asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the name, the birthplace, the original nationality, and the present nationality of the British Consul at Dunkirk, and the same particulars in regard to the wife of the British Consul?

Mr. Philip Charles Sarell, His Majesty's Consul at Dunkirk, was born at Constantinople and educated in this country, and is a natural born British subject, being, to the best of my belief, the son of a natural born British subject. He is married to a natural born British subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this gentleman is suspect by some of our military officers, and, under these circumstances, does he think he is a right and proper person to represent Great Britain and the Allies so close to the fighting line?

Perhaps the hon. Member will make a statement as to what are the suspicions, and what are the foundations for them?

Right!

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Lloyd's List on 28th April contained a notification from Hamburg of a fire which broke out in the cotton cargo on board the steamship "Doris" while on a voyage from Gothenburg, but which was extinguished after arriving in harbour; and if he will say what restrictions are placed on the import of cotton into Germany by way of neutral ports?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. I am making inquiries on the subject. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question, I have already stated, in reply to previous questions, that every effort is being made to prevent seaborne commodities of all kinds from reaching the enemy, in accordance with the announcement made last March. Cotton which is believed to be destined for the enemy is dealt with under the provisions then brought into force.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the particular vessel mentioned in the question was examined in any way by a vessel of the Navy?

I will make inquiries on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British blockade against German imports has been successful in preventing cotton from reaching Germany; whether he is aware that last March Holland took 45,939 and Sweden 15,407 centals of raw cotton from us as against 1,038 and 959 centals in the same month last year, and that Italy and Switzerland increased their imports from Egypt in 1914–15 by about 99,000 bales, which is just the amount that Germany and Austria took in 1913–14, but did not take in 1914–15; and whether he tan offer any explanation of these figures?

I believe that the figures given by the hon. Member are substantially correct. It is probable that as regards the figures for March the greater part of the cotton concerned was shipped before His Majesty's Government adopted retaliatory measures against Germany announced on 11th March last. I have every reason to believe that the figures for April will show a great diminution, and that the measures now taken are successful in preventing imports from reaching Germany.

May I inquire whether the recent prohibition of exports from Egypt is an admission that the steps previously taken have been ineffectual for the purpose for which they were taken? Can I have an answer?

Will the hon. Gentleman put down a question?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by firms in getting on to the Admiralty list, notwithstanding the fact, well known to his Department, that these same firms have done business for years by sub-contract with the Department; and will he take steps to remove the difficulty complained of?

I am not aware of the difficulty referred to in the first part of the question. If my hon. Friend will furnish the Admiralty with specific instances I will have inquiry made. There are many firms who are eligible as sub- contractors for local work whose circumstances do not admit of their being noted for direct orders, and it frequently occurs that firms do not wish to be so noted. Subject to these considerations it is the practice of the Department not to refuse admission to the list in the case of suitable firms. Inspections are dealt with as promptly as circumstances permit, and during the War we have endeavoured to utilise so far as possible the services of all likely firms.

Does the difficulty of getting on this list account, in the right hon. Gentleman's opinion, for the shortness of munitions?

No. We have widely extended our operations, but if my hon. Friend has any specific case perhaps he will let me know.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst the skippers and crews of mine sweepers on account of their not receiving hard-lying money, and that only the officer in charge and one petty officer receive this pay, whereas on torpedo boats all ratings receive this pay; and if he will institute inquiries into this matter with a view to the extension of this allowance?

The skippers and crews of mine sweepers are in receipt of a special rate of pay, which has been fixed with particular reference to the conditions in those vessels. They are, therefore, not entitled to hard-lying money, which is only payable to officers and men of the general service employed in the sweepers and in receipt of ordinary naval rates, which are considerably lower than the rates payable to the rest of the crews employed exclusively in this special service.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can give any good reason why there should be extra pay to the chief officers, and that the men who do all the hard work should not get the same?

Well, that does not arise out of the question; but if my hon. Friend cares, I will discuss the matter with him.

That is what it amounts to.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know anybody in the British service who has a right to receive a reward for "hard lying"?

Not in the sense that the hon. Gentleman means.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the French armoured cruiser "Leon Gambetta" was sunk by the Austrian submarine U5; if the Austrian submarine was built in the Whitehead torpedo works at Fiume, Hungary; if this firm is British owned and controlled, and is a branch of the Whitehead Torpedo Company who have works at Weymouth; if at the outbreak of war five of the seven directors of the Hungarian Whitehead Company were British; and if he can say what was the approximate output of the Whitehead works at Fiume before the War broke out in torpedoes, floating mines, seaplanes, and other armament accessories?

According to the Dutch Press the Navy Department in Vienna makes the claim referred to in the first part of the question. The submarine in question was built at Fiume. There is no information at the Admiralty regarding the rest of the question.

Is it within the knowledge of the Admiralty that these works at Fiume are a branch of the English torpedo works, and that for a considerable time they have been fully engaged in making torpedoes, submarines, and destroyers for the Austrian Government, which are now being used against the British Government?

That question, if I may say so with respect, is the same as the three latter parts of the printed question, concerning which I have said there is no information at the Admiralty. I think the Fiume Company was the original company, and the original Whitehead, an expert engineer, there attached.

With English capital?

Is this not what we understand as commercial morality?

asked whether, considering the importance which Mussulman communities attach to the future of the Khalifat and the intense regard and veneration which they have for that high spiritual office, His Majesty's Government can give an assurance that they have no intention of interfering in any way directly or indirectly with the Khalifat, this being purely a religious question concerning Moslems themselves?

His Majesty's Government are well aware of the feeling for the-Khalifat entertained by Moslem communities as stated in the question. His Majesty's Government intend to respect this feeling in every way, and regard the question of the Khalifat as one that solely concerns Moslems, and that must, therefore, be decided by Moslems themselves without interference.

asked if any undertaking has been given to the American Government that cotton will not be placed upon the list of absolute contraband; and if, having regard to the altered conditions brought about by the German submarine blockade, and the fact that the Order in Council of 11th March will be insufficient to prevent the importation of raw cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton cloth into Germany, the Government will now declare these products absolute contraband?

The intention of not making cotton contraband was expressed in the early days of the War. The view taken by the hon. Member in the latter part of the question is not correct. What is in effect being applied now in consequence of the action of German submarines is a blockade of all German exports and imports. The power to stop these will not be increased by declaring cotton contraband.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has sent telegrams to the Governors-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand congrautlating them on the splendid gallantry and magnificent achievement of oversea troops in the Dardanelles; whether any account of the achievement referred to has been made public in the Commonwealth or the Dominion; and if he will give the public in this country the opportunity of appreciating the gallantry of the oversea troops, and of joining in his congratulations on their achievement, by publishing a narratve of the operations and particularly of the part played in them by Australian and New Zealand troops?

I sent the telegrams referred to. The publication of military details rests with the War Office. An account of the action appeared in the Press of 1st May and I telegraphed it to Australia and New Zealand on the night of 30th April.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what publications have been suppressed under the Defence of the Realm Act and what publications otherwise interfered with under the Act have ceased to exist?

It would not be in the public interest to amplify the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland to the hon. Member on this subject on the 8th February last. Since that date one further seizure of a newspaper has been made on the grounds that it contained statements likely to cause disaffection or to prejudice recruiting.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many publications have been suppressed?

I only know of one newspaper.

The question asked is, How many separate publications have been suppressed? Is it the opinion of the Government, or of the right hon. Gentleman, that this House has no right, or interest, in the freedom of public opinion?

That is a matter of argument.

May I ask if any one of these papers has been suppressed, and whether it does contravene any of these laws?

My information is that one newspaper has been suppressed because it contained statements likely to cause disaffection or to prejudice recruiting; and I am quite sure the hon. Gentleman would be the first to wish the War Office to take steps to suppress a newspaper in those circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why those papers had not been put on trial of some sort?

It is not considered desirablep—

Desirable by whom?

Nor do the terms of the Defence of the Realm Act and the Regulations issued under it require a trial.

was understood to say: I will raise the question later on.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War on what grounds any restriction is placed on the circulation of the "Leader" newspaper of San Francisco; and why copies of it mailed and prepaid to Ireland are confiscated, while it is allowed to be received and quoted from by newspapers in England?

The paper referred to in the question is an Irish-American publication, and the grounds on which it and various postal packets are detained in the Irish Post Office in obedience to warrants signed by the Lord Lieutenant are the dangers to the public peace and safety which might result from their circulation in Ireland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that a paper is allowed to circulate in this country, and not to circulate in Ireland under the same Act of Parliament?

I thought I had answered that supplementary question, which I anticipated, by saying that the paper referred to is an Irish-American publication, and apparently is prepared with a special view to the Irish market.

Then its circulation is not prohibited in this country?

That must be addressed to the Postmaster-General.

asked whether Lance-Corporal J. Bryant, of the 3rd battalion Royal Scots, has been reported on by the commanding officer as unable to perform any military service in the field and will be permanently unfit to do so; whether this is the result of loss of fingers by shell fire in the present War; whether he has expressed a desire to be discharged from the Service; and why, when he has largely sacrificed his career to the country, the discharge cannot be granted forthwith?

I understand that Lance-Corporal Bryant was reported unfit for service abroad; but fit for service at home. He has expressed, unofficially, his desire to be discharged, but accompanies this request with the proviso that employment can be found for him which will not reduce his weekly earnings. As he is employed on duty which releases a man fit for service with the Expeditionary Force, and as in addition no guarantee can be given that his weekly earnings would not be reduced, it is not proposed to discharge him.

May I ask, if he withdraws that proviso, whether the discharge will then be granted?

I cannot give a promise, but no doubt it will be considered by the Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain why James Barry, aged 82, Mullingar, father of two men now serving in the 6th Leinster Regiment, dependent on one of them, allotted by the latter last September a portion of his military pay towards subsistence, has not received any of this; and, seeing that this dependant is now in debt, destitute, and helpless, whether the arrears will now be paid to him without further delay and his allowance paid regularly in future?

I will have inquiry made into this case and let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why he has not had inquiry made already, in pursuance of the private notice I sent him?

Inquiry began as soon as the hon. Gentleman's notice was received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the pensions of the widows and orphans of officers in the Navy and Army who are killed in action or die of wounds or sickness will be treated as earned income in assessment for Income Tax?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister when the Bill embodying the recommendations of the Select Committee on pensions to widows and dependants will be introduced?

I must refer to the answer which I gave yesterday on this subject. I cannot yet name a date for the introduction of the Bill.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether we shall have an opportunity of discussing the Reports before we see the Bill?

I said so yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received from Sir John French the separate Report containing the names of officers noticed for distinguished service at Neuve Chapelle, promised in the Field-Marshal's dispatch, dated the 5th of April; if so, on what date it was received at the War Office and what is the reason for the delay in publishing it?

No, Sir, the Report has not yet been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers in the Record Corps, although their duties are clerical, receive commissions; whether clerks in the Pay Corps, employed to assist acting paymasters, are in uniform when on duty; whether he is aware that acting paymasters, whose duties bring them constantly into relation with soldiers, feel aggrieved that they have no military status; whether regimental paymasters have recommended that commissions be granted to acting paymasters; and if he will state the reasons which have led the War Office to refuse to place acting paymasters on an equal footing with Record Corps officers by granting them commissions?

The facts are generally as stated in the question. It is not considered necessary or desirable to give commissions for purely clerical work in Pay Offices. The case of the Record Offices is altogether different, as some of the duties are such that only a commissioned officer can perform them.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to say why it was regarded as undesirable?

The reason, I think, was contained in my answer. If the hon. Member would wish me to give a further reason, it is that it is desired not to encourage people to undertake non-combatant duty when they might undertake combatant duty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is prepared to take proceedings under the Defence of the Realm Act against persons attempting, by the distribution of literature or otherwise, to incite soldiers to endanger their own and their comrades' lives by refusing to undergo anti-typhoid inoculation?

The very satisfactory results which have been obtained by the combined efforts of officers of all ranks, both medical and regimental, as regards inoculation, renders it unnecessary to consider the question of taking proceedings under the Defence of the Realm Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the total number of casualties, including deaths and wounded, in the Princess Patricia's regiment to date; and the total number of casualties, including deaths and wounded, in the Canadian division engaged in the recent fighting in France and Flanders to date?

The casualties in Princess Patricia's regiment up to the 2nd instant have amounted to:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Government of India has recently published a Report on the glass industry, by a Mr. Oertel, the chief engineer of Assam; whether any attempt is being considered to supply by native industry the demand for glass manufactures in India; whether the glass imports into India from Germany and Austria, which amounted to £773,118 in the last year before the War, are under consideration by the India Office; and whether the suggestions of Mr. Oertel are receiving attention?

I have not seen the Report to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am aware that the question of developing the indigenous glass industry is receiving the attention of the Government of India and of local governments.

As very little attention seems to be given to this important matter, will some inquiry be made in India and other quarters with the object of furthering and increasing this industry in India and the Empire?

The matter is receiving attention, and two Committees are sitting upon it at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can now inform the House what are the arrangements made for financing the export by Government of wheat from India?

The arrangements have not yet been settled. An announcement on the subject will be made as soon as practicable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering the embarrassment inflicted upon the British officers of the Indian Army now on active service in France and Belgium by the charges for rations, forage, and other things originally calculated on the basis of service in the East, the Secretary of State will recommend to the Government of India the grant of a generous rate of batta at the conclusion of the War?

As already announced, the charges to which the hon. and gallant Member refers have been abolished. The time has not yet come for the consideration of measures to be adopted on the conclusion of the War.

Am I to understand that there will be no charge for horse rations and other things?

No, Sir, they have been abolished, and I think I announced that in answer to a question last week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that churches in Scotland have been taken by the Government for the billeting of troops and other military purposes; and whether it is with his knowledge and sanction that the managers of these churches are now being called upon to pay Income Tax under Schedule A and Inhabited House Duty on the value of the churches?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to certain church halls which have been occupied by the military authorities. My right hon. Friend has received a memorial on the question of Income Tax and Inhabited House Duty arising therefrom into which he is causing inquiry to be made. He will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked whether the Income Tax authorities require employers in the South of England to fill in the names of employés earning £160 a year and upwards; if so, whether a similar obligation is imposed upon employers in the North of England; and, if not, why uniformity of procedure is not observed?

I am unaware of any discrimination such as that suggested in the question; but if the hon. Member has a definite case in mind I shall be happy to have it investigated, if he will communicate the particulars to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Board of Admiralty made an arrangement during peace time with six members of the Royal College of Surgeons under which these gentlemen are each drawing £5,000 per annum, as well as a number of others, though the circumstances of the War have not up to now interfered with their private practice; and whether this total expenditure of £40,000 per annum was reviewed by the Treasury before it was sanctioned?

I understand that these appointments were made in the first instance under a general authority given by the Treasury in 1908 for the appointment in the event of the outbreak of war of consulting surgeons for hospital ships at a remuneration not then specified. On the 14th August the Treasury were informed of the appointments and also that for administrative reasons five distinguished surgeons and one physician (with remuneration at the rate of £5,000 a year each) were being employed at the Royal Naval Hospitals instead of being sent out on hospital ships. Upon representations from the Admiralty that it was essential that the services of these specialists should be available at the respective hospitals for the performance of operations at a moment's notice, the Treasury sanctioned the arrangements which had been made. The total number of appointments at £5,000 a year is six, not eight as stated in the question. As regards the conditions of employment, I am informed by the Admiralty that five of the six reside at and are performing daily duties in the Naval Hospitals at Haslar, Plymouth, and Chatham, and the sixth has to visit and perform surgical work in all the Naval and Auxiliary hospitals in Scotland. In addition, the five who are resident at the English hospitals visit for consulting purposes other hospitals in which naval sick and wounded are being treated. It is only in any casual spare time that private practice can be followed.

Did the amounts of £5,000 a year ever come before the Treasury before the War broke out, the arrangement having been sanctioned in 1908?

No, Sir, the salary was not submitted to the Treasury until the appointments were made. The Treasury gave general approval for the engagement of distinguished surgeons to look after sailors and other naval ratings who might be in needs of their help; and the scheme for doing this was proposed to the Treasury and sanctioned in principle in 1908, but the amounts intended to be paid were not at that time fixed.

In view of the fact that no similar arrangement was made by the War Office, and the fact that the Navy has not one-hundreth part of the casualties or the problems arising from casualties which the Army has, will the Treasury take that fact into consideration and terminate this arrangement?

No, Sir, the Treasury will not terminate the arrangement. It is surely of the utmost importance that our wounded men should have at their disposal the services of these extremely distinguished persons, and I cannot see my way to terminate this arrangement.

Will the hon. Member take into consideration the fact that very distinguished surgeons and medical men are now serving in the Army upon the pay of an ordinary colonel, and does he not see how undesirable it is that these comparisons should be drawn?

That matter for debate.

asked the date of the arrangement by which eight consultants belonging to the Royal College of Surgeons are paid £5,000 a year in addition to the earnings of their private practices?

I think the hon. Gentleman will see that this question has been replied to in the answer to another question on the Paper.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact we have so few casualties in the Navy that have not been dealt with by the regular surgeons of the Navy, he will consent to transfer the services of these gentlemen to the War Office?

That is covered by the answer I have referred to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are two gentlemen at the Admiralty—Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons—who are doing nothing but clerical work? Will he consent to give a Return of the number of operations performed by these gentlemen and of the number performed by surgeons at the regular hospitals?

That is rather a subject for debate.

I will put the question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the same conditions as to hours of work performed by the men as prevail in the Portsmouth dockyard equally prevail at Devonport and other Royal dockyards; and, if so, whether he can see his way to exempt the Royal dockyard boroughs from the further restrictions which the Government propose to impose in certain areas?

As stated in the White Paper on this subject, the statistics supplied in regard to the percentage of hours worked by Government employés in Portsmouth dockyard may be taken as typical of all Admiralty dockyards. As regards the second part of the question, I can only say that the question to which areas the provisions of the Defence of the Realm (Amendment—No. 3) Bill shall be applied will be the subject of the most careful consideration.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why the Chancellor of the Exchequer thought it necessary to make special mention of one Royal dockyard, seeing that he was careful not to mention any names when referring to the private yards?

The White Paper says quite clearly, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer said quite clearly, that Portsmouth may be taken as typical of all Admiralty dockyards, and it is really not necessary to give special mention of the hon. Member's constituency.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has completed his inquiry concerning letters and parcels addressed to soldiers on active service and undelivered owing to the death of the addressee; if he will say how many letters and parcels have been undelivered from this cause; how many, when opened, have been found to contain no name of the sender, and how these letters have been dealt with; and whether he will make arrangements by which for the future all parcels undelivered owing to the death of the addressee on active service shall be delivered at the home address of the addressee to be at the disposal of his representatives?

I am making inquiries which are not yet complete. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down another question in about ten days' time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Home Secretary has repeatedly repudiated responsibility for dealing with spies and espionage, alleging that this responsibility lies with or is shared by the War Office; and whether, in view of the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of this dual control and responsibility, he will arrange that in every part of the Kingdom which is not under military law the Home Office and the police shall be responsible and held responsible for the protection of the national interests against espionage?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on 18th November in answer to a question put by the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth. There is no question of dual control. The responsibility in the matter of espionage is necessarily one for the War Office, who are working in close co-operation with the Home Office and police. Neither ineffectiveness nor inefficiency results from each Department taking its proper share in the work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction amongst our soldiers as well as amongst the civilian population as to this question of responsibility, and, in view of that feeling, is he willing to consider the question of appointing a Committee, consisting of Members of this House, to investigate the matter?

I do not think that would be desirable at all. The responsibility rests with the War Office.

Does not a great deal of the trouble arise from the fact that the Home Office has no effective control over the Standing Joint Committee and Watch Committees?

That is part of the Constitution of the country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman revise the Constitution of the country to deal with the point?

I do not think that this is a very opportune moment to revise that part of the Constitution.

asked the Prime Minister when he will give facilities for the debate on the question of salaries of Members of Parliament and the Naval and Military pay of Members serving with His Majesty's Forces?

I gather from the discussion which took place on this subject on 11th March that the general opinion of the House is against the suggested deduction from the salary of Members serving in His Majesty's Forces. As it is a question for the House to decide, I think there would be no object in further debate.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable to terminate at the earliest possible moment the present position of affairs under which every Member of the House is serving only half-time, and under which many Members of the House are receiving two salaries for one job?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest held at Dartford, on 29th April, into the death of a workman while employed in some gun-cotton works, from the effects of nitric acid fumes; whether he has had a report of the case; and whether the precautions taken are such as to prevent a recurrence?

I have received a report from the medical inspector of factories who investigated the case and attended the inquest. It appears that the workman had full opportunity of escaping from the fumes, but was unaware of their dangerous nature. The inspector has recommended the issue of instructions to the workmen, and certain other precautions which should prevent a recurrence of any similar accident, and the firm have undertaken to adopt the necessary precautions. The matter will be carefully watched.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps it is proposed to take to establish in this country the manufacture of optic glass and scientific glass and porcelain apparatus in suitable quantity and variety to meet the military and scientific needs of the country; and whether it is intended to give any protection by tariff or otherwise at the termination of the War to this industry?

The whole question of the promotion of the industry to which the hon. Member refers is receiving the careful attention of the Board of Trade, in co-operation with the other Departments interested, but I am not at pre sent in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that while Germany and Austria have spent many thousands annually on technical education for the glass industry by means of Fachschulen, Gewerbe-museen, and Handelskammern, the only classes in glass-making in England are at Worsley, of which the total outlay is £270 annually; and whether, in view of the import of glass from Germany and Austria into the British Empire being now stopped, efforts will be made by improved technical instruction to seize this opportunity for the improvement of the glass-working industry?

My hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed. I am advised that no special schools for instruction in glass manufacture exist in either Germany or Austria; the object of the so-called "glass" schools in Bohemia is to develop artistic taste. On the other hand, there are classes in this subject at Stourbridge and Brierly Hill, in addition to that at Worsley. Under the Board's regulations for technical schools Grants are available in aid of instruction in glass manufacture, but there has not been hitherto much demand for such instruction either from employers or from work-people.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much money his Department actually votes for instruction in glass manufacture?

My Department does not vote money; this House votes money. I should want notice in order to ascertain what actually has been spent.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Jena there is an institution for the scientific development of glass making, which is in fact one of the most remarkable institutions for technical education in the world?

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the Board of Trade on this matter?

No; I have consulted my authorities, and, according to their information, which I believe can be relied upon, there is no class of this description either in Germany or Austria; but, of course, having regard to the other question of the hon. Member (Sir J. Larmor), I will make further inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consent to have a Report prepared to submit to Parliament on this whole question, which is really one of the most signal triumphs of the application of scientific skill to industry?

The whole matter is receiving close attention, and I hope to be able to make a statement to the House on the subject.

If I present the hon. Gentleman with a report on glass manufacture in Austria and Germany, will he look at it?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether he is aware that during the year ending 31st March, 1915, glass bangles and beads to the value of £483,555 were imported into India from Austria; whether this import has now ceased; and what steps are being taken to supply the demand from the manufactories of this country, British Colonies, or the Allies; and asked the President of the Board of Trade (2) whether he is aware that the glass imports in India from Germany and Austria amounted in the year ending 31st March, 1914, to the value of £773,118; and what steps are being taken to supply India's demand for glass from the resources of the Empire?

The figure quoted for the imports of glass into India from Germany and Austria-Hungary for the year ended 31st March, 1914, represents glass and glasswares of all kinds, and includes, therefore, the value of glass bangles—£483,555—imported from Austria-Hungary. Complete and detailed figures for the year ended 31st March, 1915, are not yet available. Samples of glass bangles have been received by the Board of Trade from India, and brought to the notice of manufacturers in this country, but I understand that there are difficulties in the manufacture being undertaken here at present owing to the pressure of other demands and the special plant required.

Are not the difficulties also accentuated by the great lack of technical education in this highly scientific branch of industry?

I am not aware that it is a highly scientific and technical branch of industry, but I think the real reasons are those I have given.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he is aware that men employed by private firms are being induced by the authorities at Woolwich Arsenal by promise of higher pay to leave their present employment and that urgent Government contracts are being thereby delayed, and whether he will give directions that no men are to be taken on until inquiries are made of their former employers as to the class of work upon which they are engaged?

An Order in Council under the Defence of the Realm Regulations was made on the 29th April prohihibiting the canvassing of workmen already engaged upon Government contracts with a view to their leaving their existing employment. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Order in Council. The necessary administrative steps are being taken to give effect to its provisions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question? Will he give instructions for inquiries to be made of former employers before men are taken on?

That is a part of the procedure under the Defence of the Realm Act.

Are inquiries made of former employers before men are engaged at Woolwich Arsenal?

Yes, Sir, I think that is done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will explain why the Enticements Clauses in the draft Labour Bill were disallowed by the Secretary of State in view of the fact that such Clauses find a place in the Ceylon Labour Ordinance, were approved by the Labour Inquiry Committee, the Administration of Assam, and the Government of India, and are allowed by all these authorities to be needed to safeguard the planter against the loss he incurs when coolies, imported at his expense from distant Indian provinces, are enticed away without compensation to other employment?

The hon. Member presumably refers to a Bill against enticement of labour that the local Government of Assam proposed in 1913 to introduce into its local Legislative Council. The Secretary of State was not able to approve its provisions, as they would have imposed on immigrant labourers in Assam restrictions from which the great majority of them are, in fact, free. The Bill consequently was not introduced. The Labour and Emigration Amendment Act which has just been passed by the Imperial Legislative Council never contained any Clause as to enticement. I am not aware that the Ceylon Labour Ordinance is open to the objections taken to the Bill discussed in Assam.

If there was an official recommendation in favour of the Enticements Clauses, surely these Clauses in substance should be in the Bill?

No, Sir; I think the Bill which became an Act never contained any Enticements Clauses.

Was not the inclusion of such Clauses officially recommended?

No, not in connection with that Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the compromise whereby the creation of Executive Councils by Proclamation is subject to the right of presentation of an Address to the King by either House of Parliament within a fixed period was arrived at after deliberation and upon consideration of the different opinions held on this subject; and whether it is now proposed, because one House of Parliament has exercised this right, to amend the Indian Councils Act, which passed both Houses upon the condition that this right should be conceded?

The arrangement regarding the creation of executive councils was arrived at because the then Secretary of State for India had no choice in the matter. With regard to the second part, I have nothing to add to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for North Somerset on 21st April.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that the Secretary of State has no choice in the matter, or was the arrangement made as the result of a compromise between conflicting opinions?

No, Sir; I think the statement as given is correct.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is dispensing shortly with the services of valuers who have been working at valuations in Scotland for his Department; whether he is aware that the ordinary work of such men, who are largely architects, measurers, and builders, is practically non-existent at the present crisis; and whether he will explain why at this juncture valuations are to be discontinued?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the 20th ultimo to my hon. Friend the Member for Haggerston, which applies to England and Scotland alike.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount the Treasury has cut down the Grant to the Scottish Board of Agriculture; on what principle the Treasury proceeded in so doing; and whether he has taken steps to secure equivalent economies and retrenchments in public expenditure in England, Ireland, and Wales?

As the balance in hand to the credit of the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund was estimated to amount to £394,000 on the 31st March last, and this amount by itself, without any new income, was far in excess of the present annual expenditure from the fund, it was arranged after consultation with the Department concerned that only a nominal sum of £10,000 should be included in the Estimates for 1915–16, instead of the sum of £185,000 allowable, as a maximum payment, under Section 5 (b) of the Small Landholders Act, 1911. The principle adopted was that in view of the War all reasonable economies should be effected in civil expenditure. This principle has been acted upon throughout in preparing the Estimates for English, Scottish, and Irish Departments alike. The Estimates contain, it is true, no Vote exactly corresponding to the Scottish Vote in question, but the corresponding services are being restricted in the same way. For example, all advances for English small holdings have been entirely suspended, save so far as required to meet pre-War commitments, while in Ireland the Board of Works have, save in cases of exceptional urgency, ceased to make advances for land improvement.

Does the hon. Gentleman say that this was done after consultation with the Scottish Office?

Yes.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, after taking into account both reductions and increases, the total effect is that the expenditure upon purely local Scottish services has been reduced by £141,000, while similar expenditure—

The hon. Member must put down any further questions on this subject.

Is the hon. Member aware that the money which he says is in balance is money which is ear-marked?

Yes; but as there was more money in hand than they have spent in previous years I think that they might get on with it.

Can my hon. Friend say from whom he got his information that the Scottish Board of Agriculture could not get on with the work, and is he aware that there are thousands of unsatisfied applicants for small holdings who could be put on to the land to-morrow if the Treasury were not so parsimonious?

That is not so. We knew the expenditure by this authority in previous years, and there was nothing put before us to suggest that they could suddenly and very rapidly increase that expenditure. Under those circumstances, it was reasonable to suppose that their expenditure would not so greatly exceed that of previous years, and, as they had much more money in hand than they had spent in any previous year, it was not unnatural to ask them to spend that money before they had more.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has now received a reply from the Association of Poor Law Unions to his letter of the 1st February last; if so, whether he will state the nature of the reply from the Union and Rural District Clerks' Association; whether, when deciding what action he will take with regard to the loss of income suffered by vaccination officers owing to the operation of the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, he will take into consideration the request put before the Local Government Board on various occasions that the settlement shall take into account in every union the difference in the officers' earnings for each year since the 1st January, 1908, as compared with the years 1903 to 1907, credit being given for whatever sum any officer may have received by way of gratuity or increased fee, and that the balance shown to be due to him shall be paid; and if he will state when he will be in a position to make public what action he intends to take?

I have within the last few days received the reply from the Association of Poor Law Unions, and it is now under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, answer that part of my question in which I asked him whether he will take into consideration the loss of income already suffered by vaccination officers owing to the operation of the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, during past years?

All the relevant considerations will be taken into account.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the amount that will be saved to the Treasury by the dismissal of temporary assistants of the Irish Land Commission and the curtailment of salaries of other employés retained; and if he will consider the possibility of transferring the assistants whose services are not required by the Land Commission to other Government Departments?

The savings on the Estimates which will result from the reductions approved in the temporary staff of the Irish Land Commission will amount to about £17,000 in a full year. The officers, whose services are being dispensed with, are persons possessing agricultural, legal, and other technical qualifications of a character not usually required in Government Departments, but they will receive special consideration if any opportunity of suitable employment should arise.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has been in communication with the contractors as regards an increase in the wages of London mail drivers; and, if so, whether he can make a statement?

After consultation with the contractors and with the Board of Trade, I came to the conclusion that the wages of the drivers must be increased as a temporary arrangement in order to comply with the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause contained in the contracts. The contractors have now arranged to grant an increase as from 1st March.

Can the hon. Gentleman state the amount of the increase?