asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has caused the Censor to prevent the publication of news of damage to or loss of British merchant vessels by mine or submarine; and whether, in view of the responsibility incurred by shipowners in sending their vessels on dangerous voyages, he will give an assurance that no information regarding disasters to trading vessels shall be withheld?

The Censor is guided in his action by the instructions he receives from the Admiralty, and announcements are made by him in accordance with these instructions. No such news has been suppressed, though the time of publication necessarily depends upon circumstances of which the Admiralty alone are the judge. Arrangements are made whereby the news of damage to or loss of British merchant vessels is communicated to the owners and Lloyd's at once. The immediate publication of individual losses would be of little assistance to the safety of the mercantile marine apart from the precautionary measures taken by the Admiralty. So far every loss has been published.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of active list officers, filling appointments on shore in the coastguard and elsewhere, have applied for service afloat, and that the practice of giving the preference to retired officers deprives these active list officers of the legitimate opportunity of winning distinction in the proper sphere of a seaman; and whether he can see his way to take any action to meet such cases?

I am informed that many officers filling shore appointments have been given sea appointments since war broke out, and that it is not the case that preference is given to retired officers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that time served during the War is regarded as active service time and that such time counts towards an increase of half-pay for active list officers, he will consider the possibility of officers retired from the Navy on account of ill-health, and who voluntarily offered their services during the War, being allowed to count their War service towards an increase of pension; is he aware that the majority of these officers have given up civil employment; and that, should the War last any length of time, their chances of obtaining similar work after hostilities are over will be materially reduced owing to increased age, and especially will this be so in the case of men nearing their forty-fifth year?

I regret I am unable to see my way to recommending the adoption of the suggestion of the hon. Member. Retired officers recalled to service receive a war bonus of 25 per cent. of their full pay in lieu of counting their service for increase of pension. This system is undoubtedly the fairest for officers as a whole. Under the proposal of the hon. Member some officers would undoubtedly gain, but a very considerable number would receive no increase in pension whatever by counting their service under the present general rules on which the calculation of retired pay is based.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the apology issued by the German Embassy in Washington for the submarine attack upon the British hospital ship "Asturias" off Havre on 1st February; and if the excuse offered that the distinctive marks showing the character of the ship were not recognised has any validity?

The master's report says:—

"It was a very light and clear evening and at 5.15 broad daylight, and in no possibility could the character of the ship be mistaken."

The report further says:—

"Apart from the testimony of my officers, a number of people on board not only saw the course of the torpedo, but also observed the submarine following in our wake."

As the submarine was herself seen by several of those in the "Asturias," it is difficult to believe that the ship's distinctive marks could have been mistaken.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that there have been difficulties in connection with recruiting for the Army due to the omission of firms from the published lists of those doing Government work; what are the conditions under which badges for workers on Admiralty contracts and sub-contracts are distributed to the employers for redistribution; what system is adopted for re-collecting the badges when Admiralty work is completed; and whether the Admiralty is working in unison with the War Office in these matters?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I stated in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Lanarkshire on 16th February, the badges are issued to men continuously engaged upon His Majesty's ships and armaments, their issue being restricted to those employés who, from their experience and skill, are absolutely indispensable for the rapid and effective execution of the work referred to. The regulations which have been issued provide for the re-collection of badges, when this becomes necessary, to be done by the contractors. The Admiralty and War Office are in close communication in regard to these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say whether the Archbishop of Lemberg, arrested by the Russians in territory invaded by them and imprisoned in a Russian fortress six months ago, still lives; if so, can he give any particulars of the prison treatment in the case; whether there is any difference in substance between the offence and that for which the Cardinal Archbishop of Malines is restricted to his diocese; whether it is by direction of the Foreign Office or of the Censor the entire British Press is closed against one of these cases while giving full particulars of the other; and whether he will, on the principle of reciprocity, suggest to the Russian Government to concede to the Archbishop of Lemberg treatment similar to that accorded by the Germans to the Archbishop of Malines for an identical offence?

I have nothing to add to the reply which was returned to the hon. Member on 3rd March.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the principle of reciprocity in reference to prisoners of war is legalised at all; and, if it is, why it does not apply to these two men?

That is hardly a matter for the Foreign Office.

To what Department should I apply for the information?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the reason for stopping goods shipped by the British steamer "Mongara," from Aden to New York, for transshipment viâ London, consigned to Messrs. S. H. Shotwell and Son, Gloversville, New York, the goods consisting of Berberah blackhead sheepskins; and whether, seeing that Berberah is in British Somaliland, and in view of the fact that many cases of this kind are arising, His Majesty's Government will appoint somebody with commercial knowledge to deal with the business matters of this kind, so as to avoid unnecessary interference with legitimate business and expense to merchants?

The British steamer "Mongara" arrived in London on the 4th ultimo and reported inter alia 400 bales of skins for transhipment to New York. Of these, 260 bales were shipped under the transhipment regulations of the steam ship "St. Stephen," which sailed for New York on the 16th ultimo. The remaining 140 bales were left over for shipment by a, later vessel; but on the 1st instant it was observed that the bales were marked "Arabia." This fact raised a suspicion of enemy ownership which would, if established, ipso facto debar the goods from the benefit of the transhipment concession and entail their seizure as prize. Inquiries were accordingly set on foot to establish the ownership of the goods, which were meanwhile placed under provisional detention as is usual in such cases. Satisfactory evidence has already been produced in regard to thirty-five bales, and these were released on the 5th instant. Further evidence has been called for in respect of eighty-four bales. No applicant for the release of the remaining twenty-one bales has as yet appeared. In reply to the second part of the question I may say that such cases are dealt with by men of commercial experience, nor can I regard the present case as one of unnecessary interference. I wish further to point out that the importance of these examinations is so vital that it is impossible to avoid some temporary inconvenience to merchants, though this is minimised as far as possible.

Will the Government pay the expenses incurred on account of this detention?

I must have notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communications have been made to neutral Governments officially calling their attention to such violations of international law by the Germans as the murder of hostages and prisoners of war, the looting of private property, the enslavement of non-combatants, and the levying of indemnities in territory occupied by their troops?

His Majesty's Government made an official communication to neutral Governments when they announced on 31st October last their policy respecting the arrest of enemy reservists on neutral ships. This announcement, in which reference was made to the action of the Germans in carrying off able-bodied male civilians from the parts of France and Belgium occupied by them, was communicated to the Governments of neutral maritime States represented in London. The French and Belgium Governments have, I believe, communicated the results of their official inquiries to neutral Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is willing, inasmuch as the future of Great Britain has become identified with the interests of Russia and France, to request the Russian and French Governments to communicate to him the terms of the Franco-Russian Alliance, so that the British people may know the nature of the policy and liabilities to which they have been committed?

The policy and liabilities to which His Majesty's Government are committed are those of the Alliance made with France and Russia on the 5th of September, 1914, which has been published. That is sufficient for the purposes of the War. Whether further obligations, as the hon. Member apparently suggests, should be undertaken is a point to be considered when the pressure of war is relaxed and gives time for that and other matters. The answer to the question is therefore in the negative.

Has the full text of this treaty ever been published; if so, is it available?

Which treaty?

Between Russia and France—the Alliance, or whatever it is called?

I will make inquiries on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state in what capacity, if any, Sir Francis Oppenheimer, who was appointed Commercial Attaché at The Hague, is now employed?

Sir Francis Oppenheimer is employed as Commercial Attaché at The Hague.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a lieutenant in the German Army. Baron Werner von Ow-Wachendorf, aged twenty-nine years, has been released on exchange as a member of the Consular service; and, if so, where was he serving when war broke out; and, in view of the exchange of two German Consuls for two old British officers of eighty-eight and eighty-three years of age whose health had completely collapsed, whether he will make a complete statement on the Baron's release and the conditions, if any, attached thereto?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Baron von Ow-Wachendorf is a member of the German Consular Service and was attached to the German Consulate-General at Cape Town before the War. He was detained in England on his way back to Germany. His release was effected under an agreement with the German Government for the mutual exchange of British and German diplomatic and Consular officers. No conditions were attached to the above-mentioned agreement on either side, but I may mention that none of the German officials concerned were released without the previous concurrence of the War Office and Home Office. As regards the two British officers mentioned, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply returned on the 4th instant, and add that, although the numbers exchanged under the agreement were equal, the exchange was in no sense a man-for-man exchange.

Has this gentleman been at liberty all this time—since 13th August, when he was arrested?

I will make inquiries on that point.

Can the Under-Secretary give the House any information as to arrangements for further exchanges?

I am glad to be able to inform the right hon. Gentleman that in deference to the express wish and desire of the Pope the German Government has agreed to release all invalid civilians by way of mutual exchange.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have official knowledge of orders having been issued by German officers to their troops that British prisoners of war should be put to death; and, if so, whether the fact has been officially notified to neutral Governments?

No such information has been received officially.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the report published by the Eye-Witness with the British Army to the effect that a Brigade Order has been found to this effect is incorrect?

I should assume it was correct if the Eye-Witness said so.

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to alleviate the sufferings and hardships of British prisoners of war in Germany; whether he is aware that the British prisoners in five camps in Germany are not allowed the use of tobacco and are debarred other comforts; and whether the Government will take this question up themselves in order that these British prisoners may get tobacco and other comforts?

In regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer returned to the Noble Lord the Member for Hitchin on 24th February. His Majesty's Government having learnt on good authority that British prisoners of war in certain camps in Germany were not allowed the use of tobacco, made representations to the German Government through the United States Ambassador on 28th January.

Has there been any reply to that?

I think not.

asked why letters posted to British prisoners of war interned in Germany are delayed for several days before being forwarded to their destination?

Correspondence posted in the United Kingdom for British prisoners of war in Germany is dispatched from this country immediately on completion of the Censorship. I have no control over the subsequent treatment of such correspondence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent case a letter was delayed by the Censor for ten days?

I am not aware of that, and I very much doubt it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman believe it if I bring the case to his notice?

Certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State, for War whether, in view of the shortage of labour and the extensive road repairs, due to military user, that are required in Wiltshire and the adjoining counties, he will consider the advisability of employing prisoners of war on this work, thereby liberating a corresponding number of men for employment in agriculture?

This would be impracticable at present, as the prisoners could not be accommodated under canvas, and I am not sure than in any case the expense of special camps, with fencing, water supply, sanitation, together with the necessary arrangements for guards, would be justified.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that only at this season of the year they could not be accommodated under canvas or at any season?

I spoke generally.

asked why information concerning officers who are reported missing given in letters from prisoners of war interned in Germany is deleted by the Censor?

I should be glad if my hon. Friend would furnish me with particulars of any specific case. The deletion may have been made by the German Censors or by the British Censors, and in the latter case I should be prepared to make further inquiries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the deletion is made by the Censor in this country?

I am not aware of it.

Is there any conceivable reason why such, deletions should be made?

I cannot imagine any.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, with a view to meeting the lure of the drink trade, he will consider the advisability of prohibiting the sale of all spirit under thirty- five under proof, and so prevent the deleterious results arising from drinking spirit of greater alcoholic strength?

I am afraid I cannot make any statement at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to offer him some samples of recent date?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the desirability of providing in the Finance Bill for the supply of duty-free rectified spirit to hospitals for the making of tinctures under similar restrictions to those which regulate the supply of absolute alcohol free of duty for purposes of research in clinical laboratories and colleges?

The general question of the use of spirit is under consideration, but I am afraid that it would not be possible to grant this particular exemption.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Hospital alone has spent £256 on tinctures of this kind, of which £229 is duty, and could he not, at any rate, make an exemption in favour of tinctures and solutions of iodine; I think it will be easier to do that?

I could supply the hon. Gentleman with the reasons given to me by the Customs as to the difficulty of making a discrimination. I will hand the paper over to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many men who were employed in the Land Valuation Department on the 1st August, 1914, are now serving in His Majesty's forces; how many men of military age are still serving in the Department; whether permission to join the Army has been refused to any employé of the Department; and whether those who join the Army are assured that they will be restored to their former employment after the war?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, approximately, the number of officials of military age who are now employed in land valuation; how many so employed have enlisted; whether enlistment has been forbidden to any of them; and whether in future the work of this Department can be carried on by officials outside the military age?

asked how many of the Government land valuers are of military age; and whether any and, if so, how many of these gentlemen have been refused permission to offer their services to the military or naval forces of this country?

Over 1,100 members of the Valuation staff are serving with His Majesty's Forces. This number represents a little under one-third of those of military age—a proportion which compares very favourably with that existing in other Departments in the Service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of question 25 which asks whether permission to join has been refused to the men?

Permission has been refused in some cases where it was impossible to carry on the business of the office without the assistance of those particular members. Of course, the hon. Gentleman must bear in mind that the Inland Revenue are bearing on their books the salaries of each of the members serving during the time they are away.

Having regard to the cost of this particular source of revenue, could it not stand in abeyance till after the War?

Could you not abolish this office altogether?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the War Loan of £325,000,000 was underwritten?

No underwriting commissions were paid in respect of any part of the £350,000,000 War Loan.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any and, if so, what reserve of gold maintained at the Treasury?

A gold reserve amounting at present to £27,500,000 is held by the Bank of England on behalf of the Treasury against the issue of currency notes.

Was that what the right hon. Gentleman meant when he spoke of the need for a gold reserve at the Bank of England and at the Treasury?

Yes, I referred to that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Grant in aid of housing will be included in the Estimates for the current year; and, if so, on what principle it will be distributed?

I assume that my hon Friend refers to the Public Health Grant which was part of the scheme proposed last year for revised Grants in aid of local taxation. I am afraid that in present circumstances it will not be possible to proceed with that scheme.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some of the schemes consideration so that no unnecessary obstacle is put in the way?

I should like to consider that very carefully, because I think it desirable that there should be restrictions in the matter of borrowing by municipalities.

In the case of housing schemes urgently required will the right hon. Gentleman give the matter every consideration?

An urgent need for houses is a consideration which undoubtedly will weigh with the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the special Grants to necessitous school areas are to be continued this year on the same basis as last year?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. It is proposed to make provision in the Estimates for the payment of special Grants to necessitous areas in the same amounts as last year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has any information concerning the number of golf caddies above school age who might, if relieved from the task of attending players, be available for agricultural labour, and so remove the need for the employment of school children?

I regret that I am unable to give the information desired by my hon. Friend, but I shall be glad to bring his suggestion to the notice of the parties concerned.

Would my hon. Friend circularise the clubs in the districts where there is a scarcity of agricultural labour?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many clubs do everything they can to induce all their able-bodied employés to engage in agricultural labour?

Yes, Sir, I think that is so in almost all cases. In cases where it is not so, I should like to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the hon. Member for the Saffron Walden Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether a new arrangement for the purchase of timber for the requirements of the War Office has now been considered or completed; and, if so, what are the terms and conditions of the new arrangement?

Yes, Sir. The commission payable will be as announced up to £600,000, and will be 1½ per cent. from that figure to £1,000,000.

Can my hon. Friend say whether Mr. Meyer is still able to buy and sell goods for himself while he is acting for the Government?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

I think it does.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many German and Austrian steamers and sailing ships are now lying unused in British ports; who pays the dock dues and watching expenses of these vessels; and whether they can all be made use of in view of the shortage of tonnage existing?

All the German and Austrian steamers and sailing ships which were detained in British ports, with the exception of a few sailing ships which cannot be usefully employed at present, are either in use already or will be in use very shortly. Any expenses properly chargeable against the ships before the date of employment would, I understand, be payable by the Admiralty Marshal or other proper officer of the Crown.

Will my right hon. Friend consider carefully whether these sailing ships cannot be made use of? There are certain vessels between 1,800 and 5,000 tons lying in the same port at the present time which might be used.

Yes, Sir, if it were possible to make use of them we should certainly do so, but it is not only a question of making use of the vessels themselves, but of providing crews for them. There is at the present moment a great shortage of sailors, and I am advised that we would not be able to man any more vessels at our ports. If the supply of sailors were to alter, we could, of course, reconsider the matter.

Will not my right hon. Friend, under the exceptional circumstances, consider the advisability of obtaining Scandinavian sailors?

We can consider that, but in British ships we have been rather deprecating the use of alien crews.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any expenses have been incurred out of public funds in holding meetings soliciting shares in British Dyes, Limited, and how those costs have been met; what is the estimated cost of advertising the share issue; and is any brokerage to be paid for placing capital?

No expense has been incurred out of public funds in holding meetings in connection with British Dyes, Limited. I am informed that the estimated cost of advertising is £1,450, and that no brokerage is to be paid for placing capital.

May I ask for the first part of the question to be answered—how the costs have been met if not out of public funds?

I understand that the expense of holding meetings in connection with British Dyes, Limited, has been defrayed by people and associations who are interested in the use of dyes.

Have any of these meetings been held since the Treasury Committee refused permission for this issue?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any director or promoter of British Dyes, Limited, is interested in any option mentioned in the prospectus?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the directors representing the Government on this company and the pay they are receiving?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give particulars of the steps he has taken, if any, to facilitate the conveyance of crude by products from this country to Switzerland for the purpose of being manufactured into aniline dyes?

An official consignor has been appointed to systematise shipments from this country, and to deal with the difficulties of transport by land and sea, which, owing to the congestion arising out of the War, have naturally been considerable. I am glad to say that, owing to his efforts, the shipping difficulties have, it is believed, been largely overcome. The Railway Executive Committee are giving facilities for dispatch of the materials in question on railways in this country, and the French Government have granted facilities in respect of transit through France. Further steps to ensure the expeditious interchange of products are now under consideration, and the formation of the new Dye Company will, I hope, greatly simplify the problem.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can see his way clear to recommend an extra 1s. per week to the old age pensioners in the different parts of the country in consequence of the increased price of food and fuel to the extent of not less than 25 per cent.?

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the acute distress amongst old age pensioners owing to the increased cost of food and coal, many of these poor people being compelled to relinquish their pensions and to apply for Poor Law relief, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made in order that the more urgent cases may be afforded relief?

I must refer to the answer which I gave on 3rd March to the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton, and to the supplemental answer which I gave on that occasion to my hon. Friend the Member for the Tottenham Division. I am informed that the Local Government Board have no evidence that pensioners are being forced to apply for Poor Law relief.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Food Supplies and Prices, he has received any communication from sugar-using manufacturers complaining that their inability to make forward contracts for sugar, to be delivered some months hence at prices substantially below those now asked by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply, is handicapping them, and must involve them in heavy losses; and whether he will impress upon the Royal Commission the importance of ending immediately the uncertainty which prevails?

The hon. Member further asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, the Debate on the Government's sugar policy having been postponed until after the Easter Recess, the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply has yet come to any decision as to allowing manufacturers to make forward contracts for sugar; and if he is aware that the delay in regard to this matter is prejudicing the interests of various trades, preventing them from making arrangements for the future, and rendering them liable eventually to losses?

Neither the Government nor the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply can give any positive assurance as to what the position of sugar may be in the autumn. There is nothing to prevent sugar-using manufacturers from making any forward contracts they can, subject to the prohibition of the importation of sugar being removed before the autumn or to their obtaining licences to import should the prohibition be then still in force. If, on the contrary, they prefer to trust to obtaining supplies from the Commission, the Commission has every reason to hope that the prices it will be charging in the autumn (if it be then still in being) will not be in excess of those now prevailing.

Will my right hon. Friend say why it is that sugar, which is the only commodity of which the Government has taken control, is the one commodity which has risen higher in price than any other?

No, Sir; my hon. Friend is mistaken in assuming sugar has risen higher than any other commodity. As a matter of fact, sugar before the Government took control of it—that is to say, in the early days of the War—rose 80 per cent., and it is the only commodity which has fallen in price since the first week of the War.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that figures supplied by his colleague the President of the Board of Trade show it is larger?

I think if my hon. Friend will look at the wholesale prices of wheat and sugar, he will find that the wholesale price of sugar has not risen quite as much as the price of wheat.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any licences for the importation of sugar have already been given, and if so, whether he will, in the form of a printed answer or otherwise, supply the information to the House?

Licences have only been given in respect of pre-war contracts, and in respect of contracts which were so near completion at the time of the prohibition that it was felt to be a special hardship not to allow the sugar to be imported. There has been no general grant of licences.

May we have a list of the specific instances in which licences have been granted and the grounds on which they have been granted?

There is a question to be put to me later by an hon. Member on this point, and I will reply then.

Arising out of the Home Secretary's answer on another point, will he be able to give any assurance that the prohibition on the imports will be removed by the time any of these contracts have taken place, without which it is quite impossible to make them?

The existence of a prohibition depends solely upon the danger of enemy sugar being imported into this country. We have every reason to believe that in a very few months now, probably in less than two or three months, the danger of such importation will have absolutely passed away, and the moment it has passed away the prohibition will be taken off, but it is quite impossible for me to give any guarantee.

asked the Home Secretary (1) if he will grant a Return, as soon as the House reassembles after the recess, of the purchases made up to that date of sugar by the Government, stating the kind and quantity of sugar purchased in each case, together with the country of growth, the price paid, the dates of contract and of delivery, and any other material circumstances—e.g., whether f.o.b. or c.i.f., whether duty paid, etc.; and (2) if he will grant a Return, as soon as the House reassembles after the recess, showing the quantities of sugar out of the special purchases by the Government to refiners and others sold in each week since this operation was undertaken; and the average selling price in each week obtained for the various classes of sugar?

Subject to some slight modifications, I think I shall be able to give the hon. Member all the particulars for which he asks.

asked on what date the letters exchanged between M. Cambon and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and read by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his speech of the 3rd August last, were first communicated to all the Members of the British Cabinet, as distinguished from the section of the Cabinet that was always aware of the existence of these documents?

As stated in my right hon. Friend's speech on 3rd August, the letter addressed to M. Cambon was considered and approved by the Cabinet, and the reply was in due course submitted to them.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that the continuance of warlike operations for twelve months will involve the State in an expenditure, exceeding £600,000,000, and that the national expenditure upon intoxicants amounts to £150,000,000 per annum, and failing an agreed Bill dealing with licensing restrictions, he will, before the adjournment, indicate to the House the nature of the proposals of the Government so that the country may accurately allocate responsibility for their failure; and whether, under such circumstances, the Government will administratively take measures to amend licensing conditions in Scotland and Wales?

asked the Prime Minister whether he contemplates taking any further powers to deal with the liquor traffic than are at present given by the Defence of the Realm Act?

Further legislation would be required to extend the present regulations, which go as far as the Defence of the Realm Acts allow. The existing powers conferred on the naval and military authorities by the Acts have, however, not yet been fully exercised. Referring to the last part of Question 51, I can only say that the whole subject is receiving most careful consideration of the Government.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman's colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer was referring at Bangor simply to the powers under the Defence of the Realm Act and not to any further legislation?

My right hon. Friend says "Yes."

asked the Prime Minister whether an opportunity of discussing the contemplated creation of a new Board to deal with and administer the pensions to wives and dependants, etc., of soldiers and sailors will be given to the House before such is finally sanctioned?

This will be a matter for consideration when the further recommendations of the Select Committee have been received.

Can my right hon. Friend give us the assurance that no body will be set up without us being able to discuss it, such for instance as the Road Board?

No, Sir; we cannot possibly limit the power of Parliament to discuss it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Jane Donald, of Auldearn, Nairnshire, whose adopted son, on whom she is dependent, is serving in the 4th Cameron Highlanders; whether the adopted son has made an allotment in her favour; whether a separation allowance has been refused by the State; if so, will he say if a soldier's adopted child is regarded as his own, but the dependence of a woman on the son she adopted and brought up is not recognised; and, in that event, will he give favourable consideration to the facts with a view to paying separation allowance in this case?

On the facts as stated this case, which has not come under my notice, is one that is met by the new definition of dependant adopted on the recommendation of the Select Committee, and Mrs. Donald should avail herself of the appeal machinery now provided.

Has the hon. Gentleman not received a letter giving full particulars of this case?

I have no doubt such a letter was received.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to offer adequate monetary rewards to the officers and seamen of British merchant ships for the destruction of enemy submarines?

The Admiralty are always ready to mark any act of daring and good seamanship which assists the naval operations in a fitting manner, but I have no further statement to make on the subject at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that anxiety exists among the market gardeners and fruit growers in the neighbourhood of Botley, Hants, as to whether the South-Western Railway Company will be able to afford them the same special railway facilities during the coming fruit season as they have provided in recent years, owing to national requirements; and if he will approach the railway company with a view of ascertaining, as soon as possible, what facilities can be given this year?

I have communicated with the railway company on the subject, and am informed that whilst it is difficult to give any precise undertaking in view of the possible military requirements, it will be their intention and endeavour to give facilities as nearly as possible equal to those in previous years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state approximately the total value of the prohibited exports to Holland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden for which licences have been granted to individuals or firms located in the British Isles since the 4th August; and whether he is satisfied that the export of prohibited articles is practically confined to those goods for which a licence has been obtained?

The compilation of the statistics required by the hon. Member would be a lengthy and laborious task, and I should not feel justified in asking the Departments concerned—who are working under great pressure—to undertake it. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Customs watchers who have joined the Colours are not being paid anything by the Government over and above the Army pay; if he is aware that all other Government servants have had their wages or salaries made up to them; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

Customs watchers are treated in this matter like other Government servants. They receive the balance of civil pay remaining after the deduction of Army pay and separation allowance, if any.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that, with one exception, the companies operating in Smithfield Market and elsewhere in this country, and known as the Beef Trust of Chicago, have paid no Income Tax for about ten years, although their turnover in this country aggregates about £20,000,000 per annum; whether this matter has been under the consideration of the solicitors' department at Somerset House for over two years; and whether any proceedings have been, or are likely to be, taken against these companies?

The matter referred to by the hon. Member presents points of considerable difficulty, but I can assure him that it continues to receive careful attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state what increase in wages he has recommended for auxiliary women workers who have been taken on in the various Departments under his control since the War?

Women engaged temporarily on postal or telegraph work in the larger provincial towns are now paid a minimum of 22s. a week after three months' service if they are twenty-one years of age or more, and 20s. if they are less than twenty-one. The application of these minimum rates will have afforded appreciable increases in many cases, but in a large number of cases rates in excess of the minimum were already being paid. Specially qualified women employed as temporary counter clerks and telegraphists in London may be paid up to 30s. instead of 24s. a week.

asked the Postmaster-General the reason that Private Evans, who gave up service in the Shrewsbury Post Office to enlist in the Shropshire Yeomanry, after having obtained verbal permission to do so, has been treated differently, as regards pay and promise of resumption of work at the end of the War, to others who apparently enlisted in exactly similar circumstances?

I am having inquiry made into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether hiss attention has been drawn to the need at this crisis for the treatment, apart from lunacy, of recent and uncertifiable cases of nervous breakdown; and whether, in that case, it is still imperative that any application from the London County Council or other county councils for powers to provide such treatment must be delayed till after an expert inquiry, seeing that borough councils now possess these powers?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on Monday last to a question by the hon. Member for the Tottenham Division. As regards the powers which the London County Council are seeking in their General Powers Bill, it will be for the Committee before which the Bill comes to decide whether the particular powers should be given.

asked whether the Government propose to issue a circular to local bodies requiring them to practice strict economy during the present crisis, in view of the demands already being made, and of others likely to be made, upon the resources of taxpayers and ratepayers?

As I stated in answer to a question on Monday last, I am about to issue a circular to local authorities. This circular will emphasise the desirability of restricting local works in view of the need of economising both labour and capital.

asked if any inspectors and, if so, how many have been appointed to inquire into the administration of the National Relief Fund; and, if so, will he state by whom they are appointed, what salaries they are paid, out of what funds they are paid, and what are their duties?

Existing officers of the Local Government Board and of other public Departments have been selected by the Government Committee for the Prevention and Relief of Distress to act as inspectors. The number of these inspectors in England and Wales is thirty-one; I have no information of the number of Scottish and Irish inspectors. The duties performed for the Government Committee by these officers are described in a circular issued in September last, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member. No additions to the public service have been necessary, and no salary is paid to any of the inspectors in respect of the work undertaken for the Government Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Report will be published of the Committee appointed to investigate the German atrocities; and whether the Report will be officially communicated to neutral governments?

I understand that the Committee hope to be able to report about the end of this month. Until the Report has been received I cannot make any statement as regards the action to be taken on it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, after the Committee report, it will continue in existence in order to investigate any further actions that may take place during the War?

I am afraid I cannot make any statement until I see the Report.

asked the Home Secretary if he has further considered the question of compelling aliens who are trading in this country under assumed names or descriptions to exhibit their true names for at least ten years after they assumed a British name or British description, and that on all papers they must sign both the assumed name and their original name?

Yes, Sir. I considered the suggestion when made by the hon. Member some months ago, but I came to the conclusion that such a far-reaching change affecting aliens of all nationalities would go beyond the proper scope of the emergency powers relating to the War.

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot go so far as is suggested, can he do something to stop the fraud perpetrated throughout the country by people trading by deceit and inducing people to frequent their establishments under the impression that they are British?

Any case of fraud, of course, could be proceeded against in the ordinary way, but I think the proposal upon the Paper goes a great deal beyond the scope of our emergency powers.

asked the Home Secretary if alien enemies are now being employed at some of the hotels and restaurants in London; and, if so, will he make it a condition of such employment that such hotels exhibit a notice at the entrance that aliens are employed there, so that customers may be warned of their presence and of the risk involved in discussing the War or similar topics?

I have no power to impose conditions on the employment of waiters, British or alien. I am afraid that the suggestion that the danger of espionage is confined to aliens is too sanguine.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state when the German lieutenant Baron Werner von Ow-Wachendorf was arrested, where he was interned, and where he subsequently resided at liberty; and whether this officer has now been exchanged, and is at liberty to fight against this country?

The Baron was never interned. He arrived in this country from South Africa in the middle of August, and from then until his departure on 1st March resided continuously in London. As to his exchange, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply already given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

I understand that this officer was released and remained at large as a Consular officer. I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the view of His Majesty's Government, he could properly be called a Consular officer having regard to the fact that he started on mobilisation before the War broke out and ceased to be a Consular officer?

That is a question to be addressed to the Foreign Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this officer served his military training in German South-West Africa a year ago, and was not such information given to the Intelligence Department of the War Office about 16th October of last year?

That is a question which must be addressed to the War Office. I have no knowledge on the matter.

Do not you work together?

I cannot answer for all the details of the work in the War Office without notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the position of the staffs of those asylums taken over by the military authorities; whether the Government propose to utilise the services of the existing staffs; whether their continuity of service for the purposes of superannuation will be safeguarded; and whether their pay and prospects will remain not less favourable than those at present enjoyed in the services of the local authorities concerned?

The answer to all the points in the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that as the asylums will during their use as military hospitals continue to be for legal purposes asylums, and the officers will remain in the service and pay of the asylum authority, the Asylum Officers Superannuation Act, 1909, will continue to apply to the officers, and their service for pension purposes will not be broken.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a newspaper published in the English language which claims to have a circulation of 60,000 copies in neutral countries; whether he is aware that this paper habitually contains false statements as to the progress of the War and articles prejudicial to the Allies; whether he is aware that copies of this paper are regularly sent to this country; whether he has information to the effect that it is owned or edited by a person of British nationality; and, if so, what action he proposes to take against this person?

The answer to the first, second, and third heads of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot say for certain who is now the owner or editor of the paper. It belonged formerly to a person of British nationality, but, in any case, as it is now edited and managed in Germany, it is impossible to take any proceedings. I will consider what can be done to prevent the dissemination of false news by this paper, but many of the statements it contains are so obviously false as to defeat their own purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman inquiring further into the matter with a view of stopping the paper circulating here?

Yes, I should be glad to stop it circulating here, but, of course, I cannot stop it in Germany.

asked the Lord Advocate if he is aware that the Execution of Trusts (War Facilities) Act, 1914, does not apply to Scotland; and if he will introduce legislation to extend the principle of this Act to Scotland?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Baronet's question is in the affirmative. The question of applying the Act to Scotland was carefully considered, and the decision not to do so was reached in view of the differences between English and Scots law relating to trusts, and of the absence of any demand for such legislation in Scotland.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what is being done to secure the return of brood mares unfit for war service?

Owing to the danger of introducing equine disease, the Department do not favour the return to Ireland of mares from the front.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there is not a very strong feeling in the country that we are being depleted of horses and that nothing whatever is being done to renew the stock; and must not some risk be run in war time or the country will be absolutely short of horses?

No, we are very far from being short of horses. The hon. Member will recollect what happened on the return of horses to Ireland after the South African War. Ireland for three years after that suffered from equine disease and had great trouble. I have summoned an advisory committee, and the Department is acting on the best advice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman got the resolution of the Cork Breeders' Association asking the Government to take some steps, and does he not think, having regard to the number of horses and mares unfitted for war service, that something should be done by experienced men for the country?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the high prices of seeds of all kinds in Ireland owing to the War and the difficulties which confront farmers, and especially small farmers, in this connec- tion at the coming spring setting of their crops; and whether he intends, by legislation or in any other way, to provide relief?

The Department do not consider that any action beyond seeing that the seeds supplied to farmers are of good quality is necessary. Information is furnished through the various agricultural instructors as to persons having good seed of cereals for sale. All other seeds are plentiful, and although in some cases, they are dearer in price, this rise is, as a rule, not more than proportionate to the general rise in the prices of agricultural produce.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the great discontent in county Clare with respect to the action of the inspectors, he will publish the general instructions given to inspectors, so that the public may be able to control their action and see whether they conform to the law?

I will see if any further action can be taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he can state approximately the amount or proportion of the bacon, as apart from ham, supplied for the use of the troops which has been purchased from Great Britain, Ireland, and foreign countries, respectively; and how much of that produced in England has been supplied by English curers other than co-operative curing companies this year; and (2) whether, in view of the taxation on manufacturers in this country for War purposes at the present time, he will see that the supply of bacon for the use of troops is, as far as possible, drawn from English bacon-curing companies, and is not confined to English co-operative bacon-curing companies which, owing to being registered as friendly societies, are not required to pay Income Tax on their profits, and to merchants dealing only in Irish or foreign produce?

Excluding comparatively small local purchases, the bacon for the troops has been obtained from the following sources, namely:—

Great Britain	…	11·3 per cent.
Ireland	…	45·4 per cent.
Colonies	…	25·5 per cent.
Foreign countries	…	17·8 per cent.

Of the English bacon bought in the present year (1915), 78 per cent. has been supplied by English curers other than co-operative factories.

I shall refer to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the corps pay of 4d. a day of water duty men of the Royal Army Medical Corps serving with the Wessex division in India has been stopped; whether these men volunteered for India on the understanding that they would draw the same pay as they had been drawing at home; and, if so, whether he will state the reason why this reduction of about 22 per cent. of their pay has been made?

I am not aware of the facts of the case, but will have inquiry made in India and inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked whether the fact that blazing petrol is used as a weapon by the Germans in the trenches will be verified and placed upon official record?

As the statement referred to occurred in a French official communiqué, it may be assumed that the facts were duly verified, and they have been placed on official record in the Department.

asked whether the American cotton ship "Pacific" has been seized by a British cruiser, and subsequently allowed to proceed to Rotterdam?

I am informed that the vessel in question was not seized, but detained pending identification of her cargo, in the usual manner. Her papers being in order, the vessel was allowed to proceed.