asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that Orkney and Shetland have been without a Lord Lieutenant for a considerable time, and that in consequence in some of the country districts there is considerable inconvenience from the lack of justices; and if he will give the matter his favourable consideration?

A decision in this matter will, I hope, be taken very shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether the German Government is for- bidden by terms imposed by the Allies at Brussels from allowing a single pound of food into districts in which a strike is in progress?

"With a view to increasing exports of all kinds to be made available in payment of food, and also in the interests of internal order in Germany, the Allied and Associated delegates requested that it should be made a condition of the consignments of food now in course of arrangement that no part of these consignments should be distributed to unemployed persons who by their own fault or choice fail to obtain work. The German delegates took due note of this condition."

asked when the Solicitors and Barristers (Qualification of Women) Bill, which passed the other House, will be taken in this House?

I hope very shortly to find time for this Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the interest on outstanding Income Tax duties, and in respect of Super-tax is not allowed to be deducted from Income Tax, he will consider the desirability of not raising the interest chargeable on outstanding duties above three per cent., the amount up to now charged?

No interest is chargeable on outstanding Income Tax or Super-tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the high price of brandy, he will give the necessary permission for the sale of a half-bottle of spirits in cases of illness, and on the certificate of a doctor?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to sales of spirits at retail off-licence premises in England, where in accordance with the law the quantity sold to any person at one time may not be less than a reputed quart bottle. There is no prohibition against the sale of half-bottles of spirits at on-licence premises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability, in increasing the duty on spirits, to distinguish between spirits used for consumption and those used for commercial purposes, with a view to avoiding injury to trade?

I am not quite sure of the scope of the hon. and gallant Member's question. If by "spirits used for commercial purposes" he means spirits used in manufactures generally, I would remind him that most of the spirits so used are either methylated spirits which are free of duty, or in certain cases, where it is found that methylated spirits are unsuitable, spirits allowed to be used free of duty under special conditions made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. The hon. Member may, however, have in mind the use of spirits in the preparation either of certain essences used in the manufacture of beverages, or of perfumes which are of the nature of a luxury. I do not see my way to relieving spirits so used of the increase of duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that wine and spirit merchants are declining to supply customers with whisky at 10s. 6d. a bottle on the ground that they cannot afford to do so as a result of the Budget; and what action can be taken to make their supplies available to the public?

I have no information on the subject, but shall be glad to consider with the Food Controller any case of which the hon. and gallant Member can give me particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all British Empire-grown tobacco in bond on the 1st September will be entitled to the preference of one-sixth of the duty?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as legislation relative to sugar taxation has generally applied to saccharin, after the 1st September, 1919, the Excise Duty on British saccharin and the Customs Duty on saccharin imported into this country from any part of the British Empire will be 110s. per pound against 132s. per pound on saccharin imported from foreign countries?

Saccharin is included among the articles in respect of which I propose that Imperial Preference should be granted. The exact effect of my proposals on the existing rates of duty will be shown in the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will authorise the Ministry of Food to withdraw the restrictions in regard to malt being supplied to those who brew for their own domestic use?

I have been asked to reply. The authority of the Cabinet (to whom the question has been referred by the Ministry of Food) is required before these restrictions can be modified.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that at Bridlington Market on 7th April the Government graders and valuers allocated twenty-five sheep to the Morley Retail Butchers' Association and twenty-five sheep to the Out-wood and Stanley District Retail Butchers' Association, near Wakefield; that each of these lots of sheep were valued to weigh 118 lbs. each dead-weight, or a total of 2,950 lbs.; that the first lot weighed only 2,142 lbs. dead-weight, equal to about 85¾lbs. each; that the second lot, instead of weighing 2,950 lbs., weighed only 2,066 lbs. dead-weight, or about 82⅔lbs. each; and that these sheep cost the retail butchers over £2 each over the price fixed by the Ministry of Food; whether he is aware that a cheque for £25, or £l each sheep, has been sent to each of the associations to try to settle the matter, but has only been accepted on account; whether he will use his influence to put a stop to this practice and make sale by dead-weight the leading method of dealing with livestock; and will he remove the graders who were responsible for these bad valuations and are clearly unfit for their positions?

The answer to the first five parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the sixth part, the cheques to which the hon. Member refers were tendered not by the Ministry of Food, but by the owner of the sheep. The Ministry accepts no liability for losses which may be incurred by overgrading, and similarly does not require butchers to return any profit received in cases of under-grading. The Food Controller is satisfied that butchers in general have no objection to the live-weight basis; and they have in some cases refused to change their live-stock permits for permits to purchase dead meat. It is not, therefore, considered that there is any justification for depriving the farmer of his option to sell on the live-weight basis. I may add that the graders in question are no longer in the service of the Ministry.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that the slaughterhouse officials are paying the farmer 10d. per lb. for the carcases of calves with all the offal given in and are charging the butcher 10½d. per lb. for the bare carcase and charging him a high price for the offal in addition, and that the profit to the Government is considerably more than the retailer is allowed as a gross profit, out of which he has to pay all working expenses and live?

The figures are as stated by the hon. Member in the first part of the question. The price charged to the butcher for the offal is not, however, a high price, but is fixed so as to allow him a reasonable profit on his sales. The sum accruing to the Government, which I may say is not greater than the margin allowed to the retailer, is used to assist in reducing the price of meat to the consumer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many teachers in Circuit 3b (Magherafelt Section) have been deprived of increments or promotion by reason of unsatisfactory reports from inspectors during the last three years; and to what extent the educational efficiency of this section has declined during the period mentioned?

The Commissioners of National Education consider that it would not be desirable in the public interest to publish the particulars asked for in this question. There is no evidence, however, in the records of their office that would indicate a decline in the educational efficiency of the schools of the Magherafelt Section during the period mentioned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will afford an opportunity to the House to discuss the imprisonment of the four men arrested for alleged disturbances at a political meeting in Newry?

I am not prepared to give the facilities asked for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists in the Royal Navy over the delay in giving effect to the recommendations of the Jerram Committee; and whether these recommendations, if adopted, would result in increasing the opportunities of promotion from the lower deck?

The decisions of the Government were published in Saturday's Press. As regards the second part of the question, the Committee was appointed "to hold an inquiry into the present rates of pay and allowances, and retired pay or pensions" of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and the question of promotion from the lower deck was not within the scope of the Committee and was not dealt with in its recommendations. The matter is, however, before the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Driver W. Mitchell, No. T4/245708, 537th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, Old Barracks, Fermoy, Ireland, who enlisted in 1914, has not yet been released, when men who joined the Army subsequently have already been demobilised from that unit?

Driver Mitchell 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. 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 circumstances permit. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Elland on the 8th May, regarding the demobilisation of men who enlisted in 1914 and 1915. 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 he is aware that Sapper Donald Blue, No. 254667, Royal Engineers, Signals, 10th Corps, H.A., British Expeditionary Force, Germany, was applied for as a pivotal man by his employers, Messrs. James Howden and Company, 195, Scotland Street, Glasgow, on the 26th December, 1916, on the grounds of his being assistant manager, property department; whether he is aware that the former manager of this department is now dead and that Sapper Blue is therefore urgently needed by his employers; and if he will state whether there is any likelihood of this man being released although he enlisted after 1st January, 1916?

Sapper Blue is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. 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 is eligible for demobilisation under current instructions, he will be demobilised as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it will be possible to demobilise Rifleman T. Henley, No. 8136, 3rd Battalion King's Royal Rifles, who was in India in 1914, has served in German East Africa, is now at Ambola, India, and has never been home for twelve years?

If Rifleman Henley's term of Colour service has expired he will be demobilised as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Driver Robison Sutherland, No. 370278, 157th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, 19th Divisional Train, British Expeditionary Force, France, a man of forty-three years of age, is still retained; and whether he will give orders for his demobilisation?

If Driver Sutherland's age 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 complete. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private A. G. Heckman, M/2, 034415, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, has not yet been liberated, in view of the fact that he enlisted on 20th January, 1915, and has been on continuous service ever since, while men of later date of enlistment have been demobilised?

Private Heckman 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. 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 complete. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. 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 the case of Private G. G. Hill, Royal Army Medical Corps, Military Accounts Department, Ghoopwir Barracks, Poona, who enlisted for service in 1915, and has since served for two years in Mesopotamia and six months in India, will be considered, with a view to demobilisation immediately the present restrictions on demobilisation are removed; and whether any time can be indicated at which his discharge may be expected, in view of the date of his enlistment and of the fact that his former employers are anxious to recover his services?

Private Hill is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If he joined 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 the exigencies of the Service 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 so retained are being released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that demobilisation papers have gone through for Private P. S. Todd, A. C. 1, No. 232908, Composite Repair Depot, Royal Air Force, Ægean. group; that his firm, Messrs. Barclay, bankers, have made urgent application for his release; that his commanding officer received a cable from Malta pressing for his release, but that the commanding officer has stated that he cannot be spared; whether he is aware that the man in question is merely performing clerical duties for a couple of hours a day; and whether he can take some action to secure this man's release?

I am making inquiries into this case and will communicate with my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Lieutenant Harold Hubert Chantrill, 26th Middlesex Regiment, British Salonika Forces; whether he is aware that the demobilisation of this officer was recommended by the Ministry of Labour in January of this year as a special one-man business case; and whether, in these circumstances, he will give instructions for the demobilisation of this officer to be carried out?

I am informed that instructions have already been issued for the demobilisation of Lieutenant Chantrill.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Captain L. C. J. Newman, 13th Ordnance Depot, A.P.C.S., 21, British Expeditionary Force, France; whether he is aware that this officer joined the Honourable Artillery Company in August, 1914; that from June, 1918, to April, 1919, he was second in command of the ordnance factory at Juval in Paris; that he has been offered a good commercial position in England; that the officer commanding the ordnance factory reported that he could be spared, and recommended his demobilisation; that notwithstanding theses facts he was ordered to replace an officer with less service elsewhere; that unless he is demobilised promptly he will lose an exceptional opportunity of restarting in civil life; and whether, in view of those facts, he will give instructions for this officer's prompt demobilisation?

Captain Newman is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If this officer's services are not required he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. I would refer to the statement I have already made in the House, to the effect that senior officers have been appointed to inspect unit registers, with a view to ensuring that no officer or man who is eligible for demobilisation is being retained without good and sufficient cause.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an acting lieutenant-colonel recently demobilised has resumed his pre-war occupation of a police constable at Cardiff; if this officer holds three decorations for gallantry in the field, was mentioned three times in despatches, and wounded on six occasions; and if the War Office will take steps to find some employment for him more commensurate with his distinguished services?

The identity of the officer referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is not known at the War Office. It was open to him, as to all temporary officers, to volunteer for service with the Army of Occupation if he so desired.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, upon the signing of the Armistice, members of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps, whose training was nearly completed, were compulsorily and permanently transferred to the 5th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, but that Colonial members were sent to No. 11 Officers' Cadet Battalion, at Pirbright, and given commissions forthwith and demobilised; and why, seeing that Officers' Cadet Battalions have now been demobilised, the same treatment was not accorded to Officers' Training Corps?

Members of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps were ordinary enlisted soldiers and as such were liable for service in the Army unless they could be demobilised under the Regulations in force. The Colonial members were under an agreement as to repatriation under a scheme made with the various Governments. It was for this reason and for the better organisation of repatriation that these members were collected and placed at the Officers Cadet Battalion mentioned. I should point out that Officers' Cadet Battalions were not the same as Officers' Training Corps. The former were composed of those who had been selected from Officers' Training Corps, and other units and were, in fact, a higher step in the organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army Form B 2,512a, signed by the recruits under the Derby scheme, was a contract to release all those men six months after the termination of hostilities; whether the six months period terminated on Sunday, 11th May; whether arrangements have been completed to release those men; and, if not, upon what day they may expect release?

Recruits under the Derby scheme attested for the duration of the War. Recruits attesting on Army Form B 2512 (of which Army Form B 2512a is the copy which was handed to the recruit) agreed, if employed with the units referred to in question 11 on such form, to serve for a further period of six months after the termination of hostilities. The expression "termination of hostilities" has the same meaning as the term "duration of the War," and I would point out to the hon. Member that the period of the duration of the War has not yet expired. Furthermore, hostilities have not terminated, the Armistice operating as a suspension of hostilities only. It is impossible to say at the present time upon what date such men may expect to be released, as if they are not eligible for demobilisation under current instructions they are liable to be retained for the Armies of Occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will endeavour to release at an early date Sergeant-Major F. C. Burnard, No. 31191, Royal Army Medical Corps, 99th Field Ambulance, considering that this man joined in 1914, and that he is over forty years of age?

Sergeant-Major Burnard 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 complete. 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 for demobilisation. Men so retained are being released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Sub-setion (1) of Section 1of the Army Council Instruction (No. 287 of 1919), dated 2nd May, 1919, will apply in the case of a son whose father is a widower in necessitous circumstances, with two or more children depending on him, and no child capable of earning a living except that a daughter has to look after his house?

The instructions with regard to the release of men on com- passionate grounds were compiled after due and careful consideration of all the circumstances generally urged in support of such applications, and of the numbers that could be released upon such grounds. I regret that it is impossible in present circumstances to depart from the instructions already issued, and I would point out that it does not appear from the case referred to by my hon. Friend that the father is incapable of earning.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet made inquiries as to how many men are still in prison in Egypt for refusing to accept transference from the Royal Army Medical Corps to combatant units; how long these men have been in prison, and whether he has yet ordered their immediate release?

I am informed that at the beginning of April there were thirteen men imprisoned in Egypt. These have now been ordered home to complete their terms of imprisonment in English prisons. It is not possible, without further inquiry, to give the exact date of each court-martial, but all the men were dealt with during, June, July, and August, 1918. I regret that I cannot see my way to order immediate release in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Relief Force sent to Russia were volunteered for that service; and is he aware that men who refused to volunteer have been summoned to attend a district court-martial in consequence?

The Relief Forces sent to North Russia are composed of volunteers with the addition of time-serving Regular soldiers and men who have enlisted for two, three, or four years under Army Order of 1919, who in each case are enlisted for general service. I should be glad if the hon. Member will give me more definite information with regard to the latter part of the question, in order that it may be inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of delaying the demobilisation of the Northumberland War Hospital, Go forth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for a period of at least six months, so as to leave the Royal Infirmary free to meet the urgent civilian needs for hospital accommodation and treatment, as already great difficulty is experienced in meeting the needs of the large number of civil patients who are waiting for treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, which is the chief hospital for the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the counties of Northumberland and Durham, seeing that the waiting list of this institution contains2,000 civil cases, many of whom are in need of early admission to the hospital?

Arrangements have been made with the Board of Control whereby the Northumberland War Hospital will continue in War Department occupation until the 31st December, 1919. It is hoped, by this means, to ease considerably the strain on the civilian establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will see that adequate provsion is made for the treatment of soldiers, sailors, and pensioners, in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, before the Government decides to close the First Northern General Hospital and the Northumberland War Hospital, as otherwise hardship will be inflicted upon soldiers, sailors, and pensioners?

As I have just stated, the Northumberland War Hospital will remain open until the 31st December next. The closing of the First Northern General Hospital is dependent on the completion of huts, now being erected, to accommodate orthopædic cases. The total accomodation for patients at these two hospitals will not, therefore, be reduced even after the First Northern General Hospital is given up.

asked whether the Rich borough and Stonar works and camps are now under military or civilian control; and to what extent His Majesty's Government retains supervision?

The camp area, including the hospital, is under military control. The works and transport service are operated by the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company's managing committee as agents for the War Office, and under instructions issued from the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether inconvenience is occasioned to persons resident and carrying on business in places in the Isle of Thanet and Dover Divisions of Kent by reason of the continuance of the prohibition to use the main road lying between Ramsgate and Sandwich without a permit in writing; what are the numbers of military and railway police, respectively, employed in the Rich borough and Stonar camps; whether it is possible adequately to police the camps without imposing the hardship above-mentioned on the community; and whether he will consider the desirability of removing the existing restrictions?

The number of military police is fifty-one and railway police fifty-seven, employed respectively in Rich borough and Stonar Camps. In view of the large area it is not possible adequately to police the camps without considerable addition to the personnel. I regret the inconvenience occasioned by the existing restrictions, but large consignments of valuable stores have recently been received which render it more than ever undesirable to allow the general public free access to the camps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an additional heavy burden of work is thrown upon the civilian police in the issue by them of permits to persons wishing to use the main road passing through Rich borough and Stonar Camps; whether this duty is more appropriate to the military or railway police; and whether a change in this respect will be considered?

I regret my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion cannot be adopted. Passes are granted on application to the military authorities in order to assist the civilian police, but to transfer to the military authorities the whole duty of issuing passes would, I am afraid, occasion additional inconvenience to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the delay in the repatriation of officers and men who left their professions and businesses in Ceylon; and whether, in the interests of public economy, as well as in the private interests of those concerned, he will take immediate steps to see that these demobilised officers and men are repatriated?

Every effort possible has been made by the War Office to secure the early repatriation of the officers and men referred to, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the acute shortage of shipping for India and the Far East has rendered it impossible to deal with the applications for passages from all classes of the community.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a considerable number of thefts of Government property have taken place at Didcot stores; and what steps are being taken in the matter?

I am informed that a few petty thefts have taken place at the Ordnance Depot at Didcot, but that up to the present it has been impossible to obtain a conviction. Everything possible is done to prevent thefts by policing during the day and guarding during the night.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are hundreds of British soldiers who have been in Macedonia for two and a half and three years who have had no leave, and that these men are now being sent to the Caucasus and Anatolia; and whether he will have the matter inquired into with a view to these soldiers being granted leave at an early date?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the statement circulated in the Official Report of 6th May, in which I fully explained our proposals for leave for men in the East.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is proposed to have no captains as second-in-command of batteries in the Army of Occupation; and, if so, considering the number of officers who would be unemployed, may this decision be reconsidered?

There is at present no intention of altering the existing arrangements under which captains are allowed on the establishment of batteries.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the conduct of affairs at the Royal Air Force Pay Office at Woking; if he is aware that numerous complaints are being received as to the unbusinesslike methods in operation there, imposing much annoyance and hardship upon men entitled to pay; and if he will have the matter inquired into?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many demobilised men of the Royal Air Force are complaining of the long delay in getting their gratuity and back pay; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the Royal Air Force Pay Office, Woking, clears up these men's accounts within a reasonable period after demobilisation?

The work of the Woking Pay Office has been under constant supervision, and all possible steps have been taken to speed up the clearance of the accounts. Arrears at one time existed owing to an increase in the rate of demobilisation, but those arrears have now been cleared up. The complaints received have been in many cases due to misunderstanding on the part of the men concerned of the deferred payment system. As previously stated, this system was introduced to enable men who were in a hurry to return to civil life to receive demobilisation in advance of the final settlement of their accounts. All men accepting the scheme signed a personal statement to the effect that the final balance due to them would not be claimed until three months after the expiration of their demobilisation furlough. In spite of this, numerous demands for immediate settlement are being received. In these cases the accounts are being settled several weeks earlier than was promised, and in necessitous cases advances are being made additional to those which were made to the men on their leaving their units. The deferred payment system having served its purpose, has now been cancelled

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that A.C./2 F. Laurie, No. 127841, Royal Air Force, Woking, now living at care of T. M'Donald, 38, Nelson Street, Glasgow, S.S., who was demobilised on or about 19th February, has not yet received either ration money or any final settlement of pay; and whether he will cause immediate steps to be taken to have any money which is owing to this man paid without further delay?

I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for calling attention to this case. The delay was due to an error, which has been rectified, and payment has been made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that 100 temporary civilian clerks, employed at Nos. 16 and 18, Queen Anne's Gate, were given a week's salary in lieu of notice on the 12th February; that on the 15th of the same month a certain number received instructions to report at the Officers' Dispersal Unit, Sloane Street; that on the 17th February they were formally engaged and, on the question of salary being discussed, were informed that the remuneration would be similar to that previously received; that it was not until the end of the first week of the new en- gagement that the clerks became aware of the reduction to £2 16s. 6d.;and whether he will have this matter reconsidered, with a view to these men being restored to their original rate of remuneration?

I have made further inquiries into the matter, and have confirmed the facts as given in my previous answer to the hon. Member on the 1st May. I regret that I can add nothing to that answer.

asked the Secretary for War if he will take steps to expedite the payment of war gratuities to widows and dependants of soldiers?

Every endeavour is being made to expedite the payment to the legal heirs of the war gratuity due to the estates of deceased soldiers, but it must be realised that this involves the reopening of about 700,000 estates, and that it is quite impossible to effect early payment in all cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet come to any conclusion as to the possibility of giving some form of gratuity to civilian acting paymasters?

The consideration of this question is not yet concluded.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. H. Mahon, widow, 9, Moss Street, Cobridge, Burslem, aged 65 years, whose husband died in the year 1904; whether he is aware that her two sons joined His Majesty's Forces, the first one was killed 7th July, 1916, and the second was killed 27th September, 1918, from which day her allowance was stopped; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to an adequate allowance being made?

From the particulars given I have not boon able to trace any previous application from Mrs. Mahon, but inquiries are now being madeboth of her and of her local committee in order that she may at once receive any allowance due to her.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will have inquiries made into the reasons why Mrs. Kate Evans, of Min-y-Clwyd, Ruthin, Denbighshire, sole dependant of her stepson, Private George Evans, 3rd Battalion South Wales Borderers, has not received the full allowance granted her by the local pensions committee; and whether an appeal by Mrs. Evans for an increase has been refused, and on what grounds?

In this case the pension officer and the local pension committee disagreed in their assessment of the amount of dependency and in accordance with the usual procedure the claim was referred to the War Office for adjudication. The War Office fixed the dependency at 5s. a week and this assessment was confirmed by the Appeals Committee to whom the matter was subsequently referred on appeal. The Committee were not satisfied from the evidence adduced that the more liberal assessment of the local pension committee had been substantiated, and decided that an allowance of 5s. a week fully covered the dependence which existed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what progress is being made with the demobilisation of the Factory Construction Department, the Mechanical Warfare Overseas Department, and the Munitions Shipping, Finance, and Losses Section; and how soon the offices occupied by the last-named body are likely to be returned to their proper tenants?

The work of terminating the Factory Construction Department is still proceeding on the lines indicated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 10th April. No further reduction in the staff of fourteen persons now employed has been affected since that date, but, as then stated, the work of the Department will probably be completed by the end of June. The staff of the Mechanical Warfare (Overseas and Allies) Department which, at the date of the Armistice numbered thirty-four persons, has been further reduced to nine, and negotiations are now being concluded with the War Office as the result of which this staff will either be disbanded or trans- ferred to that Department. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 10th April, the work of the Munitions, Shipping, Finance and Losses Section must continue for some time, and no change affecting the position of this Department has since then taken place. Arrangements have been made by which the offices occupied by the last named Department will be vacated by the Ministry on the 13th instant. The postponement of the date by which vacation of the premises was originally contemplated was due to the fact that the offices into which the staff were to be transferred had to be diverted to meet an unforseen and more urgent demand for accommodation for another Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the general dissatisfaction of teachers employed by the Hants County Education Authority with the scale of salaries now being paid to them, whether he will cause inquiry to be made and, if necessary in the cause of educational efficiency, he will intervene?

The payment of the substantive grant for elementary education is conditional, inter alia, upon the authority's satisfying the Board as to their provision for maintaining an adequate and suitable staff of teachers and for contributing to the establishment of the teaching service on a sound basis throughout the country. The position in Hampshire will be considered in the light of these conditions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the arrangement come to under the agreement of 1918, which provided for taxi-cab drivers to receive a certain percentage of the takings on the clock and free petrol, is not being observed by certain of the companies owning cabs plying for hire in the London district; if any inquiries have been made into the matter; and whether any action is being taken to secure to the men their rights under the agreement and the payment of any retrospective amounts to which they may be entitled?

I have been asked to reply to this question. My right hon. Friend has recently sent a communication to me on this matter, and I am causing inquiries to be made of the taxi-cab drivers who are complaining. I will afterwards communicate with the hon. and gallant member when I have received the necessary information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of taxi-cabs and other vehicles which have been put on the streets from 1st April, 1919, up to date; and how many taxi-cabs at present in France and owned by British firms have been granted permits for transhipment?

One thousand and ninety-three vehicles were licensed for the Metropolitan area during the period from 1st April to 5th May. This compares with 864 licensed during the same period last year. The increase is made up of 107 cabs, 87 omnibuses, and 35 tramcars. As regards the latter part of the question, I am informed that no licences for the importation of taxi-cabs from France have been issued nor have any applications for such licences been received.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of taxi-cabs plying for hire in the London area to-day; how many more are available for use; and when will arrangements be complete for placing them on the road?

The total number of motor-cabs licensed to ply for hire in London for the year ended 30th April, 1919, was 4,742. I am informed that one company is preparing its vehicles for service at the estimated rate of fifty per week, and it is stated 1,000 of such will be available as the material is procured. Several other manufacturers have made inquiries with a view to placing a suitable vehicle on sale.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state how many fresh licences have been granted to taxi-cab drivers from 1st April, 1919, up to date; what proportion of those have been granted to discharged sailors and soldiers; and whether he can see his way to relax the present severe geographical test in the examination for drivers' licences in the interest of our discharged sailors and soldiers?

Nine new licences to drive taxi-cabs were issued in April. Of these six were issued to men who had served in His Majesty's Forces. It is important in the interest of passengers that candidates should know the topography of London, but I am considering the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many workers who have met with accidents arising out of their employment are finding the compensation they are receiving under the Workmen's Compensation Act inadequate; and if he will amend the Act to give a substantial increase of compensation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on Tuesday last. It is hoped to announce the appointment of the proposed Committee of Inquiry into the working of the Act in the course of this week.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the insults repeatedly offered by Sinn Feiners in the South and West of Ireland to the American flag and the American uniform, precautions are being taken that such insults shall not be offered by the Sinn Feiners resident in London on the occasion of the parade and procession of American troops which is to take place on the 24th of May?

It is not considered that special measures to meet such a contingency are necessary.

asked the Home Secretary how many conscientious objectors are still in prison, and how much longer it is intended to keep them there?

There are 235 prisoners of the class in question now in prison. As any one of them completes an aggregate term of twenty months' imprisonment he will be released.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether eight inspectors of pit ponies are sufficient to ensure systematic and frequent examination of the 65,000 ponies employed in 1,880 mines; and whether it is yet possible to replace them to any great extent by mechanical traction?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by me to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on the 6th March. A daily examination of each horse, on its return from work, by one of the special officials of the mine appointed to have the care of horses is required by the Act, and the result of the examination has to be recorded. It is the duty of the inspectors to see that these and the other requirements of the Act in regard to horses are carried out, and I am satisfied that the number is sufficient for the purpose. As regards the second part of the question, there is, no doubt, room for a considerable replacement of horses by mechanical haulage, and there was an increasing tendency in this direction before the War. This tendency was to some extent arrested by the War, but, notwithstanding, a reduction of over 4,000 horses occurred in 1918, and the process is likely to be accelerated with the return of normal conditions. I understand that the matter is engaging the attention of the Controller of Coal Mines.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in connection with the Ministry of Health, he proposes to set up a Health Council for Wales; and whether the various Welsh health organisations will be represented on such council, and particularly if he will consider the advisability of giving representation to the Priory for Wales of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I shall be glad to consider suggestions as to suitable bodies to propose names for the purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that extensive re-insurance work was done by enemy-owned concerns previous to the War, and what steps he has taken to prevent a recurrence of this?

I am aware that extensive re-insurance business was done by enemy-owned concerns previous to the War. A very large proportion of this business was transacted by the Munich Re-insurance Company, which established a place of business in this country in 1908. The Board of Trade made an Order under the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, prohibiting this company from carrying on business in this country, and I understand that most of the business of the company in this country is now in the hands of British registered companies. The Order remains in force until determined by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of re-insurance work done in this country by enemy-owned or controlled concerns in any one year for five years prior to the War?

No returns are made to the Board of Trade under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, by insurance companies transacting re-insurance business only. I am therefore unable to state the percentage referred to in the question of my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there was a partial collapse of the roof of the Oxted tunnel on the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, on the afternoon of Tuesday, 29th April, a few minutes after a passenger train had passed through; whether, in consequence, the tunnel is closed and traffic diverted at great inconvenience and loss of time to passengers for London; whether a similar collapse occurred in 1917, and the tunnel was closed for nine weeks, causing great inconvenience to the regular travellers over the line; whether in recent years there have been several minor falls of portions of the tunnel which is constructed through chalk where there is much water from springs round about, and whether, owing to the general unsatisfactory condition of the tunnel and the feeling of nervousness on the part of the travelling public who use this line, he will cause a special examination of it to be made by the Board's engineers to ascertain what should be done in the interests of public safety?

The recent closing of the Oxted tunnel was due, I understand, to the falling of a quantity of brickwork from the inside of an airshaft and not to a collapse of part of the roof as was the case in 1917. I am informed that the necessary repairs have now been completed and the tunnel reopened for traffic. I have no knowledge of any minor falls of the roof of the tunnel of recent years, but during the War and up to the end of last year occurrences of this nature, unless occasioning risk of injury, were not reported. None has, however, been reported since the beginning of the year. I am considering whether any special examination of the tunnel such as the hon. Baronet suggests is desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give information as to the cause of an obstruction in a tunnel on the London and Brighton Railway near Oxted; whether a similar obstruction occurred in the same tunnel a few months ago; whether he can say what steps are being taken to avoid similar obstructions in the future, involving the possibility of loss of life; and when it is likely that the line will be again available for traffic?

I understand that a quantity of brickwork fell from the inside of an airshaft in this tunnel on the 20th April and that the tunnel was closed while the necessary repairs, which have now been completed, were being carried out. I am considering whether it is desirable that any special investigation of the circumstances is desirable. The closing of this tunnel in 1917, to which I presume the hon. Gentleman refers, was due to the collapse of a portion of the roof.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause an afternoon train to be put on from Hexham to Riccarton, as was customary right up to the latter stages of the War, in view of the fact that grave inconvenience is caused by the lack of such a train to the farming and general community residing in the upper portions of the North Tyne valley, who are unable at present to go to their county town, Newcastle, and return the same day except by motor car?

I am communicating with the North British Railway Company on this matter, and I will write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the shortage of coal at Alton, Hampshire; whether he is aware that only one truck of coal was received at Alton during the week ending 26th April, and that there was no coal available for the purposes of hawking in Alton and the neighbouring villages; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this shortage?

The supply of coal to Alton has engaged the special attention of the Coal Mines Department on several occasions during the recent winter. The Department are not aware of the facts stated in the question, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the serious delay and loss to home portal trade and transport caused by the delay in cablegrams and orders from Great Britain to ships in foreign ports; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy such delays and the loss occasioned thereby to British shipping?

lam aware of the heavy delay which has recently prevailed in telegraphic communication with many foreign countries, and especially with the Far East. The delay has been caused partly by the large amount of Government traffic; I have taken steps to secure the curtailment of this traffic, and to obviate commercial traffic being delayed in favour of Government messages which are not really urgent. Certain important cables which were interrupted have lately been repaired; but the American Pacific cable is still interrupted, and this throws extra work on the British cables in that region. It is expected that the cable will be repaired in a few days' time, and the position will then be improved.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now cause a telephone service to be established in the village of Moniaive, Dumfriesshire?

When inquiry was made in 1914, sufficient support was not forthcoming to justify an extension of the telephone system to Moniaive. In any case it would involve a considerable amount of construction, which could not be undertaken at present in view of the heavy programme of more urgent works which the Post Office engineers have in hand. Further inquiries will be made when conditions become favourable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed to introduce any legislation to deal with bee disease?

The Board are making inquiries of all sections of the bee industry with a view to securing an agreed scheme on which legislation can be based. It will not be possible to introduce legislation until these inquiries are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Mrs. Ayrton Gould, Honorary Secretary to the Women's International League, has been refused a permit to go to Switzerland to attend the Women's International Conference at Zurich next week, although all the other delegates of British birth have been allowed to proceed there?

I have been asked to answer this question. A permit was refused Mrs. Gould for reasons of State unconnected with the Women's International Conference at Zurich.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the Assembly Rooms, New gate Street, Chester, were commandeered on 31st October, 1917, for the use of the National Service Department, were relinquished by the latter in January, 1919, and transferred to the Quartering Committee, Wrexham Area No. 4, who have kept the premises locked up and unused since that date; and whether, if these premises are no longer required, they can now be returned to the owner?

The unoccupied rooms at these premises were placed at the disposal of the Quartering Committee for the accommodation of stranded leave men, after the Ministry of National Service had vacated the major portion, which was, I understand, at the end of February last. A portion of the accommodation was occupied by the Ministry until the 26th ultimo, and the Quartering Committee are now being communicated with as to the premises being returned to the owner.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Grosvenor Buildings, Newgate Street, Chester, formerly occupied by the Chester and County Unionist Club, were commandeered on the 31st October, 1917, and that no award has yet been given to the club; and whether he will expedite the hearing of the claim for compensation?

I am informed that the claim for compensation in this case was duly sent to the Losses Commission, who returned it for fuller particulars of the loss suffered, at the same time sanctioning a payment on account, which was made. The amended claim was declared on the 23rd January last, and an investigation by accountants then became necessary. This investigation has now been completed, and I understand that the matter will in a few days be again referred to the Losses Commission, who will, I hope, appoint an early date for hearing.