asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any official information showing that the Germans are using wood-fibre in the manufacture of a species of gun-cotton; and, if so, if it is his intention to place wood and wood-fibre in the list of absolute contraband?

Such information as has been received on the subject is now under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any information of a definite character, and is anything likely to be done?

I would rather not go into the matter in further detail at the present moment. The matter is under consideration, and as soon as any conclusion has been arrived at, I shall be glad to answer any further questions.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, with a view to securing the highest efficiency of labour in the output of munitions of war at the lowest possible cost to the nation, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to provide that during the continuance of the War no owner of, or shareholder in, a factory producing munitions of war shall receive profits exceeding the average net profits earned by that factory during the three years immediately preceding the outbreak of War?

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) what are the powers he possesses to enable him to deal with employers and employés in case of trade disputes connected with the production of munitions and equipment of war; and (2) whether, in view of the fact that the Government has control of all factories at the present time in respect of the manufacture of war material, he has any power to limit the employers' profits and to ensure the voluntary and permanent provision of labour in those districts where it is most needed?

I hope next week to be able to make a statement on these subjects.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether Canadian manufacturers of munitions are required to deal with the Imperial Government through the agency of Messrs. Morgan, of New York; whether any Canadian firm able and willing to supply large quantities of munitions direct to His Majesty's Government has refused to transact business through an agency in the United States; and whether he intends to adhere to a condition which is resented by manufacturers of British nationality, and unnecessarily hampers and limits the supply of munitions of war?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is that Messrs. Morgan's agency extends only to orders executed in the United States. Orders for the manufacture of certain classes of munitions in Canada are placed through the Shell Committee, an organisation of Canadian manufacturers set up for the purpose by the Dominion Government. The second part of the question appears to refer to a proposal made by a Canadian manufacturer, whose firm is supplying munitions under orders from the Shell Committee, to organise a group of American firms for the production of shells in the United States. The manufacturer declined to negotiate through Messrs. Morgan, and in view of the risk of interference with contracts already placed the War Office considered that it would be unwise to adopt his scheme except with Messrs. Morgan's co-operation. I see no reason for dissenting from that view I may say I am arranging to send a big business man over to the United States to discuss the whole position of American and Canadian contracts on the spot.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will appoint a small advisory body consisting of the most eminent scientists obtainable to advise the Government during the continuance of the War as to the fullest employment of all the resources of chemical and mechanical science and invention in aid of military operations?

I am fully aware of the importance of this matter and I have been in communication with the Secretary of State for War on the subject.

asked the Minister for Munitions what are the powers of local munitions committees?

The primary business of local munitions committees is to examine and organise the resources of the locality for the output of munitions of war. The work of the committees naturally varies according to the special circumstances of each district.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the explicit powers which these committees will have in view of the fact that manufacturers upon whom he is depending for immediate co-operation are under very grave anxiety as to how far they are going to be under the thumb and the power of these local committees?

I must say that that anxiety has not reached me, and I do not think the War Office or the Admiralty have heard anything of it. On the contrary, from all I hear, manufacturers are very glad to co-operate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that to-day, in Leeds, one manufacturer for this very reason has put up his machinery at public auction, which otherwise he was going to use for the manufacture of shells, for which he has been trying to get a contract with the War Office since the middle of April last?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me the name I will either take steps to buy the machinery, of which we are sadly in need, or utilise his services.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of applications which the War Office and his Department have received for the discharge from the Army of skilled mechanics who have enlisted, and whose services are now required by employers engaged on War Office work; the number of cases in which discharges have been granted; and whether there is delay and difficulty owing to the reluctance of the War Office to grant discharges?

I regret that the precise figures asked for are not available. A systematic scheme for dealing with this important matter is being arranged in consultation with the Secretary of State for War in order to ascertain from employers the names of men who have left them and, if possible, the units they joined. That will enable us to trace the actual men who are available.

Has any definite basis now been settled upon which men can be discharged from the Army to resume their civil employment?

I have arranged with the Secretary of State for War to get back all those who are in this country whose services can be utilised for the purpose of turning out munitions of war from the ranks to the workshops.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the War Office has informed Members of Parliament only a few days ago that a soldier who wanted to get his discharge to go back to his former work should apply to the firm which employed him before he enlisted in the Army? Are we to understand that that is not now to be adhered to?

I am rather surprised to hear that, and I think there must be some mistake about it, because that is not the arrangement I made with the Secretary of State last week.

Will some very simple form of procedure be adopted in regard to obtaining the discharge of men? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of difficulty and delay and inconvenience?

The difficulty and inconvenience is due very largely to the difficulty in finding the men. Steps have been taken through the AdjutantGeneral to find out the skilled men who joined the ranks, but it is almost impossible to get at them. A good many men who were not skilled gave their names, and then it was found that they were not engineers at all. Now we have proceeded the other way. We have circularised all firms with a view to getting the names of the men they want back. These names are now coming in every day. We have already had thousands. We are going to classify them and take steps upon that basis to get the actual men whose assistance the firms want.

asked the Minister of Munitions what system or systems are at present in force in connection with the acquisition of munitions and equipment of war from centres outside Great Britain and Ireland; and whether he will have complete powers in respect of placing contracts, arranging prices, and inspection as to quality before shipment?

As regards the United States, the Government agents are Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Company. As regards Canada, orders for the manufacture of certain classes of munitions are placed through the Shell Committee, an organisation of Canadian manufacturers set up for the purpose by the Dominion Government. As regards other sources of supply, these will be dealt with as occasion arises at the discretion of the Minister of Munitions, who will have full powers in regard to all the matters mentioned in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government proposes to employ the gaol population of the country in making ammunition for the troops, as has been done by the Government of the French Republic?

The answer is in the negative. All the available prison labour has been concentrated since the War began in making other war stores for the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what steps are being taken by the Labour Exchanges to obtain for War Office work skilled mechanics of British nationality from the United States of America and from the British Colonies; and if he can state the number of men, if any, who have been obtained and the terms which are being offered?

The Board of Trade have sent to Canada a mission, of whom the principal members are Mr. W. Windham and Mr. G. N. Barnes, M.P., for the purpose of finding unemployed skilled mechanics in Canada and bringing them over to the United Kingdom for employment here, so far as this can be done without interference with Government contracts in Canada. The mission is only at the beginning of its work, and no men have as yet been brought over. The reports so far received indicate, however, that the mission is likely to meet with considerable success. Workmen brought over from Canada will come on the understanding that they are prepared to accept the rates of wages obtained by British workmen upon similar work, including any customary War bonuses or other allowances. Fares will be paid. No steps have been taken by this Department to obtain workmen from other British Dominions, or from the United States of America.

Would it not be well, in view of the shortage of labour and the great number of skilled mechanics of British nationality in the United States, to induce those mechanics to come over and help in our factories at this crisis?

Will my right hon. Friend institute a similar mission in England to seek to bring into the ranks thousands of chauffeurs who are not being—

The hon. Member is making up for lost time.

Is the Department making any effort to secure the help of the Belgian refugees who are skilled mechanics?

Yes; we have already placed in Government works a very large number of Belgian refugees. Some of the best Belgian engineers have placed their services at our disposal, and they are now employed on munitions of war. Our shortage in engineers and mechanics has been made well known in the United States, and I do not think it is necessary to send a mission there; in fact, I am not sure whether it would be welcomed by the authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of vacancies for skilled mechanics required for War Office work which are daily notified to the Labour Exchanges in the Metropolitan area; at what daily rate such vacancies are being filled; and how he proposes to supply the deficiency?

During the four weeks ended 11th June the average daily number of vacancies for skilled mechanics for Government work notified to Labour Exchanges in the Metropolitan area was 129, and the average daily number of such vacancies filled was 81. The problem of supplying the deficiency is receiving the careful attention of the Government. It is necessary that I should say that public detailed inquiries into the supply of labour for War Office work are to be strongly deprecated.

Has it not been the fact that the Labour Exchanges have been very little used by employers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state by whose authority the rules—endorsed on Form L.E. 302—relative to advertisements for workmen have been issued; whether they constitute part of the Orders in Council under the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether it is proposed to compel all employers who are seeking workmen to have recourse to the Labour Exchanges?

The procedure of which the rules referred to form a part was introduced by the Board of Trade in order to enable employers affected by the Order in Council of 29th April to continue to advertise for labour in the Press, if they desired to do so, without infringing the Order. The Order, the objects of which have already been fully explained and are intended to apply only to the period of the War, prohibits certain classes of employers from seeking to obtain workmen from a distance of more than 10 miles otherwise than through a Labour Exchange.

Do not the Regulations prohibit employers advertising in their own name, and compel them to put the name of the Labour Exchange for the purpose of their advertisement?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give the House the latest information regarding the health and treatment of the political prisoners now in Irish prisons?

Neither the health nor the treatment of any prisoners now in custody on conviction of offences under the Defence of the Realm Acts present any special features which would be of interest to the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how Mr. Macdermott, a delicate man, is faring under his heavy sentence?

I can only say that the greatest possible care and attention is being paid to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland, having had under their consideration the resolution of the Cork County Council, passed on the 25th March last, increasing the wages of labourers employed by the council under direct labour by 3s. a week and in the case of horse owners by 2s. per day in consequence of the increased cost of living resulting from the War, have intimated to the council that they must be prepared to satisfy the auditor that the increase was fair and proper; whether this communication has prevented the council from acting on their resolution, the members being apprehensive of being surcharged; whether there is any objection to the increase of wages proposed by the council assuming it to be granted bonâ fide on the grounds specified, namely, because of the cost of living; and whether, if not, the Local Government Board will make it clear to the council that the resolution which they have passed is within their powers?

The Local Government Board, on the 21st April last, informed the Cork County Council in reply to the resolution referred to in the question that the Board in existing circumstances would not interfere with the discretion of the County Council in the matter of granting a reasonable increase of wages to men employed under direct labour schemes in the county, but that should any question be raised at audit the council should be prepared to satisfy the auditor that the actual increase of wages granted in any case was fair and reasonable having regard to the conditions affecting employment in the county. The council appear to be doubtful whether even with the Board's sanction they can legally give an increase of wages under a direct labour scheme during the time it is in force, and it is more probable this advice that deters the council from acting on their original resolution to increase wages. The Board have been advised in a similar case that if the rural district councils agree to pass the necessary supplemental proposals to meet any expenditure in addition to that already authorised under the direct labour scheme caused by the increase of wages, the county council may pay additional wages to their workmen. The Board have so informed the county council, and it is for that body to decide whether they will act on the advice given. The Board are precluded from interfering in any way with the auditor in determining at audit the legality or otherwise of payments made by the council unless and until an appeal is lodged with them against any allowance or surcharge made by that officer. Such appeal, however, may be made by persons aggrieved to the Court of King's Bench in lieu of to the Board.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that an intimation by the Local Government Board to the members of the county council that they would have to justify their action before the auditor was highly calculated to deter them from adhering to their original resolution?

I do not think it was for one moment suggested that it would be called to account by the auditor. There is a general impression in Ireland that the Local Government Board can control its auditor. That it cannot do. Therefore it is essential it should be understood that although the Board might be quite willing that a thing should be done it might be called in question by the auditor.

asked whether retired naval officers in the employment of the Civil Service who have resumed active service since the outbreak of War are in some cases worse off in resuming active service, by reason of a decision of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury that naval pensions must be disregarded in calculating civil pay?

I do not think that the situation is as stated by the hon. and gallant Member, but it is not possible to reply more definitely without knowing details of the cases referred to.

asked the Attorney-General if he will state the number of persons in the United Kingdom who have been prosecuted for making statements calculated to prejudice recruiting; the number of such prosecutions having relation to written and to oral statements, respectively; and the number of convictions?

In the Metropolis no criminal proceedings have been instituted for the making of statements calculated to prejudice recruiting. Official representations have from time to time been successful in staying the publication of matters which might be construed as a direct statement likely to prejudice recruiting. I have no present information as to the number or results of cases which may have been heard in England outside the Metropolis, but if the hon. Member desires the information I will do my best to obtain it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to say whether the representations which have been made have included any representation to Lord Northcliffe?

I cannot say.

Does the privilege of Parliament protect a Member in making such statements?

I never heard that that was alleged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has formed any estimate of the amount of agricultural labour which has been lost through recruiting; and if any estimate has been formed of the additional imports of food that will be required because of the loss of that labour?

I understand that returns received by the Board of Trade from over 9,000 farmers in Great Britain relating to the end of April show that 15.7 per cent. of their permanent male workpeople (including members of farmers' families) have joined His Majesty's Forces, while an additional 1.9 per cent. have taken civilian employment under the Government at camps and in similar work. This represents the withdrawal of about 150,000 men from agricultural employment (exclusive of farmers, nurserymen, etc., and all classes engaged in agriculture in Ireland). No estimate can be given of the probable yield of this year's harvest, but such information as has been received from farmers indicates that the area under cultivation is practically normal, and that the farmers have been enabled to achieve this largely by the concentration of such labour as was available on essential work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the desirability of reducing imports during the War as much as possible, he has noticed that the large recruiting of agricultural labourers will lead to a reduction of agricultural production and therefore to increase importations of food; and if he will direct the attention of the War Office to the subject in order that the financial position may not be worsened by unnecessary enlistment of essential producers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 10th June to the hon. Member for Perth, to which I have nothing to add at the moment.

asked whether there is any public fund available to pay for the maintenance of Belgian refugees who have had to be sent to county lunatic asylums in this country, so that the local rates may not be burdened with this national charge?

The Local Government Board have the authority of the Treasury to pay for the treatment of refugees in lunatic asylums, and in a certain number of cases have already agreed to make payments of this character.

Will payments which have already been made by the local authority be refunded by the Local Government Board?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to the loss by fire at Park Royal and the number of motor ambulances and cars destroyed; whether he has any information as to other munitions and equipment for war having been destroyed by fire; whether he has any information as to alien enemies having been responsible for these outbreaks; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the safety of all munitions and equipment over which he has now responsibility?

I understand that no War Office motor ambulances or cars were destroyed, but a number of horse ambulances and Red Cross motor ambulance bodies were burnt. Inquiry has been made as to the cause of the fire, and the police are satisfied from the evidence available that it was purely accidental.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that three mechanics in the service of the house committee of the Brentwood House Asylum, Essex County Council, having with the permission of the medical superintendent temporarily transferred their services to a local munition factory, were informed by resolution of the works committee that they can serve their country just as well here, and if they decide to stay where they are their places cannot be kept open for them; whether a fourth mechanic was refused permission; whether these men, having served for many years, will, if discharged, lose the benefits to which they are entitled under a superannuation scale; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent local authorities from defeating his efforts to produce munitions and to protect volunteers for this work against being penalised?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether, concurrent with the increase in food prices, there has been an increase in the practice of food adulteration and short weight; whether a number of the inspectors have recently been diverted to other duties; and whether he will consider the possibility of imposing heavier penalties, including imprisonment, to protect the public against fraud?

I have no information pointing in this direction. The enforcement of the Food and Drugs Acts and the Weights and Measures Acts is a matter for the local authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an advertised meeting of the so-called "War Babies' and Mothers' League"; whether the ladies who attended received a printed slip stating the meeting had been postponed; whether the Metropolitan Police have warned the public against subscribing to this charity; and whether he will take steps to protect philanthropic ladies from the temptation to benefit war babies which, as far as this league is concerned, appear to be mainly apocryphal?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the question. A police notice has been issued warning the public against subscribing to this so-called league. I hope that the police warning will make philanthropic persons more careful in selecting the societies or leagues which they support.

asked (1) whether licences to trade with the enemy are limited in number or in area, or whether either factor enters into consideration; are such licences limited to a particular transaction or to a specified tonnage or monetary value; how many of such licences have been issued to persons carrying on business in London and how many to traders in the principal ports on the East Coast of the United Kingdom, specifying the numbers in respect of each of such places; have any of these licences been granted to alien enemies; and (2) if he will state how many licences to trade with the enemy have been granted since the commencement of the War, and in accordance with what principles, if any, and under what conditions are the licences issued; if any special form of application is requisite, to what end are such inquiries directed; and are any, and what, steps taken to test the accuracy of the answers given?

I am glad to have the opportunity of clearing up the serious misapprehension which seems to be involved in such questions. Trading with the enemy is a most serious criminal offence, whether it takes the form of exporting goods to or importing them from the enemy, directly or indirectly. Special Statutes and Proclamations have been framed to stop it, and every effort is made to detect breaches of the law and to punish those who can be proved to be guilty. No system of granting licences in exception to the law exists. The only exception known to me arises in the rare cases when articles of enemy origin, which could not for the time being be otherwise obtained and which are of great importance to British industries, are under strict conditions permitted to be imported. Licences for this purpose are now dealt with by the Board of Trade.

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department received a communication in the latter part of May from the committee of Lloyd's with reference to three persons of German nationality, one of whom is a partner in a firm of underwriters' representatives, the others being employed by the same firm; is he aware that ever since the beginning of the War the committee of Lloyd's have prohibited these three men from coming to Lloyd's, and have notified the Home Office that, in their opinion, it is a national danger for them to be at liberty as, owing to their connection with the firm, they have access to intelligence with regard to English shipping and commercial matters which might be used to the disadvantage of this country; is he aware that the committee wrote a second time on the 7th June, as no reply was received to their original communication, and have had only a bare acknowledgment on a printed form; will he say whether these men are still at liberty; and whether, in view of the warning from the committee of Lloyd's and to avoid any possibility of public danger, any action has been or is proposed to be taken by the Government for the curtailment of their liberties at the present time?

Both letters were received at the Home Office and were immediately sent to the police to be dealt with. I understand that directions have been given for the internment of the three persons referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the frequent cases of change of name by foreigners who in place of their own name assume an English one either in private life or for their business firm, and are enabled thereby to commit frauds on the public in this country; and if he will bring in a Bill to compel such foreigners who desire to assume an English name to continue to use for ten years their foreign name in addition to the name they assume?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the St. Augustine's Division of Kent.

Is it not the case that these changes, when they take place, are for the purpose of deceiving the British public, and cannot more prompt steps be taken?

I do not think it is true in all cases that people changed their names to deceive the British public. There is a law strictly enforced that no alien enemy can change his name during the War.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the general amnesty granted to all political offenders by all the Allied Powers on entering into the War and the entire absence of evil consequences anywhere, it is with the sanction of the present Government a contrary policy is pursued in Ireland, newspapers being suppressed without trial and men being sentenced to long terms of imprisonment with hard labour for the peaceful expression of their opinions on public matters; and whether, in view of the contrast between this policy and the professed principles of the present Government, the prudence of persisting in it at the present time will be reconsidered?

I am unable to follow the hon. Member in the analogy of circumstances and contrast of treatment which he draws in the first part of his question. The offences in regard to which action has been taken in Ireland under the Defence of the Realm Acts have all been committed since the outbreak of the War, and, as I have already stated, such action has been, and will continue to be, confined within the narrowest limits consistent with the safety of the Realm and the successful prosecution of the War.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the difference between the announcement just made by the Attorney-General that nobody has been punished in the Metropolitan area for statements prejudicial to recruiting, whilst they are sentenced to long terms of imprisonment with hard labour in Ireland for the same offence?

I do not know anything about the same offence, but I know that no corresponding language has been used in the Metropolitan area.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the statement made at Dundee by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, he will say if in 1911 he laid on him the duty of putting the fleet in a state of instant and constant readiness for war with Germany; and, if so, will he say how that fact can be reconciled with the statements of himself and other Members of the Government that they neither expected war nor did anything to bring it about?

It is the duty of every First Lord of the Admiralty to maintain the Fleet at all times in a state of instant and constant readiness for use, and the fact that that duty is being properly performed does not indicate any expectation of, and still less any desire for, war.

asked the Prime Minister what had been the total losses of the Royal Naval Division in killed, wounded, and missing until the end of May?

gave the following information:—

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the publication of future naval lists, the Government will separate the list of the Royal Navy from those of the ordinary naval lists?

I will inquire about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statements made by an ex-Member of the House to the effect that he had been acting as a German spy in this country; and whether, irrespective of the truth or falsity of the statements, he will introduce legislation making it impossible in future for a person of such alien antecedents to become a candidate for Parliament?

This is a matter which must be left to the discrimination of the electors.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of preventing recently naturalised aliens, especially alien enemies, from becoming Members of this House?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this gentleman was allowed to escape after the Government had been warned that he was a spy?

How can I answer that?

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Whips Office to prevent them foisting such people on the constituencies?

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to proceed with the Welsh Church Suspensory Bill?

This Bill will be introduced at an early date.

May we hope that the date will be in the near future before the House adjourns?

I have said I cannot name a date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with the triple objects of raising money for war loans, promoting thrift and checking extravagance and drunkenness, and preventing distress after the termination of hostilities, he will consider the possibility of a system of compulsory investment in War Stock of a small proportion of salaries, wages, and separation allowances, under which the holders would draw interest on their holdings during the War and the capital be at their disposal to tide over any slackness of employment after the declaration of peace?

I am giving careful attention to various suggestions of the kind made in the question, along with other suggestions for securing that future war loans shall act as an encouragement to saving by all classes of the community. I am obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for bringing to my notice the considerations raised by the particular proposal, but he will agree with me that they are not of a nature which can be adequately dealt with in a reply to a Parliamentary question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the firm called Baryta, Limited, made any reply to the request of the Treasury that the recent advertisement inviting subscriptions to an issue of debentures should be withdrawn; whether subscriptions are still being invited; whether any penalty attaches to a person or firm disregarding the Order in Council and seeking fresh issues of capital without the Treasury sanction; and what are the means at the disposal of the Treasury for enforcing the Order?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, I have not the necessary information. In reply to the third and fourth parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for the Bridgeton Division on 18th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an opportunity is given to a person convicted by court-martial of making any representation to the confirming authority with regard to his sentence or to any question of law or fact arising at his trial; whether regulations are issued by the Army Council with respect to the discharge by the confirming authority of his duties; and, if so, whether he will lay those regulations upon the Table?

A soldier who is tried by court-martial has every opportunity of raising in his defence any question of law or fact at his trial, and if the trial results in a conviction the soldier has the right of complaint under Section 43 of the Army Act. The regulations as to the duties of a confirming officer are contained in the Rules of Procedure, 1907, which have already been laid before Parliament under the Statutory Rules Act, and are to be found in the Manual of Military Law.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he could give the House any information regarding the manner in which Indian soldier prisoners are treated by the Germans, where they are imprisoned, and whether he has any official information to the effect that no quarter is given to Indian soldiers on the battlefield?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my predecessor's speech in another place on the 15th May last and the information contained in Parliamentary Paper Cd. 7861, No. 2, Enclosure 2 (5). The question of obtaining improvements in the treatment of Indian prisoners of war in Germany is now under consideration in consultation with the Prisoners of War Help Committee. I have no information as regards the second part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been alleged and published in India and that it has caused considerable feeling there?

I have seen statements to that effect, but I have no information that is really trustworthy and I doubt the accuracy of those statements.

Has the right hon. Gentleman heard of a case where, on a trench being taken by an Indian regiment, they found two Sepoys hanging from a tree in a German trench?

No, I have not heard of that particular case. Of course we have all heard of cases of reported outrageous treatment of our fellow subjects, both natives of this country and natives of India. I have no information that a distinction is being made to the disadvantage of Indian prisoners.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with reference to the actuaries' estimates contained in the White Paper, Navy and Army allowances and pensions in respect of seamen, marines, and soldiers and their wives, widows, and dependants (Cd. 7662), of November last, if he will state, in view of the increased allowances arranged since that estimate and the proportion of casualties already suffered in the War, what are the total liabilities of the State in respect of pensions for widows and orphans which have already arisen from the large recruiting of married men?

I am afraid that I can only repeat what I said in answer to a similar question put by the hon. Member yesterday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in order to prevent frauds, he will issue orders to all Army pay offices that, in the event of a soldier being discharged from the Army, instructions should be at once sent to the local postmaster to cease payment of separation allowances?

These instructions are in force.

They are not carried out.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to educating the nation to the magnitude of the European campaign, he will have posters issued of maps of the sphere of operations, showing by shaded lines the extent of the French, Belgian, and Russian territories now occupied by the German armies?

I think the work of education to which the hon. and gallant Member alludes, and of which I recognise the importance, is already being efficiently performed by the daily Press. Information on this point conveyed by poster could hardly be kept up to date unless new posters were frequently issued, and there would be some risk of misleading the public if the posters were not changed concurrently with the changes in the military situation.

asked how many of the 7,000,000 men of military age and fitness estimated to have been in England and Wales at the time the War began had enlisted in the Regular Army down to the latest date for which figures are available?

This is a request for the number of men recruited since the War began. As I have often stated, it is not considered desirable to give this information. If and when it becomes desirable to give it, the Government will give it on its own initiative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will now state the ratio of the number of recruits to the total number of men of military age in each county of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; and, if not, whether he will state what are the reasons of public policy which prevent the publication of the figures?

I fear I cannot give this information. It is not considered desirable at the present time to disclose these figures. If it should become desirable to do so, the Government will disclose it on their own initiative, as I have stated in reply to an earlier question to-day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether free travelling facilities are extended to soldiers visiting relatives on furlough before leaving for active service; and whether, seeing that this would be a boon to families of limited means, he will consider the possibility of organising a scheme in view of the Government control of railways?

Free railway warrants are issued to all soldiers once prior to embarkation, or after serving three months, provided that they can be granted leave and that they have not already received the concession. Once a draft has been placed under orders to embark, it is not possible to grant leave, as the draft may have to start at any moment, but arrangements have been made for giving soldiers leave in anticipation of their being detailed for drafts, as far as the exigencies of the Service permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office, under the Emergency Act of 7th August, are seizing hay from collieries; whether, seeing that Section 6 of Order 53/5318, dated War Office, 12th April, states that there is a very large quantity of hay of all kinds in the country, he will say why small stocks of hay purchased for pit ponies are being seized; whether he is aware that many collieries on which many of His Majesty's services depend cannot be worked without ponies; and will he explain what are the business considerations that compel the War Office to seize hay in one district which, if the collieries are to work, must be got from other districts and carried on the railways, now greatly congested?

What is wanted for shipment oversea is hard hay. Where collieries are concerned, the instructions are that hay in their possession should be inspected and bought, if suitable for war requirements, and that good hay of different class should be sold to the collieries at the same price as the hay bought from them. In other words, the transaction is in effect an exchange of hay not suitable for shipment for hay suitable for shipment, and, in the public interest, I venture to think the arrangement is necessary and proper.

asked what allowance per day in respect of messing expenses is made to private soldiers while at home on sick furlough?

Unmarried men get a consolidated allowance of 2s. a day for board and lodging. Married men get a ration allowance of 1s. a day in addition to the separation allowance for the family, which goes on as before.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider issuing a medal at intervals of, say, six months as, under the present circumstances, many men have died who are entitled to a medal, and, incidentally, the issue of medals protects from unnecessary annoyance those young men who have been invalided out of the service?

As is well known, medals are granted at His Majesty's pleasure in commemoration of arduous campaigns. At the present stage of hostilities their issue appears premature.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that the objectors to inoculation in the 3/3rd Field Company of the 2nd London Division Royal Engineers, now at Hatfield Broad Oaks, were paraded on Saturday, 12th June, before the temporary major, who informed them that he had authority from the colonel of the Royal Engineers to state that inocuation was compulsory, and that they would all have to be done; whether the colonel had any authority for such a statement; and, if not, whether he will discourage attempts by Army officers thus to enforce compulsion on soldiers in violation both of their legal rights and the repeated declarations in Parliament of himself and of the Secretary of State for War?

I have no information to confirm my hon. Friend's statement. If the facts are as stated, the officer commanding acted without authority in saying that inoculation against enteric fever is compulsory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who object to inoculation are being frequently paraded for medical inspection, whilst inoculated soldiers are not so frequently inspected; whether on these occasions the men are lectured and some times threatened to induce them to violate their convictions; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have no knowledge of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a handbill, dated 22nd January, is still being circulated amongst soldiers containing the statements that inoculation has nothing to do with vivisection, and with proper care it has never been known to do a man harm; whether he is aware that both these statements are untrue, the second one being disproved by numerous cases of destroyed health, and some cases of death following inoculation; whether this circular will now be withdrawn; and whether, in future circulars intended to compel soldiers to be voluntarily inoculated against their convictions and desires, care will be taken to avoid misleading statements?

If the circular to which my hon. Friend refers is that issued by the Research Defence Society, it had War Office sanction and authority, and no reason is seen for withdrawing such authority. Every case to which my hon. Friend, and those who sympathise with him in this matter have drawn attention, has been inquired into, and I am not aware of any case except one where death has been due to other than natural causes of one sort or another.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular referred to in the answer is not the one to which I refer?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me a copy of the circular to which he refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Ernest John Gardner, No. 1761, who enlisted in the 2/6th London Field Artillery Brigade (Territorials) on 2nd October, 1914, and was in perfect health until 23rd December, was inoculated on that day, and within three hours fell ill; whether he is aware that for nearly six months, although treated in several hospitals, he has continuously suffered from delirium, loss of memory, fever, neuritis, and weak heart; whether any cause of this illness other than inoculation is known; and seeing that on 8th June he was discharged from the Army, his discharge paper being marked conduct good, whether any and, if any, what compensation will be paid for the loss of health and capacity to earn a living due to his inoculation by the Army doctor?

If my hon. Friend wants me to obtain the facts of this case, I must ask him to postpone his question so that the allegations may be investigated. At present I have no information on the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that quantities of goods and materials manufactured for the War Office in Scotland and elsewhere throughout the United Kingdom are sent by rail to Woolwich for inspection by Government inspectors and returned again by rail to the district in which they are to be used and that cost and delay are thereby incurred; and whether he will arrange for the inspection of such goods and materials taking place in the localities where they are manufactured or where they are to be used?

No, Sir; stores ordered throughout the United Kingdom on War Office contracts for the use of the Army at home and abroad are being inspected at the manufacturers' works when such procedure is possible and expedient. Otherwise they are sent to Woowich. Stores purchased locally in Scotland and other military commands for the use of the troops in the command are not sent to Woolwich for inspection and return.

asked whether officers or men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force, who have signed A. F. E. 624 A are liable to be transferred to combatant units; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the War Office to transfer officers and men originally enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps to the Artillery or Infantry without their further express consent?

Yes, Sir; but the signing of the form is not compulsory, and, if it is signed, the consent of the officer or man will have been obtained. That is the purpose of the form.

asked whether general officers commanding divisions or brigades in India brought home to serve are entitled to receive compensation for the loss of Indian pay and for the expenses incurred in breaking up their establishments at a few days' notice?

General officers of the British Service, whether in India or elsewhere, are liable to be called upon to take up duty in any part of the world without compensation. Those of the Indian Army who went to France in command of troops from India retained their Indian rates of pay.

Will the hon. Gentleman look up the answer to the same question which was given on the 22nd April, and see whether it agrees with what he has now said?

I am afraid that I did not give the answer.

asked whether, in view of the shortage of men for the motor transport service and in munition works, His Majesty's Government will make an appeal to all motor car owners to release their chauffeurs if willing to join either of these branches of service and undertake to reinstate them on the conclusion of the War?

Such an appeal has already been issued and widely diffused. It is not contemplated at present to reissue it.

Has the appeal been issued by the War Office, or has it only reference to that of the Royal Automobile Club, which only covers a fraction of the motor-car owners of the country; and, in view of the fact that undoubtedly great loss of life has taken place at the front owing to the insufficient supply of shells and other munitions of war, is it not the imperative duty of the Government to address an appeal to all motor-car owners to free their chauffeurs?

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the connection which he has established between chauffeurs and shells. The appeal was issued by the War Office as well as by the Royal Automobile Club.

What was the result?

asked whether all possible steps have been taken to provide the troops in the Gallipoli Peninsula with respirators and all other appliances to enable them successfully to resist attempts to poison them by means of noxious gases?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the case of the butter supplied in one pound tins for the use of the Army renovated, repacked, and other low grade butters have been accepted; whether the Army authorities, as regards this class of butter, adopt a lower standard than that adopted for the mercantile marine by the Board of Trade, which rejects renovated and repacked butters; whether, in the case of this class of butter, when supplied by Irish firms, Irish butter is specified for and insisted on; and whether in the figures as to Army contracts given to Ireland Irish butter packed in England is included?

No, Sir. Such butters have not been accepted in the manner suggested, but it is alleged that they have been purchased for the purpose of blending with other butters for Army purposes, and the matter is now being investigated. The reply to the second and third parts of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. As regards the last part, to the best of my knowledge, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Messrs. E. E. Mayer and Company, Limited, have recently imported from Germany quantities of Neuberg chalk under licence to trade with the enemy; whether such licence has been revoked; and, if so, will he say why it was granted and why it was revoked?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The licence was granted in view of representations that the commodity in question was essential for certain manufactures and obtainable only from enemy sources; it was subsequently revoked, with other licences, in pursuance of the more stringent policy adopted since the Order in Council of the 11th March, and also because of the fact that a fairly satisfactory substitute is forthcoming. An extension of time was, however, granted to Messrs. Mayer in order to enable them to import certain quantities contracted for prior to the receipt by them of notice that the licence would be revoked.

At the expiration of that time will there be any further licence granted?

No. We do not propose to grant any further licence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Custodis, Limited, and Alphons Custodis, chimney construction company, are practically identical in interest, that this firm is still constructing chimneys in Britain with the help of Germans from concentration camps and elsewhere, and that chimney construction offers good opportunity for observation and photography; and will he take further steps to deal with this matter?

I have made further inquiries into the constitution of Custodis, Limited, and I find that, although the shares which have been issued are registered in the names of British subjects, a large majority of those shares are held in trust for Mr. Alphons Custodis, a German subject in this country, who is a director of the Alphons Custodis Chimney Construction Company, Limited. It is, therefore, probable that the interests in the two companies are similar if not identical. I am informed that the total number of Germans employed in the business is three. The official file of the company has hitherto contained no information as to the shares issued by the company, owing to the fact that an agreement which ought to have been filed was withheld from the file. I am at once taking advice as to whether a prosecution of those responsible for the default can be instituted. I have appointed an inspector of the company under the Trading with the Enemy Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, seeing the results in this case, look rather to the spirit than the letter of carrying out the intention of the Government in cases such as this, because in this case it was only by repeated questions that the facts came out?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since he stated in this House that no Germans were connected with this company, a Mr. Schnadts, a non-naturalised German, living in Norwood, is conducting the business of this company in exactly the same way as before the company changed its name, and that this alien, who has been building at Portland Harbour, is still connected on the telephone, as I know, because I rang him up myself?

I am afraid I am not aware of the position of this alien with regard to the telephone. If at present he is doing work at Portland he is within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty, and I will see that the information is conveyed to the proper authorities. In reply to the hon. Gentleman opposite, I may say that it is very difficult for us to obtain all the information we want exactly when we want it, and it is only by very careful and repeated inquiries that we are able to ferret out an agreement which is not filed. As we have been deceived in this matter, I think it is essential that we should take action.

In view of the circumstances now disclosed, is it not desirable to appoint a controller of this company rather than an inspector, who has very limited powers?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a letter stating that this company had definitely stated in precise language that this company was entirely British, that the management was all British, and that no German had any connection with this company?

I have already stated that the information given to us was deceitful information, and it is on this ground we are now taking action.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to the appointment of a controller?

I am advised that it is not necessary to appoint a controller, as it is not essential for the purposes we have in view.

To control the operations of the company the appointment of a controller is essential, and the appointment of an inspector alone is totally insufficient to control the company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say what was the average price paid for coal in Great Britain by Italian purchasers in May, June, and July, 1914; what price is being paid now by Italian purchasers; and, seeing that Italy is now allied with and receiving financial aid from this country, and that therefore the increase is being paid indirectly by the people of this country to the coal owners, what action he proposes to take to stop this abuse?

The declared value of coal exported to Italy in May, June, and July, 1914, averaged 14s. 1d. per ton. In the first half of the present month it was about 18s. 9d. A direct limitation of the price of coal exported to Italy would raise very difficult questions, and I am not prepared to promise any action in the matter at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the official proposals relating to the fixing of maxima prices of large house coal would apply to less than 8 per cent. of the total output of this country, he is aware that the coal owners, during the long time he has been negotiating with them, have now practically completed all their house coal contracts for the ensuing twelve months; whether his proposals, even if effective and agreed to by every coal owner, would now apply to less than 3 per cent. of the total output; whether he is aware that the House and the general public in no way realised that his proposals applied to but a fraction of the output which could in no way affect prices and could easily be evaded by any coal owner who so desired; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I hope that any arrangement I may be able to make will not be limited in any of the ways suggested by my hon. Friend. If an arrangement is not reached very shortly more drastic steps may have to be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price of Welsh coal is 35s. per ton as against 17s. to 18s. during last year, and small Welsh coal 22s. per ton as against 5s. to 8s. during last year; and whether, seeing that our Allies, the Italians, have no longer access to the German and Austrian coal fields and that a very heavy burden will be placed on Italy unless the Government of this country restricts prices, he will say whether he will take immediate steps to regulate the price of coal at the pit head?

I am aware that the price of Welsh coal has risen considerably. It would be difficult to restrain prices of coal in accordance with the destination of each shipment, and I am not prepared to undertake such a regulation of prices on this basis.

Has my right hon. Friend received representations through the Foreign Office from the Italian Government on the matter?

Any representation from the Italian Government would be received with respect.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it scandalous that the price of coal should be doubled to our Ally who is fighting our enemy?

I do not think my right hon. Friend is really doing good service when he suggests that we are exploiting Italy. In answer to a question earlier in the afternoon, I pointed out that the average price of coal exported to Italy is only 18s. 9d. per ton.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Italian contracts fall out within two months from the present time, and that the price will be £2 or 35s. a ton?

That is not in accordance with the information I have received.

One of my companies happens to hold a contract.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to secure the restriction of the price of coal to home consumers in Scotland; whether he has yet been in direct communication with the Scottish coal owners on the subject; and whether any agreement has been arrived at?

I have not yet been in direct and separate communication with the Scottish coal owners, but I hope that I may ultimately be able to make satisfactory arrangements in all districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the strike at Stevenson, M'Kellar, and Company's works at Pollokshaws, Scotland, has been going on for six weeks; whether, despite the increased cost of living, the average wage paid to the women and girls is 8s. 9d. a week and to the men 19s. 10d., and that the employers refuse an increase of 1d. an hour; and whether he will bring this case to the notice of the Industrial Commissioner with a view to immediate settlement?

I understand that a stoppage of work occurred at these works in May. From the commencement of the dispute the Chief Industrial Commissioner has been in communication with the parties, and on 8th and 9th June certain suggestions made by him for a settlement of the dispute by arbitration were agreed to. It is understood that work was resumed on the 14th inst. The arbitrator is hearing the case to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to an estimate that food prices have, on an average, risen by 45 per cent., flour costing 71 per cent. more, butter 24 per cent., meat 30 per cent., tea 25 per cent., and sugar 88 per cent.; and whether, in view of these increases and the hardships caused to the general public, he will, as far as practicable, extend to food prices generally the same public control which he has now promised with respect to the price of coal?

The hon. Gentleman overestimates somewhat the average rise in retail food prices in this country since the outbreak of War. I may remind him that, in the case of each of the commodities separately mentioned in the question, the supplies to this country are drawn to a large extent from abroad, and that this circumstance limits the capacity of any authority in this country to control their prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the capital in the firm of Augener, Limited, is almost wholly held by Germans; and whether a receiver and manager has been appointed?

Before the War 35,000 shares of Augener, Limited, out of an issued capital of 36,007 shares, were held by a German subject resident in this country, but last October 20,000 of those shares were transferred by him to persons who, I am informed, are British subjects or naturalised British subjects. A receiver and manager has not been appointed, but I have appointed an inspector of the company under the Trading with the Enemy Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will use his good offices with the Chinese and Japanese Governments to ensure, in the interests of British traders, full consideration being given to the claims of Chefu as the terminal port for the new railway in Shantung, particularly in view of the very extensive harbour works recently carried out at the port?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 8th of March on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith. If an opportunity offers itself, His Majesty's Government will gladly represent the interests of the British traders in the selection of Chefu for the terminus of the railway in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he had under consideration the question of the education afforded in Nyasaland by mission schools under native teachers and its bearing upon the recent rebellion in that Protectorate?

The question has been recently under discussion in the Legislative Council of the Protectorate, but I have not yet received a report from the Governor with regard to it.

Will the Secretary of State, when he gets the report, kindly consider the bearing of this system in mission schools, without any European supervision, in Nyasaland?

Certainly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many children under the age of one year, of or over the age of one year and under the age of two years, of or over the age of two years and under the age of three years, respectively, died in Ireland during the six months immediately preceding 1st April, 1915; and what were the numbers of such children so dying during the corresponding periods 1913–14, 1912–13, and 1911–12?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will publish a statement in to-night's Votes. [See Written Answers this date.]

Does that show an increase in infantile mortality, compared with other years?

No, Sir, it does not, except during the last three months, when there has been a tendency to increase.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that through the English Board of Education and the Local Government Board Grants are made to societies for the protection of infantile life, and will he try to secure for Ireland similar Grants?