asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the total revenue and the total expenditure for Ireland during the last financial year?

The Financial Relations Return has not yet been prepared, but I will endeavour to obtain provisional figures for the hon. Member in anticipation of it, and will communicate with him as soon as I have done so.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why members of the Royal Irish Constabulary proceeding on short leave have to pay travelling fare at the rate of l½d. per mile, whereas the military and other classes travel free of charge or at reduced rates; and can ho see his way to make a concession to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary in the matter?

I am in communication with the Board of Trade on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the following outrages were committed in Ireland, and will he say how many arrests were made in each case: in March at Mohill, county Leitrim, a farmer named Hand was murdered by a masked man, who entered his house and shot him with a gun; in March in Cork city two constables were shot at by someone unknown, one of them being seriously wounded; in March, at the house of Mr. Milling, resident magistrate, Westport, was shot, and since died; in April an outrage at Limerick by a Sinn Fein prisoner located at the workhouse infirmary, although guarded by five police, a party of armed men broke into the ward, shots were fired, one policeman shot dead, and one policeman and a warder seriously wounded; in April in county Cork a sergeant and three constables were fired at from behind a hedge, three of them being seriously wounded; in April in county Donegal a military fort with a sentry in charge was raided for arms; in April two military sentries at Kynoch's factory, Arklow, were set upon By a number of armed men, who took their rifles and bayonets, gagged and tied the soldiers, and left them lying on the ground; and in May, while removing a prisoner named John Hogan by train from Thurles, the train was held up at Knocklong station by a gang of armed men, who took possession of the prisoner, shot a constable dead, and seriously wounded a sergeant?

I very much regret to state that the facts are as stated in the question. In the case of the murder near Mohill, County Leitrim, one man has been arrested and returned for trial to next Assizes; and in the case of the murder of a police constable in Limerick Workhouse, eleven persons were arrested but were afterwards discharged, the evidnce not being sufficient to justify further detention.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, seeing that no case of rabies has been known in Ireland for several years, due precautions have been taken to prevent the importation of dogs from Great Britain and foreign countries?

With reference to that portion of the question dealing with the importation of dogs into Ireland from Great Britain, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 13th instant, to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Down. As regards foreign countries, a permanent Order is in force, as before the outbreak, preventing the importation of dogs into Ireland from those countries.

asked the First Lord of the-Admiralty if he can state the number of auxiliary vessels, such as colliers, oil tankers, troop ships, store vessels, also trawlers and drifters used as minesweepers and patrol boats, which were required to attend on the wants of the-ships of the Navy during the War?

At the date of the Armistice, 11th November, 1918, the number of the principal auxiliary vessels which attended on the wants of the ships of the Navy was 4,274. No troopships attended' regularly on the Navy, but occasionally parties of Naval ratings were conveyed to Naval Bases in troopships.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many sick-berth ratings there are at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, who voluntarily joined in 1914 and 1915; how many of them arc over thirty-seven years of age; how many of them are married; and whether he will give the reason why they are not demobilised?

The number of sick-berth ratings at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, who joined in 1914 and 1915 is ninety-five. Of these, forty-one are over thirty-seven years of age and seventy-four are married. The reason why these ratings have not been demobilised is because it has not been possible to spare their services so long as the numbers of patients still requiring nursing and attention remained considerable. I may, however, add that 335 Reserve ratings have been demobilised from Portsmouth Depot, 371 from Plymouth, and 593 from Chatham. It is, I understand, hoped that it may be possible to release a large number shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the members of the engine-room artificer and engineer artificer classes who appeared before the Jerram Committee asked for improved status, namely, to be called assistant engineers and engineers, etc., and with the provision of an engineers' and electrical engineers mess, and to be put socially on a par with the engineers in the Mercantile Marine, as they perform in their respective spheres exactly the same duties?

Yes, Sir. The Jerram Committee, however, did not consider that the position of these ratings in the Royal Navy should be that of officers, and could not therefore recommend the requests being granted.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the members of the engine-room artificer and electrical artificer classes who appeared before the Jerram Committee referred to or advocated the claims of the boy artificers now being trained in His Majesty's Ships "Fisgard" and "Indus"; and whether these boy artificers asked for improved status, pay, and conditions of service, and to be brought into line with the duties which will devolve upon them when doing duty at sea?

Yes, Sir; except that no mention was made as to boy artificers being brought into line with the duties devolving on them when at sea. The pay of these ratings has been raised in accordance with the Committee's recommendations. I may add that a proposal to alter the title "Boy Artificer" is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the members of the engine-room artificer and electrical artificer classes who appeared before the Jerram Committee asked for the rates of pay for the whole of the classes to be upon the basis of that laid down for engineers in the merchant service by the National Maritime Board?

Yes, Sir. The Jerram Committee, however, did not consider that a case had been made out for the increase asked for.

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

The question of promoting some of the temporary clerical staff at the West India Docks is at the present time under consideration, and it is expected that a decision will be arrived at in the course of the next few days.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the cause of the explosion which is reported to have taken place at Messrs. Vickers' factory on the 15th May, resulting in the death of two naval officers?

A Naval Court of Inquiry is investigating the matter. Their Report is now on its way to the Admiralty. Until it is received, I am afraid I cannot make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper L. J. Clark, No. 166173, Royal Engineers, Wireless Signal Company, F Company, O Depot, Bedford, who was a scholarship student in the faculty of engineering in the University of Liverpool, who joined the Colours in1916 under the Derby scheme, and served in East Africa, whose application for demobilisation, supported by the Labour Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, 20th December, 1918, arrived too late owing to his absence overseas, and who desires to complete his studies at the university, can now be demobilised?

Sapper Clark was not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release prior to the 1st February, 1919, and unless he is otherwise eligible for demobilisation under current instructions, I regret he cannot be released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several applications have been made to the War Office for the release on compassionate grounds of Corporal F. H. Collard, No. 1179, 35th Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, Special Military Surgical Hospital, Shepherd's Bush, W., and that no reply has yet been received; that unless this non-commissioned officer is shortly released he will lose a situation which will materialy benefit his motherless children; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to this non-commissioned officer's immediate release?

Inquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. and learned 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 Captain L. A. Maclachlan, Royal Army Service Corps, who joined up on the declaration of war in 1914 and received his commission in January, 1915; whether this officer has been ordered to proceed on duty to South Russia when he is anxious to be demobilised in order to resume his work as an engineer; and whether, in view of the long and patriotic service rendered by this officer, he will now cancel the order for his embarkation to Russia and authorise his early demobilisation?

I am informed that this officer volunteered while in France for service in the Armies of Occupation and in South Russia, and was accordingly ordered home with a view to embarkation for South Russia. On arriving to report, he stated that he wished to be demobilised. He has since reported sick, and his orders for South Russia are being cancelled. As, however, he volunteered for the Army of Occupation, he is not eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that more than one application has been made to the War Office for the release on compassionate grounds of Private W. Rogers, No. 27376, C Sub-division, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 24th Veterinary Hospital, France, and that no reply has yet been received; and whether he will have inquiries made into the case with a view to the man's early release?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the new rules as regards release on compassionate grounds of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are rigid, or whether consideration may be-given to other very hard cases, such as-the case of a 'brother with two young: orphan sisters dependent on him?

The instructions recently issued governing releases on compassionate grounds, were compiled only after careful consideration had been given to every class of applicant, and in view of the number which it is possible to release-upon such grounds in the prevailing situation, I regret I am unable to consider any extension of the grounds at the present, moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now see his way to release the men in the 334th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, now stationed at Brocton Camp, Staffordshire, who, under Regulations now in force, are eligible for immediate demobilization?

Steps have already been taken to release as far as possible the demobilisable personnel of all field ambulances in Great Britain, but as I have already stated in this House, personnel of the Royal Army Medical Corps, although eligible for demobilisation, are liable to be temporarily retained as part of the-military machinery for 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.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inform the House what arrangements, if any, are being made to enable the wives of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the regiments which will be ordered to Palestine very shortly to accompany the troops?

It has been decided that, for the present, wives of officers and other ranks cannot be permitted to proceed to Palestine, but as soon as the situation admits the matter will be reconsidered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that An individual wearing the uniform and badges of a lieutenant-general was saluted by a sentry while passing St. James's Palace in the afternoon of 14th May, and that he took no notice of the compliment; and whether, in order to avoid recurrence of such discourtesy and to minimise the amount of saluting by sentries in London, he will revert to the practice of permitting officers to wear plain clothes when off parade?

I have no information as to the incident referred to by my hon. Friend, but if it occurred, the explanation no doubt is that the general officer did not observe the sentry. As regards the last part of the question, the rules as to the wearing of uniform by officers when not on duty are given in Army Order 163 of 1917. No alteration in these Rules is contemplated at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal A. Morran, No. 330039, 3rd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, lately discharged at Purfleet on 9th January, 1919, after having served in the Army since 1892, who applied, on discharge, for a discharge suit of soldier's clothes, has been unable to get it, and though the paymaster at Hamilton has told him to apply to the Royal Army Clothing Department, Batter sea Park, yet repeated letters fail to bring any reply to this old soldier who has served for twenty-seven years?

Urgent inquiries are being made into this case, and I will acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Sergeant C. Westbrook, late 1st Royal Garrison Regiment, has been awarded a service pension of Is. 1½d. per day only, on the ground that his service as a full corporal fell short by five days of the period required by the Regulations, and whether, in view of the fact that this ex-non-commissioned officer has had to his credit five years' service in the Royal Navy, he will consider a reassessment of the pension to make allowance for that fact?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the inquest on Flight-Sergeant C. W. Wright, Royal Air Force, on Thursday, 8th May, 1919, and to the verdict of the jury that his death was due to the collapse of his aeroplane owing to the use of wood unfit for use in aeroplane construction, and that the employment of such wood was due to the criminal negligence of some person or official at present screened by the Department, and whether he is prepared to disclose the names of the person or persons responsible for passing the aeroplane as fit for use?

My attention has been drawn to the verdict given by the jury in the sad case referred to by my hon. Friend, and I have given the most careful consideration to it. The expert advisers of the Air Ministry on accidents have made the fullest inquiry into the cause of the accident, but it has not been possible to decide with certainty on the cause of the breaking of the wing. They do not incline to the view that the cause of the accident was defective wood, but even assuming that that was the case one cannot be certain that inspection will disclose interior defects in a spar. The question of the right amount of dryness of wood is a highly technical one, on which experts differ, our own standard of humidity being nearly double that specified in America. With regard to the last part of the question, I have placed all papers and information in our possession, at the disposal of Sir Charles athews, Director of Prosecution, for his consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether it is intended to complete the aircraft works at Wendover, Bucks; and, if so, will he explain why the contractors are not supplied with the plans necessary for carrying on the work?

The present intention is to complete these works, and the contractors have all the plans necessary to complete the work on which they are now engaged.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider and recommend the appointment of swimming instructors at all our national schools, and take steps to secure that local authorities shall provide suitable bathing accommodation?

The local education authorities are, I believe, fully alive to the desirability of providing instruction in swimming for children attending the public elementary schools and have made considerable progress in the matter, which will no doubt be facilitated by Section 17 of the Education Act, 1918. I do not, however, see my way to make the provision of such instruction or of the necessary bathing accommodation obligatory in all public elementary schools, which number over 21,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider and recommend that art lessons in landscape, seascape, still life, and figure painting shall in future form part of the syllabus of all secondary schools, and that art masters, duly qualified, shall be appointed to teach the same, and thereby develop the love for and genius of art in our country?

The subject of art instruction in secondary schools is engaging my attention. I think it has not yet been accorded the treatment it deserves, but I am not prepared to commit myself to the view that it should be developed on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed to print the Report of the Fuel Research Board regarding the utilisation of peat deposits; and, if so, when it will be issued?

The matter is still under consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the provisional measures of relief for the Indian educational service which he has sanctioned on the proposal of the Government of India?

The Secretary of State would prefer not to anticipate the announcement of the scheme by the Government of India. He is not in possession of all the details.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many United States Treasury dollars sent to the Government of India, under the Pittman Act, have been delivered?

On 1st May, 194,931,672 fine ozs. of silver, representing, approximately, 252,000,000 melted dollars, had been delivered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any mails from India have been lost at sea during this year from any cause; and, if so, can he give particulars as to name of boat and date or supposed date of loss?

No mails from India have been lost this year.

asked the Home Secretary whether, since the dismissal of Police-constable Gunner, No. 528 R, he has received any representation from the men of the police force complaining of such dismissal?

No specific representation has been received from the men on behalf of ex-Police Constable Gunner who, after being twice previously convicted of similar offences, was dismissed the force for not working his beat between 1a.m. and 5.20 a.m., at which hour he was found leaving his lodgings. Reference to this case may have been intended in resolutions from the Police and Prison Officers' Union, which have been received, protesting against "the recent vicious punishments inflicted on members of the Metropolitan Police." In every case of dismissal during 1919, with the exceptions of ex-Police-constable Spackman and one other constable who was found in suspicious association with a person since convicted of receiving stolen property, the offence has been of a similar nature to that committed by ex-Police-constable Gunner.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the information given to prisoners, by notices affixed to their cells, of their right of appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal from sentences passed at assizes and quarter sessions, any information of a similar nature and, if so, what information is given to prisoners sentenced by Courts of summary jurisdiction of their right of appeal in all cases to quarter sessions?

:The right of appeal, which applies to all convictions, is generally well known; and the governors of prisons have instructions to supply full information on the subject to any prisoners who show a desire to appeal from a conviction by a Court of summary jurisdiction.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps, if any, are being taken to give effect to the recommendation of the Report of the Committee on the Building Industry after the War [Cd. 9197], paragraph 44, that a Central Building Industry Committee and Regional Committees should be appointed?

A Central Building Industry Committee was appointed last year in accordance with the recommendations of the Report to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but for various reasons the appointment of the Regional Committees was not then proceeded with. Since then arrangements have been made for the establishmnt of Committees attached to the Local Government Board's Housing Commissioners, who will discharge the functions of the Regional Committees so far as concerns the local use and production of building materials in connection with housing schemes. In view of the new organisation which has been' set up for housing purposes, it has not been found necessary to maintain the Central Building Industry Committee in being, and it has accordingly been dissolved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of employés in the Household Fuel and Lighting Branch of the Coal Mines Department in December, 1918, and the total cost of administration for that month; and if he will give the number of employés in this Department at the present time and the average monthly cost of administration?

The number of employés in he Household Fuel and Lighting. Branch of the Coal Mines Department at the end of December last was 381, including 164 at headquarters, and at the present time is 393, including 152 at headquarters. The cost of administration for December was £7,580, and the average monthly cost since that time is £7,388. These figures do not include the cost of services provided by other Departments, such as the Office of Works, Stationery Office, and Post Office

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a Committee has been appointed by the Board to inquire into the Merchandise Marks Act and matters relating thereto; and if he will publish the names of the Committee?

The Committee has not yet been appointed, but I hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will advise the establishment of an inventors department whose duty will be to encourage and assist poor inventors whose inventions are sound and practicable and to give special attention to inventions relating to mining, seafaring, railways, and any dangerous trades and professions, with a view to facilitating inventive genius, assisting trade, and effecting a saving of human life?

The suggestion made by the hon. Member will receive the careful attention of the Board, but I am not in a position to give any definite reply at the present moment. It is proposed to introduce a Bill amending the Patent Law at an early date, which will contain Clauses which it is hoped may be of assistance to poor inventors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the names of the members and terms of reference to the Departmental Committee appointed by him to inquire into industrial insurance policies; and whether he will ensure that full inquiry is made by the Committee into the question of policies taken out by soldiers and sailors or their dependants which have lapsed during the War?

:The Committee to inquire into industrial life assurance has now been appointed, and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 5th May by my right hon. Friend to the question addressed to the Prime Minister by the Noble Lord the Member for Horsham and Worthing, in which the composition of the Committee and the terms of reference were stated. The practice of industrial companies as regards the lapsing of policies taken out by soldiers and sailors or their dependants will come within the scope of the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any hops have been imported during the months of January, February, March, and April, 1919; and, if so, what is the amount?

No hops were imported in January, February, or April, but 150 cwts. were irregularly imported in March, and the consignment has been placed under bond.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that large numbers of fish curers did a big business with Germany prior to the War; and what steps they should take to secure recognition of their claims?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. The Board are aware of the large business in fish which was conducted with Germany before the War. If the hon. Member refers to financial claims in respect of pre-war trading, a, full statement of each claim should be sent to the Public Trustee, in accordance with the Proclamation of 7th September, 1916. If, however, the question refers to matters affecting the resumption of trade with Germany, perhaps he would state with more precision what is the nature of the claims referred to.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the lateness of the morning delivery of letters at Bicester; and whether he can expedite it?

The postal arrangements at Bicester have been improved. Pre-war facilities were restored on the 14th instant, and the morning delivery of letters in the town is now being completed by 9 a.m.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many counter clerks and telegraphists, telegraphists, and sorting clerks and telegraphists, men and women, are at their maximum, and have no prospects of promotion; whether he has considered the possibility of recommending members of this section of his staff for some of the new appointments in other Government Departments; and whether ho will issue instructions to the Post Office officials that merit wherever it may be found, shall be considered in connection with the Treasury Circular of 29th January last?

I am aware that many members of the classes referred to are at their maximum; but except in the case of those employed at the smallest offices, they are all eligible for promotion to the grades above. I am considering the possibility of recommending members of these classes for transfer to other Departments under the Treasury scheme; and I can assure the hon. Member that merit will be the principal factor in making such recommendations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, if he is aware of the hardships to the passengers on board the ss. "Marama" due to overcrowding and defective sanitation; and if he will look into the matter?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any hardships were experienced by the passengers on board the ss. "Marama." This vessel was specially diverted to Singapore to remove the large number of civilians for whom conveyance to the United Kingdom was urgently required for medical reasons. The whole of the accommodation and the sanitary arrangements were inspected by experienced Board of Trade surveyors on arrival of the ship in this country and before the passengers left. It is clear from the report of these surveyors that there was no overcrowding, that the sanitary arrangements were quite satisfactory and that there was no reasonable cause for complaint.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will give the approximate dates when each farm or other area of land in Caithness under consideration for the purpose will be divided up into small holdings, and the dates of falling in of leases of farms suitable for this purpose?

The South Calder Farm, containing 348 acres, on the Scotscalder Estate, and the Skaill Farm, containing 937 acres, on the Dounreay Estate, will be taken over by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland as from Whit-Sunday next (28th instant) for conversion into small holdings. On the Dounreay Estate the tenants of the Upper Dounreay and Hallam Farms, containing, respectively, 1,080 and 337 acres, are under notice of removal at Whit-Sunday (28th. May), 1920, and these farms will then be taken over by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for conversion into small holdings. The leases of the Dorrery, Lythmore and Stemster Farms, containing,, respectively, about 4,385 acres, 1,050 acres and 675 acres, will fall in at Whit-Sunday (28th May), 1920, and the question of setting apart for small holdings such parts of these farms as may be suitable for the-purpose is under consideration,

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Robert Davies Owen, who was torpedoed and permanently disabled by the Germans while serving on His Majesty's transport" Artist" in January, 1918; whether he is aware that an application was made to the Appointments Department for a training grant to enable him to pursue a course of study at' the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and that such application was refused; and whether, in view of the circumstances stated and having regard to the fact that the sailor's father while captain of His Majesty's transport "North Wales" was torpedoed and killed in October, 1916, he will reconsider the application and cause an adequate grant to be given?

I am having inquiry-made into the circumstances of this case,, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour whether an application has been approved for J. N. Hewitt, now Employed in the Appointments Department, Exeter to undergo a course of training in hotel management at Bath; and if he can give the reason for the delay in informing; Hewitt?

Mr. J. N. Hewitt has been recommended by an interviewing board at Exeter for a course of training in hotel management at Bath, and as soon as the Department is informed that the prospective employer is willing to accept Mr. Hewitt his case will be placed before the grants committee for their final decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether there is any scheme under which an ex-Service man can obtain a loan from the Civil Liabilities Commission to enable him to buy a business; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of issuing loans where guarantees can be given for repayment?

The Civil Liabilities scheme provides grants to enable ex-Service men to meet certain contractual obligations and to restart businesses in cases of serious hardship arising out of services with His Majesty's forces. The question whether this assistance should be given by way of loan instead of, or in addition to, grants was carefully considered at the inception of the scheme. The conclusion reached was that grants were preferable to loans. This conclusion was adopted in the scheme and the experience of the-Department has not indicated that any alteration of the scheme on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend is necessary.