asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a definite pledge was given to the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company to replace any of the Company's steamers lost during the War, and that this Company would have a prior claim to replace those lost ships; and, if so, whether he will explain why this pledge was not only unfulfilled, but the Company's competitors, the London and North Western Railway Company, were granted permission to build new steamers while permission to replace vessels sunk by submarines while in the Government's service was withheld from the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, thus placing this Company at a great disadvantage?

I have been asked to reply. The question raised by my hon. Friend is the subject of legal proceedings between the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company and the Crown, and it would, therefore, be undesirable to make any statement in the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the cargo vessels, property, and staff of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company were requisitioned by the Government during the War and ordered to be handed over to the traffic manager of the Company's principal competitor, the London and North Western Railway Company; and whether, in doing so, the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company were compelled to disclose their business connections to such competitors?

I have been asked to reply. Certain vessels belonging to the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company were requisitioned by the Government and entrusted to the management of the London and North Western Railway Company in circumstances which were fully explained by my predecessor in his replies to questions asked in this House on the 25th and 29th of October, 1917, copies of which replies I am sending to my hon. Friend. I have no information as to the last part of the question, but the requisition was of the ordinary character.

asked the Postmaster-General for how many years the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company has carried the mails from Holyhead to Ireland; and whether the services rendered during those years were satisfactory?

The earliest contract between the Postmaster-General and this company for the conveyance of mails was made in 1859. The performance of the contracts has been generally satisfactory.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Treasury has recently sanctioned the appointment of a clerk to the visiting justices in each prison in Ireland, with an allowance for acting as such; and, if so, will he see that in every case such appointment will be made from the Class II. warder rank where an officer of that rank is found to be efficient and capable of performing the duty, and that the higher paid warder ranks will not be given the appointment except where a capable or efficient Class II. warder is not to be found?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The selection of officers for these posts is a matter for the Visiting Committees themselves, subject to the approval of the Lord-Lieutenant, and all prison officers, irrespective of rank, are eligible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Westmeath County Council, deciding that all court-houses in the county be closed, that Government officials resident in these buildings be evicted, and calling on Sinn Fein volunteers to see that no judges were permitted to enter these buildings for the purpose of holding courts which were not recognised by Dail Eireann; and what steps he intends to take in the matter, especially in the matter which affects the judges?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that the High Sheriff for the time being is entitled to possession of the court-houses within his jurisdiction for the purpose of the administration of justice. If and when any necessity arises for enforcing that right the police have instructions to render every assistance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of silk manufactured goods imported into the United Kingdom during May and June, respectively, 1919 and 1920; what proportion of this importation in each year is declared as coming from Denmark, Holland, and Switzerland; and what portion of this importation is of German and Austrian origin?

The information furnished to the Customs Authorities in respect of the sources of imports shows only the countries from which the imports were consigned, and not the

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a trade society known as the Undertakers' Association has given public notice that in their opinion it is undesirable for wheel-biers to be used any longer for funerals and removals of bodies, such wheel-biers being used to save poor persons from the heavy expense entailed by the use of horse hearses and carriages, and further intimating that all the members of the association, throughout the country had been forbidden to use a bier outside any church, churchyard, or cemetery; and whether he will inform the House what steps he proposes to take to protect the public, and more especially the poorer classes, from action which is both in restraint of trade and also inflicts hardship and injury on many individuals?

I have been asked to reply. I had no previous information concerning the matters referred to in the question beyond what has appeared in the daily Press. As at present advised, I do not see that the Board of

countries of origin so far as these differ from the country of consignment; but so far as imports into this country from Switzerland are concerned, the published returns of imports into Switzerland from Germany and Austria certainly do not lend colour to the suggestion that a leading cause of the increase is the inclusion of many German and Austrian goods.

Trade can take any action in the matter, which is one which will be borne in mind when legislation is under consideration for the purpose of dealing with monopolies and combines.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a commercial agent has recently been appointed for Constantinople; what are his duties and the salary attached to the position; if the appointment is for European Turkey; who has received the post; and what are the qualifications he holds?

There are two Commercial Secretaries at Constantinople. Their duties consist in advising and assisting the British High Commissioner on the broader issues of trade, industry, and finance, and their developments; in keeping up a supply of information on commercial matters in the Department of Overseas Trade; in attending to inquiries from that Department or from British firms in regard to commercial questions, and in drawing up an annual report summarising the economic and financial developments in Turkey. The emoluments of the posts are under revision. The new salaries contemplated are £1,200, rising by annual increments of £50 to £1,500 per annum for the senior post, and £800, rising by annual increments of £25 to £1,000 per annum for the junior post. The limits of the district of the Commercial Secretaries cannot be definitely decided till Peace is concluded. At present the district is intended to include Asiatic as well as European Turkey. The senior post is held by Mr. Ernest Weakley, C.M.G., who has been Commercial Attachè for Turkey since 1897. Mr. Weakley left Constantinople in November, 1914, and was employed on important work at the Foreign Office during the War. His health has, up to the present, prevented his return to Constantinople, and in his absence Mr. A. T. Waugh, C.M.G., has been appointed to act in his place. Mr. Waugh has had a long career in the Levant Consular Service, and has been Consul at Constantinople since 1908. The junior post at Constantinople is filled by Captain C. H. Courthope-Munroe, who was recommended to the Secretary of State by the Selection Committee appointed to review candidates for posts in the Commercial Diplomatic Service. Before the War Captain Courthope-Munroe was Assistant Traffic Superintendent on the Indian Railways. During the War he served in Mesopotamia, and was taken prisoner at Kut in 1916. During his detention he travelled a good deal in Turkey, studying the commercial and social conditions there.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Roumanian Government has not honoured the interest coupons on British-owned Roumanian Government bonds for several years past; if he will make representations to the Roumanian Government and obtain from it a definite assurance, if possible, that it will meet its engagements in the above matter on a definite date in the immediate future; and will he cause the Roumanian Government's reply, as to the date, to be published in the Press, for the information of British export manufacturers and others?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Bucharest has, however, been assured that the Roumanian Government hope to be in a position to pay these coupons shortly. He has been instructed to represent to the Roumanian Government the importance of fixing a definite date for payment. As soon as such date is known to His Majesty's Government an announcement will be made.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the Report on the Prospects of Roumania [Cmd. 828], issued by the Commercial Secretary to His Majesty's Legation at Bucharest, in which Roumania is referred to as possessing great possibilities as a market for British goods; is he aware that British export manufacturers feel great reluctance in dealing with Roumania, owing to the action of the Roumanian Government in not paying the interest on the Roumanian Government debt in the hands of British subjects; and will he so advise the British Commercial Secretary at Bucharest?

The report referred to by the hon. and gallant Member was made to the Foreign Office. In regard to the last two parts of the question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham (Mr. Atkey).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will see that the proposed increase of railway rates shall come into operation not later than the proposed increase of tolls on canals, so that canal carriers who pay these increased tolls shall not be put into competition with another service run at uneconomic rates?

The report of the Rates Advisory Committee as regards railway goods rates has not yet been received. There is no reason to fear that the increases in railway rates will come into operation later than the increases in canal tolls. In fact, I have made representations to the Rates Advisory Committee urging them to deal with the canal question promptly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the danger caused to the public by the driving of chars-a-bancs by inexperienced drivers; what examination is passed by the driver before a licence is issued; and if vehicles are tested and passed as safe by competent authorities?

I have no knowledge of the alleged danger caused to the public by the driving of chars-a-bancs by inexperienced drivers, other than the statements which have recently appeared in the Press and certain communications of a general character which have been received from some local authorities. All drivers of motor chars-a-bancs require a motor-car driver's licence under the Motor Car Act, 1903, in respect of which there is no examination. If the chars-a-bancs are licensed to ply for hire, the drivers, in addition to the ordinary motor driver's licence, have to obtain a hackney vehicle driver's licence from the police or local authority responsible for the licensing of hackney vehicles, who can impose tests of efficiency if they think well. The vehicles are subject to inspection by such authorities.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether there are any age limits for motor car drivers in the streets of London; whether it is a fact that a commercial vehicle may be driven by an untrained boy of 18, or even younger, whereas the driver of a licensed vehicle has to prove that he possesses driving skill;

(2) whether he is aware that a person of 17 years of age can drive his own motor car in the streets of London without going through a preliminary test as to fitness for driving, but that a taxi-driver must undergo a thorough test before any licence is issued to him, but he has also to avoid young and inefficient drivers?

I have been asked to answer these questions. The issue of motor car and cycle drivers' licences is governed by Section 3 of the Motor Car Act, 1903, under which any person of 17 years of age or over may obtain a licence to drive a motor car on payment of 5s., and any person over the age of 14 may obtain a licence to drive a motor cycle. In addition to this licence a person desiring to drive a hackney carriage requires a licence which is obtained from the Police, who, I am informed, do impose tests of efficiency.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Shipping what salary was paid to Mr. H. G. Burgess, Irish traffic manager of the London and North Western Railway Company, prior to his appointment by the Ministry of Shipping as Director of Transportation of Cross-Channel Traffic, and what salary did he afterwards receive, either from the London and North Western Railway Company or from the Ministry of Shipping or from both; what was the date of his present appointment to the Ministry of Transport and what is his salary; and is the appointment permanent or is he only loaned to the Ministry by the London and North Western Railway Company?

Mr. H. G. Burgess was at no time on the paid establishment of the Ministry of Shipping. He received no salary in respect of his appointment as Director of Cross-Channel Transportation. I have no information as to the salary paid to him by the London and North Western Railway Company, nor as to the conditions of his employment under the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of employés at present engaged in the torpedo factory, Fort Matilda, Greenock, and the number of houses at present occupied by the employés which have been built, either partly or wholly, out of public funds?

The total number of employés at the torpedo factory is at present 930. Of the 98 houses built by the Admiralty, 97 are occupied by employés, and the remaining house is occupied by a recently invalided employé. At Battery Park there are 12 temporary huts for 96 single men and 12 caretakers, at present occupied as follows: One hut by single men and caretaker, seven huts by married employés, and the remaining four huts by late employés under notice to quit. At Nelson Street, Greenock, there is a tenement of seven flats which was transferred from the Prison Commissioners in 1917; five of these flats are occupied by employés, one by the widow of an employé, and one by a disabled soldier who was in occupation prior to the transfer of the tenement to the Admiralty. As regards the houses provided under the subsidised Greenock Corporation Scheme: At Craigieknows there are 102 houses; ten of the present tenants are torpedo factory employés.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is expected to reach a decision in regard to the pensions of Class II. warrant officers, Royal Marines; and whether it is a fact that this matter has been under the consideration of the authorities for over a year?

A decision has now been reached with regard to the pensions of Class II. warrant officers. It is regretted that no increase can be granted. The question raised as to warrant officers, Class II. receiving the same increments for their service as such, as before the revised pension rates were introduced, is under consideration, and a further announcement will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the qualifying period, namely, three years, for good conduct badges begins to count for engine-room artificers who were and are trained as boy artificers?

The qualifying period for good conduct badges in the case of ex-boy artificers reckons from the date of advancement to engine-room artificer 5th class.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the new con- ditions laid down at Rosyth governing the maximum rate and allowance for skilled mechanics; whether the rate is not to exceed 48s. per week in the future; and whether any men at Rosyth who through health reasons, confirmed by medical certificates, have returned to their homes, have to refund the Rosyth allowance, and in the latter case pay all the expenses of their removal in addition?

It is not known to what new conditions my hon. Friend refers. The actual position is that those mechanics who were transferred from southern dockyards to first man, Rosyth, and those who were entered locally before December, 1915, are paid 2s. a week more than the dockyard trade rate. In some trades, special rates in excess of the dockyard trade rate are paid to a proportion of the mechanics within a maximum of 48s. a week. At Rosyth the 2s. referred to above will be additional to these special rates, so that the 48s. rate may in some cases be exceeded by 2s. In cases where men may be transferred from Rosyth to other dockyards, for health or other reasons, there is no refund of the Rosyth allowance, but the payment is discontinued, and the men so transferred pay their removal expenses, unless the circumstances are regarded as sufficiently special to warrant the Department in affording relief to the employés in respect of these liabilities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the case of Mr. Joseph Busuttil, who was appointed interpreter and recruiter to the Malta Royal Naval Reserve in June, 1904, which position he held until granted a commission in 1917, who has been demobilised and has lost his pre-War situation; whether he is aware that the treatment of this officer has produced an unfortunate impression in Malta; and whether he will provide employment for him as before?

The case of Mr. Busuttil, formerly Temporary Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was demobilised on the 15th November, 1919, has received full consideration. After his demobilisation the Senior Naval Officer, Malta, did not consider that his re-employment on the work of interpreter on which he had been engaged prior to the War would be justified as adequate arrangements were already in force to meet the greatly reduced quantity of this kind of work. It is not therefore necessary to re-employ Mr. Busuttil on his former duties. I have no knowledge that the treatment of this officer has produced an unfortunate impression in any quarter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Igoe Brothers, wholesale ship providers, 172, Kelvinhaugh Street, Glasgow, contracted with the Navy and Army Canteen Board, Imperial Court, Knightsbridge, London, to supply torpedo boats coming to Glasgow with ham, bacon, and butter at a fixed price, less 5 per cent. discount, and that shortly thereafter the Food Control limited the profits of the said firm to 10 per cent. on all their transactions, with the result that the said firm was unable to meet its obligations and offered a composition to its creditors, who are all agreeable to accept the same except the Navy and Army Canteen Board who, notwithstanding that they were supplied at a figure of one-half the Food Control scale of profit, refuse to concur with the other creditors; and whether he will direct inquiry to be made into this refusal to make an ordinary business concession to a trader?

The firm if Igoe Brothers have had contractual relations with the Navy and Army Canteen Board, but individual transactions of the Board are not carried out with public money, nor charged upon the Votes of Parliament. The answer to the final portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many men are still undergoing detention for desertion before the Armistice.

This information is being obtained, and I will write to the hon. Member on the subject in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that if soldiers on demobilisation furlough fall so seriously ill that they are unable to move they are unable to report at the nearest military hospital, and therefore have to bear the whole of the expense of medical attendance until such time as they can be moved into hospital; that such men are not upon any panel, and cannot therefore secure free medical attendance from civilian practitioners; and whether in such cases he can cause a refund to be paid on account of medical expenses incurred?

Soldiers on demobilisation furlough are entitled to free medical treatment from a military source. If the seriousness of the soldier's condition makes it impossible for him to report personally, it would generally be practicable for a relative or friend to send the necessary intimation to the military authorities. If this were done the cost of private treatment incurred up to the time of removal to a military hospital would be refunded. If the soldier were too ill even to arrange for his illness to be reported, and his relatives were unaware of the correct procedure, a refund of the medical expenses would not be refused on that account.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether ex-service men are being removed from the Army Pay Corps to make way for soldiers; and whether, if this is the case, he can arrange for these men to be substituted for some of the female labour in other Government Departments?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Cairns) on 22nd July. With regard to the second part, the question of the further replacement of women by disabled ex service men over and above that carried out last year is under consideration. But opportunities will be fewer now than they then were. There have been great reductions of staff in most Government Departments, and of the women remaining many are exempt from discharge in order to effect substitution; on account of their being dependants of men killed in the War.

asker the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many disabled ex-soldiers in this country are put to discomfort, and in many cases suffering, through having to travel in overcrowded carriages where it is impossible for them adequately to protect artificial limbs and stiff joints, and other effects of serious wounds, from jars and blows inevitable in view of the overcrowded state of the carriages; whether he is aware that in Belgium a reduction of 75 per cent. on all fares is granted to disabled ex-service men; and whether he will consider the possibility of adopting similar measures in this country, the effect of which would be to enable seriously wounded men to travel by better class and therefore less crowded carriages?

I was not aware of the fact mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. The cost of any concessions in railway travelling must ultimately fall on other users. I do not think the method suggested is the most suitable way of dealing with the class of case mentioned, but I shall be glad to discuss the whole question with the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the calculations made by his advisers, the estimated rate of retail profit was far in excess of that actually earned by licensed victuallers, as shown by certified accounts submitted at his suggestion; whether his advisers proceeded upon the basis that all controlled spirits are reduced by licensed victuallers to the lowest permitted strength and sold at the maximum prices allowed by the Spirits (Prices and Description) Orders; and whether he is aware that this course is in practice impossible and is not followed by licensed retailers?

The accounts submitted by the trade representatives did not show the actual rate of profit earned on the retail sale of spirits, but were based on estimates of receipts and expenses in connection with such sale which could not be accepted by my advisers as even approximately correct. The official estimate of the rate of net profit was in excess of the trade estimate, the difference being chiefly due to the trade method of estimating expenses. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Budget proposals for an increase in the duty on spirits were based on an estimated clearance from bond for the year ended 31st March, 1920, of 20,000,000 proof gallons, whereas the actual clearances for that year were only 24,303,800 proof gallons; whether he estimated that the increased duty and price to the consumer would result in a reduction of clearances for the current year of 2,000,000 proof gallons, so that he assumed that the total sales of spirits for the current year would be 2,000,000 proof gallons more than now appears to be probable, with the result that the licensed trade will lose the profit on the sale of 2,000,000 gallons with which he has credited them; and whether, in these circumstances, he is prepared to reconsider the question of duty and prices so as to avoid the infliction of unnecessary hardship on the licensed trade?

No, Sir. The figure of 26,000,000 proof gallons was the official estimate of the clearances for the year ending 31st March, 1921, on the assumption that there was no increase in the controlled prices; it had no relation to the deliveries in the year 1919–20, during a great part of which deliveries were restricted. It was estimated that the increased price charged in consequence of the increased duty would result in a reduction in consumption of 2,000,000 proof gallons in the current financial year, and this estimated reduction was taken into account in computing the proportion of the increased duty that should be borne by the trade. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that by increasing the price of controlled spirits by 2½d. per gill in Scotland the licence holders in all sales less than a gill lose the ½d. per gill owing to the custom of the country being to sell spirits by imperial measure of half gill and quarter gill, entailing a loss of 2s. per proof gallon to the retailer; and, if so, will he take the necessary steps to enable the licence holders of Scotland to continue in business?

My hon. Friend the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir G. Younger) raised this question in the course of the Debates on the Report stage of the Finance Bill, and I invited him to let me have a memorandum on this subject in order that I might put the facts before the Food Controller for his consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the probable increased cost of passenger railway fares and the consequent increased charge to the State of the travelling expenses of Government officials, he will reduce the list of Civil servants who are at present given railway and travelling allowance on the basis of first-class fares?

I will bear the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion in mind when the general basis of railway and travelling allowance to Civil servants is next reviewed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Depart- ment what is the present number of staff employed in the Overseas Trade Department; what offices are occupied by this; Department; what is the estimated cost of this Department for the present financial year; and what was the cost during last year?

The present number of staff employed in the Department of Overseas Trade is 615. The offices of the Department are in Queen Anne s Gate Buildings, Old Queen Street, S.W. The City Branch of the Department is housed at 73, Basinghall Street, E.C., and the Foreign Samples Section is accommodated in an adjoining building in the Guildhall Court Yard.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Ministry has acquired the licensed seamen's lodging-house, 14, West India Dock Road, Poplar, E., now accommodating 130 men, for the purposes of a labour bureau; whether he is aware that there is at present quite insufficient suitable accommodation for seamen in the district and that the action of the Ministry will intensify the shortage; and whether he will consult the Minister of Health before the lodging-house is definitely appropriated for these purposes?

The premises in question were acquired by my Department on the understanding that they would otherwise have been disposed of in the open market and that the present occupiers, having secured alternative accommodation, had refused an offer of a tenancy. I see no reason for consulting the Minister of Health.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many administrative posts at a salary of £300 a year and over are there in his Department; and what number of these are held by women?

There are 57 administrative posts in the Department carrying a salary of £300 a year and over and 34 posts on a scale the maximum of which exceeds that amount. There are at present no permanent posts for women on the administrative staff of the Board, but two of the posts referred to above, one being that of an assistant secretary and the other that of an assistant principal, are temporarily filled by women.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to furnish the following desired particulars as to old age pensions; particulars as to year ended 31st March, 1920; number of claims received; number of claims rejected and pensions revoked under the various reasons for rejection and revocation; the total number of pensions actually payable on the first Friday in March, 1920, showing the number of pensions paid at the varying rates; the number of pensioners of whose deaths notifications have reached the office of the pensions officers during the year ended as above; particulars desired in respect to the year ended 31st December, 1919; number of persons admitted into workhouses who were in receipt of old age pensions whilst inmates thereof, or were in receipt of old age pensions up to date of admission, during the year ended as above; number of persons maintained in workhouses, and also the number in receipt of outdoor relief, with the average weekly cost per person during the year ended as above; number of persons over seventy years of age maintained in workhouses or in receipt of outdoor relief during the year ended as above; and further particulars desired in respect of year ended 31st December, 1919; average weekly cost of a prisoner in penal, servitude and in ordinary prisons for the year ended as above; number of persons over seventy years of age confined in prisons during the year ended as above?

The particulars desired by the hon. Member with regard to old age pensions in the year ending 31st March, 1920, so far as they are available, are as follows:—

(3) The total number of pensions actually payable on the last Friday in March, 1920, was 957,915, of which—

(4) The number of pensioners of whose deaths information reached the pension officers was 97,064.

As regards the second main part of the question, relating to Poor Law relief in England and Wales, the available information is as follows:—

On the 1st January, 1920, the number of old age pensioners in Poor Law institutions in receipt of relief of a character which did not disqualify for a pension was 3,053; the number of old age pensioners in receipt of domiciliary relief of a character which did not disqualify for a pension was 6,284; the number of persons of all ages in receipt of relief in Poor Law institutions was 174,655 (including 38,134 old age pensioners and other persons over 70 years of age); and the number of persons of all ages in receipt of domiciliary relief was 305,849 (including 8,621 old age pensioners and other persons over 70 years of age).

For the year 1918–19 the estimated average weekly cost, per person relieved, of Poor Law institutions belonging to boards of guardians was 21s. 7d., and the estimated average weekly cost, per person relieved, of domiciliary Poor Law relief was 5s. Id. These averages include the cost of maintenance, medical attendance, officers, and buildings. They are subject to certain qualifications, which are set out in the forthcoming Annual Report of the Ministry of Health.

With regard to Scotland, (i) no figures are available as to the number of persons admitted to poorhouses who were in receipt of Old Age Pensions whilst inmates thereof, nor of those who were in

The average weekly cost of all sane paupers and dependants for 1918–19, on the basis of the number chargeable at 15th May, 1919, was:

These average costs are exclusive of general administration charges. Indoor cost includes cost of maintenance, management, debt charges, etc., of Poorhouses. Outdoor cost includes aliment, additional aliments ( e.g., clothing, boots, fuel, etc.), removals, interments, and medical charges.

(iii) The number of sane paupers and dependants in Scotland over 70 at 15th January, 1919, and 15th September, 1919, was:

Of these outdoor poor, there were Old Age pensioners in receipt of medical relief only:

receipt of Old Age Pensions up to date of admission.

(ii) The number of paupers and dependants of all classes in Scotland at 15th May, 1919, was:

There were also lunatic poor of 70 years of age and upwards who cannot be allocated as between indoor and outdoor:

With regard to Ireland, No figures are available.

In answer to the third main part of the question, as regards the average cost of a prisoner in penal servitude and in ordinary prisons, I can only refer to my reply to the hon. Member for West Derbyshire on 12th November last, in which I estimated the weekly cost in the year ending 31st March, 1919, of a person confined in penal servitude at £2 2s. 9d., and of a person confined in an ordinary prison at £1 10s. 10d.

The number of persons over 70 years of age confined in prisons is not available, but the total numbers of persons received on conviction with ages of 60 years and over was 1,877 for the year ended 31st March last.

asked the Minister of Health the statutory authority for taking into account voluntary contributions of relatives in assessing the amount of Old Age pensions?

The statutory authority in Section 2 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911, which provides that in the calculation of means for the purposes of the Acts account shall be taken, inter alia, of "the yearly value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed." The Local Government Board were advised by the law officers shortly after the passing of the original Old Age Pensions Act that voluntary allowances were included under the similar provision in that Act.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the contributory fund, which accrued until latterly from deductions of £3 and £2 8s. from the salaries of men and women teachers, has been finally closed; whether it has been wholly expended; and, if not, whether any residue is now available to increase the pittances granted to retired teachers who are not within The School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918?

It is provided by Section 12 of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, that the deferred annuity fund established under the Act of 1898 shall cease to exist and that all moneys belonging to the fund shall be applied by the National Debt Commission in purchasing, redeeming, or paying off such descriptions of National Debt as the Treasury may direct and all securities belonging to the fund shall be cancelled in such manner as the Treasury may direct. It is further provided that deferred annuities after the commencement of the Act of 1918 should be charged on the consolidated fund and the growing produce thereof. It is, therefore, not possible to give effect to the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member that the moneys representing the fund should be applied in increasing allowances to retired teachers. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, a Bill is now before the House which will, if passed, materially improve the position of these teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will reconsider the expediency of introducing legislation to make the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, retrospective in its operation, or whether he will otherwise have regard to the small numbers, poverty, and advanced ages of the ex-teachers at present excluded from the benefit of that Act?

With regard to the first part of the question I am not prepared to initiate legislation for the purpose suggested. The matter was fully considered in this House during the Committee stage of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, and an Amendment to extend its benefits to teachers who had already retired was negatived. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Pensions (Increase) Bill now before this House.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Irish Food Office refuses to sanction bond fide applications for the transfer of sugar cards from one retailer to another excepting upon conditions which the public complain are unreasonable; and whether these conditions are imposed because the Irish Food Office is under-staffed?

Sugar rationing in Ireland is based on a household card system and embraces some 30,000 retailers. It is operated entirely from the offices of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Dublin. There are no Food Committees or Divisional Food Offices in Ireland, and consequently it has been found impracticable to allow general transfers of sugar cards from one retailer to another in the same district. To allow such general transfers would entail the provision of a large additional staff to carry out the necessary alterations in the supplies, and the Department do not consider there is any justification for the additional expenditure which would thereby be involved.

asked the Minister of Food if any bacon, hams, or lard purchased by the Ministry since 1st July, 1919, have been sold to any Continental or other buyers at a loss; and what was the amount of the loss incurred?

No bacon, hams, or lard purchased by the Ministry of Food since the date referred to have been sold for export to the Continent by the Ministry. Any exports of bacon to the Continent by the Ministry have consisted of bacon requisitioned under the Orders of last year. For the reasons explained in the Food Controller's answer to the hon. Member on 23rd July, I am not able to state whether any loss will ultimately be involved on these sales.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of all claims allowed by the Ministry of Food Claims Committees to buyers from 1st January till 30th June, 1920, on bacon and hams purchased by the Ministry of Food since 1st July, 1919, through their own representatives or through any agent acting for the Ministry, and excluding claims on the bacon and hams requisitioned by the Ministry under the Order of 9th August?

I am communicating with the Claims Committee at London, Liverpool, and Glasgow in regard to the claims in question, and as soon as the figures are available I will communicate them to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been drawn to statements that, owing to the vigilance of the local inspector of food, there was recently discovered 60 tons of meat unfit for human consumption released from the stocks belonging to the Government for the food of the population of Newcastle-on-Tyne; whether the total amount of such food so detected during the past twelve months approximates to 800 tons; and if he will see that meat of a quality fit for human food is sent to that city?

I am unable to state the total amount of food condemned at Newcastle during the past 12 months, but the total quantity since the beginning of this year is 164 tons, which includes a considerable quantity of home-grown beef condemned for tuberculosis. In at least two cases (representing approximately 30 tons of imported meat) the meat had been sold elsewhere by the Ministry and had been despatched by the buyer from the place of sale to Newcastle. The remainder of the cases are being investigated. All meat which is released by the Ministry for sale comes under the jurisdiction and the inspection of local in- spectors in the same way as if it were privately owned, and there is no ground for the suggestion that the agents of the Ministry have attempted to issue for human consumption meat which was unfit for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether the London Housing Board have refused to sanction as chargeable to a housing scheme of the Royal Borough of Kensington the provision of glazed doors to the upper parts of the dressers proposed to be provided in the cottages being erected in connection with the Mary Place Housing Scheme, the estimated cost of such doors being 46s. per house; and whether he will cause this decision to be reviewed, having regard to the fact that glazed doors to dressers have been sanctioned in connection with the housing schemes at Northwood, Ruislip, and Eastcote, and that similar doors to dressers are shown in the official manual on housing issued for the guidance of local authorities?

The cost of the houses in question was so high that it was necessary, in the interest of economy, to effect any reasonable reductions. Even with the reductions, the cost per house will much exceed that of the other houses to which reference is made.

asked the Minister of Health whether, and, if so, to what extent, Government grants will be made to local education authorities to assist them to perform the obligation to make provision for the technical education of blind persons proposed to be imposed upon them by Sub-section (6) of Clause 2 of the Blind Persons Bill?

I cannot anticipate the effect of any Regulations which may be made by the Board of Education; but, generally speaking, Section 44 of the Education Act, 1918, would be applicable.

asked the Minister of Health whether Ireland is represented on the Committee to consider and report on the legislative and administrative measures necessary to secure adequate protection for the health of the people in connection with the slaughtering of animals for food; and whether Ireland will be included in the Committee's Report?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The terms of the Committee's reference limit its consideration to the problem as it affects England and Wales.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Education Committee of the Borough of West Ham submitted a new bye-law, under the Employment of Children Act, 1903, providing for one hour's employment only on Sunday, namely from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; whether the Home Office has stated that the Secretary of State cannot approve the amendment; and whether in that case, considering that the proposal is within the scope of the Act, which sanctions employment for not more than two hours, he will state the reasons which have actuated him in declining to accept the proposal of the Education Committee?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The Education Act of 1918 permits the employment of children over 12 on Sunday for a period of two hours, and the Secretary of State is advised that a bye-law which varies that provision generally for all occupations in the manner proposed by West Ham would be ultra vires. It is, however, open to the local authority, by bye-law under Section 1 (ii) of the Act of 1903 to restrict the hours of Sunday employment in any specified occupations in which further restriction appears to them to be required, and the Home Office would consider sympathetically any proposals of the kind.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the birth and death of a child in Bagthorpe Gaol, Nottingham; whether Bagthorpe Gaol has a resident trained and certificated maternity nurse; and if she was in attendance at the birth?

A certified midwife was-employed and was present at the confinement. In such a small female prison there would be work for a "trained and certified maternity nurse" only on rare occasions, and the services of a certified midwife are obtained from outside when necessary.

asked the Home Secretary what regulations are in force in-prisons to-day in regard to the training-and qualifications of nurses; whether the staff of prison hospitals are permanent officials; and if they come under the Superannuation Act?

Before an officer can be appointed to the hospital staff of a prison the Regulations require that he or she must undergo a special course of training at a prison hospital training school and must be reported as fit in all respects for the duties. These hospital staff officers are all permanent officials and come under the Superannuation Acts. It is sometimes necessary in exceptional cases, such as that referred to in the previous question, to call in special assistance from outside the prison service.

asked the Home Secretary the number, qualifications, and status, of the nursing staff at Holloway Prison?

A duly trained hospital staff is in course of formation. It will consist of—

1 Hospital Lady Superintendent.

2 Principal Nurses.

48 Nurses.

Particulars of the qualifications and. status of the hospital staff have been given in reply to another question by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether an official history of the Ministry of Munitions is in course of compilation; and, if so, what will be the total expenditure to the State in connection therewith?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It was thought that a full record of the work of the Ministry might be of vital importance in some future emergency. The total authorised by the Treasury for the work is approximately £18,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received information from the Premier of Queensland as to the impossibility of his raising a loan of several million pounds in England, owing to the fact that Queensland has a Labour Government; and whether he was offered loans on condition he modified the policy of his Government?

I have no official information on the subject, but I understand that the difficulties raised by the financial interests concerned were not connected with the general political complexion of the Queensland Government, but were due to the recent Land Act Amendment Act, which altered the conditions of current leases held from the Crown in the State.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the High Courts in the Punjab sit through the months of May, June, and July; and, if so, why an inquiry into the disturbances in April, 1919, could not be set up until the end of October, owing to climatic conditions?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on the 7th July, in which I mentioned climatic conditions as one of a number of difficulties which had to be faced in constituting the committee. For the other reasons then stated it would have been quite impossible to constitute the committee in time to begin its work in any of the three months referred to. The High court Vacation is, I understand, taken during August and September.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the inhabitants of the Greek district of Chimarra, Northern Epirus, in agreement with the Albanian inhabitants of neighbouring districts, have re-established their local autonomy under a fully representative council; and whether due regard will be paid to this measure of self-determination in any final settlement of the area?

I understand that the Albanians are not occupying Chimarra. I have, however, no information as to the form of government now in force in that district nor as to how far it can be regarded as a contribution to the eventual settlement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the fact that a crossed cheque was posted in London on 10th July, and did not in due course reach its destination, not being delivered till 16th July; that the envelope bore the postmarks 10th and 16th July; and if there is any means of ascertaining in whose hands the cheque was during that interval?

I will have inquiry made, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.