asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if our last Consul-General at Frankfort is still in the service of His Majesty, and, if so, in what capacity?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement with the German Government has been reached for the release on both sides of all doctors who are prisoners of war?

An arrangement has been made with the German Government for the mutual release of civilian doctors, and negotiations are now in progress for the mutual release of medical officers of the military and naval forces. In a Note to the United States Ambassador of 21st December last, His Majesty's Government offered to release the German medical personnel on condition of reciprocity, and we hope that an agreement on this subject will shortly be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to lay upon the Table any Papers dealing with negotiations as to the release or conditions of internment of prisoners of war?

With respect to soldiers, prisoners of war, no negotiations have taken place for their release, other than for the exchange of those incapacitated for further military service, and of officers of the medical services. The Foreign Office is endeavouring to arrange an exchange of invalid civilians. A White Paper on the conditions of the internment camps in Germany will be published in due course from the information in possession of His Majesty's Government.

Can the hon. Gentleman see his way at the same time, or earlier, to lay on the Table Papers showing what proposals His Majesty's Government have made with reference to the release of prisoners—doctors and so on—and what reply the German Government have made?

I think I must have notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to secure that the conditions of internment of British prisoners shall be inspected by a neutral in the same way that Mr. Jackson has been allowed to inspect the conditions of internment of German and Austrian prisoners in this country?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Portsmouth on the 4th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the Convention known as the Declaration of London, which of the Powers engaged in the present War and which of the other great maritime Powers have ratified or adhered to its provisions, and in respect of which, if any, of its articles reservations have in any case been attached?

No ratification of the Declaration has yet been deposited.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now lay upon the Table of the Douse the modifications in the Declaration of London, in view of the recent German announcements of their intention to disregard the laws and customs and international obligations connected with the sea?

I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has declined to give Indian Army officers higher pay than that of their substantive rank when such officers are temporarily promoted owing to the casualties experienced in the War; and, if so, whether he proposes to takes any action in the matter?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the case of an officer who officiates for a sick or wounded officer in a regimental appointment higher than his substantive appointment. In such case the officiating officer draws half the extra staff pay for the first three months of his officiating tenure, being the period during which the disabled officer draws the full staff pay. The practice follows the ordinary rules regarding officiating pay, and the Secretary of State sees no sufficient reason to modify it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the prohibition on the export of millers' offals from this country is still in force; and whether there is any intention of removing it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board have no intention of suggesting the removal of the prohibition.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will issue a complete list of the various Committees set up to deal with public questions as a consequence of the War, giving the names and the addresses of the various secretaries for the convenience of Members?

I will consult the Departments and see what information can be given.

Will the hon. Member bear in mind that it would be an enormous convenience to Members?

Yes, Sir, I think it would be very convenient that a list such as that for which the hon. Member asks should be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the usual railway facilities will be given during the forthcoming flat-racing season?

I am informed that the Railway Executive Committee have decided to discontinue cheap bookings to race meetings, but the companies will endeavour, as far as lies in their power, to run such trains as may be necessary at ordinary fares or at special fares above the ordinary fares.

Does this apply to the transport of horses?

I understood the question to apply to passengers. As regard animals, I should like to have notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the usual postal facilities will be given to race meetings during the forthcoming flat-racing season?

Since the outbreak of the War the telegraph staff has been so depleted by the large numbers who have joined the Military and Naval Forces of the Crown that I have been unable to spare staff to attend at race meetings and other special events of a like character. It will be impossible to supply the usual telegraph facilities at grand stands during the forthcoming flat-racing season.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Rt. Hon. Viscount St. Aldwyn, in his Report, dated 18th April, 1910, on the Port of London rates, stated that, out of 8¾ million tons of sea-borne coal, only 3½ million tons were used by the gas companies; and if he can state how many million tons of coal were railway-borne for the year ending 1914?

I am aware of the statement to which my hon. Friend refers. The quantity of coal brought to London by rail last year has not yet been ascertained. In 1913 the quantity was in round figures 8¼ million tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of wheatmeal and flour were imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1912, 1913, and 1914?

My hon. Friend will find the particulars he requires on page 28 of the Monthly Accounts of the Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom for December, 1914, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the articles in respect of which maximum prices have been fixed since the beginning of the War; how long these prices were in operation; and why they were discontinued?

From early in August last the Board of Trade were advised from time to time by a committee of representatives of the grocery and provision trades of the prices which might, in the opinion of the committee, be regarded as reasonable maximum prices for cash purchases of bacon, butter, cheese, lard, margarine and sugar. Lists of these prices were communicated to the Press immediately on their receipt, the first list being so communicated on August 6th. Revised lists were issued from time to time as recommended by the committee, the latest revised list being issued on October 15th. A notification of a reduction in the wholesale price of sugar, and of the consequent reduction in retail prices, was issued on October 26th by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply. The committee is still in being, and a revised list of prices can be issued at any time when deemed desirable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the office of the Censor of Mails there is employed a lady whose mother is a native of Austria and her father half English and half Austrian; whether he is aware that her brother is private secretary to an exalted personage in Germany and that he communicates with his sister expressing strong sympathies with Germany; whether it is known that the lady in question communicates regularly with her cousins, who hold high official positions in Germany, and that she spent five or six months in Austria in 1912, again in 1913, and, but for the breakdown with their car and the subsequent outbreak of war, she and her parents intended spending their usual period in Austria in 1914; whether these facts were known to the officer in charge before her engagement or whether he has become aware of them since; and whether, in the latter event, it is intended to retain this lady's services in the position of an examiner of the mails?

The lady in question is the daughter of an ex-M.P., who himself was the son of an Irish gentleman and an Austrian lady, and married another Austrian lady. Both ladies became in ordi- nary course British subjects on marriage. The brother in question was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, and is now a captain in the 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers Special Reserve. On the selection by the Powers of a Prince for Albania this gentleman was selected for employment as his private secretary. When the War broke out he was in Albania, and was unable to communicate either with his family or the War Office for some time. He appears to have left Albania for Italy with the King under a safe conduct given to him by the German Minister in Albania, and thence to have journeyed to Munich in the belief that his safe conduct would enable him finally to discharge his personal duties to his chief before returning to England. The German authorities appear to have arrested him on arrival at Munich and to have kept him imprisoned in Ruhleben and elsewhere. His brother is now serving with the 20th Deccan Horse in France. I have seen some of this officer's private correspondence to his family, and I find therein many expressions of his desire to return to his regiment and to his country. The lady has made known to me that she has written to a relation in Germany on domestic matters since the commencement of the War, and to inquire as to the whereabouts of certain captured British officers. In view of the facts which I have set out at some detail in justice to the parties concerned, I personally see no objection to the continued attendance of the lady in the Censor's office, but it is a matter for the War Office to decide.

asked whether separate departments have been established in the office of the Censor of Mails for dealing with such matters as commerce, contraband, and espionage; whether the official in charge of each such department is appointed by reason of special qualification to deal with these specific subjects or whether such officials are retired military officers without ordinary business experience?

The censorship of mails is now divided into three branches, dealing respectively with trade correspondence, private correspondence and prisoners of war correspondence. The head of the trade, branch has been selected by reason of his special qualifications for dealing with commercial questions. The heads of the remaining two branches are retired military officers.

Is it not a fact that Colonel Rankin on 25th January admitted that—

The hon. Member must not ask a list of questions; he must bring any further questions up to the Table.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of young women that have been taken on in the various departments coming under his control, from 4th October, 1914, who are working in the places of the men who have joined the Colours; and whether, in consequence of the increased cost of living, he will recommend an increase in their wages on the same scale as the various railway companies have done?

I am having inquiry made regarding the number of women temporarily employed in the Post Office in consequence of the withdrawal of men for service with the Forces and will communicate with the hon. Member. Certain improvements in the pay of temporary female substitutes are about to be granted.

asked whether Russian will be one of the languages with which the new school of Oriental studies will deal, and when that school will commence operations?

Russian is included among the languages in which it is intended to provide instruction at the school of Oriental studies, but the question whether it should be included in the curriculum from the first will be within the discretion of the governing body, which has not yet been appointed. It is hoped that the school will open in January, 1916.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the question of supplying the aliens under detention with herrings as part of their rations, in view of the quantities of herrings prepared for the German market and now lying at the Scotch and English ports; and if this source of food will be utilised for the persons for whose consumption they were actually prepared?

The question of supplying prisoners of war in this country with cured herrings as part of their rations has been under consideration, and a trial issue of such fish is about to be made at one of the camps. If this experiment proves satisfactory it is proposed to extend the issue to other camps where prisoners of war are interned.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: If he will state the date upon which Baron von Bissing, of Hove, was arrested, the period of his detention, the reasons for his release, and who signed the order for his release?

Baron von Bissing was detained from the 2nd to the 4th of September last, pending the examination of a large mass of documents which the police thought might be of an incriminating nature. This proved not to be the case, and as no charge could be formulated he was accordingly released. No order for his release was signed. I must add my regret that in a previous answer I gave a reply not in accordance with these facts, but I can assure the hon. Baronet that I had no intention of misleading him.

Was this gentleman for many years until recently the London correspondent of the official organ of the German Army?

I do not think I was aware of that.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that many of the policemen are only getting one day's rest in fourteen instead of one day in seven; and whether the policemen who are doing the extra day's duty are being paid for same?

The heavy duties imposed on the Metropolitan Police by the War and the depletion of its working strength caused by many of its members joining the naval and military forces have made it impossible to give leave on the normal scale; but the arrears of annual leave have now been nearly worked off; fortnightly leave is being given, and I hope that before long an approximation to one day's rest in seven may again be made. I venture to think that the majority of the force will willingly give up some portion of their leisure as their share of the sacrifice which all classes have to make during this national emergency. The police may rely upon it that with the assistance of the Commissioner I shall watch their interests closely and sympathetically.

asked if the regulation requiring that the father only can make the statutory declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination may be altered so as to enable mothers whose husbands are away with the Army to make the declaration, in view of the difficulty of the fathers making the declaration?

In ordinary circumstances it rests with the father as having the legal custody of the child and being therefore responsible for its vaccination to make the statutory declaration required by the Act of 1907 in order to exempt himself from liability if he has a conscientious objection. Where, however, owing to the father's absence from home on military service the mother has the control of the child and becomes responsible for its vaccination, it would be open to her under the Acts to make the statutory declaration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether permission has been granted to local fishermen to pursue cod net-fishing in the Moray Firth, subject, amongst others, to the restriction that the boats engaged shall not exceed 45 feet; whether boats usually engaged in this fishing are from 45 to 60 feet in length; and whether the Admiralty will assist the fishermen by extending the length prescribed, so as to enable them to pursue the fishing with the larger boats, which in most cases are the only boats they have?

The limitation referred to (which appeared in the provisional regulations) has been removed.

asked whether advantage will be taken of the present circumstances to remove the naval recruiting station from Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, to a more prominent thoroughfare where the advantages of joining the Navy could be more prominently displayed?

As far as I am aware, the premises at Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, which I understand have been used as a Naval and Marine recruiting offices for many years, meet all requirements in the existing circumstances, and I do not think that there are sufficient reasons for making a change. Recruiting is quite satisfactory, and it would appear that if greater activity should be necessary a more fruitful plan than the payment of higher rentals would be expenditure on advertisements in local newspapers and on posters.

Does the rght hon. Gentleman mean that recruiting on the whole is satisfactory?

No, I did not say so. I am answering this question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that while the pensioner signalmen employed at the Port War Signal Station, Breakwater Fort, Devonport, have been placed on the active list and their extra pay dated back to the 2nd August in accordance with the Admiralty decision, the other part of that decision, namely, that these men should receive allowances, has not been fulfilled; whether, in view of the fact that these men are employed on purely naval duties, he will see that they continue to receive the dockyard allowance to which, according to Admiralty Order, they are entitled; whether he is aware that the wives of these men have only received their separation allowances from the 3rd December, whereas, according to the Admiralty Order, these allow- ances should have started on the 1st October; and can he see his way to remit to them the two months' allowance of which they have been deprived?

As naval pay was substituted for civil pay in these cases dockyard pay cannot be issued. The issue of separation allowance is contingent upon the declaration by a man of an allotment of his wages in favour of his wife or other dependant. In the cases under notice the men's allotments could not have commenced before December last. In the special circumstances steps are being taken to pay separation allowances as from 1st October.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that civilian pensioners engaged at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, to take the place of men called up for active service are required to provide their own kit, amounting to an outlay of £2 11s. 6d. in each case; and whether he can see his way to make these men a similar allowance for kit as is done in other ratings who have joined for the period of the War?

Pensioners engaged at civilian rates of pay are in ordinary circumstances required to provide themselves at their own expense with a modified naval uniform if necessary. I scarcely think there is sufficient reason for departing from this long established rule.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the cases in and around Merthyr in which there has been long and still continuing delay in the payments of allowances to dependants of soldiers; and whether the decision of the pension officer is final and binding in cases of mothers and other dependants?

Through the assistance of the hon. Member, the War Office has been kept in close touch with the state of affairs at Merthyr, but I am not aware that there has been other than unavoidable delay in that district. The decision of the pension officer is not final, but is subject to review if the pension committee does not agree with it. I hope very shortly to announce a procedure by which claimants can appeal against the decisions reached in their cases.

Is there any authority to which soldiers' wives can make an appeal from the decision of the pension officer?

They can appeal from the pension officer to the pension committee.

asked what steps it is proposed to take to secure that wives of soldiers and sailors legally separated from their husbands shall receive separation allowances?

The wives of soldiers so situated already receive allowances up to the amount, if any, previously paid by the soldier. No alteration of this is contemplated.

asked whether the advance of 1s. to the wages of the skilled labourers employed in His Majesty's dockyards will be extended to all the skilled labour ratings receiving between 24s. and 31s.; will he give the number of skilled labourers receiving the minimum rate of pay and the number receiving between 24s. and 31s.; and whether the Admiralty are paying 1½d. and 2d. per hour extra to contractors' men (doing the same work as is done in His Majesty's dockyards) in addition to their ordinary pay, which is at all times higher than the pay of the sklled labourers in the Royal yards?

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman has in mind in quoting a scale of 21s. to 31s. as applicable to skilled labourers. As he is aware, prior to the increase which I recently announced, the ordinary minimum for skilled labourers was 24s. with a probationary rate of 23s. The advance of 1s. a week recently granted has specific reference only to the probationary and minimum rates, but it will no doubt affect the numbers borne on higher rates within the scale. To give the numbers asked for by the hon. Member would involve a considerable amount of clerical labour, which I do not think I should be justified in imposing on the Department at the present time. I do not understand to what the hon. Member refers in the last part of the question.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether a great number of skilled labourers employed in the Royal dockyards are men who are not on the service scale?

The skilled labourers are on the scale for getting 24s., rising to 28s. ordinary maximum and 31s. special maximum.

The right hon. Gentleman misunderstands me. Does he not know that the number of labourers who are on the lowest scale, 24s., is very small compared with the number on the higher scale?

I could not say. I have just said that to get those figures would involve a great amount of clerical labour which I could not ask the Department to undertake just now.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the present circumstances offer a useful opening for a material increase in the employment of warrant writers for accountant duties; that dissatisfaction prevails amongst warrant writers owing to the vacancies in the accountancy branch being filled by the entry of civilians possessing little or no knowledge of naval accountancy; that it often happens that warrant writers have to instruct these civilians in their duties; and whether he can seen his way to meet the views of the writers who, after an existence commencing in 1860, are beginning to recognise that the future holds out to them no prospect of advancement except to a very minute portion of their class?

This question received the careful attention of the Board of Admiralty three months ago, with the result that twelve chief writers were promoted to warrant rank. It is not proposed to make any further increase at present, but the question will not be lost sight of. I may, perhaps, refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on the subject on the 25th November last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great dissatisfaction has arisen in the ranks of the warrant writers because only twelve have been appointed?

We have appointed twelve.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) the amount of salary paid to the inspector of nuisances in the rural district of Swaffham, Norfolk, prior to his joining His Majesty's Forces; the present amount of his allowance from the rural district council; and the present amount paid to the temporary inspector of nuisances; and (2) whether the Rural District Council of Swaffham, Norfolk, in August last granted their inspector of nuisances leave of absence for military duties during the continuance of the present War, and agreed to pay him half-salary during that period; whether on the 31st of December last that agreement was broken and the amount reduced by one-half; if so, whether the consent of the Local Government Board was specifically given to the reduction; and the grounds on which such consent was given?

The inspector of nuisances to the Swaffham Rural District Council was appointed in 1913 at a salary of £100 per annum. He was a trooper in the King's Own Norfolk Yeomanry at the outbreak of the War, and as such was called out for service. The council resolved to reinstate him on his return, and to pay him a salary of £50 per annum during the continuance of the War. They appointed a temporary substitute at £50 per annum, and the Board sanctioned these arrangements. In December the temporary substitute tendered his resignation, and the council induced him to withdraw it by increasing his salary to £75 per annum. At the same time they rescinded their resolution to pay the inspector £50 per annum during the continuance of the War, and passed another resolution to pay him £25 per annum during this period. The Board refused to sanction this reduction unless the inspector consented to it, but on being informed that the inspector had been told of it and had made no objection, they gave their sanction. The inspector has now informed me that he has notified the council that he objects to the reduction, and I am asking the council to reconsider the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to provide for the return to the representatives of any articled clerk who before the termination of his articles has lost his life while serving with His Majesty's Forces of the £80 Stamp Duty paid in respect of such articles?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much would be yielded by a levy of 15 per cent. upon such Civil Service, Law Court, and Cabinet salaries, and public or Government salaries generally as are in excess of £1,500 a year?

Full details of such salaries are given in the Finance Accounts and the Estimates for the Army, Navy, Civil Services and Revenue Departments, to which I must refer the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in accordance with Sub-section (4), Section 1, of the Currency and Bank Notes Act, the Treasury will now gradually call in the currency notes outstanding as therein provided?

The Section referred to by my hon. Friend is permissive only, and it would, in my opinion, be contrary to public policy to exercise the powers conferred by it at the present time. Steps will, however, be taken at an early date to call in the original issue of currency notes, and substitute for them notes of the new pattern.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the effect of the non-retirement of these currency notes?

Yes; that has been considered very carefully.

In view of the unsatisfactory character of the right hon. Gentlemen's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given consideration to the present rates of exchange between London and New York; and whether any steps are being taken to improve them?

In accordance with the statement communicated to the Press on 16th January last—a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend—the exchange between London and New York is being carefully watched.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Government has any information as to the number of women and children killed or wounded in Belgium by the German Army; and (2) whether the Government has any information as to the number of the civil population killed or wounded in Belgium by the German Army?

His Majesty's Government cannot give the total number of non-combatants who have suffered at the hands of the German Army in Belgium. My hon. Friend may be able to form an estimate from the reports of the Belgian Commission, which have been published, and will shortly be issued in collected form.

In view of the desirability of bringing home to the world the character of German warfare, would the Government be prepared themselves to make a summary of the details so that they might be used for this purpose, and also in this country for recruiting purposes?

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister the number of women and children killed or wounded during the recent naval raid on the East Coast of England?

The number of women killed was thirty-nine, of children killed, thirty-nine. The Scarborough authorities have been unable to give the number of women and children wounded. The number at the Hartlepools and Whitby were, women 133, children 177. The figures of killed include those who died of wounds.

Might I ask if the Government will be prepared to suggest to the Recruiting Committee the advisability of issuing these figures as a recruiting poster?

They are now, I think, very well known.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the number of persons killed or wounded amongst the civil population during the recent naval raid on the East Coast of England?

The total number of killed among the civil population was 127; of wounded (including an estimated figure for Scarborough), 567.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay upon the Table the Report of the British plenipotentiaries at the third International Opium Conference?

The Report will be laid shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the agreement for giving the staff of the Public Trustee's Department a permanent and pensionable status will become operative?

The agreement referred to by my hon. Friend will become operative as soon as Civil Service certificates are issued in favour of the members of the Public Trustee's staff.

How many have applied for these?

I do not think it is a question of individual applications, but a question as to what the Department applies, on behalf of the staff, to be taken over.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has recently had complaints of the arrival from overseas of cargoes of apples upon which traces of poisonous insecticides were found, and, if so, in how many cases; whether close observation is being made upon incoming deliveries; and are steps being taken to prevent danger to public health from this source?

No complaints have been made to the Board as to the presence of insecticides on imported fruit. Two cases were, however, brought to their notice last year of the presence of a fungicide, but the amount of the latter was unimportant. I may say that an officer of the Board ate one of the apples and is still alive. The matter is not one with which the Board are empowered to deal, but they published a note in their "Journal" for June, 1914, warning English growers to remove all traces of sprays before marketing their fruit. I shall be happy to send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the notice given by the local authority that they proposed to erect a new school at Dolgelly contained the statement that managers of any existing school, or any ten ratepayers, may appeal against the proposal within three months to the Board of Education; and, if so, why the appeal made by a body of managers and over 100 ratepayers was ignored by the Board?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I can only repeat my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 11th instant—namely, that the appeal was not ignored but was considered and replied to by the Board.

Was the right hon. Gentleman aware when he gave that answer that the local people, when asked to explain their objections, had stated the grounds of those objections in reply to the letter to which he refers, and since then there has been no answer?

No, Sir; I have not received any notice as to the representations they desire to make to me, and until I do so I cannot undertake to receive a deputation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly refer to the correspondence and he will see the answer, and since then there has been no reply?

If it will be any satisfaction to the hon. Gentleman I will certainly read through the correspondence again.