asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if purchases of frozen meat and canned meat for use in the Royal Navy are made separately or in conjunction with the War Office purchases; what quantities approximately were acquired for the use of the Navy from 1st August to 31st December, 1914; and what prices were paid by the Admiralty approximately for these two classes of goods?

Frozen meat for the Navy is obtained under a special arrangement made by the Board of Trade with the large importers, which provides for the joint requirements of the Army and Navy. Canned meat for the Navy is purchased separately from Army requirements. The approximate quantities bought and prices paid for meat for the Navy from 1st August to 31st December, 1914, are as follows: Frozen meat, 2,000 tons, chiefly beef; average price estimated at slightly over 6d. per pound. Canned meat, 3,150 tons; average price 8¼d. per pound.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in accordance with the announced intention of Field-Marshal Sir John French, referred to in his dispatch of the 20th November last, a more detailed account of the operations of the Cavalry corps at Messines on the 30th and 31st October last will shortly be published?

The Commander-in-Chief subsequently decided not to proceed further in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the charges of corruption and fovouritism made in Smithfield Market concerning the supply of frozen meat to the Army, he will make public the prices paid for all meat supplies to the Army and the names of the firms from whom purchased since the outbreak of the War in August; and, if not, as all these Colonial supplies are now to be commandeered for the troops, will he state in what way the public interest is likely to be injured by the publication?

It is the established practice of the Department, based on grounds of policy, not to make public the prices paid under particular contracts. I am not aware of any reason why an exception should be made in this case, but, as the hon. Member knows, I have already offered to give him full information on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the meat expert who is advising the War Office is one Frank Knowles, a gentleman largely employed in valuer's work connected with the insurance of frozen meat cargoes; whether he held the certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute at the date of his appointment; and whether the War Office has any reason to believe that he is dependent for any part of his income on employment by firms who import frozen meat?

Yes, Sir, I am informed that Mr. Knowles' normal occupation in peace time is in connection with the assessment of claims for damage on frozen meat cargoes under insurance. Since the outbreak of war he has acted solely for the Government. He obtained the certificate-referred to by the hon. Member after his appointment with the War Office. He is also employed in peace time by firms who import frozen meat, but solely as an arbitrator, and I am informed that this forms quite a minor source of his income.

also asked the Under-Secretary for War whether it was in consequence of the assistance of Mr. Gordon Campbell that meat was bought from and through W. Weddell and Company, Limited, and if not upon the advice of Mr. Campbell, will he say by whose advice the purchases were made; and among the meat bought through W. Weddell and Company, Limited, were any purchases effected from the John Cook and Company Proprietary, Limited, of Melbourne, Sydney, and Redbank, Queensland?

Purchases were made on Mr. Gordon Campbell's advice, not only from Messrs. Weddell and Company, but also from several other firms. Purchases were made through Messrs. Wed dell and Company from Messrs. John Cook and Company, for whom the former are agents.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government are placing contracts for the supply of such articles as mattresses and mats with the institutions for the blind which are capable of producing those articles; and, if not, whether the Government will consider the desirability of so doing, and thereby releasing the labour of sighted workers, who are needed for, and are capable of, the production of other war material?

Numerous orders for such articles as brushes, brooms and basket-ware, and a few orders for bedding and mats, have been placed with institutions for the blind. There is every desire to give opportunity for work to these institutions, but they are usually not in as good a position as trade firms to offer the prompt delivery which is generally required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the women who suggested the placing of the clothing contract actually introduced Mr. Glanfield to the contract department; will he say what previous experience such persons had enjoyed in placing orders of two and a half millions sterling; whether any portion of this or other clothing contracts of the War Office has been executed in America; and, if so, upon what terms?

The Central Committee on Women's Employment, to which I understand the hon. Member to refer, was appointed by the President of the Local Government Board to devise schemes of employment for women unemployed on account of the War. Neither the Committee nor any of its members advised the placing of any contract for clothing, but they made representations for a wider distribution of contracts and suggestions for a simplification of the Service dress pattern. Mr. Glanfield was one of the commercial advisers to the Committee, and was already well known to the War Office as an army clothing contractor of high reputation. No part of the contract has been executed in America. I will furnish the hon. Member with a statement of the clothing contracts which have been placed in America.

also asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any contracts for building huts or structures for accommodation of animals or supplies have been placed on a basis of guaranteed profits; and, if so, will he state the total sum involved in such contracts?

Huts and structures for the accommodation of animals or supplies are being built by certain firms as the agents of the War Department. For such work to the amount of about £6,000,000 these agents receive a percentage on cost by way of profit. Work to the extent of about £2,000,000 has been undertaken without profit.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the War Office has come to any final decision in the case of a woman whose husband has died since the War began, whilst her son, who would support her if at home, is serving with the Army; and whether, if no decision has yet been arrived at, he will use his influence to secure that an allowance should be given to her as a dependant?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for York on the 22nd instant, a copy of which I will send to him.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the men in forges in the Royal Gun Foundry, Woolwich, are complaining that, notwithstanding the appeal of the Secretary of State for War for men to do their beet, they have insufficient work given them to keep the press of the department at work for more than half the time it might be; whether his attention has been called to the fact that recently an order was given for fifteen breech-loader inner A-tube guns, and that the billets were received, but only seven were forged, the remainder being sent out to be manufactured; that of another order of thirty breech-loader guns only fifteen were forged; that of another order of twenty-one guns only five were forged; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have the department kept employed to its full capacity?

The special work of the big forging press has not been materially increased by the War, but the forges themselves have been fully occupied up to the present. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the hon. Member no doubt refers to some Admiralty orders which were subsequently withdrawn or cancelled. As regards the fourth part, the work on these guns has been temporarily suspended owing to a question of design having arisen. The foundry will be kept as fully employed as is necessary, but I am informed that the heavy forge work is slackening off.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the working of mining concessions in India by, or for the profit of, alien enemies is suspended, concessions continuing till after the War for subsequent settlement, or whether the mining industry in India is to be relieved entirely of participation by alien enemies?

The action taken by the Indian Governments against hostile foreigners and hostile companies is governed by regulations made under the Foreigners Ordinance of 1914. The local government may grant or may refuse a licence to carry on business or deal with property, and in cases where a licence is refused may give instructions as to how the assets or property should be disposed of. The Secretary of State has no information as to how these powers have been exercised with regard to mining concessions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how it is that so many complaints are being received from officers and men as to the food supplied to our troops in India?

The Secretary of State is in communication with the Government of India regarding the complaints of Territorial troops in India, and hopes to be able to make a statement on the subject shortly.

asked the Home Secretary on what principle, in selecting twenty-four delegates from the United Kingdom to attend the Women's Peace Congress at The Hague, he has selected only one Irish lady, and she not a delegate from any organisation; whether by enlargement or other arrangement he will select and give permits to a reasonable proportion of Irish ladies now waiting in London; and when they will be allowed to proceed to their destination?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for North Somerset and the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow on Tuesday last.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state why letters and parcels sent to soldiers on active service, which are undelivered on account of the death of the addressee, are not returned through the War Office, or otherwise, to the home address of the deceased to be at the disposal of his representatives; and if he will give directions for this course to be followed in future?

By arrangement with the military authorities, letters and parcels addressed to soldiers on active service which are returned to the Post Office as undeliverable on account of the death of the addressees are retained until the casualties have been officially notified by the War Office to the next-of-kin, and are then returned to the senders, in accordance with the ordinary rule that all undeliverable letters and parcels must be returned to the senders.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the desirability of issuing as a Parliamentary Paper a summary of the facts as to the treatment of British prisoners of war in Germany disclosed by the White Paper [Cd. 7817], which would convey the facts to persons in this country and in neutral countries in a convenient form?

A summary of the nature suggested in the question is already being prepared. Probably it will be sufficient to publish it; but, if desired, it can be issued also as a Parliamentary Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether alien enemies own land in England and Wales; and, if so, will he state how much is so owned?

Owing to the absence of any general system of registration of title in this country, no official information is available as to the names, etc., of the owners of land. It is consequently impossible to answer the hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any Report has been received upon the results of the working of the licensing boards in Calcutta and the adjoinng municipalities, as requested in paragraph 4 of Circular Letter No. 1766–1783–81 (Excise) of the Secretary to the Government of India, dated Simla, 18th March, 1914; and, if so, what further action will be taken thereon?

The Secretary of State is not aware whether the Government of India have yet received the Report in question. Inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any suggestions have been made by local governments upon the desirability of initiating in suitable areas experiments in the fixed-fee system of licensing, similar to that now in operation in Bombay, as suggested in paragraph 4 of Circular No. 1766–1783–81 (Excise) of the Secretary to the Government of India, dated Simla, 18th March, 1914; and, if so, whether he can name the areas in which it is proposed to try such experiments?

No information as to any suggesions made by local governments has yet been received. The Government of India have instructed local governments that such action as they may be prepared to take in the matter should be clearly noticed in the Provincial Excise or General Administration Reports for the year 1914–15.