asked the President of the Board of Trade what method is adopted by the Petrol Control Committee for the purpose of ascertaining the necessary requirements of persons to whom petrol licences are granted; and whether he is aware of the number of cases in which licences are held by persons who do not now use their own cars, thus creating opportunities for an abuse of the petrol regulations?

Applicants for petrol licences are required to fill in a form of application giving particulars of the motor vehicle used, the purposes for which it is used, the amount of petrol in stock, and the quantity required per month. I am not aware of the number of cases in which licences are held by persons who do not now use their own cars, but it is not the practice of the Petrol Control Department to grant licences to those to whom cars have been transferred unless the licences of the original holders have been surrendered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the petrol consumed by the Army abroad is first imported to this country or sent direct to France and the other fronts?

Almost the whole of the petrol consumed by the Armies abroad is shipped direct and does not come to this country at all.

asked the Home Secretary how many able-bodied men are employed by the Metropolitan police to trap motorists, in view of the fact that the Petrol Committee refuse to grant petrol to persons whose cars are not used for war work?

No members of the Force are exclusively allocated to enforcing the provisions of the Motor Car Act; qualified men are employed on this duty from time to time as the necessity arises.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the production of shale petrol in Scotland is now larger than ever; and whether there is sufficient storage for the output?

As a result of the steps which have been taken, there has been an increase in the production of shale oil in Scotland, but it is hoped that a still further increase may be obtained in the near future. I am informed that ample storage accommodation is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many members of the firm of Suter, Hartman, and Rahtjens, Limited, are naturalised British subjects of German nationality; how many of these have forfeited their rights to German nationality; and whether the Government will consider the question of extending the provisions of the Naturalisation Act so as not to allow naturalised German subjects the full privileges regarding Government contracts and the holding of shares, etc., that are enjoyed by British subjects of British parentage?

Three naturalised British subjects of German origin, two of whom were naturalised in 1877 and the other in 1883, hold shares in the company referred to. Two of these shareholders obtained denaturalisation certificates with regard to their German nationality and I am informed that the third did not consider such a certificate necessary because he was born before 1848. I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary with regard to any question of amending the naturalisation law.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Sir William Meyer, the finance member of the Governor-General's Council, made any and, if so, what report or gave any and, if so, what advice in respect of the construction of a transport railway in Mesopotamia demanded by General Nixon for strategic reasons which were not endorsed by General Sir Beauchamp Duff, then Commander-in-Chief in India?

I hope that my hon. Friend will allow me to reserve what I have to say on this subject till Thursday's Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of Lord Hardinge's statement in his letter dated 21st July, 1916, to Sir George Buchanan respecting Bratiano, he will state whether this refers to M. Bratiano, Prime Minister of Roumania; and, if so, whether Lord Hardinge has been, or will be, asked to apologise to the Roumanian Minister in London for this indiscretion?

I have nothing to add to the reply returned to the hon. Member on the 28th ultimo.

Are we to understand them that humble people may make an indiscretion and suffer severely, while a great man and distinguished official makes an indiscretion nothing is to happen and no notice is to be taken of it?

I do not know to what humble individual the hon. Member refers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the provision in Section 6 of the Special Commissions Act, 1916, enacting that any Report shall be laid as soon as may be before both Houses of Parliament; will he say on what day the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission was received; and, seeing that the Report was signed on 17th May and was on 14th June laid upon the Table of this House, why was so much time allowed to elapse between these two dates?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Report was received by the Government on 17th May, and as I have already explained, we thought it necessary that it should be considered by the Government before it was presented to the House of Commons.

Is there anything in the Act of Parliament which justifies the Government an keeping it back when there is an express provision that it should be presented to this House?

I have answered the same question many times.

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission, any changes in the Cabinet can be announced?

The answer is in the negative

Is the Government a sort of limited liability company for the preservation of titled incompetence?

I hope not. That question can best be discussed in debate.

asked whether, in view of the advisability of proceeding to appropriate sanctions in regard to Meso- potamia, and considering also that the Government acts as a kind of Court of final appeal in the matter, he will announce the resignation from office of all members of the Government implicated and of all officials whose administration has been censured but who are in a position to influence the Government by advice?

The answer is in the negative.

How can the Government be a judge in this matter when so many of its members are people in the position of being implicated?

In that case the House of Commons must determine, and they will be in a better position to form a judgment after the Debate.

asked whether, in order that the matter may be sifted, he will give two days for the Debate on the Mesopotamia question?

As I have already stated, if it is found there is a desire to continue the discussion the Government will at once agree to do so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the situation will be obviated by a number of Gentlemen on the Treasury Bench and the Front Opposition Bench getting up and speaking while those hon. Members who are really in earnest will be excluded?

I have no reason to suppose that Members of the two Front Benches are less in earnest than other hon. Members with the exception of the hon. Gentleman.

asked on what Motion the Debate on the Mesopotamia Commission will be taken; and whether full opportunity will be given for the discussion of such Amendments as hon. Members may desire to move?

The Government propose to take the same course as in the case of the Dardanelles Report, and the Debate will take place on the Motion that the House do now adjourn.

asked the Prime Minister (1) with reference to the Report of the Commission, appointed by Act of Parliament to inquire into the operations of war in Mesopotamia, at page 102 that a large number of telegrams sent from here to the Viceroy about the advance on Bagdad are marked private, and that one of the most important of these private telegrams conveying new and serious information as to the possible concentration of 60,000 Turkish troops near Bagdad was, in consequence of it being marked private, not filed in the military department, and was not transmitted to Sir John Nixon in Mesopotamia, if he can state the date of this telegram, the names and offices of the officials who caused it to be sent, whether it ever reached India, and what became of it; and (2) with reference to the reflections contained in the Mesopotamia Commission Report on the procedure by private telegrams and private letters from the Secretary of State for India in matters of importance to the Mesopotamia Expedition, whether the Law Officers of the Crown or the counsel at the India Office have been consulted as to the limitations arising from the provisions of the Act of Parliament that business shall be conducted by the Council or India at weekly meetings?

I will deal with these questions in Debate on Thursday. I think I ought to say at once that the telegram referred to in question 71 was sent by me personally.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will issue as a White Paper the agreements arrived at on all points concerning prisoners of war at the recent Conference at The Hague?

There is no objection on the part of the Prisoners of War Department to such a Paper being issued, but the matter is one for the War Cabinet, if and when the agreement is ratified.

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to the War Cabinet that from the very nature of the question it necessarily means that a number of people in this country are eagerly awaiting news of what has been settled to the advantage of our prisoners, and will he press upon them that a public statement should be made at the earliest possible date in the form I suggest?

I think they are quite alive to it without any necessity to press the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a statement by the Member for Barnard Castle that the position of the Allies in relation to Russian democracy can be cleared only by a conference of representatives of the Allied Governments, including the United States, and that no ordinary meeting of diplomats would satisfy the Russians; whether the Governments of the Allies are taking immediate steps to summon such a conference; and, if so, whether they are proposing that representatives shall be sent from the various countries who are outside the narrow circle of official diplomatists?

I have seen a report of the nature alluded to in the first part of the question, but it would be premature for His Majesty's Government to take any action before receiving the considered views of the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle. The date and composition of the conference is under consideration by the Allied Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the constitution of the United States of Mexico promulgated in 1917, under which power is given to the executive to compel any British subject whose presence is judged inconvenient to leave Mexican territory forthwith and without the necessity of previous notice; and whether the British Government is taking any, and, if so, what steps for the protection of British subjects and to prevent the confiscation of their property?

His Majesty's Government have under careful consideration the various questions affecting British interests in Mexico which have been raised by the Constitution of 1917, and they have lodged protests and reserved claims on behalf of any British subjects and companies prejudicially affected. The particular provision to which the hon. Member refers seems to embody the right of all sovereign Governments to expel from national territory persons whose presence they have reason to consider objectionable. Should the right be used in the case of any British subject without sufficiently good cause it would be open to His Majesty's Government to make such representations to the Mexican Government as the circumstances might require.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that during the past few weeks German agents in Spain have been spreading reports that His Majesty's Government is working to produce revolutionary disturbances in that country; and what steps are being taken to deny and to counteract these falsehoods?

Yes, Sir. I have information from Madrid and elsewhere which confirms the purport of my hon. Friend's question. German propaganda in such matters follows quite simple lines. In Russia, where autocracy has been abolished, it declares that we are secretly fostering reaction. In Spain, where there is a Constitutional monarchy, it proclaims that we are aiming at revolution. Both statements are untrue; both are absurd; both are inconsistent with the often expressed policy of His Majesty's Government, which is to leave other countries to manage their own domestic affairs in the manner they think best.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to deny these false statements?

I have just this instant taken the best step in my power.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any news regarding the political situation in China, and particularly whether British residents in Pekin are in danger in consequence of the attempted usurpation on the part of the Imperialists?

The reports that have appeared in the Press as to the political situation in China are confirmed by His Majesty's representative at Pekin. No danger to foreigners is anticipated, but all possible precautions are being taken and the Foreign Legations have warned the Pekin Government that communications between the capital and the sea must be kept open.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Emperor has abdicated?

I have not received any information to that effect.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has approved the contemplated prohibition by the Munitions Department of the sale of shot-gun ammunition except to Farmers for the protection of crops; and whether ho can state what steps his Department Intend to take to secure the utilisation of the season's crop of grouse, Mack game, pheasants, and partridges as human food, and to prevent over-stocking and consequent damage to crops if no facilities for killing them are afforded?

The Board have been in communication for some time past with the Ministry of Munitions and the Army Council on the subject of the restrictions which it has been found necessary to impose on the use of lead in cartridges. At the request of those Departments the Board agreed that the Agricultural Executive Committtees should act as the authorities for the issue of licences for the purchase of cartridges required for the destruction of vermin and the preservation of crops. It does not appear to the Board that the issue of licences for the purchase of cartridges for shooting game, except so far as this is necessary for the protection of crops, is a matter which comes within the functions of the Board or of the Agricultural Executive Committees. Any action which may be necessary from the point of view of providing food is a matter for the Food Controller.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with regard to British steam vessels of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards lost through war perils within 200 miles of the West, North-West, and South-West coasts of Ireland, the number of vessels so lost in each of the months of February, March, April, May, and June, 1917; the number of such vessels which were so lost whilst in sight of a British warship or of a British patrol vessel; the number of such vessels from which the crews were taken off by British warships or British patrol vessels; and the number of such vessels from which the crews were saved in the vessels' own boats?

My right hon. Friend the First Lord is advised that the public interest would not be served by publishing the proportion of losses occurring in any particular area. Further, so far as can be seen, the statistical information asked for would not afford any advantage commensurate with the expenditure of time and labour required for its collection.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the losses of merchant ships in the areas indicated in the question is very serious, and is he aware that great alarm is now arising amongst ship-owners and shipmasters by finding their ships marshalled by the Admiralty in areas where there are German submarines; and will he make some statement indicating that the Admiralty policy has been altered, or otherwise restore confidence in what is being done?

I should certainly regret if confidence wore in any way undermined. I say this without at all accepting my hon. Friend's statement. If my hon. Friend, however, has any views on the matter let him state them to me and I will transmit them to the War Staff, or, if he likes, I shall be glad to help him to transmit those views to the War Staff himself.

asked the Minister of Munitions, in regard to the supply of new tonnage from Canada, whether an experienced firm of shipbuilders in British Columbia, who are capable of supplying a large number of wooden ships of approved design, and are willing at their own expense to enlarge their resources for production of tonnage and to build and deliver vessels on terms already approved, have not been given an opportunity of contracting; whether the Imperial Government are taking any, and what, steps to utilise to the full the shipbuilding resources of British Columbia; and whether all firms capable of producing tonnage are permitted to tender and allowed to contract for the delivery of ships?

had given notice of a similar question (No. 25) to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply, and I will at the same time answer Question No. 25. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 30th April to the hon. Member for St. Pancras. As I then indicated, we are endeavouring to avail ourselves of every opportunity of obtaining new tonnage of suitable type, and if my hon. Friend can let me have the name of any shipbuilding firm that appears to have been overlooked I 'will see that inquiries are at once made.

I will send my hon. Friend particulars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if, in the event of the loss of a merchant ship and the consequent payment of the insurance money to the owners, any and, if so, what terms or conditions are made that the insurance money on the ship, apart from the cargo and freight, must be laid out or put aside to be laid out in the construction of shipping so soon as such is practicable?

No terms or conditions of the nature indicated in my hon. friend's question were attached to the Government scheme of war risk insurance. I may add that the important point to which my hon. Friend's question is directed, namely, the maintenance and increase of the Mercantile Marine, is engaging the serious attention of his Majesty's Government.

Is it not possible to alter these conditions and make them such as suggested in the question?

The point has not been lost sight of. I can only say that it was very carefully considered by the Board of Trade before the Ministry of Shipping was established.

Is the right bon. Gentleman aware that shipowners are most anxious to be allowed to spend this money on new shipping?

My hon. Friend, I think, knows that, so far as we are concerned, the Ministry of Shipping are doing all they possibly can to see that every slip in the United Kingdom is occupied.

Not by shipowners!

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the imprisonment of Mrs. Skinner for three months and Mrs. Hayes for one month, and the fining of another woman, for the distribution of leaflets demanding that the Government should at once start negotiations to conclude the War; whether the advocacy of peace by negotiation is a crime; and, if not, whether he will take steps to mitigate the sentences imposed on these women?

I have seen a report of the evidence in this case. The leaflets in question were being distributed to soldiers, and the evidence appears to ha\e justified the magistrates in holding that they were both intended and likely to prejudice discipline. I see no ground for interfering with the sentences.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the principal leaflets that was being distributed in this case was one which contained exclusively quotations from the manifesto, "To the peoples of all countries," by the council to the Workmen s and Soldiers' Delegates of Russia: is it criminal for the people of this country to distribute that?

I have not seen all the leaflets, but I have seen some, and certainly those I have seen ought not to be distributed amongst soldiers.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is assumed that under Clause 3 of the Representation of the People Bill a person residing in a house belonging to a local authority, such as, for instance, a caretaker of a council school, will be entitled to the local government vote?

Something would no doubt depend upon the actual conditions of the occupation, but, speaking generally, a person occupying by virtue of any office, service or employment would not seem to be entitled to the local government franchise.

asked the Home Secretary whether emissaries from the Industrial Workers of the World from the United States were allowed to land in the United Kingdom during the War; whether any of them are still over here; and whether any communications have been entered into with the Government of Australia as to emissaries from the same organisation not being allowed to land in Australia?

I am not aware that any such persons have landed in the United Kingdom during the War and I understand that there have been no communications with the Government of Australia in the matter

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the arrest in Scranton, Pennsylvania, of an organiser of the Industrial Workers of the World on a charge of being a spy; and whether he will inquire as to the belief of the Federal authorities as to the connection between the German Government and the organisers and leaders of the Industrial Workers of the World with a view to concerted action?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second part I will make inquiry.

asked how many persons having a German parentage are in this country, specifying respectively interned, uninterned, of military age, and under military age?

With regard to alien enemies I would refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division on the 4th inst. As regards persons who are British subjects, though of German parentage, I am not in possession of the information asked for.

asked whether Peter Petroff is still interned at Cornwallis Institute, Islington; and whether his state of health is satisfactory?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

I beg to give notice that on the Estimates I will call attention to this case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the scheme for establishing a public health laboratory, recommended by a joint committee of the senate of the University College of Bangor and of local medical men, involves any contribution from rates or taxes towards its main- tenance; whether living animals are to be used for experimental research in this institution; and whether, if so, he will withhold his approval of any subsidy out of public moneys which are compulsorily provided in part by those who disapprove of vivisection?

None of the local authorities have submitted to the Local Government Board any scheme of the nature indicated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service how many volunteers have been placed in employment by the substitution officers appointed by the National Service Department since 1st May, the date when his Department took over the work from the Labour Exchanges?

Between 1st May and 30th June, 7,174 applications were received from employers. The Department submitted the names of 7,424 volunteers, and of these 3,483 were placed in employment. During the week ending 30th June, 624 volunteers were placed in employment by the National Service Department.

Does the hon. Gentleman's answer refer to men?

My hon. Friend asks about men, and my answer applies to men.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he has yet any information from the Dutch Government as to the punishments inflicted by the Germans on our officer prisoners at Crefeld; where the prisoners at Crefeld have been moved to; and whether he is aware that no letters have come through from such prisoners for approximately two months?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. We are informed by the Netherland Minister at Berlin that the camps to which the officers from Crefeld have been transferred are Claustal, Schwarmstedt, and Siroecken. We have inquired by telegraph whether any officers have been sent to other camps. With regard to the last part of the question, postcards have certainly come through, but I have no information as to letters. Telegraphic inquiries have been made as to whether there are any special restrictions on the correspondence of the officers in question. If the punishments have been inflicted for attempts at escape, I have reason to hope that the position of these officers will be favourably affected should the provisional agreement concluded at The Hague be ratified.

asked the Prime Minister what advice was tendered by Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener as to the advantage or otherwise of an advance from Kut-el-Amara to Bagdad?

The proceedings of the Cabinet have always been secret, and I regret that I cannot give the information asked for.

asked the Prime Minister whether in any circumstances whatever any decision or recommendation of the Irish Convention will be submitted to a referendum of the Irish people?

I cannot answer such a hypothetical question.

asked the Prime Minister if, before instituting anything in the nature of a conference upon the constitution and powers of a Second Chamber, he will have regard to the fact that a considerable body of opinion in the country is opposed to further conferences of this nature during the continuance of the War?

The considerations referred to in the question were taken into account by the Government before we decided to arrange for this conference.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been able to study a system of voting at elections known in the oversea Dominions as the preferential vote and on the Continent as the second ballot, and which the Government have inserted in the Representation of the People Bill as the alternative vote; and is it intended to follow the course adopted in the case of the transferable vote and allow the House to decide by a free vote for or against this system of election?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The proposal for an alternative vote in single-member constituencies was recommended by a majority only of the Speaker's Conference, and the Government propose to leave this question for the free decision of the House.

May I ask if the vote taken the other day has not finished all these fads once and for all?

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a small Parliamentary Committee to consider Lord Newton's agreement with Germany regarding prisoners of war before the same is approved by the Cabinet?

The Government are not prepared to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister who were the members of the War Cabinet during the months of October and November, 1915?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the Committee of the Cabinet which, during October, 1915, was known as the Dardanelles Committee, and was attended by

• Mr. Asquith,
• Mr. Lloyd George,
• Mr. Balfour,
• Sir E. Grey,
• Lord Kitchener,
• Lord Curzon,
• Lord Crewe,
• Lord Lansdowne,
• Mr. Churchill,
• Lord Selborne, and Myself.

• Mr. Asquith,
• Mr. McKenna,
• Mr. Lloyd George,
• Lord Kitchener,
• Mr. Balfour, and Myself.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has now been arrived at as to the publication of the Report and the minority Report of Lord Faringdon's Committee on Trade Conditions?

asked the Prime Minister if he will direct the publication of the majority and minority Reports of the Committee appointed to inquire into the question of the consular service and commercial intelligence in order that the business interests affected may have an opportunity of considering and expressing their opinions on the recommendations of the Committee before Departmental action in regard thereto is taken?

This is a confidential Report submitted to the Government, and we do not think it desirable to make it public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, without prejudice to any more important or conspicuous memorial to Members of this House who have fallen in the field during the present War, he will consider the desirability of engraving the names of such members on the small brass plate at the back of the seats which they were accustomed to occupy or are held most usually to have occupied when in attendance upon the House, in order that the House may preserve their memory in this simple, intimate, and at the same time unprecedented manner?

I am personally attracted by the suggestion of my right hon. Friend, but it is, I think, a question rather for the Members of the House than for the Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take steps to see that Irishmen who arc compelled to leave home to take employment in Great Britain will not be interfered with by the military authorities; if Irishmen who were supplied with their fares by their friends in order to travel to Great Britain when on larding were informed that they were liable to conscription if they remained for fourteen days, and were refused employment or exemption cards by the Labour Exchanges, the reasons given being that they paid their own fares and were not sent by the Labour Exchange; and if he is aware of the trouble given to Irishmen at Kilmarnock and South Wales?

I have no knowledge of the matters referred to in the hon. Member's question, but if he will supply particulars of specific cases, I will have inquiries made. In any case of refusal of employment or exemption cards by the Employment Exchanges, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour would be pleased to investigate the matter. I must refer tie hon. Member to the answer which I gave, to him on the 7th March, and remind him that where an Irishman already in "Great Britain is engaged in one of the employments specified in the arrangement between the War Office and the Board of Trade, he may, if continuing in such employment or if placed by an Employment Exchange in similar employment, be furnished with a card as evidence that he is excepted from the liability to military service if the Employment Exchange has ascertained that he is ordinarily resident in Ireland, and it is not, therefore, understood why any difficulty such as that referred to in the hon. Member's question should have occurred.