asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state how many commissions have been granted from the ranks since the commencement of the War; and what number of these have been granted to men who were serving previous to the outbreak of War?

There have been 1,676 commissions granted from the ranks since mobilisation, and in each case the recipient was serving before the War began. I cannot say how many commissions have been given to those who joined the ranks "for the period of the War." No record has been kept of the number of temporary commissions given from the ranks as distinct from those from other sources.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some feeling amongst non-commissioned officers who are acting as instructors in the Territorial units that they are not given an equal chance with other men in other branches of the Service?

I am aware that a very large number of commissions have been given to the class the hon. Member mentions.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his official information shows that military bands that are at the front counteract the effects of the monotony and hardships of trench life and its surroundings; and, if so, will he undertake that military bands be sent to France, in preference to permitting them to play at seaside or other resorts?

A communication has recently been received from the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief in which he has expressed his opinion that military music has a good effect on the troops resting in rear of the trenches. Proposals in connection therewith are now under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the hon. Member's question?

It surely would be a great advantage that we should have bands playing wherever possible.

asked the Under Secretary for War whether he will consider the question of promoting lieutenants in the Army Veterinary Corps to captains, as has been done in the case of lieutenants in the Royal Army Medical Corps; and, if this is not possible, will he consider the suggestion that the rank of captain be granted to all members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons possessing a qualification of five years or more before joining?

Up to the present there has been a sufficiency of captains in the Army Veterinary Corps for the purpose of command, and the necessity for the extra promotion of lieutenants has not therefore arisen. It is not considered advisable to grant the rank of captain automatically to those in possession of the time qualification mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, but selected cases will be considered when vacancies in that rank occur.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that police constables are calling at houses in Kent inquiring for the names of male residents who are of military age; whether this practice is general over the country; and under what authority is the canvass being carried out?

The canvass mentioned by my hon. Friend is not being carried out under the authority of the War Office, which possesses no information on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that only service rendered during mobilisation, or former service in the Regular Force or embodied Militia, counts for increase, of pay dependent on completion of a fixed period of service; that this Regulation bears hardly on men who have done previous service in the Territorial Force; and whether he can see his way to make such amendments as will allow of previous service in the Territorial Force counting towards obtaining the full pay of the rank, thus making the pay of the Territorial officer equivalent to that of the officer in the Regular Army?

I am aware of the condition mentioned by the hon. Member. It is not considered that service in the Territorial Force before embodiment should be treated as equivalent to continuous service in the Regulars.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he has any knowledge of the payments made to workers engaged in making up soldiers' clothing employed by Messrs. Fifers, in Roman Road, Bow; Clingers, Mare Street, Hackney; and Diamond and Beavers, Railway Place, Cambridge Road, East; and wiil he have full inquiry made as to the way in which this firm is carrying out the Fair Wages Clause?

No complaint has been received regarding the wages paid by these firms to workers engaged in making up soldiers' clothing, but inquiry is being made in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he has received complaints as to the methods of purchasing hay, that the sellers have been promised a deposit if they retain hay for the Government and have never received it, that waste has been caused by careless cutting, and delays have ensued before payment is made; and whether, in view of the sacrifice made by those who sell hay to the Government, he will take steps to ensure that the buyers should be prompt and punctual in their payment?

No complaints of this nature have been received, but if the hon. Member will give me details of any specific case I shall be glad to have inquiry made. I am informed that the bills as a rule are paid within seven days of their receipt, and that such delays as have occurred have been due to the rendering of inaccurate accounts by sellers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will say how many claims for dependants' allowances made by soldiers have been referred to the War Office and are now being investigated by the War Office; and what is the average delay caused by referring these claims to the War Office instead of leaving them to be settled locally?

There are no records from which the precise number of miscellaneous cases could be ascertained. Cases of local disagreement as to assessment which have been referred to the War Office amount to 15,500. They are normally disposed of within two days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state how many claims for dependants' allowances made by soldiers are now being delayed in the pay offices at Woolwich, Preston, and Shrewsbury, respectively, awaiting investigation and return by the pension officers and committees; and whether steps will be taken to reduce this delay?

The number of cases not yet returned to these pay offices is as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to consider the exemption from Income Tax of the pensions of widows of officers of the Army and Navy whose husbands are killed in action in cases where it can be shown that the deceased officer was in possession of no settled income beyond the pay of his rank?

The case of officers' widows should, I think, be met by an adequate scale of pensions rather than by exempting such pensions from Income Tax. I would also remind the Noble Lord that a large measure of relief is already granted under the existing provisions of the Income Tax Acts in cases where the total income is small.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the widows of subaltern officers killed in action are in very many cases in possession of incomes exceeding the Income Tax limit by a very small margin, whose husbands gave up a considerable earned income to serve the country, and does he not think the case of these widows one for exemption from Income Tax?

I think it is possible that those cases will be dealt with as a result of the deliberations of the Committee which is dealing with the question of military pensions, but I think it better to deal with all those cases by giving adequate pensions rather than by exempting some particular class from Income Tax.

Is the Committee likely to report soon?

I understand that a considerable amount of progress has been made.

Will the pensions be considered as earned income?

I could not say offhand.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any provision by way of separation allowance is made in the case of the mother of a soldier who makes an allotment to her, and who has been dependent on the allowances made prior to the War by her son or sons; and whether, in the event of the death of any or all of such sons, the widowed mother is eligible for a pension?

Dependant's allowance would appear to be admissible in the circumstances stated. The question of pension would be for the new statutory body recommended by the Select Committee.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any progress has been made with the scheme for housing at Rosyth, or whether it is being delayed until after or on account of the War?

It is not intended to postpone the scheme till after the War, and the Departments concerned are making progress with the preliminary negotiations with a view to the commencement of building operations at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Agriculture whether any statistics have been compiled of the number of deer parks in England and Wales, the number of head of deer therein maintained, the acreage of grass land required for deer, and the amount of forage supplied to them in the course of the year, the number of horned cattle or sheep which could be supported if the deer were removed, and the cost or loss in the national home-grown food supply by the maintenance of such deer parks; and whether steps are being taken to urge that the national supply of meat and milk be increased by the restriction of merely ornamental animals?

No statistics on this subject are available, and a Return could not be collected without imposing much extra labour upon a division of the Board which is at present working under very severe pressure. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press for it. I know at least one owner of a deer park who is slaughtering his merely ornamental animals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the hardships that can be caused to the people of this country by speculation and gambling in American and other supplies of wheat, the Government propose to take steps to increase the supplies of home-grown food and to insist that British land is put to its most productive use; and, if so, will he outline these steps?

The Board have been keeping and will continue to keep the question of the supplies of home-grown food under close observation, and they have issued advice on many points to farmers and others, with the concurrence of the Agricultural Consultative Committee and with the co-operation of the agricultural colleges, farm institutes, and the Press. So far as can be ascertained, energetic endeavours have been made by farmers, notwithstanding a shortage of labour and unfavourable weather conditions, to increase the acreage under cereals this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has written a letter to the London Corn Trade Association, stating that the Government will not make any further purchases of wheat; whether this declaration was made in response to representations from the corn trade; whether he will state the extent of these State purchases; and whether, in deciding to abandon future buying, the Government have assured themselves that they are best serving national interests as well as the corn interests?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday, the 22nd April, to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool, to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether, in view of the advances in the price of sugar, equal to 100 per cent., the Government are taking steps to cultivate and develop the production of British-grown sugar beet; and whether it is proposed to erect beet factories in selected districts and to etablish co-operation between the State and the growers?

The present price of sugar is abnormal, and, presumably, temporary. I am not at present prepared to say whether, in the cultivation of beet or in the subsequent stages of sugar production, we could compete successfully in normal times with Continental countries, where there is an abundant supply of very cheap labour available, and in any case we could not hope to produce here more than a small proportion of our requirements of sugar. It is an intricate economic problem, upon which the Board await a report from Mr. C. S. Orwin, of the Oxford Institute for Research in Agricultural Economics.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of schools, and their total authorised accommodation, which are recognised as temporary elementary schools in London; and whether the total number of these authorised school places exceeds the number of similar places a year previously?

The number of public elementary schools in London recognised as temporary on 31st March, 1915, was thirty-four, with accommodation for 10,976 children; the corresponding numbers on the 31st March, 1914, were thirty-eight and 11,891.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any expression of opinion from the usual or any other sources requesting him to give a further day for the discussion of the adjourned Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring; and whether he will grant a day if a request is made to him by Members other than total abstainers?

I have received no expression of opinion on this matter, and there is nothing to make me think that there is a general desire for further discussion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to announce the methods adopted by the Government to carry out the policy already declared of causing the profits earned by firms executing war contracts to be shared proportionately by their workmen?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on Tuesday last, the 20th April.

May I ask if anything will be said on this matter by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his financial statement next week as well as on the limitation of profits?

I am quite unable to answer that.

asked the Prime Minister who is the historian of the Defence Committee provided for in Class II., Vote I), of the Civil Service Estimates. 1915–16, for whose Department, dealing with the history of the European War, £2,085 is provided; and whether the work will be of a public or a strictly confidential character?

Major E. Y. Daniel, who is working in co-operation with Mr. Julian Corbett and Captain C. T. Atkinson. These gentlemen are engaged in collecting and collating material for the ultimate compilation of a history of the War, but it has not yet been decided whether the history will be of a public or confidential character.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to give an opportunity for discussing the Pensions Committee Reports?

I trust that an opportunity will be given before long for this discussion, but I can make no definite announcement at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an undertaking in respect of employment in the various Government services that when filling up positions after the War preference will be given to those who have served their country under arms or in making munitions of war; and whether he will suggest to the municipal authorities throughout the country that they also should support this movement?

The hon. Member's suggestions will receive the Government's careful and sympathetic consideration.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will communicate with the municipalities and public bodies throughout the country on the subject?

Yes, Sir, I propose to do so.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the postage on a parcel to German South-West Africa is now 8s. 3d. for 11 lbs. owing to the parcel having to be conveyed via Cape Town, whereas before the War the charge was 3s. 3d.; and whether he will take steps to see that this charge is reduced so that, it may be made possible to send comforts to the British troops now serving there at a reasonable cost?

The Parcel Post service to German South-West Africa, For which previous to the War the rate of 3s. 3d. was charged for an 11 lb. parcel was maintained by the German Post Office and has now been suspended. The higher rate represents the postage of 9d. per lb. in force between this country and the Union of South Africa. I may say that in spite of frequent representations to the Union Post Office, it has not been found possible hitherto to obtain a reduction of the rate.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure me he will continue those representations, so as to avoid unnecessary hardship on men who are serving in that part of the world?

Yes; my right hon. Friend has still the matter under his consideration, and is in communication on it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what authority railway companies are permitted to retail spirituous drinks; and if there is any restriction as to hours and days?

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to this question. The sale of intoxicating liquor on railway premises is governed by the ordinary licensing provisions contained in the Finance and Licensing Acts of 1910, subject to the exception that the provisions as to closing hours do not preclude the sale of liquor at any time at a railway station to persons arriving or departing by train.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to ensure that at all railway stations refreshment rooms where alcohol is sold tea and coffee shall be obtainable on reasonable terms?

I will inquire into the point. I am not quite sure as to what are the legal obligations on the companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received resolutions from county and borough councils, and from such bodies as the Norwich and District Bakers' Association, requesting the adoption and enforcement by law of the sale of bread by standard weights; and whether any legislative action is contemplated in respect thereof?

No resolution with regard to the sale of bread seems to have been received by the Board of Trade from the association to which my hon. Friend refers. The resolutions on the subject which I have recently received from local authorities do not recommend that bread should be sold only in fixed standard quantities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can supply figures as to the number of agricultural labourers who have received advances in wages during the past eight months, the amounts of such increases, and the counties in which they have been granted?

The increases in the wages of agricultural labourers during the period referred to in the question varied considerably in different districts and, without exhaustive inquiries, it would be impossible to give the number of labourers of all classes affected by each increase. As far as reported it appears that in England and Wales the increases in eight counties reached 4s. a week in many cases, and exceeded this amount in some instances; in twenty-four counties the limit of increase was usually 3s. a week, while in nineteen counties the limit was 2s.; in one county where industrial employment is slack comparatively little movement in agricultural wages has occurred. The increases in Ireland were also widespread, but the amount did not generally exceed from 1s. to 2s. a week. In Scotland, at the autumn hirings in 1914, unmarried servants obtained increases of £4 or more for the half-year in a large number of cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the latest returns as to the number of women registering for special war service; the number who have already been placed in employment from the special war register; and to what trades they have been attached; and (2) whether, as a result of a special war register, some six or eight thousand women have been encouraged to signify their willingness to undertake armament work; whether he can name armament factories in which there is a shortage of or demand for such labour; and if he will state the duration of the working shift in such cases and the rate of wages offered?

The total number of women registered for special war service up to the week ended 16th April was, approximately, 47,000, of whom 8,089 had entered their names as willing to undertake armament work. I am circulating with the Votes a statement showing the numbers already placed in employment and the trades in which they have been placed. The total number, so far, is only 440, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the work of placing is only just beginning. As he is aware, the special register has been formed in advance so that in the event of the ordinary supply being insufficient to meet the national requirements a reserve may be available without delay. In the department of armament labour I understand that, while the immediate demand for women is not in excess of the numbers that can be supplied in the ordinary way, some of the principal factories have informed the Board of Trade that during the next few months they will require additional numbers of women, amounting for these firms alone to over 13,000. I understand that the wages and conditions vary according to the character of the work, the experience of the woman, and other factors.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed at a special conference of trade unions and women's organisations laying down the safeguards which are considered essential in any substitution or transference of women's labour, and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been called to the resolution referred to by my hon. Friend. The whole question is now receiving the careful consideration of the Department.

asked if British Dyes, Limited, has decided to purchase the business of Read, Holliday and Company; and whether any director or any member of the Committee which formed the company will receive a commission for either party?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Have Messrs. Read, Holliday and Company identified themselves with the statement made by the hon. Gentleman's Department that there is no commission paid?

I think that is granted

May I ask for a specific answer on the point?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

The question relates to it. I asked whether any member of the Committee will receive commission from either party?

Even in that sense I think the answer admits it; but if my hon. Friend wants a specific statement as to the attitude of Messrs. Read, Holliday and Company, perhaps he will put down a question.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the charge, to the grand jury at Quarter Sessions at Salisbury on the 6th instant, in which the inconvenience, expense, and delay caused by the total closing of Devizes Prison was stated; and whether he will consider the advisability of reopening the prison, at any rate for the accommodation of persons awaiting trial or on remand, and avoid their being sent outside the county boundaries to distant and inaccessible places where it is difficult for them to obtain legal assistance for their defence?

I have seen a report of the charge referred to, from which it would appear that the inconvenience commented on by the Chairman of Quarter Sessions was due to bail not being granted in a suitable case and to the prisoner's failing to make application for legal aid until a few days before her trial. It does not appear that this inconvenience would have been avoided if Devizes prison had been available. The prison, which was only used for the reception of prisoners on remand or committed for trial, has been lent to the military authorities for use as a detention barrack to meet the urgent needs of the Army, and in present circumstances I do not think it should be reopened as a civil prison

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to reopen the prison for the purposes for which it was open before the War after it is no longer required for the present purpose?

I assume that it will be reopened for its former purposes, but I am unable to answer positively.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the order that special constables could be supplied free with uniform to the cost of £3, provided the applicant was really necessitous, has become inoperative; is he aware that the retention of the order is giving offence to special constables; and will he rescind the order?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 15th March to the hon. Member for Lewisham. There was no question of supplying uniforms, but only special clothing for those who could not afford it. Full advantage has been taken of the provision, and I am advised that it has not caused dissatisfaction.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the total number of men enrolled in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary; the number between the ages of eighteen and thirty-eight; how many of the latter have applied for service in the Army or Navy and been rejected by the authorities; and, in view of the depletion of the ordinary police through recruiting for His Majesty's forces, will he see that men of military age not enrolled in the special constabulary if fit for military service?

The total number of men now enrolled in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary is 32,189. The number of special constables between eighteen and thirty-eight capable of military service cannot be given, but it is believed to be very small. Since the first enrolment care has been taken not to accept without adequate reason any man fit for military service; and of those who joined at the inception of the force upwards of 5,000 have been released for service.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the precise reasons which led to the refusal to allow about 100 British women to attend the International Women's Congress at The Hague; on what principle were the twenty women selected to whom permits to proceed to The Hague were granted; and whether it is the policy of the Govern- ment to restrict the opportunities of inhabitants of this country to take part in international congresses?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has selected the persons who are to attend the International Congress of Women to discuss terms of peace at Berne as representing various organisations and sections of thought; and whether the selection is to be taken as giving any official character either to the conference itself or to the delegates stated to have been selected by him?

Upwards of 180 ladies applied for permits to leave for Holland with the object of attending the International Women's Congress at The Hague. The Foreign Office considered it very undesirable that so large a number from this country should attend a conference at a place so near the seat of war, and where it was known that agents of the enemy were making great efforts to obtain fragments of intelligence as to the movements of our ships and armies. I therefore refused the general grant of permits but agreed, after consulting the Foreign Office, to issue a limited number of permits, not exceeding in all twenty-four, to ladies representing various organisations and sections of thought. The selection of the twenty-four did not in any way give any official character cither to the conference itself or to the delegates. It is certainly not the policy of the Government to promote or encourage international congresses in present circumstances.

Were all the permits given to representative women, or were not many given to women who went as individuals and not as representing organisations at all.?

To the best of usability I selected representatives of organisations and well-known sections of thought. Of course, I had in every case to keep in view the fact that no person ought to be allowed to go who was in the least likely imprudently to give information to those seeking it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these women have actually gone?

No, as since the permits were given all communication between this country and Holland has been stopped.

Do we understand that in granting these permits the right hon. Gentleman demanded that these women should give a pledge of secrecy?

I requested one of the ladies, and asked her to communicate the request to the others, that great caution should be exercised, that they should take care to have no written matter of any kind which it would be dangerous to have read, and that they should remember that they were in a country beset with foreign spies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what induced him to depart from his first wise resolution?

The "first wise resolution" was to refuse to give 180 permits, on the ground that it was considered undesirable that so large a number should attend a conference at The Hague. The resolution did not cover a smaller number.

What was the second wise resolution?

I have already answered that question.

Is it not a fact that no French women and no Russian women are attending this Conference? Would it not have been well to have prevented any English women from attending?

I think that that question should be addressed to the Foreign Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that—

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put his question on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the proceedings against Messrs. Granwood and Balley, at Leeds, on 19th April, under the Factory and Workshops Act, for keeping women at work longer than the specified time, and to the statement of the stipendiary magistrate that there had been a clear infringement of the Act, but he was not going to do anything to prevent it in view of the fact that the factory was engaged in manufacturing ammunition; and whether, in view of the danger of permitting magistrates to decide which laws are to be enforced and which are not to be enforced, he proposes to take any steps to bring the orders under the Act into conformity with the needs of the present moment?

As the case is still sub judice, I am precluded from discussing it. But I may say generally that since the outbreak of the War many thousands of exemptions from the Factory Acts have been granted, and that the Home Office, in consultation with the War Office and the Admiralty, has constantly endeavoured to meet the requirements of the present emergency and to allow such extended hours as will secure the highest degree of efficiency in labour and the maximum output. Experience shows that, while a considerable extension of the ordinary hours is possible without injury, excessive hours necessarily reduce efficiency and so cause diminution of production.

In what respect is the case still sub judice? Is there an appeal?

I have no information on that point.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any official information showing that the champagne firm of G. H. Mumm is owned by two German officers and that the firm of Geisler is also owned by a German, who is in a concentration camp; and whether both these enemy firms are under sequestration in France, but in England are allowed to carry on business undisturbed?

I would refer the hon. Member, as regards the firm of G. H. Mumm, to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division on the 15th March. The firm of Geisler and Company is, I understand, now under the management of an official appointed by the French Government, and their agent in this country, who is an Englishman, does business with that official.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any further inquiries in France since the answer given to the hon. Member-for Ludlow as to the position of these two firms in France?

No, Sir, I have no record thereon, but I will inquire.

asked the Home Secretary whether (1) his attention has been called to the fact that in the period from 4th August to 31st December, 1914, after the commencement of the War, approximately 104 Germans and 32 Austrians have been naturalised in this country as compared with, approximately, 154 Germans and 49 Austrians so naturalised between 1st January and 4th August. 1914; whether he will state on what principle certificates of naturalisation are granted to alien enemies; and whether he will consider the danger of granting the rights and privileges of British subjects to so large a number of alien enemies; and (2) whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as regards the year 1914, the average number per month of Germans and Austrians naturalised in this country since the commencement of the War is practically the same as the average number of Germans and Austrians so naturalised before the commencement of the War, but that, in the case of persons of every European nationality other than Germans and Austrians, the average number naturalised in this country since the commencement of the war is far less and, in most cases, upwards of one-half less than the average number so naturalised before the commencement of the War; and whether he can state the reason of this difference?

The figures given by the hon. and learned Member are only approximately correct. Excluding re-admissions of British-born women the figures for Germans should be 165 before 4th August and 97 after that date; and the corresponding figures for Austrians and Hungarians should be 55 and 30. The figures include many persons who were merely of German or Austro-Hungarian nationality in a technical sense. In all cases certificates have only been granted when after a thorough examination it was clear that there was some public advantage to be gained or some other special reasons, coupled with the certainty that no possible danger to the State could arise. The number of applications has been enormous, running into many thousands, and certificates have been granted in but a very small percentage of the applications. As regards friendly nationalities, there has also been some increase in the number of applications, but the enormous pressure of work has made it necessary to postpone the consideration of many cases. They are now being dealt with as expeditiously as circumstances will admit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the fact that the proportion of Germans and Austrians naturalised since the War is pretty much the same as before the War, while in the case of other nationalities it is very much less?

I do not think the proportion shown should be so regarded. If the hon. Member will compare the number of certificates granted with the number of applications made, he will find in the case of neutral nationalities a very large percentage, while in the case of enemy nationalities the percentage is extremely small.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the necessity of taking precautions to ensure that persons residing in this country shall not under the guise and protection of British citizenship secretly help the enemy, he will again consider the desirability of taking power to revoke the certificates of naturalisation granted to persons of German nationality who still owe allegiance to the German Emperor?

I have kept this matter under constant and careful observation; but I have seen nothing to change the view of the Government that it is not necessary or desirable to take the power suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very considerable number of Germans naturalised in this country who still owe allegiance to the German Emperor?

I have no definite information on that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get it?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the West Ham Union Board of Guardians is prevented by a Local Government Order from granting as high a scale of assistance to British-born wives of interned aliens as is allowed by other boards of guardians in London, on the ground that the area of the West Ham union is not considered to be in the Metropolis; if he is aware that the cost of living for the persons concerned is as much in West Ham as in other parts of London; and if he can see his way to remove this disability?

The allowances to which the hon. Member refers, although made through the agency of boards of guardians, are charged upon public funds placed at the disposal of the Local Government Board by the Treasury, and not on local rates. The Local Government Board have no authority to make repayments to boards of guardians on the London scale in any district outside London.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state on what day he proposes to introduce the Budget?

My right hon. Friend proposes to make his Financial Statement on Tuesday next.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if any action has been taken on the memorial presented to the Scottish Education Department by the Royal Blind Asylum of date 11th May, 1914?

The suggestion in the memorial for an increase of Grants has been met by the modification shown on page 37 of the Code for 1915. The second proposal as regards increase of contribution from school boards is one for adjustment in the first place with the school boards concerned.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has considered fully the circumstances relating to the failure to bring to trial the directors of Russell and Company, jewellers, Renfield Street, Glasgow, on a criminal charge in connection with the bankruptcy of the firm; whether depositions justifying a criminal charge were brought to his notice on 11th August, and it was not until 24th October that criminal proceedings were ordered; whether, after criminal proceedings were ordered, there was a further delay of three weeks before any arrests were made, and in the meantime the principal director had gone to Canada; whether it was intimated to the creditors that no steps would be taken to bring this director back from Canada unless they guaranteed the expenses of so doing; whether the proceedings against the other director have since been stopped, in view of the fact that proceedings were not thought advisable against him alone in the absence of the principal director; and whether, in view of the fact that the failure to arrest the principal director was due to the delay in executing his instructions and of the desirability of protecting legitimate traders, he will now authorise his being brought back from Canada for trial at the public cost?

I have fully considered the circumstances of the case referred to by my hon. and learned Friend. My attention was drawn to the case towards the end of August last by a letter from the Goldsmiths' Association, but I had then no information at my disposal, by way of deposition or otherwise, to justify a criminal charge. On consideration of further information obtained by the inquiries which I directed, I gave instructions on 15th October that criminal proceedings should be taken. Before these instructions were received in Glasgow one of the two directors against whom proceedings were contemplated had left for Canada. In accordance with the usual rule in such cases, the creditors were asked to guarantee the expenses of his extradition, and, on their refusal to do so, it was decided that extradition should not be made at the public expense. The evidence available did not in my judgment justify proceedings against the other of the two directors referred to. The failure to arrest the absconding director was not due to any delay in executing the instructions given by me. I am unable to find anything in the circumstances of this case to justify a departure from the usual rule that the expenses of extradition should not be defrayed out of public funds.

Has the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that there was due diligence in executing the criminal proceedings which he authorised?