asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British subjects who are allowed to remain uninterned in Germany?

If I had the information I would certainly state it to the House as requested. I am endeavouring to ascertain the number of British subjects between seventeen and fifty-five years of age who are at present in Germany uninterned, but it is exceedingly difficult under present circumstances to obtain detailed information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, under W. O. 20, No. 3604 (A. G. 1), dated 19th November, 1914, the Army Council undertook to recognise volunteer corps on condition that such corps obeyed the rules of the Central Association, and such Central Association agreed to certain conditions; whether Rule 4 of such conditions is permissive as regards the wearing of the red armlet or brassard; whether the fourth edition of the rules of the Central Association just issued is in like manner permissive in respect of wearing the said armlet; if so, whether the Central Association is exceeding its powers in making the wearing of such armlet compulsory; and, if so, whether the Secretary of State for War will desire the Central Association to withdraw a requisition which is unauthorised, unpopular, and, for corps with uniforms, unnecessary?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Rule 4 of the Army Council letter of the 19th November, 1914, is permissible; but as the brassard is the authorised mark of recognition by the Council of a corps or an individual, the action of the Central Association in making the use of the brassard obligatory cannot be considered as in any way in excess of its powers, and its use for military exercises or duties is desirable. The answer to the last part of the question, therefore, is in the negative.

If the volunteers are no use why are they recognised, and if they are any use why are they ignored?

I am not quite certain what the hon. Gentleman wants. He says the volunteers are useless.

I did not.

I understood the hon. Gentleman to say so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the only possible effect of wearing the brassard as well as uniform is to throw some doubt upon the validity of the uniform, and that that is the reason why it is so much objected to?

Inasmuch as the volunteers find it easier to obtain the brassard than the uniform, it is considered desirable to place the smaller obligation upon the volunteers; therefore they wear the brassard.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not understand that where they have got uniform the question is a totally different thing, and that where they have got uniform the only effect of wearing the brassard is to throw some doubt upon the validity of the uniform?

I can only reiterate what I have already said about the smaller of the two obligations. That is a very important point. We cannot demand a uniform of all these volunteer corps, because they would not be able to obtain them. Therefore we have demanded that for them to be affiliated they must have the brassard. To say that because they can have a uniform as well, the brassard is unnecessary, would not be a good policy to adopt.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the three prisoners who were tried on indictment in camera on or about 26th April for an alleged offence under the Defence of the Realm Consolidation Act, 1914, were convicted, or any of them; and, if so, what sentences were passed?

No trial has been held.

asked the Under-Secretary for War why casualties to officers of the same battalion occurring on the same day at the Dardanelles are not communicated to the newspapers on the same day, but, in some cases, with an interval of several days, although such casualties had been simultaneously communicated to the War Office?

Cases of this sort must necessarily occur. The Department is frequently not in possession of the names and addresses of the next of kin, and the Press announcement in such cases has to be deferred until the next of kin have been communicated with. I must again emphasise the fact that casualties are first communicated to those most directly concerned, namely, the wife, father, etc., and that the announcement cannot fittingly or decently be made to the public at large through the Press until the next of kin have been informed.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that Special and General Reserve second lieutenants, who were either attached to regiments before mobilisation or who joined at the outbreak of war and who have been many months at the front, are being habitually superseded for promotion by the cadets from Sandhurst, gazetted to commissions subsequent to theirs and far younger in age, and who, owing to their youth and lack of war experience, are less competent to take command of troops; if he is also aware that non-promotion to temporary rank is causing a sense of injustice in the minds of the Reserve officers; whether he will state the reason why this system is being enforced; and if he will reconsider it with a view to securing the best interests of the Service now and in the future?

Promotion in the Special and General Reserve are not on an identical basis. Officers of the former are promoted as vacancies arise in their Special Reserve battalion: those in the General Reserve are promoted to vacancies as they arise in the Regular unit with which they are serving. It is not possible to ensure that promotion on two different rosters is absolutely identical. Officers from Sandhurst have passed more difficult examinations and gone through a training different from that of the Special Reserve officer. It is hoped that most ground for complaint will be removed by the steps being taken to give effect to the recent decisions in reference to temporary rank.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contend that a few months' training on the part of a cadet at Sandhurst is equal to four or five months' service at the front in the trenches? That is the point. The men who have learned by experience in the trenches are superseded by these mere boys, who have merely gone through a course at Sandhurst. To point that out was the object of my question.

I appreciate the object of the Noble Lord in asking the question, and I would affirm that the examination which has been passed by these cadets is quite an important element in the training of the young officers.

Is it not the case that a large proportion of those who are now entering Sandhurst do not pass any examination at all, but are selected for approval; that after three or four months' work at Sandhurst the cadet is given a commission, and that some of them have been selected at the age of seventeen?

Of course, their curriculum is very much shortened. I am quite aware of that.

Is it not a fact that there is no examination?

May I ask, in view of the consideration that in many cases there are serious hardships to individuals, and also in view of the effect on regiments, would the commanding officers be called upon to report, and would the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that that report would have the same con- sideration and be given the same weight as the views of gentlemen who are seated in Whitehall?

I think that the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend is rather doubtful. In view of the very large responsibility of the commanding officer it is doubtful whether it would be desirable to take up his time with such reports as are suggested. I will consider the suggestion, but it seems a rather doubtful one.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that commanding officers do not like to put these young officers, who are not fit to lead men, over a number of men, especially where men's lives are involved, and would he not think that it is desirable, apart from any other question, to have the best officers rather than these young officers?

Of course, it is obviously not only desirable but imperative that the best officers should be selected. My whole point is that this method of education at Sandhurst is very likely as good as the other.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some officers have already been promoted lieutenants who only went to Sandhurst since the beginning of the War, and have not even yet left the country?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, as stated by Sir Percy Girouard, it is intended to establish steel works in Leeds on behalf of the Government; and, if so, will he say what are the reasons, looking at the supplies of shell steel in this country and that new competition will adversely affect the wages of existing works and the supply of ore?

No, Sir, it is not intended to establish steel works, but works for the manufacture of steel into shell.

asked whether any convention exists whereby the use of asphyxiating gases, except when emitted from a projectile, is forbidden?

The actual terms of The Hague Declaration forbid only the use of projectiles the sole object of which is to diffuse asphyxiating or deleterious gases. Obviously the diffusion of the gases was the object of the prohibition rather than the means by which they were diffused.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether cases have occurred of wounded soldiers, during convalescence in this country, having been denied the privilege of visiting their homes before returning to the Front; whether such privilege was withheld because a few men of a battalion had overstayed their leave; and whether, in view of the disappointment caused to good soldiers, he will look into the matter with a view of preventing the recurrence of such cases?

The War Office has no information in the sense mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. If he will furnish the name of the battalion, inquiry shall be made.

asked whether the decision of the regimental paymaster or the Secretary of the County Territorial Association is final in all cases where dissatisfaction exists as to the amount of separation allowance fixed by the pension officer and the old age pension committee, or whether any machinery exists by which an appeal can be carried to a higher tribunal?

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the award made by the pension officer and committee, appeal may be made for reconsideration of the case by those authorities. A decision then given by them in agreement is final. If they differ, the final decision is given on behalf of the War Office by an independent committee set up for that purpose, as has already been publicly announced. No questions of assessment are in any case decided by Paymasters.

To whom are the appeals to be addressed?

The appeals come before the independent committee set up by the War Office, in the ordinary form, when there is a disagreement with the authorities below.

Do I understand that there is no appeal for the relatives of soldiers at the front in the case of a decision by the pension committee and the pension officer?

Yes. There is an appeal, but there is not a second appeal after that.

To whom is the first appeal?

To the pension officer and committee, who in a great number of cases revise the first finding.

Are we to understand that there is no final appeal from that authority to the central committee at the War Office?

The pension committee and the pension officer reinvestigate the case. The decision, the second time they consider the case, is to be considered as final.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the dissatisfaction in various parts of the country with the decision of pension officers as to the amount of allowances to dependants of soldiers and sailors, he will publish the instructions given to such pension officers, and so enable an accurate judgment to be formed as to whether they are acting fairly?

The function of the pension officers is not to decide as to the amount of separation allowances to dependants of sailors and soldiers, but merely to investigate and report to the pension committees as to the fact and degree of dependence. In doing so they are guided by instructions which my hon. Friend will find set out in the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the War Office to the hon. Member for Lanarkshire on the 10th February last. The pension committees also report as to the fact and degree of dependence, and the amount of the allowance to be granted is then determined by the naval or military authorities, or, where there is disagreement between the pension officer and the pension committee in the case of soldiers' dependants, by the Appeals Assessment Committee which has been appointed.

As pension officers do not have the power of fixing the amount of the allowance, nor do the pension committee, is there no appeal at all from their decision on behalf of the beneficiaries?

That sounds very like a supplementary question which the hon. Member asked earlier to-day, and the answer is the same. Where a pension officer and pension committee have reconsidered any representations that have been made to them and after that reconsideration have fixed the rate, there is no further appeal. They agree as to the local facts according to their local knowledge.

Do I understand that a soldier or a sailor can secure the pension committee and pension officer hearing the case twice, but that after that there is to be no appeal from the decision?

I think where two authorities looking at matters from a different point of view agree as to the facts after reconsideration, there is no further appeal.

Are we to understand that the pensions officer is the servant or official of the pensions committee?

No, that is not so. The pensions officer is the servant of the Customs and Excise Department, and the pensions committee is a local committee appointed to be advised by him, and, after taking his advice, to form their own opinion as to the facts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the numbers of men of serviceable age still employed as chauffeurs, footmen, gardeners, and in similar capacities, he will consider the advisability of largely increasing the duties payable on the employment of men servants, unless the employer can produce a certificate from an officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps showing that the servant in question is physically unfit for war service?

I will consider the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Would not it be fairer to charge those who do not go rather than employers who have no power to exercise compulsion?

I would not like to give an opinion on that.

If the right hon. Gentleman considers compulsory service desirable, would not it be better to have it by direct rather than by an indirect method?

asked whether the Treasury have in any case given authority for German subjects to obtain bearer securities from bankers on an undertaking that the value of such securities should not be transmitted to an alien enemy; and, if so, what safeguard is there to prevent the proceeds reaching an alien enemy through a neutral country?

I cannot trace any case of the nature referred to but if my hon. Friend knows of any and will give me particulars, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now 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?

An arbitrator having been appointed to adjudicate on the claims of the postal servants, the Government propose to await his award before dealing with the case of the Civil Service generally.

asked whether any representative of the liquor trade is to be put on the Commission for Scotland dealing with compensation to that trade under the Defence of the Realm (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill?

The answer is in the negative.

Who are the responsible authorities in Scotland?

I think that I gave the names. I have not got them with me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Treasury has no power to prevent the registration of a new joint stock company, in regard to which it has refused to approve the issue of the capital with which it proposes to operate; and whether he proposes to ask Parliament for powers to prohibit the issue of such capital?

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce legislation with the object of controlling the issue of fresh capital in this country without the approval of the Treasury?

I will answer together Question 23 and Question 48 addressed to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The Treasury have no legal power to make their disapproval of fresh issues of capital effective, and the Government do not propose to seek such power at the present time. I do not, however, consider it probable that in present circumstances promoters will persist in prospectuses of which the Treasury have expressed disapproval, or that if they do persist such prospectuses will be supported by the public. Should they do so, the question whether any advantage they may thereby obtain over those who have been content to be guided by the rules laid down should not be counterbalanced by special fiscal burdens will not fail to receive careful consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this operates very unfairly to small companies which are being floated and which do desire to observe the restrictions placed upon them by the Treasury, whereas others may not be so scrupulous and may not observe these restrictions?

If my hon. Friend will read my answer carefully he will find that I do indicate what should be done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when no appeal is made to the public and those companies are being floated, they are to be prejudiced?

That question has been considered by the Committee on issues, and I am not sure at the present moment what their decision is. Perhaps my hon. Friend would put it down. I would rather not answer without considering it carefully.

Can my right hon. Friend state whether this Committee of the Treasury has any statutory powers?

That is in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend.

Then the answer is "No."

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what inquiries are made before the granting of pedlars' licences in Scotland; and whether he is aware that two Germans still act as pedlars, one having recently been seen at Cromartie?

The chief officer of police is required by Statute to satisfy himself as to the character of the applicant before granting a certificate. I am aware of two German pedlars in Scotland, who are sixty-six and sixty-seven years of age respectively, and have been forty-two years in the country, and who are considered quite harmless.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can and will state to this House the amounts of advance in wages given to labourers on the land in the middle and southern counties of England?

I have been asked by my hon. Friend to reply to this question. So far as reported, it appears that since the outbreak of war the increase in the weekly cash rates usually paid to agricultural labourers reached 4s. in Hants, Kent, Leicester, Salop and Wilts; 3s. in Berks, Cheshire, Derby, Devon, Dorset, Herts, Middlesex, Notts, Northants, Oxford, Somerset, Staffs, Sussex, Warwick, and Worcester; and 2s. in Bedford, Bucks, Cornwall, and Surrey.

Is there any objection to extending the figures to cover the whole of England, and to issuing them in a Parliamentary Paper?

If the hon. Member will put down an unstarred question, I will give the whole of the counties and circulate the answer with the Votes.

Does that answer cover the results of the recent official inquiry made among farmers under Form Z 8, issued only a few days ago?

I do not remember under what form the information was given, but this is the most recent information we have at the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state when he can issue the supplement to the table given on page four of the Report on School Attendance and Employment in Agriculture [Cd. 7881], bringing the information up to the 30th April?

I hope to publish the Supplementary Return by the end of the month.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the increased cost of food, rent, coal, and clothes, which makes a fresh burden on the working classes, he will now approach those local authorities which charge fees for elementary school children with a view of relieving this burden?

I am not proposing to make the representation suggested. I have no evidence and have received no representations that there is any deficiency of free places, and apparently there is no indication that the parents who pay these fees desire relief from them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the case of Liverpool where a large number of free places have been commandeered by the military authority, and where the children are contributing £1,000 a month to the school authority?

My attention has been called to that case, which is rather peculiar, owing to the fact that the school has been commandeered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman revise his answer in view of the fact to which I have called his attention, and which shows that it is wrong?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board has receded from the attitude taken up on 3rd May, and stated in a letter to the London education authority, that the existing arrangement between the Board and the council as to school-building should be maintained; and, if that arrangement is to be modified, will he state exactly the changes which are proposed and sanctioned?

I may refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister on Thursday, 13th May. I have not since then received any further communication from the council, who, I understand are considering the question.

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

About 2,000 letters and 500 parcels are returned from the front each week as undeliverable from this cause. Of these about 300 letters and 80 parcels a week are found to contain no indication of the names and addresses of senders. Such letters and parcels are retained for a time, as prescribed by the Post Office regulations, in order to afford the senders an opportunity to claim them, and are then disposed of. The normal procedure is to sell for the benefit of the Exchequer any that are of saleable value and to destroy the rest. I have, however, arranged that for the present the contents of any packets or parcels that are suitable for the purpose shall be handed over to the Prisoners of War Help Committee for distribution to British prisoners of war interned abroad. Neither the Post Office nor the War Office could undertake to discover the legal representatives of the addressees in such cases; and delivery to the next-of-kin, apart from the objection to the additional work which it would impose on the Military Record Offices, seems to me to be open to serious objections of a more general nature, since it may often happen that the senders of letters and parcels who omit to state their names and addresses would prefer that the correspondence should not be forwarded to the addressees' next-of-kin. I have, therefore, come to the conclusion, after consultation with the War Office, that the hon. Member's suggestion cannot be adopted.

Whatever objections may apply to letters, can the right hon. Gentleman not secure that parcels, at all events, shall be sent to the representatives of the addresses, seeing that they have the first claim on the property contained in the parcels in question?

I do not think that is possible, and if the hon. Gentleman will look into the matter I think he will see that the attitude taken by the Post Office is the proper one.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, with a view to encouraging thrift amongst the soldiers' wives who draw separation allowances, he can arrange to have savings bank facilities in the halls which have been secured in populous districts for the distribution of separation allowances owing to the want of accommodation in the ordinary post offices; and whether steps will be taken, by means of pictorial posters or otherwise, to bring to the notice of soldiers' families the special advantages offered by the Post Office Savings Bank for the encouragement of thrift?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for his suggestions, which will receive full consideration. The extent to which the Post Office Savings Bank can usefully extend facilities for the encouragement of thrift at the present time is already receiving my special attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government can do anything to prevent the advance in the price of coal in the middle and southern counties of England?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Lanarkshire on Thursday last, I am conferring with the Midland coalowners on the subject, and they are to meet me again this week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the questions which will be addressed to Lord Mersey's Board of Trade Inquiry into the loss of the "Lusitania"; and whether he can give the positions or names of the Law Officers and the assessors who will assist Lord Mersey?

The questions for submission to the Court cannot be satisfactorily prepared until sufficient evidence has been obtained from passengers and crew on which to found them, but this is being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. The Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General will be the leading counsel in the Inquiry. The assessors, who are appointed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, will, I understand, be Admiral Sir Frederick S. Ingle-field, K.C.B., and Lieutenant-Commander Hearn, R.N., together with two mercantile marine masters, Captain D. Davies and Captain J. Spedding.

May I ask whether the instructions alleged to have been given by the Admiralty to the captain will be disclosed?

It is competent for the Committee to call for any information which they desire in the course of the Inquiry, either for the Admiralty or any other Department.

Will any naval advantage be derived from this Inquiry? Cannot it be abandoned?

We would not abandon it. I have already announced it may be necessary to conduct the Inquiry, or parts of it, in camera, but we should not think of abandoning it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a large number of teachers, both male and female, who are prevented by their duties from co-operating permanently in the national efforts required by the present crisis, are anxious, during their summer holidays, to contribute some assistance to the common work; and whether it would be possible for the Board of Trade, with the co-operation of the Board of Education and the Scotch Education Department, to arrange to give these teachers an opportunity of rendering temporary assistance in various capacities for which they are qualified?

My attention has already been called to the desire of some of the teachers in England and Scotland to undertake work during their summer holiday. I will, as suggested, consult the Board of Education and the Scottish Education Department further on this point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a communication from the Scottish coal exporters showing the necessity of postponing until June the proposed Order to prohibit export of coal except under licence; and, if so, will he explain his attitude on this proposal?

I received a request from the Scottish Coal Exporters' Association for the postponement of the date on which the Order in Council prohibiting the export of coal came into force, but I did not see my way to accede to it. The whole question was very fully considered in all its bearings, and a week's notice of the prohibition was given. A strong Committee has been established to deal with applications for licences to export to prohibited destinations.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any local bodies have, since the receipt of his circular enjoining economy, reduced their rates other than the borough council of Woodstock; and whether that borough has reduced its general district rate from 1s. 6d. to 1s. in the £?

I have no general information on this subject. In the case of the borough of Woodstock there has been a reduction, as stated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman commend the example of this small borough to the greater offenders?

I think the hon. Member's question and the answer to it will ensure the necessary publicity.

asked the Prime Minister whether any complaints have been made about racing in Ireland interfering in any way with the movements of troops or other necessary war activities there; and whether he will, in view of the importance of horse breeding in Ireland, take steps to see that Ireland will be excluded from any restrictions which may be imposed in Great Britain?

This suggestion will certainly receive consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind there is not only a question of the unemployment of a few persons, but a question also of the employment of a great number of people?

All these questions are borne in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the views of the societies connected with the turf, and other interests concerned, receive consideration?

Yes.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give instructions that police officers of the Metropolitan force shall not, during the continuance of the War, do duty at any race meeting, and recommend the various authorities whose forces are under the inspection of the Home Office to take similar steps?

The Commissioner of Metropolitan Police reports that it is not proposed to utilise the Metropolitan Police outside their own district in the manner suggested. Within their own district they are responsible for the maintenance of the peace and must be ready to intervene if disorder occurred at a race meeting held within the Metropolitan Police area, as at any other large assemblage of people. The chief officers of other forces will no doubt act on similar lines with regard to this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the high price of food and of the desirability of increasing the national savings to the greatest extent possible, it is proposed to take any steps to encourage thrift and economy and to secure a wider know ledge of food values and of the most economical methods of using food?

These questions are receiving the consideration of the Treasury and the Board of Education.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the continued issue of currency paper money by the Treasury affects the price of food?

That is a debatable question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the provision for war was based on the assumption that the War might last for three years; whether the Government have considered the possibility of the War lasting for more than three years; and, if so, whether any steps are being taken to adjust the social, economic, and industrial organisation of the country to meet the strain to which it would be subjected?

The Government cannot neglect the possibility of a long-continued struggle, and are doing all in their power to strengthen and husband the resources of the country to meet the strain.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the combined effects of the Defence of the Realm Act and the Immature Spirits (Restriction) Bill, when it becomes law, the Government is in a position to promise compensation or to promise consideration of each claim to compensation upon which the compensation committee favourably report?

I must refer to the statements made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Attorney-General in the Debate yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that when plans of military co-operation between the French and British Armies had to be discussed prior to the War, Field-Marshal Sir John French was sent over to France for this purpose; and whether, in future, when conversations of a similar character take place in France in regard to naval plans, a sailor of prestige and distinction can be sent over instead of the civilian First Lord of the Admiralty?

Mr. Churchill went over to Paris to see M. Augagneur, the French Minister of Marine. Both Ministers were accompanied by their professional advisers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, having regard to the importance, especially at the present time, of taking steps to reduce infant mortality, he will consider the desirability of amending the Notification of Births Acts, so as to confer an express power on local authorities to provide health visitors, maternity centres, and similar arrangements for promoting infant welfare?

There can be no division of opinion as to the great importance of measures for reducing infant mortality, and I may perhaps remind the Noble Lord that the Government have undertaken to make substantial Grants in aid of maternity centres and other agencies for infant welfare, which are approved by the Local Government Board. It would, I think, be an advantage if the Notification of Births Act were amended in the way suggested in the question. Notifications are of little value unless they are followed up by health visiting and by the provision of advice and skilled assistance to mothers. The Act itself confers on local authorities no express power to do this work, and at present recourse has to be had to powers in other Acts which were not framed with infant welfare particularly in view. One result is that the powers of a county council adopting the Act differ from those of a district council. If it were shown that a small amending Bill, such as is suggested, would meet with general support, I should be glad to consider the early introduction of such a measure.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain the views of Members of this House on the possibility of doing this?

I will inquire as to that.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received a resolution from the Warwickshire County Council advocating that, on account of the dearth of labour, a representation be made to the Local Government Board that, during the continuance of the War, no limit should be placed on the earnings of those now in receipt of old age pensions; and whether he is prepared to take the necessary action to carry this into effect?

Instructions will be given to pension officers not to raise questions in the case of existing pensioners in respect of any temporary increase of means due to the pensioner's re-employment on account of shortage of labour arising out of and during the War, provided that there is no evidence of a desire to pay, on account of the pension, less than the proper rates of wages.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the meeting of the Hampton District Council (Middlesex) on the 11th instant, which broke up in disorder owing to the refusal of a German member to abstain from attendance; and whether he can take steps to prevent Englishmen being compelled to sit on local authorities side by side with Germans?

My attention has been drawn to a newspaper paragraph which relates to this incident. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may say that aliens are disqualified for being members of any local authority.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that many private houses, now being used as hospitals for the wounded in the War, are liable to be rated; and whether he will consider introducing a Bill to enable their exemption from rates where the guardians are satisfied that such houses are bonâ fide used solely for such purpose and that only those wounded and those necessarily attendant on them reside therein?

As stated in reply to a question on 9th March, if a local authority, in cases of the kind referred to, should see fit to exempt the premises from rating, the Board themselves would not, in the present circumstances, wish to take exception to such a course.

Have not the Local Government Board power to exempt from rating private houses?

No, Sir, the power of exemption is vested in the local authorities.

had given notice to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state how many German prisoners have been released from the Isle of Man camps within the last six weeks; why have they been released and where are they to reside; and are any of the released prisoners to be permitted to reside in prohibited areas?

said: I beg to postpone this question till to-morrow, when it will be addressed to the War Office. But may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Isle of Man Camp is not especially under the Home Office?

Until quite recently the administration did not rest with the Home Office with regard to the internment or release of prisoners. In future I shall answer all questions relating to this camp, but this particular question refers to the matters arising at a time when I had no control over it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if anything is to be done which will enable the men who may be absent at the War to record their votes at the coming elections?

The Government are fully alive to the importance of ensuring that when an election takes place the men who have been absent on war service shall not have been disqualified for voting. The question as to the best method of attaining this object is receiving full consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make any announcement about this question before the House rises?

I fear not before the House rises. The matter is receiving daily attention. It is not free from difficulties, and the question is how best to attain the object which, I think, the whole House has in view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the claims have to be sent in by July?

I am well aware of the fact that the matter is one of urgency.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a Committee sitting on the Worksop and Bawtry Railway Bill have granted a Clause for the protection of the Northern Union Mining Company, owned and controlled by German capitalists, and thereby continuing this company in control as lessees of 28,000 acres of coal-bearing land in the counties of Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire; and whether he will take some steps to prevent these aliens from continuing as lessees of coal-bearing property in this country and to prevent trading with the enemy in this manner.

The sinking operations at this colliery have been suspended since the outbreak of war, and is now lying idle. No question of trading with the enemy arises.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the middle of last year arrangements were made to build houses for and plant 4,000 German workmen on this colliery, and does he consider that an operation suitable to be carried out by a company which asks for and obtains privileges from the British Legislature?

I am not aware as to what arrangements were made last year, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that nothing of the sort has happened now. The colliery is lying idle; of that there can be no question.

When the War is over will those 4,000 Germans be allowed to come over here?

The arrangements that were made have not been carried out. As to what was done by the Committee upstairs, the hon. Gentleman is better informed than I am.

Cannot this matter be safely left to the South Yorkshire miners?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a National Reservist whose services had been taken over by the Admiralty, and who is thus deprived of an enlistment bounty, would be given facilities to resign his position in the Navy so that he may enlist in the Army in order to secure the bounty; and, if not, whether new regulations can be made to prevent the loss of the bounty in such cases?

As regards the bounty referred to, the National Reserve was instituted for the benefit of the Army, and the bounty system was adopted to induce its members to join the Army. If, therefore, a National Reservist does not join the Army—for joining which he is offered a bounty—but elects to join the Navy—for which he is not offered a bounty—no bounty is paid. As far as is known, no application for transfer to the Army has yet been received from any National Reservist who has joined the Navy. Should such applications be put forward, each case would have to be decided on its own merits.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, during the present War, the Admiralty will grant acting appointments as interpreters in the languages of the belligerents to petty officers who hold a certificate of proficiency in those languages and whose services have been or may be utilised?

The Regulations only contemplate the definite appointment of officers as interpreters or acting-interpreters, and such appointments are only made after a strict examination. But I may say that there are several cases in which petty officers have been and are being employed on interpreting duties, for which they receive extra pay.

What is the objection to giving these appointments to petty officers who have qualified themselves by their own endeavours?

I have pointed out that there is an examination for interpreterships. There are petty officers, however, who are being employed and who get pay for this work. I can only tell the hon. Gentleman the Regulations.

What I want to know is, what objection there is to giving them appointments?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether those Royal Fleet Reserve men who are now doing civilian work in His Majesty's dockyards and elsewhere will be continued in that service and work after the War is over; and what will be the position of these men, who are not allowed to volunteer for active service because told to remain on and work as civilians?

Any such men now employed as civilians in the dockyards will be given every proper consideration as regards future employment, but I am afraid I cannot give a pledge that they will be retained permanently in the dockyard service. As regards the second part of the question, if the hon. Member refers to their position in the Royal Fleet Reserve, these men, whilst serving in the dockyards, will remain in the Royal Fleet Reserve on the same terms as in time of peace, and their time will count towards Royal Fleet Reserve pension or gratuity accordingly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a certain number of shipriggers who had served twelve years in the Royal Navy and from seven to eleven years on the Royal Fleet Reserve, and have now become established in the dockyard, have since been told that they lose what they consider their right under Royal Fleet Reserve conditions to the Royal Fleet Reserve bonus; and, seeing that some of these men deny that they were informed that establishment would mean loss of bonus, will he have their case inquired into?

As establishment frees men from the obligation for active service, which is the condition of the Reserve, men so freed cannot continue to enjoy the advantage of service in the Reserve. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind cases of men who have completed twenty years combined service in the Royal Navy and in the Reserve before becoming established, and will furnish me with their names, etc., I will have their cases investigated.

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?

So far as the members of the permanent clerical staff are concerned, the matter referred to in my hon. Friend's question is still under consideration. I am unable to say on what date the decision will be announced, but I hope that a settlement of the question will be reached shortly. For temporary members of the clerical staffs the following rates have been approved: At the West India Docks and Deptford, 30s. a week, rising to 35s. a week after a month's satisfactory service. At the Naval Ordnance Depot, Woolwich, 26s. to 30s. a week on entry, with gradual rises for approved service up to a maximum of 38s. a week; subject only to the condition that not more than 25 per cent. of the staff shall be on rates in excess of 30s. and not exceeding 34s. a week, and not more than 25 per cent. on rates in excess of 34s. a week. At Naval establishments outside the London and Woolwich area, 27s. a week on entry with a rise of 5s. a week for not more than 25 per cent. after six months' service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty the advance of wages given to the medical staffs of His Majesty's naval establishments and dockyards since June, 1914?

An advance of 1s. a week has been made to civilian male nurses at the Royal Marine infirmaries, and they also receive the emergency increase. The attendants on lunatics at Yarmouth Hospital with under five years' service have been granted 2s. a week, and with over five years' service 1s. a week. They also will receive the emergency increase. As regards naval hospitals, active service ratings (sick berth staff) are employed, supplemented during the War by St. John's Ambulance men; and no advances have been made to these other than those to which they are entitled under the Regulations, by service, and an additional ½d. a day messing or victualling allowance. The surgery attendants and assistant surgery attendants in the dockyards have participated in the emergency increase of 3s. a week as from the 28th March, 1915.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that there are a small number of men who had bought their discharge from the Navy but who have returned since the War and have gone through the gunlayers' course at Whale Island and elsewhere, but to whom the gunlayers' pay, given to all others who pass the gunlayers' course, is denied; and if he will have this matter seen to and remedied?

I am not aware of any such cases, and I do not think that there is any reason to suppose that the regulations providing for the payment of gunnery pay to men who duly qualify in the gunnery schools are not being complied with. Any man who considers himself underpaid should consult his commanding officer in the matter.