asked the Minister of Munitions if the product now being obtained from the distillation of cannel coal at gasworks is of any value as Admiralty fuel; and whether the offer by the Controller of the Munitions Mineral Oil Department of a £2,000 prize to any person who can make a satisfactory mixture of dehydrated coal-tar and petroleum does not indicate that low temperature distillation would be better adapted for the production of liquid fuel from cannel coal?

My hon. Friend has been called away on important business and has asked me to answer this question. It is expected that the product now being obtained from the distillation of cannel coal at gas works will be of considerable value as an Admiralty fuel. The prize offered by the Controller of Munitions Mineral Oil Production Department is for a different purpose altogether, having as its object the utilisation as fuel, in addition to cannel oil, large quantities of tar at present available from gas works not using cannel.

Will my hon. Friend consider the desirability of offering a similar prize for the best method of desulphurising the Dorset and Norfolk shales?

Well, that is obviously a matter that I cannot answer. No doubt my right hon. Friend will consider the desirability of taking this course.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that since December last correspondence has passed between the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society and the Director of Mechanical Transport regarding the release of a Dennis chassis which the society had been endeavouring to obtain since May of 1916; that upon the outbreak of war certain of the society's mechanical vehicles were commandeered; and that since then no new vehicles have been purchased, with the result that the existing fleet is fast wearing out, rendering it necessary that the Dennis chassis should be released in order that the distribution of foodstuffs through the society's 100 depots and shops may be continued; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to the chassis in question being released?

Inquiries are being made into this matter, and the result will be communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that Messrs. Workman and Clark, shipbuilders, of Belfast, a controlled establishment, have drawn up an agreement for the clerks engaged in their counting house and their timekeepers, stipulating as a condition of employment that these employés shall not be connected with in any way any organisation of a trade union character; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Munitions of War Act, he will say what action he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am afraid the answer is rather long. I understand that the firm in question have not drawn up any such agreement for their clerks in the counting-house, but have drawn up one for their timekeepers.

The provisions of the Munitions of War Acts, to which my hon. Friend refers, are apparently Section 4 (3) of the Act of 1915, Section 12 of the Act of 1916, and Section 9 of the Act of 1917. The effect of these enactments, so far as they bear, if at all, on the point now raised, appears shortly to be this:

(1) That no workman employed on, or in connection with munition work shall be discharged on the ground that he has joined or is a member of a trade union.

(2) That if any employer discharges a workman on any such ground, he shall be guilty of an offence under the original Act.

(3) That the term "workmen" in the original Act includes foremen, clerks, typists, draughtsmen, and other persons whole usual occupation consists wholly or mainly in work other than manual labour.

(4) That any rule, practice, or custom, not having the force of law which tends to restrict production or employment shall be suspended, and if any person is party to an endeavour to comply with such rule, that person is guilty of an offence under the original Act.

The precise bearing of these various enactments upon the agreement drawn up for timekeepers in this case is presumably a matter for the Law Officers, but it appears to me to be so far clear that if any timekeeper were refused employment, or discharged from employment, on the ground that he had refused to sign this undertaking, that would be a breach of the law. I give this as a layman's opinion. I have not had time to consult the Law Officers.

I ought to add, and this appears to bear upon Section 4 (3) of the original Act, that no person connected with any trade union organisation has ever applied for a situation as timekeeper with this firm, nor has any such person been discharged by the firm on that ground.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of a woman householder who refused to fill up or have anything to do with Form A, she stating that in her belief it was an attempt on the part of the Government to conscript her for military service; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a simple form which can be easily understood by uneducated persons, and which will not give rise to misapprehension of this character?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board has not had his attention drawn to this particular case. It would be impossible to frame a form, however simple, which would not give rise to misapprehension on the part of some persons, educated or uneducated.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he is aware that in some parishes the percentage of forms (Form A) returned by householders incorrectly filled up is as high as 70 per cent., in which cases it is necessary for the forms to be returned for completion or correction, involving repeated calls by canvassers and consequent delay in compiling the lists; whether he is aware that the inability to fill up the form is due to its complex nature rather than to lack of intelligence on the part of the householder; whether there is any real prospect of the register being printed by the date fixed by the Order in Council; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter;

(2) whether he has received any reports from registration officers, overseers, or others, as to the relative numbers or the percentage of postcards received from naval and military voters abroad claiming to be entered upon the electors' lists, in accordance with the arrangement outlined in the Memorandum R. P. 7, issued by his Department; whether he is able to give any estimate of the proportion of such voters who are likely to be disfranchised in consequence of the non-receipt by registration officers of such postcards; whether the system is working satisfactorily; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of arranging for an extension of the time within which the register is to be completed, in order that the names of all persons entitled to be registered may be entered in the lists; and

(3) whether he has received from registration officers any representations as to the impossibility of completing the register of electors within the prescribed time; and, if so, whether he will consider the question of extending the time in order to ensure that the register shall be complete and accurate?

My right hon. Friend is aware that in many districts considerable difficulties are experienced by registration officers in getting the information necessary to enable them to publish the lists in the time prescribed by the Order-in-Council and that these difficulties arise from a variety of causes. The question of & short postponement of dates for the preparation of the lists is under consideration.

Will the hon. Gentleman state whether it is proposed, as suggested in one of these questions, to use a simpler form for the guidance of the people who have to fill them up?

Would it not have been much better if instructions had been given for a house-to-house canvass?

Circulars have been sent out to the registration officers impressing upon them the desirability of making, wherever possible, a house-to-house canvass. That is distinctly laid down in the circular. As to the simpler form, it is not so easy as the hon. Member may think, and simplicity itself sometimes leads to greater difficulties.

Does my hon. Friend think the form sent out is the last word in simplicity?

If a longer period is given, will the hon. Member see that longer time is given for the inspection of the register in order to ensure that everyone will have an opportunity of seeing whether his or her name is on the register?

It is quite impossible to promise that, but the whole matter is receiving very careful consideration. On the one hand, it is impossible to make it a long period, and, on the other, it is desirable that a reasonable time should be given.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he is satisfied that British subjects interned in Holland are receiving a sufficient amount of food?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to questions on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford West.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he is now able to state the amount of monthly hire paid by the French and Italian Governments, respectively, to a vessel of their own nationality of 4,800 tons gross register, 12 knots speed, and 7,500 tons dead-weight capacity, when requisitioned by them?

As to France, it would seem that for a vessel of the type, size, and speed referred to, and assuming that the vessel has not changed hands during the War and that the rate of depreciation adopted by the owner during the War is not more than 5 per cent. per annum, the French owner would-receive, under requisition, about 13s. 3d. per gross ton per month, owners paying the whole coat of crews' wages and not merely the pre-war cost, and the French Government taking the marine risk As to Italy, I am not yet in a position to furnish the information desired by my hon. Friend as to the Italian terms.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of additional teachers who will be required to supply, after twelve months, the deficiencies of teachers in elementary and secondary schools, and the additional number required if the Education Bill passes into law and becomes fully operative after twelve months; whether he has sanctioned the release of a large number of teachers from schools for military service; and how he proposes to supply the existing and prospective demand for trained teachers?

It is not possible to deal with the first point within the limits of a question and answer. It is estimated that over 20,000 teachers have been released from service in elementary schools and about 2,500 from Grant-aided secondary schools. The problem of increasing the supply of teachers is engaging my constant and anxious attention.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not recently within the last few days released a large number more of teachers, and how does he square that with his policy under the Education Bill?

I think the two lines of policy are compatible. It is obviously necessary in the military urgency that some additional teachers should be released. That, of course, is regrettable, but at the same time I am hoping to improve the conditions of the teaching profession and make it sufficiently attractive to cause more candidates to come forward.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether it is proposed to appoint a Committee of inquiry into the Army medical services in this country and in the Eastern theatres of war, with a view to the better utilisation of the services of medical men in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

The answer is in the negative.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the original terms of reference to this Committee?

No, Sir.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the medical services in France contained any proposals for the reorganisation of the service with a view to utilising; to the fullest degree medical officers who are at present serving in the Army Medical Corps; and, if so, whether he can now state the reasons for withholding the publication of this Report to Parliament?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 2nd May.

Can the hon. Member; give any indication as to what the recommendations of this Committee were?

I am quite willing to see my hon. and gallant Friend privately, and give him any information I have.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is intended to raise the pay of the Territorial officer, Royal Army Medical Corps, so as to place him on the same footing as a temporary medical officer?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 21st February last to my hon. Friend the Member for the West Derby Division of Liverpool.

asked whether an officer of His Majesty's Special Reserve of Officers who has been placed on the Retired List in consequence of wounds, But who has not relinquished his commission, is entitled to the gratuity awarded to officers who have left the service and also to the issue of a service rendered badge?

An officer in such circumstances would be entitled to the gratuity under Article 497 of the Royal Warrant and also to wear the silver war badge.

asked whether officers of His Majesty's Special Reserve of Officers who have been placed on the re tired list in consequence of wounds, who are described in the Army List as non- effective officers and who clearly still hold His Majesty's commission, are debarred from wearing uniform?

Officers of the Special Reserve on the Retired List are permitted to wear uniform when employed in a military capacity, and on ceremonial occasions of a military nature.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the treatment of British prisoners; whether the stipulations of the military convention of January, 1917, are being infringed; and, if so, what retaliatory measures it is proposed to take?

This matter has been referred to the War Cabinet, but I am afraid I can add nothing at present to the reply which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on the 2nd May.

asked the Under secretary of State for War if he will have inquiry made into the way in which the men of the Machine Gun Corps, No. 1 Reserve Battalion, Belton Park Camp, Grantham, are being treated, having to rise at 5.30 in the morning, and, with the exception of three short intervals for meals, are kept hard at work on physical training, rifle drill, company drill, and so on, until 6.30, and on the second day have to mount guard in the evening until 7 a.m. next morning, when they have to fall in at the usual drills without an interval?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that on Christmas Day, 1917, a number of members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment of the Red Cross Society of Kirkcudbrightshire received notice of dismissal owing to an alleged breach of discipline, and that their request to allow them to be heard in their own defence has been rejected by all their superior officers; whether he is aware that these ladies have given years of devoted service gratuitously, and what steps he proposes to take to secure justice for these ladies?

These ladies were serving in a voluntary hospital under the administration of the Scottish Red Cross Society, and I am afraid that it is not a matter in which I can intervene.

Has the War Office nothing to do with this detachment?

Nothing at all. This hospital is administered by the Red Cross Society.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any arrangements have been made by his Department to utilise the steamers returning to America by repatriating Canadian and American women desirous of going back; and is he aware that many prospective brides have been waiting for years for some arrangement for ship accommodation being made by his Department?

On behalf of the Department concerned, I have to say that advantage is taken of suitable opportunities to repatriate Canadian women and children, and the selection of the passengers to embark is made in consultation with the Departments and Dominion representatives concerned. With regard to prospective brides, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply of 5th February, a copy of which I am sending him. I believe arrangements are made by the United States authorities for repatriating American women.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether bonus shares, resulting from the capitalisation of undistributed profits, are treated as income or as capital in respect of taxation?

It is a fundamental principle of the Income Tax Acts to charge Income Tax upon all profits at the source whether they are distributed or not. As regards bonus shares issued in respect of accumulated taxed profits, the question whether they fall to be included in the computation of the total income of the person receiving them is one which can only be determined by reference to the particular facts.

asked the Home Secretary whether the letter from General Maurice appearing in yesterday's "Daily Chronicle" was submitted to the Censor before publication; if so, were any portions of the original letter deleted by the Censor?

This letter was submitted to the Censor before publication, and some words were deleted by him. I may add that I have looked into the matter and am satisfied that the words in question were properly deleted.

May I ask whether the words that were deleted were so deleted because it was considered that they would give information to the enemy or be prejudicial to this country and the Allies, and if it was not upon those grounds, by whose authority were they deleted on any other ground?

The words in question were deleted because they contained a reference to a secret document to which General Maurice had had access by virtue of his official position, and because the words, if published, would, I think, have given a wrong impression of the contents of that document.

May I ask if it in offence against the Defence of the Realm Act—

That is a legal question,, which requires notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the hon. Baronet the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir G. Younger) sent out on behalf of the Executive of the National Unionist Association a three-lined Whip against proportional representation urging Unionist Members to vote against the Commissioners' scheme, and whether he does not consider this a breach of the promise made that this Division should be free from the influence of party Whips?

I am not aware, nor was my Noble Friend the Patronage Secretary, of the fact mentioned in the question, and I have not had an opportunity of consulting my hon. Friend (Sir G. Younger), who is in Scotland. I find, however, that, as chairman of the committee referred to, my hon. Friend did send out this Whip, but I learn also that during the passage of the Franchise Bill he occasionally sent out Whips in favour of Amendments against which I voted. It must not be overlooked that my hon. Friend has no official connection with the Government.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether he does not think that there is some inconsistency in the Unionist machine being used in connection with a matter which he admits is an open question in the Unionist party?

Yes; I should prefer saying nothing about this until I have consulted my hon. Friend, but I think the members of our party who take a different view have a grievance, if anyone has a grievance. It is really the result of the relaxation of party discipline which results from a Coalition Government.

May I take ft for granted that this Whip was not sent out from the Government Whip's office?

Most certainly; and the Government Whips know nothing whatever about it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Whip against proportional representation sent out by the hon. Member for Westminster (Mr. Burdett-Coutts) was sent out from the Government Whip's office, or at any rate was prepared there?

That is another question of which the hon. Member has given no notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Canadian Press that the Colonial Office is responsible for the creation of the Order of the British Empire, and that the Colonial Secretary has repeatedly pressed the Prime Minister of Canada to submit lists of recommendations, and if he can give the House any information on this subject?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for giving me an opportunity of making a statement on this matter, as to which considerable misapprehension seems to exist. The Colonial Office was not consulted on the question of creating the Order of the British Empire, as this arose out of considerations which had no special reference to the Dominions or Colonies. But when it was decided to make use of this Order for the purpose of recognising notable war service rendered by civilians of both sexes in this country, I claimed that services of no less merit had been rendered in the Dominions and that it should be made possible for their Prime Ministers, if they thought fit, to submit names for similar recognition on precisely the same scale as that adopted here. My claim was readily allowed, and, after ascertaining the scale proposed for this country, I communicated to the various Governors-General and the Governor of Newfoundland the number of honours in each of the five classes of the Order for which it would be open to their Prime Ministers to make recommendations. I think I made it perfectly clear that the numbers given represented merely an upward limit, and that within those numbers it was—as, of course, it must have been—entirely a matter for the Prime Minister's discretion to put forward as many or as few names as he chose, or, indeed, to put forward none at all if he so decided.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, before making these representations, he inquired of the representatives of the Overseas Dominions in this country whether the countries they represented were desirous of an extension of these shoddy ornaments?

The hon. Member's suggestion is one which it would be most improper for any Minister to act upon. I make my communications to the Governments concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the grant of these honours causes much more dissatisfaction to people who do not get them than to people who get them?

asked the Secretary for Scotland when he will introduce the Scottish Education Bill?

I hope to introduce the Education (Scotland) Bill shortly after the Whitsuntide Recess.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the present crowded state of asylums and of the existing unfair differentiation against the claims put forward by the relatives of pauper patients, an compared with the claims which can be put forward by the relatives of private, or paying, patients, he will cause to be posted near the entrance to the observation wards in all Poor Law infirmaries the terms of Section 22 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, which provides that a friend or relative of the alleged lunatic may, previous to certification, claim that the pauper patient be delivered over to their custody, assuming the responsibility in regard to his being no longer chargeable to any union, and being prevented doing harm to himself or others; and is he aware that in the majority of such cases the relatives are wholly ignorant of the terms of this Section, and that it has in consequence become a dead letter?

My right hon. Friend will consult the Secretary of State as to the desirability or otherwise of adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused by the Status of Aliens Act, 1914, on children born abroad on or after 1st January, 1915, of British fathers, themselves born in a foreign country, with the result that their children cannot be registered as British subjects; and whether he will introduce legislation to remedy this hardship?

Yes, Sir. This question is one of a number of difficult problems of nationality affecting the British Empire which will, I hope, be investigated after the War, with a view to legislation where necessary.