asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that, in the recent appointment of an Income Tax Commission, a representative of the co-operative societies has been placed upon such Commission; whether he is aware that this appointment is inconsistent with a statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself to the National Federation of Meat Traders' Associations, and subsequently in a private interview at the Treasury with the Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whereat a definite statement was made that no trading associations and not even the associated chambers of commerce and no co-operative societies would be permited to have a representative upon such Commission; whether he is aware that the other associations of traders are much dissatisfied with the appointment referred to, especially having regard to the fact that co-operative societies pay no Income Tax under Schedule D, and whether, if it is intended that such representative of the co-operative societies is to be retained on the Commission, he will see his way to also appoint representatives of the free traders?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to similar questions on the 8th April.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the desire for the establishment of a Stationery Office in Glasgow; and whether, in view of the size and importance of this city, he is prepared to give the matter favourable consideration?

It was recently the intention of His Majesty's Stationery Office to open a branch in Glasgow, but owing to the closing down of munition factories and certain other Government Departments in that part of the country as a result of the Armistice, it was found that the need for the establishment of such an office no longer existed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the need of increasing the supply of meat in this country, he will say what steps he is prepared to take to remove the embargo on the importation of Canadian cattle?

No such steps as are suggested by the hon. Member are necessary in order to increase the supply of meat. Animals from Canada may be landed at the present time in this country provided they are slaughtered within ten days at the port of landing.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the number of calves being killed for food purposes in Scotland and that in the abattoir of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in the last week of March, 160 calves were killed as compared with sixteen m the whole month of March, 1918; if he will make inquiries from the Food Controller, the. Live Stock Commissioner, or other competent authority as to the possible injury to the future supply of home-raised beef of such slaughter of calves; and if he will take steps to prevent a continuance of this menace to the future supply of homegrown meat?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The increase in the number of calves slaughtered in this authorised slaughter-house is due to the fact that under the Live Stock (Sales) Order, which came into force in May, 1918, all calves must now be slaughtered in authorised Government slaughter-houses. Both the Ministry of Food and the Boards of Agriculture are fully alive to the necessity for the rearing of as many calves as possible. With this end in view the live-and dead-weight prices fixed for calves sold for slaughter have recently been lowered, and I am informed that the Board of Agriculture are considering the establishment of centres at which calves can be collected from districts in which they are not required for rearing, and distributed to the parts of the country where they are in demand.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) how many vessels, distinguishing His Majesty's ships, Government chartered vessels, foreign Government vessels, and private vessels, and setting out each number separately, salved during the War, have had the assistance, by being towed in dangerous waters, of dockyard tugs; what remuneration was paid to the crews of each class above that which would have been paid in peace-time, exclusive of war bonus, and in the case of those ships owned or chartered by His Majesty's Government has a bonus been paid in any cases; if so, which, and is it intended to grant bonuses for the remainder; and, in the case of the private vessels, how many of the cases have participated in salvage awards; how many of the remainder are to be so dealt with; for what reason some are not so treated; whether a bonus was paid upon the steamship "Gloucester Castle "; whether it is intended to adopt the same course in all cases of the same nature; and, if not, why this course is not to be adopted; (2) whether, in cases where a salvage award has been allowed in respect of vessels salved by dockyard tugs, the Admiralty receive from three-fourths to five-sixths of the total amount; if so, if he will say upon what grounds this proportion is based; what is the amount, if any, accruing to the Government from the sum awarded to His Majesty's ships and tugs for salvage of private vessels after all liabilities have been paid; and whether, although the Admiralty have taken all liabilities for certain vessels, they refuse to pay the salvors of such vessels any bonus for their services when the salvors are their own employés, although large sums have been saved on the liability by the salvors' exertions?

The whole of the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available. It has not been the practice to pay salvage awards to the servants of the Crown for services rendered in that capacity in connection with the salvage of His Majesty's ships or of ships at the risk of His Majesty's Government or of an Allied Government. In cases in which salvage awards are made to the Admiralty on behalf of the Crown, for services rendered by the Admiralty, and their servants, in connection with the salvage of vessels other than those referred to above, the Admiralty in turn make awards to their servants. In the case of the "Gloucester Castle," bonuses were awarded to the crews of the dockyard tugs assisting in the salvage of the vessel, but this was regarded as a special case. It is not the usual practice to grant bonuses for such services. The proportion of the award made to the Admiralty on behalf of the Crown which is retained by the Admiralty does not, in general, exceed three-fourths, and varies according to the extent to which the personal efforts of the salvors have contributed to the success of the salvage.

As regards the second part of the second question, the appointment is usually made by the Court or arbitrator making the award, and if no such apportionment is made, the proportions are based on the practice of the Court. As regards the third part of the question, I am afraid that I can give no indication as to the net amount which accrues to the Government after meeting expenses, as this is dependent upon the varying circumstances of each case. Where crews of dockyard tugs are employed on salvage operations deemed to be of a dangerous character, they are allowed extra pay, under the Dockyard Regulations, the amount of which varies according to the status of the vessel salved and other circumstances. Such extra pay amounts to not less than 50 per cent, of their ordinary pay, inclusive of war advances, and in certain circumstances an increase of 100 per cent, is allowed.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the reason for not paying the established men in Portsmouth Dockyard and district the 12½ per cent, on their earnings, which is the hired rate, instead of the established rate?

As stated in my hon. Friend's question, the 12½ per cent bonus is a bonus on earnings; and, in the case of the established workmen the earnings have been held to include the wages of established men and not the wages of hired men. The matter has, however, been further considered, and it has been decided to calculate the 12½ per cent, on the "hired" rates in future.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give an approximate date as to when the demobilisation of crofters, fishermen, and other priority men in the Navy around Malta will commence; and whether he is aware of the great hardship that is being caused by the delays which are taking place in this matter?

It is regretted that no date can be given, but every effort is being made to proceed with demobilisation as quickly as possible. Nearly all priority men are now released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will direct investigation to be made into the reasons for the non-demobilisation of Private Arthur M'Kay, No. M/371531, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, Base Mechanical Transport Depot (N.), France, who was passed for demobilisation months ago and his demobilisation papers sent to France, and being lost in transit, or alleged to be lost, were renewed and again sent on three separate occasions, and that assurances have been given at the War Office on several occasions that he would be immediately demobilised, and that telegrams had been dispatched to France to have this done; and whether, in consideration that this soldier is manager of a large business employing thirty men before the War, and now managed by his father, an aged man whose health has broken down, and employing, inter alios , several discharged soldiers, and that there is imminent danger of the business being destroyed and unemployment increased, he will direct Private M'Kay's immediate demobilisation?

I am informed that instructions concerning this man's demobilisation were issued some time ago, and a telegram has been sent to France to expedite his release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the cause that has led to the delay in demobilising Sapper G. Humber, No. WE 283631, 234th Light Railway Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, who joined in May, 1915, is aged forty-four, and has been applied for by his late employers?

Sapper Humber is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there trace of any application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. I am also in- formed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. If this man's age and length of service are as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, he would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and if so he will no doubt be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Frederick Jones, No. 156587, Middlesex Regiment, attached No. 2 Detachment, V Company, Royal Army Service Corps, Forage Department; whether he is aware that this man is forty-three years of age; that his demobilisation certificate was endorsed by the appropriate local advisory committee in January last; and that his wife is waiting to undergo an operation until her husband has been demobilised and is able to look after his four children; and whether, in the circumstances, he will give instructions that Private Jones be demobilised without further delay?

Private Jones is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there any trace of any application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. The certificate referred to is probably a "contract" offer of employment, or such as to obtain his registration as a "slip" man. If this soldier's age is as stated he would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. If my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving full particulars vouched for by himself, a clergyman, justice of the peace, or a doctor, it will receive consideration as to whether it could be dealt with as a compassionate case. The statement, if not vouched by a doctor, should include a medical certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give a decision in regard to the release on compassionate grounds of Private A. Reid, No. 1446684, D Company, Machine Gun Corps, 11th Corps Concentration Camp, British Expeditionary Force, France?

Special inquiry has-been made in this case, but I regret the grounds put forward for Private Reid's release are not of such an extreme nature as to warrant his demobilisation on compassionate grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the cause that has led to delay in the demobilisation of Corporal A. G. Sanders, No. 78003, Military Foot Police, Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, a man qualified for demobilisation both in respect of age and length of service, and whose employers have applied for his services?

Corporal Sanders is not registered either as a pivotal or for special release, nor is there trace of any application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. If this soldier's age and length of service are such as would render him eligible for demobilisation, he will no doubt be released as soon as circumstances permit. I would refer to the answer I gave on the 8th instant to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Fylde to the effect that personnel of the Corps of Military Police are liable to retention as part of the military machinery of demobilisation even though eligible for demobilisation. Such men, however, are being released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a circular is handed to soldiers on demobilisation advising them how to invest their savings and containing a recommendation to invest in co-operative trading societies; and why this advice to strengthen one section of the trading community especially is made by a Government Department?

No, Sir; I have no knowledge of this circular, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will give details of a specific case the matter will be investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now abandon the Regulations regarding the road from Sandwich to Margate through Richborough, business being the only reason that will allow the local police to issue passes on this road?

The conditions at Richborough remain as described in the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend's question of the 5th March. Large quantities of valuable stores are being returned from France, and I regret that the road cannot be opened to the general public at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will endeavour to secure for soldiers in the Canadian and American Armies similar opportunities to visit relatives in this country to those he has secured for members of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand and South African Forces?

This is not a matter for the War Office, but would be a matter for the consideration of the Canadian and American authorities in this country. At the present time we are bringing 150 Americans daily on leave to this country and 7,000 Canadians a week, who have ample time to visit their relatives before they finally embark for Canada. In the case of the Americans, I do not know whether the American authorities could arrange to give preference for leave to England to men who have relatives in this country. The British Army authorities naturally are not in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the football ground, Cavendish Park, Barrow-in-Furness, which has been in the possession of the military authorities throughout the War, will be evacuated, so that the tenants can again take possession, particularly in view of the strong feeling in the town that possession is no longer necessary from a military point of view?

I am having inquiry made, and will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the number of cases of tetanus among British troops in this country and abroad during the first year of the War and during each succeeding year while the War lasted, and the fatalities therefrom during those periods?

The number of cases and deaths from tetanus amongst the wounded arriving in this country are as follows: No. of cases. No. of deaths. 1914 … … 192 … 104 1915 … … 134 … 75 1916 … … 501 … 182 1917 … … 353 … 68 1918 … … 266 … 68 Complete information is not available at present regarding the number of cases and deaths from tetanus which occurred among the troops with the various forces and were not sent to England.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers belonging to the 3rd King's Liverpool Regiment, now stationed at Blackdown, near Aldershot, have yet received the twelve day's Christmas leave promised to home-service men; and, if not, when it is proposed that this leave should be given?

I am not aware of this, but inquiries are being made, and I will write to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to indicate what will be the post-war organisation of the Special Reserve?

It is not possible to make a statement on the subject at present. The matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Regular officers who belonged to the Special Reserve before the War are on demobilisation only being paid gratuity at the rate of thirty-one days per annum, whereas in paragraph 496, Royal Warrant, it is distinctly stated that reemployed retired officers, other than those compulsorily recalled to the Service, may be included under sub-paragraph ( b ), which would give them the same and not a lower rate of gratuity than other officers holding Special Reserve commissions?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. Subdivision ( a ) of Article 497 applies to all officers who retired with retired pay or gratuity whether they are compulsorily recalled under ( a ) of Article 496 or re-employed under ( b ) of that Article.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no compensation has yet been paid to the owners of 44, Holland Park, Kensington, which was commandeered by the War Office in December, 1917; and whether the premises can now be returned to the owners?

The owners' claim for compensation in respect of the military occupation was heard by the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission, who awarded no compensation, but gave an indemnity against rates and tenant's taxes. Steps are being taken to ascertain whether the premises can be surrendered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that certain officers in the Army who were allowed to resume, during the General Election, their former occupation of an election agent have been deprived of three months' pay and allowances and, as the statutory fee for their services is within £50, they have suffered considerable pecuniary loss; and whether, in these circumstances, the Government will defray the difference between the amount of the statutory pay received and the loss of Army pay and allowances withheld?

These officers were granted for this purpose three months' leave without pay or allowances. Those who did not avail themselves of the full three months' leave and rejoined for duty earlier resumed pay and allowance from date of resuming military duty. I am afraid that pay and allowances cannot be issued for the period covered by the actual leave.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will grant a war bonus to the widows of men who have died from wounds, injuries, or disease neither attributable to military service nor certified as aggravated by such service, but not due to the serious negligence or misconduct of such men, seeing that there is no provision in the Royal Warrant for the grant of allowances for children of such men?

The temporary pension awarded under Article 15 of the Royal Warrant to a widow whose husband's death was in no way connected with his military service is a gratuity, given in circumstances which cannot be said to justify a claim for assistance from the State. It is not intended to be a maintenance grant and therefore is not within the scope of the war bonus.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will give a Return showing the pensions and allowances paid to the Colonial forces compared with those paid to the British sailors and soldiers; whether he has received resolutions from discharged sailors' and soldiers' widows' and dependants' associations protesting against the smallness of the gratuity and pensions paid to the British sailors and soldiers in comparison with those paid to the Colonial forces, and protesting against the delay in the payment of the gratuity and the stoppages from amounts due without any reason being assigned; and whether he will consider the matter with a view to increasing the amount of the gratuities, pensions, and allowances, and ensuring prompt and full payment of the same as they become due?

A statement showing the rates of pension granted by the British, Colonial and principal Allied Governments is being prepared, and if the hon. Member will put a question down after Easter I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which my right hon. Friend hopes to make this evening in the Debate on the motion which stands in the name of the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division of Lancashire.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what was the amount paid out in pensions and gratuities or bonuses in respect of the established men in His Majesty's dockyards during the last three completed years, and setting out each year separately?

The following are the approximate amounts expended during the three years 1916, 1917, and 1918, respectively, on account of pensions, gratuities on discharge, and death gratuities in respect of the services of established workmen in His Majesty's dockyards and other naval establishments: 1916 … … … … £155,000 1917 … … … … 143,000 1918 … … … … 148,000

The separation from these figures of the amounts relating to service in His Majesty's dockyards only would necessitate a detailed examination of records and would take a considerable time. In view of the great pressure under which the staff of the Admiralty Departments is working, I hope that the information now given will be sufficient for the purpose of my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Treasury Committee to pay compensation to the dependants of Mr. G. A. Home, who was killed by the explosion of a dud anti-aircraft shell in his house at Leytonstone on 7th March, 1918; whether it is the intention of the Government to repudiate all liability for such events; whether the decision of the Treasury Committee was based on a misapprehension of the financial position of Mr. Home; whether, in view of the refusal of the Government to pay compensation, Mrs. Home and her family are living in very straitened circumstances; and whether he can see his way to institute an inquiry into the matter?

The decision to pay no compensation in this case was not based on the circumstances in which the late Mr. Home met his death, but was arrived at in consideration of the extent to which the widow is otherwise provided [ill]tor. I do not think there has been any misapprehension as to the financial position of Mr. Home, which was fully explained in an application from Mrs. Home to the Treasury in November last, and in the circumstances I fear no useful purpose would be served by a further inquiry.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received the Final Report of the Housing (Financial Assistance) Committee; and when this Report will be issued?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Final Report of the Housing (Financial Assistance) Committee was published last Thursday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that in the Forest of Dean Crown land has been offered to local bodies and societies at £50 to £60 per acre, whilst for similar land desired by private individuals the price asked is £240 to £320 per acre; whether he is aware that the latter price is a hindrance to working men of the district desiring to build and occupy their own houses; and whether he will explain the reason for this policy?

The area, so far as it concerns local bodies and societies, is approximately 11 acres. The figures stated in the question are substantially correct. The object of the Crown in offering land to local authorities and public utility societies at prices approved by the Treasury but below market rates is to facilitate the erection of cottages and to secure that the building schemes are adequately planned. The Commissioners of Woods as Trustees of the Crown estates would not be justified in selling land to private individuals on the same terms as the way would be laid open for speculators at the expense of the Crown. I may refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to a similar question asked in the House on 23rd March, 1914.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether tenants of a parish council are eligible for election as parish councillors, or are thereby disqualified from holding such office?

I cannot express any authoritative opinion as to the effect of Clause 46 of the Local Government Act, 1894, but I may point out that in reply to a question in the House of Commons on the 11th May, 1895, the then Attorney-General stated that in his opinion a member of a parish council did not become disqualified for continuing in office as councillor by reason of his taking an allotment which was under the management of the parish council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the yield per annum in a full year to the railways of the United Kingdom of the increased fares, and also the yield of the increased pass charges?

It is impossible to separate the effect of increased fares from that of increased travelling, but passenger train traffic receipts in 1918 on the controlled railways in Great Britain exceeded those for 1916 by nearly £15,000,000.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he can now make a statement as to the position of Private A. Richards, No. 3496r Royal Defence Corps; (2) whether he is aware that Private A. Richards, No. 3496, late 56th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps, was employed in the Holloway Post Office before enlisting in 1914, that he has now been demobilised on the undertaking of the-Post Office to re-employ him, but that on application to the Holloway Post Office he was sent to Studd Street, Islington, where he was told that he could not he given employment although he producsd his A.F.Z. 16a given him on demobilisation, on which it states that the Postmaster-General has undertaken to employ him on his demobilisation?

I find upon inquiry that Private Richards' employment in Holloway Stores Depot was only temporary, and as such did not entitle him to employment upon demobilisation. The statement on Form A.F.Z. 16a, to which the hon. Member refers, was made by Private Richards, probably through a misunderstanding of the actual position.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the total amount standing to the credit of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank on the latest date for which the information is available; and what was the market value of the assets at that time?

The total amount standing to the credit of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank on the 31st of March, 1919, was approximately £257,000,000. The annual valuation at market prices of the securities held for the Post Office Savings Bank has been discontinued since 1904. Discontinuance was recommended by the Select Committe on Savings Banks Funds in 1902, on the ground that the valuation was misleading, and effect was given to this recommendation by Section 9 of the Savings Banks Act, 1904.

asked the Minister of Labour how many appointments have been made during the last two years as managers of Labour Exchanges, and the previous occupations of those appointed to such positions?

Four hundred and sixty-two posts of manager of Employment Exchanges have been filled in the past two years. Of the persons appointed (355 men and 107 women), 460 were members of the permanent staff of the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour. The remaining two posts were filled by reinstating officers who had previously held the position of manager.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction that exists throughout the Highland counties; of Scotland with the inadequacy and haphazard character of the postal facilities in these regions; whether he is aware to-what extent these districts are being deprived of their pre-war postal conveniences; and what steps, generally, he proposes to take to place the whole matter of Highland postal service on a practical and efficient basis?

I am aware that many parts of Caithness and Sutherland (the counties which I presume the hon. Member has chiefly in mind) present especial difficulty from a postal point of view, and that in some cases curtailments of postal facilities have taken place as a result of conditions produced by the War. General directions have been given recently to review cases of this kind.

asked the-Secretary for Scotland what precautions he proposes to take in cases of afforestation that money so spent shall not be spent for the benefit of private owners, but shall be spent for the benefit of the State only?

At present any scheme for the afforestation of privately-owned land in Scotland is undertaken by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and is carried out under terms approved by the Development Commission and sanctioned by the Treasury. The future development of afforestation and the terms under which it is to be administered are now under consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how much of the land purchased under the Small Holdings Acts for purposes of settling soldiers and sailors in Scotland has been acquired, and at what prices; and when such lands are to be cut up for their destined purposes?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have now purchased 6,830 Acres under the Small Holding Colonies Acts. Owing to current leases, the Board are in occupation of 904 acres only of this area; 600 additional areas will be entered at Whit Sunday next, and a further 1,403 acres at Martinmas. It is not desirable at present to state the prices paid, in view of pending negotiations for other properties. Schemes for settlements on the lands immediately available are in an advanced stage, and expected to be in operation this year.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the huts, timber, wire, etc., for the acquisition of which he has authorised the expenditure of £50,000, will be available for other smallholders than soldiers and sailors?

The reply is in the affirmative. The hon. Baronet would, however, be the last to suggest that a preference should not be given to men who have served their country.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Court of Session has decided that the expression, "predecessors of the same family," occurring in the Small Landholders Act. 1911, does not include son-in-law of previous tenant; and whether, in view of the hardship that this decision is causing, he will introduce legislation to remedy the Act in this respect?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. An opportunity will arise for considering this matter in connection with pending legislative proposals.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to breaches of the Small Landholders Act, 1911, Section 17, whereby landlords are required to intimate to the Board of Agriculture the termination of possession of a holding by a landlord; and what steps he proposes to take to compel compliance of the Act in such cases?

A few cases have come under the notice of the Board where landlords have failed to give intimation as required by the Section that a holding has ceased, or is about to cease, to be held by a landholder. On learning of the vacancy, the Board have made inquiry and instructed the landlord to comply with the terms of the Act by reletting the holding on landholders' tenure, unless there were good reasons for a contrary course. If the hon. Baronet will supply particulars of any case he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why the middle gate at Hyde Park Corner is still closed; whether this gate was closed for the defence of the realm, and whether any danger the closing of these gates may have averted is now past?

The gate was closed in connection with the use of the searchlight on the top of the arch, and when the light was removed and the necessary repairs to the roadway had been effected the gate was opened on One occasion, but the confusion which arose with the traffic owing to the reduced lighting was so serious that the police advised that it should be kept closed until such time as the lighting restrictions could be removed entirely.