asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated loss to the Revenue for 1919–20 on the Customs Duties on spirits, beer, sugar, tobacco, motor spirit, cinema films, clocks and watches, motor cars and cycles, musical instruments, matches, and table waters, respectively, owing to the Budget Preference proposals; and what is the estimated loss for the same period on the proposed reduction of Excise Duties on spirits, beer, sugar, tobacco, motor spirit, matches, and table waters, respectively?

The Preference proposals do not apply to beer, matches and table waters. In the case of cinema films, clocks and watches, motor cars and cycles, and musical instruments, the loss is anticipated to be small, and no separate estimate has been made. The other figures are included in Table VII. of the Financial Statement (1919–20) (White Paper No. 88).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before the introduction of the Finance Bill, he will, for the convenience of Members, state with regard to each of the several articles at present subject to Customs Duty the amount of imports of each such article from each British Dominion and Possession, and each of the principal foreign countries of supply, respectively, for the year 1913?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the particulars given in Table 15 on pages 218–251 of the Annual Statement Of Trade, 1917, Vol. 1 (Cd. 9127).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now see his way to paying the 20 per cent. bonus on pensions and allowances payable under the Injuries in War Compensation Act in the same way as the bonuses payable under the Royal Warrant and Orders in Council for pensions to petty officers and men of the Navy?

The Treasury are in communication with the Departments concerned with regard to a modification of the existing rates with the special object of improving the rates of children's allowances, but I do not think it necessary to grant a general increase of 20 per cent.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that returning officers' expenses in Scotland have not yet been paid, and that all the presiding officers, clerks, and tradesmen employed are still without payment of the sums disbursed by or due to them; and if he will have this grievance immediately remedied?

I am aware that in two or three instances returning officers' expenses in Scotland have not yet been paid. There is no reason, however, why presiding officers, clerks, or tradesmen should have any grievance, as the returning officer to whom the question relates can apply to the Treasury for an advance to enable him to meet their claims.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the temporary lady clerks in the offices of the National Board of Education, Dublin, have not received the increase of 20 per cent. on all salaries awarded by the Treasury; whether, of the two last bonuses, these clerks did not get the first one, dated from 1st July, 1918, but got the second one, given in December, 1918, though the lady clerks in other Government offices in Dublin received both bonuses; and whether he will now have the matter rectified?

The increase of 20 per cent. of salary referred to in the first part of the question is payable only to permanent Civil servants whose salaries are fixed on a pre-war basis. It is not payable to temporary employés engaged during the War, whose remuneration has been settled from time to time on the basis of present conditions, the last general increase in Dublin offices dating from the 1st November last. The temporary women clerks in the National Education Office are in the same position in this respect as temporary women clerks in other offices.

asked the Food Controller whether in the event of a certain quantity of potatoes which have been stored for the Government in Scotland being found to have gone bad in a pit a claim for compensation for abnormal wastage will be allowed; and, if so, on what scale?

Under an agreement with the Ministry of Food, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, the Scottish Agricultural Associations, representing the potato growers, it has been decided that the Ministry of Food shall increase the price of potatoes to be paid to growers in Scotland by 5s. per ton; and that this increase in price shall be accepted by the Scottish growers as fully meeting any loss in respect of abnormal wastage.

asked the Food Controller whether arrangements are now being made for the shipment from Aberdeen to Germany of surplus potatoes from the north-eastern counties of Scotland?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that if further sales of potatoes to the German Government are arranged, the question of making shipments from Aberdeen will be carefully considered. I may say, however, that the present stock of potatoes in the north-eastern counties of Scotland is very small.

asked the Food Controller whether he has still in his employ a person named L. Infeld, who is of alien parentage; whether any recommendation was made in regard to this person by the Commission set up on the 1st August last; and for what definite national reason he is retained in the employ of the Ministry?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, particulars of the case have been laid before the Commission in question, but no recommendation has yet been received. Mr. Infeld, who entered the permanent Civil Service by competitive examination, is and has been engaged upon work of national importance at the Ministry of Food, and has rendered very valuable service to the Department.

asked the Food Controller if he can say for what reason has Captain C. H. S. Duncan, late of the 3rd Royal Scots, a discharged and partially-disabled officer, formerly employed in the Ministry, received notice to terminate his employment, and that no further employment can be offered him; whether in the same Department there are men of alien parentage still retained in the Ministry; and, if so, why foreigners are being retained in Government employment in preference to partially-disabled British officers who have taken active part and been wounded in the War?

The services of this officer were dispensed with owing to the reduction in the work of his section, and of the Department generally. There is no officer of alien parentage retained in the Ministry for whom he could usefully have been substituted.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty scheme of workmen's compensation is applicable to the men employed in Gibraltar Dockyard; whether he is aware that the Workmen's Compensation Act is not in force there; whether he is aware that the funeral expenses of a man recently killed in the dockyard was subscribed by his fellow workers; and whether he will at once consider the advisability of applying the Admiralty scheme to these men?

The Admiralty scheme of compensation is not applicable to men employed in Gibraltar, being framed under the Workmen's Compensation Act, which in itself is not applicable beyond the territorial limits of the United Kingdom. With regard to the case mentioned, I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will furnish me with further particulars, as in circumstances such as those indicated a coffin would ordinarily be provided at the public expense and a sum of £6 contributed towards the funeral expenses. Compensation in cases of the injury or accidental death of a Government employé serving abroad is made under the Treasury Warrant framed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wage now being paid to labourers in the dockyard, Gibraltar, is only 27s. per week inclusive; that at the present time, in making the necessary exchange into Spanish money, the men lose, approximately, 6s. per week; and whether he will make an allowance to meet this loss, as is done in the case of the men sent to Gibraltar from home dockyards?

The minimum rate of wages at present paid to locally-entered labourers at Gibraltar (whether Spanish or British) is 27s. a week, as stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. The wages are paid in sterling, and, in so far as purchases have to be made in local currency, there is at present a loss on exchange if the normal rate of exchange be taken as 25 pesetas to the £ although this loss would not amount to so much as 6s.a week in the cases in question. The cases of the workmen who have been sent from England under agreement for temporary service at Gibraltar are different from those of the locally-engaged employés; and I may add that the exchange factor has been taken into account in assessing the war advances in wages for the locally-engaged workpeople.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why the increase of pension awarded to naval officers generally is not applicable to those officers known as kept-on officers; why the 25 per cent. bonus on active service pay, granted to the retired officer who rejoined for service during the War in lieu of increased pension, is not also applicable to the kept-on officer; and in what way, if any, it is proposed to put the kept-on officer on an equal footing with other ranks?

The rates of retired pay of naval officers are fixed on a scale based on their length of service and age on retirement, subject to certain maximum rates for each rank. When these maximum rates have been reached, no increase of retired pay is earned by further service, but this rule applies equally to all officers, whether retained beyond the age of compulsory retirement or not. Under present Regulations, the bonus of 25 per cent. full pay can only be granted to retired officers called up for service; officers retained on the active list beyond the age of compulsory retirement are not eligible to receive it. The question of the position of these officers with regard to other officers is still under discussion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the wages paid to an able-bodied seaman-gunner with ten years' service and two good-conduct stripes is 2s. 6d. per day plus 1s. 6d. per day war bonus, and the allowance for his wife 9s. 6d. per week, making a total weekly income of 37s. 6d.;and whether, in view of the inadequacy of this payment, he will consider the necessity of making the position of a qualified man in the Navy equal to the position of a qualified civilian tradesman who has the advantage of a trade union organisation to establish his claims?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but if the man referred to has children he will receive children's allowances in addition, at the rate of 9s. 6d. for one child, 17s. for two children, 22s. 6d. for three, 25s. 6d. for four, and so on. As regards the second part of the question, it must be within the recollection of the hon. Member that the whole question of the pay of men of the Royal Navy has been under consideration, and that, as I have just said, an announcement on the whole subject will immediately be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the present rate of pay to the ordinary seamen in His Majesty's service is 1s. 5d. per day, and that of able-bodied seamen 1s. 10d. per day; and whether these rates are sufficient to attract good men to the Service or commensurate with the value of their services to the nation?

The present rates are as follows:

As the hon. Member is aware, an announcement on the whole question has been promised before the close of the week.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can make any statement on the subject of servants' allowances to engineer officers in His Majesty's Navy?

The question of payment of servants' allowance to engineer overseers, to which I assume the hon. Member refers, is at present under consideration. Engineer officers are eligible for servants' allowances under the same conditions as other officers in His Majesty's Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether efforts are being made to break up the lower-deck organisations by drafting the officials for foreign service; whether this is intentional, and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of announcing openly that the Admiralty disapprove of combinations or unions rather than employing indirect means to disrupt them?

The suggestion in the earlier part of the question is entirely incorrect. As regards the last part of the question, combinations are contrary to the King's Regulations, and any expression of Admiralty disapproval is therefore unnecessary. As an indication of the spirit of Admiralty policy in this matter I should like the hon. and gallant Member to read the Admiralty Order of 24th February last regarding "Representation of the Lower Deck." I am sending him a copy of the Order for that purpose.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether W. O. 51/19, which gives Civil servants a week's leave, with pay, includes established men in the Royal dockyards, and, if not, will he say why, since established men are Civil servants, this and other privileges extended to Civil servants generally are withheld from dockyard established men?

In the case of Civil servants who are ordinarily allowed annual leave with pay, sanction has been given for the addition of one week to the ordinary allowance during the present year. This applies to those classes of employés at the dockyards who are ordinarily entitled to annual leave with pay. Annual leave with pay is not allowed for established workmen in the dockyard.

asked the Secretary to the Admiraly if he is aware that from the point of view of danger, exposure to weather, arduous work, and skill required, the salvage of the steamship "Gloucester Castle" by dockyard tugs was by no means a special case; and will he take steps to have the whole question of bonuses to the crews of dockyard tugs for salvage services on Government-owned or chartered vessels reconsidered?

As stated on a previous occasion, in reply to my hon. Friend, the case of the "Gloucester Castle" was, in the opinion of the Admiralty, a special one. As regards the last part of the question, the whole subject of salvage awards is at present receiving further consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the criticism which has been passed upon the action of certain naval officers during the War, he will publish as a Parliamentary Paper any instructions issued by the Admiralty which have a bearing upon the incidents which led up to the escape of the "Goeben" in the Mediterranean, and the results of the battles of Cape Coronel and Jutland, so that it may be possible to gauge the extent to which the strategy employed in these engagements was controlled and limited by those having no first-hand knowledge of what was occurring on the spot?

As regards the "Goeben," I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the full reply which I gave when the subject was raised on the Motion for the Adjournment on the 15th April. As regards the Cape Coronel and Jutland battles, I do not think the time has yet come to publish the Papers. The whole matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of the fact that bonuses have been awarded to the Navy and Army, he can see his way to recommend a similar recognition of service to the Mercantile Marine?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. War bonuses have been paid to merchant seamen during the War, and are still being paid to merchant seamen who are serving in the Mercantile Marine.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Staff-Sergeant R. W. Johnston, No. 512335, Royal Engineers, c/o D.O.R.E., Camicrs, A.P.O.S. 39, British Expeditionary Force, France, voluntarily joined the forces in November, 1914; whether he is thirty-eight years of age; whether repeated applications have been made for his demobilisation by the Midland Electric Corporation, Limited, Ocker Hill, Wednesbury; and, if so, will he cause inquiry to be made with a view to his demobilisation being expedited?

Sergeant Johnston 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. I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. If this non-commissioned officer's age and length of service are as stated by my hon. Friend 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 the exigencies of the Service permit. As I have already stated in the House, senior officers have been appointed to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are being retained without good and sufficient cause. I regret that I cannot take any special action in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal Joseph McDonald, No. S4/125534, 11th Field Battery, Army Service Corps, Base Supply Depot, No. L1, A.P.O., Italian Expeditionary Force, who enlisted in August, 1915, and is thirty-nine years of age, and has had no leave for twenty-one months, is still retained; and whether he will give orders for his immediate release?

Corporal McDonald is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age and length of service are as stated by my hon. Friend 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.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason for the continued detention in the Army of Gunner Sidney Hurley, No. 961030, A Battery, 100th Brigade, Salonika Forces, who enlisted on the 25th July, 1915, and in respect of whom a claim has been made by Messrs. Foote and Milne, of 66, Victoria Street, S.W.1, as a workman of importance required to resume his work; whether this soldier has been sent to Russia, and, if so, under what authority; and what, if any, consent is required from a man before being sent to join the British Forces operating in Russia?

Every effort is being made to release all demobilisable men at the earliest possible moment, but it is obvious that they cannot all be released at once. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given on the 1st May to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Manchester, Moss Side, to the effect that the brigade referred to is serving in the Caucasus as part of its normal duty with the Army of Occupation. No consent on the part of a serving soldier is required before being sent to join the Army of Occupation in the Caucasus.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can release Driver T. W. Lilburn, No. 221600, S.A.A. section, 59th Division, British Expeditionary Force, France, on compassionate grounds, seeing that his mother is seventy-one years of age, in failing health and her sole support, and that he is also a married man and his wife is not in the best of health?

Inquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private David Westland, No. 301222, B Section, 89th Field Ambulance, British Expeditionary Force, Army of Occupation, Germany, who enlisted in September, 1914, is still retained; and whether he will give orders for his demobilisation?

Private Westland is not registered toy the War Office as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend, 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 remind my hon. Friend that personnel of the Royal Army Medical Corps, though eligible for demobilisation, are liable to be temporarily retained as part of the military machinery of demobilisation. Men thus retained are being released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced. I would also refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Moss Side on the 1st, regarding the appointment of senior officers to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are retained without good and sufficient cause.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of soldiers who joined up voluntarily in the early days of the War and prior to 1st January, 1916, are still being retained in the Army, although entitled to their demobilisation under the new Army Order, and that hardship is being inflicted, especially on the young men who are desirous of completing their industrial training; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave 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 who is eligible for demobilisation is retained without good and sufficient cause. I regret I cannot take any special action in the cases mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Ministry of Labour has requested the demobilisation of Private J. M. Rothwell, No. 27170, 7th Platoon, D Company, 1/1st Kents Battalion, on several occasions during the last few months; and, in view of the fact that Rothwell is an employer of labour whose return will mean the employment of more men, what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

Instructions have already been issued for the demobilisation of Private Rothwell, but as he is stationed in India it must necessarily take time before they can be acted upon.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private A. K. Pilcher, No. 08245, Army Ordnance Corps Detachment, A.P.O. 7, British Expeditionary Force, Marseilles, is still undischarged as he joined the Army in May, 1915;whether he is aware that this man is a wheelwright at Olveston, Gloucestershire, that a great deal of work is actually waiting for him to do, and that the agriculturists in the neighbourhood are restricted in their operations owing to the impossibility of getting their work done; and is this man one of those who he said he believed would be discharged by the end of April?

Private Pilcher is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend 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 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 to officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are retained without good and sufficient cause.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Bombardier F. May, No. 182024, 34th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, British Expeditionary Force, France, is still being retained in the Army although he is forty years old, has handed a contract letter from his employer to his commanding officer duly signed by the local advisory committee, is a married man with two children, and has to help to support a widowed mother; and whether he will give instructions that he should be released as soon as possible?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the appeal of Corporal H. Nowell, No. 21735, B Company, 6th Platoon, 1st Royal West Kents, British Expeditionary Force, France, for release on compassionate grounds has been considered; whether he is aware that this man's father died since his enlistment; that he is the only support of his mother whom her doctor has certified as unfit to live alone; whether he was invalided home from Salonika and has one brother discharged seriously wounded and unfit for any work; and will he have this case dealt with under the new rules dealing with applications on compassionate grounds?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the papers for the demobilisation of Private S. Phillips, No. 030798, A.O.C., A.P.O., S. 21, British Expeditionary Force, France, have gone through, but that no further action has been taken up to the present; and whether he can expedite this man's release?

I am informed that instructions have already been issued for the demobilisation of Private Phillips.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions for the early release of Private D. Craven, No. 23355, 4th Hants Regiment; who has only recently been discharged from Milton military hospital, after suffering from pneumonia, and sent to rejoin his regiment in Germany, notwithstanding that Private Craven is entitled to three wound stripes, has lost his two brothers on service in the War, and that application for his release was endorsed by the Labour Exchange in January last without avail?

Private Craven is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. The application referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, which was endorsed by the Labour Exchange, was probably a contract offer of employment such as to obtain his registration as a "slip" man. This does not entitle him to immediate demobilisation, but only gives him a certain priority if otherwise eligible for demobilisation. If he is entitled to wear three wound stripes 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 the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the application made by the man's employer and also by the Derbyshire agricultural committee for the release of Private J. Thorpe, No. 593912, regimental address, 18, Burn Street, Nottingham, seeing that his employer has a farm of 190 acres and is without any assistance now this man has been called up?

Private Thorpe 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. If he is eligible under current restrictions he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the men of the 21st Battalion Rifle Brigade, quartered in India, owing to the fact that men due for demobilisation have not yet been sent home; and can he see his way to hasten their demobilisation, seeing that some of them have already over twenty-three years' foreign service to their credit?

I am not aware that any dissatisfaction exists amongst the men referred to. All men in India who are eligible for demobilisation are being released as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit. As I stated on Tuesday last, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bolton, 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. I would also refer to my statement on the same day in reply to questions by the hon. Member for Kettering and the hon. and gallant Member for Flint.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are a number of men serving as telegraphists in the 12th Division, Royal Engineers (Signal Company), who enlisted in 1914–15, tout who are not being demobilised, although many men from other units with less service have been released; and whether he can take action to secure that these men with long service shall be demobilised at the earliest possible moment?

It is possible that a number of men of the 12th Division, Royal Engineers (Signal Company), who are eligible for demobilisation are being temporarily retained as part of the military machinery of demobilisation. Men so retained are being released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced. Senior officers have been appointed to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are being retained without good and sufficient cause.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the coming large demand for men with experience in the building trade, he is taking steps to expedite the release from the Army of men whose employers need them for the erection of new houses?

Army Order 55 of 1919 governs the eligibility of all men for demobilisation. I regret that, at the present time, I can take no special steps to release men engaged in the building trade who are not eligible for demobilisation under that Army Order.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether priority in respect of demobilisation is being given to men who enlisted in 1914 and 1915; and whether he is aware that there are complaints that men of a far later date of enlistment are being liberated first?

Yes, Sir. Men who enlisted in 1914 and 1915 are being given priority in demobilisation, and men who did not enlist prior to 1st January, 1916, are not being released unless they are otherwise eligible under Army Order 55 of 1919. It is no doubt true that some men of shorter service have been demobilised, while others of longer service are still retained. This is due to the fact that dispersal drafts are made up from the classes of men eligible for demobilisation according to a certain order of priority, and that as far as possible a proportion of men from all classes, as laid down in the order of priority, are included in the drafts sent for dispersal. My hon. Friend will understand that other grounds of eligibility for demobilisation. are recognised besides length of service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make any statement as to the demobilisation of married soldiers and the release of other on compassionate grounds; whether the only son of an impecunious widow is a reason for release on compassionate grounds; and whether he will consider the release of business men from the Army urgently required for commerce who were only called up for service after several periods of exemption by tribunals?

Fresh instructions have recently been published broadcast defining "extreme compassionate grounds" and governing releases on such grounds. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. If the case to which he refers falls within any of the categories prescribed therein, and he will obtain a statement giving full facts and particulars, certified as set out in the instructions, the case will be considered. With regard to the last part of the question, the eligibility of all men is governed by Army Order 55 of 1919, and I regret that at the present time I cannot consider the release of men who are not eligible under that Army Order.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the retention of low-grade men suffering from acute maladies such as valvular disease of the heart; and whether applications for their demobilisation are given special consideration?

Men of low medical category are not eligible for demobilisation unless they come within certain exceptions defined in Army Order 55 of 1919, but I may add that only such men as are fully employed in the Army and are capable of carrying out the duties they are called upon to perform are being retained. Every application for discharge on medical grounds receives careful consideration and all the circumstances of the case are taken into account before a decision is arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether facilities are being given for the demobilisation of apprentices who were called up since 1st January, 1916?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Torquay on the 11th March, to the effect that students and apprentices are being treated on the same footing as regards demobilisation as other soldiers. Their demobilisation is dependent on their being eligible under existing Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether railway employés who, owing to Government instructions, were not allowed to enlist in 1915, but who were subsequently called up in 1916, will be given any priority as to demobilisation?

The answer is in the negative, unless they are eligible for demobilisation under current instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in dealing with appeals for demobilisation, he will give favourable consideration to men who voluntarily tried to enlist prior to 1st January, 1916, and who at that time were rejected on medical grounds, but who were subsequently called up?

Men rejected as medically unfit before 1st January, 1916, who subsequently joined the Colours after the 1st January, 1916, are not eligible for demobilisation under current instructions unless they fall within one of the exceptions specified in such instructions. I regret that at the present time I can authorise no variation of this procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War if arrangements have been made to ensure the granting of home leave to all men serving with the Salonika Forces (including those attached to the Serbian Forces) who have been absent continuously from this country for eighteen months or more; and if it is possible to transfer such men to the Home forces or to the Army of the Rhine, where the facilities for visiting their families can be more readily granted?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the statement which I made on Tuesday last regarding arrangements for the relief, and the provision of leave, for all troops in the East.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are soldiers in the Army of Occupation in Egypt who have spent at least two and a half years on Eastern foreign service with no home leave, and who now believe they will under the new Conscription Act have to stay abroad for another year; and can he say that such men will be given leave in the immediate future and will not be returned to Egypt?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement in reply to questions on this subject on Tuesday last, in which I explained fully the policy governing the relief and arrangements for leave for men serving in the East.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an official record of authorised divisional signs employed by all formations in every theatre of war may now be issued and published for information?

This is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Highland regiments are to be represented on the War Office Committee appointed to consider the after-war uniforms of the British Army; and whether he will arrange for the representation of Scottish Lowland regiments on this Committee?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the written reply given yesterday to a question put down by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Clackmannan and Eastern Division of Stirling and Clackmannan, in which the composition of the Committee was set out. The Committee is empowered to take evidence, and representative officers of Scottish regiments, in common with others, will be given an opportunity of expressing their views so that the claims of all regiments will be thoroughly considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to give permission to wives of officers at present serving in the Rhine Army to join their husbands; and, if so, when may such permission be expected?

This question is still under consideration. A decision will be arrived at as soon as possible. It is not possible to make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the wish of the country that the garrison of Kut should receive recognition, he will consider the desirability of awarding a special distinction to all ranks of the garrison, exclusive of the awards to be made on General Townshend's recommendations?

I do not think the award of a special decoration for any specific action, however gallant, could be made without unfairness to men engaged in other theatres of war. The possibility, however, of awarding clasps for particular operations is a matter that is now receiving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the statement by Viscount French to the effect that on the death of General Sir James Grierson, in August, 1914, he asked that Sir Herbert Plumer might be sent out to take command of the Second Corps; if the War Office instead sent out Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien; whether this was done on the advice of the chief of staff or on the initiative of the Secretary of State at the time; and if, in view of the importance of decisions on questions of personnel being entrusted to those on the spot with an intimate knowledge of the requirements of the situation, he will give an assurance that in such matters steps have now been taken to prevent the recommendations of those responsible in the field being overridden by the civilian control at the War Office on other than military grounds?

The appointment in question was made by the Government. I am afraid I cannot undertake to discuss, in reply to a question, the other points raised.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether opportunity will be afforded to local authorities to obtain for the benefit of the aged, the cripples, and incurables in their districts invalid chairs, wheeled cots, etc., from the military hospitals which are now being closed down?

The disposal of all surplus Army stores is in the hands of the Surplus Government Property Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions, to whom applications should be addressed by local authorities. I understand that my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board is about to make certain proposals for utilising surplus medical and other stores for the various health services of the country, and the whole question will, no doubt, be sympathetically considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any, and, if so, how many, British troops are at present in any of the following countries: Finland, including Karelia; Esthonia and Lettland; Roumania, including Bessarabia; the Ukraine; the Caucasus, including Transcaucasia; the territory under Denikin; and Siberia and the territory under Koltchak?

There are no British troops in Finland, Esthonia, Lettland, or the Ukraine. As regards Karelia, I do not think it advisable to give the figures as to the number of our troops at Murmansk. There is a small mission of twenty-five officers and other ranks in Roumania and Bessarabia, and a larger mission with General Denikin in South Russia. The total number of British, including Indian troops, in the Caucasus is 24,200, and in Siberia and with Admiral Koltchak there are about two battalions and the personnel of a strong mission.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of applications made, the number granted, and the number refused, for agricultural labour made to the officer commanding the Agricultural Labour Company at Richmond, Yorkshire, since 1st January, 1919?

Inquiries are being made in this case, and I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a communication was received by the county Armagh County Council, Ireland, in March, 1918, from the Surplus Government Property Advisory Council, to the effect that the latter was prepared to consider applications from county councils for disposal of certain Government road plant stores; whether he is aware that a communication was sent to the Director-General of Military Railways on this subject by the county surveyor of Armagh County Council in March last; if the Director-General of Military Railways replied that the road plant could be inspected at Richborough, Kent, by the end of March last; if he is aware that two representatives of the Armagh County Council visited Richborough on the 10th April last, inspected the plant, selected and purchased two Foden steam wagons at £570 and six trailers at £45 each, at the same time arranging for delivery of this plant within a month; whether a communication was received by the Armagh County Council on the 16th of April last from Brigadier-General May bury in which he stated that it was not likely that they would have any trailers for disposal, and that with regard to Foden wagons there was a large number of local authorities waiting for these, and that he had placed the name of the Armagh County Council on the list for the purpose of communicating again when wagons of this type were available; whether he will direct that the war stores inspected, purchased, and delivery agreed on by the representatives of the Armagh County Council will be delivered forthwith; and if he will say why preferential treatment was given to English local authorities on plant definitely sold to an Irish local authority?

The disposal of the plant in question is a matter for the Road Board, to whom the correspondence was referred.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Alfred Nicholson, late gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery, who was employed as civil subordinate at Clarence Barracks, Portsmouth, and being an ex-soldier on the outbreak of war re-enlisted, a written guarantee, dated 27th September, 1914, being given to him that his appointment would be kept open for him until his return, was demobilised on 24th March, but although he has reported several times at Clarence Barracks and passed the doctor, has not yet been allowed to resume his original employment; and, if so, whether he will give instructions that Mr. Nicholson be at once allowed to resume his work?

In order to facilitate inquiries in this case, I should be obliged if my hon. and gallant Friend would kindly inform me in what capacity Nicholson was employed at Clarence Barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers of the Territorial Force who have been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general during the War?

The number is fifty-two.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state for how many years the present scale of pensions for retired colonels of the Regular Army has been in force; and whether any increase is proposed to enable these officers to meet the increased cost of living and other additional burdens of the present day?

The present scale was introduced in 1902. The general question of officers' pensions is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to cases where South Africans in 1914 and 1915 responded to Lord Kitchener's urgent call for recruits, and paid their own expenses from South Africa to the United Kingdom in order to serve without delay, many of them selling up businesses or sacrificing lucrative callings; whether he is aware that some of these men having applied for commissions were kept on the War Office waiting list for so long, all the while incurring expenses, that they got tired and joined as private soldiers; whether the scale of recompense, based on rank, adopted by the War Office to meet such cases is adequate; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Army Order 275/1918, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, contains the conditions under which and the limits within which refunds of passage money are made to those who came from abroad to join the Army, and I regret I cannot modify those conditions. It would not be practicable to make distinctions between men who joined the ranks according to the various reasons they may have had for doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to avoid the delay in dealing with each officer's claim individually, he will consider the advisability of making a special grant to all officers who have been prisoners of war in Turkey to cover their heavy expenses while they were prisoners of war?

I can assure my Noble Friend that no time will be lost in dealing with these claims as soon as they have been presented; but the conditions varied too much to admit of a fixed grant being paid in all cases alike.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. W. Greenfield, Laurel Cottage, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham, Hants, late No. 91405, Bombardier, Royal Field Artillery, has not received the deferred pay to which he was entitled upon discharge three months ago; and whether he can cause action to be taken in the matter?

A money order for the amount of this soldier's deferred pay was forwarded to him on 17th April.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give a Return of the Members of Parliament serving in His Majesty's Forces, showing their appointments and rates of pay?

The Return is already in hand, and will, I hope, be ready in a day or two.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that, under Army Order 222 of 1918,time-expired men who would otherwise be eligible for a £20 bounty are deprived of such bounty if they have been made prisoners of war; and when, in view of the hardship of this Order, especially in the case of men who had nearly completed their thirteen years' service at the time of being taken prisoners, he will take steps to rescind such Order?

The Army Order in question has recently been modified by the issue of instructions to the effect that, provided they were still serving on 18th April, 1918 (before which date they were not affected by the Military Service Acts), prisoners of war have an equal claim to bounty with other soldiers. These instructions will shortly be confirmed in an Army Order.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Bolton, of 107, Toll End Road, Wednesbury, wife of Gunner Arthur Bolton, No. 285,315, Royal Garrison Artillery, has not received her correct separation allowance for a considerable time; whether a payment of £10 has now been made; whether the outstanding balance of arrears still amounts to £53 14s. 6d.;and whether he will have a strict inquiry made with a view to Mrs. Bolton's grievance being immediately remedied?

Inquiry will be made and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieutenant W. O. Poyser, l/5th North Staffordshire Regiment, has been demobilised without wound gratuity, although his wounds were pronounced on final examination on 3rd April at Stoke war hospital to be in final stationary condition; and why this man is to receive no wound gratuity or pension?

In order to satisfy the conditions for a wound gratuity the wound must have been held to be very severe.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. S. Robinson, widow of Sergeant-Major J. W. Robinson, M.C., No. 16210, Royal Army Medical Corps, now residing at 2, Pembury Place, High Street, Aldershot, was evicted from her quarters, 123, B Square, South Camp, Aldershot, on the outbreak of war, and, after having received 3s. 6d. a week in lieu of lodgings for two years, was refused further payment on the ground that she was living in Aldershot, and whether he will state what justification there was for this treatment?

Mrs. Robinson, in common with other soldiers' families, was obliged to remove from Government quarters at Aldershot on the outbreak of war, to make room for the New Armies. Since that date she has been in receipt of the full rates of separation allowance, which include a provision of lodging money in lieu of quarters. In addition, she received irregularly for two years an allowance of 3s. 6d. a week, which was given to families who removed from their military stations and were thus deprived of some of the amenities of such stations, such as dealing at the canteens. As she remained in Aldershot she was not entitled to this allowance, but as the overpayment was made through a misunderstanding no recovery has been made from her.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will look into the case of James Edward Tallent, late quartermaster-sergeant, No. 2840, Manchester Regiment; and whether he is aware that this non-commissioned officer was discharged from the Service on the 15th March, 1915, with a pension of 12s. 3d. per week, and that, on applying for the 20 per cent. bonus on his pension, he was informed that he was not eligible for this as his pension was payable under the 1914 Warrant and had not been re-assessed under the 1917 Warrant?

The amount to which Mr. Tallent would be entitled under the 1917 and 1918 Warrants is 9s. a week, including bonus. It is, therefore, better for him to continue to draw the pension of 12s. 3d. a week awarded under the 1914 Warrant, to which the bonus does not apply.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. R. C. Dean, of No. 42, Woodbourn Road, Sheffield, widow of the late Private William Ernest Dean, No. 5512, 2/5th King's Own Scottish Borderers, has not received her pension since 27th March, 1919; and, if so, will he cause the pension to be reissued or explain why its payment has been stopped or delayed?

Private Dean died on the 21st March, 1919, after discharge, and no pension was in issue to Mrs. Dean. Some delay occurred in ascertaining the cause of death, but the local committees have now been instructed to make temporary payments to Mrs. Dean at pension rate pending the settlement of her claim.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Lance-Corporal J. Condon, No. 18500, Royal Engineers, of 150, Upper Sheriff Street, Dublin, is in receipt of a pension of 11s. per week; whether the medical board recommended him for light work; whether he applied at Messrs. Guinness, Limited, Dublin, for work, and was referred to the firm's medical doctor; whether he failed to pass the medical standard fixed by this firm; if so, whether he will institute inquiry with a view to Condon being subjected to a further medical examination, and, if justified, his pension increased; and whether he can take action respecting the firm's standard of physical fitness required?

Lance-Corporal Condon has been awarded pension on the basis of 40 per cent. disablement. If he considers that his disability has been under-assessed he should apply to his local committee, who will have him re-examined by their medical referee. I have no power to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will take steps to ensure that, in view of the large number of officers and men of the officer class now demobilised, all war pension staff appointments, such as the appointments of secretaries and treasurers of war pension committees, held by men who have not served shall be cancelled, in order that such appointments may be given to men who have served?

In making new appointments to their staff the war pensions committees are now obliged to give preference to candidates who have served in the War, but, in view of the experience which the present staff have gained during the War in the working of the Warrants and Regulations, and the good service rendered, it would neither be practicable nor fair to cancel all existing appointments as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether his Department is, in view of accidents, devoting special attention to the feasibility of providing all aeroplanes with parachutes; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

Experiments in the provision of parachutes for aircraft are being pressed on, and considerable results have been attained. The hon. Member can be assured that all possibilities in regard to the use of parachutes will be explored by the Air Ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he will state the number of applications which have been made by the Aircraft Manufacturing Company and allied companies under the control of Mr. Holt-Thomas for the services of important officers or officials from the Royal Air Force; whether he will state the names of those officers or officials who have been released and the positions which they hold in the company; and whether he is aware of any Government official or officials who hold interests in the Holt-Thomas group?

No application has been received by the Air Ministry from the Aircraft Manufacturing Company for the services of officers serving in the Royal Air Force or the Air Ministry. Two senior officers of the Royal Air Force and one official of standing have joined or are joining the company after terminating their connection with the public service, but I am not aware of the positions offered to them. As regards the third part of the question, I have no information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he will arrange with the Treasury that the Disposal Board carry out the recommendations of the Civil Aerial Transport Committee with regard to the selling of aero- planes at a reduced price (Appendix IV, paragraph 10, Sub-section B) to substantial companies, with a view to helping commercial aeronautics from a national point of view?

The recommendation referred to is one which with other cognate questions is at present receiving the close attention of the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the deferred scheme of payment on demobilisation for men of the Royal Air Force applies to men stationed with the British Expeditionary Force; and, if so, whether he is aware that some Royal Air Force demobilisation officers with the British Expeditionary Force are not aware that this scheme exists?

The Deferred Payment system has now been cancelled as it has served its purpose. It was not applied to men demobilised from abroad; all such men were (and are being) dealt with under the ordinary procedure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the prospective Atlantic flyers were recently interrogated by the Air Ministry as to their reasons for delay in crossing the Atlantic; and whether he will state the general policy of the Government towards this flight?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Far from urging on the attempt the attitude of the Air Ministry has been, and is, to enjoin caution upon those engaged in this enterprise. The officers who are attempting the flight are not under the control of the Air Ministry, but nevertheless every possible information has been furnished to them and every assistance given with regard to navigation and wireless instruments which can make the venture safer. I may be allowed to add that the record of fearless endurance of everyone of the British competitors is such that they can well afford to decide on the practicability of the flight without fear of cavil.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will state the number of the advisory experts attached to his Department who were, prior to the War, employed by Messrs. Vickers, Limited, and the Metropolitan Wagon Company, Limited, respectively; and can he give their names and previous positions?

No former employés of the firms mentioned by the hon. Gentleman are attached to the Ministry as advisory experts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what he proposes to do with the Greetland chemical works; and whether he has considered the possibility of utilising some factories of this kind for the training of disabled soldiers in various industries?

Negotiations for the purchase of the site of this factory are still proceeding, and until they are concluded no decision can be arrived at as to its future use I am in communication both with the Minister of Labour and with the Minister of Pensions with regard to the utilisation of suitable factories for the training of disabled soldiers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the Regulations under the Teachers' Superannuation Act, care will be taken to prevent any condition being laid down which would operate against the interchange of teachers' service between England and Scotland?

The answer is in the affirmative. The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury have declared that service in Scotland which is pensionable under the Scottish superannuation scheme shall be qualifying service for the purpose of the English School Teachers (Superannuation) Act.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will expedite the increase in pensions to retired officers of the Indian Service recommended in the Montagu-Chelmsford Report scheme?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given by me on the 30th April to questions by the hon. Baronet the Member for East Nottingham.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the institution of a Republican League in Great Britain to carry out active propaganda of Republicanism with the object of taking definite steps towards the establishment of a Republic in England; and whether the powers vested in his officials will be employed to suppress or foster this institution?

There are several societies whose speakers profess Republican leanings, but on the information given by the hon. Member I have not been able to identify the particular society to which he refers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of the accommodation provided in the Staffordshire area for the treatment of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to meet the requirements?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Staffordshire, Wolverhampton, and Dudley Joint Committee for Tuberculosis are actively engaged in the provision of additional accommodation for the treatment of persons in their area who are suffering from tuberculosis. A new institution, containing forty beds, is expected to be ready for patients early next month, and other proposals for providing further accommodation for this purpose are receiving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware of the continued delay in arriving at a comprehensive scheme for treatment of tuberculosis in London; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware of the delay, which is much to be regretted. Conferences between the London County Council and the London Insurance Committee have not so far led to a complete solution of the difficulties which have lain in the way of the production of a satisfactory comprehensive scheme for treatment of tuberculosis in London. The matter is engaging my personal attention, and I hope that an early settlement may be arrived at.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his inquiries into the action of the Belfast railway companies in raising the fares on the workmen's trains; and, if so, what is the result of these inquiries; and will he issue an Order that the former prices for workmen's tickets will be restored?

I am writing fully to the hon. Gentleman on this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, with reference to the housing schemes submitted to the Board by the local authorities, how many of these are schemes of new housing under Part III. and how many are slum-clearance and rehousing schemes under Part I. or II. of the Housing Act?

Up to the 2nd May, local authorities have submitted 1,096schemes under Part III. of the Housing Act, including proposals for the acquisition of sites. The Board have also before them six uncompleted schemes under Part I. of the Act, and they are aware that other schemes under Parts I. and II. are in course of preparation by local authorities.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether information can now be given for the guidance of local authorities and others engaged in the preparation of housing schemes as to the probability of cheap electricity and gas being available in the near future so as to enable the latest appliances for cooking, heating, lighting, and hot water to be provided in the proposed new houses and thereby effect a reduction in the cost of construction of such houses by the omission of fireplaces and chimney-stacks, as well as securing the advantages in the home of the latest practical methods of cooking, heating, and lighting?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the provision of central hot water supply and other labour saving devices and appliances was considered by the Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for Brightside and the Women's Housing Sub-Committee appointed by the Ministry of Reconstruction. The recommendations of these Committees are being borne in mind. I am arranging for useful suggestions to be investigated and any practical proposals submitted by local authorities in connection with their housing schemes will be encouraged. I cannot, however, state what the cost of gas and electricity is likely to be in the near future.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his Department has made any financial grant to the national council for combating venereal disease; if so, will he state what the amount was for both last year and this year; if any conditions were made with the grant; and will he state what those conditions are?

A grant of £8,000 was paid to the council towards their expenditure for 1918 on various measures for educative publicity work, and £5,000 has similarly been paid towards their 1919 work. The question of a further grant for this year is not yet settled. The measures thus aided are discussed with the Board, and are taken by the council subject to the Board's concurrence.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, having regard to the importance of a pure milk supply to the children of the community, he will consider the necessity of a complete Government control over the production and distribution of milk throughout the country?

The whole question of the milk supply is receiving careful consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will sanction reasonable expenditure for feeding and entertaining troops out of the rates when such troops are concentrated for the purpose of triumphal processions in the different counties, in accordance with the statement made on this matter by the Secretary of State for War?

My right hon. Friend will be happy to consider applications for sanction to reasonable expenditure for this purpose which may be made to him by local authorities whose accounts are subject to Government audit.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce whether, with a view to encourage the public to take earlier holidays, any cheap railway tickets or other concessions will be made during the months of May, June, and July?

The matter has at my request been considered fully by the Railway Executive Committee, but I regret that the conclusion to which they have come is that reduced fares could not, under the conditions prevailing at the present time, be granted as suggested. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that everything that is possible will be done to meet the convenience of the travelling public.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Kennington Park Road there is a Sub-Post Office in which there are only two girl assistants; that the business of the department has grown to such an extent that there are very often long queues of people waiting for attention; and whether, in view of the extra work on account of pensions, etc., due to the War, undertaken at this office, he will consider the desirability of establishing a proper district office in the neighbourhood?

I am assured that the normal work at the Kennington Town Sub-Office is not beyond the capacity of the staff. There is at present, as at most post offices, some congestion due to the payment of demobilisation gratuities, but this will decrease before long. I cannot find any case for the provision of a branch post office in the neighbourhood.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the long delay in forwarding to discharged soldiers the Post Office savings bank book with regard to their war gratuities, after the men have already been notified by the regimental paymasters that the money has been forwarded to the Controller of the Post Office Savings Bank; and what is the reason for the delay?

The war gratuity books are being dispatched up to time in accordance with the lists furnished by regimental pay offices; but I am aware that in some cases incorrect or insufficient particulars furnished on the lists have caused delay in the delivery of the books to the owners. Steps are being taken with the co-operation of the War Office, to remedy this defect; and in the meantime any complaint of delay is specially investigated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Euston Square branch post office is infested with vermin, and that it has been seen on the public counter; whether insect powder is officially supplied to the staff at this office; is he aware that the back entrance used by the staff is often in a filthy condition, that the instrument room is badly ventilated and dirty, that telegraphists have to take all their meals in this room, which is also used as a cloak room, and that the lavatory accommodation is also inadequate; and whether, in view of the danger to the staff of these conditions, he will at once take steps to secure new premises for this office?

On the question of accommodation at the Euston Square branch office, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 31st of March last to the right hon. Member for Deptford. As regards the presence of vermin, insect powder was supplied last September in view of the discovery of two insects on the public counter. The incident seems to have been an isolated one as no further complaint has been received.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will hasten the fixing of telegraph and telephone instruments in the post office at Haslemere, High Wycombe, seeing that the wires are already in position and that great inconvenience is now experienced by the residents?

I am ascertaining whether the provision of a telegraph office or call office at Haslemere, High Wycombe, would be justified, and, if so, on what terms. There is, I think, some misapprehension as to wires being available for the purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the increase in tuberculous cattle in this country and the consequent danger to young children due to the consumption of infected milk, he will put in force the Order for compulsory notification by the owners of such cattle, which was suspended in 1914, and secure to the owners a fair compensation for cattle compulsorily slaughtered?

The Tuberculosis Order of 1914 was issued under powers given to the Board by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, with the view of preventing the spread of tuberculosis in cattle. It has been decided to reissue the Order as soon as the Milk and Dairies Act comes into operation. The Order provides for compensation according to scale for cattle slaughtered under its provisions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that super phosphates and other essential fertilisers are being quoted at considerably higher prices, already, for the 1920 crop; and what steps he proposes to take to secure their being obtained by farmers at present or lower prices?

During the 1918–19 season, which will terminate at the end of the present month, superphosphate has been supplied to farmers at prices below the cost of production. The Government assistance which enabled this to be done is not being continued, and some increase in price is probably unavoidable. The Board have discussed this matter with a committee of the trade, and so far as they are aware no prices have been fixed by makers, except for the sales during the next two or three months of super phosphate required for the 1919 crops.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the fact that about 20 per cent. of the milk at present supplied to the public contains the living germs of tuberculosis, he will at once appoint a special expert committee to consider the best means of rendering this milk a safe food for children to drink?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As I have already stated in reply to a previous question, the whole subject of milk supply is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, seeing that there is a danger of considerable areas of land not being cropped in 1919, and a great reduction in the production of food in Derbyshire owing to the scarcity of labour, he will cease calling this class of labour for service in the Army of Occupation?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for Shrewsbury on Tuesday last. The soldiers on the land are being withdrawn by the military authorities, and not by the Board of Agriculture. Ten per cent. will be retained, the recall of the men having been postponed to enable the selection to be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the percentage of officials at the Board of Agriculture who have practical knowledge of farming?

The large majority of the officials of the Board are not dealing with practical agriculture, and possess no experience in that direction. It is difficult to define what constitutes a practical knowledge of farming, but in the Land Division of nine permanent commissioners three have farmed land of their own, and six have practised as land agents. Of the forty-two District Commissioners and Sub-Commissioners, thirteen have farmed and twenty have practised as land agents, sixteen being Fellows or professional associates of the Surveyors' Institution. In the Intelligence Division of the twelve higher officials above the rank of inspector or second-class clerk, six possess practical experience of farming.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will state who are the present members of the Agricultural Wages Committee for the East Riding of Yorkshire; whether they were elected or nominated by the Board of Agriculture; and what recommendations they made to the Agricultural Wages Board in respect of the recent advances in wages?

No separate district wages committee exists for the East Riding of Yorkshire, the Agricultural Wages Board having established one district committee for the whole county. The present members of the Yorkshire District Wages Committee are as follows:

asked the number of officers engaged by the Ministry of Labour at salaries over £300 per annum during the past nine months from other Government Departments and from private employment, respectively, together with the respective salaries those officers were in receipt of in the positions they occupied prior to being taken over by the Ministry of Labour, and the salaries, with any bonuses and allowances, they are now securing?

During the past nine months, namely, since 1st August, 1918, there have been:

260 officers (15 permanent and 245 temporary, as detailed in Table "A" following), transferred to the Ministry of Labour from other Government Departments, and:

13 officers (detailed in Table "B") appointed to the Ministry, who were previously in private employment, all at salaries over £300 per annum.

In addition, 32 military officers, still under military law and discipline, have been loaned by the War Office to the Appointments Department of the Ministry, and are in receipt of civil salaries over £300 chargeable on the Ministry of Labour funds.

Details of these officers are shown on Table "C."