asked the Minister of Munitions whether arrangements have been completed whereby printing firms throughout the country may be enabled to produce the voters' lists?

The quantity of lead required for printers' metal for the production of the voters' lists has already been released to the manufacturers.

asked the Minister of National Service whether arrangements have been made to ensure a sufficient supply of labour for the preparation and printing of the voters' lists?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As regards the preparation of the voters' lists, I am hopeful that a sufficient supply of labour will be forthcoming, although I am fully alive to the difficulties under which the Registration Officers are working. As regards the printing of the lists, I understand that my hon. Friend, the Secretary to the Treasury, will deal with this in reply to the right hon. Member's question, No. 25 in the Paper.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suppose that the printing will take longer than was originally expected?

We rather suppose that everything will take longer than was expected.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Stationery Office authorities are satisfied that sufficient labour and metal will be available for the production of the voters' lists; and whether, in the event of either proving insufficient, printing firms con- tracting for such work will be allowed an extension of time in which to complete the lists without incurring penalties for delay?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the; affirmative; the second, therefore, docs not arise.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Director of Petroleum Munitions Supplies has set up a Committee to deal with the import of oil into this country; whether this Committee has on it two representatives of large American oil producers and has only one Scotsman representing the oil trade of that country; whether this Committee has arranged for an allotted space for oil imports in the vessels arriving in this country; that this allotted space is systematically given to the larger importers of oil, namely, those who in 1915 imported 100 barrels and upwards per month; that these large importers are practically the Committee themselves and their immediate friends, resulting: in the allotted space being given to fifty importers while 350 are entirely excluded, not being allowed any space at all; and whether he will see that a fair method is adopted whereby all importers will he, treated proportionately?

The Committee referred to was set up in March, 1916, by the then Minister of Munitions, and has satisfactorily discharged the task committed to it. The Committee consists of eleven members, who were chosen at a general meeting of the whole of the lubricating oil importers of the country. The Ministry had nothing to do with the selection of the members. The suggestion that the importation of lubricating oils is practically confined to the members of the Committee and their immediate friends is without foundation. It was decided on the 12th instant to hold a meeting next month, when the constitution of the Committee will be open to discussion.

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) whether the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), in making recent extensive alterations on their premises at Annan, asked the permission of the Dean of Guild Court; if not, will he explain why this course was not adopted; (2) whether he is aware of the unanimous resolution passed by the town council of Annan calling attention to the uncalled for and unnecessary expenditure of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in that burgh; and whether, when private citizens are requested to economise in every way, he can restrain this board from reckless extravagance?

I will answer these two questions together. I have seen the resolution to which my right hon. Friend refers. It gives no particulars of any item of expenditure to which exception is taken. If reference is intended to certain alterations, the permission of the Dean of Guild Court was not necessary. The local advisory committee, on which the town council is. well represented, considered the plans of the proposed improvements and strongly approved of the scheme. If reference is intended to the board's capital expenditure, the amount of this expenditure was settled, not by the board, but by the Scottish Division of the Defence of the Realm Losses (Licensed Trade Claims) Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state, with reference to the taxation of the companies forming the Beef Trust, the amount lost to the Revenue through irregular demands being repeatedly made on the Hammond Company after a decision in the Courts in favour of the Crown; the amount lost through delays in making demands on the Armour Company; whether similar losses have been made in respect of other companies; and whether the parties responsible for these irregularities and delays are still dealing with the taxation of these companies?

I understand from the Board of Inland Revenue that they have no knowledge of any judicial decision in the case referred to. The Board are precluded by law from furnishing information relative to the Income Tax assessments upon particular taxpayers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether forms are now being delivered by registration officers requiring householders to return the names of persons in their houses for purposes of registrations as electors; what instructions have been given with regard to the collection of these forms; whether the collectors have been instructed to check the correctness of the returns; what check there will be as to the forms that are returned by post; and what measures will be taken to ensure that such an inquiry will be made as will secure that no person entitled to be registered shall be omitted from the lists through mistake or neglect on the part of the householder in making his return?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It will rest with the registration officer who is responsible for the compilation of the lists to make arrangements for such verification as may be necessary of the information contained in the form referred to, whether they are collected or returned by post. I may say, however, that in the memorandum of Instructions which I have issued I have expressed the view that a house-to-house inquiry will be necessary in practically every registration area. I will send my right hon. Friend a copy of these Instructions.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Metropolitan borough councils are being invited by the Commissioner of Police to construct protections for shelters against bombs during air raids; whether this will involve considerable expenditure; whether it has been represented to His Majesty's Government that the cost should fall upon the national Exchequer and not upon local rates; and whether he will advise the Treasury to make the necessary Grants for this purpose?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Commissioner of Police has recommended the local authorities in London to strengthen their air-raid shelters with sandbags, and the Government has undertaken to supply sandbags free of cost. This is the chief item of expenditure, and I think the remainder of the cost may well be borne by local funds in the Metropolis as it is in the rest of the country.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask if the chief ex- pense will not be labour, and whether in view of the national importance of the work the Government will pay out of the Treasury the amount expended on labour.

I cannot recommend that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of employing German prisoners on this kind of work?

I do not think that is either necessary or desirable.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if his attention has been called to the case of Private J. Barry, 2nd Scots Guards, who was a prisoner of war in Germany for three and a half years and is reported to have been killed by his guard on the 18th January, 1918; and, if so, will he state what action it is; proposed to take?

The evidence received from British sources has been only hearsay. No action has yet been taken, as it is hoped that direct evidence will shortly be available. This will, it is thought, allow of a complete refutation of the statement on the subject received from the German Government.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether the Committee to inquire into the working of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, has been appointed yet; and what provision has been made for the representation of the tenants' interests thereon?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on the Committee recently set up to inquire into the working of the Rent, etc., Act of 1915, and rents after the War, a representative of the property owners' organisation has been appointed, but no representative of the tenants' organisation has been appointed; and if he will see that this distinction is remedied by the appointment of a representative of the tenants?

The Terms of Reference and the names of the members of this Committee were published in the Press a few days ago. The members of the Committee were selected on the basis not of the representation of particular interests but of their knowledge and experience of the problems to be inquired into, and I think my hon. Friend may rest assured that the Committee will lack neither knowledge of the tenants' interests nor sympathy with their difficulties.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that whilst property owners are represented the people who pay the rents have not a representative on the Committee at all?

The Vice-Chairman of the London County Council Housing Committee, who is probably the gentleman referred to, was chosen because of his experience there. I think the interests of the tenants are fully safeguarded in the presence of the right hon. Member for Woolwich and other members of the Committee.

is my right hon. Friend not aware that the gentleman who is a member of the London County Council is also the representative of the Property Owners' Association, and does he not think if a Committee is set up to get fair opinion the interests of the tenants can only be looked after by those who are well informed through having the organisation of the tenants at their disposal?

I did my best to appoint a Committee of people who will fairly represent the interests on both sides. I never expected to get a Committee which would please everyone.

Is it not usual, when you set up a Committee, to see that all the interests are represented if parties and interests are to be upon it at all?

There are no partisan interests. I am sure Mr. Rowntree, Mr. Crooks, and Mr. Neville will adequately represent the interests of the tenants.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that one gentleman on that Committee is the representative of the property owners, and negotiated with the Local Government Board on that side during the whole of the communications in connection with the Rent Act?

I was not aware of that.

Having learnt that fact, will the right hon. Gentleman now take steps to have a representative of the tenants upon the Committee?

No; I cannot undertake to do that. This gentleman was not appointed because of that. I was not aware that he had done that work, and I have declined altogether at all times to appoint people on these Committees, because they represent particular interests.

Will the gentleman now be called upon to resign his position?

Would it not have been better in getting a representative of the London County Council to choose the Chairman of the Housing Committee instead of the Vice-Chairman?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a good number of the late trains have been cut off, and, in consequence, whether he can see his way clear to alter the Eleven o'Clock Rule to Ten o'Clock, with a view to meeting the convenience of a large number of the Members of the House?

As I said, in answer to a previous question, I hardly think that there would be any general desire in the House to make the proposed change.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Board of Trade is advising people to cut down gas and electric light, and would not this be a means of cutting down the supply of this House? Should not we set an example to other people?

Of course, in a matter of this kind, the Government would desire, as far as it could, to meet the wishes of the House, but we have to get through business. I have made inquiries of the President of the Board of Trade, and he tells me there has been no diminution of the means of locomotion around London which would necessitate such n change.

Would it not be possible to meet earlier in the day?

Could we not make a Rule during the War that speeches should be shorter?

I think it would be a good thing if there was such a Rule, but I should hardly like to suggest it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consult all Members of the House as to whether we should or should not cut down the hour at night?

I cannot say more than I have said. We certainly desire to meet the wishes of the House, but I think the additional hour would be required for business. To meet earlier would obviously have many disadvantages. It would be very disadvantageous to members of the Government to have an hour less in the morning for their business, and I think it would be disadvantageous to Members of the House.

A lot of windy talk goes on always.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the issue of allowances to discharged men whilst they are waiting training is contemplated; and, if so, whether he will state the conditions upon which such allowances will be issued?

As I stated in reply to the question put to me by the hon. and learned Member for South Salford on the 21st March, the payment of allowances to men awaiting training has been sanctioned. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the circular issued to local committees, in which the conditions governing the allowances are explained.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mr. V. H. Harris, late No. T.R. 3/29240, 70th Training Reserve Battalion, has been informed by the Superintendent, Pension Issue Office, Baker Street, W. 1, that for the period from 20th July, 1017, to 21st March, 1918, an overpayment of £24 10s. has been made to him in consequence of the concurrent issue of special temporary allowance and pensions; that this over payment vas due to his being incorrectly described in the notification authorising the issue to him of special temporary allowance; that a refund of the £24 10s. is now claimed; and whether, in view of the fact that overpayment was due to no neglect on the part of this discharged soldier and that he is only able to work irregularly, he will lake steps to have the claim cancelled?

The facts are as stated. Mr. Harris was, however, informed when the special temporary allowance was sent to him that this allowance was payable until his claim for pension had been decided. He still continued to receive the allowance after his pension was awarded, although he should have been aware that he was not entitled to receive both allowance and pension at the same time. Recovery of the over-issue is now being made from current pension at the rate of Is. 6d. per week, and I see no reason for interfering with this arrangement.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he can say if the difference of opinion with the German Government as to the status of all officers of the mercantile marine interned in this country and in Germany has now been settled; whether there are still fifty-four officers of the British mercantile marine still interned in Ruhleben over forty-five years of age who are entitled to repatriation under the agreement arrived at on the 2nd January, 1917; whether ho can state how many German officers of the German mercantile marine are still interned in this country awaiting repatriation under the same agreement; and when he anticipates this exchange will be completed?

I regret to have to state that the difference of opinion with the German Government has not yet been settled. Approximately, 100 ships' officers over the age of forty-five are still interned at Ruhleben, including engineers and officers of trawlers and fishing vessels. I understand that between eighty and ninety German ships' officers of the like age are interned in civilian camps here who were captured before November, 1916. The figures of those captured after that date are, unfortunately, not at present available. The repatriation of the above-mentioned officers is proceeding, and I have no reason to suppose that they will not be sent home as fast as the claims of other classes of prisoners and shipping facilities admit.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that upwards of 900 farmers from the three southern provinces, most of them comprising the new landowning class in Ireland, have already signed a protest against the introduction of Home Rule, in. view of the existing situation in Ireland; have the Government taken into consideration the position in which the many thousands of newly-created small landowners will be placed if authority for the maintenance of law and order is transferred from an Imperial to a Home Rule Executive; (2) whether ho has received, and read, a protest from many thousands of residents in the southern provinces of Ireland against the application of any measure of Home Rule to Ireland, in view of the present state of lawlessness and disloyalty of the part of the country in which they reside; and has he been able to state, in reply, that the Imperial Parliament will make a grant of any measure of self-government to Ireland contingent on the restoration of law and order?

I can add nothing to what has already been said on this subject.

Has the Prime Minister received a protest, and, if so, has he read it?

I am afraid I must ask my right hon. Friend the specific question as to whether he has read it. I have no doubt the has received it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the statement which the hon. and gallant Member for Galway made to his constituents yesterday, that the establishment of Home Rule will be a permanent safeguard against Conscription?

asked the Prime Minister if he will, as promised, bring in immediately the Home Rule Bill with a view to its speedily becoming law, and, if so, at what date?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret that i am not yet in a position to name a date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of the Government not to conscript Irishmen until the Home Rule Bill has passed its various stages?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish, on or before 24th April, the Report of the Treasury Committee on Contracts, presided over by Lord Inchcape?

In order to enable the Government to decide on the Committee's recommendations, I have sought and am awaiting expressions of the views of Departments concerned. Meantime I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that several companies producing gold from low-grade ore, which in pre-war time could be worked at a profit, are now compelled to close down, while others are threatened with the like fate; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government proposes by way of bonus per ounce or by recoupment of excess cost of working expenses, or in such other manner as may appear feasible or desirable, to prevent any reduction in the production of gold at a time when such production is of national importance, and to compensate companies which produce under the present circumstances of increased charges for labour and materials, and consequently of ever-increasing cost of production, so that they may be placed in the same position as the producers of all other commodities, who receive higher prices, while gold alone, as the standard of value, obtains no apprecation in this respect?

The question raised by my hon. Friend is receiving careful consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if his attention has been drawn to a certain rest camp largely used by soldiers operating in Egypt and Salonika which has accommodation for 20,000 men, and where the floating military population varies from 9,000 to 15,000; and, if so, will he say whether the services of more than one fully-qualified dental surgeon are available for the dental needs of this number of men?

I am inquiring by telegraph into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the Army Council will issue an Order authorising all English soldiers to wear the rose or a small St. George's flag on St. George's Day and all Welsh soldiers to wear the leek or daffodil on St. David's Day, whatever unit they may be serving in and irrespective of whether the commanding officer of the unit has or has not applied to the Army Council for such permission; and whether he is aware that a similar concession to that now asked for has been granted to all Irish soldiers by the Army Council and to all English sailors by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply, on the 16th instant, to a written question by ray hon and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone, from which he will see that Instructions of the nature suggested in the question have already been issued.

asked the Under-secretary for War whether he is prepared to institute an Appeal Tribunal consisting of three experienced officers, who will be prepared to hear appeals from officers who are condemned to forfeit their commissions; and whether these appeals can be heard and reported upon before a definite decision is taken by the Secretary of State for War?

This question will arise on the Report stage of the Army (Annual) Bill this afternoon. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will wait till then.

asked the present procedure for the granting of commissions in His Majesty's Army; whether any restrictions have been placed upon the entry of cadets to officers' training corps; and what facilities are available to young officers undergoing training of commanding units and handling bodies of men?

The Regulations for granting commissions in His Majesty's Army through the Royal Military Academy and Royal Military College are published from time to time in Army Orders. During the present War temporary commissions are granted, after a period of training in officer cadet units, under conditions which vary according to the exigencies of the Service. No restrictions have been placed during the War on the entry to senior and junior contingents of the officers' training corps. Everything possible is done to give young officers an opportunity of commanding platoons at training.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any steps have been taken to bring the training of these corps under modern requirements in the way of military training?

Yes; I believe that is being done.

asked the Under secretary for War whether commissions are now being granted to non-commissioned officers who are not recommended by their commanding officers; whether instructions have been sent to the commanding officers to the effect that they must forward the names of at least two non-commissioned officers for commissions irrespective of their fitness to hold such positions; and, if so, whether he is pre pared to modify this arrangement to avoid giving commissions to unsuitable candidates?

The reply to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative. I am not aware of such instructions having been sent to commanding officers, and every step is being taken to prevent commissions being granted to unsuitable candidates.

asked the Under secretary for War whether he is aware that, during recent Police Court proceedings, Colonel A'Court Repington, who is a retired officer, appeared in the uniform of a military officer; whether Police Court proceedings are regarded as military ceremonial; and whether, in view of the present uncertainty in the minds of re tired officers, he will give a definition of the term "military ceremonial"?

With regard to the first part of my hon, and gallant-Friend's question, my attention has not, so far as I can recollect, previously been drawn to the matter. As regards the latter part of the question, Police Court proceedings are not, of course, regarded as military ceremonial, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in stating that uncertainty exists in the minds of retired officers on the subject. Any function carried out under military arrangements at which it is incumbent upon officers on the active list to appear in uniform is a military ceremonial.

Is it not the case that Colonel Repington is a member of a military tribunal?

I do not know. If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question, I will ask.

asked the Under secretary of State for War if he is aware that, at the outbreak of the present War and up to the 4th December, 1914, retired officers recalled to duty were granted an outfit allowance of £100 under paragraph 671, Allowance Regulations, 1914, and that those retired officers who were recalled to duty after 4th December, 1914, were granted an outfit allowance of £50 only; and whether he will state the reason of this inequality?

The facts are as stated. It was found that £50 was a sufficient grant towards the cost of uniform as required for this War.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has now been called to the treatment of cases of gassing by inhalations of ozone generated from atmospheric air as distinct from the treatment by the use of pure oxygen, and as employed by Major George Stoker, C.M.G., Royal Army Medical Corps, and described by him; whether he is aware that this treatment has produced excellent results; and whether he will take steps in order that it may be extensively used?

This method of treatment has been under trial for some time, but the results so far have not been such as to justify its general adoption. It is still under trial, and, if the results indicate the advisability of doing so, its use will be adopted, but up to date its efficacy is not proved.

In the answer which the hon. Gentleman gave last week he said the officers at the War Office at that time had never heard of the treatment of gas cases in this way.

I am afraid the fault may have been mine, because I left out certain words. We had heard of it.

You suggested that I meant the opposite.

If the hon. Member will see me after questions, I will explain.