailing in this country, he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The points mentioned by the hon. Member will not be lost sight of in any proposals which may be made for legislation transferring the functions of boards of guardians to other authorities.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many building schemes have been submitted by local authorities for the approval of the Board; and how many of the schemes that have been submitted have received the approval of the Board?

Proposals for housing schemes have been submitted to the Local Government Board by 352 local authorities. A large proportion of these proposals are for the acquisition of sites, but ninety-five local authorities have submitted plans for houses and forty-four schemes have been approved.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the present scarcity of bricks, the use of reinforced concrete or other substitutes for building purposes has been considered; and, if so, what steps are being taken to ensure sufficient supplies of this material to enable building to be resumed forthwith?

Steps have been taken to stimulate the production of large quantities of bricks, and the question of being reinforced concrete or other substitutes is also receiving consideration. It is hot anticipated that there will be any shortage of cement and the Ministry of Munitions are taking measures to ensure an adequate supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Departmental Committee appointed in May, 1914, to inquire into the working of the Railway Employment (Prevention of Accident) Act, 1900, has presented a Report or reported the evidence taken; if so, whether the Report and evidence will be published; and whether the Board of Trade has expressed any opinion as to the further prosecution of this inquiry?

The Committee referred to have presented a Report and have reported the evidence taken by them, and they have asked whether the Board of Trade consider it inexpedient and impracticable to resume the inquiry under present circumstances. My right hon. Friend has answered this question in the affirmative. I doubt whether there would be any advantage in publishing the Report or the evidence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now prepared to publish a statement showing the result of the operations of the Government war risk scheme and the Government aircraft insurance scheme?

A preliminary statement of results of the Government war insurance schemes was presented to the House on 31st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if Captain W. R. Crow, late of the Timber Supply Department, had any previous experience of the box-board business prior to his employment with the Timber Supply Department, and is he aware that he is now being permitted to utilise information gained by him whilst in Government employ for his own gain, and thereby committing a breach of the Official Secrets Act?

The Timber Controller is not aware of the precise nature of Captain Crow's experience, if any, in the box-board business. He joined the Timber Supply Department to conduct the section dealing with the distribution of homegrown and imported timber in this country. I do not think that any question of a breach of the Official Secrets Act can arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what in the estimated extra cost to the railways of the latest concessions in pay and hours made to the coal trade; what is the extra cost of the latest concessions made to the railway workers, giving the figures for 1919–20 and 1920–21, or other convenient periods, having regard to the time element in the concessions; and whether This cost is additional to the estimated loss on the railways of 90 to 100 millions sterling?

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate the difficulty of giving even a rough estimate of the future effect which the considerations referred to may have on the cost of working the rail ways. The figures already given are an approximate estimate of the possible loss to the State on the working of the railways during the present year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the railway companies to reopen South Bermondsey, Southwark Park, and Spa Road Stations, owing, amongst other factors, to their opinion that the provision of facilities for short-distance passenger traffic is outside their responsibilities; and whether he can take any steps to secure that the people of Bermondsey are provided with some means of travelling between their homes and work?

I am afraid I am not in a position to add to the letter which I recently wrote to the hon. Gentleman in regard to the possibility of reopening these stations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of coal has been exported from this country since the coal-rationing system was introduced; to which countries it has been consigned and the amount so consigned to each country?

As the answer involves a long list of figures, I propose, with the hon. Gentleman's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer circulated:

It is presumed that by the "coal-rationing system," the hon. Member means the Household Fuel and Lighting Order of 1st July, 1918. The total quantity of coal exported from this country under licence from that date to the end of February, 1919, was as follows: British Possessions 1,728,027 France and French Possessions 11,296,369 Italy 2,264,492 Portugal and Portuguese Possessions 157,768 South America 287,353 Sweden 671,096 Norway 746,600 Denmark 697,610 Holland 79,328 Spain 313,074 Other Destinations 214,692 Total 18,456,409

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a discharged and disabled sailor or soldier, who before enlistment was a Customs and Excise officer, is ineligible for reappointment, although physically and mentally capable, unless and until he has received a pension in respect of the disability for which he was discharged from the Service?

The general Regulations for the Civil Service provide that the posts of Civil servants who enlisted with the permission of the heads of their Department shall be kept open for them on their discharge from His Majesty's Forces. No condition as to pension has been imposed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Ellen Hoggarth, of Preston; whether he is aware that the woman was in receipt of the out-of-work donation; that she sought and obtained a position in a card room to learn as a drawing tenter without pay, on the understanding that as soon as she was proficient and the firm opened another mill, which they proposed to do very shortly, she would be given employment; that although the firm certified as to these facts to the manager of the Employment Exchange, the woman's donation was suspended; whether this is a correct interpretation of the Regulations; and, if so, whether, with a view to inducing persons in receipt of donation to seek openings whereby they may ultimately secure remunerative employment, he will consider the advisability of altering the Regulations in this particular?

The facts are as stated in the question. The suspension of donation was in accordance with a decision given by the umpire in a parallel case. This decision is binding on the Department, and I could not support a modification of the conditions of the out-of-work donation scheme so as to provide for payment of donation in cases of the kind in question.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the present average weekly earnings in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively, in the following trades: cotton, woollen, boot and shoe, and hosiery trades?

A comparison of present earnings in the trades mentioned is not possible for the two countries, since the most recent official data available for the United States of America relate to the month of October, 1918. In that month the average weekly earnings recorded in the representative establishments furnishing returns were as far as money wages are concerned as follows: Cotton Industry, 33s. in the United Kingdom as compared with 64s. 7d. in the United States; Woollen and Worsted, 34s. 1d. as compared with 76s.; Hosiery, 28s. as compared with 60s. 10d., and Boot and Shoe, 37s. 11d. as compared with 78s. 10d. The figures given, however, are not really comparable even as money wages. As regards the cotton industry, for example, it is not possible to determine how far the difference between 33s. and 64s. 7d.—the respective weekly earnings—is due to differences in the proportions in which men, women and young persons are represented in the pay-rolls of the factories compared, or to differences in the extent to which overtime or short time was being worked in those factories at the period to which the comparison relates. It seems probable, moreover, that the comparison, if carried to a more recent month, would show somewhat different results. Thus, for the United Kingdom the weekly earnings in the cotton industry had risen by February, 1919, to 44s. 5d.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the weight of morphia dispatched by Parcels Post from London to Japan during 1918?

The records of the Post Office do not give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the ultimate reduction of hours in his Department, he will sympathetically consider the claims of those temporary postal workers who were debarred either by physical standard or age limit from serving in His Majesty's Army, with a view to employment of a permanent or un-established nature, thereby following the precedent created and set up by his predecessor at the termination of the late South African War to temporary postal workers employed during that period on similar duties; whether he will now consider the advisability of including the temporary porters employed by his Department in the London area on the same basis as granted to other temporary grades in the agreement of the 31st of January last; whether dockers employed on similar postal duties are receiving on an average 10s. more per week in wages; whether there is growing discontent among the men concerned at this injustice; and, if so, will he immediately take steps to concede their moderate request for 2s. extra weekly to those men of three years' service and upwards?

In view of the greater claims of the men who have served with the forces, I regret that I am unable to hold out a prospect of permanent employment to the temporary postal workers who have not so served. The association representing the temporary porters has been informed that the arrangement under which an increase of 2s. a week was granted to members of certain temporary indoor classes who had rendered three years' service could not be extended to other classes paid on a different basis. The increase was given in pursuance of an understanding arrived at in July of last year; the scope of this understanding was clearly defined at the time, and it was never intended that it should be applicable to classes other than those then concerned. The dockers referred to work longer hours and perform heavier duties than the temporary porters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are two classes of temporary workers in the Manchester sorting office; whether the full-time temporary employés are dependent upon their earnings in the post office, whilst the part-time temporary workers have full-time occupations of a lucrative character outside; whether the Post Office is retaining the persons who have incomes from other sources, and is dismissing the persons who have no income apart from their Post Office earnings; whether the widows of soldiers are being dismissed while established Civil servants from other departments are being kept as part-time Post Office employés for pocket-money wages; and whether he will give immediate instructions that men with full-time occupations elsewhere shall be dispensed with before any soldier's widow is thrown on to the labour market?

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

asked the Postmaster-General whether a number of postmasters are to be raised to the rank of postmaster-surveyors and new districts created; whether the surveyor's office for the West of Scotland is to be removed from Glasgow to Edinburgh; and whether, having regard to the effect of these changes on any scheme of reconstruction of postal services, he will state what further rearrangements are contemplated, and if the staff associations will be consulted or given an opportunity of expressing their views on the proposals?

Three postmaster-ships in England and one in Ireland are being converted into postmaster surveyor-ships, with control of the surrounding districts. No such change is taking place in Scotland; but in connection with a reorganisation of the higher controlling staff of the Post Office in that country, the staff attached to the Surveyor of the West Scotland District will be moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh. No further arrangements of the kind are in contemplation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Government have acquired 30,000 tons of potash from Germany and are about to dispose of it; whether it is to be sold through the Department or through ordinary business channels; and whether farmers are to have some preference when buying it?

The subject to which my hon. Friend refers is under consideration, and I am not able at present to make any announcement thereon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Regulations governing the quarantine of dogs may be so amended as to cause the least possible financial loss and inconvenience to officers and men of the Expeditionary Forces who wish to bring their dogs to this country; and whether he is aware of the fees that are being charged by authorised veterinary surgeons throughout the country which tend to prevent any private soldier complying with the Regulations for six months' quarantine without suffering grave financial loss?

The Regulations referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend require that an imported dog shall be detained and isolated for six months on veterinary premises approved by the Board. In view of the danger of the further spread of rabies I, can hold out no hope of any modification of these requirements, which undoubtedly entail heavy charges for the maintenance of the dogs. The R.S.P C.A. and the Dumb Friends' League have, however, initiated schemes, which have received the Board's approval, whereby a certain number of soldiers' dogs can be quarantined at a very small charge to the owner. From the figures available it does not appear that private soldiers are making full use of these facilities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, as representing the Department of Woods and Forests, if he will state the names and extent of the estates and farms in the county of Caithness owned or administered by this Department; what amount in acres of this land has been divided up for small holdings; and what proposals this Department has for conversion of the tracts in Caithness under its control into small holdings for soldiers, etc.?

The names and extent of the estates belonging to the Crown in the county of Caithness under the charge of the President of the Board of Agriculture, as Commissioner of Woods, are as follows: Acres. Dorrery … 7,603 Dounreay … 3,162 Lythmore … 1,050 Stemster … 675 Scotscalder … 13,600 Total … 26,090 Of this land, 2,461 acres on the Scots calder estate are held as small holdings, and the conversion into small holdings of another farm on the same estate containing 348 acres is under consideration. On the Dounreay estate a farm containing 604 acres is in process of division by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and another farm containing 937 acres will be available for that purpose shortly. Other farms on that estate will be taken over by the Scottish Board as and when the present leases fall in. The greater part of the Dorrery estate and over 6,000 acres of the Scotscalder estate consist of moor lands which are not suitable for small holdings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give the percentage of deaths by drowning, wreck, or other accidents in the fishing industry in the years 1912 and 1913 as compared with 1.27 per cent. and 1.74 per cent. respectively among persons employed underground in the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Figures for the calendar year are not available. For the year ending 30th June, 1913, the percent-age was.28 and for the year ending 30th June, 1914,.34.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the low speed of the "Norna," "Minna," "Freya," "Brenda," and "Vigilant," and their general inadequacy for policing duties, he will approach the Admiralty with a view to securing faster vessels, no longer required for war purposes, to replace these vessels?

The fishery cruisers are not, according to my information, of unduly low speed or inadequate for their duties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller when it is expected to publish a balance-sheet showing the result of the operations of the Ministry of Shipping?

The audited account of the receipts and expenditure of the Ministry of Shipping for the year to 31st March, 1918, is now in the printers' hands, and will be presented to the House shortly. The account for the year to 31st March, 1919, will be presented early in 1920 in accordance with the usual procedure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what was the freight of coal from Cardiff to Genoa for June, 1914, 1916, 1917, and 1918 respectively, and what was the average freight charged for coal during 1916, 1917, and 1918 from British ports to Uruguay, Chili, Portugal, Greece, and British India respectively?

The information desired by the hon. Member is being collected, and if he will be good enough to put down a question for a written reply in a few days' time, I shall be in a position to make a full statement.