asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether demobilised soldiers and sailors are exempt from Income Tax for twelve months after being demobilised

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the established men on being superannuated from the Royal Dockyards have to wait as long as nine weeks before they receive the first instalment of their superannuation allowance; if he will take steps to see that the matter is accelerated in future; and, if pressure of work should not permit this, will he consider the possibility of retaining these men at the hired rate of pay till such times as the men's pensions are obtainable?

I am unable to confirm that pensioned dockyard workmen have had to wait for the period stated before receiving the first instalment of their superannuation allowance, but owing to temporary congestion due to the discharge of a large number of men whose services have been retained during the War beyond the normal age for retirement, delay has, unfortunately, occurred in some cases. Arrangements are being made by which it is hoped to avoid such delays in future, and the action suggested in the last part of the question will not, therefore, be necessary.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that established men now in receipt of pension are not being paid at supplementary pension agreed to by the Treasury in their recent Order: and whether the supplementary pension will be the maximum as stated in the Order?

Steps are being taken to revise the pensions in accordance with the terms of the Order to which my hon. Friend refers. The work involved is very considerable, but every effort is being made to hasten the revision. Each man will receive the maximum supplementary pension for which he is eligible there under, with arrears from the date of retirement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether salvage was refused to those who salved the "Ernaston," on, the ground that the crew had been ordered off the ship by the commander of a German submarine, and therefore that the ship was abandoned owing to direct enemy action and constituted thereby an ordinary risk of war; whether this contention was not proved at the Court of Inquiry held at South Shields, and that it is generally believed that the ship struck a mine and was abandoned by her crew of their own will; whether a ship so abandoned becomes an ordinary merchant vessel salvage; was the "Ernaston" flying the White Ensign and immune from salvage as one of His Majesty's ships; if so, is it customary to reward the salving of one of His Majesty's ships under exceptionally difficult circumstances by awarding some decoration or promotion; and will their Lordships grant this case some further reconsideration?

Permission to claim salvage in this case was withheld, not for the reason suggested, but because the "Ernaston" was a Fleet collier. The decision would have been precisely the same if the "Ernaston" had been mined. The "Ernaston" was not flying the White Ensign, but, as a ship in Government service, was immune from arrest. During the War decorations and promotions for salvage services have rarely been awarded, and the Admiralty are loth to reconsider exceptionally this particular claim for salvage award so as to give it preferential treatment over the other cases of salvage of Government vessels.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Corporal W. D. Mitchell, No. 79297, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 2 Egyptian Stationary Hospital, Ludd, British Troops in Egypt, can now be released, seeing that he enlisted in November, 1915, and is forty-three years of age?

If Corporal Mitchell's age and length of service are as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, he will be demobilised in accordance with the instructions recently issued making provision for the early release of all men eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Captain G. W. L. Kirk, R.A.M.C., who joined the Army in August, 1914, has not yet been demobilised, in spite of the fact that his application for release has been agreed to by the War Office and by the A.D.M.S., No. 5 Area, who stated that he could be spared?

Captain Kirk is employed as a bacteriologist, and I regret that his services cannot be spared at present. Every endeavour is being made to release him at the earliest possible date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions for the immediate release of Private F. Frith, No. 63510, 13th Yorks Depot Company, Archangel, who is thirty-nine years old, has employment waiting for him, whose wife is unable, owing to the expense of prolonged illness, to maintain herself and her children on his allowances?

Private Frith's case has been carefully considered on compassionate grounds, but as it was not of such extreme urgency to warrant his immediate demobilisation on those grounds, it was refused. I may add that it is hoped to make arrangements for all troops who landed in Russia prior to 1st February, 1919, to leave for England by the end of August, excepting, of course, those who have volunteered to remain.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal W. Coker, No. 358519, Royal Garrison Artillery, care of Ordnance Officer, 10th Corps Troops, Army of Occupation, Bonn, Germany, was applied for by his employers in December, 1918, according to Army orders; that his employers are seriously handicapped owing to the man's retention; that employment is waiting for him; that he is thirty-seven years of age within a few weeks; and whether he can expedite his release?

Corporal Coker is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. In the absence of full particulars as to his length of service, etc., I am unable to state whether he is at present eligible for demobilisation, but if he is eligible he will be released in accordance with the Instructions recently issued. Should this not be the case, he will become eligible on attaining the age of thirty-seven, and will be released in his turn.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Royal Army Medical Corps officers in India who contracted to serve for the duration of the War are being detained whilst other medical officers who only signed yearly contracts are to be demobilised first?

Yes, Sir; officers serving under a yearly contract have been sent home from India as there is no authority to retain them beyond the period of their contract.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements will be made for the conveyance by lorries or carts of the kitbags of non-commissioned officers and men from the rest camp at Boulogne to the dockside, so as to avoid the inconvenience and dislocation. at present caused?

Boulogne is used as a port both for troops returning from Eastern theatres of war and from France, Belgium, and Germany. Those from the East usually have large quantities- of kit, and lorries and general service wagons are therefore provided to carry these kits from the rest camp to the docks. The personnel from the other countries mentioned have very little kit, and they are able to carry it themselves, when marching from, the rest camp to the docks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the Regulations which govern the visits paid by generals' wives to their husbands on active service; whether free passages to and from their husbands' posts are provided for these ladies: how many trips a year are permitted; and whether these ladies are borne on the ration strength of the Army or Navy during the visit and the voyage?

The Regulations governing the visits of wives to their husbands on active service apply equally to all ranks, and there are no special Regulations for wives of general officers. In every case the approval of the immediate commanding officer must be obtained. Free passages are not provided, and all expenses must be borne by the husband. There is no fixed number of visits allowed, but approval, as mentioned above, must be obtained on each occasion. Ladies are not borne on the ration strength at any period of the journey or during their stay. Rations on repayment have, however, been sanctioned for those permitted to go to France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany, and the extension of this privilege to Salonika is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Regular Royal Army Medical Corps officers are being retained at home stations whilst doctors who took temporary commissions are being detained in India and elsewhere at great personal and financial sacrifice?

Every Regular medical officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps who can possibly be spared has been placed under orders for India; so as to release temporary commissioned officers who are serving there.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose he maintains a military headquarters at Constantinople; whether this is an independent Army Command and of how many troops does it consist; and whether the expenses connected with this force are defrayed by ourselves or the enemy?

A military headquarters is maintained at Constantinople for the command and administration of the British Army of the Black Sea, which forms part of the Allied Army of Occupation required to enforce the terms of the Armistice. An independent Command is necessitated by the fact that the British force is scattered in detachments from the Dardanelles to the Caspian Sea, and Egypt and Bagdad are too far away to maintain effective control and communication with forces dispersed over such a wide area. The total strength on 28th June was 84,000, made up of 37,000 British and 47,000 native troops, including 20,000 Indians. The expenses of the force are defrayed by the British Government. I am at present unable to say whether the Peace Treaty with Turkey will provide for any of these expenses being recovered from the enemy Government, as in the case of the Peace Treaties with Germany and Austria.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a young soldier, named David J. McWelland, No. 24672, a private in the 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, has been for some time past working as a farm labourer on a privately-owned farm near Stafford; that he is insufficiently fed, necessitating food being sent to him by his parents; what daily or weekly wage is paid by the farmer for this soldier's work and to whom is it paid; and under what authority he was transferred from his ordinary duties?

Inquiries are being: made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there are men at No. 1 Rest Camp, Old Park, Canterbury, who joined the Colours early in 1916, some having had three years' service in Egypt and Palestine, and that they have been told that they have to return to Egypt after this, their first, leave; is he aware of the feeling of discontent prevalent owing to such orders, which is in con- tradiction of the statement that no Derby men will be sent further than the Army of the Rhine; and whether these men will be sent to Egypt?

Orders have recently been issued to the effect that soldiers attested under the Derby scheme who joined the Colours for continuous service prior to 1st April, 1916, are not to be sent back to Egypt or Palestine on the termination of their leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of men that have been conscripted from any trade union or any other organisation since December, 1918; and if he can state the number of men that have been demobilised up till the week ending 18th July?

The calling up of men for military service under the Military Service Act ceased on the 11th November, 1918, after the Armistice had been signed, and since that date no men have been conscripted from any trade union or other organisation. With regard to the latter part of the question,. 122,809 officers and 2,911,369 men have been demobilised up to the week ending 18th July, 1919.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether single women are being discharged from the Sutton Aerodrome, near Hornchurch, while married women whose husbands are in good positions are retained?

The inquiries in this case are not yet complete. I will communicate the result to the hon. Member at an early date.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry what action he has taken or contemplates taking to refute the charges of incompetence and extravagance brought by Miss Douglas-Pennant against certain officials of his Department in her letter to him of 3rd May last?

I have nothing to add to the answers sent to Miss Douglas-Pennant by the Secretary of State and published in C.M.D. 182. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the case is to be discussed again to-morrow in another place.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many German rigid airships will be allotted to this country under the terms of Peace; and whether the Air Ministry or the Admiralty will take the same over?

Under the Peace terms all German airships are to be handed over to the Allies, but the exact number to be allotted to this country has not yet been decided. The airships will be taken over in Germany by the Royal Air Force Section of the Inter-Allied Aeronautical Commission of Control; and their allotment as between the Admiralty and the Air Ministry will be determined by the decision made on the general question of responsibility for airships.

asked the pensions Minister what is the number of applications received from dead officers' parents for monetary compensation; what is the number of applications granted and the average amount of the grants; what is the number of applications refused; and what is the maximum income where a pension has been granted in such cases?

Excluding applications not proceeded with and those still under consideration, the number received is 6,815. Of this number, pensions of the average annual value of£38 were granted in 5,125 cases, gratuities of the average value of£97 were granted in 167 cases, and 1,523 applications were rejected. It is not possible to state the maximum income where a pension has been granted.

asked the President of the Board of Education why the grants under the Government s scheme for the higher education of officers and men who served in the War are being delayed; and if he is aware that the same is causing financial hardship to many men desirous of continuing their studies?

The delay, which I much regret, is due entirely to shortage of staff, the great pressure of work now falling upon the office of the Board of Education, and the large influx of applications forwarded before the holidays. Every effort is being made to accelerate the consideration of the applications of ex-Service students for grants and the payment of the grants. Improvements have been effected, and applications are now being passed at the rate of 100 a day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether quantities of high explosives and detonators have been destroyed since the Armistice; if so, how much has been destroyed; whether he is aware that farmers and agriculturists have in vain made applications for cheap explosives for clearing tree stumps, etc.; that it is at present impossible to obtain explosives for this purpose at a lower cost than 6d. per tree; and whether he will give instructions that these explosives be sold to farmers at salvage rates instead of being destroyed?

It is the case that certain quantities of high explosives and detonators have been destroyed since the Armistice. I have no figures as to the number of detonators destroyed, but they were not of a quality for which there was any demand. The quantity of high explosives destroyed amounted to 980 tons approximately; it consisted of sweepings, and was quite unsuitable for the purpose specified in the question. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the question, a few applications have been made for small quantities of explosives for this and similar purposes. The Ministry is not in a position to make the material up into suitable cartridges and retail them, but we are endeavouring to arrange with the explosives trade to take over certain quantities of cordite, with a view to its issue as a cheap blasting material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what areas are affected by the proposed further limitation in the consumption of coal, electricity, and gas to be allowed; what scale of allowances has been fixed, and for what period; and whether the restriction is of universal application and will cover those employed on or in connection with coal mines as well as the general public?

The temporary restriction of deliveries of house coal to 2cwts. per week was cancelled on Saturday last. The restriction was imposed generally throughout the country, but did not apply to gas and electricity. The allowances provided by the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1919, apply to the whole country, but do not affect miners' coal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of railway wagons now in this country as compared with the numbers in July, 1914; how many new wagons are on order for the Railway Executive Committee or on account of the Ministry of Ways and Communications; and how many have been delivered and are in use since the Armistice 1

The number of wagons belonging to the railway companies in 1914 was about 750,000, and I believe the present number is about. 725,000, many of which are in need of repair. According to a census recently taken by the Board of Trade, the number of privately-owned wagons in Great Britain registered to run on railway companies lines was, in August last, about 630,000. No corresponding pre-war estimate is available, but the number of privately-owned railway wagons then in use was almost certainly higher. I am afraid I cannot give the figures asked for in the last part of thequestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now give the figures for the first half-year of 1919, as compared with the first half-year of each of the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918, showing the number of tons of goods which have been carried by coastal steamers and by the railways, respectively; and what steps he is taking to relieve the railways of the increased burden of much of the traffic which used to go by sea?

The figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not available, but I am sending him particulars showing the net registered tonnage of vessels arriving and departing coastwise with cargo. I am afraid that as regards the last part of the question I can only say that the matter is being considered by the Government and the authorities concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can cause the afternoon delivery of letters to be restord in the North Tyne Valley of Northumberland, seeing that the afternoon train service has recently been restored in this district?

I will have inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether land is still being acquired for allotments under Regulation 21 of the Defence of the Realm Act; how many allotments have been provided under that Regulation from 11th November, 1918, to 30th June, 1919; what is the total number of allotment holders who have been dispossessed of their allotments in that period; and whether he will furnish particulars regarding the area of land and the number of allotments acquired by local authorities under the Smallholdings and Allotments Act of 1908 in response to the Board's circular of November last

Yes, Sir, land is still being acquired for allotments under Regulation 2l. The Board regret they have no returns which would enable them to reply to the second, third and fourth parts of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many undamaged ships have been sold to foreigners during the present year?

The number of steamers sold by the Shipping Controller to foreigners this year is 110. In addition, fifteen steamers over fifteen years old have been sold abroad by private firms with the Shipping Controller's permission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what steps have been taken to remove all control from mercantile tonnage now that Peace has been signed; when will the large staff at the Ministry be dispersed; and when will the offices be vacated

The policy of releasing shipping from requisition is, apart from those ships on naval and military service, very nearly complete. It has been replaced by a system of licensing, which is necessary in order to safeguard the essential imports of the country, and my right hon. Friend is unable to give any indication of the time when it will be possible to withdraw all control of shipping. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give any dates with regard to the two latter parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the grand jury at Fermanagh calling the attention of the Government to the effect the out-of-work donation was having in Ireland, stating that in most of the towns men were to be seen idling away their time and hatching sedition and mischief owing to the donation, and suggesting that the Act should be made applicable only to men who had been engaged in the actual fighting, and all payments be supervised by the police of the district; and if it is proposed to take any further steps to limit the grant of out-of-work donation to cases in which it is clearly justified?

The resolution mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend has been received by the Irish Department of the Ministry and is being considered. Meanwhile I may remind the hon. and gallant Member that, apart from ex-members of His Majesty's Forces, no one is entitled to out-of-work donation in Ireland except workpeople compulsorily insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and a few special groups in which the Lord Lieutenant has certified a substantial degree of unemployment directly due to the cessation of hostilities. I should like to add an appeal to employers to make a regular practice of notifying their labour requirements to the Employment Exchange. It is only in this way that the Exchanges can effectively exercise their function of finding work for the unemployed and reduce the amount being paid in out-of-work donation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Ex-Officers' Employment Bureau, of New Bond Street, London, is supplying demobilised officers as strike-breakers in a dispute in Stoke-on- Trent between an employer and the trade union affected; and whether he can use his influence to prevent such action on the part of the bureau, as its continuance will seriously endanger any arrangement for the employment of demobilised officers and men owing to the fear that they will be used as in this case?

The Ex-Officers' Employment Bureau is a private organisation and is in no way connected with the Ministry of Labour. I have, so far, been unable to obtain by local inquiry confirmation of the hon. Member's suggestion that the bureau is supplying demobilised officers as strike-breakers. Such action would not knowingly be taken at the Employment Exchanges or in the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, and, if the hon. Member will furnish me with fuller particulars, I will consider whether I can properly make representations to the management of the bureau.