asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the memorial signed by fifty-three masters of merchant transports, dated 23rd October last, to the Director of Transports, asking that crews serving in the ships engaged in the Government duty of transporting troops should be brought under the provisions of the Naval Discipline Acts, 1866 to 1909, and the report of the Director of Transports to the First Lord of the Admiralty of 6th March last, urging that seamen so employed should be brought under naval discipline, he has now decided to take this course?

The question of the terms and conditions under which crews of transports are engaged is one to which close attention has been and is being given.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention called to the cases now being reported in the papers where exemplary punishment has had to be administered by the civil authority, owing to breaches of discipline, to men engaged in transport?

Yes, Sir, the whole matter is receiving close attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in reply to his circular, several Irish railway companies have agreed to meet the men's representatives to discuss the question of War bonus given on the terms and conditions as it is given in England and Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

If this question refers to companies not covered by my answer of yesterday I may state that such, companies are, I understand, already granting a War bonus to their employés, and are willing to discuss with them the question of its sufficiency.

ased the President of the Board of Trade if he will ascertain by what means the German commercial agent, who assured representatives of British industry that after the War Germany would speedily undersell British trade, obtained a ticket to visit the British Industries Exhibition, at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, on 11th May, as such tickets are issued by the Board of Trade?

Upwards of 45,000 invitations have been issued by the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, most of the names having been obtained from lists of customers supplied by exhibiting firms. Every effort was made to prevent any of these invitations falling into unfriendly hands, but the hon. Member will appreciate the great difficulty of ensuring this absolutely when dealing with such large numbers.

asked what steps the Government have taken in carrying out the recommendations of the Committee on the retail price of coal; and whether any effort has been made to secure action on the part of the Scottish coalowners in restricting the price of coal to home consumers?

In addition to the action stated in my answer to the questions asked by my hon. Friend and other hon. Members on the 28th April, an Order in Council has now been issued restricting the export of coal to neutral countries as from to-day. The Scottish coalowners were represented at the Board of Trade Conference at which the following resolution was passed:—

"This meeting of coalowners, having a desire to moderate the prices of coal for home consumption as far as may be practicable in the interest of the country, recommend that the question of the prices of such coal be considered by the coalowners in the various districts with this object in view."

Is it not the case that coalowners in the Midlands have already agreed to restrict the price of coal for home consumption, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the Scottish coalowners do the same?

I am not aware of the exact steps which have been taken by Midland coalowners, but I am conferring with them this week, and if my hon. Friend will put a question on the subject I hope to be able to give him the information next week.

In that case, will the right hon. Gentleman also take the opportunity of conferring with the Scottish coalowners and try to get them to take the same action?

Yes, I am doing so as rapidly as I can, but I cannot see them all at once.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of the coalowners in the North of England have raised the price of coal in one day by 7s. 6d. per ton for household consumption?

Yes, I have heard of some of these instances, but have not been able to verify them. Any information which is sent to me will be valuable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the approval of the German people of the use of poisonous gas and the poisoning of water supplies, he is aware that the presence of a large number of alien enemies at large in this country constitutes a grave danger to a large proportion of the lives of British citizens; and will he forthwith intern or deport all alien enemies, whether naturalised or not?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is making a statement to-day which will, I think, cover this question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the armed forces of the German Government, acting on the instructions of their Government, have deliberately murdered numbers of British women and children, and in view of the feeling in this country against persons of German parentage being allowed to remain in this country now or after the War, and to prevent rioting, will he deport forthwith to Germany all persons of German parentage, whether naturalised or not, interning those liable to military service till the end of the War?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will provide an early opportunity for the House to consider the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for the St. Augustine Division of Kent? [That the restrictions placed on the liberty of Alien Enemies resident in the United Kingdom are insufficient under existing circumstances to secure the safety of the country.]

In answer to these questions I must refer to the statement which I shall make later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is interned at Handforth Camp as an alien enemy a youth, whose nationality is doubtful and can only be technically German since he has not resided in Germany since he was six months old, who took steps long before the outbreak of War to become a naturalised British subject, and after the outbreak of war desired to enlist; and whether there is any tribunal before which this young man, or others in similar conditions, can state his case and have an opportunity to prove good will?

It is permissible for any interned alien to state his case either to the commandant of his camp or direct to the War Office, when it would receive attention. The case of the youth mentioned in the question was fully dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in the answer he gave on the 11th instant, and this hardly appears a suitable occasion for extending the benefit of the doubt, if any such doubt in fact exists.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Secretary of State will advise such remission of the sentences passed at Douglas upon German soldiers who escaped from custody as will render them consistent with the sentences passed at Chester upon German officers for a similar offence?

I cannot, on the information afforded, identify the cases to which my hon. Friend refers. No German soldiers are or have been interned at Douglas.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if Germans, either naturalised or not, are allowed to leave this country for Germany except in exchange for a British subject interned in Germany?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Except in the case of the specific exchange of Consular officers the issue of permits to leave the United Kingdom to women and children, men under the age of seventeen and over the age of fifty-five, and ministers of religion and doctors has not depended on personal exchange. The permits have been granted in accordance with the agreement with the German Government, which was that all persons of these classes should be allowed to return.

May I ask was a man like Major Bruno Schmidt-Reder, who was let out of an internment camp, exchanged with anybody?

I do not think so, but perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman a more general question: Whether persons at military internment camps are allowed to go back without being exchanged?

It depends whether they come under the definition of being men under the age of seventeen or over the age of fifty-five, or are ministers of religion or doctors.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making an exchange compulsory in all cases?

It is not a question of exchange, because all persons of those categories are allowed to depart from this country or from Germany.

No, no!

That is what I understand is the condition, and if the agreement has not been carried out I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the Foreign Office. I have no knowledge of it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Inland Revenue authorities demand duty on all beverages containing over 2 per cent. of proof spirit; whether that is approximately equivalent to 1 per cent. of alcohol; whether any considerable quantity of beverages are in fact being sold as temperance drinks or without having paid duty; and whether, if that is so, he will take steps to see that the revenue is no longer defrauded?

Two per cent. of proof spirit is approximately equivalent to 1 per cent. of alcohol, but the Customs and Excise authorities do not demand duty on all beverages containing more than 2 per cent. of proof spirit, as some of them are not taxable. If a drink sold as a temperance drink falls within the definition of beer it is liable to duty if it contains more than 2 per cent. of proof spirit; if it does not fall within that definition it is not liable to duty. I have no reason to think that any considerable quantity of drinks sold as temperance drinks which are liable to duty escape the charge to duty.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the fact that German letters are now being freely delivered in this country, having been addressed to German agents in Holland and by them forwarded in covering envelopes; if correspondence from Holland is examined by the Censor; and, if not, why this condition of affairs is allowed to continue?

The delivery of such letters is permitted provided that the contents are harmless. All correspondence from Holland is subject to examination by the British military censors.

Is it carried through in every case? Are all Dutch letters opened and examined?

They are not censored by the Post Office. That duty falls upon the military censors, and I understand they do so in practically every case.

asked what is the maximum amount which could be earned by a sorting clerk or telegraphist in London at the maximum of 65s. who had performed sixty hours in a single week; whether it is possible for a man employed in a Class V. provincial office to earn more than £3 for the same number of hours; and what is the total number of men who have earned £11 in a single week, and the actual number of hours such men have performed to earn this sum?

A male telegraphist in London at the maximum of his scale I and in receipt of technical and language allowances of 3s. and 2s. 6d., respectively, would receive £4 14s. 6d. for sixty hours' work on week-days in a single week. A male sorting clerk and telegraphist at a Class V. office in the provinces in receipt of the maximum wages, plus technical allowance, would receive £3 0s. 6d. for the same number of hours. I regret that no information is available which would enable me to state the total number of men who have earned as much as £11 in a single week, but such cases are few in number, though six are known to have occurred in one week in last August, entailing very long hours indeed. The actual number of hours worked in order to earn as much as £11 in a week would vary with the pay of the officer concerned.

What is the amount a man may receive, apart from technical special allowances, which are exceptional?

I should have to calculate that. If the hon. Member puts a question on the Paper I will give him the information.

Has the right hon. Gentleman observed that the question refers to the general clerk and not to the special, whose figures he has quoted?

A great number of people are in receipt of this allowance. My answer was quite as general as if had answered the hon. Member's supplementary question.

asked what percentage of the purchases made by the Admiralty during the month of April were made with Scottish firms with places of business in Scotland?

The purchases made during April were very numerous, and a Return giving complete information on the point raised would require an amount of detailed work which, I am afraid, cannot at present be undertaken. My hon. Friend may rest assured that Scotland receives a good share of Admiralty work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any information as to the steps, if any, that have been taken by German residents in this country publicly to protest against, and to dissociate themselves from, the conduct of the German Government in flagrantly violating Conventions of The Hague to which they were parties, and in authorising or permitting murderous attacks on civilians, including women and children? [I may explain that this question was handed in before any protest appeared in the public Press.]

I have no information beyond what is derived from the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the number of men of military age who are now engaged in the chorus of the theatres and music halls of the Metropolis at the present time; and if, in view of the effect of the presence of a large number of young men who should be serving their country being exhibited nightly on other young men in the audience, he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

The inquiry which is being made as to the number of men who can be spared for enlistment from the several industries have not yet reached the theatrical profession, where the numbers are comparatively small; but I will consider what steps can be taken in the matter.

Is it not less a question of the actual numbers than of the example which those men set by appearing publicly for young men to see them?

Yes.

asked the Solicitor-General if newspaper correspondents are allowed to accompany the Expeditionary Forces at the Dardanelles and send for publication long detailed accounts of the operations there which appear in the Press promptly; and if he will say what is the reason why this theatre of operations is alone given this privilege of publicity?

Yes, Sir. A very limited number of correspondents has been sent to the Dardanelles. The admission of correspondents with the British Forces in France has been regulated so as to comply with the conditions being followed by the French military authorities in regard to the presence of correpondents with the French Forces. From time to time British and French Press representatives have been allowed to pay visits of limited duration to their respective Armies. The circumstances in which the operations are being conducted in France and the Dardanelles are essentially different for these purposes.

Are these correspondents in the Dardanelles there with the sanction of the French authorities?

That really does not arise there in the same degree as on the Continent.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that at least six schools in Liverpool have been taken over by the military authorities, with the result that the scholars have only one long session per day; whether he is aware that only the top floor of the Midland Adelphi Hotel is now being occupied by the military authorities; and whether he will take action, in co-operation with those responsible, to secure that the whole of the hotel in question, together with other similar buildings, may be utilised to ensure that the education of the children of the working men of Liverpool may not be prejudiced through the continuance of the present arrangements?

Four existing schools and three new buildings in Liverpool are being used as military hospitals. The scholars are attending four other schools on the double shift system, no suitable temporary accommodation being available. I do not know for what, if any, military purposes the Midland Adelphi Hotel is being used. The Committee, which my right hon. Friend appointed to deal with the matter, inspected a number of buildings in Liverpool, the use of which for military hospitals instead of schools was suggested, but they all proved unsuitable. The use of the Midland Adelphi Hotel was not suggested, but we will see whether the suggestion has been considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, that there are many buildings used only one day a week—I mean churches and chapels—in Liverpool and elsewhere which might be used for the military authorities?

All these matters are being carefully considered.

asked the Attorney-General if he could state, as promised, the amount of the claims which up to this date have been presented to the Prize Committee instituted by the Government?

The total amount of the claims sent in for the consideration of the Prize Claims Committee up to 1st May is £223,295 10s. 9½d. The total amount of the claims which it is estimated would be recommended for allowance by the Committee is about £103,000, i.e., at a rough estimate, about 2.7 per cent. of the total estimated value of condemned ships and cargoes. The total amount which it is estimated would be recommended for allowance by the Committee in respect of claims made against ships which have been condemned is about £34,033, i.e., about 2.6 per cent. of the total estimated value of such ships.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any claims that have been received or recommended for allowance come from alien firms?

The only claims that can be considered are claims made by British or neutral countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was able to reply to the proposals for arbitration on the question of a war bonus for Civil servants addressed to him on the 27th April by the Civil Service Federation; and, if not, will he say when a reply may be expected?

My right hon. Friend very much regrets that he is not yet in a position to reply, but hopes to be able to do so next week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could communicate to the House the result of the inquiry which he promised to make of Lord St. Aldwyn as to the attitude of the Treasury Committee on new issues towards the London County Council new building scheme for schools?

Lord St. Aldwyn has intimated to my right hon. Friend that the Committee on Fresh Issues did not formally consider the application as they were informed that it had already been sanctioned by the Cabinet. Lord St. Aldwyn added that if the case had been formally considered by the Committee, he felt sure they would have refused to sanction it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount received in respect of increased Estate Duties under the Finance Act, 1914; and the total value of personalty which has passed and duties which have been actually paid thereon under the Death Duties (Killed in War) Act, 1914, since the beginning of the War?

The total amount received up to the 31st March in respect of the increase in the rates of Estate Duties under the Finance Act, 1914, was, approximately, £870,000. The total value of the personalty referred to in the second part of the question in respect of which duty was paid up to the 31st March was, approximately, £1,600,000, the amount of duty being about £72,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will indicate which Members of the Government are members of the executive committee of the Prince of Wales' Relief Fund; and whether, having regard to the magnitude of the fund and to its national objects, he will consider whether the Government will now, by legislation or otherwise, undertake responsibility for the administration of such charitable sums?

The Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Secretary for Scotland are now the only Members of the Government who are members of the executive committee of the National Relief Fund. I think there are objections to the Government undertaking the responsibility for the administration of a charitable fund consisting solely of voluntary subscriptions.

Considering the enormous magnitude of the amount does not the Prime Minister think it desirable that there should be some official control of the distribution of many millions of money?

Is it not a fact that a scheme is suggested for taking charge of this scheme?

I am not aware of it.

Is it not the fact that this fund will in some measure come under the control or rule of the Charity Commissioners?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of bringing to the notice of the neutral Powers the flagrant violations by Germany of the rules and usages of civilised warfare and the conventions to which the Powers are signatories, as more likely to load to action on the part of the neutral Powers, rather than awaiting their taking the first steps in the matter?

I see no reason to modify the answer which I gave on this subject on Monday last.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it advisable that the printed Report just issued by Lord Bryce's Committee should be brought to the notice of these neutral countries?

I am sure that Lord Bryce's Report will be read all over the world.

Would it not be advisable to let every householder all over the country have a copy of it?

Would it not be well to have it read in public?

asked whether, in view of the fact that the services of many temporary Civil servants have been dispensed with by Goernment departments owing to the War, His Majesty's Government will use their best endeavour to employ these men in some other capacity in departments in which men are required?

I should be glad if it should prove possible to make such arrangements, but it would, of course, depend on the nature of the qualifications of the persons whom the hon. and learned Member has in mind whether they could advantageously be employed in other Departments requiring assistance, inasmuch as the emergency work required is ordinarily little more than routine clerical work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can fix any date for the payment of damages to small landowners and farmers who have been deprived of their living through the military operations carried out on the land in their occupation?

I understand that the Royal Commission propose to consider these cases immediately and to dispose of them as rapidly as circumstances admit.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many small farmers are almost penniless through these claims not being paid?

I believe that the Royal Commission is going to consider them this week.

What is the machinery to be adopted in assessing the value of the claims?

That will be for the Royal Commission to determine.

asked whether it is now the intention of the War Office to make use of the huts erected several months since at the Slwch Camp, Brecon; and, if so, what battalion is to be housed there?

Slwch Camp is utilised for recruits passing through Brecon Depot, of which it forms part, but it is not proposed to use either this or other depots as permanent stations for units.

Is it not intended to use these huts at all, and, if not, then for what purpose have they been erected?

Yes. I have just informed my hon. Friend that it is proposed to use them for recruits passing through the depot of which they form a part. They are to be used only as part of the depot.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state when it is proposed to publish a gazette filling up all the higher commands in regiments which have been vacated owing to casualties during the War?

The filling of vacancies in regiments and battalions is a matter in which the Commander-in-Chief in the field is concerned, and it is not merely an automatic clerical process as is sometimes supposed. All the vacancies are dealt with as soon as they occur, when the necessary information as to the fitness of the officers next in succession is available. I dealt with the question of promoting officers to temporary rank in an answer to the hon. and learned Member for York yesterday.

asked why it is essential to keep the names of generals commanding divisions and brigades of the British Army from the enemy while permitting the publication of similar information in regard to the Canadian forces?

I think this question is covered by the answers I gave to the hon. Member on the 20th April. I will ask him to accept my assurance that it is undesirable in the military interest to make public, and as a consequence to correct from time to time as necessary, an authorised list of the names of the generals comcanding divisions and brigades.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the 23rd November, 1914, £5 14s. was sent in a registered packet by the officer commanding the 16th Lancashire Battery of the Royal Field Artillery at Sutherland to Corporal W. W. Breese, for pay to himself and five men who had been dispatched to Salisbury Plain for the purpose of building additional huts for the Canadian troops; whether such money never reached the corporal; and whether the War Office will take steps to compel the Post Office to refund the amount?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first two parts of the question. The policy of compulsion cannot be entertained, as the hon. Member suggests, but the matter is being further investigated. The orderly Donagher is now serving with the Expeditionary Force.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Postmaster-General as to where this money has gone and get it back?

I have informed the hon. Member where the money is. The receipt was signed by the orderly Donagher.

asked if soldiers belonging to the force known as the Welsh Bantams are being billeted at Deganwy in the house of a Mrs. Brown who is a German and has a brother in the German Army; and if such a practice is in accordance with War Office regulations?

The billeting of soldiers in houses occupied by alien enemies is avoided when it is known that the occupants are alien enemies, but I cannot say until I have received a report what the precise facts may be in the case mentioned in the question.

asked if it is intended to arrange a public exhibition of guns and other trophies of War captured from the enemy?

The matter is under consideration.

asked whether the conditions of appointment of temporary assistant chemists in the chemical laboratory of the department of the chief inspector, Woolwich Arsenal, have been recently improved; if so, to what extent; whether the department has now any difficulty in securing sufficient temporary assistant chemists properly qualified for the work entrusted to them; and whether the staff of the chemical department is now adequate for the work given to it without working overtime?

Yes, Sir. The chemists referred to are now paid at rates varying from £120 to £150 per annum, the previous rate being £2 0s. 6d. a week. The vacancies are not all filled, but no difficulty is anticipated in obtaining the requisite number of qualified chemists. Overtime, I am afraid, cannot be altogether avoided, as the work is fluctuating in character and often of great urgency.

asked whether an unauthorised wireless apparatus was recently discovered on the premises of a post office in county Dublin; if so, will he explain why it was not discovered earlier; what punishment has been awarded to the person or persons in whose possession it was found; and what steps have been taken to secure that no similar installations still remain undiscovered in other places throughout the country?

The War Office have no information on this point. I have communicated with my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, and, though special inquiry has been made, nothing has been discovered of any such unauthorised wireless apparatus.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet been able to ascertain that, a fortnight before the Germans began to use poisonous gas as a weapon of war, the official eye-witness with the British Army stated that a warning had been received of the enemy's intention to use it; and if he will say what steps were taken in consequence of that warning to supply our troops with protection against the gas?

As a regular practice, prisoners are interrogated by the Staff at the front. Any such statement as that, referred to would be considered by the military authorities with reference to any possible action. I am not aware, however, that this prisoner gave information as to which of the many possible gases his compatriots would use, and it would hardly have been possible in a fortnight to have provided protection against all possible kinds of gases.

Were any steps taken to provide protection?

The officers in command at the front did not make any application for any form of protection.

Was any intimation conveyed during the earlier period of the War that the Germans were likely to use gas?

There was no warning at all conveyed to the War Office. If any warning was conveyed, it was conveyed to officers at the front.

Did these officers convey it to the War Office?

They did not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether ration allowance to the officers employed at the War Office has been stopped; and, if so, whether, seeing that this inflicts hardship on many officers temporarily employed at the War Office who are unable to make any arrangements for living in the neighbourhood, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

No issue of this allowance to officers drawing the special rates of pay provided for the War Office has been made since 3rd April pending a final decision on the question, which it is hoped will be arrived at shortly.

What is the reason for differentiation in the case of those employed at the War Office?

It is a question of the interpretation of regulations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Scottish-cured herrings form a staple article of the dietary of German working-men; whether the refusal of German prisoners to use them in this country arises from the higher standard of living to which they are now being accustomed or to the want of knowledge of proper preparation of the herrings on the part of those in charge of the arrangements; whether, if the former is the fact, he will state what steps he will take to give them the same sort of food here as they receive at home; and whether, in the other case, he will employ a few experts in the preparation of such food to superintend its preparation and distribution in the camps?

I informed my hon. Friend as to the results of the experiments with the Scottish-cured herrings on the 6th May. As I stated, they were not successful, and I fear that I do not see my way to press the matter further.

In view of the very severe blow which the fishing trade has experienced on account of the War, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it his duty, especially as a Scottish Member, to make a great effort?

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. I thought that it was my duty some months ago, and I went a very long way to make successful experiments, but all the reports were against me.

Experiments in one camp?

No; the hon. Member is mistaken. I made several experiments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain why, if Mr. Frank Knowles and Mr. Raymond Wells are Government servants in receipt of salaries, and the wages of Perfect and Company's employés are paid by the Government, it should be necessary to have any transactions with Perfect and Company at all, seeing that this firm is simply these two gentlemen in their combined capacity; will he define the exact duties of Mr. Knowles and Mr. Wells, what salaries are paid to them, and whether they receive any remuneration from the Government in addition to these salaries; at what date was the form of remuneration of Mr. Knowles altered from payment by fee into payment by salary; whether Mr. Lloyd is employed by one or other of these two gentlemen or by both combined, and how he can reconcile the employment of Mr. Lloyd on other than Government work with his statement that Mr. Knowles has, since the War, devoted his whole time to the Government's work; whether Mr. Wells has had any training as a practical butcher; if so, under what firm, and how long was he in their employment; and whether, through Perfect and Company or otherwise, any persons employed by Weddel and Company, or employed on the market to sell Weddel and Company's goods by firms who are Weddel's agents, have been employed to inspect goods intended for the troops?

The answers to the various parts of the hon. Member's question, taken in order, are as follows: The firm of Messrs. Perfect and Company place at the disposal of the War Department the services of their two principals and a certain number of their employés. The whole of the employés of the firm are not engaged on Government work, and the firm continues to exist for the transaction of private business. Mr. Knowles and Mr. Wells are employed in supervising and arranging for the discharge, storage, inspection and distribution of the meat supplies for the troops. The salary paid to each of these gentlemen is 7½ guineas a day; payments are also made to Messrs. Perfect and Company on account of wages of employés and certain out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the War Department work. The alteration in the remuneration of Mr. Knowles was made as from the commencement of the War. Mr. Lloyd is not employed by either Mr. Knowles or Mr. Wells individually, but by the firm of Messrs. Perfect and Company. The fact that Mr. Knowles is employed wholly on Government work does not appear to be in any way inconsistent with the fact that Mr. Lloyd is not so employed at all. Mr. Wells, as already stated in answer to a previous question, has no training as a practical butcher, but has undergone the course of training prescribed by the Royal Sanitary Institute for meat inspectors. One of Weddel and Company's employés is now employed by Messrs. Perfect and Company to assist in Government work.

Have this firm of Perfect and Company large contracts with the War Office at the same time that its principals still hold official positions at the War Office and have inside information and influence?

It was explicitly stated in reply to a question that this company have not only no contract with the War Office, but no contract with anybody.

Is not seven and a half guineas a day rather a large sum to pay?

No, I think not, in view of the services they are rendering; they are giving their whole time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what arrangements have been made by the War Office to provide hospital treatment on purely medical lines for cases of nerve strain among the rank and file where each case may be sifted and diagnosed on arrival in England before being placed in charge of medical officers (Royal Army Medical Corps) who have been taken over from the asylum service?

At large hospital centres in France specialists in nervous diseases, not alienists, see all cases of nerve strain and determine to which clearing hospital the cases should be sent on arrival in England. At these hospitals the cases are carefully gone into and those which are suitable are transferred to certain special hospitals, which are quite distinct from what my hon. Friend calls the asylum service.

Will the soldiers who are placed in such hospitals, which are really asylums, have the same right of appeal against decisions as ordinary civilians?

I do not quite understand the question; perhaps my hon. Friend will put a fresh question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of providing for the treatment of transiently acute cases of mental disturbance among soldiers by the methods applicable to delirious (toxic) cases in general hospitals, with a view to keeping them apart from lunacy and asylum management?

The cases mentioned in the question are dealt with at either "D" block, Netley, or Napsbury Military Hospital. These cases are kept absolutely apart from certified mental cases and the hospitals are under War Office management.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that by the provisions of the Mental Treatment Bill now before the House the soldier disabled by nerve strain will be liable, when discharged uncured from the Army, to be placed, at the discretion of one doctor, for six months under care and treatment in an institution intended for the insane; that there is no provision in the Bill for any appeal to a magistrate; and will he undertake to propose or accept an Amendment whereby the ordinary safe guards extended hitherto to all British subjects protecting them from unjust treatment may be made equally applicable for the protection of soldiers?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I think my hon. Friend has misunderstood the object of the Bill, which was to secure suitable treatment of cases of nerve strain without compulsory detention; but I need not go further into the matter, as I hope that arrangements for this purpose may now be made without legislation and that it will not be necessary to proceed with the Bill.

Will the soldiers have right of appeal to the magistrates in the same way as civilians?

I think my hon. Friend must put that question to the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the proportion which Scotland usually gets in any distribution of a common fund is one-ninth, or over 11 per cent.; whether he is aware that the share of the recent clothing contract given to Scotland was only 4¼ per cent. of the total; and whether, in these circumstances, he proposes to increase the contract with the Scottish makers?

I am not aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question, but I do not think that if correct it would form a sound basis for the calculation proposed. As I recently informed my hon. Friend, Scotland obtained a considerably larger share of the contract in question than it would strictly have been entitled to on the basis of manufacturing capacity as indicated by the total number of garments tendered for by Scotch firms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that during the fulfilment of the earlier contracts for clothing made by his Department for the New Army representations were made by his Department or their agents to the smaller makers in Scotland that if they put in more machines sufficient orders would be given by the War Office to keep them going for some time; and that in the placing of the recent contract these promises have been entirely ignored, with the result that some of the smaller makers there are practically ruined; and whether, under these circumstances, he can place a further order with the smaller makers?

I am unable to discover that any representations of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend were made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that complaints are reaching the parents of soldiers of one of the Manchester regiments in training at Grantham as to the quality and lack of quantity of food supplies; and can he state whether the supply of food is in the hands of a contractor?

I understand that information to this effect has been received from a newspaper; the General Officer Commanding, however, reports that he has received no complaints and that the supply services at the camp are well administered. The supply is not in the hands of a contractor. The food is of the best quality and is supplied from Government store.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, seeing Krupps' patent for fuses expired last July, he will say who are the two firms in this country who entered into private arrangements with Krupps to continue the payments; whether His Majesty's Government have paid these two firms and other firms a price for fuses which includes a royalty of 9d. per fuse and in some cases 1s. per fuse; whether this represents a charge of £5,000 per day; and will he say why should His Majesty's Government pay royalty on a patent which has expired?

Royalty, as such, is not being paid by His Majesty's Government. The firms in question, before the War, made commercial agreements with the patentees by which, in return for the disclosure of certain trade secrets relating to these fuses, the payments were to be continued after expiry of the patent. These arrangements, no doubt, affect the prices charged, but, as I have already stated, the legal position under present conditions is now the subject of inquiry.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the price settled by His Majesty's Government goes actually to the manufacturers, and that the money is not paid to Messrs. Krupps; and, if this money is not paid to Messrs. Krupps, is he aware that it is sent to a special fund to be handed over to them after the War?

I think the whole question as to what will happen to commercial profits due to Germany cannot be held to be settled, and this matter no doubt will be treated on its merits.

Will the hon. Member communicate the results of the inquiry to the House?

Certainly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any extra allowance is granted to officers ordered to proceed abroad and who have been put to considerable expense in procuring another kit for warm climates?

Grants have been made in cases of this nature where the circumstances justified them, and consideration will be extended to similar cases arising in future.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware of the fact that Messrs. R. and J. Partington, Moorside, Swinton, Manchester, manufacturers and dyers, a firm engaged on Government contracts, have declined to pay their operative dyers the War bonus of 3s. per week which nearly every firm of dyers in the country are paying, and will not even acknowledge communications addressed to them on the subject by the trade union concerned, and that a strike has occurred in consequence; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have no knowledge of the facts stated in the question. I may add that the firm does not at present hold any War Office contract.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if a contract has recently been made for a considerable supply of munitions of war from North America without the intervention of Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Company, of New York; and whether Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Company were to receive a commission or honorarium of about four million dollars from the contracting parties for waiving their rights under their agreement with the War Office?

Yes, Sir, certain contracts for munitions of war have recently been placed in North America without the intervention of Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Company. I am not aware that any commission or honorarium is being paid by the parties concerned to Messrs. Morgan, nor is it understood to what rights the hon. Member refers.

Is it not the fact that Messrs. Morgan and Company hold a contract under which they are entitled to say whether a contract shall or shall not be placed in North America?

No; quite the reverse. The English Government has a perfectly free hand.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that repayment of proficiency pay is being demanded from men now serving in the National Reserve whose former service has been in the Royal Navy, even in cases where such men have been promoted to the rank of non-commissioned officer in the force in which they are now serving; and whether, in view of the hardship which is thereby entailed on such men, he will see whether the order demanding such repayment can be cancelled?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases which he has in mind, steps will be taken to see that no undue hardship is caused by the recovery of these overissues.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) if he will state definitely what is the status of an acting-paymaster; and (2) whether the Department to which acting-paymasters belong is essentially military; whether they are responsible for the correct issue of large sums of public money and their work is supervised by military officers; whether they have under their control, without any powers of discipline, soldiers varying in rank from private to quartermaster-sergeant; whether he is aware that their duties are as difficult, arduous, and important as those of many officers in other non-combatant corps; and whether, if it is not deemed advisable to give temporary commissioned rank to all acting-paymasters, some arrangement could be made by which a certain proportion of them could be granted this rank on the recommendation of each regimental paymaster or otherwise?

An acting-paymaster is generally a temporary civilian officer serving in an Army Department. The Department in question is largely but not wholly military in its personnel. The duties of acting-paymasters are generally to assist the officers of the Department in the supervision of clerical work connected with payments and accounting. Some of this work is performed by soldiers and some by civilians. The military discipline of the soldiers is in the hands of the military officers of the Department, and no difficulty arises from this arrangement. The fact that clerical duties are difficult, arduous, and important does not in itself call for their discharge by military officers. In a few cases, where it has been found necessary to send acting-paymasters to join the Army in the Field, they have been given military commissions; but for their duties at Home this is not necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that several acting-paymasters applied for commissions in the combatant forces, that in many instances no reply whatever was given to them, and that in many other instances the reply was to the effect that they were not eligible for commissions, as they were under agreement to serve as acting-paymasters; and whether he can give an undertaking that in future no obstacle will be placed by the War Office in the way of those acting-paymasters anxious to obtain those commissions and capable of serving.

I am not aware of any such cases as those referred to; but I can assure the hon. member that the War Office will place no obstacle in the way of eligible Acting Paymasters who desire to apply for Commissions in other Arms of the Service.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the list, if I hand it to him, of those men who have applied and been refused?

Yes; certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a reply has yet been received from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty sanctioning the grant of the naval medal to the officers and men of the Royal Indian Marine for services in the Persian Gulf during the years 1909–14, and if the medal rolls have yet been prepared; and what further steps have been taken regarding the distribution of prize money to the-officers and men of the Royal Indian Marine who were entitled to it for the same services, with especial reference to the operations prior to the outbreak of War?

The-Secretary of State is not yet in possession of the decision of the Admiralty on the question of the grant of the naval medal to officers and men of the Royal Indian Marine. The Government of India have informed the Secretary of State that no officers and men of the Royal Indian Marine have performed services in the Persian Gulf of a kind for which prize money can be awarded, though there may be grounds for the grant of a small monetary reward in the case of the "Minto."

asked the Under - Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information as to the number of Germans in India who now hold Government contracts or are employed in any capacity by the Government?

The Secretary of State has no detailed information on the subject. The general condition of admission to Government service in India is, with one or two exceptions, that the candidate must be a British subject. In many important Departments there is the further condition that the candidate must be a natural-born British subject and that at the time of his birth his father must have been a British subject, either natural-born or naturalised. As stringent measures have to be taken by the Indian Government to put an end to trading in India by firms or companies containing a hostile element and to intern enemies' subjects, it is highly improbable that any German subject now holds a Government contract in India.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether, when one of the four double-company commanders in a battalion is detailed to command the depôt of a regiment and another officer is appointed in his place to command a double company in that battalion on active service, such last-mentioned officer is precluded from drawing staff pay on the ground that staff pay cannot be allowed for more than four double-company commanders in any one battalion; and whether, in the case supposed, staff pay can be allowed to the officer in question as a special case.

It has been decided, as a special measure during the War, that in the case in question if four-squadron or double-company commanders are serving with a regiment in the field they shall all receive the pay of their appointments.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a decision regarding the increases of pay to the clerical staffs of His Majesty's dockyards and naval establishments has yet been arrived at; whether the terms can be communicated to the House; and, if a decision has not yet been reached, can a date be given when it may be expected?

The matter referred to in my hon. Friend's question is still under consideration. I hope that an announcement may be made shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether separation allowance is payable in respect of the children of a soldier who are boarded out by the local authority and where the soldier makes no allotment?

If a child already drawing separation allowance is boarded out by a local authority, the payment of separation allowance is continued. If the child was boarded out prior to the father's enlistment, separation allowance is only paid in continuance of a previous regular payment by the father.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether the military correspondent of the "Times," Colonel Repington, is now staying at the British Headquarters and is sending dispatches to his newspaper which are censored by a member of the General Staff; is the arrangement within the knowledge of, or has it the approval of, the Minister for War; and is it proposed to grant similar facilities to other military correspondents and critics?

The Secretary of State has no knowledge of Colonel Repington's whereabouts.

Will my right hon. Friend ascertain whether special facilities are being given to this newspaper, and, if so, will similar facilities be given to other members of the Press?

I will make inquiries, but I can make no promises.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to lay upon the Table any Papers in connection with the recent developments in China, so that Members may have an opportunity of studying all the facts of the case?

It is for the Governments of China and Japan to make public the important features of the agreement between them or of their negotiations. I cannot do that, but I should welcome any publicity that the Governments of Japan and China feel able to give.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his recent inability to give the House of Commons information regarding the nature of the demands that had been made by the Japanese Government upon China is to be taken as signifying that it is the policy of the Government to give pledges of secrecy to foreign Government in connection with matters vitally affecting British interests?

There is no question of policy involved. It is one solely of fact. I am unable to publish information given me confidentially by another Government. I could, of course, refuse in future to receive any information from any foreign Government except on condition that I publish it at once, but I do not think it would be for the public advantage that I should do that, and as long as that is so I must sometimes be placed in the invidious position of being in the possession of information that I am unable to give to the House.

Will not this procedure prevent the right hon. Gentleman from informing the House of the representations made by the representatives of the Government in foreign countries?

I do not quite understand the hon. Member's question. Does he ask whether it will prevent me from informing the House of representations made by the British Government?

Yes.