asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the rates of exchange in New York for the credit paper of the German Government at the end of July, 1914 (before the commencement of the War), and at the end of January, 1915 (after the War had been in progress for about six months), respectively, stated in terms of the number of dollars obtainable for Mark 1,000, with corresponding information as regards the rates of exchange, at the same times, of the credit paper of the British Government, stated in terms of the number of dollars obtainable for 1,000 shillings (£50)?

It is not clear what my hon. Friend means by the exchange rates in New York of credit paper of the German and British Governments. The following figures relate to the sight rates of exchange. As the figures for 28th July, the latest date in the days just prior to the outbreak of War for which an effective rate was quoted between Berlin and New York, already show the influence of abnormal conditions, I have added figures for 30th June, 1914, when conditions were fully normal:—

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the serious effect of the present high prices for wheat and of the risk of Germany, either directly or through sympathisers, buying and holding up large quantities of the exportable surplus of wheat in the United States of America and in Argentina, the Govern- ment have bought or are buying wheat in those countries for exportation in order to relieve the situation here?

The matters mentioned in this question can be raised in Debate on Thursday next. Meanwhile I think it undesirable to reply to specific questions of this kind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the monazite deposits of Travancore are being worked by the Cosmopolitan Mining Company, of London and Berlin; whether this mineral is chiefly consumed in Germany; and whether export will be forbidden during the War?

A concession for working monazite sand deposits in certain specified areas in the Travancore State was granted in 1911 to the London Cosmopolitan Mining Company, Limited, of London, and was transferred by that firm in the same year, with the approval of the Madras Government, to the Travancore Minerals Company, Limited, also of London. I am informed that, so far as the raw material is concerned, the main consumption of monazite sand has in the past been in Germany. Since the outbreak of War export to that country from Travancore has, of course, ceased.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the dependants' allowance payable to a woman with whom a soldier was living prior to enlistment ceases on his marrying her; whether, if he had waited to enlist until after marriage, separation allowance would have been payable to the woman as his wife; and, if so, why this penalty on marriage is persisted in?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative, and the other points therefore do not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether a person who has become wholly dependent on a soldier since the date of mobilisation or of his enlistment, such for example as his mother through the death of her husband, is entitled to an allowance; and, if not, whether he will take steps to remedy this omission?

I regret that I am unable to go beyond the recommendations of the Select Committee which considered the whole question of these allowances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether prospecting licences granted by the Government of India to persons who are not British subjects have been cancelled by that Government since the beginning of the War?

The Secretary of State has ascertained from the Government of India that they are not aware that any prospecting licence has been cancelled by them or by the local governments for the reason implied in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the boycott established by the War Office against conscientious objectors to vaccination will be relaxed so as to enable such persons to join the Army unmolested?

It is not considered advisable to alter the present rules governing the vaccination of soldiers joining the Army, but I must not be understood as accepting the hon. Member's description of those rules.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the greater part of Government contracts for the supply of tobacco and cigarettes is given to the British-American Tobacco Company, which is the super-trust which controls the world's tobacco trade and has paid a dividend of 24½ per cent. on its ordinary shares; and whether, in view of those circumstances, he will arrange that a fair proportion of the contracts will be given to tax-paying British and Irish, firms who trade independently of this dominating trust?

The greater portion of War Office orders for tobacco and cigarettes placed during the War has been given to British and Irish firms which are not included in the British-American Tobacco Company.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the necessity of establishing a fully-equipped depot for the reception of tenders for military supplies in Dublin has been for many years under consideration, and that this proposal has been repeatedly made as being more economical, speedy, and convenient to both parties concerned; whether this system has been already partially adopted during the pressure for War supplies recently; and whether he can state when the long-promised depot in Dublin will be opened?

Arrangements have been made by which, during the War, articles manufactured in Ireland other than those such as textiles which require machinery for their inspection, may be delivered at Dublin and inspected there, or, in some cases, at contractors' works. Patterns of articles likely to be made in Ireland for which tenders are sent out from time to time will also be on view. Irish firms will be notified of these arrangements when they are invited to tender for supplies required by the Department.

asked the Under-Secretary for War the daily rates of pay for lieutenants and captains holding permanent and temporary commissions, respectively, in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force?

There is no difference in the pay of officers holding temporary and permanent commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force. The rate for captain is 15s. 6d., and for lieutenant 14s. a day.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will arrange for a division of the New Army to march through part of London in order to afford the inhabitants of the Metropolis an opportunity of seeing a force of all arms representative of the new formations, and for the purpose of stimulating recruiting?

The matter will be considered when the training and equipment of the force are further advanced.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Redhill town council refused after the outbreak of war to grant a licence to the British Petroleum Company to store petroleum in Redhill on the ground that it was a German concern; and whether, when he decided to grant a licence over the heads of and against the wishes of the town council, he was aware that practically all the shares of this company were owned by the Europaische Petroleum Union, which is clearly a German entity carrying on business in Germany?

A licence was refused by the town council of Reigate on the ground stated. In allowing the appeal of the company against this decision, I was aware of the German interests in the company, but it is misleading to describe it as a German concern. The European Petroleum Company, which holds all but a few of the shares in the English company, though registered in Germany, is an international company, and 50 per cent. of its capital is held by Belgian and Russian interests. The employés of the British company are all British, and 350 of them are serving with the Colours. The licence was not granted until power had been given by the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act to prevent any dividends or profits being paid to German shareholders. A supervisor of the business has been appointed by the Board of Trade under that Act. The company are very large distributing agents throughout the United Kingdom, and hold, I understand, large contracts with the War Office and Admiralty, and great public inconvenience would be caused if the company were not allowed to hold licences.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in laying upon the Table information as to the employment of children of school age since the commencement of the War, he will, so far as he can, do so on the following lines: a Return of the number of boys and girls, respectively, between the ages of eleven and twelve, and twelve and thirteen, thirteen and fourteen, respectively, on the partial exemption registers of schools in the areas of the several local education authorities in England and Wales during the six months ended 31st January, 1914, and the same period for 1914–15, distinguishing between those exempted under the Factory Acts and those exempted under the Education Acts, and sub-dividing the latter as between agriculture and other heads of exemption; a Return showing what effect the War has had on the number of boys and girls in each area who being legally under obligation to attend school have not been so in attendance; a Return of any resolution passed by local authorities since 4th August, 1914, in relation to the exemption from attendance at school of children not legally entitled to exemption; particulars of the employment and wages of such children legally or illegally absent from school, and any information available as to the dearth of ordinary labour necessitating such employment?

I am about to issue a circular to local education authorities asking for all available information with regard to children who have been excused from whole-time school attendance for the purpose of entering employment, and when I receive it I will endeavour to grant a Return in such a way as to throw light upon some, if not all, the points in which the hon. Member is interested. As regards information relating to the dearth of ordinary labour, the matter is rather one for the Board of Agriculture or the Board of Trade than for the Board of Education. If a Return were to include partial exemption scholars, I am doubtful whether such additional light would be thrown on the problem as to justify the trouble and expense involved. I am, however, asking for information which perhaps may enable me to include in the Return the exemptions granted for agricultural employment under the by-law made under the Elementary Education (School Attendance) Act, 1893, Amendment Act, 1899, known as "Robson's" Act, for the two periods named in the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the total amount of funds placed at the disposal of the Board of Education for the further encouragement of education in domestic subjects, as acknowledged in Paper [Cd. 7723]; if any equivalent grant has been made to any Irish authority for a corresponding purpose, will he state the amount; and, if none, will he say why?

The Paper referred to by the hon. Member is the regulations for the training of teachers of domestic subjects. The increase of cost owing to the new rates of grants payable under these regulations for the financial year 1915–1916 is estimated at £2,300, and the total cost at £7,800. In Ireland various sums, which cannot be so easily separated from other educational expenditure as in England, are expended on similar purposes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State has any report regarding the riots at Neyyatankarei, in Travancore, which followed upon the admission of Pulayas to caste schools; and whether any pressure was brought to bear on the Durbar, or any advice given for I forcing the pace in the process of obliterating caste divisions and distinctions in the State?

The Secretary of State has received no information on the subject.