asked the Food Controller whether his attention has been called to the reported divergence between the controlled price of herrings and the actual price paid to fishermen; and whether he will take steps to alter the controlled price?

I am aware that retailers show a tendency to keep the retail price of herrings at the controlled maximum, even on occasions when the price paid to fishermen would enable them to-sell the fish at a lower figure. I shall presently revise the controlled prices of fish, but I am anxious to impress on all retailers that the maximum price ought not to be charged unless circumstances, warrant it.

asked the Food Controller if, in view of the general unrest throughout the country, he is prepared to take drastic action against profiteers of all classes, such action to include prompt trial and, on conviction, heavy sentences of imprisonment without option of fines?

So far as essential foodstuffs are concerned, profits are limited by the fixing of prices at every stage of production and distribution. In cases of any breach of Statutory Orders proceedings are promptly taken and penalties imposed which, until recently, at any rate, appeared adequate. 1 may say that the total number of prosecutions during the four weeks ending 28th June were 2,194, of which 90.3 per cent. were successful. The desirability of restricting profits, otherwise than as above, and the nature of the penalties proper to be, imposed, form part of a. general policy and are outside the sphere of a single Department. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that these matters constitute the reference to the Select Committee of this House which is now sitting.

asked the Food Controller whether his attention has been called to the fact that under the present controlled price the Government are paying 10½d. to Ceylon growers for tea, and that precisely the same tea for which this price is paid is being sold in London for 1s. 10???d.; and whether, if these facts are correct, he will take steps to reduce this very large profit which is accruing to his Department at the expense of the consumer?

The price of tea is not controlled at present, and the balance of Government purchases is now being sold without reserve. The contract price paid by the Government was based on the average price of the whole crop during the years preceding the contract. The price realised by the Government in public sale must consequently be taken on the average, and while some teas are being sold at a considerable profit, others show a substantial loss. Steps are taken meanwhile to release sufficient tea From month to month to supply the demand so as to secure that the market price remains at its proper economic level.

asked the Food Controller whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Chief Live Stock Commissioner of the United Kingdom to the effect that during the coming winter meat will probably cost more; whether his Department has formed any estimate of such increase; and whether he anticipates shortness of supply as well as dearness of price?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Owing to the recent increases in the wages of agricultural labourers, and the price of feeding-stuffs and other articles, the cost of production of meat hasrisen considerably since September, 1918, the date of the fixing of the present guaranteed prices for cattle. It is therefore probable that in order to ensure supplies of home-produced meat in the coining winter, it will be necessary to raise these prices, though I cannot at the present time make a statement as to the increase which will actually be required. A certain shortage in the supply of home-produced meat is anticipated in the early months of 1920, but it is expected that the supplies of frozen meat will be equal to the demand.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what accommodation is being provided for wounded sailors and soldiers to witness the river pageant?

I am sorry it is not practicable to carry out my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men who were in the Yacht Patrol Service are entitled to the war gratuity; if so, whether he is aware that these men were not in receipt of mercantile pay, a case in point being that of a carpenter who received £2 5s. per week on which he had to keep himself and his family at home; and whether he will give instructions that these men shall receive either the mercantile rate of pay for their services or the war gratuity?

The men in the Yacht Patrol serve under a Mercantile Agreement (T.124 Y). They are in receipt of rates of pay which are doubtless less in cash payment than mercantile rates; but which, in view of the fact that T.124 men are employed continuously and, as well, enjoy the benefits of full pay while sick, free uniforms, and gratuity for upkeep, leave, with pay, demobilisation benefits, and pensions on Navy scale if injured or disabled, do, in fact, approximate in value to what is 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.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether pensions to retired officers and widows of officers will, following on the Halsey Report and after the next financial year, be on Service rates or on civilian-earned rates; and whether, on the present basis of taxation, the result of civilian-earned rates would have the effect of reducing the amount payable upon the pensions mentioned?

The Service rates of Income Tax apply to the emoluments of members of the Forces of the Crown only when they have served or are serving during the year of Income Tax assessment. Pensions to retired officers and their widows have always been chargeable at the ordinary earned income rates and not at the Service rates.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in many instances men who responded to the appeals made at the commencement of the War and enlisted in 1914 and in the first half of 1915 have, after discharge, been compelled, notwithstanding their four years' service, to re-enlist in the Army in order thereby to obtain the maintenance for their families consequent on their failure, after many attempts, to procure civil employment?

I have no doubt such cases have occurred, though the Ministry of Labour has no record of them. I may add that, on the basis of the out-of-work donation figures, I estimate that upwards of 87 per cent. of the men discharged or demobilised from His Majesty's Forces have been absorbed into employment of one kind or another. Plans are in active preparation for expediting the absorption of the remainder.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper D. Logan, No. 282320, L Signal Battalion, Royal Engineers, Havre Detachment, Army Post Office 1, La Havre, France, is forty-one years of age and is unable to secure demobilisation; whether Sapper Logan was with the 56th Divisional Signal Company up till the 2lst February, 1919, when he was transferred to the 4th Army; whether, before transfer, he had an interview with the commanding officer, Royal Engineers, in the endeavour to secure release on compassionate grounds; whether he was informed that his demobilisation would not suffer and that he was certain to be released within three months; whether he has been subsequently transferred to the D Corps Signal Company and to the 4th Area Signal Company; whether men of similar age and service have been released from each of these units; and whether, in view of the very definite promise given by him, he will take immediate steps to release Sapper Logan?

If Sapper Logan's age is as stated by my hon. Friend, he will be released 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 whether Sapper W. J. Harris, No. 77822, Royal Engineers-(Signals), joined up on the 9th November, 1915, and has served in Egypt, Mudros, Chios, Salonika, Bulgaria, and Turkey, without home leave; whether he is at present at Constantinople; whether he has, been told that he cannot be spared; and whether he will see that his promise runs in the isolated fields'!

If Sapper Harris joined the Colours for immediate service is 1915 he will be demobilised in accordance with the instructions recently issued making provision for the early release of. all men eligible for demobilisation. With regard to the last part of the question, the above-mentioned instruction is being carried out in all theatres of war with the exception of India and Russia, for which special arrangements are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Gunner E. Clough, No. 108683, who joined up in 1916 and who was at that time a first-class clerk in the service of the Bradford Third Equitable Building Society, being the second largest society in England, is at the present time at Avington Park, Winchester, doing nothing of any real importance, whilst his late employers are most anxious to have him back at a salary of not less than £5 per week on work of the greatest importance connected with the housing of the people; and will he inquire into this case with a view to his early demobilisation?

An application was received by the War Office on behalf of Gunner Clough, but after careful consideration it was decided that, as it was not of such extreme urgency as to warrant his immediate release, it could not be sanctioned. If, however, this soldier's case comes within any of the categories prescribed in the Memorandum recently published, he will be released accordingly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the men who did not volunteer, but who were sent to North Russia last year and who have been retained there, will, upon demobilisation, receive the same privileges as regards leave and bounty as those who have volunteered for service in that country?

Soldiers who did not volunteer and who have been retained in North Russia under Army Order 55 of 29th January, 1919, will, unless they volunteer for a further period of service, receive on demobilisation the same benefits as soldiers demobilised from other theatres of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to demobilise the present permanent staffs attached to Volunteer units throughout the country; will he state the present cost of maintaining the same; and is he aware that since the Armistice these Volunteer battalions have ceased to exist as a military force, all compulsory drills have been discontinued, and the men discharged and thanked for their services?

The question of the demobilisation of the permanent staffs of the Volunteer Force depends on the much larger question of the future of the force, regarding which I cannot make any statement at present. The cost of maintaining these permanent staffs (including adjutants) is approximately £300,000 a year. It should be remembered that in a large number of cases the staffs are doing very useful work in assisting the temporary commanding officers of Territorial Force units, which at present have no permanent staffs, to reconstruct the Territorial Force. Compulsory drills have been discontinued, but the only men discharged are those who for various reasons, e.g., physical disability, did not join Sections "A," "B," or "C." The men in these sections signed agreement to serve for the duration of the War, and have not been discharged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that of the 1918 crop of hay in Great Britain 801,927 tons, including 333,641 tons originally taken for Army purposes, was compulsorily taken for civil supply under the Government scheme; whether he is aware that for this tonnage a total sum of less than £6,100,000 was paid to the farmers by whom the hay was grown; and whether he is aware that for this tonnage a total sum of over £9,200,000 has been paid by the owners of the horses and cattle consuming the hay?

My hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture has asked me to answer this question. I do not know how my hon. and gallant Friend arrives at his figure in the third part of the question. The price to the consumer includes baling and other expenses, which, for quantities over 10 cwts., total 37s. 6d. per ton, in addition to the actual rail and cartage charges, and storage charges, if any, which have been incurred.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why Award No. 84 by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government employés has not been paid to the store-holders and foremen of the Royal Army Ordnance Department at Weedon but has been paid to grades who were not represented?

Instructions were issued on the 22nd instant authorising application of the terms of the Award 84 of the Civil Service Arbitration Board to the Royal Army Ordnance Department store holders at Weedon. The award does not apply to the foremen.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in addition to Siddeley chassis lying out at Grove. Park, there were on the 13th instant forty or fifty new Crossley chassis in Guibal Road, Grove Park, rusting and rotting; and, if so, who is responsible for this, and what action is being taken?

I regret that my reply to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend on the 17th instant was incorrect. Owing to the short time available, it was not possible to make the fullest inquiries. Further investigation has shown that there were forty or fifty Crossley chassis in Guibal Road, Grove Park, on the 13th instant, but they were only standing there as a temporary measure awaiting removal to the coachbuilders for bodies and paint- work. The chassis were in much the same condition as received from the makers. The important parts exposed to the weather were greased. I am informed that the surface rust on the framework is of no importance.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men of the Army Service Corps are billeted or lodged in houses in or near Grove Park, Kent; and how much vacant accommodation there is at that place in Army huts?

There are no men of the Army Service Corps billeted in houses in or near Grove Park; 1,480 men are lodged in hired premises there. The hutted camp at Grove Park will take 1,122 men in all, and there are 1,077 at present in occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been reached in regard to supplying rifle clubs with ammunition either free of charge or at reduced rates; and, in view of the desirability of encouraging these clubs, and of the large quantities of ammunition now in stock, and seeing that the matter was under consideration in 1913 and 1914, he can see his way to grant either of these concessions?

The question has been under consideration, and concessions have been made, as regards the current year, allowing authorised rifle clubs to purchase 303 ammunition at reduced rates. The subject will be reviewed later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for War who were the firms that constructed the early form of gas masks?

I have been asked to answer this question. Several different types of gas masks were manufactured from 1915 onwards, in all cases according to Government designs. The preparation of a complete list of the firms engaged on the manufacture of the various parts of these masks, and on their assembly, would involve considerable labour. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me know more precisely what information he requires I will endeavour to obtain it for him.

asked the Under-Secretay of State to the Air Ministry when the list of those who have been granted permanent commissions in the Royal Air Force will be published?

The first list of officers awarded permanent commissions in the Royal Air Force will appear in the "London Gazette" of 1st August, 1919.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the great difficulty of officers and men in receiving their pensions and gratuities in British Columbia; and whether he will consider appointing a representative or representatives in Canada in order to speed up the settlement of claims?

The whole question of the payment of pensions to men resident in Canada has recently been under consideration, and an announcement will very shortly be made.

asked the Pensions Minister when he expects to be in a position to make an announcement as to an increase in the present pensions payable to war-widows?

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement to-morrow on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the increase of pensions by way of bonus or otherwise, recently granted to classes of soldiers and civilians can be granted to veterans of the Army and Navy who are struggling to exist on non-disability pensions of a few shillings a week?

Decision in these matters rests not with the War Office, but with the Government. The decision recently announced on the Report of Admiral Jerram's Committee on sailors' pensions may be taken as indicating the limits within, which an increase of soldiers' pensions is likely to be approved.

asked the Minister of Labour how many times the joint sub-committee of the Holloway Employment Committee and local war pensions sub-committee met between the 20th November, 1918, and the 3rd July, 1919?

The joint committee did not meet between the 20th November and the 2nd July. I understand that the next meeting is fixed for the 13th August, and it is proposed to discuss the question of the future work of the sub-committee with the chairman at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, with a view to alleviating possible hardship and for the purpose of the removal of a legitimate grievance, he will have inquiry made into the case of Private J. Barrett, No. 184419, Machine Gun Corps, of 11, Lower Swift Place, Ripomden, near Halifax, who was demobilised in March, but has, up to the present, not been able to obtain his war gratuity from the Post Office, although this was, on the 17th March, on Remittance Roll A, 4,256, handed to the Post Office?

I will have inquiry made as the hon. Member requests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Louie Fethney, of Huddersfield, employed during the War as examiner of munitions for the Admiralty, who, in the course of her duties, lost her life in an accident in May, 1918; and, having regard thereto and to the splendid and unrecorded heroism of the working women generally of this country employed during the War in dangerous occupations, in which hundreds have sacrificed their lives, steps will be taken to put on public record their courage and devotion to duty in their country's cause?

I have been asked to answer this question. I deeply regret that Miss Fethney lost her life by an explosion in the factory in which she was employed. Her death was, unfortunately, one of a number which occurred from time to time, and exemplifies the risks which were in many cases unavoidably attendant on the employment in which a section of war workers were engaged. We fully appreciate the courage and devotion to duty of civilians of both sexes who during the War rendered most valuable service in face of great personal risk. My hon. Friend's purpose is to suggest that in some way the country's sense of gratitude should be marked by the erection of a permanent memorial. I suggest to him that the question is one for the War Cabinet.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many men of the 6th Indian Brigade and attached troops were inoculated against cholera prior to being dispatched to the frontier expedition?

There is no information in the India Office on this subject, but inquiry will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many cases of cholera occurred in the Frontier Expeditionary Force in May and June of this year and how many deaths resulted?

The Government of India reported on 16th July that since the beginning of the present operations on the North-West Frontier of India there had been 1,400 cases of cholera, with 516 deaths, of which 92 and 17 respectively were amongst British troops.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether representations were made to the General Staff at Simla in 1917, or before, as to the necessity of laying a pipe line to bring a supply of pure water to the camp site of Ali Masjid, and that nothing was done till cholera broke out there recently?

I have no knowledge of any such representations to the General Staff at Simla, but I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether reports have reached him as to the inadequacy of the medical arrangements of the Indian Army; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made in the matter with a view to fixing responsibility for this?

No reports, other than newspaper reports, have reached me, but I have telegraphed to India for full information.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the new Regulations issued by the Board of Education for the constitution of the governing bodies of the State-aided secondary schools are regarded as an infringement of religious liberty by many Protestant dissenters; and if he can make a statement to reassure the members of Nonconformist denominations?

The principle of religious liberty is fully recognised in Articles 5 and 10 of the Regulations, which remain unchanged, and I see no ground for apprehension that the religious liberty which children of all denominations enjoy in State-aided secondary schools will be impaired.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of having the names of towns, villages, etc., lettered in luminous, paint on the signposts throughout the country?

The Ministry of Health have no power to take the course suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government to give effect to the recommendations and conclusions of the Interdepartmental Committee on the "Welfare of the Blind by introducing such legislation as will secure decent conditions of life and labour for every sightless person in the British Isles?

It is the intention of the Government to submit to Parliament, as soon as possible, we hope early in next year, proposals for legislation which would include amongst its purposes the amelioration of the conditions of the blind. But I am not in a position at present to enter upon the details of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health if he will, having regard to the increasing difficulties of local authorities in maintaining their public libraries by reason of the limitations placed on expenditure for such purpose, introduce legislation for the purpose of removing the present limitation of expenditure for library purposes?

As intimated in the replies given to the question put by the hon. Member for Walthamstow on the 26th June, the subject of the limitation on the amount of the rate for library purposes is receiving the consideration of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education. I will send the hon. Member copies of these replies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the effect which the continued increase of prices, already extremely high, is likely to have upon the rates to be made in future by the poorer parishes in London, in which a small rise in expenditure means a large increase in the rate on the £, owing- to the low assessable values in such parishes; and if he is prepared to take immediate steps to mitigate the hardship which will be caused by promoting legislation to secure an equalisation of all rates for London?

I do not think that the Government can undertake to introduce legislation at the present time for the purpose of the equalisation of all rates is London, as suggested by the right hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered how far it is administratively practicable to grant similar facilities for obtaining building material at a reduced rate to private individuals whose housing schemes are approved by the Ministry of Health as are given to State-aided schemes; and, if so, will he state to what extent this can be done?

A Clause has now been inserted in the Housing Bill to give effect to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the letter sent to the Association of Chambers of Commerce on the 18th May, 1914, by Mr. Herbert Samuel, President of the Local Government Board, in which he stated that a measure to amend the system of the rating of machinery had been postponed, but was to be introduced in the following Session of Parliament; whether the Government has entirely altered its attitude on this question; and, if so, will he state the reasons which have actuated the Government in coming to this decision?

I am aware of the letter written by Mr. Herbert Samuel on the 18th May, 1914, which intimated that the introduction of a measure to amend the system of rating had been postponed to the next Session of Parliament. I may, however, point out that on that date a Finance Bill was under consideration by Parliament which made provision for the payment of various Grants to local authorities in relief of local taxation. It was, as I understand, the intention of the then Government that the scheme of Grants should be followed by a measure dealing with the subject of rating generally. As intimated in the reply given to the hon. Member on the 14th instant, the Government cannot undertake legislation on the subject of the rating of machinery at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large amount of spurious money in circulation, any-special steps are being taken to protect the public?

Assuming the question to refer to coin and legal tender paper currency, I may say that there is no evidence whatever to suggest that there is a large amount of counterfeit coin or forged paper currency in circulation. Such forgeries as have come to light are almost exclusively of the earlier issues of currency notes which have now almost entirely been withdrawn from circulation, and I propose at an early date to recall the remainder of the issues.

asked the Home Secretary whether Regulations 40 and 40 b under the Defence of the Realm Act, restricting the use of opium, morphine, and cocaine, will cease to be operative before the projected pharmacy legislation to give effect to the provisions of the International Opium Convention, 1912, has been enacted?

I hope Parliament will agree to keeping Regulation 40 B in force long enough to allow legislation to be passed to give effect to the International Convention.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of burglaries reported in the Metropolitan area since the 31st May last; if the police have been implicated in any of these burglaries; and, if so, in how many?

Sixty burglaries have been reported in the Metropolitan area from 1st June to 27th July, 1919 Two-police officers have "been charged in connection with five of these cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the desirability of sending delegations of employer and labour represent- tives to the United States to study labour conditions and labour-saving devices and organisation?

While I agree with the hon. Member that it is moat desirable that all possible steps should be taken to improve methods of production in this country by encouraging the study of methods and conditions in foreign countries, I am inclined to think that such expeditions as he suggests should be arranged by the trades concerned rather than by the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, before the House is asked to consider the Report stage of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Bill, he will lay before it a full statement of what has been done by France, Spain, and Greece in regard to compelling the installation of wireless telegraphy on trading vessels?

If, as I hope will be the case, the Report stage of this Bill is taken to-day, it will be possible then to communicate to the House the Reports we have received as to legislation in France and Spain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to reduce the high prices being charged for clothing, he will state what stock of Australian wool the Government now holds; and on what terms it is being placed on the British market?

I have been asked to answer this question. At the present time the Government hold approximately 900,000 bales of Australian and New Zealand wool in this country, 158,000 bales are in transit, and approximately 1,220,000 bales are held in Australia and New Zealand. The last-mentioned are being consigned to this country as fast as the tonnage available will permit. Government wool is being placed on the market mainly through the London auction sales at a rate which taxes the selling brokers' organisation to the utmost capacity. Supplies to the trade through the auction sales are supplemented by direct issues at the scheduled prices given in answer to a question from the hon. Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Foreman) on 7th July.

asked the Postmaster-General why lower wages are paid to sub-office assistants than the standard rate for similar Post Office work; why similar rates of service, hours of attendance, and conditions of employment are not applied to clerks employed solely on Post Office work whether they are employed directly or indirectly by the Postmaster-General; whether the present public facilities are dependent upon the scale payment sub-office system because of the ability of the Postmaster-General to secure cheaper labour through the agency of a sub-contractor; and whether he will endeavour to prepare a scheme whereby fair and reasonable wages may be paid to all persons in his industry without the necessity to curtail existing public facilities?

It is not the practice of the Post Office to intervene between sub-postmasters and their assistants unless their pay and conditions of service fall below the standard for shop assistants in the service of good employers in the same district. At the smaller offices the Post Office work is not sufficient to require the continuous attention of one person, and is generally performed in conjunction with a private business. This system could not be abandoned without serious curtailment of existing public facilities. When the volume of work reaches a certain point it is the practice of the State to provide both accommodation and staff, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there are any reasons for the retention of the rule requiring the name and address of the sender of inland telegrams to be added to a telegram, if the same are not intended to be telegraphed?

The rule requiring that the name and address of the sender of an inland telegram shall be written on the form, although they are not part of the telegram, has been cancelled. Although this information need not be given in future there la some advantage in giving it, in order that the sender may be notfied in case the telegram cannot be delivered.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the fact that Wallasey is a county borough of 93,000 inhabitants, he will take early steps to raise its chief post office to the position of a general post office, and thus remove many inconveniences which at present exist due to its being a sub-office under Birkenhead?

The status of the post office at Wallasey was altered last year, and Birkenhead and. Wallasey now form for administrative purposes a single head office in charge of the postmaster of Birkenhead and Wallasey. I am not aware that this arrangement has given rise to any inconvenience.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received representations from the Metropolitan borough councils condemning the inefficiency and disorganised condition of the public telephone service; and whether he can state what steps he proposes to take so as to ensure an adequate telephone service in the near future?

I have not received any general representations from the Metropolitan borough councils. As I explained fully in connection with the Post Office Estimates, the present difficulties in connection with the telephone service are directly due to the war conditions, which made it necessary to suspend the provision of new exchanges and underground lines, and led to the depletion of the skilled operating staff. Active stepare being taken to overtake the arrears of constructional work and to increase the number and efficiency of the operating staff.

asked the Minister of Labour whether men who are started in training for the London General Omnibus Company forfeit all unemployment benefit although only receiving 2s. per day from the above company?

The workmen to whom, my hon. and gallant Friend refers are not. entitled to unemployment benefit. The Umpire, with whom the final decision of such questions rests, has held in previous similar cases that workmen who have entered into a contract of service with an. employer under which a preliminary period of training is required are not unemployed, and therefore fail to satisfy an essential condition for the receipt of benefit.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been directed to the desire on the part of some municipalities of Scotland, including the town council of Wick, for the amendment of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, with a view to providing that one register of voters in the year should be framed instead of two, as at present, because the latter arrangement confers no political benefit upon those entitled to be placed on the list of voters, while it entails expenditure of time and expense; and whether he will make inquiries into the suggestion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Baronet to my reply of the 1st instant to the hon. Member for the Montrose Burghs. The matter is receiving; consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what facilities are offered by the Board for lectures and classes in subjects of interest to country folk engaged in agriculture; what are the subjects dealt with; and what financial aid is obtainable from the Board?

Lectures and classes in agricultural subjects are provided by most of the county educational authorities, and also by some of the agricultural colleges in their respective districts. The Board makes liberal Grants in aid of this work both to county educational authorities and to the governing bodies of the agricultural colleges. The Giants paid to the county educational authorities range from 80 per cent. to 66⅔ per cent. of the expenditure. In the case of colleges, the Board gives block Grants which vary according to the needs of the institution concerned. The subjects dealt with range over the whole of agriculture and the relative sciences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the payment of the required fee for a passport (even though of 5s. only) is, in the case of poor persons desirous of visiting the graves of their relatives who have fallen in France or Belgium, a serious impost; and whether, in those cases where the circumstances are duly vouched for by a responsible person, he will remit the fee?

I understand that the conditions in the areas where the military cemeteries are situated do not admit of large numbers of visitors at the present time. The point raised in the question will, however, receive immediate consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the procedure for the collection of enemy debts is likely to be in working order, and if firms in this country can reckon on receiving in a short time the money which is due to them; and whether interest and, if so, at what rate will be added to sums outlying and due?

I have been asked to answer this question. The clearing offices for the settlement of debts between this country and Germany will be established as early as possible in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Peace. In terest is payable at 5 per cent. per annum except in cases where by contract, law, or custom, the creditor is entitled to interest at a different rate.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what progress has been made towards the completion of the offices in Outer London for the reception of the clerical staff of the Ministry of Pensions?

It is hoped that temporary accommodation for 1,000 members of the staff of the Ministry of Pensions will be completed by the 15th September next. A scheme to accommodate another 5,000 persons is also in course of preparation, and has received Treasury sanction.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the buildings in the grounds of the Duke of York's School have been evacuated by the Ministry of Pensions; if so, whether it is because these buildings have been condemned as unsafe; and whether he will give orders for their demolition and removal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the remainder, therefore, does not arise. As a matter of fact, the buildings are quite sound, and all the accommodation afforded by them is necessary for the staff of the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the available floor space of the buildings erected in and in the vicinity of Burton Court for the accommodation of the officials of the Ministry of Pensions?

The available floor space is 200,400 square feet.