asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed, by legislation or Order, to protect soldiers and civilians whose war work interfered with their ordinary avocations and residence from losses falling on them through the operation of the Statutes of Limitation; whether he is aware that the long duration of the War has rendered many debts owing to soldiers legally irrecoverable, and that the men who volunteered earliest will be the heaviest losers; and whether the Government will propose legislation enacting that the legal period of the duration of the War shall be disregarded in deciding whether a debt is Statute barred?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. There is, so far as I know, no proposal for any such legislation as is men- tioned in the question, nor am I aware that a case for such legislation is made out.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will briefly state the reasons which lead the Treasury to decline to accept the recommendations of the Holt Committee that service with K Company of the Royal Engineers should count for Post Office pension?

Service with K Company of the Royal Engineers was military service, and the men of the company were in receipt of Army pay and allowance. The Treasury have no power under the existing law to reckon this service for civil pension. The question of introducing legislation to deal with the matter has been very carefully considered, but the Government do not see their way to propose such legislation, which it would be difficult to confine to the particular case now in question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, prior to the outbreak of War, the men attached to K Company of the Royal Engineers were filling or covering established positions in the Post Office; whether the salaries attaching to such positions were paid by the Post Office; whether service which demands a person's whole time and which is paid out of a Civil Vote carries pensionable rights; whether Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, empowers the Treasury to count temporary service which is followed by established service for purposes of pension; and whether, if an established Post Office telegraphist enlisting in K Company is not a Civil servant within the letter of the Act, he should be regarded as a person serving in the capacity of a Civil servant whose temporary service where followed by established service should be taken into account in fixing his pension?

At certain post offices K Company Royal Engineers were employed on the ordinary duties of telegraphists, and were regarded as blocking established appointments. While so employed they received Army pay and allowances, together with working pay ranging from 1s. 6d. to 4s. a day from the Post Office. Whole-time service paid out of a Civil Vote is not necessarily or invariably pensionable. Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, gives the Treasury a discretion to reckon temporary service for pension when followed by established service, if in their opinion any special circumstances of the case warrant such a course, but this provision does not empower the Treasury to reckon military service for civil pension.

asked the Food Controller why the increase of 25 per cent. of beer permitted to be, sold last quarter was not continued this quarter?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The 25 per cent. increase to which he refers is still permitted, and an additional increase of 50 per cent. was sanctioned as from 1st April last.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the substantive rate of pay of the Admiralty clerks now employed in the Royal Naval Ordnance Depot, Woolwich, exclusive of war bonus?

The following are the classes of Admiralty clerks referred to:

Temporary Writers.

Ordnance Depot Clerks.

Ordnance Store Writers.

The rates of pay, exclusive of war bonus, are us follows:

Ordnance Depot Clerks—

Grade 1—£200 by £10 annually to £300.

Grade 2—£140 by £7 10s. to £200.

Grade 3—37s. by 2s. a week to 56s. a week.

Ordnance Store Writers—

24s. by 2s. a week to 40s. a week.

As regards temporary writers, the present rate of pay is 60s. a week inclusive of war bonus. There is no rate separate from war bonus. The 60s. rate applies as from 1st January last. Prior to that the rate was 54s. a week, which took effect from 10th June, 1918. Prior to that date, the rates were:

40s. on entry,

42s. after two months, and

44s. a week after twelve months' service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the reason why claims for salvage awards by dockyard tugs have not been preferred in all cases where private vessels have been assisted; will the Government make a claim; and are the crews of vessels employed on the salvage entitled to claim on their own behalf?

In general, claims are made on behalf of the Crown in all cases of salvage services by dockyard tugs, unless any salvage payable in respect of the service would be payable by His Majesty's Government or a foreign Government. As regards the last part of the question, the practice is for the Admiralty to make a claim on behalf of the Crown and the crews of the tugs, and the allocation of the award is made by the Court, by the Arbitrator, or by the Admiralty, according to the circumstances in which the settlement is effected.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the Regulations governing the eligibility for demobilisation of men who are inmates of military hospitals for fixed periods; and whether these Regulations only apply to conditions that existed before 1st February, 1919?

Army Order 55 of 1919 governs the eligibility of all men for demobilisation. If a man has been in hospital twenty-eight days or longer, and he is eligible for demobilisation under this Army Order, he is demobilised from hospital. If not eligible, he is returned to his unit, unless he is passed as unfit for further service, when he is discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of the 19th Divisional Artillery, France, have been informed that the earliest date on which the men eligible for demobilisation can be released will be some time in June; whether he is aware that Driver H. Longhurst, No. 114043, C Battery, 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, is eligible for demobilisation, having joined the Colours in 1915; that his pre-war employer made application for him prior to the 1st February last; that if this man cannot be released very soon his berth will have to be filled; and whether he can take action to expedite his release?

Demobilisation Regulations apply to all Corps alike, but it is possible that certain men of the 19th Divisional Artillery, though eligible for demobilisation, are temporarily retained as part of the military machinery of demobilisation. With regard to the latter part of the question, Driver Longhurst is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. If this man joined the Colours for continuous service prior to the 1st January, 1916, he is eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Moss Side on the 1st instant regarding the appointment of senior officers to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officer or man is retained without good and sufficient cause. I regret that I can take no special action in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on 8th April his private secretary wrote that it was not considered desirable to demobilise Private J. R. Croy, the only support of his mother, a widow, in ill-health, and that on the previous day he had assured the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland that Private J. R. Croy had been demobilised on compassionate grounds and his release ordered; and if he will state if, under the circumstances, his promise will be kept?

Owing to the hon. Member having addressed himself to so many persons on this matter, it is regretted that the answer referred to in the first part of the question was based on incomplete information and conflicted with that which he had previously received. The demobilisation of this soldier is proceeding in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal George Cooper, W.R., No. 149044, Royal Field Artillery, transferred to Royal Engineers, Locomotive Workshops, Bagdad-Samarah Railway, Bagdad West, M. E. Force, who joined the Regular Army on 27th May, 1912, for six years with the Colours and six years with the Reserve, is still being retained on active service and refused demobilisation and has never had leave to visit home since he left England; and whether, in view of the fact that this man's father, who served twelve years in the Army, is now sixty-five years of age and unable to maintain the home through ill-health, and his mother an invalid, action will be taken to order this man's early demobilisation or, at least, leave of absence?

If Corporal Cooper's service is as stated by my hon. Friend, he is eligible for demobilisation, and will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper F. Luckett, No. 191697, Royal Engineers Signals, 90th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, British Expeditionary Force, is being retained with the forces; whether Sapper Luckett is over forty years of age; whether application for his demobilisation was made in due course by the postmaster of Oxford; and whether he will do what is possible to expedite his release?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner J. H. Fisher, No. 127769, 9th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, applied for demobilisation while on one month's leave in England, 28th February to 30th March, 1919; that this leave has twice been extended, that full particulars of his case have been furnished three times to the military authorities, and that he has now been requested to furnish the same particulars again; why it is necessary for a man to furnish particulars of his case on four separate occasions to the military authorities, and when this man may expect to hear that the War Office has come to a decision in respect of his case?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that application was made some time ago for the release of Sergeant D. C. Dow, No. 641, Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps, British Expeditionary Force, in order that he might return to his pre-war occupation; that up to the present no further action has been taken, and whether he can hold out any prospect of this soldier being released at an early date?

Sergeant Dow 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. If this non-commissioned officer is eligible for demobilisation under current instruction, he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the application for the release of Private Thomas Green, No. 6136, Durham Light Infantry, put forward on the ground that his brother is suffering from consumption and has broken down, while his mother also is invalided in her efforts to keep the home in existence; whether he is aware that the local war pensions committee and the local authorities have strongly recommended this claim, and whether he will further consider the fact that this man was a prisoner in Germany for a long time under circumstances very trying to his health?

There is no trace of any application on behalf of Private Green having been received by the War Office. Fresh instructions have recently been issued defining "extreme compassionate grounds" and governing release on such grounds, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. If the case falls within any of the categories prescribed therein, and my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving the full facts and particulars, it will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War what work the 561st Hants Works Company, Royal Engineers, Cork, are engaged upon; and whether the men in this company qualified for release, are entitled to be demobilised under Army Council Instruction No. 252 of 1919?

The 561st Hants Works Company, Royal Engineers, are employed on general engineering work. The men in this company who are eligible for release under existing regulations will be demobilised as soon as they can be relieved.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the object of towing the derelict motor stock from Kempton Park to Cippenham; whether it is intended to repair it there; whether it will be towed back again to London for sale; and why such sale cannot be carried out at Kempton Park in the first instance?

The object of towing the unfit vehicles to Slough is to enable the evacuation of the racecourse at Kempton Park to take place at an early date, and also to accumulate at Slough all the vehicles which will eventually be repaired there.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the "Bombay Chronicle" for the 18th March, 1919, contained an advertisement in which the Controller of Passages offered third-class passages on the "Ormondi" during the first part of April owing to the shortage of applications; and whether he will take advantage of this accommodation to bring home some of the Royal Engineer signallers who have been overseas, without leave, since the early days of the War?

I understand that the "Ormondi" was not detailed for the conveyance of troops, but to relieve the pressure on civilian traffic. I have no information as to the advertisement referred to. Perhaps my hon. Friend will address that part of his question to my right hon. Friend the Controller of Shipping. The dispatch of troops from India has been temporarily suspended owing to the situation existing there, but it is hoped that it will be able to be resumed now within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the harm to the public likely to be caused by the smuggling of dogs from abroad into the United Kingdom, he will cause a general routine Order to be published making it a court-martial offence for officers and other ranks serving abroad to smuggle dogs to Great Britain contrary to the Regulations in force?

General routine Orders have already been published forbidding dogs to be brought to the United Kingdom unless the owners are in possession of licences issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Instructions are being issued that these Orders are to be republished. Disobedience of general routine Orders is already an offence under the Army Act (Section 11).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the feeling that exists regarding the alleged carelessness of the medical officer who was responsible for the removal on the 17th November, 1918, of Private Donald Cameron, of the 17th Royal Scots, from his home to No. 3 Hospital, Stobhill, where he subsequently died, he will cause an inquiry to be made that will include the evidence of Ewen Cameron's family and the family doctor?

My hon. Friend originally raised this case in correspondence on 20th January last, and as a result of his representations a full inquiry was made into the circumstances. The patient was found to be not dangerously ill, and, according to instructions in such cases, the medical officer had no option but to order his removal to hospital. I am informed that the allegation that on reaching the hospital the patient was not treated as a cot case, but had to walk in, is unfounded, but I have already promised my hon. Friend that if any evidence to the contrary is submitted I will at once order further inquiries. I would point out that during the serious epidemic of influenza which prevailed at this time, in spite of every precaution, thousands of deaths took place among people who were living in the most comfortable circumstances at home.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the total casualties to date in the British forces in North Russia; how many of these have occurred since 11th November last; and what has been the cost of the military operations in North Russia since that date?

The following statement gives the information as regards casualties up to 28th April. The information as to cost is not available, as Army Accounts are not at present kept in such a form as to show the cost of a particular campaign:

asked the Seretary of State for War what is the number of prisoners of war working for wages in this country at the present time, and their distribution amongst the various branches of industry?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark on Wednesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of prisoners of war in British hands in the United Kingdom, in France, and elsewhere?

The figures are:

These figures include all nationalities, and both combatants and civilians.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many death sentences have been carried out since the date of the

Armistice; and what is the number of men of all ranks now serving sentences of three months or over for military offences?

No death sentences have been carried out since the Armistice. With regard to the second part of the question, the information is not available, and I am informed that its compilation would necessitate calling for a return from every civil prison, detention barrack, and military prison in the field in all theatres of war and commands. I do not think the expenditure of time and labour which such a return would involve would be justified in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Percy Sanford Lewis, who joined the Civil Service on 26th August, 1901, as an architectural draughtsman and surveyor, and after fulfilling his duties in a satisfactory manner at Colchester, Bermuda, and in the Barrack Construction Directorate at the War Office branch in Pall Mall, joined the Army in November, 1916, as a sapper in the Royal Engineers; that he entered the Army under the Regulations contained in the Office Memorandum, No. 769, of 22nd August, 1914, which specifically states that the civil posts of those Civil servants, of whom Percy Sanford Lewis was one, would be kept open until their return from naval or military service, and that such service would count for civil pension and increment of civil salary, and further, that all ranks would receive civil pay, from which Navy or Army pay and allowances, including Army separation allowance, would be deducted; that whilst on active service he was sent to hospital at Etaples, on 18th May, 1918, for illness contracted whilst on such service; that whilst he was ill in hospital his wife received formal notice of discontinuance of her husband's services, and was informed that as the post held by him had been abolished no payment would be made for any period after 30th November then next, on the ground that this was the period of notice to which he was entitled under Regulations, this notice being in direct contradiction and breach of the Regulations under which he joined the Army; that, on 12th December, 1918, a letter was sent to him stating that the Treasury had consented to the continued issue of his civil pay during the period of his military service; that on his being placed on Reserve, in February, 1919, he wrote them on the 17th of that month that he was on leave pending an appointment according to guarantee, to which no answer was received, and that on 11th March he received a letter from the War Office stating that inquiries had been made to ascertain if his services could be utilised, and that there was no opportunity availble, but that his name had been forwarded to the Local Government Board, to which on 12th March he replied, pointing out that the obligation to keep open his post was contained in the War Office Memorandum, No. 769, as quoted above, and that seventeen and a half years' service, with three in Bermuda, counted as double, making a total of twenty and a half years, entitled him to more consideration, and that in answer a letter was written by the War Office to him, on 25th March, 1919, stating that the Department had no opportunity of finding him employment; and whether the Secretary of State for War will make inquiries into this case with a view to this man receiving proper treatment and reinstatement having regard to his long Government service, and having regard also to the fact that practically the whole of his fellow members on the staff of the Directorate of Barrack Construction employed at the time of its abolition, and many of them junior to him in length of service, were transferred to other posts in the Civil Service, as he would have been had he not been at the time in the British Expeditionary Force abroad?

The facts regarding Mr. Lewis's services in the Directorate of Barrack Construction areas stated by my hon. Friend, and it is also true that he entered the Army under the conditions laid down by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury with respect to Civil servants who joined the naval and military forces of the Crown with the permission of the heads of their respective Departments during the war emergency, namely, that their civil posts would be kept open until their return and that they would receive their civil pay, less Navy and Army pay and allowances, during their service with the forces. While Mr. Lewis was serving with the Army the Directorate of Barrack Construction was abolished, and it became necessary to give formal notice of discontinuance to the members of the staff of the Directorate, including Mr. Lewis. It was subsequently decided that the issue of the balance of civil pay to those serving with the forces should be continued until their return to civil life (provided they did not re-engage or extend their naval or military service). It was, however, impossible to reinstate them in their former posts on return to civil life for the reason that those posts had in the meantime been abolished. Every possible effort has been and is still being made to find further employment for these officials, either in this or other Government offices. In many cases these efforts have been successful, but a number, including several with longer service than that of Mr. Lewis, are still unfortunately unprovided for.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will order special investigation as to the disappearance of Sapper James Turner, No. 254475, 19th Division, Signal Company, No. 1673, Barracks E. K. 9, Prisoner-of-war Camp, at Friedrichsfeld, near Wosel, Rhineland, only son of Mrs. L. Turner, 79, Roebank Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow, who was, according to information received from repatriated prisoners, taken prisoner on 10th April, 1918, worked behind the German lines until the end of September, when he was put in hospital at Trelon, whence he was removed on 12th October, and is believed to have been taken into Germany, and since then his mother, who had postcards and letters from him in July, August, and on 29th September, 1918, has heard no word and been unable to trace him?

I am informed that this man's name is on the list of unaccounted-for prisoners which has been sent to Berlin for special inquiry. A report has recently been received from Trelon, which it is thought refers to the case, giving his death as having taken place at Trelon on the 8th October, 1918. Some discrepancies as to date between this and other information received are at present being investigated. If my hon. Friend will furnish the full regimental details of the men who have been in communication with the relatives, it will probably be of assistance.

asked the Home Secretary what was the cause of the accident at Newliston Shale Mine, near Broxburn, whereby three members of a rescue brigade team lost their lives in endeavouring to reach the seat of an underground fire, and if any further attempt has been made to recover the body of the captain of the team left in the workings?

It appears probable that the men fell on the slippery pavement and disarranged their breathing apparatus, but the accident may have been in part due to the defects in the apparatus. This is now the subject of further investigation.

Direct attempts to recover the body of the third member of the rescue team have been suspended, pending the erection of stoppings which should enable this to be done with less danger, and I understand the work is being proceeded with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Home Secretary if he is in a position to say when the Report on the Stanrigg mining disaster will be published?

The Report is being presented to-day, and will be published shortly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is possible to announce at an early date that the Government has decided to provide grants-in-aid for the training, employment, and relief of the blind as recommended in the Report of the Departmental Committee?

The Government are prepared to ask Parliament to provide moneys for grants-in-aid of various forms of services in aid of the blind so soon as practicable schemes have been worked out, with the assistance of the Advisory Committee, who are now sitting for that purpose, on lines that can secure adequate results, pending such larger developments as will only be practicable when legislation has been passed which is not at present feasible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reinstate in post-office work H. Harman, formerly town postman of Great Yarmouth, who has been engaged in work of national importance under the Pelham Committee for the past two and a half years, and in March, 1919, was freed from its control?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to questions by the hon. Members for Houghton-le-Spring and Pontypool on the 10th April. Mr. Harman's case will be considered when the general policy is settled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, especially in view of the £8,000,000 back pay bonus paid to miners now in employment, any steps are contemplated to increase the compensation pay of injured miners whose present pay is based on lower and pre-war standards?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. An Act was passed in 1917 by agreement with the representatives of the employers and the workers which provided for an increase of 25 per cent. in all cases of total disablement for the period of the War and six months after. This agreement was made to apply to all past cases in which compensation was still running as well as to future cases, and it was a condition of the agreement that it should be regarded as a final settlement for the period of the War. My predecessor was approached on the question of a further increase by the Miners' Federation last November, and it was arranged that in view of the condition referred to the Federation should approach the Employers' Association. In the absence of any agreement between the parties, it would be difficult for the Government to re-open the matter; but I hope the proposed Commission of Inquiry into the working of the Act will be appointed very shortly now, and I will ask them to give the whole question their early consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether any preference in accommodation is given to teachers who are desirous of proceeding to South Africa to take up definite appointments; and what is the earliest date on which such a teacher, whose services are urgently required, will be able to sail?

This Department deals only with Government passengers, and we do not, therefore, provide passages for teachers. It may be stated that practically the whole of the passenger accommodation to South Africa is required for Government passengers, and this is likely to be the case until after June. Special provision has been made for a small number of business men whose passage is essential for trade reconstruction. All other passengers, of whom it is understood that the shipping companies have very long lists, are dealt with by these companies when any accommodation becomes available under a priority scheme administered by the High Commissioner for South Africa. In this priority scheme teachers are second in priority.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will arrange that one member of the farmers' side and one for the employés' side will be appointed to the proposed Royal Commission on Agriculture to represent the agricultural industry of the county of Northumberland, after consultation by the Board with county associations and unions; and whether steps will be taken through local associations to secure the attendance of tenant farmers now earning a living at each branch of farming carried on in this county in order to give evidence?

The constitution of the Royal Commission on Agriculture is at present under consideration, but I cannot undertake that particular counties will be separately represented on the Commission. The Commission will doubtless receive evidence from representatives of all types of farming, but here, again, I cannot give an undertaking that evidence will be necessarily taken from representatives from particular counties.