asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a single man who is a householder and whose mother acts as housekeeper for him is entitled to exemption from Income Tax under the provisions of Section 27 (2) of the Finance Act, 1919?

The Income Tax relief afforded by Section (2) of the Finance Act, 1919, is applicable to widowers only. Section 21 (I) of that Act provides for relief—subject to the prescribed conditions—to an unmarried person whose mother is maintained by him and living with him for the purpose of having the charge and care of any brother or sister of this in respect of whom the Income Tax relief for children is given. As regards the conditions governing the general Income Tax relief in respect of dependent relatives incapacitated by old age or infirmity, I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 13 of the Income Tax Act, 1918.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the hardship caused to widowers of small means who cannot obtain the assistance of a relative to act as their housekeeper and cannot therefore claim the abatement of Income Tax under Subsection (2), Section 27, of the Finance Act, 1918; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The point which my Noble Friend raises w as fully con- sidered when the Sub-section in question was before the House on 23rd July last, and the relief allowed to widowers in respect of their housekeepers was confined to cases in which the housekeeper is a female relative of the widower or of his deceased wife.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can now fix a date for the issue of the Return respecting expenditure from rates and taxes on various forms of social service granted by the House of Commons last summer?

I hope to issue this Return next week.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that of twenty refrigerated ships now in port only about one-half of that number are able to discharge their meat cargoes owing to there being no further room in which to store frozen meat, practically every refrigerated warehouse being full, and that among the vessels thus detained in port, and now being utilised as warehouses, are Australian liners urgently wanted to carry returning troops to Australia, and that, in addition to the steamers now unable to discharge their meat, there are many others due to arrive at short intervals for some months to come bringing similar cargoes of perishable food, while there is some 140,000 tons of refrigerated meat still awaiting shipment in Australia and New Zealand, where the killing and freezing of meat is still going on, thus aggravating the present unsatisfactory position caused by the unnecessary delay in unloading steamers; and will he take steps to rectify this situation?

The number of refrigerated ships in port is approximately as stated by the hon. and gallant Member, but arrangements hate now been made for dealing with the greater number of the cargoes involved. I am not aware that there has been any serious delay in the discharge of Australian liners. With regard to the latter part of the question. I would point out that the present abnormal supply of imported meat is due to the release of the quantities accumulated in Australia by reason of the shortage of tonnage occasioned by war conditions, and will not continue for long. Further, I have every hope that by the time the quantities now awaiting shipment arrive in this country the cold storage position will have considerably improved.

asked the Food Controller whether any hams were bought from abroad at 180s. in August and are now being offered at 30s. per cwt.; whether there are no buyers for the same; and, if not, what it is proposed to do with these hams?

The Food Controller has no knowledge of the hams to which the hon. and gallant Member refers; but if he will supply further details in order to facilitate identification, I will have investigations made and the result reported to him.

asked the Food Controller if his attention has been called to a statement made by one of the Poplar town councillors at the meeting held at the Poplar borough council on Thursday, 27th November, that one firm threw from 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of skimmed milk down the drains every day; and if he will make representation to the Poplar town council about the matter?

I am aware that a statement to the effect described by the hon. Member has been made; I am satisfied upon investigation made by the Department that it is not correct. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Food Controller whether, having regard to the scarcity and great demand for tonnage, he will take steps to see that vessels are not laid up in British ports as storehouses for food which if allowed to go into consumption would be greatly to the advantage of the public generally?

Cargoes of vessels carrying foodstuffs are unloaded as quickly as possible, but the discharge of vessels carrying perishable commodities such as, meat is occasionally delayed owing to the fact that cold storage accommodation is not available. There is no foundation for the suggestion that stocks of foodstuffs are being withheld from consumption.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will, in view of the pledges given to the men who served in the great War, direct that the auditors and other officers of the Local Government Board for Ireland shall refuse to ratify the appointment by any local authority of a man who did not so serve when there was available for employment an equally suitable ex-Service man?

Neither the auditors nor any of the other officers of the Local Government Board ratify the appointment of officials of a local authority. This duty is imposed on the Local Government Board by Statute, and they have no power to delegate it to any of their officers. While the Board would be glad to see preference given to ex-Service men by local authorities in the matter of appointments, they have no power to interfere with their discretion in the selection of the person they appoint, provided they are qualified for the position they are chosen to fill, under the Regulations.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the local branch of the National Union of Railwaymen at Thurles, county Tipperary, arranged to hold a meeting of railwaymen on 26th October to receive a report of the Irish delegate to the annual general meeting of the union and to welcome a visit from the organising secretary, and that although ten days' notice was given the police gave orders on the eve of the meeting that it was not to be allowed unless a special permit from the authorities could be produced; that the local trade unionists were recently forbidden by the police to hold a meeting in the Foresters' Hall for the purpose of starting a co-operative society; whether the police exceed their duty when interfering with trade union meetings in this manner; and, if so, what action he intends to take in the matter?

Under existing Regulations a permit for the meeting of National Union of Railwaymen was necessary, and the promoters, though informed beforehand of this necessity, declined to seek a permit, and did not hold their meeting. The answer to the second part of the question relating to local trade union meetings is in the negative.

asked the secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the action of the military authorities in issuing an Order requiring owners and drivers of motor cars or motor cycles in Ireland to obtain permits for the use and possession of these vehicles; whether he is aware that this Order has roused indignation amongst all classes of the community in Ireland, and will, if persisted in, not only cripple the motor industry, but paralyse all branches of business in Ireland; and whether he will take steps to have the Order forthwith withdrawn?

My attention had not specially been drawn to this Order, but I understand it was issued by the competent military authority with the concurrence of the Irish Government in view of the present disturbed conditions in Ireland.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a considerable number of the Irish demobilised ex-Service men, said to be absorbed into industry because of their non-receipt of out-of-work donation, are still unemployed; and can he say what steps are being taken to find employment for them and for the 35,000 men still in receipt of out-of-work donation?

It is not possible to give exact figures of the number of ex-Service men in Ireland who are unemployed, though not in receipt of donation. With regard to the steps taken to find employment for ex-Service men in Ireland, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 10th November last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the dispute existing between the engineering employers and the iron moulders in Belfast; and whether the Ministry of Labour will take steps to bring these parties together and put an end to the present dispute, which is inflicting hardship on a considerable section of the community?

The dispute is being closely watched by my Department. At the present time the Engineering Employers' Federation and the trade unions concerned are in communication with each other, and I hope that it will be found practicable to have a meeting during this week at which I trust progress towards a settlement will be made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to a public meeting recently held in Belfast. to protest against the reduction of the unemployment donation to discharged and demobilised soldiers and sailors, and the discontinuance of the out-of-work grant to civilians; whether he is aware that the vast majority of the workers in the mills and factories in Belfast now out of employment are women workers, who are either on short time or unemployed because of shortage of raw materials in the mills brought about by war conditions; and whether, having regard to the hardships they are enduring owing to conditions over which they have no control, he will consider the advisability of having the unemployment donation paid to these women workers and also increase the payment to discharged sailors and soldiers?

I have received a copy of the resolution passed at the meeting to which the hon. Member refers. With regard to civilian workers, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given in the House on 26th November to the hon. Member for the Victoria Division of Belfast As regards ex-members of His Majesty's forces, the extension of donation recently granted at a reduced rate does not reduce the number of weeks of donation which may be drawn at the higher rate. I cannot hold out any hope that either of these rates will be increased.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many horses are now boarded out under the Army scheme for that purpose; how many veterinary officers have the duty of inspection of these horses; whether these posts are filled by officers who have been overseas during the War or not; and will he take steps to ensure that as far as possible these posts are filled by such officers?

The number of horses boarded out under the scheme is approximately 15,000. No veterinary officers are employed to inspect them other than the administrative veterinary officers of the commands in which the animals are located. All of these officers have served abroad. Veterinary treatment is provided by annual contracts with civilian practitioners. At present 447 of these are employed, 40 per cent. of whom served overseas during the War. Every effort is made to secure, wherever possible, that the first opportunity of taking a contract for the treatment of boarded-out horses in any locality is given to local practitioners demobilised from the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to give the further answer promised with reference to the retention of premises at 2, Adamson Road, Hampstead, as supplementary sleeping accommodation for the Royal Horse Artillery barracks at St. John's Wood?

These premises were vacated by the Royal Air Force on the 20th July, 1919. A portion of the premises was required for a Royal Horse Artillery officers' mess in consequence of the mess hut at St. John's Wood Barracks being uninhabitable; fittings had to be installed after vacation by the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Horse Artillery took over this portion of the premises as a mess on the 16th October, 1919. A portion of the premises was also required for supplementary sleeping accommodation, the barracks being overcrowded. Occupation of the premises will be given up as soon as the mess accommodation at St. John's Wood Barracks has been rebuilt. This is being considered, but it is not possible to indicate any date at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of men serving with the 18th Divisional Signal Company in Mesopotamia are unable to secure demobilisation although they are working on civilian telegraph work; whether he is aware that Sapper W. Ore, No. 152115, of the 31st Divisional Signal Company, who joined the Colours on the 1st March, 1916, and who has been three years in the East, has endeavoured since April without success to obtain leave or release for the purpose of seeing his dying mother; whether Sapper E. C. M'Cartie, No. 127844, of the 18th Divisional Signals, Sapper E. Spencer, No. 165101, and E. J. Williams, No. 151998, both of the 31st Divisional Signals, all of whom attested in 1915, have been in the East for long periods and are unable to secure demobilisation; whether Sapper A. W. Ling, No. 149092, and Sapper J. P. Reddy, who attested in 1916, have been three years in the East; and whether, having regard to the serious discontent which exists, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to securing their demobilisation at the earliest possible moment?

The telegraph offices in Mesopotamia opened for military work accept civil messages, but this does not in any way retard demobilisation, and every effort is being made to release men. With regard to the specific cases mentioned, Sappers W. Ore and J. P. Reddy were demobilised in September, the former on compassionate grounds; Sappers E. Spencer and E. J. Williams were demobilised in October; Sapper A. W. Ling was admitted to hospital when en route for England and will follow when he is fit; and Sapper E. C. M'Cartie has not yet been released as he is ineligible for demobilisation at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the anti-aircraft station at Putney Heath on and adjoining the Metropolitan Water Board's reservoir is still continued seeing that the urgent need has ceased to exist for over twelve months, in view of the danger to the health of the Metropolis caused by the very dirty and unsatisfactory state of the station?

It is proposed to maintain these headquarters, though not necessarily on the present site, as part of the permanent scheme of anti-aircraft training. Until a new permanent site has been acquired no other accommodation is available for the personnel, stores and equipment.

asked the Secretary of State or War if he is aware that the excessive purchases of forage by the War Department has created a great scarcity and famine prices in the civilian forage market; what are the monthly requirements of the Army and what is the quantity of hay at present held by the Forage Department; if he will issue instructions that the Department revert to its pre-war practice of holding a small stock, and purchasing only for current needs; and if, to aid the owners of stall-fed animals, he will obtain the forage supplies required for Armies abroad from the ample supplies that are now available overseas, and release for civilian consumption the bulk of the stocks now held in this country?

As already explained to my hon. Friend, the quantity of hay purchased by the Department is only sufficient to last the Army until April next. As soon as these stocks are exhausted pre-war practice will doubtless be reverted to. Local resources of forage are being used to the fullest extent to supply the Armies overseas. I regret that it is not practicable to release for civil consumption the stocks now held in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware if there are any British soldiers or sailors in any institution in this or any other country who are suffering from loss of memory or other infirmity whose identity has not been established?

I understand that there are three cases of soldiers whose identity it has not been possible to establish owing to mental trouble, and that all three are now in this country, and we are doing our best to clear up these cases. The question as regards sailors should be Addressed to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any, and, if so, what, pledge has been given by the military authorities that in reducing the staff of Army pay offices in which men and women are doing similar work women shall be discharged in priority to men?

All Paymasters have been instructed to discharge female clerks before men, consistently with the maintenance of the efficiency of the office, special consideration being given to disabled and other ex-soldiers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the claim of the St. Margaret's Hall Company, Limited, Dunfermline, has not yet been settled; and when he proposes to have it paid?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the claim for dilapidations arising out of the recent military occupation of the company's premises. The War Office is awaiting certain information from the local military authorities, who have been asked to expedite their report. I hope the claim will be settled at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of aeroplanes supplied to General Denikin, K.C.B.; the number of officers and men, late of the Royal Air Force, now serving with his forces; and the date on which it is proposed that this force should return to England?

The answer to the first part is that 277 aeroplanes have been sent to the forces serving with General Denikin. In regard to the second part, it is assumed that the hon. and gallant Member desires to know the number of officers and men still on the strength of the Royal Air Force serving with General Denikin's Armies. There are at present 101 Royal Air Force officers and 300 airmen serving with these Armies. The reply to the third part is that these troops, all of whom volunteered for this service, are to be maintained up to the 31st March, 1920, but the actual date of their withdrawal has not yet been settled.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on 9th September a special battalion of the Royal Marines in Murmansk, after hard fighting for fifteen hours without food, were told by Major Stroover, Royal Field Artillery, to clear out, and, being left with no one in command, they marched to the base for food, and then, in consequence of this, fifty-three men have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment, in most cases of two years, which is being served in His Majesty's Naval Prison, Bodmin; and whether he will have full inquiry made into the matter in order to ascertain whether these men should have the remainder of their sentences quashed?

As I have stated in answer to previous questions on this subject, the sentences passed by military courts-martial on certain officers and men of the Royal Marine battalion serving in North Russia are now under review by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any application has been made to Great Britain to supply shipping for the transport of what was till recently General Yudenitch's Army to any other front; and whether, in view of the scarcity of shipping, he can assure the House that no shipping will be diverted for that purpose?

No such application has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the post-war education Grant which is now being given to demobilised medical officers will also be given to demobilised medical women?

I have been asked to answer this question. I presume that the hon. Member refers to the Grant under the-Government scheme for the assisted higher education of ex-Service officers and men. The scheme does not apply to women.

asked the Pensions Minister whether discharged soldiers who are receiving disability pensions have 19s. 6d. deducted from their pension when the state of their health necessitates re-entry into hospital; and whether, in view of the fact that no charges are made to civilians for attendance in these hospitals, he can see his way to modify these. Regulations in connection with discharged soldiers?

A discharged soldier-under treatment in hospital is maintained free of charge and receives an allowance of 21s. a week, with addition for rank. The allowance is thus 19s. a week less than the total disablement rate of pension, but very considerably more than 19s. a week is paid by the Ministry to the hospital for the man's maintenance. In institutions such as St. Dunstan's, where no charge is made to the Ministry, the man receives an allowance equivalent to the full disablement rate of pension, without deduction.

asked the Pensions Minister if an officer of unblemished record who entered the Army in 1914 as: an A1 man and discharged in 1919 in Category C2 is entitled to a substantial gratuity?

It is impossible to say, oil the particulars given, for what grant such an officer may be eligible, but if the hon. and gallant Member has an individual case in mind and will give me the facts, my right hon. Friend will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the pensions of the old Regulars, sergeants and warrant officers, who re- joined the Army at the outbreak of hostilities, served through the War, and so materially contributed to the training and shaping of the New Armies; and whether, in view of the amount of their pensions and that it is now over a year since the cessation of hostilities, he will consider the possibility of expediting this matter, which is having a prejudicial effect on recruiting generally?

Army Order 325, which was published in September, gives increased pensions to re-enlisted pensioners and others. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War why James M'Millan, 29, Hill Street, Springburn, Glasgow, has not received the war gratuity due to him in respect of his son, Private Gavin M'Millan, No. 2091, 1/9th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was killed at Hill 60 in Flanders on 10th May, 1915?

The amount due on account of war gratuity is now in course of issue.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, from 6th October, 1919, the rate of pay for men on examining boards has been increased by -50 per cent, to £1 11s. 6d. per session, whilst the pay of assessors and other full-time men paid on sessional basis remains at £1 1s. per session; whether a part-time man working at the new rate of two sessions a day, or four days a week, makes fifty-two guineas per annum more than a full-time man who works six days a week at the present rate; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that more equitable treatment is meted out to the minority of the medical staff of the Ministry of Pensions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the conditions of work of the member of the board and of the assessor are very different. It is not inequitable that the difference between occasional employment which cannot be counted upon from day to day and regular and full employment which can be counted upon, pro- vided the officer's work is satisfactory, should be marked by a difference in the rate of payment. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering whether, in view of the greatly enhanced cost of living, some increase of the scale of payment of the assessors should be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the present annual cost of the experimental ground at Porton; and whether any decision has been arrived at as to its future?

I have been asked to reply. The present cost of maintenance of the experimental ground at Porton is £2,500 per annum. The future of this establishment is under consideration, and I hope a decision will be reached at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for India what, progress has been made with regard to the revision of the rates of pay for British officers of the Royal Indian Marine?

Proposals received from the Government of India are at present under consideration. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he obtained the advice of outside experts or consulted the responsible leaders of the employers' and workmen's organisations in the building trade regarding the granting of a subsidy for the erection of houses and as to the amount; and what effective steps he is taking to provide against such subsidies being used as a basis for financial gambling or of falling into the hands of people not connected with the building trade?

Yes, Sir. The payment of the subsidy will be carefully safeguarded so as to prevent abuses.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that Regulations may nullify the effect of the £150 housing subsidy, he will issue the Regulations governing the payments of the £150 subsidy at the same time that he introduces the new Housing Bill itself?

I will arrange that a draft of the conditions proposed to be attached to the subsidy shall be available by the time the Bill reaches the Committee stage.

asked the Minister of Health whether in localities where land Las been laid out and fully developed for the erection of houses suitable for the middle-class section of the population a builder, who is prepared to at once proceed with the erection of the type of house for which this land has been developed, will be eligible for the bonus proposed to be given to builders engaged in the erection of houses for the working classes?

The Housing Acts authorise the provision of houses for the working classes only, and the proposed subsidy will be payable only in respect of such houses. The term working classes, however, should, as I have frequently stated, receive a liberal interpretation, and I propose to bear this in mind in framing the Regulations governing the grant of the subsidy.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Croydon Town Council submitted to his Department a Report on housing; if he is aware that the organised workers of Croydon have protested in a very energetic way against the Report, stating that the Report is false and misleading; and if he will make a statement about the matter?

The answers to the questions raised by the hon. Member are in the affirmative. The Croydon Town Council, as a result of their survey of the needs of their district, estimate that 3,000 Houses are required during the next year, but they have only proposed to provide some 1,650 houses. I propose to press the council to extend their programme.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that where landlords have increased the rents of dwelling-houses, although such houses may come within the Increase of Rents (Restriction) Acts limit, the overseers are increasing the assessment on such houses; whether, having regard to the definition of gross estimated rental contained in Section 15 of the Union Assessment Committee Act, 1862, such increase is permissible; and what action does he propose to take;

(2) whether he is aware that parish overseers are increasing the assessments of houses to which the Increase of Rent (Restriction) Acts of 1915 and 1919 apply beyond the gross and rateable values ascertained from and based upon the standard rent as defined by those Acts; and what action does he propose to take?

I have no information that assessments generally are being increased. The interpretation of Section 15 of the Act of 1862, in relation to the position created by the Increase of Rent (Restriction) Acts, is a matter for the Courts, and I have no authority to decide the question.

asked the Minister of Health why he requires facts and figures for measuring the amounts of the Exchequer Grants payable to insurance practitioners who are medical officers of approved institutions which he does not require from other insurance practitioners?

No such requirement is being made as is suggested in the question. The medical officers of approved institutions are not themselves under any contract with the insurance authorities but with the institutions by whom they are employed; no direct payment can, therefore, be made to them from Exchequer funds. The information needed to substantiate the claims of these institutions is strictly analogous to that needed in the case of insurance practitioners. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of two letters addressed to the Friendly Societies Medical Alliance on the subject which can, I think, leave no doubt as to the particulars which are required or as to the necessity for such figures being furnished.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total profits, including royalties, made by the British coal-mining industry in each of the years 1908 to 1918, inclusive, and during the first six months of the present year; and if he will state for each year how the aggregate profits were divided between royalty-owners, mine-owners, and the Government, respectively?

Owing to the fact that Income Tax is calculated on a system of averages, precise figures are not available for the periods mentioned. The following computation has, however, been made:

COAL MINES (including Coking, etc.) ASSESSED ON THE FIVE YEAR AVERAGE.
Year.	Estimated annual statutory profits, less wear and tear.	Net estimated royalties after deduction of Income Tax and Mineral Rights Duty.	Estimated taxes.					Balance.
			Mineral Rights Duty.	Excess Profits Duty.	Coal Mines excess payments.	Income Tax.	Total.
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1908–09	21,430,000	5,130,000	—	—	—	710,000	710.000	15,590,000
1909–10	14,700,000	4,909,000	270,000	—	—	930,000	1,200.000	8,591,000
1910–11	15,100,000	4,999,000	275,000	—	—	980,000	1,255.000	8,846,000
1911–12	13,140,000	5,279,000	290,000	—	—	1,000,000	l,290,000	6,571,000
1912–13	22,350,000	4,852,000	270,000	—	—	980,000	1,250,000	16,248,000
1913–14	26,980,000	5,256,000	290,000	—	—	970,000	1,260,000	20,464,000
1914–15	18,960,000	4,866,000	270,000	—	—	1,460,000	1,730,000	12,364,000
1915–16	31,160,000	4,343,000	295,000	2,250,000	—	2,750,000	5,295,000	21,522,000
1916–17	46,590,000	4,025,000	435,000	8,250,000	—	5,290,000	13,975,000	28,590,000
1917–18	34,210,000	3,824,000	395,000	7,150,000	749,000	6,620,000	14,914,000	15,472,000

The above figures are given subject to the following reservations:

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the candidates shown on list B of the Civil Service Commission list, dated 10th July, 1919, dealing with the decisions of the Selection Board on 24th June, 1919, for junior appointments, were subsequently appointed to fill vacancies to list A; whether Mr. T. S. Latham, who appeared in list B, will be offered an appointment; and if a decision has not yet been arrived at in his case, when such a decision may be expected?

A considerable number of the candidates on list B referred to have been offered appointment, but a larger number, including Mr. Latham, have not.Whether any further appointments will be offered to the candidates remaining on list B will depend upon the quality of the candidates now being considered by the Selection Board; the Board is expected to make their decision about the middle of December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, when retailers are controlled in the fish trade, steam-trawler owners should not be compelled to accept a percentage of profit on the net cost of their production as retailers are compelled to accept a percentage on the cost of their buying?

I have been asked to reply. The control exercised over the fish trade is not confined to retailers, but is enforced by means of a graduated scale of maximum prices, applicable to each branch of the trade, including producers.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the condition of the superannuated railway staff, numbering about 6,700, of whom about 2,300 receive less than £1 a week; whether, seeing that the railway companies during Government administration have had £8,000,000 of the superannuated funds at 4 per cent., it is reasonable that the difference up to 5¼ per cent. should now be made available for these unfortunate men; whether he is aware that during the past five years about £115,000 has been deducted from their income for Income Tax, notwithstanding the fact that the recipients are not liable; whether he is aware that during the last seven years £910,000, with an annual addition of £136,000, is being saved to the State by the superannuated railway staff being specially excepted from the National Insurance Act; whether he is aware that under the Old Age Pensions Act during the last eleven years the State have been relieved to the extent of £464,000, with an annual addition of £64,000; and whether, under these circumstances, the Government are prepared to do anything to assist the superannuated railway staff, many of whom are suffering great hardships?

I have been asked to answer this question. The benefits due to railway employés under the superannuation schemes of the various railway companies, and the arrangements made in connection with such funds, are not matters for which the Government is in any way responsible, and I have no information before me which enables me either to endorse or correct any of the figures mentioned in the question. The rate of interest allowed by the railway companies on the amounts in the superannuation funds does not affect the railway compensation account, and is entirely a matter for the consideration of the railway companies themselves. In this connection, it will not be overlooked that the funds in question have been free from risk of depreciation. Any annuitant who has been incorrectly assessed to Income Tax has the ordinary remedy and right of refund. In respect of benefits under the National Insurance Act; the interests of employés were fully protected in connection with any contracting-out schemes, and I am not aware that under the Old Age Pensions Act railway employés suffer any disability, or are treated in any way on a different footing from employés of other industries similarly placed. I regret that superannuated railway servants, in common with other sections of the population, are suffering from the decline in the purchasing power of money.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the 154 super-heated locomotives which were built for use with the railway operating department, and which are now surplus to requirements, have been allocated free of charge to railway companies under the direction of the Ministry of Transport; and, if not, on what terms did the railway companies take over these engines?

I have been asked to reply to this question. It is not proposed to allocate locomotives to railway companies free of charge. Negotiations are in progress as to the terms upon which they are to be transferred for use on controlled railways.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motor lorries there are at Slough and how many have been sold; what steps, if any, are being taken to relieve the congested docks and railways by road transport; if the Department is organising any other methods of transport; and, if so, under what conditions?

The first part of the question should be addressed to the Minister of Munitions. As regards the second part, I must refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 10th November; the number of lorries is being increased as they become available and the conditions warrant. The Ministry is not Organising other road transport.

asked the Postmaster-General why and upon what authority a charge of £4, plus the usual transfer fee of 5s., is made when a new tenant takes over premises in which a telephone is installed if such tenant desires his name substituted for the previous subscriber's in the telephone directory?

As stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Canterbury on the 17th November, the reason for the surcharge on each new contract for an exchange line is the fact that the annual rental and fees for telephone service under the current pre-war tariff are too low to cover the expenses in present conditions. The fee of 5s. is not payable when a surcharge is collected, and, if in any case both fees have been demanded, the definite instructions issued on this point have been overlooked.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Law Officers of the Crown were consulted before it was decided to compulsorily deduct 5s. per week from the wages of Postman Anderson, Arbroath, in order to refund a sum of £96 paid in error to this ex-soldier's mother while he was on foreign service; and whether it has been found that in law a soldier son absent from home is liable for the mistake of an official and liable for a debt properly to be debited to his mother?

I have not consulted the Law Officers of the Crown in this matter, and I do not consider that any legal question has arisen on which their opinion is required.

asked the Postmaster-General if it can be arranged that Post Office employés who have obtained commissions in the Army may, on demobilisation, receive appointments in the Post Office more suitable to their recent military status than that connected with the delivery of letters?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on this subject on the 25th of February last. So many Post Office servants have gained commissions that it is only possible, unless serious injustice were done to other men, to make special provision for a few whose military service has been exceptionally distinguished.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the cause of the delay in filling the vacancy on the Belfast sorting office supervising staff created by the appointment of the postmaster of Coleraine, which took place on the 1st of July this year; what is the explanation of the delay in giving effect to the recommendations of the Saunderson Reconstruction Committee in connection with the revision of the supervising force in the Belfast sorting office; and whether he will have the matter expedited, in view of the near approach of Christmas?

The vacant post has to be regraded under the revision scheme, and it cannot be filled until a decision has been reached on that point. The scheme of revision has been under discussion with representatives of the supervising staff concerned. The matter will be expedited as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the examination of ex-Service men for appointments under the Ministry of Labour, he will consider the advisability of raising the age limit to thirty years instead of, as arranged, twenty-five years, in view of the fact that many deserving men must be excluded at such a limited age and also that the years between twenty and twenty-five have been spent in the service of the nation and in sacrifice of their legitimate prospects in civil life; and whether, in view of the near approach of the said examination (30th December), he will make an early announcement upon the subject?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Kingswinford on this subject on 6th November, and to the reply given to the hon. Member for Belfast (Victoria) on the 19th November.

asked the Minister of Labour, if he is aware that, owing to the, inability of the Ministry to provide efficient and rapid training for physically unfit ex-Service men, the latter have now only £1 a week to live on in addition to a small pension; and whether he will consider, in view of the extreme hardships of these cases, the desirability of making no reduction in the amount of unemployment money paid to them?

Every effort is being made to deal as rapidly as possible with the training of ex-Service men; but in view of the decision of the House of Commons it is not possible to increase the amount of donation allowance of 20s. per week under the extension recently granted. It should be borne in mind, moreover, that a considerable number of ex-Service men have not yet exhausted their rights under their original policies, and are thus still receiving the higher rates of donation payable under those policies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, with reference to the fact that 50 per cent. of cargo liner space is at the disposal of the Government at Blue Book rates, if he will, by reference to an actual recent voyage of a ship of which 50 per cent. of the space was requisitioned, state the total freight earnings of the voyage, and the average freight rate per ton for the Government and private portions of the cargo, respectively, with details of the cargo and the freight rate charged for each item?

I regret that the information which the hon. Member desires with regard to the freight on private cargo is not available. Fifty per cent. of the space of all vessels on the North Atlantic lines is being taken in the month of December, and the freight is on the basis of 42s. 6d. per ton. The same percentage is being taken on the Plate, South African, and Australian lines, at corresponding rates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, with reference to the fact that 50 per cent. of liner space is at Govern- meat disposal at Blue Book rates, and that the balance of Government requirements is met by the direction of tramps from time to time, if he will say how much space in liners or tramps was actually requisitioned at Blue Book rates in the most recent month for which the particulars can be given?

The amount of Government cargo which arrived in the United Kingdom during the month of October, and which was brought in privately-owned British ships at Blue Book rates, was approximately 610,000 tons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what number of youths were under training at the Gravesend School for Sea Training during the year September, 1918, to September, 1919, and subsequently, respectively; and what, was the length of the training undergone by them —e.g., how many were trained for six weeks and how many for eight weeks?

One thousand and forty youths were trained, or were in the course of training, at the Gravesend. Sea School during the year September, 1918, to September, 1919, and 100 youths were withdrawn or dismissed during the course of training in addition to that number, owing to their having been found unsatisfactory. The length of training undergone by those intending to become sailors was on the average over eleven weeks; 738 were well over eight weeks, 178 were over three months and 124 youths, in training as coal trimmers and stewards, were only six weeks in the school. Since September, 1919, 150 youths have gone to sea whose average training was thirteen weeks, and 190 are at present under training.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the education, rate for the parish of Killearn, Stirlingshire, has increases from £300 in 1918–19 to £3,400 for 1919–20, and that the parish council have refused to assess for it; and whether he prepared to take any steps to relieve rural parishes affected in this manner?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, the matter is still receiving my earnest attention. I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce what measure of relief, if any, may be found possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if any relaxation to the Rabies Order can be made in the case of greyhounds when used for coursing, especially in view of the fact that such animals, being always under control, are unlikely to be affected by the disease?

Greyhounds may be used for coursing, unmuzzled, in any part of a scheduled district outside the inner controlled area. This exemption does not, however, permit of greyhounds being moved out of the controlled district for coursing, or of any greyhound brought into a controlled district for that purpose being moved out again. No exemption from restrictions can be given in the case of greyhounds in an inner controlled or dangerous area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the plague of rats, the Board will regard favourably the holding of cat shows in rural districts to the extent of persuading the revenue authorities to waive the Entertainments Tax where cats are exhibited for the purpose of improving the breeds?

The Board have no information which would lead them to suppose that there is any present or prospective shortage of cats in the country, nor do they think that the destruction of rats would be materially assisted by the holding of cat shows; the answer to the question is therefore in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether passport facilities to Egypt can be afforded to well-disposed Egyptians who were prevented by the Turkish Government from leaving Constantinople during the War and are now anxious to return to their homes?

No difficulties are placed in the way of Egyptians wishing to return to Egypt from Constantinople, provided that the authorities in Egypt are, satisfied as to the desirability of their doing so.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of an advertisment which has appeared in a Glasgow paper to the effect that the Commissioners of His Majesty's Office of Works are prepared to receive tenders, not later than the 17th December, for the supply of engineering labour on day work in the Glasgow district for the period of one year from the 1st of January next; and that forms of tender and all particulars may be obtained on application to the Director of Contracts; and whether he will explain the meaning of this advertisement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The meaning of the advertisement is that for the engineering work of my Department certain labour is essential, and this labour is obtained under competition and contract.