asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Oversea Trade Department the policy adopted by his Department in giving advice to British firms who may desire to take advantage of the export credit facilities which are being provided by American export houses with the support of the Government of the United States?

I have been asked by my hon. Friend to answer this question. It is not possible to lay down any hard and fast policy which is applicable to all cases, as it must necessarily depend on the nature of the individual inquiry, and especially on the extent to which British needs of the particular commodity are already met from British Imperial sources.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Oversea Trade Department whether any measures are being adopted to encourage or discourage the investment of foreign capital in the United Kingdom?

No specific measures have yet been adopted, but the whole question is under the consideration of the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether No. 882 Motor Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps, has a strength of 207 cars; whether all these cars are for the use of War Offise and other officials; whether he is aware that this company now occupy premises in Ebury Bridge Road, Chelsea, with a floor area of 84,000 square feet, and which are required by the leaseholders for a business which would there employ over 400 discharged men; that the leaseholders were informed that their premises would be freed provided that alternative accommodation was suggested; and that two suitable alternative premises have been suggested and both of them commandeered; and whether, in view of the present amount of unemployment, any date can be given when the Ebury Bridge Road premises will be made available for occupation by the leaseholders?

The number of Motor Transport vehicles on the strength of No. 882 Motor Transport Company is 169. These vehicles are for the use of the War Office, General Headquarters, Great Britain, the Eastern Command and London District Headquarters, the War Cabinet, representatives of Allied Governments, and of the Dominions, etc. I am informed that the area of the Ebury Bridge Road premises is approximately as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend. I understand that the leaseholders are a recently floated company, known as the British Motor Trading Corporation, Limited, which is, I believe, under the direction of Brigadier-General Conway Jenkins, C.B.E., lately retired from the Royal Air Force. Brigadier-General Conway Jenkins has been informed that the premises would be vacated if a suitable substitute could be found, but no suitable alternative premises have yet been suggested. The two brought to notice were unsuitable, and in any case were already earmarked by the War Department for another purpose before they were mentioned by Brigadier-General Conway Jenkins. I am afraid it is not possible at present to fix a date when the Ebury Bridge Road premises can be vacated.

Will my right hon. Friend say if, when Peace is declared, it is the policy of the Government to confine the use of motor cars to those officials of the War Office who were entitled to them in 1914?

I hope to return to peace conditions as soon as possible. I believe my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has undertaken to give this matter of the use of motor vehicles by Government Departments his personal attention.

asked the Secretary of State for War what profits were made from the field force canteens in the South African War; how this money was disposed of; and what will be done with the profits of the British Expeditionary Force canteens in this War?

The total gross profits made by the Field Force Canteens in the South African War cannot be accurately determined owing to the lapse of time and the grants made prior to the final winding-up, but it is on record that up to September, 1903, a sum of about £150,000 was returned to the troops or distributed as Grants-in-Aid of various military objects. On the Field Force Canteen being finally wound up the assets were estimated at £103,000, of which £70,000 was set aside with the approval of the then Secretary of State to be used as the working capital of the South African Garrison Institute, which took over the work of the Field Canteen after the war, any balance on realisation being spent locally for the benefit of the garrison. The profits of the British Expeditionary Force canteens in this War will be spent for the benefit of the members and ex-members of His Majesty's Forces, their families and dependants, under the directions of the Army Council.

Is there not something now remaining from the South African Canteen Fund?

Yes. I cannot say how much, but there is a considerable sum still standing to the credit of the South African Garrison Institute Fund, and that, I think, if I remember aright, was largely used in starting the Expeditionary Force Canteen.

Have steps been taken to consult commanding officers as to the feeling of their troops as to the disposal of the money from this War?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue a statement at an early date defining as far as possible conditions of service in regard to pay, allowances, dress, and other particulars of officers of the post-bellum Army?

All these matters are being considered by Committees appointed for the purpose, and an announcement cannot be made until their Reports have been made and considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me any kind of idea when that will be, in view of the fact that this is really a matter of great urgency to officers?

I am afraid I cannot give any kind of idea as to when the Report will be received.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the setting up of a Committee on the lines of the Jerram Report, applying to Army conditions on the same terms'?

The hon. and gallant Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army still retains possession of several garages belonging to the London General Omnibus Company, although that company has urgently demanded their return in order to establish further services which are much needed; and how soon he can give up possession?

With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate a full reply to his question in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as it is rather too long to read out.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of recommending to His Majesty an amendment of the Order governing the issue of the silver badge, now restricted only to men invalided out of the Navy or Army, so as to include all who have served in any of His Majesty's Forces, thereby affording visual evidence of an authoritative character of services rendered and thus remove any doubt that may at present arise through the indiscriminate wearing of regimental badges, buttons, or other devices procurable by any man who chooses to adopt them?

The hon. Member's proposal would have the effect of making the Silver War Badge a commemorative medal, which was not the original intention of the award. The badge is a distinctive mark for those who, having served during the War, were compelled to return to civil life through physical disabilities. Visual evidence of an authoritative character of service rendered will be afforded by the War medals and their ribbons.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that the average man who is demobilised need not apply for the Silver Badge? It will save a great deal of trouble If he will say authoritatively that a man who is simply demobilised need not apply.

I am afraid I cannot say that without notice. I have not lately gone into the conditions of the award of the Silver Badge, but I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is the intention of the War Office to retain either or both the Harrow by Camp and the Belton Park Camp at Grantham; and, if not, can he state, in the interests of the local tradesmen and the public of Grantham, when it is proposed to close either or both of these camps?

It is not the intention of the War Department to retain either Harrowby Camp or Belton Park Camp. The evacuation of Belton Park, prior to dismantling, has already commenced. Harrowby Camp will be evacuated and dismantled as soon as the repatriation of Dominion troops has set free camps elsewhere. As far as can be foreseen both camps should be completely vacant by the autumn, but the exact date depends on the rapidity with which Dominion troops are repatriated and this in turn is dependent on shipping facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that no War Saving Certificates have been issued to those soldiers who subscribed to the war savings campaign con- ducted in France in January, 1918; and if he will take steps to have these certificates issued without further delay?

The War Savings Certificates are retained in the custody of the Post Office Savings Bank until application is made for their issue by the soldier who has subscribed for them. I am informed that a large number of certificates have already been issued and that their is no delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that Oliver W. Banwell, No. 2332, 4th Southern Company, Non-combatant Corps, who was, prior to his arrest, a schoolmaster, and the sole support of his widowed mother, was court martialled in May, 1918, and sentenced to two years hard labour which he is now serving in Winchester Prison; whether he will remit the remainder of this man's sentence; (2) whether he is aware that A. Bissett, No. 63419, 3rd Highland Light Infantry, was arrested as a conscientious objector in May, 1918, and is at present serving a sentence of twelve months' hard labour in Calton Prison, Edinburgh; and whether he will now remit this man's sentence?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that J. Andrews, No. 326618, 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, is at present serving his second sentence of two years' hard labour as a conscientious objector in Hull Prison; and whether he will now remit this man'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 Secretary for War whether he is prepared to extend to serving soldiers the consideration and clemency shown to conscientious objectors and order the release of those who, for purely military offences, have served twenty months in detention or imprisonment?

In view of the fact that the provisions of paragraph 583(xi.)of the King's Regulations in so far as they relate to the scales of punishment for various offences have been closely followed there cannot be said to be any comparison between the treatment of conscientious objectors and serving soldiers, the former having been excluded from the provisions of the above quoted Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any need to keep doctors at Batoum with the British forces who are married, over forty-one years of age, and who have spent fourteen months or more with the Salonika forces at Salonika, Sophia, and Batoum, to the detriment of their private practices in England; if they have no work at Batoum, and half of them could be sent away without detriment; and, if the number of doctors are really wanted there, whether younger unmarried men will be sent out to relieve the middle-aged men there now?

Medical officers are being demobilised as fast as the military situation permits, but at present it is quite impossible to demobilise all who are eligible. I have no information to the effect that officers with the Armies of the Black Sea are not fully employed. In view of the conditions of service it is essential that the medical provision there should be adequate. The importance of relieving medical officers who are deserving of consideration on the score of age or length of service is fully realised, but at present, owing to the large numbers who have been demobilised to meet urgent civil needs, I regret that it is not practicable to send out reliefs.

Cannot some younger men be sent out to enable these middle-aged men to come home?

I have just said that I am afraid that is not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War if parties of ladies and of other sightseers have been visiting the scene of the war operations in the North of France; and whether all such visits can be postponed and nothing be allowed to interfere with the evacuation of this territory by our troops, and the removal of the stores and huts and railways with the utmost energy during the summer months?

Except in the case of certain distinguished visitors who have rendered special war service, no assistance is afforded by the military authorities to persons visiting the zones of France and Flanders still under the General Officer Commanding British troops. I do not think there is any fear of interference with the military evacuation as suggested by my hon. Friend.

Can I have an assurance that nothing shall interfere with the earliest possible evacuation of the country during the fine weather now prevailing, which assists it so much?

Oh, yes; I think I can give that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for War how it is intended to organise the Territorial Force; and will the same battalions be grouped together with Artillery brigades, as was the case during the War?

The present intention is to reconstruct the Territorial Force on its pre-war basis. Under this organisation the Territorial Force consists of fourteen divisions, composed of units of Artillery, Engineers, Infantry, Royal Army Service Corps, and Royal Army Medical Corps, and fourteen mounted brigades with Coast Defence units and Army troops.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will give publicity to this statement on account of the importance of letting people know what is to be arranged, so that they may make their own arrangements?

Yes, Sir; but I have no doubt they will receive the widest possible publicity.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to ask the assistance of the local authorities in helping with these Territorial battalions and brigades in the same way as was done to raise men for the War?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give notice of that.

Will the authorities announce at an early date the organisation of the battalions and brigades in divisions?

Before long I think there will be a comprehensive statement that, I hope, will satisfy all those who are inquiring.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date it is proposed to open recruiting for the Territorial Force; whether, if a Territorial Force officer is not available as adjutant for a Territorial Force unit, a Regular officer will be eligible for appointment as such; and whether a Territorial Force officer when appointed as adjutant to a Territorial Force unit will receive the same pay and allowances as a Regular officer holding the same appointment?

New notice papers and attestation forms are now being prepared and attestations can be signed as soon as the forms are provided. All attestations will date from the 1st November next only, but registration of names can be carried out, if desired, forthwith. Both Regular and Territorial Force officers will be eligible for appointment as adjutant of a Territorial Force unit. The question whether a Territorial Force officer appointed adjutant to a Territorial Force unit will receive the same pay and allowances as a Regular officer so appointed is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether British troops have been landed on the shores of the Gulf of Finland; whether these men are all volunteers; and how many of them had volunteered to relieve British troops believed to be in danger in North Russia?

I am informed that no British troops have been landed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the services of the British military telegraphists employed on the Baudot in Paris can now be dispensed with; and, if so, whether he will arrange for their demobilisation?

As was stated in reply to the hon. Member on Tuesday last, the question of the discontinuance of the employment of military personnel on such work has been taken up with the General Post Office. I regret I can add nothing to that reply at present.

asked whether and, if so, on what grounds officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Territorial battalions now employed in India and other distant theatres, who enlisted prior to 1st January, 1916, and whose services are being retained beyond 1st May, 1919, pending the reconstitution of the old Regular Army, are only en- titled, under Army Order No. 55, of February, 1919, to bonuses as from 1st May, 1919, and then only at half rates, whilst those who enlisted subsequently to that date and are retained for military service are granted bonuses from the 1st February and at full rates?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Paragraph 6 of Army Order 84 of 11th February last, of which I am sending him a copy, fully explains the conditions, except that there is now no half rate of bonus, the full rate having been substituted by Army Order 119 of 5th March, 1919.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why some 600,000 pairs of Army boots, awaiting inspection to see what percentage are repairable, are lying in the open at the White City, most of them without any covering of any sort; and will he take steps to stop this deterioration of public property?

The boots were stored in the open because other accommodation for them is not available. I am informed that the greater part are now covered with tarpaulins, and the covering of the remainder is in progress. Sufficient tarpaulins were not available earlier owing to the large demands from overseas.

Will the officer responsible for this great waste of public money be dismissed at once?

I can give no assurance of that kind until I have inquired more closely into the circumstances.

Does the right hon. Gentleman believe that no place could be found to store these boots in all the Government buildings in that district? Can he not give us a pledge to take drastic action?

I am not going to give any pledge, and my hon. and gallant Friend knows that he has no business to ask for one.

Will he make inquiries into the culpability of any officer in this matter and act accordingly?

Certainly. That is what I said in answer to the question. My hon. and gallant Friend must agree that I could not give any such undertaking until the whole of the circumstances of the case had been properly inquired into. If, as the result of such an inquiry, the necessity of taking drastic action arises it will be taken.

If found guilty will this officer receive the "Order of the Boot"?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what money was received for the sale of old Army boots repaired and sold for civilian purposes between 1st April, 1918, and 31st March, 1919; and what regrading and repairs cost during the same period in wages alone?

The proceeds of the sales of old Army boots received during the financial year 1918–1919 amounted to £389,128. Of this amount £18,620 represents the proceeds of sales of repaired boots. The wages bill for the boot depots at Southall and Irlam during the above period amounted to £1,381 and £3,204 respectively. These amounts include the pay of the clerical staffs at these establishments. These depots deal exclusively with boots which are unfit for further wear by the Army. In addition, there are other boot depots which deal mainly with the repair of boots for the Army, but at which a certain proportion are found unfit for further Army use and are disposed of by sale to civilians or as old leather. No separate account has been kept of the wages paid in connection with the disposal of boots from these depots.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending some of these boots to Roumania where they are urgently required?

Most of these boots are not very useful.

asked why £20,000 worth or more of leather passed for Army purposes is now lying deteriorating in the open at the White City; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the taxpayer?

I am informed that no leather passed for Army purposes is lying in the open at the White City.

asked what technical knowledge of boots the supervisors, sorters, and graders of the old boot department at the White City possess to enable them to carry out a satisfactory grading?

Of the four supervisors, three have been practical bootmakers and repairers for many years. The fourth was trained at the White City under the department's late chief technical advisor. The graders learnt their work at the White City, having been trained by one of the supervisors. The sorters have no technical knowledge. Their duties are confined to sorting the boots into their patterns and sizes, for which no technical training is necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the case of S. and C. S. Mathie, No. 76361, J.B., Royal Engineers; whether he is aware that this man, who enlisted as a sapper, was appointed a shoesmith in January, 1915; that in September, 1915, the officer in charge Royal Engineers' records stated that Mathie's rank had been changed to that of shoesmith and that he had been put upon a consolidated rate of 5s. per day; that Mathie was paid at that rate until early in 1917, when a letter was received from the pay office to the effect that he was £90 in debt; and inquiries were instituted; that Mathie's new commanding officer ordered continuation of payment at the rate of 5s. per day; and that later a debt of £130 was registered against Mathie; whether it is now proposed to write off £78 of the debt; whether he is aware that Mathie has received no pay for a considerable period; and whether, in view of the fact that Mathie was paid the rate on the instructions of two commanding officers, he will give instructions that payment to him shall be resumed from the date on which it was stopped?

The matter is being investigated, and I will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the introduction of the Forestry Bill; and, if not, whether he will be in a position to do so next week?

It is proposed to introduce this Bill in another place at an early date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over forty questions have been put down on this subject and that no satisfactory answer has been given?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this measure is being introduced in another place?

The reason is obvious. It is because that is considered to be the best way of dealing with it in the time, and we think that time will be saved by introducing it in that way.

Is this not a proof that the present system is breaking down?

It is a proof of the fact which is obvious that we have a great deal of work to do this Session, and that is all.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government now holds in detention any German officers whom it is proposed to try for offences against the laws of civilised warfare; and whether, in that case, he will give the number of such officers and the nature of the accusations made against them?

I can add nothing to what I said in reply to questions put by my hon. Friend on this subject on 20th May.

Is it not a fact that we have certain of these officers at present in our hands, and cannot we have an answer 'on that subject?

I think I said in answer to a supplementary question that a great deal of evidence has been taken, and in the opinion of the Government if we wish to get these people punished it is, not wise to give this information.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that under State control the railways systems of the country are no longer paying concerns and increased fares of 50 per cent. are being charged on the travelling public, it is the intention of the Government to grant free railway passes to Members of this House; and, if so, whether the House will be given an opportunity of debating the proposal?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday. In reply to the last part of the question, the sanction of the House of Commons would, of course, be required before such a change could be carried out.

Does that mean that the House will have an opportunity of debating it, or will it be done by an Order in Council?

No, there will be no Order in Council, and it must in some form or other come before the House of Commons.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a Supplementary Estimate of more than £26,000,000 has been presented to the House in respect of increased salaries and other advantages to those engaged in the getting of coal; whether an opportunity to debate this Estimate will be afforded in the near future; and will the Estimate be taken in Committee of the Whole House or by a Standing Committee?

The Estimate has been presented to the House in the usual way, and has been referred to the Standing Committee.

Does that mean that it will not be debated here but upstairs?

I should think that is the probable meaning.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Inter-Allied Food Council has ceased to exist; and, if so, what steps are being taken by the British Government to co-operate with Allied and associated Governments so as to constitute effective control of the world supply and demand for food in view of the present increase in prices and possible future shortage?

I have been asked to reply. The functions of the Inter-Allied Food Council and of other Inter-Allied bodies dealing with shipping, finance, blockade restrictions, raw materials, and land communications, have been centralised in the Supreme Economic Council now sitting in Paris. The responsibility as regards foodstuffs rests with the Food Section of this Council which comprises representatives of the British and other Allied Governments formerly represented on the Inter-Allied Food Council, as well as of the Belgian Government. This Section deals with all questions arising out of the supply of food to both Allied and enemy countries, and also to other countries in receipt of relief. With regard to the latter part of the question, the right hon. Gentleman should bear in mind that measures for the control of buying depending on the unanimous agreement of a number of different countries, whose interests are sometimes opposed, though possible during the stress of war, are becoming more and more difficult of accomplishment as the world's trade gets into ordinary peace time channels.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has already fixed the date of the national celebration for the conclusion of Peace; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that many annual conferences of friendly societies, educational and other associations, etc., are already fixed for Monday, 4th August, and also that many persons will be absent from their homes on that day, His Majesty's Government will avoid the period of the August Bank Holiday for the Peace celebrations?

I can add nothing to what I have said in reply to similar questions on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the question of giving the consumer a direct representation upon the Coal Commission now sitting; and whether he will receive a small deputation from the People's League to submit the claims of the consumer for direct representation on all Commissions and inquiries affecting the prices of staple commodities?

As I have already said in the House, that it is not possible to make any change in the personnel of the Commission at the present time, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served in adopting the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

What is this People's League?

I have only seen an advertisement of it. Perhaps that will inform the hon. Gentleman.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman a full prospectus and a form of subscription.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, considerable misconception exists amongst the clergy as to the right of a woman to marry her late husband's brother; and whether, in view of the pledges of the Government to secure equality of sex in all things, he will afford facilities for a Bill to legalise such marriages?

I am not aware of the misconception referred to, and the Government do not contemplate taking the action suggested in the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look further into the matter if I send him letters from many clergymen who have written me that in all innocence they have solemnised these marriages?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the growing difficulty in obtaining housing accommodation; whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of landlords in hold- ing up houses for sale, and refusing to let them; whether he is aware that in other cases, in order to obtain possession of a vacant house, people are having to pay sums by way of bonus, and that discharged soldiers are parting with their gratuities for this purpose; that many people who took cottages in the country to escape air raids are retaining these cottages, although only using them at intervals for pleasure purposes; and whether the Government propose to take action to secure that, during the present shortage, no house shall be kept vacant on the ground that the landlord will only sell, and that any owner of a vacant house who withholds such house from occupation, and any person who accepts a bonus in payment for giving possession, shall be subject to heavy penalties?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, any sums paid by way of bonus to obtain possession of houses within the terms of that Act are recoverable by the tenant. I do not think that the Government can hold out any hope of further legislation at present on the other practices referred to by the hon. Member. The Board also have no information that they are generally prevalent.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will accept from me evidence showing the intensity of the difficulty to which the question referred, and will he undertake to consider that evidence with a possible revision of the answer he has given now?

I shall, of course, consider any evidence or information the hon. Member may send.

Has the Government still power to take over buildings?

That question should be addressed to the Office of Works.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, precisely or approximately, what number of Parliamentary electors pay Income Tax out of the total 21,392,322 registered in the United Kingdom?

The total number of persons in the United Kingdom who actually pay Income Tax after all exemptions and reliefs have been allowed is estimated at 3,400,000. It is, however, impossible to relate this figure in any way to the number of Parliamentary electors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Charles William Baschwitz is now applying for naturalisation as a British subject; and whether he will state the present nationality of the applicant?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. Mr. Baschwitz's present nationality is stated in his memorial to be Belgian.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions whether he will state who were invited to his recent meeting in Belfast; and why invitations were not sent to the two representatives of the Discharged Soldiers' and Sailors' Federation in Belfast?

The invitations to attend the meeting in Belfast on the subject of decentralisation were issued to the chairmen of all local war pensions committees in the Ulster region, and they were informed that anyone specially interested in the welfare of discharged disabled sailors and soldiers whom they desired to bring with them would be heartily welcomed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why there was not a single political opponent of his invited to this meeting, and whether the administration of pensions in Ireland is being carried on by a political caucus which is arousing tremendous indignation amongst the Nationalist soldiers throughout the country?

I think the hon. Member is rather exaggerating his fears. There has been no change whatever in any of the local war pensions committees, to my knowledge, since we took office.

Who was it prepared the list of those who were to be invited to this meeting?

The chairmen of the local war pensions committees throughout Ulster were asked to bring with them anyone particularly interested in the subject.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that no Nationalists were invited to that meeting? [A laugh.] There is not the slightest need to laugh. I have a right to be interested in the treatment of these soldiers in Ireland. I am asking the question because this is becoming a serious matter in Ireland. I want to know why only one political section in Ulster were invited to attend these meetings for dealing with the pensions of returned soldiers?

The same procedure as regards invitations to the meeting was carried out in Belfast and in Dublin and no objection was raised. The same procedure was followed in Wales and in Scotland, and it is proposed to follow it throughout the rest of the United Kingdom.

Is not the Rev. Father Gormley, Roman Catholic curate of Inniskillen, one of the strongest men who was invited to the meeting from Fermanagh?

Certainly. All the chairmen were invited to bring along with them those who were particularly interested in the question. We had a very large, very representative and very successful meeting.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the list of the names of persons invited? I think we are entitled ——

The hon. Member is entitled to ask a question.

I will ask the Leader of the House a question. He need not shake his head, because I intend to ask him whether an early opportunity will be given to Members of this House from Ireland to discuss the whole question of pensions as affecting Ireland?

I cannot say that anything I have heard in the course of this cross-questioning suggests there is any special need for such a discussion.

In view of the ruling of Mr. Speaker that I am asking too many questions, if I place before the right hon. Gentleman considerations which I think make it desirable he should give us an opportunity for bringing forward this matter in the House, will he reconsider his answer?

I will certainly receive and consider any representation which bears out the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman that pensions are being dealt with in Ireland in a party spirit.

I did not rule that the hon. Member was asking too many questions. I invited him to ask a question.

Thank you kindly, Sir; I will remember that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the prohibition of sheep dip into Australia was imposed by the Commonwealth Government; and on what date His Majesty's Government received official notification of this prohibition?

The Proclamation prohibiting the importation of sheep dips into Australia was dated 26th March. Information as to the prohibition was received in a telegram from the Governor-General on the 10th May.