asked the President of the Board of Education, if he will sanction the request sent to him by the Eastbourne education committee for permission to teach drill in their elementary schools?

Physical exercises are part of the regular curriculm in all elementary schools. I believe, however, that neither from a military nor from an educational point of view is advantage to be gained by introducing drill of a definitely military character into public elementary schools, and I do not see my way to authorise its introduction. My reasons are explained in a letter to the Eastbourne local education authority, a copy of which I have sent to the hon. Member.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman give his reasons here?

They are somewhat lengthy, but I have no objection to my letter to the Eastbourne education committee being published.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish it with the Votes?

I think that would be unusual.

Ought not the country to know?

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware of the delay occurring in the delivery of letters from the front, extending to seven and even ten days; whether such delay is due to the Censor in London; and can he accelerate delivery?

So far as the Post Office is concerned, there is no delay in the delivery of correspondence received in this country from the British Expeditionary Force. The question of the censorship of the correspondence concerns the military authorities and is not under my control.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to extend free railway carriage to parcels addressed either to units or individuals serving in the Expeditionary Force when they are consigned on behalf of poor relatives by properly constituted and recognised organisations, newspaper offices, etc.?

The same considerations apply to railway parcels as were stated by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General in relation to postal parcels in the general answer he gave to various Members on the 23rd instant. The military authorities in France are, I regret to say, unable to undertake the work of separating and distributing to the individual addresses large joint consignments sent out by agencies. Parcels have unfortunately already gone astray by unauthorised attempts to send parcels in this way.

asked if postmasters and sub-postmasters have been instructed to give the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association all information in their possession connected with the amounts being paid to wives of soldiers and sailors; what is the purpose expected to be served by the instruction; are the wives of our fighters under the official surveillance of the association in question; and if the cheque books of the persons entitled to pensions are kept at the post office instead of being kept by the person to whom the payments are made?

Such instructions have been given. The arrangement applies to local relief committees and charitable societies generally and was made, with the concurrence of the Admiralty and the War Office, in order to prevent overlapping of relief. Books of postal drafts for payment of Army or Navy allowances are kept at post offices, the payee being required to produce a certificate of identity on the occasion of each payment.

Is there any reason why the payees should not have the books in their own possession?

The present system seems to me to be no trouble at all, and enables the payment to a great number of persons who are congregated in certain offices to be made much quicker than it would otherwise be done; and so far as I know there is no objection at all on the part of the people.

Is it not open to the objection that information relative to these people can be given to fussy people?

That may or may not be; but it has nothing to do with getting the postal drafts ready for payment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the postmaster of Stoke-on-Trent has called attention to the fact that he could dispense this pay much quicker if the applicant for the money presented the book instead of him having to go through the whole list and find out the applicant?

No, Sir, I do not think so, because the person who comes from the applicant has to produce the identification certificate at the same time as making the application for payment, in order that postal drafts may be given on one side and cash on the other. I have had no representations of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will take care that, in the distribution of the cargo of presents sent by the people of the United States of America to the children of the people of the various nationalities of the Allies who have suffered in the War, a fair proportion is allotted to the children of Irish soldiers?

The answer is in the affirmative; we have secured a proportion.

What proportion?

I think it is one-tenth.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. John MacNeill, now receiving £700 a year as Professor of Irish in the National University, is intimately connected with the paper called the "Irish Volunteer," an anti-British paper; whether a Civil servant is allowed to help a paper which urges Irishmen not to enlist; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take as to Mr. John MacNeill?

Mr. John MacNeill, who is Professor of early Irish History in University College, Dublin, and receives a salary of £600 from the National University of Ireland, is not a Civil servant. The attention of the University authorities is being called to his connection with the "Irish Volunteer," and to other action he has taken to impede recruitment in Ireland.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to deal with this Mr. John MacNeill?

No, Sir, none whatever; nor with any other professor.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will take steps to stop the publication of the "Irish Volunteer" and other seditious papers, and prevent the "Gaelic American" from being circulated in thousands every week in Ireland?

I dealt with this yesterday in my reply to the question of the right hon. Member for the Strand Division. The matter has engaged the serious attention of the Irish Government, but it is not in the public interest to announce what action it is proposed to take.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these papers have been poisoning the minds of Nationalists for the last six weeks?

I have read the papers.

And can the right hon. Gentleman tell us why he has done nothing in that six weeks, and whether he is going to do anything?

I have no reason whatever to believe that these papers have poisoned anybody's mind except the minds of the people who have written the articles.

Have they not, in fact, interfered with recruiting in the South-West of Ireland?

We have no evidence of it.

asked the Solicitor-General whether His Majesty's Government is now prepared to suppress the publications called the "Irish Volunteer," "Irish Freedom," "Sinn Fein," and the "Irish Worker" on the ground of their being seditious; and whether he has made any inquiry as to whether they are receiving German money to discourage recruiting, and to propagate in Ireland hatred for England and friendship for Germany?

asked the Solicitor-General (1) whether he has received a copy of the "Gaelic American," of the 7th November; whether he is aware that thousands of copies of this paper are distributed every week in Ireland for the purpose of poisoning the minds of Nationalists in Ireland against the British Government; whether the Press Censor can stop the circulation of this paper in Ireland; (2) whether he has received a copy of the "Irish Volunteer" of the 21st November, in which Irishmen are urged not to enlist in the Army and in which it is also stated that most of the Irish Volunteers know well that their only foreign enemy is England; whether the censor will stop the publication of this paper; and (3) whether he has yet received a copy of the "Irish Volunteer" newspaper of 7th November; and can he say what steps will be taken against this paper with regard to the statements contained in it?

The copies of the papers referred to in these questions have been forwarded to me. I do not know the extent of their distribution, but their purpose is plainly what is stated in Question 98. With regard to stopping the circulation of the papers I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary for Ireland yesterday. As to the latter part of Question 97 I have no means at my disposal for making the inquiry referred to.

Is it not the fact that these papers would not be allowed to be published in Great Britain, and can the hon. and learned Gentleman say why it is allowed in Ireland? Is it not also the fact that these papers are inspired by German money?

I cannot say; but the papers undoubtedly suggest that they are inspired by an enemy.

Cannot we do anything to stop them? That is what I want to know?

No, Sir. I have done everything in my power to stop them.

Would it not be possible for the Attorney-General, in his capacity of detector of wrong-doing in this country, to take action against these newspapers? Cannot he ascertain whether they are assisted by foreign money? Is there not some way by which these abominable practices may be put an end to?

The person who holds the office I occupy has no jurisdiction in Ireland. The matter has to be dealt with through the Irish Office or else through some Government Department such as the War Office, which has jurisdiction over the whole of the United Kingdom.

I am aware of that. But cannot the Attorney-General, to whom we look in these matters, call the attention of the Irish Law Officers to what is going on and suggest to them for their consideration some proper course which may at once be taken?

Is there the slightest difficulty in initiating a prosecution under the Defence of the Realm Act?

That, as the Noble Lord knows, is not done by the Law Officers of the Crown. It is a proceeding rather in the nature of a court-martial.

Cannot the Government undertake to do it?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what precautions are taken and what investigations are made before granting to persons of German and Austrian nationality who are naturalised in this country passports for visiting neutral countries such as Holland: whether he is aware that persons to whom such passports are given are thereby enabled to pass, and have in some cases actually passed, into the German lines in Belgium, and are enabled to communicate directly and in person with the German military authorities, and whether, in order to lessen the danger of information being in this way communicated to the enemy, he will take steps to ensure that no passports shall be issued to persons of German and Austrian nationality, even though naturalised, unless the Foreign Office are satisfied after strict investigation that the purpose for which the passports are sought is a proper and legitimate one?

Passports are not granted to naturalised British subjects of enemy origin unless they produce documentary evidence that they have lost their enemy nationality. In the case of naturalised British subjects, special investigations are made, and passports are not granted if there is any ground for suspicion that they will be used for an improper purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the temporary postmen at Cambridge have been given to understand that unless they are medically unfit for the Army they will be no longer retained in the post office; whether he is aware that the postmaster at Cambridge has individually interviewed temporary postmen of that place, and that these men report that he has strongly urged them to join the Army, suggesting that, unless they did, their services would be dispensed with; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The facts have not been correctly represented to the hon. Member. Now that the annual leave of the regular postmen at Cambridge is coming to an end, it has become necessary to dispense with the services of certain of the temporary postmen at present employed, and the postmaster selected for discharge, amongst others, the one unmarried man eligible for enlistment in the Army. The Post Office is not engaging for temporary employment single men eligible for enlistment if other candidates are available, and the postmaster's action appears to me to have been entirely justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say how much prize money is now lying to the credit of the Navy; and when the new system of prize bounties, promised by the Royal Proclamation of 28th August, 1914, will be announced?

No information as to the amount of the prize fund can be given as a great many cases are still under adjudication. The system of award is under consideration, but the appropriation of the fund will not be determined until the end of the War.

Has not this been under consideration now for three months?

Certainly, and we have been considering the system of the War as a basis of future distribution.

Will there be no distribution until this War is over?

I do not know; I must have notice of that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty order stating that pensioner signalmen are to be given naval rates of pay and such allowances as they may be entitled to under the Naval Regulations covers the cases of all such signalmen employed in similar services since the War began?

An Admiralty order was issued on 16th November authorising the payment of active service pay and allowances to pensioner signalmen employed in the Naval Port Signal Stations during the period of hostilities, in lieu of the civilian wages which they have received in time of peace. This decision will have effect as from 2nd August.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the authorities of Somerset House have intimated to correspondents that the shares of the firm of Suter, Hartman, and Rahtjens, Limited, are largely held by Germans residing in Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven; that this firm are at present supplying the composition for His Majesty's ship "Grafton," now in Govan Graving Dock, and also for submarines in other ports of Scotland, and whether he will take any action in this matter?

It is known that certain shares are held by alien enemies, but under the Trading with the Enemy Act no payment can legally be made during the War to enemy aliens abroad. The directors are now British, and inquiries were made by the Home Office at the request of the Admiralty into the nationality of the staff and workpeople, with satisfactory results. It may be pointed out that the companies who supply compositions do not apply them, and are not therefore brought into contact with the Navy or dockyards. It is considered that all suitable precautions have been taken, but the Admiralty are in communication with the Board of Trade as to appointment of an inspector, if necessary, under the Trading with the Enemy Act.

Would the right hon. Gentleman find out what proportion of these shares are held by foreigners?

I cannot recall for the moment, but we have gone into all these things carefully.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a steam drifter launched at Inverness on Friday, 13th November, is to be engaged on Admiralty work when completed; if so, will he state the reasons which induce the Admiralty to wait for the completion of this vessel while Fraserburgh harbours are full of drifters lying idle owing to the suspension of fishing operations due to the War; whether the Admiralty is employing a number of drifters belonging to Lowestoft and Yarmouth; and, if so, why preference has been given to these ports?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; therefore the second part does not arise.

As the two parts of the question are quite disconnected, I venture to submit the second part does arise.

If the answer to the first part is in the negative, the second part cannot arise.

The second part refers to Yarmouth and Lowestoft, and has no connection with the first part.

We have no desire and it is not our practice to give any preference.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the scale of pensions and allowances, as laid down in White Paper on 9th November, is now the scale on which payment is being made; and, if not, at what date will the authorities begin to pay?

Pending the Report of the Select Committee which has been appointed to consider the subject, widows pensions and children's allowances and disablement pensions are being paid on the scales in force at the outbreak of war. Separation allowances are being paid according to the scales laid down in the White Paper.

When the Committee has finished its labours, will those people now paid the semi-starvation wage of 5s. a week pension be given the difference?

It is not for me to anticipate what the Committee may decide, but certainly if the Committee recommend a higher scale, then cases that have arisen since the War would need adjustment.

Does it depend upon the Committee recommending that the higher rate should be made retrospective?

Not in regard to the cases of widows and orphans before the War, but certainly with regard to cases that have arisen since the War.

Is it not the case that in the first six months of the death of a soldier the person receiving the pension will receive a full sum, including separation allowance?

That is quite true. Separation allowance will be continued, but my hon. Friend has in mind cases prior to that.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Army and Navy Pensions Committee will give special consideration to the case of widows of officers who were just commencing their professional and business careers and who have accepted commissions in His Majesty's Forces?

This is a matter for the discretion of the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the question of including in the grants to the dependants of sailors and soldiers children who were adopted by them prior to the outbreak of war and who are dependent on them?

This question would be within the scope of the Committee now sitting. Meanwhile I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North-East Lanark on the 18th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended that the extension of Army and Navy separation allowances to sons between fourteen and sixteen who attend a State-aided schol, other than an evening school, will apply to pupils of Irish Christian Brothers' schools and other similarly circumstanced Irish schools, receiving no direct State Grant but paid result fees by the Irish Intermediate Education Board in respect of their pupils who pass that Board's examinations; if so, whether this extension will apply to such pupils, irrespectively of whether they are individually preparing for the said examinations or not; and, if not, whether he will take steps to make this extension applicable to all such pupils, seeing that such schools in Ireland admittedly fulfil with marked efficiency the purposes of public elementary schools in Great Britain?

This case shall be considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men from the National Reserve who have re-enlisted or have been called up for military service, and who on further medical examination have been found unfit for active or foreign service, are entitled to allowances and their families to separation allowances; and, if so, for what period?

Generally speaking, allowances are issuable from the date of enlistment to the date of discharge. If my hon. Friend has any special case in mind, perhaps he will bring it to my notice.

asked if men coming from the front permanently unfit on medical grounds are discharged without pay or any recognition, having regard to the fact that they had been passed into service as fit, and therefore had presumably become unfit owing to disease contracted at the front?

The claims to pension of all such men are considered, and in all cases of disability due to service pension is awarded. Temporary grants of pension may also be given in cases where the disability was not caused by service. Everyone discharged unfit who does not get a pension gets a gratuity.

asked if the scale of pensions and allowances, as laid down in the White Paper of the 9th instant, is now the scale on which payments are being made; and, if not, will the payments be made retrospective when commenced to be paid on the new scale, or when does payment on the new scale commence from?

The scale of separation allowances is in operation and continues for twenty-six weeks. Before that period has elapsed I hope the new scale of pensions will have been finally settled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether early this month a large parcel of Army cloth passed through Hull on the way to Holland; whether the Customs stopped it as being obviously intended for Germany, but that, on presentation of amended papers, it was passed; whether he has information as to considerable manufacture of such cloth and also blankets in the West Riding; and what steps he proposes to take?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that inquiries have been made at Hull, but that they have been unable to trace the exportation referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, as large quantities of netting wire are obtainable from the United States, Canada, and also from British manufacturers, there is any necessity to purchase from Germany, although doubtless the Germans accept lower prices; and (2) whether he will give a Return of the number and names of licences given to manufacturers of wire netting in this country for leave to import the requisite wire from Germany; and whether, as he has given licences to import wire, he intends also to give licences to purchase steel billets and steel rods, from which wire is made, from Germany, so as to enable manufacturers to use this material and compete with those to whom licences for importing wire from Germany have already been given?

I understand that only one licence has been granted to import a limited quantity of netting wire not exceeding 400 tons. This licence was issued after inquiry had shown that wire of this character was not being produced to any extent in the United Kingdom and that wire drawers in this country were fully occupied in producing wire of a higher grade. Last year our imports of wire from Germany were 37,000 tons, or more than two-thirds of our total imports. I am informed that the issue of licences for the importation of steel billets or steel rods is not contemplated.

asked if there are any clerks of German or Austrian nationality in the War Office, Admiralty, Home Office, or Treasury who are not naturalised or who have been naturalised within the last year, or who have changed their names since the War began?

I can only answer for the Treasury. There are no clerks of German or Austrian nationality employed in that Department. One British-born clerk, who had a name of Teutonic origin, has changed it since the outbreak of War.

The answer does not cover the other Departments?

No; I can only answer for my own Department. The hon. Member must address his question to the Minister responsible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people cannot change their names since the outbreak of the War?

No; I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the governing principle or fact accountable for the discrimination shown in the making of orders under the Intoxicating Liquor (Temporary Restriction) Act; and whether in all cases the consideration of the making of an order was upon the initiative of the chief of police, as required by the Act?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the difference between the action taken by different licensing benches, I presume that the reason for them is to be found in the differences in the circumstances of the localities and in the views of the justices and the chief constables. No valid order can be made under the Act except on the recommendation of the Chief Officer of Police.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the difficulty in obtaining recruits, he has considered the advisability of facilitating the employés in Government Departments not directly concerned in the prosecution of the War or providing for the Services, enrolling in one or other of the Forces, and of employing temporarily men who are over the enlistment age or are, by reason of short sight or otherwise, disqualified from service so as to free those who are willing to volunteer?

I have to refer the hon. Member to my written answer on Monday to the hon. Member for Sunderland.

asked the Prime Minister how many offers have been received from retired Civil servants to fill posts vacated by younger men in Government offices who have joined, or are anxious to join, the Army; and whether the Government will accept such offers so as to release active men for military service and, at the same time, to have well-trained men to fill the vacancies?

A large number of offers of service have been received from retired Civil servants, and many have been accepted. I regret that I cannot give the numbers. I may refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answers to the hon. Member for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities on 14th September, and to the hon. Member for Sunderland on Monday last.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the heads of departments are giving all facilities to let the young men go on service?

Yes, they are.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have taken into consideration the number of new recruits they consider it is necessary should come forward voluntarily and the limit of time within which they must be obtained for the efficient carrying on of the War; if he will state what the approximate number and date are; and what steps the Government propose to take either by means of the Ballot Act or special legislation in the event of an insufficient number of recruits being obtained within that time?

It would be misleading to suggest any number or date, which must be conjectural. The progress of recruiting is naturally constantly receiving the attention of the Government.

asked if the regulations as to eyesight of recruits have been modified so that the use of glasses will no longer debar a man from joining His Majesty's Army?

Glasses may be worn by all ranks on or off duty.

May I ask if that applies to recruiting men?

Yes, that is so; but of course we must see that his eyesight is not too defective.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to suspend the payment of the £400 a year to Members of Parliament during the continuance of the War?

No, Sir.

Is there anything to prevent either the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Leach) or any other equally wealthy Member, leaving his salary with the Treasury, if he chooses to do so?

That is absolutely within the discretion of hon. Members.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having in view the importance of those who are incapable of military service being made to understand the circumstances under which they can properly be trained for and take part in national defence, he will direct that a copy of the War Office letter to Lord Desborough, dated 19th November, and containing a statement of the circumstances under which the Army Council will recognise volunteer associations and the rules which have been framed for their guidance, shall be sent for publication to all mayors and exhibited outside all post offices in the United Kingdom?

I will confer with my right hon. Friends the President of the Local Government Board and the Postmaster-General, with a view to carrying out the hon. Member's suggestion, if possible.

asked whether the condition laid down in the letter of the War Office to the Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps with regard to affiliated corps of men over age for enlistment, but desiring to be recognised for Home defence service, to the effect that no badges of rank are to be worn admits of the use of such distinctive marks as are necessary for effective discipline and drill?

The object of the prohibition against badges of rank was to avoid confusion. There would be no objection, should necessity arise, to distinctive badges being worn to differentiate those who exercise authority.

asked the Prime Minister if instructions were given to the aviators who bombarded the Zeppelin sheds at Friedrichshafen to avoid neutral territory; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the passage of warlike machines over the land or territorial waters of neutral countries?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Instructions were given to the Naval Flying officers who attacked the Zeppelin factory at Friedrichshafen to avoid neutral territory, and the course drawn on the maps supplied to them should have taken them well clear of Switzerland. When machines are flying at a great height it is almost impossible for any but a skilled observer to determine with any accuracy the course the aircraft are taking unless he is directly beneath them. No agreement was reached at the Paris Conference, 1910, in regard to the passage of belligerent aircraft over neutral territory.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution from the Fraternal Association of Assurance Officers protesting against the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, as it affects industrial assurance companies and associations; and whether he will arrange to meet a deputation of these officers to discuss the Act, as its operation affects them?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The working of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, as it affects industrial assurance, has been the subject of many representations to the Government since the Act was passed in August last, but these representations are not all to the same effect; while insurance managers represent that the Act should not apply to industrial assurance, insurance agents urge the Government to preserve the Act intact and even to extend its application. In these circumstances, it will be best to leave the Act as it is at present, until the actual effects of its working are more clearly ascertained by experience.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be caused to be issued by the War Office and the Board of Admiralty a compendious statement showing the various combatant or non-combatant units, posts, duties, or employment which offer opportunities to efficient and suitable civilians to serve the State, distinguishing in each case between officers and men, and stating specifically whether such service will be for the period of the War or a definite time?

Such a Return would involve very considerable labour to the Departments concerned, and I am unable to ask them to undertake it at the present time.

How can any individual who wishes to serve his country learn in what way his services are most acceptable?

A large number of leaflets and pamphlets are in circulation on the subject. If the hon. Member will bring the matter more closely to my notice I will see what can be done.

asked whether the Government are prepared to appoint a small Select Committee of the House of Commons to inquire into all contracts entered into by Government Departments during the War and for the purpose of the War, with powers to revise the prices contained therein after the War if such are found to be unduly profitable to the contractors?

The question of contracts is receiving the attention of the Government. I cannot undertake to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked whether the members of the Select Committee on Estimates or the members of the Public Accounts Committee, who have already investigated War Office contracts, have been or will be consulted with regard to war contracts?

I am not sure how far the hon. Member's suggestion is practicable, or acceptable to the members of the Committee referred to, but I will see that it receives consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that recruiting meetings held in connection with assemblies of men to watch football matches have produced disappointing results: and whether, in view of the gravity of the crisis and the need for recruits, he will introduce legislation taking powers to suppress all professional football matches during the continuance of the War?

Communications are taking place with those who are responsible for the organisation of football matches from which I hope for good results. I do not consider that a case exists for such legislation as the hon. Member suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Saturday last, notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts at a number of football grounds attended by many thousands of people, only one recruit to the Colours was obtained?

Yes, I saw that in the papers; but, on the other hand, I am glad to say that in Scotland there was a very different response.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to stop this scandal at once by introducing legislation to commandeer all football grounds for military purposes?

would rather trust to the progress of the communications which have taken place, and appeal to the general good sense of all football players.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Territorial Artillery Reserve units are only allowed to recruit 25 per cent. of their proper establishment, although in some cases commanding officers have waiting lists of men desirous of joining and who will not enlist in the New Army; and, if so, will he state the reason for this restriction?

It has been found necessary to make this restriction. If my hon. Friend will be so good as to speak to me I will explain to him the position.

asked whether the exhibition grounds known as the White City have been leased on behalf of the Government for military purposes; and, if so, how much is being paid for the same, how long has it been leased for, what is the rent paid, and with whom is the contract made?

The premises have been hired by the County of London Territorial Force Association for a period of eight weeks (from 19th October) from the Shepherd's Bush Exhibition, Ltd., at a rent of £600 a week.

asked whether the contract for the feeding of troops at the White City was thrown open to public tender; and how much per day per man is paid for the same?

This contract was made by the London County Territorial Force Association. I am informed that it was not thrown open to public tender.

asked whether there is any prospect of promotion for the senior non-commissioned officers of the Army Pay Corps who have been superseded for warrant rank owing to age and yet have been strongly recommended for promotion to commissioned rank; and, if not, whether he will state why these men have not been taken into consideration for quarter-mastership in the New Army, as has been the case in all other corps and departments in the Army?

The warrant officers, of whom there are a large number with adequate qualifications, have a prior claim to any promotions to commissioned rank which can be offered. These men have been taken into consideration in many cases for the appointment of quartermaster in the New Army, but for the few appointments available others have been found to possess better qualifications.

asked why non-commissioned officers of the Army Pay Corps who have been recommended for commissions as assistant paymasters have been superseded for promotion by the introduction of civilians as acting paymasters; whether he is aware that the civilians introduced have to be instructed in their work by the men they have superseded, and the work is therefore delayed; will he state what military status these acting paymasters have; and will he also state the reason for issuing to paymasters War Office Letter Accounts 2, dated 7th September, if it was considered that these acting paymasters were suitable and adaptable to the posts?

The number of commissioned officers in the Army Pay Department is regulated by the permanent needs of the Army, and is being maintained at its due strength by promotion of non-commissioned officers and otherwise in the usual way. Non-commissioned officers of the Army Pay Corps have not been superseded for promotion by the introduction of civilians, who enter on a purely temporary footing and have no military status. The civilians appointed acting paymasters are instructed in their duties by the paymasters and not by non-commissioned officers. The object of the War Office letter referred to was to secure that these highly suitable gentlemen should be rapidly adapted to the duties of the posts by proper instruction.

Is it not a fact that nearly 3,000 applications for commissions had been made by officers before the War and only some 400 have so far been granted?

My answer only applies to the Army Pay Corps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men are billeted at the hotels at Carmarthen at the rate of 2s. 3d. per day, while the rate in private houses in the same town is 3s. 4½d. per day; what is the reason for such disparity in the rates; and whether he will see that hostelries which have to pay Licence Duties shall be treated at least on an equality with private houses and temperance hotels?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 24th instant to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth, in which I explained the difference between the position of a private occupier with regard to billeting and that of a licence holder.

Is the hon. Member aware that owing to the disparity of the rates of billeting some authorities are inclined to billet young soldiers in public-houses instead of private houses, and so increase the temptation to drinking?

I am not aware that that is so.

asked if it is intended that the War Loan of £350,000,000 will largely go in the purchase of manufactured articles made in England and Scotland, and that millions will go for boots, and that the Northampton boot factories will obtain a large share of these orders; if any of these contracts will be available for Irish clothiers and boot factories; and what is the total value of Army contracts given to Irish firms since the War commenced up to the present date?

Orders for boots will amount to some millions of pounds, and a large proportion of these orders will doubtless go to the Northampton district. With regard to the latter part of the question, certain Irish firms are already invited to tender for clothing and boots respectively, and if the hon. Member will supply me with the names of additional firms capable of undertaking such contracts, I shall be pleased to make inquiries with a view to adding them to the War Office list. Considerable quantities of food supplies, textiles, and other goods have been obtained from Irish sources since the beginning of the War; but the total value could not be given without extensive inquiry involving much time and labour.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's Department intend to apportion these contracts according to population?

I am afraid it would be impossible to so apportion them without an extensive inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if he has official information to the effect that an Irish regiment fought a detachment of Germans for half the night, and after a fierce fight in which the Irishmen used the butts of their rifles and even their fists the Germans were defeated, having lost three-fourths of their numbers; and, if so, will he state the name of the regiment?

No Sir. I have not received any such information.

Is the hon. Member aware that this statement was made by a correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle"?

We have had no official information.

asked the name of the Irish regiment which distinguished itself by the charge at the battle of Zonnebeke?

No, Sir. I have no information on the subject.

asked whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to the suggestions made by the hon. Member for South Dublin to the Solicitor-General, with regard to obtaining from the commanding officer of every regiment at the front a report as to the operations of that regiment since the beginning of the War, as well as regular reports in future; and whether these reports, when obtained, will be collated and sub-edited by practical journalists and issued day by day to the Press?

asked if the marked gallantry of certain regiments and other units at the commencement of the War, and at such an early stage in the War as will prevent their identification now being of any possible use to the enemy, can be written up and described by trained writers in Government employment, and given to the Press for publication, so as to encourage recruiting for these regiments or units?

This matter is now under consideration, but the adoption of a proposal of this kind raises many difficulties, and I am not hopeful that they can be easily surmounted.

May I ask whether Army Orders issued in the field commending the gallantry of particular regiments or battalions cannot be given publicity in this country?

Army Orders in the field do not reach the War Office, and they are very different from the orders issued by the Commander-in-Chief.

Will steps be taken to see that these things are published?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will cause greater care to be taken in the publication by the Press Bureau of the reports circulated through that agency regarding the brave doings of the Indian troops at the front; and whether he will see that equal praise, where it is due, is given alike to Sikhs, Ghurkas, Dogras, Punjabis, Pathans, Afridis, and the other Indian nationalities who are fighting the Empire's battles in France and elsewhere?

The services of the troops of all the nationalities mentioned are highly appreciated. I was not aware that any discrimination or distinction had been made.

asked the Solicitor-General whether, on the occasions when information of a naval or military character is held up by the censors in the Press Bureau, that information is generally withheld by the direction of the Admiralty or War Office, or solely on the initiative and direction of the Director himself; whether the naval and military censors are in constant touch with the Admiralty and War Office; and whether they receive instructions from time to time from those offices?

The office of the Press Bureau is the offspring of the War and its powers must be measured and its actions judged in relation to this fact. It provides the official means by which all information relating to the War which any of the Departments of State think right to issue is communicated to the Press, but it has no means of collecting news and no power to compel its publication. No matter relating to the War is issued to the public through any other channel except through the "London Gazette." The policy which determines publication of any matter rests with the particular Government Department through which the information comes; it does not depend on the whim of the Censor. If news of any event reaches the Press before it is received from an official source, the question as to whether it should be made public or held back is determined by the Department to which it relates. For example, I have no power to publish news of an action or accident at sea without the consent of the Admiralty; nor of any action or mishap on land, excepting in accordance with the rules of the War Office. This office does not withhold, and according to my views of its powers cannot withhold, any news excepting pursuant to the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act and to the rules and directions laid down by one of the Departments of State.

As to the censoring of news, this is carried out in obedience to the regulations which are drawn up from time to time in accordance with information received from the other Government Departments, with whom we are in constant contact. These form the instructions on which our censors act. Subject to this, the actual work of censoring is all done under my control, and in this I am assisted by a body of skilled officers of the Army and Navy, expert journalists, and other civilians. They number about fifty in all, and they work in shifts throughout the day and night. The matter submitted for censorship is every form of communication destined for publication in the Press, either in this country or in any other country, but no private communications of any kind are within the scope of our jurisdiction. It is a mistake to imagine that the policy of the office has recently undergone any modification or change. It has been and will continue to be the policy of publishing everything that can be made public without danger to the State.

What reasons have been adduced why the gallant actions of our troops at the front at the beginning of the War were not mentioned with the names of the regiments?

The question makes me think my statement has failed to convey the true position of my office to the hon. Member. I regret it. I thought I had made it plain that such a question must be addressed to the War Office and not to myself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether some additional facilities will be given to officers and men of His Majesty's Forces training throughout the country for travelling to their homes when on leave of absence beyond the charge of single fare for the return journey, especially where the training camp or depot is more than fifty miles from the place at which their homes are situate; and whether he will consider the desirability of affording recruits for the New Army the opportunity of visiting their relatives without being called upon to pay substantial sums for railway fares due to the distance of the depot from the recruiting centre?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, in view of the inequality in the cost of railway fares to the different homes of men now in military training, he will consider the possibility of supplying cheap tickets at a uniform rate to those who are granted leave at Christmas, or of allowing them to travel free on that occasion?

The question of giving transport to their homes at Government expense to all men after they have done a certain period of training is under consideration.

Might I ask—

I would remind the hon. Member that there are a great number of questions, and that some of these towards the end of the Paper are considered of great importance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that recruits stationed at Frensham Camp are writing home to their friends complaining of the conditions under which they have to spend the long winter evenings in camp, without fires or seats, and therefore always miserable and often sick; and if he will take steps to remove the cause of these complaints?

No complaints have been received from the friends of troops stationed at Frensham, and the medical reports as to their general health are very good. These troops will be moved into barracks in a few days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the lack of facilities for the training of cooks in the new regiments of His Majesty's Army; and if he can see his way to sending instructors in cookery to the various centres where such regiments are stationed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Aston Manor yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the reports from the front emphasise the importance of making trenches in the training of men for modern warfare; and whether he is satisfied that adequate facilities and equipment for digging are being provided at all the places of training in this country?

Yes, Sir. The reports from the front do emphasise the importance of training in field entrenchment, and steps have been taken to ensure that all troops receive adequate training in this branch of work before being embarked for service on the Continent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question whether they have got sufficient equipment?

If they have not got it, they are getting it as fast as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the number of places marked out of bounds in the manœuvre areas and other training centres impair the practical value of training for war by excluding woods, golf links, football grounds, etc.; and if he will consider the advisability of giving a general War Office order that troops must avoid all possible damage of property and especially to growing crops?

In the instructions woods are allowed to be used and there is no mention of either golf links or football grounds being excluded. The instructions do enjoin that crops and tillage should be treated with the utmost respect and farmers with all possible consideration. Troops are forbidden to pass through uncut corn and over sown land.

Would it not be possible to do away with all "out-of-bounds" orders and simply rely on a general order not to damage property?

There would be no great advantage in that course. Certain things are excluded.

asked what steps the War Office have taken to secure that the British soldiers who are prisoners in Germany are provided with the warm clothing necessary for the winter season?

By Article 7 of the Annex to The Hague Convention (1907) the Government which holds prisoners of war is responsible that they are treated as regards clothing on the same footing as its own troops. This was ratified by the German Government as well as by our own. It having been reported about the middle of October that some of the troops interned in Germany were much in want of clothing, a sum of £3,000 was placed at the disposal of the American Ambassador at Berlin, he having kindly consented to disburse this for the benefit of our soldiers.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is satisfied that the troops have got the necessary clothing?

I will make a few remarks later on if the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to wait.

asked whether the Central Board recommended to be set up for the control of Army canteens will include civilian as well as military members; if so, whether the civilians will be drawn from the War Office or from outside; whether there will be any Irish representatives on the Central Board; and when the Board is likely to be set up?

I cannot at present make any statement as to the constitution of the Central Board. My Noble Friend has the matter under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office is prepared to put a wooden or other inside lining to the huts which are now being constructed for the troops, in view of the thin nature of the present match-boarding used for the outside walls?

Arrangements were made some time since for inside lining to be put in the huts occupied by troops at night, for at least some distance from the floors. In exposed situations the whole of the walls will be lined. All efforts have been concentrated, in the first instance, to get the troops under cover.

Arising out of the answer, are we to understand that it is entirely unnecessary for officers to pay for the lining of these huts out of their own pockets or out of regimental funds, as they are doing now in a great many instances?

I think that is so. We shall do it as soon as we can find time and get the material, but our efforts are being concentrated, in the first place, in getting the huts.

asked what provision is being made in the various hospitals throughout the United Kingdom for giving religious ministrations to wounded soldiers who have returned from the front?

At the larger and more important hospitals chaplains are appointed to give their whole time. At the other hospitals formed during the present emergency the ministrations are given by the local clergy of the various communions, who are appointed by the military authorities as may be necessary.

Are any provisions being made for religious services being held in the wards?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked whether a number of recruits are suffering from defective teeth, and, if accepted, this leads to early disablement, particularly when serving at the front; and whether the War Office will appoint dental surgeons at the depots, who will give the necessary preliminary attention to this branch of the health of the Army and Territorial Forces?

I am, of course, aware that defective teeth are common amongst recruits as amongst other categories of persons. General Officers Commanding are already empowered to spend money on any man's teeth to fit him for service. A large number of dental surgeons and dental institutions have patriotically arranged to treat, free of charge, recruits who would otherwise be rejected on account of their teeth. I gladly recognise what has been done in this respect. Finally, dental surgeons are being appointed to all the larger military stations at home. They will devote their whole time to work with the troops.

asked whether any contracts and, if so, how many, for the feeding of large bodies of troops in this country have been entered into with contractors without the opportunity of competition being provided; and, if so, why this has been done?

Numerous contracts for the feeding of troops have been made by the headquarters of commands and by committees which have raised local battalions. I fear that to obtain from them the information for which my hon. Friend asks would entail the preparation of an elaborate return. I hope that he may therefore not press for it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, before the adjournment of the House, state the terms of the revised circular on the subject of police supervision of the wives and families of soldiers?