asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Chinese labourers have been recruited at Tsinanfu; and how much money is being each month paid as separation allowances and pay to their dependants?

It is not desirable to give the information asked for in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards the latter part, the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether passports have been given to Mr. Wickham Steed, Dr. H. W. Seton Watson, and Mr. Nelson Gay to proceed to Rome for a conference with persons claiming to represent nationalities in Austria: whether any of these gentlemen are or recently were in the service of the Government; whether the conference has been undertaken at the desire of the Foreign Office; whether these gentlemen are attending it as representatives of the British Government; and whether the objects and results of this conference can be communicated to the House?

Lord Northcliffe, after consultation with the Foreign Office, delegated Mr. Steed to proceed to Italy as his representative to study there certain aspects of questions relating to propaganda. I understand that Dr. Seton-Watson, whose services have been utilised in the past by the Ministry of Information, has been in Rome with Mr. Steed, and that Mr. Nelson Gay, an American citizen, is also there. I have no further information as to the conference referred to in the question than has appeared in the Press.

Then we may gather that, as far as the Government is concerned, it is Lord Northcliffe, and not the Foreign Office, who is in any way responsible for this conference?

asked whether the Government can say whether the National Democrat Polish Army raised under the auspices of the Polish National Committee, of which Mr. Roman Dmouski was president, has now gone over to the German side?

The description does not apply to the Polish Army as a whole, although a certain portion of it has been compelled, by force of circumstances, to accept a modus vivendi with the Germans.

Can the Noble Lord explain how it came about that Mr. Dmouski's party, which proved to be the most disloyal section of the Poles, was selected by the Foreign Office as the most loyal section?

I do not think it would be fair to Mr. Dmouski to identify him with the most disloyal section.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ascertain definitely whether the Greek Government has recently reduced the pension payable to ex-King Constantine; whether Constantine is believed to have instigated the plot discovered in Greece for the overthrow of the present Parliamentary system there; whether he has been in communication with his son, King Alexander; whether King Alexander has means of communicating with him; and whether he proposes to intervene in this matter?

I understand that the Budget Committee of the Greek Chamber have recommended the cancellation of the allowance allotted, though never in fact paid, to the ex-King. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; that to the third and fourth parts is, as far as is known, in the negative. As regards the last part, the answer is also in the negative.

May I ask if that is not in some slight disaccord with the statement from the Front Bench opposite that no such allowance was paid?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer he will see that what I have said is that no such allowance has ever been paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Emperor of Austria in March, 1917, sent a letter for communication to the President of the French Republic promising to support the French just claims regarding Alsace-Lorraine, the re-establishment of Belgium in her sovereignty, keeping the whole of her African possessions, and the re-establishment of Serbia in her sovereignty, with access to the Adriatic; if so, whether that letter was at the time communicated to His Majesty's Government; and whether any, and, if so, what steps were taken as a consequence of that letter?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Hanley.

Will the Noble Lord go so far as to say whether there is any doubt as to this letter being genuine; and, secondly, whether the Foreign Office was cognisant of the existence of the letter?

The hon. Member, I think, will see that if I once began answering questions there would be no limit to the answers I might give.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War to what category men of the Royal Defence Corps belong; what duties they are now carrying out; the present strength of the corps; whether a certain number of them were employed up till recently in constructing coast defence works; whether these works have since been abandoned in an unfinished condition; and, if so, whether, in view of the shortage of men, he will explain why the Royal Defence Corps was put to this use?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is Category B2. The remainder of his question cannot be answered without giving information of value to the enemy. I cannot, therefore, give it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in view the great use to which these men can be put, and will he consider the question of brigading them with other divisions?

Certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private A. Toni, G 25206, 3rd Buffs, now at Dover, is a Russian subject, speaking and understanding English imperfectly; that he spat blood for sixteen days at Western Heights Military Hospital, to which place he was carried on a stretcher; that on being returned to duty he dropped his rifle from sheer weakness and was punished; that his medical history sheet cannot be found, and his friends believe it to have been wilfully destroyed to prevent his case being considered properly V that, driven to extremities by illness, punishments, and harsh treatment, he has attempted suicide; that independent persons who have seen him declare that he is mentally deranged owing to his treatment; and that he is now anxious to return to Russia; whether he will have independent inquiry made, not merely by calling for reports from persons who have mismanaged this case; and whether he will release this man on condition that he leaves this country for Russia?

Inquiries are being made in this case, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he received on or about 16th December, 1917, information that some thousands of Montenegrins capable of bearing arms were, owing to political intrigue, interned in various places on the Continent; that these men, some of them veteran soldiers, are eager to enrol themselves as a Montenegrin corps under their national flag and fight under the command of English or French officers; and whether he has taken action in order to secure the help of these fighting men or whether he will appoint a commissioner, preferably a military officer, to visit these men and make a Report upon their condition?

Statements of the nature indicated by my hon. Friend were received on the 17th December, but on further investigation it appeared that they were exaggerated, particularly as regards numbers. The internment of any individual Montenegrins on the Continent, and arrangements affecting Montenegrin subjects there, are the concern of other Allied Powers, and not of the British military authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the young men under nineteen years of age who were sent out to France in the recent emergency without having been given draft leave could, when the immediate pressure is relieved and leave from France is resumed, be given preference in the granting of Home leave?

Sympathetic consideration will, I hope, be given to the cases to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Under secretary of State for War if he will state, in the event of the Military Service Bill becoming an Act, what will be the position of an officer who, though of not more than fifty years of age, has, owing to reasons of health or because considered too old for work suitable to his rank, resigned his commission; and will such an officer be deemed to have been duly enlisted and be held at the disposal of the Minister for National Service?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. An officer who has ceased to hold a commission on the ground of disablement or ill-health will be entitled to the benefit of the general provisions regarding disabled soldiers which have been inserted in the first Schedule to the Military Service Bill. The position of other officers referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question is being carefully considered by the War Office and the Ministry of National Service.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a, number of officers, relieved on medical grounds, are being called up now, and would he say what redress they have, and to whom they have to apply?

I do not think the hon. Member is correct; perhaps he will read my reply.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware of the number of officers of not more than fifty years of ago who were either serving in or who rejoined or obtained commissions in the Army in the earlier stages of the War, and who have since, owing to their age or physical incapacity far further active service on one of the fronts, been placed on half-pay or resigned their commissions to make room for younger men; and will he say what steps are being taken in the present man-power crisis to find employment for such officers?

Whenever possible posts are found for these officers, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that the number of such officers is large, and the number of posts for which they are suitable is very small. I think that I should state that no officers are employed at home unless they are —

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the pledges repeatedly given in this House and by letter to Members of Parliament that young soldiers would not be sent out of this country until they had attained the age of nineteen years and had sufficient training have been broken; will he state at what age and with what training such soldiers are now sent abroad; will he state whether he is aware that complaints are made by letter from many fathers and mothers that their soldier sons, in many cases of the age of eighteen years and some even under that age, are now being sent abroad without even getting any leave to visit their homes and relatives; and, if this is so, will he make it clear to the House and the country what is really being done by the military authorities in this matter?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Tuesday last.

Would not the hon. Gentleman make that statement publicly in the House? Also has any complaint been made to him that a boy of sixteen and a half years has been sent to the front within the last fortnight?

In regard to the last part of the question, I have had the case presented to me by my hon. Friend of a boy of sixteen and a half years who was unfortunately sent to the front. I am investigating that case, and I believe it will be found to be the case of a very gallant youth who gave his age at higher than it really was. I feel sure, however that once the boy's birth certificate is produced the military authorities will see that he is sent home.

Has not this boy's father another son who is only nineteen years and two months whom he is willing to leave at the front?

Yes, I believe those, are the facts of the case.

Can my hon. Friend say that as the Rule now stands boys of eighteen and a half may be sent to the front, but not into the fighting line till they are actually nineteen?

No, I cannot say that the Rule at present is as stated by the hon. Member. I understand that the Rule is that a boy of eighteen and a half can be sent abroad for any purpose, but not sent to the front till fully trained.

Is it not a common practice, which shows the grit and pluck of a lot of these boys, that they have very often given a higher age than they are, and that when this is brought to the notice of the commanding officers the necessary steps are taken to return these boys?

Why do not you show your grit and pluck?

Yes, it is the fact as stated by the hon. Gentleman. I have-come across hundreds of these cases.

Is it not the Rule that boys under eighteen and a half years-are returned now?

No, I do not think that is the Rule; a boy under eighteen and a half who was untrained, would not be sent to the front line, but would be kept for useful purposes behind the lines.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that a man named E. Clifton, aged thirty-two, Category Al, employed in Section 16 b, Machine Gun Store, Army Ordnance Department, Royal Arsenal,. Woolwich, received his papers to join the Colours on 18th March, 1918; that he has not been called up; that in the meantime-he has been appointed a foreman at Woolwich; and whether this man will be released for service with the Colours and his work at Woolwich done by a discharged and wounded soldier?

This man has been employed on work of considerable importance, and, as such, has been in possession of Army Form W. 3,476, which exempts him from being called up. Arrangements were made some time ago to replace him, in the event of further calls for men of "A" category, and he is now being released for service.

Would this man have been released for service if a question had not been asked in this House?

asked the Financial Secretary (1) whether he is aware that agricultural workers in low medical categories have been compulsorily enlisted and returned after a few weeks' military training in this country to work on the land, and that such-men are now receiving full civilian pay for their work, while their wives are being paid in addition full separation allowances, even in cases where the man has returned to his own home and is working on precisely the same work as before enlistment and at advanced wages; whether he contemplates altering this arrangement; (2) if he will state how many soldiers are now engaged in agricultural work of any kind drawing full civilian pay for this civilian work and whose wives are at the same time drawing separation and children's allowances; (3) whether he is aware that the payment to soldiers, after a few weeks' military training in this country, now engaged on agricultural work of full civilian pay with separation allowance to their wives is the cause of much discontent among soldiers engaged in combatant service who receive only military pay with separation allowance, and among civilians engaged on similar agricultural work who receive only civilian pay and no separation allowance; and whether he will take steps to put a stop to these cases of unfairness?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the references he recently made in Debate to this subject are receiving full and careful consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman an idea as to the cost to the country which this arrangement is creating or the amount of unrest and disturbance which this unfairness is also creating in the country?

I am afraid that I cannot give my hon. Friend the figures without making an elaborate inquiry, which would involve a very great deal of time, but I can assure him that the War Office realises fully the feeling that exists in reference to this question.

asked whether, seeing that many employers have kept the cottages and homes of employés who have joined the Colours available for them on their return, and consequently have no house for a substitute, he will arrange that where a soldier is returned for employment on the land similar to the employment upon which he was engaged before enlistment, such soldier shall be returned to his former employment instead of to similar employment in a different part of the country away from his wife and family and under a different employer?

The detailed allotment of individual soldiers to farmers is carried out by the Food Production Department. I do not doubt that the considerations advanced are duly borne in mind, so far as is practicable.

asked the Prime Minister if some provision can be made in the Ministry Service Bill to protect men who are called up and are proprietors of businesses in premises under long leases at heavy rents, say suspension of lease while called up or provision of rent while serving?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Government do not feel that it is practicable to insert in the present Military Service Bill such a provision as my hon. Friend suggests. It must be remembered that wide powers are vested in the Courts by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts for granting relief, and that the Civil Liabilities Commissioners are also empowered to afford financial assistance in appropriate cases.

Am I to understand that this difficulty is really covered by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts, and, if not, ought it not to be covered, as this is a very serious matter?

May I ask my hon. Friend whether his attention has been called to the new Clause which was suggested, and which was only ruled out of order on the ground that it was outside the scope of the Military Service Bill; that the Clause purported to amend deficiencies in the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts so as to do justice to men called up, and who are under contractual obligations which at present could not be made good by them without legislation; and will the Minister of National Service consider the introduction of separate legislation so as to do justice to men who by serving their country have had their contracts destroyed?

From the answer I have given, it is obvious that it is not within the scope of the Military Service Bill to introduce a provision of the sort suggested. It is a Man-Power Bill, and has nothing to do with things of that sort. If there is a flaw in the law, and new legislation is required to deal with cases of hardship, it is obviously a question that should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

May I ask my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House whether, having heard the question, he will consider the desirability of introducing separate legislation to remove this very great and widely extended hardship?

This is the first consideration I have given to the matter. I will see that the point is examined.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if he is aware that, at a meeting of the Episcopal Standing Committee, held in Ireland on the 9th instant, the Irish bishops passed a resolution of protest against the application of Conscription to Ireland; whether the Government propose to pay any attention to the bishops warning; (2) whether representatives of labour in any part of Ireland were consulted before the Government decided to enforce Conscription on Irish workers; whether he recognises the danger of the stoppage of all trade, trams, and boats, and a general downing of tools in Ireland; (3) whether he intends to take any heed of the warnings of all parties in this House against the proposal to enforce Conscription on Ireland; if he is aware that the Irish people are opposed to Conscription, and that all parties and Labour organisations are solidly united to prevent its operation in Ireland; if he is aware of the effect on the Allies, especially America and France, if the Government should use their machine guns, artillery, and tanks now in Ireland to enforce military service on the people; and if he will now consider the advisability of withdrawing the proposals and submit the question of military service and settlement of the Irish question to a tribunal representing the Allied and neutral States, selection of tribunal and terms of reference being left in the hands of President Wilson or the Emperor of Japan?

I can add nothing to the statements already made in debate.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the first question at all. Can we have any answer from him as to whether he intends to pay no attention to the bishops' warning against Conscription?

It has been answered many times in debate. We have carefully considered all the reasons for and against, and the decision of the Government has been clearly stated.

If it is not the intention of the Government to enforce the power which the House has given them under the Bill, will they make an early announcement to that effect, and thus prevent disturbances taking place in Ireland?

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making the same bargain with the bishops as he is making with certain other parties in Ireland?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any communication in any shape or form from any elective public bodies or boards in Ireland in favour of Conscription, and how many of such communications he has received?

I personally have not received any communications, but it is not likely that they would be addressed to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Chief Secretary how many he has received?

I shall be glad to ask him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is a guard at certain munition works of approximately 300 soldiers; and, if so, whether he will explain why these men could not render more effective military service?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me privately with the name and. location of the munition works to which he refers, I will have the matter inquired into.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the name of the place was in the original question and was struck out by authority?

No. I am not; I know nothing about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether in the event of farmers responding to his urgent appeal to increase substantially the acreage under potatoes, he can give some definite assurance that the necessary labour will be available later in the year for lifting and clamping them, and that railway transport will be available to carry them from glutted areas to those where the supplies are inadequate?

Every possible effort will be made by the Government to secure the result desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the shortage of beef and the price of all kinds of fish, steps have been or will be taken to modify the Game Laws, thereby making available for human consumption a larger supply of rabbits, hares, and game?

A number of Orders have been made by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland under powers contained in the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which Orders, although designed primarily for the protection of crops, have incidentally increased the amount of rabbits, hares, and game available for food. This policy will be continued, and, if necessary, extended.

asked the President of the Hoard of Agriculture by whom the county war executive committees were appointed; and what were the qualifications considered in making the appointments?

County war agricultural committees were appointed by the county councils at the request of the Board on the recommendation of the Milner Committee in 1915. The object was to constitute a body of agriculturists representing the county council and the principal farmers' organisations in the county. Under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 19th January. 1917, it is provided that each county war agricultural committee should appoint not less than four, and not more than seven, of its members to form an executive committee, and that additional members might be appointed by the Board. Under this Order the original members of the agricultural executive committees were appointed. In selecting additional members the Board have endeavoured to secure that the interests of both owners and cultivators of the land are adequately represented, and that the committees should be composed of the best practical agriculturists in the counties.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of food for poultry, he will consider the advisability of importing barley from Northern Spain, where a large surplus is reported; and whether he has considered bringing this barley into the Channel ports and conveying it to England in ships now returning in ballast?

The importation of foreign cereals engages the constant attention of my Department. It appears, however, that even were there barley for export from Spain, shipping would not be available, as no steamers discharging at Spanish ports return to this country in ballast.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of bacon has recently been landed in Liverpool in excess of the now regulated demand; how much of this has been lost or allowed to become: unfit for human food, and what steps are being taken in. the matter?

I have been asked to reply. In regulating the demand by fixing the bacon rations it was necessary to consider not only the present rate of importation, but the anticipated rates of the next few months. As is stated in answer to the hon. Member for Longford last Saturday, it is necessary now to place in store as much bacon as is not needed for immediate consumption, so as to cover the requirements of the summer period during which importation is diminished. I am not aware that any bacon has been lost or allowed to become unfit for human food.

Can the hon. Gentle-man say whether any of this bacon has been allowed to go through to Ireland, where it used formerly entirely to go?

I should require notice of that question. I could not say whether any recently imported bacon has again found its way to Ireland.

Will the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Food Controller, now that there is a surplus of American and Canadian bacon in Liverpool and throughout England, that he should take off the restrictions and allow some to be sent to Ireland, and, vice vers â, send from Ireland hams that the people in Great Britain want, and, indeed, take off these restrictions altogether?

There is only a surplus in the sense that it will be required in the months when we cannot continue to import it. So far as I know, Ireland will have its opportunity of sharing in these quantities like any other part of the United Kingdom.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that these restrictions are an abuse upon trade in general?

No, Sir; they serve a very useful purpose indeed. We imposed restrictions on the exportation of bacon from Ireland which Ireland wanted. If Ireland now wishes to secure some of the quantities received from foreign countries, that is a matter for arrangement.

Are there at present cargoes of bacon at Liverpool which are not allowed to be discharged?

I hope there may be, but I am not quite certain of it. Every step is taken consistent with the available labour and opportunity of discharge to get the bacon out of the boats as quickly as possible into cold storage.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement made by a leading official of the Docker's Union calling attention to undischarged cargoes of bacon at Bristol and Liverpool?

Yes; and if the hon. Member sees the papers this evening he may see some answer to the statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the price paid for cattle belonging to the Irish farmer is unrestricted and frequently exceeds 100s. a live cwt., whilst the price paid to the British farmer is restricted to 76s. a live cwt.; will he say on what grounds this financial advantage is accorded to Irish farmers; does the British taxpayer pay the difference; and what is the estimated cost to the Treasury for 1918 of this privilege?

The answer to this question was printed in Thursday's OFFICIAL REPORT.