asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of Income Tax paid to the Exchequer under the Schedule B assessment for the year ending April, 1919; what was the amount for the three previous years; to what extent have farmers in the last financial year elected to be taxed under Schedule D, and how that compares with the three previous years?

The net produce of Income Tax on assessments under Schedule B was as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction of those who have suffered damages by German aircraft or bombardments and the amount of the payments made to them under their anti-aircraft insurance, policies; if their claims were cut down in almost every case and the insured were forced to accept the reduced sums or else get nothing; if the sums received in satisfaction of damage in few, if any, cases were sufficient to reinstate the premises; and if, when the German indemnity is paid, these persons who suffered damage will be repaid the full amount of the reparation?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The payments made under the Government aircraft and bombardment insurance policies have in all cases been made in accordance with the terms of the policies, and I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction as suggested in the question. As regards the last part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Leader of the House on Monday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an Order has been issued granting an increase of 25 per cent. on future Civil Service pensions; whether this is applicable to pensions granted previous to the date of this award; and, if not, whether, having in view the increased cost of living arising out of the War, the Government intends to make any increase at all in the scale existing previous to the new award?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on the 16th ultimo in reply to the hon. Member for Devonport.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the recommendation of the Holt Committee that service in K Company, Royal Engineers, should count for civil pension, he will state why the Treasury are not prepared to carry this recommendation into effect?

I would refer to my answer of the 23rd inst. to the question on this subject of the hon. and gallant Member for Southampton.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any decision has yet been come to on the question of granting a six-day week to the constables and museum porters employed in Kew Gardens?

The subject to which this question refers is still under consideration.

asked the Food Controller if it is his intention to give instructions regarding food for the forthcoming Peace celebrations so that societies and local authorities may at once begin to arrange their work without fear of disturbance and trouble?

Special attention has been given by the Food Controller to the provision of food in connection with the Peace celebrations, and so far as possible facilities will be given to caterers and organisers of, entertainments to obtain special supplies. Instructions on the subject are on the point of issue to local food control committees.

asked the Food Controller if his attention has been called to the difficulty of getting maize for seed purposes for growing for green forage in this country; and if he will do all he can to push delivery forward?

Every effort is being made to release consignments of maize suitable for planting from the imports of flat white South African maize which are available. The quantity is, however, very limited, and no useful purpose would be served by releasing for sowing grades of maize which are unsuitable for that purpose.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the parishes of Creswell and Whitwell, in Derbyshire, received a consignment of meat for the week ending 26th April last which on arrival was condemned as bad; who was responsible for the meat being sent in such condition; whether the parishes of Creswell and Whitwell were entitled to an allocation of 9,714 lbs. of meat for the week ending 19th April and only received 8,911 lbs.; whether the neighbouring parishes of Barlborough and Clown were entitled to an allocation of 6,861 lbs. of meat for the week ending 26th April and only received 5,214 lbs.; and whether, having regard to tile fact that the inhabitants of these parishes are in the main miners who require a full ration of meat, he will see that the supply to the district is fully maintained in future?

The figures given by the hon. Member are not correct. The parishes of Creswell and Whitwell were entitled to a total allocation of 11,947 lbs. of meat in each of the two weeks in question, and the parishes of Barlborough and Clown to 10,714 lbs. During the period the basis of distribution throughout the area was 40 per cent. of home-killed and 60 per cent. of imported meat, and accordingly Creswell and Whitwell received 5,852 lbs. live-weight of home-fed stock, and Barlborough and Clown 4,298 lbs. live-weight of home-fed stock, these amounts representing the full proportion of home-produced meat to which the respective parishes were entitled. No imported meat, however, was ordered by either of the two butchers' associations for the week ending 19th April, and the Food Controller cannot accept any responsibility for the resulting shortages. The condition of imported meat consigned to Creswell and Whitwell for the week ending 26th April was entirely due to delay in transit from Nottingham, the meat arriving two days late at its destination. Upon the area meat agent being informed of the condition of the meat a further supply was at once sent off from Derby which arrived on the same day as it was dispatched.

asked the Food Controller why no distinction in price is made between the different qualities of sheep supplied by his presiding officers at the various marts, and why the distributor is obliged to take rams and old ewe sheep at the same price per pound as the best wethers: and whether he will see that in future sheep are graded both in quality and price as was done before control took place, so that those who want cheaper kinds of mutton may be able to obtain it?

When control was first undertaken the Food Controller was advised that the classification of sheep into different grades was a matter attended with very considerable difficulty in view of the necessity for fixing wholesale and retail prices. The possibility of dividing sheep into two grades is, however, now being considered.

asked the Food Controller at what price will a farmer who has 100 acres of land in Somersetshire and 100 acres in Gloucestershire be compelled to sell his milk?

If, in the circumstances stated in the question the two pieces of land form part of the same farm, the maximum price applicable to the wholesale sale of milk by the producer will be that fixed under the Milk (Summer Prices) Order, 1919, for the area in which the higher price may be charged.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that the Scottish brewers are in some eases putting the extra beer tax upon their consumers; that the charge for a gravity of 10.23, the cost per barrel before the Budget of this year was 63s. 9d., and that the cost is now fixed at 73s., which is an increase of 9s. 3d,, an increase in duty at gravity standard of 8s. 4½d.; that a gravity of10.29 was 70s. 8d. per barrel before the Budget, and the brewers are now charging 80s. 3d., which is an increase of 9s. 7d., the increased duty at gravity standard being 10s. 7d.; that a gravity of 10.35 before the Budget was 76s. 6d. per barrel, and the brewers now charge 94s. 8d., which is an increase of 17s. 2d., the increase duty at gravity standard being 12s. 9d.; and that the above figures show that the Scottish brewers have passed on to the retailer practically the whole of the increased duty, and in one case are actually taking an increased profit of 4s. 5d. per barrel; if he is aware that, though he has fixed the selling price of beer to the consumer according to gravity, there is no fixed price that the brewer can charge their customers; and if he will take action in the matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been directed to the new prices charged by brewers to the tenants and occupiers of licensed houses, namely: 72s. per barrel for 4d. beer, 90s. per barrel for 5d. beer, 108s. per barrel for 6d. beer, 126s. per barrel for 7d. beer, and 144s. per barrel for 8d. beer; whether it was his intention that the additional liquor duties should be borne by the licence-holders; and, in view of the hardship that this will inflict upon them, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller has no exact information as to the figures to which the hon. and gallant Members refer. I may say, however, that local committees, consisting of representatives of the brewers and retailers in the districts concerned, are now set up for the purpose of dealing with cases of dispute or grievances arising out of prices charged for beer by brewers to the retail trade. A Board of Appeal has also been established to which cases which cannot be settled by these committees may be referred; further, if the Board of Appeal disagree, the question may be referred to the Food Controller. I have every reason to believe that it will be possible by means of this machinery to remove any cases of hardship which may have arisen.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the liquor restrictions are costing the country about £56,000,000; if he is aware that the output in 1914 was 36,000,000 barrels, and that the output at the present time is only 20,000,000 barrels, which is a reduction of 16,000,000 barrels; if he is aware that 16,000,000 barrels at £3 10s. per barrel amounts to £56,000,000, which is a loss to the country; if he can state whether the Government have considered the question of allowing the full barrelage to be brewed that was allowed in 1914; and if he will take action in the matter?

The output in 1914 was 36,000,000 standard barrels, equivalent at the then prevailing gravity of 1052 to 38,000,000 bulk barrels. The output now authorised is 26,000,000 standard barrels, equivalent at the average gravity of 1040 to 35,750,000 bulk barrels. The decision to limit the barrelage to 26,000,000 standard barrels is not a Treasury decision and was not taken on financial grounds

asked the Food Controller whether, owing to omissions of the date and place of birth, 40,000,000 forms had to be destroyed and 40,000,000 additional forms had to be printed?

As was stated in reply to the hon. Member for Duddeston on the 31st March last the answer is in the negative.

asked the Food Controller why the sale of spirits is still curtailed; whether there is any prospect of these restrictions being relaxed or removed in the near future; and whether, in the meantime, arrangements can be made whereby individuals may be enabled to purchase an occasional bottle of spirits at their grocers at a reasonable price?

This matter is one for the Cabinet, not the Ministry of Food, and I am afraid that I am not able to make any statement on the subject. As regards the last part of the question, having regard to the amount of releases now being made from bond sufficient spirits should be available to meet the reasonable requirements of the public.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that schemes devised by many rural district councils in Ireland during the last three or four years for the provision of labourers' cottages have not been proceeded with owing to lack of funds, and whether the necessary funds will now be procurable to proceed with these schemes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Loans for the purpose of providing labourers' cottages are now available where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Local Government Board to be urgently required, for districts where the replacement of cottages condemned as unfit for human habitation has been postponed owing to the War. In certain cases also where there is an exceptional shortage of labourers' cottages, loans are also authorised to be issued provided that the Local Government Board are satisfied in all such cases that additional cottages are urgently required.

asked the Vice President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the great decline in the, number of pigs in Ireland, whereby the numbers have decreased since 1911 by over 400,000; and, in view of the great falling off, whether the Government will consider the advisability of giving a special grant, to be ear-marked, for the purpose of increasing pig production in Ireland, and thereby help save this important Irish industry from ruin?

The Department are aware of the decline in the number of pigs in Ireland, but it is not apparent in what respects a special grant could assist in stimulating breeding. The most essential requirement at the moment would appear to be an immediate increase in the importation of maize into Ireland for pig feeding purposes, and the Department have made representations to this effect to the Wheat Commission.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if his attention has been called to the serious outbreaks of rabies in different parts of the United Kingdom; and, in view of the fact that Ireland has been immune from this disease for several years, will the Department take steps to prevent the allowing in of any dogs or other animals likely to carry the disease?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Down on 13th instant.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Irish Department of Agriculture have taken any steps recently to cope with outbreaks of swine fever in Ireland; and what became of the Government Grant which was specially earmarked for the purpose of coping with the disease?

In the Department's veterinary research laboratory, now in course of construction, serum will be prepared to be used in dealing with swine fever outbreaks. Consequently, a portion of the Grant received for swine fever purposes is,, with the sanction of His Majesty's Treasury, being utilised in the construction of the laboratory. I may also inform the hon. Member that the published Returns show that the number of outbreaks of swine fever in Ireland is on the decrease.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if his attention has been called to the fact that the Government are not allowing to Ireland her fair percentage of the maize imported into the United Kingdom; and, in view of the fact that maize meal was largely used for finishing pigs, will he see that Ireland obtains her fair share of this commodity?

Questions as to the distribution of the available supplies of maize should be addressed to the Wheat Commission who are responsible for the distribution. The Department have recently requested that Commission to obtain larger supplies of maize for Ireland, particularly for pig-feeding purposes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the Estimates of last year, a sum of £50,000 was apportioned to Ireland as her equivalent of the increased Grants for education in England, Wales, and Scotland; whether this Grant was equivalent and would fluctuate with the corresponding Grants to English, Welsh, and Scottish secondary education; whether, calculated on the eighty, eleven, nine basis, Ireland should receive £90,000 for education in this year's Estimates, and. if so, whether he will take steps to have this Grant inserted on the Estimates for Irish secondary education this year?

I would refer to the reply given to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for Belfast University on the 15th inst., to which there is nothing at present to add, except that the Drafting Committee is busily engaged in preparing the form of the proposed Bill dealing with education in Ireland. Administrative action, grounded on the proposals in the reports is not considered desirable pending the introduction of legislation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, according to the rules of the Birrell Grant of 1914, the minimum salary for men was fixed at £140 per annum; whether one of the rules of the equivalent Grant last year meant that a very large number of teachers who had been in receipt of £140 would get an additional £20, bringing their salaries to £160 per annum; whether the vast majority of intermediate teachers in Ire land have received no war bonus; and whether he will have the rules of the Grant so framed that a portion of the increase in the Grant be devoted to a badly-needed increase in teachers' salaries, so as to give them a living wage?

The minimum salary given in the Schedule to the Teachers' Salaries Grant (£40,000) Rules,1915, for male teachers for whom board and lodgings are not provided is £140 a year. Under the rates for the application for the additional Parliamentary Grant the Grants paid to schools depend upon the employment by the schools of a certain number of recognised teachers in receipt of a salary of at least £20 per annum more than the minimum stated in the Schedule to the Teachers' Salaries Grant Rules, 1915. Since the additional Parliamentary Grant of £50,000 was voted a considerable number of teachers have received the additional salaries. As the teachers are paid by the school authorities—not by the Intermediate Education Board—they hare no information as to the number of those teachers, if any, who have received a war bonus.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the proprietors of rural linen factories and mills in Ireland own a large number of their workers' dwellings; whether he is aware that in a great many cases the dwellings are totally insufficient for the needs of the workers and in bad repair; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to having proper housing accommodation provided for these workers?

I have no information as to the first part of the question. Under the proposed housing legislation, the duty will rest upon the local authority in each case to consider what additional housing accommodation is required for the working classes in their area, and to prepare a scheme or schemes to meet the ascertained needs, and there are existing powers vested in the local sanitary authorities to deal with questions of insanitary housing.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether 25 per cent. of the sales agreed upon between Irish landlords and tenants, and approved of by the Estates Commissioners, are still uncompleted by reason of the withholding of the advances by the Treasury; whether lands representing purchase money amounting to £21,500,000 cannot be transferred to the tenants solely because the advances have not been made; whether out of the purchase of 1,000,000 acres of estates by the Estates Commissioners, not scheduled under the Congested Districts Board, 26 per cent. comprise untenanted lands available for redistribution and enlargement of small uneconomic holdings; whether, seeing that Ireland is paying to the British Treasury something like £26,000,000 over and above the cost of the Irish Government services and expenditure, he will insist on the necessary advances being made without delay so as to speed up land purchase, and enable the untenanted lands purchased to be distributed amongst landless men and occupiers of small uneconomic holdings?

The purchase money of the sales completed amounts to £105,481,751, and the purchase money of pending sales still uncompleted amounts to £18,385,971, the latter figure being 14.8 per cent. of the total. Advances will be made in these pending cases in their due priority according as the requirements of the Estates Commissioners as to title, and other matters are complied with and funds are available. During the War advances under the Land Purchase Acts were necessarily restricted, but it is hoped that henceforth the rate at which advances can be made will be considerably increased. As regards the distribution of untenanted lands purchased by the Commissioners there has been no delay. On the 1st ultimo, the Commissioners had acquired on estates purchased by them316,719 acres of untenanted land, and on that date all the untenanted land as well as lands surrendered by migrants and others, and resold by the Commissioners as untenanted land had been distributed and the purchasers placed in occupation, save as regards only 15,722 acres not yet distributed, and of this residue over 14,000 acres consist of mountain, turbary, and plantations.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the pensions now being paid to retired men of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police under the Act of 1883; whether, owing to the great increase in the cost of living, such pensions are wholly inadequate for the support of these men and their families; and whether, in view of the great services rendered by these men, often in times of grave trouble and disorder, he will introduce a Bill to increase their pensions?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Woodvale Division, Belfast, on the 5th March last.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the All-Ireland meeting of protest, held at the Mansion House, Dublin, against the application of the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill to Ireland in its original form; and, in view of the complaints made, will the Government set up a separate branch of this Department in Ireland and give full executive powers to this separate Department, giving direct representation upon all Committees and Commissions appointed under the Bill to the various interests affected by it?

My right hon. Friend the Minister-designate of Ways and Communications intends, as stated in his speech on the Second Reading of the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill [17th March, 1919, Hansard, col. 1778], to set up in Ireland, as part of the Government organisation, a branch of the Irish Ministry to deal with all Irish questions. This branch would, of course, be responsible to, and subject to, the Minister.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that spirits are being held up by distillers and wholesale merchants in Ireland since the Budget was introduced; and what steps he proposes to take to secure that retailers will be supplied with their proper quantities?

The Food Controller has no information to the effect stated in the first part of the question. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can now make any statement on the subject of servants' allowances to Engineer officers, Royal Navy?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a similar question on the 8th May. I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject, but I hope the matter may soon be settled.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an inquiry has been held into the circumstances of the loss of the "Leinster" to determine responsibility for the casualty; whether the dependants of the civilian passengers have been pensioned and the survivors compensated for the loss of their property; and whether the Dublin Steam Packet Company has received any compensation for the loss of this vessel commensurate with the increased cost of shipbuilding?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply. No formal investigation has been held into the circumstances of the loss of the "Leinster," and there is no Government compensation scheme applicable to civilian passengers on merchant vessels damaged by enemy action during the War. The "Leinster" was not a Government requisitioned vessel and was not insured under the Government war risks insurance scheme; and I am not aware of compensation having been paid, as indicated in the concluding part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Lance-Corporal G. H Kemp, No. 420555, Royal Army Service Corps, 7lst Railhead Supply Detachment, Advanced Supply Depot, A.P.O. S 115, Flanders, who is over forty-one years of age and who is still being retained as a clerk, in spite of the fact that urgent and repeated applications have been made for his release by his employers, and that his duties during the past two months have averaged one hour's work per day?

Lance-Corporal Kemp 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 his 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 completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit. With regard to the last part of the question, 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 Sapper A. B. Lawrence, No. 211006, of L Battalion Signals, Royal Engineers, at present stationed at Marseilles, is forty-two years of age and has no immediate prospect of release; and whether he will cause special inquiries to be made by the officers appointed to examine into the state of the various units?

Sapper Lawrence is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age is as stated by my right hon. Friend he is eligible for demobilisation unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service, and his terms of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit. With regard to the last part of the question, if the officers appointed to examine the registers of units are satisfied that the reason for the retention of any particular officer or men is not sufficient, the officer or men in question will be at once demobilised.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the case of Private Gilbert Davis, No. 69110, 3rd Battalion., Northumberland Fusiliers; if the demobilisation of this man was recommended by the Ministry of Labour prior to 1st February, 1919; and whether, in view of the fact that this man would have been included in a draft for demobilisation if he had not fallen ill and been admitted to hospital the previous day, he will order this man to-be demobilised forthwith?

Private Davies 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 he is eligible for demobilisation under current instructions he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private W. L. Grounsell, M/303399, Royal Army Service Corps, 31st Divisional Motor Transport, British Expeditionary Force, France, was granted leave with a view of applying for demobilisation on compassionate grounds; that he returned to France on the 19th April, and on the 26th April a War Office telegram was sent him extending his leave until the 18th instant; and whether, as Private Grounsell's wife has to undergo an operation and there is no one to take charge of the home and child, he will have the case inquired into with a view to this 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 George Laidler, No. 941, 2nd Northern Company, Non-combatant Corps, is eligible for demobilisation, seeing that he is thirty-nine years of age; and why his commanding officer has been unable to give any reason for the long-continued delay in his release from the Army?

Private Laidler is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age is as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend he will, no doubt, be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private F. E. Chandler, No. 655991, 240 P.O.W. Escourt, A.P.O. Section, British Expeditionary Force, is one of seven sons of Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, of Hounslow; whether the whole seven have served in the Army, one has been killed, and of the remaining six not one has yet been demobilised; whether this particular son has been sent back to France after having trench feet and that he is only graded B 2; whether he has received an appeal for his release on compassionate grounds; and whether, having regard to the services of the family, this can be granted?

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 he can release at once Private E. W. Chapman, No. 020590, 109th Company, Army Ordnance Corps, British Expeditionary Force, France, seeing that he is over thirty-seven years of age and was applied for on 24th January, 1919; and, seeing that he is eligible and that a whole business is dependent upon him as a manager, whether he will accelerate his release?

Private Chapman is not registered by the War Office either us 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 his 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 completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a number of men quartered at Rugeley, Camp, Staffordshire, who have seen two years', and many of them three years', service and are now waiting for demobilisation, are under orders for Egypt; and whether, at the same time, a number of young soldiers who have only joined up during the last twelve months and who are now quartered in the same camp, are being retained in this country?

Inquiries have been made at the camp in question, and I am informed that no men eligible for demobilisation have been placed under orders for Egypt. No young soldiers fulfilling the conditions necessary for being drafted to Egypt are being retained in this country at the expense of older soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the office telegraphists attached to the Royal Engineers in Mesopotamia have been transferred to an Indian signal company on the disbandment of their company; whether these men are now being employed on paid civil revenue-producing work under the control of the Indian Telegraph Department; and whether, seeing that the Eurasians and military telegraphists proper to the Indian telegraph department are capable of dealing with all the existing civilian work, he will order the demobilisation of these men?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are a large number of men entitled to demobilisation in the Army in Mesopotamia; and whether some arrangements can be made to bring them back before they have to spend another hot season, in that part of the world?

I regret I am unable to add anything further to the full statement on this subject which was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 6th May last. I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Rifleman H. M'Mullan, No. 19,118, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, was awarded the Italian bronze medal for valour; that the record of the award appeared in the "London Gazette" dated 24th May, 1917; that this soldier has since been reported missing and that his relatives have not yet received the medal; and what steps should be taken to secure the early delivery of the decoration to them?

Rifleman M'Mullan, 12th Battalion., Royal Irish Rifles, was awarded the Italian medal for valour, as stated, and his name appeared in the "Gazette" of the 24th May, 1917, together with many other names of men who had been awarded Italian decorations. The Italian Government have not yet, however, forwarded the insignia or medals in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Herbert Schofield, No. 45187, 3rd Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers, whose age is thirty-six, is ordered to proceed to Russia next week against his will; and whether this is in accordance with the promise made in the House of Commons that only volunteers were sent to Russia?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Thomas Greaves, No. 35151, 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, who has been a prisoner of war for twelve months, and whose age is thirty-one years, is ordered to proceed to Russia next week against his will; and whether this is in accordance with the promise made in the House of Commons that only volunteers were sent to Russia?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that G. A. Bishop, No. 3992, 4th Northern Non-Combatant Corps, was court-martialled for disobeying orders on conscientious grounds in July, 1918, and is still undergoing a sensentence of hard labour in Wormwood Scrubs Prison; and if he will now remit this man's sentence?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made on the 3rd April in reply to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Plaistow, and to the reply given on the 1st May to a question put by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland, from which he will see the policy laid down with regard to conscientious objectors who are serving terms of imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that Herbert Bullough, Lancashire Fusiliers, a member of the Miners' Federation, who was arrested in May, 1918, and subsequently accepted work under the Home Office scheme, was reported and sent back to the Army in April, and is now serving a sentence of two years' hard labour; and whether, in view of the fact that the men employed under the Home Office Committee have now been released, he will remit this man's sentence; and (2) whether he is aware that A. Barratt Brown, No. 41710, 3rd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, a Quaker, and formerly a lecturer at Woodbrooke Settlement, Birmingham, is in Canterbury Prison serving a sentence of twelve months' hard labour as a conscientious objector; and whether he will remit the remainder of this man's sentence?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether be is aware that P. J. Boddy, No. 34307, Depot, Norfolk Regiment, is now serving a third sentence as a conscientious objector in Norwich Prison; and whether, in view of the fact that six months have passed since the cessation of hostilities, he will now remit this man's sentence; and (2) whether he is aware that W. H. Bibby, No. 39243, 3rd Battalion Border Regiment, a railway clerk of only nineteen years of age, was arrested in March, 1918, as a conscientious objector and is now serving a sentence of two years' hard labour in Liverpool Prison; and whether he will now remit the remainder of this boy's sentence?

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement made on the 3rd April in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Plaistow, and to the reply given on the 1st May to a question by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland, which explained the policy with regard to the release of conscientious objectors and others who are serving terms of imprisonment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Councillor Morgan Jones was released from Wakefield Work Centre, where he was working under the Home Office Committee for the Employment of Conscientious Objectors, in November, 1917, on grounds of ill-health; whether he will state on what grounds this man was recalled to Dartmoor in February, 1919; and why he has now been re-arrested?

This man was authorised by the Committee to take up exceptional employment. He was recalled to Prince-town for a breach of the propaganda condition. He failed to go to Princetown and was therefore recalled to the Army in February last. The matter is now one for the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether troops now serving in this country are considered to be on active service; if, in the event of such troops being used in possible industrial disputes, they will be considered to be on active service in the technical sense; and whether troops serving in Ireland are considered to be on active service?

All troops at present serving in the United Kingdom are considered to be on active service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any case has come under his notice in which a provost marshal, who was previously a stockbroker or in business in London, acted in the discharge of his duties in Egypt during the War upon the principle that you cannot manage Egyptians without inflicting upon them corporal punishment?

Nothing is known of this, but if there is any suggestion that the provost marshal has been acting improperly I will have inquiry made if his name is furnished.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the case of soldiers who are serving under a Regular enlistment, the war gratuity is not paid to them until their discharge; and, if so, whether he will have this matter reconsidered and allow a soldier's gratuity to be invested in his name now, so that a little interest may accumulate by the time the man is discharged?

The war gratuity of a Regular soldier who is serving on beyond the end of the War will be issued on the date in which his services cease to-reckon for the gratuity, i.e., at the termination of the War as fixed by statutory authority or 3rd August, 1919, whichever comes first.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether soldiers who have been demobilised since 1st February are entitled to receive the increase in pay granted to soldiers and officers; and if he will take action in the matter?

A soldier who has been demobilised since 1st February is entitled to the bonus from that date if prior to demobilisation he had been temporarily retained for service with the military machinery of demobilisation or in an administrative capacity. If he was not so retained, but was in receipt of pay on the 1st May, he will draw the bonus from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Germans have been found to be in possession of many names of British soldiers who during the War were prisoners in Germany, but whose names as such were never notified to England; whether the names of such men have been merely published in the "English Gazette" as missing; and what steps are now being taken to allay public anxiety by tracing the fate of every man who, when described as missing, is now known to have been in fact a prisoner of war in Germany?

Examination of German records has established the deaths of a few men of whose fate we were ignorant and who had hitherto been recorded as ''missing." The Germans are held strictly accountable for all whom we know, or whom we may in future learn from their records or from other sources, to have been prisoners of war in their hands. The search of German records is being prosecuted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the desirability of changing the definition of extreme compassionate grounds, contained in Army Council Instruction No. 287 of 1919, paragraph 1, sub-paragraph (1), to read, "son, who has a parent or parents in necessitous circumstances, with no near relation other than the soldier capable of earning, the parent or parents themselves being incapable of earning"?

I regret that I have nothing further to add to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Finsbury on the 20th inst., of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of two men who served in the Army, one of whom has spent the whole of his money and the other by thrift and sobriety has saved a fair amount out of his pay, the Civil Liabilities Committees make a grant towards starting the former in business, but will decline to help the latter because of his thrift; and, if so, whether he can see his way to give instructions to alter this position of affairs?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Assistance is given by the Civil Liabilities Department to officers and men who have suffered unavoidable hardship arising out of military service. Account is taken of all the circumstances of the applicant's case, including the question whether he could reasonably have been expected to save, and grants are given or withhold accordingly. The hypothetical difference suggested in my hon. Friend's question ought, therefore, not to exist in fact, but I shall be happy to make inquiries if he will give particulars of any specific case he has in mind.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men of the Royal Navy who have completed time for pension but are also receiving disability pension are not paid their service pension; and if he will see into this matter as soon as possible?

In the past men invalided for a cause attributable to the Service after completing time for pension received a disablement pension, with additions for service, good conduct badges, or medals and service in chief petty, petty, or leading ratings. In no case was this less than the Service pension. Under a recent decision all men who have completed time for pension will receive their Service pension plus the disablement pension appropriate to the certified degree of disablement, and steps are being taken to make the necessary adjustments as soon as practicable.

asked the Pensions Minister whether immediate attention may be given to the case of Mrs. Holman, whose husband, Sergeant W. J. Holman, No. 20054, 1st King's African Rifles, was reported to have died at Zomba, East' Africa, on the 4th January, 1919, in view of the fact that the widow has received no payment of any kind, either allotment or pension, since 20th December, 1918, and, in spite of repeated applications, has been unable to obtain either information with regard to his death, the return of his effects, or any payment in money?

Some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining the necessary information in this case, but entitlement to pension under Article 11 has now been admitted. Arrangements have been made with the War Office for the issue of separation allowance for a period of twenty-six weeks from the date of notification of death and at the end of that period pension will follow. Question should be addressed to the Colonial Office with regard to the other matters referred to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether legislation has been recently introduced by the Government of the Union of South Africa in the Legislative Assembly at Cape Town to give effect to the recommendations of a Committee of Inquiry into the application of the Transvaal Gold Law and the Law of 1885 in regard to the holding of real property in the Transvaal by Asiatic limited liability companies; whether this legislation would, if passed, seriously menace the rights and property of British Indians who for many years have legally resided in the Transvaal; whether the Government of the Union of South Africa agreed at a meeting of the Imperial War Conference not to impose any new and further disabilities on British Indians in the Union of South Africa; and whether he will make further representations to the Union Government in the interests of British Indians in the Transvaal, with a view to allaying the apprehensions felt by many British Indians that their fellow-countrymen's position in South Africa is to be jeopardised?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 22nd instant to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme. I understand that rights of land ownership acquired by Indian companies up to date are not interfered with.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Home Office have any power to regulate painful experiments on invertebrates; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to extend the provisions of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, so as to deal with this omission?

Section 22 of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, expressly excludes invertebrate animals from the provisions of the Act. The reply to the second part of the questions is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary if he is in a position to inform the House of the result of his accountant's investigation into the increase of fares by the traffic combine in London; and, if not, will he state the reason for the delay in getting this Report from his accountant?

The investigation must necessarily take some time. I will inform the House of the result when I have received and considered this Report.

asked the Home Secretary when the Committee which has been taking evidence in connection with the necessity of improving prison warders' pensions is likely to make its Report?

The Committee has reported and consideration is now being given to the question of the legislation that will be necessary for giving effect to their recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether last month English firms were told that they would be allowed to import American cars to the amount of 50 per cent. of their 1913 importations divided into twelve monthly equal instalments between now and the 1st September next, to be exact, five-twelfths of 50 per cent. of their 1913 importations; whether this supply is adequate to meet the present demand for cars; and whether the Government can see their way to allow a larger number of cars to be imported for the time being in the immediate interests of commerce?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The ration of import referred to was fixed after considering the advice of the Imports Consultative Council which carefully weighed a large amount of evidence before making its recommendation. I do not propose to alter the decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Alsatian potash mines are fully equal to meet every demand that will be made upon them for the supply of potash; and if he will consider the possibility of affording Alsace an unfettered export of the only raw material of which it has an unlimited supply and can hold its own against all competition?

The importance of the Alsace potash deposits is fully recognised by His Majesty's Government. It is necessary, however, to take into account developments in respect of potash production in the United Kingdom, and potash salts have recently been placed on the list of imports prohibited except under licence, but that course was taken only after consultation with the French Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, supplementary to the Estimates on expenditure on railways already presented, an estimate of the anticipated revenue of the current year can also be supplied to the House?

The revenue of the railways for the current year will depend on various circumstances, including re- ceipts from traffic and cost of working, which cannot now be forecast, and I am afraid I cannot give an estimate of the anticipated revenue.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the import of glass goods from our new Ally, Czecho-Slovakia, will be permitted?

Glass-ware, other than scientific glass-ware, machinery glassware, optical glasses and manufactures thereof, miners' lamp glasses and electric lamps and bulbs, may now be imported under licence to the extent of half the imports of 1913. Importers may, if they so desire, obtain their allowances from Czecho-Slovakia.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delays which take place in the transmission and delivery of telegrams to and from Bristol and the West of England, and of the demand which has arisen for better facilities; and whether he will arrange for the construction of a new cable to Bristol with the least possible delay?

There is already an underground telegraph cable to Bristol which contains ample accommodation for the Bristol traffic, and as far as I know there is no general delay in the transmission of telegrams in the Bristol area. I am arranging for the construction and laying of a new underground telephone cable, which will provide improved telephone facilities for Bristol and the West of England.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is possible to expedite the mail service between London and the towns of Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels; whether he is aware that business negotiations to Belgium now take several days to reach their destination; whether he is aware that such delay in these matters is very detrimental to Anglo -Belgian reconstruction programmes; whether he will consider, in conjunction with the Belgian Government, the institution of some speedier means of transit between these towns and London, with a view to reducing the time taken to not more than twenty-four hours; and whether, if necessary, he will consult the Secretary of State for Air in regard to the provision of a daily air service, weather conditions permitting?

There are now six dispatches weekly of mails in each direction between the United Kingdom via Dover and Ostend, and two dispatches weekly by direct boat to Antwerp. There has recently been a considerable improvement in the service, and mails dispatched from the towns in question in the morning of one day are generally delivered in London on the morning of the next day. If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of cases of delay I will have inquiry made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether, in view of the forthcoming sale of small commercial craft, he can see his way to give men, who were owners of that class of craft before the War, and were compelled to dispose of them on being called to the Colours, facilities to purchase the same?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the Report of the Admiralty Committee on the Manning of the Mercantile Marine has been forwarded to and considered by the Ministry of Shipping; and, if so, whether the Ministry is in agreement with the recommendations put forward?

The Ministry of Shipping has not been invited to express its views on the recommendations contained in this Report and, pending full consideration, my right hon. Friend the Shipping Controller must not be taken as agreeing with any of the recommendations. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on 15th May the Admiralty have asked that the Report shall be submitted to the National Maritime Board, but before formally laying the Report before the National Maritime Board the Ministry is asking the Admiralty to supplement the information at present available, as to its own future requirements of the Mercantile Marine and as to its policy towards the more important recommendations, so that the National Maritime Board, if it so desired, may put forward constructive proposals on the points in the Report.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists in Caithness regarding the division of this county for representation on the education authority; and whether he will consider the institution of revised electoral areas for the future?

Since the making of the Order determining the electoral divisions in question for Caithness county no representations have been received on the subject, and I have no information that dissatisfaction does exist with regard to the divisions. Any proposals for revision of the electoral areas which may be received will be given careful consideration previous to the next election.