asked the Secretary of State for War the names of the British units engaged on the North-West Frontier of India during the past 12 months; their casualties; and the total casualties of the British and Indian forces?

I am unable to give the complete list of British units which have served on the North-West Frontier, with the casualties sustained by each of them during the last twelve months, but if the hon. and gallant Member wishes I will ask the Government of India to supply the information. The total British casualties on the North-West Frontier reported during the last twelve months is 333 of all ranks. Details of casualties amongst Indian rank and file are not always reported to this country, and I am therefore unable to give figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether nurses sent to Malta on active service in 1915 are ineligible for the 1915 medal, while nurses serving in Alexandria under similar conditions are entitled to it; and whether there are any reasons, other than those of administrative convenience, why equal services in Malta should not be equally recognised?

Service on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of War is essential to qualify for the award of the 1914–15 Star. Malta was not a theatre of war, and nurses who served there in 1915 are consequently not eligible for the Star.

asked the Home Secretary whether all asylums, or annexes of asylums, devoted during the War to the accommodation of invalided soldiers have yet been returned to their proper use; are any still retained for the care and treatment of soldiers suffering from loss of mental balance and, if so, which; what is the present status of the asylum given by Dr. Maudsley to the London County Council; is any detention exercised at this institution, or at Springfield House, Wandsworth, Maghall, Monyhull, Craigleith, Ashhurst, or any other institution intended for the care of border-line mental cases; are the men in the places mentioned still under military control; if discharged from the Army, does any portion of their pension go to the lunacy authorities for their care and treatment; and, if the men refuse treatment, will any portion of their pension be forfeited?

The answer to the first point is in the negative. Some of these institutions are still in use as medical and surgical military hospitals, and the following are utilised for the care and treatment of soldiers and pensioners suffering from neurasthenia or loss of mental balance:—

1. The Oxfordshire County and City Asylum (Ashurst War Memorial).

2. The Ewell Epileptic Colony (Ewell (County of London) War Hospital).

3. A block of the Middlesex County Asylum, Wandsworth (Spring field War Hospital).

4. The Lancashire County Asylum, Winwick (The Lord Derby War Hospital).

The men in these places who are serving soldiers are still under military control. Pensioners cannot be detained against their will.The present status of the Maudsley Hospital is that of a Ministry of Pensions Hospital, but it is to be handed back to the London County Council in July next.I have no information as to the Maghall, Monyhull, or Craigleith. Any inquiry as regards such institutions and also the inquiries in the last two parts of the question should be addressed to the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what land grants for war services have been made in any of our overseas dominions; and whether British-born and resident ex-Service men are eligible?

Particulars of the schemes of the various self-governing dominions are contained in the publications of the Oversea Settlement Office. These publications, copies of which are being sent to my hon. Friend, show how far the various local schemes apply to ex-Service men from other parts of the Empire. It is impossible to furnish particulars of these schemes within the limits of a reply to the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether H. Figg, of 94, Kew Green, Kew, badge formerly No. 1,104, who had been licensed for about 14 years before the War as a driver of mechanical power and hackney carriages, has been since the conclusion of the War refused a renewal of his licence; what is the reason for such refusal; has it any relation to the fact that, after dismissal of an appeal for exemption from military service on business grounds, he declined as a conscientious objector to go into the Army, and having sold his cabs existed on the proceeds, and afterwards obtained employment, but failed when required to give particulars of such employment; and whether, seeing that such particulars have now been given, he will cause the matter to be reviewed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. During the War this man did not claim exemption as a conscientious objector, but went into hiding, and so evaded his obligation to military service, and the Commissioner, who is the licensing authority, feels no confidence that, if granted a licence, he would fulfil the obligations it imposes. The case is in no way affected by the fact of his having now given the name of his employer.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that ex-Constable Allsworth, who had served 17 years in the police force with a clean sheet and an exemplary character, but who had been dismissed for coming out on strike, was recently evicted with his wife and young children by orders of the Commissioner of Police from rooms he occupied at a time when he could find no other place to go to; that at the date of his eviction two of his children were suffering from whooping cough; that the Commissioner of Police refused to allow the furniture to remain in the rooms even until the following day, when a cart would have been available for its removal; that in consequence the furniture had to stay in the area all night exposed to the weather; who is the official responsible for this action; if he will have this official dismissed the service; and whether a claim is now being made by the police for the expenses of the eviction amounting to £15 19s.

Ex-Constable Allsworth has remained in occupation of police quarters to which he had no right since August last, and as they were urgently required for a police officer it became necessary to obtain an ejectment order against him. The order was due to take effect on the 27th February last, but its enforcement was postponed on Allsworth's representations that his children were too ill from whooping cough to be removed. It was found on enquiry that this was not the case, and as there was no further justification for delay effect was given to the order on 12th March. His furniture was not left in the open, but was placed in a motor van, except for a few household utensils which were left under an arch in the basement of the house and removed the following morning. I am satisfied that Allsworth has been treated with every consideration, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter. He was for more than six months in occupation of police premises to which he had no claim and for which he has paid no rent, and I see no reason why the costs of the eject-ment proceedings should be borne by the Police Fund.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the 112,237 tons of steel plates reported to have been exported during the four months, November to February, would have been sufficient for the construction of 3,300 locomotives, the present value of which is between £30,000,000 and £40,000,000 as against only about £3,000,000, as the value of the steel plates exported; and what steps are being taken, alike on account of the relative higher value of the finished article and on the urgent question of employment, for the immediate restriction of the exportation of steel plates until the demand for our own industries has been fully met; in other words, will priority be granted to manufacturers for their requirements of steel plates?

I regret that the figure given to the hon. Member on 24th March as to the quantity of steel plates exported in the period mentioned was not quite accurate; it should have been 118,929 tons. I am unable to agree with the estimate of the number of locomotives that could have been made from the quantity of plates specified in the question, inasmuch as the greater portion of the plates were of thickness and type unsuited to the construction of locomotives. The question of taking steps to secure that domestic requirements are met is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the Agricultural Organisation Society has made any representations for the establishment of some form of agricultural credit to his Department; whether a scheme has been submitted for the Board's consideration; and what are their views upon the same?

The Agricultural Organisation Society made representations to the late President of the Board of Agriculture in April, 1919, and submitted a preliminary scheme. The Ministry has, however, not proceeded further in this matter, in view of the subsequent passing of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, which enabled the Ministry and Councils to make or guarantee advances to their small holding tenants.