asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if the German Government have fully reciprocated with this country in furnishing lists of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who may be prisoners of war and of civilians who have been interned or otherwise prevented from leaving Germany; and, if not, whether information with regard to German prisoners of war and civilians interned or otherwise detained is still furnished to the enemy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Lists of prisoners of war and civilians interned or detained continue to be exchanged.

asked whether any steps have been taken to secure the release of medical men who are British subjects detained in Germany; and, if so, whether any indication can be given as to the date when they will be allowed to return home?

His Majesty's Government were informed on the 3rd October that the German Government might allow doctors and ministers of religion to return from Germany, and on 8th October His Majesty's Government made a definite offer of reciprocal treatment with regard to these and three other classes of person. On 22nd October His Majesty's Government were informed that the German Government had accepted the offer, and would permit the departure of medical men and ministers of religion, and since then medical men have been returning, though a doctor was detained at Bad Nauheim until last week. The answer refers to civilians only.

What are the three other classes?

Invalids, persons who, owing to weakness or physical infirmity, were not likely to make efficient soldiers, and persons who had not had military training. These classes were refused.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, what his Department is now doing to encourage farmers to put more land under wheat so as to lessen the risk of a shortage of bread, owing to the failure of the supply of wheat from some of those countries which usually grow more than they need?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a Memorandum and a leaflet on this subject which the Board have circulated as widely as possible among farmers. Although in some districts the dry weather unfortunately interfered with autumn cultivation, the latest reports received by the Board indicate that in many parts of the country farmers have been able to sow a substantial increased area with wheat under satisfactory conditions.

asked what steps the Board is taking to remedy the scarcity of farm horses caused by the wastage of the war?

The estimated number of farm horses acquired by the military authorities does not exceed 2 per cent. of the total. The temporary inconvenience caused in districts where a larger proportion was taken appears from reports received from the Board's inspectors, who have been investigating the matter, to have been satisfactorily adjusted.

asked if the Board of Agriculture Department is apprehensive of any serious lack of agricultural labourers owing to so many men from the rural districts having joined the Army?

The Board are watching very carefully the supply of agricultural labour, and hope, with the help of the Labour Exchanges, to prevent any serious interference with farming operations. I may mention that in some districts where a shortage has already occurred an increase of the wages offered has had the desired result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if there has been any increase in the work of afforestation promoted by his Board since the War began; and, if so, to what extent?

Since the outbreak of the War the Board's Forestry inspectors have surveyed several areas in England and Wales and are in communication with the owners of suitable land with a view to the utilisation of unemployed labour in afforestation if occasion should arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether His Majesty's Government will introduce and pass a measure empowering magistrates to issue warrants for the summary arrest of women of notorious bad character who are infesting the neighbourhood of the various military camps in the United Kingdom, to the detriment of the morals and health of the troops, and further to empower the magistracy to commit such women for detention in a hospital or reformatory until the close of the War?

While the Government recognises the serious nature of the evil to which the Noble Lord alludes, I fear it would not be possible to deal with it effectively by such legislation as he recommends. We must rely partly on the organised efforts which are being made by voluntary women workers and partly on the firm enforcement of the existing law by the police and the magistrates.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a memorial from the justices of the peace for the county of Hertford, acting for the division of Buntingford, relating to a farm colony known as Libury Hall German Farm Colony; whether he has replied to that memorial; and, if so, what is the tenor of his reply.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The receipt of the memorial was acknowledged, but I have not been able to send a final reply as the matter is still under the consideration of the Destitute Aliens Committee, to whom I referred the memorial. I may say, however, that most of the Germans in the colony have been removed, and there now remain only a few who are aged or infirm; and the question is being considered whether in future the colony should be used exclusively for this class.

asked whether any steps have been taken to secure that uncensored news coming into newspaper offices shall not be accessible to persons of alien enemy origin or sympathies?

All cables and telegrams are censored before they reach the newspaper offices. It is not possible to have a complete censorship of letters, or of news, brought by courier, but the newspapers submit to the Press Bureau any news the propriety of publishing which may be doubtful. English editors must be trusted not to give access to unpublished news to persons in sympathy with, the enemy.

asked the Home Secretary how many alien enemies are now interned in the various concentration camps; and whether he can give any estimate of the number of alien enemies still at large?

I am informed by the War Office that the number of alien enemies, other than prisoners taken in action or on merchant ships, interned in the various concentration camps is about 14,500. Comparing this number with the figures of adult male Germans, Austrians and Hungarians registered at the beginning of the War, I estimate that about 29,000 are at large.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether exceptional treatment, including freedom from arrest, is being extended to certain alien enemies, who being of Polish race are certified by the Polish Information Committee; whether similar treatment has been or will be extended to other enemies, such as Alsatians, Holsteiners, and Trentine Italians, whose friendly dispositions to this country are vouched for by responsible persons; and (2) whether persons of British nationality are treated with greater leniency in Hungary than in other parts of the Dual Monarchy, and that the feeling in Hungary has for generations been, and still is, much more friendly towards Great Britain than in Austria or Prussia; and whether he will consider the granting to alien enemies who are Hungarian subjects of approved goodwill a correspondingly favourable treatment?

It is a matter of great difficulty to discriminate between races and to ascertain whether the sentiments of individuals are friendly or otherwise; but, so far as practicable, persons belonging to races friendly to the Allies who are themselves friendly are exempted from internment, and every consideration consistent with the law is shown them in the enforcement of the Aliens Restriction Act. I regret, however, that the circumstances of the present War do not justify the view that Hungarians can be regarded as generally friendly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. W. T. Sargant and Sons, of 6, Mincing Lane, E.C., have been, contrary to the King's Regulations, trading with the enemy; whether he is aware that the London County and Westminster Bank, Mincing Lane branch, parted with German warrants in trust to W. T. Sargant and Sons; whether he is aware that the City police have made investigations and are in possession of all copies of correspondence, which prove that these transactions have taken place, but were prevented from prosecuting by order of someone in authority; and, having regard to the importance of this question and in the public interest, if he will state whether any prosecution in this case has been stopped by order of the Home Office?

I have made enquiries in the matter, which had not been previously brought to the notice of the Home Office. I find that the City police received anonymous allegations as to certain transactions by this firm, but, after inquiry, they were satisfied with regard to the transactions in question, and, no further action being necessary, did not report the matter to the Home Office. The firm had received express authority from the Board of Trade to sell certain goods which had been imported into Germany before the commencement of the War.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the police were informed by two employés—men of position—who resigned their posts in this firm as a protest; further, is he aware that the police themselves informed these men that the Home Office had stopped the prosecution?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the assertion that all these goods dealt with were sent into Germany in May and June, prior to the outbreak of the War, and will he make inquiry as to and ascertain the bona fides of the people who made these grotesquely incorrect allegations against this respectable firm?

I will make further inquiries if the hon. Member desires. I have given all the information I have.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also inquire as to the statement bandied about in regard to a very prominent public official, who is supposed to be a relative of this firm, and will he, in fairness to that gentleman, investigate the matter thoroughly?

Yes, I will investigate the matter as thoroughly as I can.

asked the Home Secretary if he will issue a Return showing the various districts within the United Kingdom in which the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor (Temporary Restriction) Act, 1914, have been put into operation, giving in each case the hours during which the sale of liquor has been prohibited under Section 1 of the Act?

As regards England and Wales, I obtained information at the beginning of the month, which showed that in 259 out of the 1,000 licensing districts Orders had been made under the Act suspending the sale, supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor. In ninety-six cases the suspension is from 10.0 p.m., in 156 cases from 9.0 p.m., and in seven cases from 8.0 p.m. In the case of fifty of the Orders the suspension extended also to the morning hours from 6 to 8, in some cases 9.0. As regards Scotland or Ireland, I must refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friends the Secretary for Scotland and the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. I do not think that a return of the Orders in detail would be very useful at the present moment, as the action taken under the Act is still very far from complete. I should prefer to postpone it for a time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a memorial from prominent citizens of Liverpool pointing out the inadequacy of the Intoxicating Liquors (Temporary Restriction) Act and the urgent need of curtailing facilities for the sale of drink at this time; and whether he will consult the Leader of the Opposition with a view to the passage of an agreed amending Bill?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, if an agreed Bill can be introduced, the Government will be glad to proceed with it; but, in the absence of agreement, I fear I cannot promise legislation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a resolution, passed by the Islington borough council, on the subject of the darkening of London; if he has any information pointing to the effect of the darkening as a cause of street accidents; and in view of the public inconvenience, the loss to shopkeepers, and the perils of the streets, can he say whether any early relaxation of the darkening Order may be looked for, or is he informed that its indefinite continuance is desired by the military authorities?

I have received the borough council's representation. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the police returns show no increase in the number of traffic accidents occurring by night. The regulations are made on the advice of the Admiralty, who are responsible for the defence of London against aerial attack. They have already been relaxed so as to allow lamps inside shop windows to remain brightly lighted till 6 p.m., and I shall be glad to relax them further as soon as the Admiralty advise me that this can safely be done.

asked the Home Secretary the number of street accidents in London during October, 1914, as compared with those of October, 1913?

In the Metropolitan Police district, the number of street accidents known to the police was—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval cadets were discharged from Dartmouth at the commencement of the War and placed on board ship; and how many of these have since been killed in action?

The answer to the first part of the question is 434. Of this number I am very sorry to say that 23 have lost their lives in action. The chance of war has fallen with exceptional severity in the early stages on the ships of the reserve Fleets.

Does the right hon. Gentleman include those in the "Monmouth" in that number? There were ten in the "Monmouth." I think there must be a mistake.

The Return has been compiled from headquarters. It may be so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the reasons which influenced the Admiralty in sending the naval cadets from Dartmouth on board ship at the commencement of the War; and whether he proposes that they should return to complete their education after the War is over?

The decision to send the naval cadets from Dartmouth to sea in time of war was arrived at a considerable time ago. It was felt that young officers of their age would be of great use on board His Majesty's ships, and that they would learn incomparably more of their profession in war than any educational establishment on shore could teach them. They are a regular part of the ship's complement. The question as to whether these young officers should return to Dartmouth after the War is over must depend upon circumstances, and in particular upon the duration of the War. I do not think it is at all likely.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he intends to send at the end of each term at Dartmouth a fresh supply of naval cadets on to the Fleet, or whether he proposes that those boys now entering Dartmouth should complete their education in the ordinary way?

It is not intended to send any cadets from Dartmouth to sea at the end of the present term, and drafting in the future will depend on the requirements of the Fleet. The syllabus of their education is being arranged accordingly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what date were the naval cadets on the "Aboukir," "Hogue," and "Cressy" promoted midshipmen, and by whose orders did such promotions take place?

The surviving cadets of the "Aboukir" were rated midshipmen from the 22nd September by order of the Admiralty. The cadets of the "Hogue" were rated by their captain from the 2nd August. The cadets of the "Cressy" were understood to have been rated midshipmen by their captain immediately prior to the loss of the ship, but the report did not reach the Admiralty. The captain having been lost, the Admiralty ordered the surviving cadets to be rated midshipmen from the 22nd September.

asked the Home Secreetary whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made on behalf of the proprietor of Sanatogen that the Home Secretary had assented to the business being carried on for the benefit of the proprietor and also to a company being formed for the purpose of acquiring the business from the proprietor; whether the proprietor is an alien enemy; whether any such licence and sanction as alleged has been given, which would have the effect of enabling dealing by a company with such alien enemy; and whether any step is proposed to be taken to prevent the continuance of such a business for the benefit of an alien enemy?

The statement mentioned in the first paragraph of the question is untrue. The proprietor of the firm is an enemy now in Germany, and application was made for permission to convert the business into an English limited company. I have declined to sanction such an arrangement, and effective steps will be taken to prevent any profits being remitted to the proprietor during the War.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any assistant paymasters, Royal Naval Reserve, direct from the shore, have been granted commissions and appointed to ships in charge of accounts; whether the experience of Royal Naval Reserve officers in naval work of this kind is comparable to the experience of writers in the Royal Navy; and will he say why vacancies for the officers' accountancy branch, Royal Navy, are not filled in the same way as other vacancies in the Royal Navy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; but generally speaking, vacancies in the accountant branch of the Royal Navy have been filled from the Reserve of officers, as is done in all other branches. With regard to the rest of the question, the claims to advancement to chief writers will not be overlooked.

Is there any truth in the statement that someone has been tried by court-martial and convicted?

I have no knowledge. If the hon. Gentleman thinks it desirable to get any information on the point, he had better put down a question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the wives of warrant officers serving in the Royal Navy are eligible for the separation allowance; and whether in this respect they are treated in the same way as warrant officers of the Royal Marines; and, if not, can he explain why a difference is made?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the wives of naval warrant officers are not receiving separation allowance whilst their husbands are on active service with the Fleet; and, if so, whether it is proposed to grant such separation allowance to them?

The wives of warrant officers of the Navy are not eligible for separation allowance. I am giving their case consideration, but can give no undertaking in the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether hardship has arisen in the case of widowed mothers of boys who have been lost in ships sunk during the War and who were within a short period of being rated; and whether he will consider the advisability of asking the State to pay these women something better than twelve months' pay at 7d. a day?

While I fully share the hon. Member's sympathy with the widowed mothers in these cases, I am unable to hold out any hope that the general principle of assessing gratuities upon annual earnings will be modified.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the grant of allowances to wives and dependants and also to widows and dependants apply to all married persons whether married before or since the War began?

So far as the Navy is concerned, yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will at once take the necessary steps to improve the pensions payable to the widows of and persons dependent upon soldiers and sailors killed in the War and to improve the pensions of soldiers and sailors wholly or partially disabled by wounds, illness, or accident sustained in or occasioned by the War?

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said on this subject on Wednesday last.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration representations made to him by different bodies?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he is aware that the wives of soldiers married after the enlistment of their husbands and since the 14th August are not receiving separation allowances; and if there are many who if they had remained unmarried would now be receiving separation allowances?

Yes, Sir, as a general rule; but it is not intended that a woman who was qualified to receive separation allowance as dependent on a soldier should forfeit it by marrying him.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, by legislation passed since the beginning of the present War, the French Government has undertaken to pay to the wives resident in France of British, Belgian, Russian, and Serbian Reservists called up for service the same weekly allowance as is paid to the wives of French Reservists; and whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to reciprocate this good office in the case of the wives resident in the United Kingdom of French Reservists, and to extend it similarly in the case of our other allies?

The question has already been brought to the attention of His Majesty's Government. The French Government have been officially informed that there is every reason to suppose that private agencies in this country will be in a position to render the necessary assistance to the families of French citizens serving in the War, but that, in the event of these agencies failing, the French Government may be assured that effective measures to provide the necessary assistance will be taken by His Majesty's Government.

asked whether evidence was taken in connection with the inquiry into soldiers' and sailors' pensions and allowances and dependants' allowances; whether it was printed; and whether it can be laid before Parliament?

In the course of inquiries made by the Departments concerned, advice and assistance, for which the Government is most grateful, was freely forthcoming from many of those specially interested and informed; no formal evidence was recorded, and there are therefore no Papers which can be laid.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has had any adverse reports on the question of forwarding the lists of allotments from His Majesty's ships; is he aware that in many cases, owing to allotments not being forwarded in time, hardship has occurred to the dependants of the men making the allotments; that in several instances these dependants have had to seek advances from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association when they ought to have been in possession of their own money, and that in some instances aid has had to be sought from charitable organisations; and will he see that in future, when a man makes an allotment, the officer responsible for forwarding the list does not make undue delay?

I am aware that there have been some cases of hardship, which have been alleviated by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, owing to the non-declaration of allotments on the part of the men. As far as active service men are concerned, there need have been no hardship as the Admiralty facilities for regular allotment to their families existed before the War. As regards Reservists, it is probable that in some cases, owing to the necessity for extremely rapid mobilisation and departure for various stations, the men did not find time to declare allotments before sailing, and that such allotments, declared later, could only be forwarded from the next port of call. I am not aware, however, that the allotment once made, there has been any delay on the part of the responsibile officers on board ship in forwarding the lists. There has been no delay in making payment when the lists were received, and every endeavour has been made, both by general Admiralty orders and by specific references to ships in particular cases, to induce men to adopt the method of allotment for forwarding part of their wages to their families; and I may add that the number of allotments has since the commencement of the War increased from 73,000 to over 160,000. I can only add for the information of the hon. Member, and any other hon. Members interested, that I shall be glad to receive personally particulars of any cases in which difficulties or delays occur.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman received any complaints that the assistant paymasters, Royal Naval Reserve, have not forwarded the allotment?

I cannot recall them. I have received complaints that wives have not received their allowances. They have been attended to. I am only too glad of the opportunity to deal with them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a man on promotion to warrant rank from the lower deck is as a rule married; whether he has had before him the case of a boatswain who has attained warrant rank receiving 6s. a day and paying 30s. to £2 a month for his mess and washing; and will he say what amount of money that man can allot a month, taking into consideration the basis on which the new separation allowance scheme is formed, and show that this sum is sufficient to support a wife and six children as well as to meet rent and other necessary outgoings?

I am aware that a man on promotion to warrant rank from the lower deck is, as a rule, married, and I am, as I have already said, giving consideration to the question whether separation allowance ought to be extended to his case. I may add that a boatswain's pay on promotion is 6s. a day, of which he may allot £6 a month to his wife, but I have some doubt whether his ordinary messing and washing cost him as much as is stated in the question.

asked whether all claims for separation allowance to the wives and families of men who have enlisted are now receiving prompt attention; and whether all arrears in this Department have now been cleared up?

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he can offer some reason for the delay in payment of separation allowances; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the statements that have been made, hardship exists in homes owing to the non-arrival of separation allowances; and will he see that the department of the War Office which deals with this matter is better organised than appears to be the case in present conditions?

I will answer No. 74 at the same time. All known arrears have been cleared up.

asked (1) the Under-Secretary for War, whether, in the case of men in the Army Special Reserve or Territorial Force who have served outside the United Kingdom and who die during the War, he can say whether their wives and those dependent on them will receive the same separation allowance till the end of the War as they would have received if these men had not been killed; and (2) whether, in the case of men in the Army Special Reserve or Territorial Force who have served outside the United Kingdom during the War and who die during the War, he can say whether their wives will receive the same weekly separation allowance after the War, unless they marry again?

asked the Under-Secretary for War, if the Army Council is favourably considering, with a view to encouraging enlistment, the proposal to give a pension of £1 per week to every soldier so wounded in the War as to be unfitted to earn his own living, and a like pension to the widow of every soldier killed inaction or dying of wounds received in action?

I will reply at the same time to Questions 67 and 86. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that he will appoint a Committee to inquire further into these matters.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Beckhurst, of 35, Upper Charlton Street, London, W., wife of Private William James Beckhurst, who joined the King's Royal Rifles on 28th August at Winchester, has only received the following moneys: £3 11s. 5d. to 11th October and £1 2s. 2d. each week from that date from the paymaster at Winchester; whether he is aware that the paymaster failed to answer letters of inquiry sent to him by the local Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, dated 4th, 22nd, 23rd, and 28th October, and that it was not until a telegram was sent on 7th November that a reply was received stating the above-mentioned payments had been made to Mrs. Beckhurst, and that in the meantime charges of neglect had been made reflecting upon the conduct of the case by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, although as a fact the late employers of Private Beckhurst have paid Mrs. Beckhurst over £12 upon her representation that she had received nothing; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am having inquiry made into the facts of this case.

asked whether the wives and dependants of soldiers who make inquiries at the new inquiry office which the Government has set up at the War Office, after giving all particulars of their cases, are referred back to their local Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Associations?

As far as possible arrangements are made by the War Office direct with the proper paymaster for payment. It is only where the circumstances do not admit of this and the case appears to be necessitous that applicants are advised to have recourse to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Associations.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the paymaster at the Army Pay Office, Hounslow, has told the wife of Private James Clancy, No. 2183, East Kent Regiment, that, as her husband has only allotted to her 4d. a day from his pay, which is 4d. a day less than the lowest allotment permitted for a wife and two children, he has therefore to deduct 4d. a day for seven days (2s. 4d. from her weekly allowance of 21s.), and remits only 18s. 8d.; if the statement enclosed, upon which is printed that the lowest allotment a soldier must make (8d. a day) is included in the separation allowance, is correct; and whether, under these circumstances, if the Government are not receiving the balance of the money (2s. 4d. a week) from Private Clancy they will get it from him and not deduct it from his wife's allowance?

Enquiries are being made regarding this case, but I have not yet received any report.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether some National Reservists recently rejoined the Colours on the distinct understanding that they were to be allowed a separation allowance for their wives and children; whether intimation has since been given to these men through their commanding officers that the allowance will not be granted; and, if so, in view of the importance of the question in regard to recruiting, will he state what course the Government intend to pursue?

I am inquiring into this case.

When will the hon. Member be in a position to reply?

I hope very soon.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the institutions of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers were invited to obtain picked men for the divisional Engineer units and Signal company of the Royal Naval Division recently formed, and if a number of labourers and other recruits without engineering knowledge were afterwards added to these units on the same terms of enlistment; and, if so, will he explain why these unskilled recruits have been embodied in the units raised for the performance of technical duties which the engineering recruits were asked to undertake?

The institutions were invited, as stated, and provided a considerable number of recruits, but owing to the nature of the work required of the Engineer company, which includes manual and unskilled labour, and also care of horses, other recruits whose qualifications are suitable have to be taken.

asked at what date the "Canopus" was ordered to join the British squadron in the Pacific on the West Coast of South America; and when and from what place or port she proceeded to join that squadron?

In order to form a true judgment upon this episode, it would be necessary for the hon. Member to know the dispositions of all the ships involved and to study the actual text of the orders under which they were acting. This is clearly impossible at present.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any news of the "Canopus"?

I have every reason to believe she is quite safe.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of any coalmining undertakings in Kent or elsewhere in the United Kingdom now or previously under the control of alien enemies; and, if so, whether, in the interest of the public safety, he will have a systematic examination made of the buildings, shafts, and workings of these undertakings?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. All such undertakings believed to be controlled in any degree by alien enemies have been thoroughly examined and the necessary measures of precaution have been taken by the military authorities and the police. None are so controlled at the present time.

asked whether one Mark Auerbach, a German spy, has been found on a mine sweeper in the North Sea and, instead of being handed over to the naval authorities, has been prosecuted merely as an unregistered alien and sentenced to three months' hard labour; and, if so, why this leniency was shown?

The man was removed from his employment on a hired trawler and full inquiries were made. No sufficient evidence, however, was forthcoming that the man was a spy, and it was therefore intended that he should be handed over to the civil authorities to be dealt with. Owing to a regrettable mistake at the port, this order miscarried, and the man was discharged to the shore. He was, however, rearrested and prosecuted as stated in the question. I may add that he entered and served in the trawler under the name of Alexander Gordon.

In these circumstances, would it not have been better for the Navy to take charge of this man themselves?

It is very doubtful how far we could proceed under the Naval Discipline Act. He was discharged because no charge was formulated against him, and then handed over to the civil authorities, who punished him as stated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the probability that information has been conveyed to the enemy's fleet by alien spies, he proposes to take further and, if so, what steps to prevent this being repeated?

I can assure the hon. Member that every step is being taken that offers any possibility of checking the practice, but he will readily understand that a statement by me as to measures being taken and to be taken would be more likely to defeat their purpose than assist it.

May I take it, then, that the right hon. Gentleman agrees with the practice?

You may take it from me that we will take every opportunity of checking it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that at the outbreak of War members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade were asked to volunteer for service and were paid 4s. per day and 10s. per week separation allowance to the wife; that similar invitations have been issued to these men from the Admiralty, the remuneration being 3s. per day and 6s. per week separation allowance; and, having regard to the fact that these men are drawn from the same class and doing the same work, will he take steps to see that the remuneration shall be equal?

Members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade employed by the Admiralty are enrolled in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, and such enrolments have been made at various dates since the establishment of this Reserve in 1902. There are different grades in the Reserve, the pay ranging from 3s. to 4s. 6d. a day, according to rating and nature of employment, with increase of pay after six months' service. The separation allowances are in accordance with the Navy scale, a copy of which I will send my hon. Friend. It is not considered necessary now to alter these conditions of service, which have been accepted by the men on enrolment in the Reserve.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a number of very young boys are carried on His Majesty's ships; and if, in view of the loss of life which has already taken place in the Navy, he will arrange that very young boys shall be employed ashore?

Naval ratings designated as "Boys" are not less than 16 years old when drafted to ships on com- pletion their harbour training, and the majority of them are well over that age.

I should like to know whether the Admiralty has received any complaint as to the employment of these young men, and if there have been any orders excluding them from active service. I hope he will make an exception in the case of my son who wants to get in touch with the enemy at the first opportunity?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that many members of the Scottish Operative Tailors' and Tailoresses' Association are unemployed; and whether he will take steps to secure that the present orders for clothing will be spread over as wide an area and employ as many workpeople as possible?

The existence of serious unemployment in the tailoring trade in the early days of the War was brought to the notice of the Admiralty, and efforts have been made to give opportunities to firms affected (including Scottish firms) to tender for Naval clothing. Recently the great demand for uniforms has afforded occupation to a large number of persons; but if there are still suitable firms in Scotland with unemployed workpeople capable of making naval clothing an application from any such firms, addressed to the Admiralty, will be duly considered.

Is it the case that the right hon. Gentleman's Department will deal only with contractors who can do large quantities?

No; I do not confine myself to large works.

asked if the men lent by the Royal Navy to the Royal Australian Navy can allot money to their wives and children; and if the wives, etc., can obtain the separation allowance?

By an arrangement made with the Commonwealth Government men of the Royal Navy who are lent to the Royal Australian Navy can declare allotments to relatives in England, and such allotments are paid monthly by the Admiralty on behalf of the Commonwealth. I understand that owing to the high rates of pay received by these men, it has not been considered necessary to pay separation allowance to families resident in England.

Does that mean that separation allowances will not be paid?

That is so. In consideration of higher pay they do not receive allowances. They receive allotments.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that many recruits prefer to be vaccinated by the Government calf lymph issued to the public vaccinators; and whether he will consider the possibility of allowing recruits who are desirous of or are required to be vaccinated to have the services of public vaccinators free of charge, irrespective of the area in which the recruit resides?

I think there must be some misunderstanding. The vaccine lymph used in the Army is obtained from the Local Government Board's lymph establishment at Hendon, and is believed to be the same as that supplied by the Board to public vaccinators.

asked whether His Majesty's Government can hold out any hopes of the recognition as part of the military forces of the Crown for Home defence of bodies of men above the age accepted for enlistment, many of whom have acquired some training at their own expense, are willing to pay the cost of their equipment, and are anxious to serve in any capacity in which they can be useful under the direction of the military authorities?

The Central Association Volunteer Training Corps, which has taken up this matter in a thoroughly practical manner, has been recognised by the Government for this purpose. Local bodies of the character referred to in the question should affiliate themselves to it—which may be done without charge—in order that suitable assistance and supervision may be given to local efforts of this nature.

In that case will the advantage of inspection by military authorities be given?

I think so. Yes.

asked who is supplying the funds for the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, and to whom should questions be addressed concerning their methods?

The War Office has placed a small sum at the disposal of the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, but the treasurers will be glad to receive voluntary contributions. The expenses of the Committee have not been heavy, as the Liberal, Conservative, and Labour party managers have placed their offices and staffs freely at the disposal of the Committee. I shall be happy to answer questions with regard to the work of the Committee.

Could we discuss the methods of the Committee on that Vote?

I must have notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister why the Committee called together on his own and the Secretary of State for War's initiative to deal with the organisation of the provision of facilities for men in camp to occupy their leisure hours has been disbanded; and whether he can say why the War Office so continually resents the co-operation of civilian committees?

A committee of officers under the presidency of the Adjutant-General has been dealing with this subject in the War Office, and on consideration it was not thought necessary to have another committee with the same object. There is, so far as I am aware, no foundation for the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

If Lord Kitchener knew that this committee was in existence, why did he sign the circular?

I am not aware of that. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

asked whether in many of the Government Departments, and particularly in the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue, many Civil servants who desire to join His Majesty's Forces have been refused permission to do so?

Heads of public Departments are empowered to grant permission to Civil servants to join His Majesty's Forces whenever they are satisfied that no serious detriment to the public service will result. It is clearly not in every case possible in the public interest to give such permission. About 1,000 members of the Valuation Department have been given permission to join the Army.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the offer which was made for retired Civil servants to take the place of the younger men going to the front so as to allow a larger number to go?

Yes, that has been considered.

asked whether His Majesty's Government, if they consider it necessary to intern Czechs as prisoners of war, will grant permission for these people to be interned by themselves, looking to the fact that they are not on friendly terms with Germans or Austrians?

It is not possible to intern each nationality in a separate camp, but, where possible, every endeavour is made to keep Czechs separate. If persons of this class possess sufficient means to render themselves self-supporting, they are as a rule not interned.

asked when it is proposed to give effect to the recommendation of the Civil Service Commission that the staff of the Public Trustee should be placed upon an established basis; what would be the cost entailed; and whether it is proposed to delay the matter in consequence of the War?

I am not yet in a position to state what will be the decision on the recommendation referred to by the hon. Member, but it is at present engaging the attention of the Treasury. The liability in respect of pensions may be taken to be about 15 to 20 per cent. of the salary charges. This liability, in the event of the establishment of the Public Trustee's staff, will be covered by the receipts from fees.

asked who will now reply to questions in the House of Commons addressed to the First Commissioner of Works?

My hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries Burghs (Mr. Gulland) will reply to these questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the action of the Russian Government in prohibiting the sale of alcohol during the continuance of the War; and whether, with a view to minimising the temptations offered to British soldiers by the existing facilities for obtaining drink he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to further curtail the hours during which, while the War lasts, licensed houses may open, and to close such as are situated in the vicinity of military camps, on the basis of fair compensation being paid to publicans in respect of the reduction of their average profits during the period of such restriction?

I fear I cannot say more than that the whole of this question is receiving the careful attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary for War when the hut accommodation for the troops at Seaford Camp will be completed; and whether it is proposed to allow the recruits to occupy the huts as and when they are completed?

These huts will, I hope, be completed very shortly. Huts are occupied as soon as they are ready, if this can be done without impeding or delaying work on adjacent huts.

asked whether the forty-eight hours a week training which recruits receive under the Regulations is to be interpreted as the maximum or minimum hours of training; and, if the former, whether, in view of the approach of winter and the conditions of discomfort at some of the camps, discretion will be given to officers commanding battalions to reduce the hours?

The forty-eight hours training weekly is neither a maximum nor a minimum. The syllabus in which the reference to this amount of training occurs is published as a guide, and commanding officers are not debarred from using their discretion, the exercise of which must, of course, be affected mainly by the necessity for training the troops to the standard of efficiency which will be demanded of them. I think general and other officers commanding may be trusted to take into account all relevant considerations.

asked whether it is proposed to supply hut accommodation for officers' messes during the winter?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, with a view to encourage recruiting, he will issue a statement showing the number of recruits who have respectively been enrolled in each of the counties of England, Scotland and Ireland?

asked the Under-Secretary for War the number of recruits enrolled in the Army since the declaration of war up to 5th November; how many are from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, respectively; and, of the recruits from Ireland, how many have been enlisted in Ulster, and, of the recruits from Wales, how many have been enlisted in Glamorgan and Monmouth?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will deal with this question, so far as is possible, in the statement which he will make later in the afternoon.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that, in the case of Reserve Territorial regiments, one of the great difficulties in getting men to sign on to go abroad is that the men greatly object to being seat in driblets to other units instead of going out with their own friends and under their own officers; and whether the War Office could lay down a rule that in a Reserve regiment in which a certain large majority signed on to go abroad they should be considered a complete unit and, if sent abroad, should be sent together under their own officers?

The object the hon. Member has in view is not lost sight of, and when reinforcements are required from the Home Service unit for the Imperial Service unit the number asked for, if available, are sent out under their own officers to the Imperial Service unit, wherever that may be. The size of the draft sent has, of course, to bear relation to the number of men asked for.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he can state the scale of allowances which have been authorised by the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Governments, respectively, for the dependants of soldiers in the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand contingents on active service; and the amount fixed for pensions for disabled soldiers and for the dependants of soldiers killed in action?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the pensions and allowances provided for troops from the Dominions; and whether he can supply it to the House?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies states that he is not at present in a position to give this information, but he hopes to do so later.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been directed to the delay occurring in the delivery of letters, parcels, etc., to our soldiers on active service in Belgium and France, amounting in certain cases to a period of over two months from the date on which the letters were posted in this country, and to the fact that many parcels containing comforts, tobacco, etc., sent out to men at the front have never been delivered; and whether he will see that steps will be immediately taken to ensure as far as possible the regular and prompt delivery of letters and parcels to our soldiers at the front, and also the prompt transmission of their letters to their relatives at home?

There have been cases of delay, as there must always be in campaigns of the nature of that now being conducted, but everything possible is being done to ensure the regular and prompt delivery of letters and parcels and to rectify any failures in the system, but my hon. Friend will realise that prompt delivery cannot be guaranteed. Letters sent from the front to relatives at home, which are, of course, directed to fixed as distinct from changing addresses, are, I believe, being delivered regularly and without undue delay.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, while letters from the troops are arriving with pretty fair regularity the delay in the delivery of letters to them is very general and widespread?

It is quite true that there has been delay, and I regret that it has occurred. I am sure that my hon. Friend will realise that when the soldiers are constantly changing their places it is impossible to have letters delivered to them promptly.

Can my hon. Friend arrange with the Postmaster-General to have free delivery of small parcels?

That question must be addressed to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that the training of the troops on Salisbury Plain has been interfered with by the wet weather, owing to the men being quartered in tents with no facilities for drying their clothes, it would be possible to provide at all camps to be used during the winter sheds with heating apparatus for drying clothes, so that the training might be carried on in all weathers without undue risk to health?

In every battalion camp there will be a drying shed for drying clothes—this had been already arranged from the very first.

It has not been in existence.

That is, I am afraid, owing to the fact that we have not been able to completely carry out the arrangements which have been made.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether chiropodists have been appointed to the Territorial and voluntary forces; and, if not, in view of the fact that so many of the new recruits are rendered inefficient for the time being on account of sore feet and other affections of the foot, he will consider the advisability of dealing in this respect with the Territorial and voluntary forces as is now done in the case of the Regular Army?

The arrangements for the employment of chiropodists in the Regular Army have been made applicable to the Territorial Force.

asked the number of British casualties to date?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the figure given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to the hon. Member for East Denbigh on the 12th instant.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, in to-day's morning papers, there are casualties given up to the 7th October? Are these included in the 57,000?

Yes, Sir, I think they were included in the figures given by the Prime Minister up to the end of October.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he could distribute to Members copies of such leaflets issued by the War Office as would enable them to reply to correspondents without continually having to make inquiries at the War Office?

If there were any general desire on the part of hon. Members to receive leaflets as issued from time to time, perhaps some arrangement could be made, but, without assurance of such general desire, I should not like to inflict on hon. Members more printed matter than they already normally receive. I may add, too, that leaflets are necessarily altered from time to time. Every effort will, of course, be made to comply immediately with individual requests for leaflets, and I am to-day sending to the hon. Member a small packet for his use. I appreciate my hon. Friend's desire to relieve over-pressed Departments.

asked the Under-Secretary for War why the Brigadier-General Director of Supplies refuses the addresses of military training camps to large commercial firms for military reasons and the location of such camps are allowed to be stated in the military correspondence of the "Times" articles?

I have not seen the articles referred to in the last part of the question, but I imagine the references to camps were incidental and disconnected, and my hon. Friend will realise that there is a difference in effect between such a reference and the communication of lists of addresses of the various training camps. Perhaps my hon. Friend will draw the attention of the learned Solicitor-General to the articles he has in mind.

What is the difference of the War Office giving the names of camps to commercial firms and printing them in the Order Paper as they have done today?

The answer to that would involve a definition of the difference between what is incidental and what is accidental.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the National Reserve was organised to increase the military resources of the country in the event of imminent national danger, it is the immediate intention of the War Office to mobilise for Home or Foreign service all men on the rolls of the National Reserve under fifty years of age?

The War Office has no power to mobilise the men under fifty whose names are on the National Reserve register, as members of the National Reserve are not required to undertake a definite liability.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that motor cyclists attached to the Devon Regiment are only paid 1s. 3d. per day, with 2d. for upkeep of kit, while motor cyclists attached to the Royal Engineers receive 3s. with allowances; whether men joining Lord Kitchener's Army for the same work are being paid 5s. per day; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of raising the pay of the men attached to the Devon Regiment to that received by cyclists attached to the Royal Engineers?

The variation between the Devonshire regiment and the Royal Engineers is based on the general principle of pay according to the arm of the service to which a man belongs. The men receiving 5s. are in a different category; they were specially enlisted for service with the Expeditionary Force.

asked if recruits who have gone to camp in their own clothes owing to lack of uniforms have had to pay the cost of returning their own clothes home?

These charges are borne by the public.

asked whether 150,000 gallons of rum has been supplied for the use of the Army; whether rum rations are issued in coffee or other beverages to soldiers who do not ask for or desire it; whether many total abstainers have thus been obliged to violate their pledge and to act contrary to the advice of the Secretary of State for War, or to go without hot refreshment; and, if so, whether orders will be issued forbidding the issue of rum or other intoxicants to any soldiers except those who apply for them?

asked whether a rum ration is in some cases given to the troops in the field in their tea, thus allowing no option of refusal to those who object to alcohol as reducing the efficiency of shooting and reducing the power of resistance of the body to cold and damp?

I will answer at the same time Question No. 93. A considerable quantity of rum has been supplied for the use of the Army, but I am assured that nothing corresponding to what is suggested in the second and third parts of the question of the hon. Member for Shore-ditch and in that of the hon. Member for Bury has actually taken place. The instructions provide that the rum ration is issued only on the recommendation of the medical authorities, and the unit is asked the number of officers, non-commissioned officers and men who desire such a ration, and the amount for that number only is issued by the supply branch. The actual issue is under the supervision of officers. Rum is not issued at home except in most exceptional circumstances. None has been issued this year.

Does the hon. Gentleman propose to allow a number of teetotalers to bully the Government in this matter?

As there is a large number of teetotalers in the Army, will my right hon. Friend see that some alternative is issued to them?

If my hon. Friend had heard my answer he would have realised that an alternative is given.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that old non-commissioned officers, on being urged to rejoin the Colours, were promised the rank previously held by them, and in a large number of cases such promise has not been fulfilled; and whether he will take steps to see that such a promise is carried out?

asked if any of the National Reserve non-commissioned officers who rejoined the Army at the call of duty are still serving as privates or in ranks lower than the rank they held on leaving the Service; and, if so, if it is proposed to promote the men so serving to their old rank, and when?

If the hon. Members will give details of any cases in which the undertakings in reference to resumption of previous rank have not been carried out, I shall be very glad to have them investigated. As regards the question of the hon. Member for Portsmouth, I am unable to say how many ex-non-commissioned officers National Reservists who have rejoined the Army are still serving as privates, but, in view of the demand for competent non-commissioned officers I cannot think that any good man desiring promotion is still serving in that rank.

Does this also apply to Territorial non-commissioned officers?

No. I am referring to the New Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of recruits who volunteered for service were promised an allowance of 10s. for clothes which were damaged in consequence of their uniform not being supplied; whether, notwithstanding that these men wore their own clothes for periods, in some cases, up to a month before being supplied with proper uniform, the 10s. allowance has not been paid; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Some cases in which this allowance has not been received have been referred to the local military authorities for investigation and settlement. Fresh instructions have recently been issued which will, it is hoped, cover all cases in which men are fairly entitled to some recompense but have not benefited under the earlier regulations.

When were these fresh regulations made?

I am not sure. I think about a fortnight or three weeks ago.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that officers on the Reserve of officers, who have their uniforms, who are obliged to serve if called on, are granted £100 allowance on rejoining, while officers not on the Reserve of officers or officers whose time on the Reserve has expired are allowed only £30; and will he say why this distinction is drawn between the Reservist officer and the officer whose term of service on the Reserve has expired but who nevertheless volunteers and between the officer not on the Reserve who, in many instances, gives up his civil profession to volunteer?

The hon. Member does not state correctly the effect of the Regulations. The allowance of £30 is given to ex-officers whose requirements are limited to Service dress and to officers joining the Army for the first time on temporary commissions. The Regular officer joining in the ordinary course has never received an outfit allowance.