asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House an assurance that, so long as the War continues, the intervals between meetings of Parliament shall be of no longer duration than six weeks; and that should circumstances arise calling for any suspension of civil rights or curtailment of civil liberty Parliament will meet immediately?

Without specifying any period, I think it will be both necessary and desirable for Parliament to meet at short intervals during the continuance of the War. In answer to the second part of the question, I am not aware to what contingencies my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now indicate to the House when the Session is likely to end?

I hope to make a statement to-morrow about the Business of the House.

asked whether aliens caught in attempting to cause injury to persons or property in this country will in the future be tried by court martial, and, if found guilty, shot?

Persons found committing damage to railways or guilty of other offences against Part II. of the Defence of the Realm Regulations will be tried by court martial. The maximum punishment is penal servitude for life. Alien enemies who commit acts of destruction could be tried by court martial and sentenced to death, but this course will not be taken except by special leave of the Army Council.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that there are still thousands of German and Austrian aliens employed in this country, also some managing hotels and public-houses, and in view of the fact that there are many British and Irish people unable to find employment, he can see his way to prevent the employment of German and Austrian aliens during the continuance of the War?

I do not think that I can take the action suggested. Indeed, one of the problems which is causing my Department the greatest anxiety is that of dealing with the large number of Germans and Austrians in this country who have lost their employment and are rapidly becoming destitute.

Surely—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]—the most urgent business of the Government is to provide first of all for their own people!

Yes, certainly; but I am afraid that if the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman were carried into effect, there would be a great disruption of trade, which would be injurious to our own people.

Could not our own people—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

The hon. Member cannot enter into an argument.

asked whether aliens are any longer to be allowed to register themselves as British subjects during the War, in view of the fact that alien enemies in this country, if allowed to register as British subjects, would have greater opportunities of creating damage and disturbing the public peace than if unregistered?

Aliens cannot "register themselves as British subjects." If the hon. Member uses that phrase as equivalent to "obtain certificates of naturalisation as British subjects," I can assure him that no such certificates will be granted unless I am satisfied that the applicant is a person from whom no danger is to be feared.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that sailors and soldiers are required to pay an additional 5 per cent. on their life insurance policies to cover war risks; and whether he will consult the life offices and other experts with a view, either by State assistance or some other means, of removing this burden from the shoulders of men who at great risk to themselves are serving their country?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many Territorial officers and men who have been asked and have expressed their willingness to serve abroad during the present war are the holders of policies of insurance upon their lives, issued by insurance companies, who have in some cases demanded an increased premium of five guineas per cent., and in other cases have threatened to cancel the policies in case the insured goes on active or foreign service; if so, whether the Government are prepared to take any and, if so, what steps to relieve such officers and men from any extra expenditure or loss which they will incur in respect to such policies in the event of their going on active or foreign service?

This question is under consideration, and I hope it may be satisfactorily settled without the intervention of the State.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that many thousands of workmen out of employment in consequence of the War crisis will be compelled to seek Poor Law relief; and if it is the intention of the Government to issue a special Order to prevent disfranchisement in cases where relief is given?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Relief received since 15th July last will not affect the Parliamentary registers of voters for 1915. The hon. Member's suggestion will be further considered before the registers for 1916 are prepared.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of appointing an Advisory Committee to direct and assist Members of this House who are willing to help in the work of obtaining recruits for the Army?

I will give the hon. Member's suggestion careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that a large number of men refuse to enlist because they cannot join their county regiment because they are told the regiment is already up to establishment'; and whether, in view of the pressing need of obtaining suitable recruits as quickly as possible, he will consider the advisability of increasing the number of battalions in such counties?

The Army Council have had no information as to men refusing to enlist for the reason stated. The objection to raising new units is that each requires a separate staff of officers and non-commissioned officers, and these are not easy to find. It must also be borne in mind that each new unit demands a draft-producing organisation to supply wastage.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that 100,000 men asked for by Lord Kitchener have been practically obtained and that further recruits are required, Territorial associations and others engaged in promoting recruiting may understand that further recruits are required on the terms and conditions which applied to the 100,000 men asked for by Lord Kitchener, and that such associations and persons are expected to promote recruiting on those terms and conditions until further notice.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated yesterday, the Secretary of State needs all the recruits he can obtain, and not merely the 100,000 mentioned in the first appeal. All necessary particulars will be made public at once.

Are we to understand that the arrangements made for recruitment are to be the same as those which have hitherto obtained?

Yes, until further notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman secure that the recruits who are responding to the call shall at least have blankets to cover them at the depots to which they are transferred?

If my hon. Friend will give me any instance of that kind I will certainly look into it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the principles upon which information is given out by the official Press Bureau; and whether, in view of the fact that the nation is interested in the movements of our own troops, etc., he can see his way to establishing a censorship, assisted by trained journalists, who will communicate to the public what they are reasonably entitled to expect?

had given private notice of the following question: To ask the Prime Minister if he will cause the methods of supplying news of the British Expeditionary Force to be reconsidered, in order that the British public may be no longer chiefly dependent upon foreign sources for information of their own Army?

The Government and the military authorities recognise to the full the strain which is placed upon the public, but more especially on the relations of those on active service, by the scarcity of information from the front. They will do all in their power to relieve the strain. The Official Press Bureau is the mouthpiece through which communications relative to the progress of naval and military operations are made public by the Admiralty, the War Office, and other public Departments concerned. The principle upon which information is given to the public is that all information which can be given without prejudice to the public interest shall be given fully and given at once. This has been done, and will be done. The Director of the Bureau has access for consultative purposes to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Secretary of State for War, and, in matters of special doubt, to myself. The question whether trained journalists could usefully be employed with the staff of the Bureau was discussed between the Director of the Bureau, representatives of the Admiralty and the War Office, and an official Press Committee. It was unanimously agreed that it was not desirable to add such persons to the staff of the Bureau, but that it was desirable that they should be associated with the work carried on by the cable censors. Steps are being taken to carry this out, and also to co-ordinate and harmonise, as far as possible, the principles upon which the censorship of Press cables and of other Press information, respectively, is carried out. The difficulty of defining general standards is not believed to be insuperable, though it is evidently great, having regard to the size of the staff required to deal with the enormous number of Press cables which are daily dispatched and received. Every effort has been made, and will be made, to consult the legitimate expectations of the Press and public, and to harmonise them with naval and military considerations.

I am not referring to anything which we should not know, but to such announcements as that which was issued by the Press Bureau as to the fall of Namur. We now have in the papers information to the effect that the Namur forts are still intact. What I want to ask is that when giving out news of this kind to the Press we should have something more that would enable us to understand really what has happened?

I could not answer a question like that. The Press Bureau does not issue any announcements without taking every care to insure that they are correct.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that military operations have been published in French, German, and Belgian papers a week before they have been published in any newspaper in this country, and does he not think that it is in the public interest that the public here should know of these things as soon as the readers of these Continental papers?

I do not know that that is the case.

It is the case. I beg to give notice that I will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

asked (1) whether, in view of the impossibility, owing to the non-availability of male labour on account of universal military service, of re-sowing farm lands in several Continental countries of wheat and other cereal crops and the consequent certain prospect of a world shortage of such produce, the Government will provide some financial inducement to British farmers to increase the British area under such crops in 1915; (2) whether, in view of the probable widespread destruction of farm crops in Continental countries owing to trampling by troops, pillage, and fire, and the probability of deflection to such countries of a large proportion of the normal overseas' supply to the United Kingdom, the Government propose, by bonus or otherwise, to encourage farmers to retain in stack upon their own premises until the summer of next year a large proportion of the British wheat crop now being harvested; and (3) if the Government will assist British farmers in the patriotic duty of keeping upon their premises as large a proportion as possible of the wheat now being harvested in Great Britain, by issuing negotiable wheat warrants or certificates, as is done in Canada, representing farmers' stocks of wheat upon the security of which they will be able to obtain temporary advances which will enable them to carry on their business without the necessity of throwing such wheat upon the market?

As the hon. Member is aware, these matters have been under the consideration of the Agricultural Consultative Committee, who have forwarded to the Board valuable recommendations. The whole question is also receiving the fullest consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Food Supplies. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that certain wholesale firms are, during the present crisis, demanding cash payments before the despatch of goods instead of the usual terms of monthly payments, and that such a course is inconveniencing and hampering firms who have large Government orders to execute, and who have to wait for payment until their goods are received, checked, and the accounts sent to headquarters for payment; and whether some steps can be taken to induce the wholesale firms to return to their customary methods of obtaining payment?

I am afraid that the present War has in many instances led to considerable restrictions in ordinary credit facilities. I trust that normal credit conditions will gradually be restored, but I doubt whether, in present conditions, it is possible or desirable to bring any undue pressure to bear on wholesale dealers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government will, if and when public interests permit, make a statement regarding the composition and character of the two divisions expected from India?

I am unable to make a statement on this matter at present, but will do so as soon as military considerations permit.

If the House is not sitting at that time, will the hon. Gentleman make it known when it can be properly done?

Yes.

asked what arrangements have been made to obviate any of the scandals connected with the supply of foodstuffs to the British Army during the present War as occurred in the war in South Africa?

My hon. Friend can hardly expect me to explain the arrangements in detail, but he may rest assured that they have been made.

Does not this House contain many Members who could assist the War Office in seeing that that is done?

No doubt their advice would be valuable, but I hope that it will be unnecessary.

asked to whom wives of soldiers on service, not receiving the rightful allowance for themselves and their children from their husbands, are to apply to in order to get the right amount allowed?

Compulsory allotments are made by soldiers serving abroad or belonging to the Expeditionary Force. Application should be made to the Army Paymaster who pays the Reservists of the unit to which the men belong.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in the case of men employed in the Pimlico Clothing Factory, Territorials or others, who have been called to the Colours, any, and, if so, what portion of their wages will be given to their families during their absence?

asked what arrangements have been made concerning payments to the wives and dependants of men called up for service from the Army Ordnance Department?

These men fall within the instructions issued by the Treasury on 20th August last, copies of which I will send to the hon. Members.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether he is aware that in several cases where Naval Reserve men have been called up but have not yet gone afloat their wives are not receiving any separation allowances; and will he cause inquiry to be made into the matter; and (2) whether he is aware that many wives of men serving in His Majesty's Navy have been in the habit of receiving remittances by post from their husbands when at sea; that in several cases of men now serving on ships engaged on active service their wives have not received the usual remittances; and will he take steps to inform all naval men on active service how money can be remitted and when the money will be paid?

Every Reservist on mobilisation is entitled to a month's pay in advance. Those who have not yet gone afloat should have experienced no difficulty in transmitting remittances to their wives, for which every facility is offered. In point of fact, as I stated yesterday, remittances are being sent out from the Admiralty—apart from those sent direct by the men to their wives by postal orders—at the rate of something like 500 a day, as compared with the usual rate of 200 a day. As regards allotments, I have already stated that since mobilisation about 40,000 new allotments have been declared, largely by Reservists; and on Saturday next we shall send out from our office something like 120,000 monthly allotments. I recognise that under war conditions those men who favour the remittance plan may, when afloat, not invariably find the plan so easy to follow as under peace conditions but we issued on the 21st August general orders to Commanders-in-Chief, etc., directing that the system of regular allotments should be encouraged in preference to the system of remittances.

Have those orders been issued to the men of the Fleet?

They were issued on the 21st instant to the Commanders-in-Chief, who were asked to call the attention of the men to the desirability of allotments as against the remittance system.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements have been made concerning payments to the wives and dependants of men recently employed in the Royal dockyards but since called up for service; whether those payments will be on the scale of the men's former wages; and, if not, and it is intended to pay the equivalent, will he say how and when the money will be paid?

As I said in reply to the hon. Gentleman yesterday, all regular dockyard employés will receive, when called up, the difference between their civil pay and their naval pay, if Naval Reservists, or the difference between their civil pay and their military pay, plus separation allowances, where payable, if Army Reservists. Departments are empowered to pay this civil pay, so reduced, to any person designated by the Reservist to receive the amount on his behalf. Further, so far as we are concerned, steps have been taken to enable the cashiers during the first month to make the payment in necessitous cases direct to the wife or other dependant relative of a Reservist who has failed to designate his nominee before leaving, subject to the production of the necessary evidence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of country doctors and veterinary surgeons who are called out with Territorial units and whose pay is 15s. 6d. a day, while they lose their private practice, whereas a civilian practitioner newly joined for war service gets 24s. a day and £60 bounty at the end of the war; and whether he will take steps to remedy this inequality of treatment?

All such officers commissioned in peace draw, under the terms of their contract, the pay and allowance of the Regular Army, varying according to the ranks which they hold. The rate quoted, 15s. 6d. a day, is that of a captain of the Royal Army Medical Corps, but-field allowance of 3s. 6d. a day is also allowable, so that the total drawn is 19s. and not 15s. 6d. It is necessary to give higher rates to those commissioned on emergency, but there is no intention of making this universal.

Is it not the case that the former class are getting less than the civilian practitioners newly joined?

The former are serving under a running contract under which they engaged. It is often necessary to take on specialists and to deal with them on special terms in time of war.

asked whether consideration has been given to the hardship to men who, since the mobilisation of the Territorial Force, have enlisted in the 12th Battalion County of London Regiment, and are required to provide mobilisation kit at their own expense; and whether, in view of the service which these men are rendering to the nation, it can be provided that, as regards cost of equipment, the same provision should be made as in the case of His Majesty's Regular forces?

No cases of hardship in this or any other unit have been brought to notice, and I think that the hon. Member must be under a misapprehension. County associations complete at Government expense the kit of all men up to standard, whether enlisted before or after mobilisation. When the man himself brings a kit which is up to the standard prescribed, he draws 10s.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether men now undergoing sentences for various minor offences will be offered the chance of redeeming their character and serving their country by volunteering for the new Army; and, if so, will these men be offered a remission of the whole or part of their sentences; and, in any case, can their military training be commenced immediately?

General officers commanding-in-chief have already been informed that they have power under the King's Regulations to release men undergoing sentences for minor offences. Men so released would have the remainder of their punishment remitted, and are, therefore, immediately available for military training.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that our Regular troops and a large number of Territorials are employed upon other duties, he will now sanction the formation of veteran squadrons of Yeomanry and battalions of Territorials, who would be available for guarding railways, bridges, etc., or any other purpose, if required?

The measures necessary to guarantee the safety of railway bridges, etc., are a matter of constant consideration. Part of this work is already being performed by National Reservists, but the hon. Member's suggestion will not be overlooked.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the case of cadets of the Royal Military Academy and the Royal Military College, who have been spending their vacation in Germany to study the language, will be taken into consideration, and the period of their detention allowed to be reckoned as Army service?

Their commissions will bear the same date as that of the remaining cadets of the batch with which they should have passed out.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that they would have got their commissions now, and that therefore they will lose possibly a year or more?

My answer is designed to cover that case, and they will get their commission with the batch that they would otherwise have got.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the firm of Webley and Scott, contractors to the War Office, have increased the price of service revolvers by 100 per cent.; and whether he proposes taking any action in the matter?

Action was taken by the War Office as soon as the overcharge was brought to notice. Messrs. Webley and Scott stated that the extra charge was unauthorised by their directors, and at once arranged to refund to officers or their representatives the amount of overcharge, and issued a circular to this effect to the dealers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Webley and Scott are not the only firm who supply military officers with their requirements, and that there are other firms and dealers in the West End who have taken advantage of the present circumstances?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of any particular case he has in mind?

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has received a definite offer from the hon. Member for Brentford to raise a corps (5,000 strong) of Volunteers, each with a motor for service, on the terms of a scheme submitted to the War Office, such corps to be increased to 10,000 or 20,000 as required; and whether such offer has been definitely declined and, if so, why?

Such an offer was received and carefully considered by the Army Council, who decided that it was undesirable to form such a corps, as all military requirements could be satisfactorily met by other means. I would add the thanks of the Army Council to the hon. Member for Brentford, through whose instrumentality these requirements have partly been met.

I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this question on the Adjournment.

asked the UNDER-SECRETARY for War whether men who have formerly served in the forces who now re-enlist will receive only recruits' pay or be paid at the same rate as when they previously served; and is he aware that on this answer depends whether a large number of trained men rejoin the Service?

Men with previous service are paid the pay of the rank in which they are appointed to serve on re-enlistment. They enlist in the first place as privates but may be selected immediately for promotion to non-commissioned rank, and in that case they get the pay of that rank.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the military authorities in Cork Harbour have compulsorily closed the houses at Crosshaven and the surrounding watering-places usually occupied by visitors during the summer months; and whether, in view of the fact that the owners of these cottages are mostly poor people mainly depending on the rent received from these holdings for a living, compensation will be given to them for the losses sustained?

I am not aware of the facts stated in the question, but if and when they are reported to the War Office they will be given consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that the greater part of the Regular Army is now serving abroad, the Government will make it obligatory for every man in the country between the ages of eighteen years and thirty years to devote at least two hours daily to drill and rifle practice during the duration of the war?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a somewhat similar question yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Will the Government consider the advisability of providing rifles and instructors for forces raised for Home defence by private individuals?

I am afraid that it is not possible for the Army Council to supply rifles. We are keeping pace with the output at the factories for the supply of those going into the new Army.

May I ask whether facilities will be given for instructors? I quite understand that rifles cannot be supplied at the present moment.

I would like notice of that question, in order that I may consult the Secretary of State about it.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether any arrangements can be made to pay separation allowance fortnightly instead of monthly, either generally or in those cases where special request is made?

Arrangements for weekly payment have already been made in eases where the recipient consents. The question of making the rule universal is now being considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that several engineer apprentices in the Royal dockyards have been mobilised with the Territorial Force, it will be possible, with the consent of the apprentices, to allow them to join the Army Ordnance Corps of Artificers and so complete their term of apprenticeship?

Dockyard apprentices mobilised with the Territorial Force will be dealt with in the same manner as other dockyard employés. They will be regarded as on special leave whilst with the Army, and will be allowed to resume their employment in the dockyard on demobilisation. The time served with the Army will be allowed to count in their apprenticeship in all cases in whatever branch of the Army they may be serving. The question of allowing engineer apprentices to join the Army Ordnance Corps appears to be one for the War Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the expense and inconvenience caused to traders and the consequent dislocation of trade by the total prohibition of the use of codes for cabling to distant countries; and whether he could now consider the framing of Regulations to permit the resumption of codes in approved cases by responsible trading firms?

The question of allowing the use of code in telegrams to places abroad has received the attention of His Majesty's Government, but it is not considered advisable to relax the Regulations at present.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is taking steps to have the latest war news displayed at post offices in country districts; and, if so, what instructions he has actually given?

I have already arranged to forward on Sunday mornings to every telegraph office which is open, and to every telephone exchange, the latest news from the seat of war received from the Official Press Bureau. The message is exhibited in the post office window, and is telephoned from the local exchange to any subscriber or caller on demand.

had given notice of the following: To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can say what proportion of the National Relief Fund will be devoted to the widows and orphans of men killed or dying on active service, and what proportion to the relief o£ distress and unemployment arising out of the War; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of arranging separate committees to deal with these two classes of relief?

Question No. 87 is not one that ought to appear on the Paper, as it refers to private and not public funds.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the distress now existing in Lancashire in consequence of short time and unemployment; and whether the Government propose to appoint any person to represent Lancashire upon the Committee of the National Relief Fund?

I receive regular reports of the industrial condition of Lancashire, as of other districts. In reply to the last part of the question, it has not been found practicable for the Executive Committee of the National Relief Fund to be constituted on a geographical basis.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the information regarding how many cottages are wanted in each rural district council of England and Wales has now been all collected; and, if so, could the information be published in the form of a White Paper?

A considerable part of the information has not yet been furnished.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press for further details?

I will consider that.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, if local authorities borrow money under the Housing Act, the houses so built will be the property of the State, or whether they will be erected at the cost and risk of the local authority; and, if the latter, whether the undertaking given by the late President of the Board, in a letter addressed to the present Postmaster-General in December last to the effect that houses then built by the local authority-would be taken over by the State, is now cancelled?

The letter which my predecessor addressed to Mr. Henry Hobhouse, to which no doubt my hon. Friend refers, related exclusively to rural district councils. Houses built by the local authority would, in ordinary circumstances, remain their property; but the Housing (No. 2) Act of this Session empowers the Government to give effect to the undertaking which was given in that letter should the local authority so desire. On the question whether that undertaking should extend to houses the building of which may be sanctioned after the new Act has been passed, no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the Board are now prepared to make Grants to suitable societies constituted in accordance with the new Housing Act, 1914, to enable them to build in their rural districts, and, if so, on what conditions?

The terms on which loans will be made to authorised societies under the Act are being considered, and will be announced at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, if a county committee for war relief make themselves into a committee to carry out the new Housing (No. 2) Act, 1914, they can apply for a Grant to build cottages in rural districts; whether this would be favourably received; and whether the Board carry out all formalities with the Development Commissioners and the Treasury for schemes in rural districts?

As the Act provides for advances by the Board only to a local authority or an authorised society within the meaning of the Act, the procedure suggested in the first part of the hon. Member's question is not feasible, but if the committee formed authorised societies under the Act they would be eligible for advances. Any action required to be taken under the Act by a Government Department in regard to housing in agricultural districts will be carried out by the Board.

When shall we be able to get particulars to go into this matter?

Perhaps the hon. Member would address that question to the Treasury.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the necessity of enabling the local authorities to start works immediately, he will take power to enable them to take land, leaving the question of price to be decided later by arbitration, particularly in view of the fact that difficulty often arises owing to the incapacity of the owner through infancy, lunacy, absence from home, etc., to consent to a sale or convey the land?

Legislation would be required for this purpose, and I doubt whether such a Bill could be expected to be non-contentious.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether in some cases the families of soldiers and sailors, being unable to obtain the allowances due to them, have been obliged to ask for Poor Law relief; and, if so, whether he can take any action in the matter?

It is the case that, owing to the organisation for the payment of the allowances not being complete in all places at the time of mobilisation, and to the fact that in some cases there was no time for the men to make allotments, in a comparatively small number of instances the wives and children of men who had been called up were compelled by their immediate needs to ask for relief from the Poor Law. Steps were at once taken by the Prince of Wales's Fund, in co-operation with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, and by the local committees for the prevention and relief of distress, to make good the defects, and there is reason to believe that the arrangements have for some time been satisfactory. It is clearly undesirable that these families should be recorded as having received Poor Law relief, and the Committee of the Prince of Wales's Fund have therefore been asked for a grant, which will not need to be of large amount, to enable the sums so paid by the boards of guardians to be repaid to them. The Committee have authorised a grant to be made for this purpose. I am arranging that when the money has by this means been repaid, each of the women concerned shall be informed that this has been done and that the record of her having received Poor Law relief will be erased.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the wives and children of men lost in the War will have to be provided for by the country, he could say whether they could be put in the country cottages now about to be built, and the children regularly instructed in agriculture; and whether large gardens could be attached to the cottages?

I will bear in mind the suggestions put forward by the hon. Member.

I would suggest, as we have waived one rule regarding the putting down of Questions, that the House will be prepared to waive the Quarter to Four Rule.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that there is considerable misconception as to the effect of the moratorium on rent; with a view to removing misunderstanding can he say whether the moratorium extends to rent which accrued or became due prior to 4th August where the liability exceeds £5, subject to interest at 6 per cent. for the period covered by the moratorium during which it remains unpaid; whether the moratorium also applies to rent accruing and payable for periods subsequent to 4th August, when such rent is payable in respect of contracts, leases, or agreements made before 4th August; and can there be no distraint or successful action taken for rent above £5 which is affected by the moratorium during the moratorium period?

The effect of the moratorium proclaimed on 6th August last, so far as rent is concerned, may be expressed as follows:—

asked the Attorney-General who has to bear the costs of an action brought during the operation of the moratorium, when the defendant is entitled to the benefits thereof and tenders the amount claimed prior to the expiration of the moratorium or of any extension thereof?

The case put by the hon. Gentleman appears to be governed by the ordinary rule that a plaintiff who does not succeed in his action is liable to pay the costs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the intention of the Government to extend the operation of moratorium beyond the 4th of September?

I can at present add nothing to my statement of yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the moratorium to mortgages on property, in view of the effect of threatened notice of withdrawals?

The hon. Member will find that the matter is fully dealt with in the Bill I have introduced in connection with the enforcement of processes for the recovery of debts. The Bill deals with foreclosure and the realisation of securities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are negotiating with the bankers to extend the present moratorium, the object of which is mainly to protect them against responsibilities accruing out of business with foreign countries; whether he is aware that in many cases the banks, while themselves taking full advantage of this measure, are restricting the facilities to British merchants for carrying on their foreign business even with non-belligerent countries; and, if so, whether he will make it a condition of any fresh guarantees or arrangements that the bankers will continue all reasonable facilities as hitherto granted to traders?

I have been in communication with the banks and others in connection with these matters, and I hope that the arrangements made will prove satisfactory. For the moment I can add nothing to what I stated yesterday on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that rent is subject to moratorium, he will consider the desirability of extending the moratorium to rates in all cases where the owner of property who is receiving no rent is liable for rates?

I think that powers given to Courts by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Bill, which I introduced yesterday, enabling processes for the recovery of debts (including, amongst other things, payments on account of rates) to be postponed at the absolute discretion of the Court, will prove a better method of dealing with the case put than an extension of the moratorium.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any and, if so, what steps will be taken to relieve the importers of foreign and colonial raw produce such as cotton, jute, seeds, hides, etc., who have at the expiry of the moratorium to pay the drafts of the shippers drawn against produce which has since been confiscated and for which they receive no payment, so that ruin confronts them and those firms and persons concerned with their solvency if the moratorium ends before normal conditions are reestablished; whether relief for those merchants who import goods for use not only in this country but also in Continental countries is necessary to the continued existence of many of our home industries; and whether such merchants will receive support in view of the fact that the outbreak of war caught them with goods already in the hands of enemies whose acceptances, though now worthless, nevertheless continue to mature, with goods in British vessels in enemy ports and in enemy ships in neutral ports, and with goods in British possessions sold for shipment to what are now enemy countries with which contracts are cancelled?

I feel that it would be premature at present to make any statement as to what action the Government may consider necessary at the expiry of the moratorium, but I can assure the hon. Member that this and all other questions then arising will be most carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take steps to see that teachers in secondary and elementary schools who have volunteered for service, and consequently are unable to return to their duties next term, will not thereby forfeit their appointments, and will be liberally treated in the matter of salary, and in particular will he take steps to advise all education authorities to grant uniformity of treatment?

The conditions of employment and payment of teachers in secondary and elementary schools are primarily a matter for the local education authorities, managers and governing bodies responsible for the school staffs. The Local Government Board have already issued a Memorandum to local authorities advising them of their powers to grant leave of absence to persons in their employment who have been called out or who volunteer with their permission for active service, to make allowances to them of persons authorised by them in respect of salary, and to pay temporary substitutes. I sincerely hope, and have no reason to doubt that local education authorities and other responsible bodies are treating their teachers liberally in this matter; and unless a general wish is expressed by them for guidance and advice I do not think there is any necessity for the steps suggested by the hon. Member. I will, however, circulate this question and answer to all local education authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the State insurance war risks, premiums paid on contracts entered into prior to the outbreak of war are properly chargeable to the seller or to the buyer on the contract; and, if the point is open to question, whether he will, by legislative enactment or otherwise, establish the position for the convenience of traders?

The war insurance scheme does not profess to determine by whom the cost of the insurance is to be borne or how it is to be distributed. This is left to be settled by the parties concerned, and I have no reason to doubt that it can be so settled on a fair and equitable basis. As at present advised I do not propose to introduce legislation to deal with the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the rates hitherto fixed by the Government brokers for marine insurance covering war risks have been considerably above what was necessary, having regard to the business already transacted and certain to arise as trade becomes more normal: whether the rates originally demanded have been substantially reduced owing to the competition of Lloyd's during the last week or two; and whether, having regard to the national interests that would be secured by the increased importation and export of commodities, he can see his way to fix a flat rate of 1 per cent. for all voyages?

The insurance rates fixed by the Advisory Committee under the Government scheme have not, I think, been higher than was necessary. Modifications have been and will be made as circumstances require; but I may point out to my right hon. Friend that the Government insurance scheme for cargoes is not intended to compete with the ordinary insurance market, but to put a limit above which insurance rates cannot rise. He will find the principles upon which the scheme is founded and worked fully stated in the Huth Jackson Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the guaranteeing of payment of the salary of clerks in County Courts where the issue of plaints is under 6,000 per annum be paid at the rates obtaining on 1st August, 1914, where it is proved that a diminution of process has resulted from the War, such clerks being willing to serve the Government in other clerical service?

My attention has already been called to the position of the clerks referred to by my hon. Friend, arid the Civil Service Commission have been notified that the services of these clerks might in certain circumstances be available for temporary Government-work during the War. I understand that in many of these cases clerks are employed by the registrar in his private practice as a solicitor, and, according to my present information, there appears to be no tendency on the part of the registrars to dismiss their clerks. In these circumstances I am not at present disposed to take any further action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue instructions to the Board of Inland Revenue to withdraw their rule requiring that a loan must be in continuous existence for a period of one whole year before repayment of Income Tax on the amount of bank interest is allowed?

I am not prepared to authorise repayment where the loan has not been in continuous existence for a year. If the loan is for business purposes, the interest is allowed as an expense in arriving at the liability to assessment. If it is for private purposes, the interest is private expenditure, and to repay Income Tax upon it would be to differentiate without valid reason between it and other forms of such expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of those who have joined the armed forces of the Crown without making the necessary return for Income Tax purposes, and who would, had they done so, have been entitled to assessment at a lower rate on earned income, he will extend the time beyond the 30th September for making the return until the conclusion of their active service?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue will be prepared to accept applications made as soon as possible after 30th September in cases where it is shown that the delay was caused by the exigencies of naval or military service.

asked whether, in view of the high price and prospective shortage of sugar, and of the fact that about seven-twelfths of the sugar consumed in the United Kingdom comes from Germany, the Government will consider the advisability of themselves erecting a beet sugar factory in the West of England, and possibly elsewhere, with a view to its being subsequently taken over by private manufacturers, and so enable large areas of sugar beet to be sown by British farmers next spring and cultivated accordingly in the meantime?

The suggestion made by the hon. Member will receive careful consideration by the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what arrangements, if any, have been made to assist traders having debts due to them by customers resident in Germany and Austria; and, if no arrangements have been made, whether he will take the matter into consiredation with a view to assisting traders, whose resources are temporarily locked up in this manner, to keep their works in operation?

As I stated yesterday, this question is receiving careful consideration, and the Government will make every endeavour to deal with the situation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that many of the insurers in industrial life insurance societies, owing to being called up for military or naval service, may be unable to continue payment of their life insurance premiums, he will take steps to prevent their loss of the equitable surrender value of their policies being sacrificed owing to such war service?

This question is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs a question, of which I have given private notice, namely: Whether any list of British subjects in the Austrian Empire so far accounted for includes the name of Miss Mary Elizabeth Tier, with whose address he has been supplied; and, if not, will he have an inquiry instituted regarding her, and the result communicated at the earliest possible date?

Notice of this question has only reached me since questions started; therefore I cannot read the hon. Member a written reply. But the answer is this: No lists of British subjects with whom the United States authorities have got in touch in Austria have yet been communicated to us by them. With regard to the second part of the question, in which the hon. Member asks me to have special inquiries, made about this lady, I must say regretfully but frankly, No, I cannot have special inquiries made about her, or about any other of the very large number of people who are at present in Austria or Germany. Her name, if, as the hon. Member states, it has already been communicated to the Foreign Office, has been placed on the lists which we have sent to the American authorities in Austria. That means that they will do all they can to help her and the other people whose names have been placed on those lists. I am sure that they will do so. But I must state to the hon. Member, as I have stated to every other Member who has applied to me, that I cannot undertake to have special inquiries made with regard to those special persons in whom they are interested. The moment we hear about this lady, or any other person, we will communicate with the relatives as to the exact information we have obtained.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether a call made to-day on partly-paid shares in a limited company, of which the holder was registered prior to the moratorium, can be called up?

If the question means can notice of a call be given during the moratorium period, the answer is in the affirmative. If, however, the call is made for payment on a date before the expiry of the moratorium, the date for payment would be extended under the moratorium.

Can any shareholder, in a call made by any limited company on unpaid shares, avail himself of the moratorium?

Yes.

Does it mean that no company can raise additional capital to meet its liabilities? [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no!"]

I beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, if he cannot grant separation allowance to the wives and families of all Royal Navy ratings and Reservists, he can grant that allowance to the wives and families of all Royal Navy and Reservist A.B.'s and stokers?

As I said yesterday, I fully appreciate and sympathise with the spirit which has inspired the hon. Gentleman's questions upon this point, but I am afraid I cannot add anything to the general answer I gave the hon. Gentleman yesterday as to the payment of separation allowances to the seamen's wives, except to say that his present suggestion to grant the payments to the wives of certain ratings only is one in which I cannot concur.

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make the statement which he fore told yesterday in regard to the allowances on Death Duties in the case of the estates of those who have fallen in the War?

I am prepared to submit to the right hon. Gentleman and to the House what our proposals are in respect to this matter. The Government consider that it would be unjust and unseemly that the revenue should profit by the premature death of those who sacrifice their lives in the service of their country, and especially so if it were to the detriment of their widows and children. Therefore, our proposals will be these—and I hope to be able to submit the Bills tomorrow—and perhaps the House will be-good enough to let me have the measure in all its stages—we propose to remit, or, in the case of duty already paid, to repay the whole or any part of the Death Duties leviable in respect of property passing on the death of the deceased to his widow or lineal descendants of the total value, for the purposes of Estate Duty, if the property so passing does not exceed £5,000. In regard to property over £5,000, instead of charging Death Duties on the principal value of the estate actually passing on death, the charge as regards any part of the estate which passes to the widow or lineal descendant will be on that value, discounted under the 3 per cent. tables, for the number of years of the probability of life at the age that the deceased had attained.