asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communications passed between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government in regard to Sir Henry Howard's Mission to the Vatican; and, if so, will he state the nature of such communication?

The Italian Government were informed of the intention to send the Mission and of the nature of the instructions to Sir H. Howard. This Mission, like previous Missions from this country and other Missions now at the Vatican, is in no way contrary to the Law of the Guarantees and no objection has been taken to it.

Did the Italian Government make any communication to this Government of its views on the subject?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, according to a proclamatoin of General von Bissing, Military Governor of Belgium, the goods of British and other residents now absent from Belgium are, after 1st March, 1915, to be confiscated; and, if so, whether he will warn the German Government that in that event the same course will be taken with regard to the property owned by German subjects in this country?

According to my information, the German Government's action is not exactly what the hon. and gallant Member supposes. A recent decree issued by General von Bissing imposes a tenfold tax on Belgians "who voluntarily left their domiciles at the outbreak of the War and have absented themselves from Belgium for more than two months if they do not return before 1st March," and this tax must be paid before 15th April, "after the expiration of which date recovery of the amount may be enforced." Although, the wording of this decree is restricted, I understand that it will, in practice, apply to all Belgians who shall by 1st March have been absent from Belgium for two months, and it is very possible that it may also, in spite of its wording, be applied also to foreign subjects domiciled in Belgium; but this is uncertain. Besides this, deposits in Belgian banks to the credit of the Belgian, British, French, Russian, Japanese, Serbian, and Montenegrin Governments, and of the Russian and Japanes State Banks were seized at the end of September. The question of retaliation therefore does not arise in the form contemplated in the question. In general, however, His Majesty's Government will take all such facts into consideration in determining the advisability of retaliatory measures. I have already inquired of the Belgian Government whether they have any information to show that the decree is applicable to British subjects.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether German missionaries operating as educationists in India are drawing Grants from the Government; and whether a German, liable to military service, who was arrested at Agra by the local military authorities, has been released on parole by order of the Adjutant-General or other authority?

In some cases Grants-in-Aid hitherto given to German missionaries engaged in educational work in India have been continued. The question of withdrawing or continuing a Grant is, it is understood, in each case decided after careful inquiry by the local Government into the conduct and attitude of the missionaries and the character of the educational work. As to the latter part of the question, I have no information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the anti-British and pro-German character of the journal "Al Hilal," published at Calcutta in Urdu, has received the attention of the Government of India; and whether, seeing that in editorial articles the British Army has been said to prefer retreating to fighting, will he say when this print will be suppressed?

The security deposited by this paper was forfeited under the Press Act last November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken with regard to William Lonsdale, a British soldier, now a prisoner in Germany, who was recently sentenced to death for striking a German official who had insulted Lonsdale, the sentence afterwards being commuted to twenty years' imprisonment?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The answer is in the negative.

Do you intend to do anything? I call it an atrocious outrage!

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, on or about the 7th of January, his Department issued orders direct to the headmaster of Dauntsey School, Wiltshire, through the inspector of secondary schools, and took action resulting in the schools being vacated on the 8th of January by a contingent of the Canadian Artillery Brigade who were billeted there on the 1st January; and, if so, whether the governors of the foundation were consulted before this action was taken, and upon whose initiative it was taken?

This school was occupied on the 1st January by troops without the authority of the General Officer Commanding required in such cases by the Army Council. The Board, under these circumstances, asked the General Officer Commanding whether the school could be evacuated. The General Officer Commanding explained at an interview on the 7th January that the school had been occupied through a misconception, and that orders had already been given for its evacuation. The headmaster, the only responsible officer of the governors on the spot, was at once informed by the inspector of this, but no orders were issued by the Board, either directly or through their inspector. The school was vacated on the 8th January by direction of the military authorities. The governors were subsequently fully informed of these facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number of alien enemies who have been released from the detention camps?

No returns of releases of alien enemies from detention camps are available for the period prior to the 17th October. In the period subsequent to that date up to and including the 30th January the number is 2,821.

Why do they let them in and out without keeping any record?

I do not know that they are let out.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in some parts of the United Kingdom much anxiety prevails as to the position of naturalised aliens residing therein; and whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken to prevent such naturalised aliens from giving information or assistance to the enemy?

I am aware that a good deal of anxiety has been expressed in various quarters about naturalised British subjects, but I think it is mainly due to misapprehension. It seems to be thought that they enjoy some immunity, but this is not the case. If there is any reason to suspect any such person of acting or of being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the realm, he can, like any other person, whether British subject or not, be removed by order of the competent naval or military authority from any place where he could be dangerous and be required to reside elsewhere.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in a specific case of suspicion application should be made to the military or naval authority?

Application should be made to the competent military or naval authority in any case of suspicion.

asked the Prime Minister what are the terms of the working arrangement between the War Office and the Home Office as to the procedure for releasing alien enemies who have been interned and the date when such arrangement was made; and whether, if such arrangement was in writing, he will lay the same upon the Table of the House?

asked whether the Home Office is responsible for the investigation by the police of the question whether a particular alien enemy should be released or not; whether the Home Office is responsible in case the information obtained by the police on this question is inaccurate or insufficient, and, if not, who is responsible in such a case; whether, when such investigation is completed, the Home Office makes a recommendation to the War Office as to whether the alien enemy should be released or not; and whether it is in all cases necessary that before an alien enemy is released there shall be a joint consideration of the case by the Home Office and by the War Office?

asked when and by whom it was decided that the responsibility for releasing an alien enemy should rest with the War Office?

The responsibility for the release of alien enemies from detention camps was assumed by the War Office on the 11th November, in accordance with a decision of the Cabinet. It was at first proposed that the Home Office should make the inquiries of the police and submit their reports and recommendations in the usual way; but as this involved loss of time, since it was necessary in all cases to make inquiry through the police, the Home Secretary placed at the disposal of the War Office a small branch which had already been formed for the purpose of conducting these inquiries. This branch, though located at the Home Office, acts wholly under the control of the War Office, and there is no division of responsibility. The arrangement was effected by means of semi-official letters which passed between Lieut.-General Sir Herbert Belfield and Sir Edward Troup, which I will circulate with the Votes. Since this arrangement was made, the matter has been wholly in the hands of the War Office, and I am informed that the Home Secretary has been consulted only in one or two isolated cases. The police authorities are of course responsible for the accuracy of their own reports, and in the Metropolitan area the Home Secretary is responsible for the Police; if the reports are incomplete the War Office calls for further information.

If the reports of the police in the provinces are incomplete, who would be the proper Minister responsible?

No Minister is responsible for the action of the local authority.

If complaint is made in this House that the police do not give sufficient information, is not the Government responsible in any way?

The War Office is responsible for the whole thing. The hon. Gentleman asks who is responsible for the action of the local police. The War Office is responsible for the whole thing.

Is the War Office now responsible for the arrest as well as for the release of these people?

Yes.

Was the representative of the Home Office responsible up to 11th November?

No. Up to that time the matter was in a rather tentative state. The matter was considered on the questions of hon. Members, and we came to this decision on the 11th November Since then the War Office is in control.

Is the War Office in direct communication with the police in the provinces?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary for War how many aliens were released from internment during the month of January, and if the War Office in each case acted upon reports by the police that the individuals released were neither dangerous nor destitute?

The number of alien enemies released from internment during the month of January was 717. The police were consulted in each case, generally, and also on the special points to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a German baron, whose brother holds a high command in the German Army, is permitted to reside in the Brighton area, and has a yacht at Shoreham; if he consented to the release of this person from internment; and if, having regard to the danger of German submarines getting supplies from aliens residing along the coast, he will insist upon the prohibited areas being extended and all alien enemies being excluded from these areas?

The gentleman to whom the question is assumed to refer became a naturalised British subject eight years ago, and has never been interned. The Admiralty are satisfied after close investigation that no action is required.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibilities, not to say the probabilities, of this German baron being the means of conveying supplies to the enemies' submarines off our coast?

The Admiralty Intelligence Department, which is the branch of the Admiralty in charge of the question of dealing with aliens, has examined the case of this individual German baron, and is of opinion that there is no danger to be apprehended either of that kind, or any other, with regard to him.

Does the right hon. Gentleman believe that if the position were reversed, and if it were the case of a prominent English general, say, residing in Germany, that the same consideration would be extended?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the individual in question is the brother of the Military Governor of Brussels?

I do not make a personal study of these cases of individual aliens. I am informed that the Intelligence Department of the Admiralty investigated this case and thought no action was necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this German baron, who is brother of the Military Governor of Brussels, is suspected by every patriotic man in the Kingdom?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the yacht in question has remained at Shoreham, or has been out from that port during the time of the War?

I really cannot say offhand what is being done, but I know that the authorities, who have no other object but to secure the safety of the country, are quite satisfied. I cannot conceive any reason why they should not use the great powers in their discretion if they had the least reason to be apprehensive.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, under No. 14 of the Defence of the Realm Consolidation Regulations, 1914, the competent military authority has power to make an order prohibiting any person suspected of acting or having acted or being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the realm from residing in any area specified in the order; whether, after the naval raid on Scarborough, orders were made by the competent military authority for that district, in pursuance of Regulation No. 14, prohibiting various persons, chiefly aliens, naturalised or otherwise, from residing within a certain distance from the East Coast; whether a letter was thereupon written by the Home Office to the War Office suggesting that such orders were invalid and ultra vires; whether such letter was written by the Home Office without having seen any copy of the orders in question thereof except such notice as had appeared in the public Press and without any request on the part of the War Office for the advice of the Home Office; and whether after the receipt of such letter by the War Office the orders were suspended and remain still suspended?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The attention of the War Office was drawn by the Home Office to the newspaper reports about removal of aliens consequent on the Scarborough raid, but the War Office had already on learning that a large number of removals had been made, telegraphed to the military authorities to suspend action, if the orders had not been made in accordance with the special instructions which had been issued from the War Office just previously to the raid. These instructions were not in the hands of the military authorities when the orders were issued, and action was accordingly suspended and the various orders were then reviewed in the light of the instructions. The Home Office wrote to the War Office because the newspaper reports gave the impression that the removals were not in accordance with the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The Home Office had not seen copies of the orders, but as complaints were being received from persons who attributed the orders to the Home Office, they brought the matter to the notice of the Department which was competent to deal with it.

Was the letter of the Home Office written on the request of the War Office or on their own initiative?

It was not a question for the War Office.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the local military authority was superseded, as it were, by the War Office in regard to this matter?

The local military authority is, of course, always under the War Office. The local authority sent these orders for confirmation by the War Office. When we informed them that we thought the orders were not in accordance with the Defence of the Realm Regulation, they were suspended in order that inquiries should be made.

Was the Home Office letter written before or after the action taken by the War Office in London?

After.

May we have a copy of the Home Office letter?

That had better be left to my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Cockerton judgment prevents the teaching of French in elementary schools in which many scholars would gladly receive it; and whether he will bring in legislation to legalise the teaching of the language of Allies in such cases?

I am advised that the teaching of French in public elementary schools is not illegal and it is, in fact, taught in a certain number of such schools. Legislation is, therefore, not required. The question whether French should be taught in any particular elementary school must depend mainly on local and educational considerations.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the number of children of school age in Salisbury has been recently increased by the influx of soldiers' families from Bulford and that, the existing schools in Salisbury being in part overcrowded and in the whole deficient for the requirements of the city, these children are deprived of proper education; and what steps will be taken to deal with this situation?

On the information at present before me I have no reason to suppose that any soldiers' children who have lately come into Salisbury are deprived of proper education, but I am making further inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the boys' department of St. Mark's School, Salisbury, has for many months past been overcrowded; whether the Board has warned the managers that Article 19 of the code was a condition of receiving the Grant; and whether it is intended to enforce the provisions of the code in this case?

For the school year ended 31st October, 1914, the average attendance exceeded the recognised accommodation by two. The latest information shows that the attendance has fallen considerably. A warning was sent, and the local education authority have instructed the managers that the conditions of the code must be complied with. I trust steps will now be taken to find accommodation; if not, I shall press the local education authority further.

How long has this gone on?

To whom is the accommodation confined?

That is the average accommodation. There are days when probably the accommodation is less satisfactory. I cannot say without reference how long the question connected with accommodation has gone on, but certainly for some few months.

asked whether Mr. Phipps, chief secretary of elementary education under the Board, recently visited Salisbury in order to report on the educational facilities of that city; and, if so, whether his report was to the effect that school accommodation in Salisbury is deficient?

Mr. Phipps went to Salisbury, but not in order to report on the educational facilities of the city, and the second part of the hon. Member's question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his attention has been called to the statement of Colonel F. W. Robson, commanding the 14th regimental district at York, to a deputation representing the Leeds licensed victuallers, that the duty in regard to early closing of licensed premises had been put upon the military authorities by the Home Secretary; and will he say whether the Home Office took any and, if any, what action in that direction?

The Secretary of State's attention had not been called to the statement until my hon. Friend's question appeared on the Paper. Powers were given to the military authority in this matter by the Order in Council of 12th August in which both the War Office and the Home Office concurred. It was not till 31st August that similar powers were conferred on the Licensing Justices by the Intoxicating Liquor (Temporary Restriction) Act, which in certain cases are subject to the approval of the Home Secretary.

Will the hon. Gentleman speak up on the next question. I could not hear what he said.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the effect upon certain booksellers of the methods adopted by his Department in the granting of licences to import German books of scientific or academic importance; whether such licences have been granted to firms owned or managed by foreignors, but withheld from prominent firms owned or managed by British-born subjects; and, if so, will he say whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Licences to import books of scientific and academic importance have been freely issued and there has been no discrimination in favour of firms owned or managed by foreigners. Owing to representations recently received from members of the trade the policy of granting licences for this purpose is being reconsidered in consultation with the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what further steps the Government are taking, or propose to take, to deal with hospitality for Belgian refugees?

There is no addition to the public statements already made which I could usefully make at the present time.

May I ask what the Government are doing in regard to Belgian refugees of military age?

The question is not one for the Government, but for the Belgian military authorities and the Belgian refugees themselves.

asked how much of the Prince of Wales' Fund has now been expended by his department in relief of distress?

The Local Government Board, as a Department, are not responsible for the distribution of the Prince of Wales' Fund. Grants from the Fund for the prevention and relief of distress among the civil population are, however, made on the recommendation of the Government Committee, of which I am Chairman, and the amount of such grants up to the present time is approximately £230,000.

Is it not a fact that the Local Government Board advised the local representatives that the money should be distributed in certain directions?

No, Sir; it is the Government Committee for the prevention and relief of distress which is communicated with by the local committees.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the cadets who were at Dartmouth at the outbreak of the War were lost on the "Monmouth" and the "Formidable"?

The answer, I regret to say, is ten and six respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the number of Dartmouth cadets sent on board at the commencement of the War and what number has since been lost; and whether the proportion is much greater than in any other class of naval officers?

As stated in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on the 16th November, the number of Dartmouth cadets embarked at the commencement of the War was 434. Of this number I am sorry to say that forty-one have lost their lives. No statistics have been worked out as to the percentage of officers lost in the various classes, but it is, I am afraid, a fact that the percentage of the cadets embarked from Dartmouth who have lost their lives is greater than in any other class of officer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman carefully reconsider the question whether the Admiralty will send any more young officers on to the ships?

It is impossible to discuss that now. The hon. Gentleman can realise why that is so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many enemies' interned steamers have been put or are being put into the coasting trade; and whether the Admiralty is exacting the highest rates prevailing in the market for these boats?

Thirty vessels are being used in the coasting trade out of thirty-six. The remainder are either un-seaworthy or being employed for other purposes. The freight at which they are chartered is the current freight of the day for the voyage. The result of the action of the Admiralty has been to reduce the freights from the Tyne for instance from 13s. 6d. to 11s.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the current rates on railways are not being charged on the steamers? If the railways are taking a lower rate, why should traders be asked to pay the market rate, which is now 11s. instead of 4s.?

That is a question of which notice should be given.

I will put down a question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty is letting enemies' interned steamers to shipowners and demanding from them considerably higher rate of pay than the Admiralty is itself paying the same shipowners for the use of their boats which have been commandeered; and whether the rates which have been charged for the interned ships are being accumulated for the benefit of the alien enemy when the War is over?

The Admiralty is not letting the enemies' interned ships to shipowners, but is running them for Government account. The freights earned are paid into the Exchequer. The ultimate disposal of the fund so raised is not yet decided upon, but it will not go to the enemy owners of the vessels.

asked when the replies to the dockyard workmen's petitions of last year will be issued?

Very shortly, I hope.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of George Berthnall Thompson, No. 140,297, retired naval stoker, who was called up for service in August last, was sent to the West Coast of Africa on His Majesty's Ship "Challenger," and was invalided home in October suffering from paralysis; whether he is aware that, as a result of anxiety about how he was to keep his home going on the pension to which he was entitled, the man committed suicide on 11th January last; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will consider the possibility of something being done by way of assisting the widow and three children?

Thompson was a pensioner receiving £35 7s. a year prior to being called up in August. When invalided in October his pension would of course continue. If the facts be as stated by my hon. Friend, a pension will be provisionally awarded to the widow according to the White Paper scale of November last.

asked the grounds on which promotion is refused to warrant engineers, Royal Naval Reserve, in view of the number of commissions now being given to engineers who are not in the Reserve; and whether these warrant engineers may apply for temporary commissions in the Navy or merchant service?

The rank of warrant engineer was created in 1903 for the purpose of providing a permanent reserve of warrant officers for the Engineer branch of the Royal Navy. In this capacity they are a valuable reserve as they supply the want most felt in the engineering department when a sudden expansion of the Fleet becomes necessary. Temporary commissions in the Royal Naval Reserve have, as a rule, only been granted to engineers taken up with their vessels for service in the Fleet, and these officers do not serve in regular ships of war. These appointments are in no way permanent and terminate when the ship in which the officers are serving pays off.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could now make a statement regarding the new scheme of poundage promised by the Government as a consequence of the abolition of prize money?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the question of prize money for the Navy still remains in abeyance; whether the Fleet have received any benefit up to date for the large amount of enemy's shipping (nearly 100,000 tons) which has been accounted for; and, if not, whether he will make some communication to the House on this question?

I will, if I may, answer this question and No. 43 standing in the name of the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth together. The question of prize money has been receiving close consideration since the outbreak of hostilities, and certain conclusions as to the basis of distribution have been taken by the Board of Admiralty. But the hon. Member will recognise that under modern conditions the subject is more complicated than it has been in the past. I need scarcely assure the hon. Member that the whole matter continues to receive the closest attention of the Government. The question of making periodic advances to the Fleet has been discussed from time to time, but there are very great difficulties in the way, and I am afraid that I can hold out no hope that such ad interim distributions will be possible.

Will there be no distribution of prize money until the War is over?

I think that may be so. There are great difficulties in the way. I would like to consult my advisers on the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will say what is the position of widows of dockyardsmen called up for service and who are killed on the battlefield; are these widows entitled to any compensation for the loss they sustain owing to the stopping of the money they were receiving from the dockyard authorities; can he say whether, in the case of an established man, the money he has paid on behalf of his pension will be returned with interest to the widow; if not, what is to become of that money for which the Government have given no return; and will he also say what is the position with regard to compensation under the new scheme when a man is killed on the battlefield and is still receiving pay for his services as a dockyardsman?

If the hon. Member will permit me I will circulate the answer with the Votes.—[See Written Answers this date.]

In the case of a man killed after he has left the dockyard: will his widow be in a worse position than she would have been if he had been killed in the dockyard?

On the whole I think she would be better off, and certainly better than if her husband had been a civilian who has joined the Colours. I would rather have the whole thing stated fully.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider whether the time has arrived when the captains and officers of merchantmen employed on transport service should have temporary Royal Naval Reserve commission conferred on them, not only for the purpose of defence, but also to enable them to deal effectively with insubordination among the crew, especially considering the percentage of aliens among them?

The question has already been fully considered by the Admiralty, but I am advised that the grant of commissions would not effect the object in view.

If the right hon. Gentleman is unable to accept the suggestion in the question, will he give the officers referred to a badge to show that they are employed in His Majesty's service?

I will consider that, but as the crews are not under the Naval Discipline Act, my hon. Friend will realise that it would not attain the object which he suggests on the Paper.

asked the number of casualties in the Navy since the commencement of the War?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the House a summary of the facts already made public, namely, the number of officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Forces killed, wounded, and missing, including the Royal Naval Division, specifying those killed and drowned through the effect of submarines, mines, gunfire, killed, wounded, and missing in the trenches, and by accident, up to date?

A Return, giving such information as is possible, is being prepared which I hope to issue shortly with the Votes.

Will that reply to my question?

As far as I can tell.

asked the Prime Minister if the household canvass conducted by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee has been extended to Ireland; and, if so, whether he can state the results obtained?

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

When may we expect to have a decision arrived at?

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is now in a position to make public the statistics as to recruiting in Ireland which have been supplied to the hon. and learned Member for Waterford?

No statistics were supplied by the War Office, but I am informed that the figures as to recruiting in Ireland referred to were compiled by the police, and were furnished to the hon. and learned Member by the Irish Government, who, at the same time, pointed out that these figures could only be regarded as approximate.

asked what are now the total casualties in the present War; and whether some arrangement could now be made to issue the totals up to date with each fresh list of casualties?

The casualties of the Expeditionary Force in the Western area of the War up to 4th February are approximately 104,000 of all ranks. I will consider from time to time whether the total figures cannot be given.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have made any modification or changes in the Declaration of London from its original form; if so, will he state what these changes are; whether the Declaration of London, with or without its modifications, has the authority of international law; whether any nations have accepted its terms as a new code of naval warfare; if so, will he state the names of these nations; and whether the British are using the Declaration of London or certain clauses of it as a temporary code during the present war?

By Orders in Council of 20th August and 29th October, 1914, which have been published, certain modifications were announced subject to which His Majesty's Government were prepared to adopt the Declaration of London during the present hostilities. The Declaration has not been ratified, and has therefore not the same authority as a universally ratified code of law. In vew of recent German announcements of an intention to disregard the laws and customs of the sea further modifications in British practice may be necessitated.

Will the hon. Member lay these modifications on the Table of the House and let us know what they are?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will take into consideration the cases of men who have been rendered blind through being wounded in the War; and whether, having regard to the fact that the calamity of blindness is more terrible than most of the other wounds by which men are incapacitated, he will see that they receive some extra pension?

A soldier rendered blind by wounds in war would be eligible for the highest rate of disability pension. This is the existing rule, and I do not find that a departure from this is contemplated by the recent Select Committee on Allowances and Pensions. I may mention here that, by the reports of voluntary workers among the blind, steps are being taken to give individual encouragement and assistance to each blinded soldier to acquire some industrial aptitude which would prevent him from settling into a life of complete dependence on others.

Am I to understand that the blind really will get a little bit more than the others?

They will be on the highest scale.

asked whether further dispatches from Sir John French, continuing his narrative of events, have been received since that dated 20th November and published on 30th November; if so, when such dispatches will be published; and, if not, when further dispatches of this kind, to which such deep public interest attaches, may be hoped for?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when we may expect a further dispatch from Sir John French, including the list of recommendations which he said was nearly ready when his last dispatch in November was published?

No further dispatch since that dated 30th November has been sent, but the list of recommendations supplementing the dispatch of that date has now been received, and will be published as soon as the necessary verification of the names and arrangements for "Gazette" purposes have been completed.

asked the the Prime Minister whether the Report mentioned in the French Yellow Book as having been received from a trustworthy source was communicated to His Majesty's Government shortly after its receipt by the French Government?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish particulars of any case of death from inoculation against typhoid fever?

As far as the War Office is aware there has been only one death which can be in any way connected with inoculation. This case was that of Corporal Nichols, of the 3rd Battalion (Reserve), City of London Regiment. I stated in this House on 27th November last that the cause of death was pneumonia, but when the death certificate was received it was seen that the cause was given as "(i.) Anti-typhoid vaccination; (ii.) Pneumonia." The case has been investigated and submitted to Sir William Osler, who considers that death was due to an eight-mile march which the man took within twenty-four hours after inoculation and not to the inoculation directly. Instructions have been given that care must be taken to see that men recently inoculated are not given hard work until their condition justifies their undertaking it without risk.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of cases of typhoid, and deaths from typhoid, among inoculated men and uninoculated men in the Expeditionary Force from the commencement of the War to a recent date?

Of the 421 cases of typhoid in the present campaign among British troops, 305 cases were in men who were not inoculated within two years. In the 421 cases there have been thirty-five deaths. Of these deaths thirty-four were men who had not been inoculated within two years. Only one death occurred among patients who were inoculated, and that man had only been inoculated once instead of the proper number of times—namely, twice.

Are men now able to refuse inoculation if they like?

Yes.

Are the figures given included in the list of actual casualties?

No.

Does the list of casualties include all prisoners as well as wounded?

Yes.

All missing?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the results of inoculation in the United States Army in 1911, 1912, and 1913?

These figures are of considerable interest and the House will perhaps pardon me if I state the position fully. Prior to 1911 inoculation was not compulsory in the United States Army. The ratios of admission to hospital per 1,000 of strength for typhoid fever were in the years from 1899 as follows: 10.85, 5.62, 5.62, 3.57, 5.66, 5.53, 2.94, 3.03, and 2.32. This last figure is for the year 1910—the last year in which inoculation was voluntary. In 1911 the ratio was.81 and in 1912.31. For 1913 figures are not available. To sum up from the year 1900, when voluntary inoculation was introduced, the ratio gradually fell, and, from 1911, when it became compulsory, a further marked drop took place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that compulsion in the United States Army only came into operation towards the end of 1911, and that the reduction to that date was from much higher figures than those of 1900, namely, from 88.5 per 1,000 in 1898 to.85 in 1911?

If the order came into force at the end of the year, it shows what a marvellous effect it had.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the first year of compulsion, as shown by his figures, shows an increase in typhoid?

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the punishment for refusing inoculation of men who have fought at the front by depriving them of the five days' leave to visit home which is granted to inoculated men is a form of influence and persuasion sanctioned by the War Office to induce men to undergo an operation which is not compulsory or legally enforceable and to which they have a conscientious objection; and whether men who stand upon the legal right guaranteed by the public announcements of the Minister for War are to be punished indefinitely for doing so by the refusal of the leave granted to others, or whether this action on the part of officers will at once be put an end to by a general order issued from the War Office?

I am not aware of any case where a man returning from the front has been punished in the manner described in the question. The danger of infection being spread in the Army by un-inoculated men is considerable, and has to be guarded against by precautions being taken as regards granting them special leave. Any general Order that may be issued will be in this sense.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the requests for a continuous supply of such things as shirts, socks, underclothing, woollen caps, and gloves to make good wastage; whether any portion of our troops are in need of these articles of clothing; and whether he can make any statement which would put beyond all doubt the fact that the War Office is meeting all such demands upon its attention?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the War Office is in a position to meet all present requirements in regard to shirts, socks, underclothing, woollen caps, gloves, etc., and it is also prepared to meet wastage.

Has my tight hon. Friend seen the appeal in the newspapers this week, from the wife of Field-Marshal French, asking for these very articles named in the question?

I do not happen to have seen it.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the sergeant-instructors who are doing such excellent service at the training depôts are considered when promotions are under consideration?

This matter is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state the reason for the delay in the payment of money under an allotment made in November last of 1s. 6d. a day in favour of his three children made by Sadler F. A. Clark, No. 81,519, 1st Battery Royal Field Artillery, 45th Brigade, 8th Division; and whether he will see that all arrears are forthwith settled and that the allowance in future is promptly paid?

Application in this case was received on the 4th instant, and payment was made on the following day with arrears from 23rd October last. From inquiries that have been made, it appears that the soldier is alone responsible for the delay, as he made no application for payment of the allotment prior to that contained in a letter received by the Paymaster at Woolwich on the 4th instant, payment being made on the 5th.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if he is aware that Private Hugh Watt, Highland Light Infantry, enlisted on the understanding that his foster-mother, Mrs. Annie Watt, 242, High Street, Perth, who was entirely dependent on him, should be able to draw a dependant's allowance; if he is aware that the Perth pensions committee passed a dependency allowance of 12s. 6d. a week; if he is aware that the Army Pay Office has held up a decision on this subject, and that, as Mrs. Watt refuses to take any allowance from a charitable source, the only income she has is the allotment of 3s. 6d. per week from Private Hugh Watt; and if he will see that a decision in this and similar cases is arrived at with the least possible delay?

The case quoted by the hon. Member has not hitherto been regarded as carrying a right to a dependant's allowance, but it would fall within the definition of dependence proposed by the Select Committee on Pensions and Grants.

Will arrears also be taken into consideration?

No, Sir; I cannot say that arrears should be paid under the new definition.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he would state what arrangements are made, if any, to continue the allotments to the wives of officers who have been promoted from the ranks and who previously received allotment, having been on the strength of the officer's regiment; and, if not so allowed now, will he arrange for the allowance to continue unless the officer expresses a desire otherwise?

It has been arranged that the weekly amount previously issued by the paymaster shall be continued from the officer's pay to the family or other dependants by the regimental agents of the officer until he makes other arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if a monopoly or partial monopoly has been granted to Messrs. W. H. Smith at Bulford or other camp?

I am not aware of any monopoly being granted to Messrs. W. H. Smith at Bulford or elsewhere, but if the hon. Member refers to the supply of newspapers at the camps that is a matter which is arranged locally.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can state how many Zeppelins raided the East Coast on 19th January; whether the Zeppelins were accompanied by motor-cars; if so, whether he can give the number of such cars; and whether any of them have been identified or any of their occupants arrested?

It is not in the public interest to give the information which may be in possession of the Department regarding the first point. The other points are being further investigated, and I hope to be able to give an answer shortly.

Would it not be possible to ensure more complete co-operation between the military and police, especially in certain country districts on the East Coast, so that each may know to what extent it can rely on the other, and, therefore, be prepared to deal effectively—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, Order."]

We will endeavour to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the huts built for the recruits of Lord Kitchener's Army at Portsmouth are watertight; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that these huts are immediately made habit able for the men?

I find on inquiry that a few huts at Portsmouth developed leaks. These were stopped at once, and no huts are now leaking.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether certain men of the Royal Garrison Artillery at present stationed at Garrison Point Fort, Sheerness, have been refused the leave of absence promised some time ago; whether he will state what is the reason for this refusal; and whether men concerning whom no complaint has been made are being penalised because of the failure of a few of their comrades to return to duty at the expiration of their leave of absence?

The men were divided into batches for the purpose of Christmas leave. Almost all of the first batch overstayed their leave three or four days. In consequence of this the second batch were warned, but they also overstayed their leave. As a result of this disregard of orders, all leave was stopped except in the case of those men who had passed their drills.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can state the number of cases of pneumonia which have occurred among the men training in the military camps in England and Wales during the months of August, September, and October, the number of deaths, and the number who have been discharged as physically unfit for further military service owing to having suffered from this disease?

I have not yet received the complete statistics, and I should be obliged if my right hon. Friend would repeat his question on Wednesday.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if arrangements have now been made for sheltering Army horses on open down lands; and if he has any information as to the mortality among these horses due to exposure before shelters were provided?

Yes, Sir, provision is being made for shelter for horses in hut camps. I am informed that little or no mortality can be directly attributed prior to the provision of shelter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the Linenhall Barracks were lent by the Board of Works to Lady Aberdeen for the purpose of holding an exhibition, on condition that the premises should be handed back in their original condition on the 31st October, 1914, and were requisitioned by the Government for military purposes on the 10th October; whether a claim has been made by Lord Aberdeen for £6,000 compensation for the loss of the use of the premises for twenty-one days; whether any accounts or documentary evidence has been produced in support of the claim showing the money collected and disbursed in respect of the exhibition; and how the Government propose to deal with Lord Aberdeen's claim?

The Irish Board of Works lent Linenhall Barracks to the Committee of the Dublin Civic Exhibition on the condition stated in the question. They subsequently offered a continuation of the tenancy at a fair rent to the Civics Institute of Ireland, which had taken over the exhibition of the purpose of its permanent activities in connection with housing and other matters. Before these arrangements were complete they were broken off by the military occupation of the buildings on 12th October. Lord Aberdeen has made no such claim as is suggested, but it has been proposed that the War Department should repay to the Civics Institute such a portion of their expenditure upon the buildings as represents the value for military purposes of improvements and additions effected. This proposal is now under consideration, and all the necessary figures are in the possession of the War Office.

Can the hon. Gentleman state what claim is being made by Lord Aberdeen?

Lord Aberdeen is making no claim on his own behalf, but on behalf of the Civic Institute, to the extent I have stated in my answer.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his Department has appointed a firm in Glasgow to represent it in the giving out and receiving of clothing for the Army; if so, will he say what is the name of the representative so appointed; what are the terms to be paid to such firm; and whether they are in the form of a percentage on the cost of the clothing or of any profits that may be got out of the contractors for the clothing?

No such appointment has been made by the War Office, but I understand that some such arrangement has been made by a contractor to the War Office, who was authorised to sub-contract. I do not know the name of the agent or the terms of his remuneration.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the name of the contractor?

The name is Glanfield.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state how it is that some men who joined the National Reserve since the 11th August last and did not sign the card of obligation have obtained the £5 bounty whilst hundreds of men who have belonged to the National Reserve for years before that date have been refused the bounty on the ground that they have not signed the card of obligation, although they were never invited to do so, or having signed it enlisted through an ordinary recruiting depot?

The only men who are known to have joined the National Reserve since the 11th August last and have obtained the bounty are a few individuals who had applied to join before that date at places where the supply of cards had temporarily run out. The bounty was payable not for enlisting, but for undertaking beforehand to do so if called up; but it has been given to those who, having given the undertaking, enlisted without waiting to be called up.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether two German submarines were recently seen alongside a neutral steamer in the Irish Sea; whether the steamer was outward bound from Manchester, loaded with oil and oil products; whether he can state the name of the ship and who her agents are; the port for which she cleared; and the names of the shippers of the cargo and the consignees; and whether the export of oil on neutral vessels is still to be permitted?

All possible steps are taken to investigate reports such as that referred to. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the results of the investigations. The export of fuel oil from this country is prohibited.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that five men of His Majesty's ship "Good Hope" were landed on a rock or islet in the Pacific previous to the naval engagement in which that ship was sunk; and if he will give the names of these men?

One acting warrant officer and four men had been landed from the "Good Hope" before she was lost. Their relatives were informed of their safety shortly after the loss of the ship was made public, but it is not proposed to publish their names.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the German sailor is provided with an efficient lifesaving Waistcoat; if he is aware that our men are only provided with a kind of dog collar calculated only to assist in drowning any man using it; if he will make proper provision in this direction for our men; and whether he can say if any expert opinion, other than that of the manufacturer, as to the use and suitability of these collars was obtained before purchase by the Admiralty?

Certain statements have appeared in the Press in regard to the life-saving appliances in use in the German Navy. His Majesty's ships are normally provided with life-saving appliances sufficient to provide for the full complement of the ship. The Admiralty swimming collar was introduced as the most ready means of providing a personal equipment to be always worn or carried on the person which, while not encumbering the wearer in the performance of his duty, would give effective aid to a swimmer. As such, the evidence goes to show that it has answered its purpose and been the means of saving many lives. I may remark that the collar was not introduced as the design of one manufacturer, but after consultation with representatives of leading firms, some of whom were experts in life-saving appliances. It was considered to be the best form of appliance that could be supplied quickly in the large numbers required. Since the introduction of the collar the Admiralty have continued to devote constant consideration to the subject, with the result that it is hoped to issue improved appliances immediately.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me the approximate cost of these collars?