asked the Food Controller if he can state the weight of margarine exported during the month of May; for what reasons has it been exported; and is he aware that during that period many distributive retail societies were exceptionally short?

The exportation of margarine for the month of May was generally prohibited except as regards certain small parcels for Malta, Gibraltar, and the West African Colonies, under arrangements made with the Colonial Office. I understand that a further small quantity was exported to other destinations under permits issued by the Ministry of Food in the month of March, but all export licences issued on these permits have now been cancelled.

asked the Food Controller whether he will state the names of the firms receiving payment from the bread subsidy?

There are approximately 700 controlled firms in the flour milling industry to whom payments are made as part of the bread subsidy. A complete list of these firms is in possession of the Department and I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Member with a copy if he so desires.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private W. Riley, No. 38433, 12th Platoon, D Company, 2nd Somerset Light Infantry, Roberts Barracks, Peshawar, India, was passed for release in January, and instructions cabled to the Commanding Officer in February by the War Office, as per Ref. No. M.R./D.M.J./19 Rels. / B 2012 Mob. 10 c; and if he will have definite action taken to secure the release of this soldier, who is forty-one years old, has five children, and a business closed down awaiting his return?

Instructions were issued some time ago for the demobilisation of Private Riley, but the carrying out of such instructions was no doubt delayed owing to the recent trouble in India which resulted in demobilisation having to be suspended from that country.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state on what grounds Private O. B. Phillips, No. 89603, Royal Army Medical Corps, who joined the Army in 1914, and was approved for demobilisation at Amara in February, 1919, was, on his arrival at Basrah in March, dispatched to India, and is now attached to the 8th Reserve Battalion Devons at Secunderabad; and whether immediate orders will be given for his release?

Private Phillips is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, but it is, possible that he was sent home for demobilisation vidâ India and was retained in the latter country owing to the state of affairs existing there. If his length of service is as stated, he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number and location of military Missions at present attached to the Armies of the Allies and also performing duties in enemy countries; and whether there is any prospect of these Missions being soon withdrawn or reduced in size?

There are at the present moment sixteen British Military Missions attached to the Armies of the Allies and one performing duties in an enemy country. Those with the Armies of the Allies are located at the headquarters of Army to which they are attached. These Missions will eventually be withdrawn, and are being reduced in size, as circumstances permit. Of the sixteen now with the Allied Armies three have been considerably reduced and will soon cease to exist.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the men of the 239th Army Troop, Royal Engineers, Poplar, instead of being transferred to the 132nd Troop, were not returned to London as the cadre of the Poplar Company, Royal Engineers?

Without more definite information as to the men referred to, I regret it is not possible to give a complete answer. It is, however, most probable that the men transferred to the 132nd Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers, were ineligible for demobilisation and were, therefore, to be utilised for the Army of Occupation. The cadre of the 239th Army Troops Company has been sent home.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will support the claim of teachers who wish to withdraw from a pension scheme in accord- ance with the provisions of Section 14 of the School Teachers Superannuation Act, 1918, to receive from the governors of the school or others having the management of the pension scheme policies of insurance which have been entered into under such scheme, even though part of the premiums have been paid by such governors; and whether he will extend the prescribed time within which teachers must make a declaration of their desire of withdrawal, so that their claims may be put effectively before the Board of Education and the Treasury?

I am advised that the suggestion contained in the first part of the question is inconsistent with Sub-section (1) (d) of Section 14 of the Act, and effect could only be given to it by an amendment of the Act. As regards the second part of the question, the Board have power under Rule 4 to extend the time prescribed by Rule 14, and I shall be quite ready to consider on their merits applications from teachers for an extension.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the object of his Department in holding an exhibition of a great variety of brushes of recent Japanese manufacture; whether it is for the purpose of encouraging the importation into this country of Japanese manufactures; and to whom an invitation to inspect such goods have been sent?

The object of the Department of Oversea Trade in holding exhibitions of samples of foreign manufactures is to inform United Kingdom manufacturers producing similar classes of goods as to developments which have taken place in foreign industries, and to enable them to examine specimens of foreign products which compete with their goods in oversea markets. Invitations, to inspect samples of foreign manufactures are issued only to United Kingdom manufacturers of similar goods.