asked the Food Controller whether he will consider the advisability of fixing the price of milk at 2d. a gallon less than the present fixed price all over England?

I do not propose to alter the prices already fixed, which have been decided upon after the fullest consideration.

asked the Food Controller what are the precise costs of milk production upon which he bases his decision to differentiate by 2d. per gallon against the milk producers of Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall; and what steps he proposes in order to avert a serious milk shortage as a result of this differentiation and to prevent possible ruin to many smallholders and a grave discouragement to further settlement on the land of ex-soldiers and small producers?

It is not possible within the limits of a Parliamentary answer to deal with the first part of the question, as the costs of production were ascertained over a wide area and from a large number of witnesses. I may say, however, that the Report of the Travelling Commission showing the reasons which led to its recommendation that differential prices should be fixed in the four counties in question is being published as a Parliamentary Paper almost immediately. As regards the last part of the question, I do not anticipate that there will be a serious milk shortage in these counties, and I do not think that the prices fixed will have the effect described by the hon. Member in the last part of the question.

asked the Food Controller whether he is prepared by a Regulation or legislation with regard to tubercular cows to save the public from infected meat and milk and to give compensation to the farmer in respect thereof; and whether he is aware that every herd in this country has amongst it a consumptive cow?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I understand that the Board of Agriculture propose to re-issue the Tuberculosis Order of 1914 as soon as the Milk and Dairies Act comes into operation. The draft Regulations necessary under this Act are now under consideration. Means are provided under the Public Health Act for enabling local authorities to prevent the sale of tuberculous meat With regard to the last part of the question, there is no definite information as to the number of cows suffering from tuberculosis in the United Kingdom. Some herds are known to be free from tuberculous cows.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any reason why Sergeant A. G. Smith, No. 497218, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 6 Company, Depot, Cosham, Hants, now stationed at the Military Hospital, IIilsea. Portsmouth, who joined the Army in November, 1914, served twelve months in France, and was invalided home, should not be demobilised forthwith?

Sergeant Smith is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend ho is eligible for demobilisation unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that personnel of the Royal Army Medical Corps, though eligible for demobilisation, -are liable to be temporarily retained 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 Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Private J. Llewellyn Jones, 3rd Southern Non-Combatant Corps, undergraduate student at Cambridge, now in camp at Donington; and whether he can see his way to release Mr. Jones to continue his studies at Cambridge?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Private Jones is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. As I have already stated in this House, students are treated on exactly the same footing, as regards demobilisation, as other men. In order to be released they must' be eligible for demobilisation under current instructions. If this man is eligible under such instructions he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether consideration may be given to the case of Private George Andrews, No. 38905, 16th Worcestershire Regiment, at present on duty at the Drill Hall, Swindon, who volunteered three times in 1914 and 1915, and was rejected on each occasion on medical grounds, but was afterwards called up for sedentary work in 1916, being classed as a B 2 man, and whose wife has four children under ten years of ago to look after and is shortly expecting her confinement; and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Andrews has no one to help her, her husband may be discharged on compassionate grounds or on other grounds applicable to his case?

Private Andrews is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there trace of any application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. If this case falls within any of the categories prescribed in the Instructions recently issued governing demobilisation on compassionate grounds, and my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving full facts and particulars certified as set out in the said Instructions, it will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received an application from Mr. W. Richards, of Shamrock Cottage, Alma Road, Bassett, Southampton, for the release of his son, Sapper J. Richards, No. 146980, 226th Field Company, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, France, on compassionate grounds, such compassionate grounds being that Mr. Richards' three sons joined up voluntarily for the War and two of them have been killed in action; and whether he will see if it is possible to extend to the father of this family at least as favourable treatment as regards his son as he extends to conscientious objectors?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that orders for the release of Gunner. A. H. Parry, No. 362556, l5th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, were cabled to Egypt on the 6th March last, and yet, notwithstanding these orders, Gunner Parry is still retained in the Army; and if he will have inquiries made with a view to the immediate demobilisation of this soldier whose release has been approved by the Director-General of Mobilisation?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sergeant J. Saunders, No. 58597, 97th Labour Company, Salonika Force, who has been two and a half years without leave in (Salonika, may expect early demobilisation in view of his long service in an unhealthy climate.

Sergeant Saunders is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If he is eligible for demoblisation under current instructions he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private F. H. Walter, No. 382247, E.F.C., R.A.S.C., A.P.O.L.I., British Expeditionary Force, Italy, aged forty, is entitled to demobilisation, or whether, in view of the fact that he has been retained as indispensable, he may be granted leave, seeing that he has been in Italy since November, 1917?

Private Walter 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 is eligible for demobilisation unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that personnel of the Royal Army Service Corps, though 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. With regard to the last part of the question, men who are eligible for demobilisation are not being granted leave unless there is a probability of considerable delay in their demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private W. J. Hill, No. 235056, 8th Yorkshire Regiment, Victory Camp, A.P.O., L. 1, Arquata, Italian Expeditionary Force, who joined up in September, 1916, has filled up all his demobilisation papers at Cæsar's Camp, Arquata, was told that he would leave Italy on the 6th, 13th, or 26th April last, but has not yet sailed; whether he is also aware that this man's employer has repeatedly applied for his release without success; whether all communications addressed to Private Hill are returned marked demobilised; and whether he will order this man's immediate return to England?

Private Hill is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there trace of any application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. If he joined the Colours after 1st January, 1916, he is not eligible for demobilisation unless he falls within one of the exceptions set out in Army Order 55 of 1919. If he is eligible, he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that a cable was sent to Mudros ordering the demobilisation of No. 242320/A.C. 1 Sheail, F. H. J., but in consequence of the name being incorrectly spelt the commanding officer asked for the cable to be repeated; that in the mean- time the soldier was transferred to South Russia; and whether, in view of the fact that instructions were received for this man's demobilisation, his number being given correctly, before he was sent to Russia, he will order the immediate return of the soldier?

The facts are as stated in the question. The mistake arose through a fire at the station, when some of the documents were burnt. Orders have been issued for the return to England of this air mechanic.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the discontent which exists among the troops in Egypt because of the delay in demobilisation; whether he is aware that much duplication of work occurs; whether there are three general headquarters in the neighbourhood of Cairo, namely, at Heliopolis, the headquarters for Egypt, at Abbassis, the headquarters for the Cairo district, and at Cairo, the headquarters for the Egyptian Expeditionary Force; whether Heliopolis is four miles from Cairo and Abbassis midway between those places: and whether, having regard to the necessity for economy, he will take steps to rectify the situation?

As regards the first part of the question, demobilisation in Egypt has been delayed by the unsettled state of affairs existing there. It has now recommenced, and large numbers of men are expected to return home for demobilisation during each of the next three months. It is hoped that all men who enlisted prior to the 1st January, 1916, will have arrived home by the end of August. With regard to the rest of the question, my hon. Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. There are not three general headquarters in the neighbourhood of Cairo. General Allenby's general headquarters, recently transferred to Cairo, is general headquarters of the whole British force in Egypt and Palestine, and it is not desirable to charge this with all the minor administrative work of districts. The headquarters force in Egypt is responsible for the military administration of all Lower Egypt and the very wide extent of the Western desert, while the headquarters, Cairo district, is a small administrative headquarters for local needs. I may add that it is understood that General Allenby has just forwarded proposals for a revision of headquarter establishments, and these will receive the closest scrutiny when received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can withdraw Army Council Instruction No. 287, of 1919 (Definition of Extreme Compassionate Grounds), and substitute for it one in a form under which compassionate claims may have more chance of being, met, particularly on grounds of business hardship and widowers in necessitous circumstances?

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 can be released upon such grounds under prevailing conditions, I regret it is not possible to consider any extension of the grounds at the present, moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men serving in the 1035th (Area) Employment Company, British Salonika Force, who have attained the age of thirty-seven, years, are being retained in the Army on the grounds that they are not eligible for release, as they are not over forty-one years of age; and why men in the British Salonika Force are treated differently to men in other theatres of war in this respect?

I am not aware that the men referred to by my hon. Friend are being retained for the reason stated, and I think the information supplied to him must be incorrect. Men serving in Salonika are not being differently treated to those serving in other theatres of war. All men in that force who have attained the age of thirty-seven are eligible for demobilisation, unless they are serving under pre-war conditions of service, and their term of Colour service is not completed, and they are being released as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men over thirty-seven years of age have been demobilised from the Transport Section in Blandford Camp during the past two months; and Low many men aged from eighteen to thirty years and whose services were less than twelve months have been demobilised from this section during the same period?

In the past two months the only two remaining men over thirty-seven years of age in the Transport Section at Blandford have been demobilised; the number of men between eighteen and thirty and with less than twelve months' service demobilised in the same period is seven.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that young men who voluntarily joined the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps and were given to understand by the Board of Selection that they would be gazetted in due course unless found incompetent or unsuitable have now been compulsorily and permanently transferred to the 5th King's Royal Rifle Corps now stationed at Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire; and, seeing that when the Armistice was signed many of them had nearly completed their course of training and were about to pass into Officers' Cadet Battalions, which have since been demobilised, will he consider the question of remedying so far as possible the apparent injustice done to these men?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 13th May to similar questions asked by the hon. and gallant Members for Epping and Finchley, where it was explained that members of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps wore ordinary enlisted soldiers, and as such were liable for service in the Army, unless they could be demobilised under the Regulations in force. The suspension of hostilities removed the necessity for training and commissioning more soldiers as officers. I do not think that because these young men voluntarily joined the Inns of Court they can therefore expect to avoid the liabilities of men who joined other units.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will extend to officers of the Territorial Force Reserve the right to wear uniform when attending receptions of troops, regimental dinners, and other functions at which uniform is worn?

Present Regulations admit of officers of the Territorial Force Reserve wearing uniform only when employed on military duty. The extension of this privilege as suggested will, however, receive consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state to whom application should be made for ex gratia contributions to persons injured in this country through negligent or careless driving of United States Army, Navy, or air personnel lorries, motor cars, or cycles?

Applications should be addressed to: The General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Base, Section No. 3, Services of Supply, American. Expeditionary Force, Belgrave Mansions Hotel, S.W. 1.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Myer Ellis was re-arrested as a deserter on 7th May and is now in the guardroom, 39th Royal Fusiliers, Weard Camp, Saltash, Cornwall; whether he is also aware that this man was released from Pentonville Prison on health grounds on 12th April, and was told that he was a free man and could go home, and that the governor of Pentonville Prison has stated in writing that this man was released from prison by order of the Secretary of State; and whether he will inquire into this matter with a view to this man's immediate release as he is now in a very poor state of health and in urgent need of hospital treatment?

This case has already been brought to notice and orders have now been issued for Ellis to be released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sydney Crisfield, No. 494510, 2/13th London Regiment, joined the Royal Army Medical Corps voluntarily in 1915, and after three years' useful service was transferred, against his will, to a combatant unit, although he made it quite clear that he could not conscientiously undertake combatant work; whether he is also aware that this man has already served nearly twelve months' hard labour; and whether it is intended to reward his voluntary service by keeping him in prison for another year?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to his question of the 20th May, which applies to the case referred to in this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has received applications from parents whose sons have been killed during the War to erect memorial stones over their graves, and if such applications have been refused; and if he will consider the advisability of giving permission to parents to erect memorial stones on condition that the dimensions of the cross or headstone should not be greater, either in height or width, than those of the headstones recommended by the Committee, and such memorial stones to be erected at the cost of the parents themselves?

I regret I have no power to grant the permission suggested. The responsibility in this matter rests with the Imperial War Graves Commission, a distinct Imperial body incorporated by Royal Charter in 1917. The Secretary of State for War is ex officio Chairman of the Commission, but otherwise it is entirely independent of the War Office. I may say that the aim of the Imperial War Graves Commission is to give effect to the desire expressed at the Imperial War Conference in 1917, that the Empire should accord equal honour to all those who have made the same sacrifice in the common cause. They have received applications from a small section of the public for permission to be given to relatives to erect memorials of their own choosing over the graves, but apart from the practical difficulties involved in such a proposal, which are not fully realised by those who have not seen the cemeteries, the Commission feel that the erection of individual memorials, varying according to the taste and means of relatives or friends, would be incompatible with the idea of a corporate commemoration of the citizens of the Empire who fought and fell together in her defence. The Commission, however, are at all times anxious to give the most sympathetic hearing to proposals that reflect the views of the relatives, and they have asked those who object to their scheme to defer pressing their requests until the three experimental cemeteries at present under construction are completed, when it will be possible to judge of the effect of the scheme as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statement that the Disposals Board has received £13,000,000 for animals; whether he will state if the War Office has had the responsibility for the sale of Army animals; if so, how many animals have been sold since the Armistice; and what has been the total obtained from the sales?

Under arrangements made between the Secretary of State for War and the Minister of Munitions, the effective responsibility for the disposal of animals surplus to the requirements of the Army has remained with the Army Council. From the date of the Armistice sales of animals (including horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and oxen) reported to the War Office up to 24th May show a total of 414,331 animals disposed of, realising approximately £14,000,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the men working on the contract at Halton Camp, Bucks, are receiving an exorbitant rate of wage; whether, owing to lack of competent supervision, a minimum of work is being done for these wages; whether he is aware that as a result local labour is being demoralised by the sight of little work and high wages and is being attracted to Halton; and whether he will set up an inquiry into this matter, in view of the fact that local employers find it impossible to compete with the high wages at present ruling?

The rates of wages paid at Halton Camp are in accordance with Award No. 2197 of the Committee of Production, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. I visited the camp ten days ago, and action has already been taken in order to ensure that there shall be no undue delay in the carrying out of the work, which urgently requires completion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether complaints have been received from allotment-holders in regard to the quality of surplus Army boots supplied to them; whether, in particular, the Summerstown Allotment Society, Wimbledon, were informed that grade I Army boots, in lots of twenty-five pairs, could be supplied at 8s. 6d. per pair plus packing charges; that a consignment was sent to the allotment society and the boots were not in accordance with the description, and the plotholders were not prepared to accept them, the consignment being marked grade 3 whereas grade 1 were ordered, and the reason advanced being that the consignment was marked grade 3 to prevent thefts in transit; and what action ho proposed to take?

With the object of enabling working men to buy discarded Army boots at reasonable prices very large quantities of such boots, Grade L, have been supplied to allotment-holders through their societies. The number of complaints received is very small in proportion to the sales. In the case mentioned by my hon. Friend the complaint has been investigated, and negotiations are in progress for the exchange of boots which are not found suitable. It should be pointed out that the discarded Army boots of all grades arc used boots, and it is impossible to secure that all boots of the same grade shall be identical in quality.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what effect the landing at Smyrna has produced on the Moslem populations of Egypt, India, and Afghanistan?

I have received no reports that furnish material for a reply to this question. So far as Egypt is concerned, the question should have been addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the names of the persons who are respon- sible for the circular recently issued from the Egyptian Association in Great Britain, Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, accusing British troops of infamous atrocities?

No, Sir. The question of taking proceedings is now under the consideration of the legal authorities, and in the meantime I cannot give the names.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the draft Order in Council to be made under the Aliens Restriction Bill, when passed, which has already been promised for more than five weeks past, is now ready; and when it will be circulated amongst Members of the House?

A preliminary proof of the draft of an Order in Council under the Aliens Restriction Bill has been circulated to Members of the House to-day.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a circular issued by the Poor Law Workers' Trade Union with regard to the adoption for employés of a working day not exceeding eight hours, with one clear day's rest in seven and one afternoon off duty per week equivalent to Saturday afternoon, and a resolution passed by the guardians of the Wolstanton and Burslem union viewing with apprehension the unrest and dissatisfaction that is prevalent in the Poor Law service owing to the service conditions generally applicable to Poor Law officers and appealing to His Majesty's Government to support the petition of the Poor Law officers demanding a reduction of the hours of duty and asking for a Commission to be appointed to inquire into the grievances of the service, with a view to the rectification of the same and a uniform action throughout the country being taken by all boards of guardians; and whether he will indicate the intentions of the Government respecting the same?

I have been asked to answer this question. No circular such as that referred to has been received by the Ministry of Labour, but the question of the hours worked by persons in the Poor Law service forms the subject of representations which have recently been made to the Department, and the. matter is under discussion with the parties concerned.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is proposed to make use of the machinery created under the Unemployed Workmen's Act, 1905, in dealing with the large amount of unemployment now existing; whether an office and a staff are now being maintained in London for the administration of the Act; when this staff last dealt with an unemployed person; and what expenditure from the rates has since then been Incurred?

The Central Unemployed Body for London has an office in London and a staff at present consisting of three persons; but since May, 1915, these persons have been mainly employed on other work, particularly in connection with the London Appeal Tribunal and with food production at IIollesley Bay. The net expenditure from the rates for all purposes is estimated at £12,000, including the sums paid in allowances to members of the staff on military service. It is hoped that it may not be necessary to use the machinery of the Unemployed Workmen's Act for dealing with unemployment. The problem is now primarily one for the Ministry of Labour, but the Local Government Board is encouraging local authorities to undertake as soon as possible the accumulation of public works which have been held up owing to the War.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many children were maintained under each of the following systems on 1st January, 1919, namely, Poor Law schools, village communities and grouped cottage homes, and scattered homes?

The total of these classes in England and Wales on 28th December, 1918, was 30,475. I regret that it is not possible to give the detailed figures asked for by the hon. Member for any date later than the 1st January, 1915, the usual detailed Returns having been suspended during the War. On the latter dates the corresponding total figure in England and Wales was 33,557, sub-divided as follows:

asked whether the sites of London hospitals have ever been considered as a whole; whether the Ministry of Health will have authority to produce co-ordination, so as to secure that hospitals shall be gradually moved to the sites best suited to modern conditions; and whether the decision of the St. George's Hospital Committee to extend the present hospital will receive early consideration, in view of the desirability of shifting the site of the hospital?

I am not aware, that the matter referred to in the first paragraph of the question has yet been taken in hand. On this and on the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which were given on 18th March to him and on 2nd April to the hon. Member for Barkston Ash. The particular matter named in the last part of the question is not one on which the Local Government Board has any power to intervene.

asked whether the strain of lymph obtained some years ago and forming the source of the lymph at present used at the National Vaccine Establishment was originally derived from small-pox matter; and if he will say how and where it was obtained?

I am not aware of the history of the strain prior to its being tested and taken into use in 1907.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to White Paper, Cmd. 147, showing the cost of running railways in Great Britain during the period of Government control, 1914–18, he will explain why, in the table on page three, no amounts in respect of Government duty appears for the years-1917–18?

By the Railway Passenger Duty Act, 1917, railway companies whose railroads are under the control of the Government are relieved of any obligation to keep separate accounts and make separate payments in respect of railway passenger duty as from the beginning of the year 1917 until the end of the period of Government control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the principles which guided the Coal Controller in fixing the minimum price of coal for neutral countries; whether this price is higher than the prices ruling for shipment to Allied countries; whether, in determining this price, he has given consideration to the cases of British firms-who have factories in neutral countries and are compelled to buy coal at enhanced prices; and whether steps can be taken to enable firms of British origin in neutral countries to buy coal at the same price: as that allowed to Allied nations?

The minimum prices of coal for neutral countries represented approximately the market prices prevailing at the time when the minima were fixed. As a measure of war-time emergency fixed and lower prices have been charged for coal supplied to certain of the Allied countries. This arrangement is now being terminated, and the result will be that market prices will prevail for all exports whatever the destination.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that soldiers' gratuity books have been lost in the course of transit; if he is aware that an ex-soldier received notification that his savings bank book awaited him at Thrapston, Northamptonshire, about 20th March, which unfortunately has not yet arrived; that the Comptroller was written to on three occasions with reference to it and no acknowledgment has been made; and if he will take immediate steps to remove the hardship thus accruing and give this man an opportunity to secure his dues for services rendered to his country?

About 2,750,000 gratuity books have been sent out by the Post Office Savings Bank, and I am aware that books have occasionally gone astray. If the case to which the hon. Member refers is that of an ex-soldier named Westley, arrangements have been made for the payment of his gratuity without production of the book. If the hon. Member refers to any other case, perhaps he will be good enough to let me have further particulars

asked the Minister of Labour (1) when the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the training. of tubercular discharged men will be published; and if he will state what steps will in the meantime be taken to deal with ex-soldiers who are at present awaiting training in Wales; (2) whether any representative from Wales has been appointed to the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Training of Tubercular Discharged Men; and if he can state what evidence has been called from Wales with regard to this training?

The hon. and gallant Member for Anglesey is a member of the Committee, who are inviting the Welsh National Memorial Association to give evidence as to their scheme for the training of tuberculous persons, including ex-soldiers. It is hoped that the Report may be ready for issue soon after the Whitsun Recess.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the out-of-work donations so discharged soldiers and sailors are about to be discontinued in Ireland; and, if so, whether the Government will reconsider the matter and order the. payment of the out-of-work grant until such time as they find suitable work for the discharged and demobilised men?

There 'has been no alteration in the period during which out-of-work donation is payable in Ireland to discharged sailors and soldiers.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether the Ministry of Reconstruction is prepared to consider the proposals of county councils and other local authorities for improved conditions of transportation and the general requirements of new developments of trade pending the establishment of the Ministry of Ways and Communications, in view of the present doubt as to which Government Department should be approached concerning these questions?

No, Sir, but proposals or schemes which cannot await the establishment of the Ministry of Ways and Communications should be submitted to the Board of Trade for consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, when appointing architects in connection with the housing scheme, preference will be given to architects who have fought in the War, other qualifications being equal?

So far as the Local Government Board for Scotland is concerned, the reply is in the affirmative. I have no doubt that local authorities will also have due regard in making any appointments to the claims of ex-Service men. The Board has drawn up and circulated a special panel list of architects who were unable, owing to their absence with the Forces, to take part in the architectural competition held by the Board some months ago.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the electorate of Melness, Sutherland, in registering their votes in Parliamentary, educational, and other elections; and what steps he proposes to take to compel the establishment of a polling booth on these occasions within easy reach of the electorate?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. As regards Parliamentary elections, I would beg to refer the hon. Baronet to Section 31 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, as applied to Scotland by Section 43 (17). Under these provisions, it is open to a local authority or to not less than thirty electors in a constituency to make a representation to the Lord Advocate that the polling districts or polling places do not meet the reasonable requirements of the electors. No such representation has been received in regard to the district referred to in the question. As regards elections for the education authority, I would beg to refer the hon. Baronet to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland gave to his question on this subject on the 19th instant. The responsibility of providing polling facilities at local government elections rests with the county or town council, as the case may be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the intention of leading British agriculturists to establish a farmers' bank; and whether the proposal will receive the sympathetic support of the Government?

While the Board have had no official correspondence on this subject, the President has been in touch with those responsible for the movement and welcomes the proposal to establish a farmers' bank.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that notices to quit have been given to a number of allotment holders cultivating land at Balzac Street, Clapham; and whether he will state the purpose for which this land is required?

Before the Wands-worth Borough Council gave notice to quit to the cultivators of the land to which my hon. Friend calls attention, the Board made full inquiries into the case. The land was sold last spring, the purchasers requiring it for building purposes in connection with their business and desiring to start building in the early summer. The Board were able to arrange that the purchasers would be satisfied with possession on 1st October next. Without such early possession the sale would probably have fallen through, and the Board might have been liable for heavy compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information referring to the murder of the Bolshevik Commissioners by the Lettish Army at Riga after the capture of that town; and whether the Lettish Army is supported by British arms and money?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, although a report has been received, that certain of the Bolshevik leaders had been shot by their own troops. The answer to the second part is that His Majesty's Government have furnished the Lettish Provisional Government with some consignments of arms to enable them to maintain their independence against the Bolshevik forces which have invaded their territory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any punishment has been inflicted on any of the ringleaders in any of the anti-Jewish outrages committed in the 140 towns and villages in Poland and Lithuania; whether the Polish Government is prepared to compensate the relatives of the victims; and whether a British officer was prevented by the Polish general from going to Pinsk to see into the massacre there?

As regards the first and second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, a full report has been called for from His Majesty's representative at Warsaw. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government are not aware of any such action by the Polish general.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state what are the terms of the by-law made under Section 4 (b) of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, which is being submitted by the Pharmaceutical Society for the approval of the Privy Council; and whether he will see that the by-law referred to is drawn up in such a manner as to ensure recognition of the experience in dispensing gained by apothecaries' assistants in medical clinics set up by public authorities under the powers of the Public Health Act?

The terms of the proposed by-law (which has not yet been submitted to the Privy Council) were published in the "Pharmaceutical Journal" on the 10th instant. The Regulations referred to in the last paragraph of the proposed by-law, will, when submitted to the Privy Council, receive careful consideration.