asked the Minister of Food whether he will state the amount of money paid for commission to brokers during the Government control of the sugar supply?

The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply has paid no commission to brokers on its purchases. It has paid on its sales the commission customary in the sugar trade, namely, ¼ per cent, to ½ per cent, according to the service rendered.

asked the Minister of Food if he can see his way to release an increased quantity of spirits from bond before Christmas, because the basis of supply being fixed upon one year's consumption, 1916, many merchants who in that year drew less than their normal requirements now, in consequence, find themselves unable to meet the demand made upon them?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the effect on clubs of the present restriction on the supply of whisky and gin; whether he is aware that the purchases in 1916 were small, but that now, owing to the return to civil life of old members and the influx of new ones, the membership of those clubs has considerably increased; and whether he will state the reasons which still exist for the restrictions on the particular beverages already named?

As the Food Controller has already announced, it has been decided that all restrictions on clearances of spirits from bond shall be removed forthwith.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the lack of transport facilities with the mainland, the population of the islands of Harris, Uist, and Barra, have been frequently short of food supplies during the War, and especially since the return of the Service men after the Armistice; and whether, in order that the food supply for man and beast during the winter may not be endangered, he will consult with the Postmaster-General so as to have the steamer service with the mainland improved?

During the War, the islands of Harris, Uist and Barra, received on an average one call a week from the mail steamer. Uist and Barra now receive three calls a week, and, since the inauguration of the new service, no complaints have been received. The mail steamer has, however, been forced to abandon its weekly call at Stockinish, but there is no evidence that this has caused any serious shortage of foodstuffs, which can be brought to Stockinish by road from Tarbert. Complaints have, however, been received from the inhabitants of Harris, and the Ministry are at present in consultation with the Postmaster-General with a view to an improvement in the present arrangements being made.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the stoppage since the beginning of the War of steamer communication between Stornoway and Liverpool and Stornoway and Aberdeen a large proportion of the food for the island has been carried by the mail-boat from the rail head at Kyle; that frequently, owing to lack of transport, there was a serious shortage of essential articles of food; that owing to the return of thousands of men from war service the difficulties of obtaining supplies has been greatly increased; and whether he will use his influence to have the daily steamer service from Kyle to Stornoway restored so that the food supply of a population of 30,000 may not be imperilled?

The effect of transport difficulties on the distribution of food in the Highlands is constantly engaging the serious attention of the Ministry. I have not, so far, received information of any danger of food shortage in Stornoway, but I am having inquiries made.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will grant time for a discussion on the price of milk, in view of the feeling existing in the country on this matter?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a discussion taking place on this subject at present. As the House is aware, a Committee representing local authorities is at present investigating the figures on which the winter prices of milk were fixed by the Ministry of Food.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the business of the County Courts in Ireland has increased to such an extent that it is necessary to appoint a Committee to consider amongst other matters the advisability of creating permanent positions on the County Court staffs for the registrars of the County Court judges; whether, it the suggested scheme is brought into operation, it is intended that they shall relieve the clerks the Crown and peace of part of the duties at present performed by them; if so, will the salaries attached to the various offices of clerk of the Crown and peace be proportionably reduced following the lessening of the duties of those officials; and whether in this connection he has considered the claims of the whole-time, though unestablished, staffs of the Crown and peace offices, with a view to their being utilised to deal with the work for which their competency is acknowledged, and with a view to providing the necessary working power at a more economical expenditure than would be incurred if men whose remuneration would necessarily involve considerably increased outlay were employed?

The terms of reference to the Committee, which has been appointed by the Lord Lieutenant and which is now sitting, invite the Committee merely to report as to whether the duties of clerks of the Crown and peace have increased or decreased and whether the office of County Court registrar should be made greater use of for public purposes. Pending the Report of that Committee, which I cannot forecast, I am not in a position to reply to the inquiries of the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of the Motor Taxes collected by the local authorities in Ireland for the year 1918?

The total amount of Motor Car Licence Duty levied by county councils in Ireland under Section 89 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, during the calendar year 1918 was £28,799 15s. 2d.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Pioneer L. J. Turner, No. 605471, Royal Engineers, joined the Army by voluntary enlistment under the Derby scheme, but was discharged from the Army as medically unfit; that he re-enlisted for one year's service on the 12th May, 1919; that he is now in Ward A 5, 24th General Hospital, at Etaples, France, suffering from his old complaint; and whether, in view of the fact that he is not likely to be of further use in a military capacity, instructions may be given for the release from the Army of this soldier, who has a wife and family at home?

I am making inquiries, and will acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Gunner A. E. Linch, No, 209864, Royal Garrison Artillery, is the son of a dairy farmer farming 200 acres and owning a retail dairy business in Folkestone, which he has much difficulty in carrying on without his son's assistance; and whether, in view of the fact that Gunner Linch has been ordered home from the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and is now serving at Queenstown, there is any prospect of his speedy release from the Army in order to take up his important civil employment?

In the absence of particulars as to this man's date of enlistment, age, etc., it is not possible to state under which category of Demobilisation Regulations he conies, but in any case, providing he has not signed on for further service, he will be released not later than 1st April, 1920.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he is aware that Corporal G. Sutton, No. 652243, l62nd Labour Company, British Expeditionary Force, offered himself for enlistment under the Derby scheme on the 4th of November, 1915, at the Guildhall, Canterbury, but was rejected, and received a medical rejection certificate and Form B 2512A; that on the 23rd of June, 1916, he received Army Form 3226 calling him to the Colours under the Military Service Act, but on producing his medical rejection certificate and Form B 2512A he received a notice cancelling his call to the Colours, signed by the officer commanding the recruiting office, Canterbury, sub-area, which notice proves that Sutton had been rejected under the Derby scheme; that in August, 1916, he received Form 3299 (applicable to men who had offered for voluntary enlistment and had been rejected) asking him to come up for re-examination, and was passed into category B I and was called to the Colours in October, 1916; that Sutton had the misfortune to lose his pay book and papers in France, and that his records office professes to have no record of his offering to enlist voluntarily in November, 1915, with the consequence that, whereas the other men of his company who enlisted under the Derby scheme have been demobilised, Corporal Sutton is still retained with the Colours; and, in view of the fact that there is sufficient evidence of Sutton having offered himself and being rejected in 1915, and that his company officer has given him a written acknowledgment of having seen and found genuine his lost papers, which acknow- ledgment has been forwarded to Sutton's records office, whether instructions will be given for Corporal Button's immediate discharge from the Army, to which he is entitled on the facts of his record;(2) in view of the fact that Corporal G. Sutton, No. 652243, 162nd Labour Company, British Expeditionary Force, now at home on leave, has had an extension of leave till the 22nd instant on account of his wife's bad health, whether he will grant a further extension of leave to this soldier to enable consideration to be given to the question of his eligibility for immediate demobilisation?

As explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Wrexham on 27th October, I regret that such cases cannot be treated as "Derby" men for the purpose of demobilisation. Corporal Sutton's leave has, however, been further extended till 1st December, and inquiries are being made as to his release on compassionate grounds. I will write to my hon. Friend later.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers in North Russia were paid in roubles, and at the same time informed that these could be changed for English money at the rate of 6d. for each rouble either on the ship or at home, but that many soldiers did not understand that they could only change these notes at branches of Messrs. Barclay's Bank, and so failed to exchange ties before the facilities were withdrawn on 1st November; and whether he will now make other arrangements for soldiers to obtain the value of their pay, which they had no option but to accept in roubles?

Arrangements were made for roubles issued as pay to be exchanged locally before the troops left North Russia. I am not aware that the troops were informed that the roubles could be exchanged on ship or at home. If in any cases soldiers had no opportunity of exchanging their roubles before embarkation, the exchange can be carried out at the War Office. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will communicate tome particulars of any cases that have come to his notice.

asked the Secretary of state for War whether his attention has been called to the statement which has recently appeared in the Press to the effect that it is the intention of the Government to abolish three Cavalry regiments, the Machine Gun Corps, and Tank Corps; and what reductions in the Army tire being contemplated?

No decision has yet been reached on the subjects mentioned in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what Regulation Private John Kennedy, No. 64546, 2nd Company, 21 Hut, Scottish Rifles, Curragh Camp, Ireland, son of John Kennedy, 11, Cowlairs Road, Springburn, Glasgow, is retained against his own wishes and his parents in the Army, seeing that he was only seventeen years and three months old when he enlisted without his parents' consent in July, 1919, and is still under eighteen years of age; and will he instruct his immediate discharge?

The age limit for recruits is fixed by Regulations made under Section 93 of the Army Act. If a recruit misstates his age on enlistment the War Office do not consider that to be a sufficient cause in itself for discharging him from the Army. This case, however, is being inquired into, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that great inconvenience is caused to the public by the continued reservation for military use exclusively of the main road between Margate and Sandwich; and whether, in view of the fact that there is no longer any necessity to keep the public from the neighbourhood of Richborough, he will give instructions for this thoroughfare to be restored to the use of the public?

The main road between Sandwich, Margate and Rams- gate has been reopened to the public from Sunday, 16th November. Land still in, Government occupation has been enclosed by wire fencing, and the public will not be allowed to leave the road for the purpose of entering the works areas unless they are in possession of a permit from the Commandant, Headquarters Office, Stonar Camp, entitling them to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that. Mr. G. E. King, of 34, The Grove, Aldershot, who was recently employed as timekeeper and wages clerk at the Royal Engineers Office, Wellington Lines, Aldershot, has not yet received the full arrears of pay to which he was entitled upon discharge; and whether inquiries can be made to rectify this matter as soon as possible?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my Noble Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the Navy and Army Canteen Board are retaining in their employ in the Aldershot area hundreds of women in the various institutions, canteens, and coffee bars in military commands, whilst a large number of ex-Service men are unemployed in the district; and whether, in view of the fact that prior to the War men were employed on the work and that the whole of the profits of the board have been made out of men in the forces, he will give instructions that the claims of ex-Service men to employment shall have due consideration?

The work done in canteens by the women referred to is of a domestic nature, for which they are more suited than men, and it has, therefore, been decided to retain women in employment of this nature. The claims of ex-Service men for employment always receive prior consideration, and such men are given employment as suitable vacancies occur. It should be remembered, however, that with the reduction of the Army, corresponding reductions in the canteen staff have to be made, and the amount of employment which the Navy and Army Canteen Board can offer is in consequence steadily decreasing.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether he is now in a position to state the policy of the Department with regard to the Pimlico Army Clothing Factory; whether he is aware that civilian suits supplied to soldiers on demobilisation were manufactured at this factory at the cost of £2 5s. per suit; and whether, in view of the efficiency of this factory, he will favourably consider the utilisation of the stocks of cloth in the making of standard suits for sale direct to retailers in order to maintain employment in the factory, make full use of the cloth while it is in good condition, and keep the personnel up to at least pre-war strength;(2) whether unless some measures are taken at once about 600 women employed at the Pimlico Army Clothing Factory will receive notice of dismissal within a few days although the workers in this factory some time ago agreed to work three days a week only in order to avoid any discharge; and whether steps will be taken which will enable the factory to be kept at least at pre-war strength, and to arrange with the employés for stoppages to take place on lines which will not involve hardships?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any decision has been come to regarding the future of the Pimlico Army Clothing Factory; whether he is aware that, as a result of execssive manufacture, huge stocks of clothing are in store, sufficient to last the new standing Army for nearly five year; that much of these stores will be until for wear before put to use and will probably be sold at low prices on account of deteriorated condition; that a large part could be sold now to many willing purchasers at a fair price and that leave the factory free to manufacture more up-to-date requirements; and that many suits of clothes have been made of too large a size to be serviceable but could be made fit for use by slight alteration and thus provide work; and whether every effort will be made to keep this national factory going?

While it is desired to maintain the Pimlico Clothing Factory, the rapid rate of demobilisation and the large stocks which have in consequence become available have rendered it impossible to keep the staff fully employed, and in the interests of economy discharges have therefore become necessary. The matter has been receiving careful consideration, and everything will be done to ease the hardship entailed, but I am afraid it may be found necessary to effect still further reductions of staff. I am not prepared to admit that there has been an excessive manufacture of military clothing. The large stocks of clothing now on Army charge are due to the rapidity with which demobilisation has been carried out, and it is in the interests of economy that such stocks should be maintained and used up to meet the needs of the troops. As regards the civilian suits supplied to soldiers on demobilisation, a comparatively small quantity of special sizes only have been manufactured at the factory and no more of these suits are now required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is yet in a. position to state the basis on which gratuities are to be paid to officer interpreters; and, if not, whether he can give any idea how long it will be before an announcement is made on this subject, seeing that many of these officers are being demobilised and are in urgent need of their gratuities?

An Army Order is on the point of issue stating the basis on which these gratuities will be issued. I much regret the delay which has occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of the pension of Mr. G. W. Eales, late sergeant-major, Royal Regiment of Artillery; whether Mr. Eales left the service in 1912, after serving twenty-four years, seventeen of which were spent in India and Africa, including the defence of Ladysmith, and was granted a pension of 2s. 5d. a day; that in August, 1914, he tried to rejoin, but was rejected owing to circumstances partly caused by his long service abroad; that in September, 1914, he joined the staff of recruiters, and worked continuously until the end of 1918, under Army officers and Army discipline, and drawing Army pay; that during his two years of recruiting he raised upwards of 3,000 recruits; whether Mr. Eales, on application for the re-assessment of his pre-war pension, was informed that he was not entitled to any such increase, as he did not re-enlist; and whether, in view of this man's record before and during the War, and in view of the services he rendered on the staff of recruiters, he will issue instructions for the pension of this man to be re-assessed?

I am afraid I cannot make any exception to the rule that only re-enlisted pensioners can have their pensions re-assessed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, under the Royal Warrant published on the 13th September, 1919, the pension of a Royal Army Medical Corps major, payable after twenty years' service, is reduced from £365 to £321, and that, in effect, such an officer will be worse off, so far as regards pension, than the Infantry officer who joins the Army straight from school; and whether he will state what is the reason for this anomaly and injustice, seeing that the Royal Army Medical Corps major has to go through an expensive technical course to qualify before entering the Army, while the higher rate of pension is given to those whose military education is largely furnished at the expense of the State?

My attention has already been called to this point, and it is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the disability pension awarded to E. F. Jordex, late private, No. 2415049, ⅕th Buffs, was stopped some weeks ago, seeing that Jordex, who was discharged from the Army as a sufferer from epilepsy, is still subject to that complaint, and is prevented thereby from earning his livelihood?

The medical evidence shows that Private Jordan has been subject to epileptic fits from childhood, and therefore his epilepsy could not be regarded as attributable to service, but only as aggravated thereby. When he was re-boarded in July last he was found to be disabled less than 20 per cent., and to have so far improved in health as to be no worse than when he entered the Army. Consequently the pension awarded on the ground of aggravation could not be continued.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give a definite assurance that the Becketts Park Hospital, Leeds, will not be closed down until there is no longer need for its maintenance?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that practically all the men now under notice of dismissal from Woolwich Arsenal are ex-Service men; how many men who entered the Arsenal whilst of military ago during the War as unskilled workers and remained there are still employed in the Arsenal; and whether he will give instructions that no ex-Service men shall no discharged whilst men who entered tin; Arsenal daring the War and did no military service are retained?

I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will repeat this question in a week's time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in connection with the proposed agreement with the Ailsa Craig Motor Company, any expression of opinion has been conveyed to him that the proposals of the Ministry will enable the company to resume operations and re-ernploy their old workpeople; if so, can he state the persons who have conveyed this expression of opinion; and whether he will arrange a meeting between these persons, the representatives of the workpeople, the company, and the Ministry, in order that the whole matter may be properly discussed?

It is a fact that the agreement already arrived at between the company and their creditors with the assent of the Ministry of Munitions, would leave the company free to resume operations and supply them with a certain amount of working capital. I am in hopes that a supplementary agreement in the interests of the company will be shortly arrived at. Until the agreement is completed the matter must be regarded as sub judice; and, in the event of completion, the company will be free to make such arrangements as they think fit with their old workpeople without the intervention of the Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the total amount realised from the disposal of all kinds of materials and things from the Armistice to any date of the present month; what are the amounts expended in advertisements; what are the other expenses in connection with the storage, upkeep, and sale, including administration and labour; and if the results show any surplus to the good after paying all such expenses, will he state what surplus, and what proportion it boars to the prices reaised?

The total sum realised for the sale of surplus stores and property from the date of the Armistice to 1st November, as far as figures have come to hand, is approximately £111,000,000. In addition to this, £102,000,000 have been received during the same period in respect of sales of raw materials dealt with on trading accounts. The approximate cost of advertising is at present about £5,000 a week. The storage, custody, and handling of surplus stores from the date of the Armistice has been undertaken by the Departments to which the stores belong. I regret that it is not possible to give an estimate of the expense involved, but my hon. Friend may feel assured that the sums realised for sales very largely exceed the expense involved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his Department have the control of calf skins and also the hides of cattle; what profit is made by the Ministry by such control and what becomes of the money so obtained; and what are the special qualifications of his Department to deal with such byproducts of the meat trade?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The sums paid to the Ministry of Munitions by hide markets are transferred to the Central Live Stock Fund of the Ministry of Food and no profit is made by the Ministry of Munitions. The control of hides is exercised by the Department of the Ministry of Munitions which deals with the purchase of leather goods. The Department acts in consultation with a Leather Council fully representative of all sections of the leather industry and in close co-operation with the Ministry of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if local authorities are given facilities to purchase Government motor lorries at less than the market price; and if so, whether the same facilities can be granted to discharged soldiers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that there are a number of Canadian soldiers who took their discharge in England who now find them-elves workless and their war gratuity almost exhausted; if he is aware that these men have themselves forfeited their legal right to repatriation; and if he will use his good offices in trying to persuade the Dominion Government to give the men free passage home?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the matter is under the consideration of the Canadian authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his atten- tion has been called to the hardships now endured by disabled teachers in elementary schools owing to the inadequacy of the Grants at present being made; and whether, seeing that these persons have contributed substantially to the teachers' superannuation and disablement fund and that they have been completely ignored in the two recent Education Acts, measures will be taken to remedy this grievance of those who have so well served the State?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Yeovil on 24th July. I am sending him a copy of the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Government intend to bring in a Bill providing for the superannuation of lecturers and teachers in colleges and university colleges receiving Government; Grant or, alternatively, to amend the Teachers' Superannuation Bill of 1918 to include in its provisions such lecturers and teachers in colleges and university colleges; if any Report has been made to the Government with regard to the superannuation of lecturers and teachers in colleges and university colleges; and, if so, the nature of that Report, and if lecturers and teachers in colleges and university colleges receiving Government Grant who have been superannuated since January, 1918, have received benefits not less than those embodied in the Teachers' Superannuation Bill of 1919?

If, as I presume, the hon. Member refers to teachers in universities and university colleges, the Government do not propose to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested in the first part of the question. No Report to the Government on the subject has been made since the Second and Third Reports of the Advisory Committee of the Board of Education on University Grants in 1913, as a result of which a federated superannuation system on a contributory basis of insurance was instituted for the universities and university colleges. As regards the last part of the question, I have no information, but I understand that in many of the universities and university colleges the increased Grants notified this year have enabled substantial increases to be made in the contributions made by them under the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can now indicate approximately the date which he intends to fix as the appointed day for giving effect to the provisions of the Education Act of 1918 relating to the establishment of continuation schools, either for the country as a whole, or for different areas or parts of areas, or for different persons or classes of persons?

The date which I have in view as that at which every local education authority should make some provision for obligatory attendance at continuation schools is, as I stated at Blackpool on the 24th July, the autumn of 1921. I have, however, reason to hope that some local education authorities will be ready to establish a general or partial system of continuation schools, at which attendance shall be obligatory, in advance of that date; and I need not say that I shall welcome proposals from local education authorities for that purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that a comprehensive list of crimes alleged to be committed in Ireland since May, 1916, has been published, ho will issue a similar list of crimes alleged to be committed in Great Britain during the same period?

Statistics of crime in England and Wales and in Scotland are laid before Parliament, and published every year. I do not know that anything more is needed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will remove the ban placed upon the granting of a passport to James Larkin to enable him to return, as he desires, to this country?

There is, so far as I am aware, no such ban.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the repatriated aliens had British-born wives; and how many of these wives accompanied their husbands?

I regret that the figures asked for in the first paragraph of the question are not available. As regards the second paragraph, it was not possible in the case of men repatriated from the internment camps to arrange for wives to go with them. The wives followed, or in some cases preceded their husbands, but British-born wives were not sent away against their will.

asked the Minister of Health whether it can be arranged that preference be given in the renting and occupation of a fair proportion of the State and rate-aided houses which are now building or about to be built to Army and Navy pensioners who are unable to follow any regular employment, and to those people, male and female, whose main or principal source of income is derived from the interest on Consols and other Government securities which have fallen in value since the War, and upon which there has been no war bonus or increase in interest or dividend, with the result that those who are dependent upon such sources of income find their means of living seriously reduced and are unable to continue in their present houses and cannot find others of a lower rent?

The choice of tenants for houses built by the local authorities is a matter for the local authorities, but the local authorities have been recommended specialty to bear in mind the special claims of ex-Service men in selecting tenants for their houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the housing plans of the Wrexham Rural District Council for 1,700 houses are hung up owing to the lack of funds, that preferential treatment is given to local authorities whose rateable value happens to exceed a certain limit irrespective of the urgent needs of populous mining villages and of the necessity of giving employment to many men during the winter months, and that every effort has been made by the local authority to obtain funds from banks, insurance companies, friendly societies, etc., without success; and whether he will use his influence with the Treasury to make the necessary Grants without delay?

Yes, Sir. This case is receiving further consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the strong feeling against the proposals of the City of London Corporation and the London County Council to compulsorily acquire about 3,000 acres of land in the urban and rural districts of Ilford, Barking, and Romford for housing, which land is very highly cultivated and sends into London annually an average of 30,000 tons of foodstuffs; and if he will hold a public inquiry before sanctioning such proposals?

The importance of the food production question in connection with acquisition of land for housing purposes in the Barking district has not been overlooked, and I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the President OF the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, upon the proposals. I hope it may not prove to be necessary to hold a formal public inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the urgent necessity of additional dwelling-houses being provided for the working classes in every industrial centre, he has now taken powers to control the priority of building, and to delay schemes for providing buildings for public amusements and non-essential purposes until the shortage of houses has been removed; and, if not, when he proposes to take such powers?

I hope to submit to the House proposals for dealing with this question at an early dale.

asked the Minister of Health whether, at the suggestion of the Limpsfield Parish Council, the Government agreed to let the Army huts on Limpsfield Common to the district council for temporary use as cottages; whether, whilst the terms were under consideration, the huts in question were sold and have already been removed; whether no reply has been sent by the Ministry of Health to a telegram and letters from the parish council, asking that the demolition should be delayed; and what is the explanation of the action of the Ministry in this matter?

It is the fact that owing to a misunderstanding two out of four huts which were being reserved for the God-stone Rural District Council for housing purposes wore sold by the Disposal Board while negotiations for their use were in progress. On learning from the chairman of the parish council that these were being dismantled I at once took steps to secure that the other two were reserved, and I am in communication with the Disposal Board with a view to replacing the huts which have been removed if the district council desire to proceed with their scheme.

asked the Minister of Health what proportions of the 120 houses now completed under the Government housing scheme have been built by local authorities, public utility societies, and private individuals, respectively?

The houses to which the hon. Member refers include only houses which have been erected under the Housing Act of this year by local authorities and public utility societies. Twenty-two of these houses were erected by public utility societies and 102 by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the number of landlords who refuse to let their houses and will only sell at high prices, seeing the seriousness of the housing problem; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this great evil?

I have no power to compel landlords to let or sell their houses, but local authorities are empowered under the Housing Acts to acquire, if necessary by compulsion, houses suitable for the working classes.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the progress of housing in Glasgow is satisfactory; and, if not, what is the cause of the unsatisfactory progress and what is being done to remedy it?

As regards the progress of housing and the steps being taken to expedite building in Glasgow, I would refer to my answers of the 10th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Tradeston and of the 12th instant to the hon. Member for St. Rollox. The Corporation are, I understand, inviting tenders this week for 1,600 more houses. Other contracts are under consideration. I am satisfied that the Corporation are taking all possible stops to secure satisfactory progress, and that the Scottish Board of Health is giving every assistance in its power.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the condition restricting the profit to 1s. 2d. per ton of coal at the pit-head is being strictly enforced?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given to questions by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Newcastle East on the 6th November and to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Blaydon Division on 10th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the retail price of coal in Newcastle-on-Tyne is fixed; if so, by whom and by what calculation it is determined; and if he will say whether an addition of Is. 6d. per ton was permitted in consequence of the railway strike?

The retail price of coal in Newcastle-on-Tyne is fixed by the local authority, and is based upon the cost price of coal to the merchant and the actual cost of handling and delivering the coal. The recent addition of 1s. 6d. per ton coal delivered in Newcastle was necessitated mainly by the increased cost of carting.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Messrs. Vickers, Limited, have recently acquired an interest in the Swiss electrical engineering firm of Brown, Boveri, and Company; whether, under the terms of the arrangement, Brown, Boveri, and Company undertake to do no business within the British Empire; whether Brown, Boveri, and Company recently tendered for an electrical contract with the Edinburgh Corporation at a figure £70,000 below that of any of the competing British companies; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent such agreements in restraint of competitive trade?

I understand that the fact is as stated in the first part of the question, but I have no information as to the details of the arrangement. I am aware that Messrs. Brown, Boveri, and Company's recent tender for an electrical contract placed by the Edinburgh Corporation was much below the tenders of British concerns, but I understand that the difference was not so great as stated in the question I am not clear that the last part of the question arises in this case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further steps have been taken to cause an inquiry into the allegations made against the master of the. steamship "Masconomo," due to whoso negligence it is alleged that one of the crew named Thompson has suffered the loss of his right hand; and whether, in view of the difficulty of getting the master of the steamship "Masconomo" and witnesses together, he is prepared to commence the case with the evidence taken on commission?

This case was brought to the notice of the Board of Trade by the Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Workers' Union, and my right hon. Friend has explained to the union that, until the master and the necessary witness can be brought together it is not possible to have the charges against the master investigated in open Court. The investigation would be made by a Local Marine Board, and I am advised that evidence could not be taken on commission for the purposes of such an inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, pending the ex- change of the Peace Treaty with Turkey, directions will be given to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies to approve Armenians and other emancipated nationalities as non-enemy subjects to admit of their becoming signatories to memoranda and articles of association tendered for registration; and whether he is aware that difficulties are being raised and obstacles put in the way by officials in Government Departments whenever it is sought to advance the interests of British commerce in the new independent States created by the Treaty of Peace?

Section 10 of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, provides that where on an application for the registration of a company it appears to the Registrar that any subscriber of the memorandum of association of the company is an enemy subject he may refuse to register the company. I have ascertained that in a recent case the Registrar has refused to register a company on the ground that one of the signatories to the memorandum and articles of association was an Armenian. In this particular case the circumstances may be such that registration should be permitted, and I am in communication with the Registrar on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that delay is being experienced in collecting and dispatching empty packages on the railways; and whether, in view of the importance to manufacturers of having their empty packages promptly returned to them, he will take steps to see that this delay is remedied?

I am aware that delays occur, but I am assured that the railway companies are alive to the importance of getting empties returned to manufacturers as promptly is possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the advisory committee on London traffic which he has appointed has recommended the appointment of three sub-committees; if he has consented to such recommendation; and will he state the number of members of each sub-committee, their names, and what their reference will be?

Yes, Sir, the Committee on London Traffic has appointed a technical Sub-committee consisting of eighteen members which will be divided in three groups for specialised inquiries. I am having a statement with the names of the Committee printed in the OFFICIAL REFORT.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the setting up of the Advisory Council of Transport in the Metropolitan area, he will consider the advisability of adding two members on the nomination of the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee, one to represent the boroughs on the North of the Thames and the other to represent those on the South?

It has been decided to add one representative of the Metropolitan City and Borough Councils to the Advisory Committee on London Traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the lack of necessary railway trucks and sheets provided by the Midland, Great Eastern, and Great Northern Railway Companies, loss of time of men and horses and wastage of large quantities of foodstuffs are now occurring; and what action it is proposed to take to improve transport facilities and prevent the further reduction of arable acreage in the coming year?

I am aware of the general shortage of empty wagons, but no cases of wastage of foodstuffs owing to lack of transport facilities have been brought to my notice. In reply to the latter part of the question, I beg to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer to the hon. Member for West Leyton on the 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the serious dislocation of trade in the granite and road-stone quarrying industry in the counties of Somerset, Gloucester, and Cornwall through the failure of the railway companies to provide an adequate supply of wagons or other effective means of transport for the carrying on of this industry; and, if so, will he take steps to remedy this serious state of affairs and thus prevent further unemployment in this industry?

I am aware the general shortage of wagons and every effort is being made to improve the situation. If the hon. Member will give information as to the sending and receiving points, it may be possible to suggest means by which the traffic can be conveyed by water

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the brick manufacturers in Peterborough and district have made many complaints about the shortage of wagons, which prevents them from supplying bricks to the various builders and contractors and local authorities for building houses, etc.; if he is aware that, if a proper supply of wagons were supplied so that the bricks required could be sent to the various parts of the country, it would be the means of finding employment for many thousands of men engaged in the building trade; and if he intends taking action in the matter?

Yes; but the hon. Member will realise that in the present general shortage of wagons an additional number can only be given to the Peterborough brick manufacturers at the expense of other districts.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now arranged with the Ministry of Munitions regarding the conversion of war factories into factories for the manufacture of rolling stock urgently required in connection with the railways; and, if so, what is the nature of his plans in this respect?

I must refer the hon. Member to the-answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions on 27th October, in reply to several questions on this subject. I am reviewing the whole rolling stock position, and will in a week or two's time arrange to give the fullest information possible on the subject, and I hope the hon. Member will kindly concur in postponing the question for a fortnight.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will provide transport so as to secure early and sufficient supplies of cement for the building contractors of Manchester, otherwise many contracts will be brought to a standstill, and numbers of operatives thrown out of work?

Every effort is being made to provide transport for the traffic of the country, including cement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give any indication as to when the Advisory Committee, appointed on railway rates, will be able to report; and can he state when manu- facturers, merchants, and traders may expect any statement from his Department as to an increase of railway rates and charges?

The Rates Advisory Committee is working assiduously, but it is not possible to indicate a date when their advice will be available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that grain (wheat) is the only raw material which bears the same rate for carriage as the manufactured article; that the damage which is likely to occur to wheat in transit is infinitesimal compared with the damage likely to occur to flour; and whether, in view of the fact that an endeavour is being made to encourage the growth of English wheat, he will consider in fixing the new railway rates the possibility of a smaller charge being made for carrying the raw material (grain) than for carrying the manufactured article in the form of flour?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Leominster on the 30th October to a similar question.

asked the Minister of Transport why there are so many railway trucks standing idle in the sidings of wayside stations at the present moment?

I am not aware that railway trucks are standing idle in the sidings of wayside stations, but if particulars of any instances can be given I will have them inquired into.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that his Department have refused facilities for the immediate conveyance by railway of 4,000 doors and ninety-eight baths, lying at the Government depot at Abbey Mills, and recently bought by the corporation of Liverpool; whether he is aware that these are needed in connection with the conversion of Army huts into workmen's dwellings; and whether, in view of the extreme urgency of the housing problem in Liverpool, he will reconsider the decision of his Department and endeavour to expedite delivery of these articles?

Owing to the necessity for dealing with foodstuffs and perishables, delay has occurred in providing wagons for the conveyance of the traffic referred to. A number of wagons have now been allocated by the Great Eastern Railway for tins traffic and as soon as these are loaded and dispatched further wagons will be allocated.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present charge to the public per letter for delivering mails to the Continent by air, in addition to the postal fees; what is the similar charge made by France and Germany for air mails out side their country; what charges fire inside by the transport company to the Post Office and what profit the Post Office makes on these transactions per letter?

A special fee of 2s. 6d. per ounce in addition to the ordinary foreign postage is charged on correspondence accepted for transmission by the Air Mail Service from London to Paris. The special fee charge by the French Post Office in the reverse direction is 3 francs per 20 grammes. I am unable to state the charges levied in Germany for any similar service. Payment is made to the British company performing the London to Paris service at the rate of 2s. per ounce; and the remainder of the fee is intended to cover the cost of the special treatment of the correspondence and its express delivery.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the inefficiency of the British telephone service, he will consider an automatic service being established as speedily as possible; and whether he is having reports collected as to the relative efficiency of telephone services in other countries?

A number of automatic exchanges have been established and others will be installed in places where in efficiency and economy they are likely to be superior to manual exchanges. But I regret to find from recent tenders that the prices at present asked by the manufacturers for automatic apparatus are extremely high and almost prohibitive. I have received reports about telephone services in other countries. They are generally to the effect that the efficiency and cost of the services have been seriously affected by the same causes as in the United Kingdom.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that the calling up of a subscriber, who, on going to the telephone, is informed that the operator is sorry that he has been troubled, is of increasing frequency; whether it is carelessness, bad organisation, lack of instruction, or mere inefficiency that causes this to take place; if he will state the number of complaints that he receives in regard to the working of the telephone; and if this total includes those complaints sent in to local offices?(2) whether he is aware that when a telephone subscriber is cut off in the middle of a conversation the operators at both ends of the line invariably express their individual regret and state that it was not the fault of either; whether he is aware that it is very rare to carry on a connected conversation without constant noises on the wire and clicking in the ears; whether it is possible for a telephone operator to charges a subscriber for a call even if the connection has not been put through; and whether it is possible for an operator in regard to whom it is desired to make a complaint, and from whom a connection is asked to the supervisor, to connect the subscriber through to a personal friend, who will not make a report of the complaint?

The irregularities mentioned may occur in certain conditions, but I do not think they are the habitual experience of the ordinary user of the telephone. I regret it is impossible to deal with the various points of detail without unduly encroaching on the time of the House, and I will, therefore, write to the hon. Member upon them.

asked the Postmaster General (1) whether, in view of the fact that prior to the War there was a daily mail service to Harris, Uist, and Barra, in the Outer Hebrides, that during the War the service was reduced to two mails a week, that this was increased to three runs a week six weeks ago, and that now the war service of two mails only in the week has been reverted to, he would state the reasons for this retrograde step so full of menace to the economic life of these islands;

The facts as to the frequency of the steamer services are as stated by the hon. Member. The scale of these services is not determined primarily by postal considerations. If it were so determined, my right hon. Friend regrets that in view of the heavy loss which is already incurred upon the mail service to these islands, he could not ask the Treasury to authorise the additional expenditure in order to increase their frequency.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the men who have been working under the Pelham Committee are being reinstated in the Post Office at wages which do not permit of a reasonable existence; whether the regulation lays it down that a man must be reinstated with the pay of a temporary employé subject to the condition that the pay as a temporary employé must not exceed the amount received at the date of exemption; whether many of these men are being offered 28s. per week, including war bonus, a figure upon which life cannot be sustained; and whether he will carefully reconsider the decision with a view to arriving at a more equitable state of affairs?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The conditions, including rates of pay, on which conscientious objectors may resume duty in the Post Office have been fixed by the Government, and I am not in a position to modify them. So far as I am aware, no man's remuneration has been fixed as low as 28s. for a full-time duty, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the case he has in mind I will make inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the special reasons which necessitated the imposition of a 3d. fee for each inquiry for letters on Sunday mornings at the Corbridge-on-Tyne post office no longer exist, this surcharge can now be abolished?

The charge of a search fee of 3d. to callers for letters on Sundays at the Corbridge-on-Tyne post office was rendered necessary by the congestion which occurred in the office when no fee was charged. I am about to offer to the parish council, who have made representations on the subject, the introduction of a house to house delivery by postmen on Sundays, if the council pass a formal resolution requesting its institution and furnish an assurance that the resolution represents the substantially unanimoun desire of the inhabitants.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the, provisions of paragraph 789 (h) of the Holt Report, published in February, 1914, the claims and qualifications of draughtsmen in the Engineering Department of the Post Office were taken into account when making promotions to the class of assistant-engineers, and, if so, why the forty-eight promotions to that class that have been made did not include a single draughtsman notwithstanding the recommendations of the Holt Parliamentary Committee; whether any nominations under Scheme A for filling third-class clerkships (male) on the supplementary establishment of the secretary's office, in other headquarters' Departments, and in surveyors' offices, district managers' offices, and superintending engineers' offices, had been allocated to draughtsmen; and, if not, what line of promotion it is proposed to provide for, the latter class, having regard to the circumstance that the maximum of the highest grade draughtsman is at present only £200 per annum, although many of them possess the highest possible technical qualifications and diplomas in telegraph and telephone engineering, etc.?

It is the intention to apply the recommendation in paragraph 789 (h) of the Report of the Holt Committee when circumstances admit, and the claim of the draughtsmen and of the other classes mentioned in the recommendation to compete for the promotions to the class of assistant-engineers will then be considered. So far, all the available vacancies have been absorbed in providing for redundant engineers and others who have prior claims to consideration. Draughtsmen are eligible to enter for the qualifying examination for supplementary clerkships in the Post Office, and the claims of draughtsmen who have applied for admission to this examination will be considered. It is not practicable, however, to allot any definite number of nominations to a particular class.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that through the continuance of the moulders' strike many thousands of workers in the engineering and allied industries are unable to work but a portion of the week and in some instances are precluded from working at all; and whether, in view of the serious position resulting in the loss to the country of trade estimated at some hundreds of thousands of pounds in consequence of the restricted output brought about by this strike, he will endeavour to secure by arbitration or conference a settlement of this unfortunate dispute?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that, in view of the rodent award of the Interim Court of Arbitration for the Engineering Trades, negotiations between the parties concerned are being reopened.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all Government Departments are employing a percentage of disabled men in accordance with the King's Proclamation; if not, which Departments are not acting in compliance and whether any steps are being taken to bring these Departments into line?

I understand that Government Departments as a whole are at present employing considerably more than five per cent, of disabled ex-Servicemen. The present arrangements are necessarily to some extent of an interim nature owing to the fact that the staffs of Government Departments are much above the normal, but the nature of the permanent arrangements to be made for employing disabled ex-Service men in Government Departments is being carefully considered in consultation with the Treasury

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Board of Agriculture let out tups to crofters and smallholders during the season at which the tups are put to the ewes; and, if so, will he state the number of tups let out in this way in 1918 and the fee charged?

Under the sheep-breeding scheme the Board supply tups to crofters, common grazings, and other duly constituted committees in the seven Highland counties. The number supplied in 1918 was 733, a charge of 10s. per tup for the service season being made. In addition, the Board assist committees to hire tups from neighbouring farmers, and in 1918 grants up to 30s. per tup were paid in respect of the hire of 327 animals.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is intended to introduce this Session a Bill dealing with registration of nurses in Scotland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made yesterday on this matter in the course of the Debate on the English Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the agent for the Crown lands in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, refuses to rent waste land to residents in the neighbourhood who are owners of cattle, and who may require it for the protection of their animals; if this waste land is unremunerative to the Crown; and by letting it out to residents who may require it, would it be meeting the needs of the residents in the district and bring in revenue to the Crown?

The Commissioners of Woods are, under the Acts governing Dean Forest, prohibited from letting any part of the waste which is subject to rights of common.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the notices calling for claims in connection with compulsory ploughing out were not widely advertised, and consequently many farmers in Northumberland were unaware of the date and failed to send claims in in time; and if he will allow such claims to be sent in for consideration in the usual manner?

The Board took all reasonable steps to bring to the notice of the persons concerned their intention to make Regulations fixing the time limit for making claims for compensation in connection with compulsory Ploughing Orders. The draft Regulations were published in the "London Gazette" on 23rd May last, and were widely advertised in the London and provincial Press, as well as in agricultural and professional newspapers. The Board have no power to admit claims that were not sent in by the prescribed date, namely, 31st July, 1919.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. G. S. Beer, late sergeant, No. 02748, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, a disabled soldier, who has applied through the local war pensions committee to be accepted for training in the business of market gardening under Mr. W. R. Pierce, F.R.H.S., of Canterbury, who has signified his willingness to give him such training; and whether, having regard to the fact that Beer has been medically advised to obtain outdoor in preference to indoor employment, his application will be sanctioned and furthered by the Board of Agriculture?

Sanction was given by the Board on the 8th inst. for Mr. Beer to be trained under Mr. Pierce, of Canterbury, and I am advised that he began his training on the 13th inst.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture (1) what progress has been made by the Fish Food Committee of the Board in the development of their scheme, as outlined to the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee on the 1st November, 1918, to combine with extensive transplantation and provision for cleansing experiments in various new methods of cultivation of mussels in Morecambe Bay; whether up to the present any mussels have either been transplanted or cleansed by the Board in this area;(2) whether, in view of the failure on the part of the Board to put into effective operation an extensive scheme for transplantation and cleansing of mussels in Morecambe Bay, the Board will now give further consideration to the draft Provisional Order for the regulation of the shellfish in Morecambe Bay, submitted to the Board by the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee on the 14th January, 1916?

The Fish Food Committee has ceased to exist, but the developmental work of the Committee has been taken over by the Board so far as circumstances have permitted. A careful survey of the Morecambe area showed that the only areas which were previously suitable for the transplantation of the mussels had been silted up and were not now available. No new areas suitable for any extensive transplantations were discovered. The withdrawal of funds allocated to the Fish Food Committee necessitated the suspension of operations, and the Board are now considering the whole question of the control of shellfish fisheries with the Ministry of Health. I should accordingly prefer for the present to defer consideration of the provision of an Order, which in any event could not be introduced until next Session.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what policy is being pursued by the Board regarding the removal of the restrictions on dogs which were brought into force as a result of the outbreak of rabies?

The policy of the Board in the matter referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is to modify or remove restrictions at the earliest possible date consistent with the prevention of the spread of disease. I shall be happy to give my hon. and gallant Friend any further information he requires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the employés under the Crown, in Gloucestershire, are at present receiving the wages of £17s. per week as against £2 1s. 6d. paid to men engaged in similar occupations in neighbouring counties, and that the men engaged on the Crown lands have made application for their wages to be raised to the same rate as others engaged on the same class of work; and will he give this matter his immediate attention, as the people concerned are suffering great hardships in consequence of the wage of £l 17s. being totally inadequate to meet the increased cost of living at the present time?

Able-bodied men over twenty-one years of age employed in the Crown Forests in Gloucestershire are receiving not less than 37s, per week, but in the cases of experienced and capable men in Dean Forest rates of 38s. or 39s. per week are being paid, and still higher rates are paid for wood-cutting. These rates are higher than the minimum rate of 36s. 6d. fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board for the county. The men working in Monmouth are paid £2 1s. 6d. per week, in accordance with the minimum rate fixed for that county by the Agricultural Wages Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that, before bee food can be obtained in the county of Surrey, the applicant must write to the Surrey Bee Committee for a form in which he has to fill in his stocks of bees; whether this form, when completed, has to be returned to the Surrey Bee Committee to obtain permission to purchase the bee food of 10 lbs. weight per hive; whether the permission has then to be sent or taken to the local food office and exchanged for a voucher to purchase the cakes of bee candy; whether he is aware that in the interim a number of hives have died out through lack of sustenance; whether it is a fact that the candy when obtained is labelled unfit for human food; and if, in the circumstances, some more businesslike method can be devised of meeting the demands of apiarists?

I am advised that the procedure to obtain bee food in the county of Surrey is substantially as stated; but that this procedure need not take more than four days at the most. The Board have no information that a number of hives have died out through lack of sustenance, but steps will be taken to expedite the procedure if possible. Bee candy, as usually supplied, is labelled unfit for human consumption, as it is medicated with a disinfectant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many ex-members of His Majesty's Forces have applied for land, under the Land Settlement Act or otherwise, in the county of Kent; how many acres have been purchased by the county council; and how many men have been provided with land up to the present date?

1,131 ex-Service men have applied to the Kent County Council for 23,064 acres. The area acquired by the council up to the present is 1,441 acres. Twenty-eight ex-Service men have been provided with land. The Kent County Council have met with special difficulties in the acquisition of suitable land for settlement owing to the exceptionally high value attaching to most of the land offered, due lo the demand for residential purposes.

asked the Parliamentary (Secretary to the Oversea Trade Department whether he is now in a position to announce the name of the British Consul-General for New York?

I am sorry that I am not yet in a position to make a definite announcement, but I hope to be able to do so in the course of a few days.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will say when the Government first took over Parliament Chambers, Great Smith Street, Westminster; whether he is aware that Messrs. Mather and Platt, Limited, engineers, of Lancashire, are desirous of purchasing the property in order to deal with an increasing export trade and to employ demobilised men therein; whether he is aware that their present office accommodation is inadequate; and whether, in view of the importance of obtaining the accom- modation they need, he can give any limit as to the time in which Government officials will occupy these offices?

As regards the first part of the question, Parliament Chambers were requisitioned on the 24th August, 1917. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I am aware that Messrs. Mather and Platt, Limited, are desirous of purchasing the premises as increased office accommodation. As regards the last part, I am making every effort to release the accommodation at the earliest possible date, and, while hoping to be able to do so within the next six months, it is as yet impossible to give a definite date, as it is dependent upon other equivalent accommodation in the same locality being available, the staff in question being a part of the headquarters of the Ministry of Pensions.