asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the three prize ships which have been lying at Cape Town since last August cannot be at once sent on to their respective destinations under prize crews and there unloaded, and the British cargo delivered to the British consignees and the doubtful or foreign cargo landed and left for future decision, and the ships then utilised for commerce, in which they are so needed?

It is not possible to undertake the expense and risk of dealing with other people's property in this manner, unless the owners, or someone on their behalf, will indemnify the Admiralty against expense and loss. Arrangements with this object in view are practically complete, and, as a matter of fact, one vessel—the "Birkenfels"—was on the 11th instant handed over to the representative of the shipping company which has been entrusted with the contract for the purpose of being prepared for the voyage. Arrangements for the other vessels are in progress. It should be understood, that this procedure involves a departure from procedure previously observed in regard to prize ships, and the arrangements have involved a great deal of telegraphing and communication with various authorities.

Is not our complaint against the Government that under the exceptional circumstances which prevail exceptional steps should have been taken to utilise these steamers?

We have done so in this case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if any arrangement or plan has been made or considered with regard to the education of the young sons of officers who have been killed in action or have died in the Service since the War began; and if such young gentlemen will, if they elect to serve in the Royal Navy, be taken at Osborne or elsewhere, and at what age and what the necessary formalities will be?

The matter is now under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the body of Gunnery-Instructor W. H. Boland, late of His Majesty's ship "Viknor," was found on the coast of Ireland on 11th February and buried, and that on 15th February the Admiralty, in reply to numerous letters from Mrs. Boland offering to pay all the expenses of bringing back the body, if found, and after sending Mrs. Boland a form, wrote that if the body were found she should immediately be informed; and if he will see that such negligence on the part of the Admiralty shall be made impossible in the future?

Mrs. Boland was informed of the death of her husband on the 28th January, and on the 10th instant a letter was received from her requesting that the body, if recovered, might be sent home for burial. A reply was sent stating that in the event of recovery and definite identification she would be communicated with. The first suggestion that the body might have been recovered reached the Admiralty in a letter from Mrs. Boland on the 16th instant, which referred to a Press notice of the recovery of two bodies at Colonsay. Inquiries were set on foot at the Admiralty, and the Department was on the point of writing to her to say that there was no confirmation in the office, when a communication was received on the 20th instant from the Procurator Fiscal stating that a police report had reached him on the 19th instant from which it appeared that a body believed to be that of Boland was found on the Island of Colonsay, Argyllshire, on 4th February, and interred in the Kilcoran Cemetery. Colonsay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether those men of the Royal dockyards who have been pensioned since 1st October or earlier and who have since been working in the dockyard owing to loyalty on their part and the pressure of work, will be entitled to the full benefit of the recent rise of wages from the 1st October or other date front which the increases may start?

Yes, Sir.

Does that mean full benefits, including pension and bonus?

They will get the full benefit of the increase as from 31st October, if they were working at that time.

That does not answer the question with regard to pension and bonus. It only means the pay. I asked whether they would get full benefits?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question about the bonus. I do not know what bonus he refers to. They will get just the same as the ordinary dockyard employés. They will get the increase as from 31st October last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can present to the Governments of neutral countries a comparative statement showing, on the evidence now in his possession, the differences in the treatment of British prisoners of war by the German Government and of German prisoners of war here?

Full statements as to the treatment of German prisoners of war in this country were supplied to the United States Ambassador for the information of the German Government on 2nd and 14th December, and on 3rd February a further supplementary statement on the subject was supplied to the United States Embassy. The United States Ambassador was asked on 9th January to obtain from the German Government answers to a series of questions relating to the treatment of British prisoners of war in Germany. No reply has yet been received to this request. An urgent reminder on the subject has already been sent to the United States Ambassador.

May I ask whether such statements are supplied to other neutral Powers as well as to the United States?

I think it was supplied to the United States of America to be conveyed to the German Government.

Will a copy be laid upon the Table of the House?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Is there any reason why the same statement should not be presented to the Governments of other neutral States to produce a moral effect?

I think there would be no objection, if they wanted it.

asked whether the time has arrived when the German Government should be given to understand that unless British prisoners of war, both military and civil, receive better treatment in Germany than they do at present, steps will be taken by His Majesty s Government to treat German prisoners of war in this country in a less lenient manner than heretofore?

This matter is under the consideration of the military authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that £20,000 has been expended on Donington Hall in order to accommodate interned German officers; whether British prisoners in Germany have received bad treatment and frequent insult; whether British prisoners are worse treated than prisoners of the Allies; and, if so, will he state why such a large sum of public money has been used for providing extra comforts for Gorman prisoners?

As my hon. Friend stated yesterday in a written answer to a question by the hon. Member for Prestwich, the approximate expenditure on Donington Hall is £13,000, of which about £4,000 is for furniture. Information received from unofficial sources gives ground for apprehension that British prisoners in German hands are not so well treated as they should be. Statements to the effect that this treatment is harsher than that meted out to prisoners from the Allies are not sufficiently well established to allow me to speak with any certainty on this point. The general treatment seems to vary considerably in the different camps.

Is it a fact that these German officers, to save the trouble of walking a mile, were taken by motor car, whereas the National Reservists who were guarding them had to walk?

I am not aware. I will make inquiries.

Was it necessary for the treatment of these German officers that a large country house should be taken for them at this very large expense?

There was no other accommodation available. Nearly all the available accommodation for prisoners has been used, particularly for aliens, inasmuch as we had to commandeer ships.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether at one of the detention camps German prisoners of war are allowed to drill under their own instructors with dummy rifles; and whether some other form of exercise will be substituted for this practice?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, as it relates apparently to an incident at the Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man, which is under the supervision of the Destitute Aliens Committee. About a month ago my attention was drawn to the fact that some of the prisoners were using in their combined exercises pieces of wood which they had cut to resemble rifles. I gave instructions at once that the practice should be stopped.

Are they still engaged in military drill?

No, Sir. They are engaged in combined exercises, but I do not know how far they resemble or how far they differ from drill.

Cannot some useful work be given to these people that will be of benefit to the country?

Yes. Every step is taken in order to find useful work for them; still, exercise is not a bad thing.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman supply some of our soldiers with boxing gloves to keep them in order?

asked what is done with the pay of officers who have been taken prisoner; why this pay, or at any rate half of it, is not paid to the wives and families of such officers; and if great hardship, and even distress, exists in many cases owing to the fact that no payment is made to them?

The pay of officers who have been taken prisoners continues to be drawn by their agents and presumably is credited to their private accounts. The War Office has no power to determine the conditions under which wives or others may draw on officers' private accounts, but it is understood that the officers have generally made such arrangements as they thought desirable, and no cases of hardship of the kind suggested are known to the War Office.

Have the officers drawn their full pay for the whole time?

I cannot say.

asked what steps the Government are taking to obtain the release or mutual interchange of medical prisoners of war?

I would refer the hon Member to the answer returned on the 22nd instant to the hon. Member for Hitchin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the congestion of produce on the Nigerian Railway; and whether he has considered the possibility of utilising between Lagos and this country some of the Woermann liners now in the possession of the Government, the cessation of the sailings of which has produced the congestion?

I am aware that recently there was considerable congestion of produce at Lagos awaiting shipment. Instructions were sent on the 23rd January that the prize ships captured at Duala, which are being sent to England by the Admiralty for adjudication, should land any cargo intended for West Africa at West African ports and utilise any space so left for shipping West African produce to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the complaints of Mr. W. J. St. Clair, who alleges differential ill-treatment by Belgian officials; if he has any official information showing that the official perpetrating the outrage is a German; and that British residents have been deprived of all arms at Sekania, leaving them without any defence against wild beasts or hostile persons?

As regards the last part of the question, the Acting Consul-General at Boma reported on 9th December that the disarming of two British subjects at Manyambo, in the Kilo district, about which a complaint had been made, was due to a general order issued by the Vice-Governor-General of the Eastern Province of the Congo applying to everyone alike, and that the Vice-Governor-General stated that there was no fear of attack either by natives or wild beasts in that district. I have received no information as to any complaints having been made by Mr. W. J. St. Clair.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the hon. Mr. Cole has now been permitted to return to East Africa; and, if not, whether, in view of all the circumstances of the case the acquittal of the hon. Mr. Cole by his fellow countrymen of the offence charged against him, the services he has rendered East Africa and might more than ever render, he will permit him to return to that country?

I anticipated my hon. Friend's wish by five months. I revoked the deportation order in September last, and I believe Mr. Cole returned immediately to East Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the official despatches from the Commander of the Expeditionary Force in Togoland will be published?

I am in communication with the Secretary of State for War with regard to the publication of these despatches, and hope shortly to arrive at a decision in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause the donations of companies and firms to the National Relief Fund to be exempt from Income Tax; and whether individuals contributing to that fund may receive similar treatment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any and, if so, what instructions have been issued to surveyors of taxes as to allowance by way of deduction from assessments for Income Tax and Super-tax of contributions to the National Relief Fund and other similar funds such as is prescribed in respect of like contributions to ordinary hospitals?

I am afraid I cannot see my way to authorise any exception in the case of the funds named to the general rule that donations for charitable purposes are not admissible as deductions in computing liability to Income Tax or Super-tax.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the figures of the imports into the United States of America for the month of January; and if he can give any explanation of the cause of the increase in the imports from Germany and the decrease in the imports from Great Britain in that month?

I have seen a summary statement of the figures in the Press, but I have received no details at present. I have, however, caused inquiries on the subject to be made through His Majesty's Embassy at Washington, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the price of the equivalent of the four-pound loaf of bread at the most recent date available in London, Paris, and New York, respectively?

The price of 4 lbs. of wheaten bread yesterday was 8d. in London, 7¾d. in Paris, and from 11½d. to 1s. 5½d. in New York. It will be understood, however, that these comparisons are subject to the fact that there is no international standard quality.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the rise of prices in Ireland and the consequent suffering amongst the dependants of men at the front as well as others; and whether, in regard to this increase of prices, the Government will adopt and promote practical measures to alleviate the existing misery and to remove, by legislative action if necessary, such causes as are artificial or avoidable?

As was recently stated in the Debate on the Motion of the right hon. Member for East Hull, the Government are taking various practical measures with a view to dealing with such causes as are referred to in the question. They are quite prepared to take legislative action for this purpose, should such be found to be necessary and advisable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in spite of the prohibition of the export of edible tallow, allowing non-edible to be exported, a quantity goes to Holland and is made edible by a simple process of refining, the only result being that the English soapmaker is deprived of his raw material; and whether he will stop the export of all grades?

I think the hon. Member must be misinformed. The export of animal tallow is prohibited to all destinations except under licence, and I understand that this prohibition is held to cover non-edible as well as edible tallow.

Is it not a fact that non-edible tallow goes out under licence?

I should have to make inquiries about that question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether a person will lose the qualification for being elected a councillor or alderman of a county council or borough council which is conferred by the County and Borough Councils (Qualification) Act, 1914, by reason only of his absence on naval or military duties during the qualifying period; and, if so, whether he will introduce legislation to prevent such loss of qualification?

The qualification for being elected a councillor or alderman of a county or borough council, which was provided by the Act of last Session, is an alternative qualification intended mainly to meet the case of women candidates. The case of a man absent on naval or military service who desired to become a councillor or alderman and who did not possess the ordinary burgess qualification would, I imagine, be a very rare one, and, as at present advised, my right hon. Friend hardly thinks it necessary to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state how many naturalised Germans or persons born in England of German parents have a double nationality, and would be recognised in Germany as German subjects?

There is no information available on this point, and as it could only be obtained lay application in each alleged case to the German authorities, I am not in a position to furnish the information to the hon. Member.

May I ask whether a German naturalised in this country becomes ipso facto denaturalised in Germany?

I believe there are certain cases in which a person does not become ipso facto denaturalised in Germany. But this is a question of the construction of German law, and I am quite unable to answer questions on that point.

Are such persons treated in England as aliens and subjected to police supervision?

We do not know who the persons are. They cannot be very numerous. There may be some individual cases in which Germans may not have lost their original nationality, but we do not know who they are, and we have no means of ascertaining.

Does the Home Secretary take no steps to ascertain, before giving certificates of naturalisation, whether or not the German subject proposes to be denaturalised?

If the hon. and learned Member refers to certificates of naturalisation given since the War, he may rest quite easy in his mind. In no case would the circumstances be such that naturalised persons would retain their German nationality. I am dealing in this instance with cases of naturalisation since the War. In cases where naturalisation took place a few years ago, it is impossible for me to say whether any of the persons naturalised retained their nationality.

Is it not the case that the Stock Exchange is very well aware that some of the members have not de-naturalised themselves in Germany?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Home Secretary whether, before the War Office sent their telegram of 1st January, 1915, suspending the order made by the competent military authority for removing aliens from the East Coast, any complaints or representations, verbal or written, were made on the subject by the Home Office to the War Office, or to the military authority who had made the order?

No complaints or representations, verbal or written, were made by the Home Office to the War Office or to the military authority, who had made the order, other than the Home Office letter of 1st January, 1915, which was received by the. War Office after the War Office had sent their telegram of 1st January, 1915.

asked whether an alien enemy named Von Saal is residing at Stevenage, in Hertfordshire; whether he has been refused naturalisation; and whether any orders have been sent regarding him by the Home Office to the local police?

An alien of German origin named Von Saal is, I believe, residing at Stevenage. He applied for naturalisation in the year 1913, and did not obtain it. No orders have been sent by the Home Office to the local police about this man; but in answer to an inquiry in September last, the Department stated that, in view of documentary evidence that he had been discharged from German nationality in 1897, he was not subject to registration as an alien enemy.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the military authorities have no power to take effective precautionary measures against suspected persons who are naturalised British subjects, he will introduce a measure to amend the Aliens Restriction Act, 1914, so as to make that Act apply to all persons of alien birth, whether naturalised or not?

I would refer the hon. Member to No. 14 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. There is no reason to think that these powers are insufficient to deal with any suspected person.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the military authorities are seriously handicapped in dealing with spies by the immunities which naturalisation gives them?

All these matters are carefully taken into consideration.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to give a day for the discussion of the aliens question as a whole?

An opportunity was recently given, of which unfortunately the hon. Member, owing to illness, was unable to take advantage. I think a further opportunity for discussion of this subject will shortly arise on the Vote of Credit.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the discussion on the Vote of Credit is liable to be cut into by any Member who desires to raise any subject? Can he not give another day for discussion of aliens?

There will be another opportunity on the Consolidated Fund Bill.

Does not the same objection apply to the Consolidated Fund Bill?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a memorial from the chairman of the Hitchin bench of magistrates in regard to the German convalescent hospital there; whether the entire indoor staff consists of alien enemies; whether he is aware that the hospital is situate on high ground commanding the town of Hitchin and, in particular, the Great Northern station of that town; and, seeing that anxiety is felt in the district regarding these alien enemies, will he say what steps he proposes to take?

I received a few days ago the memorial mentioned in the first sentence of the question, and it contains the statements referred to. I am inquiring into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Home Office have given instructions to the Chief Constable at Swansea to fill the places of Reservist policemen who have joined the Colours with young men of military age; and if he has considered the desirability of putting older and married men to fill these temporary vacancies?

No such instructions have been issued by me to the Swansea Chief Constable or to any police force. On the contrary, I have advised police authorities to fill the temporary vacancies by the reappointment of police pensioners and the organisation of special constables, and much use has been made of the services of these men by police authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the censorship is being exercised for personal purposes, such as the prevention and return to senders of private letters containing comments on Members of the Government; and whether he will define the extent to which censorship is now being exercised over private correspondence?

The censorship is of course not being used for any personal or partisan purposes, but solely for the prevention of leakage of naval and military information which might be useful to the enemy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether on the 25th January the military head of the Censor of Mails admitted that he only became aware of the Austrian relationship of a lady in his department since she joined the censorship; that it is a well-known fact that her own brother deplored her strong pro-German sympathies, and that one of the gentlemen whose name was given as a reference for the position she now occupies has since admitted that, having regard to her associations, he ought not to have recommended her; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The hon. Member is misinformed of the date when the military postal censor became aware of the Austrian relationship of the lady. I have no information at the War Office as to the second part of the question, but I have ascertained from the family that it is unfounded, and that they warmly resent the imputation. All our inquiries have failed to identify the person suggested in the third part of the question. It is not proposed to take any action.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether clothing manufacturers in Scotland have to come to Pimlico to submit samples to his Department of what they can make; and, if so, whether he can in future make some arrangement more suitable for the smaller makers?

No, Sir, clothing manufacturers are not required to go to Pimlico to submit samples, but are invited to tender to the War Department sealed patterns and specifications, which are on view at various chambers of commerce, including Glasgow.

asked whether any arrangement has yet been made whereby Scotland is to have a representative on the Clothing Committee?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject which I gave on Monday last to the hon. Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether it is the intention of his Department to confine the clothing contract to be fixed up next month to large makers capable of turning out over 1,000 garments per week; and are these large makers to be precluded from subcontracting with smaller makers?

The great amount of work involved in inspecting and handling a large number of small consignments will it is feared prevent the War Department from placing direct contracts with firms who are unable to make substantial deliveries, but no decision has yet been taken as to the minimum which will be accepted. Provided that the conditions as to labour, rates of wages, etc., specified in the contract are observed, contractors will be allowed to employ other persons or firms usually employed by them in their ordinary trade and actually making the garments in their own factories and workshops.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the time hitherto allowed for debate on questions relating to Mr. Montague Meyer's commission for timber buying has proved insufficient for a full answer from the Department concerned; and can he see his way to give the House a full opportunity of discussing the matters connected with Mr. Meyer's transactions?

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office dealt very fully with this matter on Thursday last. A further opportunity for discussion, if desired, will arise both on the Vote of Credit and on the Consolidated Fund Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several direct questions put by hon. Members at Question time have not been answered, and also that several other questions put in the course of Debate have not been answered, because the Debate came to an abrupt termination owing to the time having expired? So far, we have not been able to test the statements made by the Financial Secretary to the War Office.

Full opportunity was given on both occasions.

May I ask whether it will be possible to discuss the subject on the Vote of Credit, and to move specific reductions?

That I cannot say without notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state, as the result of the inquiries made before the appointment of Mr. Meyer as timber buyer on commission for the Government, the prevalent price per standard immediately before the declaration of war; the prices asked by British merchants after the declaration of war; the prices now current in the trade for the same class of timber; the prices at which the War Office has obtained timber through Mr. Meyer; the quantity and total price of the timber so obtained; and the amount of Mr. Meyer's commission according to the arrangement with him?

The hon. Member will realise that the information asked for is outside the limits of an answer to an oral question, having regard to the number of qualities and scantlings of timber involved. The First Commissioner is, however, prepared to circulate with the Votes in due course such information as can be readily amassed with regard to certain typical scantlings. The amount of Mr. Meyer's commission was 2½ per cent. on the amount of timber required and ordered through him.

Has the hon. Gentleman no information as to the quantity of timber that was required by his Department?

I should like to have notice of such a question. It is not a question of what was required by my Department, as my hon. Friend calls it, but of what was required by the War Office.

asked the under Secretary of State for War the date of Mr. Montague Meyer s appointment as timber-buying agent to the War Office; who was the person or firm who introduced Mr. Meyer to the Office of Works; and whether Mr. Meyer was among those timber merchants who quoted, in response to the inquiries stated to have been sent out by the Office of Works, for the timber requirements of the War Office?

Mr. Meyer was appointed on the 19th of October. He was not introduced to the Office of Works by anybody, but became known to them in the course of inquiries sent out by them to him, in common with others, and was known to have supplied timber to the War Office. Mr. Meyer did not quote actual figures, although he was prepared to do so: but suggested that, in view of the state of the market, the proper method was to buy direct abroad in bulk, which suggestion was adopted.

Why are these questions not being replied to by a representative of the War Office, which is the Department mainly and primarily responsible for this appointment?

The reason is that this transaction was carried out by the Office of Works as the agent of the War Office, and the Office of Works has the information which my hon. Friend requires.

Was not Mr. Meyer appointed by the War Office?

Is it the fact that the Office of Works voluntarily offered to the War Office to execute the purchase of timber, on the ground that they were the office best suited, and that the War Office found that they could not perform the duty except by the engagement of Mr. Meyer, a perfect stranger to them?

It is very inconvenient to answer questions in this way. I understand the facts are that the War Office went to the Office of Works for advice as to obtaining a very large quantity of timber, the Office of Works being the Department which deals with such matters. The Office of Works then advised the War Office, and finding that the War Office was, in the time of terrible stress through which it went, tremendously overworked, the Office of Works undertook to procure any wood wanted by the War Office for them. That is the whole transaction.

Was the Office of Works informed of the quantity of timber required by the War Office and the value of it?

Nobody was informed of it. Nobody could tell in advance what would be required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Montague Meyer was paid commission on the value of his own stock as taken over by the Office of Works for the requirements of the War Office; who fixed the value of Mr. Meyer's stock; whether the value of his stock was included in the figure of £600,000 already given to the House of Commons; and what was the total value of the stock of timber as taken over by the Government from Mr. Meyer?

Mr. Meyer was only paid the agreed commission on the invoice price, and not on the value of stock taken over from him. The payment was agreed by the Office of Works after inspection by their officers of the original contract documents in relation to the stock. The stock is included in the £600,000. The total value of it was £11,360.

When attention was called to the matter in the House, bad Mr. Meyer rendered a commission account?

There is no foundation for that at all. I understand that on this particular transaction, as compared with the price he would have obtained in the open market, Mr. Meyer lost some £2,000.

Has any maximum ever been fixed for the total amount of commission payable?

I submit that that does not arise out of this question.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain why there should be any difference between the invoice price and the value of the timber?

Yes, Sir. The point is this: Mr. Meyer had some timber in stock. If the hon. Baronet will look up the facts, he will find that timber appreciated some 20 per cent. between the time Mr. Meyer bought this wood and the time he supplied it to the Office of Works. He would naturally, in the ordinary course of events, have got the benefit of that 20 per cent. increase, but owing to the excellent arrangement of the Office of Works he did not get it. He got only the 2½ per cent.

I beg to give notice that I shall again call attention to this matter, either on the adjournment to-night or at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the hon. Member for Saffron Walden, as representing the Office of Works, (1) whether he will state what is the total value of timber purchased up to date by Mr. Montague Meyer on behalf of the Government; (2) whether he still adheres to his statement that the Office of Works sent out 500 communications to timber firms asking them to quote before the appointment of Mr. Meyer; (3) if so, can he explain why a large number of leading firms in the trade were excluded; (4) does he confirm the statement of the Under-Secretary that Mr. Meyer at no time had the use of a room at the Office of Works; and (5) whether there is any objection to Members of the House inspecting the contract made with Mr. Meyer?

(1) The total value is approximately £600,000; (2) the exact number of communications cannot be stated, but inquiries which I have made show that reference as to stocks and prices was made by letter, telephone and telegram to over 200 different firms ascertained, among other sources, from the directory published by the Timber Trades Journal, and there are on record prices and particulars of well over 1,000 parcels of timber of various qualities and scantlings; (3) I have no information confirming the statement that a large number of leading firms were excluded—the facts above stated indicate how far-reaching the inquiry was; (4) yes; (5) the contract with Mr. Meyer took the form of a letter of appointment, a copy of which I shall be happy to show to any Member desiring to see it.

In reference to the hon. Gentleman's answer "Yes," I would like to know, Does the hon. Gentleman confirm the statement of the Under-Secretary that at no time had Mr. Meyer the use of a room in the Office of Works? Does the hon. Gentleman say that the published statement of leading firms that they were interviewed by Mr. Meyer in the Office of Works is untrue?

If I may say so, that is quite beside the point. I can only assure my right hon. Friend that I am obliged to give the answer "Yes" on that point.

Can the hon. Gentleman report any progress in the direction of modification of this contract since the question was discussed in the House?

No. The negotiations are proceeding, and so far the arrangement is 2½ per cent. up to £600,000, 2 per cent. between £600,000 and £1,000,000, and 1½ per cent. over £1,000,000.

Can the arrangement be revised at any moment?

At any moment the arrangement is liable to be revised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether spotted fever has broken out in some parts of Essex; whether, under the circumstances, he will give special orders that the billeting carried out in all such districts should be done as carefully as possible and due precaution taken against overcrowding; and whether the local sanitary authorities are in all cases consulted before soldiers are billeted in large numbers?

I regret to say that spotted fever has broken out in some parts of Essex. Special orders have been issued with regard to billeting, and due precautions are being taken against overcrowding. The local sanitary authorities are consulted in all cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Sergeant Angus James Macdonald, Royal Army Medical Corps, was sent under escort to Colchester on the 29th January, and was until the 3rd February detained in a ward with sentenced prisoners, and is still under guard without any charge being made against him; whether he will be brought to trial or court-martial, and, if so, when; and whether, in the event of no charge being formulated against him, he will be released at once?

I am informed that Sergeant Maedonald, Royal Army Medical Corps, was put under escort, accused of insolence and misconduct at a private hospital in Norfolk. Owing to the hospital at Colchester being full, he had to be placed in the same room with others. During the investigation of his case much difficulty was experienced in getting evidence, on account of the removal of a witness and the distance between Norfolk and Colchester. Sergeant Macdonald was accordingly released on the 22nd instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of recruits who have joined the Army in Carnarvon since the War?

For reasons already stated, it is not in the British interest to give recruiting figures of this character.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement in the Press in which the recruiting officer gives the figures and says they are a disgrace to the county of Carnarvon?

I am not aware that that appeared in the Press. If my hon. Friend will show it to me, I shall be pleased to see it.

Has there not been a very remarkable development in recruiting in the county of Carnarvon since the establishment of the Welsh Army Corps?

I could not give an answer to that question off-hand.

Is it not a fact that over 600 men joined from the town of Carnarvon, out of a population of only 9,000?

Again I cannot give the information off-hand.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that, by the Army Order 27/10/14, XVII., Section 5 (a), a dependant must give proof of actual dependence for a reasonable period prior to mobilisation, he will take the necessary steps to have the order amended so that it may cover the case of a dependant who has lost her husband since the commencement of the War and has thus become dependent on her son who is in the Army?

This suggestion has been fully considered, but it is not proposed to depart from the basis of fact as laid down by the Select Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will favourably consider the possibility of according the same treatment to soldiers in the Southern Nigeria regiment as to other soldiers in the matter of separation allowances, in view of the fact that the extra pay these men receive is a recognition of the exceptional climate and other privations they have customarily to undergo?

The soldiers of the Nigeria regiment are natives of West Africa. I presume my hon. Friend refers to the British non-commissioned officers employed with the regiment. The pay of these non-commissioned officers is sufficient to enable them to make substantial remittances to dependent relatives in this country; and the reasons for granting separation allowances to the rank and file of the British Army during the present War are not applicable in their case.

asked what is the nature of the instructions sent to pension officers to guide them in assessing the dependence of the nominee of the soldier?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lanarkshire on the 10th instant, of which I will send him a copy.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he says nothing in that reply as to the particular method and nature of the instructions? One wants to know what is the particular nature and not the general nature.

I gave a very fair account of the instructions. It was quite a detailed statement.

asked whether the limit of seven years within which application can be made for pensions, stated in. Cd. 7662, obtains in the new recommendations?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether, under the new regulations for pensions, the same provision obtains for mentally or physically infirm children as obtained in Cd. 7662?

Yes, Sir.

asked what is the nature of the offences for which with drawal of allowances and pensions is the possible punishment to the recipients; and whether, in the event of the mother being convicted, the allowance or pension to children will also be withdrawn?

Separation allowance or pension may be withdrawn on clear proof of serious misconduct, such as immorality definitely established, conviction on criminal charges, gross neglect of children or persistent drinking, especially where such drinking results in the neglect of children. The allowance or pension to the children is not withdrawn.

How will such an offence have to be proved before the allowance is withdrawn?

I understand the tribunal to which this is to be referred is under consideration, and an announcement will be made later.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention had been drawn to the case of Mrs. Mary Williams, Abernant, the wife of G. E. Williams, 37,376, whose allowance has been stopped because it is alleged that she was not married before 13th August; whether he is aware that the date for the marriage was fixed before the young man enlisted and took place on the date originally fixed; and whether, under these circumstances, he will have the matter reconsidered with a view to having the allowance restored?

My attention has not been drawn to this particular case, but regulations removing the restriction of date are about to be issued and it will then be open to Mrs. Williams to make an application for the allowance.

had given notice of the following questions to the Prime Minister (1) whether the introductory note to Cd. 7662 also covers the Special Report from the Select Committee on Pensions and Grants; and, if so, will he lay Papers before 1st March showing how the Admiralty orders and Army orders and the regulations affect allowances and pensions; and (2) whether all future Admiralty and Army orders and regulations applicable to allowances and pensions will be laid before Parliament before becoming applicable?

I would ask the hon. Member to postpone these questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the new scale of pensions becomes operative on 1st March, or any other fixed date, or whether they will date from the expiry of the twenty-six weeks' continued separation allowance now payable to widows?

Generally speaking the new scale of pensions takes effect from expiry of the twenty-six weeks; but if that had taken place before 1st March, then from 1st March.

I beg to give notice that on the Motion for the Adjournment I will raise the question of separation allowances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will recommend the issue of a badge to be worn by men who have, since the commencement of the War, offered themselves for enlistment but have been refused for some physical disqualification?

For reasons already stated on previous occasions, the suggested issue is not considered desirable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these people who wanted to enlist but were, unable to do so have been subject to many undeserved taunts?

I sympathise very much with the persons the hon. and learned Gentleman refers to, but I am sure he will realise that the issue of such a badge as he contemplates might be open to abuse.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the remount camp at or near Avonmouth; whether he is aware that this camp is situated on low-lying ground which in winter is always wet and this year is at times a swamp, and that there has been a large amount of sickness amongst the horses in consequence; and whether he will state the number of horses who have died at this camp and the number who are still there?

My attention has been called to the remount depot at Avonmouth by a report made to me of a visit to that place by the hon. and gallant Member for the Widnes Division of Lancashire. This depot, which covers a large area of ground, is situated generally on the slopes of a ridge, though a portion is sited on flat ground at the foot. Considering the large numbers of horses that have been landed at Avonmouth after a winter Atlantic-voyage, the percentage of deaths (.65 per cent.) is extraordinarily small, as is also the number of sick. The total number sick in veterinary hospital on the 20th instant is 588. The sickness is mainly attributable to the numbers of sick horses disembarked at the port.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some parts of the camp are under water?

The reports to which I have alluded state that parts of the ground are liable to flooding, but on the date on which the hon. Gentleman was kind enough to make an inspection there was no flooding. That was on the 20th January. There had then been a tremendous amount of rain, and it is lather remarkable that it should not be under water. I am alluding to that portion of it which is below the level of the surrounding land and not that on the ridge higher up.

Was not the right hon. Gentleman's Department warned beforehand by local residents that this lower portion was liable to flooding?

All I can say is that it was considered desirable to have a part of it on the low-lying ground for the purpose of shelter, and there is no cause at all to find fault with it.

asker whether the site of the remount camp at or near Avon-mouth was selected without the knowledge of the remount officer of the district, and in spite of the representations of persons living in the neighbourhood who knew the locality?

The site was first selected by a remount officer of wide experience, and his selection was subsequently approved by the chief engineer and the chief veterinary officer of the Southern Command. The War Office has no cause to regret their choice, and is unaware of any representations from the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to cases where soldiers who had been granted a three days' furlough to go to their homes prior to proceeding abroad, and who, after spending 10s. on train fares, were recalled by telegram within twelve hours; whether, under the circumstances, he will give instructions to refund to the men the money expended in railway fares; whether he is aware that the 10s. allowed for certain articles of kit on enlistment in many cases still remains unpaid; whether he will give instructions for the immediate payment of this allowance; whether the question of granting free railway passes to men going home on furlough prior to being sent abroad has yet been decided; and, if not, can he promise a decision at an early date, in view of the fact that men going long distances often have to expend nearly all their available money in railway fares?

I will make inquiry into the particular case of which the hon. Member has sent me details. Those men who did not get a free warrant for Christmas leave are allowed the concession once after three months service or prior to embarkation for the front, if they can be spared.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a man named Van der Briele was German Consul for Glasgow before the War broke out; whether he is still doing business between Glasgow and Holland which is suspected to be partly German business; whether he is aware that there is likelihood of this man passing on important naval information through his Dutch correspondents to Germany; whether the case has been reported to the Scottish Office by the Glasgow police; and, if so, whether the Scottish Office will order his internment?

The person referred to was, as stated, Consul for Germany at Glasgow. His case was reported on some time ago by the Glasgow police, who saw no reason to suspect that he was assisting the enemy in any way. I understand that negotiations are in progress under which it is probable that certain German Consular officers in this country, including the officer referred to, will be exchanged against British Consular officers in Germany.

asked the Prime Minister whether the House will be given an opportunity to consider new sources of national revenue, such as a tax on wages over 30s. per week and a special tax on profits made directly or indirectly out of the War, before the annual Budget Statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I fear it will not be possible to afford the House such an opportunity as the hon. Member suggests, but an occasion will no doubt arise in connection with the Finance Bill.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when the decision of the Government may be expected as regards the introduction of legislation to remove the electoral disabilities of persons absent on the naval or military service of the Crown whose cases are not covered by the Act of last Session; and whether he will at the same time consider the inclusion of provisions for the removal of any disabilities that may be similarly caused in municipal elections as regards either voters or those submitting themselves for election?

This matter is being attended to, and we shall be glad to have the co-operation of the various parties in the House in framing legislation that will deal adequately with the situation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the services rendered by the mine sweeper "Solon," No. 55, to the steamship "Gallier," which had struck a mine off Scarborough on the night of 25th December last; that the skipper, T. Trengall, R.N.R., has been awarded the D.S.O. for approaching this vessel through a mine-field at great risk; and whether he cannot see his way clear to recognise the services of at any rate some of the crew, who risked their lives so freely and ungrudgingly, as this has already been done in another case?

I have only just received the hon. Member's question, and I have not had time to make due inquiry. I will do so and communicate with the hon. Member at once.

In view of the short supply of cocoa in this country, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he will see that the whole of the cargoes in vessels sailing for Scandinavia are stopped?

If the hon. Member will communicate with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the matter will receive immediate consideration

May I ask the Prime Minister if he can give the House any information about the riot at Singapore, of which the newspapers inform us to-day for the first time?

I would ask the hon. Member to give notice of the question.