asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the amount of revenue obtained from the Super-tax in the last financial year for which the figure is available?

The net receipt of Super-tax for the financial year just ended was £35,560,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Co-operative Wholesale Society have recently acquired warehouses and wharves at Hull, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Bristol, Liverpool, Ship Canal, Manchester, and London, and is he able to say that, in respect of the business done at and the value of such wharves and warehouses, the society is paying the same amount in rates and taxes as would a private trader or privately-owned company?

I have no personal knowledge of the acquisition by this society of the properties referred to in the question, but, assuming the facts to be as stated, the liability to Income Tax would be governed by the provisions of Section 39, Sub-section (4) of the Income Tax Act, 1918, and the answer to the question would therefore be in the negative. Income Tax, Schedule A, would be payable, and so, I believe, would rates, as in the case of a private trader or company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will relieve the clergy from the payment of Income Tax on the Easter and free-will offerings of their own people?

The law on this subject was defined by a judgment of the House of Lords in 1908 in the case of Cooper against Blakiston. A Clause to exempt these offerings from Income Tax was moved in the course of the Finance Bill of 1912, and was rejected on a Division. In present circumstances, and pending the investigations of the Royal Commission which is now sitting, I cannot see my way to propose relief from the ordinary operation of the Income Tax in favour of income from this particular source.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Public Trustee is collecting from English firms individually payment of pre-war debts owing by them to enemies; and what steps are being taken to liquidate debts owing by enemies to English firms?

The Public Trustee has no power to collect debts due to enemies except in pursuance of an order of Court under Section 4 of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, or an Order of the Board of Trade under Section 4 of the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1916, vesting such debts in him as custodian. It is understood that a few orders have been made in isolated cases by the Court under the 1914 Act. With regard to the second part of the question, this is one of the questions now under consideration in Paris in connection with the general settlement with enemy countries, and I am not in a position to make any statement upon it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) why there is no accredited representative of labour on the new Public Issues Committee; and whether, in view of the fact that the industrial classes in this country are deeply interested in the supply of raw materials required in various industries, much of which supply can only be obtained from abroad, he will recommend to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury the advisability of appointing a Labour representative or Labour representatives as a member or members of this Committee;

(2) Whether the metallurgical and chemical industries of this country have been largely developed during the War; whether he is aware that their maintenance and future expansion is largely dependent upon the provision of supplies necessary to them, and that such supplies in great degree must come from abroad; if he will explain why, having regard to the fact that the provision of supplies from new and competitive sources, wherever occurring, is intimately connected with questions of new issues of capital, no representatives of the metallurgical or chemical industries have been included in the new Capital Issues Committee; and whether he will recommend to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury the advisability of appointing representatives of these industries as members of that Committee?

The Committee is, I think, already quite large enough for the work which it will have to do, but I am anxious to make it as representative as possible, and I shall be happy to consider any suggestions I may receive of additional names to represent the interests mentioned in these questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has seen the Memorial of the National Associations Governing Sports to the Prime Minister, and in particular that part under the heading of Imperial taxes and local rates; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to the suggestions made therein in his forthcoming Budget proposals?

I have seen the Memorial and the suggestions contained, but I think that any discussion of the proposed relief from taxation had better be deferred to the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total amount outstanding on the latest available date of loans of all kinds advanced by the United Kingdom to the Allies and Dominions in connection with the War?

The obligations due from the Allies as on the 31st March last were £1,568,447,000 and those due from the Dominions £170,896,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the War Office issue periodical lists of the demobilisation of the Army; and if he will issue a table weekly showing how many Government officials have been demobilised?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow on Wednesday last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the revision of pensions granted to retired Civil servants since 1915, he will take into consideration the claims of those whose pensions were awarded before that date?

The principle of the arrangement recently agreed to is that within certain limits war bonus shall reckon for pension, and I am not prepared to extend it to pensioners who were not in receipt of war bonus at the time of their retirement.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the men now serving in Russia are volunteers; how many have been transferred from the Salonika theatre; and whether men who had served as long as three years in the Salonika area without home leave have been sent to Russia against their will?

I regret this information is not available, as it would entail detailed references to the various theatres and involve considerable research. The cables are already seriously congested.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many repatriated prisoners of war are still retained with the Colours; whether such men are in all cases volunteers; if not, what are the principles upon which continued service is enforced, and whether, in the case of men who have joined the Colours temporarily and who have suffered the hardships of imprisonment in enemy countries, he will consider the desirability of giving them an option as to continued service after repatriation?

I regret that no figures are available to enable me to answer the first part of my hon. and galland Friend's question. The repatriated prisoners of war retained are not in all cases volunteers. As regards the remain- der of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on 25th February to the effect that it would not be right to confer a privilege upon repatriated prisoners of war as against their comrades in the fighting line. It is not possible to appraise the relative sufferings and hazards endured. If men are fit in bodily health they must be treated alike, according to the age and categories prescribed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any provision is made in cases where men who, at the time that Army Order XIV. of 29th January, 1919, was issued, had been in hospital for six months or more, and on the strength of the previous Regulation that men who had been in hospital for twenty-eight days would be discharged neither the men or their employers had taken steps in regard to obtaining their release, so that on their subsequent discharge from hospital they find their case is prejudiced, owing to the fact that they did not avail themselves of the facilities then afforded?

The demobilisation of men discharged from hospital is now dependent on whether or not they are eligible under current Instructions. If eligible, they are given a certain priority of demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state what steps he is prepared to take to accelerate the release of Lance-Corporal Thomas Henry Green, 131st Field Company, Royal Engineers, Salonika; whether he is aware that the said soldier enlisted in 1915, that he is forty-five years of age, and has a wife and son who are not in the best of health; and will he, under such, circumstances, cable for his immediate release?

If Lance-Corporal Green's age and service are as stated by my hon. Friend he is eligible for demobilisation, and will be demobilised as soon as circumstances permit. I regret that the information supplied does not warrant special treatment being given.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to release Sapper Alfred Charles Tarpley, No. 164123, Royal Engineers, Motor Cycle Dispatch Rider, General Headquarters, Signal Company, Constanti- nople; is he aware he joined up the first day of the War, 1914; that he has only had twenty-one days' leave since; that his time expired December, 1917; that a letter sent to his wife from the War Office on 13th March was no reply to what was asked for; and will he state clearly to the House the steps already taken to hasten home from the East these warriors of four and five years' standing?

Inquiries are being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House on 25th February, with reference to the troops in the Eastern theatres.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Hugh B. Simple, No. 243293, C/245 Battery, Royal Field Artillery, British Expeditionary Force, is now under orders for Germany; and whether, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Food informed his father, who is his employer, on 29th January, that he had been passed for release as a pivotal man, and that the War Office stated on 3rd March that instructions for this man's release had already been sent to his unit, he will forthwith issue orders for his immediate demobilisation without any further delay.

Instructions were issued some time ago for Private Simple's demobilisation. Duplicate instructions have been sent to his unit to-day and a wire has also been sent requesting that his release may be expedited.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the release of Private P. G. Goodman, No. 142556, No. 9 Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, Military Hospital, Edmonton, London, is not granted, seeing he was thirty-seven on 22nd August, 1918, and his wife is in bad health, as certified by a medical certificate forwarded with the wife's application for his release?

If Private Goodman's age is as stated by my hon. Friend he would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, he will no doubt be released as soon as circumstances permit. I regret that the grounds put forward do not justify special consideration being shown, but if my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving in detail the compassionate aspect of the case, vouched for by himself, a clergyman, a justice of the peace, or a doctor, it shall receive consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Fred Hartley, No. 312178, F Company, Tank Corps, Hut 5, C Lines, Swanage; whether he is aware that this soldier is one of four brothers, all soldiers, one being in hospital disabled for life; that Private Hartley volunteered in February, 1915, but was rejected as medically unfit, and was called up in 1916, and sent to Felixstowe; that the medical authorities there asked him if he had been passed as fit by a railway porter or some unqualified person; that he was subsequently sent to France in a labour company, but a few days afterwards had to go into hospital and has done practically no service since his enlistment; whether he is aware that Private Hartley's employers are anxious for his return to civil work; and whether, in view of all these circumstances, he will order the release of this man, who is unfit for the Army and whose family have such an excellent record in the War?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Second-Lieutenant John Kerr, 196th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Salonika, who enlisted as a private in October, 1915, and who is now anxious to be demobilised for urgent business reasons; and if he can now be released?

Lieutenant Kerr is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor has any application regarding him been received by the War Office. If this officer's services are not required, he will be demobilised as soon as circumstances permit.

further asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Alexander Munro, No. 488188, Labour Corps, No. 2 Company, Blairgowrie, Forfarshire, who was a medical student before joining up in October, 1916, and after service at Salonika was dangerously ill with malaria and unfit for military service, and is now transferred to labour work in Forfarshire; and whether, in view of the bad effect of present work on his permanent condition of health and the advantage of his qualifying as a doctor instead of merely doing labour work in this country, he will allow him to be released?

Private Munro is ineligible for demobilisation owing to the fact that he did not join for continuous service prior to 1st January, 1916. I regret I cannot accede to my hon. Friend's request to accord him special treatment. The question of his health is a matter for the medical officer of his unit to deal with.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private A. G. Surridge, No. 288829, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), 3rd Army Corps, was issued his papers on 25th February, 1919, at Woolwich, instructing him that he would be dispersed at Purfleet rifle-range station, and stating the name of his future employer; is he aware that he is still in the Army although thirty-nine years of age, and that employment is still open; and will he take immediate steps to grant him his release?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a definite statement as to whether a soldier who joined the Army and was discharged therefrom previous to 1st January, 1916, and was called up again and joined the Army a second time after 1st January, 1916, is or is not eligible for demobilisation?

Men who were rejected as unfit for military service prior to the 1st January, 1916, and were enlisted subsequent to that date whether voluntarily or under the Military Service Acts, 1916, or Review of Exceptions Act, 1917, are not eligible for demobilisation, unless they fall within certain specified categories set out in Army Order 55, i.e.: ( a ) Over thirty-seven years of age. ( b ) Entitled to wear three or more wound stripes. ( c ) Registered by the War Office as pivotal, demobiliser, or for special release before the 1st of February, 1919. 2058 ( d ) Whose release may be ordered on extreme compassionate grounds. ( e ) Whose claims may be approved to return to their pre-war business or homes overseas. Men who enlisted prior to the 1st of January, 1916, and who actually performed continuous service with the Colours and were discharged medically unfit on account of wounds or sickness prior to that date, and who were again enlisted after that date are eligible for demobilisation. Warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men serving under pre-war conditions of service who have not completed their terms of Colour service are not eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men whose protection certificates have been marked for final demobilisation are subsequently transferred to the Reserve; and whether it would be possible to mark the protection certificate correctly, in order to afford the man the fullest possible information as to his future position and liabilities?

I am not aware of any cases in which protection certificates have been wrongly marked. If, through a clerical error or inadvertence, any certificates have been marked for "Final demobilisation" instead of "Transfer to the Reserve," it is the business of the record office concerned to rectify the error and transfer the man in question to the Reserve. Each man receives a copy of a soldiers' booklet, which contains the necessary information for the soldier.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Lothians and Border Horse have been on active service in the Near East for almost four years, many of them without leave; that most of them are sons of farmers in the South-East of Scotland; and whether, in view of these facts, he will give an assurance that this unit will be speedily demobilised?

The Lothian and Border Horse have been on active service in the Near East for nearly four years. Those men due for demobilisation, who have not already been sent home, will be demobilised as soon as opportunity offers. The unit has been elected for the Army of Occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that put of the 714 non-commissioned officers and men employed at the staff line demobilisation camp, Kantara, Egypt, 580 are eligible for demobilisation; that a great majority of these men could be replaced by men not eligible for demobilisation if they were given a few days' training, but none of them have been demobilised owing to the attitude of the officer commanding 3rd Echelon, Cairo; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the matter?

Inquiries will be made into this case, and I will inform my Noble and gallant Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will expedite the handing over to the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions the Army huts used until recently by the officers command depot at Eastbourne, in view of the fact that more housing accommodation is urgently required in that town, and that repeated applications have been made to the War Office by the Eastbourne Town Council for permission to hire them, pending the completion of the houses for the working classes which are shortly to be erected in the town?

I am informed that no applications to purchase the huts of this depot have been received by the War Office. The surrender of the land and the disposal of the huts have been delayed in order that the Ministry of Pensions might have an opportunity of acquiring them as a hospital. The Ministry having notified the Department that it will not require the site or huts, the disposal of these is now proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the delay caused in the issue of his discharge papers and the assessment of his life pension to Mr. H. E. Woodhouse, late sergeant S/23436, Royal Army Service Corps, at present living at No. 114, Allcroft Road, London, N.W. 5, makes it impossible for him to arrange for his future employment in civilian life; and whether he will give instructions that the matter shall be settled without any further delay?

I am not aware of the circumstances of this case, but inquiries are being made and I will let my Noble and gallant Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what definite instructions have been issued to commandants of hospitals as to the allotment of accommodation for training men preparatory for civil life?

Circular letters were issued on the 20th November last, and again on the 7th April, drawing the attention of Medical Officers to the great importance attached to this training, and in the latter case instructions were given that every effort was to be made to meet the requirements of the education officers with regard to accommodation. Further instructions as to the utilisation of recreation rooms, huts, dining halls, etc., are about to be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War why W. H. Rugman, No. 6,670, 2/4th Northamptonshire Regiment, has not yet received his silver war badge; and when will he do so?

I am informed that a Silver War Badge was issued to Rugman on the 31st March last, and that its receipt has been acknowledged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 57th Division, now in France has been constituted into a cadre division; whether he is aware that the troops allege that they have no work whatever to do, and that over 75 per cent. of them have got employment awaiting them on their return to England; and if he can give the approximate date of their departure for England?

The 57th Division is a cadre division. Personnel surplus to cadre establishment will be demobilised if eligible, and if not will be absorbed into other units. It is not possible to give a definite date when the cadre will leave for England.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the military authorities in Dunfermline in commandeering Garfield House, in Stirling, which is now required as a residence by Mr. Thomas Stevenson, Stirling, its owner; and if this house will now be freed for the owner's residential use?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when the conduct of a soldier is about to be examined by a Court of inquiry and he is summoned to attend, no notification is given him beforehand of the nature of the charge, no legal assistance is allowed to him, evidence is taken, but the rules of evidence are ignored, and finally a report is made as the result of which he may be called upon if an officer to resign his commission; and will he consider the question of taking steps so that these so-called Courts should cease to exist?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given to his question of the 4th April and also to the Rule of Procedure 9 ( b ), where a charge is defined as meaning "an accusation contained in a charge sheet that a person amenable to military law has been guilty of an offence." Courts of inquiry cannot, therefore, be concerned in the investigation of "charges." When a Court of inquiry is assembled under the conditions laid down in paragraph 666 of the King's Regulations and Rule of Procedure 124, it may be required to give an opinion on any point, but when the inquiry affects the character or military reputation of an officer or soldier, full opportunity must be afforded to the officer or soldier of being present throughout the inquiry and of making any statement or giving any evidence he may wish to make or give and also of cross-examining any witness whose evidence in his opinion affects his character or military reputation, and of producing any witnesses in defence of his character or military reputation. It is only when required to do so that a Court of inquiry gives an opinion or renders a report. The conditions under which an officer may be called upon to resign his commission will be found in Article 527 of the Royal Warrant, which expressly lays down that an officer who has not been guilty of misconduct may be called upon to resign his commission should the circumstances of the case in the opinion of the Army Council require it. There is no foundation for the suggestion that Courts of inquiry investigate "charges." I regret that I cannot entertain my hon. and learned Friend's proposal to dispense with the system, which, as stated in paragraph 666 of the King's Regulations, is designed to assist superior authority in arriving at a correct conclusion on any subject on which it may be expedient for them to be thoroughly informed.

asked the Home Secretary whether soldiers discharged from the Army and released from prison on the completion of two years' imprisonment, as mentioned by the Secretary of State for War on the 3rd April, will have the benefit of the usual remission of a portion of their current sentence by virtue of good conduct in prison, or whether they will be required to serve the full term?

Yes, Sir. The ordinary remissions earned would apply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the increase of pay recently granted to the Army applies to all men, irrespective of length of service, and if it is necessary for a man to sign any agreement before he can obtain the increase?

The bonus is payable from 1st February to men who are definitely retained for duty in the Army of Occupation, or who volunteer and are accepted for that Army. It is not payable to those who are being demobilised. Men who are demobilised and who have not actually been demobilised by 1st May will, however, receive the bonus from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether trained nursing sisters, Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, and general service members on being demobilised are granted a war bonus; whether any such bonus is given to Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses who have served during the War in France; and, if not, whether he is prepared to grant to Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses the same bonus as is allowed other nurses?

A war gratuity will be given to voluntary aid detachment nurses in Army employment. It is hoped to make an announcement on the subject shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the men of No. 1 Supply Company, Royal Army Service Corps, Belfast, did not receive their pay on Friday last; that many of these men sleep out on ration allowance, and have to pay rent and buy their own food; and whether, in view of the inconvenience being caused, he will make inquiries as to the delay in paying these men?

Inquiries are being made, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the practice whereby a difference between amounts shown on a soldier's A.B. 64 and the acquittance roll, W. 3,085, rendered by the imprest holder is always used against the soldier in adjusting his account; and whether, in view of the injustice that arises under this practice, he will give instructions for the soldier to be allowed the benefit of the doubt in these cases?

The soldier's ledger account (Army Form W. 3,085) is charged, in the first instance, from the acquittance rolls and is subsequently compared with the soldier's Pay Book (A.B. 64). Discrepancies, if any, are carefully and impartially investigated before the account is adjusted. I am not aware of cases of injustice, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars of any case that comes to his notice I will have it investigated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the actual amount paid in passage money by British subjects who came from America to enlist in the Army or Air Forces may be refunded; and, if not, what is the limit of the amount which may be refunded?

So far as the Royal Air Force is concerned, the refund which is made is not necessarily the amount actually paid by the individual. The refund is limited to the amount at which a passage of the appropriate class by the most economical route could have been obtained. This amount is £21 for first class and £7 10s. for third class passages from United States or Canadian ports to England.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware that N. G. Holman, No. L.Z. 5,793, Royal Air Force, who was formerly a wireless operator in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, received a notice on the 2nd April, 1918, that he had been transferred to the Royal Air Force; that on 29th August, 1918, he was sent to England and was in hospital at Llandudno till 10th December, 1918, on which date he received hospital leave for home, where he has been till the present time; that during the whole of this period he has received no pay with the exception of two sums of £5 sent him by the Royal Air Force pay office at Woking, in response to appeals on Holman's behalf by a staff captain; that on 29th March, 1919, he received a letter under Reference C.D./M.H.S./285/5 from the Royal Air Force authorities at Blandford, saying that, as Holman had never been transferred and had only been attached to the Royal Air Force, they had no responsibility for him; if he will say whether Holman was, or was not, transferred to the Royal Air Force; and, if so, whether he will now receive all arrears of pay due up to the present date?

I am having inquiries made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if the Air Force people originally attached to the Northern Russian forces were at first equipped only with seaplanes, and if the pilots in question had to fly seaplanes 40 or 50 miles inland over wooded and hilly terrain; and, when the danger of using seaplanes was apparently realised, were our Air Force people in that district equipped with D.H/'s, which machines have a maximum speed of about 50 miles an hour and are unable to make any headway against anything in the nature of a high wind?

In situations where it is impossible, owing to the nature of the ground, to erect aerodromes, it is found most convenient to employ seaplanes instead of aeroplanes, provided that water is not too far away. Seaplanes alone were at first employed with the North Russia force for this reason, and will continue to be used. No D.H.6 machines have been sent to North Russia for war purposes, though in certain districts it has been found possible to employ aeroplanes of other types.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether technical officers are split up into two grades, namely, Category A. and Category B; whether the former receive technical pay and whether the latter do not do so; whether the duties of those in Category A include compass officers and inspectors of fire services; whether those in Category B include those qualified in armament, chemistry, metallurgy, and photography; if so, whether the duties of those in Category B entitle the officers therein to the same technical pay as those whose duties are to inspect fire services; and whether he will take steps so that both groups of officers are granted the same technical pay?

The answers to the first four parts of the question are in the affirmative; the answer to the fifth part is in the negative. As regards the last part, the whole question of the future emoluments of officers of the Royal Air Force is now under consideration, and an announcement will be made as soon as a decision is reached.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the current price in India of the sack of flour of 180 lbs.; what was its average price in the year before the War, and what was its price in the famines of 1896 and 1900, respectively?

The wholesale price of wheat flour in the principal wheat-growing districts of India varied in the second half of January, 1919, from Rs.14.2 to Rs.17.9 per 180 lbs. Later figures are not available, but the price of wheat rose somewhat and is now falling again. The corresponding average figures for 1913 were Rs. 7.62 and Rs. 10.13; for 1900 they were Rs.7.51 and Rs. 8.82. In 1897 they were Rs. 8.8 and Rs. 11.37. The corresponding prices for 1896 cannot be stated without extensive research, but the famine period extended into 1897, and the average prices of wheat were substantially higher in that year than in 1896.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether officers attached to the King's African Rifles are entitled to six days' leave for every month's service abroad; whether when officers are sent home on sick leave the leave commences from the time they leave Kalindini, East Africa, and that by the time they reach this country their leave has already expired; whether, when they are granted further leave, they receive only British Army rates plus 2s. 1d. ration allowance without any lodging allowance; and whether he will make the same lodging allowance to these officers as is given to officers of the British Army?

The regulations upon which King's African Rifles officers serve provide that officers invalided to this country before completing twenty months' resident service in East Africa receive, as from the date on which they leave East Africa, six days on full King's African Rifles pay, in respect of each completed month of resident service, and thereafter, pay at British Army rates together with British Army ration allowance and British Army children's allowance, where applicable. British Army lodging allowance is not issuable to King's African Rifles officers when on British Army rates of pay. A comparison between the position of King s African Rifles officers and that of British Army officers founded on the issue or non-issue of lodging allowance is misleading as the basis of their pay is different. King's African Rifles officers when in East Africa receive pay at consolidated rates, which, together with a war bonus which has recently been granted to them with effect from 1st October, 1917, generally places them in a favourable position financially as compared with British Army officers drawing pay at British Army rates.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will supply a list of all publications or periodicals either published by the Government or subsidised from public funds?

No complete list of Government publications, which number several hundred thousands, exists, but monthly and quarterly lists of new Stationery Office publications and Parliamentary publications are issued, and are obtainable at His Majesty's Stationery Office. Complete catalogues of Stationery Office publications are issued from time to time, the last one having been published in 1916.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the reasons of public policy and interest which justify the continuance of the prohibition of the importation of Hollands gin into the United Kingdom?

The question of the continuance of this prohibition is now under consideration, and I am not in a position at present to make a statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements can be made to expedite the delivery of goods from the Midland Railway station at Hemel Hempstead, in view of the fact that losses are incurred by the tradespeople in the district owing to delays in delivery?

I am communicating with the Midland Railway Company on this matter and will inform the hon. Gentleman of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the fact that the Shetland mail service is on the point of breaking down, and if he will, in consequence thereof, release the steamship "Fetlar" from the service of the South-Western Railway Company?

I have been asked to reply to this question, and I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that arrangements have been made for the steamship "Fetlar" to be released from the service of the London and Southwestern Railway Company at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state 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, Chile, Portugal, Greece, and British India, respectively?

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

(1) Freight rate for coal from Cardiff to Genoa: June, 1914 … … 7s. 3d. June, 1916 … … 69s. June, 1917 … … 59s. 6d. June, 1918 … … No fixed rates, coal being shipped in Italian vessels, employed by the Italian Government and in British requisitioned vessels at special rates.

(2) The average freight charged for coal to Uruguay, Chile, Portugal, Greece, and British India: 1916. 1917. 1918. Uruguay 52s. 9d. 95s. 120s. Chile No fixtures — — Portugal 32s. 65s. 3d. 100s. Greece No fixtures — — British India No fixtures — —

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to restore the pre-war arrangements regarding delivery of letters in Berridale and district, Caithness?

The question of the postal arrangements in Berridale and district is at present being considered in connection with a general review of postal services.

asked the Postmaster-General whether amateur wireless operators will in the near future be allowed to resume their experiments?

The question is being considered by the Departments concerned, and I hope a decision will be arrived at very shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-officers and men have since the date of the Armistice been placed for training in offices and works through the agency of the Appointments Departments of the Ministry; and what is the average amount of financial assistance that has been awarded in the case of each individual so placed?

Since 11th November, 1918, 1,898 officers and eighty-seven men have been placed in training by the Appointments Department, under the scheme for officers' university and training classes, as laid down in Army Council Instruction 517 of 1918. These are in receipt of Army pay and allowances, and receive nothing from the Ministry of Labour.

The scheme for maintenance and training Grants for demobilised officers and men is only now beginning to come into operation, and so far only two Grants have been made for training in offices and works of £10 6s. 8d. and £12 10s. per month for three months.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the date when the Draft Special Order was made, in pursuance of Section 1 of the Trade Boards Acts, with respect to the rope, twine, and net trade; if he is aware that the trade union members are not in favour of a trade board being applied to the rope, twine, and net trade; and if he will take any action in the matter?

Notice of my intention to make a Special Order applying the Trade Boards Acts to the rope, twine, and net trade was published on 28th February. Organisation on the part of the workpeople is of recent growth, and is still very incomplete. All the available evidence indicates that those who are members of trade unions welcome the proposed establishment of a trade board, and, as the hon. Member is aware, the recent Industrial Conference endorsed the Government's policy of establishing trade boards in all badly organised trades.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that his Department is conducting investigations into the comparative merits of verious methods of rural transportation, he will, with this purpose, consider the desirability of proceeding with the construction of the light railway to Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, which was officially sanctioned in 1906 and which is now urgently desired by the locality?

The need of additional transport in the district referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is being investigated together with that of other rural districts. What support the Government will accord to light railway schemes will be a question for the Ministry of Ways and Communications so soon as that body is constituted.