asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that a number of pensioners, including shipwrights and others, have given their services to the Admiralty during the period of the War, and in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider the advisability of increasing their pensions on a basis of rates of pay now prevailing, including war wages and the 12½ per cent.?

The pensioners in question are in receipt of the maximum awards for which they are eligible under the Superannuation Acts, and the Admiralty have no power to vary the awards.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the loyal services rendered by all classes of men in His Majesty's dockyards during the period of the War, he will consider the advisability of those men who are now going out of His Majesty's dockyards on pensions that such pensions should be based not on the pre-war standard but on the rate of wages now prevailing, including the war wages, and the 12½ per cent.?

:I must refer my hon. Friend to the statement respecting, the pensions of Civil servants who have been in receipt of war bonus which was circulated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the OFFICIAL REPORT for the 16th April, 1919, columns 2895–2896.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of men who entered His Majesty's dockyards since the commencement of the War were deprived of their pensions in return for the services rendered during the period of such service; and if he will consider how far some recognition can be given to such men for such period of service?

The men in question have been re-employed at a hired rate -of pay with overtime and war bonus, and, as their earnings 'have exceeded those upon which their premises were assessed, the concurrent payment of their pensions is precluded by Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834. The Admiralty have no power to vary the rule laid down by the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the delay experienced by officers in obtaining payment of their war gratuities after demobilisation, he will consider the advisability of dating all War Savings Certificates allotted in part payment of such gratuities with the dates of the dispersal certificates of the said officers instead of the dates of their actual delivery to them?

:I am afraid it is true that there has been delay in a large number of cases, but I am assured that the agents, who have had great difficulties to contend with, are taking all possible steps to overtake the arrears. To introduce a new feature at this stage, which would necessarily involve its application to past cases, and other complications, would have the result of further increasing the delay, while the financial effect in any individual case would be unimportant. I do not, therefore, propose to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether many of the men in L Company of the Royal Engineers served in the Royal Engineers (Signals) during the South African War; whether they received full civil and military pay, together with all gratuities on discharge; whether they had a right to expect a continuance of these terms when they left for France in 1914; whether the Army Council Instruction issued in May, 1917, was made retrospective and cancelled the service gratuity so far as these men are concerned; whether the War Office authorities were subsequently advised that the withholding of such gratuities was illegal; and whether, having regard to the terms of enlistment and to the precedent created during the South African War, he will issue instructions that the war gratuity shall be paid to all men in combatant units?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Member on 10th April.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the disadvantage as compared with men of similar age who did not attest, inasmuch as such men were not called up on the signing of the Armistice, he will give directions that men who attested and were over the age of forty-one when called up under the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, shall be forthwith demobilised and not passed into the Reserve under the Army Order of the 3rd December, 1918?

Men over forty-one who attested and were called up under the Military Service (No.2) Act, 1018, are at no disadvantage as compared with men who were liable, but were not called up at the date of the signing of the Armistice. The former, on being demobilised, are transferred to the Army Reserve referred to by my hon. Friend, and are only liable to recall in the event of military emergency, prior to the termination of the War, after which they will be discharged with all convenient speed. On transfer to the Reserve they are not subject to military law, but merely have to notify changes of address to their record offices. The latter are still liable to be called up at any time prior to the lapse of the Military Service Acts, which will be on the ratification of peace.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private G. Hancock, No. 402674, 47th Motor Ambulance Convoy, British Expeditionary Force, and that this man's age is forty-five years; whether he is aware that applications, both to the War Office and to his commanding officer, for his demobilisation have been disregarded; and whether, in view of his age, he will give instructions for his early demobilisation?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to the case of Private J. E. S. Mowat, No. 456 Agricultural Company, Inverness, whose father is a very old man and can no longer manage his farm without his son's help; is he aware that this man's name was sent forward on the first pivotal list, and since then the Board of Agriculture have been in communication with the War Office for his release; and it he will have inquiry made as to why this soldier is working in Inverness when his presence is so much required at home?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner J. H. Ward, 740558, 266th Composite Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Egyptian Expeditionary Force; whether he is aware that this man joined for service at the outbreak of war at the, age of eighteen years and six months, went to France in 1915, and has not been home since; that applications, to which no answer has been received, have been made to the Labour Exchange, the Record Office, and the War Office, for his release on compassionate grounds on account of his mother's health; that his only brother is also serving in the Army; and whether, under all the circumstances of the case, he will give instructions for his early demobilisation?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private W. Cooper, No. 23212, C Company, 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, is being retained in the Army of Occupation now stationed at Bonn, Germany, in spite of the fact that he joined the Army on 8th July, 1915, and is now forty-four years of age, and whether he will take steps to have Private Cooper released at an early date?

:Private Cooper is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age and length of service areas 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. 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 his Department is in many cases ignoring the promises given by him that men over thirty-seven year of age would be demobilised; and whether he is prepared to take-disciplinary action in the case of commanding officers and members of the staff of the demobilisation Department of the War Office who refuse to carry out his pledges in this matter?

The demobilisation of all men over thirty-seven, except those-who are serving under pre-war conditions of service and have not completed their term of Colour service, is proceeding as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit. I am not aware of any man over thirty-seven years of age who is eligible for demobilisation, being retained unless he falls within one of the categories prescribed in the schedule of Army Order 55 as being liable to temporary retention as part of the military machinery for demobilisation until his services can be spared or he can be replaced. Men so retained are being replaced by men who are not eligible for demobilisation, as rapidly as possible. Senior officers have been appointed to inspect registers of units 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 in connection with demobilisation the field ambulances consider they are being overlooked, and for many weeks not a single man has been discharged from some of the units; whether there are a very large number of 1914 and 1915 men waiting to be demobilised; and whether, under these circumstances, he will ensure that they receive at least equal treatment with other branches of the Army?

The Regulations governing demobilisation apply to all corps, but, as I have already stated in this House, personnel of the administrative branches of the Service, which includes the Royal Army Medical Corps are liable to temporary retention as part of the military machinery of demobilisation until their services can be spared or they can be replaced. Men so retained are being replaced as rapidly as possible by men who are not eligible for demobilisation. I may add that senior officers have been appointed to inspect registers of units with. a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are being retained without good and sufficient cause. The last part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that demobilisation in the 499th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, St. Hilaire, France, has been at a standstill since the beginning of March," whether he is aware that unrest exists in this cadre, which is made up from demobilisable men; and whether the has received any complaints as to the quality and quantity of rations provided in this locality?

The 499th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, is not, being reduced to a cadre, but it is to be disbanded in France, when all men eligible for demobilisation will no doubt be released. I am not aware of any unrest existing, or of any complaints having been received as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability, for the present at least, of allowing officers of the Territorial Force to transfer to the Regular Army without loss of rank or seniority?

:A scheme under which non Regular officers may be granted permanent commissions in the Regular Army is now being considered by the Army Council. I cannot make any further statement on the subject at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to award any medal similar to the 1914 and 1915 Star to those Territorials who volunteered for service abroad in 1914 and were sent to India; and whether he is aware that Lord Kitchener promised that these men should share the same honours as those who had been sent to France?

This question is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the latest official information concerning Sergeant R. Carter, No. 200764, whose last address was D Company, 2/4th Battalion, Wiltshire. Regiment, D.D. Offices, 7th Division, Meerut, India, and who was reported in January last as being seriously ill?

:This non-commissioned officer was reported seriously but not dangerously ill. As no report of dangerous illness has been received, it may be assumed that he is better. A cable has, however, been sent to India to inquire, and I will let my hon. Friend know the reply when received.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private W. J. Loveluck, No. 482223, Labour Corps, Cardiff, has received notice calling him to the Colours; that his two brothers have been in the Army since August, 1914; that one of them has been seriously wounded; that the other is still serving in Palestine; that Private Loveluck has only one eye and was for that reason rejected in 1915; that he is at present the only man to assist his father on a farm of 110 acres, except the wounded brother who can do only very light work; and that if he is taken to the Army it will be impossible for his father to successfully work the land which the Government has demanded him to plough up for food production; and whether, having regard to the facts in this case, he will issue orders for the cancellation of the calling-up notice?

The selection of men for retention on the land has been placed in the hands of local agricultural committees.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the bonus to be paid to officers in the Army of Occupation will be on their substantive rank to which they reverted on the 1st May, or on the acting or higher rank held on the 30th April; and if he will state whether this bonus is only to be paid as from the 1st May, except where specially recommended by the commanding officer, in view of the fact that it was clearly laid down that it was to be paid to all officers, as from the 1st February, who were in the Service on the 1st May?

:The bonus, when dependent on rank, will be based on the rank for which pay is being drawn and will change when the rank changes. It has never been laid down that all officers who were still in the Service on the 1st May would draw it from the 1st February, 1919. Payment from the 1st February, 1919, is confined to those who are retained for the Armies of Occupation and for the machinery of demobilisation. Those who are to be demobilised but have not actually been released by the 1st May draw the bonus from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatis- faction felt by men in the Army by reason of the fact that no distinction is drawn between men who voluntarily attested in 1915 under the Lord Derby scheme, but who were not, for very good reasons, called up until 1916, and those who were finally conscripted under the Military Service Act; if he will consider the possibility of making some distinction; and if, when the final demobilisation of the present Army of Occupation is commenced, preference will be given to those who voluntarily attested?

:I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on the 24th February and 20th March to the hon. Members for Walsall and Newbury, respectively, to the effect that, in view of the requirements of the Armies of Occupation, it is not possible to grant special treatment as regards demobilisation to the very numerous class of voluntarily attested men referred to by my hon. Friend. With regard to the last part of the question, I cannot at the present time give any undertaking on such a point.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any Colonial troops are being retained with the Army of Occupation; and, if so, the percentage as compared with the British troops?

No, Sir; all Colonial troops are being repatriated as fast as shipping permits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is a fact that special leave not exceeding six days has been granted to men in the Army Ordnance Department, Woolwich Arsenal, who are entitled to leave with pay; and, if so, whether this order affects only storemen and foremen and men with service prior to August, 1895, or whether it is applicable to all grades in the Department?

:The leave in question is authorised only for those classes ordinarily entitled to leave with pay. It is not applicable to all grades. The question of its applicability to men not now entitled to leave but with reserved rights as having been appointed before August, 1895, is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is stated in paragraph 6 of Army Order No. 87 of 1919 that acting-paymasters are included in the military machinery of demobilisation and are eligible for the full bonus from the 1st February, 1919; if he will say how such an Order is to be reconciled with his statement on the 24th March that acting-paymasters are civilians doing accounting work which is in no sense military; whether all acting-paymasters are receiving the full bonus from the 1st February, 1919, in compliance with the terms of the Order; and, if not, will he explain the reason for violating the Order?

The acting-paymasters referred to in Army Order 87 are those bearing commissions. Army Order 87 explains and defines the term "Military Machinery of Demobilisation" used in paragraph 3 (c) of Army Order 55. Army Order 55 refers throughout to officers and soldiers. In paragraph 6, it lays down that the financial benefits to be paid in connection with it are contained in the Royal Warrant issued as Army Order 54. That Royal Warrant provides extra remuneration for certain officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, and has no application whatever to civilians. The Orders are being strictly carried out, so far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those acting-paymasters performing duties in theatres of war who have been commissioned for reasons of discipline are compulsorily retained in the Army or liable to be so retained; whether the duties of such commissioned acting-paymasters differ in any respect from uncommissioned acting-paymasters; and, if not, why is there differentiation between the two classes in the matter of bonus?

Commissioned acting- paymasters are in the same position as regards liability to retention in the Army as other commissioned officers, and for that reason draw the bonus which has been granted to commissioned officers and en listed men. Uncommissioned acting-pay masters serve on purely civilian engagements and for that reason are not eligible for the bonus, though their duties are identical with the duties discharged by some of the commissioned acting-paymasters.

asked the Secretary of State for War what he proposes to do with the huts and wooden buildings at Etaples and other camps in France; if the same can be taken down and transported to England; and if he has made-inquiry of contractors as to how they can deal with them to the best advantage, whether by light sawmills on the spot or in some other way?

The Commissioner of the Disposal Board in France is in constant communication with the Controller of the Huts and Building Materials Disposal Section in this country, as to-whether huts, etc., can be sold to better advantage in France than in the United Kingdom. A large number of huts have already been disposed of to the French and Belgian authorities. In view of the transport charges, etc., it will, in many cases, be more advantageous to sell huts-in France, particularly if they can be sold in situ.

asked the Secretary of State for War if men of the Royal Air Force who have been overseas for eighteen.-months without leave are denied upon demobilisation the three weeks extra leave granted to all other ranks under Army Instruction No. 851 of 1918; and, if so, if he will explain the reason for this treatment?

:The leave referred to in Army Council Instruction No. 851 is not additional leave on demobilisation, beyond the twenty-eight days demobilisation leave, but is leave granted to men retained to serve in the Force of. Occupation who have completed their engagements. Similar conditions exist in the; Royal Air Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will state what number of persons are now employed in the Air Force buildings, Regent's Park; what is the nature of the work; and when this portion of the park will be vacated by them?

The number of persons at present employed by the Royal. Air Force at Regent's Park is 2,332. They are engaged on the receipt, salvage, storage, and issue of aeroplane engines and their spares. Standard stocks are gradually being transferred to Ruislip, and it is hoped to complete this process by 30th September. The buildings and stocks not required to be retained will be handed over to the Aircraft Disposal Department of the Ministry of Munitions, the period of whose retention of them will, I understand, depend upon the time required for the disposal of the stocks transferred.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry, in view of the spread of rabies in this country, the belief that dogs are being imported from dangerous countries by airmen, and the fact that outbreaks seem to have origin close to well-known aerodromes, if he will institute a Court of Inquiry to investigate the matter at Home and Continental aerodromes between which there is communication; will he furnish as far as possible to the proper authorities at Home the number of dogs so imported during the last twelve months, the names of the airmen who brought them over, and the names and addresses of the receivers of such dogs; and will he state what steps are taken by the military authorities at the ports of embarkation abroad and disembarkation at Home to ensure that dogs are not smuggled home, apart from the mere notification to troops and women who have been on service that it is forbidden?

:The Air Ministry has no information which bears out the suggestion that dogs have been imported by aeroplane. The matter is one which has received, and will continue to receive, close attention. Inquiries as to the procedure at ports of embarkation should be addressed to the War Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Auditor-General in which it is stated that the Silvertown explosion cost the State the sum of £1,800,000; if he is prepared to issue a Report stating how much money was received in compensation by the large factories in the district and the amount that was paid in compensation to the relatives of those who lost their lives through the explosion; and if he will state the amounts paid to those who were injured?

My attention has been called to the Report. The total sum paid to third parties as compensation for damage to large factories in the neighbourhood is £1,043,161. The amount paid in compensation to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the explosion is £15,900, and to those who were injured, £14,534. The two last amounts have been calculated on the basis of the compensation which would have been payable if the Ministry had been legally liable under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1006.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that, according to the Annual Return filed at Somerset House by the National Smelting Company, Limited, on 6th November, 1918, the shareholders had only subscribed Is. per shares of £l each on 500,000 shares or £25,000 in all, while the Government had advanced £300,000 on debentures; how much the Government has since advanced; whether the shareholders have subscribed the balance of 19s. per share; and whether, in view of the fact that the company has suspended building operations at Avonmouth, the Government propose to take action?

The Government have to date advanced £510,000 on debentures. The shareholders have paid Is. per share and there is at present 19s. per share uncalled. The various Government Departments are considering the whole position and experts are being consulted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, with a view to removing the unequal treatment accorded to licence-holders in the North-Eastern counties of Scotland, it is proposed to cancel at an early date the order prohibiting the sale of spirits in less than a quart bottle; and, if not, will he state the reasons why this order should still be enforced?

I am informed by the Central Control Board that the question of the continuance of this particular restriction has been considered as promised. The restriction has operated to check excessive spirit-drinking, and it is thought advisable to maintain it temporarily, pending the settlement of the general question of the liquor restrictions, which (as has been previously announced) is under the Government's consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the members of the Indian educational service were promised a revision of the terms of their service and an increase in their remuneration in 1904, 1913, and 1917, respectively; whether all necessary inquiries, including reports from all local governments, were concluded by November, 1917; and whether, having regard to the importance of attracting the best men to that service and to the increased cost of living, he will see that the revised terms of service are put into operation forthwith and the remuneration be immediately increased?

No definite promise of revision of pay and terms of service has been made, though it is recognised that they need improvement. The inquiry has only just been completed, and its results are still under the consideration of the Government of India. In the meantime they have proposed certain provisional measures of relief which I have sanctioned and which will shortly be announced in India.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution which was adopted at a public meeting held in the Essex Hall on the 18th instant calling attention to the need for an extension of the powers of the Court of Criminal Appeal, for a ready and practical means of appeal from the lower criminal Courts to Quarter Sessions, and for inquiry into cases of unredressed injustices, with a view to discover better safeguards than at present exist against unjust prosecutions; and whether he will take this matter into his consideration?

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of such a resolution from a body called the Police and Public Vigilance Society. Of course any such communication receives careful consideration, but the Home Secretary has no reason to think there is any urgent case for amending the law with regard to the powers of the Court of Criminal Appeal or the law as to appeals from summary convictions.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of persons who appealed to or petitioned his Department during the three years 1916, 1917, and 1918, alleging or implying that they had been wrongly convicted and were unable to obtain redress in the Courts; and what were the results?

:During those years between 9,000 and 10,000 petitions from prisoners were received at the Home Office and over 14,000 petitions or letters from other persons which were entered as relating to criminal cases. A large proportion—probably at least a half—complained of some conviction or sentence, but very few made out even a primâ facie case for thinking there had been any miscarriage of justice. It is impossible to give any precise figures

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons tried by jury during the three years 1916, 1917, and 1918; the number convicted; and the number who asked to be allowed to appeal and the results?

:The number of persons tried by jury was 4,904 in 1916 and 5,548 in 1917. The number convicted was 3,903 in 1916 and 4,403 in 1917. The figures for 1918 are not yet available. The number of applications for leave to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal was 251 in 1916 and 252 in 1917, and, in addition, thirty-five persons in 1916 and thirty-eight in 1917 appealed to the Court on a point of law or with the judge's certificate. In 1916 nine convictions and one sentence were quashed, and in 1917 fifteen convictions and two sentences were quashed. Further, in 1916 in fourteen cases, and in 1917 in thirteen cases, a different sentence was substituted for that originally imposed, and in 1917 in one case a conviction for another offence was substituted for the original conviction. In the other cases the appeals either failed or were abandoned.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of persons summarily convicted during the three years 1916, 1917, and 1918; the number of those who had a right of appeal to Quarter Sessions; the conditions on which aggrieved persons are allowed to appeal; and the number of persons who were able to avail themselves of that right and the results?

The number of persons summarily convicted in 1916 was 540,858, and in 1917, 393,841. The number who appealed was in 1916, 161, and in 1917, 232. In 1916, 105 convictions were affirmed and fifty convictions were quashed. In 1917, 141 convictions were affirmed and seventy-five convictions were quashed. In twenty-two cases in the two years the appeal was abandoned. The figures for 1918 are not yet available. An appeal to Quarter Sessions is open to anyone who has been convicted by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction if he did not plead guilty nor admit the truth of the charge. The conditions of an appeal to Quarter Sessions will be found in Section 31 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what are the sources of the vaccine lymph at present used at the national vaccine establishment?

The source of the lymph at present used at the national vaccine establishment is a strain of lymph obtained some years ago which has been carried on by repeated transference in the Government laboratory.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether registered medical practitioners are de- barred from treating venereal diseases by other remedies than those now recommended by the Government?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Department of Import Restriction has authorised the importation of cotton embroidery from Switzerland to the extent of 35 per rent, value of 1916 imports; whether this is equal to £1.120,000 worth of this class of goods; whether he is aware that this is considerably more than the pre-war imports of any equal period, and that consequently no margin is left to encourage or assist the development of this new industry; and whether he proposes to take - any action in the matter?

The importation of cotton, embroidery from Switzerland is fixed at 50 per cent. of 1916 imports, representing 70 per cent. on a basis of value. My hon. Friend appears to be misinformed in his comparison with pre-war imports: in each of the years 1911, 1912, and 1913 the value of these was in excess of the present ration. I am not-prepared to take any action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the principal articles which, by the action of the Board of Trade, are prevented free import into Great Britain, specifying the degree by which such free import is impeded?

Lists have been published from time to time giving the information asked for by my right hon. Friend. I am now having these consolidated, and will send my right hon. Friend a copy as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the further consideration he promised to extend to the import of olive oil, he is now able to state whether licences have been or can be more freely granted, thereby reducing the high price per ton of this imported commodity and enabling textile manufacturers to compete against foreign trade?

A general licence has now been issued for the importation of olive oil.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a pamphlet appealing to British workers to repeat in the United Kingdom the atrocities of Russian Bolshevism is passing freely through the post in open envelopes signed by Lenin and Tchitcherine and issued by an information bureau; and what steps he intends to take to prevent the use of national postal machinery for Bolshevist propaganda?

:My attention has not been called to the pamphlet to which the hon. Member refers. It he will let me see a copy, I will consider whether its transmission by post is contrary to any provisions of the Post Office Acts.

asked the Post-master-General whether the officer who was recently promoted over ninety-three of his seniors at Edinburgh had no experience in the supervision of staff on the floor of a sorting office; whether a large proportion of the men passed over had been tested and had demonstrated their ability to perform such work to the satisfaction of 'the Post Office; whether he is aware that on 14th September, 1918, the Controller at Edinburgh laid it down in writing that ability to perform all the duties of the higher class was essential to promotion; whether the same gentleman, on the 3rd January, 1919, in his endeavour to justify the promotion in question, stated in writing that it is not essential, neither is it always practicable, to give a trial on all the duties of the higher class; and whether, having regard to the complaints in most of the large offices, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the present system of selection?

The officer in question was selected for promotion because he had shown powers of organisation of a high order. He had not actually been employed as an overseer on the floor of the sorting office, but his capacity for such work was beyond doubt. It is not the case that a large proportion of the officers passed over had demonstrated their ability to perform the duties satisfactorily. I am aware of the statements quoted, and I agree that an officer of conspicuous merit need not have performed every duty of the higher class in order to qualify for promotion, provided that his superior officers are satisfied that he is capable of performing the duties. The Postmaster-General does not see any ground for an inquiry into the system of selection.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the current 7d. stamp is no longer to be issued; and whether it is his intention to abolish this-denomination entirely, or to issue a new stamp less similar in colour and design to 4d. and 1s. denomination?

The issue of the 7d. stamp has been discontinued because, in consequence of alterations of postage rates, a. stamp of that denomination is no longer required.

asked the Minister of Labour whether instructions have been-issued to the Employment Exchanges to the effect that the men who have recently been discharged from the work centres under the Home Office Committee for the Employment of Conscientious Objectors are not to receive unemployment benefits; and, if so, whether there is any justfication for this penalisation of men who have-been engaged on work of national importance and have been deprived of their means of livelihood without due notice?

Instructions to the-effect stated have been issued with regard to certain conscientious objectors, numbering in all about 700 men, who had been for less than twelve months at work under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, or whose conduct 0r industry had been unsatisfactory during, the period of their employment. I may add that these men are not debarred from any benefits to which they may be entitled' under the contributory scheme of Unemployment Insurance set up by Part II. of the National Insurance Act, 1911.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that A. V. Bullock, a conscientious objector who was arrested in March, 1918, and is now serving a sentence of one year's hard labour in Walton Gaol, Liverpool, is suffering from chronic rheumatism and heart trouble and is in a very poor state of health; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to this man's release on health grounds?

The condition of this prisoner's health has been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice by the medical officer of the prison, and he has found the report sufficient to justify him in authorising his release.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the case of five tenants in Greenock who are being ejected from their dwellings in order to extend business premises; and if he will give instructions to stop the eviction of these tenants until other housing accommodation is found for them?

:My attention has been directed to this case, and I have made inquiry as to the facts. I have no power, however, to issue instructions of the nature suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that Pipe-Major John Campbell applied for a holding on Gordonbush, Sutherland, in October, 1914, to which he received no reply until February, 1915, when he was informed that this farm had been let again; that inasmuch as this soldier has fought for his country in Gallipoli and France he thereby comes within the category of those to whom the Government has promised holdings; and what he proposes to do to carry out this undertaking in respect of this man?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that it would be impossible to place Pipe-Major Campbell on the land for which he has applied, assuming that it were otherwise considered desirable to do so, except at an expense which would be prohibitive. Various schemes affecting other properties are in progress in connection with which a holding might be found for this man should he desire one.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when ho proposes to place Scottish parochial medical officers on the same basis as English and Irish, parochial medical officers in the matter of superannuation?

Any action such as proposed in the question would require legislation. I have undertaken to consider the expediency of an inquiry into the general question of the superannuation of local officials in Scotland, and I have been in communication with local authorities' associations on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland why the townships of Melness and Skerray, which have hitherto had polling stations at school board elections, were denied this facility at the recent election for educational authority?

I understand that the principal consideration that weighed with the responsible returning officer in this matter was the custom of having only one polling station within this parish for country council and Parliamentary purposes. Moreover, to have provided two polling stations would have involved difficulties, in the circumstances of the present year, in connection with the form of the register and the definition of polling boundaries. The matter will be considered before the next election.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that an application to establish a polling booth at Skerray, Sutherland, for the election of the education authority was refused and that voters in this township were required to proceed to Tongue, eight miles distant, to register their votes, and that, in view of the difficulty of registering their votes thus placed in this way, the inhabitants of Skerray were largely disfranchised; and whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrence of this scandal on future occasions?

:The circumstances of this district were brought to my notice, but it was found that the returning officer—with whom the power of determining the situation of polling stations rested—was unable to entertain all the applications for polling facilities. I understand that in other dis- tricts where the population is scattered it was necessary for electors to travel much further to polling stations than in the case in question. In connection with, future education authority elections more time will be available for preparation, and steps will be taken to secure full consideration of the demands of places such as are referred to by the hon. Member

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture which county councils in England and Wales have agreed to purchase land for the purposes of land settlement since 1st January last; the total amount of land so purchased in each county council area; and the price per acre paid in each case?

:Statement showing land purchased or agreed to be purchased by county councils with the Board's approval since 1st January, 1919, for land settlement:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Willesden Urban District Council intend to remove 270 allotment-holders from their allotments at Stonebridge; that the reason advanced is that the land is required for housing; that the land was formerly a sewage farm and is unsuitable for building; that there is other land in the district suitable for building without displacing the allotment-holders; that most of the houses at present have no garden space and the allotments arc necessary; and whether he will take action, with a view to getting the Willesden Council to select an alternative site and retain the land at Stonebridge as permanent allotments?

The Board are aware of the circumstances to which the question refers. They are having inquiries made into the case, the result of which will be communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in the interests of food production and the welfare of the workers, he will cause an order to be issued for the continuance of allotments on golf courses for at least another two years instead of allowing them to lapse, as in the case of many golf courses round London, such as the Tooting Bee course, at the end of the present season; and whether he will adopt this course, in view of the amount of labour and material which workers have put into these allotments and in view also of the impossibility, in most cases, of providing alternative land in the immediate neighbourhoods?

It is not practicable to make a general order that allotments on golf courses shall be retained for another two years. In some cases retention of the land would involve the Board in a heavy liability for compensation to the club and consequently each case must be considered on its merits. With regard to the Tooting Beccourse I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his previous question on the 15th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what are the rents per rod per annum charged by the Lambeth Borough Council to allotment holders on the following groups of allotments under their control in the district of West Norwood, namely, Portobello, Scotts' Field, Mitchell's Field, Holderness House, and Uffington Road; and what are the rents per rod per annum paid by the Lambeth Borough Council to the owners of the groups of allotments named?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government has yet adopted the British policy of making exgratia contributions to persons injured in this country through negligence of the United States Army personnel, and, if not, what steps are being taken to provide suitable compensation to those persons who have suffered injury or loss through the dangerous or negligent driving of United States Army or Navy motors through the streets and roads of this country?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the United States military authorities are prepared to consider applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that since Poland has regained her independence there have been anti-Jewish pogroms in over 140 towns and villages in Poland and Galicia, involving considerable loss of life and property, and that massacres of Jews have just taken place at Pinsk, Lida, and Vilna, and whether His Majesty's Government will take action to prevent a continuance of the persecution of the Jews in Poland?

:The attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the reports of anti-Jewish pogroms in various parts of Poland and Galicia as well as to the massacres at Pinsk, Lida, and Vilna, referred to by the hon. Member, and inquiries have been addressed to His Majesty's representative at. Warsaw, with instructions to make urgent representations to the Polish Government, if they are found to be true.