asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the railway companies still issue tickets below the usual price to persons wishing to travel to professional football matches?

I understand that the railway companies are not in any way curtailing their usual arrangements in connection with the issue of cheap tickets.

Is it possible for the Government, having taken over the railways, to put a stop to this, or charge those people double and give some of the money to war funds?

The subject can be reconsidered, but I would point out that any change made with reference to this one sport cannot be restricted to that alone.

Will the Government put a tax on all those attending professional football who are not in uniform?

Is it not the fact that the railways are at present commandeered by the Government, who have the power to do anything they wish with regard to rates?

I should not like to say commandeered was an exact description.

It is very near it.

They are certainly to a great extent under Government control.

May I ask whether the railway companies, under those circumstances and in view of the arrangements that have been made, have got the same free hands with regard to rates that they have had?

We have interfered as little as possible with railway rates. The object of the arrangement, as the hon. Baronet knows, was to facilitate the transfer of troops and those connected with the combatant forces from place to place in the United Kingdom, and to provide an easy arrangement by which remuneration could be given to the railway companies for these purposes.

In view of the fact that we have got one hundred and forty-one questions on the Paper, I think hon. Members ought to control their thirst for information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking action to secure special rates for the conveyance of Lanarkshire coal and iron, etc., by rail to Leith and other ports since the closing by the Admiralty of the ports of the Upper Forth; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The question is now under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any receiver or inspector has yet been appointed of any of the Siemens companies in this country; and, if not, will he say why this has not been done?

An inspector was appointed some time ago under the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act in the cases of Siemens Brothers and Company, Limited, and Siemens Brothers Dynamo Works, Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say why the sugar over which the Government has control is not sold to merchants residing in Cork and Kerry; and whether he is aware that a charge of 1s. 6d. per bag is made by Messrs. Lyles over and above the standard price fixed by the Government where any sugars are offered to Cork or Kerry merchants?

I am informed that all firms purchasing direct from Messrs. Lyle and Sons have been supplied at the same prices as ex-refinery. If the hon. Member will furnish me with the details of the cases to which his question refers. I will have inquiry made into the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Local Government Board have authorised the Foots Cray urban district to raise a loan of £2,050 for the purpose of erecting council offices; whether the council applied to the Public Works Loan Board for the loan and received a reply that they were unable to lend owing to the limited amount of funds placed at their disposal; and, whether, in view of the desirability of creating means of employment at the present time, an arrangement can be made to meet such cases?

After full consideration it has not been found possible to relax the existing restrictions on advances from the Local Loans Fund; but in cases where serious unemployment exists in the building trade arrangements are being made for direct Exchequer loans to provide funds for housing and public works.

asked whether service marks will be awarded to applicants for Civil Service appointments after the War; and, if not, what steps are being taken to see that men now serving with the Colours shall lose nothing either in time or opportunity?

The question referred to by the hon. Member is under the consideration of the Treasury and of the Civil Service Commission. Regulations dealing with the matter will be issued at an early date.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that there are numbers of outport Customs watchers whose wages are only 21s. per week and that, owing to the conditions of their employment, promotion is for most of them impossible; if he is aware that these men enter the service after, in many cases, having served in the Army or Navy, in respect of which service they are in receipt of small pensions ranging from 8d. per day; if he will say if this pension counts in fixing the present scale of wages, and, if not, is 21s. regarded as an adequate wage for any man in Home Government employment; if any improvement and, if so, what improvement has been made in the pay and prospects of these men since the Departmental Committee which heard evidence on their case in 1911–12; and, if no improvement has been made, will he undertake to make inquiry with a view to bringing the wages up to a decent living standard?

The wages of Customs watchers at the outports are 21s. a week, and one-fourth of the class constitute an upper section, with wages rising to 24s. a week. In addition, two good conduct allowances of 1s. a week each are granted after five and ten years' service respectively. There is no promotion open to the class. These wages are paid irrespective of any pensions drawn in respect of previous service, and the emoluments of the men are considered adequate for the simple duties they have to perform. Since the inquiry by the Committee of 1911–12 the following improvements have been granted, namely; the two good conduct allowances already mentioned, a time allowance for night duty under which six hours of such discount as seven, and an increase in the rate of overtime pay from 6d. to 7d. an hour.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of those who are now on 21s. a week can never get any more owing to the age at which they joined? Under these circumstances, is he still of opinion that 21s. is an adequate wage for these men?

The work is of a very simple nature.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that men who have served the country in the Army or the Navy enter this service at about 40 years of age?

One-fourth of the class get wages up to 24s.

If they enter young enough—and these men do not.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience and hardship caused in many cases to persons sending parcels to the front owing to the postage on the same, and that the wife of a man at the front only the other day was charged 1s. for a parcel containing a shirt and a pair of pants, sent at her husband's request; and can he see his way to meeting cases of this kind by a reduction in the postal rates?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the cost of postage of parcels from the people in this country to their soldier friends on active service is as much, and in many cases more, than the value of the contents; that in order to have the cost of postage commensurate with the value of the articles it is necessary to send a parcel weighing about seven pounds; whether he is aware that, from many working-class homes, the dispatch of seven-pound parcels is not practicable; and whether he can see his way in the present abnormal circumstances to make some reduction in the postage?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to reduce the rates at present charged for the postage of parcels to the Expeditionary Force to the rates at present charged for the postage of inland parcels?

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take into consideration a revision of the postage on parcels destined for our troops serving abroad, with special reference to a reduction in the minimum charge of 1s., in view of the fact that a large number of the parcels forwarded are under three pounds in weight to which the minimum of 1s. applies?

In reply to these questions, I will read to the hon. Members the answer given by my right hon. Friend to similar questions on Monday last. I cannot agree that the present rates on parcels for the troops impose a serious check on the dispatch of comforts to the Army. The Post Office is at present dispatching about 12,000 parcels a night to the Army Base Post Office in France. Any reduction of postage which resulted in a material increase in this number would frustrate its own object by increasing the difficulties already experienced by the Army Post Office in disposing of the heavy mails with which it has to deal. These comprise not only the parcels above mentioned, but also from 250,000 to 300,000 outward letters and newspapers every day. I understand that the difficulties of providing adequate transport in France are already very serious.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can explain the cause of the delay in delivering the Irish Mail to Members of the House during the present Session?

I understand the hon. Member's question has reference to the Irish Mail usually delivered about 6.10 p.m. There has been some delay in the delivery of this mail, owing to a restriction of mail van services necessitated by the War; but arrangements are being made which, I hope, will prevent any further inconvenience.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider making arrangements by which facilities will be given to the correspondence of our Colonial troops by the franking of their letters, whether for this country or for the Colonies?

Correspondence sent to and from the Colonial troops in this country is subject to the same conditions as correspondence sent to and from Home troops. Any unpaid or short-paid Inland letter, which bears an indication that it was posted by a soldier, is charged on delivery at the single instead of the double rate. Colonial troops on active service on the Continent of Europe would be granted the concession of free postage on correspondence sent to this country which I announced in this House on the 31st August last. The question of the collection of charges on correspondence addressed to the Colonies, whether from this country or from abroad, is a matter for the Post Office of destination.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether two of the four codes recently sanctioned under the censorship are American; whether one of them is duplicated in the German language and has a large circulation in Germany; and whether he will consider the desirability of discontinuing the use of a code of this character, seeing that there are recognised English codes equal or superior in value to those permitted; and (2) why, in selecting codes to be permitted under the censorship, he adopted codes prepared prior to 1903 which involved a greater cost of from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. in telegraphing to merchants and others above those codes prepared since 1903, under the provisions of the International Code Convention of that date, and of the technical or commercial advice he or the War Office took in the matter?

Two of the authorised codes are American. Editions are also published in French and Spanish, and one of them is duplicated in the German language. These codes are understood to be largely used in the United States and other neutral countries with which British traders, in whose interests they are authorised, desire to communicate. Another of the authorised codes contains artifical groups of letters formed in accordance with the International Regulations of 1903, and I understand that this code is being used to a considerable extent. As mentioned in the reply to a similar question which the hon. Member asked on the 16th instant, the selection of the codes to be authorised was made on the advice of the Board of Trade. The question whether any other codes can be admitted is under consideration.

Has the hon. Member received deputations from the London, Manchester, and other Chambers of Commerce in reference to this matter?

I have no knowledge of that.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the fact that the meaning of a code-word can be entirely changed by merely altering the position of the code-word?

The whole question has been thoroughly gone into by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that offers have been made by British companies trading in the United Kingdom with our Oversea Dominions to pay the whole cost of having their private codes supervised by a Government Censor, and that these offers have been declined, he can say why it is that the Government allows codes such as Lieberts, more foreign than British, to be used by the public?

As regards private codes, I fear I can add nothing to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question asked on the 16th instant by the hon. Member for the Brentford Division, namely, that the question of admitting private codes was carefully considered by the military authorities, who are primarily responsible for the censorship on telegrams, but that they are strongly opposed to the adoption of such codes. I do not think that the fact that a particular code is not British is a sufficient reason against its adoption, provided it is largely used in the neutral countries with which the British commercial community have dealings.

If the Government find it necessary to prevent British companies from using a code under the supervision of a Government official at no expense to the Government, is it not time they stopped all telegrams or cablegrams from going out of the country?

That is a representation which the hon. Gentleman must make to the military authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether it would now be possible, without injury to the public interests, to lay Papers in regard to the negotiations with Germany, prior to the present crisis, to which he referred at Cardiff?

The Papers are being got together, and my right hon. Friend is considering whether it would be to the public interest that they should be published.

Perhaps the Foreign Secretary would be good enough to communicate with me when he comes to a decision?

asked the Prime Minister the number of recruits enlisted since the commencement of the War in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, respectively?

asked whether the Government, in order to facilitate recruiting, will consider the advisability of taking effective steps to obtain and publish particulars of all men of military age and capacity in, and the number already recruited from, every county, county borough, or other appropriate area in the United Kingdom, and also the number required from each of such areas to make up the total number of recruits required according to the ratio the men available in each of such areas bears to the total number available in the United Kingdom, making allowance, if necessary, for men engaged on naval and military works and equipment?

I understand that, no precise or trustworthy figures being available, the publication of the figures suggested at present would only lead to misleading deductions.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind—speaking for the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee—that it would help them if some of these facts were placed before the country?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state, with reference to the recruiting inquiry circular to be issued presently to householders generally, if Civil servants may express their willingness to serve with the forces of the Crown if and when called upon; and, if so, whether they would be entitled to the full benefits of the Treasury Regulations governing enlistment with permission?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among Civil servants at hindrances placed in the way of enlistment; and whether he will arrange that those engaged in land valuation and occupations not specially affected by the War should be allowed to enlist and have their places kept open for them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Sunderland, which will appear in to-morrow's Votes.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the Prime Minister when the British Commission appointed to investigate the question of atrocities committed by the German troops in Belgium is likely to issue a Report, whether interim or final?

A considerable amount of evidence has now been taken, and the statements are about to be referred to a small Committee with a view to bringing out an Interim Report at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that exception has been taken in both Services to the appointment of the Home Secretary on the Committee to deal with Pensions and Grants to the Officers and Men of the Naval and Military Forces; whether he is aware that the Services complain that there is no Member of Parliament representing the Services on that Committee, and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing on the Committee a Member who has served in the Army?

I am not aware of any grounds for the suggestion made by the Noble Lord in the first two branches of this question. I feel sure that the constitution of the Committee will command universal confidence. I may add that naval and military officers, if they choose, can present their case to the Committee by representatives.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question as to the desirability of a Member who has served in the Army being on the Committee?

No; we cannot alter the constitution of a Committee that has been appointed by the House, and that is now sitting.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Services could not possibly know what was the composition of the Committee until the names were published?

The Services can present their case to the Committee through representatives, which I think is really a more satisfactory way than any other.

What representatives does the right hon. Gentleman mean?

I cannot speak for the Committee, but I am sure they will listen to evidence from anybody who seems to be worthy of attention.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can see his way to legalise vigilance committees in towns and districts, composed of older men not likely to be carried away by panic or excitement, in order to allay public anxiety concerning the danger to the State from alien enemies in our midst?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. Secrecy is the essence of the measures which are being taken by the military authorities and the police to deal with espionage, and I fear the existence of such committees as the Noble Lord suggests would tend to hamper rather than to assist their inquiries. Members of the public should communicate to the military or the police any definite grounds of suspicion that come to their knowledge, and they may rest assured that everything possible will be done to investigate them, and thus meet the danger.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to issue instructions to the civilian population as to the course of action to be taken in the event of a foreign raid?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland and I, acting on behalf of the Government, have been in communication on this matter with the Lords Lieutenant of certain counties in Scotland and England. The Lords Lieutenant have formed, or are now forming, emergency committees in all districts which could be regarded as exposed to possible raids. For the present, however, it is considered undesirable to make public the instructions which have been, or will be, issued.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has any information which would indicate that Germany's endeavours to secure rubber is associated with the acquisition of a rubber device for the protection of ships once offered to the Admiralty and subsequently acquired by a neutral country; and whether rubber has been or will be declared contraband?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I have no information as to the first part of the question. With regard to the second, rubber has already been declared contraband.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that numerous voluntary associations for the purpose of national defence have been formed by persons unsuitable from their age, physical defects, or otherwise for regular military service; and whether, in the event of the services of such associations becoming useful in the event of an invasion, they will be recognised by the Government as combatants?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to extend official recognition to the Plymouth Defence Force, which is organised strictly on the principle that no man can be accepted as a member who is eligible for any other branch of His Majesty's fighting forces?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to extend official recognition to the Plymouth Defence Force?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that many active men who are slightly over the recruiting age desire to fight in the event of invasion and are prepared to provide their own arms and any equipment which may be necessary to enable them to be recognised as combatants; and if the War Office will consider whether some uniform could be designed for a defence force which could be procured in readiness for such an event by men whose qualifications are considered adequate?

As was explained in the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on Monday last to the hon. Member for Glasgow University, such voluntary associations should affiliate themselves to the Central Association Volunteer Training Corps under conditions a copy of which I will circulate with the Votes. The question whether these associations will be recognised as combatant in the event of invasion is still under consideration.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the Army Order including the recommendations of the Committee on Garrison and Regimental Institutes will be promulgated; and whether the posts as inspectors will be filled from the War Office staff or advertised for?

The Army Order will be issued shortly. The selection of inspectors will be made by the Central Board referred to in the Committee's report, and these officials will be properly qualified business men appointed from outside.

Will the posts be advertised?

I think not, but I cannot say.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that wounded soldiers returned to their depot in this country from the front and sent to their homes to recuperate are only allowed their railway fare one way; and whether he will arrange that they shall be allowed their fares for returning as well as going?

The rule is that wounded soldiers sent to their homes on sick furlough travel both ways at Government expense. If the hon. Member will furnish instances in which it has not been observed, I will inquire into them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that wounded soldiers are discharged from the hospitals late in the afternoon and have to travel all night to their homes in this cold weather; and would it not be possible to arrange that the men shall be discharged early in the morning when they have a long distance to travel to their homes?

I shall certainly see that, as far as possible, that is done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that young men who break their apprenticeship to join the Army for the duration of the War will not, in ordinary circumstances, be recognised after the War either by employers or trade unions as journeymen or tradesmen and are thus put under disability for the rest of their lives, that there are thousands of such cases, and that thousands of young men are held back from enlisting from this cause; and will he see if something can be done to remedy this difficulty?

I know of no power by which employers can be compelled to allow the resumption of an interrupted apprenticeship. It is known that in many cases they have voluntarily promised to permit the apprentice to resume and I believe that when the case is brought before them employers will be glad to follow this example.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the erection of huts at Sutton Veney, a strike against the wages paid took place among the workmen employed, and a number of Engineers were lent to the contractor to take the place of the workmen; if so, will he state under what conditions these Engineers were lent; whether they received any wages; if so, the amount; and whether there was any alteration made in the contract price?

Some difficulty did occur, and, in order that the completion of the huts might not be delayed skilled men among the troops had to be employed temporarily. They received the extra pay provided for such employment by the Royal Warrant for Pay. The matter has now been adjusted by a slight increase of pay. The work was not being done by contract, and there was consequently no question of alteration in the contract price.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that payments for goods delivered to the War Office in discharge of contracts are, in many cases, considerably delayed; and whether, in view of the inconvenience thereby caused to smaller contractors, who are required to pay cash for their raw material, he will take steps, to expedite payments for goods actually delivered?

Everything possible is done to make prompt payment, but it may be that some isolated cases of delay have arisen from incompleteness of documents or other causes. If any such cases come to the knowledge of the hon. Member, I will gladly inquire into them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the refusal of the War Office to sanction the presentation of Colours to battalions now being formed for the New Army is having a detrimental effect on recruiting; whether representations against this refusal have been made to the War Office by those who are assisting in recruiting in various parts of the United Kingdom; and whether he can now make any further statement on the subject?

The hon. Member is entirely mistaken in supposing that the War Office have refused Colours to the battalions of the New Armies now forming. When these battalions are trained and efficient units they will be entitled to have Colours just as much as any other Regular battalion of the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether Colours were presented to the London Scottish by the late King Edward; if so, where and on what date was the presentation made; and whether these colours are now at the London Scottish headquarters, 59, Buckingham Gate?

To the first part of the question the answer is in the affirmative; to the second, at Windsor on the 19th day of June, 1909; and to the third, in the affirmative.

With reference to the answer which the Under-Secretary for War has given to the question put by the hon. Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow about the presentation of Colours to battalions, may I ask if his answer covers the case of a battalion being allowed to accept banners which have been made for them by the patriotism and good will of their fellow citizens?

My answer did not deal with that part of the question at all. I think the proper course to adopt would be what has been the universal practice in the past, for the War Office to have the proper Colours made for His Majesty to present them to the battalion.

asked the Under-Secretary for War what arrangements are being made for providing a medical service for the New Armies; and, pending the organisation of such a service, what provision is made for the treatment of troops in the new battalions or brigades?

The New Army will be provided with medical arrangements on the same basis as the Expeditionary Force. Large training establishments have been formed at which the subordinate personnel is being instructed in their active service duties. Pending the completion of these arrangements, the New Army is receiving medical attendance on exactly the same lines as the Regular Army in times of peace. Temporarily commissioned officers in the R.A.M.C. and locally employed civil practitioners have been engaged in sufficient numbers to meet all requirements, and nearly a hundred of the R.A.M.C. Reserve of Officers have been recalled to duty. So far there has been no difficulty in securing the services of a sufficient number of fully qualified medical men, and it is not anticipated that there will be any shortage in the immediate future. All the military hospitals in the country have been very greatly expanded and several large civil and private hospitals are working in conjunction with them. Up to the present there has been no lack of hospital accommodation.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that wounded soldiers having returned from the front, and whose place of residence is some distance from the barracks, and which necessitates a railway journey, such as from Borrowash to the Normanton barracks, Derby, are compelled to pay their own railway fare to and from home in order to visit the doctor at the barracks; whether this is in accordance with the instructions of the War Office; if so, will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs; and, if not, to ensure that men are given the facilities intended without difficulty?

Travelling expenses incurred by soldiers on journeys made under orders are paid by the public. If the hon. Member will send me details of the case or cases which he has in mind, I will see that inquiries are made.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether it will be possible to relieve the garrison at Sierra Leone, which is suffering greatly from the fact that leave is long overdue and that the admissions to the hospitals have unduly increased?

It has been found necessary to suspend the ordinary reliefs while a state of war exists. No report has been received from the General Officer Commanding that the condition of the garrison is unsatisfactory. I am obviously not in a position to give any pledge on this matter, but any representation from the station will of course receive every consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will consider the desirability of relaxing the restrictions imposed on the correspondence of those on active service, as at the present time in certain cases men are not permitted, even without giving addresses, to satisfy their relatives as to their well-being, such uncertainty accounting, to a considerable extent, for the present slow rate of recruiting?

Field-service postcards are served out to the men every week, and I am not aware that they are in any circumstances unable to send them. By the use of these a man can keep his relatives informed as to his health, even if he does not send letters.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the suspension of the contemplated move of troops within the Aldershot Command and to prevent further sickness, he will consider the expediency of ordering troops now under canvas at once into billets pending a decision as to future accommodation?

All troops who have been under canvas have been ordered into billets or barrack huts in Aldershot Command and are being accommodated accordingly.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether treatment in military hospitals is being refused to recruits in the New Army raised for service during the War who have been discharged for temporary incapacity due to accidents during training, while in similar cases such treatment is given to recruits in the Regular Army; and whether he will arrange that in future no distinction shall be made in this respect between the two classes of recruits?

I am not aware that any distinction is being made between the different categories. The rule is that a discharged soldier who, on account of illness, is unable to proceed to his home will be maintained in hospital. If my hon. Friend knows of any specific cases and will let me know, inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he can state how many recruiting stations have been established in each county in Ireland in connection with the Irish Brigade?

There are 120 recruiting offices open in Ireland. With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate with the Votes details of the number in each county.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the Under-Secretary for War if the wearing of a brassard would insure that any person who takes part armed in the defence of his country would be regarded a combatant?

Subject to conditions which the hon. Member will find stated in Article 1 of the Annex to The Hague Convention of 18th October, 1907, the brassard does entitle any person wearing it to the status of a belligerent.

Would the Germans take any notice of that if they came over here?

I imagine the German Government, being a party to The Hague Convention, should obey its instructions as much as any other belligerent Power.

Is that not giving the people of this country a false security when the right hon. Gentleman knows very well that the Germans will do nothing of the sort?

I am afraid it is impossible for me or any other person to guarantee security such as the hon. Gentleman wants.

Would it not be greater security to allow the people to wear uniforms?

I should make no objection to uniforms being quickly obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, with the object of allaying public apprehension, he will state whether a number of concrete foundations or constructions, ostensibly foundations for factories, building, tennis courts, or other structures, have been inspected in proximity to towns, ports, or forts in this country; whether there is any reason to suppose that these works have been constructed or maintained by evilly-disposed persons to assist invaders or for other military purposes; and whether any danger of this character has been adequately met?

A considerable number of reports impugning the ostensible purpose of concrete foundations for tennis courts, etc., have been received by the military authorities, and, in all cases where the facts as reported warranted an inspection being made this has been carried out. I do not think it can be said as a general statement that these concrete beds where they exist have been constructed with a military purpose in view, but wherever there has been any reason to suspect this adequate precautions have been made.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the camp of the 3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment, at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, is 18 inches deep in mud; how long it is intended to keep this battalion under canvas in a quagmire; and why the construction of huts for the winter accommodation of troops in the Isle of Wight was not commenced before October?

I am informed that the men of this battalion are now all in billets or in huts. I am inquiring into the point raised in the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that no mattresses were issued to the troops of the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment until November, 1914, and that the greater part of the regiment had to sleep on bare boards—for some weeks with only one blanket each—during the entire months of September and October; whether sufficient mattresses were, during the whole of this time, in store at Portsmouth; and, if so, why they were not issued; and why, if the mattresses were not in store, it was officially stated that they were, and every step was taken to prevent the military authorities in the Isle of Wight from purchasing new mattresses independently?

I have had inquiry made and am informed that the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment were actually in possession of 875 mattresses from the 14th August, and that two blankets per man were authorised for issue on the 12th September and three on the 13th October. The statement contained in the last part of the question is not in accordance with the facts.

Are they in the possession of the men or are they only authorised?

They are in their possession, to the numbers I have given.

Were they in the stores?

I am not aware. I have given the figures—875 men—and two blankets were given to each.

Were authorised?

And issued.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if local traders living in districts where military camps are formed or in course of formation can be given an opportunity, through the ordinary system of contracts, of supplying troops quartered there with meat, bread, and forage, which is now sent direct from the Government supply depots?

This is already allowed as far as is possible. But the necessity of turning over the large reserves held in the supply depots limits the use which can be made of local supply.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether a better quality of socks can be supplied to His Majesty's Forces, as many complaints have been made that the quality hitherto in use shrinks and wears badly?

No complaints have been received from the troops regarding the wearing quality of the socks. The sock supplied is the best-quality woollen sock, and I am assured that in the case of woollen articles some shrinkage is unavoidable.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that, in the case of Territorial Reserve regiments, the men are often strangers to their first regiments, and that in consequence many object to being sent abroad in drafts to join them, but are quite willing to sign on for service abroad with their own Reserve regiments under their own officers, he could say if it would be possible to have two lists, one consisting of those willing to go in drafts abroad to fill up other regiments, and the other consisting of those willing to sign on to go abroad if sent with their own Reserve regiment under their own officers?

I am afraid the hon. Member proceeds on a wrong assumption. The Imperial Service and Reserve Unit are not separate regiments, but parts of one whole, and the main object of the latter is to feed the former. It would be of no military advantage for men to agree to go abroad only with the Reserve Unit, as that unit will not normally go abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can make any statement with reference to the position in East Africa; if the settlers are comparatively secure from outrage and rapine; and if the Government have accepted the offer of the Uganda chiefs to supply 5,000 fighting men?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has asked me to take this. I am not at present in a position to add anything to the statement made by the Secretary of State for India in another place on the 18th November as regards the military position in East Africa, except that so far as my information goes there is no reason whatever for apprehension as to the security of settlers. I have no information as to the offer of 5,000 fighting men from Uganda.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that on 18th November the inoculated soldiers in the 4th Cameron Regiment, at Bedford, were ordered to parade at headquarters, told by the lieutenant-colonel that unless inoculated they would not be allowed to go to the front, and ordered to give up their kit; that of forty men from two companies who paraded twenty still refused inoculation; and that such action, if general throughout the Army, will not only deprive our forces at the front of many willing, strong, healthy, and efficient soldiers, but prevent thousands who conscientiously object to this treatment from joining the Army; and whether he will remove this deterrent by insuring recruits against official pressure to forego the liberty to refuse inoculation which the law gives them?

I have inquired into the statements contained in the question and am informed that it was made plain to the men that inoculation was not compulsory but that, where the military authorities had a possibility of choice, preference would be given to those who had been inoculated. A full battalion of inoculated men for the 4th Camerons was forthcoming, but to equip this number some equipment had to be given up by the men not selected. The War Office have consistently held that, while inoculation is not compulsory, it is highly desirable.

Do I understand that the men who exercise this privilege the law gives them are deprived of the opportunity of serving?

No; my hon. Friend must not assume that at all. What I said is that it is desirable men should be inoculated, and where it is possible to get a whole battalion of inoculated men they will be taken in preference.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he can state the present contract price for frozen and chilled meat, and also fresh meat where either are substituted for Army use as also for Naval use?

Contract prices are always treated as confidential. I regret therefore that I cannot give the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether any tenders have been invited for the supply of fresh meat for Army and Navy use in Ireland; and, if so, whether he can state the prices of fresh meat as compared with chilled or frozen meat in Ireland?

Tenders have been invited and contracts made for the supply of fresh meat to the troops stationed in Ireland. As I have just stated, contract prices are confidential.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the quantity of frozen and chilled meat that has been recently destroyed in county Kerry as unfit for consumption; and, seeing that there is no refrigerating store at the depot, whether, in the interests of economy, he will provide native meat for the troops?

I am not aware that any meat has been destroyed. Native meat is used, except on one day a week, when frozen meat is issued. This is for the purpose of turning over the reserves.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he can state, without prejudice to our military interests, how many prisoners of war have been captured at the front; how many so captured have been brought to this country; and whether they are being interned in the same camps as those prisoners of war who were alien enemies found in this country?

I would prefer not to give precise information with regard to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part, the policy of the Government is to segregate prisoners of war, and effect is being given to this policy as circumstances permit.

asked whether any person or persons, by birth of German or Austrian nationality, have been given commissions in the Army or Navy since the declaration of war; and, if so, whether he will state his or their names and positions, and on what grounds and by whose recommendation he or they were appointed.

No one has been accepted who is not a British subject either by birth or naturalisation. I cannot say with certainty that no candidate has not had in addition German or Austrian nationality.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, in view of the many misapprehensions existing and the difficulty of getting information, he will consider the possibility of placing notices in every post office giving the names of persons to whom dependants of soldiers can apply for information as to their power to claim a separation allowance and the proper method of applying for it?