asked the Minister of Pensions whether a month ago R. C. Hitchcox, identity No. S.F.O., 121,783, was awarded the sum of £84 and has received the sum of £76 14s. 8d.; and whether he will make inquiries as to the cause of this stoppage, and expedite the settlement of balance?

The gratuity of £84 awarded to Mr. Hitchcox was in lieu of a previous award, of which £7 1s. 5d. had been paid. This amount, therefore, fell to be deducted from the new award, and there was also an over issue of 3s. 11d. in respect of former payments. The net amount due to Mr. Hitchcox is, therefore, £76 14s. 8d.; but there is owing to the local Committee the £5 advance made pending a settlement, and repayable to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if nothing more can be done to assist the wife of Private J. Wilding, No. 320,750, Tank Corps, than the allowance of 9d. per day from his pay; is he aware that Mrs. Wilding has two children to support, and has a Court Order against her husband for £1 12s. 6d. per week now he has joined the Army, and the regimental paymaster states that only the amount mentioned can be paid to her from his Army pay; and whether he can make arrangements for this man to be compelled to pay more to the support of his wife and children or that they shall be put upon the strength of the married establishment, she being at present a charge upon the Poor Law?

Under the Army Act, the maximum amount that can be stopped from the pay of a private soldier for the maintenance of his wife and family is 9d. a day. The question of increasing this amount is under consideration. Private Wilding is not eligible under the terms of his enlistment to be placed on the married establishment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private W. Jevons, No. 92,092, 154th labour company, Labour Corps depot, Nottingham, has been demobilised over three months, but has not yet received the balance of his pay and bonus due to him: and if he will look into the case?

I am making inquiries, and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to cases of hardship to Army pensioners who were attached to officer training corps units and who, owing to the nature of their services, were persuaded not to re-enlist; and whether, on satisfactory proof being produced of their willingness to re-enlist, he will authorise the reassessment of their pensions?

I am afraid I see no reason for departing in this particular case from the general rule, which is that pension cannot be reassessed if the man was not actually re-enlisted.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the widow of G. S Frampton, greaser, H.M.S. Yacht "Conqueror 2," has been refused a pension at naval rates on the ground that her husband did not sign the specified agreement to serve under the Admiralty as laid down under the Ministry of Pensions circular 177; whether he is aware that these forms were not available at the time Mr. Frampton signed on, and that the only agreement then in use for yacht patrol ratings was Form T. 124 B., which Mr. Frampton signed; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case with a view to the naval rate being allowed?

I have been asked to answer this question. Awards of pensions by the Ministry of Pensions to Yacht Patrol ratings at the naval rate are limited to cases of men who agreed to become liable for general service under the Admiralty in any commissioned vessel. G. S. Frampton did not sign this agreement, and consequently his case cannot be dealt with by the Ministry. Proposals are at present under consideration, however, with a view to bringing the minimum pensions awarded by the Admiralty in such cases up to the Ministry of Pensions level, and if these proposals are approved Mrs. Frampton and her children will benefit accordingly.

asked the Minister of Labour why the application for a grant to commence business of Private John Fleming, 2, Douglas Street, Wigan, who has been trained at the public expense, has been refused by the Military Service, Civil Liabilities Department, the Wigan War Pensions Committee having carefully considered the prospects of this man, who cannot obtain employment, and strongly recommended that a grant should be made to this man to start him in business on his own account, as his physical condition prevents him securing employment from an employer?

I am having inquiry made into this case and will communicate the result to the hon. Member at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Private Brooker, No. 32,501, 1st Hants Regiment, of 386, Southampton Road, Eastleigh, who was discharged from the Army on the 19th March, 1918, applied for a grant from the Civil Liabilities Commissioners to enable him to set up business as a tinsmith, having completed a course of training under the Minister of Labour; whether his application was refused on the grounds that it was out of date; and whether, in view of the fact that this man was in hospital for a long period after discharge and then underwent a year's training in tin-smithing, he will have inquiries made into this case with a view to its being reconsidered?

I am aware of the circumstances mentioned in the question. Sanction has now been obtained for extending the time-limit in the cases of disabled men who have been prevented by undergoing treatment for their disability from applying within the prescribed period. The case of Private Brooker will accordingly be re-opened with a view to ascertaining whether it may be included among the permissible exceptions to the regulations applicable to men who have already received a course of training for employment.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that disabled soldiers wearing artificial limbs find that the necessary fittings considerably depreciate the wearing value of their clothes; whether any special allowance is made for this, which is a drain on their pension; and, if not, whether he is prepared to consider making a grant to such persons who are thus disabled?

As far as is practicable, artificial limbs and appliances are designed so as to prevent damage to clothing. I am considering how far it is possible to meet exceptional cases where an artificial limb or appliance does in fact cause damage which cannot be prevented by the use of a protective pad or other device.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether at any time during 1918 and 1919 consignments of assorted anti influenza vaccines, each labelled distinctively, were sent to Army medical officers in charge of troops, with instructions to inoculate batches of soldiers with the different vaccines and to note carefully the effect of each vaccine as regards preventing influenza; whether instructions were sent to medical officers that they should inform the soldiers that the inoculation was entirely voluntary; and whether some of the medical officers who made the trial found that the vaccines had no effect at all in preventing influenza?

The hon. Member is misinformed; no consignments of assorted anti-influenza vaccines have been issued to Army Medical Officers. Anti-influenza vaccine of a composition decided upon by a conference of specialists and prepared at the Royal Army Medical College has been issued to commands. Prior to this a limited amount of a vaccine prepared at Guy's Hospital was used in one command. These vaccines were only used in cases of men who volunteered to be inoculated. Medical Officers were instructed to prepare statistical returns, showing the incidence, deaths, and occurrence of pulmonary complications amongst inoculated and uninoculated persons. As regards the second part of the question, all inoculations with vaccines in the British Army are, and have always been, voluntary, and no special mention of the point was made when instructions were issued as to the use of this vaccine. As regards the last part, the general opinion of medical officers has been that the vaccine affords some protection against attack, and distinctly lessons the incidence and severity of pulmonary complications.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the number of motor and steam vehicles of different descriptions which are under the control of the War Office?

The number of mechanical transport vehicles, both internal combustion and steam, at present remaining on War Department charge in all theatres, except India, is—

• 16,421 four-wheeled and
• 6,562 two-wheeled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities in Hamilton have warned certain tenants residing in married quarters at Saffronhall Crescent to remove; whether, amongst the numbers so warned out there is a Mrs. Dove, whose husband was killed on service during the War; whether he is aware that Mrs. Dove has been a tenant in these quarters since they were taken over by the military, and that she has made every attempt possible to find a house in the locality since being warned out and she has failed; and will he, in view of all the circumstances, allow her to retain possession of her present house until she either succeeds in finding a house herself or suitable alternative ac commodation is provided for her by the military authorities?

Mrs. Dove was allowed to reside in Government quarters temporarily as a privilege. As already explained in a letter to the hon. Member, the premises are now required by the military authorities for accommodating permanent staff, for whom no other quarters are available. Every consideration has been shown to Mrs. Dove, and it is regretted that she cannot be allowed to remain in occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been arrived at as to the rates of pay and retired pay of the Royal Army chaplains; if not, when such decision may be expected; and whether the new rates will be retrospective; and from what date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and learned Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Inskip), yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the Women's Legion are employed in driving Army and Air Force cars and tenders; and what is the cost of their individual daily pay and allowances?

There are 446 Women's Legion drivers, exclusive of those under notice, actually employed in driving Army motor vehicles. No members of the Women's Legion are employed with the Royal Air ForceThe inclusive rates of pay are:—

		Weekly.
First-class drivers	…	43s.
Second-class drivers	…	40s.

I regret that, through inadvertence, the number employed was rather understated in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on the 17th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of soldiers still undergoing imprisonment for military offences committed during the late War; and whether, in view of the fact that many of the imprisoned men, whether volunteers or conscripts, will return to civil life immediately upon release, he can undertake to institute a general review of all such cases, with the ultimate purpose of adopting a large measure of amnesty?

There are no soldiers at present undergoing sentences of imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for military offences in civil prisons in this country. As regards men undergoing sentences of penal servitude in this country for military offences committed during the War, I am having the required figures prepared. With reference to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on the 10th December last, in reply to the hon. Member for Whitechapel (Mr. Kiley), and to page 10 of the Memorandum relating to the Army Estimates, which was circulated last Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps have been recently taken for the restoration of Kenley Common to its owners?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As has already been stated in this House on December 18th, 1019, it is intended to retain the Kenley Aerodrome as a permanent station of the Royal Air Force, and I am meeting a deputation representing persons interested in Kenley Common tomorrow (27th of February).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the time spent at annual training of the Territorial Force by members of the Civil Service will be deducted from their annual holiday leave?

The question of the leave of Civil Servants who attend the annual training of the Territorial Force is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to issue a special medal for all members of the Territorial Force who were serving on 4th August, 1914, and to all ex-members of the Territorial Force who had served for a period of not less than four years in the Territorial Force prior to the War and who rejoined on the outbreak of War; and whether, in view of the fact that many men enlisted in the Territorial Force after the 30th September, 1914, and knew of the War when engaging for foreign service, he will favourably consider issuing the medal to all men in the Territorial Force in 1914?

Yes, Sir; the award of a medal for members of the Territorial Force has been approved provided they undertook to serve overseas on or before 30th September, 1914, and were passed physically fit and accepted for service overseas, and provided that they have not qualified for the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star. The medal is not a commemorative medal; the primary reason for its award being to provide a distinguishing mark for those who during peacetime prepared themselves for war by undergoing military training, and in the case of those still serving undertook on the outbreak of war to serve overseas or, if not still serving, rejoined the Territorial Force for that purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will inquire into the case of John Frederick Hedley, who was convicted under the Crimes Act for unlawful assembly under the name of O'Hagan, and subsequently released owing to hunger strike; whether Hedley was on 17th February, 1920, taken by an escourt of Irish police from Rotherham to finish his sentence; where he is now; if he is on hunger strike; and what is the present condition of his health?

The prisoner under the name of John O'Hagan was sentenced to six months' imprisonment at a Crimes Act Court in Belfast in June, 1919, on a charge of unlawful assembly. In October, 1919, he was released from Belfast Prison under the Temporary Releases (III Health) Act, but was to have returned to gaol in November, 1919, which he did not do, having left Ireland. On 17th February he was re-arrested and taken back to Belfast Prison where he is now. He is not on hunger strike, and he is in good health.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Section 52 (2) of The Irish Land Act, 1909, providing for the grant of pensions or gratuities to officers in the employment of the Congested Districts Board, has not yet been made effective: whether a number of the staff have died in the meantime and others, for reasons of age and health, will shortly have to retire; that a number relinquished pensionable appointments in other branches of the Civil Service in the belief that the section referred to would be made applicable to them without delay; and whether steps will be taken at once to deal with this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer of the 8th July last to a question addressed by the hon. Member for Falls (Mr. Devlin). The Treasury have not subsequently received any intimation that the Congested Districts Board are prepared to satisfy the condition laid down by the Treasury, namely, that an annual sum should be set aside from their funds sufficient to meet the prospective charges for superannuation.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the operation of the recently adopted scales of salary for Scottish teachers, some certificated teachers who have been promoted to training college work are now receiving less salary than they would have obtained had they remained as teachers in an elementary school; whether, having regard to the responsibility of training college work, he will explain the reason for this; and whether the Scottish Education Department are prepared favourably to consider individual cases of this kind so that special instructions regarding them might be issued?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the salaries of training college teachers are determined by the managers whom they serve, the function of the department being strictly limited to approving proposals that may be submitted to them. I am, therefore, unable to supply either the information or the explanation that is asked for, and equally I am not in a position to arrange for the issue of instructions. I may, however, say that, so far as I am aware, no proposal designed to remove an anomaly arising out of the institution of the minimum national scales has been refused sanction by the department.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if Herr Ludwig Becker, the professor of astronomy at Glasgow University, was an enemy alien during the War; and, if so, was his salary during the War a contract that must be honoured?

Professor Becker is not an enemy alien. He was naturalised in the year 1892, and remains a British subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information to give with regard to the findings of the Commission set up to inquire into compensation to be paid by the Government to the British South African Chartered Company; whether he is aware that the shareholders of this company are anxious to know the position in which they stand; whether he can state what sum it is the intention of the Government to pay; and when the Commission is likely to make its report?

The Commission has not yet reported, and pending their report I have no information as to what their findings will be.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies in what British Possessions outside Great Britain British silver coinage is legal tender; and in which of such Possessions there is any and what limit on the amount for which British silver coinage is legal tender?

British silver coinage is legal tender in the following Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates to the amount shown:—

	Legal tender.
Commonwealth of Australia	up to	40s.
New Zealand	up to	40s.
Fiji	up to	40s.
Union of South Africa	up to	40s.
Rhodesia	up to	40s.
Basutoland	up to	40s.
Bechuanaland	up to	40s.
Swaziland	up to	40s.
Nyasaland	up to	40s.
Gibraltar	up to	40s.
Malta	up to	100s.
Gambia	No limit.
Gold Coast	No limit.
Nigeria	No limit.
Sierra Leone	No limit.
Bahamas	No limit.
Barbadoes	No limit.
Bermuda	No limit.
British Guiana	No limit.
Jamaica	No limit.
Leeward Islands	No limit.
Trinidad	No limit.
Grenada	No limit.
St. Lucia	No limit.
St Vincent	No limit.
Falkland Islands	No limit.
St. Helens	up to	40s.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the great inconvenience which the people of Corn-say Colliery, County Durham, are subjected to for the want of a telegraphic and telephone service; and if he will inquire into and endeavour to get both such requisites supplied?

I am having enquiry made and will write to the hon. Member on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that temporary postal staff employed during the War have been suddenly discharged in certain districts to make room for demobilised soldiers, as has been previously promised; whether he is aware that this sudden dismissal took place after the unemployment pay had been stopped; and whether he will consider the case of some temporary alleviation of the suffering caused by the discharge of the temporary Post Office servants?

I am arranging for not less than a month's notice of discharge to be given to members of the temporary War staff of the Post Office, but I regret that I am unable to make any other special provision for them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is aware that about 100 ships are waiting in north-eastern ports for cargoes of coal for the French Bay ports; whether some of them have been waiting a month because coal cargoes are not to be had; and whether he will order a considerable number of them to proceed to Bilbao in ballast in order to bring back the iron ore which is so greatly needed in this country?

The Shipping Controller is aware of the general situation in north-eastern ports, but the majority of the vessels mentioned in the question are foreign vessels over which he has no power of direction. As regards British vessels, the suggestion in the latter part of the question is already being carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the average rate of weekly wages at 1st November, 1918, and 1st November, 1919 (including all War wages, bonuses, and allowances), paid to each of the following classes of workmen employed on by-product coke-oven plants in Durham, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire, namely, coke fillers, ram men, exhauster men, benzole makers, and coke-oven labourers?

Occupation		Durham.				W. Yorkshire.				S. Yorkshire.				N. Staffordshire.
		1st Nov., 1918.		1st Nov., 1919		1st Nov., 1918.		1st Nov., 1919		1st Nov., 1918.*		1st Nov., 1919		1st Nov., 1918.		1st Nov., 1919
		s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d	s.	d.
Coke Fillers	…	†		†		12	0	14	0	12	0	14	0	10	3½	12	3½
														to		to
														11	5	13	5
Ram Enginemen	…	10	11	13	3½	11	9	13	9	11	9	13	9	10	10	12	10
														to		to
														11	1½	13	1½
Exbauster Men	…	—		—		11	6	13	6	11	7	13	7	10	7	12	7
														to		to
														11	1½	13	1½
Benzole Makers	…	10	3	12	7½	11	4	13	4	11	6	13	6	9	11	11	11
														to		to
														10	7	12	7
Coke-oven Labourers	…	9	3	11	9	—		—		10	9	12	9	9	4	11	4
														to		to
														9	6	11	6
* The rates quoted relate to 1st December, 1918, particulars for 1st November not being available.
† Tonnage rates are paid.

The rates given apply to shifts worked between 6 a.m. on Monday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Of the five week-end shifts three were paid for at time and a half at both dates; the other two shifts were usually paid for at time and a quarter in November, 1918, and in November, 1919, at time and a quarter in some districts and time and a half in others.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the state of coal supplies in the Honiton, Sidmouth, and Whimple area, and if he will do his utmost to expedite the delivery of the supplies now on order and in the future?

The question of; supplies to the Honiton, Sidmouth, and

The recognised standard rates per shift, inclusive of War wages, bonuses, &c. (but not including the value of coal allowed), at the dates referred to, were as shown below. In some cases, it is understood that the actual earnings vary somewhat from the standard, but statistics are not available to show the extent of such variation. In Lancashire and Derbyshire the rates are not fixed by general agreements and the wages vary at different works.Whimple area is receiving attention. Ordinary supplies have been accelerated and orders have been placed for additional coal to be provided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been called to the acute shortage of coal existing in Belfast, Dublin, and other parts of Ireland, as a result of which industries are being seriously threatened and households left without coal for domestic purposes; and whether he will take steps to have immediate provision made for the allocation to Ireland of sufficient coal to meet the needs of the country; and (2) whether his attention has been called to the serious hardships imposed on the poor of Belfast and Dublin, who are unable to obtain even the smallest supplies of coal because of the shortage now prevailing in these cities; whether this shortage is largely due to the colliery owners being empowered to charge 10s. per ton more for industrial coal than for household coal; and whether he will take immediate steps to provide sufficient coal in Belfast and Dublin to relieve the present shortage and the consequent great distress prevailing?

I will answer these two questions together. The question of coal supplies to Ireland both for household and industrial purposes is receiving special attention. Steps are being taken to provide an additional 40,000 tons of coal per month as soon as the necessary shipping tonnage, for which arrangements are being made, is available. No evidence has been produced to show that the shortage of household coal supplies is due to the lower charge of 10s. per ton to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state for the year 1919 the nature of the imports into the United Kingdom from the United States of America, divided under the categories used in the Monthly Trade Accounts?

Corrected figures are not yet available, but the information contained in the following table may be considered to be approximately correct. Values are c.i.f.

Imports into the United Kingdom, consigned from the United States of America, during the year 1919.
	£
1. Food, drink and tobacco:
(a) Grain and flour	65,289,719
(b) Meat, including animals for food	78,519,028
(c) Other food and drink:
(1) Non-dutiable	43,192,560
(2) Dutiable	37,618,167
(d) Tobacco	34,093,028
Total, Class I	258,712,502

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the shipbuilding and repairing industry is held up for want of plates and sheets; and what steps, if any, are being taken to remedy this shortage?

I understand that there has been serious delay in getting adequate supplies of shipbuilding material for shipbuilding and repairing, mainly owing to difficulties of transport, and that the representatives of the shipbuilding and repairing industries are in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a recently-announced invention of a petrol substitute made by chemical mixture at the cost of under 1s. a gallon; whether this invention has been investigated by the Government; and whether it has proved to be successful?

I saw reports of such an invention in the Press some time ago. No such material has been submitted to the Government or investigated by them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the case of the late Charles Gibson, assistant steward, ss. "Kia Ora," who died from influenza at Le Havre on 12th December, 1918; whether he is aware that this man allowed his mother 25s. per week up to the time of his death; that an application was made to the Marine Department for a pension and was not allowed; and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Gibson was dependent on her son and has no other means of support, he will have further inquiries made into this case?

This case is now being investigated with a view to seeing whether it can properly be brought within the scope of the Government War Risks Compensation Scheme, but no decision has been reached on this point. I will inform the hon. Member of the decision when arrived at.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the number of motor and steam vehicles of different descriptions which are under the control of the Admiralty?

The number of motor and steam road vehicles under the control of the Admiralty is 715, made up as follows:—

Motor Lorries	310
Motor Tenders	58
Motor Vans	62
Motor Ambulances	50
Motor Fire Engines	7
Motor Cars	143
Motor Cycles	36
Steam Road Wagons and Tractors	49
	715

Of these, 73 are in stock to meet replacements, and the number in use (642) is, of course, subject to reduction as services of a temporary nature cease.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will favourably consider granting the release of Able-seaman Benjamin Birchall, No. 33,063, H.M.S. "Cadmus," China Station, who enlisted in November, 1914, and whose widowed mother is looking to him for support?

Birchall should state the facts to his commanding officer, who, if he considers the circumstances justify consideration on compassionate grounds, will submit it to the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the reasons why the pensioned and civilian members, including the bandmaster, of the Royal Naval School of Music, Portsmouth (instructional class), have been discharged; and if any saving, and, if so, the amount, will be made by the change?

In view of the need for economy the services of four civilian professors of music have been dispensed with at the Royal Naval School of Music. The duties performed by them have been distributed among the Service instructors already authorised, who have been increased by one. The saving thus effected is approximately £250 per annum. I am advised that when it was decided to engage civilian professors for the School of Music, it was never contemplated to retain them permanently. They were gradually being reduced before the War, and but for the outbreak of war the services of all would by now have been dispensed with.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if ho can give an assurance with regard to the possible taxation of increases of wealth during the war period that it is not the intention of the Government to tax increases inherited in the usual way during the period, provided the original estate or inherited portions thereof do not in themselves show any war increase?

I think it is undesirable that I should make any further statements on this subject, now that it is actually under consideration by the Select Committee, except when required to do so by the Committee itself.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many hereditaments have been valued under the land duties sections of the Finance Act of 1909–10; how many of these were settled by agreement or after preliminary objection had been taken by the owners; in how many eases have these valuations been fixed automatically by the failure of the owners to object to the official provisional valuation; and in how many cases are the valuations still unsettled; whether under the arrangement made at the outbreak of war that in eases then unsettled the 60 days' notice of objection should commence to run from a date yet to be fixed or in consequence of legal decisions?

The number of hereditaments, a valuation of which as at 30th April, 1909, has been made under the provisions of Part 1. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is 10,585,586. Of the provisional valuations made appropriately 60 per cent. have been finally settled; but these so-called settled cases contain a certain number of valuations made upon a basis which has been condemned by the Court. I am unable to state what proportion has become settled in consequence of notice of objection to the valuation not being given. The remaining 40 per cent. of the valuations are unsettled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Revenue authorities are levying a tax upon all disabled persons who attach a motor to their invalid chair; and whether, in view of the number of disabled soldiers who are compelled to use this method of conveyance, he can see his way to exempting them from taxation?

Under the existing law mechanically propelled invalid chairs, if used upon the public highway, are liable to motor car licence duty. The whole question of the taxation of mechanically propelled vehicles is at present under the consideration of a Departmental Committee appointed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, and the question of the exemption of this particular class of vehicle must await the Report of that Committee.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been drawn to the statement issued by certain margarine manufacturers that, as butter is controlled by the Government, they cannot be responsible for the quality of the butter supplied by them; and if he will say in what way the Government control affects the quality of the butter so supplied?

I have not seen the particular statement to which my right hon. Friend refers. The butter supplies imported by the Ministry of Food are of various grades, but include the normal percentage of first-grade butter. Under the Ministry's system of distribution, a trader is not allowed to take the whole of his supply in best quality butter, but is required to taken an equitable proportion of the various qualities. All issues for table purposes are accompanied by a guarantee that the butter is pure butter, and that it satisfies the requirements of the Food and Drugs Acts.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in the inquiry recently instituted by him into the strike of milk producers in the South Wales and Monmouthshire district, his attention was called to instances where producers poured large quantities of milk into ditches and drains; and, if such waste has been established, whether he proposes to sec that the law is enforced by instituting prosecutions against any producers guilty of such waste of vital food supplies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If any such case as that referred to by the hon. Member is brought to the notice of the Food Controller, proceedings will be instituted against the offender.

asked the Minister of Food what is the object in purchasing such large quantities of Patagonian mutton and lamb, seeing that our colonies have still such large stocks on hand waiting to be shipped, that further stocks are continually being accumulated, and that the colonial cold stores are filled in consequence; what amount of colonial mutton and lamb remain under control; and at what rate is it being disposed of?

I have been asked to reply. The final Patagonian contract for mutton and lamb ends with this season's output, i.e., about 30th April. The Dominion contracts expire, in the case of New Zealand, on the 30th June next; in the case of Australia, three months after the legal termination of the War. The purpose of all contracts for meat entered into by the Government has been to secure adequate supplies of meat for this country at the cheapest rates compatible with the maintenance of the meat producing industry in Great Britain and Ireland. The latest official figures as to stocks of mutton and lamb show that on February 14th there were about 92,000 tons in cold store in the United Kingdom, and that there were 110,500 tons awaiting shipment in New Zealand and about 28,000 tons in Australia, at the end of January. The arrivals in the United Kingdom in January were particularly heavy, much greater than in either of the two preceding months, and have materially contributed to the present accumulation. Since the price of imported meat was reduced in November, there has been a marked increase in the consumption, and I am confident that that increase will be accelerated by the further reduction in the price of mutton lately announced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious effect on the export trade of pedigree stock caused by the existence of foot-and-mouth disease in so many parts of the country; whether he is satisfied that all the necessary measures are being taken to stamp out the disease; and, if not, what other steps he proposes to take?

I am well aware of the serious effect on the export trade of pedigree stock caused by the existence of foot-and-mouth disease in this country, and this consideration is one of the most important factors in determining the policy of the Ministry in dealing with the disease by the immediate slaughter of the affected and in-contact stock. All countries, with the exception of the United States and Canada, require certificates testifying that a radius of about fifteen miles from the premises on which the animals have been located has been free from the disease for a certain period. The speed with which infection can be eliminated from any district by the stamping-out process has, therefore, an important bearing on the date on which export of animals from that particular district can be resumed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the Ordnance Survey authorities at Southampton have decided, on the ground of economy, to discharge a civil assistant, after forty-four years' service, within six weeks of reaching sixty years, his retiring age, thereby depriving him of the advantage of the Courtney scheme to which he subscribed many years ago; whether he is aware that the service of this assistant is without blemish; and whether he will have the matter reconsidered?

Many pensionable assistants in the Ordnance Survey are under notice of discharge on the 31st March, and it is not possible to identify the man referred to from the question. If the hon. Member will furnish me with further particulars, I will have enquiries made into this case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any condition was made in the recent sale to a Bradford buyer by the Disposals Board of 15,000,000 yards of flannel that the material should first be offered in the home market, having regard to the scarcity and price of flannel in this country; if not, can he see his way to impose some such condition in all similar sales for the future, in order that people at home may first have the opportunity of benefiting by any advantage that can be derived by such disposal of State property?

No such condition as that suggested by my hon. Friend was imposed. All material available for disposal is very widely advertised, every opportunity being afforded to the home purchaser to obtain such material at reasonable prices. In view, however, of the position of the exchanges, to go further than this in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend would not be in the best interests of the people at home.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions why the principal offices of the Disposals Board in France have been transferred from Boulogne to Paris; what rent is being paid for the new Paris offices: and what rent was paid for the Boulogne offices?

The transfer was made because it was considered that the principal offices would be more centrally and conveniently placed in Paris than in Boulogne. The proximity of the offices of the French Government and the principal French purchasers thus obtained has considerably facilitated the work of the organisation in France. The rent and charges arising in connection with the occupation of the present Paris offices are under £300 per month Also, three offices previously occupied in Paris, costing about £200 monthly, are now merged in the present premises. No rent was paid for Wimcreux Camp near Boulogne, but costs incidental to the occupation of the extensive encampment exceeded £1,200 per month.

asked the Minister of Health if any information is available relating to the terms of appointment of, and the remuneration paid to, the officials comprising the staffs of the various local authorities in England and Wales, under the Public Health and Housing Acts; and, if not, whether he is in a position to have a return made and printed?

Yes, Sir, a considerable amount of the information referred to is in the hands of my Department; and consideration is being given to the question of the extent to which it will be worth while in the public interest to incur the considerable expenditure of labour and money involved in having such a large mass of detailed material printed and published.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce the National Health Insurance Amendment Bill?

I hope to introduce the Bill in the course of a few days, but I am not yet in a position to name a definite date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a notice was issued, under the Order in Council of 18th December, 1918, inviting candidates lately engaged in military service, or lately interned in Germany as civilian prisoners, to compete for vacancies in the Foreign Office or diplomatic service for the first three years after the War under a certain reconstruction scheme; whether any such competition will be held in 1921; and, if not, what means have been taken to warn those who under faith of this notice of 18th December, 1918, set themselves to study for the promised competition?

Notices were issued inviting candidates lately engaged in military service or lately interned as civilian prisoners in Germany, to compete for vacancies in the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service during the first three years after the War, under the reconstruction scheme. It is proposed that this scheme shall remain in force until the last examination in 1921, which will, it is expected, be held in the autumn of that year.

asked the Home Secretary if he will inquire into the case of John Frederick Hedley, who was convicted at the Rotherham borough court under the Defence of the Realm Act on the 14th February, 1920, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, but was ordered to be admitted to bail pending an appeal to the divisional court; if he will explain why, instead of bail being accepted by the Rotherham police, the Chief Constable, purporting to act under orders from the Home Office, handed Hedley to an escort of Irish police from Belfast in order that he might be taken back to Ireland to serve the remainder of a sentence under the Crimes Act for unlawful assembly from which he had been released owing to hunger strike; whether the sentence imposed by the Rotherham bench is now running concurrently with the Irish sentence; and if, seeing that the conduct alleged against Hedley at Rotherham might have been dealt with under the ordinary Law as conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, he will, in the circumstances, remit or suspend the sentences in order that Hedley may prosecute his appeal to the divisional court as to the validity of the emergency legislation under which he was charged?

I have made inquiry. It is not the case that the police refused to accept bail. The Chief Constable, after consulting the Home Office, warned Hedley that the Irish police might fetch him to complete his sentence. He was then brought before the magistrates in order that ho and his sureties might enter into their recognisances with a view to his appeal, but he refused to enter into any recognisances and in due course was handed over to the Irish police. I cannot recommend the remission of the sentences passed at Rotherham. The information I have at present does not enable me to say whether they are running concurrently with the Belfast sentence or not.

asked the Home Secretary whether the police regulation against the use of the open exhaust on motor cars and other petrol-driven vehicles is still in force; if so, whether he is aware that the regulation is extensively disregarded, and that considerable annoyance is caused to the public, and no little danger to drivers of horse-drawn vehicles, in consequence; and whether he will cause an intimation to be given to the Metropolitan police to enforce the regulation and institute proceedings against those who persist in its breach?

I am informed that the provisions of Article IV. of the Use and Construction Order, 1904, as amended by the Order of 1912, are still in force. The police are aware of the annoyance caused when the provisions are disregarded, and they do their best to enforce them. There have been 98 prosecutions in the Metropolitan police district during the last six months.

asked the Attorney General whether a large number of books and manuscripts belonging to the old ecclesiastical courts, and which contain important matter of historical, biographical, and genealogical interest, are kept in the Probate Registry at Somerset House; and whether he will take steps to render them accessible to students?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and as to the last part I am informed that, owing to the limitations of staff and accommodation, the documents cannot under existing circumstances be rendered accessible to students. It must also not be forgotten that many of these documents are of a private character.