asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to complaints from Bradford regarding the supply and distribution of milk; whether he is aware that the local food control committee have condemned the present scheme on account of unfair distribution of milk as between different parts of the city; that there have been complaints of a total lack of milk for periods varying from three days to three weeks; and that the local authority has refused to take any action; and whether he can take any steps to secure some improvement in the scheme now in operation?

:I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller is aware that there have been complaints such as those to which the hon. Member refers, and that the local authority has refused to take any action in the matter, but he is informed that the complaints have been considerably exaggerated. As regards the last part of the question, the Food Control Committee are not able to take the steps which they feel to be necessary to secure improvement in distribution without the financial support of the local authority; and the Food Controller has no power over the local authority in this matter. The Food Controller is, however, taking all possible steps with a view to a solution of the present difficulty being reached.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused among the working classes and others in agricultural districts through their inability to obtain cheese, owing to the supply being all diverted to industrial districts; and whether he will arrange that a proportion of the cheese supply shall be retained in country districts for those employed in heavy manual labour in agriculture, and that it should be on sale in the shops of country towns and villages?

The Food Controller is aware that there has been for some time a shortage in the supply of cheese, but the position is improving and larger distributions are now being made. It is not the case, as the hon. and gallant Member states, that all supplies from agricultural districts are being diverted to industrial districts. Supplies are allotted to each district in proportion to previous sales so that all dealers receive an equitable share of the quantities available; further, these distributions are supplemented by special allotments to districts in which the population consists largely of manual workers such as agricultural labourers and miners. These allotments are made on the recommendations of the Divisional Food Commissioners, who have special knowledge of the needs of the various areas in each division.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that during the week-end, 24th May, the township of Mexborough, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, with an industrial population of 18,000, was deprived of its supply of meat owing to the Live Stock Commissioner, or his representative, refusing to allow the cattle to be taken alive to the district; if he is aware that the Regulation preventing the removal of live cattle by the butchers to their own registered slaughter-houses is seriously inconveniencing the whole- some supply of meat during the hot weather; and will he consider the advisability of modifying or withdrawing the Regulation?

The Food Controller has no information to the effect stated in the first part of the question. Inquiries are, however, being made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result. As regards the second part, I am informed that farmers in Yorkshire prefer as a rule to sell their stock on the dead-weight basis to Government authorised slaughterhouses; and the resulting home-killed meat must be distributed to local butchers as part of their allocation of home-produced stock in order to avoid unnecessary transport and to ensure distribution as soon as possible after slaughter. The Food Controller is not prepared to deprive the farmer of his right to sell his stock on the dead-weight basis if he prefers to do so, nor can he sanction the policy of sending live stock by rail into a district in which supplies of home-killed meat are already available.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that, owing to railway congestion at Avon-mouth, whereby supplies of wheat are being arrested, a stoppage of all West of England flour mills between Exeter and Penzance is likely to be enforced within the next fourteen days; and whether he can consider the possibility of importing a cargo direct to Plymouth with a view to alleviation of the very serious possibilities of the situation?

:The Food Controller is fully alive to the exigencies of the situation created by the railway congestion at Avonmouth, and is already taking steps in the direction indicated by the hon. and gallant Member in order to overcome the difficulty.

asked the Food Controller when the restrictions in regard to home-brewed beer will be removed; and if he is aware of the discontent caused owing to these restrictions still being in force when facilities have been given to the brewers for a considerably larger output?

:It has been decided to grant permission for home brewing to all persons who were licensed to brew in the year 1916.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that American whisky importers are in a position to import whisky in American steamers if the Government will give permission to allow it to be imported; and, in consequence of there being a shortage of whisky in this country, will he give facilities for the importation of American whisky that has been purchased and paid for since January of this year?

The Food Controller is aware that it might be possible for arrangements for importation to be made in this way; but the power to modify restrictions on import into this country does not rest with the Ministry of Food.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that there is in Dublin a serious shortage of street sanitary accommodation, especially for women; and will he in any town-planning schemes for Ireland make it mandatory that each local authority shall provide and maintain for public use street, sanitary accommodation suitable to the needs of the district which it controls?

This matter has been occupying the attention of the Dublin Corporation for some years, and tentative measures for meeting the need have already been adopted. Further proposals have recently been submitted to the reconstruction committee of the corporation. The matter does not come within the scope of town-planning, but it is one for the local authority in their capacity as a sanitary authority.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, although Dublin has a very fine water supply, it is impossible, in most of its thoroughfares, to obtain a drink of water without resort to the hospitality of either a shop or a private dwelling; and will he, in any town-planning schemes for Ireland, make it mandatory that each local authority shall provide and maintain for public use a sufficient supply of drinking water to meet the convenience and needs of the district which it controls?

There are a number of fountains and pillars in various parts of the city of Dublin. No doubt, the general opinion prevails that there is a shortage of them. The matter does not come within the scope of town-planning, nor does the initiative rest with the Local Government Board, and it would be rather difficult to define precisely what was a "sufficient supply" or to make it mandatory upon the corporation to provide them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that eight first-class district-inspectors have been required by the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, to send in their resignations solely because they have attained the age of sixty years, but without any suggestion that they are unfit for their duties; whether he is aware that these officers, although not yet entitled to their maximum retiring allowance, have instituted proceedings against the Attorney-General to test the legality of the Inspector-General's action but, not withstanding these proceedings which are now pending, a notice was sent to some of them stating that they would be discharged as from 1st June; and whether he will, under the circumstances, arrange that these officers will not be removed until a date subsequent to a legal decision in the matter?

This matter has been carefully considered by the Irish Government, and it is regretted that the arrangements which have been made for the retirement of these district-inspectors cannot be modified.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any complaint was received by the Dublin Metropolitan Police or the Royal Irish Constabulary that a Buick motor car had been removed from business premises in Dublin on the 19th March last; whether a Buick car has since been found by the Royal Irish Constabulary and retained by them; whether the persons who complain of the loss of the car on the 19th March had an opportunity of inspecting the car in the custody of the police; and, if not, why no opportunity for this inspection was given?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The car which was found by the police on the morning of the 20th March had been abandoned in a damaged condition in the vicinity of the Collinstown Aerodrome, on which a daring raid for arms had been made a few hours previously. Messrs. Corrigan and Sons, of Dublin, who have complained to the Government, have been informed that the car corresponds in description with one which they state was taken from their premises on the 19th March. The car is being detained by the Government's orders until the matter is fully cleared up.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds the Local Government Board disallowed on appeal the pension granted by the Stranorlar, county Donegal, sub-committee to Agnes Conway, No. 4337; and if the Board had before them any evidence that Mrs. Conway's name appears in the Census records for 1851; and, if so, will he give further particulars as to where such; record appears?

The grounds upon which the Local Government Board disallowed, on appeal, the pension granted to Agnes Conway was that her parents were traced in the Census Returns of 1851 and Agnes was found recorded as one year old. The Census was taken on the 31st March, 1851, and the Census Records are kept in the Public Record Office, Four Courts, Dublin.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a great desire on the part of the workers in Ballymena to have a workmen's train service established between Ballymena and Belfast; whether fares and other arrangements for the running of this train have been agreed upon, but the question is delayed because of the scarcity of coal; whether the amount of coal necessary to run the train would be 2½ tons daily; and whether, in view of the great convenience which would be afforded to the workers. he will take steps to have this workmen's train service established?

My right hon. Friend has asked me. to reply to this question. I am making inquiries into the matter, as I have already informed the hon. Gentleman by letter, and will let him know the result.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the view prevails among naval officers at Cambridge that the Admiralty propose using the forthcoming examination in connection with their policy of reducing the personnel of the Navy; and will he say what, if any, foundation there is for a suggestion of this kind?

There is no foundation for this suggestion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when an opportunity will be given for discussing the action of the Government in connection with the Report of the Jerram Committee?

My right hon.. Friend the Leader of the House has already indicated that the discussion on the Navy Estimates offers the opportunity desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval writers have been demobilised within the last six weeks at each of the naval ports and how many civilians have been employed to do their duties at each of the ports?

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Bombardier Thomas Macpherson, No. 99224, 391st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Italian Expeditionary Force, Italy, who enlisted in 1915 and has three and a half years' service, has not yet been demobilised, although he was stated to be demobilised by April; and that this man's firm have kept his place open for him and have a superior position to offer him if he can get his discharge within the next week or two; and what steps he proposes to take to enable this man to take advantage of the offer and place his services at the disposal of his firm?

Bombardier Macpherson 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. I am informed that he actually joined the Colours in July, 1916, and he is therefore not eligible for demobilisation on account of length of service. His case has been considered on compassionate grounds, but as it does not come within the scope of the recent Instructions it is regretted release cannot be granted. If, however, he is eligible for demobilisation on any other grounds 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 J. W. Bence, No. 593852, 426th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps, has five acres of land at Walderslade, near Chatham, which he was released to cultivate last June; and that he has now got the land into order and cropped but has received a notice recalling him to the Colours; and will he, in the circumstances of the case, withdraw the notice or release this man to continue the cultivation of the land, which is his own. freehold?

:Authority has been given for the retention of 20 per cent. of soldiers for employment on the land. The selection of this 20 per cent. is in the hands of the local agricultural committees. Any application regarding the retention of individuals should be addressed to the committees.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Captain R. Lennin, Royal Army Medical Corps, 1/1st Lowland Field Ambulance, has, now that his unit is under orders to return home, been reposted elsewhere; and, if so, whether instructions can be issued for this officer's release in view of the fact that he joined in 1914, that he has served overseas for over three years, and that an undertaking was given by the War Office that medical officers would be released as soon as possible according to length of service?

I am informed that this officer is eligible for demobilisation, but that there are. still twelve officers serving in France and Belgium with prior claims to consideration. It is hoped, however, that this officer together with others who have greater or equal claims will be released shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that between 5,000 and 6,000 soldiers left Mesopotamia on the 28th March with their documents completed for demobilisation, and that soon after their arrival at Karachi, on the 2nd April, they were asked by the general officer commanding the brigade to volunteer to stay for a period, probably not exceeding one month, as the white garrison was below strength, and that the men acquiesced; whether he will take steps to insure that these soldiers are relieved at the earliest possible moment; and can he give any assurance as to the approximately date when this relief may be expected?

:In view of the emergency which has arisen in India, the statement as to the retention of these Volunteers is no doubt correct. Inquiries are being made. The men in question will be relieved as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, but I am afraid I cannot give a date at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Klein, No. 30818, 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers, recently A Company, Hut D 10, Black down Camp, has just been sent to Russia although he never volunteered; and whether he will have immediate inquiry made into this case?

:Private Klein is not eligible for demobilisation under Army Order 55 of 1919. He has been included in a draft for the Army of the Black Sea, and is not being sent to Russia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of Peace being signed at an early date, he will then arrange for the immediate demobilisation of apprentices?

I can give no undertaking that apprentices will be demobilised unless they are eligible under existing Regulations or under the new Regulations which will be issued shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been arranged that the leave season in Mesopotamia shall extend from April to August, 20 per cent. of the men to be away at a time; whether, up to the end of April, no man of the 2nd Wireless Squadron had been able to obtain any information as to the possibility of leave; and whether, seeing that many of the men concerned have had no leave since landing in Mesopotamia in 1916, he will see that facilities are given to the squadron in question?

:I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to train men in wireless and land-line telegraphy in order that the signallers in the Far East may be eventually released?

Training at the Signal Service Training Centre is still continuing, and there are at present about 2,000 potential reinforcements of all categories. As these become trained, they will be available for service wherever they are most required. It is not considered advisable to include in drafts partially trained men of these trades, and so incur the risk of a breakdown of communication. Arrangements are also being made for the provision of suitable men from other arms to assist the Signal Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 101st Field Ambulance with the British Expeditionary Force is under orders to return home as a cadre; and, if not, whether he can undertake that an inspector should examine this unit's register, as men who enlisted in 1914 are still retained with it, and in some cases are being sent to base hospitals for duty instead of being demobilised?

:I am informed that the 101st Field Ambulance was disbanded in France on 19th May, and that all 1914 men, serving with this unit, are to be sent for dispersal by 15th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a war gratuity has been granted to the nursing members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, while no gratuity has been given to the members of the general service section, Voluntary Aid Detachment; and, if so, will he state the ground on which this distinction has been made?

A gratuity has been granted to the nursing section, Voluntary Air Detachments, in direct military employment as to other nursing staffs in Army hospitals. The general service section are dealt with on the same lines as the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, receiving a furlough on discharge with full pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in reference to his statement on 12th May, the thirteen men who were imprisoned in Egypt for refusing to accept transference from the Royal Army Medical Corps are on their way home from Egypt; and when they are expected to arrive in England?

:The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Egypt stated on the 26th April that the men in question, were being sent home at the earliest opportunity. A cablegram is being sent to ascertain when their arrival may be expected.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements I have yet been made for the evacuation of the building of the Leeds Training College by the military authorities; and, if not, whether he is aware how seriously their continued occupation is prejudicing the cause of education in the North of England?

In view of the fact that 507 orthopædic cases, 170 jaw cases, the whole nursing and massage staff, and all the administrative offices of the hospital are situated in the training -college buildings, I regret that vacation cannot take place until suitable arrangements have been made to ensure the uninterrupted treatment of these special cases. The hospital is a highly specialised unit, dealing with the orthopædic, facial, and limbless cases, and to start another such unit in its place would be detrimental to the patients and uneconomical at the present stage.It is hoped, however, that by transferring some of the orthopædic cases to vacant beds elsewhere the number of beds will be so reduced as to enable the hospital to continue to function in the hutted portion, and so release the main building. This change involves converting part of the hutted portion into an administrative block, and the local military authorities concerned have been instructed to consider whether these alterations are feasible in order to effect the release of the College at an early date. The expediency of releasing educational buildings has been constantly represented to the local military authorities, who can he depended on to make every possible effort to give up possession of this training college.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that H. Edees, No. 118016, Sherwood Foresters, a miner and member of the Derbyshire Miners' Association, who was arrested in June, 1918, is now in Durham Prison serving his second sentence of two years' imprisonment as a conscientious objector; and whether he will now remit this man's sentence;(2)whether he is aware that E. Townley, No. 36361, Gloucestershire Regiment, a Primitive Methodist conscientious objector of forty-two years of age, was arrested in January, 1918, court-martialled for the third time on 23rd April last, and sentenced to twelve months' hard labour, which he is now serving at Horfield Prison; and whether he will now remit this man's sentence?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which I 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 of State for War whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the case of Cuthbert Morson, who voluntarily enlisted in 1915 in the 2/3rd East Anglian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was transferred to Egypt in 1917, and in October, 1918, was transferred, against his wishes, to the 1/4th Northampton Regiment, his number being 205603; and whether this man is still in prison?

I have already gives my hon. Friend full information regarding this case in a letter dated 12th May. It was there explained that the urgent demand for men of Category A for service in the fighting units necessitated the transfer to the Infantry, under the Army Transfers Act, 1915, of a considerable number of men who originally enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps. The men could claim exemption from transfer if they held conscientious objection to combatant service, all such claims being carefully investigated before the transfer took place by a special tribunal which was set up by the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Expeditionary Force with which they were serving, and no man who could show sufficient proof of conscientious objection was transferred. Morson was transferred from the Royal Army Medical Corps to the 1/4th Northampton Regiment, after appearing before the special tribunal in Egypt, which, however, he was unable to satisfy. After the transfer he was tried by court martial for disobedience to orders, and sentenced to five years' penal servitude, afterwards commuted to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. He is being sent to England to undergo the remainder of his sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that temporary naval officers on demobilisation are to be allowed to retain the title of their rank, he will make a similar concession to demobilised temporary officers of the Army?

Demobilised officers already retain their substantive rank on demobilisation whether they are temporary officers or Special Reserve or Territorial officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, considering the splendid services of the Dominion soldiers during the War, he will consider the desirability of founding a regiment of Imperial Guards?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Acton on the 19th May last, in reply to a similar question, this matter is receiving careful consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present..

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there was recently an accumulation of over 2,000 officers surplus to requirements at Cologne; and who was responsible for this state of affairs?

I understand that the statement made in the first part of my hon. Friend's question is not correct. There are in the Army of the Rhine a number of officers surplus to the establishments of the actual number of units. Apart from the fact that a percentage of officers must necessarily be maintained surplus to the establishment of units to provide reinforcements to replace wastage, it is obvious that until the excess of the War strength over the present much reduced establishment can be completely absorbed or demobilised there must be surpluses somewhere. The reduction of the general surplus numbers, regarded as a whole, is proceeding satisfactorily. The Commander-in-Chief Army of the Rhine is giving this matter his personal attention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry why Second-Lieutenant J. B. Fox, Royal Air Force, has not been officially reported killed, although ample evidence is available that he died from wounds on]9th August, 1918, at Ingweiler, and was buried in the Ingweiler Cemetery?

The question doubtless refers to Second-Lieutenant J. R. Fox, 10th Manchester Regiment, and Royal Air Force, who was reported missing on 16th August, 1918. This officer's death has been accepted for official purposes as having occurred on or since 16.8.18, and a letter to that effect. was sent to the next of kin on 30.4.19.

asked the Pensions Minister whether any further inquiries have been made into the case of Thomas Burr, No. 248, 2nd Line, 8th Battalion, Scottish Rifles, who joined in December, 1914, and was passed for active service in May, 1915; that on being inoculated blood poisoning set in through the needle breaking in his arm, and after treatment in Army hospitals was discharged in December, 1915; whether he is aware that this man has received no pension and is still suffering in health from the effects; and what he proposes to do in this case?

It has not been possible, in spite of exhaustive inquiry, to verify the incident of the broken inoculation needle. Private Burr was discharged on account of epilepsy, which has been held to be not attributable to his service, and he has been awarded a gratuity of £35. As he has appealed against the decision of non-attributability his case will shortly be heard by the Pension Appeal Tribunal, before whom he will have an opportunity of substantiating his claim that his disability was caused or aggravated by the circumstances of his inoculation.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Stewart Dallas, No. 9062, 5th Scottish Rifles, who served twelve years with the 1st Dragoon Guards and volunteered in 1915 for the duration of the War, on his discharge from the Army made application for a pension, and received replies on 30th May, 1918, and 28th November, 1918, that his case would receive early attention; that no further word has been received by him; and, as he has a wife and three children depending upon him, when the Pensions Ministry will be able to give him the results of this early attention on their part?

:This case is due to be heard to-day before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal at Glasgow. As all the papers are at present with the tribunal, I am not in a position to give an explanation of the delay. I am, however, informed that the local committee have been paying advances to Mr. Dallas at the rate of £1 19s. 2d. a week pending the hearing -of his appeal.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the pension now proposed to be given to men who joined the Royal Fleet Reserve before 1906, and the age at which the pension will be payable?

It is not proposed to make any alteration in the present Regulations, under which a pension of £12 a year is payable to these men on Teaching the age of fifty-five.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the approximate cost of pensioning old Royal Naval pensioners, namely, men of over fifty-five when war broke out, on a new basic rate?

I have been asked to answer this question. My hon. and gallant Friend is of course aware that the decision taken on No. 51 of the Jerram Committee's recommendations does ex- tend the new basic rate of pension to a very considerable number of men already pensioned —nearly two-thirds, in fact. As regards the old pensioners to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers, the approximate cost of extending the new pension concessions to these men is estimated at £536,900 for the first year. In subsequent years the amount would be reduced by the wastage arising from death, and of course ultimately disappear.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a decision upon the grant of a war gratuity, to acting-paymasters can now be given, in view of the fact that many of such officers are now returning to civil life without any intimation as to whether their war services, like those of other officers, are to be appreciated in a tangible form?

:I regret that I am still unable to announce a decision on this question, but hope to do so very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers of field rank called up at the commencement of the War from the Special Reserve of Officers, having previously served a number of years in the Regular Army, and being on temporary retired pay, would, after serving five years during the War, only receive a gratuity on demobilisation of £124, whereas a civilian obtaining a commission on the outbreak of the War and rising to the rank of major would receive £334 16s.; and why should officers be penalised for serving in the Regular Army prior to the War?

The officers referred to are, presumably, those who retired under Article 559 Royal Warrant. Such officers have drawn a gratuity of thirty-one days' pay for each year of service under Article 497 (a) Royal Warrant. The differentiation is due not to their having served in the Regular Army, but to their being in receipt of retired pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who were compulsorily retained on the Rhine, or who were specially taken there with the battalions of young soldiers, were deprived of their bonus by being demobilised in the last few days of the month of April; and why this action was taken?

Officers and men not definitely retained for the Army of Occupation are demobilised with all practicable speed. If they have not been demobilised by 1st May, they then begin to receive the bounty as compensation for delay in returning them to civil life. If my hon. Friend's suggestion is that those discharged in April had a claim to be delayed in order that they might be compensated, I am afraid I cannot adopt it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, where through a bonâ fide mistake the wife of a soldier has made an insufficient claim for dependent children, she is debarred, if the soldier has been demobilised, from making an effective claim for arrears on the mistake being discovered; and under which Regulation the claim is refused?

The practice has been that separation allowance, being for current maintenance of the children, is issued from date of first application. It is not possible, when an account has been closed by the demobilisation of the soldier, to make the necessary inquiries into belated claims and reopen the account.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that there has been a delay of eight months in the renewal of the wound pension to which Lieutenant C. A. Hogg, 2nd Lancashire Regiment, Bournemouth Hydro, is entitled, in spite of the fact that the attention of the War Office has repeatedly been called to the matter; and whether he will see that this case is settled without further delay?

Owing to the loss of documents there has been considerable delay in this case. Care has, however, been taken that the officer suffered no loss in consequence. The wound pension has now been renewed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many education grants have been made to demobilised officers; whether the grants are applicable to education at a university and at institutions where a business training is given; and whether officers are allowed to select the institution at which they are to be trained?

Up to the 30th May, 3,194 educational grants had been approved for the training of demobilised officers and men of suitable educational promise at universities, etc. In addition about 800 grants had been approved for courses of training at agricultural institutions or on farms, and 215 grants for business or industrial training. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, provided, of course, that the selected institution is willing and able to accept the prospective trainee, and that the training offered is of such a kind and on such terms as meet the conditions on which the grants have been approved by; the Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that a number of meetings have been held near the Border Hall, Gretna Green, to protest against the dismissal of a good number of employés and against the partial closing down of the Gretna Factory; and if he is in a position to state what are the Government intentions in regard to the Gretna Green Factory?

A Committee has been specially appointed to consider the future of His Majesty's Explosives Factory, Gretna, and its Report is expected at an early date. Until this Report has been considered it is impossible to make any definite statement with regard to the future of the factory. For the present it is proposed that the factory should remain in the possession of the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, prior to making further grants of public money to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, he will appoint Royal Commissions to hold a public inquiry into the endowments, finance, and government of these universities and their colleges and into such changes as may be needed to make them more accessible to men of small means; and whether he will secure that organised labour and women are adequately represented on such Commissions or on any other bodies which may be appointed to conduct an inquiry?

I have already conveyed to the universities the view of the Government that if they desire further financial assistance from the State on a large scale, a comprehensive inquiry into the resources of the universities and colleges and the use made of them will be necessary. The universities are, I believe, now considering the matter, but have not yet come to a decision. I am not at present in a position to commit the Government to the form of inquiry or the constitution of the body which might conduct it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that about 100 school children at Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan, have been on strike for the last ten weeks owing to their transfer, contrary to the wishes of their parents, from one school to another; whether he is aware of the acute state of local feeling in this matter; and what steps the Board of Education proposes to take to safeguard the educational interests of the children concerned?

I have made careful inquiries into this matter and have ascertained that a number of children living at Gilfach Goch have been refused admission to the Gilfach Goch council school, which has, I believe, been overcrowded for some time, and that their parents have refused to allow them to attend any other school. The educational interests of the children are, however, safeguarded by Article 53 of the Code, which provides that no child may be refused admission to a public elementary school on other than reasonable grounds. If any parent is of opinion that his child has been unreasonably refused admission to a particular school, his right course is to appeal to the Board of Education, and the Board would give a decision on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to include retired police officers within the scope of the recommendations as to pensions (Indian Police, Imperial branch) now under the consideration of the Government of India; and, if so, whether he will see that just and fair treatment is accorded to those officers who are already retired as well as to those whose retirement is prospective?

I have not yet received the recommendations, and, therefore, do not know how far, if at all, they will apply to officers who have already retired. I will bear in mind the suggestion made in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in the Indian police, civil furlough pay is based on the average salary of the last three years; and whether the rate is, therefore, unaffected by the recent alterations in scale of pay of the Indian police, so that an officer drawing Rs.1,250 a month on duty only receives Rs.409 per month on furlough?

The answer to the first portion of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. This is the practically universal rule of the Civil Services in India. Alterations in the scale of duty pay will affect furlough allowances gradually as they enter into the computation of average salary.

asked the Secretary of State for India why officers in the Indian Army who had retired on pension prior to the War and were re-employed receive, in addition to their pensions, the pay of their appointment, whereas officers who did not retire on pension prior to the War, but whose time for retiring on pension expired during the War, were ordered to continue serving after the time they were entitled to retire on pension and received only the pay of their appointment and no pension?

A retired British Service officer who is re-employed is entitled under the Pay Warrant to pay in addition to pension, and the same privilege is enjoyed by Indian Army officers. The Government has a well-known right to suspend retirements in time of war, and an officer of the Indian Army whose retirement has been thus suspended has no claim to a pension in addition to the pay of his appointment in that Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inquire into the action of the Government of Malta in refusing, for some time, to allow the Malta and Mediterranean Gas Company to increase the price of gas at Malta, notwithstanding that coal there had advanced in price £9 per ton from a pre-war price of 23s. 6d. per ton, with the result that the company has been unable to maintain the moderate dividend of 6 per cent., which it has paid for over thirty years, or pay any dividend, and has been threatened with a complete loss of profit; and whether he will assist the company in obtaining compensation for the loss thus inflicted upon them?

I am not aware of the exact history of this matter, but I will make further inquiry and let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the last meeting of the Imperial Cabinet took place; and when the next meeting will be held?

The Imperial War Cabinet has to all intents and purposes been in continuous session since the end of 1918. At Paris it meets regularly under the title of the British Empire Delegation.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether information has reached His Majesty's Government that the native inhabitants of certain territories in Africa, formerly under German administration, have migrated into British territory, because they believe their territories are to come under a certain mandatory against the wishes and sentiments of practically the whole of the people of the country; and whether British Colonial officials will be instructed to keep His Majesty's Government informed of any such movements?

No information has yet reached me of any actual migration of the kind suggested. The Colonial authorities would naturally keep the Secretary of State informed on such a matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to re-open recruiting for the Metropolitan police among the soldiers who have been discharged from the Army?

Recruiting for the Metropolitan police re-opened shortly after the conclusion of the Armistice, and has been in active progress since. Nearly all the recruits enlisted are men who have served in His Majesty's Forces during the War.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to familiarise men leaving the Army with the exceptional character of the openings in the Metropolitan Police Force and the police service throughout the country?

Yes, Sir. Active steps have been taken for this purpose in cooperation with the military authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Report of the Desborough Committee will make recommendations affecting the pay and pensions of all the provincial police forces; and whether, in that case, legislation will be needed to give effect to them?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative; to the second, that legislation will be necessary to provide the funds required for an increase of police pay and pensions.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the fact that the London General Omnibus Company intend to charge the same fares to passengers on lorries that they now charge to passengers in the omnibuses; whether the Govern- ment agreed to this when they arranged the delivery of lorries to the omnibus company; and, if so, will he explain the reasons for so doing?

I understand from the Board of Trade that the answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The third part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Home Secretary why the arrangement to put lorries on the streets for passenger traffic was not made with the London County Council as well as with the London General Omnibus Company; and what are the reasons that justify the exclusive arrangements with the omnibus company?

I have been asked to reply. The London County Council were represented at the meeting at which arrangements were made to place specially fitted lorries on the streets for the use of the public. I understand that they have no men in their service qualified to drive such vehicles, but if they desire to run lorries and have men qualified to drive them I shall be happy to do anything I can to assist them in the matter. I have already promised the representative of the London County Council every assistance in their efforts to cope with the traffic problem which it is in the power of the Board of Trade to give.

asked the Home Secretary whether the enemy alien husbands of British-born wives are to be sent from Alexandra Park to Frimley; and, if so, whether this decision will be reconsidered in view of the difficulty and expense involved to the wives and families in visiting their husbands?

The enemy aliens in the Alexandra Palace are being sent to Frimley. I regret the inconvenience involved in the longer journey for visits, but I fear the decision must stand, as the Alexandra Palace is urgently required by the Government for other purposes.

asked the Home Secretary whether the transfer of enemy aliens to Frimley is a permanent or temporary change; and whether, before Frimley was decided on, the camp was inspected as to its suitability from a health point of view?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The occupation of the camp at Frith Hill, Frimley, by interned aliens is temporary. The camp has been used in the past for accommodating prisoners of war without adverse report as to its suitability from a health point of view during the summer months. It has recently been inspected and is considered quite satisfactory as a tented camp during the summer months.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether arrangements will be made to place at the disposal of local authorities huts for temporary housing schemes to meet the requirements of demobilised Service men, the cost of such provision being regarded as part of a local housing scheme, and the Regulations against wooden dwelling-houses being suspended for the time being?

Arrangements have been made by the Disposal Board at the Ministry of Munitions whereby opportunities will be afforded to local authorities for the purchase of huts which may be notified by Departments from time to time as surplus to requirements. In districts where the need of immediate accommodation is urgent, the Local Government Board will be prepared to regard the provision of these huts as part of the local housing scheme. With regard to the last sentence of the question, a provision to this effect has been incorporated in the Housing Bill.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether work has begun on any of the housing schemes sanctioned by the Board; and, if so, where?

I am not in a position to-day to give my hon. Friend complete information, but I understand that work is in progress in some cases on the houses, in some cases only, as yet, on the streets and sewers, on schemes promoted by local authorities at:

• Sheffield.
• Bolton-upon-Bourne.
• Birmingham.
• Wells-next-the-Sea.
• Bristol.
• Great Yarmouth.
• Ipswich.
• Norwich.
• Wakefield.
• Bilston.
• Evesham.
• Wolverhampton.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will give a list of the counties and burghs in Scotland which have responded to the invitation of the Government to furnish schemes for housing in their areas, together with a list of those local authorities who have not yet responded?

Responses have been received from 238 local authorities out of 309. I am sending my hon. Friend the list, which is somewhat lengthy for reproduction in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the ad- visability of instituting national brickfields in various parts of the country to fulfil the triple purpose of supplying bricks at a price which will enable a serious start to be made on the housing problem, to provide direct employment for some of the discharged and demobilised sailors and soldiers at present unemployed, as well as indirectly, employment for a large number of men in the building trades?

The price at which the Government obtains bricks shows only a reasonable margin of profit to the makers and no substantial saving could be made by putting the yards under Government management. The reason why more housing schemes have not been started is not to be found in the want of bricks, or the price of bricks. The Ministry has placed orders for 839,500,000 bricks and 250,000,000 are now stacked and waiting for use.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he intends to put into effect the promises made in paragraph 6 of the Scottish Local Government Board Circular, Housing and Town Planning No. 1, dated 12th February, to supply local authorities with a list and description, with dimensions, of the standardised articles used in the provision of houses; whether he is aware that the lack of this information has been one of the chief difficulties that have prevented local authorities proceeding with the erection of houses; and whether he will at once take steps to issue this list either in whole or in part, and add any information known to the Scottish Office concerning the existing stocks and location of bricks, quarried stone, iron and steel girders, slates, etc.?

A Circular dealing with the supply of materials for State-aided housing schemes is at present with the printers, and will be issued to local authorities in a few days together with lists of prices. In the Circular local authorities are asked to communicate direct with the Director of Building Materials Supply, 90, Princes Street, Edinburgh, on all subjects relating to the location, etc., of existing stocks. I am not aware that schemes have been delayed through the lack of this information. All questions relating to materials which have been submitted to the Scottish Local Government Board by local authorities were immediately disposed of by a special official and advance copies of the Circular and lists of prices were supplied.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that members of borough councils will have served from six to nine years by November of this year, he will introduce a Bill to enable the whole of the councils to retire this year in cases where this would not be regular procedure?

I do not propose at present to introduce legislation to provide for the retirement of all members of borough councils in November next.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that many local authorities in various parts of the country have promoted schemes for carrying out many local improvements; and whether, when local authorities apply for a loan to carry out such work, every facility is given by his Department to get the loan sanctioned?

Many local authorities have promoted schemes for carrying out local improvements, and where such schemes are within the statutory powers of the authorities and are not open to objection on merits or otherwise the Local Government Board are giving every facility in obtaining their sanction to the necessary loan.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, as representing the National Health Commissioners, what was the amount of the pool for 1918 for medical attendance of invalided seamen, marines, and soldiers, and what amount, if any, remained in the pool on 31st December last after payment had been made for such attendance?

The sum available from Insurance funds for the calendar year 1918 in respect of the medical attendance on invalided men coming under special arrangement was approximately £78,000. So far from there being a balance, as suggested in the second part of the question, the quarterly sums received, on account, by the practitioners in respect of such attendance substantially exceeded that amount, involving supplementary payments from the Exchequer, in accordance with the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the activity being displayed by America and other countries in arranging for the opening of commercial intercourse with Poland; if any definite steps have been taken to secure openings for British trade in Poland the result of the visit of the British mission to Poland; if any Report on the subject has been made by the economic section of the mission; if so, whether the terms of such Report have been brought to the notice of traders in this country; and whether all possible facilities are being granted to representatives of British houses to visit Poland with a view to opening trade connections?

I am aware of the activity being displayed by America and other countries in endeavouring to reopen, commercial intercourse with Poland to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The final Report of the British Economic Mission which recently visited Poland is now almost completed, and everything possible will be done to bring to the notice of British firms interested the various recommendations contained in it. As regards the last part of the question, arrangements have been made to facilitate-the issue of passports and permits to such bonâ fide representatives of reputable British houses as may desire to visit Poland, and also to secure suitable accommodation for them on the Paris-Warsaw train.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any power to control the display of advertisements inside railway carriages; if so, whether the large and unsightly advertisements on enamelled iron plates recently affixed to the. inside of the doors of railway carriages belonging to the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company have been displayed with his knowledge and approval; and, if not, whether he will make inquiries into the matter, with a view to discouraging displays which give offence to many travellers?

The display of advertisements in railway carriages does not come within the control of the Board of Trade, and I do not think that I can take any action in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the market value of the securities held on 31st March, 1919, by the Postmaster-General in receipt of the Post Office Savings Bank and the liability to depositors on the same date

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a question on this subject put on the l0th April by the hon. and gallant Member for Wandsworth (Central).

asked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated adjusted net revenue, surplus, or deficit, on the telegraph and telephone services respectively for the current year?

The financial results of the telegraph and telephone services during the current year depend on so many factors, such as the amount of Government traffic and the progress of demobilisation, that I find it impossible to give any reliable estimate at present. The accounts for 1918–19 are not finally closed, "but it is estimated that the telegraph service will show a deficit of £1,134,000 and the telephone service of £426,000. It is clear, in view of the increased war bonus now payable, that both services must show a considerably larger deficit in the current year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the amount of the total accrued loss on the telephone services since the year 1869, when they were first nationalised?

As the telegraph service was taken over by the State at the end of the year 1869, it is presumed that the hon. Members refers to this service. The total loss on telegraphs on the 31st March, 1918, the date of the last published account, was estimated at £27,220,580. Prior to 1906 the figures for telephone business were included in the telegraph accounts.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the amount which would have been payable by way of royalty by the National Telephone Company in each of the years 1912–13 to 1917–18, inclusive, if the telephone service had not been nationalised?

The amount paid by the National Telephone Company for royalty in respect of the financial year 1910–11, the last complete year, of the company's business, was £340,179. As the telephone service of the company was merged with the Post Office telephone service on the 1st January, 1912, and no separate accounts have since been kept of the two systems, it is impracticable to state what amount should have been payable for royalty in the years 1912–13 to 1917–18 if the company's service had not been absorbed by the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that demands for telephones, the necessity for which is fully recognised by the Telephone Department themselves, cannot be installed into city offices owing to lack of accommodation at the exchanges; whether he is aware that this state of affairs is hampering business generally and not giving a fair chance to those who have fought for their country and are now again installing themselves in offices; and, if so, what steps are being taken to remedy this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 29th ultimo to the hon. Member for Southwark.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Mr. G. R. Wenham who, in October, 1915, was employed as a postman at the St. Leonards-on-Sea sorting office, received a letter from the then Postmaster-General inviting him to volunteer, and stating that his position in the Post Office would be kept open for him until his return; that Mr. Wenham, relying on that promise, volunteered and received a further letter from the Postmaster-General thanking him on behalf of His Majesty's Government for his patriotic action; and that Mr. Wenham returned two months ago but, despite numerous applications, has not yet been given his former position; and what action be proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. Wenham was a postman at Hastings before enlistment and on demobilisation was reinstated in the same capacity. It has not been possible to assign to him the same duty as he performed prior to enlistment, as it is being performed temporarily by another postman whose health is impaired. A postman is liable to perform any of the duties of his class; and the Postmaster-General's promise of 1915 had reference to reinstatement in the same situation, not necessarily on the same duty.

asked the Postmaster-General when the use of abbreviated telegraphic addresses on foreign telegrams will be permitted?

The restrictions will be removed as soon as the Government decide that the censorship can be abolished. The date must depend on the issue of the Peace negotiations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the chairmen of panels of referees in connection with the out-of-work donation are remunerated for their services in that capacity; and, if so, whether he can state the basis of such remuneration?

Chairmen of the Courts of Referees adjudicating on claims to out-of-work donation receive a fee of three guineas for each sitting of the Court.

asked the Minister of Labour whether men who were employed during the War in the ordnance factories are, on discharge, being refused unemployment donation policies by the local Labour Exchanges, on the ground that they are not contributors under the National Insurance Act by reason of their being exempted persons as pensioners of the Arsenal or the Army?

The answer to this question is in the affirmative. It is a condition for the receipt of out-of-work donation by adult civilian workers that they should have been employed contributors under the National Health Insurance scheme at least three months prior to 25th November, 1918.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of men who were during the period of the War working in the remount depotin Belfast are now out of employment because of the cessation of the War; whether these men have been refused the out-of-work donation, although some; of them have been signing up at the Labour Exchanges for the past eight or nine weeks; and whether he will take immediate action to have these men included in the operations of the out-of-work scheme?

It is the fact that out-of-work donation has been withheld from the men in question. A proposal for including them in the modified scheme-of donation in Ireland is being reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the administration of the unemployment donation, married and single demobilised men are in receipt of the same allowance of 29s.; whether married men receive an allowance for each child, but no allowance whatever is made in respect of the wife; and whether, in view of the greatly increased cost of living, he will take action to have a special allowance made for the wives of these unemployed men?

The rate of out-of-work donation paid to ex-members of His Majesty's Forces is the same for both single and married men. Supplementary allowances are paid in respect of dependant children under fifteen years of age. The question of making allowance in respect of wives was carefully considered before the scheme was brought into operation last November, and I do not see my way at this date to recommend any alteration in the existing rules in this respect.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can yet state the main details of the promised scheme in regard to the employment of disabled ex-Service men?

I am afraid I am not yet in a position to announce the details of the scheme to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member's previous question of the 26th May. The scheme is, however, practically ready, and will be put before the Labour Resettlement Committee this week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability, of suspending or amending the Order relating to wages of dressmakers, as issued by him under the Wages (Temporary Regulations) Act, particularly in regard to learners and juniors; whether he is cognisant of the fact that the retention and enforcement of the Order in its present form will have the result of greatly increasing unemployment; and whether he will suspend the Order until the trade board, now under contemplation, has been set up?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Aberdeenshire on the 19th May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that an arrangement made by his Department whereby makers of sulphate of ammonia were required to supply this fertiliser for home consumption at a price considerably below its market value on the understanding that the balance not required for such purpose should be allowed to be exported is not being carried out; whether he is aware that the South Metropolitan Gas Company, having fully met all the demands made upon it for the home market, now have large and daily increasing stocks, licences for the export of which are obtainable only through the agency of a combination of trade competitors formed with the approval and receiving the support of his Department; whether the refusal to give licences without the consent of this agency is inconsistent with the undertaking given by his Department and a breach of faith with the South Metropolitan Gas Company; whether the encouragement of the combination referred to is opposed to public policy and calculated to create a monopoly that will prove prejudicial to home users of sulphate of ammonia when the present system of control is removed; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the company's applications for licences shall be as favourably considered as those made by the members of the combination?

The arrangement referred to in this question is in continuation of one which has been in operation since the summer of 1917. Continued supervision of the export of sulphate of ammonia is essential if sufficient is to be retained in this country for the urgent needs of home agriculture, and the Board see no reason for changing a method which has worked well, is perfectly equitable to all makers, and has been accepted unanimously by the association representing them. So far as the Board are aware the South Metropolitan Gas Company is the only firm of makers of sulphate of ammonia which has raised any objection. The Board have written to that company expressing their willingness that licences should be granted on the same terms as to the rest of the makers for the export of the appropriate proportion of the company's product, but it would not be in the public interest to make exceptional arrangements in their case. The Board do not regard the conditions imposed on the issue of export licences as in any way detrimental to the interests, financial or otherwise, of this company. As a result of the arrangements with the main body of manufacturers the market price for export has been stabilised in the interests of all manufacturers of sulphate of ammonia, and the fact that this fertiliser is being supplied during the next four months to home agriculturists at a price below its cost of production indicates that home users, so far from being prejudiced by the arrangements, have been considerably benefited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any, and, if so, how many, cases of dogs imported illegally by troops and by aeroplanes have been brought to the notice of his Department during the last twelve months; and if he will state separately the number of dogs known to have been smuggled by ship and by aeroplane?

There are thirty known cases of illegal landing by soldiers and sailors since the 1st June, 1918. The board have no proof of any case of illegal landing by means of an aeroplane.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that dairy cows are being sold and land is lying unsown owing to the shortage of labour in Leicestershire; if so, what steps are the Government taking to remedy this very serious state of affairs; if he is aware that Leicestershire has added 50,000 acres to its pre-war arable acreage; and, if so, what steps the Board of Agriculture is taking to minimise the evils arising out of the shortage of labour?

Representations have been made to the Board by the Leicestershire Agricultural Executive Committee that there is a shortage of agricultural labour in Leicestershire, but, as the hon. Member is aware, the Government decided that all but 20 per cent. of the soldiers working in the county must be withdrawn as they are required for military duty. The labour required by farmers can, therefore, come from civilian sources only. Arrangements have been made by the Board whereby the county agricultural executive committees will cooperate with the Employment Exchanges in order to obtain as far as possible the labour required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take, in view of the corn and hay harvests coming so close together, to ensure an adequate supply of labour; and whether he will state what is the anticipated shortage?

It is impossible to estimate the number of extra labourers that will be required by the farmers for the hay harvest. As I stated in my answer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Harborough, labour can now only be obtained from civilian sources and the agricultural executive committees have been advised to co-operate as far as possible with the Employment Exchanges, with a view to obtaining and placing the necessary labour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he proposes to publish the Report which was received last month from the Chester Corporation as the result of the investigation, for which His Majesty's Treasury made a grant at the end of 1917, relative to developing the generation of electrical energy from the River Dee with a view to promoting the further development of agriculture and rural industries in Cheshire and adjacent counties?

The Report has already been made public by being laid before the Chester City Council with the consent of the Board and of the Development Commissioners, and the Board are informed that copies have also been sent to the technical Press. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can now state the reasons for the delay in the appointment of the Royal Commission on Agriculture and the publication of the list of Commissioners and the terms of reference; and whether he can now make any statement on the subject?

My Noble Friend, the President of the Board of Agriculture stated in the House of Lords on the 28th ultimo that he was going to Paris to see the Prime Minister on this matter and that after this visit he may be able to report something quite definite, etc. In the meanwhile I am unable to add anything to my previous answer.