asked the Food Controller whether the original arrangement of a 20 per cent. meat retailer's gross profit made with the National Federation came to an end on 8th March, 1918; if he is aware of the letter from his Department, dated 18th May, 1918, in which it is specifically stated that there is a calculated profit of 20 per cent. on the value of the meat; and will he give the date of publication of any Order rescinding that arrangement?

The Meat (Maximum Prices) Order, 1917, prescribed maximum retail prices on the basis that such prices should not exceed the cost of the meat to the retailer by more than either 21d. per lb. or 20 per cent. of the cost, whichever should be the less. This method of fixing retail prices was superseded by the Meat (Retail Prices) Order of the 8th March, 1918, which fixed the actual prices at which meat might be sold retail. There was no obligation conveyed in the Order of the 29th August, 1917, that the arrangement which prescribed the percentage of profit should be maintained throughout the whole period of control and although the schedule of prices which was in operation on the 18th May, 1918, may have given a calculated profit of 20 per cent., I have subsequently found it necessary, on the advice of my Costings Department, to make reductions in the margin of profit allowed.

asked the Food Controller why the recent advance of 2¼d. per lb. has been made on the wholesale price of meat, seeing that both English and imported meat is more plentiful than it has been at any period this year, and that not only is live stock plentiful but there are huge quantities of imported meat waiting to be unshipped and shippers are obliged to keep it on board for want of refrigerating space on shore?

The hon. Member is doubtless aware that it is usual for homegrown meat to be more plentiful in t he autumn than at any other season of the year. It is also the case that large supplies of imported meat arc available. In view, however, of the possibility of a future shortage of home-grown meat, it has been considered advisable to encourage the farmer to continue to produce cattle during the coining winter and spring; and to that end cattle prices have been advanced to a figure which has necessitated the rise in price to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Food Controller why the control of the prices of calf skins has been taken from his Department and placed in the hands of the Ministry of Munitions; will he state the special qualifications of that body for that particular business; whether it is intoned, in the case or the hides of cattle, also to place them under the same body; and what is being done with the heavy tolls taken by the Government amounting in a special case of over 15,000 hides to over £1 7s. per hide, or considerably over £21,000?

The control of the price of calf skins has never rested with the Ministry of Food, but together with the control of hides of all descriptions has for some considerable time been administered by the Ministry of Munitions. The second part of the question is one which should be addressed to the Minister of Munitions. The difference between the price paid to the butchers and that paid by the tanners for the hides is applied to the reduction of the price of meat to the consumer.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty which of the following vessels, steamships "Oberon.," "Lord Ormonde," "Pancras," "Strombus," "Nellore," "Demodocus," "Ely-sia," "Basque," "Antinous," "Kingstonian," "Chyebassa," "Braemar Castle," "Incemore," "Virent," "Nord," "Ogono," "Clifftower,'' "Cimbrier," "Roseric," "Hellenes," and "Mitra," salved by dockyard and other tugs and salvage parties in the Mediter-

Ship.		Government owned.	Government Chartered.	Privately owned.	If privately owned does Government accept liability.	Will Crown claim be made.	If no Crown claim, will salvors be allowed to claim.
"Oberon"	…	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
"Lord Ormonde" and "Pancras"		No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Strombus"	…	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	—
"Nellore"	…	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
"Demodocus"	…		Under consideration.
"Elysian"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	—
						(Against private cargo not insured with H. M. Government.)
"Basque"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Do	—
			French		French
"Antinous"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Kingstonian"	…		Under consideration
"Chyebassa"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	—
						(Against private cargo not insured with H. H Government.)
"Braemar Castle"		No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Incemoor"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Virent"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Nord"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
			French		French
"Ogono"	…		No information available.
"Clifftower"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Cimbrier"	…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
"Roserie"	…	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	—
"Hellenes"	…	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
"Mitra"	…		Under consideration.

If my hon. Friend will later put a question down about the "Demodocus," "Kingstonian," "Ogono," and "Mitra," I will complete the information.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if

The information required by my hon. Friend is as follows:he can state why the war gratuity is not paid to Driver H. Chamberlain, No. 58659, 17th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, 41st Brigade, who served in this battery from 28th September, 1909, to 14th January, 1919, identity number 176; and if he is aware that Chamberlain has written many times to Lieutenant Mutton, Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery Records, Woolwich, and can get no answer, and that the same treatment has been extended to the hon. Member for Portsmouth North?

The matter is being investigated, and I will communicate the result to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the attempt being made by various new landlords, who have purchased property in the village of Naseby, near Rugby, to raise rent beyond the scope of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interests (Restrictions) Act, and also with a threat of ejectment, and in one case to use the house for laundry work two days a week; and what steps is he prepared to take to check this practice?

I have been asked to reply to the question of the hon. Member. I have no information as to the cases referred to beyond that contained in a letter which the hon. Member has sent to me. I may point out that a tenant can refuse payment of any increase in rent not authorised by the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restriction) Acts, and that a tenant who has actually paid such increase can recover the amount by deductions from subsequent payments of rent. A tenant cannot be ejected except by order of the Court, and if the landlord purchased the house after 30th September, 1917, it is the duty of the Court to consider all the circumstances of the case, including especially the alternative accommodation available for the tenant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the administrative, technical, and clerical staff of the Collie Corporation have been refused the war bonus scale recommended by the Local Government Board in their circular letter of 20th May last; whether he is aware that this refusal of the public officers standard of temporary relief from the economic conditions of the day is causing hardship and creating discontent; and if he will do his best to induce the Collie Corporation to refer the question to arbitration?

My attention has been drawn to this matter, and I have already suggested to the corporation that the question should be submitted to arbitration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the administrative and clerical staff of the Surrey County Council is seriously dissatisfied with the continued refusal of the county council to grant the Civil Service scale of war bonus; whether he is aware that the officials concerned have been continually appealing to the council wince April last to grant the scale; and, having regard to the patience shown by the officials, especially under the economic circumstances now existing, will he endeavour to persuade the county council to accept a settlement by arbitration?

My attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction existing among the staff of the Surrey County Council with regard to war bonuses, and I have urged the council to submit the matter to arbitration.