asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the boycotting of a farmer, Thomas Haslam, of Ballycarney, Maryborough; whether his gates and fences and the windows of his house have been broken, and his cattle turned into the standing crops; whether he himself has been boycotted; whether he has been compelled, owing to this persecution, to sell his farm and leave the district in which he has lived all his life; whether the persecution to which he has been subjected is due to the fact that a Catholic girl in his employ recently married a Protestant; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made?

The facts are substantially as stated in the question. There was, however, no actual boycotting, but Mr. Haslam was subjected to persecution from relatives.

Are we to understand that this persecution is due to the fact that a girl in the employment of Mr. Haslam married a Protestant?

:I understand that the difficulty arises largely through a family quarrel between Mr. Haslam and some of his relatives.

And is that family quarrel due to the fact that this Catholic girl married a Protestant?

I really could not say, but I will inquire.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many clerical members there are on the National Board of Education in Ireland; whether any of these clerical members of the Board are school managers; and will he give their names?

There are six clerical members on the Board of National Education, and one of those, the Rev. James Bingham, M.A., D.D., is a manager of national schools.

asked The Chief Secretary for Ireland how many Commissioners were present when the Board of National Education terminated the services of the first director and inspector of drawing and hand-and-eye. training for the offence of being a member of the South American Missionary Society; who moved his dismissal; how many voted for and how many against it; and have Protestant inspectors been instructed not to serve on the committees of missionary and other religious societies; and if he will say if Roman Catholic inspectors have been similarly inhibited from becoming members of the sodalities of the Roman Catholic Church?

I would refer the hon. Member to replies given to questions on this subject on the 7th December, 1911, and 4th July, 1912. No inspector was dismissed for the reason stated in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that meetings of senior inspectors of Irish national schools are convened from time to time by the resident Commissioner or chief inspector; if at these meetings the senior inspectors are instructed to lower the reports of the teachers, with the view of depriving them of the increments and promotion to which they might be entitled; if at a meeting of senior inspectors in Belfast the inspectors were told that the reports must be reduced; and if he will say if this system of influencing inspectors in their judgments upon the work of teachers has the sanction of His Majesty's Government?

The divisional inspectors arrange conferences from time to time with the inspectors, but these meetings are not convened by the resident Commissioner or the chief inspectors. The Commissioners of National Education are satisfied that there is no truth whatever in the allegations contained in the second and third parts of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proposal to close the Home of Industry hospitals In Dublin owing to the want of funds to carry on the same; whether these hospitals are under the control of the Government and have hitherto been supported by Grants from the Treasury, but that, in consequence of the increase of prices, it has been found impossible to carry on the work of the hospitals without increased financial assistance; whether the closing of the hospitals will cause great distress to the poorer classes in Dublin; and what course the Government propose to take to prevent: the closing of the hospitals?

I would refer my right hon. and learned Friend to the replies given to previous questions on this subject asked by the hon. Member for East Douegal on the 9th and 24th instants.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these hospitals have been closed?

I am not aware that they are closed, but I am aware that the threat has been made to close them.

That would be direct action!

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can give any further information as to the negotiations with the Treasury in connection with the proposed increase of the salaries of resident magistrates?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for North Fermanagh on the 24th instant, and to which there is nothing to add at present.

:Is it not the case that so long ago as April last the Chief Secretary met a deputation of resident magistrates, and agreed to grant them an increased salary of £150? If that is so, how is it the matter has been so long delayed?

My right hon. Friend did meet a deputation on the subject, but it was not exactly in his power to agree to an increase. He is doing his best to secure an increase, and hopes that lie will be successful.

Do the Government propose to increase the Dog Tax in order to give this increase?

No, Sir. They are outside the ambit of the Dog Tax.

asked the Pensions Minister how many disability pensions are at present being paid to disabled soldiers and sailors; how many widows of deceased soldiers and sailors are in receipt of pensions; how many applications by disabled men for alternative pensions have been made and how many granted; and the number of widows of deceased sailors and soldiers who have applied for alternative pensions and how many granted?

The number of men in receipt of pensions (excluding gratuities) on 30th June, 1919, was 799,180, and of widows of deceased men 216,890. At that date 9,722 applications for alternative pensions had been received from disabled men. Of the men so applying, 3,883 were awarded pensions and 4,637 were refused, and 1,202 cases were then under inquiry; 37,245 widows applied for alternative pensions, and 21,687 obtained them. There were 10,273 rejections, and 5,465 cases were then under inquiry. I should add that a large number of alternative pensions granted to men are temporary awards which lapse as the man's earning capacity increases. The number of alternative pensions to men now being paid is, approximately, 1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, under Articles 496 and 497 of the Royal Pay Warrant, acting paymasters are entitled to the gratuity therein laid down; whether he is aware that in the Courts on 19th June last, Rex v. Holdsworth, it was decided that acting paymasters were entitled to the same Income Tax relief as a commissioned officer; and whether the Treasury will reconsider the debarring the payment of gratuity to acting paymasters?

This question is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss D. Bogue, No. W/360, W area, baking hand in Forage Corps, who sustained an inquiry to her back whilst on service and was sent back on 15th November, 1918, for treatment by her panel doctor; whether he is aware that Miss Bogue was discharged on the 4th April, 1919, while still unfit for work, having received half wages, for six months but no compensation; and whether he will take steps to remove this differentiation between the treatment of women and men under similar circumstances?

The question whether anything more can be done for Miss Bogue is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he received any Report from any British Special Mission sent to Finland in the early part of this year; whether any such Report mentioned that it was admitted officially by the Finnish authorities that 11,000 persons had died from starvation when interned as Red prisoners, and that such victims had not been allowed to receive in camp food sent by their friends; and whether any assurances have been given that such events have not been, and will not be, repeated?

I am unaware to what Special British Mission the hon. Member is alluding. Numerous Reports have, however, been received from His Majesty's representatives in Finland, but they contain no confirmation of any such proceedings as those referred to by the hon. Member.

Can the British Government prevent eases of starvation in foreign countries?

The lion. Gentleman can form his own opinion.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the horrible atrocities alleged to have been committed in the early part of last year?

:Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the injustice being done to the men who volunteered for service in the War from his Department in consequence of the age limit of thirty-five years placed upon recommendations for vacancies in the administrative, supervisory, financial, and inspectorial sections of the Post Office; and whether he can take into account the time spent in the service by men who have now attained the age of thirty-five years?

The appointments referred to are not in the Post Office, but in other Government Departments, and are understood to be in subordinate grades. I think the younger members of the staff are more likely to adapt themselves satisfactorily to new conditions; and I am moreover bound to take into account the length of service which a candidate is likely to render in a new Department. I do not think it expedient to raise the age limit.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of restoring direct telegraph working between Liverpool and the Continent; whether Press messages to the Continent are given priority over commercial work; and whether, in view of the delay to all Continental traffic, he will consider the possibility of restoring direct working between Liverpool and France and Liverpool and Belgium, and cancel the instructions which give priority to any Press work?

Arrangements are being made with the French telegraph administration for the restoration of direct telegraph working between Liverpool and France. Pending the repair of the Anglo-Belgian cables it is impracticable to arrange for direct working between Liverpool and Belgium, but this question will be pursued as soon as the cables can be restored. Press traffic for the Continent has, to a certain extent, been given priority during the War over ordinary traffic for reasons of national importance, but now that the censorship has been withdrawn I have arranged with the Government Departments concerned that, this practice shall be discontinued.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Staff Rule No. 86 lays it down that ability to perform not only the duties of the operative class but the superintending and clerical duties of the higher classes is an essential factor in the selection of officers for promotion; whether he is aware that an officer attached to the Edinburgh Sorting Office was recently promoted over eighty-four of his seniors, although he had no experience on these higher duties; whether he will state in what way the provisions of Rule 86 were made to apply in this case; whether it is possible for a man to prove his ability to perform work without the opportunity being afforded him; and whether, in view of the unrest which this type of promotion creates, he will urge upon the Whitley Committee which is about to be set up the pressing necessity to find an early solution of this problem?

The rule referred to is substantially as quoted by the hon. Member. I assume the individual case mentioned is that to which the hon. Member called attention in his question of the 14th May last, and I would refer him to the answer then given. The question of the principles governing promotion can be raised by the staff representatives on the Whitley Committees as soon as these committees are set up.

asked the Postmaster- General if he is aware that letters posted in London in the early afternoon are not delivered in the Betchworth, Surrey, area until the evening post the following day; and if, in view of the fact that Betchworth is only twenty-four miles from London, lie will take the necessary steps to see, that letters posted in London by the ordinary country post fire delivered the next morning?

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

asked the Post master-General whether men who joined the Canadian Army in Canada, but whose homes are in this country, are, when discharged from the Army, ineligible for employment in the Post Office: and, if so, will he state the reason why they are excluded from being so employed?

The number of ex-soldiers applying for established postman ships is so greatly in excess of the number of vacancies available that I have felt obliged to confine eligibility to men who have served in the British forces.

Does that apply to postmen?

I am anxious to give those who served with the British forces the preference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider specially the case of the men of the Regular Army who put down their names for employment in the Post Office before the War, but hitherto have been prevented from getting it?

They are being considered.

asked how many telephone lines are in existence between London and Paris, and how many of these are reserved for the use of the Peace Conference?

There are ten telephone circuits between London and Paris. Six are used for the work of the Peace Conference and four for other Government work. But owing to the damaged condition of the French land lines, all these circuits are seldom available for simultaneous use. I am pressing the French Government to restore the land-lines so that the public service can be reopened.

Have facilities been allowed to the public to use the telephone line from Paris to London which have not been offered to the public in London?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Post- master-General whether the General Post Office has been considering the publication of a classified commercial directory for telephone subscribers since 1911; whether within the last few days a private concern has filled this commercial want after first offering the production, with a guaranteed profit, to the General Post Office; and whether such profit, which might have accrued to the Department, will now and in the future be lost?

A classified commercial list has been published in connection with the telephone directory of certain districts and an extension and development of the arrangement is probable. Several private persons have submitted scheme for such lists, which, however, I have been unable to accept pending the settlement of a new contract for advertising in the Post Office Telephone Directory which will shortly be thrown open to public tender.

Is it not a fact that the. Government list comprises only ten pages after all this number of years working, while the first commercial list issued by a business firm already comprises 200 pages?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to what 1 have already said.

asked the Food Controller whether be can see his way to amend the Orders under the Defence of the Realm Regulations as to maintenance of food supply, so as to place it within the power of a private individual to set the law in motion against profiteers or other infringers of the food Regulations?

The proposal seems to be one that might be brought to the notice of the Select Committee of this House which has recently been appointed to consider the question of profiteering.

:Are we to understand that we have to await the result of the inquiry of this Committee before any strong action is taken?

My right hon. Friend must not understand that. Strong action is constantly being taken.

Stronger action?

It does not altogether rest with me. I realise that the strongest possible action ought to be taken, and I have been making representations to that effect.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that the view prevails among farmers that owing to the in crease in the price of feeding-stuffs it will not be possible to continue the production of meat and milk except at a considerable increase of price; and if he will say what steps he proposes to take to minimise the shortage of these necessaries?

:While I share the anxiety of the farmers as to the increase in the price of feeding-stuffs, there is no reason to anticipate that supplies will be below the normal amount, although the demand will undoubtedly be increased as the result of the recent drought. Crushers have made heavy forward purchases of oilseeds, and the Shipping Controller has promised that adequate tonnage shall be forthcoming.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the price of oil cake has increased by £10 a ton during the last four months, and does he think that the measures referred to will be sufficient to counteract that?

:I have the matter under the closest consideration. Negotiations are proceeding and arrangements are entered into which I hope will have the effect of checking the upward tendency and securing the feeding-stuffs at reasonable prices.

Will the tonnage be available at once?

:Yes; I have formed an understanding with the Shipping Controller that such tonnage as we require for food or feeding-stuffs shall be placed at our disposal.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the Report of the Public Control Committee of the London County Council referring to the inadequacy of the market facilities for the distribution of fish; and if, in view of the importance of the supply of this article of food to the Metropolis, he would appoint a Committee to consider the subject?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the Billingsgate and Leadenhall Markets' Committee have prominently before them schemes for improved facilities of a permanent nature at the market, and that, in order to meet immediate requirements, they have formed a committee, consisting of representatives of the corporation, of tenants of the market, and of the railway companies principally concerned, with a view to facilitate deliveries of fish. I am assured that every effort will be made to relieve the difficulty that exists under the present-exceptional conditions as regards transport generally.

asked the Prime Minister whether the provisional trading account of the Ministry of Food for the year ended 31st March, 1919, would be published and made available for Members of the House before the Vote for the Bread Subsidy was taken?

I have been asked to reply. The provisional trading account which gives the estimated financial results of the working of the various Departments of the Food Ministry is in the printers' hands, but, owing to the holidays, its publication cannot be promised before next Wednesday. I may point out, however, that the accounts in respect of cereals and sugar will not be included in this return, as the trading accounts of the Royal Commissions on the Wheat and Sugar Supplies have always been kept separately.

May I ask whether it is proposed to take the Vote for the bread subsidy to-night before these accounts are published?

That is not a matter under my control. I have not yet been requested to regulate the business of the House.

I put this question to the Prime Minister and not to the Food Controller.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he is going to ask the House to pass this Vote without the necessary information being at its disposal?

I think there is some misunderstanding. The Government agreed to give a certain number of allotted days. It was left to those who were interested to select the subjects. In any case there will be an opportunity on the Consolidated Fund Bill to discuss this.

May I remind the Leader of the House that repeated demands have been made from all quarters to get some of this information, and that all those demands have been unanswered?

I do not think we could do more as regards the time of the House. That is all I am competent to deal with now. I understand that this subject could be discussed on the Consolidated Fund Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if his attention has been drawn to the case of a youth of eighteen years of age, employed as a storekeeper at the motor transport depot, Slough, who was charged last week at Slough with non-payment of Income Tax; whether this lad's earnings were £4 15s. per week, as stated; whether this is the average of wages of unskilled youths at this depot; and whether this post could be more appropriately filled by a disabled or discharged soldier?

The charge in question was made against the youth in respect of wages paid him previous to his being employed in connection with the Slough Motor Transport Repair Depot. Since 1st June he has been in the service of a sub-contractor engaged on constructional work. He is not now and has not been at any time in the employ of the Government.

asked the cost of building, equipment, and working of the Gretna Green factory, including the expenditure upon State-salaried officials and workmen; what was, approximately, the value of the total production of the factory; and what are the intentions of the Government in respect to its continuance or disposal?

I shall be obliged if the hon. Member will repeat this question in a week's time, as I am not yet in a position to give all the information asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention had been drawn to the refusal of the railway companies to pay compensation for damages caused to goods in transit even when such damages can be proved to be due to negligence or carelessness on the part of their employés; and what action he was prepared to take in the matter?

I am not sure what cases my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but as regards the statutory liability of railway companies for injury to goods in transit I would refer him to Section 7 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1854 as showing the legal position of railway companies in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government had considered the Report of the Select Committee on Transport (Metropolitan Area and, if so, what steps they proposed to take?

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposed to take to-carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee on Transport (Metropolitan Area).

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the recent Report of the Select Committee on London Transport; and whether he was in a position to announce the decision of the Government with regard to setting up a traffic authority for Greater London as the Committee recommended?

The Report is now being examined by the Government, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement in regard to it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless the Government act promptly the persons concerned and authorities are not likely to order fresh materials or do anything at all to ameliorate the position, owing to the uncertainty?

The Government perfectly realise the urgency of this problem. Surely we must have at least a few days to consider it!

asked the Prime Minister whether the estimated deficit of £60,000,000 on the working of the railways for the current year was arrived at without crediting the railways with the cost of the services rendered by the railways to the Government; and whether the estimated value of these services for the year 1918 amounted to over £30,000,000?

In arriving at the estimated deficit referred to, allowance was made for the cost of services rendered by the railways to the Government so far as this could be estimated, in view of the changed conditions brought about by the conclusion of hostilities. It is the case that the estimated value of Government traffic in 1918 exceeded £40,000,000, and the figures will be found in the statement on railway working during the War already presented to Parliament (Cmd. 147), but I understand that it is not likely that these figures will be reached during the present year.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the confusion which already existed on this subject has been worse confounded by two speeches in diametrically opposite senses delivered in another place on Tuesday last?

Nothing surprising in that!

I was not aware of that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the serious effect on manufacturers in East London owing to the railway companies' inability to supply wagons; and what is the reason for the inability of the Great Western Railway Company to handle goods traffic at the present time?

I am fully aware of the effect on manufacturers of the shortage of railway wagons, and can assure my hon. Friend that such steps as are possible are being taken to meet the present difficult situation. I am afraid I do not quite understand the last sentence of the question. The Great Western Railway Company are suffering from the same disability as other companies, but they are not directly concerned with East London traffic.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that a good percentage of those men from the railway service are being retained in the Army, and will he make representations to the Secretary of State for War so that they may be released, and thus remove the congestion by getting the necessary material?

This is a question of wagons.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that railway men make the wagons in their own shops, and they are now in the Army?

I am quite aware of that.

What steps are being taken to remedy this state of affairs?

I think it would be better if the hon. Gentleman would allow me to explain to him in conversation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can take steps to prevent the District Railway Company (Midland) carrying cycles until the necessary and proper arrangements are provided for their conveyance, as great inconvenience is caused to passengers by way of soiling of clothing and also of blocking up the doors?

I am making inquiries into this matter, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that Captain Kenrick Edward Clayton, who served in the South African. War and who rejoined in 1914, and is now an officer of the Royal Air Force serving at No. 15 Training Squadron, Hucknall, Notts, was placed under close arrest on the 24th April last for an alleged offence, and that, although application was made by his legal advisers for speedy trial, the hearing of the court-martial did not take place till the 17th June last, and that since then no promulgation of the finding has yet been made, and that Captain Clayton throughout such period has been, and still is, tinder close arrest; and whether, having regard to the desirability of the popularity of the Army and the Air Force as a profession, some more just and speedy method can be devised of dealing with an officer charged with an offence?

The inquiries into this case are not yet complete, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend at an early date.

asked whether the Civil Aviation Department has under its control any airships; and, if not, what steps they take to carry out experiments, in view of the commercial development of this type of aircraft?

The Air Ministry has not at present any airships under its control. Valuable experience was gained by the Ministry from the flights of the R 33 and R 34, but these vessels have now been returned to the Admiralty.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the proved value of airships for commercial purposes, the control of the airships could be transferred to the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry; (2) whether the policy of the Government was that there should be unified control over the production of all material and the training of personnel for all aircraft whether lighter or heavier than air?

asked the Prime Minister (1) when the construction of airships will be transferred from the Admiralty to the Air Ministry; (2) whether it is intended to divide the Air Service between the Admiralty and the Air Ministry?

asked the Prime Minister whether he could make an announcement in reference to the transfer of the construction of airships to the Air Ministry?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it was the intention of the Admiralty to transfer the manufacture of airships to the Air Ministry; and, if so, when?

It has been decided that the lighter-than-airships shall be transferred to the Air Ministry, and arrangements to carry this into effect are now being made.

Will they be transferred immediately or only on completion?

The principle has been decided upon; the details are being arranged between the two Departments.

Will they be available for experiments in commercial work, or are they only for naval and military purposes?

I could not be expected to answer that question. That will be for examination. One of the questions says, "Value for commercial purposes," but I was not aware of that.

Will they be transferred for operational purposes?