asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is disappointment in some quarters in regard to the shortness of the Peace holiday; and whether he can see his way to prolong the holiday or to set aside three days in August for this purpose?

I regret that it is not possible to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. The decision as to the date of the Peace celebrations was only-taken after careful consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been drawn to the Report of the General Manager of the Carlisle and District Control area of the Liquor Board; whether, in view of the success of the experiment, he will consider the desirability of its extension to the whole country, in order to secure to the general consumer an adequate supply of wholesome liquor under ordinary conditions at a reasonable price; whether the Government have formed any plans for the future of that area; and, if so, are they willing to make a statement on the subject in the immediate future?

As the House is aware, the Report referred to has been published as a Parliamentary Paper (Cmd. 137). The latter part of the question will be a matter for Parliament when the promised Bill is under discussion

asked the Prime Minister whether more beer is being brewed now than before the War, and whether more hops and barley are being imported for that purpose; whether he will state the quantities brewed before the War and now, respectively; and whether he can state the tax accruing to the Exchequer per day in respect of beer?

In the year ended 31st March, 1914, about 37,500,000 bulk barrels of beer were brewed, which corresponds to 36,000,000 in standard barrels. Figures as to the present output are not available, but it is believed that now that the restrictions on the amount brewed have been removed, the number of bulk barrels, in other words the actual amount of beer available for drinking, will in the year ending 31st March, 1920, be not less and probably greater than in the year ended 31st March, 1914. In view of the restrictions on gravity which still remain in force, the average strength of the beer will be weaker, with the result that the number of standard barrels will be considerably lower. The estimated revenue for the current year works out at approximately £250,000 per day. The imports of hops at the present time are insignificant, only 210 cwts. in the first five, months of 1919 as compared with 2,225 cwts. in 1913. There is no official record of the quantity of imported barley used for brewing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the raising of the various schedules of beer by 4 per cent. means the addition to the taxation of beer of 7s. 6d. per bulk barrel; whether, in consequence, those country brewers who cannot provide the additional output are suffering very heavily; and whether he can see his way to readjust his methods of taxation in this respect by reducing the duty on beer and transferring the taxation on lines similar to those now existing in the case of clubs, thus taxing the various licensed premises according to the actual output?

I cannot agree with the statement in the first paragraph of the question as to the effect of the raising of the gravity of beer in relation to the scale of prices contained in the present Beer (Prices and Description) Order. I am not aware of any instance in which a brewer has been unable to brew up to the limit of the restrictions while they existed, or to transfer his barrelage to another brewer; and now that all restrictions on quantity are about to be removed the position as regards brewers should be further improved. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to regard the readjustment of taxation suggested as suitable in the case of licensed retailors of beer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the demand of workers in industrial centres throughout the United Kingdom to increase the Income Tax abatement to £250; and whether, in view of the widespread nature of the demand, he will consider the advisability of having it acceded to?

Opportunity to discuss this subject will arise in the course of the Debate on the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Victory War Bonds, part of the estate of a testator, will be accepted at par value in payment of Legacy Duty payable by testator's estate on legacies which have been left to legatees free of Legacy Duty?

The answer is in the affirmative provided the Bonds had formed part of the estate of the testator continuously up to the date of death from the date of the original subscription or for a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the date of death.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Victory War Bonds will be accepted at par value for payment's made by trustees for Death Duties on the death of a tenant for life, a beneficiary under the trust; for instance, when trustees of a marriage settlement hold property including Victory War Bonds in trust for the benefit of a father for life with remainder to two sons, will these Victory War Bonds be accepted at par value for the payment of the Death Duties payable on the death of the father?

The answer is in the affirmative provided the Bonds had formed part of the trust estate continuously up to the date of the death of the life tenant from the date of the original subscription or for a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the date of death.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty has made any Order in Council under the provisions of Section 23 of the Finance Act, 1917; if so in respect of which of His Majesty's Possessions; if no Order in Council has been made, whether he can state if it is likely that any Orders in Council will shortly be made; and in respect of what Possessions?

No Order in Council has yet been made under the provisions of Section 23 of the Finance Act, 1917. Reciprocal arrangements under that Section are at present under consideration in connection with the Excess Profits Tax imposed in the Commonwealth of Australia and in British Guiana, respectively; and in the event of the provisions of Clause 26 of the Finance Bill now before Parliament being passed into law, it is anticipated that a similar arrangement will be considered in connection with the Excess Profits Tax imposed in Southern Rhodesia. I may add that an arrangement of this character, which was under discussion with the representatives of the New Zealand Government, was abandoned at the suggestion of the New Zealand authorities, upon the termination of the New Zealand Excess Profits Duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can indicate the amount of profit expected to be made by the brewers under the conditions announced on Wednesday last; and, in view of the profiteering by the brewing companies during and since the War, what precautions are being taken by the Government to ensure that the enhanced profits made under these conditions will be devoted to the improvement of the quality of the liquor as stated?

I have been asked to reply. Until it is ascertained that the amount of beer actually sold under the new conditions exceeds the 26,000,000 standard barrels previously authorised, no question of additional profits can arise. The enhanced profits, due to the increases previously authorised, have been partially absorbed by raising the Beer Duty from 50s. to 70s. a standard barrel, and will, in part, be earmarked for the benefit of the consumer by the provisions of the new Beer (Prices and Description) Order, which will ensure an improvement in quality without an increase in price.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether temporary male employés in Government Departments, doing the same work as established Civil servants, are receiving higher salaries than the permanent officials of the same age; and, if so, on what grounds do the Government justify this?

The scales of pay of permanent and temporary employés are not necessarily identical, as they naturally depend on the terms of the appointment in each case. If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of the cases to which he refers, I shall be happy to inquire into them.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why, in the action against Messrs. S. Dixon and Son, Limited, Leeds, for contravening the Trading With the Enemy Act on 28th May, 1919, with respect to a firm in Mexico City, the Public Prosecutor withheld the information that the black list referred to had been withdrawn by the Government one month previous to the trial of the action; and why the stipendiary magistrate was allowed to impose a penalty for the purpose of warning other traders, when it was in the knowledge of the Public Prosecutor that such restrictions no longer existed?

The information in question was not withheld by counsel for the prosecution, who informed the stipendiary magistrate during the hearing of the case that the black lists had been withdrawn on 28th April. It would have been impossible and useless to endeavour to conceal the fact, which was published in the newspapers on 28th April. The fine was not imposed for the purpose of warning other traders, but as punishment for an offence committed on 11th April.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that in Nottingham the prices of fresh fruit are so high as to make it impossible for those who have bought sugar for the purpose to make jam; that the Food Control Committee of Nottingham would welcome the control of prices of fresh fruit; and will he consider the advisability of taking this step immediately?

asked the Food Controller whether it is his intention to control fruit prices in the current year?

No complaints with regard to the price of fruit in Nottingham have been received by the Ministry and no recommendation on the subject has been made by the local Food Control Committee. It is not proposed to control the price of soft fruits, but the maximum prices of stone fruits used by jam manufacturers will shortly be fixed. The price of apples is already controlled.

asked the Food Controller under what Statute he has authority to deduct 3d. a gallon from the price of milk from the South-Western counties; and under what Statute he has authority to intern it?

The deduction of 2d. per gallon made from the price of milk exported from the South-Western counties and the allocation of the money so collected to a fund which is to be utilised for the benefit of consumers throughout the country, are made under the powers conferred upon the Food Controller by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act, 1916, and the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Act, 1914, and the Regulations made under the latter Act.

asked the Food Controller whether the Consumers' Council is a body still in existence; if so, is it officially recognised; by whom were its members appointed; and how often does it meet?

The Consumers' Council, which is officially recognised as an advisory body, is still in existence and meets once a fortnight. With regard to the appointment of the members of the council, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the detailed information given in the reply to the hon. Member for Chester on 25th February.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Commissioners of National Education issued a Circular to school attendance committees directing them to deal leniently with defaulters under the Compulsory Attendance Clauses of the Irish Education Act of 1892; if so, by what authority the Commissioners thus virtually repealed that law; and if he is aware that school attendance committees have rendered such obedience to that order that children of school-going age in many parts of the country stay away with impunity from school?

The Commissioners of National Education have not issued any Circular of the nature referred to in this question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education have withdrawn their programme of scientific instruction on the evils of alcoholic indulgence, and have substituted one that is less educational; and if this change has the sanction of His Majesty's Government?

The Commissioners of National Education have recently revised their programmes in elementary science and hygiene, nature study and health and habits, and these programmes are now combined under one heading—nature study. The official syllabus under this head continues to make provision for the teaching of temperance, and it is considered that it will enable instruction in temperance to be given on sounder educational principles than formerly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Richmond, Hardwicke, and Whitworth Hospitals, and the Westmorland Lock Hospital, have hitherto been wholly supported by moneys appropriated by Parliament; whether he is aware that no payment has been made towards the support of these hospitals since April, 1918; that it has been found impossible to finance these institutions on the old Grant; that the governors recently resigned; that there is at present no means of paying current maintenance expenses; and what steps the Irish Government have taken to avoid the necessity of these hospitals having to close down for want of funds?

Reference to the Vote for Hospital and Charities (Ireland) shows the estimated income of these hospitals exclusive of the Parliamentary Grant. In the case of the House of Industry Hospitals the income, apart from the annual Grant of £7,600, is estimated at £9,206 for the current year. A payment of £3,000 on account of this Grant was made in April last and a payment of like amount will be made this month. The annual Grant of £2,600 to the Westmorland Lock Hospital was paid in April last. Application has been made by the Governors of the House of Industry Hospitals for increased financial assistance from public funds and the Treasury have not seen their way to consent to any increase in the Grant of £7,600 a year. A further application for assistance has been received from the board of superintendence on behalf of the hospitals mentioned in the question and certain other Dublin hospitals that are aided from the Parliamentary Vote. This application is at present before the Treasury. The resignations tendered by the governors of the House of Industry Hospitals have not been accepted, and the Irish Government has been advised that the responsibility for the management of these hospitals still remains with them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a prosecution against Corporal James Anderson for exceeding the speed limit while driving a car on the Rock Road, Dublin, heard before one of the Dublin police magistrates on the 3rd instant and dismissed on the ground that Major Ball claimed to have been authorised by the competent military authority to object to a civil tribunal trying the case; whether Major Ball has been given permission to exceed the speed limit as stated by him; and, if so, how this dispensing power arises, why was it given to Major Ball, and how long will he have it?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter, but I have called for a Report and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state whether the out-of-work donation will be extended to the temporary postmen in Belfast and other parts of Ireland who have been dismissed from their positions since the cessation of hostilities?

It has been decided, after careful consideration, that there is not sufficient ground for extending out-of-work donation to the persons referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the entire cost of the port of Richborough, created during the War, and the draft of vessels which can use the port; and what use it is intended to make of the port now that Peace with Germany has been concluded?

I have been asked to answer this question. The total capital expenditure for building the works at the Port of Richborough to the 31st March, 1919, is £1,982,759, and the draft of vessels which can use the port is up to 10 ft. The policy with regard to the future of the port is at present under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the graves of the seven British sailors whose bodies were washed ashore after the battle of Jutland, and were buried in the churchyard at Skagen, Denmark, are in a neglected condition; that no memorial has been erected, whilst contiguous thereto lie the bodies of eighteen German seamen washed ashore after the same battle, over which the German authorities erected a granite column with a suitable inscription within a few months after the battle; and whether he proposes to take steps to provide an appropriate memorial over the graves of the British sailors?

The Admiralty are communicating this information to the Imperial War Graves Commission, upon which has been placed the duty of caring for and appropriately marking the graves of members of the fighting forces who lost their lives during the War, and I shall be glad to inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of girls who were discharged from the painters' shop, Naval Ordnance Department, Woolwich Arsenal, in January and February last, have not yet received the increase in pay of 5s. per week to which they are entitled from December; and whether he will have inquiries made into this matter with a view to the early settlement of this claim?

A number of girls were discharged as stated; but the 5s. a week increase in wages to which the right hon. Member refers was presumably that which was granted to women employed in engineering shops and foundries in accordance with an award of the Court of Arbitration, and the girls who were discharged from the Naval Ordnance Department were not entitled to that advance.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men who served during the War as Yacht Patrol men are on demobilisation informed that they are not entitled to any gratuity; whether officers who served in this service are paid gratuities; why there should be such a distinction drawn in a service where the risk was shared by all; and whether he will arrange for the payment of gratuity to all branches of this service?

Officers who served in the Yacht Patrol under Agreements T. 124 and variants are eligible for war gratuity, as their pay while in the Naval Service was not brought up to the level of officers in the Mercantile Marine. On the other hand, the pay of men who served in the Yacht Patrol under similar agreements was adjusted from time to time during the War in order that their total emoluments should approximate, so far as possible, to those received by men of the Mercantile Marine. They are, therefore, regarded as ineligible for the seamen's war gratuity, which is only paid to naval ratings who received naval rates of pay, men paid at civil rates being excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a time-serving soldier will be entitled to his discharge a month previous to his term of service, as in pre-war days, now that Peace is signed?

The answer is in the negative. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that all such men when demobilised receive twenty-eight days' furlough with full pay and allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in paragraph (3) of the latest Army Order with regard to demobilisation as from 28th June, the men certified by the Ministry of Labour before 1st February, 1919, applies to guarantee letter men as well as pivotal men?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Henley.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the discontent in the Army in Egypt owing to the continued neglect to discharge men entitled to discharge or to grant leave; whether at a meeting of some 2,000 soldiers held on 11th May at the Casino, Bellevue, Alexandria, demanding demobilisation, it was alleged that there are in Egypt men mobilised on 4th August, 1914, who have never had leave to the United Kingdom, that men who enlisted in 1914 and 1915 have never had leave to the United Kingdom, and also Derby scheme men are in the same position; whether the latest proposal to return 5,400 each month will mean that it will take twelve months before all who are eligible are brought home; what number have been brought home from Egypt since the Armistice altogether, and how he proposes to allay the prevailing unrest?

Reports have been received from time to time that a certain amount of discontent existed during the period in which demobilisation was suspended on account of local unrest. I have no knowledge of a meeting of soldiers held at Alexandria on 11th May. Fresh instructions have recently been issued providing for the release with all possible dispatch of all men who are eligible under Army Order 55. With regard to the last part of the question, up to the 25th June, 2,685 officers and 77,585 other ranks from Egypt have been demobilised since the Armistice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sergeant L. Birrell, No. 6073, Gordon Highlanders, at present residing at 61, Alexandria Road, Aldershot, was in South Africa when the Armistice was signed; that he applied to be demobilised in South Africa as he had good employment open there; that he was refused this permission, and brought home for demobilisation; and whether he will now be given a passage to South Africa to enable him to obtain the employment he has accepted?

Inquiries will be made and I will inform my Noble Friend of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement regarding the demobilisation of troops serving in Siberia?

As I have already said in answer to previous questions, I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the general question of demobilisation shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military authorities have not yet vacated the college and residential halls at Becketts Park Training College, Leeds, and that, unless these buildings are immediately vacated, at least 130 students will have to be informed that they cannot commence their course of training in September next?

The question of concentrating this hospital in the hutted portion and so releasing the main college buildings has been carefully considered, but it appears that this would cause such congestion as to render the hospital useless. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible at present to fix a date for the vacation of these buildings. As I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 2nd June, they are fully occupied with special orthopædic and jaw cases, the treatment of which needs specially fitted hospitals, and to remove these elsewhere at the present time is a matter of impossibility. There are, besides, in the Northern Command alone, some 4,500 limbless men awaiting admission to hospitals for further orthopædic treatment, which would be denied them if this hospital were closed. The local military authorities are doing their best to obtain premises in which to house the students so that their training may not be prevented.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are now the Regulations with regard to soldiers under the age of eighteen who have enlisted without the consent of their parents; whether such soldiers can be reclaimed by their parents on production of birth certificates; and, if not, whether they can be bought out?

If an application, accompanied by a birth certificate, is made by the parents or guardians of a soldier, and the soldier is under seventeen years of age, he will be discharged forthwith. If, however, the soldier is under eighteen but over seventeen years of age, the case will be considered on its merits. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a strong British force is to be retained in the Archangel and Murmansk district of Russia for the ensuing winter at the disposal of Mr. Tschaykovski; and whether the new British volunteer troops recently sent there were previously informed that they would be brought back from Russia by the end of October next?

It is not the intention to maintain a strong force in North Russia during the ensuing winter. The volunteer forces which recently went to North Russia were told that they would be brought back before the winter. No man will be kept there against his will.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the White Sea is generally frozen over in the month of September, and that the Rivers Dwina and Vage usually begin to be ice-bound during the month of August, the British troops to be stationed there have been provided with suitable winter clothing and equipment; and, if not, what provision has been made to send out the same without delay in case of an early winter setting in?

This matter is receiving the closest attention. Large quantities of special warm clothing are in possession of the forces both at Archangel and at Murmansk, and any additional quantities required will be sent out an ample time to meet the necessity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements could be made for the State to defray the expenses of a visit to the grave of a fallen soldier in France by his parent or by his wife in cases where those relations have not otherwise the means to perform the journey?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 20th May last to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the question of granting increased rates of pay to men of the Non-Combatant Corps Labour units, in view of the fact that these men are doing precisely the same work as the men of other labour units, and are at present only receiving the old rates of pay; and whether the signing of Peace will be taken into account in dealing with this matter?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his attention has been drawn to the fact that first and second-class masters and first engineers of War Department vessels have been made eligible for pensions, irrespective of age, but second engineers have not become so entitled; and whether he will consider the advisability of placing second engineers on an equality in this respect with second-class masters?

The question of the classes to be admitted to pension was fully considered when pensions for this establishment were introduced in 1917, and it is not now proposed to reopen it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what steps are being taken to refund to the relations and friends of soldiers who have been prisoners of war in Germany the money they have been compelled to spend in sending food and clothing to keep them alive, these soldiers having been taken prisoner when on military duty, their conditions of service being that they should receive free rations and clothing?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Antrim on the 24th February last.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether any steps are being taken to retain for the public service the advantage of the expert designers and craftsmen engaged upon airship and aeroplane construction during the War?

It is for the Admiralty to reply as regards airships. As regards aeroplanes, the position during the War generally was that the expert designers were in the employment of the contracting firms, experts on such general questions as aerodynamics, strength of materials, etc., being retained by the State. It is hoped to maintain this position under the peace organisation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware that two lady shorthand writers were engaged at the Royal Air Force, Yate Depot, in January last, and that, after training in exceedingly technical work, they were informed, about five or six weeks after being engaged, that unless they joined the Women's Royal Air Force they would be discharged; whether, after consideration they informed their officer, Second-Lieutenant Barton, that they would join the Women's Royal Air Force, but heard nothing more until, the last Friday or Saturday in March, without any previous warning, they received a week's notice to go; whether thereupon two other ladies were engaged, one of whom had no previous knowledge of office work and both of them required considerable training to make them efficient; whether he will state what reasons caused this change; and will he insist on an impartial inquiry into the chief section leader's conduct, he being responsible indirectly for the dismissals?

The question apparently refers to two ladies who were engaged at Yate on the 29th January and the 10th February last respectively, the former being a shorthand writer and the latter a general clerk. The work on which they were engaged was ordinary clerical work and was only technical in so far as it involved a certain knowledge of technical terms. Shortly after they were engaged, it was decided that the office at Yate should be staffed entirely by members of the Women's Royal Air Force and consequently all civilian women clerks were asked by the officer responsible whether they were willing to join the Women's Royal Air Force, the question being repeated by a chief section leader of the Women's Royal, Air Force. These two clerks both refused the offer of transfer in the first instance, but, about a fortnight later, applied to be enrolled in the Women's Royal Air Force. Sufficient names, however, had then been put forward to complete the establishment in their particular category, and recruiting for the immobile section of the Women's Royal Air Force was coming to an end, so that they could not be accepted. They were, however, not actually dismissed until the 5th April. The standard form of engagement for civilian subordinates, which both these clerks signed, only prescribes a week's notice, and this they received. They were replaced by two members of the Women's Royal Air Force, one of whom was an expert shorthand writer. The other, after being employed on probation for a month as a general clerk, was confirmed in her appointment, as she proved herself efficient.A chief section leader of the Women's Royal Air Force has no control over civilian subordinates, and beyond putting to these two clerks the question whether they wished to join the Women's Royal Air Force the chief section leader at Yate was not concerned, directly or indirectly, in their dismissal. I am not satisfied with the action taken in this case and am having the grounds of it further investigated.

asked the Pensions Minister why Second-Lieutenant S. C. Mimmack, late Royal Air Force, who was gazetted out of the Army on account of ill-health caused by his machine having crashed during an action on the night of 16-17th May, 1918, has only been awarded a pension of 3s. per diem, in spite of the fact that he has to wear a surgical jacket and is incapable of any sustained energy owing to the injuries he received?

Second-Lieutenant Mimmack was awarded by the Air Ministry a wound gratuity of £250 in respect of the injuries he sustained on the 16th May, For the period of twelve months covered by that gratuity an additional 3s. a day is the highest rate of retired pay allowed by the Warrant. The retired pay was renewed at the same rate on the sup position that the officer was about to be granted a wound pension by the Air Ministry. It has now been ascertained, however, that the claim to wound pension is still undecided, and the retired pay has, therefore, been increased to the maximum rate of £210 a year, viz.: £175 a year (with 20 per cent. bonus) from the 16th May, 1919 Adjustment will, of course, be necessary if and when a wound pension is awarded.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst discharged soldiers and sailors in Ireland because of the inadequate pensions they are receiving; and whether the Government will increase the permanent and temporary scales of pensions, as those laid down in the Royal Warrant are inadequate owing to the increase in the cost of living and are hard on disabled men who are incapacitated from doing any kind of work and unable to add to their email pensions?

The adequacy of the pension scales generally is under the consideration of the Select Committee, and will no doubt be dealt with in their Report.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the pensions granted on retirement to officers promoted to brevet rank for distinguished service in the field; whether such brevet rank under present Regulations confers no increased rate of pension over that of the substantive rank of the officer, so that a major who has gained the rank of full colonel for distinguished service in the field only receives a major's pension on retirement; and whether such officers will be granted pensions at the increased rate?

The whole question of pensions is under consideration, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if ho is aware that G. W. Mallett, late corporal, No. 15256, 11th Royal Sussex Regiment, is unable to get the pay and gratuity due to him on the rate allowed to a corporal in spite of the fact that his late commanding officer has written to the paymaster stating that his appointment as a paid corporal was made on the field and confirmed in October, 1917; and will he take the necessary steps to sec that his rank is recognised through Part 2 orders of his unit, where the delay is stated to rest, and the money due to him paid forthwith?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private David Kerr, No. 667021, Labour Company, Nottingham, previously No. 12877, Gordon Highlanders, Perth, who has not had his papers completed and given to him, and who, after serving for four years, has received only £4 as a gratuity; and whether he will look into this man's case and get his balance duly made up, including clothes money?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that the proposals submitted to the Ailsa Craig Motor Company to enable the firm to resume work and restart their old workpeople was only accepted by a representative of the firm because of a threat that in the event of a non-acceptance the company would be wound up; whether he is also aware of the opinion that the proposals referred to will not enable the company to resume operations; and whether he will receive a representative deputation to discuss the matter with him with a view to arriving at a satisfactory settlement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The negotiations throughout, so far as the Ministry of Munitions is concerned, have been conducted with the creditors of the company. I am not prepared to accept the statement that the proposals referred to will not enable the company to resume operations. As the arrangement has been agreed to by all the parties concerned, and I have discussed the matter with representatives both of the company and the workpeople, I do not think that a deputation to discuss it afresh would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will state the terms upon which the Government acquired the site and obsolete buildings utilised for the construction of the Royal Explosive Factory, Victoria Works, Wincham, Cheshire; what proportion of the £534,000 spent upon building and equipment was paid to the Salt Union and Messrs. Brunner, Mond and Company, Limited; and who advised his Department that this expenditure was useful only for war purposes?

The site and original buildings referred to were not acquired by the Government, but were rented from the Salt Union, Ltd., at £750 per annum, with an option to the Ministry to purchase at the fair value of the works as existing on 1st January, 1916. The information asked for in the second part of the question cannot be supplied on such short notice, but I am having a statement prepared on the subject which will be forwarded to the hon. Member as soon as possible. The advice on which the Minister acted was that of the responsible officers of his Department.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the difficulty contractors who have supplied His Majesty's Government with munitions during the War are now finding in getting their accounts passed by the Accounts Department, and that in some cases they have to borrow money in order to carry on business; and whether this Department can now be strengthened in order to carry through the work so that these accounts can now be settled up forthwith?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am fully alive to the importance of securing prompt settlement of contractors' claims, and I am taking special steps to expedite matters as far as posible.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the terms of the Housing Bill, it is contemplated that non-manual workers, such as clerks, insurance agents, and similar middle-class business and professional men, shall be eligible as tenants for houses built or acquired by a local authority; and, if so, will he take steps to make the fact known as widely as possible?

There is no provision in the existing Housing Acts or in the Housing Bill at present before Parliament which would prevent non-manual workers from becoming tenants of houses provided under those enactments by the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the great shortage of houses throughout the country; that many demobilised soldiers are unable to obtain decent accommodation for themselves, their wives, and families; that many of these men, together with their wives and families, have to live in one room; whether he is aware of the great number of disused camps and hutments throughout the country; whether, in view of the shortage of building material and suitable labour, there is great delay in the building of brick cottages or workmen's dwellings; whether he will consider the question of granting the use of these huts in camps near large towns for the occupation of demobilised men and their families or arrange that these hutments may be dismantled and the material used for erecting suitable cottages in convenient places, either directly through his Department or through the local authorities; and is he aware that in the Western States of America and Western Canada most of the dwellings are built of wood?

Arrangements have been made for the supply of building material through the Ministry of Munitions, and there is no ground for delay on that account. The problem of an adequate supply of labour may become difficult in the future, and inquiries are being made into the measures possible to meet this contingency. As I have already stated in reply to previous questions, I shall be prepared, where the need for immediate accommodation is urgent, to regard the provision of houses by the conversion of huts as part of a local housing scheme which will rank for financial assistance from the Government.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of housing schemes which have been or are being partially or temporarily delayed owing to the excessive price demanded in the first instance for land?

Of the 2,964 housing schemes submitted to the Ministry by local authorities, information is available that 231 have been to some extent delayed by difficulties in regard to the price of the land. In eighty-three of these cases the negotiations undertaken by the super in-tending valuer have been successful, and it is anticipated that a similar result will be obtained in the majority of the 100 cases where negotiations are at present taking place. In forty-eight cases these negotiations have failed or the site has been rejected on account of the price being considered excessive. I would add that the delay which has unavoidably resulted in the above cases through the anxiety to obtain land at a reasonable price will no longer be imposed upon the Ministry when the new powers of entry contained in the Housing Bill are available.

asked the Minister for Health whether the London County Council has submitted any housing plans of new cottages on their Old Oak Common estate; if he will state the number of cottages to be provided; if his Department has passed the plans; if any conditions were made by his Department; and, if so, what were they?

Plans for the erection of 130 cottages on the estate to which the hon. Member refers have been submitted to the Ministry by the county council. In view of the present special urgency, these plans have been approved as submitted. No conditions have been attached, but the Ministry have notified the council, that, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, they will require higher standards to be complied with in future proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the effect upon the provision of houses in all parts of the United Kingdom of the Land Value Duties; and whether, as the collection of these duties has cost about £500,000 more than the entire revenue, he will consider the advisability of abolishing them immediately, and thereby facilitate the solution of the housing problem?

As I announced in my Budget statement, this subject is being referred to a Select Committee of this House, and I propose to await their Report before taking action.

asked the Minister of Health whether it was with his sanction that a public librarian was appointed in Dalton-in-Furness without first advertising the position, thus debarring discharged men from the Services from making application for the post?

No, Sir. No sanction or approval of the Minister of Health, or of his predecessor, the President of the Local Government Board, was required in the matter. The local authority exercises its discretion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has investigated the circumstances attending the deaths of three men within ten days after treatment for venereal disease at the Royal Infirmary, Hull; what was the drug used; whether it had the approval of his Department; and whether he can supply any information on these cases?

Yes, Sir; the three cases occurred in May, and my Department instituted inquiry forthwith. No drug was used, the deaths in each case following on examination only. Fuller investigation is proceeding, and a Report will be received in due course.

asked the Home Secretary if he will furnish figures showing the number of voters, male and female, respectively, registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1918; and the estimated increased number of female voters that would be added to the register in the event of the Women's Emancipation Bill, 1919, becoming law?

The number of Parliamentary electors registered in the first register of electors, under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, was as follows:

Men	…	…	12,913,166
Women	…	…	8,479,156
Total	…	…	21,392,322

I am afraid I cannot give any very reliable estimate of the number of women voters that would be added to the register if the Bill referred to became law, but, according to the best information available, the number would be over 5,000,000.

asked the Home Secretary when, since Peace has been signed, he proposes to withdraw the restrictions concerning registration at hotels, so far, at least, as they affect British subjects?

The obligation imposed on British subjects with regard to registration at hotels is merely to give particulars sufficient to enable them to be distinguished from aliens. I cannot hold out any hope that these Regulations, which are essential to the maintenance of an efficient system of registration of aliens, will be withdrawn.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the convenience and comfort to the public, particularly at night time, through the suspension of the striking of clocks during the War, he will consider the advisability of introducing restrictions to limit, in future, all such striking to the day time, say, from eight o'clock a.m. to eight o'clock p.m.?

No, Sir, I have no power to impose any restrictions of this kind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, as soon as possible, introduce legislation regulating the hours of employment of young persons between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, in accordance with the promise given to the House on 10th April?

As stated in reply to a similar question on Monday, I hope it will be possible to introduce the Bill shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the question of accelerating transport has yet received his attention; whether he is aware that a consignment of twenty-six casks of butter, invoiced from Manchester to Mr. A. B. Gibson, wholesale provision importer and merchant, of Nottingham, on the 24th June, has not yet been delivered; that this butter was intended for distribution on the 30th June, and, in consequence of non-delivery, 23,064 persons in Nottingham have been without butter this week?

Yes, Sir; I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of accelerating transport receives my attention daily, and much has been done to ease the situation. I am not aware of the reason for the delay in the particular case mentioned, but if I am furnished with the name of the railway company concerned I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that some of the pits in Nottinghamshire are making short time in consequence of being short of railway wagons; if he is aware that men working at the coal face are idle for hours because they have not the facilities to get coal in the way of trains, etc.?

There have been occasional stoppages recently at collieries in the Nottingham district due to shortage of wagons. Special steps have been taken in each case brought to the notice of the Coal Mines Department, and the relief afforded has been effective in minimising stoppages. The whole question of railway facilities at collieries is receiving the attention of the Controller of Coal Mines in conjunction with the Railway Executive Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if railway companies have the right to discriminate between one destination and another for goods traffic and to refuse to carry where it is not a case of diversion of traffic previously water-borne?

STATEMENT showing the number of Steamships over 300 tons net registered tonnage, and under 1,000 tons net registered tonnage, which were lost in each of the five years 1910 to 1914, inclusive, together with the number of lives lost in such vessels—
—		1910.		1911.		1912.		1913.		191 4.
		Vessels.	Lives Lost.	Vessels.	Lives Lost.	Vessels.	Lives Lost.	Vessels.	Lives Lost:.	Vessels.	Lives Lost.
Foundering	…	1	—	2	—	1	13	Nil	—	2	13
Strandings	…	5	—	8	—	10	—	5	18	5	—
Collisions	…	5	7	7	17	6	1	2	1	3	1
Other causes	…	1	1	1	2	Nil	Nil	1	—	2	—
Missing vessels	…	1	15	1	19	1	15	1	20	Nil	Nil
		13	23	19	38	18	29	9	39	12	14

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, on 7th March last, the Government announced that all import restrictions upon goods entering the United Kingdom from the Overseas Dominions were removed from that date,

I am not aware of the precise circumstances which the hon. Gentleman has in mind, but I may point out that it would lead to congestion and be contrary to the general interest if railway companies were obliged to load traffic for destinations where, under the conditions prevailing, it would not be dealt with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British, steamers, excluding Admiralty, over 500 tons gross register tonnage and under 1,600 tons gross register tonnage, were lost in each of the five years 1910 to 1914, inclusive; how many lives were lost in. each year in such steamers; and what proportion of the losses were caused by strandings, collisions, and other causes?

I am circulating, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a statement giving the desired particulars for steamers between 300 and 1,000 tons net, the wreck statistics being tabulated according to net tonnage, and trust that this will give my hon. Friend the information he requires.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which were given to the hon. Members for Walsall and for Frome on the 10th March, wherein it was made clear that the statement of the 7th March was confined to goods which were the produce or manufacture of, and not merely exported from, His Majesty's Dominions. By the Regulation to which the hon. Gentleman alludes the benefit of unrestricted entry into the United Kingdom is extended to Colonial articles, 25 per cent. of the value of which is due to foreign labour and materials. There is no analogy between a preference given in the assessment of duty and a preference shown in the administration of a policy which involves the exclusion of a proportion of imports altogether. I do not admit that in the circumstances any hardship accrues to the Canadian automobile industry taken as a whole. Further, to lower the percentage to 50 as proposed, would be undesirable so long as manufacturers in the United Kingdom are under restriction regarding the import of foreign materials for their cars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what German manufactured articles have been allowed to be imported into this country since the Armistice?

Excluding licences to import publications, thirty-one licences have been granted since the Armistice to import goods from Germany. Of these four were for special machines not obtainable in this country, five were for sample machines imported in order to be copied here, five for other samples for copying purposes, one for hosiery needles of special types (without which many hosiery machines would stand idle), and sixteen for miscellaneous articles (including three for articles made of agate, for cystoscopes for a hospital, three for matrices for a composing machine, etc.).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the high prices of feeding-stuffs, he will take steps to restrict their export?

The export of feeding-stuffs containing molasses, and of the great majority of meals, cakes and other food which may be used for animals is already prohibited to all destinations and is only exceptionally licensed. These restrictions will not be relaxed without due regard to the supply and price of feeding-stuffs in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether the Joint Interim Reconstruction Committee of the brush trade composed equally of employers and employed has pressed the Government to prohibit the importation of foreign-made brushes into this country during the process of reorganisation subsequent to the War; whether, in view of the fact that all its recommendations have hitherto been ignored, it is the intention of the Government to give effect to the recommendations of the committees which the Government itself created; (2) whether, with reference to the concession made to Italy, and subsequently to Japan, to import brushes into this country, this concession was for a definite period or whether it can be withdrawn at any time; and whether, in view of the fact that the concession made to Italy was on grounds that have ceased to exist since the Armistice, the concession can be withdrawn at once; (3) whether he is aware that in 1916 the English brush trade was largely engaged on Government work and so unable to meet the Home demand, which was fulfilled by foreign and especially Italian firms; whether, in the recent concession to Italy to import brushes into this country, her imports for 1916 have been taken as a basis; and whether, in taking this particular year as the basis, the Board of Trade was follow- ing the advice of its deputation from the interim reconstruction committee of the brush trade?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the various replies which have been given to similar questions and in particular to that given on 2nd June to the hon. Member for Watford. I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the policy involved applies only to the transitional period, during which time it is undesirable to endeavour to set aside the arrangements with Italy and Japan governing the importation of brushes from those countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for filling large cellars during the summer months to enable those with small cellars to have the winter deliveries of coal; whether coal is only allowed to be supplied in 2-ton deliveries; whether this method can be avoided; and if London is getting its fair proportion of coal compared with the Midland and Northern cities?

Coal merchants may commence to make deliveries to their larger customers for stocking purposes as soon as they have made provision for meeting the demands of the smaller consumers during the winter months by establishing reserve stocks of coal to the extent required by the local fuel overseer or by the Controller. The restriction of deliveries to not more than a full load at a time was imposed with the object of securing a fair distribution of available supplies among consumers who had placed orders. The answer to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as a result of the inquiries made into the pay and conditions of service of the men employed by the Timber Supply Department at Tunbridge Wells, the reason for these men, whose wages have been reduced from £2 5s. to £2, receiving no war bonus is because they are not on muni- tion work; whether, in view of the fact that the present cost of living is felt by all and that practically every class of worker is receiving bonuses, he will again consider the advisability of conceding a bonus to these men; whether he is aware that the local rate for similar labour is not less than 1s. per hour for a 48-hour week, whereas the men employed under his Department receive less than 10d. per hour for a fifty-one hour week, and have to travel one and a half miles to work; and whether further inquiries will be made with a view to the pay and conditions of employment of these men being raised to the level of local labour?

The Timber Controller has already advised the hon. Member, in the course of correspondence, that the rate of wages which is being paid by the Department to the men in question is the rate advised by the local Labour Exchange as the correct standard rate ruling in the district for such labour. The case for further inquiries as suggested by the hon. Member in his concluding paragraph would therefore appear not to arise.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to replace girl telegraph messengers by boys; how many girls are at present engaged in this work; what prospects are there of them being absorbed into other branches of the service as they grow older; and what educational facilities is he providing for them?

It is the intention, during the next four years, gradually to replace by boys the girl telegraph messengers who were engaged as a temporary war measure. Approximately, 6,500 girls are at present employed. No prospects of permanent employment can be held out, but girls who are suitable will be considered, if they so desire, for appointment as telephonists, so far as vacancies allow. The girls are encouraged to attend such local educational classes as are available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the conditions of caretaker operators are in accordance with the Report of the Holt Committee; whether the Holt Committee recommended that caretaker-operators should be called upon to give a continuous attendance without relief from Saturday night to Monday morning; and whether, in view of the necessity to secure an efficient service, he will consider the possibility of granting reasonable hours of labour to all caretaker-operators and night telephonists?

The conditions of service of this class are in accordance with the recommendations of the Holt Committee. They are usually required to provide for attention—either personally or by some other individual—to telephone calls at night and during the whole or part of Sunday, and in some cases also during certain hours on week-days, and the liability for duty therefore in many cases covers the period from Saturday night to Monday morning. But the actual work is intermittent, and is often negligible. I have no reason to think that any practicable alternative arrangement would give a more efficient service.

asked the Postmaster-General who fixed the number of hours worked by caretaker-operators and in what year was the decision made; whether he is aware that members of this class are listed for, approximately, one hundred hours' duty per week, including a continuous attendance from Saturday night until Monday morning; that during all absence due to sick leave the caretaker-operator has to pay for the cost of a substitute; whether the money allowance equivalent to wages for this task is over more than 10s. per week; and whether, in the interests of efficiency, he proposes to amend these condition?

The conditions of service of this class are in accordance with the recommendations of a Select Committee of this House which reported in 1913. Caretaker-operators are required to attend, or provide for attention, to telephone calls at night and in some cases during certain hours of the day, and the liability for duty therefore extends over the greater part of the week; but the actual work is not, as a rule, more than intermittent, and is often negligible. The allowance, excluding war bonus, is more than 10s. per week in many cases, and a free living accommodation is provided in all cases. Personal attendance is not required, but a caretaker-operator is expected to provide a substitute it absent on account of illness or from any other cause.

asked the Postmaster-General for what reasons Angmering has been taken out of the Worthing postal district?

The transfer of Angmering and other places from the Worthing to the Littlehampton postal district was made in the interests of effective supervision and economy of labour.

asked the Postmaster-General at whose instance and by whose advice a decision has been made to-close the post office on Kew Green; what loss, if any, was shown in the balance-sheet of this post office during the three years preceding the War; whether he is aware that much inconvenience will be caused by the closing of that office to caterers, shopkeepers, and other residents around Kew Green and in the vicinity; and if, before finally deciding to close the office, he will take steps to consult the opinion and wishes of the people in the neighbourhood?

The late sub-postmistress resigned on the 9th of March, and every effort has since been made, without success, to find a suitable person willing to undertake the duties. Meanwhile the office has been kept open exceptionally at heavy expense for rent and staff. This arrangement I should not to justified in continuing any longer, even if it were possible to do so, and I have, therefore, had no alternative but to give instructions for the closing of the office at an early date. I recognise with regret the inconvenience caused to residents in the neighbourhood, and I can assure the hon. Member that an office will be opened in the vicinity as soon as a suitable candidate can be found.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that clerks employed in sub-post offices in the South-, Eastern district are paid as little as £1 per week for an unlimited number of hours; whether the maximum pay for an established woman post office counter clerk is 40s. per week plus a war bonus of 23s.; and whether, if a war bonus is necessary in the case of the established staff, he will take immediate steps to prevent the payment of such inadequate wages as those paid to the assistants in the London sub-post offices?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Silvertown on the 7th instant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the clerks employed in sub-post offices in the Wimbledon area are paid 35s. for a week of fifty-four hours; if he will say what is the wage paid to established Post Office servants for a week of forty-eight hours in the same district; and whether he can see his way to put both classes on a more equable footing?

I bog to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Silvertown on the 7th instant.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of a K Company telegraphist who becomes an established telegraphist in the Post Office, an increment is allowed for each year of service in K Company that is treated as having been spent in the Post Office for fixing Post Office starting pay in the case of any other ex-military telegraphist who takes up a similar appointment in the Post Office; if not, whether any difficulty is found in confining the practice to the first case; whether he will state the nature of the difficulties that are feared if the above practice was applied in dealing with the pensions of K Company men earned by service that is treated as spent in the Post Office; and whether he will consider a reversion to the former practice of holding entirely in abeyance military pensions earned by service attributable to K Company?

The special conditions as to starting pay do not apply to military telegraphists other than those who have served in K Company. With regard to the remainder of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the answer to the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne on the 5th May last.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether during the War the Charity Commissioners authorised the publication of a periodical named "Blighty" for gratis distribution among our troops overseas; whether, in view of the purposes of the promoters, paper was supplied for this charitable enterprise at a time when the issue of new publications was forbidden; whether he is aware that "Blighty" is now being conducted by a private company for commercial profit, and is thus entering into competition with other weeklies; whether he can state the date on which the present proprietors took over this concern and what price they paid for the goodwill thereof; whether the accounts of this publication while it was registered as a charity are still in existence; and, if so, whether he will allow a chartered accountant, appointed by the Weekly Newspaper and Periodical Proprietors' Association, Limited, to examine and report upon such accounts?

The Charity Commissioners did not, and had no power to, authorise the publication, and have no knowledge as to the supply of paper for its purposes. The publication was registered as a war charity on the 6th March, 1917. The Commissioners are informed that the publication has been transferred to the Blighty Publication Company, but they have at present no information as to the precise date or of the terms of the transfer. The accounts of the charity are believed to be still in existence, but the Commissioners do not consider it to be within their power to allow a chartered accountant appointed by the Periodical Proprietors' Association to examine and report upon such accounts, but the Commissioners will require to be furnished with the accounts of the charity. On the 30th June the Commissioners were informed by the registration authority that the charity had been removed from the register, and the Commissioners are accordingly exercising their powers under Section 5 of the War Charities Act, 1916, with respect to the charity.