asked the Minister of National Service whether, before further drafts are made on British manpower, he will take steps to make available for work of national importance all friendly or neutral aliens of military age whose countries do not require their return for military service or who belong to countries with whom no convention for military service exists or to a country with whom such convention has been annulled; and will he take steps to ensure that in no case is any foreigner allowed to acquire permanently the business or position of a British subject called up for service?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 14th of December last, and I am glad to say that, as the result of arrangements which have now been completed with the other Government Departments concerned, measures have been taken for the purpose of utilising, to the fullest possible extent, in work of national importance, the services of all suitable aliens, including those of the class referred to in the first part of his question. With regard to the second part of the question, much has already been done, with the assistance of the Local Government Board, to safeguard the interests of men called up for service, and I may add that very shortly we hope to be able, under a new Defence of the Realm Regulation, to prevent either foreigners or other persons from opening new retail businesses or branches without a licence.

asked the Minister of National Service whether the three grades into which men are now put after medical examination are divided into three subdivisions; whether not only the men but the tribunals have been refused any information as to which sub-division of a grade a man is put in; whether, in view of the assistance to employers, men, and tribunals such information would give, he will at once issue instructions that full particulars of the sub-division of the new grades shall be given; and will he issue to the House full details of these subdivisions so that it may be known how men are to be utilised in the future?

My hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed about the system of medical grading by National Service Medical Boards. There are no subdivisions of any of the three grades for men who are fit for military service, and it would not be practicable from a medical point of view to make such sub-divisions. Full information as to the scope of each grade is given to the tribunals, but it would not be possible to give, either to them or to employers or to the men themselves, any information about the way in which the men are likely to be utilised in the Army. This is, and must be determined by the varying demands of the War Office for men for particular services, and by many other considerations, none of which are constant.

Did not the old grading under the War Office A 1, 2 and 3, and B 1, 2 and 3 mean grading for particular service; and is not the same kind of grading taking place under the present National Service scheme?

The present grading is much more satisfactory, and the hon. Member must know that the grades he has mentioned were the cause of much heart burning and dissatisfaction in the old days.

asked when the Committee for the Co-ordination of Educational Administration in Ireland met to discuss their recommendations; and whether any action has been taken in the matter?

There has been no recent occasion for a meeting of the Committee referred to. The methods of co-ordination originally recommended by the Committee have been carried out by means of conferences, committee meetings, and otherwise as occasion required. A conference between the Intermediate Education Board, the Department of Agriculture and their respective inspectorial staffs was held last month, and conferences have beer held with the authorities for primary and higher education.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the sum granted to Ireland for education is altogether inadequate, he will increase the Supplemental Grant of £384,000 to a figure more in accordance with the equity of the case and the real needs of the situation?

The suggested increase is altogether beyond the province of the Chief Secretary.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested. Districts Board will consider the condition of the Westley estate, and, in view of the necessity of improving the tillage so as to meet the food problem, and also having regard to the fact that a number of tenants are living on uneconomic holdings and working hard for a bare subsistence, if he will advise that the striping out of the land will be proceeded with at once?

The estate referred to has not been purchased by, or offered for sale to, he Congested Districts Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this case personally, even if only from the point of view of food production, considering the number of tenants who are willing to till the land and are held back only by proprietary interests of a selfish character?

That is a very large question. It is impossible, simply because there are lands occupied in a particular method according to law to meet the wishes of people in the neighbourhood who are willing to cultivate them, but have no right to do so. The general policy of cultivation is being carried out by very strong measures indeed throughout the country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this case himself, as far as possible, as it stands out very conspicuously?

:I will see what are the facts of the case.

asked whether it is the intention of the Irish Government to again review the pay, emoluments, and war bonus of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and make the pay and bonus of the force somewhat more approximate to that enjoyed by members of the various county police forces in Great Britain?

The Treasury have sanctioned an addition of 2s. 6d. per week to the existing war bonus of the Royal Irish Constabulary, to take effect from 1st December.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is satisfied with the flow of recruits to the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether the losses by enlistment into the Irish Guards at the commencement of the War have been made up, or whether the force is being kept to strength by retaining the services of members who have reached the age limit; and is he aware of cases of head constables of over sixty years who have been asked to continue on the active list, with a consequent block of promotion to the junior ranks and discouragements to recruiting to fill vacancies?

The reduction of the numbers of the Royal Irish Constabulary by reason of the enlistment of members of the force in the Irish Guards has not been made up, but recruiting for the force is now proceeding, and excellent recruits are being enrolled. Retirement on pension has been stopped by the operation of Section 2 of the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915, except on medical certificate or to take up Government appointments, and to that extent the strength of the force is being kept up by retaining the services of men who, in normal tmes, would have retired on pension. It is, however, not correct to say that men are being retained in the force who have become inefficient owing to age. Head constables over sixty years of age have not been asked to continue to serve, but a few men of this rank between the ages of sixty and sixty-five, who are reported to be still active and efficient, are allowed to continue serving. Men over sixty years of age who are reported to be inefficient owing to age are at once called upon to retire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether cast Army horses are still being sold on the Western Front; whether, as a live horse fetches £4 more than a dead one in Paris. these horses are forced to endure unnecessary cruelties in order that they can be sold alive at their destination; and, if so, whether he will take steps at once to put an end to this practice?

An average of 150 horses are sold weekly to French agriculturists for work on the land under special arrangements with the French authorities. These secure good treatment. There is no foundation for the suggestion that cast horses are subject to unnecessary cruelty for the sake of an additional £4 per head. The live horse selected and sent to Paris for human food fetches no more than the dead one sent for the same purpose. It is impossible to destroy all animals locally owing to insufficient abattoir accommodation and difficulties of transport. Animals which are sent alive to Paris are carefully selected and are inspected by the Deputy-Director of Veterinary Services of the area. They are accompanied by a conducting party of the Army Veterinary Corps, who water, feed, and attend them on the journey, and they are met and accompanied up to the abattoir by members of the corps.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the war bonus of 8s. to temporary male civilian clerks in receipt of 40s. a week or less, or 7s. to those in receipt of more than 40s., covers the additional cost of living since the outbreak of hostilities; and, if not, whether he will increase the bonus, so that these poorly-paid clerks may not be in a worse position than they were in July, 1914?

The claim of these temporary employés is now before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board of Government Employés, and I understand that an award will very shortly be made.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will make any announcement with reference to the Convention; and if he can now state what the prospects are?

I cannot make any statement on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the decision of the Government on the increased pay of junior officers, and whether separation allowances are to be paid?

As the hon. Member knows, the decision of the Government has already been announced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why, according to the decision which appears in this morning's papers, separation allowance is to be given in the case of officers' children for males up to eighteen years of age and for female children up to twenty-one years of age, and for invalid children beyond those years, when the separation allowances for the children of private soldiers cease at fourteen years of age, and there is no provision for invalid children?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

My question is down on the Paper. It has been answered by a statement issued in the Press this morning, which is a convenient form. Surely I ought to be entitled to raise this point arising out of the answer given?

If the hon. Member wants information on the point which he has mentioned, he must give notice.

I have given notice.

The hon. Member's question does not directly affect the question which he now raises.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give this House an early opportunity to discuss the question of pay and allowances to junior officers?

I hope that the House will be satisfied with the ordinary opportunities for any discussion of this question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what opportunity for discussion can we have if the Prime Minister does not propose to give an opportunity?

The business which we have to do during the remainder of this Session is very considerable, and I think that it would be very difficult to afford an opportunity. I am sorry to say that there will not be a long interval between this and the next Session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pay of both officers and men is quite as important to them as the question of the workmen's pay is to the workmen, and will the right hon. Gentleman give at least the same consideration to those who are fighting as is shown to those who are not?

Surely the decision which has been announced shows that we do recognise the men who are fighting.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to move the new Standing Order regulating Secret Sessions of this House?

The Government propose to take this Motion on the first convenient day.

asked under which Vote Lord Northcliffe's mission to the United States of America comes; and when will there be an opportunity to discusss his actions?

The general expenses of Lord Northcliffe's mission are defrayed from the Votes of Credit, and can be discussed on those Votes.

Seeing that we shall not have another Vote of Credit for some time -will the right hon. Gentleman afford us an opportunity of raising this most important matter on the Motion for Adjournment?

It can be raised, without any assistance from me, on the Motion for Adjournment; but there was a Vote of Credit not long ago, when it could have been raised.

Are the expenses of the mission to continue if Lord Northcliffe does not return to America?

They will continue. Lord Northcliffe is doing very useful work in connection with the mission here.

What is the relationship between Lord Reading and Lord North-cliffe?

I will raise this question on the first possible opportunity.

asked when the Second Reading of the Education (Scotland) Bill will' be taken?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make a definite announcement regarding this matter.

If the Government are unable to proceed with the Bill this Session, will a Motion be moved carrying it over until next Session?

No; but I hope that it will be proceeded with early next Session, in the same way as the English Education Bill.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Petroleum Bill; and, if so, when this will be done?

asked whether progress will now be made with an amended Petroleum (Production) Bill?

It has been decided not to proceed with this Bill, as it has been found that the action necessary can be taken without special legislation.

Are we to understand that the Government will be able to make arrangements for payment of royalties without legislation?

No; but we have come to the conclusion that we can do what is necessary for the War.

Are the Government proposing to go behind the back of a direct vote of the House of Commons by administrative action

I have already given an answer which shows that we have no such intention.

Are we to understand that no borings have yet been made?

They have been going on a long time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say on what date it is proposed to introduce the Man-Power Bill?

To-day.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the names and constitution of the Air Council?

These have already been published in the Press.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what day His Majesty's Government propose to give for the discussion of the Reports of the Committee on National Expenditure?

Discussion on this subject will take place as soon as possible, but I am not yet able to state the exact date.

Will it be possible to have a discussion before the Prorogation?

I hope so. I gave some promise, I think, that it would be taken before the Adjournment.

(by Private Notice) asked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield whether, as a result of the recent Conference between British and Turkish representatives, any agreement has been reached with regard to the exchange of prisoners of war; what are the terms of the agreement, if any agreement has been made, and how soon it is expected to become operative?

The agreement concluded at Berne has not yet been ratified, and I regret. therefore, that it is not advisable to give complete details at present. I may say generally, however, that its terms are more satisfactory than had been expected. Arrangements have been arrived at with regard to exchange on a substantial scale, the inspection of camps, and improvement in the general treatment of prisoners. It is hoped that as soon as the agreement has been ratified by both Governments, its provisions will be carried out without delay. I shall be happy to give my hon. and learned Friend full details at the earliest opportunity.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the improvement in the treatment of prisoners will include the delivery within a reasonable time of letters and parcels to prisoners of war in Turkey?

I think I had better not mention this or that provision before the ratification, because if they were not approved and fell through, there would be great disappointment.

asked. whether Income Tax is being charged on the lump sum payable to Civil servants on retirement in lieu of pension; and, if so, under what authority?

The answer to my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.