asked the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been expended on providing cold storage in Devonport Dockyard for meat cargoes arriving at the port of Plymouth; whether there is any intention of abandoning the undertaking; and, if so, will he give reasons for taking such a course?

I have been asked to reply. The sum of £53,000 has been expended on the purpose in question. There is no intention of abandoning the undertaking at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will consider the case of national school teachers in Ireland who are teaching in schools of twenty to twenty-nine pupils average when he comes to deal with the broad question of education; is he aware that under the terms of the Killanin Report, if given effect to, these teachers should only receive a very low grade of salary and be deprived of all capitation grants; and will he bear in mind that these are confined very largely to sparsely populated rural districts where there is not much hope of promotion?

The Report and recommendations of the Vice-Regal Committee on Primary Education, to which the question has reference, are at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Treasury will be in a position to give Grants for the erection of national schools and also for teachers' residences; whether he is aware that the national school with Roll No. 5,236, county Down, is in an insanitary condition, that the teacher's residence in connection with the same is unfit for habitation, that the bedrooms contain no fireplaces, that the average height of the bedrooms is 4 feet 6 inches, and that teachers cannot get a house in the locality; whether he will, in view of the condition of this residence, give a Grant at once for the erection of a suitable teachers' residence; and whether he will ask the Commissioners of National Education to publish the rules governing the special promotion of national teachers?

With regard to the first part of the question I am in communication with the Treasury on the subject. The condition of the school-house referred to in the question has recently been brought under the notice of the Commissioners of National Education by the Newry Rural District Council and their local inspector has been instructed to furnish a report on the matter. The Commissioners have no information as to the condition of the teacher's residence which was not provided from State funds. They are not at present in a position to give any aid towards the provision of a suitable teacher's residence at this place.

The question of the publication of the rules governing the special promotion of national teachers is at present engaging attention.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the farming community in Ireland as to the manner in which flax is graded for purchase in the open markets, and of the demand made by the farmers' unions that, in order to restore confidence in the flax-growing scheme of the Government, equal representation should be given to farmers appointed by the farmers' unions as to those members appointed by the Government on the board of the Flax Supply Committee?

Various farming associations and other bodies have protested to the Department of Agriculture against the system of flax-grading which obtained for some weeks at the beginning of this year. The Department communicated on the subject with the Flax Supplies Committee (appointed under the Ministry of Munitions) by whom the work of grading is directed. It is understood that that Committee took steps to obviate further grounds for complaint in the matter. The constitution of the Committee is not primarily a question for the Department, but it is their intention to bring under the consideration of the authorities the demand for additional representation of farmers on the Committee.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that men employed at the Royal Naval Ordnance Depot, near Stirling, who live more than three miles from their work, are not receiving the 6d. per day inconvenience money which is paid to men similarly situated at Rosyth, Crombie, and Invergordon; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

The 6d. per day "inconvenience" money referred to in my hon. Friend's question was authorised for workmen employed at Rosyth and Crombie who are compelled to reside more than three miles from the Admiralty establishments at those places. Inquiries are being made in order that it may be determined whether the circumstances warrant the payment of this allowance also to their workmen employed at Bandeath. I will communicate later with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will favourably consider the demobilisation of Private William Davie, Machine Gun Corps, British Expeditionary Force, France, in view of the fact that his services are very urgently required by the County Council of Orkney?

If my hon. Friend will supply me with Private Davie's regimental number, age, and date of joining for service, inquiries will be made into this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention was called in February last to the case of Private A. Wylie, No. 031772, Royal Army Ordnance Corps; whether Private Wylic joined the Service on 1st June, 1917, and in December, 1918, was given fourteen days' special leave on his mother's death and in order to sell her business, that of Messrs. Hugh Wylie and Sons, dealers in hardware, glass, etc., High Street, Easing ton Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, county Durham; whether Private Wylie bought the business, which is now being kept on by his wife but will have to be closed down unless Private Wylie can be released, though such closing would be most detrimental to the neighbourhood; and whether it is possible to discharge this soldier?

As Private Wylie did not join the Colours till June, 1917, he is not eligible for demobilisation. All the circumstances of this case have been carefully considered, and I regret that it is not considered one of such extreme urgency as to warrant immediate demobilisation on compassionate grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Cecil Blows, No. 83513, is still being retained in the Royal Defence Corps. No. 457 Company, North Dublin Union Barracks, Dublin, in spite of the fact that he joined up in 1914 and is not required for the military machinery of demobilisation, and that, although repeated applications have been made to his officer commanding, he has to see men who joined up later than he and signed their discharge papers on the same day being released; and whether, seeing that this man has served his country well and has been twice severely wounded, he will give instructions for his immediate release?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private B. Owen, Unit 145, S Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, now at Mechernich, Germany, enlisted in 1915; that he has a wife and three children; that he has applied several times for demobilisation so that he may resume his previous occupation as auctioneer; and that he can get no reply to his requests; and whether immediate steps will be taken to release this man under Army Order XIV., 1919?

If Private Owen enlisted for continuous service in 1915 he is eligible for demobilisation. There is no trace of any application regarding him having been received by the War Office, but if my hon. Friend will supply me with Private Owen's regimental number I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether W. R. Wallis, No. S/294995, Army Service Corps, aged thirty-nine, married, who attested in 1915, joined up in 1917, and served in France for two years, can now be demobilised so as to attend to his business as a solicitor's manager at Cambridge?

I am informed that Private Wallis is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, and that there is no trace of an application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. If this man's age is as stated, he is eligible for demobilisation, and he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of and above the rank of brigadier-general were on the active list and serving on full pay in the British Army on 11th November, 1918?

The number is 1,010.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 1914–15 cross ranks as a war medal?

The 1914–15 star will rank as a war medal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received dispatches dealing with operations up to the time of the Armistice from the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief in Palestine and/or Mesopotamia?

A dispatch dealing with operations in Mesopotamia covering the period in question has been recently received and will be published shortly. A dispatch for this period from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Egyptian Expeditionary Force was published in the "London Gazette" of the 30th December.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many officers are purchasing optical and photographic goods in Germany and importing them as personal luggage into this country for resale; and, as trading with the enemy is still illegal, whether he will issue further orders to troops on this matter or have baggage searched, in view of the fact that the legitimate trader is seriously handicapped by the growth of this practice?

I am not aware of this, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will give me details of specific cases, and the evidence which leads him to think the practice is as widespread as he suggests, I will consider the desirability of instituting inquiries into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that clothes supplied by the Government to demobilised soldiers are made by the firm of S. Schneiders and Sons; and if he will state the nationality of the members of that firm?

The firm referred to in my hon. Friend's question are now engaged on a contract for discharged soldiers' clothing. With the exception of Mr. M. Schneiders, who was born in Amsterdam in 1843, came to England with his parents in 1844, and was naturalised in August, 1909, all the partners in the firm are British born.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Legion of Frontiersmen, when they were transferred to the Royal Fusiliers and sent to East Africa, were promised tropical pay of 3s. 6d. a day; and, if so, whether such payment has yet been received?

I have no knowledge of any such promise having been given, but if my hon. Friend will send me the particulars he has before him I will look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether, although all other officers in the Army during the present War on appointment to higher acting rank or promotion to higher rank have received the pay of that rank from the date of their promotion, quartermasters have not been treated in this way and have had no increase of pay for higher services rendered until they have served five years; and, if so, in view of the fact that so many temporary quartermasters will be demobilised before they have completed their five years' service, will he arrange that in future quartermasters shall receive pay according to the rank in which they are serving?

Generally speaking, quartermaster's duties do not change from beginning to end of his service; and his pay therefore has always progressed with length of service, irrespective of his rank. But where specially valuable or distinguished services are rendered, recognition takes the form of increase of pay with or without a step or rank. In giving captain's rank automatically after three years' service, it was decided, after full consideration, not to alter the normal scale of pay. The whole question will come up for review in connection with the emoluments of the future Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that C. Barclay, W.R./506,047, Royal Engineers, Inland Water Transport Section, joined the Army about 2nd February, 1917, in Winnipeg, Canada; whether a Mr. Grantham, acting on behalf of Major Owen, recruiting officer, Drummond Buildings, Montreal, promised him the rank of quartermaster-sergeant, with pay at 5s. 8d. per day, of which an assignment of 2s. 10d. per day was to be paid to his wife; that on his arrival in England he was informed that his pay was 3s. 2d. per day, with the rank of sapper, and that his allotment would be 2s. 4d. instead of 2s. 10d. per day; that he protested against the breaking of his enlistment agreement, with the result that his pay-book was made out showing an allotment of 2s. 10d. per day, signed by Lieutenant D. H. Griffiths, Royal Engineers, Sandwich, Kent, on 7th April, 1917; that the agreed amount has never been paid, although Mr. Barclay was informed on the 3rd of October, 1918, by the Manitoba Patriotic Fund, Winnipeg, that their records, taken from the enlistment certificate, certified him as holding the rank of acting-sergeant, and that his assignment was one-half of his daily pay, and that Mr. Grantham wrote the words the allotment being one-half of daily pay 2s. 10d. on his allotment papers; and whether he will have the original allotment papers examined and the contract agreed to on behalf of the recruiting officer carried out, in justice to a soldier who left a position with good pay upon the representations of the recruiting officials?

I am informed that the case to which the hon. Member refers has already been carefully investigated, and it has been definitely ascertained from the recruiting authorities in Canada that Sapper Barclay was not recommended for non-commissioned rank, and that his assertions in regard to the rate of pay promised to him on enlistment proved on investigation to be without foundation. I understand that atlhough the original allotment papers showed an erroneous amount of 2s. 10d., this was altered to the correct rate of 2s. 4d. by the recruiting authorites in Canada at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Staff-Sergeant B. Harris, No. 90054, B Battery, 342nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Loddon, Norfolk, made application for his service during the War to count so that he may complete his twenty-one years' service and thereby qualify for a pension; and whether such application can be granted?

I am having inquiry made into this case, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended that paragraph 4 of Army Order II. of 11th March should apply to subalterns who have held the unpaid acting rank of captain whilst holding the appointment of adjutant overseas; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that such subalterns were debarred from their appointment from being granted one of the paid additional acting captaincies allowed to a battalion, he is willing to recommend that the gratuity of such officers should be assessed either on the pay of a captain or on the pay of a lieutenant, plus adjutant's allowances, in cases where the appointment has been held for not less than 182 days?

As stated in paragraph 4 of Army Order II. of 11th March, paid acting rank only is taken into account. I am afraid that neither of the alternatives suggested can be adopted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, to the knowledge of the Ministry of Munitions, W. H. Muller and Company have throughout the period of control shipped ore purchased abroad by individuals excluded from the approved list of ore charterers, and if any other neutral firms carrying on business in London, and on the approved list of ore charterers, have similarly acted as shippers so as to evade the control over firms excluded from the approved list of charterers entitled to claim subsidised tonnage?

Messrs. W. H. Muller and Company are not on the approved list of merchants, but Messrs. W. H. Muller and Company (London), Limited, are on the approved list. I have no information on the point referred to in the first part of the question. There is one doubtful case, of the kind referred to in the second part of the question, which is at present sub judice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he can state the estimated cost per ton of the freight subsidy on iron ore in excess of parity rates of freight in 1918; whether the Ministry of Munitions in 1918 approved the supply of subsidised tonnage at a cost of upwards of £500,000 for W. H. Muller and Company, of London or the Hague, in respect of over 15,000 tons of Bilbao ore bought by them as merchants from Spanish mine-owners for resale in the United Kingdom; and whether at that time the Ministry of Munitions and the Ministry of Shipping were unable to fully supply British mine-owners and merchants with the tonnage necessary to maintain their outputs or fulfil their engagements?

The freight subsidy in 1918 varied according to the port of shipment and the port of destination. It is difficult to give an exact estimate, but £3 per ton excess over parity rates would be a fair approximation. Tonnage was not allocated to any particular firm of shippers. Ironmasters applying for tonnage to the official ore broker to bring forward their purchases from any firm on the approved list received the consideration that the state of their stocks demanded.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he will submit a statement of tonnage loaded with iron-ore from North Spanish ports and Medi- terranean ports, respectively, by each firm on the approved list during the period of control of ore freights, and show which of the shippers were mine owners, merchants, or commission agents acting for principals trading or domiciled abroad and not liable for British taxation of profits?

The information is not available in the form asked for by my hon. Friend. The approved list of iron-ore merchants only recognised principals, and requests by agents to be placed on the list were refused. All firms on the approved list have a British domicile, and are therefore liable for taxation under the ordinary law of the land.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in the public interest, presentations of specimens of war material could be made out of the large surplus stocks at the Ministry to the War Memorial Museums in Hull and other centres in the country?

Applications for the war trophies and specimens of war material for exhibitions and museums should be addressed to the War Office. I am passing my hon. and gallant Friend's question to that Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that the police force at Gretna still consists of 450 men, while the number of workers is reduced to 3,000, and that this police force has recruited 35 men during the last two months?

The police force at Gretna now numbers 431. Whilst it is true that the number of workers has been considerably reduced, it has not been possible to make a corresponding reduction in the police force, as the duties of the force extend to the Gretna Special Police area, which covers nearly 100 square miles and has a population of 20,000, apart from workers at the factory. But I am considering whether it is not possible to effect a reduction in the present strength of the force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware that no definite reply has been given by the officer in charge of the Casualties Department, Royal Air Force, to Mr. E. H. R. Stephens, of 21, Clarendon Gardens, Ilford, respecting the proved death and burial of his son, Second-Lieutenant D. E. Stephens, to enable him to settle his affairs, and also not to be in the position of having to continue payment of his life insurance premium, etc.; and will he make inquiries into the matter?

In cases where there is no certain evidence of the death of an officer, but where the facts would appear to establish a presumption of death, the regular practice based on legal advice is to forward to the next-of-kin a letter stating that death has been presumed. Such a letter was sent to Mr. Stephens at the address mentioned in the question on the 26th February last. I am having the case investigated with a view to ascertaining whether anything further can be done.

asked the Minister of National Service what was the total number of protection certificates from military service granted in the United Kingdom to employés of industrial co-operative societies after the issuing of the National Service Instruction, No. 123, of 4th July, 1918, which gave concessions to this particular class of traders?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. As I explained on a former occasion, National Service Order 123 of 1918 did not give concessions to the employés of industrial co-operative societies, but was designed to protect the retail distribution of food from dislocation through the ordinary working of the recruiting machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state exactly how many additional steamers have been allotted to the Bombay run by the Ministry of Shipping and how many passengers will be carried by these ships; also how many passengers it is estimated will be carried respectively by the regular steamship lines actively co-operating, the smaller boats of the Peninsular and Oriental and British India Companies, and the prize ships that are to be similarly employed; and whether any further reduction beyond the lately announced 20 per cent. in the cost of these passages will be allowed on these ships?

I have been asked to reply. The following is a summary of the special arrangements made up to the present for passengers from India in order to get them home before the hot weather: Accommodation provided in troopships brought home from Australia viâ India 1,200 Three ships specially sent to India 1,500 Three Prize ships 200 Additional accommodation in four Peninsular and Oriental and British India ships 1,000 Additional accommodation in a Bibby Line ship 105 R.I.M.S. "Dufferin" 500 Ambulance Transports over 300

A recent telegram from India states that all urgent cases are now provided for, except about 800, for whom another ship is being sent specially to India. It should be added that the above relates only to ships expected to leave India during April, and that the diversion viâ India of troopships homeward bound from Australia and the use of prizeships will be continued in order to provide for as many as possible of the remaining passengers, whose conveyance is, however, less urgent. I am informed that there is no prospect of any further reduction in rates.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a resolution passed by the magistrates for the county borough of Burnley to the effect that, having regard to the hardship imposed upon poor women who are compelled to take proceedings against soldiers or sailors for the maintenance of themselves or children, the justices of this county borough respectfully suggest to the Secre- tary of State for the Home Department that the law should be amended so as to relieve women of the obligation to pay the railway fares and expenses of soldiers and sailors to enable them to attend the hearing of the cases, as provided by the Army Act, 1881, and the Naval Discipline (No. 2) Act, 1915; and whether he will favourably consider taking action in the direction recommended?

I am unable to add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to a similar question on Thursday last.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the local board of guardians of Walstanton and Burslem, and supported by the Stoke-upon-Trent Union, to the effect that experienced guardians of the poor, and their chief officers, should be represented as members of any consultative council giving advice and assistance in connection with such matters affecting, or incidental to, the health of the people as may be referred to in the Order in Council by which it is established; and whether, in view of the great experience of these bodies, he can favourably consider their request to have direct representatives on the Consultative Council to be established?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 2nd instant to a somewhat similar question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he has considered the Report of the Road Board upon the proposed Western Avenue recommended by the London Arterial Road Conference, dated July, 1918; and, if so, whether the Board have decided to adopt any of the recommendations made in paragraph 23 of that Report; (2) whether he is prepared to propose an Amendment to the Housing Bill now before Parliament to enable the Board to form joint committees of local authorities to undertake financial and executive responsibility for the construction of the Western Avenue and roads of a similar character which would pass through the area of several local authorities?

It will be convenient to reply to this and the succeeding question together. I have seen the Report of the Road Board. Action in connection with it has been deferred in view of the proposed establishment of the Ministry of Ways and Communications which will take over a large part of jurisdiction of the Local Government Board in relation to highways, which will clearly require to be consulted. I think it will be better to deal with Amendments to the Housing Bill in the discussions on the Bill rather than by question and answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether "Unis," the mark of the Association of French Manufacturers, is registered in this country; and, if not, what is the position with regard to any application relating thereto?

Applications have been made under the provisions of Section 62 of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, for the registration as a trade mark of the word "Unis" by the Union Nationale Inter-Syndicale des Marques Collectives. The applications were proceeded with, but have been opposed, and the oppositions have not yet been determined. No evidence has yet been filed in support of the opposition, the time for lodging it having been extended by arrangement between the parties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the postal and other inconveniences which are caused by the late running of trains on the Highland Railway and that these delays are increasing in number and extent; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view of providing that trains on this, railway shall arrive at destinations with some remote approach to their scheduled times; (2) whether in view of the protracted delays in the running of railway trains on the Highland Railway he will take steps to compel this railway to especially heat all carriages and to provide increased refreshment-room facilities?

I am informed by the Highland Railway Company that delay is frequently caused to their principal mail trains owing to the late arrival at Perth of the connecting night postal train from London, and I am making further inquiries in the matter. As regards the heating of carriages and the provision of refreshment facilities, I am sending the hon. Baronet a copy of a letter which I have received from the railway company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on whose advice the Government came to the decision to allow from 1st May unrestricted imports of foreign-made paper into this country; what knowledge the Government advisers had of the conditions of the paper-making trade; and if the owners of the paper mills were consulted on the matter?

Various representatives of the industry have at one time and another been consulted as to aspects of paper control, and as my right hon. Friend has set up a Committee to investigate fully the present position of the paper-making industry, all those concerned will have an opportunity to make further representations.

asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the increasing unemployment in the anchor, chain, and allied trades through scarcity of supplies of iron; that the resultant distress is aggravated by a belief prevalent among the workpeople that the said scarcity is due to the diversion of considerable quantities of the raw materials of those trades from home to foreign consumers, and whether he can take any steps to ensure the satisfaction of home requirements first, thereby diminishing unemployment among the workers concerned and reducing the attendant charges upon the national funds?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am aware of the conditions as to employment in the trades mentioned and as to the shortage of iron, but as at present advised I have no reason to suppose this to be due to the cause which the hon. Member suggests. Every effort is being made to promote supplies for home requirements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that railway companies are discharging their lady clerks as the soldier members of the staff return, although there is in many cases an enormous amount of arrears of work; and, seeing that these girls will draw out-of-work benefit, will he have inquiries made into the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Railway employés who joined the forces with the consent of their employers are guaranteed reinstatement if they desire it and are fit for service, and some displacement of staff is unavoidable. Where there are arrears of work to be dealt with, women clerks will, I understand, be retained to cope with it so far as may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that officials who have been temporarily employed in Government Departments created specially for war work are being appointed to positions in Labour Exchanges over the heads of officers who have served for years in the Exchanges; if he is aware that this is causing discontent among the present officers; and whether he will take steps to remove the cause of the discontent by promoting from the ranks of the present officers men or women who have proved themselves capable of performing the duties of the higher positions?

Certain persons employed temporarily in other Government Departments have been transferred to temporary posts in the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour in view of the present pressure of work in that Department, but in no case has a temporary officer been appointed to a permanent post to the exclusion of existing permanent officials.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the experience of Government Departments housed in St. Ermin's Hotel, he will take steps to move the Appointments Department to other premises?

The answer is in the negative. I am not sure what the hon. and gallant Member means by his reference to the "experience of Government Departments housed in St. Ermin's Hotel"; but, if he suggests that the removal of the Appointments Department to other premises would conduce to greater efficiency, I can assure him he is mistaken. The fact is that the headquarters of the Appointments Department is now for the first time since its inception in possession of suitable premises and adequate accommodation.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the Skerries Isles are in want of seed corn and potatoes; and if the necessary steps have been taken by the Board of Agriculture to ascertain, through their local officer, the amount required?

— June, 1914. June, 1916. June, 1918. Bristol C. Tyne. Bristol C. Tyne. Bristol C. Tyne. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. s. s. Egypt … … 17 9 8 0 100 0 110 200 200 Gibraltar … … 6 0 6 9 37 6 50 100 100 Brazil … … 13 0 — — — 120 — Argentine …… 13 9 — 60 0 60 120 120 Scandinavia … … 6 0 4 9 46 0 35 — 115 to 170 (Norway only)

The Norwegian freights for 1918 are subject to adjustment, as explained in my reply of the 17th March to the hon. and gallant Member for South-West St. Pancras.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to his question on this subject which appears in to-day's OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether there are at present thirty-three oil-tank steamers laid up; and, if so, why they are not being utilised for carrying oil and other cargo to this country?

Tank-steamers, which are only of use for the transport of fuel oil, are at present laid up as a natural consequence of the cessation of hostilities. I can assure my hon. Friend that active steps are being taken to secure that these vessels shall be turned to the best possible account in the altered circumstances now obtaining.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what were approximately the freights (inclusive of marine and war risk insurances) on coal from British ports to Egypt, Gibraltar, Brazil, Argentine Republic, and Scandinavia, for June, 1914, June, 1916, and June, 1918, respectively?

The information desired by the hon. and gallant Member is as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what was the freight (inclusive of marine and war risk insurance) of provisions, New York to Liverpool in July, 1914, July, 1916, and July, 1918, respectively; of wheat, New York to Liverpool, for similar dates; of meat, Buenos Ayres to Southampton or London; of tea, Ceylon to London; palm kernels, Lagos to Liverpool; coffee, Santos or Rio to Liverpool; rice, Burmah to London; tobacco, United

— July, 1914. July, 1916. July, 1918. Provisions— New York—Liverpool— Commercial rate 20s. per ton weight 108s. to 118s. per ton weight — Government cargo rate — 40s. per ton weight or measurement 82s. 6d. per ton weight or measurement Wheat— New York—Liverpool— Commercial rate 1s. 6d.—5 per cent. per quarter 6s. 6d. — 5 per cent. per quarter — Government cargo rate — 40s. per ton weight or measurement 82s. 6d. per ton weight or measurement Meat— B. Ayres—London or Southampton— Commercial rate 7/16d. to ½d. per lb — — Government cargo rate — 814d. per lb. 1.66481d. per lb. Tea— Ceylon—London— Commercial rate 30s. per scale ton 132s. per scale ton — Government cargo rate — — 156s. 3d. per scale ton. Palm Kernels— Lagos—Liverpool— Commercial rate 30s. per ton weight 40s. per ton weight 100s. per ton weight. Coffee— Santos or Rio—Liverpool— Commercial rate 42s. per 1,000 kilos. 189s. per 1,000 kilos. Shipment prohibited by import restrictions. Rice— Burmah—London— Commercial rate 30s. to 32s. 6d. per ton weight or measurement — — Government cargo rate — 45s. via canal; 61s. via Cape, per ton weight or measurement. 125s. via canal, perton weight or measurement Tobacco— U.S.A.—Liverpool— Commercial rate 31 cents per 100 lbs. 1.25 dollars to 2 dollars per 100 lbs. 5.50 dollars per 100 lbs. Rate fixed arrangement with Tobacco Board. Sugar (Unrefined)— Java—United Kingdom— Commercial rate 22s. 6d. to 25s. per ton weight — — Government cargo rate — 61s. to 64s. per ton weight 135s. per ton weight or measurement.

It should be pointed out that the Ministry of Shipping never fixed the commercial rates of freight.

States Atlantic ports to Liverpool; and sugar (unrefined), Java to British ports for the above dates, respectively?

The information desired by the hon. and gallant Member, so far as it can be ascertained, is contained in the following table:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Republic have made an order deporting German subjects from the territories of the republic; has he any information how far that order has been enforced; is he aware that German missionaries are being exempted from the order; and is he satisfied that these persons should be exempted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, that over 1,800 enemy subjects were deported from China last month and it is noted that the two final shipments will take place shortly; to the third, that the question of exempting enemy missionaries from the order is under discussion at Peking between the Chinese Government and the Ministers of the Allied Powers; and as to the fourth and last part, that even if His Majesty's Government may be in favour of treating missionaries who have rendered themselves obnoxious by their political activities during the War in the same way as other enemy subjects, it must be remembered that the question of exemptions does not rest solely with them, even though they have hitherto taken the leading part in assisting the Chinese Government in their execution of this very desirable measure of repatriation.