House Of Commons
Thursday, 7th March, 1918.
The House met at a Quarter before Three of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.
Private Business
Basingstoke Gas Bill,
To be read a second time upon Monday next.
War Cabinet
Copy presented of Report on the War Cabinet for the year 1917 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
Army
Copy presented of Rates of Payment for Billeting Soldiers under the Army Act (Amendment) [by Act]; to lie upon the Table.
Workmen's Compensation (Industrial Diseases)
Copy presented of Order made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department extending the provisions of Section 8 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
Bristol Corporation Bill
Copy presented of Report of the Attorney-General on the Bill [pursuant to Standing Order 175a]; referred to the Committee on the Bill.
Red Cross And Order Of St John Bill
Copy presented of Report of the Attorney-General on the Bill [pursuant to Standing Order 175a]; referred to the Committee on the Bill.
Ministry Of Food
Copies presented of Potatoes (Distribution) Order, 1918, Irish Pigs (Control) (Ireland) Order, 1918, Potatoes (Protection) Order, 1918, Oats Products (Retail Prices) Order, 1918, Malt (Restriction) Order, 1918, Barley (Requisition) Order, 1918, and Sugar (Confectionery) Order, 1917, General Licence, made by the Food Controller under the Defence of the Realm Regulations [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
Oral Answers To Questions
War
Italy
1.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the secret nature of the treaty made with Italy on 26th April, 1915, is to be understood as precluding it from being officially communicated to our Allies, who are not parties to it, and/or to President Wilson?
I have nothing to add to the answers already given on this subject.
League Of Nations
4.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has taken any steps to approach the Governments of Allied countries with a view to the formation at an early date of a permanent standing Committee which shall be entrusted with the duties of examining and reporting upon a practical organisation of a league of free nations to enforce peace after the War: and, if so, whether he can inform the House what replies he has received as a result of those invitations?
I doubt if the suggestion contained in the first part of the question would be useful, or indeed practicable. But I have no doubt that the proposals for a League of Nations are being carefully examined in each of the Allied countries as they are here, and this seems the most practical course at present.
Roumania (Peace Terms)
5.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he remains in daily telegraphic communication with the British Minister at Jassy; whether dispatches by messenger continue to come through; whether the Allies are kept aware of the peace negotiations between Roumania and the enemy Powers; and whether the Allies are in any way parties to, or cognisant of, the terms which Roumania is likely to accept or has already accepted?
The answers to the first and third parts of the question are in the affirmative; that to the second in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, beyond what has appeared in the Press, the answer is in the negative.
Can the Noble Lord hold out the expectation that on Monday he will be able to make a statement with regard to the policy of the Allies in view of the impending peace negotiations?
Certainly I should not make such a statement, though my right hon. Friend might conceivably do so.
Irish Canals (Sub-Committee)
10.
asked the Chief Secretary what steps have been taken by the Irish Canal Committee to make the system of inland navigation in Ireland available for agricultural produce and other goods which do not require rapid railway transit; what is the personnel of this Committee and what powers are entrusted to them by Government; how many of its members are independent of Government Departments or of Irish railways, the two chief forces, according to the late Mr. M'Cann, a Member of this House, antagonistic to the natural working of the Irish canals; and is it proposed to augment the number of members of this Committee?
My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The canals in Ireland, which are under the control of the Board of Trade, have been placed by the Canal Control Committee under an Irish Subcommittee. The Sub-committee consists of the following members: Sir George A. Stevenson, K.C.V., C.V.O.
Sir John Purser Griffith, M. Inst. C. E. Rt. Hon. Jonathan Hogg. Mr. W. R. Rea. Rt. Hon. Laurence Waldron The canals under the control of the Committee are open and available for the carriage of agricultural produce and other goods which do not require rapid railway transport. Three of the five members are not connected, so far as I am aware, with any Government Department or Irish railway. It is not proposed to increase the number of members of the Subcommittee.Allotments (Mid-Cork)
6 and 12.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether his attention has been called to the demand of the agricultural cottage holders of Mid-Cork for an extension or addition of land to their cottages, as their present allotments are wholly insufficient in these exceptional times for providing sufficient food supplies for themselves and their families; whether, particularly, any steps can be taken in the various localities for providing them with suitable wheat-growing land so as to avoid a bread famine this year or next; whether, seeing that the agricultural labourers are the backbone of all increased food production, he will use his influence immediately in the direction of having this demand granted wherever it is shown there is necessity for it; (2) whether he is aware that the circular letter of the Local Government Board, dated 22nd January, 1917, and addressed to rural district councils in Ireland, deals only with the question of town labourers and the provision of allotments for them; whether, in view of the urgency that allotments should be made available for all classes of workers in rural localities, anything was done last year or is being done at present by rural district councils to meet this pressing necessity; and whether the Local Government Board will at once communicate with the rural district councils and request them to take action to provide allotments for all workers who require them, whether resident in town or country?
The Local Government, Ireland, have done what they can to encourage rural authorities to acquire land for allotments in the neigh- bourhood of towns and villages, and the Department of Agriculture are constantly adding to the large number of conacre holdings which they have provided. The progress of this work has been hampered during the last two or three weeks by a conspiracy which has been organised in Ireland to prevent the operation and extension of the tillage arrangements planned by the Government, but the Department hope to overcome this hindrance. There is, I am told, no evidence of any general demand among tenants of labourers' cottages in Mid-Cork for an extension of their garden allotments.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a meeting of the labourers of Cork has been held to demand an extension of their allotments, and that it is as a result of that meeting that I have put this question on the Paper; and is he not further aware that the granting of these facilities for tillage is the best means of preventing these raids on land which are taking place all over Ireland?
That would require new legislation which it would take a considerable amount of time to carry.
Could not the Department of Agriculture, by means of its powers under the Defence of the Realm Act, make temporary provision for acquiring additional allotments for the use of these men?
We cannot go any further than we have done.
Irish Prisoners Refuse Food
7.
asked the Chief Secretary if there are any prisoners in Ireland on hunger strike; if they are being forcibly fed; and if he will state the condition of their health?
Some prisoners in Irish gaols are refusing to take food. None are being forcibly fed. The health of the men concerned is necessarily in a precarious state.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is one man in Mount-joy Gaol who has been eleven days without food, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the disastrous results in Ireland if we should have another Thomas Ashe tragedy?
Persons who refuse to take their food will have to take the consequences.
Is it not a fact that the Government entered into an undertaking at the time of the Thomas Ashe tragedy that these men should nut be treated on the old system as common criminals, and is it not a fact that that engagement with these men has been broken?
I must ask the hon. Member to put down another question.
I take this opportunity of cautioning the right hon. Gentleman—
This is not the time for cautioning.
Does the same law apply to prisoners in this country as they are applying to political prisoners in Ireland?
The law of the United Kingdom is the same.
Richmond District Asylum
8.
asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware of the increase in the amount required for the upkeep of the Richmond District Asylum; if he is aware that the increase is caused by the war conditions over which the board have no control; if he is aware that it is forty-six years ago since this scale for the upkeep of the patients was fixed; if he will recommend to the Treasury the advisability of paying the extra amount of the increased charges; and, if not, is he aware that the members of the board will refuse to manage the institution?
This matter was fully dealt with by the Chief Secretary on the 21st January in answer to a question by the hon. and learned Member for North County Dublin. The increased cost of maintaining institutions such as the Richmond District Asylum is, no doubt, one of the hardships caused by the War. The present scheme of contribution from the taxes was settled in 1898, and the Lords of the Treasury have not seen their way to make any alteration in it. The Chief Secretary is not aware of any threat of the managers of the asylum to withdraw from their duties.
Dublin (Reconstruction)
9.
asked the Chief Secretary if he will cause inquiries to be made into the delay in issuing permits for timber required for the destroyed area of Dublin; if he is aware that buildings in course of construction are being seriously damaged by weather owing to the withholding of timber required for roofing; and if he will say to whom are the owners and builders to apply for compensation?
The delay in issuing permits for timber required for the destroyed area in Dublin arises from the fact that the timber in stock in Ireland at the present time is insufficient to meet the many large demands made upon it. The Chief Secretary has been in constant communication with the Controller of Timber Supplies with' a view to obtaining additional tonnage for timber imports, and he is informed that in December last an offer to issue permits to the extent of 450 to 500 standards of imported timber towards the 900 standards required was made by the Controller to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, leaving the corporation to find the balance out of home-grown timber, but that no reply has been received to this offer. Owners and builders do not appear to have a claim for compensation except so far as it arises under their respective contracts.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two years ago guarantees were given from that bench that special facilities would be given with regard to the destroyed areas in Dublin and those guarantees have not been kept?
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of timber which would be useful for building purposes in Ireland are allowed to be exported, and will he inquire into it?
I have no information.
Will you try to get it, please?
If the hon. Member will put down a specific question, every endeavour will be made.
Exchange Of Prisoners (Turkish Government)
3.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any likelihood of the agreement made with representatives of the Turkish Government at Berne in December last, relating to the exchange of prisoners of war, being ratified; and, if not, whether there is any possibility of inducing the Ottoman Government, through the representatives of the neutral Powers, to ameliorate the treatment and conditions of British officers and men in their hands until such time as further negotiations for exchange may be begun?
The terms of the Berne Agreement should be as satisfactory to the Turkish Government as to His Majesty's Government, and, judging from communications received recently from Constantinople, there is reason to assume that it will be ratified. My hon. Friend will recollect that the text of the agreement, for some unknown reason, is stated only to have reached Constantinople about the 10th of February.
Food Supplies
Agricultural Officers, Ireland (War Bonus)
13.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of any reasons for the delay in providing war bonuses for officers of committees of agriculture and technical instruction in Ireland on the same scale as that now in operation for Civil servants; if so what are these reasons; and can he now state when he will make a definite statement on this subject?
I am not in a position to add anything to the answer which I gave the hon. and gallant Member on the 27th February.
When may I expect a definite answer?
I cannot say. The matter is being considered.
Allotments, Macroom Rural District
23.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on the 30th January, 1918, the Local Government Board wrote to John Foley, tenant of a labourer's cottage at Coolacullig, in the Macroon rural district, stating that during the continuance of the War there is no money available out of public funds for the compulsory purchase of additional allotments of land under the Labourers Acts; whether he can state on whose authority and at what time this decision was come to; whether he is aware that the operations of the Labourers Acts, as disclosed in this letter, have been completely suspended in Ireland; and whether it is the settled policy of the Government, at a time particularly when increased food supplies are essential to the safety of the State, to refuse the benefits of the Labourers Acts to those who are already entitled to them?
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Owing to the Treasury restrictions with respect to borrowing and increasing capital expenditure by local authorities it became necessary to suspend the granting of loans under the Labourers Acts early in 1915, except so far as required to meet the cost of completing the building of cottages then actually in the course of construction or contracted for. It is entirely on the ground stated, and not as part of any settled policy of the Government. that operations under the Labourers Acts have been temporarily suspended.
Why should operations in connection with the acquisition of additional allotments be suspended, seeing that they are required for the purpose of increasing the food supplies of the country?
24.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Macroom Rural District Council have had before them since the War began the request of John Foley, tenant of a labourer's cottage at Coolacullig, Coachford, county Cork, for an additional allotment of land for tillage purposes, so that he may supply himself and wife and young family of five children with sufficient home grown food; whether he is aware that the district council possesses ample powers to secure an allotment of land for this purpose; whether they have approached, or will approach, Mr. John Dwyer, the tenant of the land on which Foley's cottage is situate, with a view to getting the requisite land from him; and will the Local Government Board make special representations at once to rural district councils all over Ireland that in all bond fide cases of this kind they should use every possible endeavour to provide rural workers with sufficient additional tillage accommodation to meet all their household requirements?
I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's question in reference to this case on the 28th February.
Meat
The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Major NEWMAN: 28. To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware of eases of tuberculosis being discovered in the beef lately arriving from Ireland; whether, in the case of beef slaughtered in Ireland and exported to this country, the beef is first inspected by his Board or by other responsible authority, as is, or was, enforced in the case of Dutch beef, and a label then affixed stating, passed fit for export; and, if not, will this be done in the future?
I beg to postpone this question. May I ask when we may expect the Chief Secretary back?
I will inform the hon. Gentleman.
54.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there was much delay and disappointment in the delivery of meat to the retail traders last week-end; whether arrangements will be made to ensure greater punctuality, especially regarding frozen meat, which cannot be conveniently cut up until it is partially thawed, and ought to be delivered at least thirty-six hours before distribution; whether he is aware that in consequence of those occurrences many persons had to go several times to the shops and wait for hours, sometimes without obtaining the amount of meat according to their cards; and whether steps will be taken to avoid this in future?
The delay in the delivery of meat to retail traders at the end of lust week was due to the fact that the submitted requirements were incomplete. Steps have been taken to obtain from local food control committees complete and accurate returns of requirements, in order that supplies of frozen meat may be issued early in each week. The fact that the number of persons attending food queues within the Metropolitan Police area, on 2nd March, was only one-fifth of those who had to wait on 23rd February, testifies to the value of the scheme, and I am glad to think that the co-operation of dealers, butchers, and the public generally, enabled the reorganisation of the meat trade, which rationing has involved, to be carried through with a considerable measure of success.
Milk
55.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, before coming to a. decision to make use of the United Dairies Combine as the organised means of distribution of the milk supply, he will consult the Consumers' Council, representatives of the Agricultural Organisation Society, the Federation of County War Agricultural Committees, and the various municipalities?
Before deciding what action shall be taken with reference to the United Dairies Combine, the Food Controller will consult the Consumers' Council as well as other bodies whose advice is likely to be of value.
57.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, in view of the fact that many milk contracts terminate on Lady Day next and new contracts for the summer supply have to be arranged at a reasonable time before that day, he will now announce the terms of the proposed new Order, the prices for producer and consumer, and the margins for wholesalers and retailers?
The prices referred to by the hon. Member will be announced immediately.
Will the Order be issued immediately?
Yes.
Dead-Weight Prices
56.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if protests against the proposal to fix dead-weight prices for cattle and sheep, to set up a number of slaughtering places to which producers in the various districts are to be compelled to send their animals, and to appoint a large number of officials in charge of these places, have been received from the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Federation of County War Agricultural Committees, and other bodies, on the grounds that the scheme is unworkable and extravagant in cost, and tends to decrease the supply of meat?
Protests against the proposal to institute the sale of cattle and sheep by dead-weight have been received from various bodies, and, on the other hand, many resolutions have been received asking that the dead-weight basis should be adopted at the earliest possible date. The question of allowing farmers to sell by dead-weight in districts where conditions are favourable and of the procedure which should be followed to protect the proper interests of the farmer and the butcher, as well as of the State, is being discussed by representatives of the farmers, the meat trade, and the Ministry of Food. So far as sheep are concerned, the scheme has already been put into operation in some districts at the desire of the local interests concerned, and is working satisfactorily. It is anticipated that so far from being more costly than the present system the adoption of the scheme will result in considerable economies.
In view of the prevailing uncertainty, will the hon. Gentleman state when the decision will be reached, and whether, also, practical farmers will be allowed to express their opinions?
Certainly. There will be consultation with practical farmers, and there will be no delay in corning to a final result.
Has the hon. Gentleman any idea when the scheme may be expected to come into operation?
I cannot give my right hon. Friend a definite assurance.
Live Stock Commissioners
58.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can state the number of Live Stock Commissioners in Great Britain, the rents of the premises occupied by each Commissioner, the staffs of each office, and the estimated aggregate cost of each office?
I will endeavour to obtain the information which the hon. Member requires, and will convey it to him so soon as I receive it.
Home Produce
60.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a breeder of sheep who has a country house and a town house is allowed to supply himself and his family and servants in his town house with mutton from his farm without fear of a prosecution by his Department; and whether the same breeder is permitted to send gifts of mutton to friends and to institutions so long as the rations of the receivers are not exceeded?
The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
Potatoes
61.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in regard to the potato-growing notice of 1918, in which the Food Controller states that he will be prepared to enter into contracts with fanners for certain main-crop potatoes of 1918, and for which contract forms must be secured before 1st May, 1918, it will be necessary for the farmer to complete the contract before that date or whether he will be allowed until 1st November, the earliest time for delivery, to effect the sale?
The scheme for the 1918 potato crop contemplates that contracts for potatoes planted on excess acreage should be entered into before the 1st May, 1918, but a reasonable latitude will, if necessary, be given to growers in this respect. The final date for the completion of contracts will be announced later.
62.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department has any definition of the expression "experimental purpose" as used in the potato-growing notice for 1918; and will potatoes grown on land which never grew potatoes before be for experimental purposes or by farmers or others who have not before grown that article of diet?
The phrase "potatoes grown for experimental purposes" means potatoes of new or rare varieties which are not grown on a commercial scale. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
Seed (Electrical Treatment)
63.
asked the Minister of Munitions if he will publish a list of the centres to which farmers may send their seed for electrical treatment?
The process to which the hon. Member alludes is still in an experimental stage, and the Board are not prepared to advise farmers to adopt the process and to establish centres for the treatment of seed on a commercial scale.
Is this process being dealt with in a practical way for the benefit of farmers?
The matter is receiving very careful attention.
Land Cultivation
66.
asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is the desire of his Department that all newly broken-up grass land should be seeded with corn, and, if not, whether the instructions of the Food Production Committee have been so interpreted by any of the county war agricultural committees; if so, whether he will issue instructions to these committees to give full liberty to farmers to utilise the increased arable area within certain limits as they think best to suit the particular form of food production in which they are engaged, and particularly that leguminous crops, lucerne, etc., may be sown upon a suitable urea in order to increase the supply of food for cows and to economise in the consumption of concentrated feeding-stuffs where dairying is the principal industry of the farm; and whether he will take steps to give the widest possible publicity to any decision arrived at by his Department in this direction?
The Board have never suggested that all the newly broken grass should be devoted to corn crops. The original programme of the Department stated that the area of grass to be broken was intended to provide not only for an increased area of corn, which includes beans and peas, but also for an increase in the potato crop and in the fodders required for the production of winter milk. Some agricultural executive committees did not realise this and specified that corn only should be grown on the grass land ordered for ploughing, but their attention has been called to the matter, and they have been asked to make it known that they are prepared to authorise other crops. Instructions have also been sent to all committees that any farmers desiring to grow potatoes should be encouraged to do so, and also that dairy farmers who are prepared to develop the production of winter milk should be allowed a free choice as to the crops to be grown on any grass land broken up on their farms, so that, if they so desire, they may be able to grow roots or forage crops for the feeding of their cows during the winter.
May I call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the last part of my question, which he has not answered, and which asks what steps the Department are going to take, in view of the importance of the question to farmers at this season of the year, to make widely known to farmers generally their decision, apart from any instructions issued to the agricultural war committees?
There will be the reply to this question, which will, no doubt, get a considerable amount of publicity, and if that is not sufficient we will consider other means.
Has the hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of growing certain crops, such as hay?
Carnegie Libraries (Ireland)
14.
asked whether in certain districts in Ireland the Carnegie libraries have been handed over in whole or in part for die exclusive use of the Sinn Fein clubs; and whether the ratepayers contribute to these libraries?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; but a case is said to have occurred in which a room in a Carnegie library has been let to a Sinn Fein club, and inquiry is being made into the matter.
Steamship "Tuscania" (Survivors)
17.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to allegations that survivors of the "Tuscania" were inhospitably treated on landing in the Northwest of Ireland; and whether he can make a statement as to the facts of the case?
I have not heard of any such allegations, and there is no foundation for the suggestion in the question. On the contrary, the survivors were, I understand, treated with every kindness and hospitality. In consequence of the hon. Member's question, the Chief Secretary has made inquiries from the various district inspectors of Royal Irish Constabulary, who would know the facts as to this charge, and he is satisfied that it is entirely baseless. As one of the district inspectors expresses it, such an allegation would be an absolute falsehood and a gross libel on the people of the district.
Plate-Glass Insurance (Ireland)
18.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when, in accordance with his sympathetic reply to the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton, the plate-glass insurance companies in Ireland, who, without asking for or securing any extra premium did not exclude damage by riot, relying upon the doctrine of subrogation and, as heretofore, an Order of the magistrate upon the ratepayers, have paid claims for damage to plate-glass to insured persons arising out of the rebellion in Dublin, will be reimbursed by the Treasury the sums so paid?
This matter was, at the Chief Secretary's request, carefully considered at the Treasury; but the Chancellor of the Exchequer has, it is understood, been advised that the provisions of the Law and Procedure (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1916, in reference to which the question was raised, do not imply that there is any obligation on public funds in respect of the losses in question.
Military Service
Evasion Of Act
19.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the discouragement to recruiting that continues to exist in the larger towns of Ireland owing to the presence of numbers of non-Irish, both Britishers and aliens, of military age who are evading military service by taking refuge in Ireland; is he aware that, without the active co-opera- tion of the Irish Government, it is impossible for the military authorities to deal with this scandal; and what measures does he propose to take?
I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service to a question by the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow yesterday.
Diseased Aliens
26.
asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the report of a medical examiner of recruits to the effect that a very considerable proportion of the thousands of Russian and Polish men examined by him for the Army were found to be suffering from tuberculosis, trachoma, and the hidden plague; whether he can say why the Port sanitary authorities allowed these men to land; and, as these men are eating our food and spreading disease, he will have them sent back to their native countries on the first possible opportunity?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The rest of the question, therefore, does not arise. But I may point out to the hon. and gallant Member that a large proportion of the men referred to came here before the passing of the Aliens Act, 1905, which gave the power to refuse aliens admission to this country.
Is the hon. Gentleman going to do nothing about these aliens who are diseased? Are they not going to besent back to their own country, or are they to be left here to eat our food and make our people ill?
As they came before 1905 I imagine we shall take no action in the matter, but if the hon. Gentleman puts down a question I will make further inquiries.
Local Tribunals (Exemptions)
29.
asked the Minister of National Service, whether men of forty-one, of military age and military fitness. are permitted exemption on the ground of repairing fences, working the electric light installation of a mansion house, looking after the gravitation water, and cutting timber for the same; and whether discharged soldiers have been found unfit for these posts?
Any exemptions of the kind indicated by the hon. Member must have been granted by a tribunal. If the hon. Member produces specific cases of alleged improper exemption, they will be inquired into.
May we take it from what the hon. Gentleman has said that if such a case as this exists, it is traceable to undue influence with the tribunal?
I did not say that.
Death At Bethnal Green (J S Ball)
30.
asked the Minister of National Service whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of J. S. Ball, of Bethnal Green, stated to have been previously rejected on several occasions from military service on grounds of ill-health; and whether he was kept for four hours quite naked, in bitter weather, although suffering from serious heart complaint, put through severe exercises and badgered until quite exhausted, returned home unable to eat or drink, and had to be put to bed, and died on 30th January?
Inquiries are being made into this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.
Irishmen In Great Britain
35.
asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will issue instructions to the military and police authorities informing them that Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain are under no liability to register under the new Act; if he is aware that they were not liable to register under the old Act, and that there are no words in any Clause or Section of the new Act referring to Irishmen; and if, in order to prevent Irishmen being victimised by Police Court magistrates, he will now definitely define the position of Irishmen?
My right hon. Friend is not empowered to issue instructions to the authorities referred to in the question. As regards the position of Irishmen under the National Registration Acts, I do not think I can usefully add anything to my reply to the hon. Member's question on the 28th ultimo.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in his answers he has stated that the matter was one for a Court of law? Is he aware that a number of these men at the present moment are being brought before Courts of justice and handed over to the military authorities, and that in one of the cases in which a reply was given a man who was in England only seven weeks was handed over to the military as an absentee, and will he give some definite assurance that these men will not be conscripted?
I cannot give any definite assurance of the kind, but as the hon. Gentleman will be aware no prosecution can take place at all under the National Registration Act without the consent of the Minister of National Service, and I am quite sure that every case will be properly attended to. I have given my own opinion last week. I can add nothing more.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that since 1915 upwards of 50,000 Irishmen were sent for to come to this country and—
The hon. Member is now going into a question of figures.
43.
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a person named Harry Harbage, employed in the Post Office Engineering Department at Derby as a linesman (established), with ten years' service, has recently been advised that his services from February, 1917, until the end of the War would not count for pension nor incremental purposes for the sole reason of his being exempted from military service under a certain Clause in the Military Service Act; whether he is aware that this man is a member of a religious body known as Christadelphians, and, as such, obtained exemption from military service conditionally upon engaging in work of national importance, and that the Pelham Committee decided that he could remain in his present employment and approved of the rate of pay; whether he has the requisite statutory power to alter the pay and conditions of service of an established Civil servant for a reason of this kind; how many servants of the Post Office have been penalised in the same way; and whether he will review the whole question with a view to the penalty being removed?
I am aware of the circumstances of this case. The service of persons who have obtained exemption from military service on conscientious grounds is disallowed for pension and incremental purposes under a decision of the Government, which is applicable to the whole Civil Service. About 100 Post Office servants have been dealt with under the decision, and I have no power to make exceptions to it or to alter it.
Does not this amount to a breach of contract on the part of the Post Office authorities?
I am advised not.
Land Settlement Of Soldiers (Ireland)
20.
asked the nature of the proposals for the resettlement on the land in England after the War; whether, as there are large numbers of agricultural workers from Ireland serving in the Army and Navy, any steps have been taken to resettle them on the land in Ireland; and what special arrangements, if any, are being made in regard to the demobilisation of Irishmen serving in His Majesty's Forces and providing them with suitable and remunerative careers in their own country?
Means are under consideration for vesting in one of the Irish Departments powers analogous to those created in respect of England and Wales by the Small Holdings Colonies Act, 1916.
Reconstruction (Ireland)
21.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the desirability of a purely Irish council or advisory body being immediately set up to deal with the questions of Irish reconstruction after the War; whether he is aware that no practical steps have been so far taken to deal with the interests of Ireland in this matter; and whether he will take steps to have a special Department set up immediately for the consideration and handling of Irish reconstruction problems?
I cannot add anything to the answer given by the Minister of Reconstruction to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member on Tuesday last.
The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of the question as to what steps are being taken to resettle these men on the land in Ireland?
I think the answer implies that nothing at present has been done, but the matter is being considered.
The real position is that we want something to be done, and we want to know when it is going to be done?
I can give no further answer.
Rehousing (Ireland)
22.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that it is desirable that a national conference on the question of rehousing in Ireland should be immediately summoned; will he take steps to this end with a view to eliciting the views and co-ordinating the proposals of the various interests concerned; and will he see that, in a matter affecting the welfare of the working classes, accredited representatives of the Labour organisations of the country will be consulted?
I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers given by the Chief Secretary to his questions on this subject on the 14th and 21st February.
The reply of the right hon. Gentleman then said that he was considering the matter. I want to know how long it is going to be considered, and whether something is not going to be done on a matter of national urgency—the question of rehousing?
German Spies In British Ports
25.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that Com- mander Sir Edward Nicholl intimated at Newport, Montgomeryshire, that the sinking of the "Glenart Castle" was brought about by aliens in the docks and that there were spies in every port in the Bristol Channel who communicated with German submarines, he will take steps to prevent any alien from entering any docks?
I am not aware of the ground on which the statement reported to have been made by Sir Edward Nicholl is based, but my Department is in communication with the Admiralty on the subject. In the meantime, I may say that enemy aliens are generally excluded altogether from the areas in which docks are situated, and that the admission to the docks is regulated not by my Department, but by the naval and military authorities. Aliens forming part of the crews of Allied or neutral ships cannot be altogether excluded from the docks, but they are not allowed to land unless they come from friendly ports, and then only on conditions which are strictly enforced.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Sir Edward Nicholl stated that he was in a position to know all about this, and that it was true? If it is not true, will the hon. Gentleman have the paper which published it prosecuted?
As I have explained, we are in communication with the Admiralty upon it, and I can add nothing on the subject.
Knutsford Prison
27.
asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the sanitary arrangements at Knutsford Prison are seriously defective, and also that there is neither hospital accommodation nor is there suitable provision for observation in case of sickness which might prove to be due to diphtheria or other infectious disease; and, if so, whether any action is being taken to remedy these defects at the prison referred to?
The sanitary arrangements at Knutsford Work Centre are satisfactory in every respect. The buildings include an ordinary hospital and an isolation hospital, either or both of which could be made immediately available if required. Fortunately no hospital accommodation has hitherto been required at this centre.
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
31.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the pensions payable to the widows of seamen are based on the rates of pay which existed six months before the outbreak of war; if he is aware that since then the cost of living has doubled and wages increased; and if he will see that the pensions shall be paid on the wages which the seamen were in receipt of when they lost their lives through enemy action?
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question asked by him on the 6th February.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply stated that the pensions were based on pay given in prewar days, and is he aware that since then, as stated in the question, food prices and wages have doubled? Is it fair to pay these widows pensions on the pay of prewar days?
I said that some addition had been made to the pensions of the widows, and the allowance is considerable.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the insurance brokers who are acting for the Government are not paying the increased grant?
I was not aware of that. I will make inquiries.
Aliens In Business
Fancy Goods Shop, Leek
32.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a large silk manufactory at Leek, Staffordshire, recently owned by Mr. Thomas Wardle, has been bought by a German woman; whether the Board of Trade allows manufactories in this country to be bought by Germans; and, if not, will he have this matter inquired into?
I am informed that the late. Lady Wardle some years before her death opened a small shop in Leek for the sale of silk fancy goods, employing as her manager a woman of German birth who fifteen years ago married an Englishman, Arthur Bill, a blacksmith, of Leek. After the death of Lady Wardle the business was carried on by her husband, Sir Thomas Wardle, and when he died it passed to his daughter, who about six or seven years ago sold it to the former manager, Mrs. Bill, who now carries it on. Those may be the circumstances which have given rise to the inquiry, but it will be seen that there is no question of the sale of "a large silk manufactory," and if the hon. and gallant Member has information as to such a sale to a German subject as he suggests, I shall be glad if he will supply me with particulars so that investigation may be made.
Is this woman who has got the business now a German alien or a naturalised alien?
She is a British subject.
Post Offices, London (Alien Control)
42.
asked the Postmaster-General whether the post offices at Eaton Terrace, S.W., and at Clifton Road, near Edgware Road, are under the control of Germans or naturalised Germans; if so, whether it is the practice of the Post Office to allow people of enemy nationality to be in control of post offices; and whether it is proposed to continue this policy?
The two offices in question arc under the control of naturalised Germans, one having been naturalised in 1898 and the other in 1907. There has been no reason to doubt the loyalty of either. The rule is that alien enemies shall not be employed in the post office. Naturalised aliens are carefully watched, and where there is ground for suspicion, such persons are at once removed from office, but it is not considered necessary to dismiss them indiscriminately.
Owners' Risk Rate
33.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any communication from the Manchester Association of Importers and Exporters protesting against the recent decision of the House of Lords in the case of the Great Western Railway Company v. Wells; and whether he can state how the owners' risk rate will operate under the existing conditions of the flat-rate system?
The Board of Trade have been in correspondence with the Manchester Association of Importers and Exporters with regard to the decision of the House of Lords in the case of the Great Western Railway Company v. Wells, and I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of a letter addressed to the association by the Board of Trade on the 21st February. I am afraid I do not understand the point raised in the latter part of the question.
May I say that the point raised is this, that apparently from the decision of the House of Lords the owners' risk rate does not operate.
Petrol (Farmers)
34.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department is taking any measures to prevent the misuse of petrol by farmers who, under the plea of utilising motor cars for agricultural purposes, are well known to be taking pleasure rides of all descriptions for their families and friends?
The use of petrol in motor cars for. pleasure purposes is prohibited by the Motor Spirit (Consolidation) and Gas Restriction Order, 1918. The administration of the Order rests with the police. I have no reason to believe that it is being evaded to any great extent in the manner suggested, but I would willingly consider particulars of any specific cases which my hon. Friend may have in mind.
Discharged Soldiers (Employment)
36.
asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he has made any representations to local authorities urging them to employ discharged or disabled soldiers on the occasion of suitable vacancies; whether he is aware that the Hereford Board of Guardians have appointed a man of military age as clerk, and that it is proposed to appoint the same man as clerk to the Hereford District Council; whether it is necessary to secure the sanction of the Board for these appointments; and, if so, whether he will make inquiries into the matter and take any other steps calcu- lated to discourage local authorities from appointing men eligible for military service?
The Local Government Board have not made any such specific recommendation as is referred to in the question. My right hon. Friend does not think that local authorities generally require any persuasion to induce them to offer suitable vacancies to discharged and disabled soldiers, and since the operation of the Military Service Acts there has been no need to discourage the appointment of men eligible for military service. With regard to the particular case referred to, namely, that of a solicitor, aged forty, the appointment of clerk to the guardians requires the sanction of the Local Government Board, and, in accordance with usual practice, it is proposed to inquire the. grounds on which the person proposed to be appointed has been exempted from military service. The appointment as clerk to the rural district council does not require any sanction on the part of the Department.
British Aluminium Company
37.
asked the Secretary for Scotland what powers the British Aluminium Company have over the valley of the Spean and Treig; whether it is being converted into a dry gorge; and whether the valley could maintain many hundreds of people?
I understand that the company has not at present any powers over the valley of the Spean or of the Treig. My hon. Friend has probably in view the proposals affecting the districts mentioned which are contained in the private Bill which the company is promoting this Session, but these proposals have not yet obtained Parliamentary sanction, and the latter parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.
When is this private Bill likely to be produced?
I have already said in my answer that there is in the present Session under promotion a private Bill. It will, of course, take its ordinary course.
Do the Government intend to support this private Bill?
Shipbuilding
38.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he can give an assurance that, in the building of cargo ships, no time or labour is wasted on accessories or equipment or paint or accommodation not absolutely and urgently necessary to their immediate function and safety at sea, but that only shells suitable for cargo purposes are being constructed with the necessary driving power and rough accommodation for the crew?
I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the assurance for which he now asks on 4th December last, and I have pleasure in repeating it. The standard ships are being built as efficient cargo carriers, with the necessary accessories and accommodation and provision for safe navigation, and nothing is being put into them which is not considered essential for the purpose for which they are built and for the safety and comfort of the crew.
League Of Nations
45.
asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of taking an early opportunity to obtain a conference of the Allies with a view to discussing and agreeing to the principles on which a League of Nations can be brought into existence for the purpose of promoting disarmament, so far and so soon as practicable, and disestablishing war as a method of settling disputes among civilised Powers?
I cannot add Anything to what was recently said on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Blockade.
Paris Economic Conference
46.
asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to make a statement as to the policy of the Government in relation to the carrying out of the Resolutions of the Paris Economic Conference?
I hope that there will be an opportunity of making such a general statement before or in connection with the introduction of the Imports and Exports (Temporary Control) Bill, but this opportunity cannot be found before Easter.
Secretary Of State For War
47.
asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the additional powers now conferred upon the Secretary of State for War by Order in Council, he will consider the advisability of making arrangements under which the Secretary of State for War should be directly responsible to the House of Commons and should also be a Member of that House?
I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.
Will the House of Commons not have the opportunity of deciding on the representation of the War Office in this House?
I can only give the same answer as I gave before, that in my opinion it would be going unduly far for the Government to say that these high officers must all be Members of this House.
As Lord Derby enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of all classes, and is serving the best interests of the nation, would it
That is raising a general question which is not relevant to the question on the Paper.
Treasury Notes
49.
asked the amount of Treasury notes at present in circulation as compared with the amount of gold and Bank of England notes, respectively, in circulation prior to August, 1914?
The amount of currency notes outstanding at 27th February, 1918, was £218,409,536, against which £28,500,000 was held in gold. The total amount of Bank of England notes outstanding on 29th July, 1914, was £55,121,405, of which £29,706,350 were in circulation and £25,415,055 in the reserve. There are no accurate statistics of the amount of gold in circulation at the outbreak of war, but the amount in the hands of the banks and the public, exclusive of gold held by banks of issue against their note issues, is estimated at about £120,000,000.
In view of the continuous protests of Members of this House, on all sides, and outside, is there any prospect of the Government discontinuing the contininuous issue of these notes?
I have not been conscious of any such state of feeling, except in the case of the hon. Member himself.
Is it not the fact that in view of the increased cost of the War it is an absolute necessity that we should have a larger circulation of paper during the War?
I should have thought that it was very evident that there must, at all events, be an increased circulation to meet the increased demands.
Mine-Sweeping Service (Provisioning)
50.
asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the men engaged in the mine-sweeping service have to provide themselves with food; if so, what allowance is made to them for that purpose; and whether, in view of the present prices of food and the increasing difficulty for the men to get the necessary supplies themselves, he will consider the advisability of the provisioning of these men being taken over entirely by the Admiralty?
The crews of His Majesty's mine-sweepers, in common with those of other auxiliary patrol vessels, receive a victualling allowance of Is. 8d. a day, and draw supplies of Government provisions from their bases at Government prices. The alternative system of Navy victualling, that is to say, of a fixed ration in kind, plus a messing allowance, is not, I am afraid, adapted to the needs of these small vessels. The victualling allowance granted to them is of equivalent value. Supplies of provisions other than those supplied by the Admiralty can be obtained by them from naval canteens at their bases or on board His Majesty's ships. It is possible that my right hon. Friend may have some individual cases in view which may not be covered by the above answer; if so, and he will furnish me with particulars, I will inquire further.
Traders (Fines)
51.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury to what fund the fines levied upon traders is applied and the total amount of such fines imposed since the method was adopted?
I do not know what particular class of fines the hon. Member has in mind. If he will supply that information I shall be glad to look into the matter.
Civil Service
Post Office Servants (Pensions)
52.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has been able to arrange to carry out the recommendation of the Committee on Post Office Servants in respect to the pensions of the men serving in K Company, Royal Engineers, contained in paragraph 90 of that Committee's Report?
No, Sir.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as to this matter there was a unanimous recommendation by the Committee, consisting of nine Members of this House, drawn from all sections, and will he reconsider the subject?
I am aware of that, and I am also aware that the views of the Treasury were unfortunately not laid before the hon. Member's Committee, but I am ready to discuss the matter with the hon. Member at any time he requires.
Second Division Clerks
53.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury if there is a rule where- under a second division clerk promoted to the first division may not receive an immediate increase in salary although if he were promoted to a staff clerkship such an increase would be allowed; and, if so, whether his Department is prepared to waive this rule in the case of long-service men specially recommended by their Departments for promotion?
A second division clerk, whether promoted to the first division or to a staff clerkship, cannot ordinarily receive an immediate increase of salary on promotion unless his salary as a second division clerk is less than the minimum of the post to which he is promoted. I see no reason to vary the existing practice, which applies the same principle to both cases.
Munitions
Eviction Of Workers
64.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he can now state the result of the inquiry carried out in the Plumstead area and adjoining districts in connection with the eviction of munition workers; and whether he has found it necessary to issue an Order applying Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to that district?
After an inquiry made during November and December into housing conditions in the Woolwich area—of which Plumstead forms part—it was not found necessary to declare the district a special area for the purposes of Regulation 2 A of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, but it was decided that a further inquiry should be made during the present month, with a view to applying the Regulation if it should then be found desirable.
Navy And Army Nurses
65.
asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that many nurses have relatives dependent upon them; whether Army nurses are eligible for pensions if they suffer injury through the War in common with other branches of the Army; and, if so, will he take steps to place them on the same footing as other branches of the Army by making provision for dependants in cases where a nurse loses her life?
I have no knowledge as to whether many members of the Navy and Army Nursing Services have relatives dependent on them: No such cases have been brought to my notice, but I will consider the question of making some provision for the dependent relatives of nurses who lose their lives through war service. Army nurses are eligible for pensions if they suffer injury through military service arising out of the War.
Is the right hon. Gentleman desirous of information as to such cases being sent to him?
I shall require information of that character on the lines of the answer I have just given.
Will the basis of assessment be the same in the case mentioned as obtains now?
I have not got so far as to make up my mind on that question.
South Africa (Discharge Of Soldiers)
67.
asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers of the Union Government of South Africa who have been weakened physically as the result of malaria or dysentery whilst on active service in East Africa are invalided home and at the end of two months, during which period they are kept on full pay, are then discharged from the Army; and whether, having regard to the effect of these diseases on the general health of those who have been attacked by them, he will follow the example of the Union Government of South Africa in this matter or at least arrange that British soldiers at present in South Africa who have suffered seriously from the effects of the diseases in question shall be brought back and put on garrison duty at home?
It is not considered necessary to discharge men who have suffered from malaria and dysentery, as after recovery they can still be employed on service. Serious cases are brought back to England, unless in certain cases it is considered that they would benefit from the South African climate.
Naval Ratings, Crystal Palace (Catering)
68.
asked the Under secretary of State for War whether a contract for the catering at the Crystal Palace is let to one firm; whether this firm is permitted to cater in cafés and canteens in the immediate vicinity for private profit; whether he has had any complaints to the effect that the condition of the contract tables offers an inducement to the men to resort to the others; and, if so, whether he will make any change in the arrangements?
The contract for supplying meals for naval ratings at the Crystal Palace is held by a firm who also are required by the Admiralty to run a canteen in the Palace for the convenience of the men. In addition, with the knowledge of the Admiralty, the contractors have continued to keep open a restaurant which they had running when the Palace was open to the public and which is now available for the use of the naval ratings and for their visitors. No complaints of the nature suggested have been received. If any should arise, they will, of course, be at once dealt with.
1914 Star
69.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether members of the Territorial Forces who served in France and Belgium between 5th August, 1914, and 22nd November, 1914, are entitled to receive the 1914 star?
I am glad to say that the answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative.
Army Officers (University Instruction)
70.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether under Army Council Instruction No. 91, of 1918, issued 28th January, 1918, courses of instruction for officers at a university which allows a limited number of officers in hospital, or who, in the opinion of a medical board, will be unfit for military duty for not less than four months, to attend short courses of instruction at a university, but which privilege is at present limited to Oxford University, can be applied also to Cambridge University?
The question of extending the schemes to other universities is at present under consideration.
Institution For Mental Defectives, Stoneyetts
72.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the medical branch of his Department has had repeated application for the release of Dr. Charles G. Chislett, of the 72nd General Hospital, in France, so that he may be able to attend, if only for a short time, to his duties as medical superintendent of the Institution for Mental Defectives at Stoneyetts, near Glasgow; if so, will he say for what reason this temporary release is refused, in view of the facts that the 300 mentally deficient patients in that institution have no resident medical officer at present, the duties of such being performed only by the matron, and that Dr. Chislett has already served two and a half years at the front; and can he arrange now to grant temporary release?
An application was received from the Glasgow District Board of Control for the release of this officer. It was referred to the Ministry of National Service, who consulted the Scottish Central Professional Committee. The latter body made a full investigation of all the circumstances and were of opinion that the request of the Glasgow District Board should not be acceded to as the supervision and medical attention of the inmates of Stoneyetts Institution were being carried on to the satisfaction of the General Board of Control in the present exceptional circumstances.
Army Chaplains
73.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails among Army chaplains with the lack of energy, initiative, and care for their interests displayed by the Chaplain-General to the Forces; if he will say how long the present holder of that office has held it; whether there is any fixed retiring age for the Chaplain-General; and, if not, whether the Army Council will exert its influence to induce the Chaplain-General to enable a younger and more energetic officer to be appointed to this post?
The Chaplain-General was appointed in 1901, and the age at which a Chaplain-General is required by warrant to retire will be reached by the present incumbent of the office in 1925. The Council know of no reason why steps should be taken to replace him.
Army Pay Department
74.
asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether civilian clerks appointed to the Army Pay Department prior to November, 1915, are ineligible for the post of acting pay master; whether he is aware that the effect of this Order is that specially enlisted clerks and temporary civilian clerks are obtaining posts as acting pay master over the heads of men of much greater experience in the work of the Department, who in some cases have been strongly recommended, and have been for some time on the waiting list for the post of acting paymaster; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction and sense of injustice caused by the Order referred to, he will take steps to have it abrogated so that the best men available may be appointed acting pay masters?
I am having this matter looked into, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.
May I ask whether in this matter the hon. Gentleman will obtain the opinion of the chief paymasters of the Army Pay Office, who have got such great experience in these matters?
I will certainly do that.
Westenhanger Camp
75.
asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is yet able to give any explanation of the squandering of public money in the construction and subsequent dealing with Westenhanger Camp?
I am not yet in a position to say anything about this case.
How soon will the hon. Gentleman be able to give any reply?
I hope very soon.
Soldiers' Leave
77.
asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether the personnel of the Cavalry, who fight as Infantry in the trenches, are not allowed the same period of leave as the Infantry; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to have this remedied?
No, Sir, so far as I am aware, no discrimination is made in the matter of leave, which is the same for all arms and is equally proportioned.
Nerve-Strained Soldiers
78.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will take measures to expedite the discharge from the Army to the care of the Pensions Ministry of all such nerve-strained soldiers as are no longer fit for any military service, but whose industrial activities can, on the other hand, be made profitable to the country?
When these cases no longer require indoor hospital treatment and are considered to be unfit for further military service they are like other invalids discharged from the Service at as early a date as possible.
82.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will bring in a Bill to modify the King's Regulations in such a way that the safeguards provided by the Lunacy Act may become operative for the protection of such soldiers as are not unbalanced to the degree of being certifiable and who could not, in accordance with civilian rights, be placed under lunacy administration?
Only such cases as are certifiable under the Lunacy Act are so certified and placed under Lunacy administration. Uncertified cases are discharged in the ordinary manner.
83.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office is paying asylum authorities to relieve the War Office of responsibility in respect to the care and treatment of the uncertifiable nerve-strained soldiers confined in any or all of the following institutions: Springfield War Hospital (Middlesex Asylum); Monyhull Institution, Birmingham; Maghull Institution, Liverpool; Maudsley Asylum; Local Government Board; Bradford War Hospital (Abram Peel); Fourth Southern General Hospital, Plymouth; and Glen Lomond War Hospital, File; and whether the other similar institutions in process of establishment have in any instance been, up to the present, in use for lunatics and are still staffed by lunacy officials?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, some of these institutions have been in use for lunatics and until taken over and converted into military hospitals they will still retain their original staff.
Does the hon. Gentleman really mean to say that our soldiers are not being attended to whilst in the Army by lunacy attendants and lunacy doctors in institutions which are still under the Lunacy Acts?
Those institutions so long as they are under our control are governed by men of great qualifications.
Army Medical Services (Committee Of Inquiry)
79.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has called the attention of the Secretary of State for War to the fact that the Report of the Medical Committee of Inquiry into the Army Medical Services in France has been under the consideration of the Army Council for the past four months; and whether he can state to the House when it is intended to take any action in the matter?
I am afraid I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend yesterday on this subject.
Can the hon. Gentleman say how long this Report will be under the consideration of the authorities, and when action will be taken?
I cannot say.
Staff Appointments
80.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has drawn the attention of the Secretary of State for War to the irrelevance of the figures regarding the relative numbers of Regular officers and New Army and Territorial officers who have been promoted to Staff appointments, as quoted by him in his speech at the Aldwyeh Club; and whether he can inform the House what steps the Secretary of State for War proposes to take to carry out the expressed intention of the Commander-in-Chief in France with regard to this matter?
I am afraid I am not clear as to what my hon. and gallant Friend means by the irrelevance of the figures referred to. As I have already stated in answer to previous questions, it has never been the policy of the Army Council to debar officers of the New Army or Territorial Force from the higher appointments. On the contrary, all officers, of whatever branch, are on the same list, and are selected solely in accordance with merit. This policy is naturally being given effect to in increasing measure in the case of officers of the New Army or Territorial Force as they gain in experience.
Sanitary Inspectors (Army)
84.
asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to transfer to other units competent sanitary inspectors now serving in sanitary sections in France and to fill their places with untrained men of lower categories; whether he is aware that these santitary inspectors volunteered for this special work for which they are particularly fitted; and whether, in view of the importance of the work, any decision to transfer these men will be reconsidered?
No, Sir; there is no intention of transferring to other units trained sanitary inspectors now serving in sanitary sections in France, unless they are of category A and can be replaced by equally well and highly trained men of lower category.
Records Office, Nottingham
85.
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the clerks attached to the Records Office, Nottingham, have been put on rations; that 12s. per week has been stopped from each man, with a promise that 5½d. per day would be refunded; and that up to the present no refund has been made; whether he is aware that these men have not yet received the recent increase in pay and are not in receipt of light and fuel allowances; and whether he will have close inquiry made into the conditions complained of and see that these men are treated in accordance with the Regulations?
These soldiers are being treated in strict accordance with the Regulations. Being now supplied with rations in kind, they have naturally ceased to draw the allowance of 12s. 3d. a week in lieu of rations. The 5½d. I a day for messing is being paid into their messing fund in accordance with Regulations. They are in receipt of the regulated allowance for lodgings, fuel and light. If any of them has not received any pay to which he may be entitled under the recent Royal Warrant, he should complain to the officer from whom he draws his pay.
Siberia
2.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, before any military action is taken in Siberia by any of the Allies, he will, in conjunction with our Allies, ascertain whether President Wilson will inquire of those leaders in Russia who in his view best represent public opinion there if they would welcome such aid from America and the Allies as may be found to be immediately available viâthe East, in order to help them to resist the invasion of the Germans and defeat their designs to partition Russia and ruin the Revolution?
The suggestion in this question will be noted. I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend will not expect any more precise answer.
Land Courts (Ireland)
16.
asked the Chief Secretary whether he is yet in a position to give the information asked for in regard to reduction of rents by the Land Commissioners during the War?
Judicial rents for a third statutory term were fixed by the Land Commission Court in 1,579 cases between the 1st August, 1914, and the 31st December, 1917. The evidence offered by the parties was heard, and the circumstances of the holding and district were considered in each case, and the Court duly considered the position of agricultural prices as affected by the War. In order to ascertain the number of cases in which judicial rents so fixed are higher or lower than the judicial rents for the previous statutory term it would be necessary to make an examination of the record in each case. The staff of the Land Commission is depleted owing to the absence of men on war service and to reductions, and such an investigation cannot, therefore, be undertaken.
Works Department, Deal (War Bonus)
44.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the time-workers of the Director of the Works Department at Deal are excluded from the benefit of the 12½ per cent. increase in wages, although the increase has been given to the time-workers in the same department at Dover, of which Deal is a sub-station, and the work and conditions are identical at the two places; if he is aware that the exclusion of Deal from the benefit of the increase cannot be based on the pretext that Deal is a naval barracks or establishment, inasmuch as the Deal sub-station, in addition to the maintenance of the barracks, is charged with the upkeep of a large Coastguard district stretching from Eastbourne to Sheerness, as well as with the execution of numerous works at Royal naval air stations and wireless stations; and whether, in view of the anomaly of workmen in neighbouring towns receiving different rates of wages for identical work, he will take steps to have the 12½ per cent. increase extended to Deal?
The time-workers in the Director of Works Department at Deal were excluded from the original award of the 12½ per cent. increase as they were not covered by the Order, which applied to industrial establishments only. By the award of the Committee on Production, dated 21st February, the 12½ per cent. increase is extended to men employed by the Government on the construction of buildings, to date from the first pay-week which followed 1st January, 1918, and the case of Deal will be dealt with shortly.
Admiralty Sheds (Agricultural Land)
( by Private Notice)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether about 600 acres of rich agricultural land in a district which I have named to the right hon. Gentleman privately, some of which is sown down in wheat, has been taken by the Admiralty for building sheds, while poorer land is available for this purpose; and whether he would cause an inquiry to be made, in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, with a view to protecting the food supply from this destruction?
Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask if the Board of Agriculture in Scotland was consulted with regard to this?
The answer to that question will be found in the reply to my hon. and gallant Friend (Major Chapple). The Admiralty have requisitioned some 640 acres of land in two ownerships in the district mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend for urgent naval work, as, after exhaustive search, this was the only site found suitable for such purpose. Communication was made to the Scottish Board of Agriculture and also to the district agricultural committee on the matter, and the Admiralty have issued instructions that as much of the land as possible, consistent with the works which are being carried out, shall be left under cultivation during the coming season.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say who is to decide as to what area is required for agricultural purposes and what area is required for building these sheds?
I will answer the last question first. The Admiralty naturally avoid using agricultural land wherever it is possible to do so, but if they have no alternative, because of the necessities of the case, they must do so, taking care that land that is not being used for the moment will be used for agricultural purposes as long as possible.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a general consensus of opinion in the district that other land is available which is not required for agricultural purposes, and that this land is sown down for wheat and is now to be broken up?