asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will circulate with the Votes a translation of the Order under which Italy is confiscating enemy merchant vessels; and whether the example will have any effect on our own action in this matter?

On 30th May the Italian Government issued a decree directing that enemy merchant vessels should be dealt with in accordance with the rules laid down in The Hague Convention. Since then a statement has appeared in the Press that the Italian Government have modified their attitude in this matter, and we have telegraphed to our Ambassador in Rome for confirmation of this report.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many inspectors of all classes, male and female, the Department has at work throughout Ireland; whether they have been required to report specially on the places, nature, and extent of resources for increased food production; and how he accounts for the fact that only one-eighth of the arable land of Ireland is tilled now, less than when the Department was established, while Denmark, our competitor in agricultural products, tills three-fourths of its arable land and is prosperous?

The Department have upon their staff ten agricultural inspectors. Such of these officers as are specially connected with the work of food production frequently report to the Department upon the subject, at office conferences, and in other ways. The relative position of Danish and Irish agriculture is, obviously, too large a subject to be discussed within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question.

asked whether he is aware that on 31st May last the price of Australian sheep, T T T brand, was 4s. 2d. per 8-pound stone; whether the Government's agent selling this brand on Smithfield refused offers of less than this amount; whether on the same date the firm of Parker and Fraser, of Smithfield, were offering T T T brand sheep at 4s. per stone, and effected several sales on this basis; whether this firm were extensive speculators who had bought heavily off the agent now acting on the Government's behalf; and whether, 4s. per stone being the market value of these sheep on this day, he can explain why the agent refused to accept less than 4s. 2d.?

On 31st May the first parcel of mutton of the T T T brand was sold on behalf of the Government. It was a small parcel of 100 carcasses, and was sold at 4s. 3d. per stone, which was the price offered for it. I have no information as to the transactions of Messrs. Parker and Fraser, referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked whether the commission allowed by the Government to the agents who sell their meat on Smithfield Market is 2 per cent.; whether the bulk of such meat is sold ex store and the principal work of the agent consists in making out a store transfer in the interest of the buyer; whether, before the commandeering of supplies, it was customary to allow only 1 per cent. on this kind of transaction; and whether he will explain why the rate of commission has been doubled at a time when the public are being advised to eat less meat?

The rates paid to the agents referred to in the question are 1 per cent. on sales ex ship and 2 per cent. on other sales, as compared with 2 per cent. all round, which was the usual rate formerly paid. The duties of the agents are more extensive than is suggested in the question, as they include the work of accounting.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has noted that the beef recently imported from Southern Brazil, though damaged in transit, mainly consisted of good average serviceable quarters, though somewhat badly butchered; whether the owners of the works are prepared to load this beef f.o.b. at 4½d. per lb., and less if the Government will supply refrigerated space; whether he will open negotiations with the owners in question; and, with a view to being ready for business in the event of negotiations being successful, will he see what arrangements can be made for discharging frozen meat cargoes in ports not so congested as London, and, if cold storage be not available in such ports, arrange for a supply of refrigerator trucks to convey the goods to places where such storage is available?

As my hon. Friend has already been informed, my right hon. Friend is waiting to learn the results of certain sample shipments of meat from Brazil, which will be made in July and August. Until then he is not prepared to enter into negotiations as suggested. The suggestion in the last part of the question will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the necessity for conserving the meat supply of the country and the steps that are now being officially taken for the prevention of the slaughter of young animals, he proposes that the production of calf vaccine lymph shall be discontinued by his Department?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask him whether he is aware that a very abnormal number of calves are being reared which is menacing the food supply—they are taking food which can be used for fattening—and whether, therefore, he will not yield to the hon. Member's request?

The question of my hon. Friend has nothing to do with my Department; it concerns the Board of Agriculture. My answer to the question on the Paper is No. I do not propose to take any course of the kind.

Is it not a fact that calves used for the production of vaccine lymph are subsequently employed for human food?

The calves which are employed and used for this purpose are slaughtered after they have been used, and if after veterinary, examination they are found to be absolutely wholesome they are used, but in no other case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the necessity of conserving the meat supply of the country and the steps that are now being taken by his Department for the prevention of the slaughter of young animals, he is prepared to issue an instruction to the manufacturers of vaccine lymph in this country that the use of calves for that purpose must be discontinued?

The Board are not disposed to use their powers under the Slaughter of Animals Act to interfere with the necessary operations for the preparation of vaccine lymph.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a lecture delivered at a meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute on 27th October, 1914, by Mr. R. E. Dennett, of the Forests; Department, Nigeria, in which he suggested that spirits for importation into Nigeria, which have hitherto been produced in Germany, might be made in Great Britain; and whether he will take steps to prevent Colonial officials from encouraging a trade which has been condemned by international agreement as being inimical to the moral and material welfare of the native population?

I have examined the lecture referred to, which seems to me to do nothing more than suggest that to whatever extent consumption of spirits does take place it is better that it should be of gin made from grain in the United Kingdom than of potato spirit made in. Germany. I see nothing objectionable in Mr. Dennett's remarks, and I have no reason to believe that any officials have encouraged or propose to encourage this trade.

asked the Home Secretary if he will explain how it is that the censoring authority allows the publication of statements about the Archbishop of Malines being in prison, prevents in certain areas the publication of the truth on that subject, and also prevents the publication of any account of the imprisonment of the Archbishop of Lemberg in a Russian fortress since last September?

As I stated on Tuesday last, the Press Bureau have not prohibited the publication of any statement with regard to the Archbishop of Malines. The original allegation, the German denial, and the repetition of the latter in the alleged interview with the Pope, have all been passed. I have no knowledge of the statement about the Archbishop of Lemberg, and the officers of the Press Bureau have no recollection of the case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of women who have registered at the Labour Bureaux under the special registration scheme; how many of them have already been used and in which trades; how many are being trained for various kinds of work, and which; and how many are being maintained while in training for such work?

The total number of women who have placed their names on the War Service Register up to the 18th June was 87,241. Of these, 2,332 have been placed in employment, the number being distributed principally amongst the following trades: Armament works, textile trades, dress, agriculture, chemical workers, etc., food preparation, leather workers, domestic and laundry, conveyance of men and goods, clerical, shop assistants, and waitresses. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the explanation given in the reply to the hon. Member for North Salford on 10th June. The total number of women from the War Service Register who are being, or have been, specially trained is 342. The schemes at present in operation give training in agricultural work, the grocery trade, and motor driving. About half of the number taken from the War Service Register are being maintained during the period of training. The above figures do not include women who are being trained by their employers, or those who have arranged privately for training.

Will the hon. Member say what is the use of getting further names of women between fifteen and sixty-five if, out of 87,000 women who have offered, the Government has only utilised the services of 2,000?

My hon. Friend must remember, from the answer previously given, that the 2,000 does not include those who have been on the ordinary register as well as on the war register. We do not know how many have been thus employed.

Is not that fact quite easily ascertained from the officials of the Labour Bureaux?

Will there not be some disappointment among these women when they know that only one in twenty has been taken?

Every effort will be made to make use of their services.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantities of blotting and filter paper and other unsized papers largely composed of cotton exported from the United Kingdom to Holland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden during the six months of the present year and the first half of 1914, respectively?

The papers in question are not separately distinguished in our export returns but are included under the general heading of "Paper unenumerated and articles thereof." The exports under this heading to the destinations mentioned have not shown any expansion as compared with last year.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the printing trade, both in London and the provinces, has been and still is in an extremely depressed state, and that in London alone between five and six hundred compositors are unemployed at the present time; whether, owing to the scarcity of male labour in certain directions, there are suitable avenues of employment open for such skilled artisans; and whether he will use the Board's influence with Government Departments in endeavouring to secure employment for such workmen?

I am aware that there are a considerable number of workmen unemployed in the printing trade according to the returns made to the Board of Trade by trade unions. The number of these applying for work at the Labour Exchanges throughout the United Kingdom at the 11th June was, however, only 223. If the unemployed workmen in the printing trades will make application at a Labour Exchange and indicate the kind of work which they are prepared, if necessary, to accept, the Department will, in consultation with the branch secretaries of the association, make every effort to assist them, and would be in a much better position to do so than they are at present.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will direct that in future sufficient orders are sent to the Royal Gun Factory, at Woolwich, to keep the men and machines in full work, it being confidently stated by those having knowledge in the district that machines in the factory are idle and the men lacking work?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am informed that the machines and the men in the Royal Gun Factory are kept as fully at work as is the case in any works dealing with engineering, regard being had to the dependence of one trade on another or to the occurrence of special causes of interference with work, such as breakdowns and the necessity of putting through urgently special repair jobs. I must also point out that certain of the large machines at this factory cannot be run continuously as there is not always a constant flow of large work and they are not capable of handling smaller work. It is only in exceptional and unavoidable cases that men or machines are not fully employed at the Royal Arsenal.

Is it not a fact that 97 per cent. of the kind of work which can only be done by these large machines has been given to private contractors, leaving only 3 per cent.?

I do not think those figures are accurate, but if the hon. Member will give me notice, I will furnish the correct figures.

It the right hon. Gentleman aware that since April last the same complaint has been made, and that billets of steel and other manufactured articles, which were there for the manufacture of articles the Government required, were sent to private contractors?

Again, I should like to have notice of that question, because I am not able to give an answer to my hon. Friend off-hand.

That is the same reply I got in April last.

It stands to reason that you cannot always keep a great factory like this going in all its departments at its full speed. One department must depend upon another.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the orders were actually placed, and the materials for the execution of these articles were in the department, but were transferred to a private firm of contractors, and your own men were kept idle?

No, Sir, I am not aware of it.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that at Oxenhope, Yorks, there is a provided school capable of accommodating all the children in the two departments of the council school as well as the children in the non-provided; whether, with a view to the economy of the rates, the concentration of our civic resources, and the maintaining a high standard of education, he will state whether it is the policy of the Board at this time to discourage and suppress unnecessary schools or to leave wasteful and overlapping arrangements exactly as they are; (2) whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by many local education authorities to supply the ranks of teachers; whether, with a view to solving this problem and to the economy of the rates, he will issue a circular to local authorities pointing out how the closing of small redundant schools and the removal of children in scatterd districts by means of vehicles would result in concentration and economy of the rates; and (3) whether he is aware that there are two schools, one provided and one non-provided, at Gargrave, in the West Riding, that either of these schools is large enough to accommodate all the children now in both schools, and that the closing of one of them with the concentration of all the scholars in one building would result in an economy of £150 per annum to the ratepayers; and whether, in view of the need of public economy at this time, the Board will take any action in this and similar cases?

The facts at Oxenhope and Gargrave appear to be as stated. I am aware of the difficulty in the supply of teachers, and have addressed a circular to local education authorities on the subject. They appear to be sufficiently alive to the economy of closing small schools where possible, but there is no power to close existing voluntary schools on the ground that they are unnecessary unless the managers consent or the average attendance is under thirty. Action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member would certainly give rise to controversy, which at the present time is very undesirable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of emergency legislation to close these small redundant schools temporarily for the period of the War?

I am afraid that question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take steps to secure that, where children of school age are employed in any capacity, their hours of labour, remuneration, and general conditions of employment must be approved by the Board of Education, whose inspectors shall have power to visit the place of employment and report on the conditions prevailing there?

The proposal of the hon. Member would affect the functions of other Government Departments, and would require legislation which, I am afraid, could not be regarded as uncontroversial.

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that in the discussion on the employment of children in agriculture general support was given to this suggestion in all quarters of the House, he will take steps to ascertain whether legislation upon this subject would be regarded as controversial?

I think the hon. Member's question covers a much wider field than that.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will issue instructions to all education authorities that where children of school age are employed in any capacity their hours of labour, remuneration, and general conditions of employment must be approved by the Board of Education, whose inspectors shall have power to visit the place of employment and report on the conditions prevailing there?

I may refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member for Leigh. My right hon. Friend has no authority to issue such instructions nor would local education authorities have power to give effect to them under the law as it stands at present.

Is it a fact that the late President of the Board of Education (Mr. J. A. Pease) gave the House to understand that such action would be taken?

I am not quite sure of the time to which my hon. Friend refers, but many attempts have been made to transfer the administration of the Employment of Children Act to the Board of Education, but such attempts have not been successful.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the War Risks Committee estimated that 40 per cent. of the British mercantile marine is employed in trade between foreign countries; if he will consider what steps can be taken to give the Government power to make such British shipping available, if need be, for the conveyance of cargoes to or from this country during the War; and if he will consider the question of taking powers, if necessary, to prohibit British vessels from carrying goods to places from which they are likely to reach the enemy?

The estimate referred to by my hon. Friend, and relating to the year 1911, was laid before the Sub-committee of the Imperial Defence Committee appointed in 1913 to consider the subject of the insurance of ships and cargoes in time of war. I can assure him that the maintenance of the carrying trade to and from the United Kingdom is a matter which has my right hon. Friend's constant care and attention, but I do not think that any additional legislation is necessary at present.

I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman has answered the second portion of my question.

Do you mean about powers?

Yes.

No legislation is necessary at present.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty the terms of the new arrangements made with medical consultants at Royal Naval hospitals?

The new arrangement is that seven consultants should be given temporary commissions as Surgeons-General, with the pay and allowances of that rank, namely:—

	£	s.	d.
Full pay	1,300	0	0	per annum.
House allowance	70	0	0	per annum.

and two temporary commissions as Fleet surgeons of ten years' seniority, with the pay and allowances of that rank, namely:—

	£	s.	d.
Full pay	638	15	0	per annum.
House allowance	50	0	0	per annum.
Hospital allowance	53	0	0	per annum.

As in the case of other naval medical officers, they have been informed that their appointments will not entirely preclude their engaging in private practice, provided it is clearly understood that such practice does not interfere with the performance of their naval duties.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would have been better if this practice had been availed of from the beginning instead of having salaries of £5,000?

I cannot answer that question, but I will say on behalf of these very distinguished gentlemen that they readily acquiesced in this alteration in the most patriotic way.

Is the effect of the answer that nine men are being employed in this capacity instead of five?

No, there were seven consultants and then there were two others; we have not added to them.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) how many persons, are expected to be occupied in the compilation of the National Register; (2) what is the estimated cost of producing the National Register; how many million forms will be distributed; and how many months will elapse before the information obtained will be available for practical use?

asked by what date the proposed National Register will be completed; what are the numbers of the present staff, and of any extra staff, that will be employed upon its compilation; and what is likely to be its ultimate cost?

Under the scheme of the Bill the local authorities will themselves arrange for the distribution and collection of forms in their own areas and for the actual compilation and maintenance of the register, and, as I have said, I anticipate they will get plenty of voluntary help for the purpose. It is impossible to say how many persons will actually be engaged. The cost will largely depend on the amount of voluntary help that is available. I anticipate that some twenty to twenty-five million forms will be distributed in England and Wales. I hope that a good deal of valuable information will be available in a few weeks after the date of registration.

Have the forms for this inquiry been already ordered and printed?

The hon. Member surely realises that it would be very wrong of me to take that step until the Bill has received the assent of Parliament.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received complaints of serious irregularities in the postal service between Manchester and the Military camp at Grantham; and whether the Post Office Department holds itself responsible for the delivery intact to the addressee of postal communications, or whether such communications when addressed to the troops are subjected before delivery to a preliminary handling by the military authorities?

There have been complaints of the non-receipt of letters sent to soldiers in camps at Grantham, but there is no reason to suppose that the losses occur in the post. The Post Office does not undertake to deliver any letter to the addressee in person. In the case of a letter addressed to a soldier in camp, the responsibility of the Post Office ends with its delivery to the post orderly appointed by the military authority.

asked the hon. Member for Lincoln, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether the heads of the National Health Insurance Department are openly discouraging enlistment in that Department and are refusing permission to many there who have expressed the wish to enlist; and whether he has considered how far the work of that office is suited for women substitutes in view of the fact that it is nearly all routine work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. On the contrary, during the last three weeks permission to enlist has been given to sixty-one additional men, bringing the total figure up to 529 out of 1,220 men of military age. In addition, forty-one men have been lent to other Departments for special war service. The policy of engaging women as substitutes, where practicable, has been consistently adopted for many months past. In addition to the normal work of the Department, which is by no means accurately described in the question, the staff and organisation of the Commissions are being used in the performance of certain special duties arising out of the War, and not directly connected with the work of national insurance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the Agricultural Returns made on 4th June are sufficiently tabulated, will he state what is the number of cattle in England and Wales below the age of one year, and the number of lambs; and what was the number of similar animals for the three preceding years?

The Agricultural Returns to which the hon. Member refers are not yet tabulated, and the figures for the current year, therefore, cannot yet be given. The figures for the last three years are as follows:—

• Cattle under one year—1,266,443 (1914), 1,141,281 (1913), 1,142,089 (1912).
• Sheep under one year—7,269,809 (1914), 7,010,390 (1913), 7,260,515 (1912).

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly supply the figures at the earliest moment they are available?

The hon. Gentleman has so much experience with farmers that he knows it is rather difficult to get them to send in their returns punctually, and I cannot promise them until August.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause inquiry to be made from all bankers as to accounts in their books which may have remained unworked for a longer period than seven years, with a view to investing such sums in the War Loan, so that the bankers' customers may receive the benefit of the interest and the country have the convenience of the loan of the money during the present emergency?

My right hon. Friend, for the reasons stated in his reply to a similar question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Donegal, does not think he can usefully take steps of the nature suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has further considered the desirability of increasing old age pensions for the period of the War, in view of the increased cost of living; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I will refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for York on the 22nd June.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, on the hospital ship "Oxfordshire," from Havre to Southampton, on 19th March, sixty British soldiers, the majority of them from the Black Watch and 6th Gordon Regiments, were taken out of their cots to make room for sixty Germans; that one of the British soldiers so removed subsequently died; and that, in addition, the Germans were supplied with fresh eggs and bread, while the British wounded soldiers had only biscuits; and if in the future he will see that the British soldier when wounded is not subjected to any worse treatment than wounded German prisoners?

The report on this matter has not yet been received. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when the information he asks for is available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable anxiety about this question, as it was understood there were very distinguished Scottish regiments on board, and we should like to know the facts as soon as possible?

I quite believe that there is anxiety, but on the other hand the ship may be away, and it takes a considerable time to get the information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say who is causing the delay? Has he ascertained the reason of the delay?

This information relates to a date some two or three months ago. It was only asked for a week ago. I have made the request for the information and it has not yet reached me. I do not think that is unreasonable.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Trading with the Enemy Committee and the Contraband Committee are being continuously informed by the Board of Trade and by His Majesty's representatives abroad of the quantities imported into neutral countries of goods in certain classes; whether the information, if any, so obtained is sufficient for the purposes of those Committees and to guide the Government in any action they might deem it expedient to take; and, if not, will he take other steps by the appointment of a Special Statistical Committee, or otherwise, to obtain this information?

The answer to the first two paragraphs of this question is in the affirmative. A statistical section has been formed at the War Trade Department, where all available information from other Departments concerned is collected and tabulated.

asked the Prime Minister, with reference to the request of the Secretary of State for War that men refusing to enlist be asked to state their reasons, whether he is aware that, for stating his reasons, William Moloney has been arrested at Limerick Junction, kept in military custody some time without trial, then tried by a civil Court under the Act of Edward III., and bound to the peace; whether this is the method of dealing with men's reasons in this country; whether the Irish practice will be introduced in England or the English practice in Ireland; and whether he has sanctioned the Irish practice as a due carrying out of his pledge, given in Dublin, that recruits were desired only as the free gift of a free people?

also asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, seeing that men desired for the Army are now asked their reasons for refusing to join and that in Ireland all such reasons are obnoxious to recruiting agents, what instructions have been given to guide those agents in Ireland as to reasons admissible, inadmissible, and offences under the Defence of the Realm Act, respectively; and whether the reason that Ireland is entitled to be neutral like Holland and the other small nations nearer to the seat of war is classed in the third of these categories?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer question No. 50, and I will at the same time answer No. 61. I am afraid the hon. Gentleman is labouring under a misconception. No special instructions have been issued to Irish recruiting agents as to their attitude to reasons advanced by men for not enlisting, and I am not aware that their attitude in the matter has been otherwise than perfectly correct. I have no information regarding the case of William Moloney, but, if he has been arrested, I imagine it must have been for something else than the fact that he stated his reasons for not enlisting.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this practice in Ireland carries out the pledge given by the Prime Minister that recruits were desired only as the free gift of a free people?

Certainly!

Will the right hon. Gentleman say to which category the reason belongs. Is not Ireland entitled to be neutral, like Holland?

I really am at a loss to know how any part of this country is entitled to be neutral, seeing that we are engaged in war.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question as to why the reasons given by this man were treated in the manner they were?

The question makes my brain reel.

Is it in accordance with the Defence of the Realm Act?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman is quite accurate in his information.

Is it an offence, under the Defence of the Realm Act, for an Irishman to refuse to enlist on the ground that his country is entitled to be neutral?

It is not an offence against the Defence of the Realm Act to refuse to enlist.

On that ground?

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state the reasons which induced the Military Secretary to refuse to sanction the transfer of an officer from the 11th Cheshire to the 17th Middlesex, notwithstanding that such transfer received the approval of the colonels of both battalions, the brigadiers of both brigades, the divisional generals of both divisions, the general commanding the Southern Command, and the general commanding the London Command?

The fact that a transfer receives recommendation from the military authorities in the commands is not necessarily final, and the War Office must retain the right to decide what is or is not against the interests of the Service viewed from a wider standpoint. The transfer of the officer in question was not considered to be in the interests of the Service, nor was his transfer in the rank of captain recommended by his commanding officer. I am loth to encourage the discussion in this House by question and answer of the reasons for or against the promotion or transference of individual officers. The hon. Member and the House should rest assured that the interests of the Service as a whole is and must remain our guiding principle.

Is it not a fact that the only consideration of the commanding officer in recommending a transfer is that it is in the interest of the Service, and that there is no other consideration?

I think it is so.

Is it not the case that the commanding officer did in this case recommend the transfer on those grounds?

My information is not in accordance with that received by the hon. Gentleman. I understand that the commanding officer would not recommend this particular officer to be transferred in the rank of captain.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether several Territorial battalions who have volunteeed for foreign service are being detained here indefinitely on account of their reserves being under strength, owing to the drain by the New Armies on their special recruiting areas; and, if the battalions are to be detained, will officers and men who have devoted much time and labour to training in peace be given an opportunity of transferring to units which are serving or are about to serve at the front?

With two or three exceptions, all first-line Territorial battalions have either gone oversea or are in course of preparation for service oversea. I do not think it is correct to say they are being detained indefinitely, but obviously they cannot proceed until they are ready in all respects. The transferring of officers and men in the manner suggested would retard the process of preparation and tend to reduce the number of available units for service.

asked the Under-Secretary for War the number of cases of and deaths from, paratyphoid fever that have occurred since the outbreak of War, up to the latest date available, amongst officers and men serving with the British Forces in Europe; and will he state the numbers of the cases and deaths amongst men who had been inoculated against typhoid fever and the numbers of those who had not been so inoculated?

In the Expeditionary Force in France there had been up to 22nd May, 1915—and I have no later figures—297 cases of paratyphoid, with ten deaths. There are no figures available to show in how many of these cases there had been inoculation against typhoid.

May I ask whether paratyphoid is not merely another name for typhoid when it manifests itself in persons who ought not to have it because they have been inoculated?

No; I am informed it is a disease wholly distinct from typhoid.

asked the number of cases of and deaths from typhoid fever that have occurred since the outbreak of War up to the latest date available amongst officers and men serving with the British Forces in Europe; and the numbers of the inoculated and non-inoculated cases and deaths?

In the Expeditionary Force in France there had been up to 22nd May, 1915, 827 cases with 128 deaths. Of these cases 508 occurred amongst the uninoculated, and of these 106 died; of the remaining 319 cases which occurred amongst the inoculated 22 were fatal. The House will be interested to know that the ratio of attacks is fourteen times and of deaths forty-two times greater amongst the uninoculated men.

Are these figures averaged over the whole period, including the period when the 60 per cent. or 70 per cent. of the men were uninoculated, or is the right hon. Gentleman merely dealing with the figures relating to the present day?

I am dealing with the figures for the whole of the campaign—from the beginning of August.

asked how many courts martial have been held during the War on non-commissioned officers and on privates, respectively; whether any and, if so, how many death sentences have been imposed; in how many cases the death penalty has been inflicted; and when not inflicted what alternative punishment is imposed?

It is not in the public interest to give the information asked for in the first three parts of the question. As regards the last part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Somerset on 9th June.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether certain lieutenants of the Royal Army Medical Corps Special Reserve serving in France were given to understand some months ago that their names had been noted for transfer to the Regular Royal Army Medical Corps; whether they have been gazetted accordingly and, if not, when they may expect to be gazetted; whether their transfer on being gazetted will be antedated to the time that they were noted for the change; and whether, as the transfer was entered in some cases before the recent general promotion of Regular Royal Army Medical Corps lieutenants to be captains, those who were noted for transfer prior to the general promotion will be included in the list for captaincy and be gazetted accordingly?

No promise of a transfer to the Regular Royal Army Medical Corps has been given, but a certain number of lieutenants of the Special Reserve and temporary lieutenants have made applications for permanent commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and their requests have been noted for consideration in the event of it being decided to give direct commission instead of, in the usual way, by open competition. The question of the date from which such appointments would take effect and what rank would be given would be for consideration when the matter is settled.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will undertake to refrain from transferring men who enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps before the passage of the Army Act Amendment (No. 2) Act from the non-combatant to the combatant branches of the Service, having regard to the fact that the men in question enlisted in the belief and, so far as they knew, on the distinct understanding that their services would be utilised for the purpose for which they were volunteered?

I cannot give my hon. Friend any absolute pledge to abstain from using, in the case of men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, the powers conferred by the Act to which he refers, but I think I can assure him that the consideration he urges will be borne fully in mind.

Will my right hon. Friend at least guarantee that he will give these men a choice?

We always endeavour to carry out the wishes of the men in the matter of transfer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of the Scottish Royal Army Medical Corps desired to join the Royal Scots, and were not allowed to do so?

I am looking into that.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether many thousands of railway wagons have been purchased by the War Office since the War from railway companies for service abroad; whether these wagons were sent to Woolwich to be inspected; whether this resulted in great congestion of traffic; and will he say the number of special trains employed for this purpose, and why inspectors were not sent to the works of the railway companies to inspect these wagons, this being the ordinary procedure adopted by business firms?

I am afraid my hon. Friend has been misinformed. No railway wagons have been sent to Woolwich to be inspected, nor are railway wagons ever sent there for that purpose.

Did they not go into the district of Woolwich?

That is not in accordance with my information.

Then where were they inspected?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether soldiers are being supplied to farmers in the Tibberton, High Ercall and Bayston Hill district, near Shrewsbury; whether he is aware that the farmers have refused to negotiate with the workmen on the question of wages; and whether he will inquire into the matter before giving his sanction for the use of soldiers in this employment to defeat the requirements for increased wages, owing to the high cost of living, made by farm workers in the district?

I will have inquiry made. The intention is that soldiers will not be lent as workers in connection with industrial disputes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether receipt of a separation allowance will be accepted as primâ facie evidence of the right to a pension should the soldier making the allotment for allowance be killed?

No scheme for pensions to dependants of soldiers has yet been approved, and until this has been done it would be premature to make any statement on the point raised.

Does that mean that we shall be required to wait until the new authority is set up?

No, Sir, I do not think it will be necessary to wait until then. It will be necessary to wait until the scheme which is now engaging our attention has been settled.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me whether the War Office separately and the Admiralty separately will settle with the dependants, or whether it will be the new authority set up under the new Bill?

I think the scale will be settled by the two Departments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the inquiry has been completed as to the legal position under which two firms in this country have to pay royalties of 9d. to 1s. on every fuse to Krupp's as affecting the prices charged to this country; and, if so, what is the result of the inquiry?

Yes, Sir. We are advised that the sums due to Messrs. Krupp under these agreements stand in the same position as any other commercial debts to enemy subjects, and consequently the War Office has no power to intervene in the matter.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the reply to the question I put on this matter some time ago to the former Financial Secretary to the War Office, in which he stated that this patent had expired, and when I asked whether the patent royalty was still being paid, although the patent had expired, he undertook to obtain legal advice on that point?

No, Sir; I was not aware of that answer. My information is that this patent is running. That is the information we have at the War Office, and that Messrs. Vickers, and I think some other firm, are manufacturing under the patent.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor definitely stated that this patent had expired, and will he put the question to him about it?

I think that will be the best way, as I am not familiar with the matter.

Are these royalties being paid over to the Public Trustee?

That I cannot say. That is out of our control altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any steps are being taken to compel every European in India to join the forces hitherto known as volunteers?

No such steps have been taken, nor would they be suitable in the special circumstances of India; but there has been a satisfactory increase in the numbers of the volunteers since the War began.

Is any such step under the consideration of the Government of India?

No, Sir. I said, in answer to my hon. Friend, that no such step would be suitable in the special circumstances of India. A very large proportion of the male population of British birth in India are already occupied in positions in the Government service from which they could not be spared.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the chief engineer and secretary to the Public Works Department of the Government of Assam is a German of the name of F. O. Oertel; and, if so, why the services of a German are retained by the Indian Government in a position when so much information of value to the enemy must necessarily be available to him?

Mr. F. O. Oertel is the secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the Public Works Department, having been appointed to that Department in 1883. He has lived in India for thirty-seven years and renounced his German nationality before he went there. He is, therefore, not a German subject. From a report received from India earlier in the year, I am satisfied that there are no grounds for dispensing with his services.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can ascertain the number of stores and shops in India which at the date of the War were owned and managed by Germans; and if he will consider the desirability of taking over the whole of this property and putting it in the form of a corporation with British managers in the stores instead of German, and put an end to this plan of increasing German influence throughout India?

As regards the first part of the question, inquiry will be made. As regards the second, there are only a small number of shops or stores to which licences to trade have been granted without conditions. I have every reason to believe that the Government of India are alive to the necessities of the situation, but I am in communication with the Viceroy on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman himself personally look into this and consider whether it is not an admirable opportunity for getting rid once for all of this German business, which ought never to have been allowed?

I have not waited for the suggestion of my hon. Friend; I am giving the whole matter my personal attention.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will consider the advisability of deporting all the missionaries of German or hostile nationality from India at the earliest date possible and taking the necessary steps to prevent their return there at any time in the future?

The whole question of the treatment of enemy aliens in India is receiving very careful consideration. I have already described, in answer to questions in this House, the general nature of the steps which have already been taken. I am now awaiting a report from India, and I can make no further announcement till it has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Order 289, Defence of the Realm Act, regulating lights visible from the sea or from the navigable waters of any estuary, prohibits the use of lights on motor cars if such light be visible from the sea; and, if so, whether, in view of the statutory provision against travelling after sunset without lights, it is proposed to amend the Statute in that behalf?

Yes, Sir, the Defence of the Realm Order covers motorcar lights, and is made under statutory authority. No other amendment of the ordinary statutory provision appears to be required.

I desire to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether Germany has prohibited the manufacture of cotton goods, and, if so, from what date?

No notice at all of the question has reached me.