asked the Minister of Pensions why a 50 per cent. disability pension award which was notified on 7th August last has not yet been paid by the pensions issue office to James A. Carnall, No. 10,697, acting regimental sergeant-major, Lancashire Fusiliers?

Payment of pension and arrears due have now been authorised. My right hon. Friend very much regrets the delay, into which he is having enquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health, whether the Committee who are considering the question of the interests of owners and tenants of business premises may be expected to present their Report in the near future, and can he say how many sittings they have held?

The Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is a Select Committee of this House, and I have no responsibility for their proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for India, if he can state what is the average number of British officers now present and serving with each regiment of Indian cavalry and infantry in Mesopotamia; and what steps are being taken to complete the number up to full strength?

The average number of British officers actually present with Indian Regiments in Mesopotamia is—Cavalry between 7 and 8; Infantry 8. As regards the second part of the question, an announcement was made in the Press on 21st August last for ex-Indian Army Reserve Officers to volunteer for re-engagement for a period of one year with a view to their employment in Mesopotamia. As a result 68 officers have been selected, of whom 66 have already embarked. The Government of India is also providing 50 officers from the demobilised Indian Army Reserve Officers. Further, 55 officers were recalled from leave and embarked on 21st August last, leaving 27 officers on leave, who will be returning shortly. The total number of officers who will thereby become available in the near future will increase the strength of British officers with Indian Regiments in Mesopotamia to 13 per unit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the present difficulty in providing passages to and from India during certain months of the year, it will be possible to arrange the leave of a proportion of officers and the passages of officers and non-commissioned officers to join their units either at home or in India, in outward and homeward steamers during the period when the congestion is not so marked?

The question of granting leave to officers serving in India is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India, but I understand that leave from India is at present being granted all the year round, and this is likely to Continue for some time, as many officers are entitled to leave which is overdue. In these circumstances officers are granted leave when passages can be procured. As regards the possibility of arranging for passages of officers and non-commissioned officers to join their units during the period when steamers are less congested, such period coincides with the hot weather season, and in the interests of the health of the troops, I regret it is impracticable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.