asked the Prime Minister if he has any information of the surpluses of wheat and sugar available for export by Russia and the Central Powers; has the Government made any efforts to obtain some part of these surpluses for the benefit of the people of this country; if so, what has been the result of such efforts; and, if not, what steps, if any, do they propose to take in the matter?

A number of reports have been received to the effect that there is a considerable surplus of wheat available for export from Russia after all the needs of the Russian people have been satisfied But exact information is not yet available. His Majesty's Government have no information as to the amount of sugar available for export from Russia. It is anticipated that representatives of the Russian co-operative organisations will arrive in this country in the course of the next two or three weeks with a view to discussing the arrangements for the re-opening of trading with Russia. There is no surplus of wheat available for export from the Central Empires. With regard to sugar, it is understood that Germany has no surplus available for export at present, nor has Austria. Arrangements have been made for procuring small quantities of sugar from Poland, and, by agreement with the Allies, France is obtaining some supplies from Czecho-Slovakia.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend this Session to introduce a new Workmen's Compensation Bill; and when, in that case, it may be expected?

As my hon. Friend is aware, a Departmental Committee, appointed by the Home Secretary, has been enquiring into the working of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and any amending legislation on this subject must await the Report of the Committee. The Committee are nearing the end of their inquiry, and as soon as their Report is received, the question of introducing a Bill will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is now able to supply a Return showing the number of pensioners of the civilian services of India other than the Indian Civil Service who retired before July, 1913, and the average annual death rate of these pensioners?

The Government of India were asked in November last to furnish information regarding pensioners drawing pensions in India, which is necessary for the preparation of the Return, but the information has not yet been received. A telegraphic reminder will be sent to them on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cause a Return to be made showing the amounts granted to industrial undertakings since 3rd August, 1914, by the Ministry of Munitions, the Admiralty, and the War Office, giving in each case the name of the undertaking?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Aberdeen Central (Major M. Wood) on the 25th instant.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the Medical Benefit Regulations for Scotland will be issued and circulated among the profession?

In reply, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to a similar question asked yesterday by the hon. and gallant Member for the Tradeston Division (Major Henderson), which appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 922.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether any relaxations of the Muzzling Order are in contemplation for the near future in those portions of Surrey and Hampshire which lie west and south-west of Aldershot, inclusive, seeing that no cases of rabies have ever occurred in this area?

The question of a further relaxation of the London, Middlesex and District Muzzling Area is at present receiving the careful consideration of the Ministry, and I shall be glad to let my hon. and gallant Friend know as soon as possible what their ultimate decision is in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that periodical flooding of the Chigwell highway takes place and that it is then dangerous and impassable; whether at any time police have been stationed on the Chigwell Road to warn persons and drivers of the danger; whether the authorities concerned have done anything in the matter; and, if not, will he instruct them to carry out the work necessary to prevent flooding and safeguard the health of residents in the Woodford district?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have made inquiries into the matter, and I understand that a portion of the main road referred to does occasionally get flooded for a length of 50 to 60 yards, and that in very wet weather the water extends for a considerably greater distance. I am informed that no floods have occurred during the last twelve months, but that the road was twice flooded in the early part of 1919. When the road is flooded the Woodford Urban District Council have men on duty to warn and divert traffic and also supply carts and horses to convey pedestrians. A portable elevated timber footpath is also now available. I am afraid that in order entirely to prevent the flooding it would be necessary to raise the level of the road for a considerable length and to reconstruct the bridge, obviously at great cost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of bunker coals throughout the world, he has considered some scheme to regulate the supply of bunkers at British home ports and British-owned coaling stations overseas to foreign-owned vessels by demanding that in return for the necessary supply of bunker coals they shall carry to this country a fair percentage of cargo at rates equivalent to those paid to British owners on directed voyages?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to recommend the suggested scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the price of coal sold for re-sale to dealers is fixed in South Lancashire in accordance with Clause.60 of the Household and Lighting Order. 1919?

Local Fuel Overseers acting under the supervision of the local authority have been authorised to determine the price of coal as between merchant and dealer when supplied for re-sale in accordance with the provisions of Clause 60 of the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1919. In some districts, where the dealer buys coal directly from the colliery, the need for fixing the prices as between merchant and dealer does not arise, but if the hon. Member is aware of any case in the South Lancashire district where such action could have been taken, but has not, and will furnish particulars, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether there is any procedure by which a firm which has during the War been removed from the list of contractors to Government Departments can, on due cause being shown, be restored to that list?

It is open to any contractor who has been removed from the list of Government contractors to appeal to the Department concerned for reinstatement, and if due cause is shown, to the satisfaction of that Department, there is nothing, to prevent his being restored to the list.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the Leeds training college is yet available for the training of candidates for certificated teacherships; and, if not, when he expects it to re-open?

A considerable portion of the premises of the college which were occupied by the military has been set free for educational purposes and I hope that the remainder will be returned very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the amount of grant in respect of elementary education paid to the Carnarvonshire local education authority in each of the years 1918–19 and 1919–20; and what is the amount of the cost of elementary education borne by the rates in each of those years within the same area?

The amount of grant for elementary education payable to Carnarvonshire in 1918–19 was £54,383, in 1919–20, £77,131. The cost of elementary education falling on the rates was in 1918–19, £54,711; in 1919–20, £62,743.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board require that the whole of the special grant in respect of an advanced course under the secondary school regulations shall be expended upon the advanced course, including the salaries of the teachers directly engaged upon it, and that no part of the grant may be applied in augmenting the salaries of other teachers in the school who are not engaged upon the advanced course?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that students at the Cardiff technical college residing at a distance from the city are refused the privilege of special fares on the local railways while students of the university college under similar conditions are granted them at a reduced rate; and will he take the necessary steps to secure equal treatment for all students?

I am informed that the privilege of special fares accorded to the students of the university college is a special concession which was granted many years ago. The issue of season tickets at reduced rates for students has recently been revised, and such tickets will now be granted on uniform conditions, which are being advertised by the railway companies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the services of ex-warrant officers as officers will be taken into account and considered when re-assessment of pension is being made, in order that they may be placed on a similar basis to those who are permitted to retire with either a gratuity of £1,500 or a pension of £150 per annum?

I understand the Noble Lord to suggest that ex-warrant officers who had been discharged to pension before the War and were given temporary commissions during the War should be treated on retirement on the same lines as serving soldiers commissioned from the ranks under Article 572 A of the Pay Warrant. I regret that I am unable to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether the recent concessions made to men in the Navy and Army who, by reason of invaliding, have not been able to complete their full time for pension is to be restrospective?

As already announced, the concessions take effect from 1st April, 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Royal Army Medical Corps men at Singapore were not relieved at the same time as the garrison; whether some of the men there have been continuously absent from home for a period approaching five years; and when these men, who are mostly 1915 men, will be relieved?

It was not possible to relieve the Royal Army Medical Corps detachment at Singapore at the same time as the garrison, but sufficient drafts have since been sent from this country to relieve all those who are eligible for release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private J. Walsh, No. 117,487, 52nd King's Liverpool Regiment, is entitled to demobilisation; whether any communications have been received from his parents asking for his release owing to his mother's critical condition; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case?

I am informed that Private J. Walsh was released on 26th March, 1920.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private T. Johnson, No. 179,599. Machine Gun Corps; whether he is aware that this soldier is only 16 years of age and is suffering from ulcers and tumour on the brain; that instructions were issued last January for Johnson to proceed to a dispersal camp for discharge; and whether he will have inquiries made as to the cause of this soldier's retention in the service?

Enquiries are being made into this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an Order has been made which provides for soldiers to purchase their discharge; if so, from what date does it operate and what is the purchase price to be paid?

Purchase of discharge from the Army will be re-opened as from the 30th April, and the rates of purchase money are at present under consideration. An announcement on the subject will be made shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions have been given for the return from Mesopotamia of Captain Milton Jones, Royal Army Medical Corps, 14th Sanitary Section, whose release has been applied for by the Montgomery insurance committee since August, 1914; and when Captain Milton Jones's return may be expected?

The General Officer Commanding in Mesopotamia has been informed by cable that Captain Milton Jones is urgently required, and this will be considered in assessing his claim for priority of release. In view of the fact that Captain Jones is 27 years of age, and has served since November, 1917, it is not considered advisable to issue orders for his return, which would give him priority over other officers of greater age and longer service who are similarly detained in Mesopotamia.