asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any and what instructions have been given to the newspapers restrictive of advertisements by manufacturers and employers seeking skilled labour; whether any instructions have been given that such advertisements are not to state that the labour is required for Government or War Office work; and, if so, what is the reason for such instructions?

No instructions have been given to the newspapers on this subject, but the attention of certain associations of newspaper proprietors has been called to the restrictions on advertisements contained in the Order in Council of 29th April, and notice was also given of the arrangements for enabling advertisements to be submitted for the approval of the Board of Trade. There is no objection to statements that the labour is required for Government or War Office work; on the contrary, the specimen advertisement issued by the Board contains the words "Wanted for Government work." The detailed procedure in this connection is under discussion between the Board of Trade and the Associations of Newspaper Proprietors.

. Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the leave of the Board of Trade or the Labour Exchanges has to be obtained before any advertisements can be inserted for labour?

I can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the Order in Council of 29th April, which gives a full account of the obligations under which the newspapers are placed. We are hoping, by an arrangement with the Newspaper Proprietors' Association to arrange whatever is necessary for the convenience both of newspapers and ourselves.

Are the employers being considered in the matter, and is not the tendency of these Orders in Council to throw the whole business into the hands of the Labour Exchanges?

No, Sir, in a matter of this kind, in employment on munition work, the first consideration is the State and not the employers, but in this case we must consider the supply of labour for the best production of munitions.

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman understands me. I am dealing with the case of employers who are engaged on work for the State.

I think the hon. Gentleman misunderstands my reply: The reply which I have given to this and other questions was perfectly clear, that the Order in Council was framed, and the Regulations under the Order in Council have been worked, with the object of preventing employers who are working for the State from losing the labour which they now have.

If the Labour Exchanges fail to get the additional labour, what is the employer to do?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the immediate vicinity of London important firms engaged on Government work, such as electrical engineers, and others with a large plant, are hopelessly unable to get the skilled labour which they require, and whether or not they are still to be prohibited from asking for that labour from a distance where it is not engaged on Government work?

No, Sir, the employers are not prohibited from applying for labour from a distance. If they will put their applications through the ordinary channels no doubt help will be given, but the affairs of any particular company cannot be dealt with in answer to questions without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps, if any, he proposes to take to secure an adequate Supply of coal for gas and electric undertakings; and (2) what steps, if any, he proposes to take to bring the price of coal down to its proper economic level?

I do not think I can usefully add anything at present to the general statement I made in the House on Thursday last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average time per week worked by coal miners, and what powers he possesses under the Defence of the Realm Act to increase the output of coal and to restrict prices?

The average number of days per week worked by coal mines in May was 5.64. I do not think the question of coal supply and prices could well be dealt with under the Defence of the Realm Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increase in profit of the King's Norton Metal Company from £37,548 for 1913–14 to £131,097 for 1914–15; whether he has yet found a way, as recommended by the Secretary of State for War, to allow the workers to participate in the benefits automatically accruing to these companies from the War; or whether any scheme has yet been devised and put into operation for the limitation of war profits?

The profits of this company for 1913–14 were as stated in the question, but the Board of Trade have no information as to the profits for the subsequent year. The whole question of the method of limitation of the profits of armament firms is now being considered by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether officers serving as second in command of Infantry regiments of the Indian Army on field service out of India are debarred, by reason of attaining the age of fifty, from promotion to commandant; and, if so, whether, under the circumstances now existing, he will authorise a relaxation of the age rules in special cases where they occasion real hardship?

It was decided in 1913 that no officer of an Infantry regiment of the Indian Army, who has attained the age of fifty, or of a Cavalry regiment, who has reached the age of forty-eight, could be regarded as eligible for appointment as commandant. As regards Cavalry regiments, sanction was given in May last year, on the proposal of the Government of India, to the relaxation of this rule, where it might involve cases of hardship, provided that such relaxation is recommended by the Commander-in-Chief in India. The responsible authorities have not thought it necessary to propose a similar relaxation in the case of Infantry regiments, in which the age limit is two years higher.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a case of real hardship that an officer second in command of a regiment now serving at the front should be debarred from holding the command of that or of any other regiment simply because he happens to have attained the age of fifty years?

I said that the responsible authorities in India have not thought it necessary to propose a similar relaxation in the case of Infantry regiments. My hon. and gallant Friend will be as much alive as I am to the general objections which there are to increasing the age limit for officers under present conditions. I do not think that I ought to make any proposal to the responsible authorities on the subject, though, of course, I should consider any proposal which they made to me.

asked the Home Secretary whether Prince Minister, aide-de-camp to the German Emperor, is the owner of Maresfield Park, Sussex; whether this property, with a valuable herd of cattle in the park, is being preserved intact for its enemy owner; and whether it is proposed to make full use of its resources for the benefit of British subjects?

The Maresfield Park Estate is now in the custody of the Public Trustee, who is administering it in the interests of this country under the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914. He informs me that there is no herd of valuable cattle in the park. The four cows there are of the ordinary kind, and are doing their utmost for the benefit of British subjects.

Are all the rooms in this House placed at the disposal of the officers?

I think there is a question on that subject addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for War.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Government will consider the advisability of making all parks available for the benefit of the British public?

That question does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of game are being reared by these aliens, Baron Schroeder and others, and taking the food which ought to be required for the people?

Baron Schroeder does not live at Maresfield Park.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether Maresfield Park, Sussex, is the property of Prince Münster, aide-de-camp to the German Emperor, serving in the German Army, and has been requisitioned for the use of British troops who are quartered there; whether the best rooms in the mansion are closed to officers, who have to live three in a room in the servants' quarters and to mess in the servants' hall; whether the woods in the grounds are still under the care of Prince Münster's steward, who forbids officers and men to trespass in them for fear of disturbing Prince Münster's pheasants; and whether he will forthwith give orders that the entire house and grounds shall be at the unrestricted disposal of the British officers and men quartered there?

The mansion at Maresfield Park, Sussex, is in occupation by a brigade Headquarters staff, and by the officers of one Yeomanry regiment. Two Yeomanry regiments are encamped in the park. The whole of the accommodation required is available and is utilised. The officers are comfortably housed, and do not mess in the servant's hall, but in a large room most suitable in every way, the dining-room being too small for the purpose. The woods of the estate are placed out of bounds to the troops for military and disciplinary reasons. I am informed that there are no pheasants there.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the reports or descriptions of "Eye-Witness" with the Indian troops are published in India after being duly censored, but are of equal interest in the United Kingdom with the reports or descriptions of "Eye-Witness" with the British troops; and whether he will arrange for simultaneous, if not earlier, publication of such reports or descriptions in the United Kingdom in the Press in general, and in newspapers such as the "Indiaman," which specially serve those whose interests centre in the Indian services?

These articles have been written primarily with a view to meeting the wishes of the Government of India. They could not have been published here before they appear in India. I know of no general desire for the publication of them in the Press in this country, but if the "Indiaman" should desire to publish them simultaneously with their publication in India that could, I think, be arranged.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the number and character of fires which have, since the outbreak of war, taken places throughout the country, and especially in those which have consumed factories or other premises used for industrial purposes; and whether, in order to allay public anxiety as to the origin of such fires and to ascertain the facts both as to past or future conflagrations, he will introduce a measure to apply the City of London Fire Inquests Act, 1888, to the whole of the United Kingdom and treat it as emergency legislation?

Close attention is being given to this subject and the police examine into every case where there is ground for suspicion. The number of fires since the outbreak of war has not, so far as my information goes, been unusually large. I will consider the suggestion contained in the question, but as at present advised, I think inquiry by the police, made without unnecessary publicity, is likely to be more effective in cases where a hostile act is suspected than a coroner's inquiry, the publicity of which might defeat the object in view.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to make another suggestion to him?

With pleasure, if my hon. Friend will communicate with me.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the increase of infant mortality both in London and throughout the country; and whether, having regard to the seriousness and urgency of this question in its relation to the problems created by the War, he can see his way to introduce and pass as an uncontentious measure a Bill which, by the more stringent enforcement of the prompt registration of birth, the greater safeguarding of the health of mothers, the establishment of public crêches, or other methods, may tend to abate this evil?

I am fully aware of the importance of this matter, and, as I intimated to a deputation on Thursday last, I am anxious to introduce without delay a measure making the Notification of Births Act of general application and conferring certain powers on local authorities for safeguarding the health of infants and expectant mothers. I shall be very glad if hon. Members will co-operate with me in securing the unopposed passage of the Bill.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will confer with his right hon. Friend sitting next to him as to the enormous quantity of drunkenness there is amongst the mothers and women in many parts of London?

I have two of my right hon. Friends sitting next to me, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are in possession of very full information on various aspects of this case, and he may rely on us to do our best to improve the conditions.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has any record of the number of able-bodied male persons at present inmates of the Poor Law unions in England and Wales, and what that number is; whether he will consider the advisability of utilising any such available labour in country districts to assist in getting in the hay harvest and in other ways to supply in part the dearth of agricultural labour; and whether any special facilities are or can be given for such inmates as are of recruiting age to join the naval or military forces of the Crown or to be required to undertake work of a productive kind in connection with the supplies of munitions or equipment for the Services?

I cannot give the hon. Member exact figures, but, according to my information, the number of men still in Poor Law institutions who might be eligible for military service or who are sufficiently able-bodied to be employed in the other directions referred to is almost negligible. No special facilities are needed to enable any men for whom work is available to be discharged from these institutions. I may, in addition, say that in some cases I have selected for examination the numbers described as able-bodied have been rapidly decreasing during successive months of this year, and even where they are able-bodied they are very often not in any way suitable for military or any other very strenuous service.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is intended to provide, either by legislation or order, for the making up of the lists of registered voters in such a manner as to retain as electors for 1916 all those who are on the existing lists and those who would have been placed on the 1916 lists but for circumstances arising out of the War?

A statement will be made very shortly as to the course which is proposed to be adopted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that many naval officers ashore and afloat have held acting rank for considerable periods without being confirmed in that rank by promotion and without becoming entitled to the pension attached to that rank; whether such officers are penalised by loss of seniority when officers junior to them in their actual rank are promoted in the ordinary course: and whether he will undertake that all officers after three months' acting service in any rank shall be confirmed in such rank and shall be entitled to pension accordingly?

I am aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question. It is, however, to be pointed out that in the Naval Service acting higher appointments are not necessarily made in vacancies and in the majority of cases are additional to the authorised establishment. If widows' pension is referred to, acting rank counts as confirmed rank for this purpose. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that promotion in the Navy in the majority of cases is by selection and no officer has any claim to promotion simply on the ground that he has been granted acting higher rank. I regret I am unable to give the undertaking asked for in the third part of the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what scale the widows and orphans of the men who were killed in the recent explosion on the "Princess Irene" will be placed as regards pensions and allowances?

also asked whether, as regards pensions and allowances, the widows and orphans of the men killed on the "Princess Irene" will be placed in the same category as the widows and orphans of men killed on active service?

Pensions and allowances to the widows and children of the naval ratings will be awarded on the scale recommended in the Special Report of the Select Committee on Naval and Military Services (Pensions and Grants). Applications for these should be addressed to the Director of Greenwich Hospital, Admiralty, Whitehall. Awards to the dependants of the specially entered mercantile crew and of the dockyard workmen who lost their lives in the disaster will be granted under the provisions of the scheme framed under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 1914. The general provisions of this scheme are that widows receive a pension equal to one-third of the peace pay of their late husbands' rank or 10s. a week if greater. Children receive one twenty-fourth of the pay, or 2s. 6d. a week if greater, up to the age of sixteen. Awards to other dependants vary according to the degree of dependence and other circumstances within the maximum of a widow's pension. Applications should be addressed to the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty, Whitehall.

Has the maintenance allowance reference to any number of children?

I think each child will receive a twenty-fourth of the pay, or 2s. 6d. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Part II. of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, which received the Royal Assent on the 7th August last, has been adopted, wholly or in part, by the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and by Newfoundland, or by any of them; and, if so, at what dates was it accepted by the Dominions, respectively?

Acts for the adoption of Part II. of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, have been passed by the legislatures of the Dominion of Canada and of Newfoundland. The Canadian legislation was passed in 1914, and came into force (as the Imperial Act itself did) on 1st January, 1915. The Newfoundland Act was passed on 29th April, 1915. It is understood that the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa propose to pass legislation for the same purpose as soon as practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if employers who have insured the lives of their employés (who have recently joined the Colours) solely for the benefit of the employés' relatives or dependants can deduct the premiums from their Income Tax return?

The Board of Inland Revenue will raise no objection if, in the circumstances described, the District Commissioners of Taxes treat the premiums as expenses of the business for the purpose of which the insured are employed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that junior officers in the Royal Engineers, who having completed their full training period at Woolwich and taken their commissions, in some cases upwards of twelve months before the commencement of the War, and who have ever since been on active service at the front, have been kept without promotion, while others who have obtained temporary commissions in the same branch of the service since the War have in numerous cases been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and occasionally to captain over the heads of such first-named officers; and whether he will take steps to remove this alleged grievance by promotions in suitable cases so ante-dated as to preserve seniority?

Promotion must be made with reference to the requirements of the unit concerned. If some temporarily commissioned officers at home have been advanced in rank when they have less service than permanently commissioned officers of the same rank, this will be because it is not possible to withdraw officers from the front to fill vacancies in higher ranks at home in the New Armies. The promotion of the permanent Royal Engineer officers has, however, been considerably accelerated since the outbreak of the War, and measures are being elaborated which will have the effect of giving promotion to the officers to whom the hon. Gentleman particularly alludes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that three young men between twenty-five and thirty years of age, all of Blackburn, have been appointed to deal with the examination of cloth for aircraft, in preference to men above military age and of larger experience; what are their remuneration and allowances; have they, without any previous experience in the Navy or aircraft, been appointed sub- lieutenants in the Volunteer Naval Reserve (Aircraft Section) to enable them to carry out their duties; and, seeing that these appointments have given rise to adverse comment, whether he will, to prevent recruiting amongst the workpeople and others being hindered, take steps to ensure such appointments not being made in the future?

Three young men, all under the age of thirty, have been granted commissions in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, one as a lieutenant and two as sub-lieutenants, their duties being the inspection of fabric for aircraft. These gentlemen have been selected on the recommendations of the highest authorities on this subject, and have purposely been chosen of this age so that they can be trained in the practical side of air work, in order that they may fully grasp the requirements of the service, and it will be part of their duty to take part in actual flying. It is not considered that men of over military age are suitable for work in the air in order to test material, fittings, and so on. Remuneration and allowances are in accordance with rank. As regards the final part of the question, I feel convinced that, after the statement that it is not only part of these young men's duty to exercise their skill and knowledge in the selection and examination of material for aircraft, but also to go into the air to see how such material bears the strain of actual use, such adverse comment as may already have been made will at once be recognised by its authors as having arisen as a result of misconception.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the names of the clearing houses to which soldiers of the rank and file when disabled by nerve strain are sent on arrival from the front, and the names of the military hospitals specially adapted for the treatment of un-certifiable cases of mental strain; how many of these border-line cases are at present in each one of these institutions, indicating at the same time for what purpose the institution was used previous to being commandeered; and in how many instances these uncertifiable cases have been put in charge of medical officers now gazetted officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps who, up to the time when the institutions were commandeered, belonged to the asylum service and who still retain that status in addition to their military status?

The clearing houses are the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, and the 4th London (T.F.) General Hospital, Denmark Hill. These cases are sent to various military hospitals throughout the country and special neurological sections have been established in connection with the twenty-three (T.F.) General Hospitals so as to bring the patients under the observation of the eminent neurologists at these centres. It is not possible with any degree of accuracy to give the numbers of what my hon. Friend calls "border-line cases." The Red Cross Military Hospital, Maghull, and the Springfield War Hospital were taken over as military hospitals through the Board of Control, and the superintendents of these institutions were appointed to the charge of the military hospitals when they were taken over. For the time they are purely military medical officers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me now, or in a short time, the number of soldiers in these hospitals?

I think I can agree to do that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the new military hospital shortly to be opened at Napsbury has been known for years as a county lunatic asylum; whether its lunacy staff of medical officers are to be retained to take charge of nerve-shattered soldiers without any appeal or judicial investigation; and whether he will consider the possibility, as an alternative, of treating transiently acute cases of nerve shock in the same way as delirious cases are treated on medical lines in ordinary hospitals, and so save both the injured soldiers and their families from the opprobium associated with having been treated in a lunatic asylum?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative; but I am unaware what appeal or judicial investigation is contemplated by my hon. Friend: the cases of nerve shock to which the word "transient" may be applicable will be sent to military hospitals. I can assure my hon. Friend that neither the desire nor the intention is lacking in my military medical advisers to save the soldiers and their families from the opprobium associated with having been treated in a lunatic asylum.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to save them from opprobium by depriving them of the safeguard which the Lunacy Act gives them?

I do not know that I quite appreciate that question.

Are you going to exempt these hospitals from the operation of the Lunacy Act?

I have explained the position more than once. At present it is that a soldier who is so unfortunate as to be deprived of his balance and is incurable, is certified not by the body that certifies cases of the civil population but by a board of military authority, and if it is discovered that he is incurable, of course he goes into an asylum.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that a young man, eligible in every way, was refused employment in Woolwich Arsenal because it was discovered that he was a few months short of the statutory age, twenty-one years; and, if so, whether this disqualification can be dispensed with?

I am unable to trace the particular case from the information afforded by the hon. Member. No such qualification is insisted on for employment in the Arsenal. It has been found that men under twenty-one are not, as a rule, sufficiently experienced to be employed as fully-qualified mechanics, although they might be engaged as improvers.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other societies in Ireland who have joined the Army and have made the necessary allowance of 6d. per day off their salaries, in accordance with War Office regulations, are being treated exceptionally in regard to the weekly allowances due to their dependants at home; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to have the matter set right as soon as possible?

No instructions have been given for any exceptional treatment, and I am not aware of any.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, if a soldier, the son of a soldier on active service, makes an allotment to his sister over sixteen years of age, the sister can receive the Government allowance to an amount sanctioned by the local pension committee; and, if not, will he say why this is not allowed?

A soldier's sister is eligible under the same conditions as other dependants?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the list of honours and promotions in the Canadian Army, in recognition of their recent service and sacrifices in the Imperial cause, may be expected?

I presume the hon. Gentleman refers to the further list of honours conferred on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday in recognition of meritorious service during the War, which was mentioned in the supplement of the "London Gazette," published on 3rd June. It would be improper for me to say what this list might or might not contain, but I may say that its issue will not be unduly deferred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is any shortage of battalion medical officers in the Army; if so, what steps are being taken to remedy such shortage; and whether the Army Medical Department is conferring with the official representatives of the medical profession in this country with a view to the better organisation of the medical profession for war purposes?

There is not at present any shortage of battalion medical officers, but more are still required in order that the needs of the New Army and of the Territorial Force may be fully supplied. Considerable numbers are being engaged every week, and the Director-General of the Army Medical Service is receiving every support from the official representatives of the civil medical profession with whom, not only on this but also on other matters affecting the health and well-being of the troops, he is in constant and cordial relations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many medical officers are at present employed at King George's Hospital, Stamford Street; how many of these are of military age; what is the proportion of such officers to the number of patients and how that proportion compares with the proportion of medical officers to patients in the general medical hospitals; whether men above the age of 40 are eligible for appointments at King George's Hospital; and whether the staff of younger men might be reduced if they were assisted by medical men over 40 years of age working part time?

The medical officers of this hospital were appointed by the Red Cross Society. I understand that there are twenty-five resident and that twenty-four are of military age, though I cannot say how many of these are in fact eligible for any service. There is one medical officer to sixty-six beds, which is a somewhat more favourable proportion than in other hospitals. An arrangement of part-time service would not be convenient, I believe, but I sympathise with the object the hon. Gentleman has in view and enquiries will be made to see whether any of the junior medical officers who are eligible could be released for general medical service with the Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether letters addressed to soldiers serving with the A Company, 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, 87th Brigade, 29th Division, in the British Expeditionary Force, care of General Post Office, London, and when wounded to the Military Base Hospital, Alexandria, have not been delivered; if he is aware that in one case ten letters sent at different times by relatives to one soldier, and addressed as above, are all undelivered; and whether this condition of things continues and what the explanation is?

If letters intended for the unit mentioned have been inscribed "British Expeditionary Force," the instructions issued have not been followed, and this would account for any failure to deliver. I will send my hon. Friend a few copies of the instructions. As regards correspondence with the forces in the Mediterranean, I am afraid my hon. Friend must not expect the same rapidity and certainty of delivery as now obtains, I believe in the case of correspondence for the Expeditionary Force in France, but I can assure him that everything possible will be done by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General and by the military authorities to give as good a service as the circumstances permit.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is considering the need for the suspension of the Eight Hours Act, in view of the bearing of the question of coal production upon the present crisis?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Departmental Committee on conditions prevailing in the coal-mining industry due to the War, which was presented to Parliament the other day, and especially to paragraph 6 of the Summary of Conclusions. Action under this recommendation is being considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the late Cecil Rhodes founded fifteen scholarships at Oxford for students from Germany held on the appointment of the German Kaiser, and that the annual income for this purpose is £3,750 a year; and whether, in view of the present financial difficulties of Oxford University, he will introduce emergency legislation whereby the income of this endowment may be enjoyed by the university during the period of the War?

I am in communication on this subject with the parties interested.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to invite Lord Haldane to preside over a Special Commission, formed for the purpose of concentrating to the fullest extent the scientific intellect of the country upon research, invention, and discovery related to the materials, agencies, and processes that might be employed to enable us to win a complete triumph for our arms, in spite of the inhuman but nevertheless highly scientific, ingenious, varied, and continuously novel agencies of war used by the enemy?

The existing machinery for this purpose appears adequate. The creation of an additional body would not, I think, prove to be of advantage.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the short time that remains before the preparation of the annual register of voters, he can now say if the usual registration courts will sit this year; and, if not, what provision the Government will make with regard to this matter and the postponement of elections?

A statement will shortly be made on this subject.

Will my right hon. Friend remember that 5th July is the date fixed?

Yes, I will remember that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that copies of an article by the hon. Member for Leicester, reprinted from the "Labour Leader," suggesting that the War is unnecessary and unjust, are being systematically and anonymously sent to persons who have lost a son, killed in action, immediately after their bereavement, and whether the War Office is taking any steps to discover and expose the persons guilty of this inhuman conduct?

This matter has already been receiving attention, but I cannot make any statement at present. The hon. Member for Leicester has informed me that the action mentioned in the question has not been taken by any organisation with which he has been or is associated, and that it has neither his sanction nor his sympathy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that he will invite the assistance of the Home Office and of the Post Office to endeavour to detect the persons guilty of this abominable procedure?

Yes, I will invite any agency which I think is capable of ascertaining who it is.

I am very reluctant to ask the House to receive an explanation from me in this matter, but the suggestion made in the question just put that I am either directly or indirectly responsible for sending the pamphlet to add pain to people bereaved by the War is so offensive to me that I must ask leave to make a statement. The leaflet which I wrote, and to which reference has been made, criticised the diplomacy which led up to the War. The ordinary circulation of such views, in my opinion, cannot be objected to. It is part of the critical examination of the facts which is essential to the welfare of the State. Hon. Members will profoundly disagree with what I have said, but that does not mean that the publication was wrong. The suggestion that this leaflet, either with my knowledge or concurrence, has been used specifically and systematically for the purpose of distracting the minds of people whose relatives have fallen in the War is absolutely unjustifiable. The accusation was made first of all by a newspaper which at the same time misrepresented what I wrote. My attention was drawn to the attack in that newspaper, and I wrote immediately, on 1st June, a letter which was published on 4th June in the newspaper, in which I used these words:—

"If there is any attempt being made to select people who have suffered, this action is not only mean but brutal, and neither I nor any organisation with which I have anything to do is responsible for such conduct."

I have made further inquiry, and can repeat here to the House, without qualification or reserve of any kind whatever, that if there were such a plan in operation, it has neither the support nor the sympathy of any organisation with which I am associated. It must be plain to everyone that whoever devised this scheme could have used equally well for his purpose almost any other criticism reflecting upon the late Government's policy and conduct of the War, and it must be equally apparent to every hon. person that whoever continues to circulate these libels regarding myself is prompted, not by a care for the decencies of life, but by motives of a diametrically opposite kind.