asked the Food Controller (1) whether any foodstuffs have recently been spoiled owing to delay in transit; and, if so, can he give the nature and quantity of the same; (2) whether it is possible for steps to be taken for more speedy clearance of food depots?

There has unfortunately been some congestion at the ports, and on occasion parcels of foodstuffs may have been spoiled owing to delay in tran- sit, though I have no definite evidence to this effect. The hon. Member may be assured that every effort is being made to overcome the existing difficulties of labour and transport so as to clear foodstuffs from the ports as quickly as possible.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland what action the Department of Agriculture proposes to take in view of the trawling by large motor boats in Dundrum Bay; whether the inspector sent down by the Department consulted the local fishermen and, if so, which; and whether the motor boats whose acts are complained of are actually licensed by the Department?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the use of seine nets in Dundrum Bay by several motor boats from Balbriggan. The skippers of these boats have been warned to take special care not to foul the trammel nets of the local fishermen and to keep away from those parts of the bay which are frequented by small fish. The officer referred to consulted, among other local fishermen, Messrs. Cunningham, Macaulay, Murphy, and Rafferty. No boats are licensed by the Department. The Admiralty permit system, which was administered by the Department during the War, is no longer in force on that part of the coast.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty when it is proposed to pay Colonel Marling, V.C., of Sedbury Park, Chepstow, for the 400 acres of land commandeered by the Government two years age; and is he aware that this officer offered to invest the money in the Victory Loan?

I have been asked to reply. Payment for the land commandeered from Colonel Marling will be made as soon as the outstanding question of boundaries and rights of way have been settled with Colonel Marling's agent. Owing to the negotiations for the purchase of the land not having been completed, it was not possible to take advantage of Colonel Mailing's offer to invest the purchase money in Victory Loan.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a man who joined as a private in 1014 or 1915 and who was commissioned in 1917 or 1918 will be demobilised later than a man who joined as an officer in 1916 without serving in the ranks?

The general principle governing the demobilisation of officers is that they are released as and when their services can be spared. All other conditions being equal, total length of service (both commissioned and in the ranks) is taken into account in deciding the priority of their demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private F. W. G. Robertson, No. 90595, Royal Army Medical Corps, 83rd Combined Stationary Hospital, Naseriyeh, Mesopotamia, who enlisted for duty in May, 1915, and has served in Mesopotamia since February, 1917, comes within the terms of paragraph 1 (i) of his Memorandum of 16th July, 1919, with regard to demobilisation; and whether this man will start for home before 28th August?

Yes, Sir. If Private Robertson joined the Colours for immediate service prior to 1st January, 1916, he comes within the paragraph of the Memorandum mentioned by my hon. Friend, and he should proceed for demobilisation by the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a temporary lieutenant over forty-two years of age at present serving in France is entitled to release under the recent demobilisation Order, which states that all men over thirty-seven, except those serving in India and Russia, will start for home by 28th August?

The Army Order recently published and referred to by my hon. Friend does not deal with the demobilisation of officers. A separate instruction was issued regarding their demobilisation, which states: "All officers (except Regular officers holding permanent coin-missions) who are not required for the Army of Occupation or for the military machinery of demobilisation will be demobilised. "If this officer's services are no longer required he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the. Secretary of State for War whether he can give the number of men enlisted previous to 31st December, 1915, who are still being kept in India; and whether men entitled to demobilisation are being retained in that country whilst men who join the new Regular Army are being sent home?

The number of men in India who enlisted previous to 31st December, 1915, and are eligible for demobilisation, but are temporarily retained, is approximately 35,000. With regard to the last part of the question, one of the conditions under which men re-engage for the new Regular Army is that they are granted a period of leave in the United Kingdom, according to the term they re-engage to serve. In view of this, and of the fact that such men are now providing the drafts for India to relieve the demobilisable personnel in that country, who cannot be released until these reliefs arrive, it is necessary for those who reengage to be sent home for the leave due to them under the terms of their extended service.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that certain women who enlisted for war service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps or similar organisations controlled by the Admiralty or War Office are being retained and refused demobilisation, although they have employment waiting for them and desire to be released; and what steps the Government propose to take to remedy this state of affairs?

I have been in communication with the Departments concerned, and I am informed that, as a general rule, no objection is raised to the demobilisation of any member of the forces referred to who desires release in order to take up civil employment. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish particulars of any case he has in mind to the Departments concerned inquiry will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give directions that disabled soldiers who are skilled motor drivers shall get preference in any vacancies at the War Office, although they may not be physically eligible for re-enlistment; is he aware that advertisements are being issued asking for women to offer themselves for training in order to fill posts which could be satisfactorily taken by demobilised soldiers; and is he also aware that the Midlothian local war pensions committee has protested against the procedure above referred to?

Civilians have been and are being employed for driving War Department motor vehicles, and when engaging drivers preference is given to ex-Service men. As I explained on Tuesday last, there are certain services which it is considered must be performed by enlisted soldiers or properly enrolled persons; the number of women drivers employed is being gradually reduced as enlisted soldiers become available to take their places. I am not aware of the protest mentioned in the last part of my right hon. Friend's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in demobilising the temporary staffs of Government Departments, care will be taken, as far as possible, not to demobilise officers and men who have served overseas during the War until men who were eligible and have not so served are dispensed with?

As the hon. Member is aware, a Committee has recently considered the whole question of extending the employment of discharged soldiers in the Government service, and I shall be glad to consider the hon. Member's suggestion in connection with their Report.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether tenders have been invited for the victual ling of the Seale-Hayne Hospital, Devon; and when the promise made to evacuate this institution will be fulfilled?

Inquiry is being made as to the first part of my right hon. Friend's question. As regards the last part, I can add nothing at present to the letter which was sent to him on Friday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether over 200,000 Russian prisoners still awaiting repatriation in Germany are to be removed from the control and support of the Inter-Allied Commission in Berlin and handed back to the German Government for maintenance until such time as they can be repatriated; if so, what route and means of repatriation exist except through the Bolshevik lines, which would entail conscription of these troops for Bolshevik purposes; and whether he will recommend the removal of these Russians to the empty prison camps in France and the subsequent transport of volunteers to the Army of General Denikin?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, apart from routes for repatriation through Bolshevik lines, anti-Bolshevik prisoners can be repatriated by sea to the various anti-Bolshevik fronts, and in the case of the Baltic States they can be repatriated also by rail. With regard to the third portion of the question, the French are already hastening the repatriation of all Russians at present in France, and would be unlikely to consent to the removal of Russians from Germany to empty prison camps in France. The transport of volunteers to General Denikin's Army, therefore, does not arise in this connection, but endeavour is being made to induce the Germans to allow such Russians as volunteer for service with General Denikin to be transferred to the latter's area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieut.-General Sir G. Milne was in command of the British Army on the Salonika Front for three years and that this was an independent command; and whether, in view of the results achieved by the troops under the leadership of Lieut.-General Sir G. Milne, he will explain why Lieut. -General Sir G. Milne was not recommended for a reward like other Army commanders?

It would be invidious to discuss the reasons which guided the Government in coming to the decisions which have been lately approved by the House.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can new state the arrangements already made, or to be made, for the preparation of permanent teachers in connection with the post-war Army educational training scheme?

As I stated on Tuesday last, the establishment to give effect to the principle that education is henceforward to be regarded as an integral part of Army training cannot be laid down until the composition and conditions of the future Army are finally decided. Upon these factors the arrangements for the provision and preparation of permanent teachers must depend. The importance of the matter is fully realised, and it is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Territorials who went out to India in 1914, and who were in the Suez Canal, a theatre of war, in 1914, are entitled to the 1914–15 medal; and, if not, whether they will receive any other distinction in order that the promise made to them, that they should not suffer by being sent to India in stead of a European theatre of war, shall be made good?

The Territorials referred to by my hon. Friend are eligible to receive the British War Medal. The award of the 1914–15 Star is limited to those who took part in certain specified operations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has been able to decide upon a form of decoration for officers and men mentioned in dispatches who have not received any other decoration?

The matter is being considered, but I am not yet in a position j to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the complaints regarding the provision made at Chanak, in the Dardanelles, for both officers and men in transit; whether the food is insufficient and indifferent, the accommodation poor, the camp filthy and ill-provided with any proper equipment; whether, as no beds are provided, sick people have to borrow stretchers to lie on; whether, although the camp is greatly used, there is an entire lack of every convenience which should be reasonably expected, since men have to remain there for many days waiting for transport; and whether he will have a prompt investigation made into the whole state of affairs?

No complaints have been received, but I am obtaining a report from the General Officer Commanding, and will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will approach His Majesty the King with a view to asking him if he will graciously consent to review the Volunteer forces; and whether he will consider the possibility of a medal being issued in appreciation of the services of a body of men who did much good work at home during the War?

I regret I am unable to make any announcement on this subject at the moment, but I hope to make a statement before the House rises for the Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that troops who served or are serving in Tiflis, Batoum, and Transcaspia have been put to considerable expense owing to the rate of exchange given by the paymaster being considerably less than that given by local banks; and will he take steps to have this grievance remedied?

The official rate is fixed at fortnightly intervals, and is based on the actual cost of currency purchased locally. It is impossible to secure that the official rate should correspond to the commercial rate on any given day, but, of course, the variations may be in either direction. I am inquiring whether it is possible to improve the method of fixing the rate. I might add that some 80 to 90 per cent. of the pay issued to the troops is returned through the canteens and post offices, both of which conduct their transactions at the official rates of exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to state when the clerical staff of the War Office in occupation of parts of the buildings of the University of London and of the Imperial Institute will be removed to other quarters in order that the educational work carried on in those buildings may be resumed?

I fully realise the importance of liberating the important space required by the University of London, and am engaged on various alternative schemes with that object. I am endeavouring to secure that some of the space will be vacated in time for the next term.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the assessment of temporary retired pay granted to disabled officers already in receipt of a Chelsea pension, the Chelsea pension is taken into account; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of not following this course of procedure?

By Article 1 (3) of the present Royal Warrant an officer holding a temporary commission receives disability retired pay made up of his service pension as a soldier, with an addition, according to the degree of disablement, varying from £100 for 100 per cent. disability. In cases where the rate arrived at is less than the disability rate in the prescribed scale he receives retired pay at that rate. The question has, however, recently been considered and is before the Select Committee, who may possibly deal with it in their next Report.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will direct that at least two representatives from organisations of discharged men shall sit on each local war pensions committee?

The Naval and Military War Pensions, etc. (Committees) Act, 1917, provides for the inclusion of at least two discharged disabled men in the membership of local war pensions committees. It is open to the appointing body to invite recommendations from organisations of discharged men, and this method of selection has been largely adopted. My right hon. Friend has already arranged for the issue of a Circular to local authorities urging upon them the necessity when filling vacancies on local committees of increasing to at least four the representation of discharged men, and specifically inviting them to approach associations of ex-Service men for recommendations.

asked the Pensions Minister whether moneys granted from the King's Fund have in the past been administered by the local war pensions committees, who have taken care that the money is applied as directed, in all cases seeing the receipts; are the grants now sent direct to the applicants from the Civil Liabilities Commission; and do they see that the money is so applied?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer to the first part is, I am informed, in the affirmative. I am considering the question of asking the local war pensions committees to pay, on behalf of the Civil Liabilities Department, the grants awarded by that Department in the type of cases recently taken over from the King's Fund. Hitherto the practice of the Civil Liabilities Department has been to pay such grants direct to the applicants (as they do in the cases with which the war pensions committees have never been concerned) subject in each case to adequate safeguards as to the proper application of the money.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any allowance and, if so, to what amount is made towards the upkeep and repair of artificial limbs of serving officers?

I have been asked to answer this question. The cost of adjustment of artificial limbs, necessitated by shrinkage of the stump, is defrayed by the Ministry of Pensions Repairs occasioned by breakage or necessitated by fair wear and tear are paid for by the officer until he is retired, after which the Ministry defrays the cost. This differentiation between serving and retired officers is made because the serving officer is entitled to full pay as well as wound pension. I may add that the serving officer has his limb supplied in duplicate in the first instance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to complaints made by officers who have had sums claimed by Army paymasters deducted from their gratuity without notice and although in their opinion the deduction was wrongfully made; whether, in such a case, an officer has any avenue of claiming either redress or an inquiry; and, if not, what steps will be taken to remedy the injustice involved?

Where a primâ facie public claim against an officer exists, the amount may be provisionally withheld from his gratuity before investigation, in order that the balance of the gratuity may be released without delay, in the officer's interests. Investigation by the military authorities always follows, and the officer has an opportunity of stating his case before final decision is given.

asked the Secretary of State for War why service in Section A of the Army Reserve does not count as qualifying service for service pension; and whether he is aware that this is a hardship to many old soldiers who rejoined the Colours on the outbreak of the War, and who are thereby deprived of service pensions?

I am not sure that my hon. Friend correctly understands the Regulations. Service in Section A counts as qualifying service if the soldier is mobilised from that section. Perhaps he will give me further particulars of the case he has in view.

asked the Pensions Minister why the application for a gratuity sent in on the 1st May, 1919, by the father of the late Private Boothby, No. 26382, King's Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in France in April, 1916, has not received attention; and will he see that a favourable reply is given at once?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on the 8th July to the hon. and gallant Member for Holborn, and to the statement which appeared in the Press on the 25th July. It is hoped that this case will be reached very shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Government have decided about giving a gratuity to acting paymasters; and if he will take action in the matter?

I can only refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley on the 31st July.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is prepared to review the (pensions of those quartermasters of the Territorial Force who have served in the War and who are drawing pre-war pensions of non-commissioned officers, in view of the fact that during the War they have performed exactly the same duties as quartermasters of the Regular Army?

If my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is that ex-soldiers who have served as officers only during the War should be granted the service pensions of officers, I am afraid I cannot adopt it.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is the custom of the Civil Liabilities Commission that, after allowing an annual grant to a man on joining up as a private, on promotion his grant is reduced by the amount of extra pay he receives on promotion; and, if such is the case, will he take into his consideration the alteration of this practice, especially looking to the fact of the increased cost of living and that the custom penalises a man from striving to improve his position?

It has always been the practice of the Civil Liabilities Department to review a grant made to a private, on his promotion. The grant is not, however, automatically reduced on account of his promotion, nor is it reduced by the whole amount of the extra pay which accrues on promotion. Each case is dealt with on its merits. I see no reason for altering the present practice. I may observe in this connection that no reduction of grants from the Civil Liabilities Department has been made by reference to the bonus which is now payable to men serving with the Armies of Occupation in addition to their ordinary pay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what was the numerical strength of the Women's Royal Air Force, officers and other ranks, respectively, on the 1st January, 1st July, and 1st August, 1919; what steps are being taken to demobilise the remainder of the officers and other ranks; and what is to be the future of this force?

The numerical strength of the Women's Royal Air Force at the dates mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend was as follows:

		Officers.		Other Ranks.
1st January, 1919	…	545	…	24,911
1st July, 1919	…	434	…	18,282
1st August, 1919	…	407	…	15,700

The force is being demobilised as quickly as circumstances will permit, with the object of reducing the numbers to about 3,200, at which figure it is intended the post-war strength of the force shall be fixed. It has already been stated to the House, in answer to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Fylde Division of Lancashire on the 3rd July, that it is not intended to disband this force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many members of the Women's Royal Air Force are at present employed at Bland-ford Camp; whether it is necessary for large numbers of them to live so far from the camp as Christchurch, Bournemouth, and Poole, and to be carried daily to and from the camp in motor omnibuses at the public expense and greatly to the detriment of the local roads; and whether it is now possible considerably to reduce the numbers both ' of men and women employed at the camp?

I have made inquiry on the spot into the position at Bland ford Camp, and hope to have the opportunity of making a full statement in the course of to-morrow's Debate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether girl clerks in his Department receive twelve days' holidays and men clerks twenty-eight days; and, if so, what is the reason for the difference?

The leave of temporary clerks, to whom I assume that my hon. Friend is referring, is governed by the rules made by the Treasury, and is the same for both males and females, the minimum being twelve working days, or one day for each month's service. The leave of permanent Civil servants is governed by a different set of rules, also made by the Treasury. If my hon. Friend wishes for further information, perhaps he would be good enough to put a question to my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that Mr. C. P. Lowe, of Hull, has been unable to obtain a renewal of his retail licence through absence on military service, and has thereby lost the greater proportion of his business; and whether it is proposed to give effect to the statements made by Ministers during the War that joining the Army should not prejudice a man's position in civil life?

I am advised by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) that no excise licence was in force in respect of Mr. Lowe's premises prior to his absence on military service. The case falls within the operation of the order which restricts the sale of intoxicating liquor under new excise licences which can be taken out without the authority of a justices' licence, and are, therefore, not subject to any control such as that exercised by justices over retail licences generally.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is arranging to obtain from the various police authorities in this country reports as to temperance reform methods, more especially as applied to the stimulation of agitation with which the cause of temperance has nothing whatever to do?

There appears to be no reason for taking the exceptional steps suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether any members of the executive committee of the Police and Prison Officers' Union who recently organised a strike among the police forces of this country are of alien birth or of alien origin?

So far as I know, none of the members are of alien birth. Zollner, a member of the executive, is, I am informed, the son of German parents, and Thiel, the organising secretary, is the son of a German father.

asked the Home Secretary whether the inquiry which was held at Edmonton on the 22nd July last in respect of the munition works was in response, wholly or partly, to the application of the Southgate Council; and, if so, why the Southgate Council was not given an opportunity of being heard?

The inquiry was held in response to a request from the Edmonton Urban District Council, in whose district the works were situated, and referred only to allegations of illegal deposit of explosives in that district. The arrangements for the inquiry were left in the hands of the council.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a document entitled "Programme of the Clyde Workers' Soviet Committee"; and whether the Law Officers of the Crown will be consulted in reference to the criminality of the document in question?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is no doubt about the criminality of the document, and evidence of authorship and distribution is being obtained.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of widows' children in industrial schools and orphan homes, such as Dr. Barnardo's, Waifs and Strays, etc., and the cost of their maintenance therein; the number of widows' children in Poor Law institutions, and the cost of their maintenance therein?

No collated or official figures are available as to the maintenance, cost, or the number of widows' children in such orphan homes as are referred to in the question I am informed by the Home Office that the average cost of maintenance in industrial schools is about 16s. to 18s. per week, but figures are not available as to the number of widows' children therein. The number of widows' children receiving what is termed "indoor relief" on 1st January, 1914 (the latest date available), was about 18,000, but many of these were paid for by the guardians at institutions not directly under the Poor Law. In no case are figures available as to their cost of maintenance.

asked the Minister of Health if he can make any announcement about the proposed extension of medical benefit under the National Insurance (Health) Acts?

The question of what changes, if any, in the existing medical benefit under the Insurance Acts will be proposed for 1920 is not yet decided. Various improvements in the conditions of service and the possible establishment of some of the additional matters that were suggested in the Estimates of 1914 have been under consideration at the Ministry and in conference with the practitioners, and will be further discussed with the new consultative councils, with the insurance committees, and with approved societies. But these matters are not yet in a sufficiently advanced state to admit of any precise statement from me to-day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of miners resident in Nottingham and employed at collieries situated at Kimberley, Ilkeston, and West Hallam, have to wait from 2 p.m. at West Hallam until 4.16 p.m. for a train home; and whether he will arrange for the Great Northern Railway Company to again put on the train which used to leave Ilkeston at 3.6 p.m. or, as an alternative, run the miners' train which at present runs between Ilkeston and West Hallam, through to Nottingham, so as to enable the train to pick up the men at West Hallam, Ilkeston, and Kimberley?

I am making inquiries on this matter, and will inform the hon. Gentleman of the result.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great congestion that takes place on the Woolwich line of the Great Eastern Railway in the early morning and between 5 and 7 o'clock in the evening; and if he will use his influence with the railway company concerned to get an improved service of trains at the earliest possible moment?

I am communicating with the railway company on this matter, and will write to the hon. Gentleman on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any proposals have been made for improving the financial position of superannuated railway servants; and what steps he is taking in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on this subject to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham, on the 17th March, of which I am sending him a copy. Since that date the whole question involved has been further considered, but it has not been found possible to take any action in the direction suggested

asked the President of the Board of Trade, with regard to the provisions of the Treaty of Peace as to claims by British nationals against Germany and German nationals, when he expects to be in a position to announce the date of the establishment of the necessary offices; and when notice will be given of the procedure necessary to formulate claims?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 30th July to the question addressed to the Foreign Office by the hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan, Western Division.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give, for the year 1918 or the last year available a table showing by industries the estimated sub-division of the use of coal retained for home consumption?

In the year 1917 the coal available for home consumption, after deducting the amount required for the operation of the coal mines, is estimated to have been distributed amongst the principal industrial and other uses approximately as follows:

	Million Tons.
Mines (other than coal mines) and quarries	2½
Railways for locomotive purposes	13
Gas works	18½
Electricity works	7
Blast furnaces	19½
Other uses in metal industries, including engineering and shipbuilding	30
Textiles	9
Food and drink	3
Chemical and allied trades	5
Paper, printing and allied trades	2
Building, clay and stone	6½
Miscellaneous industries	3
Domestic, mercantile, etc, uses, including coal used by the Admiralty and 1¼ million tons used for coastwise bunkering	64
	183

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds the Coal Controller has authorised the maximum retail price of coke to be increased to 6s. per ton in addition to coal?

The maximum retail price of coke was increased by 6s. per ton because of the price of the coal from which the coke is produced having been increased.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Ministry of Labour can find no confirmation of the statements attributed to an officer of the Tunbridge Wells Employment Exchange that a weekly wage of £2 per week of fifty-one hours was the proper rate for the Timber Supply Department to pay men in connection with the felling of timber in that district; and whether he is prepared to make further inquiries into this matter?

Further inquiries have been made, and I understand that the men concerned are engaged not on felling timber but on work akin to that done by agricultural labourers whose wages are believed to be somewhat lower than those being paid by the Timber Supply Department. If there are any further points on which the hon. Member desires information the Acting-Controller of Timber Supplies will be happy to go into them with him if he will be good enough to arrange an appointment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions now exist upon trade between this country and Germany?

The conditions under which trade is now permitted with Germany are set out in the White Paper, Cmd. 274, copy of which should have reached my hon. Friend some days ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to encourage and promote trade between the United Kingdom and Italy?

The promotion of trade is the constant care of the Department, and perhaps it will be sufficient to mention specially the negotiation of an arrangement for the mutual relaxation of import restrictions in this country and Italy in favour of one another's goods (which arose out of one of the exigencies of the War), the relaxation of a Defence of the Realm Regulation in order to permit of longer credits, the provision of raw materials and transport facilities, the appointment of a commercial counsellor and commercial secretary at Rome, and the strengthening of our Consular representation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can provide a daily postal service between Blairgowrie and Glenshee, Perthshire, and arrange for delivery of letters from Blacklunans and Glenshee post offices?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is possible for a trade board to establish a regulation abolishing overtime, especially where both sides represented on the trade board are agreed upon such proposal?

The Trade Boards Acts do not empower a trade board to make a regulation abolishing overtime. A trade board is, however, empowered to fix overtime rates at any rates higher than the normal rates, and to declare the normal number of working hours per week or per day in the trade, beyond which the overtime rates must be paid.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any comparative figures of the output per man in the typical leading industries of this country and of the United States of America; if any general difference between them exists, what are the main causes of the difference; whether he can give any information as to profit-sharing, payment by results, and any other methods of remuneration in industry, respectively, as adopted in the United States of America; whether any and which of such methods have been effective in preventing industrial unrest and what effect they have had upon output; and, if he is not in a position to give the above figures and information, whether he will appoint a small committee of impartial experts to go to the United States and make a Report on the above matters and on any advantages or disadvantages attaching thereto which may throw light on the industrial position in this country?

Reports on profit-sharing in America and this country have been published, and I shall be glad to supply my hon. and learned Friend with copies. A further edition relating to the United Kingdom, covering the war period, is now in course of preparation. To determine the other points raised in the question, a very considerable inquiry would be necessary in both countries, and, in my view, the best way of obtaining information that would be accepted by both employers and work-people would be for the trades concerned to agree upon a joint committee of inquiry.

asked the Minister for Labour whether the Wages (Temporary Regulation) Order has lapsed or whether it is now in force?

The Wages (Temporary Regulation) Act, 1918, has been extended for a period of six months, terminating on the 21st November, 1919, by the Wages (Temporary Regulation) Extension Act, 1919, and is therefore still in force.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, while the most recent Education Act for England recognises that time spent in teaching in Scotland shall be reckoned as a qualifying period in respect of superannuation, the most recent Education Act for Scotland fails to recognise reciprocal service in England; and whether there is prospect of the unequal treatment being removed?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in this matter. Recognition of service in England for the purpose of the Scottish superannuation scheme for teachers is provided for in Article 12 of that scheme, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed to fix a price for hops this autumn?

The answer to my Noble Friend's question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate acreage at present under hops in England, Germany, Czecho-Slovakia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, and the United States of America; how many hops have been imported into the United Kingdom during 1919, and the countries from which they came; whether the importation of any further hops is to be permitted this year; and, if so, how many?

The approximate acreage at present under hops in England is 14,566 acres. No details are available as to the acreage in the other countries mentioned. During the present year 300 cwts. of hops have been imported— 225 cwts. from Belgium and 75 cwts. from France. Further importation will be allowed only in those cases where brewers can satisfy the Hop Controller that they are unable to carry on to the end of the year without them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state approximately the average price paid in London during 1919 for hops imported from abroad?

The average price paid in London during 1919 for imported hops, whether imported during 1919 or earlier, is not ascertainable. The price varied from £6 to £13 per cwt. All these hops were grown prior to 1918.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the large registration and stencilling fee of 10s. per pocket or bale of 2 cwts. or under and 20s. over 2 cwts. has been placed on imported hops?

I am informed by the Hop Controller that the Hop Control Committee in fixing the fee on imported hops at 10s. per bale under 2 cwts., and 20s. over2 cwts., consider that this sum is relatively a reasonable and fair charge. The charge for registration and stencilling with control mark of the previous English crops, which came into control, have varied from 7s. 6d. to 15s. per pocket of l½ cwts. These fees have up to now enabled the Hop Control to pay all its working expenses without calling for any financial assistance from His Majesty's Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture why the application of Mr. F. Marnie, late second-lieutenant, Royal Air Force, which was made through the Ministry of Labour Appointments Department, No. 8 District, Exeter, was refused by the Board of Agriculture; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Marnie has been farming on his own farm in Rhodesia for twelve years prior to the War, that the Government cannot repatriate him under six months and are prepared to extend that time, and that he is very anxious whilst waiting to be repatriated to take advantage of the opportunity to regain some of the knowledge and experience lost whilst on service by taking a course of higher agriculture provided by the Government, the Board of Agriculture can reconsider their decision?

Mr. Marnie applied for a scholarship at an agricultural college under the Officers' Agricultural Training Scheme. His application was referred by the Board to a committee of selection, on whose recommendations the Board act; and I regret that it is not possible for the Board to reconsider their decision in his case. These scholarships are limited to 100, and over 1,000 applications have already been received.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the ex-King of Montenegro is still in exile, and, if so, where; and whether the Allies, or any one of them, are doing anything to prevent his return to his own country?

King Nicholas of Montenegro is now residing at Neuilly-sur-Seine. We have no information to the effect that steps are being taken to prevent his return to his country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information with regard to the Yugo-Slav robberies and murders in Ipek, Radishefca, Istok, Jablanika, and other Albanian towns and villages?

My attention has been called to certain reports of this nature, but I have no official confirmation on the subject.