asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, (1) whether the male employés of the Edmonton Munitions Company were given to understand by the Munitions Department that they were entitled to money claimed under the award amounting to about £1,000, and that it rested with their employer to make the application for it, which would be granted, and that the employer would be notified accordingly: (2) for what reason the finding of the arbitration commission in the case of the male employés of the Edmonton Munitions Company was "claim unestablished," when the commission admitted the point on which the claim was contested by the employer; (3) whether a full investigation of the case of the male employés of the Edmonton Munitions Company will be held in view of the fact that the men concerned are prepared to submit details and evidence in support of their claim; (4) whether he is aware that a strong feeling exists in the district in regard to the manner in which the claim of the male employés of the Edmonton Munitions Company has been dealt with: and what he proposes to do in the matter.

It does not appear that the Ministry of Munitions made any communication to the firm such as is suggested in the first question, but if my hon. Friend can furnish me with evidence on the point I will have further enquiry made. As regards the arbitration, which took place with the agreement of both parties, I am of course unaware of the grounds upon which the arbitrator based his finding that the claim was not established. As stated in the reply to my hon. Friend's question of the 22nd December last, it is not thought that any good purpose would be served by a public enquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the premises of the Leeds Training College will be free from military occupation and available for educational purposes.

I have been asked to reply to this question, the premises referred to being in process of transfer to the Ministry of Pensions. Suitable accommodation for the treatment of disabled men is limited and difficult to find, and although the Leeds Training College will not be retained longer than is necessary, I am unable to say upon what date it will again be available for educational purposes.

asked the Food Controller whether the importation of pigs is restricted to those who imported in 1916 on the basis of trade done in that year; if so, whether he is aware that pork butchers who were serving with the Forces in 1916, and have now returned, are thereby debarred from following their business; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the importation of live pigs into Great Britain from Ireland, as importation from all other sources is prohibited by the Ministry of Agriculture. I am aware that licenses to import Irish pigs are at present issued on the basis of the trade done in 1916, but the suggestion that this condition is likely to hinder the business of any pork butcher who was serving in the Army in that year, is without foundation, except in the case of a butcher who had previously been an importer from Ireland. If any such ease is submitted to the Food Controller he will take the necessary steps to secure an allocation for the claimant. In all other cases, pork butchers who have resumed business after demobilisation can obtain supplies of Irish pork from the wholesaler or importer with whom they dealt prior to their period of service.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the extent to which the land of England and Wales has changed hands since the War broke out, whether he can state the number of proprietors of the 33,000,000 acres as compared with Domesday Book of 1874–75, when 38,000 owned 28,000,000 acres out of 972,836 owning the 33,000,000 acres?

There is no information available on the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Pensions Minister, whether any arrangements have been made or are contemplated in order to relieve the economic condition of the pre-war pensioners who have received no war bonuses, gratuities, or increases of any kind, many of whom have to live on a scanty pittance, now reduced to one-half owing to the increased cost of living?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of Marines stationed, or proposed to be stationed, in the Baku and Batum districts;

The reply is "None."

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to introduce a Bill giving powers to local authorities to trade in milk; and whether similar powers will be given to local authorities; to trade in coal?

A Bill to amend the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, which will deal, among other things, with powers affecting the supply and distribution of milk by local authorities, is in course of preparation. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.