asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can afford any further protection to the steam fishing fleets, on account of their being made a special object of attack by the enemy submarines because they are being so largely requisitioned for mine-sweeping and patrol purposes?

The question of affording further protection to fishing vessels from submarine, attacks has been closely considered by the Admiralty, in consultation with a deputation representing the owners of fishing vessels.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if any contracts have been placed on the basis of a guaranteed profit to the contractors, and to what amount; and whether any steps have been taken to check the costs in the interest of the taxpayers?

A considerable number of contracts have been placed on the basis of payment of actual cost, plus an agreed rate of profit. The costs are carefully checked by Admiralty officers.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the inspectors of trades in His Majesty's dockyards have had no increase in their pay since 1907; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will grant them an increase?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, it has recently been decided after full consideraton not to increase the scales of salary now authorised. I may add that during the War inspectors are being paid for overtime in excess of fifty-six hours a week.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Gibraltar Dockyard Local British Work men's Association, in which it is stated that the minimum wage for labourers employed in His Majesty's dockyard at Gibraltar is 13s. 6d. per week, and that food prices, for example, have risen 33 per cent. since last July; and, if so, whether he has considered what ought to be done in the form of war bonus or otherwise to enable the Government workers in the Gibraltar dockyard to meet the increased cost of living due to the War?

Men sent from the Home dockyards for service at Gibraltar will receive the emergency increase granted in connection with the award of the Committee on Production. They have already received the increases granted in the replies to petitions to the different classes to which they belong as from 28th September. The case of the locally entered men is receiving careful consideration, and I hope that a decision may be reached very shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that both Germany and Russia have accepted the age of forty-five above which military service is not obligatory, and that in consequence male civilians above forty-five are being exchanged between those two countries; and whether, in view of this fact, the Army Council will now accept forty-five as the age limit of military usefulness and allow civilian alien enemies above that age to leave this country or be exchanged against similar British subjects?

I understand that the legal limit for compulsory service in Germany is still forty-five and that this age has been accepted by Russia as the basis of reciprocal exchange between the two countries. The Army Council are not, however, prepared to accept forty-five as the maximum limit of military usefulness.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to give the number of men employed as omnibus conductors within the enlistment age in the Metropolitan area; and whether he can see his way to impress upon the employers of these young men that their services are required in the New Armies?

No, Sir, I cannot give this figure, but, as I stated on the 20th ultimo, special steps of the kind suggested in the latter part of the question are taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has seen a copy of a letter appearing in a Manchester paper last week, signed E.H.L., sergeant in the Cheshire Regiment, in which the writer said that shirkers are either to enlist at once or that they are to be compelled to serve, and that he and others, when they get a squad of these recruits, will see that things do not go smoothly, but that they will get a bit of their own back; will he state if non-commissioned officers are encouraged or permitted to write such letters to the Press; if they have received any official authority to say that those men who have not enlisted are going to be fetched; and will steps be taken to identify the writer of this letter?

I have not seen the letter to which my hon. Friend refers. I am afraid that many letters making stupid and uncalled-for suggestions appear from time to time in the Press, and I am not prepared to take any steps to identify the writer. I may add that non-commissioned officers are, of course, not encouraged or permitted to write such letters as that described.

asked the Prime Minister whether there are at the present moment a considerable number of able-bodied young men employed as clerks in the Army Pay and Record Offices; whether their work to a very large extent can be done equally well by women; and. if so, will he consider the advisability of making such arrangements as will allow of these young men joining the New Armies without further delay?

Inquiries are already in progress to ascertain whether it is practicable to increase the number of women employed in these offices, and the desirability of releasing suitable men who wish to join combatant units is not being lost sight of.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the movement inaugurated by his address on 4th May at the Westminster Palace Hotel for promoting further recruiting in the distributing trades is handicapped by the fact that so many young men are now employed in Government Departments on work not of an urgent character; and can he by some process of adjustment introduce such changes in the administration of those Departments as will meet the difficulty complained of?

Heads of Departments have already been invited to make every possible arrangement for releasing those members of their staffs who are eligible for military service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether at least 500 young men have volunteered to join the Colours in the various Civil Service Departments; and whether in many cases permission has not been granted?

Very large numbers of Civil servants have, as the hon. Member is aware, already joined the Colours, and I am sure that large numbers are still anxious to do so. They are, as I have frequently stated, being allowed to go whenever it is possible to make proper arrangements for the execution of the necessary work of their offices. I cannot state what is the number of those who cannot be allowed to leave their work.

Has a large number of them been refused permission to go?

Unfortunately, where it is impossible to arrange for a man's work to be postponed or to be done by somebody else, the man has to stay.

The men are wanted and yet you will not let them go.

Because, though it may be a regrettable necessity, the work of the Government must be carried on.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are women willing to take the place of these men?

Yes. Accordingly I have only to-day sanctioned the employment of a hundred women to take the place of a hundred men to enable them to go.

Could not the work of the Valuation Department be entirely suspended until after the War?

I think that if the hon. Member knew how we were being overwhelmed with complaints as to people being discharged from the Valuation Department, he would not ask that question.

Could not the hundreds of policemen who are superannuated be engaged to relieve these young fellows?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the military instincts and fighting qualities of the Zulu, the Matabele, the Basuto, and other kindred races in South Africa, and that they are greatly disappointed that they have not so far been allowed to fight the enemies of Great Britain; whether the South African Government has deemed it inadvisable to allow these coloured warriors to participate in the War with the Germans now proceeding in South Africa; and whether the Secretary of State for War will consider the possibility of allowing these warriors to take their place along with our Indian and other troops in Flanders and France?

I am aware of the martial instincts of the races referred to, and their loyalty is unquestioned. It is a fact that General Botha has deliberately abstained from employing armed natives with him as combatants in German South West Africa. No trained military forces of South African natives exist, and their employment as suggested would be both undesirable and impracticable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these South African natives, equally with the Indians and the Maoris, are British subjects, and that they are becoming restive at not being allowed to take their place in the fighting line? When they were savage nations fighting against England, were they ever guilty of the savage cruelties and outrages which the Huns have committed?

I have never made such a suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has any information regarding the crucifixion of three Canadian soldiers recently captured by the Germans, who nailed them with bayonets to the side of a wooden structure?

No, Sir; no information as to such an atrocity having been perpetrated has yet reached the War Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Canadian officers and Canadian soldiers who were eye-witnesses of these fiendish outrages have made affidavits? Has the officer in command at the base at Boulogne not called the attention of the War Office to them?

No, Sir. We have no record of it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army chaplains are the only officers in the Army whose scale of pay has not been increased in recent years; and how their pay and pensions compare with those of Army doctors and veterinary surgeons?

No, Sir. There are other departmental officers in the same position. It would not, I fear, be possible to give the figures for which the hon. Member asks by way of answer to a question, but I shall be glad to send them to him if he so desires.

asked if the scale of pensions for Army chaplains retiring after 20 and 25 years has been lowered from 12s. 6d. and 15s. a day, respectively, to 13s. and 10s.; and, if so, for what reason?

The reductions to which the hon. Member refers were made twenty-one years ago, on the ground that the higher rates favoured unduly the voluntary retirement of chaplains who were still in every way fit for their duties.

asked how many Army chaplains are there now at the front for every 10,000 men?

I am afraid that I cannot state the exact proportion of chaplains now with the troops at the front, but the scale of provision is one chaplain to a brigade with an additional chaplain where three or more battalions in the same brigade each contain a majority of men belonging to the same denomination. Chaplains are also provided for divisional troops, field ambulances, and hospitals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is a deficiency in motor ambulances for the carrying of British wounded from the front to the hospitals; whether this deficiency was particularly noticeable after the recent fighting at Neuve Chapelle; whether he is aware that charitable organisations anticipate no difficulty in purchasing such ambulances from the manufacturers provided sufficient funds can be collected; and, supposing the facts are as alleged, will he say why the Government fails to provide sufficient mechanical transport for the service of its wounded soldiers?

No, Sir, there is no such deficiency, nor is there any truth in the suggestion that it was particularly noticeable after the recent fighting at Neuve Chapelle. On the contrary, I am informed that the work of the motor ambulance convoys throughout this battle was deserving of special praise.

May I ask if it is not a fact that the Red Cross Association has made the allegations referred to in the question, and has asked for further motor ambulances?

I have no knowledge of any such allegation being made by the Red Cross Association, and I should be very much surprised if they have made it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, seeing that there is no difference in substance between the principles, opinions, and advice contained in "l'Independance Belge" with reference to Belgium and the principles, opinions, and advice with reference to Ireland for which "Irish Freedom" and "Sinn Fein" have been suppressed, whether he will state the reason for this difference of treatment under the Defence of the Realm Act; whether the military authorities hold the merit or demerit of free opinion to depend on the country to which it relates or on the country in which it is published; and whether they are prepared to accord to an Irish Nationalist newspaper published in London the same measure of freedom that they are now according to "l'Indépendance Belge"?

The action of the military authorities in regard to publications circulating in the United Kingdom is governed by the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and the hon. Member may rest assured that newspapers containing matter contravening those Regulations will receive equality of treatment at their hands wherever they may be published.

The right hon. Gentleman has not accounted for the actual difference in practice, which is really the point of the question?

I am informed there is no such difference as the hon. Gentleman fears. There is equality of treatment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whom the duty of censoring the Press on behalf of the military authorities is discharged in Ireland; how it happened that the printing machinery of Patrick Mahon was seized and taken to Dublin Castle for having printed the "Irish Worker," a paper which Mahon never at any time printed; what compensation has been paid for the loss and injury thereby caused; and whether he will specify the provision of the Act under which the issue is prevented of a paper which has not transgressed the Act by proceedings against a paper never printed in that office?

The competent naval or military authority is the person empowered under the Defence of the Realm Consolidation Regulations to take steps to prevent or deal with offences against the Regulations. The seizure of certain parts of the printing machinery belonging to Mr. Mahon was carried out in pursuance of the power thus vested in the competent authority because the machinery was being used for the printing of a newspaper which contravened the Regulations referred to. Those parts of the question based on the assumption that the offending newspaper was not printed by him accordingly do not arise. No compensation has been or will be paid to Mr. Mahon.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the newspaper in connection with which this seizure was made?

Do you mean its name?

Yes.

I believe its name was "Scissors and Paste."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the fact that Welsh regiments have no other distinctive emblem than the flash, that Wales has raised more recruits during the War in proportion to the population than any other component part of the United Kingdom, that the Scottish Highland regiments are allowed to wear khaki kilts, which are not in any sense national emblems, and that the flash is worn on the back and so will never be seen by the enemy, the military authorities will reconsider their decision which has caused much disappointment and irritation and allow the officers of the Welsh regiments to continue to wear the flash on khaki as well as on scarlet tunics?

Yes, Sir, this matter has been reconsidered, and authority to wear the flash with the service dress will be given for the period of the War.

asked the hon. Member for the Saffron Walden Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if Moritz Kreemer is still a director of the Union Cable Company; where does he now reside; and what steps the Office of Works has taken to secure that no information about Government cables reaches Moritz Kreemer?

Moritz Kramer, so far as is known, is still a director of the company in question. His place of residence is not known. The cables are for electric wiring purposes only, and even if Mr. Kramer were to obtain any information as regards the order, there would be no detriment to national interests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if co-operative societies throughout the country are supplying large quantities of goods to canteens and to non-members of their societies; and if he will require them to be assessed for the purposes of Income Tax, and so relieve the general traders from this unfair competition?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Warwick and Leamington on the 24th November last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the net result of the retrenchments effected by the Treasury in the Estimates for the current year in the three Classes II. (Salaries and Expenses of Civil Departments), III. (Law and Justice), and IV. (Education, Science and Art) is that the expenditure on purely local services in England, eliminating the United Kingdom services, has been increased by £409,034; that expenditure on Irish services has been in creased by £215,296, while expenditure on Scottish services has been decreased by £141,569; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure an approximately equal distribution of retrenchment due to the War upon the services of England, Ireland, and Scotland?

If my hon. Friend will supply me with details of the calculations I shall be glad to have them examined. But it will be understood that a comparison between the provisions included in certain selected classes of the Estimates for a particular year is not conclusive.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these three classes comprise all the purely local services in each of the countries?

I could not commit myself to that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the balance in hand to the credit of the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund, in consideration of the existence of which the Treasury cut down the annual Grant to the Scottish Board of Agriculture for this year from £185,000 to £10,000, was a free balance available for new work undertaken by the Board, or whether it was ear-marked for liabilities in connection with work already-undertaken by the Board or with regard to which the usual steps have been taken or for necessary capital expenditure in connection with the development of agriculture in Scotland; and whether it is the view of the Treasury that the Scottish Board of Agriculture has during the past three years failed to utilise the funds provided by Parliament for the purposes of the Small Land Holdings Act, 1911?

It is true that the balance was to some extent earmarked, but the Treasury satisfied themselves (without expressing any opinion on the recent administration of the Scottish Board of Agriculture) that the money was more than sufficient to meet the needs of the year.

Are we to take it that the Scottish Office has not been able to spend the money which during the past three years has been granted to it by Parliament for the purpose of developing agriculture and similar industries in Scotland?

That is a question which my hon. Friend must put to the Secretary for Scotland.

Are we to understand clearly that this deprivation of Scotland is for one year only?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Scottish Board of Agriculture is already practically declining to consider, applications on the ground that the money is not supplied?

I do not know that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a number of competent workers in the munition areas have enlisted in the New Army, necessitating the employment of wastrels in their places; and, if so, whether he has considered, as a solution of the munitions of war difficulty, the restoration of the soldiers thus enlisted to the more urgent patriotic duty of increasing the supply of arms and ammunition?

I am authorised by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for War to inform the hon. Member that the matter is receiving the attention of the Army Council, and that a considerable number of soldiers possessing the qualifications mentioned are already willingly working in the shops turning out munitions of war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reasons why the Treasury refused to sanction the issue of a small amount of capital by the Broken Hill Company in order to carry out plans for capturing the smelting industry from German competing concerns?

I do not think it desirable that reasons should be given for the decisions reached in individual applications for approval of fresh issues. I may, however, say that the fact that a capital issue is proposed for the purpose of capturing German trade is far from being a completely adequate reason why it should be allowed, regard being had to the enormous demands in existing circumstances for capital for the purpose of prosecuting the War. Moreover, in the ruse, referred to there was reason to believe (as has been proved to be the case) that the whole amount required could be provided without the assistance of the money market of the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will try and arrange, on the issue of any further loan, that it shall be offered in such a way as to be available for the investment of the savings of the working classes and persons of small means; and if there is any insuperable difficulty in issuing bonds of as low a denomination of £5, payable by instalments, seeing that bonds of a still smaller value are always issued by the French Government with great success?

As the hon. Member is aware, the small investor has ample opportunity of investing in Government stocks in amounts from one shilling upwards through the Savings Banks. As I explained to the House on the 17th November last, the question of allowing would-be investors to apply for smaller amounts than £100 was carefully considered in connection with the War Loan, but it was not found possible to do so. The matter will, however, be further considered when the time comes for the issue of another War Loan.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the purchase of Consols through the Post Office Savings Banks has been a failure, and that the working classes have not the same opportunity, and have never been afforded an opportunity, for the safe investment of their savings?

The hon. Member is quite inaccurate in his assumption that investment through the savings banks is a failure. It is quite the reverse.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of Civil servants of military age are engaged on the land valuation; and, whether, considering the non-productive character of the work, there is any reason why they should not be spared for military service?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply of the 20th ultimo to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Haggerston, in which I dealt fully with the subject raised by him. For the reasons indicated in that answer the number of employés of military age (at present 2,260) is continually decreasing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of armament patents being worked by Messrs. Krupp, the Deutschewaffenfabrik, the Mauserfabrik, the Slodawerke, and other German and Austrian manufacturers of war munitions; will he consider the adoption of proposals for the special taxation of such royalties as may accrue to British firms; will he bear in mind that if any action be taken to tamper with the royalties on German patents worked in this country reprisals may be made by Germany on the royalties the German armament firms are paying to British armament firms; and in considering the question of special taxation of war profits on armaments, will he bear in mind the international character of the British armament firms; that shareholders in these companies live in enemy and neutral nations; and that close business relations do exist, or did exist at the outbreak of war, between the British, French, Italian, Russian, Austrian, German, and Japanese armament firms?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade finds, after very careful inquiry, that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the royalties referred to in the second part of the question, I assume that the German Government would not allow any such payments to British firms. The question of special taxation in connection with such payments does not therefore arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a request from the Temporary Sorters' Association for revision of the wages of temporary sorters, and also for a request for an interview to discuss the matter; and whether he is prepared to receive a representative deputation or whether the men's claims are to be referred to the Court of Arbitration on war bonus?

Yes, Sir, I have received such an address from the Temporary Sorters' Association. If my hon. Friend will put down his question again to-morrow, I will give him a fuller answer.

I will ask the question again to-morrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if before the War the Alexandra Hospital (Military), Cosham, was supplied with about twenty gallons of milk per day by Taylor's Dairies, Limited, and that the same firm now supply the hospital with some 150 gallons per diem, but that the War Office is only paying for twenty gallons and is already indebted to the dairies company to the extent of over £1,000; and if and when it is proposed to pay off this debt?

This matter is now in course of settlement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, in view of the fact that the Admiralty are paying six consultant physicians and surgeons serving on shore in Great Britain at a rate equal to 3.9 times the pay of the highest-salaried surgeon-generals of the Navy, in addition to the earnings of a certain amount of private practice, whether any difficulties have thereby resulted in regard to the distinguished civil surgeons who so patriotically went to France at the ordinary rates of Army pay?

No, Sir, there have been no difficulties with regard to the pay and status of the consulting surgeons and physicians working with the Army in France.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what steps have been taken to keep down the costs in the £6,000,000 of contracts which have been given on the basis of a guaranteed profit?

The designs and qualifications, on which cost primarily depends, are in the hands of the War Office, and constant expert supervision is exercised over the work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the commanding officer at the camp at Romsey has reported on the alleged scandals in connection with the construction; whether the hon. and gallant Member for Widnes has inspected similar camps in other parts of the country; and whether he has been asked to visit this camp to report on the state of the work?

No, Sir, the report has not yet been received from the command, but I am asking that it may be sent without delay. The hon. and gallant Member for Widnes was asked by my right hon. Friend to visit various remount depots and report upon their management, but I understand that he was not asked to visit the camp at Romsey, as it had only just been commenced when he made his tour.

Will the hon. and gallant Member be permitted to visit Romsey in view of the admitted irregularities?

Perhaps we had better receive the report first.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if a number of the men employed at the hut camps that are being erected for the War Office are a long distance from their homes; that they have for months been working under uncomfortable conditions; that when they have visited their homes they have had to pay full railway fare; and whether, under these circumstances, he will make arrangements for them so that at Whitsuntide they may either travel free or at excursion fares?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if several carpenters resident in Plymouth and neighbourhood are employed in building huts for soldiers on Salisbury Plain; and will he arrange for these men to have free railway passes in order that they may visit their families at Whitsuntide?

I regret that it is not practicable for the War Office to issue free warrants. The question of excursion fares at Whitsuntide is a matter for the railway companies, but I am informed that the restriction of such bookings may be necessary to enable them to deal with their ordinary passenger traffic in addition to military movements.

Cannot the War Office use their influence with the railway companies and get them to give some facilities to these men to visit their homes? They have been away for six months.

It is a very difficult matter, and I am afraid it is not possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the cause of the delay in promoting officers to substantive or temporary rank in accordance with his recent announcement; and whether the widow of an officer who is entitled to receive such promotion will be prejudiced in regard to her pension in case her husband is killed in action before his promotion is actually gazetted?

Some time must be allowed for administrative action in the case of an important change of this character. The change will have retrospective effect from the beginning of the War and the date of actual gazetting will not prejudice the widow's claim in a case such as that referred to.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in a recent Post Office circular, he has laid it down that postal servants must not volunteer for military service, without permission, in any capacity with the exception of the Royal Engineers; whether he will state the number of volunteers for active service in the signal companies of the Royal Engineers and the Army Post Office; and whether it is his intention to issue a war-service button to all postal servants who are prohibited from joining the Colours?

It has for many years been the rule that a Post Office servant may not enlist in any military or naval unit without official permission. In view of the extent to which the skilled staff of the Post Office, already heavily depleted by enlistment, must expect to be further drawn upon for the postal and telegraphic requirements of the New Armies, as well as for similar purposes essential to Homo defence, I have recently found it necessary specially to call the attention of the staff to the rule. The total number of non-commissioned officers and men enlisted from the Post Office in the postal sections of the Royal Engineers is about 2,200, and there are about 640 applications for enlistment on hand. The corresponding numbers for the signal companies of the Royal Engineers are about 8,500 already enlisted and 1,100 applications for enlistment on hand. The question of issuing badges to Post Office servants from whom permission to enlist has been withheld is at present engaging my attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will again consider the matter of further relaxing the restrictions imposed on code-cabling, in view to promoting the dispatch of business and satisfying legitimate demands?

This matter has recently received careful consideration. There appears to be no general demand on the part of the commercial community for the admission of further codes of a general character. Suggestions have been made for the admission of published codes adapted to the needs of specific trades, but the number of trades claiming special codes would be so great as seriously to impede the censorship. Much diversity of opinion has been shown, even by chambers of commerce, as to the particular trades to be favoured and the particular codes to be selected. The admission of private codes would, no doubt, be welcome to business firms, but it would seriously increase the risk of improper use of the cables. Any attempt to discriminate between firms on the ground of good or bad faith presents insuperable difficulties, and for these reasons the military authorities are unable to agree to the admission of private codes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reasons given by himself and the Assistant Postmaster-General during the recent Debate are not considered conclusive by business men concerned?

That may be so.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the postal employés feel aggrieved that the industrial agreement entered into at the Treasury conference on 17th to 19th March is not made applicable to them by the promulgation of a memorandum similar to that promulgated by the Treasury conference, but bearing the signature of the Postmaster-General in place of the signatures of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and of the President of the Board of Trade; whether he is aware that the whole of paragraph 5 of the said memorandum, with slight verbal alterations, is claimed by the postal employés as being entirely applicable to the conditions of their service, and that the evidence given by the workmen's representatives, which was accepted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade as sufficient to justify those Ministers in acceding to the demands made upon them, is held by the postal employés to be equally valid in their own case; and whether he will give this matter his attention in the light of these considerations now brought forward?

As explained in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on the 22nd of April, the terms of the agreement referred to are in many respects not applicable to the conditions of the Post Office service. The main provisions of the agreement are, however, to a large extent covered by the statements I have already made in this House that I have no intention of replacing permanent employés by casual labour or of determining questions as to employment after the War by reference to decisions arrived at in consequence of war requirements and necessities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, it is his intention to introduce a system of split duties for the women operators in the Manchester Telephone Exchange; whether he is aware of the decision of a recent Committee in regard to these duties in the large centres; and whether there are any special features due to war conditions which justify such a departure from the established practice?

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Leigh on 16th March last. The circumstances are unchanged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the average price charged for a sack of flour by the Co-operative Flour Mill Company (Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited), at Bristol, to their members and societies during the past month, and the average price or prices millers charged bakers in the same area or district for a similar sack of flour during the same period?

At present I have not the information desired, but I will see if it can be obtained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many bakers in a small way of business are in danger of having to close their shops by reason of the high price, and that it is notorious that in many instances millers have made enormous profits out of the necessities of the poor?

I do not know what the position of small bakers is, but we are keeping in touch with the large baking houses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the working classes of this country are being exploited to the extent of £700,000 a week in consequence of the high price of flour and bread, while the increase of wages last month were £72,000 a week?

I could not give a definite answer to a question based on those figures without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received communications from certain Irish railways signifying their willingness to meet the representatives of the workers to discuss the question of the War bonus; and whether he will be prepared to receive a joint deputation of the men's representatives and the railway managers to discuss the matter?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative, and I understand that a meeting between representatives of the companies and of the men is taking place at an early date. The matter would seem to be one to be settled between the parties, and I do not think that a deputation to me would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the South Western Railway and the Great Western Railway to run special trains in connection with the proposed Ascot race meeting; and, if so, whether he will make representations to those railway companies of the undesirability of making increased demands upon their staffs, and also of the necessity not to permit any special trains run in connection with race meetings to interfere with the ordinary services, with military exigencies, or with the carriage of goods and commodities?

I cannot say definitely if any special trains will be run for the Ascot races. The position of the railway companies with regard to the running of special trains was explained in the full reply given by me yesterday to questions by the Noble Lord the Member for the Hitchin Division and my hon. Friend the Member for East Northamptonshire.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

Yes, I have been making inquiries, but I cannot give any definite information to the House yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation so as to enable him to have the authority during the continuance of the War of prohibiting race meetings, with special regard to those meetings where the police in the immediate district where the meeting may be proposed to be held is deemed insufficient, as in the case of the Ascot meeting next month, for which a demand is being made on the Special Constabulary of Berkshire, and men who have volunteered as special constables are thereby withdrawn from their usual occupation?

I fear that legislation prohibiting race meetings is too contentious to be proposed at the present time. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] If I may judge from that expression of opinion which the House now gives, that answer might reasonably be altered. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I understand, however, that the Special Constabulary of Berkshire will not be called upon to police the Ascot Racecourse next month.

May I tell my right hon. Friend that already demands have been made for their attendance at the Ascot race meeting?

I am unable to say what demands have been made upon them, but I can assure my hon. Friend that they will not be called on to police the Ascot race course.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to mobilise our whole national resources, both of men and material; if so, when will that mobilisation begin; and is he prepared to make a statement to the House on the subject?

The Government, in conjunction with employers and employed, are taking all practicable steps to secure this object.

asked whether His Majesty's Government proposes to suspend the Eight Hours Act in view of the difficulties resulting from the operation of that measure at the present time?

A Home Office Committee has been considering the question of the organisation of the coal industry with a view to meeting the national requirements, and hopes, I understand, to be able to report shortly. I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at the present moment.

asked the Prime Minister when he will give the day promised for the discussion of the question of the purchases of wheat by the Government?

A day can be fixed in the ordinary way, but I do not think it would be in the public interest that the discussion should take place at an early date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the increase in the price of bread, and would it not be well to have an early date so that any misunderstanding may be removed?

I am aware of all those facts.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present War and in view of the steps necessary to be taken in order to grapple with the rearrangement of industry and social life consequent upon a prolonged struggle, he will consider the desirability of admitting into the ranks of Ministers leading Members of the various political parties in this House?

The Government are greatly indebted to the leading Members of all parties for suggestions and assistance of certain specific subjects. The step suggested by my hon. Friend is not in contemplation, and I am not aware that it would meet with general assent.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant facilities to those retired Civil servants who are willing to do so to resume work in the Departments to which they formerly belonged for the period of the War in order to release any existing Civil servants who are willing to undertake military service if permitted to do so?

This course has already been adopted in a number of instances, and it is open to retired Civil servants to make application to the heads of their late Departments should they wish to return to duty.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the price of the quartern loaf in London has been advanced to 9d.; whether he is aware that since the beginning of the War the price of a sack of flour has risen from 27s. to 53s.; whether he still anticipates a substantial fall in prices in June; and whether the Government is now prepared to reconsider its policy on this question?

I am aware of the advances in the price of bread and of flour to which my hon. Friend refers. I doubt whether there is any adequate reason for altering the policy hitherto adopted in regard to the regulation of the price of bread. I think my hon. Friend will agree that it is premature at the moment to attempt a definite forecast of the course of prices in June.

Is not the high price of bread and flour partly due to the fact that there is a large number of British ships which could be made available for bringing food to this country but are engaged on voyages between neutral ports?

I should like notice.

Why should it not have been considered premature to speak about the price in June, when the right hon. Gentleman did so, and it should be considered premature to speak about prices three or four weeks hence?

Because of the difference between four months and one month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether the cargoes seized by our warships comprising food-stuffs, much of which is perishable, will be immediately sold for the benefit of the community in the district; (2) what steps are being taken to relieve the congestion of goods and perishable food-stuffs (stored in the warehouses on the river Tyne) from the prize ships seized by our warships; and whether in one warehouse at Newcastle-on-Tyne there are 1,700 tons of green bacon and lard rapidly going bad?

I have been in communication with the Admiralty Marshal regarding the matter referred to in my hon. Friend's two questions, and he informs me that prompt steps are being taken to dispose of all perishable food-stuffs in his custody. He also informs me that commodities of this kind are examined on being landed and are periodically examined and reported upon by experts, and any necessary action is taken. As regards the congestion of perishable food-stuffs and other goods stored on the Tyne, instructions have already been given to brokers to sell large portions of these goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the subject discussed with the Swiss dye firms at the interview at the Board of Trade; whether the chairman of British Dyes, Limited, was present; and what is the attitude of the Government towards dye users who have not subscribed to the company?

The subject of discussion was the supply of Swiss dyes. The chairman of British Dyes, Limited, was not present. I know of no proposal to make any distinction between subscribers and non-subscribers as regards the subject of discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give instructions to the police to refrain from prosecuting motorists or despatch riders engaged upon military or naval service who may be trapped by the police when exceeding the speed limit on wide straight open roads within the county of London or the Metropolitan area where there is little traffic and no danger to persons, animals, or property?

Prosecutions against persons in the naval or military service are only instituted after consultation with the Department affected. In view of the considerable increase of fatal accidents attributable to motor traffic, the police would not be justified in relaxing vigilance.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman find some better occupation for young, able-bodied policemen, who have failed to join the Army, than in trapping motor men on an open road, where there is no danger, instead of such an occupation as trapping German spies or rounding up German aliens?

The hon. Member is asking the same question again, and not so concisely.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the number of men serving in the Metropolitan Police who are within the enlistment age; and whether he can see his way to allow a further number of these men to enlist in the New Armies?

I regret I cannot give the number of men serving in the Metropolitan Police according to ages. To collect this information would entail much labour. The Commissioner of Police has been in close consultation with the War Office and Admiralty and has left nothing undone to meet all their requirements. He will continue to give them all the assistance in his power.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state how many of the Metropolitan Police have been superannuated since August last; and whether any of them have been prevented from taking up duties in any capacity?

Seven hundred and seventy-seven men have left the Metropolitan Police from all causes since the outbreak of war. As regards their subsequent employment, they are free agents and the Commissioner has no information as to the work they may have taken up.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all these superannuated policemen since the War are being prevented from following any kind of employment of a useful purpose?

I am unaware of the circumstances stated by my hon. Friend. We have no control over them once they leave the force.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men have offered their services and have been refused, and at the same time old superannuated men have been taken on, getting £2 10s. a week other than their pensions?

I know nothing of the cases referred to.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the nature of the public advantage alleged to have been gained by granting certificates of naturalisation to nearly 100 alien enemies of German nationality since the commencement of the War; and, in cases where no public advantage was so gained, what was the nature of the special reasons why such certificates were granted?

I can only answer the question by giving typical examples. On the point of public advantage I may give as an instance the case of a person whose naturalisation was recommended to me by a public Department as necessary to secure his services in work essential for this country. The other reasons referred to would arise where there is a combination of such circumstances as long residence, complete identification with English life, a British wife and British-born children, and sons serving in the English Army.

asked the Home Secretary whether German alien enemies to whom certificates of naturalisation have been granted since the commencement of the War are allowed to leave this country on the same terms as natural-born British subjects; whether they are searched before leaving this country; and whether they are permitted to take away with them any documents, papers, photographs, plans, or other information they may choose without search or examination?

Certificates of naturalisation are granted only to persons who make a statutory declaration of their intention to reside in this country, and the Foreign Office therefore, as a rule, refuses passports to recently naturalised persons. If any such person is allowed to leave the country he is liable to search and to the examination of his papers and luggage.

Is a search always made, and cannot British subjects go to Scandinavia without a special permit?

I am quite unable to say whether the officers search in every case, but the passenger is liable to be searched.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the person applying for naturalisation is or is not bound to announce his foreign nationality?

I will deal with that on a later question.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the new revelations of German character which are continuously being furnished, he will give directions that no further certificates of naturalisation shall be granted to German alien enemies, or that, at any rate, no such certificates shall be granted to such persons unless they prove that they have effectually divested themselves of their German nationality and no longer owe allegiance to the German Emperor?

My experience of the strong reasons which arise from time to time for naturalising persons of German origin shows that it would not be of advantage to lay down a rule that no such persons are to be naturalised. The conditions under which any such persons are now naturalised—including the most exhaustive investigations—secure so far as is humanly possible that they have completely identified themselves with this country and are under no obligations to their original country.

Does the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself that these alien enemies have renounced their allegiance to the German Emperor before he gives them certificates of naturalisation?

They have to swear allegiance to His Majesty. Of course, as far as we can, we do satisfy ourselves; but if there is untruth, deception, or any other means of avoiding speaking the truth, it is impossible to say in every case that you can be absolutely certain. So far as human ingenuity can go we do assure ourselves of the bona fides in every case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman require them to sign a statement saying that they have renounced allegiance to the German Emperor?

I will inquire further as to the actual statement which they have to sign. I am not sure whether there is any statement in that precise form.

Is it not the case that a German becoming naturalised here can apply to Germany and get denationalisation papers? I have often seen them. Does the right hon. Gentleman not ask for that before he naturalises them?

I will inquire further into the actual steps taken.

Does the German Government recognise the renunciation by a German subject of his German nationality?

I am not an expert in German law and am quite unable to answer that question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that it is the case that the German Government does not recognise the competency of a German subject to renounce his nationality?

I have been informed differently, but am quite willing to accept that statement on the hon. Member's authority?

The Germans have given such orders of denationalisation themselves.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will obtain information as to the number of naturalised Germans in this country who still owe allegiance to the German Emperor, and will he communicate such information to the House?

It is, in the nature of the case, impossible to obtain trustworthy information on this point either from the suspected persons themselves or from the German Government; but I have no reason to suppose that there is any considerable number of persons in the position indicated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the naturalised aliens themselves for what it is worth?

That is done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant a Return showing the names of all aliens to whom certificates of naturalisation or readmission to British nationality have been issued since the 31st December, 1914, giving the country and place of residence of the person naturalised or readmitted, in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 156, of the present Session?

The Parliamentary Paper referred to is an annual Return. The hon. and learned Member will find the particulars he desires of persons naturalised since 31st December in the monthly lists published in the "London Gazette."

I desire to ask the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the strong public opinion in favour of the strictest supervision of alien enemies in this country, the Government propose to take any action in the matter?

No one can be surprised that the progressive violation by the enemy of the usages of civilised warfare and the rules of humanity, culminating for the moment in the sinking of the "Lusitania," has aroused a feeling of righteous indignation in all classes in this country to which it would be difficult to find a parallel. One result, unhappily, is that innocent and unoffending persons are in danger of being made to pay the penalty of the crimes of others.

From a military point of view, our advisers are of opinion that the steps which have been taken in the way of internment and otherwise have proved adequate for the purpose in view, namely, providing for the safety of the country against actual or apprehended danger, and preventing illicit communication between alien enemies here and their own Government abroad. Everything that has hitherto been done in the way of internment has been done on the responsibility of the War Office and Admiralty, and police registration and supervision is fully enforced in the case of all alien enemies who are not interned.

But the Government are quite alive to the fact that recent events, and the feeling which they have created, make it necessary to look beyond merely military considerations. The Government are, therefore, carefully considering the practicability of the segregation and internment of alien enemies on a more comprehensive scale, and I hope to be able to-morrow to make a more definite statement.

In the event of there being a general desire to-morrow, after the statement is made, that it should be discussed, will the right hon. Gentleman give an opportunity for that discussion?

Yes.