asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of persons prosecuted and the names and fines imposed upon persons found guilty of profiteering in the county borough of Bootle?

I am informed by the Bootle police that there have been seventy-nine persons in all charged there since April, 1917, with selling articles of food or drink at prices above the limits prescribed by the Food Controller's order. The fines imposed on those of them who were convicted varied from 5s. to £ 15. I do not suppose all these cases could fairly be described as "profiteering"—some of them were probably of a trivial character due to ignorance or carelessness.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is expected that the reply of the Treasury to the application of the Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway Company for assistance, now some months overdue, will be forthcoming?

The application raises both administrative and legal questions of much complexity which are being investigated, and I hope that it will be possible to announce the decision of the Treasury at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to an attack on two police constables by a body of Gaelic football players at Camlough, county Armagh, on Sunday, 6th July; and whether he can give the House any particulars of the occurrence?

At 11 o'clock p.m. on 6th instant, when Constables Doggett and Kearney, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, were on duty between Camlough and Crossmaglen, they found some members of a Gaelic football team fighting on the road. While trying to restore order they were assaulted by four persons. Constable Doggett received serious injuries. He is progressing favourably, and is now believed to be out of danger. Constable Kearney received only slight injuries. The four men referred to were arrested, and were remanded till 12th August.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the discontent amongst both officers and men in the Navy at the delay in issuing details of the increase of pay to all ranks; whether an indication meeting was recently held at Portsmouth by mem- bers of the lower deck to protest against the delay; and what is the reason of the delay in question?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the question of officers' pay. We greatly regret the delay involved, which has been inevitable in view of the comprehensive character of the examination of the problem which has been made. The Admiralty proposals are before the War Cabinet, and I am authorised by the Leader of the House to say that a decision will be taken during the present week.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to indicate the terms and conditions of the Admiralty scheme for providing drifters for ex-Service fishermen; and on what date it is proposed that the scheme should come into operation?

The scheme is at this moment under discussion between the Admiralty and the Treasury. The terms and conditions are not yet settled, and it is not yet possible to say on what date the scheme will come into operation. It is hoped, however, that the main lines of the proposed scheme will be settled at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether certain young clergymen who joined the forces as soldiers in July, 1918, and whose services are urgently needed in the parishes from where they were taken, are now retained on general duty in the Army of the Rhine, although they were applied for six months ago on pivotal grounds; and whether it is possible to grant their immediate demobilisation?

I am not aware that clergymen have been registered as "pivotal" men on account of their profession, but a certain number were released as special releases on Army Form Z.56 as provided in Army Order 55. The majority of these have already been demobilised, and the remainder are being dealt with in accordance with current instructions. I regret that I can give no undertaking to release others unless they are eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private H. Caton, No. 181573, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), enlisted in January, 1916, as a Derby man, has seen two years' active service in Mesopotamia and India, was in hospital in Mesopotamia for ten weeks, invalided home with goitre neck, and sent into hospital in Scotland; that he is now graded C3; that during his absence in the Army his mother has been endeavouring to carry on his business, and that if the man can be released the business will be restored to its pre-war activity and employment found for a number of men; and whether, in view of all these circumstances, he will authorise the soldier's release?

Fresh, instructions were recently issued extending the instructions governing releases on compassionate grounds, in order that certain one-man businesses could be included. If Private Caton's case falls within the instructions referred to, and my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving the required particulars, certified as set out in the Instructions, it will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Sapper Hyde, No. 232234, 93rd Field Company, Royal Engineers, is retained in the Army, although the Ministry of Labour approved his application for release on 18th January, under reference D.F.P. 76,429?

An application recommended by the Ministry of Labour was received by the War Office on behalf of Sapper Hyde. He was then registered as a pivotal man, but owing to the soldier's address being insufficiently stated the necessary instructions for his release could not be sent. His correct address was obtained, and the instructions for his release were sent on the 8th instant. His demobilisation will be carried out in accordance with the Army Order recently issued providing for the early release of all men eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many sailors and soldiers have now been discharged or demobilised; how many of these have been reinstated in their former civilian occupations; how many of these have been settled in new civilian occupations; and what steps are being taken to find employment for those of them who are not yet provided for?

The number of men discharged or demobilised from His Majesty's Forces up to 3rd July, 1919, was 2,959,862. Leaving out of account the men still on furlough, the percentage of men resettled is estimated at 87.1. I have no accurate information enabling me to discriminate between the proportion reinstated in their former civilian occupation and those resettled in new civilian occupations, but it is estimated roughly at half and half. Every effort is being made to deal with the men who have not yet been reabsorbed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of Government messages which have been sent by telegram and cablegram within the last month as compared with the month of January, 1919, and the month of January, 1914?

The number of telegrams sent on Government service from the War Office (including outlying branches) was 39,275 in January, 1919, and 16,228 in June, 1919. The number sent during January, 1914, was 1,172. The number of cablegrams dispatched was 138 in January, 1914, 5,434 in January, 1919, and 4,353 in June, 1919. In addition, there were sent over the direct official wire to the British Expeditionary Forces in France and Italy and the Army of Occupation in Germany 4,367 telegrams in January, 1919, and 5,044 in June, 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the travelling public owing to the continued occupation by the War Office of the Cressy Road car shed, Hampstead, belong-in s to the London County Council: whether alternative accommodation has been found for housing the materials of the Home Mechanical Transport Department at present stored in the above depot; and, if so, when will the depot be released for the use of the London County Council Tramways Department?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral reply which I gave to-day to a question on this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sergeant A. Noble, No. 9752, King's Own Lancaster Regiment, at the outbreak of war was ordered to leave his kit and proceed at once to France, and that for a whole kit, about £6 in value, only 2s. l½d has been allowed him; and will he investigate the case and see that reasonable compensation is given to this soldier?

I am making inquiry, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in selecting unit commanders for reorganised formations, due regard is paid to officers records as battalion or unit commanders in the field; and can he give an assurance that officers who have commanded units efficiently in the field are preferred to officers whose war experience in the rank of colonel has been limited to the Staff?

Yes, Sir. The records of service in the field of officers are carefully investigated before any appointments to commands are made. Preference is given to officers who have efficiently commanded in the field.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private A. Green, No. 11872, B Company, 12th Corps, Cyclist Battalion, late of the Salonika Force, was sent to Russia, where he landed on 9th January of this year, and was killed in action; if he was sent to Russia against his will and not as a volunteer; why he was sent to Russia in view of the declaration that only volunteers were being sent to Russia; and what the War Office proposes to do to compensate the widow and child of this soldier for their loss, under such circumstances?

Private Green was not sent to Russia but accompanied his unit, which was included in the Army of Occupation sent from Salonika to the Caucasus to enforce the terms of the Armistice with Turkey. There was no question of volunteering for such service, and the second and third parts of the hon. Member's question do not arise. The widow and child will receive any pension to which they may be entitled under the Regulations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what tonnage of hay of the 1918 crop in Great Britain was taken for military use, and what was the amount paid for it to the producers; what was the tonnage of the 1918 crop taken for civil supply, exclusive of that used by producers themselves; what was the total amount paid for it to the producers, and what was the total amount paid for it by the consumers; what was the total cost of classifying the hay for civil supply; what was the total cost of the county farm produce committees, the central and county committees for civil supply, and from what source were moneys obtained to meet this expenditure?

Actual figures cannot at present be given, but approximately 825,400 tons of hay of the 1918 crop were purchased for Army use; this figure includes 165,000 tons of oat straw, which, for Army purposes, is treated as hay. The average prices paid to the producers were approximately £7 15s. per ton for hay and £3 12s. 6d. for oat straw. Of the quantity purchased for the Army, 348,641 tons (including 15,000 tons of oat straw) have been transferred to civil supply, having become surplus to Army requirements consequent on demobilisation. In addition to this, 468,286 tons of hay have been purchased for civil supply; the average price paid to the producer was approximately £7 10s. per ton, the quality in most cases being inferior to that bought for the Army. The prices paid by the consumer vary according to the charges applicable to the transaction under the Army Council Order of 20th August, 1918. The cost of classifying the hay for civil supply has averaged about 2s. per ton. The county farm produce committees give their services without remuneration. I am unable to give the cost of the central council or civil county committees, the cost of which is defrayed from a levy of 3s. 6d. per ton paid by the consumer for the purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the Whalley Range Cricket dub premises at Didsbury, Manchester, which were taken possession of for military aviation purposes in 1917, are now being used by a company for civilian flying; and whether he will restore these premises to their rightful owners now that they are no longer required for military aviation?

The Didsbury Aerodrome will be required for Royal Air Force purposes until 30th November, 1919, and has been made available for civilian flying since 1st May. The future use of this and similar aerodromes is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause payment of gratuities due to be expedited in the following cases: Gunner A. R. Mickleburgh, No. 876085, Royal Field Artillery, 34, Ship Field, Sprouston Road, Norwich, demobilised 16th January, and Private A. Carver, No. 553307, Labour Corps, 136, Angle Road, Norwich, demobilised 21st January?

Delay in both these cases was due to the fact that the regimental paymaster concerned furnished incorrect particulars. Both men have now been paid.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to alleviate possible hardship, and with a view to the removal of a legitimate grievance, he will have inquiry made into the case of Private J. H. Hughes, No. 52889, King's Liverpool Regiment, who was demobilised on 2nd March and whose war gratuity has been handed to the Controller of the Post Office Savings Bank, under remittance roll No. 71650, but who up to the present has been unable to obtain payment of the same?

Private Hughes's gratuity book, after lying for a considerable time at Kirkdale post office, was returned to the Savings Bank. Arrangements have now been made to pay him his gratuity.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to alleviate possible hardship, and with a view to the removal of a legitimate grievance, he will have inquiry made into the case of Private Robert Holmes, late No. 267659, Labour Corps, 19, Westminster Road, Kirkdale, who was demobilised some months ago, but has, up to the present, been unable to obtain his war gratuity from the Post Office.

Private Holmes's gratuity book was, unfortunately, lost in transit. Arrangements have now been made to pay him his gratuity.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Private Frank Pritchard, No. 266705, 2/6th Gloucester Regiment, was killed in action in August, 1917; whether his mother, a widow, though-she has repeatedly written to the War Office, Imperial Institute, South Kensington, for the war gratuity due at the time of her son's death, has not received any reply to her letters; whether Mr. G. Buck, local war pensions representative for the parish of Yate, Goucestershire, then wrote to the War Office on 30th May and 13th June, and has received no reply; whether the hon. Member for the Thornbury Division then wrote on Mrs. Pritchard's behalf, and, after receiving a letter of acknowledgment, received an answer from the right hon. Gentleman saying that, owing to the alterations in the scale made last December, thousands of cases were still in arrear and Mrs. Pritchard would have to wait her turn; and, if her turn has not arrived after two years' waiting, when will it arrive?

I have been asked to reply. I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Holborn on the 8th inst.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Russell, 325, Eglinton Street, Glasgow, S.S., has not yet received the gratuity due to her late husband, Private John Russell, No. 203254, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed in action 29th April, 1918; and whether he can take steps to expedite this payment?

I can only refer to my answer to the hon. Member for Holborn on the 8th inst.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether some arrangement can be made by which ex-officers who have been disabled can purchase surplus Government motor cars on advantageous terms?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answers I have given on this subject, in which I said that whilst the Disposal Board was unable to give preferential terms to any individual purchaser, they were prepared to assist approved organisations acting in the interests of ex-Service men.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will state in detail what has been done with the national munition factories erected in the War at the instance of the then Minister of Munitions, and how many have been since adapted for national civil purposes, and for what?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements I made on the subject in the House on the 5th March and 24th June.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the new system of paying teachers' pensions is causing dissatisfaction; and whether it would be possible to revert to the former method?

The Board must regret that inconvenience has been caused to the teacher-pensioners under the Acts of 1898 and 1912 by some delay in dealing with the claims for the quarter ending 30th June. All arrears have, however, been cleared off, so that all claims received up to Saturday last were dealt with by Saturday evening. The delay was due to a shortage of clerical staff, which the Board have made, and are continuing to make, every endeavour to remedy.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to reduce the heavy cost which is thrown on the local authorities by the preparation of the registers of electors, he can arrange for the second register to take the form of a printed supplement to the, first register, showing the changes which have taken; place?

Various schemes have been proposed as to the form of the electors lists and registers with the view of reducing the cost of printing. Under one of these schemes, the, spring register of each year would take the form suggested by the hon. Member. Under another scheme, the electors lists for each new register would be in the form of supplements, but the register itself would be fully printed. A very considerable saving in cost is expected to be obtained if it is found possible to adopt one or other of the schemes. The matter is being considered.

asked the Minister of Health if he will appoint a publicity committee to consider how best, by posters, leaflets, lectures, and other means to educate the nation in the elementary principles of health?

The Minister of Health has recently appointed a committee to advise him upon the dissemination of information in regard to housing, whether by the means indicated in the question or otherwise. I will send the hon. Member the names of the members and the terms of reference to the Committee. My right hon. Friend proposes to await their advice before proceeding to consider the question of publicity in relation to other problems affecting health.

asked the Minister of Health if the is aware that the South Molton Rural District Council cannot get a compulsory order for working stone on a plantation, though the haulage of timber from that plantation has largely caused the damage to the roads for which the stone is required to repair; and what action should the council take in such a case?

I am not aware of the facts indicated in the hon. Member's question. If he will furnish me with a full statement of the position, I will consider whether the case is one in which the Ministry of Health can give the local authority any advice or assistance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the announcement in the A.B.C. railway time-tables for July that return tickets for six months are now only valid for two months; and whether he can state the reasons for this alteration?

The alteration in the period for which return tickets are available was made in September last year. The shorter period is more convenient to the railway companies for checking abuses of the privilege.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the constantly rising prices of clothes, he proposes to take steps to introduce the substitute materials which were employed during the War by the Germans for making clothes; or whether he will popularise the adoption of new fashions of dressing as an emergency measure intended to lessen family outlay on apparel?

As regards the first part of the question, it is now clear that the use of substitute yarns for textile yarns has been a complete failure in Germany. I hope the control of fashions will never become one of the functions of the Board of Trade.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction that prevails with regard to the postal service in parts of East Kent; that at Sturry, near Canterbury, although throughout the War down to September, 1918, there was no ground for complaint, since that date the service has been gravely defective, partly owing to the discontinuance of the mail van between Canterbury and Herne Bay; that in consequence of the alteration of hours of dispatch and receipt of letters, respectively, business men in the Sturry neighbourhood have not sufficient time to answer London letters on the same day as their receipt; that letters posted in Sturry are not delivered tile same day at Herne Bay, a few miles distant, or at Ramsgate, Margate, Dover, and other parts of East Kent, while in some cases it takes several days for letters to travel between the places mentioned; and if he will take prompt measures to restore efficiency to the postal service in this district?

I have made inquiries with regard to the postal services in East Kent. Deliveries at Sturry begin at 7.15 a.m. and 2 p.m. The letter box at the Post Office is cleared at 12.50 p.m. and 7 p.m. Letters for Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Margate, and Dover posted at Sturry in time for the mid-day dispatch should now be delivered on the same day. Tenders have been invited for a motor service between Canterbury and Herne Bay, and I hope it will be possible shortly to restore it. I regret that the inquiries have delayed the reply to the hon. Member's question.?

asked the Postmaster-General whether the vacant sub-postmastership at Amlwch, Anglesey, advertised in the Post Office Circular for 7th January, 1919, has yet been filled; if not, is it proposed to make an early appointment; and whether an assurance can be given that the claims of ex-Service men will be considered when such appointment is made?

The vacancy at Amlwch has been re-advertised, and the claims of Post Office men who have served with the forces will be considered when an appointment is made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the clerks employed in sub-offices in the Kensington area are paid 30s. and 33s. for a week of forty-five hours; what is the wage paid to established Post Office servants for a week of forty-eight hours in the same district; and whether he will explain the reason for this difference in remuneration and conditions?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether the responsible official at the Tunbridge Wells Employment Exchange advised the Timber Supply Department that a weekly wage of £2 per week of fifty-one hours was the proper rate to pay the men engaged by the Timber Supply Department in connection with the felling of timber, etc., in that district, whereas the local rate is not less than1s. per hour, and the local authority has recently granted an increase in pay and reduced working hours to forty-eight per week; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

I am having inquiry made in this matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a photo- grapher's business may be started without a licence in any locality, to the prejudice of similar businesses owned by serving soldiers, with the result that such soldiers on demobilisation find their livelihood threatened; and, it this is so, will he take steps to bring photographers' businesses within the Order?

A photographic studio has not hitherto been regarded as coming within the terms of the Retail Business (Licensing) Order unless the prospective proprietor desires to retail frames, photographic accessories, picture postcards, or photographs other than those actually sold to the persons photographed. I am, however, reconsidering the point in the light of the hon. and gallant Member's representation, and I will communicate-further with him in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give figures to show a comparison, between Great Britain and Ireland respecting cost of living at the present time, average rise in cost of living since the outbreak of war, and average minimum agricultural wages?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a recent issue of the "Labour Gazette," on page 229 of which are given statistics as to the rise in retail prices in the United Kingdom, distinguishing large towns from small towns and villages. It has not been found practicable to publish separate figures for Ireland. Information with regard to minimum rates for agricultural workers is also given on pages 223 and 224 of the same gazette.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the large number of fully qualified applicants for agricultural scholarships for ex-Service men in Scotland and of the small number hitherto granted, he will take steps to have the number of these scholarships increased?

I am endeavouring to arrange that a further number of agricultural scholarships may be made available for ex-Service officers and men.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the anti-Jewish excesses committed by soldiers of General Haller's Army on 15th June at Kielce and Zyrardow and on 19th June at Nowy Dwor; and what measures will His Majesty's Government take after the failure of representations on the subject to the Polish Government in order to prevent the Polish Army from continuing these practices?

His Majesty's Government have no information of anti-Jewish excesses having been committed on the dates and in the places mentioned by the hon. Member. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.