asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the failure of the neutrality clauses of the Berlin Act of 1885 to maintain the neutrality of Central Africa since the War began will render those clauses nugatory during the remainder of the present hostilities?

The provisions of the Berlin Act have, of course, the same validity to-day as before the War. I do not, however, see any prospect of securing at this stage the agreement between the belligerents necessary to take advantage of the neutrality clauses of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Most-favoured-Nation Treaty between this country and Germany came to an end on the out-break of War; whether a fresh Treaty will have to be negotiated before the old relations can be restored; and whether he will undertake that no such new Treaty shall be entered into until this House has had ample opportunity of expressing its opinion?

No Commercial Treaty between this country and Germany was in existence at the outbreak of War, the Treaty with the Zollverein having been denounced by His Majesty's Government in 1897, and consequently having lapsed on 30th July, 1898. Since that date no fresh Treaty has been concluded. It is, I believe, unconstitutional to give an undertaking that no new Treaty will be concluded without the previous consent of Parliament, but it is obvious that no Treaty with Germany can be made till the War has been brought to a successful conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in accordance with the Agreement signed in Peking on 6th August, the Chinese Customs House has been reopened at Tsing-tau; whether the passport system introduced by the Japanese in that city requires evidence from British traders as to social status and other facts; and whether this has affected their commercial operations?

In reporting the signature of the Agreement of 6th August, His Majesty's Minister at Peking stated that the 1st of September had been fixed as the date for the opening of the Chinese Customs House. I have no further information on the subject, nor have I any in regard to the passport system referred to in the second part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Byrne, Longford, whose son was killed at the front and another of whose sons lost his leg in the War, although a poor widow woman, has not so far received any kind of compensation to enable her to live; and whether, whilst awaiting the passage of the Pension and Allowance Bill, there is any fund from which a grant can be made to this woman?

If the hon. Member will state the deceased son's name, regiment, and regimental number, inquiry will immediately be made as to whether Mrs. Byrne is eligible for separation allowance as a dependant, pending the setting up of a scheme of pension for dependants. Meanwhile she might apply to the Royal Patriotic Fund or the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these papers have been at the War Office for some weeks at least?

No, Sir; I am not aware of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Police authorities have been stopping from the allowances to the wives of policemen who have enlisted the voluntary allotment made by these men as well as the compulsory allotment of 6d. per day; whether he is aware that, after much correspondence, the police authorities have ceased the deduction of 3s. 6d. per week in the case of Mrs. Bridges, of Portland Town, but have retained, or are delaying to refund, the sums so deducted previously, to the extent of £4 10s.; and will he inquire into the matter with a view to giving instructions for the refund to Mrs. Bridges and the wives of other police officers of all the amounts so wrongfully deducted?

The maximum allowance which can be given from police funds to the wife of a police constable who has enlisted is the constable's full pay less the separation allowance and the compulsory allotment. When the constable's Army pay does not exceed 14s. the maximum is granted, but when it exceeds 14s. so that the constable is well able to allot more than 6d. a day to his wife, it is assumed that he will give her one-third of his Army pay, and the allowance from police funds is fixed accordingly. The difficulty in the case of Mrs. Bridges did not arise, as my hon. Friend supposes, from any question as to deducting a voluntary allotment, but from a doubt as to the sum which she was entitled to draw from Army funds on returning to the London postal area from residence in the country, and the necessary inquiries in regard to this occupied some time. On the 13th September she was informed that the sum due to her in respect of arrears would be added to the next instalment of her allowance, and payment was accordingly made on the 17th September.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government has yet decided to pay the four men whose turbary and turf for this season was destroyed to make a rifle range for the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, in Longford, some reasonable compensation for the loss sustained?

The Longford Rifle Range was used from December, 1914, to April, 1915. No turf operations take place in this period, the turf season being from May to September. After full investigation, it appears that the turbary tenants suffered no loss whatever. The only persons who suffered at all were Messrs. Halligan and Fee, both of whose claims have been settled.

If this had been the case of a Tory landlord, would the same decision have been given?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of the Bank of England in refusing to accept as evidence of death a death certificate obtained by executors from the War Office; whether he is aware that the Bank of England's practice on this point differs from the practice of other banks; and whether the War Office will issue their certificates in a form which the Government's bankers will accept as sufficient?

No, Sir, my attention has not been drawn to any case in which the Bank of England has refused to accept a certificate of death of an officer issued by the War Office during the present War, nor has any application been made by the Bank of England for the issue of certificates in a form different from that at present in use. If such an application were made it would, of course, receive consideration.

May I send the right hon. Gentleman some information on the point?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the considerable number of cases in which German prisoners of war in this country have escaped from their places of internment, he will take steps to ensure stricter conditions of confinement and more effective supervision of these prisoners?

This matter is engaging my attention.

Is it not possible to restrict the spaces granted for the internment of these prisoners, and so diminish the difficulty of supervision?

In any changes deemed to be necessary in order to avoid these occurrences in future, that, with other considerations, would be given due attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, at the same time, consider the advisability of fixing a certain hour of the night after which the prisoners will not be allowed to roam about the internment camps?

Yes; I imagine that is done already.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether he will state the amount of the allowances made by the British Government to German prisoners of war in this country of the respective ranks of colonel, major, captain, and lieutenant, and of the allowances made by the German Government to British prisoners of war in Germany of the same ranks; whether such allowances to German prisoners of war are made wholly or in part in gold; and whether he can state whether considerable sums of gold were found on some of the escaped German prisoners and, if so, how they became possessed of such gold?

Medical officer prisoners get full pay in both countries. Other officer prisoners in this country are paid:—Captains and higher ranks, 4s. 6d. daily; lieutenants and 2nd lieutenants, 4s. In Germany the corresponding ranks are paid £5 and £3 a month respectively. In both countries the officers buy their own food and clothing. The pay of German officer prisoners is credited to the officer by the Camp Commandant, and the officer draws such sums as he needs up to his credit. No gold is now being issued. One of the prisoners referred to had £19 in English gold, and another about £28, made up of English, French, and American gold, which had presumably been saved or collected from other prisoners during their internment since September, 1914. Steps are being taken to prevent this in future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state how many names of women have been inscribed on the War Register of the Labour Bureaux, and for how many of these women have posts been found; and will he also say how many names now remain on the register?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Salford on the 10th June. The total number of women whose names had been entered on the War Service Register up to 10th September was 110,714. This, however, included a large number whose offers of service were ineffective for various reasons, and the total number of effective entries on 10th September was 59,214. Employment has been found for 5,511 of those registered. In addition to these, employment has been found for, roughly, 145,000 women from the ordinary register.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the civilian pay clerks stationed in Lichfield are placed at a disadvantage by the lack of housing accommodation in that place, these men having either to pay high rates for board and lodging or travel some distance to their homes nightly; and whether the Department will endeavour to remove this source of grievance either by providing housing accommodation on the spot or securing to these civilian pay clerks the privilege of cheap fares enjoyed by the enlisted men?

These clerks are only temporarily employed, and the provision of special housing accommodation or of special railway facilities is not considered necessary in view of the local conditions?

asked the, Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of a twice-inoculated soldier suffering from trench fever, whose case was diagnosed as pyrexia; whether, in the case of inoculated men, trench fever will in future be given that name instead of typhoid; and whether careful records will be kept of all such cases and made available after the War?

I have seen a newspaper cutting which was forwarded to me by my hon. Friend, but the cutting was useless as a basis for any investigation as it contained no details by which the soldier in question could be identified. On the general question I can assure my hon. Friend that careful records of all cases of trench fever are being preserved, but I must repudiate the suggestion that men suffering from typhoid will be diagnosed as suffering from trench fever. The Army medical authorities, who desire scientific accuracy as much as my hon. Friend does, will not diagnose cases as trench fever unless the results of the bacteriological examination justify such a diagnosis. The subject of trench fever is being investigated at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on 25th August, Private Gillies, Territorial, was awarded 21 days' confinement for refusing to be vaccinated; whether this punishment for the exercise of a legal right is authorised; if not, whether the officer commanding the Second Western General Hospital, Manchester, who awarded it, has been reprimanded; and what steps will be taken to recompense this soldier for the wrong he has suffered, and to protect other soldiers from similar conduct at the hands of their officers?

My hon. Friend has, I fear, been imperfectly informed. Private Gillies' offence for which he was awarded twenty-one days' confinement to barracks was not refusing to be vaccinated, but refusing to obey a military order to parade and inciting other men to refuse to parade or to be vaccinated. I do not think there is any ground for interference with the action taken in this case, nor does any claim for compensation arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether complaints have been received as to a shortage of hand grenades or trench mortars in the Dardanelles, and whether the remedying of this shortage comes under the War Office or the Ministry of Munitions?

Demands have been received from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Mediterranean Force, from time to time, for grenades and trench mortars. For some weeks the supply of grenades has exceeded the demand, but the supply of trench mortars has not reached the number required. More will be sent as soon as they and the requisite ammunition for them are delivered. All these stores are supplied by the Ministry of Munitions on requisition from the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the desire of a number of men domiciled in this country who are subjects of our Allies in Europe, but have not been called upon for military service for their respective countries, to join different Volunteer Training Corps; and whether he will consider amending the Volunteer Regulations of 1901, so as to enable these men, provided they can obtain the permission of the Ambassadors of their countries, to join Volunteer Training Corps, thereby affording them the advantage of military training and strengthening the Volunteer Force?

I cannot say more at present than that my hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether any and, if so, what inquiries were made into the cost of living before the new and reduced scale of billeting was fixed; and whether any representations have been made as to the inadequacy of the scale?

Yes, Sir. Various inquiries were made, and the cost of living was fully borne in mind considering the alterations in the scale. As was inevitable, some representations have been received against the new scale, but I am satisfied that the new rates are sufficient.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what changes have been made in the rates for billeting?

The altered rates have been laid on the Table of the House. I am sending a copy of the Army Order containing them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the alteration in the "London Gazette" of the method of announcing promotions and changes in several of the regiments, particularly in the case of the London Regiment, whereby no indication is given of the number or name of the battalion to which officers have been posted; and if he will see whether the old form can be restored?

Yes, Sir, I am aware that there has been a change. The old form of making these "Gazette" announcements was considered open to objections in present circumstances. I cannot hold out any hope that the old form will be restored.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are some soldiers being employed as bricklayers on the extension of the works of Messrs. Vickers, Limited, at Crayford; and, if so, whether he will explain why this is being done, seeing that a number of civilian bricklayers are unemployed at the present time?

The reply is in the negative.

Are no soldiers employed there?

No soldiers whatever.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any relaxation of paragraph 453 of the King's Regulations has taken place since it was issued in 1913 as regards the prohibition to officers and soldiers to publish in the Press their views on any military subject; whether any exemption or privilege has, during the course of the War, been allowed in practice to officers and soldiers serving in Parliament as regards such printed communications; and whether any particular procedure has been sanctioned by the War Office whereby an officer or soldier can bring before his military superiors his views on such questions as recruiting, organisation, explosives, or other military subjects which he may have studied?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave on this matter on the 29th June. The position as denned by me then has not altered, but I may add with reference to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, that no special procedure has been sanctioned whereby an officer or soldier may bring before his military superiors his views on the points mentioned, but he can, of course, always approach the higher military authorities through his immediate superiors.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, while German riflemen employed as sharpshooters are invariably supplied with telescopic sights by their Government, British riflemen similarly employed are not so provided; if he is aware that British officers have, in many cases out of their own pockets, provided telescopic sights for their men; and if he will take steps to have our sharpshooters adequately equipped in this respect?

Every effort has been made to supply telescopic rifle sights, and every known source of supply of suitable patterns has been investigated and utilised. A large number have already been sent to the various theatres of war. I am aware that officers have provided themselves with some of these sights, as their purchases have competed with the War Office supply and interfered with the distribution, which has been, and it is thought should be, left in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief in the field.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to make that known to officers; and may I ask whether he supposes that officers would supply those instruments out of their own pockets if they thought they would be supplied by the Government?

It is just one of those cases where there is difficulty in obtaining a complete supply, and each person going off on his own bent to secure that supply is apt to interfere with the central authority, who are, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman is, desirous of securing an adequate supply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that private appeals are being made for money to provide periscopes for the Royal Artillery at the front, and that such appeals are supported by statements by Artillery officers that a large proportion of casualties among gunners are due to the lack of these instruments; and if he will say why this essential part of Artillery equipment is not supplied by the Government?

As many periscopes, suitable for Artillery, as can be procured are being sent out to the various fronts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an application was made in July by his Department to the Institute of Civil Engineers to procure for them officers for the Royal Engineers who had a knowledge of heavy construction work; whether the institute and his Department interviewed twenty or thirty men, several of whom travelled from Scotland, with a view to these appointments; whether anything further was done in the matter; and, if so, how many men received commissions?

The facts stated in the first two parts of the question are substantially accurate. The result of the interviews in question has been that nineteen gentlemen have already received commissions in the Royal Engineers and the consideration of the qualifications of other candidates is still proceeding, with a view to the filling of further vacancies which may occur.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Report of the Empire Battalion Committee, with, the necessary papers, has been handed to the Public Prosecutor?

Yes, Sir; the papers have been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether British soldiers in France, if paid in French money, are entitled to receive the equivalent in French currency of the English money agreed to be paid to them when they enlisted; and, if so, will he say why this practice has not been followed, but that soldiers have been paid in French money at the present abnormal rate of exchange, representing a reduction of about 8 per cent, in their rate of pay as compared with the normal rate; and is this course to be continued?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The rate of exchange at which the troops are now being paid is based upon the average market rate for the previous month, so that they are receiving the full benefit of the source of exchange. The rate this month is five francs for 3s. 8d.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the Bank of England recently declined to recognise as validly executed one of its own dividend request forms executed in proper form by a notary public in Scotland on behalf of a holder of Government stock suffering from paralysis; and whether, in view of the desirability of investments in all Government stocks being rendered as simple as possible, he will consider the practicability of relieving Scottish investors in such stocks from the risk of such trouble?

The Bank cannot accept instructions from some other person as to the disposal of a stockbroker's dividends, and suggested, in the case in question, that as the stockholder was unable to sign, he should give directions by mark (duly attested), as is usual in such cases. This was accordingly done, and the instructions were recorded.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the result of the recent appeal to farmers and others to convert pasture into wheat land; whether he is aware that restrictive covenants have hindered this process; and whether it is proposed to make Section 26 of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, as regards freedom of cropping, applicable to grass lands as well as to arable?

It is too early at present to say how much poor grass may be converted into arable this autumn. I am not aware of any cases in which such conversion, being desirable in the interests of food production, has been hindered owing to a tenant's inability to obtain the relaxation of a restrictive covenant, and therefore I cannot at present advise the legislative measure suggested by my hon. Friend. Any eases of this kind that there may be should be brought to the notice of the county and district committees which are shortly to be set up, so that they may if possible be adjusted in a friendly way.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's Department follow the newspapers in which a number of cases of this kind have been stated, and may I ask whether the Board of Agriculture subscribes to Press cuttings upon this or other subjects?

Yes, we receive Press cuttings every day, but as the hon. Gentleman knows the great majority of them contain no particulars which would enable inquiries to be made. We shall always be glad to have exact particulars of real cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken for the administration of Togoland and, in particular, what steps have been taken to deal with the real estate belonging formerly to the German Government or to German subjects?

Under a provisional agreement made in September, 1914, between the Governor of the Gold Coast and the Lieutenant-Governor of Dahomey the administration of Togoland is shared between the two Governments, the districts bordering on the Gold Coast, with the railways and wharves, being administered by officers lent from the Gold Coast. There is a Chief Political Officer at Lome, who is at present also the officer in command of the troops in occupation. Arrangements have been made for the collection of revenue. I have no knowledge of the administration set up by the French in the sphere provisionally assigned to them. As regards Government land, I have no particular information. I assume that Government estates are being administered by our officers. Privately owned land is not being interfered with in any way.

May I ask whether anything has been done in the matter of real estate belonging to the German Government, and whether it is being dealt with as if it were British property?

As I said, we have no information specially as to what is being done. I assume it is being administered by our officers who are administering the Colony temporarily.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will direct that the Memorandum prepared for the War Office in December, 1870, giving important official information upon the history and results of Conscription in Great Britain, and published in 1875 (No. 371), shall be reprinted for the use of Members of the House?

This Paper is of historical interest and is, I presume, to be found in the Library. I cannot undertake to recommend that it be reprinted except by general desire of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the ground landlords are pressing for their full ground rents from owners of business premises now embarrassed owing to the War under the threat of resuming possession of land and building as well; and whether he will appoint a Committee to inquire how far this power is being abused in order to get good properties into the hands of the ground landlords and as to how the difficulty should be met?

Sufficient evidence to justify an inquiry has not been brought to my knowledge. I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will communicate to me any evidence on the subject that may be at his disposal.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state who are the members of the Cabinet Committee investigating the means of raising further recruits; whether the Committee is taking evidence; and, if so, whether such evidence is being given by persons selected by the Committee or whether evidence can be proffered by others?

There are a number of Cabinet Committees now engaged in dealing with this and other matters of national importance. It is unusual and, in my opinion, unless in exceptional circumstances, undesirable to make public the names of members of such Committees or their modes of procedure.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the announcements which have appeared in the Press have passed the Press Censor?

I do not know to what my hon. Friend refers.

I was referring to paragraphs about the constitution of this Committee.

I do not know anything about it.

asked whether the estimate of three millions for the British Army at the present time includes any Overseas contingents from any of our Colonies or Dependencies?

If my hon. Friend refers to what I said last week, he will find that I included both the Navy and Army. I did not, of course, include any Force recruited elsewhere than from the United Kingdom.

Can my right hon. Friend, in the interests of public safety, say whether in the three millions he included those who offered, or only those who have been actually enrolled?

I deprecate giving details, and I hope my hon. Friend will not press the question.

I do not wish to press my right hon. Friend unduly, but merely for the purposes of certainty, as misunderstanding has taken place. I wish to ask whether those who have been described as having offered include those who have been rejected on medical or other grounds?

It is very undesirable to have these supplementary questions. If my hon. Friend wants the information, let the question be put down.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any precautions are being taken to secure the safety from destruction by aircraft of valuable documents, medals, pictures, etc., in the House of Commons?

I have not thought it necessary to remove the medals and prints. Many of the pictures are immovable. The documents are not in my charge.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a notice to persons of German origin living out of Germany, recently circulated through the German wireless press agency, instructing such persons that even if naturalised in foreign states, except in the United States of America, they do not thereby lose their German citizenship; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide that no naturalisation in this country shall he effective in the case of any person who, notwithstanding such naturalisation, retains citizenship in his country of origin?

This subject is not being overlooked, but it involves difficult questions both of private international law and of policy, and legislation upon it could not be undertaken while the War is in progress. The naturalisation of German subjects, however, is of course practically in abeyance, save in the case of British-born widows.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of taking powers to revoke certificates of naturalisation in proper cases?

Yes; I think that that would really come within the scope of what is being considered.

asked the Home Secretary why it was regarded as necessary to conceal for so long through the Press censorship the news of the destruction of the Ochta Works in Russia, when one of the reasons for the supreme need of the production of more munitions here was to make up for this calamity to our Ally?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the circumstances under which the explosions at the munition factories at Ochta, Russia, were first announced in the London Press; whether he is aware that on Monday, the 13th September, one journal gave the facts, and on Wednesday, the 15th September, another journal also gave an account, while on the 16th two other journals were refused permission to state the facts already published; and why was this distinction made?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will explain the reason why, in view of the alleged deficiencies in the Russian supply of munitions, it was held right to withhold from publication for many weeks the report of the disaster at the Ochta explosive works near Petrograd; and why, when it was published, were two journals allowed to publish the news several days before other journals which had applied for the same permission?

The report referred to, whether true or false, had never been submitted to the Press Bureau and the Bureau knew nothing of it until Monday, the 13th instant. On that day, without any previous submission to the Press Bureau, the Amalgamated Press published the story in a serial called "The Great War." That night the "Daily News" applied for permission to publish, and the "Star" repeated this application on the 14th instant. Both applications had to be refused upon the ground that the publication of such matter might apparently contravene Regulation 18 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations which prohibits publication without lawful authority of any information with respect to the war materials of any of His Majesty's Allies, but the Press Bureau referred the matter to the War Office. In the meantime, again without any previous submission to the Press Bureau, the "Evening News" published the report in their principal editions of the 15th; and later on that evening, in view of all the circumstances, the War Office decided that the matter might be released for publication.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether these facts have been brought to the notice of the Director of Public Prosecutions?

Yes, they have.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many pounds of tea were taken out of bond for the weeks ending 5th and 12th September, 1914, and how many pounds were taken out of bond for the weeks ending 4th and 11th September, 1915?

The answer is as follows:— Quantity Duty Paid. lbs. 1914—Sept. 1st to 5th (5 days) … 4,814,000 1914—Sept. 7th to 12th (6 days) … 4,973,000 1915—Sept. 1st to 4th (4 days) … 7,268,000 1915—Sept. 6th to 11th (6 days) … 9,720,000 Exact figures cannot be given, and approximate quantities can only be furnished for five and four days respectively in the weeks ending 5th September, 1914, and 4th September, 1915.

In the event of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's putting any extra tax on tea this afternoon is there any ways and means of getting at these particular gentlemen?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to estimates that a much lower premium than is being charged should suffice to cover the risk of enemy damage by aircraft and bombardment; and whether a reduction of premium is in contemplation?

I am aware that the opinion has been expressed in some quarters that the Government rates for insurance against aircraft risks should be reduced. The rates in force are those recommended by the expert Committee which formulated the scheme, and it is not proposed to modify them. The scheme has been in operation for not quite two months, and the experience acquired is altogether insufficient on which to base any estimate as to the adequacy or inadequacy of the rates of premium charged.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what success has been obtained in the registration recently taken under the Act; when the House will be given full information as to the results of such registration; and whether it will be consulted as to the use to be made of the information thus acquired?

My right hon. Friend has reason to believe that the registration has been very successfully carried out. Returns from almost all the Registration Authorities in this country have been received. The question of publishing the results of the registration must be governed by considerations of public interest, and I cannot at present state what information it may be found desirable to announce to the House.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he has received resolutions passed at the Annual Conference of the Workmen's National Housing Council held at Bristol, on 4th September, on the subjects of fair rents and security of tenure courts and rural housing; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

My right hon. Friend has received the resolutions referred to. As regards the question of fair rent and security of tenure courts, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow on the 15th July last. My right hon. Friend can hold out no prospect of legislation on this subject at the present time, and I think the hon. Member will agree that legislation on the lines suggested is unlikely to be regarded generally as non-contentious. So far as rural housing is concerned, my right hon. Friend has in fact been suggesting that local authorities should proceed on the lines contemplated by the resolution of the Workmen's National Housing Council, but he does not find that local authorities generally are prepared to act on the suggestion. They are disposed to regard the position as so abnormal at the present time that any scheme formulated now will probably need such serious revision when the times comes for its execution as to involve waste of labour. In some cases also, local authorities point out that it is impossible to give effect to the suggestion with their depleted staff.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many parts of the country where there is congestion in consequence of the troops being stationed there, the landlords are taking advantage of the situation and raising rents; in some cases as much as 3s. a week?

Yes, Sir; we are aware that in some cases rents are being raised, where there is a very great demand exceeding the supply, but it is not general.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government still hold to the view that it is not possible to grant an all-British specification for Navy boots; and whether, in face of the necessity recently referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of keeping as much money as possible in this country, he will reconsider his decision not to give an all-British specification?

As regards sole leather, the usual stipulation for British leather in making contracts for boots to be manufactured to Admiralty specification is adhered to. As regards upper leathers it has been necessary to continue to admit both British and foreign tanned leather of suitable quality in order to obtain the quantities required. The point referred to by the hon. Member, however, is a guiding principle of Admiralty contracts under present conditions, and preference is given, and will continue to be given, to-British goods so far as circumstances permit.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that an all-British specification was given?

I cannot quite-follow to what the hon. Gentleman refers. The sole specification has been printed; the uppers can be either British or foreign. We are increasingly securing British supplies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an all-British boot costs on an average about 3s. more than a boot composed of British and foreign leather?

I could not say.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the average price paid by the Admiralty for South Wales large coal from 4th August to 31st December, 1914; and what are the prices at which contracts for the same class of coal have been made since the latter date?

The prices paid for Welsh coal are, in accordance with the usual procedure, treated as confidential. I think it would be undesirable to depart from this practice, but, in view of the discussion which took place on the Third Reading of the Price of Coal Limitation Act on 27th July, I think it desirable to say that the prices now being paid represent a reduction on those paid earlier in the year. They are not, I think, unreasonable, and certainly we shall use every effort to continue to secure prices favourable alike to our Allies and to ourselves.

I beg to give notice that I shall repeat this question at the close of the War.

Would there be any danger in giving the percentages of increase over and above the 1914 prices?

I said decrease.

Yes, certainly; but I referred to the percentages over and above the 1914 prices.

I will consider that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Lieutenant-Commander Chilcott, Squadron No. 1 Flying Corps, has recently made charges against a fellow officer; whether he will state what those charges were; whether they have been investigated; and with what result?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to certain allegations brought to the notice of the authorities concerning which the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has been asked to hold an inquiry. The result of that inquiry has not been received.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of granting a uniform to chaplains in the Navy, in view of the fact that the absence of uniform is often inconvenient to chaplains when on shore, especially in a military port or doing duty on a hospital ship?

The matter has already been fully considered, and it is thought that the reasons against outweigh any possible advantage which might be gained from the proposal.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether sub-contracting is now allowed in connection with Army contracts, and on what principle it is governed?

In so far as the question refers to contracts placed by the Ministry of Munitions, the answer to the first part is in the affirmative. As to the second part, the principal contractors are held respon- sible for the due performance of their contracts in every respect, but all proposals for sub-contracts are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Munitions.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether each sub-contractor must be on the list of the Munitions Department before he can get a sub-contract?

No, he does not require to be on the list of the Munitions Department, but the principal contractor has to submit the names of those with whom he sub-contracts.

May I inquire why sub-contracting is allowed in some contracts and not in others? Why is it not allowed in coaling contracts?

We have nothing to do with coaling contracts.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the munitions committees are permitted to make a deduction from the price of munitions ordered to cover their expenses or for any other purpose; whether any of them do so; and what are the amounts deducted and to what precise objects are these amounts applied?

In the case of a co-operative group the Board of Management of the Committee are permitted to place the contracts at a slightly lower price than that arranged between themselves and the Ministry. From that margin is deducted their administration expenses, and at the end of the War it has been arranged that any surplus shall be divided pro rata amongst the contractors.

asked whether contractors and manufacturers who have been or may be called upon to supply material or articles direct or as sub-contractors to the Ministry of Munitions, the War Office, or the Admiralty, and in consequence of these demands are unable to fulfil contracts entered into before or since the commencement of the War for material or articles for civilian requirements, if satisfactory evidence is forthcoming of the necessity of giving priority to Government orders, can obtain relief if they are unable to fulfil the provisions of the contracts, entered into for civilian purposes?

The cases which my hon. Friend has in mind are provided for by Section 1 (2) of the Defence of the Realm (Amendment) No. 2 Act, 1915, and Clause 3 of the Ministry of Munitions Order, 1915.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the National Federation of Building Trade Employers of Great Britain and Ireland have been invited to place their experience at his disposal with a view to the best and most economical carrying out of constructional work for his Department; and whether he proposes to consult with them on the matter?

I have not thought it necessary to consult the body referred to. The advice of His Majesty's Office of Works is being sought in relation to these matters.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has found building at a percentage on cost as cheap as building under contract by competition; whether competition is open or confined to a list of firms; and which system he proposes to adopt for the buildings yet to be erected under his Department?

My right hon. Friend considers that the experience of the two systems is not yet sufficient to enable him to answer the first part of this question. As regards the latter part, the method so far adopted in regard to the construction of national factories is for the munition firms under the advice of which the factories are being constructed to prepare outline designs of the shops required in which the details of construction are based on past experience. In most cases the contractors who have erected shops for the private business of the munition firms have been invited to submit prices for the national factories, and where these prices on inquiry are found reasonable, they have been accepted. My right hon. Friend has set up a special department to supervise costs in connection with building and other contracts.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any large London builders have offered to place their staffs at his disposal for the construction of munition factories and other building works and to give without remuneration their own services in carrying out the work; and, if so, whether he proposes to utilise their services?

My right hon. Friend has received a large number of communications from builders and others offering their services in connection with the work of the Ministry of Munitions, and he highly appreciates the patriotic motives which inspire these communications. Careful consideration is given to all such offers received, and advantage is taken of them whenever possible.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that boys, numbering some thousands, of the ages of fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen, are working in the Woolwich Arsenal for twelve hours a day; that every other week they work twelve hours on night shift from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.; that many of these boys live a long distance from Woolwich and therefore spend nearly two hours in coming and going; and whether, under these circumstances, he will have a medical inquiry made with a view to mitigating the evil effects that have already been observed?

There are about 2,600 boys under sixteen who are employed alternate weeks on day and night shifts in the ordnance factories at Woolwich. Their hours of work amount to ten and a half in each shift. The unoccupied interval for changing over from day shift to night shift and vice versâ is not less than twenty-four hours, and in many cases extends to forty-eight hours. It is a fact that many of the boys live a long distance from Woolwich because their parents dwell a long way off. Some hostels for boys have been erected close to the Arsenal; another is in course of erection; and if these prove to be a success further similar accommodation will be provided. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that my right hon. Friend has appointed a Committee to look into questions affecting the physical efficiency of munition workers.

asked the Minister of Munitions when he proposes to lay upon the Table the Rules for ascertaining the net profits of controlled establishments in accordance with Sections 5 and 17 of the Munitions of War Act, 1915?

The Rules in question were laid on the Table of both Houses on the 16th September.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received a communication from the Master Masons' and Brickbuilders' Association of Glasgow and neighbourhood with reference to the distribution of building contracts for the new munitions factories; and, if so, whether he has considered and is prepared to assent to the suggestions made by the association?

A communication of the nature referred to has been received and has been considered, but in the interests of economy and efficiency I regret that I am not able to accept the suggestions made in it.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that deductions under the National Insurance Act are being claimed from the wages of volunteers who are giving their spare time to work in munitions factories; and whether, in view of the fact that the work which is being done by these men in these factories is not in the course of their regular business, he will see that, when the regular business of these workers is not an employment coming under Part I. or Part II. of the National Insurance Act, 1911, no claim for deduction under that Act shall be made?

Where such volunteers are employed under contract of service they are liable to insurance under Part I. of the Act. It is, however, open to any one to claim a certificate of exemption if he can show that he is ordinarily and mainly dependent for his livelihood on earnings derived from an occupation which is not an insurable employment or that he is in receipt of an income of at least £26 a year not dependent upon his personal exertions. Such certificate relieves the employé of all liability to pay contributions; the employer's share of the contribution remains payable in these as in all cases of exempt persons. Questions as to Part II. of the Act should be addressed to the Board of Trade.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has yet come to any decision regarding the recommendations of the Holt Committee respecting the third-class clerks in the provincial engineering districts; and, if so, when will such decision come into operation?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make any statement as to the results of his scheme for receiving and distributing books and magazines for the troops through the Post Office?

Steps were taken to advertise to the public the scheme for providing books and magazines for the soldiers and sailors through the Post Office. Since then the number handed in has averaged 200,000 a week. Altogether about a million and a half books and magazines—a total weight of over 300 tons—have been supplied to the distributing organisations recognised by the War Office and the Admiralty. The cost to the Post Office has been trifling. There has recently been some decline in the supply of literature handed in by the public, but I trust this is only temporary, as a very large supply is required to meet the needs of the men at the front, in camp, in hospital, with the Fleet, and detained as prisoners of war.

asked the President of the Board of Education why Part II. of the Financial Statistics for 1912, 1913, and 1914, which was stated in June to be with the printers, has not yet been published; and whether, in view of discussing war-time economies in education, the publication of this Report can be promised at an early date?

The publication of this volume has been unavoidably delayed owing to depletion of staff, but copies will be available before the end of this week

Can we have an assurance that no decision as to war-time economy will be arrived at before we have an opportunity of studying these statistics?

That is not a matter for the Board of Education.

asked the Chief Secretary for what reason the Irish Local Government Board requested the Press Bureau to issue directions to Irish newspapers not to discuss the working of the Registration Act in Ireland?

No instructions of the nature indicated in the question were issued by any Department of the Irish Government.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the constabulary throughout Ireland have been engaged in compiling an Irish register of the same nature as the British register under the National Registration Act, both in areas scheduled under the Act and in areas not so scheduled; whether the constabulary have been provided with special forms for use in non-scheduled areas; what is the statutory authority for taking the register in non-scheduled areas; and for what purpose this Irish register is required?

On the Committer stage of the National Registration Bill I gave, as one of the reasons for the differential application of the Bill to Ireland, the fact that the Irish Government had, in the Register of Householders, maintained by the Royal Irish Constabulary, a record of the population embodying much of the information which it was sought under the Bill to acquire for Great Britain. As I foreshadowed on that occasion, the constabulary have lately been engaged in entering on special forms such information as they had with regard to all persons between the ages of 15 and 65. This information, for the collection of which no sanction other than the direction of the Lord Lieutenant was required, will supplement that obtained under the Act from persons who have themselves filled in forms, and from any other source at the disposal of the Registrar-General, and will be made available for the same purposes as the rest of the information.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any details regarding the pillage by the Turks of the shrine at Kerbela, held sacred by the Shia Mahomedans?

I have received a Report about recent events at the Holy Places in Mesopotamia which I will circulate with the Votes. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now state the result of the application received by the Government of India from the Bengal Chamber of Commerce for the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the present state of the volunteer force in India, and what steps have been taken to strengthen and improve that force?

The Government of India have informed me that the question as to the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry is still under their consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any information as to the inroads into Mekran, in the Baluchistan province of India, by Persian raiders from Persion territory, which are said to have been driven out again by the Mekran Levy Corps; and whether steps will now be taken by the Government of India to increase the strength of the Mekran Levy Corps, with a view to a more adequate protection of the frontier and the due punishment of these Persian raiders?

I think the incident to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is an inroad into British Baluchistan by a force of Persian Baluchis from the direction of Bampur at the end of June. The raiders were driven out with heavy loss by the Mekran Levy Corps. Since that date another raid has been threat-end, but, as far as I am aware, it has not taken place. The strength of the Mekran Levy Corps was increased last year, and a further increase was sanctioned last month.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Germans are still at large in India?

I have no figures later than those published in the communiqué of the Government of India dated 13th August last. It was then announced that the Government of India, with the approval of the Secretary of State, had decided to adopt a general policy of repatriating all German and Austrian women and children and men of non-military age who were not interned as prisoners of war at Ahmednagar. The figures there given are therefore no longer correct.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the dispatches relating to the operations in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf will be published in the "London Gazette"?

The general question of the republication in the "London Gazette" of dispatches that have already been published in the "Official Gazette" of India with regard to operations controlled by the Indian Government is at present under my consideration in communication with the Secretary of State for War, and I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the great hardships undergone by the Mesopotamia Field Force, and accelerate some recognition of their services as soon as he possibly can?

Yes, Sir; I am extremely anxious to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information as to the military operations in the vicinity of Aden; and whether he can arrange for fuller information to be made public more frequently as to operations in East and West Africa, and other spheres of minor military operations?

I am informed by the Secretary of State for India that there have been no military operations at Aden since the re-occupation of Sheikh Othman, as to which a communiqué was issued on the 26th of July last.

As regards operations in the North of the Cameroons and on the Nigeria-Cameroons border, notifications were published in the Press on 15th June, 17th July, 18th August and 2nd September, and there is no further news to communicate at present.

In the Duala area, the rainy season is preventing active operations.

In East Africa the military situation has not changed, and with the exception of some engagements of patrols (such as that referred to in the War Office statement published on 17th September) there has been no fighting in this area during the last two months.

In Nyasaland also there has been no-change in the situation.

On the Rhodesian frontier there have been engagements between patrols, and in the course of a more serious incursion by the Germans a post at Saisi was surrounded at the end of August. The post was, however, relieved with trifling loss.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience which is caused to the executors of soldiers and sailors killed in action and to companies in which their estates are interested through the present practice of the War Office in issuing certificates of death, consisting of a flimsy slip, of typewritten information of which duplicates cannot be obtained as is the case with certificates obtained in the usual way from registrars; whether he will consider the practicability of an arrangement whereby the War Office itself will register deaths of soldiers when, or shortly after, they occur either in the ordinary register or in a supplementary register such as already exists for deaths taking place abroad; or, alternatively, of instructing registrars to register deaths on production of the typewritten slip issued from the War Office and to issue extracts of deaths so registered in the usual way?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, so far as soldiers are concerned; so far as sailors are concerned, perhaps my hon. Friend will address a question to the Admiralty. The notification of death which the hon. Gentleman describes as a flimsy slip of typewritten information and the death certificate issued from the War Office in the case of soldiers killed in action or dying of disease, are separate documents. The first is issued as a rule on the receipt of the casualty list from the base, whereas the death certificate is not issued until the base has furnished a written confirmation of death. The suggestion that duplicates of the death certificate are not issued is unfounded, and, as regards the notification of death, I understand that separate copies are sent where the names of more than one relative are noted as desiring such notification. The desirability of formally registering deaths at Somerset House is recognised, but it is obvious that premature registration is most undesirable. As registration at Somerset House must in any case take place considerably in arrear of death, there is danger that confusion might arise through uncertainty as to whether application should be made to the War Office or to Somerset House. Moreover, the question of fees to Somerset House creates a further difficulty, which in the case of the War Office does not arise, since no fees are charged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations will be made to the railway companies to secure a lower charge being made on the conveyance of cider from the manufacturing to the consuming centres?

I am not aware of any special reason for suggesting that these rates should be reduced.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if people took to drinking cider they would drink less foreign wine?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury on whose advice he directed the Irish Insurance Commissioners to set aside the present certification arrangements for insured persons requiring benefit in Ireland; whether he is aware that, by the proposal, at least 200 doctors who stood by the National Insurance Act are threatened with loss of office and the salary agreed on; and whether, in these circumstances, he proposes to proceed with the new arrangements in violation of obligations incurred under difficulty by these doctors?

The part-time appointments referred to by the hon. Member were made on purely a temporary basis pending the settlement of a permanent scheme for certification, and were terminable by one month's notice on either side, and this fact was clearly indicated by the Irish Insurance Commissioners to all candidates for such appointments.

Are we to understand that this matter is now definitely settled?

No; it is still subject of negotiation. I hope to receive very shortly a deputation from the persons on whose behalf the hon. Member is asking the question.

Has the hon. Gentleman included in the deputation representatives of the societies?

I am not quite sure.