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Oral Answers To Questions

Volume 103: debated on Monday 25 February 1918

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War

Lower-Grade Civil Servants (Pensions)

2.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of lower-grade Civil servants in receipt of pensions of less than £ 100 per annum who through age, infirmity, or other valid reason are unable to supplement their allowance, with the view of granting them a temporary increase during the period of the War owing to the increased cost of living, which is now 106 per cent. above pre-war rate?

I have nothing to add to my previous answers on this subject.

Canal Traffic

3.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, considering the danger that might accrue owing to any interruption to the sea-borne traffic with the Port of London, if he will say what steps are being taken to develop the canal traffic between the Ports of Bristol and Liverpool on the West Coast and London on the East?

The points raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman have for some time been before the Canal Control Committee, and have recently been specially considered. I am advised that the particular routes to which he refers are not under present conditions, and in view of the great shortage of labour on canals, capable of any great development of through traffic to London, but some traffic has been conveyed.

:Considering the congestion on the railways and the impossibility of feeding London by railways alone, if seaborne traffic should be cut off, should not everything possible be done to make these canals available at an early date?

:Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of calling the attention of the Minister of National Service to this matter, in order to let him have some of the 100,000 Russians here to help him to clear the canals?

Tungsten Ore (Restricted Exports)

4.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, during the War, prior to September, 1915, any Tungsten ore was exported from the United Kingdom to Germany viâ neutral markets; and, if so, what was the name of the firm or firms who exported such ore?

:So far as I am aware, no Tungsten ore has been exported from this country to Germany viâ neutral markets since the outbreak of war. I should be very glad to receive any information which may be in the possession of the hon. and gallant Gentleman tending to show that such exportation has taken place.

Coasting Service (Railway Fares)

5.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of seamen engaged in the coasting service are unable to claim the privileges as regards railway passes which are granted to seamen who are discharged before a mercantile marine officer; and if he will consider means of enabling the crews of coasting vessels who are not so discharged to obtain a railway warrant to their usual port of discharge without payment or authority to travel to their homes at the old fare without the 50 per cent. increase, especially in view of the condition that voyages to the North of France are counted as coasting voyages?

:This question of extending to seamen in the home and coasting trades the same special railway facilities as are given to seamen discharged at the larger ports has been considered, but there are considerable administrative difficulties in the way, and it has not hitherto been found practicable to make the extension.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into this matter, because seamen from the North of England who are landed at Southampton have a very dear railway fare to pay to get home?

:I have already looked into it, but if the hon. Gentleman has any case of that kind I will investigate the matter further.

Russia

6.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether all treaties entered into between this country and Russia before the War remain valid?

:Any general answer to this question might turn out misleading, so the hon. Gentleman must forgive me if I do not attempt one.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Foreign Office have been formally advised of Russia's attitude in signing peace, and what is the position now, and whether Russia is to be regarded as an ally, enemy, or friendly neutral?

( by Private Notice)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if this Government has any information at all about what is happening with regard to the signing of peace terms in Russia; if they have not, will they get it; and when they have got it, will they communicate it in such a way that we shall really know what is happening?

:I have a certain amount of information, but I think it will be obvious to my hon. Friend and the House that this is a question which should not be put without notice.

Food Supplies

Acreage Ploughed

9.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that some war agricultural committees have doubled the original acreage to be ploughed in cases where appeals have been made; whether the Board has issued any Regulation sanctioning this course of procedure; and, if not, whether he is prepared to issue fresh instructions to the war agricultural committees in accordance with the views he has expressed in public?

No Regulation has been issued by the Board on the particular point referred to, but there seems no reason why a committee should not increase the acreage to be ploughed if, after hearing the case, they are satisfied that it would be in the national interest to do so.

10.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether dairy farmers and graziers accustomed to produce meat and milk are expected to plough up more than one-ninth of their grass land; and whether the Board of Agriculture have issued any instructions to the war agricultural committees defining clearly the amount of acreage which should be ploughed on farms of this description?

:The programme of the Department contemplated the breaking up of one-ninth of the total area of grass in the country as a whole, but it was never suggested that this proportion should be applied to individual holdings. The committees were urged to select carefully the land best suited to arable cultivation, and to consider each case on its merits. It is impossible to lay down definite rules which can be applied to all the varying conditions of different farms, and the acreage to be ploughed on any particular farm must be left to the discretion of the practical men composing the agricultural executive committees. A letter has, however, recently been issued to agricultural executive committees dealing with the breaking up of grass land in the occupation of dairy farmers, and I am sending a copy to my hon. and gallant Friend.

Potatoes

11.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture how many potato growers in Great Britain have received or are to receive payment under the potato guarantee price for 1917; and what is the total amount paid or to be paid?

I have been asked to reply. The number of potato growers in Great Britain who have received compensation under the Potato Order No. 2, 1917, at the present moment is approximately 800, and the sum of money so distributed is approximately £20,000. The number of potato growers who will receive payment, and the amount that they will receive, cannot at the present time be estimated accurately.

:Does the hon. Gentleman still adhere to the principle of not paying compensation to growers of less than four tons?

Wastage

12.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there is in operation in connection with the various military camps throughout the country any scheme for saving scraps, wastage of food, swills, and other material and in using the same in connection with the camps in fattening pigs in order to increase the food necessary for the Army; and, if there is no such scheme in operation, whether he will, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for War, take steps to effect the objects indicated in this question?

:A comprehensive scheme is in operation in all military camps for this purpose. The swill is either sold to pig feeders direct, or treated in mechanical plants which produce pig and poultry food in a concentrated form; the surplus fats are at the same time extracted and sold to soap boilers, from whom the Ministry of Munitions obtain the glycerine required for propellant explosives.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his scheme might not be made operative in connection with the camp itself?

:I do not think I quite follow my hon. Friend. It is in operation in connection with the camp itself.

If I understand the right hon. Gentleman correctly, the residuals are disposed of, otherwise sold, and my question is whether those materials could not be used in connection with the fattening of pigs in the camp itself?

If I understand the hon. Gentleman correctly, he means that the military authorities should go in for keeping pigs.

It is a question of who does it best — whether the pig keeper is a better judge than the military authorities. We are anxious that the swill products should be used in the best way possible, and I think they are by the scheme in operation.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will communicate with the Food Controller as to how far the waste which has occurred with regard to this swill from the camps is due to the Food Controller's Regulations as to the feeding of pigs, which has prevented the keeping of pigs?

:I do not think there has been for a long time any waste in the utilisation of these swill products.

Is there co-operation between the right hon. Gentleman's Department and the Admiralty, and, if not, will he kindly communicate with the Admiralty as to the waste which is going on in the Navy?

I do not know that my doing so would be welcomed by the Admiralty, but I have no doubt that the representatives of the Admiralty would pay great attention to my hon. Friend.

Allotments

20.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the Cork Industrial Development Association demanding that immediate steps should be taken to have suitable land contiguous to cities and towns made available on reasonable terms for the provision of allotments for city and town workers ; can he state how much land has been made available for this purpose in the city of Cork and the towns of Cork county; and what assistance has been given by the Department of Agriculture in the matter; what steps are being at present taken to increase the number of town workers' allotments; and what area of land will be brought into cultivation all over Ireland by this method?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Approximately fifty-five statute acres were made available for allotments last year in the city of Cork, and in six of the urban districts in Cork county fifty-four statute acres were provided. The lands were obtained by agreement, and, generally speaking, these agreements hold good for the present year, but in one urban district eight additional acres have been acquired by agreement. The Order under the Local Government (Allotments and Land Cultivation) Act, 1917, enabling urban authorities to provide allotment schemes, was issued to all urban district councils in December last, and the councils are also aware of the provisions under the Defence of the Realm Regulations in regard to allotments. Last year there were, approximately, 1,375 statute acres under allotments in Ireland. It is not possible at present to give any estimate of the area to be cultivated in allotments this year. The Department of Agriculture have provided special instructors for allotment holders in Cork city, and arrangements have been made for similar instruction in other towns in county Cork carrying out allotment schemes.

Tillage Order (Ireland)

25.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether owners of land capable of cultivation are, under a recent Tillage Order, compelled to place under cultivation at least 20 per cent. of their holding; whether, as a result, about 1,500,000 extra acres will be under cultivation this year as compared with 1916; and will he say how many inspectors are now in the employment of his Board to see that this Tillage Order is duly complied with?

:Occupiers of holdings of not less than 10 acres of arable land are required by the Tillage (Ireland) General Order, 1918, made under the Corn Production Act, 1917, subject to certain specified exceptions, to cultivate in 1918 15 per cent. of their land in addition to the area cultivated in 1916. In the case of holdings of not less than 200 acres of Arable land, occupiers are required by the Tillage (Ireland) (Larger Holdings) Order, dated the 1st February, 1918, to cultivate an additional 5 per cent., making a total addition of 20 per cent. No occupier, however, is required to cultivate more than 50 per cent. of his arable land. It is hoped that the area under tillage in 1918 in Ireland will exceed that of 1916 by approximately 1,500,000 acres. The number of inspectors employed to see that these Orders are carried out is forty-nine.

Live-Stock Census

26.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will consider the advisability of taking a census of the live stock in Ireland, with a view to retain a sufficient number for breeding purposes, and also that arrangements shall be made to keep a sufficient supply of meat and milk for the Irish people?

:As the hon. Member was informed on the 22nd January, special returns of live stocks have been obtained from a large number of farmers. These returns indicate that the breeding stock of cattle and pigs is being maintained, and the Department of Agriculture do not think that a special general census of live stock is necessary or advisable. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that Orders have been issued under the Maintenance of Livestock Act, to guard against undue depletion of livestock in Ireland, including milch cows.

Milk

27.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the complaints of the Cork Food Control Committee as to the manner in which their representations on the question of the exclusion of the sale of milk in small shops from the Regulations of the Public Meals Order have been treated ; whether resolutions were received by the Minister of Food on the subject and remained unacknowledged; and can he explain why the representations of this committee are treated with such scant consideration?

:I must express my regret that, owing to some unexplained delay, the representations of the Cork Food Control Committee only reached the responsible officer of my Department on the 21st instant. An acknowledgment was sent directly they were received. In the meantime the matter had been considered by the Food Control Committee for Ireland, who intimated that in their opinion it was not desirable to permit the sale of milk as a beverage until supplies became more plentiful.

Sugar (Confectionery)

28.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the food value of confectionery is not disputed, and that any further curtailment of the raw material must lead to an increased consumption of other foodstuffs which it has now become a matter of urgent need to conserve; whether he is aware of the hardships under which the trade is suffering, and the certainty that a number of workers will be thrown out of employment if he persists in still further reducing sugar supplies; and whether he can state what will be done to provide a remedy?

It is true that most forms of confectionery have some food value, but I cannot admit that they are invariably consumed for that reason. In this trade, as in many others, the restrictions upon the use of raw material rendered necessary by the circumstances of the time have seriously affected all those concerned, and the possibility of affording some relief to those most dependent upon the sale of confectionery is being considered by the Ministry, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement upon the subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether all these shops will be treated alike, whether the little shop or the big shop; and is he aware that quite a number of the small shops are being put absolutely out of business while the large shops can supply any quantity?

It is because all shops are being treated alike that these claims are now being pressed upon us. Consideration is being given to the question whether, in the case of shops where the people provide only one class of goods and are wholly dependent for their livelihood on that one class of food, some special relief should not be given to those people.

:Will the hon. Gentleman see that persons suffering from tuberculosis and other illnesses requiring special food will be allowed that special food on the recommendation of a medical officer?

Tea

31.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to a recent prosecution for food hoarding at Saffron Walden which failed, as the magistrates held that tea is not a food; whether he is aware that other magistrates have convicted for the hoarding of tea; and whether he will issue an Amending Older to make clear the intention of Orders issued, so that the public and justices may know whether tea, coffee, and other beverages come within the Food Orders?

asked whether he has noticed that at Saffron Walden and Finchley the magistrates have refused to convict under summons for hoarding tea on the grounds that it is not an article of food any more than wine or other manufactured drinks; and whether the Ministry intend to appeal against these judgments so as to obtain an authoritative legal decision or to withdraw their scheme for tea control, as the increased quantities which the Government are now bringing into the country appear to make it unnecessary?

My attention has been called to this decision, and I am aware that other magistrates have taken a contrary view. The question of an appeal is under consideration, and it may be desirable to amend the Food Hoarding Order so as to bring tea specifically within its provisions. In any case there is no intention of withdrawing the Government scheme for the control of tea.

Is the hon. Gentle man aware that there are no food queues about this morning?

Is it the fact that magistrates can decide against the Orders of the Ministry of Food and their Regulations, and is it proposed by the Ministry to insist on its Regulations despite any decision given in any Court?

The magistrates have not decided against the Orders of the Food Ministry. The magistrates have given an interpretation, and, as my reply has indicated, we have now under consideration the question of including tea as one of the articles under the Regulations of the Food Hoarding Order.

33.

asked whether the forms required for claims for drawback on the price of tea under the new scheme cannot be printed and ready before a month; whether the railway certificates under which the tea is to be carried free are also not available; and, in these circumstances, whether the operation of the scheme will be postponed until the necessary preparations for working it are completed?

The forms required for claims for drawback on the price under the new scheme are in the printers' hands and will be ready at a very early date; the railway conveyances notes are available at the offices of the Tea Control Committee; and there is no intention to postpone the operation of the scheme.

Hoarding

34.

asked whether the Food Control Department claims the right of calling upon the police to enter houses on their own responsibility or under instructions to search for and seize, if they exist, any hoards of food; whether any such action on these lines has hitherto been taken; and whether the authorities are unable to carry out these investigations, if necessary, by means of officials of the Food Control Department?

Under Regulation 51 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, any police constable who has reason to suspect that an offence against those Regulations has been, or is being, committed on any premises, may enter and inspect such premises, and may seize anything found therein which appears to be used or intended to be used in any manner contrary to law. By Clause 3 of the Food Hoarding Order any person specially authorised in writing by the Food Controller may enter upon any premises in which he has reason to believe that any article of food is being kept in contravention thereof, but such official has no right of seizure. I am informed that in a few cases where it was thought that inspection without seizure might result in waste, a police constable was asked to accompany the official inspector, in order to prevent any waste or removal of food for the purpose of avoiding confiscation. The police have not been called upon by the Department to make independent investigations.

White Flour In Bread

35.

asked what amount of imported white flour is allowed to be used by the London master bakers; the amount that is allowed to be used by the London master bakers; and the amount that is allowed to be used by the Scottish master bakers?

The maximum percentage of imported flour that bakers can use at present in the manufacture of bread is 25 per cent. in the case of England, Wales, and Ireland and 50 per cent. in the case of Scotland. The reason for the higher percentage in the latter case is that Scotland is so greatly undermilled that before the War Scottish bakers used a much larger quantity of imported flour than other parts of the United Kingdom, and had, in addition, considerable quantities of home-milled flour sent from England.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that under this differentiation the bread in Scotland is certainly much superior to the bread in England, in consequence of the white flour?

I am not aware of it, but it may well be so, in view of the facts I have mentioned.

Is it not a fact that the Scottish bread was always superior to the British?

Munitions

Explosion In Factory

14.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can now give any further information in regard to the explosion at the munition works in the eastern counties?

There was a certain amount of damage to one or two works in the neighbourhood, and the factory itself suffered seriously. The loss of output is not, however, of serious importance. The lay-out of the factory was such that the magazines containing considerable quantities of explosives were not touched. I am glad to say that the arrangements for enabling the workers to get away quickly were so satisfactory that no one was injured.

Examining And Receiving Depot, Dublin

75.

asked what progress has been made in preparing the Westland Row premises as an examining and receiving depot; and when it is expected to be in operation?

A part of the Westland Row premises has been handed over to the War Department, and every effort is being made to prepare it for immediate use. The building cannot be entirely placed at our disposal until the present occupants, who are engaged upon war work, are able to transfer their plant, etc., to new premises which are in course of construction. Special priority certificates for the supply of materials have been obtained to expedite the completion of the new building with the object of hastening the complete evacuation of the Westland Row premises. It is impossible to name the date on which the examining and receiving depot will be in full operation, owing to the uncertainty as to the dates of delivery of material, etc.

National Shell Factory, Dublin

13.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware of the discontent in the National Shell Factory, Dublin; if he is aware that on Friday, 15th February, two carpenters were dismissed without notice for applying for the bonuses which they believed they were entitled to and is being paid to other men in the same employment for similar work; if he will cause inquiries as to why these men were ordered out of their employment and told to be outside the door in ten minutes; and if he will see that the bonuses shall be paid to them from April, 1917, as awarded by the Committee of Production?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. Carpenters in the Dublin National Shell Factory are receiving, and will continue to receive, all the bonuses to which they are entitled. No carpenters have been dismissed without notice. One carpenter received a week's notice on Friday, the 15th instant, as his work was considered unsatisfactory.

Naval And Military Pensions And Grants

16.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is now in a position to state whether it is proposed to bring the pensions of discharged and disabled soldiers in previous wars in which this country has been engaged into line with the pensions granted to discharged and disabled soldiers in this War : and, if so, will he state when this Order is to come into force?

I hope very shortly to be able to announce the terms of a new Royal Warrant dealing with this subject.

17.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that several demands have been made by Mrs. Mary Sullivan, of Umeraboy, Knocknagree, county Cork, for dependant's pension due to her in respect of the late Private Daniel Sullivan, No. 375,089, Royal Munster Fusiliers, from 15th June, 1917, to 4th December, 1917; can he explain why no reply was given to the letters written regarding this claim, and why its payment has been delayed?

I have not been able to trace the receipt in my Department of the several demands and inquiries to which the hon. Member refers. Payment of Mrs. Sullivan's pension was first made on the 6th December last, and the arrears due to her, which were withheld pending inquiry as to advances made by the local committee, have now been paid.

Can my hon. Friend say whether arrangements have been made for answering letters promptly at Chelsea, and may we expect answers inside of a week?

The whole of that matter is now being considered, and steps are being taken, and I hope that there will be a great improvement shortly in that direction.

37.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether civil liabilities grants have been reduced as a result of the recent increases in Army pay notwithstanding that it was explicitly stated, at the time that such pay was increased, that it would not affect the civil liabilities grant?

No grants have been reduced as a result of the general increase of soldiers' pay. Where reductions have been made these have been in view of special rates of pay in individual cases.

So I may assume what I infer in my question is right, that there can be no reduction on account of recent increases?

My hon. Friend must only assume that there can be no reductions on account of the general increase.

15.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the amounts paid for pensions to the widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors are less than the amount paid as allotment and separation allowances; and, if so, seeing that the pensions ought to approximate to those allotment and separation allowances, whether the whole question will be reconsidered?

In certain circumstances the amount of the pension and children's allowances is less than the amount of separation allowances and allotment, while in other cases it amounts to more. The whole question of children's allowances is at present under consideration.

Is it not the fact that the majority of cases of widows and children do actually receive less than they received in separation allowances?

Demobilisation (Skilled Workers)

18.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction if it is part of the policy of his Department to secure that on demobilisation highly skilled workers shall return to the trades for which they have been fitted by long periods of apprenticeship, and that during the continuance of the War restrictions are not imposed upon such trades as will result in a reduction in their capacity of affording employment to such skilled workers after the War; and whether he will take steps accordingly respecting the effect upon this problem of the Paper Restrictions Order in so far as the trade of lithographer is concerned?

Every facility will be given to enable skilled workers to return to their original trades at the end of the War. I would remind the hon. Member that the Paper Restrictions Order is a matter over which I have no control, but I may say that the importance of preventing the unnecessary withdrawal of skilled men from industry is being borne in mind.

Irish Trade Returns

19.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether complaint has been made by the Cork Industrial Development Association of the delay in publishing the annual Returns of Irish trade, agriculture, fisheries, banking, railway, and shipping for the year 1916; and can he explain why these vital statistics of Irish commercial life have not been published at an earlier date?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In the present emergency new statistical Returns of vital importance are urgently required and many of these Returns have been compiled by the Department of Agriculture for Ireland. Though the trained staff has been depicted through enlistment in His Majesty's Forces, the tabulation of the usual annual Returns is well advanced, but publication of some of them has been necessarily delayed, and only those containing matters of urgent importance have been published earlier than heretofore. No unnecssary delay will take place in the issue of the Returns to which the hon. Member refers.

Industrial Insurance Agents (Wages)

36.

asked the Minister of Labour if any decision has been arrived at with reference to the demands of industrial insurance agents for a living wage?

I have nothing as yet to add to my previous replies on the subject.

Flax Growing (Ireland)

44.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, seeing that the growing of flax has been firmly established in the district surrounding Killorglin, Kerry, during the past two years without any assistance from the Department, steps will betaken, cither in co-operation with the Fibre Corporation or independently, to establish a scutching mill in the district?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that there has been no assistance from the Department of Agriculture. The Department have specially provided the services of an instructor in flax growing. The flax produced in the district has been grown for the Fibre Corporation, Dromore, county Down, who take over the crop from the growers and make the necessary provision for scutching.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman answer the last part of my question, whether any assistance will be given to establish a scutching mill, instead of sending 200 miles away?

If the hon. Gentleman desires any further information perhaps he will put a question down.

Supreme War Council

45.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet has considered the possible circumstances in which the military representative at Versailles may, in accord with the representatives of the other Allies, advise a concerted movement, and that this advice may not find acceptance with the Commander-in-Chief and may be referred by him to the Cabinet, which will refer it to the Chief of the Staff, reserving to itself the final decision; and whether, when this decision is communicated to the representative at Versailles, he will be bound to conform to the Cabinet's plan?

I cannot add anything on this subject to the statement recently made by the Prime Minister.

Has this question been submitted to the War Cabinet, because even on those terms does it not bring out that this is a case of incompetence on an important question, masked by a mere pretence of statesmanship?

It has not been brought specially to the attention of the War Cabinet, and if it had, probably they would have taken a different view from the hon. Gentleman.

Do the statements set forth in this question not represent what was described by the Prime Minister, and, if so, is it not altogether an unworkable arrangement?

48.

asked the Prime Minister whether the powers and duties that have now been taken from the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to meet the requirements of the Supreme War Council at Versailles will be restored to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff when the Versailles Supreme War Council is dissolved at the end of the War or whenever it is dissolved?

This question is really hypothetical. I regret, therefore, that I cannot answer it ;but I would remind my hon. Friend that the powers and duties of the Chief of the Staff are now precisely what they were before the Order in Council was issued.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the powers withdrawn from the Chief of the Staff are now conferred upon Lord Derby, and, if so, why?

The change represents the powers which were for the time in the hands of the Chief of the Staff and are now in the hands of the Army Council.

But does not that mean that the powers withdrawn from Lord Kitchener are now entrusted to Lord Derby?

Supreme War Council

53.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Serbian General Staff are directly represented on the Staff of the Supreme Allied Council at Versailles; and, if not, whether he will take steps to see that the views of the Serbian Higher Command are communicated direct to the Supreme Allied War Council?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the last part in the affirmative.

Allied War Aims

46.

asked the Prime Minister whether, according to the policy laid down in his speech of 5th January, His Majesty's Government considers that the principle of self-determination should be applied to all territories occupied by the enemy, including the Dobrudjan, Macedonian, and Albanian districts?

I have nothing to add to the various statements which have been made on this subject.

Trade Unions (Votes By Ballot)

47.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the importance attached to the votes taken by trades unions which directly affect the policy of the country, whether the Government will take immediate steps to confer on the members the same privileges as they possess at elections for Parliament of voting with the secrecy of the ballot?

The method of voting must be a matter for the discretion of the respective unions, and the Governmen could not interfere.

State Trials (France)

50.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government propose to have a representative at the Caillaux trial; and, if so, who that representative will be?

Are the Government anxious, or are they not anxious, to take advantage of information available with regard to German intrigue in this country, and, under these circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider that decision, and send someone to the Caillaux trial to hold a watching brief for Britain?

Our interests would be very inadequately served if we had not a better means of doing this than that of sending out a representative.

51.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken to ascertain the identity of the person referred to as Robert as being the recipient of Bolo's advances and confidences in this country?

My right hon. Friend bus asked me to reply to this question. Inquiries are being made by the police.

But will the right hon. Gentleman say when inquiries were made, and whether it is not a fact that had the Government had a representative present at Bolo's trial they might have found out there without waiting till afterwards?

I do not think it would help the police in the least to discuss their arrangements.

Is it not a fact that Robert is a man who has spent more than twelve months at the front fighting for England?

52.

asked the Prime Minister whether any diplomatic official or informal representations have been made by the British Government to the French Government requesting the suppression of any evidence which would either directly or indirectly involve any public men in Great Britain in connection with the Bolo or Caillaux trials?

Submarine Warfare

55.

asked the Prime Minister whether in 1912 Lord Fisher was a member of the Defence Committee ; and whether his memorandum warning the Government that the German submarines would be used against merchant ships was submitted to the Defence Committee and the Admiralty?

Lord Fisher was not at that time a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and I am informed that no such memorandum was submitted.

56.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of our present failure to completely stop the submarine menace, the Government will, with the object of stimulating inventive enter prise, consider the advisabiliy of offering a reward of £250,000 to any inventor who can devise some practical method of defeating the enemy's object?

Does my right hon. Friend consider that all is being done that can be done, and that there is nothing more to be done in this matter?

If trying to do what is necessary would do it, everything has been done; but I am convinced that the public spirit of the citizens of this country would not be stimulated by the offer of a reward of £250,000.

Does my right hon. Friend think it is in the public interest to allow the first paragraph in the question to appear unchallenged?

I did not think it necessary to say that I and the Government are not responsible for the form of questions.

Could not a special Board of Inventions be set up to examine inventions to deal with submarines?

My hon. and gallant Friend, I am sure, knows that a Board of Inventions has existed since the beginning of the War, and efforts have been made again and again to strengthen it.

I cannot attempt to give the history of the submarine menace. It has been made quite plain that we have met with more success than we expected, and more success than we hoped, but nobody denies it is still a danger.

5Th Canadian Division

60 and 71.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the War Council have considered the effect on Canadian recruiting if the proposal to break up the 5th Canadian Division, now stationed at Whitley, is carried into effect; (2) whether he is aware that the 5th Canadian Division has been training in England for over a year, and that its efficiency has been recognised at all inspections; whether the Government is aware that it is now proposed to break up this division and that 200 of the superior officers, who have been highly trained, will, in consequence, be forced to return to Canada; and, if so, will he state what action he proposes to take?

The proposal to break up the 5th Canadian Division and to use it as reinforcements for the Canadian troops in France was made by the Canadian authorities.

Army (Special Medical Dietary)

67.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers and men who are not rationed by their units, and who are compelled to ration themselves on a special dietary medically prescribed, receive only the usual ration allowance of Is. 9d. per day; that they cannot draw these special prescribed rations from Army stores, as they are not obtainable there; that the cost is greatly in excess of the Is. 9d. daily ration allowance: and, seeing that these officers and men continue to serve their country, although suffering from complaints which require special dieting and treatment, will some thing be done to meet the extra cost to which they are put because of certain disabilities or ill-health contracted on service?

I do not know to what class of officer the hon. and gallant-Member refers, but if he will give me particulars of any case which he has specially in mind, I will look into it,

Venereal Disease

68.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the indignation expressed by the priests and people of Buttevant, county Cork, at the proposal to convert the local military barracks into a hospital for the treatment of venereal disease; and whether, having regard to the opposition of the people of the locality, the proposal will be at once dropped?

My hon. and gallant Friend has sent me a Press notice of a local meeting on the question,for which I am obliged. The matter is receiving consideration, and I can make no definite statement at present

Is it intended to convert the whole of this place into a hospital, and will it never be used again for the purposes of a barracks?

In the answer I have given I have said the whole matter is now being reconsidered.

Commissioned Officers (Rates Of Pay)

69.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the effect of the issue of Army Orders, dated 26th January, 1918, containing Amendments to the Royal Warrant for pay of the Army in matters of daily rates of pay to certain commissioned officers, whereby quartermasters holding the honorary rank of captain are, until they attain five years' commissioned service, now being paid the same rate of daily pay as a second-lieutenant and 1s. a day less than a lieutenant; and if any steps will be taken to pay this class of officer in accordance with their rank and with due regard to the responsible work expected of and performed by them?

The Army Order in question conveyed the decision of the War Cabinet, reached after very full consideration of the whole question.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of putting these deserving officers on the same footing as an ordinary second-lieutenant, who gets an increase of pay after eighteen months' service: these officers are really doing more work than the ordinary officers, and they feel this treatment to be a grievance?

British Prisoners Of War (Holland)

70.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department is refusing permission for relatives of British prisoners to go to Holland in any capacity connected with the care of these men; and, if so, whether he will state the grounds actuating this decision?

The decision to prohibit relatives of prisoners of war from going to Holland in any capacity-was reached with reluctance, after consultation with all Departments of State concerned.

There is a question on the Paper for to-morrow. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait for my answer to that.

Military Service

Conscientious Objectors

78.

asked the Home Secretary whether employment under the Pelham Committee is allowed to count with employment under the Home Office scheme as part of the term entitling conscientious objectors to release?

Enemy Air Raids

79.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will instruct the police to take the necessary steps to ensure that adequate shelter is provided to British women and children before men of enemy and alien extraction are permitted to enter tubes or other public shelters?

I think it is clear that at a moment of imminent danger such discrimination as is suggested would be impossible, and to attempt it might lead to disaster.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take all possible steps to discourage alien men from leaving their homes and seeking shelter, to the detriment of women in the street, who get crushed in the process?

I much deprecate anyone leaving their homes. As to the other matter, I can only state the steps we have taken to prevent it.

What steps are being taken to make the people well acquainted with the decisions arrived at by the local authorities advising them to keep indoors during air raids?

Several police notices have been issued, and every opportunity is taken to warn the people to stay indoors.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use the Press section of the Government to make the information more public?

Aliens (County Of London)

80.

asked the Home Secretary how many men. women, and children of alien extraction are at present residing in the county of London?

Why are they not available? Surely it is not giving information to the enemy to tell how many of these aliens we have to put up with in London?

That is not the question. The question is, how many people of alien extraction are in London.

Ireland

57.

asked the Prime Minister whether the condition of a part of Ireland has been under the consideration of the War Cabinet; and whether they have in contemplation any measures to strengthen the hands of the executive in their effort to restore and maintain law and order?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I can make no statement at present.

Newspaper Proprietors

The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Mr. LLEWELYN WILLIAMS:

50. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will direct a Return to be made, as asked for by the hon. Member for Carmarthen, as to the Members of the present Administration who are financially interested in newspapers and the names of such newspapers?

Arising out of that, will an early opportunity be given to debate this whole question?

Uncoined Gold (Use)

61.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that since the gold coinage was withdrawn from circulation gold cigarette cases, purses, and cases for Treasury notes have been made and sold, and that gold medals commemorative of the Prime Minister's premiership, bearing the portrait of the Prime Minister, have been struck and advertised for sale; whether he has sanctioned this use of gold; and whether he proposes to allow its continuance?

The melting of sovereigns and the import of gold except under Government control have been prohibited; but, having regard to these restrictions, I have not so far found it necessary to take steps to control the use of uncoined gold in thecountry.

Tralee And Fenit Harbour Board

65.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a statement from the Tralee and Fenit Harbour Board showing a decrease in their revenue of several thousands during the past year, entirely due to Government restrictions; and whether, seeing that this amount has all to be borne by already overburdened ratepayers in congested districts, he will take steps to relieve them of a charge for which they have no responsibility and which would be a crushing tax on them?

The statement referred to has been received and inquiries are being made.

M Litvinoff

81 and 82.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether Litvinoff was concerned in the bank robbery at Tiflis; whether he has held a German passport in the name of Gustav Graf; and what is the real name of this person who describes himself as Litvinoff; and (2) whether he can now state whether inquiries have been made with regard to a person describing himself as Maximovitch Litvinoff; and whether he has passed under the various names of Gustav Graf, Bakkah, Buchman, Harrison, Vallach, and A. Finkelstein Litvinoff?

I am informed that M. Maxim Litvinoff's original name was David Mordeovitch Finkelstein, and that he has at different times used the names of Buchman and Harrison, and probably those of Graf and Vallach. As to the remainder of the question, my inquiries are not yet complete.

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether it is not the fact that the gentleman named is not Finkelstein, but actually Murdoch Nordkovich Buchman; may I also ask whether his attention has been called to the fact that this man was here fn London until quite recently, when he was described as Finkelstein; and, having regard to the fact that he is evidently a rolling stone, a dangerous character—seeing that he changes his name from day to day—will he see that he is sent back to Russia at the earliest possible moment?

My information is the man's name is Finkelstein. In his later years in London he took the name of Buchman. He is not the same man as the one referred to by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whence this man received his passport, and who signed it; and how a German Jew was able to be a citizen of Russia ; and whether any German Jews are allowed to be—

Poisoned Sweets

83.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any information as to poisoned sweets being dropped by enemy aircraft in London and the Home Counties; and, if so, can he state what action he proposes to take in order to warn the public, and especially children, of the dangers of such sweets?

Sweets found in circum stances suggesting that they might have been dropped from aircraft have been examined on several occasions, but in no instance has any poison been found in them. Some sweets which were picked up recently at South end and which, on examination, were found to contain traces of arsenic such as might have been due to impurity in the materials were certainly not dropped from aircraft.

Liquor Traffic (Purchase)

54.

asked whether it is proposed to introduce a Bill for the purchase of the liquor traffic in this country during the present Session?

There is, I think, no probability of such a Bill being introduced during the present Session.

The last Report was only received the other day. If my hon. Friend will put a question later on I will answer it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to leave the question where it is, or are we to expect a general statement of the attitude of the Government towards the whole problem?

I cannot hold out any hope that, amidst the pressure of business and other circumstances, we shall have time to bring in legislation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Prime Minister stated that our greatest enemy was drink, and does this mean that the Government have surrendered?

We have had various enemies at different times, but our greatest enemy now is the Germans.

Poisonous Gas

( by Private Notice)

asked whether there is any truth in the leading article in to-day's "Daily Mail," which states that the German Government have suggested, through neutral channels, that poisonous gas should be forbidden; and, if so, what notice the British Government intend to take of this proposal, if any?

No, Sir; no such suggestion has been received from the German Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say definitely that we shall not give up the use of poisonous gas during the present War; and is it not a fact that the reason why the Germans have suggested this is that we have a better gas and better protection and that now the Huns are squealing?

I wish I were as sure of that as the hon. Member. If the Germans ever make such a suggestion I am afraid it will be because they think they are not getting the better of it. I am not at all sure it is not a blind.

Dingle Harbour Board

63.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a statement from the Dingle Harbour Board showing that they will have practically to close the port if some steps are not taken to relieve them; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has received the statement referred to, and is making inquiries into the matter.

School Teachers' Register (Ireland)

64.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Inter mediate Education Board in Ireland have yet established a register for teachers; whether he is aware that it is more than three years since they were authorised to do so; and what is the cause of the delay?

The hon. Member is referred to the answer given by the Chief Secretary to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Mayo on 28th January. The observations of the Intermediate Education Board on the draft Regulations have now been received, and the Regulations are in course of being settled.

Congested Districts Board

66.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the building Grant offered by the Estates Commissioners to Mrs. M'Carthy, Ventry estate, Dingle, has been considered wholly inadequate by the Congested Districts Board, which now has charge of the estate ; whether the Congested Districts Board, with this knowledge before it and with power specially given to it by law, refuses to carry out work which it recognises as absolutely essential; and whether, if neither body takes this matter up, Mrs. M'Carthy is to start without a home?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his previous question on this matter on the 21st February. The amount of the Grant to be given for buildings under the Evicted Tenants Act rests entirely with the Estates Commissioners. They considered £40 sufficient, and declined to give any more. The Congested Districts Board are not prepared to supplement this Grant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the Act of 1907 it is entirely in the hands of the Congested Districts Board to supplement the Grant if they consider it inadequate?

I am informed that the Congested Districts Board have considered this case, and they do not think it is one for supplementing.

Is it not the fact that the inspector of the Congested Districts Board working in that district has stated that the Grant is wholly inadequate; will the Board, then, take any steps to improve it?

Bill Presented

EDUCATION BILL,—"to make further provision with respect to Education in England and Wales, and for purposes connected therewith," presented by Mr. HERBERT FISHER ; supported by Mr. Barnes, Mr. Baldwin, and Sir Herbert Lewis.

Is it the intention of the Government to press forward the Second Reading of this Bill and get it through as quickly as possible?

Bill to be read a second time upon Monday next, and to be printed.