asked the Food Controller whether the maximum control price of 9d. per pound is to apply to all kinds of apples, including recognised classes of dessert apples; and, if so, whether he will reconsider his decision with a view to decontrolling dessert apples of certain recognised quality, such as, for instance, Beauty of Bath, now ready, and Cox's Orange Pippins?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. The question of apple prices is under discussion with the Board of Agriculture, but I see grave difficulty in adopting the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Food Controller (1).whether he is aware that a consignment of 27cwts. of butter, handed to the railway company, on the 22nd July, by Messrs. F. Hunter and Company, Corn Exchange, Manchester, for delivery to Mr. A. B. Gibson, of Nottingham, for distribution commencing the 28th July, remains undelivered, with the result that 23,312 customers have been deprived of their rations; and will he take the necessary steps to remedy this state of affairs; (2).whether he is aware that very large quantities of food are being destroyed owing to delays in transport, and, in particular, Mr. A. B. Gibson, wholesale merchant, of Nottingham, has recently had to return to Liverpool or refuse delivery of seventy boxes of ham owing to their unsaleable condition, and that this represents 18½ tons of food; that these hams were landed at least a month and exposed to heat and all the effects of protracted delay, and that the matter is now so serious that packers in America are contemplating cutting off all shipments to this country; that if this is done there will shortly be a famine in hams; and will he consider taking steps, in conjunction with the Minister of Labour and the Railway Executive, in order to secure more efficient transport service for essential and perishable foodstuffs?

The consignment of butter referred to was not handed to the railway company until 30th July. It was dispatched on the same day and delivered to Mr. Gibson, in Nottingham, on 1st August. I have caused inquiry to be made as to the consignment of ham, but it has not been possible to obtain information in the time available. When I am in possession of the facts I will communicate with the hon. Member. I am not aware that the American packers have proposed to cut off supplies to this country. I appreciate the urgent importance of accelerating transport, and the question is receiving the daily attention of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Food Controller whether it is the intention of the Government to again control all dried fruits; whether he is aware that the interests alike of the distributing trade and the public would be best served by the abandonment of the system of Government control as hitherto enforced and that the executive committee elected by the whole trade are willing to co-operate with the Food Ministry and to fix standard wholesale prices from time to time and give adequate guarantees to the Ministry for the protection of the consumer against profiteering; and whether the Co-operative Wholesale Society are to become the distributors for the Government?

It is my intention to control dried fruits during the forthcoming season and I am satisfied that the interests of the consumer will be better served by direct control rather than by the scheme to which the hon. Member refers. In common with other distributing agencies, the Co-operative Wholesale Society will receive their proper proportion of any dried fruits imported on Government account.

asked the Food Controller whether, seeing that the wholesale distributors of jam are only allowed a profit of 6 per cent., and that this has to cover the cost of warehousing, giving credit, collecting accounts, delivery, and the breakages occurring in course of delivery, and also the cost of carriage upon returned empties, this rate of profit is sufficient or calculated to encourage the distribution of jam to the consumer?

The allowance of 5 per cent. to wholesale distributors of jam was made in 1918 with the concurrence of the trade. An application has now been made for an. increase in the rate and the amount allowed is being considered.

asked the Food Controller if he has considered the advisability of framing some policy, with a view to recommendations that will set up a system of international rationing, seeing that there is a likelihood of a competition between nations to secure food for their people; and, if not, is he prepared to consider the matter at an early date?

The Supreme Economic Council had this matter under consideration at their meeting in London at the end of last week and appointed a committee to formulate schemes for co-operation in respect of food supplies.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed by the Council of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, by the Ulster Farmers' Union, and by other public bodies, on the suggested relaxation or repeal of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1896, by admitting foreign or Colonial store cattle into Great Britain; and what action he is taking in view of that resolution?

The attention of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has been directed to the resolution in question, and the matter has received his careful consideration. The attention of the hon. Member is directed to the statement made in another place on the 28th ultimo, on behalf of the Board of Agriculture, regarding the importation of store cattle into the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the wives of generals are not provided with free passages when visiting their husband's headquarters abroad, a definite charge is made when these ladies return home on one of His Majesty's battleships, and, if so, on what scale the charge is made?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In accordance with the scale laid down in Article 1542 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, the amount payable as entertainment allowance for the wife of a general is 14s. a day, and it is further provided that this charge shall be paid prior to disembarkation.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry if he is aware that A.C.2 Cyril George Gann, No. 243998, Royal Air Force, X Balloon Repair Section, Alexandria, was notified so long ago as April,1919, that his demobilisation papers had been received, but that he is still retained in Egypt; and whether, in view of the fact that he is urgently needed by a shipping firm at home, steps will be taken to expedite his return to England?

Inquiries are being made by telegram as to the position of No. 243998, Second-Class Air Craftsman Cyril George Gann, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of Private Aldridge, No. 52756, 5th Worcester Regiment; whether he is aware that in a War Office letter, No. B.M.12315/Mob. 4 (b), dated 17th July, it was stated that this man had been discharged on 4th July; and whether, in view of the fact that the commanding officer of the 5th Worcester Regiment stated, in a letter dated 1st August, that this man had not been discharged, nor that any authority for his discharge had been received, but that his brother in the 5th Bedfordshire Regiment had recently been demobilised, he will issue the necessary instructions for this man to be demobilised at once?

It is regretted that a mistake has occurred in this case through the misreading of a report. Orders have now been issued for the release of Private Aldridge to be carried out forthwith.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Mabel Ball, of Figger Drive, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire, the wife of Private T. Ball, No. 614887, c/o Area Commandant, Lottingham, S. 35, Army Pay Office, British Expeditionary Force, France, has been seriously ill for some time; that she only receives £2 0s. 7d. separation allowance, out of which she has to pay 5s. for washing, 15s. for a woman to look after her children, and 6s. rent, and that it is therefore impossible for her to maintain her-self and her young children on this allowance; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, he will give instructions that her husband should be demobilised?

Private Ball's case has been carefully considered, but as it did not fall within any of the categories prescribed in the instructions governing releases on compassionate grounds, it was refused, and I regret that I am unable to reconsider this decision. If, however, the soldier is eligible under the Memorandum recently published, he will be released accordingly. It is observed that among the sums mentioned as being received by his wife there is no mention of any allotment of pay or contribution by Private Ball such as it is considered every soldier is now able to make.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is a fact that the demobilisation Departments have been on several occasions applied to with respect to the release of the under-mentioned, namely, Sergeant H. O. Vince, No. M/305383, H.A.M.S., attached 503rd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, France; Gunner T. J. Nelson, No. 129180, 3rd Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, Lewis Battery, Gibraltar; and Private H. Stafford, DM/206692, Royal Army Service Corps, 62nd Divisional (Mechanical Transport) Company, France; and, as the employment of over 100 ex-Service men with the Midland Vinegar Company, Limited, Birmingham, is dependent on the release of the soldiers referred to, will he cause the matter to be investigated with a view to the early demobilisation of the men concerned?

Yes, Sir; an application was received by the War Office regarding the release of the three men referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, and a reply was sent on the 10th July, stating that "They ware not registered either as pivotal or for special release, but if they were otherwise eligible they would be released in accordance with current instructions." In the absence of full particulars of their ages and length of service, I am unable to state whether they are eligible for demobilisation, but if they come within any of the categories prescribed in the Memorandum recently published they will be released accordingly. I regret that unless they are eligible under such instructions I cannot authorise their release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any further statement with regard to the return and final demobilisation of men who in the early months of the War re-enlisted, being time-expired soldiers, and were sent to the Mesopotamian front; whether he is aware that they were demobilised from that front in February and March last, and were ordered to return to England viâ Karachi and Bombay, but have been detained compulsorily in India upon the ground of the Indian rioting in April and the operations on the Afghan border in May, though in neither of these cases was the Indian defence force mobilised for active service; and whether he will interfere to prevent the release of civilians in India while men from Great Britain are kept in India and refused the chance of returning to their civil occupations?

Demobilisation in India has been temporarily suspended. On demobilisation reopening the demobilisable men in India will be sent home as fast as possible, consistent with the shipping available, and the military situation at the time. Twenty battalions are in process of dispatch to India, and on arrival will relieve a corresponding number of men in India. The de-mobilisable men from Mesopotamia, detained in India, will be among the first to come home. As regards the latter part of the question, I understand my hon. and learned Friend to refer to the Indian Defence Force. I am informed that this force is made up of the old Volunteer regiments, and that its training is intended for local defence, and is not such as to enable it to form part of a mobile force in the field.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many hospital ships are now being used for the troops in North Russia; and whether an adequate supply of doctors, nurses, and hospital requirements has now reached our troops?

Two hospital ships are being used to evacuate patients from the military hospitals in North Russia. An adequate supply of doctors and hospital requirements are present at both Archangel and Murmansk. Six British nurses are doing duty in the hospital at Murmansk. There are no British nurses stationed at Archangel.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some officers and men of the l/9th Hants Regiment, formerly in India, and now in Siberia, have been away from England for more than three and a half years; and whether he can say when this regiment may be expected to arrive in this country?

This battalion has served abroad since February, 1916. As 1 stated in reply to a question yesterday by the hon. and gallant Member for Peters-field, the troops in Siberia are being withdrawn. It is hoped that the battalion will embark for this country within a month.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the improvements recently granted to civilian teachers, he will state how far the scheme for the improvement in pay and status of Army schoolmasters has progressed and how soon this scheme will be put in operation?

A scheme is under consideration, but it is not possible to say at present at what date it will come into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that patients undergoing treatment for venereal disease in certain military hospitals in this country are permitted to move freely in populous districts every afternoon; and will he issue instructions that these infected persons shall be confined to the precincts of the hospital throughout their period of treatment?

Patients undergoing treatment for venereal disease in military hospitals are not permitted to move freely as suggested in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. Except under very exceptional circumstances, patients who are in a condition to spread infection are not granted leave from the hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious shortage of labour for the hay and corn harvest whereby the successful gathering of the crops is endangered, he will grant adequate periods of harvest furlough to agriculturists serving with the Colours in England?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral reply to-day to a similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the accuracy of the statements made by a soldier in the 723rd Labour Corps, British Expeditionary Force, France, that while employed in the exhumation of bodies at Cleury, on the Somme, for a period of a fortnight, they had to camp without a ground sheet or a blanket; that they were unable to get a smoke or a paper or soap, and received no pay for a month, and that the food was unsatisfactory; and whether he will take disciplinary action if the above statements are correct?

Inquiry is being made, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he can make a statement explain- ing the Government policy relating to the transference of the construction of lighter-than-air craft from the Admiralty to the Air Ministry?

I cannot yet add anything to the answer given on this subject by the Lord Privy Seal on behalf of the Prime Minister last Thursday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement explaining the Government policy relating To the transference of the construction of lighter-than-air craft from the Admiralty to the Air Ministry?

I am not yet in a position to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on Thursday last, 31st July.

asked the Postmaster-General why Sapper T. Davies, No. 62907, 6, Talworth Street, Cardiff, 155th Field Company, Royal Engineers, demobilised on the 26th January, 1919, has not yet received his war gratuity of £23, in view of the fact that the regimental paymaster deposited it in the Post Office Savings Bank on the 26th February, 1919?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a large number of Royal Engineer telegraphists have not been paid the war gratuity on discharge on the ground that they had not been in receipt of full civil emoluments during their term of service with the forces; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this inequality?

I have been asked to reply to this question. If it refers to the fact that those who have drawn both civil and military pay in full do not get the gratuity, I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Burnley on 10th April last. If not, perhaps the hon. Member will give me more particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieut. George William Benson, financial advisers staff, who is at present a patient at Latchmere, Ham Common, suffering from mental trouble due to his service in France, has received no payment since his three months' sick leave pay terminated on 30th December, 1918, thereby placing his wife and three infant children in a very destitute position; and what assistance the Government are prepared to render Lieut. Benson's family during his present total disablement?

I am making inquiry in this case, and will write to my Noble Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will have inquiries made into the case of E. C. Stone, late Royal Engineers, Code 2/R.E.O.S./82896, who, after being incapacitated !h the War and demobilised on account of illness contracted on the Somme, was refused a pension on the 29th ultimo, and died the following day, leaving a widow and three boys under ten totally unprovided for?

I am inquiring into this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Pensions Minister, in view of the fact that, owing to conditions brought about by the War, many aged men obtained temporary employment, and now that hostilities have ceased they are being discharged to make room for those whose places they temporarily occupied, whether the method of calculating the means of applicants, as provided by Section 2 (1) (b) of the Old Age Pension Act, 1911, is in many cases a source of great hardship; and, if it is not considered advisable to modify the Section referred to, will exemptions be introduced which may prove a relief to the applicants concerned?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on the 26th June to the hon. Member for Morpeth.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the importation of East India tanned kips is still controlled by the Government; what is or was the price paid by the Government for these goods purchased by them, the selling price, and the percentage charged to cover expenses; and whether any and, if so, what percentage of profit is or was made by the Government upon re-sale?

The answer to the first part of the question is, No, Sir. Tanned kips were bought at prices ranging from 9¼annas to 1 rupee 10¾annas per lb. f.o.b. Indian port. The percentage added to cover actual expenses, including freight, is 18 per cent. As I stated in reply to my hon. Friend's question on 19th May, the prices at which these goods are being sold are as nearly as possible cost prices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that on 26th July the Army and Navy Stores, Cardiff, who state on their bills that they are contractors to His Majesty's Government, charged an ex-Service man Is. for 1 in. of Victory ribbon; whether it has been officially stated that the cost of production is less than ½d. per inch; what steps he proposes to take to prevent the exploitation of ex-Service men when purchasing decorations; and whether he will cause the name of this firm to be removed from the list of those who contract for His Majesty's Government?

I am aware of the facts in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. With regard to the second part of the question, the statement I made on the 24th July referred to the British War Medal Ribbon (sometimes referred to as the General Service Ribbon) and not to the Victory Ribbon. As to the third part of the question, the ribbon sold at Cardiff was not supplied by the Government. It appears to be an inferior ribbon not manufactured in this country. I am communicating with the firm in regard to the matter. I would add I am advised that the Victory Ribbon has not yet been officially sanctioned by the Army Council or the Admiralty to be worn as a decoration. Stocks are being obtained, and official instructions will be issued as soon as sufficient quantities have been accumulated. The responsibility of the Ministry of Munitions is to secure supplies to meet the bulk demands made by the military and naval authorities, and those authorities are responsible for the issue of the ribbon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions (1) whether the manager of the Carlisle and district area in Cumberland under the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) devotes his whole time to the duties of that office, or whether he performs any other work of a public character; and, if so, what is the nature of this extraneous work and what proportion of his time is devoted to it; (2) what proportion of the salary of the manager of the Carlisle and district area in Cumberland, under the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), is paid from the receipts in that area, and what proportion from other sources; during what period has the balance been so paid; what are the separate amounts; and from what sources have they been provided?

I am advised by the Central Control Board that the general manager for the Carlisle and district area devotes his whole time to the service of the Board. His whole salary is paid from the Board's funds, and since his appointment as general manager it has been charged against the revenue account of the Board's Carlisle undertaking. He continues to hold the office of Assessor to the Board for England and Wales, an office to which he had been appointed prior to the inception of the Carlisle undertaking, but he receives no separate salary in respect of this office.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the importance of securing free interchange of teachers between all schools, in the case of a teacher who serves for a period in an inspected and efficient school under a governing body which has its own pension scheme, whether, and under what conditions, the period served in the school having its own pension scheme will be reckoned for a pension under the School Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918, and the rules made there under?

Qualifying service in a secondary school that is inspected and found efficient, and has its own pension scheme, will be counted towards the thirty years which a teacher is required by the Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918, to serve; and a teacher who fulfils the condition of serving thirty years in qualifying and recognised service will be pensionable upon the whole of his recognised service, whether continuous or not, provided that his recognised service amounts to not less than ten years.

asked The President of the Board of Education what steps are being taken regarding the appointment of men and women to the Royal Commission to be set up to inquire into the finance and administration of Oxford and Cambridge Universities; and whether, in view of the fact that the Parliamentary Session is nearing a close, he will, at an early date, make a statement as to the scope, personnel. and intention generally of the inquiry?

The matter is receiving the close attention of the Government. I will make an announcement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement with regard to the medical arrangements on the Afghan frontier; and whether the Government of India or the home Government is responsible for these arrangements?

The Government of India is primarily responsible for medical arrangements on the North-West Frontier as elsewhere in India. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division as to the arrangements made for the health and comfort of the troops on the North-West Frontier of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the pay of the officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps and of the nursing sisters serving in India is now paid to them at a rate of exchange of a rupee for Is. 8d. of pay whilst it was paid at Is. 4d. when they went to India, and if, in addition to this actual loss of pay, the purchasing power of the rupee has declined; if non-commissioned officers and men are paid at the same rate of exchange; and what is going to 'be done to remedy this hardship?

Assuming that the hon. Member refers to temporary officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps and to temporary nurses of the Imperial Nursing Service, I have now arranged with the War Office that their sterling pay shall be converted into rupees at the fixed rate of Is. 4d. The pay of non-commissioned officers and men has throughout been converted at the fixed rate of Is. 4d. the rupee.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that workmen totally incapacitated through injury are entitled, under the Workmen's Compensation, Acts, to a maximum sum of £l 5s. per week; and, seeing that the purchasing power of money has decreased between 60 and 70 per cent. whilst the workmen's compensation Has only increased by 25 per cent. and that, in consequence of the change in prices, large numbers of workmen are in a very serious state of distress, what steps, if any, does he propose to take to give immediate relief to such workmen so as to prevent and further labour troubles?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Mansfield.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can supply the Departmental statistics on workmen's compensation for the years 1915. 1916, and 1917?

Owing to the War, the usual statistics were not published for these years. If the hon. Member desires to obtain information on any particular points and will let the Home Secretary know, he will see if it can be supplied.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the insidious propaganda of Mormon missionaries in this country and the distress and pain caused in many homes by their efforts to induce young women to join the Mormon Church and to emigrate to Utah; and whether he purposes taking any action to have such agents deported as undesirable aliens?

If the facts laid before the Home Secretary in regard to the action of any individual engaged in this propaganda appeared to him to justify the issue of a deportation order against him, I know he would not hesitate to use his powers. in that regard; but up to the present no such facts have been reported to him.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Coxhead has been ordered by County Petty Sessions to leave her house at Berries Bank, Berks, within six weeks; whether he is aware that her husband is a corporal in the Army with eight years' service, and appeared in Court to defend the case; and what he proposes to do to protect the homes of the men who fought for their country, and thereby prevent their families from being evicted?

My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of this case. Parliament has since war began greatly restricted the rights of house-owners over properties of moderate value by not allowing them to recover possession except on showing sufficient cause, and the Home Secretary has no authority to extend these restrictions further.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Sheriff-substitute Moffat has decided that the Rev. John M. Munro, 17, Cochrane Street, Falkirk, has to vacate his house, although the sheriff, after inspection, decided that the alternative accommodation offered was not suitable; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Rent Restriction Act, he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

I have asked for a report as to the facts, but I have not yet received it. The Rent Restriction Act does not, however, confer on me any power to interfere with the decision of the Court in such a case.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the housing scheme in the Wrexham rural district is held up owing to the delay on the part of the Treasury in coming to a decision as to whether a loan for building will be granted; and whether he is now in a position to declare the policy of the Government in respect to the granting of loans to areas where die assessable value exceeds £200,000?

As previously stated, the Treasury cannot undertake to make loans to local authorities with a rateable value exceeding £200,000, in addition to providing a large subsidy for housing. Consideration is being given to the question of what advice can be given to local authorities to assist them to raise the necessary capital for the areas for which they are responsible. The amount immediately required by the Wrexham Rural District Council to meet capital expenditure on housing is very small, and I do not think there is any reason why they should not proceed with their scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether appointments as housing inspectors under the Ministry of Health are open to all fully qualified sanitary inspectors in the public health departments of local bodies; if so, why no opportunity has been afforded to the great majority of the sanitary inspectors in Manchester, mainly ex-Service men, to compete for each appointments; and whether he will give these men the right to submit their names as candidates and to state their technical and war-service qualifications there for?

Having regard to the technical nature and the limited number of the appointments to be made, no general announcement inviting applications for the temporary posts to which the hon. and gallant Member refers has been made. The Selection Committee which has been considering these appointments have given special consideration to the claims of men possessing the requisite technical qualifications who have served with the forces, and a large majority of those at present appointed have thus served. The Committee will be prepared to consider further applications, which may be made to the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken with housing authorities in London and district in order that large and unoccupied houses in the various districts can be utilised and let as flats owing to the shortage of houses at the present time; and if he can make any general statement on the subject with a view to expediting this phase of housing in London?

A circular letter has been issued to the local authorities requesting them to collect and furnish the Housing Commissioner with information as to houses in their district which can be made available for conversion into flats for the working classes, and a manual giving information and advice to local authorities with regard to the steps which should be taken to proceed with schemes of conversion will be issued at a very early date. The London Housing Board are arranging for the inspection of premises suitable for conversion, and will co-operate with and render all possible assistance to the borough council. My right hon. Friend has to-day seen the Metropolitan Mayors and impressed upon them the importance of submitting such schemes without delay.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the complaints that many tuberculosis patients in sanatoria and similar institutions under the control of local authorities still suffer from the severe regime imposed by the War and food control as to food and nourishment; and whether he will cause such inquiries and alterations to be made as will ensure to such patients every consideration and help?

I am aware that complaints had been made from time to time in respect of food and other matters in sanatoria and similar institutions, and I am now inquiring into a particular case that has just been brought to my notice. I am advised that where the official dietary scales are properly carried out they are found suitable, but if the lion. Member will give me the details of any particular place where he has information that the food is inadequate, I will gladly have it investigated and reported on.

asked the Minister of Health whether his atention has been called to the increase of local rates in London both by the central and local authorities; and whether, in view of the present high cost of living, he proposes to make any inquiry into the various increases or to consider the matter in any way?

My right hon. Friend has received representations on the subject from certain local authorities not by any means confined to London. The matter is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend is not at the moment proposing to set up a special investigating committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the deplorable state of the streets in the Royal borough of Kensington owing to a strike of the borough workmen; whether the health of the inhabitants in this area will suffer severely if steps are not immediately taken to remove the refuse and filth; and what is the sum paid during the last week for unemployment in this borough?

Yes, Sir; and my right hon. Friend has been in communication with the mayor and the town council on the subject, who inform him that they are taking all possible steps by endeavouring to obtain the necessary labour, by urging the people to destroy the refuse in their own houses, and otherwise to avert any serious mischief to the public health which must ensue if the present conditions are prolonged. The last paragraph of the question should be addressed to the Ministry of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the present duty on spirit adds so heavily to the cost of certain manufactured articles, especially those in which it forms the basis of the manufacture, as to render it impossible for British manufacturers to compete with Germany, having regard to the relatively low cost of spirit in that country; and whether he will consider the advisability of modifying the duty in such cases and to that extent enable the British home trade to compete with German imports?

Methylated spirit, which is free of duty when made in this country, is allowed in the manufacture of a large number of articles in which the use of spirit is required by British manufacturers. In addition, pure spirit is, under certain conditions, allowed to be used by them free of duty in arts or manufactures under the provisions of Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1902. As at present advised, I do not think that any alteration of the law is called for, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any particular manufacture in mind, and will put before me the case, I will consider it. Where imported articles contain spirit they are, of course, charged on importation with the full Spirit Duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether be is aware that the strike at the Hull fish docks, which has held up the supply of fish from that port, has now been settled; in view there of, and of the importance of fish in the nation's food supply, will he make special arrangements to secure adequate supplies of coal at that port; and, as the Yorkshire mines are closed, will he see that supplies of coal for this purpose are obtained from the Derbyshire pits?

I am aware that the strike at the Hull fish docks has now been settled. Arrangements are being made for bunkering coal to be available at the Tyne ports for the Hull fishing vessels, and for those vessels to proceed to the Tyne to take in their supplies of fuel.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction if he is aware that there are no coal deposits in Orkney and Shetland and that all supplies have to be taken by sea from the South; that the present price of coal combined with the rate of freights makes that commodity dearer there than anywhere else; that there is an abundance of peat moss in some parts of Orkney and Shetland which, if better opened up by roads and improved means of transport, would develop a local industry and greatly benefit all, more especially localities where no peat moss exists; if he will say if this comes under the scheme for the improvement of rural transport facilities at present under consideration; and, if not, if steps will be taken to inquire as to the possibility of action on the lines indicated

I have been asked to answer this question. It is the case that there are no deposits of coal in Orkney and Shetland and prices accordingly run very high. A sub-committee of the Scottish Rural Transport Committee recently visited the islands and inquired into proposals put forward for improved means of transport. I understand that no reference was made to development of the peat industry in connection with these proposals. If my hon. Friend desires to put any suggestions before the committee, they will be considered in connection with their recommendations dealing with transport in the Orkneys and Shetlands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the £850,000 of 7 per cent. preference shares and £850,000 of 8 per cent. preferred ordinary shares in the British Dyestuffs Corporation subscribed by His Majesty's Government represent new money, or whether they have been allocated in consideration of the £1,142,000 loaned by the Government at 4 per cent, to British Dyes, Limited, one of the amalgamated companies?

His Majesty's Government were under obligation to advance to British Dyes, Limited, on certain conditions, a maximum sum of £1,700,000 secured by debentures bearing interest at 4 per cent. per annum. The amount advanced under that obligation has been repaid, and His Majesty's Government has subscribed instead for £850,000 7 per cent. preference shares and £850,000 preferred ordinary shares in British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, which has been formed to amalgamate the undertakings of British Dyes, Limited, and Levinstein, Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in a case where a British subject has purchased during the War from the Controller appointed by the Board of Trade under the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1916, all the machinery, material, stock in trade, and other move-able assets of a German enemy business, but excluding good-will and trade mark rights, and has by means of such purchase since carried on the business and manufactured and sold proprietory articles identified with the business, he is or will be liable to any proceedings on the part of the German proprietor of the good-will and trade mark in respect of such manufacture and sale?

By Article 297 of the Treaty with Germany every sale of or in connection with an enemy-owned business under exceptional war legislation is confirmed, and no claim or action can be brought in respect thereof by the previous proprietor. As regards any use of trade marks, other than that authorised by the Board of Trade under such legislation, the only protection afforded by the Treaty is that given in Article 309.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company has issued, in the civil engineering department, notices to men over forty years of age, advising them to be on the lookout for other employment; if so, what is the reason; and whether he is aware that trouble is threatened if men are to be displaced for reasons of age only?

I have not heard of this matter before. I am making inquiries, and will let the right hon. Gentleman know the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office authorities disclaim all responsibility for the wages of sub-office assistants; whether he or his officials informed the Arbitration Board that the consideration of the wages of such assistants were outside the terms of reference of that body; whether the sub-postmasters have received a war increase, and, if so, to what extent; whether the assistants have been unable to secure a proportionate increase ; and whether he will state to what tribunal these persons who are solely engaged upon Post Office work can appeal?

Assistants at scale payment sub-offices are the employés of the sub-postmasters, and are, therefore, outside the terms of reference to the Civil Service Arbitration Board, which relate only to employés of Government Departments. They are for the most part not engaged exclusively upon Post Office work. Scale payment sub-postmasters have been granted war bonuses corresponding generally to those granted to permanent Civil servants, but I am not aware to what extent the sub- postmasters have increased the remuneration of their assistants. The increases granted no doubt vary at different sub-offices. Sub-office assistants are analogous to other shop assistants, whose wages, so far as I know, are not regulated by any tribunal.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a revision is in contemplation at Cardiff which is designed to seriously worsen the working conditions of the staff; whether the proposals arrange for 137 duties on the postal side, of which 100 would be late or all-night duties; whether this would mean that every man would be continuously employed on late or all-night duties; whether the staff have been consulted; whether he has received an urgent petition against the introduction of the proposed scheme; and whether he will postpone any revision or the application of any reconstruction proposals at Cardiff until the Whitley Committee has been set up?

I have no know ledge of the revision or of the petition referred to. Inquiry is being made, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.