asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the prices of milk have been fixed with the agreement of the Board of Agriculture; and whether the Board is satisfied that they will not result in a diminution of milk supply in the future?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the observation made in the House of Lords by the President of the Board of Agriculture in the Debate on Milk Prices on Wednesday, the 30th April last.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that in Bradford, Halifax, and Huddersfield, the number of calves slaughtered during April, 1919, amounted to 3,946 as compared with 1,528 for the corresponding period of 1918, or an increase of 2,418 calves; and whether some restriction can be placed on this excessive slaughter in the interests of the cattle stocks of this country, as a good proportion of these calves are good calves for rearing into cattle?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The figures as quoted by the hon. Member are, however, misleading. The increase in the number of calves slaughtered in the authorised slaughter-houses in these three towns is due to the fact that under the Live Stock (Sales) Order which came into force in May, 1918, all calves must be slaughtered in Government authorised slaughter-houses only. It is generally agreed that the Calves (Sales) Order has acted as a restraining influence on the slaughter of calves.

asked the Food Controller what percentage of home-killed mutton was allocated for consumption in the Yorkshire area, in the Westmorland and Cumberland area, to the East Lancashire Wholesale Supply Association for consumption in Manchester and Salford, and to the London area for the four weeks ending 26th April, 1919?

The following are the percentages of home-killed mutton allocated for consumption in the areas in question during the four weeks ending 26th April, 1919:

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that numbers of temporary clerks employed at the Admiralty and dockyards have received acting appointments, he can state why none of the Admiralty clerical staff at the Naval Store Depot, West India Docks, have been so promoted, although many of them are engaged on important duties, and certain names were submitted to the Admiralty for promotion in September last?

Acting appointments are determined by local needs, and vary according to the numbers of experienced staff available for the work and its amount. West India Docks is mainly a shipping depot, and the work is not of such a complex nature as at the dock- yards. As regards the statement that none of the Admiralty staff at the West India Docks have been promoted, I am advised, that no less than eight of the staff employed at the depot are holding acting appointments in higher grades. Owing to the Armistice and the post-war policy of distribution of the Fleets, the conditions at the depot have been uncertain, but the whole question of staff is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the retention in the Army of Private K. Partington, No. 76702, Royal Engineers, Blackdown Camp, Farnborough, a builder's manager, and the statement of his employer that he could take from twenty to thirty men off the unemployment list if this man were released; and whether, with a view to effecting a saving of unemployed donation, he will use his influence with the War Office to secure the demobilisation of Private Partington?

This soldier was not registered by the Ministry of Labour as a pivotal man before1st February, the date on which the pivotal lists were closed, nor does he appear to be eligible for demobilisation under the present regulations either on the ground of age or length of service. I am considering the general question raised by eases of this kind, but at present I am not in a position to take any action in this particular instance.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that Private D. Watton, No. 88279, 1/7 Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached 19th General Hospital, Alexandria, and who joined the forces in October, 1914, has not had any leave since June, 1915; and whether arrangements can be made for his early release?

If Private Watton's 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.

asked when Lance-Corporal A. Piper, No. 116262, Royal Army Medical Corps, at present at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, will be released, having in mind that this man is of a very low medical category and over thirty-nine years of age?

Instructions have already been issued for Lance-Corporal Piper's release, but as he is serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps he is liable to be temporarily retained as part of the military machinery for demobilisation, until his services can be spared or he can be replaced.

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Driver Robert Parker, No. 356210. No. 8 Auxiliary Horse Company, Royal Army Service Corps, British Expeditionary Force; whether he is aware that Driver Parker was forty-three years of age last October; that he has a one-man business as a general dealer at Gilesgate Moor, Durham, and that his presence is urgently required in order to carry on the business, as his wife cannot do so without him; that his wife applied for his release through the Sunderland Labour Exchange early in January, and that Driver Parker subsequently received the necessary forms when in Belgium, and signed and returned them to his commanding officer; that a little later he was told that his leave was stopped as he would be released shortly; that he has recently, notwithstanding, been granted fourteen days' leave, but has not yet been demobilised; and whether, in view of Driver Parker's age and the other circumstances in the case, he can now be released?

Driver Parker is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age is as stated by my hon. and gallant 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.

asked the Secretary for War if he is aware that the Ministry of Labour has recommended the demobilisation of Private A. Milliship, No. 438886, 472nd Agricultural Company, and requested that his release may be accelerated; and can he state why this soldier is being retained?

Private Milliship is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there any trace of any application having been received on his behalf by the War Office. If he is eligible under current instructions he will be demobilised as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to the fact that Private Flett is a junior partner in the firm of Flett and Company, Kirkwall, and that application was made some time ago by the Board of Agriculture (Scotland) for his demobilisation as a pivotal man; and if, being forty-two years of age, he is entitled to be demobilised?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of Private Flett's regimental number and regiment, inquiries will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sergeant S. T. Saunders, No. 70590, Wireless Troop, Royal Engineers, Desert Mounted Force Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, is still being retained in the Army although he was called up on the outbreak of war and sent abroad in May, 1915, and has had no home leave since then; and if he will give instructions that he shall be released as soon as possible?

Sergeant Saunders is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated by my Noble 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. Personnel of the Royal Engineers, though eligible for demobilisation, are liable to fee temporarily retained as part of the military machinery of demobilisation until their services can be dispensed with or they can be replaced.

asked the Secretary for War if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst farmers in the Carse of Gowrie, because the baling of the hay purchased by the War Department has been suspended; and when the Department will take delivery of the hay purchased?

I am informed that the baling of hay purchased by the War Department in Scotland has not been suspended. On the contrary, the lifting of hay has been somewhat accelerated. The same number of balers are employed as have been employed throughout the year. It is anticipated that all hay purchased will be lifted by the end of July.

asked the Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that the l/7th Hants Regiment has been quartered at Aden since January, 1918, he can give any intimation of the date of their return?

It is regretted that the date on which this battalion will leave Aden is not yet known.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any, and, if so, what decision has been come to upon the question of whether masseuses in the employment of the War Office should have their present inadequate pay raised at least to the level of the pay of the masseuses employed by the Admiralty; and what is the reason for the prolonged delay in dealing with this question?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. and learned Friend that increased rates of pay have now been approved, and an Army Council Instruction will be issued early next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there has recently been delay in the transmission of parcels to our troops in Italy; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made and the delay to be rectified?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Parcels for troops in Italy are for warded by military trains from France, and the frequency and time of transmission depend on the train service available. There is no avoidable delay so far as the Post Office is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment (1) if he will state the number of convicted male and female prisoners, respectively, undergoing penal servitude in the convict prisons in England on the first Sunday in March in the years 1907, 1913, and 1919; (2) if he will state the number of male and female convicts, respectively, in preventive detention in England on the first Sunday in March in the year 1919; (3) if he will state the number of convicted male and female prisoners, respectively, in custody in local prisons in England on the first Sunday in March in the years 1907, 1913, and 1919?

The following statement shows the number of male and female prisoners in custody in England and Wales on the dates shown. There are no statistics available for the dates named in the questions, or which distinguish between convicted and unconvicted prisoners in custody in local prisons:—

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the number of male and female convicts, respectively, in preventive detention in Scotland on the first Sunday in March in the year 1919?

The numbers under preventive detention on the date stated were twenty-two males and no females.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the houses built at the instance of the Minister of Munitions during the War in the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire had no washhouse accommodation attached; why the Local Government Board refuses to have wash-houses put in, notwithstanding the Report of the medical officer of health, who certifies that these houses are without proper washhouse accommodation, and in that respect are unfit for human habitation?

Out of 550 houses erected in Lanarkshire during the War at the instance of the Minister of Munitions, 430 are specially equipped with wash tubs in addition to sinks. Owing to the need for economy in materials during the War, and to the desirability of providing a type of house that could be let at a lower rental,120 houses were not provided with wash-tubs, but were equipped with larger sinks so as to permit washing being performed therein. The Local Government Board have not refused to have washhouses put in. On the contrary, they have expressed the view that wash-tubs would be a very desirable improvement, and the Minister of Munitions to whom the houses belong, has stated his willingness to reconsider the matter at a later date, when conditions as regards cost and consequent adjustment of rental have become more normal.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the very low poll at the recent guardians' election at Lambeth; whether he is aware that when some of the polling boxes were opened there was not a single voting paper found inside; and whether he will state the cost of the election to the ratepayers?

I have communicated with the clerk to the guardians of the parish of Lambeth, who has furnished me with the following particulars relating to the recent election of guardians:

There were contests in seven of the twelve wards. The total number of ballot-papers taken from the ballot boxes was 1,774, and in one instance a box on being opened was found to be empty. The total cost of the election to the ratepayers was £870 10s. 7d.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will explain why in the election of a borough elective auditor only one polling station is allowed, making a representative vote impossible in a large borough; why the difficulty is further increased by the power to give only one vote when two auditors are required; whether he is aware that at the recent Croydon election, involving considerable expense, about 700 votes out of over 70,000 electors were recorded; and whether he will amend the system of voting to make it representative, or abolish the office of elective auditors?

Under Section 62 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, elections of elective auditors must be held at the town hall or some one other convenient place appointed by the Mayor, and I do not think that I can undertake to propose legislation at the present time for the alteration of the provisions of the Act.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, at the Parkhead Labour Exchange, Glasgow, there has been or is a shortage of the forms necessary for women applicants for the unemployment donation or for the extension of the donation; and, if so, whether he will take steps, to rectify it?

No such shortage has been reported. Telegraphic instructions have, however, been sent directing that the matter shall be investigated, and that, if a shortage is found, it shall at once be remedied.

May I ask my right hon. Friend what business will be taken next week?

(Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury): On Monday we shall take the Financial Resolution of the Scottish Housing Bill, the Financial Resolution of the Acquisition of Land Bill, and the Financial Resolution of the Anthrax Bill; also the Report stage of the Food Vote taken the other day, and the Report stage of the Civil Service Estimates, Class 1, Votes 1, 2 and 3.

On Tuesday, we shall take the Irish Housing Bill and the Report stages of the Financial Resolutions of the previous day.

On Wednesday, the Second Reading of the Electricity Bill.

Thursday will be a Supply day. I would rather state the Vote on Monday.