asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to state the losses of the German armies in killed, wounded, and missing; whether the Government will state the aggregate British losses up to 31st October; whether the Government is in a position to estimate, approximately, the losses of the other allied Powers and of Austria; whether it is the purpose of the Allies, after the expulsion of the German forces from Belgium, French, and Russian territory, to continue this conflict until the subjugation and disintegration of both the German and the Austrian Empires have been effected; and whether, upon the withdrawal of the hostile armies from the allied territories, the Allies will formulate and make public such conditions of settlement as will, in their judgment, ensure permanent peace, the effective establishment of international law, the cessation of competitive expenditure upon military and naval equipment, and the early repudiation of Prussian militarist policy by the people of Germany?

The British casualties in the Western area of the War up to 31st October are, approximately, 57,000 of all ranks. The Government are not in a position to estimate the losses of the other allied Powers, nor those of the enemy.As regards the other matters mentioned in the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to what I have said publicly on this subject both in this House and elsewhere.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as in the case of the Regular Army, a Return will be given of the religion of all the recruits for the New Armies now being formed, in order that a healthy rivalry between all religions may help recruiting?

The Return asked for cannot be given, as, in order to save labour that is not absolutely necessary, officers in charge of records have been told that this year the usual Annual Return of religious denominations need not be rendered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that in modern ships boatswains have often gunnery work to perform and that in some ships all the gunners are boatswains; and if he can grant these men their gunnery allowance for first and second-class certificates?

I am aware that boatswains, in common with the majority of officers of a ship, often have gunnery duties to perform, but am not aware that in some ships all the gunners are boatswains. It is not proposed to grant gunnery allowance to boatswains who have not undergone the training necessary to qualify for such allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to lay before the House of Commons the text of the Treaty of Arbitration recently entered into between Great Britain and the United States of America; whether treaties in identical terms have been arranged with twenty-eight other Powers; if so, whether he will enumerate them; and whether it is intended to arrange treaties of a similar or more comprehensive character between Great Britain and its present Allies and with neutral Powers generally?

As regards part 1 of the question the hon. Member no doubt refers to the Peace Commission Treaty recently signed with the United States. As soon as I hear that ratifications have been exchanged, I propose to publish the text of the Treaty. The answer to parts 2, 3, and 4 is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any decision has been come to by the War Office as to the purchase of the Ludgershall waterworks?

No final decision has been reached, but in existing circumstances the purchase of these waterworks does not, it is considered, offer any appreciable military advantage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that William Lodge, pensioner, Royal Army Medical Corps, of 163, Wingfield-street, Portsmouth, was asked in June-July if he would come up for mobilisation if and when wanted; that he replied in the affirmative; and that he was so called up on 3rd August to serve for the period of the War, giving up his civilian employment, till 3rd November, when he was sent for, paid up to date, and discharged, and his place taken by Home Hospital Reservists, who serve for less money; and if any compensation will be paid to William Lodge or if he will be re-employed, he being a married man with seven children?

The War Office has no information on this matter, but I am having inquiries made.